SHANEEN KNOWS

If you haven't heard about this story by now then you've been hiding underneath a pretty big rock. On August 26, 2016 San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, made a power move on the field when he refused to stand up during the national anthem in protest for racial injustice and minority oppression. Although this wasn't the first time Kaepernick protested (he sat during the anthem in the first two preseason games) it was highly noticed because this time he was in uniform. Kaepernick told NFL media in an exclusive interview I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color... To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder. For anyone who thought Colin Kaepernick's actions were just preseason shenanigans, guess again. Kaepernick continued to

    Does the woman in the picture remind you of yourself? If so, Houston we have a problem!   I am a firm believer in enjoying life and seizing the moment... Work hard and play harder is the name of the game! I know how important it is to live a fulfilling life, to me, I'm not living if I'm not fulfilled. On work days, I choose to leave the office and go outside for lunch, especially during the summer months even if I pack a lunch... There's something about breathing in the fresh air, it gives me new life. Haven't you heard the saying stop and smell the roses ? Well, I really do, I stop and smell flowers whenever I see them... Or like the closing line from the talk show The View, take a little time to enjoy the view , and I always do! At some point we have to stop and relax our minds, not just when we are sleeping. It's ok to get distracted sometimes and enjoy a good laugh or have a little fun, it's good for the soul. Some even say those are the thing

Earlier this week, basketball superstar Michael Jordan, spoke out in an open letter about the gun violence that has been taking place across the U.S. specifically amongst African-Americans killed by police officers. In the letter, Jordan simply stated I can no longer stay silent , he also offered to donate $2 million dollars to help fight the cause, $1 million to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and $1 million to the International Association of Chief's of Police's Institute for Community-Police Relations. While this is a very noble act, many are wondering what took His Airness so long to speak out against something that has been happening for years. Even some of Jordan's biggest fans took to their social media pages to react to him breaking his silence. It was just a short time ago when the youth were killing each other over a pair of his Air Jordan sneakers and never once did the basketball icon utter a word publicly about it. I oftentimes heard cries from people

After reading Kobe Bryant's open letter to his 17 year-old self, it made me think about all of the things I wish I had known then, that I know now. I think about all of the mistakes I could've avoided and all of the things that I could've done better. I also think about everything that happened when I was 17 years-old that shaped me into the person I am today and all of the hard lessons that I had to endure, which have ultimately given me valuable life experiences that I will take with me for the rest of my days, and pass them on to my children, nieces and nephews. You see, when I was a teenager, I didn't really have anyone offering up sound advice. My parents were still pretty young themselves... late 30's, early 40's so they were living their lives plus I was raised as an only child. My friends provided me with advice which is laughable because we were experiencing the same exact things. Their advice was no better than the advice I could offer them. We

Last night, as Donald Trump accepted his nomination for the presidency of the United States, he gave a compelling speech about how he could save the world. He started out by assuring us that if he were to become our president We will be a country of generosity and warmth. But we will also be a country of law and order . That sure would be nice considering everything that's going on today. But then as he got deeper into his speech, he did it the trusty Trump way and expressed his views about immigrants and ISIS terrorists. You can tell that his blood pressure was starting to boil as his voice elevated and his beady eyes began to squint. Same ole Trump rhetoric, we already know who and what he doesn't like.   When referring to the people, Trump never once mentioned anything about him wanting to bring us all TOGETHER, but instead, singling out groups- the Muslims, the immigrants, the LGBTQ community, the police... never once mentioning Blacks.   I don't know, may

Kobe Bryant newly signed to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996     Just a few short months after NBA superstar Kobe Bryant's retirement he pens and open letter to none other than his 17 year old self. Bryant opens the letter by advising his younger self to figure out a way to invest in the future of your family and friends , and he made it crystal clear, reiterating, I said INVEST. I did not say GIVE. Bryant went on to discuss how easy it is to think you are helping someone out by simplifying their life - paying all of the bills, buying them lavish cars, homes, and more but in reality by doing that you are only causing them more harm, Kobe says the day will come when you realize that as much as you believed you were doing the right thing, you were actually holding them back. In his open letter, Kobe Bryant also warns his younger self to make sure his parents remain parents instead of becoming his managers. Kobe gave his younger self some very important advice..  bef

In light of the Melania Trump/Michelle Obama speech faux pas, I have to say First Lady Michelle Obama is truly an inspiration and it's no wonder why Melania Trump chose to draw from her speech. I mean seriously, our first lady is smart and beautiful and she's taken the role of a first lady to another level, a level that will be very hard to top. From the moment she stepped onto the scene, her presence has been felt. With her memorable Democratic Convention speech in 2008 to the many initiatives she has put in place today. Michelle Obama has without a doubt made her mark and will go down as one of the greatest first ladies in history.   When I was growing up, with the exception of a select few, I didn't hear too much about past first ladies.  Sure there was Nancy Reagan but she wasn't the one everyone talked about or admired. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is the first lady I grew up hearing about and she was long gone from the White House when I was a kid. She was b