June 13th to June 19th: Michael Jackson, NOT GUILTY

“They say we live a white man’s world, so how does O.J., Kobe and Michael go free but Martha, goes to jail?”

An observation made in good humor- maybe, but what an observation. These are the words of a friend during a conversation after the Michael Jackson verdict was read on Monday. The next day, the Senate issued a formal apology for the, “repeated failure, despite the requests of seven presidents, to enact a federal law to make lynching a crime,” reports the New York Times.

As I consider in amazement the good fortune of blacks in America today, I’m reminded of the 20 senators who voted against the bill as well as the fact that they were allowed to cast their vote through a voice vote and not the usual roll call vote. This meant the only way to see which senators opposed the apology was to see which senators were not listed as the bill's co-sponsor.

"It's a statement in itself that there aren't 100 co-sponsors," Senator John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, said. "It's a statement in itself that there's not an up-or-down vote."

Indeed it is Senator Kerry, Indeed it is.

Did you know that the Jackson clan is reportedly shopping around a reality series? It’s slated as a behind-the-scenes look at how the family rallied behind their brother following his indictment in November of 2003. One can only wonder whether Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston are somewhere slapping each other silly and shooting off gunshots right now wondering how it all came to this. Their reality series, which premieres June 30^th on the Bravo Network is supposed to prove once and for all that they are in fact America’s most “crackish” yet loving family. Now why would the Jackson clan want to take that from them?

While the rest of the country was in a figurative train wreck, the City of New York seemed charily calm this week, in a suspiciously restful state. But if you kept your “ear to the wall” you’d hear the quiet movement of city dwellers as they hopped in and out of cabs and up and down the streets of Manhattan because New Yorkers don’t know how to sleep or even sit still for too long, for that matter. They do know however, how to party and serve a good cause at the same time. So it was no surprise when Star Jones showed up for Viva Glam Casino’s 5^th Anniversary celebration and benefit for DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids), an event that brings out the top names in fashion and finance year after year. Winning bets are redeemed for luxury prizes, while all “misplaced” bets are donated to DIFFA. Over the years, DIFFA has given over $32 million to hundreds of AIDS organizations nationwide.

While Ms. Jones had fun losing for charity, some would rather sell sex. And who says sex and charity don’t mix? Not Elton John. And not the 44 women he asked to pose nude in the newly released book 4 Inches. The Cartier Mansion held a star-studded launch party for the release of 4 Inches, this Thursday. In attendance, Rosanna Arquette, Kimora Lee Simmons, Macy Gray, Paris Hilton and Rebecca Romijn, just some of the women featured in this book adorned only in Cartier diamonds and Jimmy Choo’s shoes. Proceeds from the sale of this book will go to raising funds and awareness for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

The social event of the week was easily Entertainment Weekly’s “Must List” party on Thursday at Deep, which celebrated what’s hot and who’s hot in 2005. In attendance, Randy Jackson, Common, Eva Pigford, John Legend, Lizzie Grubman, Zoe Saldana and New York Giants football star also known as The Bachelor, Jesse Palmer, just to name a few.

The week also saw United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan honored by Doctors of the World at their annual Health and Human Rights Awards Dinner. Doctors of the World is an organization helping to promote and protect basic human rights and civil liberties for people around the world.

Also This Week in NYC:

• Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell premiere their new movie Bewitched, at the Ziegfeld Theater on Monday.
• Kelly Ripa celebrates with soap star friend and author of the new book Soapsuds, Finola Hughes at her launch party on Tuesday
• Molly Sims hosts the TiVOToGo Launch Party at the Drive in Studios on Wednesday.
• Michelle N’Degeocello performed for four nights (Wednesday – Saturday) at Birdland.
• Liv Tyler and Parfums Givenchy celebrate launch of new fragrance, “Irresistible Givenchy” at the Stanton Social in New York's Lower East Side on Thursday.
• Carlos Santana and wife Deborah promote her book, Between the Stars: My Journey to an Open Heart, at Barnes and Noble on Thursday
• Rapper D Nice held a birthday bash at Bed Lounge on Thursday.
• John Legend performs at Central Park’s Summerstage on Saturday.