theroot--2020-10-07--Georgia Man Arrested for Pointing Gun and Throwing Smoke Grenade at Protesters

A Georgia man was arrested after firing a smoke grenade and pointing a gun at protesters last weekend .
CNN reports 34-year-old Frederick James of Decatur , Ga. , was arrested Saturday and charged with aggravated assault and reckless conduct .
On Saturday , a group of 30-40 protesters were laying in the street in front of City Hall to protest the death of Breonna Taylor .
According to the Savannah Police Department , James drove up to the group and fired the smoke grenade .
Video of the incident shows some of the protesters fleeing the scene after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strike his car .
James then exited his vehicle and began to point his gun at the protesters , leading to all of them clearing the area .
No one was present when the police eventually arrived at the scene but James was located shortly after .
Parla Parker , spokeswoman for the Chatham County Sheriff ’ s office , said James is currently being held in the Chatham County Jail where he was initially booked .
Records show he made his first court appearance on Monday and didn ’ t receive bond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Superior Court .
Since the summer , protests have continuously been held in the name of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and the countless other victims of police brutality .
Unfortunately these protests have often been met with violent counter-protesters .
In August , a similar incident occurred in Arizona when a white man pulled a gun on a group of Black Lives Matter protesters , and there have been , sadly , countless stories of people driving their cars into crowds of protesters .
Some of these incidents have proven fatal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot and killed during a Black Lives Matter Protest in Austin , Texas .
In August , 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse opened fire on a group of protesters , killing two of them .
Luckily , no one was seriously injured during the incident in Georgia .

A Georgia man was arrested after firing a smoke grenade and pointing a gun at protesters last weekend.
CNN reports 34-year-old Frederick James of Decatur, Ga., was arrested Saturday and charged with aggravated assault and reckless conduct. On Saturday, a group of 30-40 protesters were laying in the street in front of City Hall to protest the death of Breonna Taylor. According to the Savannah Police Department, James drove up to the group and fired the smoke grenade.
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Video of the incident shows some of the protesters fleeing the scene after the grenade was fired while others began to strike his car. James then exited his vehicle and began to point his gun at the protesters, leading to all of them clearing the area. No one was present when the police eventually arrived at the scene but James was located shortly after.
Parla Parker, spokeswoman for the Chatham County Sheriff’s office, said James is currently being held in the Chatham County Jail where he was initially booked. Records show he made his first court appearance on Monday and didn’t receive bond. The case is being held by the Superior Court.
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Since the summer, protests have continuously been held in the name of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and the countless other victims of police brutality. Unfortunately these protests have often been met with violent counter-protesters.
In August, a similar incident occurred in Arizona when a white man pulled a gun on a group of Black Lives Matter protesters, and there have been, sadly, countless stories of people driving their cars into crowds of protesters.
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Some of these incidents have proven fatal. In July, a man was shot and killed during a Black Lives Matter Protest in Austin, Texas. In August, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse opened fire on a group of protesters, killing two of them.
Luckily, no one was seriously injured during the incident in Georgia.


theroot--2020-10-07--Could Barbie Be the White Ally Capable of Helping Kids Better Understand Racism?

One of the more unfortunate but often obligatory aspects of raising Black children is “ The Talk ” —that painful yet often inevitable moment when Black parents and caregivers feel compelled to kill a little of their children ’ s innocence for the sake of their own protection .
But how do well-meaning white parents prepare their children to recognize racism when they see it , and be proactive in combatting it , internally and when they see it occur ?
Thanks to the team at Mattel , none other than Barbie—yes , that Barbie—has entered the very necessary chat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , ahead of International Day of the Girl on Sunday , an animated version of the iconic toy invited her Black friend , “ Nikki ” to share her experiences of racism via the Barbie YouTube channel—kind of like “ Share the Mic ” —but with dolls .
Per a release provided to The Glow Up from Mattel : As the most-watched series and # 1 girls channel on YouTube , Barbie is using her platform to raise awareness around racism and encourage girls to stand up if they see a person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episode consists of Barbie ’ s friend Nikki talking about the racism she has personally felt and share some stories that may resonate with other girls .
The goal of the episode is to help girls to understand that there is a huge movement going on in the fight against racism , why people are marching together and the importance of reading and learning more about Black history .
Barbie is championing gender equality to help close the racial injustice barrier girls face through the Dream Gap and this is one way the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that families watch this together and leverage the brand to discuss a really tough topic with a young child and hope it spurs many more conversations on how girls can support one another .
“ People might think that my life looks fine , ” says Nikki in this ‘ very special episode ’ of Barbie ’ s vlog , simply titled “ Barbie and Nikki Discuss Racism.
” “ But the truth is , I and so many other Black people have to deal with racism all the time .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be scary and sad.
” Real talk—and though Nikki ’ s obviously not a real person , the anecdotes she shares actually offer some realistic examples of how racism shows up in overt and subtle ( read : microaggressive ) ways , as Barbie responds with the requisite righteous indignation of a true ally .
It may seem a ridiculous premise—and even more ridiculous to try to tackle such a heavy , centuries-deep topic in under three minutes in the pink-on-pink-on-pink paradise that is Barbie ’ s bedroom , but as an age-appropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admit , it ’ s not badly handled .
“ I don ’ t want to have to constantly prove and re-prove myself , ” Nikki says of the inequities she faces , strumming our pain , singing our lives .
“ Usually when I talk about these things , people make excuses ...
But those are just excuses .
People did these things to me because I was Black and they made the wrong assumptions about me.
” “ But Barbie , ” you ask , “ Isn ’ t this content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After all , aside from the aforementioned “ Talk , ” Black children , unfortunately , have ample opportunity to understand how racism functions through their own lived experience and that of their loved ones ; especially if they live in communities where they are automatically “ othered.
” Yet , all too often , those experiences come as a shock to young systems far earlier than one might expect , placing caregivers in a reactive , rather than proactive position .
Not to mention that we live in a climate and era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are seeing Black bodies targeted and terrorized via their smartphones .
With that in mind , perhaps the kinder , gentler approach Barbie is offering is exactly what the preschool and elementary school set need to recognize and acquire the language to identify racism when they see it—especially if and when it ’ s happening to them .

Maiysha Kai on The Glow Up, shared by Maiysha Kai to The Root

One of the more unfortunate but often obligatory aspects of raising Black children is “The Talk”—that painful yet often inevitable moment when Black parents and caregivers feel compelled to kill a little of their children’s innocence for the sake of their own protection. But how do well-meaning white parents prepare their children to recognize racism when they see it— and be proactive in combatting it, both internally and when they witness it occurring ?
Thanks to the team at Mattel, none other than Barbie—yes, that Barbie—has entered the very necessary chat about race relations in America. On Wednesday, ahead of International Day of the Girl on Sunday, an animated version of the iconic toy invited her Black friend, “Nikki” to share her experiences of racism via the Barbie YouTube channel—kind of like “Share the Mic”—but with dolls.
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Per a release provided to The Glow Up from Mattel:
As the most-watched series and #1 girls channel on YouTube, Barbie is using her platform to raise awareness around racism and encourage girls to stand up if they see a person treated unfairly. The format of the episode consists of Barbie’s friend Nikki talking about the racism she has personally felt and share some stories that may resonate with other girls. The goal of the episode is to help girls to understand that there is a huge movement going on in the fight against racism, why people are marching together and the importance of reading and learning more about Black history. Barbie is championing gender equality to help close the racial injustice barrier girls face through the Dream Gap and this is one way the brand is addressing it. We hope that families watch this together and leverage the brand to discuss a really tough topic with a young child and hope it spurs many more conversations on how girls can support one another.
Advertisement Advertisement
“People might think that my life looks fine,” says Nikki in this ‘very special episode’ of Barbie’s vlog, simply titled “Barbie and Nikki Discuss Racism.” “But the truth is, I and so many other Black people have to deal with racism all the time. It’s really hurtful, and it can be scary and sad.”
Real talk—and though Nikki’s obviously not a real person, the anecdotes she shares actually offer some realistic examples of how racism shows up in overt and subtle (read: microaggressive) ways, as Barbie responds with the requisite righteous indignation of a true ally. It may seem a ridiculous premise—and even more ridiculous to try to tackle such a heavy, centuries-deep topic in under three minutes in the pink-on-pink-on-pink paradise that is Barbie’s bedroom, but as an age-appropriate primer on racism, we have to admit, it’s not badly handled.
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“I don’t want to have to constantly prove and re-prove myself,” Nikki says of the inequities she faces, strumming our pain, singing our lives. “Usually when I talk about these things, people make excuses...But those are just excuses. People did these things to me because I was Black and they made the wrong assumptions about me.”
“But Barbie,” you ask, “Isn’t this content really tailored for white children?” After all, aside from the aforementioned “Talk,” Black children, unfortunately, have ample opportunity to understand how racism functions through their own lived experience and that of their loved ones; especially if they live in communities where they are automatically “othered.”
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Yet, all too often, those experiences come as a shock to young systems far earlier than one might expect, placing caregivers in a reactive, rather than proactive position. Not to mention that we live in a climate and era in which too many of our young people are seeing Black bodies targeted and terrorized via their smartphones. With that in mind, perhaps the kinder, gentler approach Barbie is offering is exactly what the preschool and elementary school set need to recognize and acquire the language to identify racism when they see it—especially if and when it’s happening to them.


theroot--2020-10-07--Prime Day Cometh Early: Get an Amazon Echo Show 5 Smart Screen With a Blink Mini Security Camera for

Prime Day Cometh Early: Get an Amazon Echo Show 5 Smart Screen With a Blink Mini Security Camera for Just $50

Another one of Amazon ’ s crazy combo deals is on tap with an Echo Show 5 that ships with a Blink Mini indoor security camera for $ 50 .
This is one of the bigger Prime Day deals going which , if you don ’ t know already , requires an Amazon Prime membership ( get a free 30-day trial here ) .
If you ’ re signed into a Prime account , you ’ ll just need to cart one to see the discount at checkout .
This combo is normally $ 125 , and an Echo Show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Blink is usually $ 35 , so this is a rare discount for sure .
The Blink Mini offers a 1080p wide angle feed to monitor your home ’ s most important areas , with motion detection on board to alert you whenever there ’ s movement about .
You ’ ll need a subscription if you want to record those moments and save them to the cloud for later viewing , but you currently get service through December 2020 with every purchase , which is more than enough time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term investment .
This deal was originally published in June 2020 and updated with new information on 10/7/2020 .

Quentyn Kennemer on Kinja Deals, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Amazon Echo Show 5 + Blink Mini | $50 | Amazon Prime Exclusive
Another one of Amazon’s crazy combo deals is on tap with an Echo Show 5 that ships with a Blink Mini indoor security camera for $50. This is one of the bigger Prime Day deals going which, if you don’t know already, requires an Amazon Prime membership (get a free 30-day trial here). If you’re signed into a Prime account, you’ll just need to cart one to see the discount at checkout.
This combo is normally $125, and an Echo Show 5 alone typically sits around $60 and the Blink is usually $35, so this is a rare discount for sure.
The Blink Mini offers a 1080p wide angle feed to monitor your home’s most important areas, with motion detection on board to alert you whenever there’s movement about.
You’ll need a subscription if you want to record those moments and save them to the cloud for later viewing, but you currently get service through December 2020 with every purchase, which is more than enough time to decide whether it’s worth the long-term investment.
Bee-tee-dubs, you can get the Show 5 without the Blink Mini to save $5, also Prime-exclusive.
This deal was originally published in June 2020 and updated with new information on 10/13/2020.


theroot--2020-10-07--George Floyd Mural in Minneapolis Defaced for the 2nd Time

In Minneapolis , a mural dedicated to George Floyd was defaced for the second time in the p ast two months .
ABC News reports that surveillance footage depicts a man in a ski mask approaching the mural and spraying it with red spray paint at around 4 a.m. on Sunday .
In August , a similar incident occurr ed when a man sprayed black paint on the mural .
A 26-year-old white man told the Minnesota Reformer that he was responsible for the first incident and apologized , claiming he was drunk and didn ’ t know what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the level of side-eye I ’ m giving that excuse .
It ’ s unclear if the man ever faced legal consequences for the vandalism .
Floyd was a Black man who died after former officer Derek Chauvin held his knee on Floyd ’ s neck for over eight minutes .
Video of Floyd ’ s death went viral over the summer and spurred outrage across the country .
Protests against police violence have been consistently held in the months following Floyd ’ s death .
The mural was put up near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city of Minneapolis has plans to erect a permanent memorial at the location .
Over the summer , in response to widespread public outcry over the deaths of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery , cities began to commission murals honoring them as well as the Black Lives Matter Movement .
Unfortunately , stories of these murals being defaced have become quite frequent .
In July , a white couple went viral after being caught on video trying to paint over a Black Lives Matter mural in California .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime .
That same month in Portland , a mural outlining the city ’ s history of systemic racism was defaced .
In Tulsa , a Black Lives Matter mural painted near the site of the Black Wall Street massacre was ordered to be removed after local Republican lawmakers got in their feelings and asked “ well what about Blue Lives huh ?
Don ’ t they matter ?
” If I can provide a succinct answer to that question : N ah .

In Minneapolis, a mural dedicated to George Floyd was defaced for the second time in the p ast two months.
ABC News reports that surveillance footage depicts a man in a ski mask approaching the mural and spraying it with red spray paint at around 4 a.m. on Sunday. In August, a similar incident occurr ed when a man sprayed black paint on the mural. A 26-year-old white man told the Minnesota Reformer that he was responsible for the first incident and apologized, claiming he was drunk and didn’t know what he was doing.
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Words cannot convey the level of side-eye I’m giving that excuse. It’s unclear if the man ever faced legal consequences for the vandalism.
Floyd was a Black man who died after former officer Derek Chauvin held his knee on Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes. Video of Floyd’s death went viral over the summer and spurred outrage across the country. Protests against police violence have been consistently held in the months following Floyd’s death.
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The mural was put up near the site of Floyd’s death and the city of Minneapolis has plans to erect a permanent memorial at the location.
Over the summer, in response to widespread public outcry over the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, cities began to commission murals honoring them as well as the Black Lives Matter Movement.
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Unfortunately, stories of these murals being defaced have become quite frequent.
In July, a white couple went viral after being caught on video trying to paint over a Black Lives Matter mural in California. The couple was eventually charged with a hate crime. That same month in Portland, a mural outlining the city’s history of systemic racism was defaced.
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In Tulsa, a Black Lives Matter mural painted near the site of the Black Wall Street massacre was ordered to be removed after local Republican lawmakers got in their feelings and asked “well what about Blue Lives huh? Don’t they matter?”
If I can provide a succinct answer to that question: N ah.


theroot--2020-10-07--St. Louis Fake Bonnie and Clyde Couple Officially Indicted for Brandishing Guns at Protesters

Mark and Patricia McCloskey—the only Ken and Barbie dolls curmudgeonous enough to fit in Donald Trump ’ s playhouse ( and by “ playhouse , ” I mean the RNC ) —have officially been indicted by a grand jury for brandishing guns at protesters in St. Louis , Mo.
, in late June .
The Associated Press reports that on Tuesday , Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner charged the couple with felony unlawful use of a weapon as well as tampering with evidence .
No details about where the evidence tampering charge came from are available yet , but boooooy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it .
Mark McCloskey , after a brief court hearing earlier Tuesday , expressed anger that he and his wife faced criminal charges while those who trespassed onto his property did not .
“ Every single human being that was in front of my house was a criminal trespasser , ” McCloskey said .
“ They broke down our gate .
They trespassed on our property .
Not a single one of those people is now charged with anything .
We ’ re charged with felonies that could cost us four years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” According to the AP , nine protesters were charged with misdemeanor trespassing in connection with the incident but those charges were later dropped by the city counselor ’ s office .
For the record , protesters claim the gate was never broken down .
The McCloskey ’ s attorney provided photos that show a gate folded over after the protesters left , but video footage shows a man holding an intact gate open while protesters walked through , KSDK 5 reports .
To be fair , this Great Value Bonnie and Clyde @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who witnessed the June demonstration saw a peaceful protest , Mark described events in an interview like it was Lovecraft Country told from the perspective of white people who just want to be able to lynch negroes in peace .
“ It was like the storming of the Bastille , the gate came down and a large crowd of angry , aggressive people poured through , ” he said .
“ I was terrified that we ’ d be murdered within seconds .
Our house would be burned down , our pets would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal injury attorneys and definitely not Boris and Natasha cosplayers—were originally charged with unlawful use of a weapon in July .
Since then they have become conservative hero-victims—as gun-wielding maniacs often are ( *cough Kyle Rittenhouse *cough* ) —and were even invited to give a whiney-lil ’ -bitch-baby speech at the whiny-lil ’ -bitch-baby convention in August .
Fortunately , Republican tears didn ’ t drown out calls for the McCloskeys to be prosecuted and now we ’ re just waiting to see if convictions follow .

Mark and Patricia McCloskey—the only Ken and Barbie dolls curmudgeonous enough to fit in Donald Trump’s playhouse (and by “playhouse,” I mean the RNC)—have officially been indicted by a grand jury for brandishing guns at protesters in St. Louis, Mo., in late June.
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The Associated Press reports that on Tuesday, Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner charged the couple with felony unlawful use of a weapon as well as tampering with evidence. No details about where the evidence tampering charge came from are available yet, but boooooy, Mark McCloskey is big mad about all of it.
From AP:
Mark McCloskey, after a brief court hearing earlier Tuesday, expressed anger that he and his wife faced criminal charges while those who trespassed onto his property did not. “Every single human being that was in front of my house was a criminal trespasser,” McCloskey said. “They broke down our gate. They trespassed on our property. Not a single one of those people is now charged with anything. We’re charged with felonies that could cost us four years of our lives and our law licenses.”
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According to the AP, nine protesters were charged with misdemeanor trespassing in connection with the incident but those charges were later dropped by the city counselor’s office.
For the record, protesters claim the gate was never broken down. The McCloskey’s attorney provided photos that show a gate folded over after the protesters left, but video footage shows a man holding an intact gate open while protesters walked through, KSDK 5 reports.
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To be fair, this Great Value Bonnie and Clyde couple stays dramatic. While everyone else who witnessed the June demonstration saw a peaceful protest, Mark described events in an interview like it was Lovecraft Country told from the perspective of white people who just want to be able to lynch negroes in peace.
“It was like the storming of the Bastille, the gate came down and a large crowd of angry, aggressive people poured through,” he said. “I was terrified that we’d be murdered within seconds. Our house would be burned down, our pets would be killed.”
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The McCloskeys—who are both personal injury attorneys and definitely not Boris and Natasha cosplayers—were originally charged with unlawful use of a weapon in July. Since then they have become conservative hero-victims—as gun-wielding maniacs often are (*cough Kyle Rittenhouse *cough*)—and were even invited to give a whiney-lil’-bitch-baby speech at the whiny-lil’-bitch-baby convention in August.
Fortunately, Republican tears didn’t drown out calls for the McCloskeys to be prosecuted and now we’re just waiting to see if convictions follow.


theroot--2020-10-06--Blacktober Is A Hashtag Full Of Black Artistic Excellence

One of the first works of fiction I ever wrote was for my sister .
She was a big Lord of the Rings fan and had the biggest crush on Orlando Bloom ’ s Legolas character , so I wrote a story starring a Black elf who fell in love with him .
There were no Black people in Middle Earth ( at least ones who were the “ good guys ” which is a whole different can of worms I haven ’ t the time for ) , so I made one for my sister .
It was important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks like her in something that she loves .
The concept of Blacktober , a hashtag on Twitter , Tumblr , and Instagram ) is that same feeling writ large : the desire for Black people to draw and cosplay ourselves into the things we love .
Blacktober was a hashtag created so Black artists and cosplayers could participate in a month long event celebrating our art contributions to fandom .
I spoke with one of the originators of the hashtag Cel C. and got her insight into Blacktober ’ s creation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predominantly non-Black spaces .
Blacktober is in some ways a reaction to racism in fandom and an effort to create a positive space .
Cel C. created the hashtag in part because she they noticed “ the constant harassment/targeted abusive behavior of Black cosplayers and artists for reimagining their favorite characters into someone who looks like them in media where we are highly underrepresented .
“ # Blacktober is meant to combat this with a fun , happy prompt list where people can continue to take characters they love and make them into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with appearance wise.
” Blacktober ’ s creators also were upset by an incident this past summer when the Black artist and art instructor Alphonso Dunn claimed in a video that his new art book had been plagiarized by Jake Parker , the creator of the general art hashtag-turned-movement # inktober .
( Parker has denied these claims ) .
The results of the Blacktober hashtag , just six days into October , have been a parade of Black artistic excellence .
This stuff is important .
There were no Black people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trilogy .
When Peter Jackson came back for a second helping with his Hobbit movie trilogy , I have a very clear memory of gasping in a quiet movie theater after seeing Black extras during The Desolation of Smaug .
People ’ s heads turned .
I had a similar reaction when I encountered Baranor in Middle Earth : Shadow of Mordor .
Being a Black fan in non-Black fandoms means getting excited for extras and side characters .
Blacktober allows us to make ourselves the stars .
There will be the inevitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ make your own ” or “ if this were reversed… ” yadda yadda .
I don ’ t care .
I ’ m not interested in fending off of those claims .
I don ’ t have to explain how the situations are not the same .
There is still so much work to be done before parity in representation is achieved on all fronts .
Besides , this isn ’ t about creating parity , this is a “ for us , by us ” initiative to create and curate our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who disagree—eat shit .
I remember a few months back when artists on Twitter were doing the Sailor Moon challenge— taking a picture of the eponymous character and redrawing her in the artist ’ s own art style .
I remember some of those drawings done by artists of color re-imagining Usagi as a member of their own culture .
A Desi Sailor Moon had an ornate nath and henna , while a Black one still featured Sailor Moon ’ s iconic ponytails but redone as long , black goddess twists .
Being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s skin brown .
There ’ s all sorts of differences—physical and cultural—that , when added to art , make its observer feel well and truly seen .
Scrolling through Blacktober characters with dreadlocks , and afros , and big , beautiful explosions of 4c hair dominate the tag , gives me the warm and fuzzy feeling of being known ( as opposed to the “ mortifying ordeal ” feeling . )
What ’ s on display in this post is a tiny fraction of the art created in celebration of Blacktober @ @ @ @ @ @ @ History Month ) .
The Blacktober hashtag on Twitter is a great place to start if you ’ re interested in seeing more .

Ash Parrish on Kotaku, shared by Genetta M. Adams to The Root

One of the first works of fiction I ever wrote was for my sister. She was a big Lord of the Rings fan and had the biggest crush on Orlando Bloom’s Legolas character, so I wrote a story starring a Black elf who fell in love with him.
There were no Black people in Middle Earth (at least ones who were the “good guys” which is a whole different can of worms I haven’t the time for), so I made one for my sister. It was important to me that she see someone who looks like her in something that she loves.
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The concept of Blacktober, a hashtag on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram) is that same feeling writ large: the desire for Black people to draw and cosplay ourselves into the things we love.
Blacktober was a hashtag created so Black artists and cosplayers could participate in a month long event celebrating our art contributions to fandom. I spoke with one of the originators of the hashtag Cel C. and got her insight into Blacktober’s creation and what it means creating Black art in predominantly non-Black spaces.
Advertisement
Blacktober is in some ways a reaction to racism in fandom and an effort to create a positive space. Cel C. created the hashtag in part because she they noticed “the constant harassment/targeted abusive behavior of Black cosplayers and artists for reimagining their favorite characters into someone who looks like them in media where we are highly underrepresented.
“#Blacktober is meant to combat this with a fun, happy prompt list where people can continue to take characters they love and make them into a character they can now also relate with appearance wise.”
Blacktober’s creators also were upset by an incident this past summer when the Black artist and art instructor Alphonso Dunn claimed in a video that his new art book had been plagiarized by Jake Parker, the creator of the general art hashtag-turned-movement #inktober. (Parker has denied these claims).
Advertisement
The results of the Blacktober hashtag, just six days into October, have been a parade of Black artistic excellence.
Illustration : Raven Illustration : @alterego Illustration : @koidoodles 1 / 3
This stuff is important. There were no Black people in the original Lord of the Rings film trilogy. When Peter Jackson came back for a second helping with his Hobbit movie trilogy, I have a very clear memory of gasping in a quiet movie theater after seeing Black extras during The Desolation of Smaug. People’s heads turned. I had a similar reaction when I encountered Baranor in Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor.
Being a Black fan in non-Black fandoms means getting excited for extras and side characters. Blacktober allows us to make ourselves the stars.
Advertisement
Photo : Sarahndipity Image : Sarahndipity Photo : Sarahndipity 1 / 3
There will be the inevitable cry from critics (racists) to “make your own” or “if this were reversed…” yadda yadda. I don’t care. I’m not interested in fending off of those claims. I don’t have to explain how the situations are not the same. There is still so much work to be done before parity in representation is achieved on all fronts. Besides, this isn’t about creating parity, this is a “for us, by us” initiative to create and curate our own space to be seen. Those who disagree—eat shit.
I remember a few months back when artists on Twitter were doing the Sailor Moon challenge— taking a picture of the eponymous character and redrawing her in the artist’s own art style. I remember some of those drawings done by artists of color re-imagining Usagi as a member of their own culture. A Desi Sailor Moon had an ornate nath and henna, while a Black one still featured Sailor Moon’s iconic ponytails but redone as long, black goddess twists. Being Black is more than shading a character’s skin brown. There’s all sorts of differences—physical and cultural—that, when added to art, make its observer feel well and truly seen.
Advertisement
Scrolling through Blacktober characters with dreadlocks, and afros, and big, beautiful explosions of 4c hair dominate the tag, gives me the warm and fuzzy feeling of being known (as opposed to the “mortifying ordeal” feeling.)
What’s on display in this post is a tiny fraction of the art created in celebration of Blacktober (which nicely coincides with British Black History Month). The Blacktober hashtag on Twitter is a great place to start if you’re interested in seeing more.


theroot--2020-10-07--California District Attorney Reopens Investigation Into 2009 Police Killing of Oscar Grant

The 2009 shooting of Oscar Grant was a pivotal moment in the fight for police accountability : a graphic video showing a transit officer shooting Grant in the back was among the first of its kind , documenting a harrowing and deadly example of police brutality and setting off nationwide protests as millions bore secondhand witness to the death of the 22-year-old .
This week , more than a decade after Grant was fatally shot by ex-Bay Area Rapid Transit ( Bart ) officer Johannes Mehserle , Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O ’ Malley said she was assigning a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the circumstances that caused the death of Oscar Grant , ” reports NBC News .
Mehserle shot Grant as he lay face down on the ground at an Oakland BART station on Jan. 1 , 2009 .
“ We will evaluate the evidence and the law , including the applicable law at the time and the statute of limitations , and make a determination , ” said O ’ Malley .
The announcement came after Grant ’ s family and members of the Oakland community called for Oscar ’ s case to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing another BART officer was responsible for escalating the situation that led to Grant ’ s death .
“ We have listened closely to the requests of the family of Oscar Grant .
The murder of Oscar Grant greatly impacted the county and the state , ” O ’ Malley told NPR in a statement .
Though Grant ’ s death predated the official Black Lives Matter movement , his killing reverberated in similar ways and for similar reasons as later high-profile police killings of Black people , including Mike Brown , Eric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Breonna Taylor .
As the Guardian reports , the Alameda County District Attorney ’ s Office initially charged Mehserle with murder , but a Los Angeles jury ( Mehserle ’ s attorneys successfully argued for a change of venue , arguing that he couldn ’ t get a fair and impartial jury in Oakland ) convicted him of involuntary manslaughter .
Mehserle was sentenced to two years in prison and was released in 2011 .
Mehserle can ’ t be tried again for killing Grant , but opening up the case again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another former BART officer , Anthony Pirone .
A report released last year under a new California police transparency law disclosed that another transit officer on scene that night had repeatedly lied to investigators and had punched Grant without justification .
That Bart officer , Anthony Pirone , “ started a cascade of events that ultimately led to the shooting ” , including calling Grant the N-word while detaining him and hitting him in the face , according to the report .
The report also cast doubt on Mehserle ’ s argument that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not his gun , noting that “ enhanced video ” suggested Mehserle was “ intending to pull his firearm and not his Taser ” .
Video from the train station also showed Pirone striking Grant in the head and kneeing him , reported the Associated Press .
According to the the East Bay Times , Grant ’ s family called for felony murder charges against Pirone , who was fired after the shooting but never charged with a crime .
“ It feels good , but we ’ re not holding our breath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cephus “ Uncle Bobby ” X Johnson , told the Guardian about the district attorney ’ s announcement .
“ We ’ ve been doing this for many years and we ’ ve seen the system break many hearts.
” “ There would be no killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor if we paid attention to what happened to Oscar in 2009 , ” added Johnson .
“ Now this reopening is a whole new flashpoint that will reverberate all across this nation .
”

The 2009 shooting of Oscar Grant was a pivotal moment in the fight for police accountability: a graphic video showing a transit officer shooting Grant in the back was among the first of its kind, documenting a harrowing and deadly example of police brutality and setting off nationwide protests as millions bore secondhand witness to the death of the 22-year-old.
This week, more than a decade after Grant was fatally shot by ex-Bay Area Rapid Transit (Bart) officer Johannes Mehserle, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley said she was assigning a team of lawyers “to look back into the circumstances that caused the death of Oscar Grant,” reports NBC News. Mehserle shot Grant as he lay face down on the ground at an Oakland BART station on Jan. 1, 2009.
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“We will evaluate the evidence and the law, including the applicable law at the time and the statute of limitations, and make a determination,” said O’Malley. The announcement came after Grant’s family and members of the Oakland community called for Oscar’s case to be reopened, following a 2019 report showing another BART officer was responsible for escalating the situation that led to Grant’s death.
“We have listened closely to the requests of the family of Oscar Grant. The murder of Oscar Grant greatly impacted the county and the state,” O’Malley told NPR in a statement.
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Though Grant’s death predated the official Black Lives Matter movement, his killing reverberated in similar ways and for similar reasons as later high-profile police killings of Black people, including Mike Brown, Eric Garner, Philando Castile, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
As the Guardian reports, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office initially charged Mehserle with murder, but a Los Angeles jury (Mehserle’s attorneys successfully argued for a change of venue, arguing that he couldn’t get a fair and impartial jury in Oakland) convicted him of involuntary manslaughter. Mehserle was sentenced to two years in prison and was released in 2011.
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Mehserle can’t be tried again for killing Grant, but opening up the case again could allow prosecutors to pursue charges against another former BART officer, Anthony Pirone.
The Guardian explains:
A report released last year under a new California police transparency law disclosed that another transit officer on scene that night had repeatedly lied to investigators and had punched Grant without justification. That Bart officer, Anthony Pirone, “started a cascade of events that ultimately led to the shooting”, including calling Grant the N-word while detaining him and hitting him in the face, according to the report. The report also cast doubt on Mehserle’s argument that he meant to draw his Taser and not his gun, noting that “enhanced video” suggested Mehserle was “intending to pull his firearm and not his Taser”.
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Video from the train station also showed Pirone striking Grant in the head and kneeing him, reported the Associated Press.
According to the the East Bay Times, Grant’s family called for felony murder charges against Pirone, who was fired after the shooting but never charged with a crime.
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“It feels good, but we’re not holding our breath,” Oscar Grant’s uncle, Cephus “Uncle Bobby” X Johnson, told the Guardian about the district attorney’s announcement. “We’ve been doing this for many years and we’ve seen the system break many hearts.”
“There would be no killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor if we paid attention to what happened to Oscar in 2009,” added Johnson. “Now this reopening is a whole new flashpoint that will reverberate all across this nation.”


theroot--2020-10-07--The 10 Best Deals of October 7, 2020

The 10 Best Deals of October 7, 2020

It ’ s October 7 , and we at Kinja Deals are here to bring you the top 10 deals for your quarantine needs .
Pop a couple of CBD gummies to quell your Election Day anxieties .
Clean your car after a trip to the grocery store with a pack of antibacterial wipes .
And kill some more time indoors with a game of Baby Yoda Monopoly .
If , somehow after all that , you ’ ve still got a craving for savings , check out Wednesday ’ s best deals overall .
Nearing the end of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost you $ 60 , but today at Eneba , you can add a whole year to your account for just $ 27 , the full discount only applying with promo code OCTOBERPS .
PlayStation Plus is required for online play and cloud saves , but there are other premium benefits like access to a growing list of quality games , exclusive discounts , and Share Play built into the cost .
For instance , this month you can play bloodsucking simulator Vampyr and revisit the streets of Need for Speed : Payback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the PlayStation 5 ( if you can even get your hands on one ) .
It doesn ’ t look like these shut-ins will go away quickly and quietly , so if you ’ re planning on filling your newfound time with a spot of gaming , PS+ is an absolute necessity .
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer .
If Spotify or Apple Music hasn ’ t won you over , it ’ s time to give Amazon Music Unlimited a try .
Amazon is offering 4 months of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for just $ 1 , after which you ’ ll be asked to pay $ 8 monthly to continue .
This deal is only available for Prime Members .
That ’ s a cheaper starting price than most competitors , though , and you may like what you find after signing up .
Amazon has one of the most extensive catalogs with over 60 million tracks , and the mobile app supports Alexa and all the devices she loves to dwell in , so you don ’ t have to move an inch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playlist .
This article was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer and Gabe Carey .
Folks , let me tell you , Sunday Scaries CBD makes a difference , and I ’ m not just saying that because we get a cut of the sales .
I ’ ve been taking everything from oil droppers , gummies , and “ Unicorn Jerky ” for months now as a substitute for the , uhh , other substances I started to depend on during lockdown , and it ’ s made a huge difference .
Gummies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun way to enjoy a healthy dose of CBD—especially when they ’ re strawberry flavored and infused with vitamin C for an ext ra boost of immunity .
For a limited time you can see what I mean for 25 % less than you ’ d normally pay off the shelf using our exclusive promo code ESINV25 , bringing your grand total to just $ 23 .
Since it ’ s Breast Cancer Awareness Month , for every purchase made , Sunday Scaries donates $ 2 to The Pink Agenda , a nonprofit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and raising awareness for the disease .
Chill out while supporting a good cause and take advantage of this deal sooner rather than later , as this deal only lasts a limited time .
This deal was originally published by Gabe Carey .
So your kids are thirsty , get em ’ a CamelBak water bottle .
They ’ re 20 % off for today only for today ’ s Gold Box .
They ’ re BPA-free and come in a range of designs for even the pickiest , fashion-conscious kid , plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for your child , they deserve !
This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher .
While you won ’ t often hear Amcrest ’ s name against industry stalwarts like Logitech and Microsoft , this brand of webcams has a longstanding history on Amazon of delivering solid picture quality and functionality at an approachable price .
Its 1080p webcam is down to $ 34 with promo code LPP9CJX7 .
It has a built-in microphone with noise reduction technology , and there ’ s an integrated privacy guard to help your paranoia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mounting flexibility with a monitor clamp that doubles as its own stand , as well as a 1/4th thread screw for attaching to tripods .
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer .
Even if we weren ’ t in a global pandemic with constantly cleaning and wiping things down I ’ d still recommend a giant box of Antibacterial Wipes .
With a pack like this , you can literally use them on anything .
You ’ re only paying $ 20 so this is a pretty great deal .
Heck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to grab these myself .
480 wipes for just twenty bucks is a steal , that ’ s something like five cents per wipe .
With the six-packs , you can toss one in your bag and in every room you might need them .
These are probably helpful if you ’ ve got kids but I usually have them for my dog as he gets into everything when I take him to the park .
Each sheet is made of 75 % alcohol so it ’ s able to kill about 99.9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actual messes and accidents , these are just what you are looking for if you ’ re all about keeping things clean and sanitary .
Surfaces , hands , paws , handles , boxes whatever it maybe these won ’ t go to waste .
The multi-function aspect makes these a must buy .
If you ’ ve read a few of our pieces on SideDeal before and you like what you ’ ve seen they offer a $ 5 monthly fee to get free shipping on all of your orders no matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a flat rate of $ 8 .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .
If you have the occasional pimple , much like me , chances are you don ’ t want it to be there .
You should check out Rael Pimple Patches .
Only $ 13 , they ’ re made with hydrocolloid that ’ ll extract all the nasty-ass puss straight from your pimple without ever having to pop them .
Which means no acne scars !
They also come in two sizes , 10mm and 12mm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I might buy some !
This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher .
So , you ’ ve been lucky enough to get your hands on a Nintendo Switch despite the extremely shoddy stock .
Great !
But now you ’ ll need some games .
The Switch has a great library of excellent games , but many of them are first-party and Nintendo games rarely go on sale .
Not so right now , luckily .
You can get games like Legend of Zelda : Breath of the Wild , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Tropical Freeze , and Super Mario Party for $ 15 off , bringing the price down to $ 45 .
Other games , like Animal Crossing : New Horizons , Super Smash Bros Ultimate , and Luigi ’ s Mansion 3 are down to $ 50 .
This deal was originally published by Jordan McMahon .
If you have traditional watches , digital thermometers , or anything else that requires power in a small form factor , you ’ ve likely needed to replace the battery every once in a while .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ short that I could probably get away with buying this $ 5 six pack to cover the next ten years , which is equivalent to their shelf life , according to Energizer .
These are cell size 2032 , so be sure to check what your devices need before playing your order .
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer .
We are mere weeks away from season two of The Mandalorian .
This show has produced the cutest thing Star Wars has done in years .
Of course , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yoda .
Spend the next few Fridays until the series drops by adding Monopoly ’ s Star Wars The Child Edition to your game night for 20 % off today .
Instead of your classic Monopoly pieces like the dog or wagon , here we have The Child in a few poses .
Choose from him eating the frog , using the force , drinking the broth , or sitting in the Hoverpram .
The general rules apply of buying and trading objects and property so nothing is really different .
Mandalorian fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show like the Mythosaur necklace .
My only gripe is that “ This is the way , ” isn ’ t on the Go space , seems like a design miss .
But other than that if you need a new version or an upgrade to a traditional entry of game night this is a good one .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .

Juliana Clark on Kinja Deals, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Wednesday’s Best Deals | Kinja Deals
It’s October 7, and we at Kinja Deals are here to bring you the top 10 deals for your quarantine needs. Pop a couple of CBD gummies to quell your Election Day anxieties. Clean your car after a trip to the grocery store with a pack of antibacterial wipes. And kill some more time indoors with a game of Baby Yoda Monopoly. If, somehow after all that, you’ve still got a craving for savings, check out Wednesday’s best deals overall.
#1: Playstation plus Subscription
Nearing the end of your PlayStation Plus subscription? It would normally cost you $60, but today at Eneba, you can add a whole year to your account for just $27, the full discount only applying with promo code OCTOBERPS. PlayStation Plus is required for online play and cloud saves, but there are other premium benefits like access to a growing list of quality games, exclusive discounts, and Share Play built into the cost.
For instance, this month you can play bloodsucking simulator Vampyr and revisit the streets of Need for Speed: Payback, and the freebies will continue rolling for the PlayStation 5 (if you can even get your hands on one). It doesn’t look like these shut-ins will go away quickly and quietly, so if you’re planning on filling your newfound time with a spot of gaming, PS+ is an absolute necessity.
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer.
#2: Amazon Music unlimited
If Spotify or Apple Music hasn’t won you over, it’s time to give Amazon Music Unlimited a try. Amazon is offering 4 months of access to its increasingly impressive music service for just $1, after which you’ll be asked to pay $8 monthly to continue. This deal is only available for Prime Members.
That’s a cheaper starting price than most competitors, though, and you may like what you find after signing up. Amazon has one of the most extensive catalogs with over 60 million tracks, and the mobile app supports Alexa and all the devices she loves to dwell in, so you don’t have to move an inch in bed to start that morning routine playlist.
This article was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer and Gabe Carey.
#3: Sunday scaries cbd gummies
Folks, let me tell you, Sunday Scaries CBD makes a difference, and I’m not just saying that because we get a cut of the sales. I’ve been taking everything from oil droppers, gummies, and “Unicorn Jerky” for months now as a substitute for the, uhh, other substances I started to depend on during lockdown, and it’s made a huge difference. Gummies, of course, are the most fun way to enjoy a healthy dose of CBD—especially when they’re strawberry flavored and infused with vitamin C for an ext ra boost of immunity. For a limited time you can see what I mean for 25% less than you’d normally pay off the shelf using our exclusive promo code ESINV25, bringing your grand total to just $23.
Since it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, for every purchase made, Sunday Scaries donates $2 to The Pink Agenda, a nonprofit organization devoted to breast cancer research fundraising and raising awareness for the disease. Chill out while supporting a good cause and take advantage of this deal sooner rather than later, as this deal only lasts a limited time.
This deal was originally published by Gabe Carey.
#4: Camelbak gold box
So your kids are thirsty, get em’ a CamelBak water bottle. They’re 20% off for today only for today’s Gold Box. They’re BPA-free and come in a range of designs for even the pickiest, fashion-conscious kid, plus they have a straw! Get one for your child, they deserve!
This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher.
#5: 1080p webcam
While you won’t often hear Amcrest’s name against industry stalwarts like Logitech and Microsoft, this brand of webcams has a longstanding history on Amazon of delivering solid picture quality and functionality at an approachable price. Its 1080p webcam is down to $34 with promo code LPP9CJX7. It has a built-in microphone with noise reduction technology, and there’s an integrated privacy guard to help your paranoia. You’ll also get the ultimate mounting flexibility with a monitor clamp that doubles as its own stand, as well as a 1/4th thread screw for attaching to tripods.
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer.
#6: Antibacterial wipes
Even if we weren’t in a global pandemic with constantly cleaning and wiping things down I’d still recommend a giant box of Antibacterial Wipes. With a pack like this, you can literally use them on anything. You’re only paying $20 so this is a pretty great deal. Heck, I think I’m going to grab these myself.
480 wipes for just twenty bucks is a steal, that’s something like five cents per wipe. With the six-packs, you can toss one in your bag and in every room you might need them. These are probably helpful if you’ve got kids but I usually have them for my dog as he gets into everything when I take him to the park. Each sheet is made of 75% alcohol so it’s able to kill about 99.9% of bacteria. So outside of actual messes and accidents, these are just what you are looking for if you’re all about keeping things clean and sanitary. Surfaces, hands, paws, handles, boxes whatever it maybe these won’t go to waste. The multi-function aspect makes these a must buy.
If you’ve read a few of our pieces on SideDeal before and you like what you’ve seen they offer a $5 monthly fee to get free shipping on all of your orders no matter how many. Otherwise, it’s a flat rate of $8.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.
#7: Rael Beauty pimple patches
If you have the occasional pimple, much like me, chances are you don’t want it to be there. You should check out Rael Pimple Patches. Only $13, they’re made with hydrocolloid that’ll extract all the nasty-ass puss straight from your pimple without ever having to pop them. Which means no acne scars! They also come in two sizes, 10mm and 12mm for regular and extra-large pimples. Shoot, I might buy some!
This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher.
#8: Nintendo switch games
So, you’ve been lucky enough to get your hands on a Nintendo Switch despite the extremely shoddy stock. Great! But now you’ll need some games. The Switch has a great library of excellent games, but many of them are first-party and Nintendo games rarely go on sale. Not so right now, luckily. You can get games like Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, and Super Mario Party for $15 off, bringing the price down to $45. Other games, like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, and Luigi’s Mansion 3 are down to $50.
This deal was originally published by Jordan McMahon.
#9: Energizer coin cell batteries
If you have traditional watches, digital thermometers, or anything else that requires power in a small form factor, you’ve likely needed to replace the battery every once in a while. My roster of such devices is so short that I could probably get away with buying this $5 six pack to cover the next ten years, which is equivalent to their shelf life, according to Energizer. These are cell size 2032, so be sure to check what your devices need before playing your order.
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer.
#10: Baby yoda monopoly
We are mere weeks away from season two of The Mandalorian. This show has produced the cutest thing Star Wars has done in years. Of course, I’m talking about The Child aka Baby Yoda. Spend the next few Fridays until the series drops by adding Monopoly’s Star Wars The Child Edition to your game night for 20% off today.
Instead of your classic Monopoly pieces like the dog or wagon, here we have The Child in a few poses. Choose from him eating the frog, using the force, drinking the broth, or sitting in the Hoverpram. The general rules apply of buying and trading objects and property so nothing is really different. Mandalorian fans will easily spot famous items from the show like the Mythosaur necklace. My only gripe is that “This is the way,” isn’t on the Go space, seems like a design miss. But other than that if you need a new version or an upgrade to a traditional entry of game night this is a good one.
Free 2-day shipping for Prime members.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.


theroot--2020-10-06--Shoot Your Shot With the Best Digital Cameras, According to Photographers

Never has the world of photography been so diverse , but figuring out where you belong in it can be confusing .
Almost everything has a camera now , so contemplating the best digital cameras is like trying on a new pair of jeans .
Those you love won ’ t fit right , and some will have you saying , “ Meh , I can make it work.
” And make it work you will .
Likewise , the best camera is usually the one you have with you .
For most people , this is a smartphone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graduate to something that affords more creative freedom , you ’ ll want a separate digital camera , and many are available for the cause .
There ’ s just one problem : with so many cameras to choose from , most of which are fantastic , even after you ’ ve settled on a particular brand or form factor , it ’ s hard enough to decide .
For the first rendition of this list , we ’ ve highlighted five great digital cameras that fit a variety of budgets and needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it over time to introduce more options from each of the top brands .
Sony spearheaded the mirrorless market with a meaty lineup including both APS-C and full frame options .
After several years of maturation , the company has created what I feel is one of the most impressive cameras in its range .
Especially if you can find it on sale around $ 1,800 ( body only ) , the Sony A7 III—while not the newest of the camp—is a great value for full-frame mirrorless .
The 24.2MP sensor has an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and while it won ’ t produce what I ’ d call a “ pleasant ” photo that high , you ’ ll get very little noise up to ISO 51,200 .
Put simply , this thing is a beast in low light conditions .
It bests most cameras on the market by at least one or two stops , which could be the difference between a usable photo a snapshot bound for the trash bin .
The Sony A7-III fits a variety of needs .
With a 10fps silent shutter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports , children playing , and other fast-motion scenes in a powerful buffer-filling burst .
Its impressive autofocus system has up to 693 focus points in its phase-detection system covering about 93 % of your screen , and with features like Eye-AF , Sony makes it easy to produce sharp photos .
It also has some of the best battery life you ’ ll find in a mirrorless camera thanks to Sony ’ s upgraded NP-FZ100 battery .
For video users , the Sony A7 III offers full-frame 4K at 24fps with in-body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t need it ! )
, and you can sacrifice some of those pixels to reach 30fps .
If you stick to 1080p , you ’ ll be able to reach up to 120fps for slow-motion editing .
Although considered “ entry-level ” gear by seasoned photographers , the A7-III packs plenty of pro features like a dual microSD slot , a dedicated exposure dial , and tons of customizable buttons .
You ’ ll need to contend with a messy and confusing menu system , but once set up and mastered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use .
If you like the Sony A7-III but find it ’ s overkill for you needs , consider the Sony A6100 .
A great beginner ’ s option at its price , Sony has a rare advantage in offering the same mount system across both its APS-C and full frame bodies to date .
That means you can buy this thing and get some great E-mount lenses for it , plus you ’ ll be able to take that glass with you no problem whenever you ’ re due for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A6100 boasts the same impressive autofocus performance as its bigger siblings ( albeit with a 10 % cut to usable focus points ) all while pushing a respectable image quality in its own right .
Many would opt in for size alone .
Smaller than the full-frame options , it ’ s the perfect walk-around camera for taking both photos and video .
And with a flip-up LCD screen that even the more expensive A7-III lacks , it ’ s one of the better cameras for 4K vlogging .
The Fujifilm XT-4 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This APS-C camera is nice and petite with a fully articulating display , and that alone is a win in some books , but the fact it achieves a full 4K at 60 frames per second with some of the most flexible color grading profiles available makes it an excellent choice for videographers .
Step down to 1080p , and you ’ ll be able to record at up to 240 frames per second for silky smooth slow motion .
In-body image stabilization is included to help if you can ’ t use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designed camera is also top-notch for stills .
It has a 26.1MP CMOS 4 sensor that stretches to ISO 12,800 , and with the help of a powerhouse processor inside , you can fill a buffer at up to 30 frames per second ( albeit with a 1.25x crop at those speeds ) .
A hybrid autofocus system uses both contrast and 425 dedicated phase-detection points for speedy target acquisition .
But you want to know my favorite feature ?
It ’ s got a 3.69-million dot OLED electronic viewfinder , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of typical DSLRs .
If you ’ re looking for something akin to traditional point-and-shoots of old , look no further than the viewfinder of the Panasonic ZS200 .
Unlike the options we presented above , the ZS200 doesn ’ t have an interchangeable lens system , but that doesn ’ t doom you from an image quality standpoint either .
While it won ’ t match a solid cylinder of removable glass , the 15x zoom Leica DC lens ( equivalent to 24-360mm on a 35mm body ) can produce decent bokeh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its f/3.3-6.4 max aperture .
Combined with a 12,800 maximum ISO , the one-inch MOS sensor has surprisingly potent low light performance .
The Lumix ZS200 supports 4K video recording at up to 30 frames per second , all of it kept steady with built-in stabilization .
Don ’ t let looks fool you , either : this is an exceptionally versatile camera in terms of options and features .
You can set and forget with its wide variety of preset modes ; however , you ’ ll also get manual shooting modes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure or artistic effect .
The Panasonic ZS200 is a fantastic bridge to give you more control over your photography if you ’ re not ready to leave this convenient form factor behind .
When you ’ re roaming the unbeaten path , there ’ s no substitution for a GoPro .
Although it ’ s praised mostly for its 4K video recording capabilities , the GoPro Hero8 Black also snaps decent photos .
It ’ s not as flexible as other action cam options given its single focal length and noted lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re still afforded a respectable suite of customizable settings to match your scene .
And don ’ t forget , that includes underwater shots .
Alongside dust and shock resistance , you can submerge the GoPro Hero 8 in waters up to 33 meters deep , ideal for capturing modest aquatic adventures .
The GoPro Hero 8 includes the company ’ s HyperSmooth 2.0 image stabilization , and while it can ’ t deliver gimbal-level stability , you ’ ll be surprised how much camera shake it eliminates .
That means you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chest strap , hit the road , and then share your exciting life with built-in live streaming and cloud uploads .

Quentyn Kennemer on Roundups, shared by Ignacia to The Root

Top Product: Sony ZV-1 Camera | $698 | Amazon
Photography is more accessible than ever before, because nearly all of us have a camera tucked away in our pocket. It means that taking a picture of something beautiful or entertaining is a breeze, and it can also mean that more people discover just how much they love taking photographs. If that sounds like you, or someone you know, then there’s a good chance that you’ll want to stoke that passion and move on to more advanced cameras.
There’s a lot to be said about the benefits of upgrading from your smartphone to a proper dedicated camera too. You gain more control over things like white balance, focus, and exposure. You can then play around with the way your images look, and maybe even try and come up with a signature style.
It’s a lot of fun, but to do all of that, you’re going to need a camera. While you can still pick up a more traditional camera if you want to, you’re generally going to be better off grabbing a nice digital one. That’s especially true if you’re already a fan of photo editing anyway. We’ve gone ahead and picked some of the best digital cameras around, so get stuck in.
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Sony has done a truly incredible job of making cameras, and the Sony a7 III is a monstrous device. It features a truly absurd ISO range, reaching all the way up to 204,800, which means you can take pictures in darkness that other cameras can’t even see in. It has a 24.2MP sensor, too, which only helps to augment the proper of this thing even more.
It’s also full to the brim with features to allow photographers to fine-tune what they’re doing with it to fit the situation they’re in. That means things like a 10fps silent shutter can be used to allow you to get excellent stills of things that would normally come out a little blurry. That means you can be confident when taking snaps of anything from a bird in flight, to your kids yeeting frisbees to each other. It also has an amazon autofocus system, with up to 693 focus points in its phase-detection system. Plus, it’s got an incredible battery life too, thanks to the upgraded NP-FZ100 battery.
Finally, if you’re more interested in video more than photos, then you’ll be happy to know that the Sony a7 III can manage full-frame 4k at 24fps, and even includes in-body image stabilization. You can, if you want to, go with 1080p resolution to reach up to 120fps, which should be more than enough for almost any product. It also includes a dual microSD slot, a dedicated exposure dial, and a bunch of customizable buttons to truly make this camera your own. It’s a lot to deal with at once, but if you pick up a Sony a7 III, then you’ll have plenty of time to learn the ropes.
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It’s no great surprise that Fujifilm are one of the best out there for digital cameras, and on the mirrorless front, the Fujifilm X-T4 is absolutely amazing. It features a new shutter system, one of the longest-lasting batteries they’ve made, and even things like in-body image stabilisation too. It’s got a bunch of other features as well, but rather than listening to us talk about them, you can just look at this little except from Gizmodo’s Sam Rutherford who checked it out and said this:
“When I got a chance to test the X-T4 briefly in and around Grand Central Station, I simply had a blast. [...] And despite the lousy weather outside and the dim lighting inside the train station, the X-T4 impressed with some good looking photos that captured a lot of the fine details like the brickwork and intricate celestial mural painted on Grand Central’s ceiling.”
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Best Mirrorless Camera for Beginners: Fujifilm X-S10
If you’re not quite hardcore enough to spend well over a grand on a camera body but still want something that can smash out brilliant shots, consider the Fujifilm X-S10 instead. It essentially takes the heart of the aforementioned X-T4 and somehow crams it into a more compact shell. The revised controls might rub Fujifilm aficionados the wrong way, but it’s not meant for the die-hards: it’s arguably better suited for the less-hardcore snappers out there.
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Gizmodo’s Sam Rutherford came away impressed after his time with it and explains:
“For me, while the X-S10 might not make a great choice as my main workhorse camera, the combination of its size and features make a great choice for travel or a beginner who doesn’t want to lug around a big and heavy full-frame cam. And with the X-S10 starting at just $1,000 (body-only), or as a kit for $1,400 or $1,500 with either a 18-55mm or a 16-80mm lens, it’s not too expensive to be someone’s first big upgrade from a smartphone.”
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If you’re looking for something akin to traditional point-and-shoots of old, look no further than the viewfinder of the Panasonic ZS200. Unlike the options we presented above, the ZS200 doesn’t have an interchangeable lens system, but that doesn’t doom you from an image quality standpoint either. While it won’t match a solid cylinder of removable glass, the 15x zoom Leica DC lens (equivalent to 24-360mm on a 35mm body) can produce decent bokeh (background blur) effects thanks to its f/3.3-6.4 max aperture. Combined with a 12,800 maximum ISO, the one-inch MOS sensor has surprisingly potent low light performance. The Lumix ZS200 supports 4K video recording at up to 30 frames per second, all of it kept steady with built-in stabilization.
Don’t let looks fool you, either: this is an exceptionally versatile camera in terms of options and features. You can set and forget with its wide variety of preset modes; however, you’ll also get manual shooting modes to dial in the perfect settings for exposure or artistic effect. The Panasonic ZS200 is a fantastic bridge to give you more control over your photography if you’re not ready to leave this convenient form factor behind.
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With YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, and other platforms offering the potential for a wide audience and internet fame, there are oodles of content creators doing their thing these days. And Sony saw the opportunity for creators who want something more capable than a smartphone for mobile creation, yet is specifically attuned to their needs.
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The Sony ZV-1 is just that, with creator-centric aspects such as an auto-exposure algorithm that highlights your face above all, plus speedy autofocus and a forward-focused directional mic with a detachable windscreen. It all seems pretty foolproof! As one Amazon customer wrote:
“The highlight of this camera is the ease of use. You really don’t need to know technical things like which aperture to choose, which ISO or shutter speed, it does everything for you. It has auto focus (which is much better than on DSLRs) and the flip screen makes it easy to monitor yourself while you’re recording.”
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Best Digital Video Camera: Sony A7Siii
We’ve got a handful of smartphones shooting 8K video now, and most of the top ones shoot 4K with ease. Why, then, would you spend $3,500 on a dedicated 4K video camera? How about incredible autofocus and low-light shooting capabilities, stellar slow-mo skills, and excellent design and battery life?
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Those are among the perks of Sony’s A7Siii, which is one serious beast of a video camera. It’s not the best for stills and it won’t record audio on its own, but if you’re looking for something that’ll shoot pro-grade 4K video — more than your smartphone will deliver — there’s nothing better. Let Gizmodo’s Brent Rose convince you in his full review, which concludes:
“It’s the best camera for video that I’ve ever used by a huge margin. The only thing that’s keeping me from running out and selling my organs to buy this $3,500 camera is that I have dreams of one day blowing up my nature photos and seeing them on a gallery wall, and I just don’t think that’s possible with a 12MP sensor. [...] Basically if I were primarily a video shooter, and/or my photos would only live online or on Instagram, then yes, this camera is a no brainer.”
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When you’re roaming the unbeaten path, there’s no substitution for a GoPro. Although it’s praised mostly for its 4K video recording capabilities, the GoPro Hero8 Black also snaps decent photos. It’s not as flexible as other action cam options given its single focal length and noted lack of manual controls, but you’re still afforded a respectable suite of customizable settings to match your scene. And don’t forget, that includes underwater shots. Alongside dust and shock resistance, you can submerge the GoPro Hero 8 in waters up to 33 meters deep, ideal for capturing modest aquatic adventures.
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The GoPro Hero 8 includes the company’s HyperSmooth 2.0 image stabilization, and while it can’t deliver gimbal-level stability, you’ll be surprised how much camera shake it eliminates. That means you can simply strap one to your helmet or chest strap, hit the road, and then share your exciting life with built-in live streaming and cloud uploads.
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While 360-degree cameras remain a decidedly niche device, the Vecnos IQUI solves one of the biggest problems with past gadgets: it’s incredibly compact. Barely larger than a Sharpie market, it’s easy to tuck into your pocket so that you’re not weighed down by carrying an additional gadget.
Given the emphasis on size, it’s no shock that the Vecnos IQUI can’t produce image quality on par with larger, pricier models, but it does a fair job with its three primary lenses along with one pointed upwards. It’s still very niche, but if you’re looking for a 360-degree camera, this one has big perks. As Gizmodo’s Andrew Liszewski writes:
“The IQUI is a compelling redesign of camera technology that most consumers have probably forgotten about, and it genuinely solves some of the problems that made them forgettable in the first place. But $300 is a lot to spend for what is probably most consumers’ second or third camera, particularly when the technology is still kind of a novelty.”
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As of this writing, it’s 20% off the list price with a coupon clip at Amazon.
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Tired of risking a miserable fate for your digital camera or smartphone every time you hand it off to your kid? The VTech Kidizoom Duo DX might be more their speed, giving them a durable, kid-centric camera that you don’t have to worry about smashing into a billion pieces.
It’s a real digital camera that lets you transfer photos to a computer, packing a 5-megapixel main camera and 2MP selfie cam. It’s more for fun and amusement than snapping high-quality shots, but it’s a great way for young shooters to get familiar with basics like framing and focus. There are multiple colors too.
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This article was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer in October 2020 and updated with new information by Andrew Hayward on 07/14/2021.


theroot--2020-10-07--I Didn't Intend to Do This Product Review But Rescue!'s Fly Traps Work Like a Mug and Sharing is Car

I Didn't Intend to Do This Product Review But Rescue!'s Fly Traps Work Like a Mug and Sharing is Caring

Do you need to get rid of some flies ?
I did .
Wrote a song about it ; like to hear it , here it go .
A few weeks ago I started noticing random posts on my social media platforms about the aggressive amount of flies in the Washington , D.C. area .
While I wanted to scream at them all that they don ’ t my life , it turns out they did .
It was like a non-socially distant fly convention ( of the insect variety , not the apparel , swag variety ) had landed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the flies to the clubs in my neighborhood in southeast D.C. for the afterparties .
Seriously , every time I went into my backyard , I ’ d see what felt like an overabundance of fly homies , just being all unnecessarily present and accounted for .
And no , my family is not nasty—we take the trash out , and because I noticed a number of flies , I ’ ve tried various options to kill them , or at the very least deter them from my particular property .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different .
I sprayed my yard with insecticides and all types of recommended shit .
Nothing worked .
Well , my wife is mad pregnant right now which means we had a social-distance baby shower planned in our backyard , which was very exciting except we had to get rid of the flies .
Like I said , I got to spraying the yard and we had citronella candles and nothing was working .
The day before the shower I went to Lowe ’ s looking for options .
My daughter recommended a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ green bottle fly traps from the Rescue !
brand .
I ’ d never heard of it before but I also haven ’ t spent much time trying to quell a fly insurrection in my backyard .
I got two of the traps and came home .
The instructions are to fill the traps ( plastic jars ) with water and then drop a dissolving pouch of some shit that basically acts like catnip for flies inside of them .
In my head , it smelled like whatever type of cognac flies like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then open the club doors , which is this pull out trap looking thing at the top .
It takes a few hours for the traps to really get working , so I did the deed and put them outside .
The night before the shower was pretty cool outside so when I went outside to check the traps were empty .
It warmed up quickly and then all of a sudden , fucking flies were all up that in that thing .
And dying .
Quickly .
It was like somebody was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shit attracting them was free money .
My wife was like , “ yo , we need more of these ... look at the damn flies coming for them !
” I agreed and went and bought out all the joints I could find at Lowe ’ s .
As it turns out , the day of the shower , the flies were aplenty .
They came from near and far and we had food and sweet , sweet spirits outside .
There were flies all over .
We made it through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not ruin the fun .
But let me tell you , the next few days , though .
So I had a total of 7 traps in my backyard and the day after the shower , I went outside and saw a disgusting site : it looked like a few THOUSAND flies had died inside ONE of the traps .
And this is like a good and bad thing .
On the upside , the fucking fly traps work .
On the bad side , we did not have thousands of flies in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fly homies were coming to my spot to pick a club and die .
All of the traps were overflowing with flies .
I ’ m not a fly conspiracy theorist but I think the flies told all the other fly homies that there was a spot in Southeast D.C. that was giving out free money and Henny .
Nothing else explains the sheer volume of flies that all of a sudden descended upon my backyard .
And sure , they were all going to the traps , but fuck man , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I feel like I might have rid the neighborhood of flies because each of my 7 traps was INUNDATED WITH DEAD FLIES .
There were so many flies in the traps that flies were crawling OUT of them to die on my driveway .
And this also presented me with another problem : how the fuck was I going to dispose of them ?
I watched videos and they all just said “ dispose of them.
” Thing is , the traps were supposed to be reusable , but I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dead flies .
They for damn sure weren ’ t going in my house to be flushed .
Also , I ’ m not sure the makers of the Rescue !
Outdoor Fly Traps ( I also have some disposable joints ) envisioned THIS many flies .
I basically had to take the fly traps , close the little trap door lid thing and dump them all into an extra-strength trash bag .
There was no other way .
That part right there is my only real issue with the traps ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that the only way to get rid of the dead flies was to throw the whole damn trap out .
Granted , the traps aren ’ t super expensive ( $ 6.27 per trap at Home Depot ) but still , them shits said “ reusable .
” I scoff at that shit .
I did learn something though .
Clearly you have to find a place to put the traps where you want the flies to go and die and that should be away from where you might be .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were—in my way .
But because the traps attract them , they pull them towards wherever you put the traps .
Now , I have a few sitting near my trash cans outside , but far away from my house .
I can say , undoubtedly , while there are clearly a few anti-social flies who don ’ t enjoy clubbing that have annoyed me on my deck , the rest of the flies are dying in those traps .
I just wish I could find a way to only kill MY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per my experience , these traps work well .
So , if you need some help because you have too many flies in your space , Rescue !
Outdoor Fly Traps work well .
Highly recommended .
Just keep them shits far away from where you intend to sit and chill .
Also , be prepared to see more flies than you ever expected .
Shit ’ s disgusting but they ’ re all dead .
Which is # goals .

Panama Jackson on Very Smart Brothas, shared by Panama Jackson to The Root

Do you need to get rid of some flies? I did. Wrote a song about it; like to hear it, here it go.
A few weeks ago I started noticing random posts on my social media platforms about the aggressive amount of flies in the Washington, D.C. area. While I wanted to scream at them all that they don’t my life, it turns out they did. It was like a non-socially distant fly convention (of the insect variety, not the apparel, swag variety) had landed in D.C. and the social committee sent all the flies to the clubs in my neighborhood in southeast D.C. for the afterparties.
Advertisement
Seriously, every time I went into my backyard, I’d see what felt like an overabundance of fly homies, just being all unnecessarily present and accounted for. And no, my family is not nasty—we take the trash out, and because I noticed a number of flies, I’ve tried various options to kill them, or at the very least deter them from my particular property. These flies, though, are just built different. I sprayed my yard with insecticides and all types of recommended shit. Nothing worked.
Well, my wife is mad pregnant right now which means we had a social-distance baby shower planned in our backyard, which was very exciting except we had to get rid of the flies. Like I said, I got to spraying the yard and we had citronella candles and nothing was working. The day before the shower I went to Lowe’s looking for options. My daughter recommended a zapper but I came across some plastic green bottle fly traps from the Rescue! brand. I’d never heard of it before but I also haven’t spent much time trying to quell a fly insurrection in my backyard. I got two of the traps and came home.
Advertisement Advertisement
The instructions are to fill the traps (plastic jars) with water and then drop a dissolving pouch of some shit that basically acts like catnip for flies inside of them. In my head, it smelled like whatever type of cognac flies like most. You close the lid and then open the club doors, which is this pull out trap looking thing at the top. It takes a few hours for the traps to really get working, so I did the deed and put them outside.
The night before the shower was pretty cool outside so when I went outside to check the traps were empty. It warmed up quickly and then all of a sudden, fucking flies were all up that in that thing. And dying. Quickly. It was like somebody was shooting a music video for flies and the shit attracting them was free money. My wife was like, “yo, we need more of these...look at the damn flies coming for them!” I agreed and went and bought out all the joints I could find at Lowe’s.
Advertisement
As it turns out, the day of the shower, the flies were aplenty. They came from near and far and we had food and sweet, sweet spirits outside. There were flies all over. We made it through and we may have killed enough to not ruin the fun. But let me tell you, the next few days, though.
Fam.
So I had a total of 7 traps in my backyard and the day after the shower, I went outside and saw a disgusting site: it looked like a few THOUSAND flies had died inside ONE of the traps. And this is like a good and bad thing. On the upside, the fucking fly traps work. On the bad side, we did not have thousands of flies in my backyard and all of sudden all the fly homies were coming to my spot to pick a club and die. All of the traps were overflowing with flies.
Advertisement
I’m not a fly conspiracy theorist but I think the flies told all the other fly homies that there was a spot in Southeast D.C. that was giving out free money and Henny. Nothing else explains the sheer volume of flies that all of a sudden descended upon my backyard. And sure, they were all going to the traps, but fuck man, they were all coming for my traps. I feel like I might have rid the neighborhood of flies because each of my 7 traps was INUNDATED WITH DEAD FLIES.
There were so many flies in the traps that flies were crawling OUT of them to die on my driveway. And this also presented me with another problem: how the fuck was I going to dispose of them? I watched videos and they all just said “dispose of them.” Thing is, the traps were supposed to be reusable, but I don’t know where to pour out thousands of dead flies. They for damn sure weren’t going in my house to be flushed. Also, I’m not sure the makers of the Rescue! Outdoor Fly Traps (I also have some disposable joints) envisioned THIS many flies. I basically had to take the fly traps, close the little trap door lid thing and dump them all into an extra-strength trash bag. There was no other way. That part right there is my only real issue with the traps; they worked too good, so good, that the only way to get rid of the dead flies was to throw the whole damn trap out. Granted, the traps aren’t super expensive ($6.27 per trap at Home Depot) but still, them shits said “reusable .” I scoff at that shit.
Advertisement
I did learn something though. Clearly you have to find a place to put the traps where you want the flies to go and die and that should be away from where you might be. I was trying to meet the flies where they were—in my way. But because the traps attract them, they pull them towards wherever you put the traps. Now, I have a few sitting near my trash cans outside, but far away from my house. I can say, undoubtedly, while there are clearly a few anti-social flies who don’t enjoy clubbing that have annoyed me on my deck, the rest of the flies are dying in those traps. I just wish I could find a way to only kill MY flies and not invite other flies because per my experience, these traps work well.
So, if you need some help because you have too many flies in your space, Rescue! Outdoor Fly Traps work well. Highly recommended. Just keep them shits far away from where you intend to sit and chill. Also, be prepared to see more flies than you ever expected. Shit’s disgusting but they’re all dead. Which is #goals.


theroot--2020-10-07--Twitter Cries Foul After Washington Benches Dwayne Haskins: 'Why Do Black QBs Seem to Get Much Short

Twitter Cries Foul After Washington Benches Dwayne Haskins: 'Why Do Black QBs Seem to Get Much Shorter Leashes?'

Since being drafted 15th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft , he ’ s accrued a 3-8 record ( while making way too many plays like these ) in 11 career starts .
But despite his struggles , he also boasts a quarterback rating of 80.3 this season—which ain ’ t great , but is far superior to likes of Daniel Jones , Sam Darnold and Carson Wentz .
This point of comparison is important because similar to Doc Rivers , Haskins spent his Wednesday morning trying to explain to his momma how he got fired on his day off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Network reports , Haskins has been benched by the Washington Football Team in favor of Kyle Allen—who went undrafted in 2018 .
But not only will Haskins be riding the pine on Sunday , he won ’ t even be the No .
2 quarterback .
That distinction will go to Alex Smith , who suffered a compound fracture of his right tibia and fibula in 2018 that was so gruesome that he quite literally almost lost his leg and hasn ’ t played a single down since .
Haskins will be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ringing endorsement for a player positioned to be Washington ’ s quarterback of the future , but one can ’ t help but notice that despite their own struggles , Darnold and Jones , each young players in their own right , are at no risk of losing their jobs .
While Wentz , who once watched from the sidelines as perennial underachiever Nick Foles brought a championship to Philadelphia—and now has second-round pick Jalen Hurts breathing down his neck—is playing like dog shit , yet still has about as much job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It must be nice to play for organizations that will allow you the necessary time on the field to develop .
But sadly , it appears that Haskins is being deprived of such a luxury .
And in being the only Black quarterback in that group , many are taking to Twitter to question why that could be .
However , it was sportswriter David Wysong who made it a point to skip the bullshit and call a thing a thing .
“ Why do Black QBs seem to get much shorter leashes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the loop , Haskins has never had the opportunity to thrive .
Outside of being banished to the armpit of the NFL universe , he ’ s played for three different coaches since being drafted , with each one installing their own offense .
Then when Ron Rivera came aboard , guess who he brought with him ?
His old quarterback from his old team : Kyle Allen—a.k.a .
the guy who just stole Haskins ’ job .
Washington has also been mired in controversy after controversy after controversy since Haskins ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to believe that all this chaos and perpetual bullshit hasn ’ t hampered his play .
Because no matter how good of a player you are , where you play is not only crucial to your development but to your ability to excel on the field .
Does anyone really think Lamar Jackson , Kyler Murray or Patrick Mahomes would be playing at the same level in Washington ?
Of course not .
And I can ’ t be the only one that remembers how Josh Allen had to fight through his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterback .
For his sake , I hope he ’ s able to eventually escape Washington and actually play for a competent organization .
Because as long as he ’ s stuck doing this ... We ’ ll never know how good of a player he could actually be .
Which sadly , is a familiar refrain among plenty of Black professionals who ’ ve squandered their talents because they never got a fair shake or were put in a position to thrive .

Dwayne Haskins is struggling, y’all.
Since being drafted 15th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, he’s accrued a 3-8 record (while making way too many plays like these) in 11 career starts. But despite his struggles, he also boasts a quarterback rating of 80.3 this season—which ain’t great, but is far superior to likes of Daniel Jones, Sam Darnold and Carson Wentz. This point of comparison is important because similar to Doc Rivers, Haskins spent his Wednesday morning trying to explain to his momma how he got fired on his day off.
As Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports, Haskins has been benched by the Washington Football Team in favor of Kyle Allen—who went undrafted in 2018. But not only will Haskins be riding the pine on Sunday, he won’t even be the No. 2 quarterback. That distinction will go to Alex Smith, who suffered a compound fracture of his right tibia and fibula in 2018 that was so gruesome that he quite literally almost lost his leg and hasn’t played a single down since.
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Haskins will be the No. 3 quarterback.
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Not exactly a ringing endorsement for a player positioned to be Washington’s quarterback of the future, but one can’t help but notice that despite their own struggles, Darnold and Jones, each young players in their own right, are at no risk of losing their jobs. While Wentz, who once watched from the sidelines as perennial underachiever Nick Foles brought a championship to Philadelphia—and now has second-round pick Jalen Hurts breathing down his neck—is playing like dog shit, yet still has about as much job security as a Supreme Court justice.
It must be nice to be white and play for organizations that will allow you the necessary time on the field to develop. But sadly, it appears that Haskins is being deprived of such a luxury. And in being the only Black quarterback in that group, many are taking to Twitter to question why that could be.
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However, it was sportswriter David Wysong who made it a point to skip the bullshit and call a thing a thing.
“Why do Black QBs seem to get much shorter leashes?” he tweeted.
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For those out the loop, Haskins has never had the opportunity to thrive. Outside of being banished to the armpit of the NFL universe, he’s played for three different coaches since being drafted, with each one installing their own offense. Then when Ron Rivera came aboard, guess who he brought with him? His old quarterback from his old team: Kyle Allen—a.k.a. the guy who just stole Haskins’ job.
Washington has also been mired in controversy after controversy after controversy since Haskins’ arrival, so hard’s not to believe that all this chaos and perpetual bullshit hasn’t hampered his play. Because no matter how good of a player you are, where you play is not only crucial to your development but to your ability to excel on the field. Does anyone really think Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray or Patrick Mahomes would be playing at the same level in Washington? Of course not.
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And I can’t be the only one that remembers how Josh Allen had to fight through his own growing pains—in order to become an MVP-caliber quarterback.
Dwayne, this ain’t your fault, fam.
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For his sake, I hope he’s able to eventually escape Washington and actually play for a competent organization. Because as long as he’s stuck doing this...
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We’ll never know how good of a player he could actually be. Which sadly, is a familiar refrain among plenty of Black professionals who’ve squandered their talents because they never got a fair shake or were put in a position to thrive.
Free Dwayne Haskins.


theroot--2020-10-07--One Lucky BIPOC Designer Will Design a Banana Republic Collection, Thanks to Harlem's Fashion Row

“ Black is the new black ” announced Harlem ’ s Fashion Row ( HFR ) founder Brandice Daniel as the theme for this year ’ s annual runway event—gone virtual for 2020 on September 9 .
With major sponsors like Nike ( among others ) , an ongoing partnership ( and $ 1 million grant ) from the Council of Fashion Designers of America , and an upcoming collaboration set to debut this weekend with upscale children ’ s brand Janie & Jack , Daniel , who has championed rising Black designers for well over a decade , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethos into action in the fashion industry .
Daniel clearly also includes “ can ’ t stop , won ’ t stop ” in that ethos , since on Tuesday , Harlem ’ s Fashion Row made yet another big announcement aimed at elevating designers of color , launching a new sustainable design competition for BIPOC designers , in partnership with Banana Republic .
“ HFR and Banana Republic are launching an open call in their search for their next breakout designer to produce a capsule collection , ” reads a release from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure to creative BIPOC designers and will create opportunities that otherwise did not exist for these talented individuals.
” More details and how to apply • Banana Republic x HFR will focus on BIPOC designers who design for women and men .
• Qualified applicants must be 18 or over and a legal resident of the United States • The application period opened on October 6 , 2020 , and will close on October 20 at 11:59 pm , ET .
• Designers can apply via and must submit a resume , portfolio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their brand .
A design brief for the prospective collection also indicates that applicants are expected to create a 300-word or less personal statement and digital mood board expressing why they ’ d be a good fit with Banana Republic ’ s aesthetic .
The brief is also downloadable on HFR ’ s site and further specifies that the collection is intended to be sustainable and “ inspired by the natural world ” —understandable since Banana Republic prides itself on being the first upcycling brand , “ founded on the concept of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooted in sustainability.
” The fashion brand also believes “ authentic style has the power to transcend trends , generations and cultures , ” which explains why it has remained a retail staple for over 40 years .
With a focus on a more inclusive future , only one designer will be selected to design the Banana Republic x HFR collection—for which the winner of the competition will also receive a $ 10,000 prize .
The winner will be announced on the Harlem ’ s Fashion Row platform , and the resulting capsule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 .

“Black is the new black” announced Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR) founder Brandice Daniel as the theme for this year’s annual runway event—gone virtual for 2020 on September 9. With major sponsors like Nike (among others), an ongoing partnership (and $1 million grant) from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and an upcoming collaboration set to debut this weekend with upscale children’s brand Janie & Jack, Daniel, who has championed rising Black designers for well over a decade, has been at the forefront of putting that ethos into action in the fashion industry.
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Daniel clearly also includes “can’t stop, won’t stop” in that ethos, since on Tuesday, Harlem’s Fashion Row made yet another big announcement aimed at elevating designers of color, launching a new sustainable design competition for BIPOC designers, in partnership with Banana Republic.
“HFR and Banana Republic are launching an open call in their search for their next breakout designer to produce a capsule collection,” reads a release from HFR. “This partnership will provide exposure to creative BIPOC designers and will create opportunities that otherwise did not exist for these talented individuals.”
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More details and how to apply
Banana Republic x HFR will focus on BIPOC designers who design for women and men.
Qualified applicants must be 18 or over and a legal resident of the United States
The application period opened on October 6, 2020, and will close on October 20 at 11:59 pm, ET.
Designers can apply via the Harlem’s Fashion Row website A design brief for the prospective collection
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The brief is also downloadable on HFR’s site and further specifies that the collection is intended to be sustainable and “inspired by the natural world”—understandable since Banana Republic prides itself on being the first upcycling brand, “founded on the concept of repurposing surplus clothing...[and] rooted in sustainability.” The fashion brand also believes “authentic style has the power to transcend trends, generations and cultures,” which explains why it has remained a retail staple for over 40 years.
With a focus on a more inclusive future, only one designer will be selected to design the Banana Republic x HFR collection—for which the winner of the competition will also receive a $10,000 prize. The winner will be announced on the Harlem’s Fashion Row platform, and the resulting capsule collection will launch on September 22, 2021.