Before you catch some Zz's...

  
           Personally, I can honestly say I will never ever take my sleep for granted again once after I graduate May of 2013. That being said, I'm sure all my fellow college students out there can agree that between work both in and outside of school, social events and personal relationships, sleep definitely takes the backseat. 
        Honestly, how many times have you stayed up into the early hours of the morning writing a paper or putting the finishing touches up on a power point/video file; your eyes aching to stay open while the sun rising from outside seeps into your room as you hurriedly try to complete your assignment. 5am and you are just closing down your computer, and drunkenly stumbling into your bed --- only to wake up just 5 or 6 hours later! (And that's If you're lucky enough to have a 1030am class.)

         At this point throughout the day, your mind and body are going to fall into the following states:
1.) Falling asleep in class.
2.) Downing coffee/energy drink and eventually.. falling asleep in class.
3.) Straining to keeps eyes open and remain eye contact with professor... just before you fall asleep.

         Overall, sleep is crucial. But just in case you're one of those people who are so adjusted to not getting any sleep they're okay with pulling an "all-nighter" every single night for no reason, here are a few facts to enlighten your sleepyhead. Until then, get some zzz's!!

                

Common Miscomceptions About Black People

       There are lots of myths that have become quite common among black folk such as myself, as well as popular beliefs among other races concerning the African American community. Listed below are 2 of the most common I grew up hearing, perhaps you have too? Time to educate.


"Black Don't Crack"
        Funny as this saying is, according to Dr. Andrew F. Alexis, director of the Skin of Color Center at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, this is in fact true. On the topic of African American's having a better rate at aging in terms of skin endurance, Alexis mentions that in her "dermatology practice, black men and women tend to present with skin aging concerns about a decade later than... patients with lighter skin". So what does this say for those of African American descents alike? Just ask 45-year-old, Stacy Dash who still manages to take on roles requiring a 20-something year old. And lets not forget music producer/designer and artist, Pharrell of N.E.R.D. who has looked barely the N.Y state drinking age since the year 2000.

Black men are naturally Athletic
       According to the National Basketball Association and the National Football League, more than 80% of basketball players in the league and over 60% football players are of African American descent. Just what does this mean exactly? According to Jon Entine, an American author and journalist explains that the case is less about race but due to environment and ethnicity.
In his book, "Taboo: Why Black Athletes Dominate Sports and Why We’re Afraid to Talk About It book", Entine breaks down the athletic features of certain ethnic groups:
West-African's: Dominant in speed and jumping; this is due to an increase in fast-twitch fibers in their muscles which can contract faster with greater force. In contrast just as well-trained whites and Asians cannot jump as high as most African-American athletes according to Entine.
        Yet this being said the characteristics named above of the West-African athletes (smaller lungs, increase in contracting fibers in muscles) make them less apt at a sport such as swimming, unlike those in other race groups.
       Caucasian's of Eurasian backgrounds have more of an upper body strength helping to dominate shot-put and weightlifting, while East Asian's show their strengths in diving, ice skating and gymnastics  due to their flexibility.
Al in all, while African American men dominate in a majority of sports played in warmer weather, whites dominate in winter sports.

       At the end of the day lets all just get along, because at the end of the day we all share the same insides. In a way. Sort of. That is all.

Aaliyah Haughton Biopic, anyone?

       Aaliyah "Baby Girl" Haughton. Immensely talented, incredibly humble, beautiful both inside and out --- and replicable?

         Rumors of the late "Queen of R&B" spiritually starring in an Aaliyah biography film surfaced just a year after her passing in an airplane crash on August 25th 2001. As we all know, this was just a month prior to the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City; this left a heavy mourning period for all effected by both the loss of Aaliyah and those involved in the attack.

         Yet around the time of grieving for the lost ones in 2001, a buzz began to surround the process of a movie being made in honor of Aaliyah's life, which was beautiful in thought, until the idea came to decide who should portray Haughton --- meet Canadian born R&B artist, Keshia Chanté.

         Although many may see the two sharing a few resemblances (enough to have Keshia take on the role of Aaliyah), not everyone was content with such a situation; take Aaliyah's brother, Rashad for example.

Rashad Haughton, along with family have been hush-hush on the potential biopic with Keshia Chanté starring as Aaliyah, perhaps in hopes to prevent the situation from blossoming all together. Only as of August 2012, Aaliyah's older brother, Rashad has spoken out on the rumors, taking his opinion public with FaceBook.

         Now if that doesn't put any rumor of an Aaliyah biopic to rest, I don't know what will. In retrospect, according to an interview from CYInterview.com, Keshia Chanté mentions she understands "there are people trying to create a movie and Aaliyah’s family are still mourning her loss and aren’t ready to share her story and create a film". Yet, she doesn't want to "disrespect [Aaliyah's] family" but still "[wants] her family to be on board and to be happy with it", if it ever were to happen.

      Now a lot of Aaliyah fans may be saying that exactly, but in all honesty I feel if the Haughton family wishes to not have a film produced about their beloved 'Baby Girl' while she is portrayed by  Keshia Chanté, or the likes of her, then that should be respected. Aaliyah will after all, remain in our hearts and here in spirit always. Let us remember her life the way she lived it when she was here, and continue to celebrate her legacy.