About The Recession Diaries

From finance to foreclosures, layoffs and lack of opportunity, a daily journal of the economic crisis and its effect on black professionals.

THE BLOG FAMILY

In-your-face observations of art, entertainment and the world at large from someone who cares. Can you handle the truth?

NOVEMBER 30 | NBC Heroes Employee Says There's Too Much Diversity in Hollywood

NOVEMBER 29 | Black Conservative Doesn't Want Oprah to Interview Obama on Christmas

NOVEMBER 28 | Peru Apologizes for Mistreatment of Afro-Peruvians

One man's opinion on very nearly everything. It's hard but it's fair.

DECEMBER 2 | Ten Things You Could Learn from Tiger Woods

DECEMBER 2 | Aunt Jemima and Politics in Darktown

NOVEMBER 24 | Meet The Parents

Manners and mores in modern life? It's about way more than where the fork goes.

DECEMBER 3 | Desiree Rogers' Teachable Moment

NOVEMBER 28 | The Tipping Factor

NOVEMBER 24 | The Turkey Is The Least of It

From finance to foreclosures, layoffs and lack of opportunity, a daily journal of the economic crisis and its effect on black professionals.

NOVEMBER 27 | Making The Most With Less This Christmas

NOVEMBER 25 | Young, Black, and Out of Work

NOVEMBER 24 | Have Blacks Been Shafted By The Stimulus?

Smart, up to the minute takes on politics--from the state house to the White House. Pull up a chair.

FEBRUARY 23 | Social Networks and Saddam Hussein: A Private Matter?

JANUARY 21 | Hillary Clinton Stands Up For Internet Diplomacy

JANUARY 20 | SATISFACTION, PRIDE OR DELIRIUM?

Engaging commentary, interviews, and reviews that delve into and beyond the world of books. Get read.

NOVEMBER 25 | Conversation for the Dinner Table

NOVEMBER 19 | Reading List: The Poetry Edition

NOVEMBER 12 | Publishing with the Stars

A daily conversation on hot topic culture items. From Zora to Zane, True Blood to Tiny & Toya, TEWW covers high art, low-brow culture and everything in between.

MARCH 2 | The Best Gabourey Sidibe Interview So Far

FEBRUARY 17 | Would You Let Serena Williams Do Your Nails?

FEBRUARY 12 | John Mayer's Stupid Mouth

One woman's journey to shed 100 pounds in one year.

MARCH 19 | Michelle Obama, Home Cooking and Obesity

MARCH 18 | As a Victim of Sexual Abuse, Weight Loss Can Be Scary

MARCH 17 | An Inbox Full of Eating Triggers

MICHAEL'S BLOG ROLL

    Serving Soup When Your Employment Status Sucks

    There are alternatives on how to spend unemployment outside of Maury Povich, ice cream, and tears. As you can see from the video report many Americans are spending their newfound free time assisting others. Although some do indeed look towards volunteer work solely from its potential networking benefits, others are simply coming to the realization that their lives could be a lot worse and thus have decided to lend a helping hand. There are conflicting reports on exactly the number of Americans who are performing volunteer work, however.

    A recent survey conducted by the National Conference on Citizenship claims Americans have cut back on their volunteerism and civic activities. Yet states like Minnesota, Massachusetts and Florida are reporting surges in activity.

    Regardless of the exact number of people out volunteering, isn’t it good to see the recession highlight the goodwill in so many people? For those laid off, fighting off credit card companies and mortgage companies, no one would fault you for sitting in front of your TV slouched up counting down to the episode of Oprah where she reveals her favorite things that you know you can’t afford.

    Yet, instead of being saltier than Tony Chachere people are out helping others.

    To those laid off: Has the recession inspired you to hug a tree or someone’s bad little kid or are feeling like Oscar sitting in the dumps?

    I’d love to hear from you.

    Leave your feedback below and send your own recession tale by writing therecessiondiaries@gmail.com.

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