CEDTalks

Quick story in regards about my brother Garvin Reid. I've known the esteemed photographer and career/style coach for over 10 years. During our college days, my friend G and I had a penchant for pursuing high quality sistas in tandems. We were like the Serena and Venus of couples dating (Garvin is Venus because he's skinny). While no true gentleman lavishes in details, revisionist history would show that this was arguably some of the most fun I had (before I met my queen of course) and it is directly attributed to the high risk, high reward approach of New York's other 5 foot assassin. Despite the great times and what I'd call a successful conversion rate, every so often we'd have a hiccup and it would always lead to me being highly pissed at my teammate. One example in particular that still befuddles me is the time we were wooing upperclassmen AKAs before we were Alphas and my particular interest wasn't having it. Shut me down like a reparations request...

"Dude, hear me out: they gave Batman one, Thor, even Captain America...when's BLANKMAN getting a new film? You know he deserves it." Al Gore, 'We're Just Talking' While the quote was originally written for comedic purposes, I admit to privately celebrating the less popular and promoted superheroes of my time and before. Great protectors such as Colossus (first superhero with a high top fade), The Flash, and my favorite...Meteor Man, were commonly overlooked while guys like Batman and Superman soaked up the limelight. Buried even further below these 'underground' heroes however lies a figure that serves and protects more commonly than any of the previously mentioned figures, and NEVER gets the respect a defender of their credentials. They've saved more people than all of the Justice League members combined and never needed an alter ego; they simply go by the name of "Captain Save-a-Ho".  Though speaking in a mildly facetio...

Twerking .  With its recent explosion to mainstream media, just the mere mention of the word causes a multitude of opinions and emotions. It has become a pastime of sorts; women can now do the dance for leisure, recognition, or even income. Their public displays are an enigma; they can simultaneously  be enthralling yet demeaning and embarrassing; though the dance can be considered in many ways classless, it is also incredibly erotic and very hard to ignore.  This sight causes more hypocrisy in men the political office. I commonly find myself torn on how I feel about twerking.  From an early age, my elders taught me not only to treat a lady with respect and act chivalrous, but seek women who acted with class themselves. Despite this, it would be deceitful to state that watching a woman (especially a nice-bodied woman) gyrate is not arousing. Men love this ability for a woman to express her sexuality to almost degrading levels; we just desire that in re...

In 2013, with the number of successful, beautiful, and eligible ladies still being in men's favor, brothers continue to embarrass themselves in an effort to secure women's affection. I blame Sprite. For years, the popular soda brand acted as an accomplice in men being overly hype in their pursuit of females. They urged us to show no discretion and tact in our approach with the utterance of three simple words: "Obey Your Thirst". While the catch phrase helped  Sprite (and its parent brand, Coca-Cola) acquire buku billions, it led many a gentleman to the proverbial waste side. Over time, this quote has been taken out of context and influenced men to allow their sexual and emotional desires to steer their line of thinking, an action that can result in catastrophic consequences. (In the voice of Rakim) Thinking of a thirsty text... Though my reference to Sprite is made in jest, I am genuine in my concern for some of my gender's behavior when looking...

"You might see me in the streets, but homie you don't KNOW...ME!" T.I., "You Don't Know Me" The quote applies to many more people and circumstances than the popular Atlanta rapper probably ever imagined. Based on our own experiences, we often make assumptions in life, steadfast in the thought we know exactly how a situation will turn out. Likewise, we take this stance with people. When meeting or interacting with someone, we tend to draw comparisons to people that generated a similar emotion from our earlier years. The actual conversation seems like Deja Vu, which leads us to react a certain way. This also causes us to think we KNOW how a person "is", treat them accordingly, and subconsciously try to predict their thoughts and actions. By most standards experience is the greatest teacher in life, but it is a dangerous game to ever think you really know a person without being around them frequently and also getting their input. Why ...

The following blog is not meant to demean or offend any one of any race. It was written with the pure intent to entertain and identify ways for people of all colors and creeds to all work together. -Ced Recently a follower sent me a trailer on the controversial trailer, "Dear White People" , a creative project from screenwriter Justin Simien which humorously details the taboo subjects that cause tension between Whites and Blacks. The clip was spot on, questioning such topics as the required amount of blacks in a white crew, the notion of listening to "Black" music serving as validation, and touching our hair. The video doesn't appear to be aimed at demeaning our white brethren; it was simply highlighting that the two races just think differently. Michael Jackson said it best in the unreleased track "Carousel": "She's from a world of popcorn and candy/Pony rides for a dime/little children laughing.../I'm from a world of disappo...

Horrid. Appalling. Terrible. ABYSMAL. These are not adjectives describing my win-loss record on Madden (I'm nice on NBA 2K though). It's a reference to the disturbing fashion trends created, maintained, and perpetrated by my generation. As you look out your window, drive through the neighborhood, or shop at the local Super Fresh, you serve witness to god awful fashion statements that make you question yourself. Are these the descendants of Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, Run DMC, Denzel, Halle Berry, Pam...Grier (say it slow, for emphasis)? Have you ever seen Elizabeth Taylor...Hugh Hefner...shoot, James Bond movies? I mention the previous, because these fashion "faux pas" know no race, and apparently no gender. In 2012, it is possible to see both women AND men be...as the kids say, "Ratchet!" .  There's a difference...one of these accessories needs to stay in the house. Looking at the stylish personalities of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, it mak...

 HELLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Shabooie to all...it says I haven't written anything since June. (Pharrell in "Grindin" voice) Draw-lin! Well things have definitely been moving and shaking since then. New job, first episode of a new show ( We're Just Talking ), and new friends. But I will make a conscious effort to discuss these items in great detail this week. Right now, I was listening to "You Don't Know My Name" by Alicia Keys, and put a little rhyme together, called "Heavenly Portrait". It's a little piece talking about my vision of the right woman, and how that matches with God's (Follow him at @TheoriginalHOVA jk). Check it out, and let me know how YOU feel. Midnight’s arrived, and I’m impatiently waiting/ Dreaming of what you will be like, I’m creatively painting/ An image so vintage, a classic illustration/ Then I wake up and draw some more, this time a  correlation / I wonder if God’s the one painting; I’m just holding the frame/ Do ...

It's not Steve Harvey's fault. As easy as it is to point to Harvey's movie and bestsellers for the revolution in female (specifically Black female) demeanor, his writings were merely the final ingredient in the recipe for change. We have reached a new era of Girl Power, a renaissance of sorts. Women are claiming their independence, facet by facet, and will settle for nothing less than victory. If they find a formula to make female baller Skylar Diggins play above the rim, they will take basketball. Basketball is a long-term objective, however; the goal circled and highlighted on females' flip charts is the relationship. It says it right there! It's not a stretch (nor a chauvinistic statement) to say to that throughout history, men maintained a firm grip on the "control" of relationships or the dating scene. That is not completely the case in this day and age. A large portion of women have developed an innate ability to live "sans...