Real People
“I believe in the brotherhood of man, all men, but I don't believe in brotherhood with anybody who doesn't want brotherhood with me. I believe in treating people right, but I'm not going to waste my time trying to treat somebody right who doesn't know how to return the treatment.” You believe in treating everybody right whether they put a rope around your neck or whether they put you in the grave. Well, my belief isn't that strong. I believe in the brotherhood of man, but I think that anybody who wants to lynch a Negro is not qualified for that brotherhood and I don't put forth any effort to get them into that brotherhood. You want to save him and I don't.”
~Malcolm X, Speech to the Peace Corps, December 1964.
June 5, 2019
Is anyone tired of the media saying we need to get along, we need to reach across the aisle and
SamKnause - demo underground
8/30/18
we need to compromise ???
I am fucking sick of hearing it !!!
Did John Boehner reach across the aisle and compromise when Obama was president ??? Fuck no !!!
Did Mitch McConnell reach across the aisle when Obama was president ??? Fuck no !!!
Did the republicans reach across the aisle when Obama was the president ??? Fuck no !!!
Did the republicans compromise when Obama was president ??? Fuck no !!!
From day one it was the republicans plan to stop Obama from accomplishing anything and
making him a one term president.
It is apparent republicans think the definition of compromise means giving them everything they want,
and stopping the Democratic party from getting anything done that the MAJORITY of Americans want and need.
The republican party is now the party of Trump.
Do you reach across the aisle to insane people ???
Do you compromise with insane people ???
Do you enable corruption ???
Do you ignore the lies ???
As I type this I am listening to MSNBC and they are talking about compromise.
The Trump party has no intention of compromising or reaching across the aisle !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why should the Democratic party be expected to do so ???
I am fucking sick of hearing it !!!
Did John Boehner reach across the aisle and compromise when Obama was president ??? Fuck no !!!
Did Mitch McConnell reach across the aisle when Obama was president ??? Fuck no !!!
Did the republicans reach across the aisle when Obama was the president ??? Fuck no !!!
Did the republicans compromise when Obama was president ??? Fuck no !!!
From day one it was the republicans plan to stop Obama from accomplishing anything and
making him a one term president.
It is apparent republicans think the definition of compromise means giving them everything they want,
and stopping the Democratic party from getting anything done that the MAJORITY of Americans want and need.
The republican party is now the party of Trump.
Do you reach across the aisle to insane people ???
Do you compromise with insane people ???
Do you enable corruption ???
Do you ignore the lies ???
As I type this I am listening to MSNBC and they are talking about compromise.
The Trump party has no intention of compromising or reaching across the aisle !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why should the Democratic party be expected to do so ???
A people who elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and
traitors are not victims, ...accomplicies - "George Orwell"
TOWARD A POLITICS OF UNGOVERNABILITY: SHUTTING DOWN AMERICAN-STYLE AUTHORITARIANISM
BY HENRY GIROUX | APRIL 17, 2017
"The established political parties and politicians are nothing more than crude lobbyists and shock troops for the financial elite who believe everything is for sale. The boundaries of humanity are now inscribed and defined exclusively through the metrics of the twin logic of commercial transactions and the politics of disposability. The horrors unfolding under the Trump administration are not only abetted by white supremacists, religious evangelicals, but also by liberals who still believe that capitalism and democracy are synonymous, and who appear to delight and rush to support any military intervention or act of aggression the United States wages against a foreign power. Liberals are affronted over alleged charges of Russian spying but say nothing about their own country which does far more than spy on other countries it disagrees with, it overthrows them through either illegal means or military force."
something to think about!!!
more american students have been killed in school shootings in 2018 than the total number of american troops killed in war zones around the world!!!
---------
reflections on today's events
*american values: greed, corruption, and racism
*an attorney general that protects a traitorous president is the ultimate cover-up
*how do white women rationalize voting for trump?
*trump administration steals children from refugee seekers, a policy designed and implemented by racists.
*trump's infrastructure plan is a roadmap to privatization of the commons while his budget plan is a roadmap to starvation of the people.
*why don't repubs emphasize collecting taxes instead of lowering taxes? perhaps if everyone paid what they should we could have a fairer system.
*trump's grandfather was an ignorant immigrant and he was admitted to america.
*Why does the demo. party not heavily recruit for black voters because it is run by fools who think republicans will vote for demos.
*if you are not embarrassed by america's history, then you are living a history based on lies.
*trump voters elected a liar and thief as president who is now under multiple investigations, it just shows that you cannot tell stupid people anything
*if you pay attention, you will realize that you don't have a government that gives a shit about working people.
*Ignorance, religion, and war are the greatest enemies of mankind.
*GOP plans to kill endangered species act, i guess they won't be happy until their are no animals/birds in the US.
*the great thing about having trump as president is that now there is no reason to watch main-stream-media for truth and "fair and balanced" journalism, you know that it is all bullshit.
*republicans pretend having taxpayers pay for stupid border wall is the same as Mexico paying for it. but what is sad, their dumbass supporters will believe it.
*everything you think is true about american institutions: media, banks, businesses, education, healthcare, etc. is a lie.
*the colonizers and their descendants claim to own this hemisphere like a burglar owns your tv set.
Rihanna named world's richest female musician
Forbes magazine estimates the musician’s fortune at $600m, a figure bolstered by her lucrative fashion and beauty ventures
Laura Snapes
The Guardian
Wed 5 Jun 2019 08.07 EDT
Rihanna launching her Fenty brand in Paris in May 2019. Photograph: Julien Hekimian/Getty Images/Fenty
Rihanna has been named the world’s richest female musician by Forbes magazine. The singer’s worth is estimated at $600m (£472m), including revenues made from her fashion and beauty lines in addition to those from her music career.
In May 2019, French luxury brand LVMH confirmed it would launch Rihanna’s fashion company, Fenty, making her the first woman of colour to lead an LVMH fashion house. “I want to be as disruptive as possible,” she told the New York Times of the venture. “The brand is not traditional.”
LVMH also backs Rihanna’s lucrative cosmetics company, Fenty Beauty, which launched in 2017 and is worth more than £3bn, from which Rihanna has earned $570m, Forbes reports. Boots recently acquired UK distribution rights for the brand. She also designs an inclusive lingerie line, Savage x Fenty, in partnership with TechStyle Fashion Group.
In May, Rihanna told the New York Times that she wasn’t driven by money but by her work. “The money means that I can take care of my family. The money means that I can facilitate the businesses that I want to. I can create jobs for other people. My money is not for me; it’s always the thought that I can help someone else or, in the future, for if I have kids.”
In 2012, Rihanna founded the Clara Lionel Foundation, which supports health and education efforts in impoverished communities around the world. In February 2017, she was named humanitarian of the year by Harvard University.
Forbes’s list of the top five richest female musicians finds Madonna in second place ($570m), Céline Dion in third ($450m), Beyoncé and Barbra Streisand tying in fourth ($400m) and Taylor Swift in sixth ($360m).
The publication defines “self-made” as “someone who built a company or established a fortune on her own, rather than inheriting some or all of it” – hence the Kardashian scion Kylie Jenner being named America’s youngest “self-made” billionaire earlier this year thanks to her cosmetics brand, Kylie Cosmetics.
The latest issue of Forbes magazine also names Jay-Z as the world’s first billionaire rapper, claiming that the 49-year-old’s empire “conservatively” totals $1bn after valuing his various ventures as well as any real estate and his art collection.
In May 2019, French luxury brand LVMH confirmed it would launch Rihanna’s fashion company, Fenty, making her the first woman of colour to lead an LVMH fashion house. “I want to be as disruptive as possible,” she told the New York Times of the venture. “The brand is not traditional.”
LVMH also backs Rihanna’s lucrative cosmetics company, Fenty Beauty, which launched in 2017 and is worth more than £3bn, from which Rihanna has earned $570m, Forbes reports. Boots recently acquired UK distribution rights for the brand. She also designs an inclusive lingerie line, Savage x Fenty, in partnership with TechStyle Fashion Group.
In May, Rihanna told the New York Times that she wasn’t driven by money but by her work. “The money means that I can take care of my family. The money means that I can facilitate the businesses that I want to. I can create jobs for other people. My money is not for me; it’s always the thought that I can help someone else or, in the future, for if I have kids.”
In 2012, Rihanna founded the Clara Lionel Foundation, which supports health and education efforts in impoverished communities around the world. In February 2017, she was named humanitarian of the year by Harvard University.
Forbes’s list of the top five richest female musicians finds Madonna in second place ($570m), Céline Dion in third ($450m), Beyoncé and Barbra Streisand tying in fourth ($400m) and Taylor Swift in sixth ($360m).
The publication defines “self-made” as “someone who built a company or established a fortune on her own, rather than inheriting some or all of it” – hence the Kardashian scion Kylie Jenner being named America’s youngest “self-made” billionaire earlier this year thanks to her cosmetics brand, Kylie Cosmetics.
The latest issue of Forbes magazine also names Jay-Z as the world’s first billionaire rapper, claiming that the 49-year-old’s empire “conservatively” totals $1bn after valuing his various ventures as well as any real estate and his art collection.
Meet Sydney Wilson, the 14-Year-Old Wiz Kid Headed to Spelman College
By Tanasia Kenney - tlanta black star
May 24, 2019
Just a week after her 14th birthday, a metro Atlanta girl is making history as the youngest student ever admitted to the historic Spelman College.
Sydney Wilson, who celebrated her birthday just last week, will kick off her freshman year at the all-female historically Black campus this fall as the youngest student in school history, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“This is the first time in recent memory that we’ve had an admitted student this young,” Ingrid Hayes, VP of enrollment management at Spelman, told the newspaper. “Sydney has shared with us [that] she intends to enroll. We are excited to welcome her to campus in the fall, along with the rest of the incoming class.”
Wilson said she plans to major in biology, with hopes of using animal science to discover cures for human diseases.
The extraordinary teen is no stranger to academic excellence, so her college acceptance didn’t come as much of a surprise.
Wilson’s family says she mastered algebra by the first grade and started studying advanced placement biology and world history by the time she turned 12. Wilson said she learned early on that she wasn’t like the other students: she was a standout.
She admitted fitting in was tough at times, and that she was often teased for being “too smart.” Still, she didn’t let it get to her.
“I just stayed on my path,” Wilson told Atlanta station WSB-TV. “I didn’t really feel like I needed to be popular … because, I mean, I like myself.”
Unlike most girls her age, the DeKalb County native said she spent much of her time outdoors rather in front of a TV when she was growing up. When she wasn’t outside digging up dirt or searching for frogs, Wilson said she sometimes made a rare exception to tune in to animal documentaries.
Although her academic prowess put her classes with students that were sometimes seven years her senior, Wilson insists she’s still just a kid.
“People might think I am separate from the rest of people my age, but there are some facets of my life when I am still just a kid,” she said. “I still like to play LEGOs, and I think it’s cool to still play with LEGOs.”
So exactly how did she get here?
According to her family, Wilson attended Montessori school until she was about 6 years old before transitioning to home-schooling. She later began attending private school, and by age 10 it was abundantly clear that she was far ahead of the pack.
The then-elementary aged scholar started taking up high school classes at the Wilson Academy, a local private school founded by her father, Byron Wilson.
The doting dad credits the Montessori school for putting his daughter on the path to excellence.
“And she just kept going,” he told the AJC.
Wilson was just 13 years old when she applied to Spelman College. A short time later, the school sent her father an email alerting him that she’d been accepted.
“So, he calls me in and he says, ‘Look at the computer!’ So I looked at it, and I just melt,” Wilson told WSB-TV, reliving the moment she received the good news. “I was screaming and I was crying. I ran out to tell my family, and we took a bunch of pictures and posted it on Instagram and everything.”
The straight-A student said she plans to live on the Atlanta campus and spend her weekends at home. She said she’s used to being around older students, so the age gap doesn’t faze her.
“I am so excited to be in the sisterhood,” said Wilson. “So many women have reached out to me and have been very nice and supportive, and I am so excited to see what my life will be at Spelman.”
Sydney Wilson, who celebrated her birthday just last week, will kick off her freshman year at the all-female historically Black campus this fall as the youngest student in school history, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“This is the first time in recent memory that we’ve had an admitted student this young,” Ingrid Hayes, VP of enrollment management at Spelman, told the newspaper. “Sydney has shared with us [that] she intends to enroll. We are excited to welcome her to campus in the fall, along with the rest of the incoming class.”
Wilson said she plans to major in biology, with hopes of using animal science to discover cures for human diseases.
The extraordinary teen is no stranger to academic excellence, so her college acceptance didn’t come as much of a surprise.
Wilson’s family says she mastered algebra by the first grade and started studying advanced placement biology and world history by the time she turned 12. Wilson said she learned early on that she wasn’t like the other students: she was a standout.
She admitted fitting in was tough at times, and that she was often teased for being “too smart.” Still, she didn’t let it get to her.
“I just stayed on my path,” Wilson told Atlanta station WSB-TV. “I didn’t really feel like I needed to be popular … because, I mean, I like myself.”
Unlike most girls her age, the DeKalb County native said she spent much of her time outdoors rather in front of a TV when she was growing up. When she wasn’t outside digging up dirt or searching for frogs, Wilson said she sometimes made a rare exception to tune in to animal documentaries.
Although her academic prowess put her classes with students that were sometimes seven years her senior, Wilson insists she’s still just a kid.
“People might think I am separate from the rest of people my age, but there are some facets of my life when I am still just a kid,” she said. “I still like to play LEGOs, and I think it’s cool to still play with LEGOs.”
So exactly how did she get here?
According to her family, Wilson attended Montessori school until she was about 6 years old before transitioning to home-schooling. She later began attending private school, and by age 10 it was abundantly clear that she was far ahead of the pack.
The then-elementary aged scholar started taking up high school classes at the Wilson Academy, a local private school founded by her father, Byron Wilson.
The doting dad credits the Montessori school for putting his daughter on the path to excellence.
“And she just kept going,” he told the AJC.
Wilson was just 13 years old when she applied to Spelman College. A short time later, the school sent her father an email alerting him that she’d been accepted.
“So, he calls me in and he says, ‘Look at the computer!’ So I looked at it, and I just melt,” Wilson told WSB-TV, reliving the moment she received the good news. “I was screaming and I was crying. I ran out to tell my family, and we took a bunch of pictures and posted it on Instagram and everything.”
The straight-A student said she plans to live on the Atlanta campus and spend her weekends at home. She said she’s used to being around older students, so the age gap doesn’t faze her.
“I am so excited to be in the sisterhood,” said Wilson. “So many women have reached out to me and have been very nice and supportive, and I am so excited to see what my life will be at Spelman.”
no bribing/admission cheating required!!!
#BlackExcellence: Louisiana Twins Rack Up $2.7M In Scholarship Money, Plan to Study Civil Engineering
By Tanasia Kenney - atlanta black star
May 16, 2019
On top of their academic success, twin brothers Brin and Nial Wilson also received athletic scholarships to play football. (KSLA 12 / video screenshot)
Out-of-pocket college expenses are known to break the bank, but a set of twins from Shreveport, Louisiana, won’t have to worry about that after racking up $2.7 million in scholarship money.
Captain Shreve High School seniors Brin and Nial Wilson each have earned more than $1.3 million in academic scholarships, the Shreveport Times reported. Brin accumulated a whopping $1,393,012, while brother Nial received $1,335,788.
Both young men will attend college in the fall and plan to major in civil engineering.
According to KSLA 12, the brothers have been recruited by several notable colleges across the U.S., including Morehouse College, Loyola University, St. John’s University, and Louisiana Tech University, just to name a few.
The Wilson twin have brains and brawn, and have each received athletic scholarships to play football. Nial has four offers, from Judson University in Illinois, Culver-Stockton College in Missouri, McPherson College and Sterling College in Missouri. Brin has an offer from Knox College in Illinois.
Both teens have been named to the LHSAA 2019 Bowling All-District 2nd Team and earned the Captain Shreve’s Distinguished Scholar Award, KSLA 12 reported.
The brothers haven’t yet decided on what school they’ll attend.
Captain Shreve High School seniors Brin and Nial Wilson each have earned more than $1.3 million in academic scholarships, the Shreveport Times reported. Brin accumulated a whopping $1,393,012, while brother Nial received $1,335,788.
Both young men will attend college in the fall and plan to major in civil engineering.
According to KSLA 12, the brothers have been recruited by several notable colleges across the U.S., including Morehouse College, Loyola University, St. John’s University, and Louisiana Tech University, just to name a few.
The Wilson twin have brains and brawn, and have each received athletic scholarships to play football. Nial has four offers, from Judson University in Illinois, Culver-Stockton College in Missouri, McPherson College and Sterling College in Missouri. Brin has an offer from Knox College in Illinois.
Both teens have been named to the LHSAA 2019 Bowling All-District 2nd Team and earned the Captain Shreve’s Distinguished Scholar Award, KSLA 12 reported.
The brothers haven’t yet decided on what school they’ll attend.
‘The Sky Is the Limit’: LeBron James Partners with Retail Giant to Gift $1 Million To His I Promise School For New Gym
By Daryl Nelson - atlanta black star
May 16, 2019
LeBron James recently announced a $1 million donation to his I Promise School for a new gymnasium, which he said will be more than just a place to shoot baskets.
The school, which he opened in July of 2018, is located in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and he made the announcement on Thursday (May 9) at his alma mater St. Vincent St. Mary High School.
James partnered with the retail juggernauts Dick’s Sporting Goods for the $1 million grant and stated the new gym will be a safe space for children where they can participate in after-school activities.
“To my kids, this is more than a gym,” said the Los Angeles Laker.
“The Dick’s Sports Matter program is helping us provide even more opportunities. An opportunity to play and learn in a safe place that many don’t have access to.”
“I can’t imagine where my friends and I would be if it weren’t for the coaches and teachers who cared about us and the opportunities we had,” he added.
James launched I Promise in partnership with his LeBron James Family Foundation and Akron Public Schools, and each year the district identifies third-graders who’ve fallen behind academically. From there, eligible students are placed in a lottery to determine who will ultimately attend.
The school says it has a 20-to-one student-teacher ratio, and kids attend classes from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They’re also given free breakfast and lunch, as well as snacks and programming is year-around.
I Promise has already seen great success too, because last month it was reported that 90 percent of students who fell at least one grade level behind, met or exceeded their scores in reading and math.
The results came after the children took the Measures of Academic Progress testing, and it’s something that former president Barack Obama acknowledged.
“I believe the sky is the limit for these kids and the results we’re seeing are just the beginning,” said James when he spoke of the new gym. “Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation believes in the opportunities and values sports provide, and I’ve experienced that at every level. I saw it growing up with my teammates and I see it with my kids now.”
“The benefits of playing sports can extend to every aspect of your life, and I’m excited we’re able to provide a space for that growth at the I Promise School,” he added.
The school, which he opened in July of 2018, is located in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and he made the announcement on Thursday (May 9) at his alma mater St. Vincent St. Mary High School.
James partnered with the retail juggernauts Dick’s Sporting Goods for the $1 million grant and stated the new gym will be a safe space for children where they can participate in after-school activities.
“To my kids, this is more than a gym,” said the Los Angeles Laker.
“The Dick’s Sports Matter program is helping us provide even more opportunities. An opportunity to play and learn in a safe place that many don’t have access to.”
“I can’t imagine where my friends and I would be if it weren’t for the coaches and teachers who cared about us and the opportunities we had,” he added.
James launched I Promise in partnership with his LeBron James Family Foundation and Akron Public Schools, and each year the district identifies third-graders who’ve fallen behind academically. From there, eligible students are placed in a lottery to determine who will ultimately attend.
The school says it has a 20-to-one student-teacher ratio, and kids attend classes from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They’re also given free breakfast and lunch, as well as snacks and programming is year-around.
I Promise has already seen great success too, because last month it was reported that 90 percent of students who fell at least one grade level behind, met or exceeded their scores in reading and math.
The results came after the children took the Measures of Academic Progress testing, and it’s something that former president Barack Obama acknowledged.
“I believe the sky is the limit for these kids and the results we’re seeing are just the beginning,” said James when he spoke of the new gym. “Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation believes in the opportunities and values sports provide, and I’ve experienced that at every level. I saw it growing up with my teammates and I see it with my kids now.”
“The benefits of playing sports can extend to every aspect of your life, and I’m excited we’re able to provide a space for that growth at the I Promise School,” he added.
they will never be invited to the white house!!!
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, MISS USA, MISS TEEN USA AND MISS AMERICA ARE ALL BLACK WOMEN
botwc staff
5/3/19
We already know that Black is beautiful, but for the first time in history the top beauty pageants in the country have simultaneously elevated this truth. Three Black women are currently wearing crowns as the 2019 Miss USA, Miss Teen USA and Miss America.
When Cheslie Kryst’s name was announced as Miss USA on Thursday she completed the historic trio with pageant winners 2019 Miss America Nia Franklin and recently crowned 2019 Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris.
Kryst, who represents North Carolina, is a civil litigation attorney who received her law degree and MBA from Wake Forest University.
People across social media marveled at Kryst’s natural hair and noticed that both she and Garris bypassed any form of hair straightening.
Garris told Refinery21 that while some people tried to convince her to straighten her hair for the Miss Teen USA competition, she opted for her natural curls because when she’s wearing them, she feels confident. The Connecticut native is still in high school but plans to attend Southern Connecticut State University’s nursing program as she plans to become a trauma nurse in the future.
Both Garris and Kryst followed behind Nia Franklin who in September 2018, sprinkled Black Girl Magic onto the 2019 pageant season when she was crowned Miss America
Franklin represented New York and holds a master's degree in music composition from UNC School of the Arts. She is an opera singer and an advocate for arts advocacy.
In 2012 Black women simultaneously wore crowns as Miss Teen USA and Miss USA.
Congratulations to these 2019 beauty queens. Together they exude beauty, brains and Black girl magic!
We’ll be tuning in later this year when Kryst represents the United States in the Miss Universe competition.
When Cheslie Kryst’s name was announced as Miss USA on Thursday she completed the historic trio with pageant winners 2019 Miss America Nia Franklin and recently crowned 2019 Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris.
Kryst, who represents North Carolina, is a civil litigation attorney who received her law degree and MBA from Wake Forest University.
People across social media marveled at Kryst’s natural hair and noticed that both she and Garris bypassed any form of hair straightening.
Garris told Refinery21 that while some people tried to convince her to straighten her hair for the Miss Teen USA competition, she opted for her natural curls because when she’s wearing them, she feels confident. The Connecticut native is still in high school but plans to attend Southern Connecticut State University’s nursing program as she plans to become a trauma nurse in the future.
Both Garris and Kryst followed behind Nia Franklin who in September 2018, sprinkled Black Girl Magic onto the 2019 pageant season when she was crowned Miss America
Franklin represented New York and holds a master's degree in music composition from UNC School of the Arts. She is an opera singer and an advocate for arts advocacy.
In 2012 Black women simultaneously wore crowns as Miss Teen USA and Miss USA.
Congratulations to these 2019 beauty queens. Together they exude beauty, brains and Black girl magic!
We’ll be tuning in later this year when Kryst represents the United States in the Miss Universe competition.
A Family Affair: Michigan Father Graduates with College Diploma Alongside His Son and Daughter
By Tanasia Kenney - atlanta black star
May 4, 2019
(From left to right) Regan, Pat and Ryan McGill are set to graduate with their college degrees this spring. (FOX 2 Detroit / video screenshot)
Congratulations are in order for a Michigan family who has achieved what many have hailed as a trifecta of familial academia.
Pat McGill has three good reasons to celebrate this semester, as he’ll be graduating from Eastern Michigan University — and so will his son and daughter, Ryan and Regan McGill. The trio is set to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas this spring, according to FOX 2 Detroit.
“We’ve always been pretty close as a family, so doing something like this, it’s – I mean there’s not many people that can say they walked with their sibling and their parent,” Ryan McGill told the station. “So pretty grateful for that.”
Pat is graduating with a degree in construction management, while his son’s diploma will read exercise science. Daughter Ryan’s degree is in psychology and women and gender studies.
The family said while the timing of their achievements is serendipitous, it was also somewhat planned. Pat, who’s been an officer with EMU’s public safety department for 20 years, has also been taking classes at the Ypsilanti campus for years. Regan finally met her degree requirements in May, while brother Ryan hit his credit threshold back in December.
Rather than stagger their celebrations, the trio opted to honor their achievements all at once.
“We’ll laugh, we’ll talk, I’m sure we’ll cry,” said Ryan.
“It will be a crying moment for sure,” Pat chimed in.
The beaming father said he couldn’t be more proud of his son and daughter, and the feeling was mutual.
“He has accomplished so much,” Regan told FOX 2 of her dad. “Seeing him over the years, it’s so amazing to see him grow as a person, and this has just been a fun journey with both of them.”
During their time at college, the trio said their paths have crossed in more ways than one. When Pat, who’s a campus policeman, wasn’t busy busting parties thrown by his kid’s friends, he said he, Ryan and Regan sometimes shared classes and even had the same professors.
The three all now have a degree under their belt and are looking forward to their future plans. Ryan has dreams of becoming a physician’s assistant, and Regan has plans of either attending graduate school or enlisting in the U.S. Air Force.
Pat has future plans of his own, like putting his newly acquired Microsoft PowerPoint skills to use, he told the station. The college grad also has an 8- year-old daughter he hopes to graduate with one day.
“Hey, I’m kind of young,” he joked.
Pat McGill has three good reasons to celebrate this semester, as he’ll be graduating from Eastern Michigan University — and so will his son and daughter, Ryan and Regan McGill. The trio is set to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas this spring, according to FOX 2 Detroit.
“We’ve always been pretty close as a family, so doing something like this, it’s – I mean there’s not many people that can say they walked with their sibling and their parent,” Ryan McGill told the station. “So pretty grateful for that.”
Pat is graduating with a degree in construction management, while his son’s diploma will read exercise science. Daughter Ryan’s degree is in psychology and women and gender studies.
The family said while the timing of their achievements is serendipitous, it was also somewhat planned. Pat, who’s been an officer with EMU’s public safety department for 20 years, has also been taking classes at the Ypsilanti campus for years. Regan finally met her degree requirements in May, while brother Ryan hit his credit threshold back in December.
Rather than stagger their celebrations, the trio opted to honor their achievements all at once.
“We’ll laugh, we’ll talk, I’m sure we’ll cry,” said Ryan.
“It will be a crying moment for sure,” Pat chimed in.
The beaming father said he couldn’t be more proud of his son and daughter, and the feeling was mutual.
“He has accomplished so much,” Regan told FOX 2 of her dad. “Seeing him over the years, it’s so amazing to see him grow as a person, and this has just been a fun journey with both of them.”
During their time at college, the trio said their paths have crossed in more ways than one. When Pat, who’s a campus policeman, wasn’t busy busting parties thrown by his kid’s friends, he said he, Ryan and Regan sometimes shared classes and even had the same professors.
The three all now have a degree under their belt and are looking forward to their future plans. Ryan has dreams of becoming a physician’s assistant, and Regan has plans of either attending graduate school or enlisting in the U.S. Air Force.
Pat has future plans of his own, like putting his newly acquired Microsoft PowerPoint skills to use, he told the station. The college grad also has an 8- year-old daughter he hopes to graduate with one day.
“Hey, I’m kind of young,” he joked.
Black Student Sues School District After She Claims Salutatorian Title Was Awarded to White Student With Lower GPA Over Fears of ‘White Flight’
By Kiersten Willis - atlanta black star
May 3, 2019
Olecia James is suing her high school district, alleging she was passed up for salutatorian title in favor of a white schoolmate. (Photo: @OleciyahJay/Twitter)
A Black student who attended a high school in Cleveland, Mississippi, has filed a lawsuit against her school district and its officials. She alleges a white student was named salutatorian even though she had a higher grade point average.
The filing, which was made in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi April 26, says Olecia James, 18, discovered her GPA would be lowered two weeks before newly integrated Cleveland Central High School’s graduation in May 2018. James, the lawsuit said, would have the quality points she had earned from courses she had taken at historically Black East Side High School, which shuttered in 2016, reduced. Meanwhile, the same average taken from the white student was not lowered based on his classes at Cleveland Central, which was previously the all-white high school before the federally ordered integration — one the school initially fought against out of fear of white students leaving — in 2017.
After meeting with various school and district officials, Dr. Jacqueline Thigpen, the superintendent, presented James with a new transcript that restored her quality points average score that had been reduced.
James’ “cumulative weighted quality point average” was a 4.41, which would make her the first salutatorian, the filing states. However, days after that was presented at a school board meeting, Principal Randy Grierson announced a white male student as the salutatorian, despite his GPA being 4.34.
“The defendants, in light of the newly formed consolidated Cleveland Central High School and in their angst to prevent white flight, named W.M., a white male student, as salutatorian of the inaugural class of Cleveland Central High School in 2018, a position he had not earned, and in doing so, discriminated against Olecia James, a black female who had earned the position,” the suit alleges.
James and her grandmother met with two district officials about the issue again the following day. However, they were then presented with another printout of James’ QPA, which listed it as a QPA as 4.33, 0.01 lower than the white salutatorian’s and 0.08 points less than her weighted QPA.
When asked about the change, Thigpen responded, “I’ll have to look into it,” according to the suit.
The filing seeks monetary damages and says James “has suffered loss of scholarships, loss of opportunities, humiliation, loss of self-esteem, embarrassment, mental anguish, emotional distress, pain and suffering.” She told The Washington Post was admitted to the University of Mississippi but lost the scholarship because it was for salutatorians.
Additionally, the suit wants the district to be ordered to adhere to its policy regarding selecting honors students at Cleveland Central, and declare James, who now attends Alcorn State University, as the 2018 salutatorian.
“I’m not just fighting for me, but the people after me. I pray I beat the case. God, I let go. Do ya thang,” she tweeted days after the filing.
The school district has not issued a response to the filing.
The filing, which was made in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi April 26, says Olecia James, 18, discovered her GPA would be lowered two weeks before newly integrated Cleveland Central High School’s graduation in May 2018. James, the lawsuit said, would have the quality points she had earned from courses she had taken at historically Black East Side High School, which shuttered in 2016, reduced. Meanwhile, the same average taken from the white student was not lowered based on his classes at Cleveland Central, which was previously the all-white high school before the federally ordered integration — one the school initially fought against out of fear of white students leaving — in 2017.
After meeting with various school and district officials, Dr. Jacqueline Thigpen, the superintendent, presented James with a new transcript that restored her quality points average score that had been reduced.
James’ “cumulative weighted quality point average” was a 4.41, which would make her the first salutatorian, the filing states. However, days after that was presented at a school board meeting, Principal Randy Grierson announced a white male student as the salutatorian, despite his GPA being 4.34.
“The defendants, in light of the newly formed consolidated Cleveland Central High School and in their angst to prevent white flight, named W.M., a white male student, as salutatorian of the inaugural class of Cleveland Central High School in 2018, a position he had not earned, and in doing so, discriminated against Olecia James, a black female who had earned the position,” the suit alleges.
James and her grandmother met with two district officials about the issue again the following day. However, they were then presented with another printout of James’ QPA, which listed it as a QPA as 4.33, 0.01 lower than the white salutatorian’s and 0.08 points less than her weighted QPA.
When asked about the change, Thigpen responded, “I’ll have to look into it,” according to the suit.
The filing seeks monetary damages and says James “has suffered loss of scholarships, loss of opportunities, humiliation, loss of self-esteem, embarrassment, mental anguish, emotional distress, pain and suffering.” She told The Washington Post was admitted to the University of Mississippi but lost the scholarship because it was for salutatorians.
Additionally, the suit wants the district to be ordered to adhere to its policy regarding selecting honors students at Cleveland Central, and declare James, who now attends Alcorn State University, as the 2018 salutatorian.
“I’m not just fighting for me, but the people after me. I pray I beat the case. God, I let go. Do ya thang,” she tweeted days after the filing.
The school district has not issued a response to the filing.
N.Y. Teen Blames Apple’s Facial Recognition for Wrongful Arrest, Files $1B Lawsuit
By Tanasia Kenney - atlanta black star
April 29, 2019
Ousmane Bah (left) was arrested but let go after a detective realized he looking nothing like the suspect (right) caught stealing in a from an Apple store. (Photos courtesy of KTVU and Subhan Tariq)
A New York man is suing Apple for $1 billion, claiming the tech giant’s facial recognition system falsely linked him to a string of thefts at Apple stores on the East Coast.
Ousmane Bah is accused of stealing from several of the company’s stores, which sell electronics that employ facial recognition technology. In his lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court last Monday, Bah said the claims have caused him “great humiliation” and concern for his safety.
The 18-year-old claims someone used his stolen ID, which doesn’t include a photo, to pass themselves off as him when they were caught swiping $1,200 worth of merchandise from an Apple store in Boston in May 2018, according to court documents. The ID, an interim learner’s permit, only lists Bah’s name, address and other personal information.
Bah and his attorney, Subhan Tariq, believe Apple took the suspect at his word and programmed its security software to recognize the man’s face as Bah’s, the New York Post reported. After the thief ripped off Apple stores in Delaware, New Jersey and Manhattan, Bah was blamed, leading to charges against him in multiple jurisdictions.
Three of the cases have been dropped, however, there are still two outstanding arrests for Bah in New Jersey, the suit says.
Bah, who’s never been in Boston and was preparing for his senior prom on the day of the theft, has maintained his innocence throughout the case. Security video provided by his attorney to Bay Area station KTVU shows the sticky-fingered suspect, who is much shorter than Bah and has a different physical build, perusing the Apple store.
“We believe the video clearly exonerates Mr. Bah and puts the onus on Apple to answer how did they identify my client as the perpetrator of a crime if they weren’t using facial recognition,” Bah’s attorney, Mr. Tariq, told the news station.
It’s still unclear whether the man on video has been located, or is linked to the other thefts on the East Coast.
Bah said he only learned of the mix-up after getting a Boston municipal court summons in the mail last June, court documents state.
The NYPD arrested teen in the wee hours of Nov. 29, 2018 for $1,200 larceny theft of mostly high-tech pencils at an Apple store in Manhattan. However, a detective working the case quickly realized that Bah looked nothing like the thief captured on the store’s surveillance video. In the lawsuit, Bah’s lawyer writes that the arrest not only left his client “feeling humiliated, afraid and deeply concerned,” but nearly caused him to miss a critical midterm exam.
“Despite the false allegations and being told after the November incident in New York that they had identified the wrong guy, Apple has still not made remedial efforts to withdraw those criminal complaints in New Jersey,” Tariq told KTVU.
The false allegations have been nothing short of a hassle for the New York man, who was forced to travel to several different states in order to prove his innocence.
An Apple spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit but said the company does not use facial recognition software at its stores. Bah’s lawsuit argues differently and says Apple’s technology is far from foolproof.
“[Apple’s]use of facial recognition software in its stores to track individuals suspected of theft is the type of Orwellian surveillance that consumers fear,” the complaint states, adding that, “When a name is mismatched to a particular face, the security benefits [of] the Face ID software become a criminal’s weapon.”
The lawsuit names both Apple and Security Industry Specialists Inc., a security firm, as defendants.
Ousmane Bah is accused of stealing from several of the company’s stores, which sell electronics that employ facial recognition technology. In his lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court last Monday, Bah said the claims have caused him “great humiliation” and concern for his safety.
The 18-year-old claims someone used his stolen ID, which doesn’t include a photo, to pass themselves off as him when they were caught swiping $1,200 worth of merchandise from an Apple store in Boston in May 2018, according to court documents. The ID, an interim learner’s permit, only lists Bah’s name, address and other personal information.
Bah and his attorney, Subhan Tariq, believe Apple took the suspect at his word and programmed its security software to recognize the man’s face as Bah’s, the New York Post reported. After the thief ripped off Apple stores in Delaware, New Jersey and Manhattan, Bah was blamed, leading to charges against him in multiple jurisdictions.
Three of the cases have been dropped, however, there are still two outstanding arrests for Bah in New Jersey, the suit says.
Bah, who’s never been in Boston and was preparing for his senior prom on the day of the theft, has maintained his innocence throughout the case. Security video provided by his attorney to Bay Area station KTVU shows the sticky-fingered suspect, who is much shorter than Bah and has a different physical build, perusing the Apple store.
“We believe the video clearly exonerates Mr. Bah and puts the onus on Apple to answer how did they identify my client as the perpetrator of a crime if they weren’t using facial recognition,” Bah’s attorney, Mr. Tariq, told the news station.
It’s still unclear whether the man on video has been located, or is linked to the other thefts on the East Coast.
Bah said he only learned of the mix-up after getting a Boston municipal court summons in the mail last June, court documents state.
The NYPD arrested teen in the wee hours of Nov. 29, 2018 for $1,200 larceny theft of mostly high-tech pencils at an Apple store in Manhattan. However, a detective working the case quickly realized that Bah looked nothing like the thief captured on the store’s surveillance video. In the lawsuit, Bah’s lawyer writes that the arrest not only left his client “feeling humiliated, afraid and deeply concerned,” but nearly caused him to miss a critical midterm exam.
“Despite the false allegations and being told after the November incident in New York that they had identified the wrong guy, Apple has still not made remedial efforts to withdraw those criminal complaints in New Jersey,” Tariq told KTVU.
The false allegations have been nothing short of a hassle for the New York man, who was forced to travel to several different states in order to prove his innocence.
An Apple spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit but said the company does not use facial recognition software at its stores. Bah’s lawsuit argues differently and says Apple’s technology is far from foolproof.
“[Apple’s]use of facial recognition software in its stores to track individuals suspected of theft is the type of Orwellian surveillance that consumers fear,” the complaint states, adding that, “When a name is mismatched to a particular face, the security benefits [of] the Face ID software become a criminal’s weapon.”
The lawsuit names both Apple and Security Industry Specialists Inc., a security firm, as defendants.
Idris Elba marries Sabrina Dhowre in Morocco
British actor and Canadian model exchange vows at hotel in Marrakesh, according to British Vogue
Press Association
the guardian
Sat 27 Apr 2019 09.39 EDT
dris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre exchanged vows at the Ksar Char-Bagh hotel in Marrakesh, according to British Vogue. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA
Idris Elba has tied the knot with girlfriend Sabrina Dhowre in a ceremony in Morocco.
In photographs shared by British Vogue on Instagram, the bride wore a custom gown by Vera Wang, while the Luther actor wore a bespoke suit by Ozwald Boateng.
IThey exchanged vows on 26 April at the Ksar Char-Bagh hotel in Marrakesh, according to the magazine.
The night before the ceremony, friends and family attended a “colours of the souk” themed dinner. On Saturday, they will attend a party at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, which will reportedly emulate the atmosphere of a festival.
The couple got engaged last February after Elba dropped to one knee during a screening of his film Yardie at the Rio Cinema in Dalston, east London.
Rio Cinema confirmed the news on its Twitter account, writing: “Another riocinema first! Still 5 days to Valentines Day but idriselba went down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend live on stage this morning before a preview of his film.”
Elba and Dhowre, a model and former Miss Vancouver, had reportedly been dating since early 2017.
The London-born actor was previously married to Hanne Norgaard and Sonya Hamlin.
In photographs shared by British Vogue on Instagram, the bride wore a custom gown by Vera Wang, while the Luther actor wore a bespoke suit by Ozwald Boateng.
IThey exchanged vows on 26 April at the Ksar Char-Bagh hotel in Marrakesh, according to the magazine.
The night before the ceremony, friends and family attended a “colours of the souk” themed dinner. On Saturday, they will attend a party at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, which will reportedly emulate the atmosphere of a festival.
The couple got engaged last February after Elba dropped to one knee during a screening of his film Yardie at the Rio Cinema in Dalston, east London.
Rio Cinema confirmed the news on its Twitter account, writing: “Another riocinema first! Still 5 days to Valentines Day but idriselba went down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend live on stage this morning before a preview of his film.”
Elba and Dhowre, a model and former Miss Vancouver, had reportedly been dating since early 2017.
The London-born actor was previously married to Hanne Norgaard and Sonya Hamlin.
Former Hockey Exec Says White Folks ‘Can’t Do Anything’ Without being Called Racist After Baseball, Hockey Teams Won’t Play Kate Smith’s ‘God Bless America’
By Tanasia Kenney - atlanta black star
April 24, 2019
Former vice president of the Philadelphia Flyers Louis Scheinfeld spent his time on CNN this week complaining that white Americans can’t do anything anymore with being called racists.
Scheinfeld made the remark during a Tuesday discussion on “God Bless America” singer Kate Smith, who’s rendition of the song has been nixed by the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Flyers after it was revealed that Smith had recorded other songs with racist and offensive lyrics.
Both the baseball and hockey teams have removed Smith’s “God Bless America” recording from their libraries, ensuring the ditty is no longer played at its sporting events. Her statue outside the Flyers stadium has also been covered.
Smith’s family has insisted the late 1930’s singer is was “not a racist” and instead described her as a “loving, gentle, deeply religious soul.”
LZ Granderson, sportswriter for The Los Angeles Times weighed in on the matter.
“I’ve never done any reporting with [Smith’s] family, so I’m not going to say whether or not she was a loving person, or whether she was someone who believed in celebrating all people,” Granderson began. “I’ll simply say that her record is her record, and she opted to record those songs. She opted to perform in blackface.”
“And so I’m sorry that they feel that somehow she’s been wronged, but she’s the one that did those things,” he added.
Chiming in, Scheinfeld argued: “Well, Judy Garland did blackface, Al Jolson did blackface, a lot of people did blackface.”
“Black people didn’t,” Granderson interrupted. “Black people didn’t do blackface.”
Schienfeld begged to differ.
“Oh, yes, they did in fact,” he fired back. “In the Mummers Parade [a traditional Philadelphia Mardi Gras-style parade held on New Year’s Day] this past year a black man did blackface and he was criticized for it.” Multiple local media outlets confirmed the man was never in blackface, however.
“We can’t do anything anymore without being criticized as being racist,” Scheinfeld complained. “Are we all racist?”
Granderson said the point wasn’t to demonize all white people, but pointed out that Black people were forced to perform in blackface.
“Society forced black people to do blackface, or you couldn’t perform things and you couldn’t eat,” he explained. “So, yeah, those were the choices handed to us.”
Granderson continued: “Just because we’re at a different place, doesn’t mean we don’t have the opportunities to go back and correct some of those transgressions. Or at least not celebrate the people who were epicenters of racist behavior back in the day.”
Scheinfeld made the remark during a Tuesday discussion on “God Bless America” singer Kate Smith, who’s rendition of the song has been nixed by the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Flyers after it was revealed that Smith had recorded other songs with racist and offensive lyrics.
Both the baseball and hockey teams have removed Smith’s “God Bless America” recording from their libraries, ensuring the ditty is no longer played at its sporting events. Her statue outside the Flyers stadium has also been covered.
Smith’s family has insisted the late 1930’s singer is was “not a racist” and instead described her as a “loving, gentle, deeply religious soul.”
LZ Granderson, sportswriter for The Los Angeles Times weighed in on the matter.
“I’ve never done any reporting with [Smith’s] family, so I’m not going to say whether or not she was a loving person, or whether she was someone who believed in celebrating all people,” Granderson began. “I’ll simply say that her record is her record, and she opted to record those songs. She opted to perform in blackface.”
“And so I’m sorry that they feel that somehow she’s been wronged, but she’s the one that did those things,” he added.
Chiming in, Scheinfeld argued: “Well, Judy Garland did blackface, Al Jolson did blackface, a lot of people did blackface.”
“Black people didn’t,” Granderson interrupted. “Black people didn’t do blackface.”
Schienfeld begged to differ.
“Oh, yes, they did in fact,” he fired back. “In the Mummers Parade [a traditional Philadelphia Mardi Gras-style parade held on New Year’s Day] this past year a black man did blackface and he was criticized for it.” Multiple local media outlets confirmed the man was never in blackface, however.
“We can’t do anything anymore without being criticized as being racist,” Scheinfeld complained. “Are we all racist?”
Granderson said the point wasn’t to demonize all white people, but pointed out that Black people were forced to perform in blackface.
“Society forced black people to do blackface, or you couldn’t perform things and you couldn’t eat,” he explained. “So, yeah, those were the choices handed to us.”
Granderson continued: “Just because we’re at a different place, doesn’t mean we don’t have the opportunities to go back and correct some of those transgressions. Or at least not celebrate the people who were epicenters of racist behavior back in the day.”
Black Excellence: Twin Brothers Push Each Other to Greatness, Named Valedictorian, Salutatorian of Their Ohio High School
By Tanasia Kenney - atlanta black star
April 9, 2019
Deontae and Deontrae Wright battled it out with one another this year to achieve the coveted academic honors of valedictorian and salutatorian of their high school. (ABC 13 / video screenshot)
Congratulations are in order for a set of identical twins who ranked at the top of their class this year, earning the coveted honors of valedictorian and salutatorian of their Toledo, Ohio, high school.
Boasting a 4.5 GPA, Deontae Wright was named valedictorian of Scott High School, local station ABC 13 reported. His brother, Deontrae Wright, wasn’t far behind and was named salutatorian with a 4.4 GPA.
“We both like to compete against each other,” Deontrae told the station. “We want to score higher than each other.”
Some call it a case of academics imitating life; Deontae was born first. The siblings said they competed all year and constantly pushed each other to do their best. Their “rivalry” made calculating their final grades that much harder, as their GPAs kept switching between first and second place. In the end, however, it was Deontae who came out on top.
“It feels awesome knowing that I put in the hard work and got something out of it,” he said. “It feels great at the end of the day.”
In addition to their academic accomplishments, both young men hold two jobs and have completed over 70 hours of community service. They said giving back to the community makes them feel good.
“Me giving back is a way I can not only feel good as a person but also help change the community,” Deontae said.
Their friendly competition turned out to be a win-win for both teens. According to ABC 13, the brothers have each secured a full ride to Ohio State University, where they plan to major in electrical engineering. Deontae and Deontrae said they also plan to minor in business and have dreams of opening their own electrical engineering firm after they graduate.
Boasting a 4.5 GPA, Deontae Wright was named valedictorian of Scott High School, local station ABC 13 reported. His brother, Deontrae Wright, wasn’t far behind and was named salutatorian with a 4.4 GPA.
“We both like to compete against each other,” Deontrae told the station. “We want to score higher than each other.”
Some call it a case of academics imitating life; Deontae was born first. The siblings said they competed all year and constantly pushed each other to do their best. Their “rivalry” made calculating their final grades that much harder, as their GPAs kept switching between first and second place. In the end, however, it was Deontae who came out on top.
“It feels awesome knowing that I put in the hard work and got something out of it,” he said. “It feels great at the end of the day.”
In addition to their academic accomplishments, both young men hold two jobs and have completed over 70 hours of community service. They said giving back to the community makes them feel good.
“Me giving back is a way I can not only feel good as a person but also help change the community,” Deontae said.
Their friendly competition turned out to be a win-win for both teens. According to ABC 13, the brothers have each secured a full ride to Ohio State University, where they plan to major in electrical engineering. Deontae and Deontrae said they also plan to minor in business and have dreams of opening their own electrical engineering firm after they graduate.
Beyoncé Reportedly Walked Out of a Reebok Business Meeting Due To Lack of Diversity
By Daryl Nelson - atlanta black star
April 6, 2019
Beyoncé reportedly walked out of a Reebok meeting due to lack of diversity. (Photo: Getty Images, Nicholas Hunt )
Beyoncé just scored a major deal with Adidas, but before that other sneaker companies tried hard to partner with her.
The “Irreplaceable” singer recently relaunched her Ivy Park athleisure brand under the Adidas umbrella, and the company will also be releasing her signature sneaker as well as apparel.
But according to ESPN writer Nick DePaula, Beyoncé also met with Under Armour, the Air Jordan people at Nike, and Reebok, but she didn’t like Reebok’s lack of diversity so she left the meeting.
“She had a meeting at Reebok and they had a whole presentation of everything, potential products, how this could all look, and she kind of took a step back and said ‘Is this the team that will be working on my product?’” DePaula told the hosts of ESPN’s “The Jump.”
“Somebody said, ‘Yes,’ and she said ‘Nobody in this room reflects by background, my skin color, and where I’m from and what I want to do,'” he added. “So she took a step back and left, and then it did not come to terms.”
Some may not be surprised that diversity is a big issue for the superstar singer, since she’s been known to tackle social justice issues head-on. Like in 2016 when she brought the mothers of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Oscar Grant and Mike Brown on the red carpet of the MTV Awards.
Or when she rallied black folks with the “Formation” video where a youngster stands in front of police officers with with the words “Stop Shooting Us” spray painted on a wall. Beyoncé also made a big statement at the 2016 Super Bowl when she brought out dancers with outfits inspired by the Black Panthers.
On top of that, she’s supported the Black Lives Matter movement, and in 2017 presented Colin Kaepernick with the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award for protesting social injustice.
“It’s not just about putting her name on a shoe and here’s the new Adidas Beyonce 1, or whatever they end up calling it,” said DePaula about the singer’s sneaker deal. “It’s about having an imprint on the company and an impact in terms of diversity.”
The “Irreplaceable” singer recently relaunched her Ivy Park athleisure brand under the Adidas umbrella, and the company will also be releasing her signature sneaker as well as apparel.
But according to ESPN writer Nick DePaula, Beyoncé also met with Under Armour, the Air Jordan people at Nike, and Reebok, but she didn’t like Reebok’s lack of diversity so she left the meeting.
“She had a meeting at Reebok and they had a whole presentation of everything, potential products, how this could all look, and she kind of took a step back and said ‘Is this the team that will be working on my product?’” DePaula told the hosts of ESPN’s “The Jump.”
“Somebody said, ‘Yes,’ and she said ‘Nobody in this room reflects by background, my skin color, and where I’m from and what I want to do,'” he added. “So she took a step back and left, and then it did not come to terms.”
Some may not be surprised that diversity is a big issue for the superstar singer, since she’s been known to tackle social justice issues head-on. Like in 2016 when she brought the mothers of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Oscar Grant and Mike Brown on the red carpet of the MTV Awards.
Or when she rallied black folks with the “Formation” video where a youngster stands in front of police officers with with the words “Stop Shooting Us” spray painted on a wall. Beyoncé also made a big statement at the 2016 Super Bowl when she brought out dancers with outfits inspired by the Black Panthers.
On top of that, she’s supported the Black Lives Matter movement, and in 2017 presented Colin Kaepernick with the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award for protesting social injustice.
“It’s not just about putting her name on a shoe and here’s the new Adidas Beyonce 1, or whatever they end up calling it,” said DePaula about the singer’s sneaker deal. “It’s about having an imprint on the company and an impact in terms of diversity.”
Jessica Mendoza calls out the hypocrisy of critics who think she can’t work for ESPN and the Mets
"I get it, it's harder for people to understand with me."
LINDSAY GIBBS - thinkprogress
MAR 31, 2019, 8:00 AM
JESSICA MENDOZA OF ESPN SPEAKS ON SET THE DAY BEFORE GAME 1 OF THE 2015 WORLD SERIES BETWEEN THE ROYALS AND METS AT KAUFFMAN STADIUM ON OCTOBER 26, 2015 IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. (CREDIT: MAXX WOLFSON/GETTY IMAGES)
On Sunday night, Jessica Mendoza — the first female baseball analyst on ESPN — will kick off her fourth season as a full-time member of the Sunday Night Baseball booth, alongside Matt Vasgersian, Alex Rodriguez, and Buster Olney.
Her first opportunity on the program came amid controversy, when ESPN suspended Curt Schilling midway through the 2015 MLB season because of his unrelenting commitment to bigotry. Her debut was marked by non-stop complaints from men online, who were horrified to have to hear a woman — the horror! — while listening to their beloved baseball. But Mendoza, a stand-out softball player at Stanford and a member of the 2004 USA Softball team that won gold at the Athens Olympics, has persevered through all of that and proved that she has staying power.
But that doesn’t mean that she’s not still a lightning rod for controversy. Earlier this month, the New York Mets announced the team hired Mendoza as a baseball operations advisor. She will continue to work as an analyst for Sunday Night Baseball, and this double duty has drawn ire because of potential conflicts of interest.
This week, Mendoza spoke to ThinkProgress about those criticisms, what she’s learned during her time in the booth, and how she deals with online trolls.
You’re headed into your fourth year as a Sunday Night Baseball announcer. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned the past three years?
How to handle different kinds of pressure. I think to be honest, as much as I learned about the game and baseball and all the different, like, idiosyncrasies that go into a telecast, what I’ve learned the most is, when the red light goes on, and when you feel the, “Gosh, can I do this?” really growing within, figuring out how to handle those different kinds of responsibilities and pressures.
If you could time travel back to right before you started this job, what advice would you give yourself?
Probably just to really concentrate on the people that are important to you. I feel like anyone that goes into this job, sometimes you want to listen to everybody. Everyone’s got advice, everyone’s got their two cents. Try to streamline, like, who are the people that I trust the most? Sometimes I call it my board of directors. They’re going to challenge you, but they’re also going to support you. They’re not going to just tell you what you want to hear, either.
How did this Mets gig come about?
Brodie Van Wagenen, who’s the general manager now for the Mets, I’ve known him for a while. He played baseball at Stanford, and then he was an agent, at the same agency that I was represented by.
So with Brodie, I would lean on him for all kinds of different stuff. And he would with me. We’d just call each other and ask each other questions. When he was looking to interview for the job, he called me, and said, “Look, I’m going to use you in the presentation.” And I was like, “Really?” He’s like, “Yeah, I think this is something that you should be involved in. The way your mind is, it’s different. I think that’s important for baseball, so we don’t always have the same voices and the same opinions.”
I hadn’t really thought about the front office to be honest with you. But Brodie was very much like, “I’d love to bring you on board.” So then it was, how do we make this work? I wasn’t going to move to New York. I wasn’t going to quit my job with ESPN. It took him a couple of months. I just assumed that it wouldn’t work out, and then he called me back early this year and was like, “I think I figured something out. Can you send me your Sunday Night Baseball schedule?” And we just looked at the dates and formulated a plan around that.
What exactly does your role with the Mets look like?
Obviously there’s player development, player evaluation, there’s the technology side, which I’m very passionate about learning. And then just bringing my own insights about what’s happening within the game. That even can go into the sports performance side. But it’s broad, because I’m not there every day. And the days that I am there, I want to learn and understand what they’re doing. Then when my opinion is asked, it could be in a number of categories.
Since it was announced, there’s been some criticism about the conflict of interest that could arise there. Do you understand where that criticism is coming from? And what is your response to those concerns?
You know, the guy that I sit next to, Alex Rodriguez, he’s with the Yankees. [ESPN baseball analyst David Ross], he works with the Cubs. And honestly, he talked to me a lot last year about how much his role with the Cubs has helped him be a better analyst for television, because of the lens you look through when you’re out in the field, evaluating people. And honestly, the access to information that you get, and not just within the Cubs or Mets, but more of how players are actually being evaluated and measured. That’s really the forefront of where the game is. And so to me, it was almost like, this is all going to make me a better analyst.
I mean, I understand the criticism, and that it’s not as easy for people to swallow. Because, you know, David Ross won a World Series with the Cubs. It’s like, of course, he’s working with them. Alex Rodriguez is, you know, probably forever associated with the Yankees, so it’s like, yes, that makes sense. But then there’s Al Leiter, who works for MLB Network. He got hired by the Mets literally the day before me, No one said a word.
So I get it, it’s harder for people to understand with me. But it’s kind of been like that this whole time.
I actually joked with friends that I was so excited that a woman in baseball has so many jobs that we’re worried about conflicts of interest. Progress!
I like that. (Laughs.) That’s actually a really great point. That’s way I never even looked at it.
But on a serious note, as a journalist, I’ll admit, I do think it’s a legitimate concern. Why should people trust you to be critical of the Mets when need be?
I am a very honest person. And I feel like my critiques are why Brodie brought me on. It’s not so much the rah rah. That’s just the way I work. So yeah, I don’t see it being a problem being critical, because honestly, I know for me, the reason why I would hire people and surround myself with people is for them to give you honesty, critiques, you know, the real stuff.
Any time a woman does anything, hateful trolls surface online. Do you still check your mentions after games? And if so, have you noticed a change — have they gotten bored over the last two years?
After a Sunday night game, what I do is I usually wait like a day and a half before going on Twitter. And that’s just because there’s always an extreme reaction, I’d say it’s died down obviously, from the beginning. But people react strongly — sometimes strongly in a positive way, but also extremely negative.
So, I just learned, okay, I don’t want strong reactions. I want to wait till that dies down. But I still want a relationship with people on social media. And that was something I had to think about too. Because there’s part of me that is like, fine, I’ll just ban Twitter from my life, or Instagram. But I actually really do enjoy it. So it was important to me to kind of navigate that and figure out the best way to still be able to communicate with fans and people and just interact because I do like to do that.
What advice would you give to other female trailblazers in a male-dominated fields?
It’s about trying to be yourself and not thinking of it as anything, you know, bigger than that. But also understanding that, at the same time, it is bigger than you and you have a responsibility for many more people. So I know that sounds like a contradictory statement, but it’s not.
It’s more of being like: Okay, this is who I am, I can’t be any bigger. I can’t be any different. I need to not blow this up the way a lot of other people might, and just do my job and just kick butt doing it. But then understand on the days when it is harder or when you’re challenged or doubting yourself, know that you’re doing this for more than just yourself or your own family, but this is for many others.
Yeah, you’ve opened this door, but you need to kick the door down. There shouldn’t even be a door, people should just be coming through. And that’s where it falls on the shoulders of people that are doing it for the first time.
Her first opportunity on the program came amid controversy, when ESPN suspended Curt Schilling midway through the 2015 MLB season because of his unrelenting commitment to bigotry. Her debut was marked by non-stop complaints from men online, who were horrified to have to hear a woman — the horror! — while listening to their beloved baseball. But Mendoza, a stand-out softball player at Stanford and a member of the 2004 USA Softball team that won gold at the Athens Olympics, has persevered through all of that and proved that she has staying power.
But that doesn’t mean that she’s not still a lightning rod for controversy. Earlier this month, the New York Mets announced the team hired Mendoza as a baseball operations advisor. She will continue to work as an analyst for Sunday Night Baseball, and this double duty has drawn ire because of potential conflicts of interest.
This week, Mendoza spoke to ThinkProgress about those criticisms, what she’s learned during her time in the booth, and how she deals with online trolls.
You’re headed into your fourth year as a Sunday Night Baseball announcer. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned the past three years?
How to handle different kinds of pressure. I think to be honest, as much as I learned about the game and baseball and all the different, like, idiosyncrasies that go into a telecast, what I’ve learned the most is, when the red light goes on, and when you feel the, “Gosh, can I do this?” really growing within, figuring out how to handle those different kinds of responsibilities and pressures.
If you could time travel back to right before you started this job, what advice would you give yourself?
Probably just to really concentrate on the people that are important to you. I feel like anyone that goes into this job, sometimes you want to listen to everybody. Everyone’s got advice, everyone’s got their two cents. Try to streamline, like, who are the people that I trust the most? Sometimes I call it my board of directors. They’re going to challenge you, but they’re also going to support you. They’re not going to just tell you what you want to hear, either.
How did this Mets gig come about?
Brodie Van Wagenen, who’s the general manager now for the Mets, I’ve known him for a while. He played baseball at Stanford, and then he was an agent, at the same agency that I was represented by.
So with Brodie, I would lean on him for all kinds of different stuff. And he would with me. We’d just call each other and ask each other questions. When he was looking to interview for the job, he called me, and said, “Look, I’m going to use you in the presentation.” And I was like, “Really?” He’s like, “Yeah, I think this is something that you should be involved in. The way your mind is, it’s different. I think that’s important for baseball, so we don’t always have the same voices and the same opinions.”
I hadn’t really thought about the front office to be honest with you. But Brodie was very much like, “I’d love to bring you on board.” So then it was, how do we make this work? I wasn’t going to move to New York. I wasn’t going to quit my job with ESPN. It took him a couple of months. I just assumed that it wouldn’t work out, and then he called me back early this year and was like, “I think I figured something out. Can you send me your Sunday Night Baseball schedule?” And we just looked at the dates and formulated a plan around that.
What exactly does your role with the Mets look like?
Obviously there’s player development, player evaluation, there’s the technology side, which I’m very passionate about learning. And then just bringing my own insights about what’s happening within the game. That even can go into the sports performance side. But it’s broad, because I’m not there every day. And the days that I am there, I want to learn and understand what they’re doing. Then when my opinion is asked, it could be in a number of categories.
Since it was announced, there’s been some criticism about the conflict of interest that could arise there. Do you understand where that criticism is coming from? And what is your response to those concerns?
You know, the guy that I sit next to, Alex Rodriguez, he’s with the Yankees. [ESPN baseball analyst David Ross], he works with the Cubs. And honestly, he talked to me a lot last year about how much his role with the Cubs has helped him be a better analyst for television, because of the lens you look through when you’re out in the field, evaluating people. And honestly, the access to information that you get, and not just within the Cubs or Mets, but more of how players are actually being evaluated and measured. That’s really the forefront of where the game is. And so to me, it was almost like, this is all going to make me a better analyst.
I mean, I understand the criticism, and that it’s not as easy for people to swallow. Because, you know, David Ross won a World Series with the Cubs. It’s like, of course, he’s working with them. Alex Rodriguez is, you know, probably forever associated with the Yankees, so it’s like, yes, that makes sense. But then there’s Al Leiter, who works for MLB Network. He got hired by the Mets literally the day before me, No one said a word.
So I get it, it’s harder for people to understand with me. But it’s kind of been like that this whole time.
I actually joked with friends that I was so excited that a woman in baseball has so many jobs that we’re worried about conflicts of interest. Progress!
I like that. (Laughs.) That’s actually a really great point. That’s way I never even looked at it.
But on a serious note, as a journalist, I’ll admit, I do think it’s a legitimate concern. Why should people trust you to be critical of the Mets when need be?
I am a very honest person. And I feel like my critiques are why Brodie brought me on. It’s not so much the rah rah. That’s just the way I work. So yeah, I don’t see it being a problem being critical, because honestly, I know for me, the reason why I would hire people and surround myself with people is for them to give you honesty, critiques, you know, the real stuff.
Any time a woman does anything, hateful trolls surface online. Do you still check your mentions after games? And if so, have you noticed a change — have they gotten bored over the last two years?
After a Sunday night game, what I do is I usually wait like a day and a half before going on Twitter. And that’s just because there’s always an extreme reaction, I’d say it’s died down obviously, from the beginning. But people react strongly — sometimes strongly in a positive way, but also extremely negative.
So, I just learned, okay, I don’t want strong reactions. I want to wait till that dies down. But I still want a relationship with people on social media. And that was something I had to think about too. Because there’s part of me that is like, fine, I’ll just ban Twitter from my life, or Instagram. But I actually really do enjoy it. So it was important to me to kind of navigate that and figure out the best way to still be able to communicate with fans and people and just interact because I do like to do that.
What advice would you give to other female trailblazers in a male-dominated fields?
It’s about trying to be yourself and not thinking of it as anything, you know, bigger than that. But also understanding that, at the same time, it is bigger than you and you have a responsibility for many more people. So I know that sounds like a contradictory statement, but it’s not.
It’s more of being like: Okay, this is who I am, I can’t be any bigger. I can’t be any different. I need to not blow this up the way a lot of other people might, and just do my job and just kick butt doing it. But then understand on the days when it is harder or when you’re challenged or doubting yourself, know that you’re doing this for more than just yourself or your own family, but this is for many others.
Yeah, you’ve opened this door, but you need to kick the door down. There shouldn’t even be a door, people should just be coming through. And that’s where it falls on the shoulders of people that are doing it for the first time.
Two Black Detroit Officials Given ‘Sambo Awards’ by Black Activist ‘Outraged’: ‘We Don’t Deserve to Be Dragged’
By Kiersten Willis - atlanta black star
March 28, 2019
Gary Brown (right) has been Director of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department since 2015. Police Chief James Craig (left) began serving the post after being in the same position in Cincinnati and Portland. (Photos: City of Detroit)
Two officials in Detroit have taken major issue with a designation given to them by a local activist organization.
“Call ‘Em Out Coalition,” which is led by Black activist Agnes Hitchcock, hosted a dinner last week in honor of late former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young. During the event, the group handed the top two “Sambo Awards” to Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Director Gary Brown and Police Chief James Craig, according to various local reports.
The awards, which were announced at the Thursday, March 21, banquet, drew fierce criticism from the non-honorees.
Brown told The Detroit News that he and others who were given the award “don’t deserve to be dragged through the mud like that. If these were white nationalists saying this, we’d be outraged — well, I am outraged no matter who said it. And, worse, I have to explain this to my grandkids.”
He has been handed the designation before back in 2013 when he was on City Council.
Craig, on the other hand, had much more to say. He held a press conference Monday, March 25 addressing the issue surrounding the racially offensive term derived from “The Story of Little Black Sambo,” an 1899 children’s book by Scottish author Helen Bannerman.
“If this had came from a white person calling an African-American police chief a Sambo, that would have been a problem,” he said at the presser.
“People would have been protesting just like people got highly upset — as they should — over remarks made by two of our officers who were recently fired,” Craig added of the termination of former Detroit Police Department officers Gary Steele and Michael Garrison, who were behind a racist Snapchat video.
“They would have been extremely upset because of that,” he said, deeming the awards “not acceptable.” “So, I think should we give them a pass because they’re African-American and they can make these racially insensitive remarks? I say they don’t get a pass.”
When asked about Craig and Brown’s negative feelings on the designation, Hitchcock told The Detroit News she stood by the awards.
“This was a celebration of Mayor Coleman Young’s life,” she said beginning to address the police chief. “He came into office when [police] were killing black men all over the city of Detroit. Today [Craig] lords over a police department that’s only 55 percent black and dropping, so he deserves that award.”
Data from Governing magazine states 62.2 percent of officers in the Detroit Police Department were Black in 2013.
Hitchcock also said Craig can do more to recruit Black officers.
“There’s more he can do to get black people on the police department,” she said. “He can recruit, set up a school for cadets, summer programs for young people.”
Addressing the water and sewage department director she added, “I’ve lost count of how many times the water rate has increased in Detroit. Gary Brown could use some more awards.”
Radio host and activist Sam Riddle, who emceed the dinner, also stood by the awards, which he said were meant to be provocative.
“The name is the manifestation of the desperation of the majority of Detroit,” he told Detroit News. “They keep running this [bulls—] about how Detroit is on the way back, when over 60 percent of Detroit children live in abject poverty. Why don’t [Brown and Craig] get upset about that?”
U.S. Census statistics released in September 2018 reveal that in 2017, Detroit’s childhood poverty rate was 48.2 percent.
Riddle added that Craig “should get upset that he has a police department that doesn’t reflect the demographics of the community.”
“Unapologetically, I was proud to emcee the Sambo Awards, to give light to the rampant racism and inequality in Detroit,” he said.
Speaking on concerns about the lack of Black people on the force, Craig said at the conference, “We work extremely hard in this police department to recruit Detroiters and African-Americans. But these same folks making these derogatory remarks haven’t offered any assistance. They sit back and make these inflammatory remarks.”
“Call ‘Em Out Coalition,” which is led by Black activist Agnes Hitchcock, hosted a dinner last week in honor of late former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young. During the event, the group handed the top two “Sambo Awards” to Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Director Gary Brown and Police Chief James Craig, according to various local reports.
The awards, which were announced at the Thursday, March 21, banquet, drew fierce criticism from the non-honorees.
Brown told The Detroit News that he and others who were given the award “don’t deserve to be dragged through the mud like that. If these were white nationalists saying this, we’d be outraged — well, I am outraged no matter who said it. And, worse, I have to explain this to my grandkids.”
He has been handed the designation before back in 2013 when he was on City Council.
Craig, on the other hand, had much more to say. He held a press conference Monday, March 25 addressing the issue surrounding the racially offensive term derived from “The Story of Little Black Sambo,” an 1899 children’s book by Scottish author Helen Bannerman.
“If this had came from a white person calling an African-American police chief a Sambo, that would have been a problem,” he said at the presser.
“People would have been protesting just like people got highly upset — as they should — over remarks made by two of our officers who were recently fired,” Craig added of the termination of former Detroit Police Department officers Gary Steele and Michael Garrison, who were behind a racist Snapchat video.
“They would have been extremely upset because of that,” he said, deeming the awards “not acceptable.” “So, I think should we give them a pass because they’re African-American and they can make these racially insensitive remarks? I say they don’t get a pass.”
When asked about Craig and Brown’s negative feelings on the designation, Hitchcock told The Detroit News she stood by the awards.
“This was a celebration of Mayor Coleman Young’s life,” she said beginning to address the police chief. “He came into office when [police] were killing black men all over the city of Detroit. Today [Craig] lords over a police department that’s only 55 percent black and dropping, so he deserves that award.”
Data from Governing magazine states 62.2 percent of officers in the Detroit Police Department were Black in 2013.
Hitchcock also said Craig can do more to recruit Black officers.
“There’s more he can do to get black people on the police department,” she said. “He can recruit, set up a school for cadets, summer programs for young people.”
Addressing the water and sewage department director she added, “I’ve lost count of how many times the water rate has increased in Detroit. Gary Brown could use some more awards.”
Radio host and activist Sam Riddle, who emceed the dinner, also stood by the awards, which he said were meant to be provocative.
“The name is the manifestation of the desperation of the majority of Detroit,” he told Detroit News. “They keep running this [bulls—] about how Detroit is on the way back, when over 60 percent of Detroit children live in abject poverty. Why don’t [Brown and Craig] get upset about that?”
U.S. Census statistics released in September 2018 reveal that in 2017, Detroit’s childhood poverty rate was 48.2 percent.
Riddle added that Craig “should get upset that he has a police department that doesn’t reflect the demographics of the community.”
“Unapologetically, I was proud to emcee the Sambo Awards, to give light to the rampant racism and inequality in Detroit,” he said.
Speaking on concerns about the lack of Black people on the force, Craig said at the conference, “We work extremely hard in this police department to recruit Detroiters and African-Americans. But these same folks making these derogatory remarks haven’t offered any assistance. They sit back and make these inflammatory remarks.”
Serena Williams Is Giving Money to Startups by Women of Color, Gets Called Racist for Her Trouble
By Daryl Nelson - atlanta black star
March 25, 2019
Serena Williams is doing her part to help Black female business owners get their companies off the ground.
On Friday, March 22, the tennis star posted an Instagram message to say that she’ll be giving seed money to women of color who are in the early stage of their businesses, and she’s partnered with Whitney Wolfe Herd, who founded the dating app Bumble, to make it happen.
“Things I won’t stop talking about: investing in women,” wrote Williams. “Now through March 27th, @Bumble Fund applicants will get an opportunity to pitch their idea to me and @Whitney. We’re working together to build a bigger, more equitable table. If you’re a woman entrepreneur of color, apply through the app.”
Those chosen will receive a check for between $25,000 and $50,000, but that amount could change depending on the need of the business. Williams and Herd are also looking for businesses that solve a problem that affect women in large numbers compared to men.
According to The Bumble Fund website, female-run businesses only get 2 percent of venture capital, which is something both women are trying to improve, and they were praised for it.
“This is awesome, and so are YOU! You just gave me another reason to love you😁 Thank you for investing in others and inspiring us all,” one person wrote on Instagram.
“Always doing something Amazing @serenawilliams and inspiration to many 🙏💯,” wrote another.
But there were also some who thought the opportunity should extended to all women, not just women of color, and they called Williams racist.
“If this was a white women she would now be getting lambasted for being racist,” someone commented.
But there were plenty of people who stuck up for the mother of one and said her detractors are the real racists.
“This ignorant people talking about how this is racist, questioning why is this excluding white women, etc,” someone wrote. “She is not even excluding anyone. She is talking to WOC, encouraging this particular group of women to take this opportunity and apply since she knows there are limited opportunities. What would you say to a man who says this is sexist for not including men?”
You can apply for the funds here, which has to be done by March 27.
On Friday, March 22, the tennis star posted an Instagram message to say that she’ll be giving seed money to women of color who are in the early stage of their businesses, and she’s partnered with Whitney Wolfe Herd, who founded the dating app Bumble, to make it happen.
“Things I won’t stop talking about: investing in women,” wrote Williams. “Now through March 27th, @Bumble Fund applicants will get an opportunity to pitch their idea to me and @Whitney. We’re working together to build a bigger, more equitable table. If you’re a woman entrepreneur of color, apply through the app.”
Those chosen will receive a check for between $25,000 and $50,000, but that amount could change depending on the need of the business. Williams and Herd are also looking for businesses that solve a problem that affect women in large numbers compared to men.
According to The Bumble Fund website, female-run businesses only get 2 percent of venture capital, which is something both women are trying to improve, and they were praised for it.
“This is awesome, and so are YOU! You just gave me another reason to love you😁 Thank you for investing in others and inspiring us all,” one person wrote on Instagram.
“Always doing something Amazing @serenawilliams and inspiration to many 🙏💯,” wrote another.
But there were also some who thought the opportunity should extended to all women, not just women of color, and they called Williams racist.
“If this was a white women she would now be getting lambasted for being racist,” someone commented.
But there were plenty of people who stuck up for the mother of one and said her detractors are the real racists.
“This ignorant people talking about how this is racist, questioning why is this excluding white women, etc,” someone wrote. “She is not even excluding anyone. She is talking to WOC, encouraging this particular group of women to take this opportunity and apply since she knows there are limited opportunities. What would you say to a man who says this is sexist for not including men?”
You can apply for the funds here, which has to be done by March 27.
Here is why rich parents are more likely to be unethical — according to science
The Conversation - raw story
15 MAR 2019 AT 12:35 ET
Federal attorneys have arrested 50 people in a college admission scam that allowed wealthy parents to buy their kids’ admission to elite universities. Prosecutors found that parents together paid up to US$6.5 million to get their kids into college. The list includes celebrity parents such as actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin.
Some might ask why did these parents fail to consider the moral implications of their actions?
My 20 years of research in moral psychology suggests many reasons why people behave in an unethical manner. When it comes to the wealthy, research shows that they will go to great lengths to maintain their higher status. A sense of entitlement plays a role.
How people rationalize
Let’s first consider what allows people to act unethically and yet not feel guilt or remorse.
Research shows that people are good at rationalizing unethical actions that serve their self-interest. The success, or failure, of one’s children often has implications for how parents view themselves and are viewed by others. They are more likely to bask in the reflected glory of their children. They seem to gain esteem based on their connection to successful children. This means parents can be motivated by self-interest to ensure their children’s achievement.
In the case of cheating for their children, parents can justify the behavior through comparisons that help them morally disengage with an action. For example, they could say that other parents’ do a lot worse things, or minimize the consequences of their actions through words such as, “My behavior did not cause much harm.”
Viewing the unethical outcomes as serving others, including one’s children, could help parents create a psychological distance to rationalize misconduct. Several studies demonstrate that people are more likely to be unethical when their actions also help someone else. For example, it is easier for employees to accept a bribe when they plan to share the proceeds with coworkers.
Sense of entitlement
When it comes to the wealthy and privileged, a sense of entitlement, or a belief that one is deserving of privileges over others, can play an important role in unethical conduct.
Privileged individuals are also less likely to follow rules and instructions given they believe the rules are unjust. Because they feel deserving of more than their fair share, they are willing to violate norms of appropriate and socially agreed upon conduct.
Feeling a sense of entitlement also leads people to be more competitive, selfish and aggressive when they sense a threat. For example, white males are less likely to support affirmative action to even the playing field because it threatens their privileged status.
Research suggests that entitlement may come in part from being rich. Wealthy individuals who are considered as “upper class” based on their income have been found to lie, steal and cheat more to get what they desire. They have also been found to be less generous. They are more likely to break the law when driving, give less help to strangers in need, and generally give others less attention.
Additionally, growing up with wealth is associated with more narcissistic behavior, which results in selfishness, expressing a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.
Consequences of status loss
Individuals who think they deserve unfair advantages are more likely to take actions to increase their level of status, such as ensuring their children attend high-status universities. Losing status appears to be particularly threatening for high-status individuals.
A recent review of the research on status demonstrates that status loss, or even a fear of status loss, has been associated with an increase in suicide attempts. Individuals have been reported to show physiological changes such as higher blood pressure and pulse.
Such individuals also made increased efforts to avoid status loss by being willing to pay money and allocating resources to themselves.
In their book “The Coddling of the American Mind,” First Amendment expert Greg Lukianoff and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt make the case that parents, especially in the upper class, are increasingly anxious about their children attending top universities.
These authors argue that given economic prospects are less certain because of stagnating wages, automation and globalization, wealthier parents tend to be particularly concerned about the future economic opportunities for their children.
Feeling invulnerable
People who feel a sense of power, which often comes along with wealth and fame, tend to be less likely to believe they are vulnerable to the detrimental consequences of unethical behavior.
Experiencing a psychological sense of power leads to a false feeling of control. It could also lead to increased risk-taking and a decrease in concern for others.
It is possible that some of these moral psychology reasons were behind these wealthy parents cheating on behalf of their children. A desire to go to great lengths to help one’s child is admirable. However, when those lengths cross ethical boundaries it is a step too far.
Some might ask why did these parents fail to consider the moral implications of their actions?
My 20 years of research in moral psychology suggests many reasons why people behave in an unethical manner. When it comes to the wealthy, research shows that they will go to great lengths to maintain their higher status. A sense of entitlement plays a role.
How people rationalize
Let’s first consider what allows people to act unethically and yet not feel guilt or remorse.
Research shows that people are good at rationalizing unethical actions that serve their self-interest. The success, or failure, of one’s children often has implications for how parents view themselves and are viewed by others. They are more likely to bask in the reflected glory of their children. They seem to gain esteem based on their connection to successful children. This means parents can be motivated by self-interest to ensure their children’s achievement.
In the case of cheating for their children, parents can justify the behavior through comparisons that help them morally disengage with an action. For example, they could say that other parents’ do a lot worse things, or minimize the consequences of their actions through words such as, “My behavior did not cause much harm.”
Viewing the unethical outcomes as serving others, including one’s children, could help parents create a psychological distance to rationalize misconduct. Several studies demonstrate that people are more likely to be unethical when their actions also help someone else. For example, it is easier for employees to accept a bribe when they plan to share the proceeds with coworkers.
Sense of entitlement
When it comes to the wealthy and privileged, a sense of entitlement, or a belief that one is deserving of privileges over others, can play an important role in unethical conduct.
Privileged individuals are also less likely to follow rules and instructions given they believe the rules are unjust. Because they feel deserving of more than their fair share, they are willing to violate norms of appropriate and socially agreed upon conduct.
Feeling a sense of entitlement also leads people to be more competitive, selfish and aggressive when they sense a threat. For example, white males are less likely to support affirmative action to even the playing field because it threatens their privileged status.
Research suggests that entitlement may come in part from being rich. Wealthy individuals who are considered as “upper class” based on their income have been found to lie, steal and cheat more to get what they desire. They have also been found to be less generous. They are more likely to break the law when driving, give less help to strangers in need, and generally give others less attention.
Additionally, growing up with wealth is associated with more narcissistic behavior, which results in selfishness, expressing a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.
Consequences of status loss
Individuals who think they deserve unfair advantages are more likely to take actions to increase their level of status, such as ensuring their children attend high-status universities. Losing status appears to be particularly threatening for high-status individuals.
A recent review of the research on status demonstrates that status loss, or even a fear of status loss, has been associated with an increase in suicide attempts. Individuals have been reported to show physiological changes such as higher blood pressure and pulse.
Such individuals also made increased efforts to avoid status loss by being willing to pay money and allocating resources to themselves.
In their book “The Coddling of the American Mind,” First Amendment expert Greg Lukianoff and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt make the case that parents, especially in the upper class, are increasingly anxious about their children attending top universities.
These authors argue that given economic prospects are less certain because of stagnating wages, automation and globalization, wealthier parents tend to be particularly concerned about the future economic opportunities for their children.
Feeling invulnerable
People who feel a sense of power, which often comes along with wealth and fame, tend to be less likely to believe they are vulnerable to the detrimental consequences of unethical behavior.
Experiencing a psychological sense of power leads to a false feeling of control. It could also lead to increased risk-taking and a decrease in concern for others.
It is possible that some of these moral psychology reasons were behind these wealthy parents cheating on behalf of their children. A desire to go to great lengths to help one’s child is admirable. However, when those lengths cross ethical boundaries it is a step too far.
‘I Can Do It, and I Will Do It’: N.J. Teen Overcomes Homelessness, Gets Accepted Into 17 Colleges
By Tanasia Kenney - atanta black star
March 16, 2019
Dylan Chidick, 17, says he’s still waiting to hear back from his top school, the College of New Jersey. (CBS New York)
A New Jersey teen who faced homelessness now has the pick of the lot when it comes to where he’ll pursue his education after being accepted to 17 of the 18 colleges to which he applied.
Dylan Chidick, a senior at Henry Snyder High School in Jersey City, was all smiles after the impressive feat and will be the first in his family to attend college, NBC News reports. The road to success hasn’t been easy, however, as Chidick and his family have faced prejudice, financial hardship, and homelessness since immigrating to the U.S. from Trinidad 10 years ago.
His twin brothers, now 11, also suffer from a debilitating heart condition that required open-heart surgery. The road became particularly rough in 2017, when Chidick’s mother lost her job and the family ultimately lost their home.
Although the odds were stacked against him, Chidick remained determined through it all.
“My family went through a lot, and there has been a lot of people saying, ‘You can’t do that,’ or ‘you’re not going to achieve this,’ and me — getting these acceptances — kind of verifies what I have been saying. I can do it, and I will do it,” the 17-year-old told CBS New York.
The college-bound teen has a lot to be proud of. As reported by NBC News, Chidick has been class president for the past three years and was elected vice president of his school’s National Honor Society chapter. He also serves as a young ambassador for Jersey City.
The teen said it was the courage of his single mother to reach out for help from local non-profit Women Rising Inc. that inspired him to be better and work harder. The organization, based in Jersey City, helps women and their families lead “self-sufficient, productive and fulfilling” lives, and has provided Chidick’s family with stable housing and a safe place to study.
“It has been hard financially, we have been homeless,” Chidick’s mother, Khadine Phillip said.
“Making herself vulnerable and putting herself out there, that made me determined to never let us get back in that situation again,” her son added. “The dream I want to achieve, I have to have a lot of determination.”
Chidick is now working to whittle down his options after being accepted into 17 schools, including New Jersey City University, Kean University, Ramapo College and York College of Pennsylvania, among others. However, the teen said he’s still waiting to hear back from his top choice: the College of New Jersey.
As noted by The New York Times, Chidick’s recent success stands in sharp contrast to the stories of privilege and wealth revealed by the recent college admissions scandal in which parents shelled out millions of dollars to buy their children’s admission into the country’s most elite colleges. Actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin were among the 50 people charged Tuesday in what officials called the “largest college admissions scam ever prosecuted” in the U.S.
Chidick, who’s seen enough hardship in his lifetime, described the situation as “unfair.”
“I know that it has been happening for a long time,” he told The New York Times of the scandal, “and there is always going to be someone with more privilege and more connections, to have it easier than others.”
“And that means that you have to work harder to achieve the same goals,” he added.
Dylan Chidick, a senior at Henry Snyder High School in Jersey City, was all smiles after the impressive feat and will be the first in his family to attend college, NBC News reports. The road to success hasn’t been easy, however, as Chidick and his family have faced prejudice, financial hardship, and homelessness since immigrating to the U.S. from Trinidad 10 years ago.
His twin brothers, now 11, also suffer from a debilitating heart condition that required open-heart surgery. The road became particularly rough in 2017, when Chidick’s mother lost her job and the family ultimately lost their home.
Although the odds were stacked against him, Chidick remained determined through it all.
“My family went through a lot, and there has been a lot of people saying, ‘You can’t do that,’ or ‘you’re not going to achieve this,’ and me — getting these acceptances — kind of verifies what I have been saying. I can do it, and I will do it,” the 17-year-old told CBS New York.
The college-bound teen has a lot to be proud of. As reported by NBC News, Chidick has been class president for the past three years and was elected vice president of his school’s National Honor Society chapter. He also serves as a young ambassador for Jersey City.
The teen said it was the courage of his single mother to reach out for help from local non-profit Women Rising Inc. that inspired him to be better and work harder. The organization, based in Jersey City, helps women and their families lead “self-sufficient, productive and fulfilling” lives, and has provided Chidick’s family with stable housing and a safe place to study.
“It has been hard financially, we have been homeless,” Chidick’s mother, Khadine Phillip said.
“Making herself vulnerable and putting herself out there, that made me determined to never let us get back in that situation again,” her son added. “The dream I want to achieve, I have to have a lot of determination.”
Chidick is now working to whittle down his options after being accepted into 17 schools, including New Jersey City University, Kean University, Ramapo College and York College of Pennsylvania, among others. However, the teen said he’s still waiting to hear back from his top choice: the College of New Jersey.
As noted by The New York Times, Chidick’s recent success stands in sharp contrast to the stories of privilege and wealth revealed by the recent college admissions scandal in which parents shelled out millions of dollars to buy their children’s admission into the country’s most elite colleges. Actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin were among the 50 people charged Tuesday in what officials called the “largest college admissions scam ever prosecuted” in the U.S.
Chidick, who’s seen enough hardship in his lifetime, described the situation as “unfair.”
“I know that it has been happening for a long time,” he told The New York Times of the scandal, “and there is always going to be someone with more privilege and more connections, to have it easier than others.”
“And that means that you have to work harder to achieve the same goals,” he added.
'I'll Kaepernick myself': Cowboys' Irving quits NFL after substance-abuse ban
*Player attacks league over policies towards marijuana
*Marijuana is legal in most cities that host NFL teams
Guardian sport
Fri 8 Mar 2019 09.24 EST
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle David Irving says he is quitting the NFL after being given an indefinite suspension over the league’s substance abuse policy.
“Basically, guys, I quit,” Irving said in an Instagram Live post on Thursday. “I don’t want to talk about a suspension and all this other nonsense. I’m outta there. I’m not doing this shit no more.”
The suspension came after Irving’s third violation of the substance abuse policy in three years. Irving appeared to be smoking marijuana during his Instagram post.
“It’s funny, you know, some people: ‘Oh, you’re addicted to weed, you’re addicted to this and that,’” he said. “I mean shit, if I’m gonna be addicted to something, I’d rather be addicted to marijuana, which is medical – it’s a medicine; I do not consider it a drug – rather than Xanax bars or the hydros or the seroquel and all that crazy shit that they feed you.
“Like I said, it’s not about smoking weed. How many NBA players you see getting in trouble about this? How many coaches you see getting in trouble about this? How many baseball players? How many UFC players getting in trouble?”
According to ESPN, marijuana is legal for medical or recreational purposes in 78% of cities that host NFL teams, and there are reports that the league is willing to make concessions on the substance in the future. “I don’t think I’m a bad guy for choosing this route. I stand up for what I believe in,” Irving said. “It is bullshit. I’ll ‘Kaepernick’ myself before they ‘Kaepernick’ my ass.”
Irving had a breakout season in 2017, recording seven sacks in eight games despite serving a substance abuse suspension. He will be a free agent in the coming season and the Cowboys have indicated they are not interested in re-signing the 25-year-old.
“Everyone questions my commitment to football, but let’s get it straight, here and now. I love football ... I wouldn’t be here without it,” said Irving. “Don’t get me wrong, I love football. However, I don’t love the NFL. The NFLis not football, you need to understand that. What you all see us do, the game and shit, that’s, what, 20% of all the real shit we’re doing.”
“Basically, guys, I quit,” Irving said in an Instagram Live post on Thursday. “I don’t want to talk about a suspension and all this other nonsense. I’m outta there. I’m not doing this shit no more.”
The suspension came after Irving’s third violation of the substance abuse policy in three years. Irving appeared to be smoking marijuana during his Instagram post.
“It’s funny, you know, some people: ‘Oh, you’re addicted to weed, you’re addicted to this and that,’” he said. “I mean shit, if I’m gonna be addicted to something, I’d rather be addicted to marijuana, which is medical – it’s a medicine; I do not consider it a drug – rather than Xanax bars or the hydros or the seroquel and all that crazy shit that they feed you.
“Like I said, it’s not about smoking weed. How many NBA players you see getting in trouble about this? How many coaches you see getting in trouble about this? How many baseball players? How many UFC players getting in trouble?”
According to ESPN, marijuana is legal for medical or recreational purposes in 78% of cities that host NFL teams, and there are reports that the league is willing to make concessions on the substance in the future. “I don’t think I’m a bad guy for choosing this route. I stand up for what I believe in,” Irving said. “It is bullshit. I’ll ‘Kaepernick’ myself before they ‘Kaepernick’ my ass.”
Irving had a breakout season in 2017, recording seven sacks in eight games despite serving a substance abuse suspension. He will be a free agent in the coming season and the Cowboys have indicated they are not interested in re-signing the 25-year-old.
“Everyone questions my commitment to football, but let’s get it straight, here and now. I love football ... I wouldn’t be here without it,” said Irving. “Don’t get me wrong, I love football. However, I don’t love the NFL. The NFLis not football, you need to understand that. What you all see us do, the game and shit, that’s, what, 20% of all the real shit we’re doing.”
Georgia High School Student Offered More Than $900,000 in Scholarships After Being Accepted to 31 Colleges
By Kiersten Willis - atlanta black star
March 6, 2019
Georgia high school senior Kayla Willis wasn’t initially going to share her massive rate of college acceptances last month, but when she decided to do so she quickly went viral.
The Westlake High School student tweeted a photo on Feb. 24 showing she had been accepted to 31 colleges from around the country.
“i kinda didn’t want to post this, but someone said ‘the whole world needs to know how great you are’ so here we go twitter!” she said.
The resident of the Atlanta suburb of Fairburn detailed what led her to share the achievement to 11 Alive last month and said her dad was the one who encouraged her to hit “tweet.”
“He was like, ‘You need to show the world how great you are,'” Willis, who has a 4.0 GPA, recalls. “Show that someone like me can actually get into the schools and have options for themselves.”
Willis, who applied to 45 schools after starting a club to help students learn how to reach their goals, said her viral post has reached people from around the world, with praise even coming toward her in foreign languages.
And it’s not just worldwide encouragement the 17-year-old has garnered. Principal Jamar Roberson said he’s “had so many students come up to me and say, ‘Hey, here’s my acceptances, I want to put them on the wall.'”
“I wanted to inspire people and show them that you can actually dream big and get to where you want to go,” says Willis, who is waiting to hear back from schools like the University of Notre Dame and the University of Georgia.
As for how the high school student managed to collect more than $900,000 in total scholarships from all the schools she was accepted to without spending a dime on entrance fees, Willis simply asked them to waive the costs. She only paid for postage. Plus, many schools were seeking well-rounded applicants, which made up for her SAT score of 1160.
After getting acceptance letters from schools including Howard University, Clark Atlanta, Ohio State and Louisiana State University, Willis said she’s decided to attend Fisk University, a historically Black university in Nashville, Tennessee. She explained on Twitter it is her top school and she’ll be going on a full-ride scholarship. The teen plans to study international business and Spanish.
As she awaits high school graduation in the following months, support continues to pour out for the soon-to-be college freshman.
The Westlake High School student tweeted a photo on Feb. 24 showing she had been accepted to 31 colleges from around the country.
“i kinda didn’t want to post this, but someone said ‘the whole world needs to know how great you are’ so here we go twitter!” she said.
The resident of the Atlanta suburb of Fairburn detailed what led her to share the achievement to 11 Alive last month and said her dad was the one who encouraged her to hit “tweet.”
“He was like, ‘You need to show the world how great you are,'” Willis, who has a 4.0 GPA, recalls. “Show that someone like me can actually get into the schools and have options for themselves.”
Willis, who applied to 45 schools after starting a club to help students learn how to reach their goals, said her viral post has reached people from around the world, with praise even coming toward her in foreign languages.
And it’s not just worldwide encouragement the 17-year-old has garnered. Principal Jamar Roberson said he’s “had so many students come up to me and say, ‘Hey, here’s my acceptances, I want to put them on the wall.'”
“I wanted to inspire people and show them that you can actually dream big and get to where you want to go,” says Willis, who is waiting to hear back from schools like the University of Notre Dame and the University of Georgia.
As for how the high school student managed to collect more than $900,000 in total scholarships from all the schools she was accepted to without spending a dime on entrance fees, Willis simply asked them to waive the costs. She only paid for postage. Plus, many schools were seeking well-rounded applicants, which made up for her SAT score of 1160.
After getting acceptance letters from schools including Howard University, Clark Atlanta, Ohio State and Louisiana State University, Willis said she’s decided to attend Fisk University, a historically Black university in Nashville, Tennessee. She explained on Twitter it is her top school and she’ll be going on a full-ride scholarship. The teen plans to study international business and Spanish.
As she awaits high school graduation in the following months, support continues to pour out for the soon-to-be college freshman.
50 Cent Announces Partnership With Outerwear Company Goose Country to Benefit Low-Income Communities
By Daryl Nelson - atlanta black star
March 5, 2019
50 Cent may spend a lot of his social media time trolling and dissing others, but he recently used it to announce a good cause.
On Sunday the “Candy Shop” rapper took to Instagram and said he’s working with the New York-based outerwear company Goose Country to give back. The company and rapper have announced that “5 percent of all online sales” will be donated to 50’s The G-Unity Foundation, and that money will be used to help low-income communities.
“You know the vibes Goose Country is doing the right thing support company’s that are minority owned and giving back to low income community’s. 🤨get the jacket now,” wrote 50.
Despite the company just starting in 2018, it has already received massive support from celebrities other than 50. On its Instagram page, people like Snoop Dogg are seen wearing one of its designs, as well as Fabolous, Tory Lanez, boxer Adrien Broner and Lil Durk.
According to Goose Country’s website, the owner Rico Hundo and the rest of the founders used to be premium manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers in New York and they also played a big role in New York’s leather fashion scene in the ’80s and ’90s, so their signature V-Bomber jacket is inspired by that time period.
50 was seen wearing one of those jackets in a Dec. 29 post on Goose Country’s Instagram page. He was also seen sporting another Goose Country jackets in a photo with comedian Michael Blackson, which Hundo said is an honor.
“We are thankful to have support from a such a business-minded mogul who represents our generation,” he said of 50. “My inspiration behind Goose Country is so as minorities we can have a luxury item that goes back to helping our own.”
Some acknowledged that 50 is working with Goose Country and said it’s a wonderful move for him to make.
“Excellent post 50!!!” someone wrote. “ See how low the support is. They know that if they support black we will rise up so fast it won’t be funny.”
“Ok, not bad!” a second person commented. “Im def down for keeping black money with black money as often as i can.”
On Sunday the “Candy Shop” rapper took to Instagram and said he’s working with the New York-based outerwear company Goose Country to give back. The company and rapper have announced that “5 percent of all online sales” will be donated to 50’s The G-Unity Foundation, and that money will be used to help low-income communities.
“You know the vibes Goose Country is doing the right thing support company’s that are minority owned and giving back to low income community’s. 🤨get the jacket now,” wrote 50.
Despite the company just starting in 2018, it has already received massive support from celebrities other than 50. On its Instagram page, people like Snoop Dogg are seen wearing one of its designs, as well as Fabolous, Tory Lanez, boxer Adrien Broner and Lil Durk.
According to Goose Country’s website, the owner Rico Hundo and the rest of the founders used to be premium manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers in New York and they also played a big role in New York’s leather fashion scene in the ’80s and ’90s, so their signature V-Bomber jacket is inspired by that time period.
50 was seen wearing one of those jackets in a Dec. 29 post on Goose Country’s Instagram page. He was also seen sporting another Goose Country jackets in a photo with comedian Michael Blackson, which Hundo said is an honor.
“We are thankful to have support from a such a business-minded mogul who represents our generation,” he said of 50. “My inspiration behind Goose Country is so as minorities we can have a luxury item that goes back to helping our own.”
Some acknowledged that 50 is working with Goose Country and said it’s a wonderful move for him to make.
“Excellent post 50!!!” someone wrote. “ See how low the support is. They know that if they support black we will rise up so fast it won’t be funny.”
“Ok, not bad!” a second person commented. “Im def down for keeping black money with black money as often as i can.”
'You can't dismiss us any more': the rise of black female costume designers
Ruth E Carter hopes her Oscar win for Black Panther will open the door for more diversity in a field that’s been lacking
Dream McClinton in New York
the guardian
Sat 2 Mar 2019 02.00 EST
Ruth E. Carter with her Oscar. Photograph: Andrew H Walker/BEI/REX/Shutterstock
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Sharen Davis accepts the award for excellence in sci-fi/fantasy television for Westworld at the 21st annual Costume Designers Guild Awards in February 2019. Photograph: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
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Regally draped in an embellished silk ball gown and a glittering jeweled necklace, costume designer Ruth E Carter ascended the stairs to the stage of the Dolby Theatre last week to claim her very first Oscar. Triumphing for her dazzling work in Marvel blockbuster Black Panther, she told the A-list audience: “It’s been a long time coming.”
Her words spoke not only to her illustrious career, including nominations for work on Amistad and Malcolm X but for the industry at large, as Carter became the first black winner ever in this category.
Equal parts performance and garment construction and styling, costume design is an integral part of a film or television production. It defines characters, advances storylines, and sets the film apart on and off the production lot. But despite their omnipresence onscreen and otherwise, the intricate artistry of the profession often goes unnoticed.“We’re in a service profession,” Carter told the Guardian. “We are the ones that make [movie stars] look great. We are the ones that hide their flaws.”
But even more difficult than getting the earned recognition from colleagues is actually entering the industry in the first place. Costume design suffers from towering thresholds, leaving it bereft of diverse talent.
“They have made it very difficult to get into film,” says Gersha Phillips, costume designer for Star Trek Discovery and films including Talk to Me and Miles Ahead. “It’s a very closed door. It’s almost like a secret society that it’s been functioning under, even though it seems to be out in broad daylight.” The scene becomes even more troubling when television production is considered. “When you’re on a white show, there might only be three [people of color] when you’re at a production meeting. It’s a little odd. The balance isn’t there yet,” says Michelle Cole, a distinguished costume designer with a career spanning over 37 years, for which she’s earned five Primetime Emmy nominations for shows like In Living Color and Black-ish.
Black costume designers, like much of Hollywood, have often had careers stifled by the hegemonic power structure of the industry. Those who succeed are often family members or close friends of industry insiders.
“When I was starting out as a costume designer, I remember watching white costume designers get jobs before me and I thought I had more experience than they did. That’s how it rolled back then and it still happens now,” laments Cole. Carter articulates a similar feeling of loneliness. “When you break ground and when you become the first, moving through the hallways that are not populated with people like you, it can be a very lonely place.” She professes, “Being a trailblazer means that you sit in a room of people who don’t look like you. You have to be there and represent, to represent the future.”
Even when new talent is brought in, they are forced to work for little to no money, something only a scarce privileged few can afford to do. “You need some kind of support to be able to continue on in the beginning,” said Sharen Davis, the only other black woman to have received an Oscar nomination for costume design. “I worked two other jobs to continue this. I did a whole lot of other jobs. A lot of us did. That’s normal. But sometimes, that doesn’t seem possible for somebody who is in a low-income situation.” Carter puts it flatly: “Sometimes, working for free is not an option.”
But a current has emerged that hopes to turn the tide. Diversity and inclusion are trending in Tinseltown. In her 2018 Oscar speech, Frances McDormand introduced the concept of inclusion riders or stipulations which dictate a certain amount of cast and crew must be women, people of color, from the LGBT community or have a disability. The idea has the stamp of approval from many who think it’s a step in the right direction, including Michael B Jordan and Regina King.
“If these riders are written into studio policy as a permanent part and it includes something for everyone. I think it does work but I think it has to be something that has to be insisted upon,” say Carter. Cole believes insiders must do more work to engage with prospective costume designers. “You can also take the reins yourself as a costume designer. I have a [white] costume designer friend. She just said to me about a month ago, ‘I saw your crew and it taught me that I need diversity in my wardrobe department.’ I don’t think she had ever thought about it until she saw my crew and how diverse it was. It’s up to us to open the doors.” It’s a call she herself has answered. “I said to myself years ago, ‘Before I retire, the one thing I want to do is [make sure] I don’t hear from anybody else that they can’t find a good black costumer. I heard that all the time in the 80s. I’m able now to bring in people and train them to be good costumers.”
The responsibility of introducing black talent to the industry has largely fallen on black creators. “It is very often that the [first] chance that you get on a show, it’s going to be a black show. Your first chance as a black [costume] designer, the first thing that you get to design is black [productions],” says Phillips. She recounts the story of her start, an Eriq La Salle film in her native Toronto, where the director insisted there were black people in every department. “Every department had to go out and find black people to hire because IA [labor union] didn’t have any black people ... They called looking for black crew and that’s how I got hired.”
Onstage, Carter recognized Spike Lee. Cole credited In Living Color creator Keenan Ivory Wayans and the writers-turned-producers of the hit 90s show for her success. It is a model followed by much of black Hollywood, like global superstar Beyoncé. For her record-breaking Coachella performance, the singer reportedly hired a troupe of black drummers. Later that year, her September 2018 Vogue cover was shot by Tyler Mitchell, a previously unknown black photographer. In many cases, diversity often starts and sometimes stops on black productions, with predominantly white productions paying little to no attention to the myriad of candidates.
Nonetheless, there is a shared hopefulness about the future of Hollywood. While Carter sharply criticizes the diverse-neglected path she had to take, she hopes it inspires others. “Here, I won, a black woman. That should be the thing that inspires anybody of color to come behind me and do the same thing. I basically represent all the steps it took to get there. That’s what I meant when I said ‘I dreamt of this day, I prayed for this day,’” Carter said.
She hopes her historic win will be the driving force behind other talents joining the industry. Phillips echoes her hope that the win will have a ripple effect. “As black people, [there’s] a feeling that people don’t see you. It’s like you’re invisible or they pretend you’re invisible, that you don’t matter. You don’t count. [She wins] and you can’t dismiss us any more. You can’t dismiss Ruth Carter. You can’t dismiss any of us. We’re here and we’re good at what we do. We want our dues.”
Her words spoke not only to her illustrious career, including nominations for work on Amistad and Malcolm X but for the industry at large, as Carter became the first black winner ever in this category.
Equal parts performance and garment construction and styling, costume design is an integral part of a film or television production. It defines characters, advances storylines, and sets the film apart on and off the production lot. But despite their omnipresence onscreen and otherwise, the intricate artistry of the profession often goes unnoticed.“We’re in a service profession,” Carter told the Guardian. “We are the ones that make [movie stars] look great. We are the ones that hide their flaws.”
But even more difficult than getting the earned recognition from colleagues is actually entering the industry in the first place. Costume design suffers from towering thresholds, leaving it bereft of diverse talent.
“They have made it very difficult to get into film,” says Gersha Phillips, costume designer for Star Trek Discovery and films including Talk to Me and Miles Ahead. “It’s a very closed door. It’s almost like a secret society that it’s been functioning under, even though it seems to be out in broad daylight.” The scene becomes even more troubling when television production is considered. “When you’re on a white show, there might only be three [people of color] when you’re at a production meeting. It’s a little odd. The balance isn’t there yet,” says Michelle Cole, a distinguished costume designer with a career spanning over 37 years, for which she’s earned five Primetime Emmy nominations for shows like In Living Color and Black-ish.
Black costume designers, like much of Hollywood, have often had careers stifled by the hegemonic power structure of the industry. Those who succeed are often family members or close friends of industry insiders.
“When I was starting out as a costume designer, I remember watching white costume designers get jobs before me and I thought I had more experience than they did. That’s how it rolled back then and it still happens now,” laments Cole. Carter articulates a similar feeling of loneliness. “When you break ground and when you become the first, moving through the hallways that are not populated with people like you, it can be a very lonely place.” She professes, “Being a trailblazer means that you sit in a room of people who don’t look like you. You have to be there and represent, to represent the future.”
Even when new talent is brought in, they are forced to work for little to no money, something only a scarce privileged few can afford to do. “You need some kind of support to be able to continue on in the beginning,” said Sharen Davis, the only other black woman to have received an Oscar nomination for costume design. “I worked two other jobs to continue this. I did a whole lot of other jobs. A lot of us did. That’s normal. But sometimes, that doesn’t seem possible for somebody who is in a low-income situation.” Carter puts it flatly: “Sometimes, working for free is not an option.”
But a current has emerged that hopes to turn the tide. Diversity and inclusion are trending in Tinseltown. In her 2018 Oscar speech, Frances McDormand introduced the concept of inclusion riders or stipulations which dictate a certain amount of cast and crew must be women, people of color, from the LGBT community or have a disability. The idea has the stamp of approval from many who think it’s a step in the right direction, including Michael B Jordan and Regina King.
“If these riders are written into studio policy as a permanent part and it includes something for everyone. I think it does work but I think it has to be something that has to be insisted upon,” say Carter. Cole believes insiders must do more work to engage with prospective costume designers. “You can also take the reins yourself as a costume designer. I have a [white] costume designer friend. She just said to me about a month ago, ‘I saw your crew and it taught me that I need diversity in my wardrobe department.’ I don’t think she had ever thought about it until she saw my crew and how diverse it was. It’s up to us to open the doors.” It’s a call she herself has answered. “I said to myself years ago, ‘Before I retire, the one thing I want to do is [make sure] I don’t hear from anybody else that they can’t find a good black costumer. I heard that all the time in the 80s. I’m able now to bring in people and train them to be good costumers.”
The responsibility of introducing black talent to the industry has largely fallen on black creators. “It is very often that the [first] chance that you get on a show, it’s going to be a black show. Your first chance as a black [costume] designer, the first thing that you get to design is black [productions],” says Phillips. She recounts the story of her start, an Eriq La Salle film in her native Toronto, where the director insisted there were black people in every department. “Every department had to go out and find black people to hire because IA [labor union] didn’t have any black people ... They called looking for black crew and that’s how I got hired.”
Onstage, Carter recognized Spike Lee. Cole credited In Living Color creator Keenan Ivory Wayans and the writers-turned-producers of the hit 90s show for her success. It is a model followed by much of black Hollywood, like global superstar Beyoncé. For her record-breaking Coachella performance, the singer reportedly hired a troupe of black drummers. Later that year, her September 2018 Vogue cover was shot by Tyler Mitchell, a previously unknown black photographer. In many cases, diversity often starts and sometimes stops on black productions, with predominantly white productions paying little to no attention to the myriad of candidates.
Nonetheless, there is a shared hopefulness about the future of Hollywood. While Carter sharply criticizes the diverse-neglected path she had to take, she hopes it inspires others. “Here, I won, a black woman. That should be the thing that inspires anybody of color to come behind me and do the same thing. I basically represent all the steps it took to get there. That’s what I meant when I said ‘I dreamt of this day, I prayed for this day,’” Carter said.
She hopes her historic win will be the driving force behind other talents joining the industry. Phillips echoes her hope that the win will have a ripple effect. “As black people, [there’s] a feeling that people don’t see you. It’s like you’re invisible or they pretend you’re invisible, that you don’t matter. You don’t count. [She wins] and you can’t dismiss us any more. You can’t dismiss Ruth Carter. You can’t dismiss any of us. We’re here and we’re good at what we do. We want our dues.”
Life as a black golfer: 'It can be an intimidating environment'
As Black History Month comes to an end, African American golfers discuss how much progress the sport has made
Anya Alvarez
the guardian
Thu 28 Feb 2019 04.30 EST
Cheyenne Woods: ‘I’ve seen the game become more global, more athletic, and more effort put towards increasing diversity’. Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images
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Harold Varner III: ‘We also had Tiger Woods, who was dominating at the time, and not only did people of color look up to him, so did white golfers’. Photograph: Dan Peled/EPA
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This month at the PGA Genesis Open, four black Americans – Tiger Woods, Cameron Champ, Harold Varner III, and Tim O’Neal – were in the 144-strong field. It marked the highest number of black American golfers to play in a PGA tour event but it was still far from representative of the demographics of the United States. As Black History Month ends, the Guardian spoke with three black golfers to discuss the progress the sport has made and, more importantly, what it needs to do to continue growing the participation and inclusion of African Americans.
What drew you to golf?
Cheyenne Woods, LPGA Tour player: Every weekend I would be in front of the TV watching Tiger Woods with my golf club in hand. I distinctly remember going to a junior event thinking I had a great idea of wearing black and red, only to find out every other junior golfer thought the same. Tiger was “cool”, and he made golf “cool” to go out and play.
Harold Varner III, PGA Tour player: I loved that you could do it by yourself. It’s not like other sports where you need someone else to be there to compete against, or you need someone throwing the ball to you. With golf, it’s just you and the course.
Mackenzie Mack, professional golfer and LPGA certified instructor: I don’t run very fast and don’t jump very high so golf was a game that I could play and be successful. And golf was a game we played as a family. So trying to beat my sister, Sydnee, who was also a Division 1 scholarship golfer was always fun.
Did the lack of diversity in golf ever discourage you from playing?
CW: No. Growing up, I loved the fact I was usually the only girl in school or only black person at tournaments. I enjoyed the feeling of being different. I have had so many instances over the years of proudly telling people I play golf. I can’t count the amount of times I am then replied to with: “Wow, you don’t look like a golfer”. I’ve continued to grow my love of breaking the mold of what a “golfer” has been.
HV: No, none whatsoever. I didn’t really think about it until I got on the PGA Tour when I was asked about it, and people made me aware of it. But my parents were really supportive, and tried to give me all the opportunity possible to play. I did play in some Bill Dickey tournaments when I was younger, and that was an eye-opener because it was the first time I played with another black kid in a tournament. I remember thinking, “Oh, I’m not the only one.” But we also had Tiger Woods, who was dominating at the time, and not only did people of color look up to him, so did white golfers.
MM: I grew up in an urban junior golf program called Valley View Golf in Las Vegas whose goal was to get minorities involved in the game golf. So, I grew up with other minority golfers at my local facility but when I traveled outside of my local facility, my sister and I were often the only minorities we saw. The lack of diversity never discouraged me from playing the game though because I loved it so much.
How have you seen golf evolve since you started playing?
CW: I have 100% seen golf evolve since I started playing in the mid-90s. I’ve seen the game become more global, more athletic, and more effort put towards increasing diversity. But in order to help continue the evolution of golf, we need to support programs that give communities affordable access to increase the inclusivity of the game. The issue I’ve always seen with golf is that it is not the easiest sport to have access to, and it can be an intimidating environment. Even at a young age, my mom and I did not know about driving ranges so we’d simply go to the neighborhood park and hit balls around in a field.
Programs that share not only share knowledge of the sport, but also give access, are crucial. I believe it’s important to not limit these programs to just junior golf. Inclusivity programs should include a range of ages, careers and ethnicities.
HV: It’s ridiculous how expensive golf is and it’s hurting the game. I just don’t see a lot of mini golf courses where they have the same kind of programs that I had when I was growing up, and I think in order for golf to reach more people, we need more programs like that.
MM: I am a testament to how the game has slowly evolved over time. It is an honor to be the fourth African American woman to hold dual membership in the PGA and LPGA. I hope to inspire the next generation to play the game as the ladies before me, did for me.
What challenges have you faced because of the lack of diversity in golf?
CW: The only challenge I’ve found in the lack of diversity in golf, is the weight and responsibility to be one of few representatives of African Americans in golf. Diversity has been an ongoing topic in the sport, however there is still so much room to grow and improve. I hope to continue encouraging the message that golf is not defined by the stereotype it has historically gained.
HV: I’ve never had trouble playing, or had issues playing on a course, or anything like that. I’ve certainly heard stories of older golfers who were denied access, or never got the opportunity to play, but I never had to deal with any type of discrimination on the course.
Are there any programs that you like that help promote diversity in golf ?
CW: One program in particular that played a huge part in my junior golf career was the Desert Mashies, founded by Bill Dickey in Phoenix. It is connected with the Bill Dickey Scholarship Association and Bill Dickey Invitation which almost every single black golfer currently on tour has been a part of. It is a unique environment of bringing together the best minority golfers in the country and allowing them to connect and compete. It also creates college scholarship opportunities to those wanting to play at the next level.
HV: I started a foundation called HV3, and we’ll be hosting our first tournament on 23 March. It’s to help kids get exposure and access to golf, because not many kids can go to a golf course and just play golf, and we want to change that.
MM: I have seen golf move in the right direction over the years with initiatives and efforts from The First Tee, PGA, LPGA, We Are Golf, Bill Dickey, Women in Golf Foundation, Fore Life and many many more. But there is still a long way to go.
What drew you to golf?
Cheyenne Woods, LPGA Tour player: Every weekend I would be in front of the TV watching Tiger Woods with my golf club in hand. I distinctly remember going to a junior event thinking I had a great idea of wearing black and red, only to find out every other junior golfer thought the same. Tiger was “cool”, and he made golf “cool” to go out and play.
Harold Varner III, PGA Tour player: I loved that you could do it by yourself. It’s not like other sports where you need someone else to be there to compete against, or you need someone throwing the ball to you. With golf, it’s just you and the course.
Mackenzie Mack, professional golfer and LPGA certified instructor: I don’t run very fast and don’t jump very high so golf was a game that I could play and be successful. And golf was a game we played as a family. So trying to beat my sister, Sydnee, who was also a Division 1 scholarship golfer was always fun.
Did the lack of diversity in golf ever discourage you from playing?
CW: No. Growing up, I loved the fact I was usually the only girl in school or only black person at tournaments. I enjoyed the feeling of being different. I have had so many instances over the years of proudly telling people I play golf. I can’t count the amount of times I am then replied to with: “Wow, you don’t look like a golfer”. I’ve continued to grow my love of breaking the mold of what a “golfer” has been.
HV: No, none whatsoever. I didn’t really think about it until I got on the PGA Tour when I was asked about it, and people made me aware of it. But my parents were really supportive, and tried to give me all the opportunity possible to play. I did play in some Bill Dickey tournaments when I was younger, and that was an eye-opener because it was the first time I played with another black kid in a tournament. I remember thinking, “Oh, I’m not the only one.” But we also had Tiger Woods, who was dominating at the time, and not only did people of color look up to him, so did white golfers.
MM: I grew up in an urban junior golf program called Valley View Golf in Las Vegas whose goal was to get minorities involved in the game golf. So, I grew up with other minority golfers at my local facility but when I traveled outside of my local facility, my sister and I were often the only minorities we saw. The lack of diversity never discouraged me from playing the game though because I loved it so much.
How have you seen golf evolve since you started playing?
CW: I have 100% seen golf evolve since I started playing in the mid-90s. I’ve seen the game become more global, more athletic, and more effort put towards increasing diversity. But in order to help continue the evolution of golf, we need to support programs that give communities affordable access to increase the inclusivity of the game. The issue I’ve always seen with golf is that it is not the easiest sport to have access to, and it can be an intimidating environment. Even at a young age, my mom and I did not know about driving ranges so we’d simply go to the neighborhood park and hit balls around in a field.
Programs that share not only share knowledge of the sport, but also give access, are crucial. I believe it’s important to not limit these programs to just junior golf. Inclusivity programs should include a range of ages, careers and ethnicities.
HV: It’s ridiculous how expensive golf is and it’s hurting the game. I just don’t see a lot of mini golf courses where they have the same kind of programs that I had when I was growing up, and I think in order for golf to reach more people, we need more programs like that.
MM: I am a testament to how the game has slowly evolved over time. It is an honor to be the fourth African American woman to hold dual membership in the PGA and LPGA. I hope to inspire the next generation to play the game as the ladies before me, did for me.
What challenges have you faced because of the lack of diversity in golf?
CW: The only challenge I’ve found in the lack of diversity in golf, is the weight and responsibility to be one of few representatives of African Americans in golf. Diversity has been an ongoing topic in the sport, however there is still so much room to grow and improve. I hope to continue encouraging the message that golf is not defined by the stereotype it has historically gained.
HV: I’ve never had trouble playing, or had issues playing on a course, or anything like that. I’ve certainly heard stories of older golfers who were denied access, or never got the opportunity to play, but I never had to deal with any type of discrimination on the course.
Are there any programs that you like that help promote diversity in golf ?
CW: One program in particular that played a huge part in my junior golf career was the Desert Mashies, founded by Bill Dickey in Phoenix. It is connected with the Bill Dickey Scholarship Association and Bill Dickey Invitation which almost every single black golfer currently on tour has been a part of. It is a unique environment of bringing together the best minority golfers in the country and allowing them to connect and compete. It also creates college scholarship opportunities to those wanting to play at the next level.
HV: I started a foundation called HV3, and we’ll be hosting our first tournament on 23 March. It’s to help kids get exposure and access to golf, because not many kids can go to a golf course and just play golf, and we want to change that.
MM: I have seen golf move in the right direction over the years with initiatives and efforts from The First Tee, PGA, LPGA, We Are Golf, Bill Dickey, Women in Golf Foundation, Fore Life and many many more. But there is still a long way to go.
Family-Owned Heritage Fare Sauces, Seasonings Expands to Thousands of Kroger Stores Across the Nation
By Tanasia Kenney - atlanta black star
February 25, 2019
Launched in the early 1990s, Heritage Fare began distributing its collection of savory seasonings, spices and sauces across Cleveland and Pittsburgh. (Image courtesy of Heritage Fare Ltd.)
Consumers are now able to bring home the authentic flavors of African-American soul food as family-owned Heritage Fare, Ltd. launches its line of savory sauces and seasonings in Kroger stores across the nation.
Founded in the early 1990s, Heritage Fare has prided itself on staying true to the Southern-style tradition of cooking among Black Americans, and now four items from the brand’s line of seasonings and sauces are hitting shelves in more than 1,100 stores across the Midwest and Southeast, according to a press release.
Whether it’s their tangy greens seasoning, or the spicy Buffalo wings sauce, Heritage Fare offers a blend of herbs, spices and other seasonings that are sure to cut down on cooking time without compromising flavor, the company proclaims.
The company’s garlic wings sauce and sweet potato pie seasoning will also be sold in stores. The products retail for about $3 for sauces and seasonings.
“We take you back home,” the company’s tagline brags.
After noticing the lack of quality foods offering good taste and ethnic appeal, brand founder Wendell E. Turner jumped at the opportunity to fill that gap. He then enlisted the help of his daughter and assembled a team of cooks, chefs and packers to create what would become a family-owned brand offering everything from wing sauces to fish fry coatings.
According to the company’s website, Heritage Fare has since expanded its distribution into Walmart in Ohio, Jewel-Ocso stores in the Chicago area, and Kroger stores in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina.
Founded in the early 1990s, Heritage Fare has prided itself on staying true to the Southern-style tradition of cooking among Black Americans, and now four items from the brand’s line of seasonings and sauces are hitting shelves in more than 1,100 stores across the Midwest and Southeast, according to a press release.
Whether it’s their tangy greens seasoning, or the spicy Buffalo wings sauce, Heritage Fare offers a blend of herbs, spices and other seasonings that are sure to cut down on cooking time without compromising flavor, the company proclaims.
The company’s garlic wings sauce and sweet potato pie seasoning will also be sold in stores. The products retail for about $3 for sauces and seasonings.
“We take you back home,” the company’s tagline brags.
After noticing the lack of quality foods offering good taste and ethnic appeal, brand founder Wendell E. Turner jumped at the opportunity to fill that gap. He then enlisted the help of his daughter and assembled a team of cooks, chefs and packers to create what would become a family-owned brand offering everything from wing sauces to fish fry coatings.
According to the company’s website, Heritage Fare has since expanded its distribution into Walmart in Ohio, Jewel-Ocso stores in the Chicago area, and Kroger stores in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina.
Country Singer Kane Brown Says He Thought He Was White Until He Was Called the N-Word
By Daryl Nelson - atlanta black star
November 26, 2018
Kane Brown will be a name that you’ll probably be hearing a lot of if you haven’t already. He’s the 25-year-old country singer born to a white mother and Black father, who was also part Cherokee and not in his life.
Last month, Brown won big at the American Music Awards, wracking up three trophies, including Favorite Country Male Artist. At the moment, he’s arguably considered the genre’s biggest breakout star.
But according to what Brown told People magazine, he’s endured a lot of racism along the way. In fact, the singer thought he was 100% white as a child, until he started getting called the n-word while attending middle school in Georgia.
“I’m biracial,” he stated. “I didn’t know that until I was 7 or 8 years old. I thought I was full white, which honestly, I can’t even really say because I didn’t see colors.”
“I found out that I was biracial and I still wasn’t thinking anything of it, but then I started getting called the n-word,” Brown went on. “I didn’t even know what it meant. I learned what it meant, and that’s when it started affecting me. I got in fights over it when I was little.”
But the newly married country star said he eventually “got over” the racist remarks and they only made him stronger.
And now he wants to help other kids who may be facing a similar situation, especially since he still deals with racism as a famous person.
“When I first got into country, I started getting some of those comments like ‘He’s an N-word.’ Stuff like that,” Brown explained. “I used to screenshot it and put it on Twitter, like ‘There’s still racism in the world.’ But I didn’t get into country music just to prove a point. I try to stay away from all negativity … Now you can call me whatever you want. It just brushes off of me.”
Last month, Brown won big at the American Music Awards, wracking up three trophies, including Favorite Country Male Artist. At the moment, he’s arguably considered the genre’s biggest breakout star.
But according to what Brown told People magazine, he’s endured a lot of racism along the way. In fact, the singer thought he was 100% white as a child, until he started getting called the n-word while attending middle school in Georgia.
“I’m biracial,” he stated. “I didn’t know that until I was 7 or 8 years old. I thought I was full white, which honestly, I can’t even really say because I didn’t see colors.”
“I found out that I was biracial and I still wasn’t thinking anything of it, but then I started getting called the n-word,” Brown went on. “I didn’t even know what it meant. I learned what it meant, and that’s when it started affecting me. I got in fights over it when I was little.”
But the newly married country star said he eventually “got over” the racist remarks and they only made him stronger.
And now he wants to help other kids who may be facing a similar situation, especially since he still deals with racism as a famous person.
“When I first got into country, I started getting some of those comments like ‘He’s an N-word.’ Stuff like that,” Brown explained. “I used to screenshot it and put it on Twitter, like ‘There’s still racism in the world.’ But I didn’t get into country music just to prove a point. I try to stay away from all negativity … Now you can call me whatever you want. It just brushes off of me.”
Reasons why I will NEVER, EVER forgive Trump voters
Coventina
From Demo. Underground: All these things were done BEFORE the election, so don't try to tell me that Trump voters didn't know EXACTLY what they were voting for:
Calling Mexicans rapists
Shaming women for having menstrual cycles
Saying John McCain is not a hero for surviving torture
Signing up a white nationalist as a delegate
Saying he is against the First Amendment
Refusing to condemn the KKK
Mocking a disabled reporter
Praising Saddam Hussein
Praising Vladimir Putin
Re-tweeting white nationalists
Tweeting that most murders of white people are done by African Americans
Mocking women's personal appearance
Sexualizing his daughter
Lying about American Muslims celebrating on 9/11
"Two Corinthians"
Talking about his penis during a national debate
Saying a judge was partial due to his ethnic heritage
Supporting the Obama "birther" lies
Threatening to end the free press
Defrauding students of "Trump University"
Not releasing his taxes
Saying pumping breast milk is "disgusting"
Asking Russia to hack the United States
Of course there is so much more, but this hits the high (low) lights for me.
Calling Mexicans rapists
Shaming women for having menstrual cycles
Saying John McCain is not a hero for surviving torture
Signing up a white nationalist as a delegate
Saying he is against the First Amendment
Refusing to condemn the KKK
Mocking a disabled reporter
Praising Saddam Hussein
Praising Vladimir Putin
Re-tweeting white nationalists
Tweeting that most murders of white people are done by African Americans
Mocking women's personal appearance
Sexualizing his daughter
Lying about American Muslims celebrating on 9/11
"Two Corinthians"
Talking about his penis during a national debate
Saying a judge was partial due to his ethnic heritage
Supporting the Obama "birther" lies
Threatening to end the free press
Defrauding students of "Trump University"
Not releasing his taxes
Saying pumping breast milk is "disgusting"
Asking Russia to hack the United States
Of course there is so much more, but this hits the high (low) lights for me.
When idiots say "both parties are the same"
SHRED
From Demo Underground: Here's a partial list.
Things that Democrats would not be doing:
Escalating towards nuclear war with NK.
Pulling out of Paris Climate Agreement.
Reducing National Monuments.
Defunding renewable energy.
Defunding CHIP.
Not helping Puerto Rico sufficiently.
Threatening and deporting DACA.
Building a wall on the southern border.
Attacking our allies and praising Russia.
Trying to revive the war on cannabis.
Backing expansion of private prisons.
Sabotaging the ACA.
Pushing an obscene tax bill which trigger cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
Preparing to decimate the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.
A State Department in shambles.
Privatization schemes against public education.
Expanding the private prison system.
Attacking the BLM movement.
Praising White Supremacists.
Renewing attacks on our LGBT brothers and sisters.
Destroying Net Neutrality.
To name a few for those idiots who think "both parties are the same".
I've shutdown fools online with this list.
Things that Democrats would not be doing:
Escalating towards nuclear war with NK.
Pulling out of Paris Climate Agreement.
Reducing National Monuments.
Defunding renewable energy.
Defunding CHIP.
Not helping Puerto Rico sufficiently.
Threatening and deporting DACA.
Building a wall on the southern border.
Attacking our allies and praising Russia.
Trying to revive the war on cannabis.
Backing expansion of private prisons.
Sabotaging the ACA.
Pushing an obscene tax bill which trigger cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
Preparing to decimate the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.
A State Department in shambles.
Privatization schemes against public education.
Expanding the private prison system.
Attacking the BLM movement.
Praising White Supremacists.
Renewing attacks on our LGBT brothers and sisters.
Destroying Net Neutrality.
To name a few for those idiots who think "both parties are the same".
I've shutdown fools online with this list.
MAGA: a serial rapist on the Supreme Court
Pastor Explains: When White Folks Say Obama Was an “Embarrassment”, Here is Your Response
By
cpowell
From Bluedot Daily: One of the common responses to criticism of Donald Trump by his mostly white voters is something along the lines “we were embarrassed by Obama for 8 years.” One pastor is calling out that nonsense.
Progressive pastor John Pavlovitz, a favorite of ours here, has penned an open letter to those white Trump voters, informing them that no, in fact, they weren’t embarrassed by the former President.
Were you embarrassed by his lone and enduring twenty-five year marriage to a strong woman he’s never ceased to publicly praise, respect, or cherish?
Were you embarrassed by the way he lovingly and sweetly parented and protected his daughters?
I remember the day after the Election, a friend of mine who happens to be white, remarked on social media that he “finally wasn’t embarrassed of America and our President.”
I sprained my eyes rolling them and they have never fully recovered.
Since then I’ve heard this sentiment echoed by more white folks than I can count, especially in recent months; supposed relief at once again having a leader who instills pride.
Since I don’t have the time to ask each of the individually, I’ll ask here:
So, you were embarrassed for the past 8 years, huh?
Really?
What exactly were you embarrassed by?
Were you embarrassed by his lone and enduring twenty-five year marriage to a strong woman he’s never ceased to publicly praise, respect, or cherish?
Were you embarrassed by the way he lovingly and sweetly parented and protected his daughters?
Were you embarrassed by his Columbia University degree in Political Science or his graduating magna cum laude from Harvard Law School?
Maybe you were embarrassed by his white American and Black Kenyan parents, or the diversity he was raised in as normal?
Were you embarrassed by his eloquence, his quick wit, his easy humor, his seeming comfort meeting with both world leaders and street cleaners; by his bright smile or his sense of empathy or his steadiness—perhaps by his lack of personal scandals or verbal gaffes or impulsive tirades?
No. Of course you weren’t.
Honestly, I don’t believe you were ever embarrassed. That word implies an association that brings ridicule, one that makes you ashamed by association, and if that’s something you claim to have experienced over the past eight years by having Barack Obama representing you in the world—I’m going to suggest you rethink your word choice.
You weren’t “embarrassed” by Barack Obama.
You were threatened by him.
You were offended by him.
You were challenged by him.
You were enraged by him.
But I don’t believe it had anything to do with his resume or his experience or his character or his conduct in office—because you seem fully proud right now to be associated with a three-time married, serial adulterer and confessed predator; a man whose election and business dealings and relationships are riddled with controversy and malfeasance. You’re perfectly fine being represented by a bullying, obnoxious, genitalia-grabbing, Tweet-ranting, Prime Minister-shoving charlatan who’s managed to offended all our allies in a few short months. And you’re okay with him putting on religious faith like a rented, dusty, ill-fitting tuxedo and immediately tossing it in the garbage when he’s finished with it.
None of that you’re embarrassed of? I wonder how that works.
Actually, I’m afraid I have an idea. I hope I’m wrong.
Listen, you’re perfectly within your rights to have disagreed with Barack Obama’s policies or to have taken issue with his tactics. No one’s claiming he was a flawless politician or a perfect human being. But somehow I don’t think that’s what we’re talking about here. I think the thing President Obama did that really upset you, white friend—was having a complexion that was far darker than you were ever comfortable with. I think the President we have now feels much better.
Because objectively speaking, if what’s happening in our country right now doesn’t cause you great shame and doesn’t induce the continual meeting of your palm to your face—I don’t believe embarrassment is ever something you struggle with.
No, if you claimed to be “embarrassed” by Barack Obama but you’re not embarrassed by Donald Trump—I’m going to strongly suggest it was largely a pigmentation issue.
And as an American and a Christian committed to diversity and equality and to the liberty at the heart of this nation--that, embarrasses me.
Well said, Pastor. Well said indeed.
Progressive pastor John Pavlovitz, a favorite of ours here, has penned an open letter to those white Trump voters, informing them that no, in fact, they weren’t embarrassed by the former President.
Were you embarrassed by his lone and enduring twenty-five year marriage to a strong woman he’s never ceased to publicly praise, respect, or cherish?
Were you embarrassed by the way he lovingly and sweetly parented and protected his daughters?
I remember the day after the Election, a friend of mine who happens to be white, remarked on social media that he “finally wasn’t embarrassed of America and our President.”
I sprained my eyes rolling them and they have never fully recovered.
Since then I’ve heard this sentiment echoed by more white folks than I can count, especially in recent months; supposed relief at once again having a leader who instills pride.
Since I don’t have the time to ask each of the individually, I’ll ask here:
So, you were embarrassed for the past 8 years, huh?
Really?
What exactly were you embarrassed by?
Were you embarrassed by his lone and enduring twenty-five year marriage to a strong woman he’s never ceased to publicly praise, respect, or cherish?
Were you embarrassed by the way he lovingly and sweetly parented and protected his daughters?
Were you embarrassed by his Columbia University degree in Political Science or his graduating magna cum laude from Harvard Law School?
Maybe you were embarrassed by his white American and Black Kenyan parents, or the diversity he was raised in as normal?
Were you embarrassed by his eloquence, his quick wit, his easy humor, his seeming comfort meeting with both world leaders and street cleaners; by his bright smile or his sense of empathy or his steadiness—perhaps by his lack of personal scandals or verbal gaffes or impulsive tirades?
No. Of course you weren’t.
Honestly, I don’t believe you were ever embarrassed. That word implies an association that brings ridicule, one that makes you ashamed by association, and if that’s something you claim to have experienced over the past eight years by having Barack Obama representing you in the world—I’m going to suggest you rethink your word choice.
You weren’t “embarrassed” by Barack Obama.
You were threatened by him.
You were offended by him.
You were challenged by him.
You were enraged by him.
But I don’t believe it had anything to do with his resume or his experience or his character or his conduct in office—because you seem fully proud right now to be associated with a three-time married, serial adulterer and confessed predator; a man whose election and business dealings and relationships are riddled with controversy and malfeasance. You’re perfectly fine being represented by a bullying, obnoxious, genitalia-grabbing, Tweet-ranting, Prime Minister-shoving charlatan who’s managed to offended all our allies in a few short months. And you’re okay with him putting on religious faith like a rented, dusty, ill-fitting tuxedo and immediately tossing it in the garbage when he’s finished with it.
None of that you’re embarrassed of? I wonder how that works.
Actually, I’m afraid I have an idea. I hope I’m wrong.
Listen, you’re perfectly within your rights to have disagreed with Barack Obama’s policies or to have taken issue with his tactics. No one’s claiming he was a flawless politician or a perfect human being. But somehow I don’t think that’s what we’re talking about here. I think the thing President Obama did that really upset you, white friend—was having a complexion that was far darker than you were ever comfortable with. I think the President we have now feels much better.
Because objectively speaking, if what’s happening in our country right now doesn’t cause you great shame and doesn’t induce the continual meeting of your palm to your face—I don’t believe embarrassment is ever something you struggle with.
No, if you claimed to be “embarrassed” by Barack Obama but you’re not embarrassed by Donald Trump—I’m going to strongly suggest it was largely a pigmentation issue.
And as an American and a Christian committed to diversity and equality and to the liberty at the heart of this nation--that, embarrasses me.
Well said, Pastor. Well said indeed.
real people funnies & comments
“Ayn Rand's 'philosophy' is nearly perfect in its immorality, which makes the size of her audience all the more ominous and symptomatic as we enter a curious new phase in our society.... To justify and extol human greed and egotism is to my mind not only immoral, but evil.” - Gore Vidal
