Sibrina Speaks

Well, classes are now back in session and of course my life is slowly becoming hectic once again! Every semester, I try to figure out the best strategy to engage my chemistry students. This is a real challenge for all educators, but I do try to use humor when appropriate. Recently, I gave a lecture focusing on atomic orbitals and I informed my students that I really like to ‘think of orbitals merely as a place where electrons like to hang out, just as I like to hang out at DSW because I like shoes.’ Immediately after I say this, the students (especially the young ladies) in my class began smiling and giggling. Ok, with this analogy, we can think of DSW as an orbital and myself as an electron, but that is not the point. The goal was to get their attention, so they will focus on the important stuff. Developing effective teaching strategies is not easy. It takes time, patience, and a lot of hard work. You also must keep in mind that every class is different. What worked for one class may ...

Let me be honest with you—I absolutely hate to exercise. But, I am truly proud to say that I have committed myself to exercising at least three times a week. I believe the only reason I am motivated to do this is because I listen to my iPod while riding my exercise bike. The 30 minutes seems to go by much faster when I listen to some really good music and I do work up a sweat. However, the sweating has now created some challenges for me to maintain my chemically treated hair. I recently decided to do an internet search to find some tools and tips for maintaining my hair in between my visits to the salon. To my surprise, there were many links on this very subject. Last year, there was a survey conducted at Wake Forest Medical School that targeted over 100 African American women specifically asking about their exercise habits. Half the respondents considered changing their hairstyles so they could exercise, so hair care is a real factor. Back in the 1990s, researchers at the Harvard Scho...

My recent trip to New York City started off a little frustrating with one particular airline that shall remain nameless. Several travel delays along with a very uncomfortable landing was not a pleasant experience. Moreover, my taxi driver appeared to be very upset before I even got in the car, but I must admit I found it quite amusing when he gave an obscene gesture to a nearby taxi driver that jumped in front him. By the time I reached my sisters place, I was really tired but smiling. You just have to love NY! I always enjoy spending time with my sister and brother-in-law in NY and as usual they both kept me laughing during my stay. But, one highlight of my trip was seeing the one and only Mr. Chico DeBarge perform at a local NY spot. Trust me, the brother still can sing. The opening act was a new artist named Rachel Brown who is clearly a throw back to the 1990s. Remember Karen White or Meli'sa Morgan with the big hair? Well, that’s the sound of Rachel Brown. She wasn’t bad, but ...

Yes, this blog entry is partly about my passion for buying shoes and why I seem to have a religious experience every single time I walk into my favorite DSW shoe store. Believe me, I feel like I am truly in heaven every time I go! Sometimes, when I find the right shoes, I feel like God himself made them just for me. Ladies, do you notice how we will walk up and down every single aisle picking up as many shoes as possible? We closely examine a pair of shoes like it is a fine piece of art and only then will we try them on for size. We take a close look at the sole, stitching, color, and heel as if we made them ourselves. If we decide we don’t like them, we follow the same routine with the next pair of shoes. (Fellas, don’t feel left out here. You follow a similar routine when you purchase shoes.) Now, what if we use the same strategy for buying shoes and apply it to the other aspects of our life. Think about that and the choices you have made in your career and personal life. Should ...

Let me begin by saying that I love Detroit, Michigan. I truly do. There are many things about this place to love. You already know the history of Motown Records, which is celebrating the 50th anniversary this year. Everybody has a favorite Motown artist or song they love. And, yes Motown records created jobs for young people in the community. (I know that was 50 years ago, but I’m trying to make a point here.) Let’s not forget that the Big Three has kept the economy going and helped create the Black middle class. There are tons of auto factories all over the world, so if I hear another person say the federal government is bailing out Detroit, I will scream. Recognize that the Big Three are global, not local. Moreover, the stadiums for the Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers are top notch, and the Fox Theatre is doing big things showcasing today’s top artists. Now, although I truly do love this city, honestly, I am embarrassed by some of the recent nonsense. This city has taken a national ...

I’m sure everyone has heard the news of Harvard Professor Henry Louis “Skip” Gates being arrested at his own home for disorderly conduct, which now brings the issue of racial profiling back to attention of the media. The 911 tapes have been released along with the police report of the arresting officer Sgt. James Crowley with the Cambridge Police Department. Now, there are always two sides to every story, and then there is the truth. As one of my friends recently said to me, “I think the truth is somewhere in the middle,” and I do agree with my friend. Last week during his press conference focused on heath care reform, President Obama was asked to weigh in on the arrest of his friend Professor Gates. He admitted he didn’t know all of the facts and he is biased because of their friendship, but went on to say that the police “acted stupidly” in arresting his friend. Now, he also went on to say that cooler heads should have prevailed. Even Gen. Colin Powell gave his opinion last night ...

As I sit here writing this blog entry, I am watching Black in America 2 hosted by CNN Reporter Soledad O’Brien. I watched the first CNN special last year and although I thought it was good, it primarily focused on the problems that plague our communities. However, the current special is focusing on solving problems. The program begins with Malaak Compton-Rock and 30 kids from Brooklyn, New York traveling to Johannesburg, South Africa, through her program “Journey for Change,” with the goal for the kids to see the daily struggles of others. The point being is that when you see folks worse off than you, it can make a serious impact on you personally. They met young people dealing with HIV and AIDS, hunger, and the desire just to attend school. The impact was immediately felt by the kids. At the end of their two week trip one student said quite frankly, “I can’t complain with what I got.” However, when Soledad interviewed Malaak and she broke down crying saying that she only “can give the...