links for 2010-06-07

"The game, which gathered participants via Facebook, is a complicated contest of tag, in which "Jews" are taken, blind-folded, by car to a place off campus and have to make their way back to base, while pursued by "Nazis", said Sherri Johnstone, assistant superintendent for personnel at the Desert Sands Unified School District.

Organizers had put up a Facebook page announcing the game that was "friended" by some 40 students, of which seven participated, Johnstone said."

I wrote this for the Root. – LDP "Kitschy, socially conscious singer and songwriter Janelle Monae has all the tools for a successful debut music career–interesting and dynamic production, a melodic singing voice, an interesting look, a new dance–and one of hip-hop's heavy hitters (Big Boi, of Outkast fame) as her mentor and co-collaborator. So why hasn't her new single torn up the airwaves? Is it because the world isn't ready for Monae's tuxedoed swagger and retro-meets-R&B supersonic sound? Or is it the music industry's stubborn adherence to narrowly defined genres, coupled with monopolization of the airwaves?"

"I lived in constant fear serving under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” I was always looking over my shoulder, censoring what I said and keeping as much physical distance as possible between my military life and my personal life.

Even with this vigilance, I was found out by some male “friends” at my first duty assignment. I was just 19 years old. The deal was simple: Perform sexual favors and my secret was safe.

I had a choice: report these men for “sexual harassment/cohesion” and end my military career or submit to their demands."

"Why does buzz surround the trainwreckery of Ke$ha — from her Jack Daniels-swigging to her faux-rap to her Native American headdress — and not Janelle Monáe? Have we gotten used to showering attention (negative or otherwise) on bad girls who "act up" and exhibit bad behavior? Is real talent just not that interesting? Lord, let's hope not. Janelle Monáe's sound is infectious."