Are you Facebook friends with your coworkers?

According to a survey from the American Society for Training and Development an estimated 85% of coworkers gossip, nearly a quarter of them regularly.  No surprises there! We all gossip, regardless of what industry you work in. Truth is, you bond with your office brethren by gossiping about the weekend plans, your mutual loathing of the office suck-up/bully or the printer that always has a jam.

The average worker spends a large majority of time at work and it's almost impossible to not begin to develop relationships with most of your co-workers. Once you become real life "friends" it's not official until you are Facebook friends or you follow each other on Twitter correct? I find that it's always good to remember that just because you and your co-workers  are on seemingly friendly terms it doesn't necessarily make you friends

I have heard of salacious stories of co-workers using Facebook and Twitter against each other. In other cases I have heard people just turn down Facebook requests from other co-workers in order to maintain a polished career persona. Ouch. Denied!

I will admit that a large majority of my friends are actually my co-workers and for the most part I am Facebook friends with them. In recent years I have tried to do a better job of selecting the co-workers that will forever sit in the Facebook pending friend request line.  Some folks will just never cross over to the confirmed side. Listen, I realize everybody is not on team Makho. Quite frankly I am ok with that, I understand that everyone in your life is not meant to be your friend. In real life and on the internets. Yes I said internets. LOL!

An article in the US version of Glamour Magazine even advises that you de-friend or block your tweets from your office mates. They urge folks not to confuse colleagues with confidantes.

So talk to me, are you Facebook friends with you co-workers? How is that relationship working out of you. Leave me a comment in the comments section and tell me what you think.

Pulitzer Prize winner: I'm an illegal immigrant

Jose Antonio Vargas a Pulitzer Prize winner is discussing America's hidden secret in a very open way. He published an article in the New York Times where he comes out as an illegal immigrant. "I’m done running. I’m exhausted. I don’t want that life anymore," he writes in the personal essay. "So I’ve decided to come forward, own up to what I’ve done, and tell my story to the best of my recollection. I’ve reached out to former bosses­ and employers and apologized for misleading them — a mix of humiliation and liberation coming with each disclosure."

I personally applaud him  for coming out and telling his story, it's extremely brave of him. I believe that America needs to have a real conversation about immigration. There are so many people live in constant fear  like Jose shielding their secret from the public, concealing their status in order to prevent deportation. As a Zimbabwean this an issue that is very near and dear to my heart.


The future is unclear for Jose, he could potentially face being deported back to his native country. "I don’t know what the consequences will be of telling my story," he writes. Vargas is telling his story as he ramps up an effort with the advocacy group he founded called Define American

So folks tell me your thoughts, if you were an illegal immigrant would you tell? Does Jose deserve to be deported?

Milan & Paris 'Absolutely Don't Want Black Girls'

As you guys may know I am commercial model in New York City and when I read this story it broke my heart. It's hard enough trying to be competitive with a room full of beautiful & talented women but when faced with racism in this day and age, it's really a sad state of affairs.

In an article with UK newspaper Daily Mail, Carol White, who is super model Naomi Campbell's former agent, says, "At the high end, it is slightly better now. But in the mid-range -- the catalogues, the e-commerce websites -- it is difficult. They want girls who are ethnic, but light-skinned girls. If a girl is very dark, they say no."


What the what? How is this even allowed in 2011? I know you all have heard about John Galliano's racist Jewish rant a few months ago but a blatant acceptance of racism in this day and age seems absurd. I applaud Carol White for speaking out on this issue, it needs to addressed. The fashion industry should be about inclusion and not exclusion.


Thoughts?

CNN's Don Lemon Reveals in New Book: I'm Gay

“I think it would be great if everybody could be out. But it’s such a personal choice,"

CNN anchor Don Lemon reveals in his new memoir, Transparent, that he is gay.

"I think it would be great if everybody could be out,” he says in an interview with the New York Times. “But it’s such a personal choice. People have to do it at their own speed. I respect that. I do have to say that the more people who come out, the better it is for everyone, certainly for the Tyler Clementis of the world.”

Clementis is the Rutgers University student who jumped off New York City's George Washington Bridge after a sexual encounter with another male in his dorm room was taped by fellow students and broadcast online.

What do you think of Don's decision to come out of the closet? 

Staying because of the kids..

After a 25-year marriage as one of the nation's leading power couples in Hollywood and politics, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver have split up. I cant even begin to imagine how difficult this announcement is for the couple, they have four children, ages 14, 18, 20 and 21, and long projected the image of a close and loving couple.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver

SGranitz/WireImage

I commend the couple for having the courage to split after the realization that years in the marriage neither party was happy. And listen Shriver is  55, and Schwarzenegger, 63, so I'm sure the concept of starting over at this stage of their lives is not ideal.

Hollywood and politics aside, I have heard of couples that instead of separating choose to stay in their marriages even if they fall out of love with their partner. Most attribute the reason to stay as fear of starting over or in most cases waiting it out for the kids. So my question of the day is this: would you stay in a marriage because of your kids? We have all heard the merits of raising children in a two parent household, is it worth sticking out after the love is gone?

Do you agree with Cameron Diaz on marriage?

She may be approaching 40, but Cameron Diaz has made it clear she isn't concerned about settling down and getting married.

 

Cammy D. says marriage is a dying institution, adding, "I think we have to make our own rules. I don't think we should live our lives in relationships based off of old traditions that don't suit our world any longer.”

Interesting argument here, do you believe that marriage is a dying institute?

Tia Mowry 'Embraces the Sexuality' of Pregnancy

What's with everyone posing nude while pregnant? Actress Tia Mowry looks great but I dont understand why actresses or singers feel the need to parade around in their birthday suits while with child. Now don't get me wrong I think pregnant women are beautiful (some of them) but I don't understand the nudity portion. But then again Ive never been pregnant so maybe it's one of those things I will understand when I get there.

The Game star, 32,  recently posed for a revealing belly photo.

"I feel empowered; I feel sexy," says Mowry, who's expecting a baby boy on July 3.

Inspired to pose for the photo by her mother – who regrets not having taken such a shot herself – the actress admits that she's a little "obsessed" with her glammed-up pregnancy pic.

Thoughts?

The most hideous shoes ever?

Somebody's getting fired for this. What in the shoe wearing heck though this was a good idea???

Check out these new Mary Jane shoes from Prada. These $1,500 Mary Janes comes with a leg already built in. Uhhhh these are just wrong!! Would you rock them?

Audio -Police release 911 call of NFL star stabbed by wife

By now I'm sure you have heard the story of the NFL wife Michi Nogami Marshall who stabbed her husband foot star Brandon Marshall. Apparently the couple has had issues in the past with violence in the relationship and Michi is telling police she acted in self defense. Listen to the audio of Mishi Nogami calling the cops after almost killing her husband.

The female caller twice says, “Please come, it’s an emergency,” but never responds to the dispatcher’s request about her location. The caller then hangs up the phone without any more response.

The couple just 10 months ago at their wedding

The dispatcher attempted to then call back the number, but the phone rings 10 times with no answer and no voicemail.The 911 call, which was made at 4:41 p.m. Friday, occurred three hours before police arrested Nogami-Marshall for allegedly stabbing her husband in the abdomen with a kitchen knife, according to a police report.

Quote of the Day - Tyler Perry

During a recent press conference for his Madea’s Big Happy Family, Tyler said: “I’m so sick of hearing about damn Spike Lee,”. “Spike can go straight to hell!” If you remember back in the day, Spike Lee, referred to Perry’s films as “coonery buffoonery;” Perry responded publicly on 60 Minutes, and admitted that he felt insulted by Lee’s comments.

Do you guys watch any of Tyler's movies? Are they "coonery" as Spike suggests or do they represent a segment of people in our society? Sound off in the comments section..

Is it ok for your man to grab your rear end in public?

Celeb couple Russell Brand & Katy Perry were spotted on the red carpet at the London premiere for his new film Arthur.The couple has spent a lot of time apart from each other due to their grueling work schedules. However it seems like they were making up for lost time and they raised quite a few eyebrows when Russell grabbed Katy's behind on the red carpet. Which begs the question - is it ok for your man to grab your booty in public? How much is too much in terms of public displays of affection?

 Despite the booty action I think Katy looked great in her nude colored dress. I approve of this look!

Interracial marriage should be illegal, say 46% of Mississippi Republicans in new poll

Penoyar/Getty

This is just sad & depressing on so many levels.

Eleven years into the 21st century, a new poll indicates there are a lot of Mississippi Republicans still living in the past. A survey conducted last month shows 46% of GOP voters in the state believe interracial marriage should be illegal.  40% who said it should be legal.  The remaining 14% said that they were unsure.

 

Interracial marriage has been legal in Mississippi for less than fifty years so it's really unfortunate that people still think this way. This got me thinking about how people really feel towards interracial marriage. Has our society evolved enough to understand that love comes in all colors or do you believe people should only stick within their own race?

 

Sound off in the comment section and tell me what you think.

 

Movie uncovers South Africa's underground youth culture

This is the Africa that they never show you. Check out this clip from a new documentary Stocktown X: South Africa.  I applaud the directors for making a film that stays away from media stereotypes and reveals a new thriving underground culture.

The film premiered last week as the CinemAfrica film festival last week in Sweden and the directors hopefully will encourage young people outside Africa to look in on the continent’s growing pool of creative talent.

For more deets about the film click here! Make sure you sound off in the comments section and tell me what you think!

Kate Hudson six months pregnant and drinking?

Actress Kate Hudson, pregnant with her second child, was photographed sipping what appears to be a glass of red wine while dining out in Argentina. Somebody call the pregancy police!!

What do you think: Should women give up alcohol during pregnancy? Or is it OK to have a glass of wine here and there! Sound off in the comments section!

WATCH Former Pageant Queen: I Was Told To Lay Off The Tacos

We all know how cutthroat the beauty pageant industry can be, but this story just takes it to another level.

Domonique Ramirez, the 17-year-old former Miss San Antonio is suing pageant officials alleging that they told her she " needed to lose 13 pounds and  lay off the tacos" after a bikini photo shoot. Pageant officials on the hand allege that Ramirez was not responsible as a beauty queen and that wasn't ready to be the titleholder. I'm not really sure who to believe in this story, the truth will come out in court though, Domonique is suing the organizers for stripping her off her title.

Check out the video below for more on this story:



Thoughts?

How old is too old for a binky?

Suri Cruise the daughter of  actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes sure loves her high heels. Is it even appropriate for a girl this young to be wearing heels? But that's not why she is the news this week.

The little girl who rocks Christian Louboutins was spotted around town rockin a pacifer or "binky". Suri is 5 years old. So my question for you today is, how old is too old for a pacifier?

Infidelity in a relationship - does time heal all wounds?

Check out the picture above of South African socialite Primrose Crous with her businessman hubby Theunis Crous.  Primrose tweeted today about her relationship and said: And I love it when people say We make a #PerfectCouple♥ GOD Bless you all☺
Isnt that sweet? Lovely right? She even tweeted more things that she loved about her boo saying...

• I love it when he kisses Me on forehead and tells Me he loves Me
• I love it when he is honest with "Me"
• I love it when he knows what he has at home and he won't let anything mess that up lol 

How can you be mad at love like that? This woman clearly loves her husband.

Oh how quickly we forget...

Sometime last year, scandal broke out in the Crous household with Theunis going around town with a new side piece while still married to Primrose.The woman pictured below is not his wife but was his side piece of the moment Khanyi Mbau. After a while Theunis "came to his senses" and returned to his wife who stood by his side and trashed his mistress by the wayside. When will side chicks ever learn?

So today's hot topic is centered around infidelity and trust. Can a relationship truly rebound after the trust has been broken? Let me hear your thoughts...