Afternoon Round-Up
September 13, 2011

According to the US Census Bureau’s Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage report, the U.S. poverty rate hit 15.1% in 2010. This is an all-time high.

All the bad stuff is on the rise apparently; 900,000 more Americans lacked health insurance in 2010 than in the previous year, poverty increased among every demographic except Asian Americans, and median household income declined by 2.3%. For African Americans, the poverty rate stands at an absolutely horrifying 27.4%.

Think about it. In the richest country in the world, 9.2 million families live in poverty. How bout that…

 

At the complete opposite end of the spectrum, Forbes Magazine released its list of the highest paid men in showbiz, and the number one slot belongs to none other than Mr. Madea himself, Tyler Perry.

Tyler Perry made an incredible $130 million in just 12 months, beating out the likes of Jerry Bruckheimer ($113 million), Steven Spielberg ($107 million), Elton John ($100 million) and Simon Cowell ($90 million). And congratulations are definitely in order; it’s great to see a Black man dominating Hollywood. Now if only Perry would make a film that’s actually good…

 

In what could be an absolute blockbuster revelation if true, Gawker reports that the New York Times is preparing a story asserting that President Obama is in the throes of depression.

As in…don’t-want-to-get-out-of-bed, blinds-drawn, in-need-of-professional-help depressed. Yes, clinical depression. Gawker writes:

“We’re told by a source inside the Times that the paper is preparing a story arguing that Obama no longer finds joy in the political back-and-forth, has seemed increasingly listless to associates, and is generally exhibiting the litany of signs that late-night cable commercials will tell you add up to depression.”

Obviously, we should be extremely hesitant to believe this story. But honestly, with the state of our dirt and grime-covered political process, is anyone really surprised by this?

 

And in lighter news, a new Miss Universe has been crowned…and she’s BLACK!

Hailing all the way from the motherland (Angola, to be exact), Leila Lopes seized the crown over some stiff competition at the annual pageant, held this year in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She’s poised, intelligent and absolutely gorgeous; more than deserving of such an honor. Just check out this answer to a question regarding which physical trait of hers she would change:

“Thank God I’m very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn’t change a thing,” Lopes said. “I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life.”

Flawless.