Names

Photo: FBC Jax Watchdogs

What's in a name? Names can have different meanings to different people.

There has been recent "discussion" - or should I say it's pretty much a done deal regardless of what "discussion" takes place - in axing the "Baptist" part of my church, Grey Stone's, name.

I do not agree with this at all.

I understand the name "Baptist" has been dragged through the mud - Westboro Baptist Church need I say more? I get that people have turned against the Baptist church for its few rotten apples. But the fact of the matter is there will always be people with these negative opinions regardless of whether you get rid of "Baptist" or change your church's name to "Big Dave's Praisin' Center."

Grey Stone Baptist Church is all I've ever known. I've been going to that church since I was in diapers. Even though Grey Stone has changed drastically - and I mean drastically - over the years the name is a part of our community and our identity as is with any other church's name.

I've heard time and again that the church is not going non-denominational although the name change suggests that. Grey Stone will apparently keep everything the same - association with the Southern Baptist Convention, etc. - just with the different name of course. 

But I take issue with other churches and, yes, even my own church, for doing this because it seems like they're shying away from their true identities. Don't get me wrong, I'm a 20-something, college student and I applaud modernization wholeheartedly. But some things need to be left alone. This is one of those things.

Let me ask you this: should we change the name of Christianity?

Popular Christian blogger and motivational speaker, Jon Acuff, wrote an article that speaks volumes to just a fraction of the opinions people have about the Christian faith. The article described a time where he was on a plane and got to talking to this woman. He mentioned faith to her and she was taken aback to find out he was a Christian because he wasn't "judgmental enough" to be so. 

That's what I'm saying. There are many people who take issue with the Christian religion itself, let alone the Baptist denomination. Will we ever change the name of Christianity because of similar negative opinions about the religion as a whole just to add a few people to our church rosters? Not a chance.

My fellow church members can call it what they want but, as far as I'm concerned, I go to Grey Stone Baptist Church.

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On Paula Deen

Photo: Paula Deen

I wasn't originally going to make a public comment on the Paula Deen situation but decided to type up just a few of my thoughts.

First off, I'll say that I do not condone anything she's admitted to doing as it pertains to using racial slurs.

I can only say that, we're all human. We all make mistakes. It's life. 

Being a widely-known public figure as Deen is, she should have been more careful with the words she chose. Despite that I feel, in a figurative sense, that she's been "tried, convicted and hanged" without really giving her side of the story.

I've gone through the same thing in my life - but mine was on a very different subject than Deen's. I've learned a lot from my experience of being "tried, convicted and hanged" without giving my side of the story. I learned who my real friends were and not to put everyone on a pedestal because they'll most likely disappoint you.

It's unfortunate what happened every way you look at it. Once again I do not support or condone Paula Deen's actions. I believe what she did was appalling. However, I do understand the crap she's going through before truly giving her side of the story. 

And that's all I'm saying.

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Review: Now You See Me

(L-R) Isla Fisher, Jess Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson and Dave Franco | Photo: Summit Entertainment

Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo and Woody Harrelson are just a few of the household names you'll find in Now You See Me. But did the film impress? 

First a little background.

Director: Louis Leterrier

Writers: Ed Soloman (screenplay); Boaz Yakin and Richard Ricourt (screenplay and story)

Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco and Morgan Freeman

Rating: PG-13 for language, some action and sexual content. Parents Guide

Plot: Four magicians are mysteriously summoned to an obscure apartment and are formed into the biggest magic act the world has ever seen. The Four Horsemen, as they're called, climax their sold out Las Vegas show by staging a bank robbery apparently for real. This puts agents Dylan Rhodes of the FBI (Ruffalo) and Alma Dray of Interpol (Mélanie Laurent) on the case to catch them. 

But the case proves to be a tough one to solve, even with the help of professional illusion debunker Thaddeus Bradley (Freeman), as it takes the agents on a cross-country excursion filled with twists and turns. In the end, you may be surprised to find out the truth behind The Four Horsemen's scheme.

Family Friendly? Not really. There's quite a bit of mature material in this film that would not be suitable for the entire family.

Should You See It? YES! This is a very well-done film. I'd be lying if I said the movie started off kind of slow. Despite that, Now You See Me does an amazing job of putting you right in the middle of the action. You ride along with the agents to try and figure out the motive behind The Four Horsemen's crimes while being wowed by the Horsemen's grand illusions.

But, as I teased in the plot write up, you'll be thrown for a loop when you find out who's really behind the scheme. That's what made this movie even more exciting! 

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NMM: Hanson

Photo: Hanson / Flickr

That's right, folks, the "MMMBop" boys are back...big time.

Hanson has returned with its first studio album in three years and even more assurance that the music has taken a more mature turn - I'd be lying if I said I didn't listen to "MMMBop" though. The new album is called Anthem and is, in my opinion, the best work Hanson has ever produced.

There is, honestly, not one song on the new album you won't enjoy listening to. Each of the 13 tracks has its own distinct identity and are beautifully crafted to fit that more mature pop/rock audience. The nice thing about this album is, even though it's geared toward a more mature listening audience, the songs are smooth, cool and will definitely impress all who listen to them.

No question this album should give Hanson a lot of awards buzz.

My personal favorite is the very first track, called "Fired Up" - have a listen!

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One Heck Of A Ride

UNC dogpiling after win against South Carolina to reach College World Series |  James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

I was hoping I wouldn't have to write this but here we go.

It's always upsetting to see your favorite team lose, especially when they've come so far. That's exactly how I feel about the UNC Baseball team as I'm writing this. 

After going through a lot of adversity to get there, the Heels made it back to Omaha for the College World Series. So close to the championship series, the team lost 4-1 to UCLA on Friday night. This loss actually hurts more than those two championship series losses to Oregon State a few years ago.

Why?

It just seemed like, of all the years UNC has been in Omaha, this was the year the team would finally win it all. 

Everything seemed to fall into place: a school record 59 wins - one shy of the NCAA record - a number one overall seed, coming back to defeat Florida Atlantic in the Regional and South Carolina in the Super Regional during the NCAA Tournament and then fighting through the loser's bracket in the World Series to get so close.

But it just didn't happen. The Heels are still without that elusive national title. Don't worry, though, the time is coming soon.

I'm not technically apart of this team but I've made so many memories with them. From sitting right behind UNC's dugout at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in that 14-inning thriller against Clemson during the ACC Tournament, to watching every second of the 18-inning game against N.C. State a day later, to watching this team deservedly win the ACC Championship in person, to meeting these players and coaches and wishing them good luck before the team departed for Omaha. 

Nothing beats seeing the excitement on my 86-year-old grandma's face when she got to meet Coach Jackson at that send off. The memories made this season far surpass any championship or trophy.

As far as I'm concerned these 2013 UNC Diamond Heels are national champions. Period.

Congrats to Coach Mike Fox and the rest of the players, coaches and staff on a great season and I can't wait to see what's in store for next season!

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Just Backwards

Photo: Sam Sabri / WP Central

I've been pretty outspoken since the debut of Microsoft's next-gen Xbox One gaming system but I guess I'm in the minority opinion. Well at least according to Xbox head Don Mattrick.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal Mattrick explained the decision to not focus on backwards compatibility. According to Mattrick, only 5 percent of customers actually play older games on a new console, making it a "low priority." 

On a technical level the Xbox One will not be able to play older titles because of its newly structured processing system. I'm no tech guru but with all the other things the One can do - watching TV using voice recognition and Skyping others while playing seemed to be of particular focus - there's no way developers couldn't make it backwards compatible as well.  

Microsoft said it'll continue to sell the current Xbox 360 system and will continue to produce games for it. But, over time, we all know these games will become less and less exciting for consumers, indirectly forcing them to make the switch to the newer system and its games.

One thing's for sure, I will not be buying the Xbox One. I'm not spending another $400-$500 for a new system when the one I have now works just fine. I just got the newly-redesigned 360 this past Christmas and it still has that "fresh out of the box" smell. No need to let it go to waste. 

I've spent hundreds, most likely, thousands of dollars on games for my 360. I did the same for my original, first-gen Xbox system and now those games are worthless because they've never been playable on the 360. Every time a new gaming system comes out the older, perfectly fine, systems are worthless no matter what the big wigs say.

Mattrick said in his interview, "If you're backwards compatible, you're really backwards." Well, Xbox I think you're just backwards. Period.

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Bull Durham: 25 Years Later

Photo: Bull Durham / Orion Pictures

Arguably the greatest baseball movie of all time, Bull Durham turned 25 on Saturday. 

The film, starring Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon, was released on June 15, 1988 and grossed over $50 million, surpassing its $9 million budget.

The movie put the Durham Bulls and the city of Durham, NC on the map. The Bulls team is still alive and well today and is the most storied minor league baseball franchise. The old Durham Athletic Park is still intact and serves as a constant reminder of the film that made Durham famous.

Although I - shamefully - have not seen the entire film from start to finish, I've seen enough of it to know that no other baseball film showcased a true behind the scenes look at the game as Bull Durham did.

The film has been revered as the best sports movie ever but actually didn't receive many accolades back in 1988. In fact, Bull Durham was nominated but didn't win an Oscar nor a Golden Globe. Other than that, the film received recognition from various critics.

Despite not winning the "big" awards, Bull Durham will forever be one of the best - if not the best - sports films of all time.

Here's one of my favorite scenes...

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To My Readers...

Photo: The National Communication Association

First off I can't believe it but, in just about five years, my blog has garnered almost 30,000 page views and is currently being read in over 20 different countries worldwide!

Don't worry, I'm not calling it quits. As long as I want to write on this blog I will. Plus, this has given me valuable practice for a possible career in the journalism field someday.

However, I'd like to remind every one what this blog is about.

I created Reflections in 2008 because I'm a very opinionated person. I have many people in my family I can attribute that to. The blog was meant to give me a chance to share my thoughts and opinions with you.

Naturally over these five years, a select few people have had a problem with the thoughts and opinions I've published. One local organization even took my very truthful, harmless opinions and treated them almost as personal attacks. After a little back-and-forth and immaturity on their part I've decided that I'll never frequent their establishment again.

This is the most extreme example of a few of these situations over the past several years. The rest have been just general disagreements, etc.

I want to make this very clear: my opinions are just that. Just because I write something on here doesn't mean you have to agree with it. If you disagree that's fine but please do so in a professional, mature manner. Not like what some have opted to do in the past.

I have a First Amendment right to express my opinions as I see fit, without being libelous which I've never been of course. I know full well what constitutes libel and the consequences associated with it so I'd never venture down that avenue.

The best part is you too have the freedom to express your opinions which I will always respect. I just ask that you'd respect mine as well and address your disagreements in a professional manner.

If I lose readers because of this you'll definitely miss out. However, this blog is about opinion and thought and that's what it'll continue to be.

Make sure to come back to check out a new post later today and, as always, thanks for reading!

Chris White
Author, Reflections

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NMM: The Charlie Rogers Band

Photo: The Charlie Rogers Band / Katie Basden

The Charlie Rogers Band is a country rock band based in Nashville, TN. The band was formed at Belmont University's Country Showcase in 2011, where it was the only all underclassmen group to perform in the  show.

The group is made up of Charlie Rogers, Seth Abel, Carter Murphy, Haley Powers and Jake Robinson. Rogers was born and raised around country music and classic rock in Stilwell, Kansas and blends both genres to create music that listeners of all generations can enjoy.

A good friend of mine, Katie Basden, teamed up with the band for a new song called "Country In My Veins" which is just flat out amazing. It's a well-written, catchy tune that has a great blend of classic country and old-school rock - just what I like. 

With songs like this, both the band and Katie are well on their way to becoming stars in the music industry - I already know this is true.

"Country In My Veins (feat. Katie Basden)" ℗ 2013 Charlie Rogers, Katie Basden, Dwayne O'Brien

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Brushing Off The Bigots

Sebastian de la Cruz singing during Game 3 of the NBA Finals | Photo: Noah Graham, Getty Images

Sebastien de la Cruz has a powerful voice.

The 11-year-old won national attention through his appearance on NBC's America's Got Talent last season, and now has even more thanks to his performances of the National Anthem during the NBA Finals. 

The San Antonio, Texas native was actually not scheduled to sing the Anthem but was called to do it for Game 3 at the last minute when Darius Rucker couldn't get to the game on time. He was called back to perform it again for Game 4.

But no one knew of the social media firestorm that would ensue.

After his first performance, many took to Twitter and other social networks with racially charged comments, trying their best to ruin his amazing performance. 

One example - of many - being a tweet saying "9 out of 10 chance that kid singing national anthem is illegal." I saw a comment on a YouTube video from FOX San Antonio basically saying that "Mexicans should be shot in the street like the dogs they are."

Really people?

The fact of the matter is Sebastien is a born and raised American. His father has served in the U.S. Navy. Although I'm not surprised, it still pisses me off at how the American people are still so racist.  

It boggles my mind that most of these people are probably much older than de la Cruz but resort to pick on him all because of the way he looks and his name. 

If you think racism isn't a problem in our country you're dead wrong. It's a shame that something as simple as singing our country's National Anthem can spark such vile, contemptible nonsense.

I've always believed that racist bigots such as the people who started this are un-American.

Shut up and grow up!

Here is Sebastien's amazing, heartfelt and 100 percent American rendition of our National Anthem.

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Memories

My grandma with her signed "GO HEELS" poster | Photo: Chris White

My grandma has always been there to go with me to things when others could not.

Even now, when she's 86 years old, she gets up and goes to so many events with me. And it's not because I "make" or "force" her to either. She actually wants to go to these things.

The latest being yesterday's UNC Baseball team send off. We've really been following the team through the season, including sitting out at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in the wee hours of the morning during the Heels' 14-inning game against Clemson in the ACC Tournament. Like that game, she was excited to go and see the players and coaches at the send off.

When the players came out to sign autographs and take pictures, she hopped right in, talking to everyone she came into contact with. That included Skye Bolt. She even told him she wanted to get on the bus and go to Omaha with them!

Then came probably one of the - if not the - most memorable moments I've ever had with her.

She went up to head coach, Mike Fox and he signed the posters she had. But that's actually not who really wanted to see. No, she wanted to see Scott Jackson, the first base coach. I don't know why. I guess because she'd "helped" him coach during the games - we affectionately call her "Coach White" which was a term coined by my late grandpa.

So what did Coach Fox do? He called Coach Jackson over and got him to meet my grandma and autograph her posters. She was beyond thrilled.

My grandma is amazing. I've never seen her so excited and happy in my entire life. 

I want to thank Coach Fox, Coach Jackson, Andrew Smith, Trent Thornton, Skye Bolt, Korey Dunbar, Parks Jordan, Trevor Kelley, Taylore Cherry, Tom Zengel, Grayson Atwood and Alex Raburn for signing our posters and being there to make the day for us. You guys are awesome!

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On The Arrest Of Tim Funk

Tim Funk, a veteran reporter for the Charlotte Observer, was among those arrested at the N.C. Legislative Building and charged with misdemeanor trespassing and failure to disperse on Monday.

He wasn't a protester.

Funk, a religion writer for the Observer, was actually covering the "Moral Monday" protests which were being led by local clergy.

As seen in the video, Funk clearly had proper identification - a press badge - and didn't get involved in the protests in any way.

Yet he was still arrested. In fact, he was one of the first.

Jeff Weaver, chief of the General Assembly police in Raleigh who oversaw the arrests, told the Associated Press that Funk didn't heed warning from officers to disperse the area between the legislative chambers.

Wait a second. Is that not a public place? 

I'm pretty sure journalists have a First Amendment right to gather news information in public places. The only things they can't do are trespass onto someone's private residence or tap into phone lines for the sake of news gathering. Covering this demonstration in a public place is not trespassing.

Whether you are for these protests or against them, you can't ignore the fact that this was a rush to judgment and a grave mistake on the part of General Assembly police. I'm appalled  - but not surprised - by their actions. It's obviously been a long time since these officers had a class on Constitutional right.

Doug Clark of the Winston-Salem Journal said it best:

"General Assembly police apparently can't tell the difference between demonstrators practicing civil disobedience and a reporter practicing journalism."

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/06/10/4098290/observer-religion-reporter-arrested.html#storylink

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A Magical Beginning

Collins Key appears to be just an everyday 16-year-old. But he's already a master at his craft despite the rejection he's received.

The teen showcased his amazing magic act on the big stage of America's Got Talent Tuesday night, performing a mind boggling trick. Take a look...

How does he do it? I guess we'll never know. Besides that, I find his story to be amazing. Although he doesn't go into detail, it's clear that Collins has gone through quite a bit of rejection in his life, tearing up while listening to the judges' rave reviews.

I can relate to this kind of story because I've had to deal with a fair amount of people criticizing and chastising me for numerous things - one being giving out my free opinions about things on social media, including this blog. Despite that, I still continue what I'm doing and I'm glad to see Collins is doing the same thing.

Just remember this:

You only have to answer to God and yourself. Live your life. Don't let anyone else (especially people you don't even know) control you. 

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NMM: Leann Rimes

Photo: LeAnn Rimes/MusicRow

This artist needs no introduction. The two-time Grammy winner is back with her first album in two years.

The album, entitled Spitfire, is one in which Rimes literally poured out her heart and soul. As you may know I was able to see her in concert a couple weeks ago. Leann performed quite a few of these new songs at the concert and told us that many were written based on events that had happened in her own life.

Rimes' life has been the subject of scrutiny by the press but that doesn't diminish her artistry. Everyone has good days and bad days. No doubt that she will always be one of the true great musicians of our time.

Check out one of these amazing songs - which should win her another Grammy in my humble opinion. This track is my personal favorite on the album.

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Super Regionals: The Untold Story

N.C. State's Doak Field and UNC's Boshamer Stadium | Photos: N.C. State and UNC Athletics

You'll never find this story on the news or really anywhere for that matter.

The story? How about the ticket situation at both N.C. State and UNC? Obviously there was a high demand for tickets since both of these teams made it to the Super Regional round of the NCAA Baseball Tournament.

But both schools decided to give their donor clubs (The Wolfpack Club and The Rams Club, respectively) as well as their season ticket holders first dibs on tickets to the Super Regionals. Any leftover would go one sale to the general public hours after the fact.

As I expected both schools were completely sold out of tickets before the general public even got a chance to buy them. I'm also pretty sure N.C. State didn't even let students buy tickets like when the team was in the Regional round.

As you may or may not know, I'm a student at N.C. State but a UNC fan at heart, so this is double heartbreak for me. Of course, being more of a UNC fan, I wanted to go to that Super Regional but I guess it won't happen now.

Prepare for the rant.

You know I'm really getting sick and tired of this. With such high demand it's ridiculous that N.C. State and UNC would resort to this scheme. I mean, these donors and season ticket holders basically get everything handed to them on a silver platter as it is. No need for more.

I mean, it's becoming harder and harder for the general public to get football tickets and you can forget about season tickets for men's basketball. The list goes on. Even lower sections of the Smith Center are closed off for The Rams Club and other groups during Late Night With Roy - which is supposed to be a general admission event. It's become anything but.

Quite honestly, the general public supports the athletics program much more than the rich folks. I've been to many UNC games where Rams Club members would file out long before the game was over. This is especially true for basketball. 

All the while, many (if not all) of the "lowly" general public stay in the Smith Center until the final buzzer sounds, win or lose. Not to mention, the general public is there for team send offs, welcoming the teams back home in the wee hours of the morning and more. I'm sure not as many Rams Club members do that kind of stuff.

Let me lay out some of the things my family has done for UNC Athletics:

• My mom and I have bought tickets to countless games and sat through each one until the very end; even in the cold and rain sometimes for football.
• I've gone to numerous team send offs for the men's basketball team, often waiting hours on end. Even bringing my grandma (who's a Duke fan) to some of them. 
• My mom and I have gone to a few men's basketball awards banquets before they shunned the general public away from those.
• We've bought tons of merchandise, concessions, etc. throughout the years; most of which the funds go directly back to the university.
• Most recently my grandma, dad and I went to the UNC/Clemson ACC Baseball Tournament game that lasted 14 innings - and saw every minute of it - as well as the ACC Baseball Championship two days after. Both my grandma and dad are Duke fans at heart but were cheering just as loud for UNC as I was.

I, and the many others who are in the general public, can't help that we don't have enough money to join The Rams Club or be season ticket holders. Some only have enough money or time to go to a few select games. With my busy school schedule I feel like I can't fully commit to a season ticket plan. That's why I choose individual games to go to instead.

We shouldn't be punished all because we're not able to join The Rams Club - which is not what it's all cracked up to be by the way - or buy season tickets. What fun is it to watch the game on a manufactured television screen with annoying commentators? 

The Rams Club did tweet that StubHub could be an option for those who "missed out" on tickets. As of Wednesday night, no tickets had been posted for sale and the tickets always cost out the yin-yang for buyers anyway; a lot more than face value in fact. That shouldn't have to happen in the first place.

The even more heartbreaking thing about it is, I knew this would be the last time I could see this amazing UNC team play in person this season. Either the team will lose or go to Omaha, Nebraska for the College World Series and I knew for a fact I couldn't afford to go.

Plus, I know I'll always remember going to that UNC/Clemson game. Those memories are priceless. You can't make any memories from watching a game on television - well at least I can't. 

I'm definitely not alone in voicing my frustration - to put it nicely - over this. Many people have voiced the same opinions on The Rams Club's Twitter account as well as the UNC Ticket Office Facebook page. More could follow.

So it looks like, for now at least, I'll be watching on TV. I'm still not sure if I'll even watch the games now since this happened. 

As if we needed another reminder, this goes to show that money talks. If you ain't got it too bad! I, for one, am glad I'm not a rich snob.

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New Storm?

The new Carolina Hurricanes home and away jerseys | Photo: Carolina Hurricanes

I've prided myself on sticking to my boycott of the Carolina Hurricanes and NHL Hockey since the ridiculous lockout happened, which caused the season to be very short. 

I wasn't going to support these greedy, selfish players and owners after they showed no regard to the fans by locking out for the second time in just seven years. So I decided to conduct my own lockout - along with many other disgruntled fans I might add. I didn't watch a game, didn't buy any merchandise. Heck I didn't even play my NHL Hockey video game or buy the latest version, like I've done every year before.

I'm still in boycott mode and will probably never go back to the game of hockey. Despite that, I had to get out of boycott mode to talk about this...

The Carolina Hurricanes, fresh off yet another lackluster season, decided to "impress" its fans - who'll also see a hike in ticket prices this coming season - with the unveiling of new jerseys (pictured above).

It apparently took two whole years of creative brainiacs putting their heads together to arrive at this concept; unfortunately with the finished product looking like it was created in two minutes rather than two years.

The jerseys scream "we're a bland, ordinary team" everywhere you look. Luke DeCock of News & Observer wrote that the jerseys "sever a link" the team had with the Stanley Cup which it won in 2006.

The biggest change?

The classic, storm warning logo has been completely erased from the front of the jersey and is now stuffed inside the neckline where no one can see it. Other than that, there's just a lot of red, white and stripes. That's about it.

In fact, take away the colors and the fundamental jersey designs are completely different. The home jersey (pictured above, left) has two thick stripes arms and legs with that stupid tie thing on the neck from the Dark Ages of hockey. It looks like someone is trying to lace up a shoe without really tying it. 

The away jersey (above, right) has a series of two thin stripes and one thick stripe in the middle on the arms and legs with no tie thingy on the neck. The team said its current black, alternate jersey - which looks nothing like the two new ones - will remain in rotation but will rarely be worn. 

All I have to say is wow. I honestly didn't think the 'Canes could get any lower but they have. The new jerseys are horrible and, quite honestly, a disgrace to this so called "team" I used to love.

Most of my opinions as of late have been in the minority but not this time. From looking at Twitter and Facebook throughout the day of the unveil, the vast majority of people have voiced their displeasure with the change - but, of course, the 'Canes organization is completely oblivious to it. Just take a look at this conversation I found on Twitter last night:
  

@splattergrits Trending nationally and lots of debate is a great reaction. There will always be differing opinions!
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) June 4, 2013

@nhlcanes this isn't difference in opinion. Between twitter and fb it seems 70% are disappointed in the direction you chose.
— Chase Baldwin (@ChaseBaldw1n) June 4, 2013

This organization, with its fans clearly making their voices heard, has turned a deaf ear to it all. As far as I'm concerned these sucky jerseys match a sucky team! This relatively young franchise should have created two or three designs and let its fans choose which was best suited. Or, at the very least, let fans provide feedback before the "grand" unveil. 

The 'Canes encouraged fans to use the Twitter hashtag #NewStorm to voice reaction during the unveil. 

#NewStorm? I'd say more like #TropicalDepression - at best.

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'The Fosters' - Review

The Fosters cast: David Lambert, Teri Polo, Sherri Saum, Jake T. Austin, Cierra Ramirez & Maia Mitchell      
Photo: TV.com/The Fosters

ABC Family is known for concocting some groundbreaking programs - ala Switched At Birth! - but The Fosters could be, perhaps, the most groundbreaking show ever produced by the network.

The show, created by Brad Bredeweg and Peter Paige and exec. produced by Jennifer Lopez, centers around a multicultural family mix of foster, adopted, and biological children being raised by a lesbian couple.

We meet the heroine, Callie (Maia Mitchell), in the pilot who's shown being beaten on her last day in juvenile detention. One half of our couple, the motherly Lena (Sherri Saum), decides without her partner, Stef (Teri Polo), to take Callie in as a foster child. 

Throughout the episode viewers find out - along with the family - of Callie's past and how she got into juvi in the first place. Callie confronts her past head on near the end of the episode - which makes for a pretty explosive ending I might add.

There have been gay couples on TV before - hello Modern Family and The New Normal - but this family is, by far, the most diverse and probably most risky for ABC Family to put out there.

You not only have a lesbian couple but an interracial lesbian couple. Just a few days ago, an interracial couple portrayed in a Cheerios commercial received a lot of backlash. To top it off, one son is from a previous marriage while the rest of the children have been adopted or are in foster care - all of which are diverse in their own right.

It was a huge risk for ABC Family - but it paid off.

The show won me over from the start with its very simple scenes and brilliant acting from all. Scenes such as at the end of the pilot where Stef and Lena discuss - while Stef grabs some string cheese and pulls off a piece - if they're pushing adopted twins Jesus (Jake T. Austin) and Marianna (Cierra Ramirez) too hard to meet their biological mother.

Albeit mundane, the string cheese moment shows this multicultural family being just that - a family. And that's what makes this show great.

Watch on ABC Family Mondays at 9/8c

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NMM: Dylan Holland

Photo: Dylan Holland

This week's spotlight - albeit long overdue - is on teen sensation Dylan Holland.

The 18-year singer/songwriter and YouTube star released a new song simply titled "Cry" back in April. The song is beautifully written and tells you a story - something that all great songs should do. 

With genius songs like this, Dylan is, without a doubt, an amazing artist to watch out for!

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Ridiculous Controversy

Cheerios is known for those cute, heartwarming commercials that tell viewers of the benefits they'll receive if they eat the cereal.

Well a new commercial, as innocent as the rest, has caused quite a controversy. Just watch and see for yourself...

Can you guess why? The family portrayed in the commercial is interracial.

Once posted on YouTube, the video caused such a stir that the comment section was turned off as many left racially charged responses.

Seriously?

I'm no dummy. Of course racism of all varieties still exists whether we accept it or not. Even though I know this I was still left dumbfounded that people would be so ignorant and childish as to do something like this.

Who are we to judge other people - whether actors or not - based on what their families look like? 

THIS IS 2013 NOT THE JIM CROW-ERA! WAKE UP PEOPLE! It's such a sad commentary on our nation that, even though its people say they're accepting, they're still trapped in the Dark Ages.

It's amazing that even in these "modern times" there are still plenty of bigots out there. 

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