Essay 793

It takes a village to raise a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Annapolis is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the integration of women in the Naval Academy. This year’s class set a new record with 22.4 percent female participation. However, problems still arise, as a recent survey revealed 59 percent of female midshipmen and 14 percent of men reported sexual harassment; plus, 93 percent of women and 50 percent of men reported sexist behavior. Village People should have been invited to perform “In the Navy” at the swearing-in ceremony. (Click on the essay title above to read the full story from The Washington Post.)

• The show must go on. Chappelle’s Show will open its third season tonight without its star, as Comedy Central has pieced together three episodes from sketches produced before the infamous departure. At least the network didn’t try to replace Chappelle with DL Hughley.

• Snoop Dogg is embroiled in legal battles, hoping to get out of his contract with music publisher EMI-Blackwood. The rapper has only produced two albums for the label, and the contract calls for four. Who does Snoop think he is — Dave Chappelle?

• Liverpool officials were initiating efforts to rename streets with historical ties to the slave trade, until they realized it would include the famous Penny Lane. The street was named after James Penny, an 18th-century slave ship owner. “I don’t think anyone would seriously consider renaming Penny Lane,” said the city council member behind the renaming effort. “My proposal is to rename several of the streets and to replace them with the names of people who have done something positive.” Bet if you play Beatles tunes backwards, you’ll hear slavery messages.