New England Sun-Times

For fr too long, America's obsession with frail models in magazines, videos, and - let's be real - Hollyood, has become the status quot. Yet, millions of Americans choose big, or plus size women in real life relationships. Unfortunately, print and broadcast media fail to show this reality. But a new trend is taking place all over the country and the world. Plus size women are getting into fashionable clothing otherwise created specifically for thinner women. The hidden reality about the love for voluptuous women is now evident on the reality TV show, House of Curves , starring the women of Atlanta's Belle Renee clothing store for plus size women. And with the movement, comes the models who represent beauty and class for the plus size women. Three Stripes Media spoke with Connecticut's own plus size model, Melanie Grace: ThreeStripesMedia Ms Grace, what led you to want to start modeling? Mel Grace When I was fourteen, I would look at the women on the TV a...

Kool Herc is undeniably one of the forefathers of Hip-Hop Culture. No doubt about it. But the past three years, a shift in attitude towards the Universal Zulu Nation, who we are, and what we represent, became obvious when Herc asked that we exclude his name from all of our Hip-hop Culture anniversary flyers. We didn’t know Herc would underhandedly misquote himself, and misrepresent the Culture by saying Hip-Hop Culture began on August 11, 1973. There are facts, and unfortunately, Herc did not give them when he made this statement in a news interview on Channel 7 New York. Nor, did he clear it up when he further promoted false facts to NPR News. Herc is our brother, but when our family strays from us, we must first forgive them for mistakes, but let them know of their wrongdoings, and of course, welcome them back with open arms. We could go on forever about how many artists who are heavily a part of, or were a part of the Universal Zulu Nation, know and understand how serious thi...