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At the beginning of the year, rapper MC Lyte revealed that she found love after waiting on it for quite some time.

What can I say, except thank you Lord!! she wrote on Instagram in January. Its been a long time, this single life, and I thank you all for your prayers and kind words of hope. God has sent me true love. For all of you waiting on LOVE- dont give up keep God first and he will see that you meet your match. #godisall.

By May, the 46-year-old announced that she was engaged, preparing to tying the knot with her man, whose name is John, and whom she met online. The news was a pretty big deal considering that in 2016, at her W.E.A.L.T.H Experience empowerment conference, Lyte confessed that I feel I am in a space to truly receive love, according toEssence.

Lyte, bornLana Michelle Moorer, is all set to marry her knight in shining armor (she hasnt shared details on a date and location), but first, there has to be some sort of bridal shower. She just had a bridal tea party over the weekend to celebrate her upcoming nuptials and also revealed her new last name Wyche.

The stars who showed up included Jada Pinkett Smith and Lil Mama, who are long-time friends of the hip-hop legend. Other attendees included Toni Braxton and Erica Campbell.

Lyte, who took part in Love Jones: The Musical last year, shared her best bit of love advice before introducing the world to her Mr. Right. Her thoughts on the topic were right on time.

Sometimes love comes from the most unexpected places, she said in the chat with VH1. Have a frame for what it is that you want, but also be willing to flow inside of that. Dont be so stringent upon what someone has to look like, or sound like, or how tall just throw all of that stuff out of the window and [ask yourself] can you really gel with whats inside.

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Mrs. MC Wyche: Jada Pinkett Smith, Toni Braxton And More Join MC Lyte For Bridal Tea Party - MadameNoire

Its no secret our kids are growing up in a pretty different world than we did, with iPads and apps and smart TVs and video games to occupy their every waking moment. But at least one thing has remainedthe same all these years: kids loveto play dress-up. They like to emulate their role models and people they find interesting.

My own kids have dressed up as astronauts, superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Harry Potter characters, and princesses. But does it cross the line if kids dress up to look like someone from another culture? Bloggers Patty and Heidi Maloy from The Gala Gala Gals say no. But some Internet commenters disagree.

One of their blog posts, which was originally published back in 2012, has made recent headlines after it was resurfaced on Tumblr, where users left some scathing comments last week calling them both racist. The post in question showed images from a little girls birthday party, which was set up to mimic a Japanese tea party. Images included a branch with pink flowers made out of tissue paper, origami crafts, Asian-style seating using a cardboard box and pillows on the floor, and snacks that included tea, chopsticks, and tiny pieces of cake.

And finally, the party guestsdressed up as Geishas. They wore kimonos, painted their faces white with red lips, and posed for a photo shoot with their hands together to look the part.

One Tumblr user was not having it, and called Gala Gals Gals out for racism and cultural appropriation, writing:

The makeup is clearly reflective of traditional Geisha makeup which is yellow face and therefore racist. Furthermore the girl is wearing a kimono, a garment that has for ages carried cultural significance. Assuming that she is white how you can you think this ok? What rock do you live under? I suggest you educate yourself on the differences between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation.

Other Tumblr users, however, responded by countering that last point. One commenter, who identified themselves as Japanese, noted:

A vast majority of Japanese people actually enjoy other people making an effort to spread and enjoy Japanese culture, and encourage it A common omiage (gift) for foreigners from Japanese people is traditional Japanese things such as kimonos, tea sets, shisa dog statues, etc.

The commenter went on to addthat Japanese culture is highly influenced by other cultures, including Russian, Chinese, Korean, and European (just as American culture has been). That is, after all, how cultures evolve by learning from each other and appreciating each other. And if you ask me, this kids party seems to do just that it celebratesa culture rather than insulting it.

The Gala Gala Girls were not creating a party for their children to mock another culture. And it wasnt distasteful or even disrespectful. If anything, the girls were learning through their imitation. Isnt that what we want for our kids? Or do we want them to never experience, dress up as, or mimic another culture for fear of being offensive? Should we foreverkeep them in their suburban American bubble?

Despite the backlash, Heidi Maloy, co-founder of Gala Gala Gals, tells Babble that the feedback has been primarily positive and supportive.

While there have been a handful of negative comments from people offended for various reasons, many more have been complimentary of our creative and fun attempt to appreciate another culture, she shares.

In fact, Heidi says that her favorite reactions so far have been from Japanese readers themselves, or those with Japanese connections.

They, and we, recognize our faults in a few of the details and nuances, but see the underlying interest and positive intent, she explains. Every response from Japan has put a smile on my face.

Heidi also tells Babble that she thinks theres a definite distinction between cultural appropriation, cultural appreciation, and even cultural insensitivity.

I also think by misunderstanding, cultural appropriation becomes cultural segregation and I believe that is a dangerous step, she continues. Cultures have been sharing, borrowing, and appreciating each others art, architecture, food, skills, goods, traditions, fashion, etc. for millennia. I dont like the idea that we have to stay in our lanes. I think its more dangerous to teach this segregated cultural identity to our children than to try and share various ideas with them.

Heidi also points outthat Caitlyn, the child featured in the photo, is not just a little white girl, as shes been portrayed by commenters. Shes actually part Mexican, Italian, and Irish. Now a few years older, Heidi says Caitlyn has grown up to have a great appreciation for other cultures, and she wouldnt change one thing.

Although the family lives in a predominantly white suburban town, Heidi says they have friends in Norway, have spent time doing service in a small town in Ecuador recently, and long to travel the world exploring other cultures even more.

In my opinion, it sounds like Heidi of Gala Gala Gals is doing something right if shes raising kids who appreciate other cultures. So if dressing up as a Geisha and imitating Japanese culture helped her become a more worldly person, I cant help but wonder: How is that really a bad thing?

Brace Yourself A Lullaby Album of Justin Timberlake's Greatest Hits Is Coming

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Original post:
Mom Accused of Cultural Appropriation After Throwing Her Daughter a Japanese Tea Party - Babble (blog)

Collective Evolution

Someone Called This Little Girl's Tea Party Racist. Then A Japanese Tumblr User Responded Perfectly Collective Evolution A Utah mom posted pictures from a Japanese-themed birthday party she threw her daughter on her blog. She explained how she decorated on a budget and even went to a Japanese grocer to get some traditional cuisine. Here are some photos from the party:.

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Someone Called This Little Girl's Tea Party Racist. Then A Japanese Tumblr User Responded Perfectly - Collective Evolution

It began in a closet. Not a real closet, but Graces Closet, on the square in Moulton about ten years ago. At the time, Gena Terry owned the consignment shop. As an added bonus for her customers, she offered to host childrens birthday parties and tea parties in the half-loft of the building.

The tea parties were such a hit that they came to include carriage rides around the Courthouse Square. The little girls, hair piled high in curls, wearing tiaras and prom and formal dresses, felt like small Cinderellas.

Since then, Terry has closed her shop, but has been able to carry on her work with young ladies through a different avenue.

In 2009, Terry attended an Esther Conference in Pensacola, Florida. It was amazing, she recalls.

What we were doing in our store, other people were doing in churches.

She was referring to classes based on the Biblical story of Esther. The classes teach the girls courage, self-confidence and that they are special, she explained.

In 2014, when Terry was again in Pensacola for another Esther Conference, she got a call from her brother, Kenny Rogers, minister at Calvary Tabernacle. He asked if she was willing to be in charge of putting together an Esther Conference for the girls of that age, 8-18, who attended their church, and any others who wanted to attend.

My heart was touched, she said, I told him that I would.

The conference would be bi-annual, and there would be different classes for various age groups. In 2015, an Esther Conference was held in Moulton at the Calvary Tabernacle. It was a great success, with almost 40 girls in attendance.

This years Esther Conference was another success. Hearts were touched, lives were changed, young girls were taught that they are from a royal priesthood, and that they are special, she said.

In addition to classes, a play directed by Brittany Heflin was staged for the final event. It focused on bullying, how children might react to a bully. Lives were changed due to the message, said Terry. The whole point of the Esther Conference is to encourage these young girls, to build up their self-esteem. Just as Esther dressed up and a crown was put on her head, our young girls today need to know that they are beautiful, and that they are special because God made them special, He chose them.

This years theme was, Chosen by The King.

Just as I felt led to share this message with the girls back in 2007 at Graces Closet, I still feel that young girls should know the story of Esther, and learn to believe in themselves, to be courageous, to feel beautiful and worthy, said Terry.

The three day conference focuses on many aspects of Christian life, including manners. That class, taught by Chantelle Rogers included teachings on fruits of the spirit, including being kind to others and that we should all love one another.

Andrea Brasher taught the children how to praise God, while Tera Mardis lessons to the children included primping and preparing. Bethany McGlauns lessons included keeping the commandments, and Virginia Shearers class was about Esther being chosen by the king. Shelia Thomason Mattox reminded the girls how much God loves them and that they are special in many ways. Each of the teachers were great and they instilled confidence in the children, said Terry. The classes also included Arts and Crafts in the afternoon, hosted by Tammie Coffelt.

To help fund the classes, the girls sold lemonade at Wal-Mart, in the midst of the worst of summer heat. They had to be dedicated to this to be able to stand that kind of heat, said Terry. They have been so good to help and they really pitched in and did whatever needed to be done. Top fundraisers for the past four years are Madeline Rogers, Macey Rogers, and Lainey MacPhee.

We could not have gone to an Esther Conference or hosted one, without these girls working so hard, said Terry.

At the end of the Esther Conference, the girls donned in their dresses, including scarves and picture hats, purses and shoes. It gave them a feeling of looking beautiful and it showed in their faces as they sang for their audience.

Part of the whole experience included picking out the dresses, getting their hair fixed, and then being picked up in a limousine to be taken to the banquet. Afterward, the girls were taken to the church to ride the Horse and Carriage, Terry described. On Saturday the girls were treated to a Dress Up Tea Party, which included wearing scarves, hats and gloves.

The little ladies were served beautiful trays of food, furnished by the church for the tea party and during the week the meals were prepared by Janet Rogers, Paul Schultz and Virginia Shearers. According to Terry, they treated them like royalty.

Rev. Kenneth Rogers is pastor and he has been very encouraging in backing up the Esther Conference, said Terry.

We could not have done this without the churchs help, said Terry. One person cannot do everything. If it wasnt for a lot of people pulling together, we could not have done this, she concluded. However, with everyone pulling together it becomes a success and it is all worth it.

Terry also extended a special thanks to Cindy Brantley, who was the banquet decorator, and Ariel Waits and Brenda MacPhee who were registration greeters.

Visit link:
Tea Party group attends conference - Moulton Advertiser

An Ohio-based tea party activist says he wasn't surprised that his state's Republican governor took a swipe at the tea party movement.

It was no surprise to hear Gov. John Kasich disparage the tea party in a Fox News interview, says Tom Zawistowski of the Portage County Tea Party, because Ohioans have been fighting Kasich since he was elected in 2010.

"They said he was a conservative and ever since he got elected, he's been nothing but a liberal Democrat," Zawistowski says of the U.S. senator-turned-governor.

After dropping out of the GOP presidential primary, Kasich refused to endorse Donald Trump's nomination, claiming that he wrote in John McCain's name instead of voting for the Republican nominee.

During an appearance on Fox News Sunday, Kasich mocked other politicians who "run around worried" about angering tea party conservatives.

"We've got to stop listening to all the yelling - to all the yelling and screaming," Kasich said. "Those are the people that should be least listened to."

Asked in the interview if he intended to run against Trump in 2020, Kasich said he is not thinking about that political future at the moment.

"Frankly, you've got a Republican President," he replied. "We don't know what the future's going to hold."

Zawistowski has another theory: Kasich will run for president as a Democrat.

"He is not a conservative," the tea party leader says of his governor. "I think that is what this is all about: him positioning himself to try to run as a Democrat in 2020 to try to beat Trump."

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Kasich a closet Democrat, says tea party leader - OneNewsNow