Loving Yourself More: Being a young black man, I know plenty of beautiful black women who are very confident in their appearance. At the same time, many tend to be just a bit self-conscious. To me, this is very puzzling. Why would a beautiful dark skin black woman with flawless skin and a gorgeous smile feel that she is not seen by women with lighter skin tones? Why does a woman who is a size 12, not overweight, but just kind of thick (in the right places), feel like she needs to lose weight and tone down her curves? Why is interracial dating such a sensitive topic for black women when it concerns black men going to different races?

I hear it all the time. A woman with a dark complexion complaining about men of her race only goes for women with light skin and straight hair. Then you have the beautiful big women saying that men only want skinny women. At the same time, the slim figured women complain that the media causes men only to like women with waistlines but unrealistic measurements regarding their breasts and rear-ends. You also have black women saying that black men all want white women, and white women who date black men say that black men are afraid to approach them because of what black women think. While these assumptions might be valid in some cases, I can’t help but think it is slightly absurd. Most people blame the media for making women have this mindset and making a specific type of woman seem famous and more beautiful, not because she looks better, but simply because she looks a certain way.

Women should ignore what the media say is beautiful but focus more on the features that make them beautiful and unique. For example, if you are a dark woman, you shouldn’t feel like you are missing out because light skin is in, but instead realize that even though you might not have naturally curly or straight hair, bright colored eyes, and fair complexion, you might still have those gorgeous eyes that just glimmer in the light, clear, beautiful skin that is soft and smooth and that flawless smile that lights up the room! So ladies, “love yourself because we sure do love you.” Know just how beautiful you are, and don’t focus on what the media says is beautiful but what you think is gorgeous.

Marriage and Bisexuality: In the realm of relationships and human connections, there is a beautiful diversity that exists within the spectrum of sexual orientation. As societal attitudes evolve, it is crucial that we address and challenge the misconceptions surrounding bisexuality, particularly within the context of marriages. Embracing bisexuality in marriages not only fosters authenticity but also promotes love, acceptance, and the deepening of emotional connections.

Bisexuality, the capacity to feel romantic and/or sexual attraction to people of more than one gender, is a valid and genuine orientation. Unfortunately, misconceptions and prejudices often lead to a lack of understanding and acceptance. Many people wrongly assume that bisexuality threatens the foundation of a marriage or signifies a lack of commitment. However, embracing bisexuality in marriages can instead strengthen the bond between partners and create a space of trust, open communication, and acceptance.

Firstly, embracing bisexuality in marriages allows individuals to express their authentic selves. Honesty and self-discovery are vital components of personal growth and fulfillment. By acknowledging and accepting one’s bisexuality within a marriage, individuals are given the opportunity to explore and express their true desires, ensuring that they are not suppressing an integral part of their identity. This level of self-awareness and acceptance is fundamental for personal happiness and the well-being of the marital relationship.

Secondly, embracing bisexuality in marriages allows for open and honest communication between partners. When one spouse identifies as bisexual, it presents an opportunity for deepening the emotional connection through conversations about desires, boundaries, and mutual understanding. Engaging in such discussions can foster a heightened level of trust, leading to a more intimate and fulfilling relationship. By embracing bisexuality, couples can explore the unique challenges and joys that may arise, creating a safe and supportive environment for both partners.

Moreover, embracing bisexuality in marriages challenges societal norms and promotes inclusivity. By openly acknowledging bisexuality within the confines of a committed relationship, couples can challenge the monosexist notions that assume individuals are only capable of being attracted to one gender. This, in turn, helps to break down harmful stereotypes and fosters a more accepting and inclusive society.

However, it is crucial to note that embracing bisexuality in marriages requires open-mindedness, empathy, and active consent from both partners. Honest and ongoing communication about desires, boundaries, and expectations is vital to ensure the well-being and happiness of everyone involved. It is essential to approach these discussions with respect, understanding, and a commitment to support each other’s growth and fulfillment.

In conclusion, embracing bisexuality in marriages is a path towards authenticity, love, and acceptance. By challenging misconceptions and promoting open-mindedness, we create a society that celebrates the beauty and diversity of human sexuality. When couples acknowledge and embrace bisexuality within their marriage, they foster personal growth, strengthen emotional bonds, and challenge societal norms. Let us embrace the full spectrum of human experiences, fostering love and acceptance in our marriages and beyond.

 Read more articles form the Percy Says! Column.

Recently rapper Rick Ross said that he hopes that his fellow Maybach Music Group rappers can learn from his recent controversy. The controversy surrounding Rick Ross comes from his lyrics from the song U.O.E.N.O., which led to women’s rights groups protesting him as well as demanding that Reebok cut ties with him. In case you haven’t heard his verse (since it was replaced after the controversy) the line that caused so much backlash was “Put a molly in her champagne, she ain’t even know it. Took her home and enjoyed that, she ain’t even know it.” Without a doubt, using date rape as a punchline in a song is idiotic and reckless at best, especially when you are a successful rapper in the public’s eye with an endorsement deal. However, he claims to have learned his lesson and was quoted saying that it was a learning experience he hopes his fellow MMG colleagues would take from.

Rick Ross isn’t the only rapper who have lost an endorsement deal because of reckless lyrics. Lil Wayne also lost an endorsement deal with Mountain Dew because of his controversial (and kind of lame) Emmett Till punchline that he used in Future’s Karate Chop remix.

Both Lil Wayne and Rick Ross issued apologies for their lyrics, and Ricky even said that he hopes that rappers learn from his mistake. However, you have to ask yourself if the apologies were actually genuine and if rappers will actually learn to stay away from controversy for the sake of their careers? There have been so many controversial lyrics and actions done by artists throughout the years that gained negative media attention. T.I. was arrested on gun charges. Eminem, Tyler the Creator, and many other rappers have been under fire in the past for using homophobic slurs in their lyrics. Chris Brown beat up his former girlfriend, Rihanna, gone on twitter rants against bloggers and gotten into brawls with other artists; one of which caused innocent people to get injured. The list goes on and on for Chris Brown, so hopefully, you get the point. What do all rappers who have been in these situations have in common? Even if their actions lead them to lose endorsements at the moment, the artists managed to last long enough for the situations to blow over without doing permanent damage to their careers.

Many people, especially the execs at the companies who give rappers endorsement deals, hope that artists will learn to stay away from controversy and not do things that would harm their image. But let’s be honest for a second. When was the last time you heard about a popular rapper who is talented actually losing a record deal or having his/her career ended for saying or doing something controversial? Yes, there have been rappers who have had their music careers ended because of long jail sentences or situations that caused them to lose street cred, but how many have actually lost their careers due to offending people with their lyrics? So what is the real lesson that is learned? Would  the lesson be something along the lines of “Make sure you invest in a good PR rep for situations like this?” Or would “Just apologize and come out with a really hot track” work better? “It will all blow over soon” is the actual lesson that rappers will learn from similar situations of other artists? Maybe whoever said “there is no such thing as bad publicity” was onto something.

From the Editor’s: “As we continue the relaunch of USLMAG.COM, some of it’s most prominent articles have been reposted in an effect to convey our rebranding efforts. Please keep informed with us online and on social media as we mix-it-up and jump out of the box a bit.” -Editor’s Choice

 If you are someone who thinks that being a parent is rough, or someone who’s having issues with the mother/father of your children, then just breath deep for a second and be thankful that you are not in the same situation as Desmond Hatchett! This 33 year old Tennessee man has 30 children by over 11 different women. In case you are wondering, this is not a typo, this 33 year old man actually has 30 children by over 11 different women.

The craziest part of this story is that in 2009, he only had 21 kids and stated that he was going to stop having kids after many of the mothers of his children took him to court for child support. Speaking of child support, since he only makes minimum wage, the women get very little each month. One of the mothers only gets $1.50 a month. Now just take a second to do a little bit of math. Hatchett had 21 kids by 11 different women in 2009, but now has 30 kids in 2012. That’s 9 children in 3 years! You would think that he should of at least learned how to put a condom on. Hell, I know some guys who would just go ahead and get the vasectomy after the 5th child! I do understand how some people, especially women, would say how this man is irresponsible for not only having children with all of these women, but also for only working one minimum wage job to support them. Now I do agree that Hatchett is irresponsible for his actions. But I have just a few questions. Who are the women who actually had children by this man? Who are the senseless women wanting to give birth to babies 22-30? Just three years ago, Hatchett was on the news and all over Youtube for having 21 children. This guy now has 30 children by over 11 different women. That is 9 additional children he cannot take care of. Which of these women were lonely enough, and willing to have baby number 3 out of 9 (or maybe even 4 or 5 out of 9) by this guy, when they already knew he wasn’t going to put a ring on their finger? Did any of them know what the hell birth control was, at the time? Why didn’t any of them have enough sense to not have sex with this man, who then had 21 kids, without making him put a condom on first? There is only one more question that I cannot figure out. That question is: How did he do it? I know guys who work minimum wage jobs, and say that they constantly lose out to the men with more money at the clubs. I know men with children who complain that most women are reluctant to date them once they find out about them being single fathers. So, will someone please tell me, how a man who makes minimum wage, and has 21 children, managed to either convince the current “baby momma’s” to sleep with him again, or get new females to sleep with him. Maybe Desmond Hatchett should write a dating advice book and call it “Desmond Hatchett: How To Get Laid, Even Though You Ain’t Sh*T!”

The saddest thing about this story is the fact that the children themselves are going to have rough lives. Some of the mothers are still trying to collect child support even though they may get as little as $1.49 a month, just like one of the other mothers. Why would this man continue to bring children into this world knowing that he cannot take care of them? Why do these women continue to have unprotected sex with a man who cannot take care of his children? My guess is that he is probably a drug dealer who does have a little bit of money and just has the minimum wage job as a cover. A drug dealer who chooses not to take care of his children; thus, forcing the mothers to take him to court for child support, that is next to nothing. Of course, that is just a personal theory of mines and really should not be taken as a true statement. But if that isn’t the case, why would the women bring about the inevitable by sleeping with this man unprotected?

Many people have been talking about how Hatchett should be punished. Most women have been going so far as to say that someone should “Cut that thang off!” Maybe that’s too harsh. I’m a man, so of course I think that statement is too harsh. The government can’t legally prohibit him from having more children, so whats stopping him from having unprotected sex and getting another woman pregnant? He might not be forced to do this by law, but someone should really encourage him to get a vasectomy before he makes baby number 31 or maybe he should just learn how to WRAP IT UP! I don’t know about the people reading this, but just hearing about this story makes me want to go invest in a full crate of condoms! If there is a lesson to be learned from this, it is one should be responsible about who they sleep with, and practice safe sex. Unless of course, you are trying to go for this guy’s title, which is utterly “damn irresponsible.”

Contributor: Chris Mobley