00:00What's up Essence? This is 7 Things We're Talking About. I'm Dana Johnson and we've been, I don't know, pretty busy this week grabbing the hottest in news and gossip, so let's get straight to it, shall we?
00:17We have two performances we are definitely looking forward to this week, and ironically, they're at the beginning and the end of November. First up this weekend, Essence Festival headliner, aka the Purple One, aka Prince, will take to SNL along with Chris Rock, who is hosting for the very first time in 18 years. Instead of the usual, you know, two songs the average guest performer may do, Prince will provide the audience with eight full minutes of commercial-free artistic iconic expression on the November 1 episode.
00:44Cannot wait! I'm going to wear all purple and sit in front of my TV. And then, on November 30th, the Soul Train Awards for 2014 are bringing all of our favorites back together. Rappers Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, Da Brat will take the stage to perform their hit song from the 90s, Not Tonight. Other performances will include Mace, Tamar Braxton, and a highly anticipated reunion of the 90s iron group, Jodeci. So lots coming to your screen, definitely check it out.
01:10Next up, style meets sound. As Beyonce Knowles announced that she's partnering with one of her favorite street style brands, Topshop, to create an athletic clothing streetwear label. Set to launch in the fall, 2015, all around the world, the pairing should come as no surprise as the pop goddess is one of the British brand's most popular fans and most famous.
01:30Plus, actress Halle Berry is trying to make all women feel as sexy as she does with a new line of affordable lingerie called Scandal. The line ranges from $7 in underwear to $18 bras. Sexy and affordable? Sign me up. The line will be available in select Target stores and on Target.com.
01:47It seems like every year we have to lay down basic taste guidelines for Halloween costumes. Blackface is always a no-no. And guess what? So is anything making fun of domestic abuse? Seems like a common sense type of thing, but not really. Photos of people dressing up as Ray Rice for Halloween are drawing massive social media attention.
02:05In one photo, a man wearing Rice's number 27 Ravens jersey drags a blow-up doll by a leg. In other images, there's blackface, fake blood, all kinds of inappropriate behavior. It's gotten the attention of Rice's wife, Janae, who tweeted at TMZ,
02:19It's sad that my suffering amuses others. We'll just leave it at that.
02:25In other sad news, when Nigerian news media first announced that government and military had struck a deal with Islamist militants Boko Haram to cease fire and released 200-plus girls who were abducted from Chikbok back in April, there was a glimmer of hope.
02:39However, it has now been reported by local journalist and the Roman Catholic bishop Stephen Mamza that around 60 more young women have been abducted after gunmen raided a mountain village near the border.
02:48We are keeping our eyes on this Matter Essence family and want to encourage you to continue to use hashtag Bring Back Our Girls across all social media and keep these events at the forefront of news and our community.
02:59More social media news. Is social media your friend or your foe? It helps us stay connected and updated on current events and allows us to express ourselves, but it is often used to hurt and harass.
03:10Melissa Harris-Perry, who once thought of Twitter as a party, says she's now fearful of sharing too much online.
03:16She says the online harassment has been literally quieting whatever digital voice she may have had.
03:21I'm at the point where I don't retweet anything I really like because I fear I would send all of my haters all of that harassment that comes to me over those who don't deserve it.
03:29Harris-Perry said on her MSNBC talk show last week.
03:32Actress Raven-Symon is also no stranger to criticism, but she's had enough of the personal attacks on social media and blogs.
03:38She posted an open letter to her critics on Facebook asking people to stop attacking her via comments and blog posts.
03:43We asked readers if they think social media has become too negative, and the answer overwhelmingly, of course, was yes.
03:49Jadoa Salon summed it up saying,
03:51Yes, it has. However, if you sign up for social media sites, you have to be prepared. Freedom of speech for everyone.
03:57People can be mean, but to avoid that, stay off social media.
04:01Well, alright then. One in one makes two. That makes sense.
04:05Okay, Essence, moving on to entertainment news. Sundance Darling, Dear White People, heads to wide release in theaters nationwide this weekend.
04:13Check out interviews with the cast and director Justin Simeon on Essence.com, and then catch the satirical look at race relations in post-racial America in theaters, and let us know what you think.
04:23And last, but certainly not least, Lupita Nyong'o has immersed herself in another role involving slavery, and this time, it's not for a film.
04:31The 12 Years a Slave star was personally contacted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Richmond, Virginia, to help prevent the city from building a stadium atop Shaco Bottom's Slave Trading Center.
04:41It is in the neighborhood that an estimated 300,000 men, women, and children were jailed and sold into slavery years leading up to the Civil War on that very site.
04:49Nyong'o has taken on social media to rally the support of our followers. If you are interested in supporting the cause, use hashtag SaveShaco, S-H-O-C-K-O-E, and show your support.
05:01You like having your finger on the pulse of what's cool in pop culture and style? Essence and Ford can help.
05:06Let us know your favorite topic from this week's show using hashtag FordUp, and you could win an Amazon TV.
05:12That will keep you looking, you know, fly, fabulous, in the know, kind of hip.
05:17Visit Essence.com slash FordUp for details and tune in to seven things we're talking about each week for the month of October for your chance to win.
05:24Well, there you have it. Count them off. Seven things. I will see you next time. I'm Dana Johnson right here on Essence.com.
