What’s behind that smile, girl? Why is it so strained? It’s beautiful, but painted flawlessly between two beautiful lips, gated by beautiful white teeth… there’s something hidden… And it’s your decision not to share your story, but it might help add to your glory if someone knew about the trials you’ve been through. If someone vicariously lived what you hid. You must not have heard how the soul can be healed through reflection and release, but even if you continue not to speak, know that I see the pain inside. Behind the pearly whites and painted lips. I see the strain curving into a smile. And you don’t have to say a word… For now…

Domestic violence is wrong.

While there is a great difference in the degree of physical pain a punch, slap, push, kick, or even a head-butt can inflict, the commonality is that each act is done out of anger with the intent to harm.

Years later, I am once again enraged about the reactions to a celebrity couples’ dispute. Before, it was Chris Brown & Rihanna. This time, a domestic fight lead to the arrest of Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson after his wife Evelyn Lozada (of VH1’s Basketball Wives) suffered an injury and pressed charges.

My TL quickly filled with various tweets about the situation, but the ones that really pinched a nerve were in defense of Chad. Because Evelyn only had a 3” mark on her forehead, her situation is not that bad. Because there are spouses who fight all the time Evelyn should get over it. Besides, she is super dramatic & this situation was not cause enough for her to press charges. Because Evelyn has a slick tongue & bad temper, she probably provoked Chad.

Seriously? Why must we always make excuses for people who do wrong?

Society’s twisted. Obviously, none of us witnessed the chain of events that lead to Chad’s arrest & release from the Miami Dolphins. Regardless of what happend, Evelyn has every right to do what she feels is best to protect herself legally. Shame on anyone who says otherwise. If this happened to a woman close to you, I’m sure you’d be singing a different tune.

Every four years, presidential candidates raise an insane amount of money to inform U.S. citizens of the policies they believe in and the “rights” they will fight for.

“But why raise all this money to talk about what you’re going to do instead of actually doing it?” my friend asked.

My immediate response was to inform him of the expenses of campaign efforts -  frequent travel, advertising, and staff salaries - surely he’s been in America on a visa long enough to know these things add up. Still, raising tens of millions of dollars in one month to tell citizens instead of showing them makes no sense to him.

And now that he’s mentioned it, it makes no sense to me either.

The money candidates raise could be used to rebuild communities, fund charities, create jobs, and uplift the morale of citizens in general. A certain amount of campaign advertisement should be allotted to candidates free of charge in an effort to keep voters knowledgeable during an election year. Instead of traveling just to talk about plans for the future, candidates should take these opportunities to sit down with constituents and devise plans for action within individual communities.

Too many times citizens get fired up during election years only to be left feeling drained and used in the end wondering about the benefits of their participation. In a sense, I understand the simplicity of this kind of thinking. I’m sure there are things my friend and I don’t understand or didn’t consider, and campaigning is probably much more complex than we give credit, but there’s no doubt in my mind there’s a better method to the madness. There has to be. My friend and I agree.

In lieu of a highly anticipated action movie where the hero is guaranteed victory over villains, Americans are left feeling defeated. This morning, a tragic shooting occurred during a showing of “Dark Knight Rises” in an Aurora, Colorado movie theater.

More than 70 people were directly affected (appx. 12 dead and 58 injured), but many more American citizens remain stunned, confused, & saddened. The focus seems to be on the shooter. While (I guess) it’s somewhat important to notify the public about who he is, the majority of the focus should be shifted to developing solutions that can prevent future situations.

The Blame Game

Fault has been inappropriately forced on the National Rifle Association (NRA). A representative tweeted a cheery “Good morning shooters” unaware of what happened earlier this day. Frantic citizens jumped to conclusions & the organization has been targeted since.

What Can Be Done

The time to press for changes in firearm policies should be before things like the Aurora shooting can occur. But since we know it takes time to pass laws, we have to take precautionary measures in the meantime.

Public places like movie theaters usually don’t have metal detectors or a high volume of security to check individuals upon entry. Maybe business owners should invest in some. Also, the shooter was able to enter the theater through what seems to be the emergency exit. Shouldn’t those be locked from the outside at all times?

Some may argue that changing laws, buying new equipment & hiring staff will be costly & unnecessary. This shooting was an unusual incident, so why invest so much trying to prevent something that may never happen again? But why not?

As a citizen of this country, I have a right to be guaranteed protection. Millions of dollars are invested into the military every year to protect our country on foreign lands, but it always seems too much to ask for the government to take care of home first.

But, hey, I could be thinking too simplistically. I’m merely a young citizen with tons of questions & no answers trying to make it in this world.

I’ll definitely be praying for the family & friends of the victims… & for the rest of our country.

My story, I’m sure, is different from yours. Different experiences. Different environments. Different responses. However, it all stemmed from the same situation.

Someone told us we can’t.

An attempt was made to deny us our right “to be” before we really got the chance to try. But thankfully, like you, I’m a fighter. I kept going. I keep going. Working steadily toward the desires I see so clearly in my head. One step, maybe a stumble here and there… and there. A few more steps and a fall… But we always get up.

And keep going. And going. And thankfully, I’m a fighter like you.

I’m sure most have heard the phrase “Fried, dyed, and laid to the side”. Sadly, even more of us can attest to a horror story where your hair has been just that. A perfectly tamed mane is the climax to a woman’s attire. So how does one make sure her hair is intact?

1. KEEP HAIR HYDRATED. you’re thinking “Duh!”, right? But you wouldn’t imagine how many people don’t put an emphasis on moisturized hair. Chemically treated or not, a little moisture works wonders on your hair.

2. KEEP HAIR NOURISHED. similar to keeping your hair hydrated, but this starts from the inside. Your diet has a lot to do with the health of your hair. Vitamins and minerals present in the food you eat do more than cure your appetite. These substances are necessary for the strength and growth of your body, hair included. And water is most definitely a necessity. Especially with this heat.

3. KEEP YOUR HAIR TRIMMED. this isn’t something that’s required often. Cut away dead ends on an as-needed basis. (If you cut too often, you’ll never notice the growth.) When your ends become frayed, pay special attention to them when moisturizing. If your ends refuse to snap back, chop those bad boys off. You don’t want the damage to travel beyond the ends.

4. KEEP HAIR PROTECTED. when using headbands, ponytail holders and catching Zs, be careful. When pulling hair back/up, use hairpins to prevent pulling hair too tightly. Use silk materials to cover your head when sleeping or wearing hats, headbands, and other accessories that may cause breakage when sliding across your hair. And of course, be careful with the amount of heat and chemicals used. Try pin curls to maintain your mane over night. And only use chemicals as instructed.

No matter how you decide to wear your hair, these four practices should never be overlooked. Healthy hair leads to a happy woman. And a happy woman is the most gorgeous woman you can find.

Of all the debt America collectively owes, students are the most sought after when it comes to collection time.

I wonder why that is. I mean, people who own credit cards to purchase things they don’t need and can’t afford get breaks on repayment. Even those who owe back taxes can cut a deal with the government to get their debt reduced. But those in pursuit of a better quality of life via higher education, a luxury that should be much more affordable, are hounded starting the 5th/6th month we’re out of school as a reminder it’s time to pay up.

Never mind the state of the economy or whether we make enough money to pay our debt AND live with our minimal wage jobs. Students can’t even get government assistance to offset expenses that will make loan repayment more feasible. (The food stamp offices & others like it base a person’s need solely on the cost of rent & utilities unless there is a dependent. Student loans, an often necessary evil, are not considered even though these payments result in less money for living.)

I’m not saying students shouldn’t be held accountable for any accumulated debt, but please help a student out!

Thankfully, the Obama Administration is sensitive to this need and are seeking solutions to help struggling former students. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/02/la-teacher-has-wages-seiz_n_1643693.html) Unfortunately, this help will undoubtedly come with a significant cost. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/27/student-loan-bill-passes-house_n_1459347.html)