Essay 456

A phat MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• A new study predicts a dramatic growth of obese kids worldwide. By 2010, expect nearly half the kids in North and South America to be overweight. Guess Jared from Subway hasn’t been a strong role model after all.

• Investigators and lawyers in Washington, D.C. have been using federal anti-trafficking laws to prosecute and sentence pimps. The anti-trafficking laws provide extra tools and stronger penalties for those convicted versus relying only on local statutes. Guess it really is hard out here for a pimp.

• A study conducted by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company showed Blacks and Hispanics take longer to uncover identity theft than the general population. Plus, criminals tend to target checking accounts from Blacks and Hispanics more than other groups. Let’s not forget that Nationwide was originally caught redlining in minority communities — so maybe the company has unique expertise and insights for ripping them off.

• Bill Cosby is crying foul and pressing legal action over an Internet cartoon titled, “House of Cosbys.” The online series stars Mitchell Reynolds, a Cosby fanatic who clones Cosby characters with special powers. Not sure if there’s a ‘toon who uses his super strength to scold poor minorities.

• Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Family Reunion” held its top position at the box office, with total sales for 10 days exceeding $48 million. Maybe the Academy Awards will go from Three 6 Mafia to Madea — just imagine her beating out Dame Judi Dench.

• Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, a Miami immigrant rights organization, celebrated its 10th anniversary today. The group held a special dinner and saluted an FBI agent, a congressman and an immigrant advocate. No word if any Minutemen crashed the party.