theroot--2020-10-05--We Need More Movies Like Vampires vs. the Bronx

Director Osmany Rodriguez ’ s Vampires vs. the Bronx is the sort of coming-of-age movie that there simply aren ’ t enough of .
It ’ s about a bunch of Black and brown kids from a part of New York City that doesn ’ t get nearly enough love , who all know that there are plenty of important life lessons to be learned from comic book movies .
Vampires vs. the Bronx ’ s premise becomes less and less absurd the more time you ’ ve actually spent above 120th street in New York City .
While proper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preying on unsuspecting victims , multiple blocks all throughout the Bronx have fallen prey to the ravages of the sort of gentrification that displaces the lower-income families and small businesses that make the city what it is .
Vampires takes that reality and turns it into a charming , if somewhat on-the-nose , story how Miguel Martinez ( Jaden Michael ) comes to discover that the undead are invading his neighborhood and using a real estate development company to hide what they truly are .
Since Miguel ’ s the neighborhood ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows that he means well enough , but when he starts spouting off about vampires manifesting out of the shadows and taking gangbangers , people immediately assume that his imagination ’ s getting the best of him and that he ’ s merely expressing a fear of change .
To Miguel , each store closure or family moving away is another signal that sooner or later , the bodega owned by Tony ( Mero , of Desus & Mero fame ) —Miguel ’ s second home—will disappear .
Though Vampires vs. the Bronx @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the supernatural uptake , Miguel ’ s best friends Bobby ( Gerald Jones III ) and Luis ( Gregory Diaz IV ) quickly realize that he hasn ’ t lost his mind , and that they ’ re the only ones who grasp the gravity of the situation .
Vampires doesn ’ t exactly tread any sort of new supernatural-adventure territory because it ’ s much more concerned with letting its characters ’ relationships with one another and their families shape the story—which just so happens to involve an entirely white group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opportunity .
Throughout Vampires vs. the Bronx , the villains repeatedly explain how , to them , the Bronx is a place that people don ’ t pay attention to because there ’ s nothing of value there .
But in every moment when the movie ’ s focus is on its heroes , it ’ s clear just how wrong the vampires are , as well as what it is about the neighborhood that the boys want to protect from danger .
What keeps Vampires vs. the Bronx from feeling too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its audience is the care it takes to give its characters an awareness of their predicament that ’ s in line with the audience ’ s general understanding of how vampires and vampire movies work .
Rather than spending too much time following Miguel , Bobby , and Luis denying the existence of vampires , the movie presents them all as culturally aware people with enough common sense to arm themselves with whatever they can get their hands on that ’ ll give them some sort of protection against demons .
In that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a degree of the self-aware energy that made Zombieland so enjoyable , but here the tone ’ s drastically different , because ... .well , it ’ s a bunch of kids preparing to fight the undead by watching an old Blade DVD .
Despite being relative newcomers , Michael , Jones , and Diaz all deliver solid performances that set the movie ’ s tone all the while never letting you forget that they ’ re children playing children , a refreshing change of pace in a media landscape dominated by twentysomethings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ chemistry makes it easy for them to carry Vampires vs. the Bronx ’ s quippy , self-referential humor that ’ s at its strongest when the movie lets itself become properly goofy , like when one character realizes that vampires don ’ t show up on cell phone footage .
Light as Vampires vs. the Bronx is , though , it ’ s not without its stakes ( apologies ) , which each of its characters become keenly aware of as the movie kicks into gear and lives up to its title @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bronx feel like such an unexpected gem is the simple fact that it ’ s a film about a squad of generally carefree children just existing and having the freedom to get mixed up in some truly wild nonsense that brings out their heroic qualities in a variety of ways .
Even in the moments where the movie gets a bit preachy and glum about the real-world dangers that kids like Miguel and his friend face , Vampires vs. the Bronx never really feels condescending or like it doesn ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few chuckles .
If Vampires vs. the Bronx had gotten a theatrical release , it ’ d be the sort of movie where you ’ d wander out of the cinema afterward feeling pleasantly surprised .
But as a Netflix movie it ’ s hands-down a stunner , and definitely something worth checking out the next time you ’ re looking for something fun to space out to .
For more , make sure you ’ re following us on our Instagram @ io9dotcom .

Charles Pulliam-Moore on io9, shared by Genetta M. Adams to The Root

Director Osmany Rodriguez’s Vampires vs. the Bronx is the sort of coming-of-age movie that there simply aren’t enough of. It’s about a bunch of Black and brown kids from a part of New York City that doesn’t get nearly enough love, who all know that there are plenty of important life lessons to be learned from comic book movies.
Vampires vs. the Bronx’s premise becomes less and less absurd the more time you’ve actually spent above 120th street in New York City. While proper vampires might not be out and about preying on unsuspecting victims, multiple blocks all throughout the Bronx have fallen prey to the ravages of the sort of gentrification that displaces the lower-income families and small businesses that make the city what it is. Vampires takes that reality and turns it into a charming, if somewhat on-the-nose, story how Miguel Martinez (Jaden Michael) comes to discover that the undead are invading his neighborhood and using a real estate development company to hide what they truly are.
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Since Miguel’s the neighborhood’s unofficial kid mayor, everyone around him knows that he means well enough, but when he starts spouting off about vampires manifesting out of the shadows and taking gangbangers, people immediately assume that his imagination’s getting the best of him and that he’s merely expressing a fear of change. To Miguel, each store closure or family moving away is another signal that sooner or later, the bodega owned by Tony (Mero, of Desus & Mero fame)—Miguel’s second home—will disappear.
The Case for Calling All Vampires Draculas Myths about vampiric creatures that rise from the dead to feed on the blood of the living predate… Read more
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Though Vampires vs. the Bronx’s adults are a bit slow on the supernatural uptake, Miguel’s best friends Bobby (Gerald Jones III) and Luis (Gregory Diaz IV) quickly realize that he hasn’t lost his mind, and that they’re the only ones who grasp the gravity of the situation. Vampires doesn’t exactly tread any sort of new supernatural-adventure territory because it’s much more concerned with letting its characters’ relationships with one another and their families shape the story—which just so happens to involve an entirely white group of bloodsuckers who see the Bronx as an opportunity.
Throughout Vampires vs. the Bronx, the villains repeatedly explain how, to them, the Bronx is a place that people don’t pay attention to because there’s nothing of value there. But in every moment when the movie’s focus is on its heroes, it’s clear just how wrong the vampires are, as well as what it is about the neighborhood that the boys want to protect from danger.
Advertisement
What keeps Vampires vs. the Bronx from feeling too much like a kid-oriented movie pandering to its audience is the care it takes to give its characters an awareness of their predicament that’s in line with the audience’s general understanding of how vampires and vampire movies work. Rather than spending too much time following Miguel, Bobby, and Luis denying the existence of vampires, the movie presents them all as culturally aware people with enough common sense to arm themselves with whatever they can get their hands on that’ll give them some sort of protection against demons. In that way, Vampires vs. the Bronx has a degree of the self-aware energy that made Zombieland so enjoyable, but here the tone’s drastically different, because....well, it’s a bunch of kids preparing to fight the undead by watching an old Blade DVD.
Advertisement
Despite being relative newcomers, Michael, Jones, and Diaz all deliver solid performances that set the movie’s tone all the while never letting you forget that they’re children playing children, a refreshing change of pace in a media landscape dominated by twentysomethings pretending to be teens. The kids’ chemistry makes it easy for them to carry Vampires vs. the Bronx’s quippy, self-referential humor that’s at its strongest when the movie lets itself become properly goofy, like when one character realizes that vampires don’t show up on cell phone footage. Light as Vampires vs. the Bronx is, though, it’s not without its stakes (apologies), which each of its characters become keenly aware of as the movie kicks into gear and lives up to its title.
What ends up making Vampires vs. the Bronx feel like such an unexpected gem is the simple fact that it’s a film about a squad of generally carefree children just existing and having the freedom to get mixed up in some truly wild nonsense that brings out their heroic qualities in a variety of ways. Even in the moments where the movie gets a bit preachy and glum about the real-world dangers that kids like Miguel and his friend face, Vampires vs. the Bronx never really feels condescending or like it doesn’t want you to kick back and have a few chuckles.
Advertisement
If Vampires vs. the Bronx had gotten a theatrical release, it’d be the sort of movie where you’d wander out of the cinema afterward feeling pleasantly surprised. But as a Netflix movie it’s hands-down a stunner, and definitely something worth checking out the next time you’re looking for something fun to space out to.
Advertisement
For more, make sure you’re following us on our Instagram @io9dotcom.


theroot--2020-10-06--American Beauties: A New Crop of Fall Cover Stars Are Young, Gifted—and Maybe Our Next Vice Presiden

American Beauties: A New Crop of Fall Cover Stars Are Young, Gifted—and Maybe Our Next Vice President?

“ All-American ” has long inferred a certain type of ( Caucasian ) citizen , but a trio of covers debuting this October and November encourage us to think far more colorfully , Serena Williams , Normani , and vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris all grace covers dropping in the next month , giving new meaning to the phrase .
Here , a few highlights : On Wednesday , Kamala Harris will face off against incumbent Vice President Mike Pence on a plexiglass-protected debate stage ( all the better to contain the bloodbath that will no doubt ensue ) .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Day , but on Tuesday , the history-making candidate ’ s cover story for Elle magazine debuted online ( sans typical fashion spread ) , penned by writer Ashley C. Ford , who admits that like the rest of us , “ I have a lot of questions—and a few trust issues , ” writing : I ask what justice means to a prosecutor who wants to defend our civil rights .
The senator says , smiling , “ It ’ s about freedom , it ’ s about equality , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieve equality , and freedom , and fairness , it ’ s not because I grant it to you .
It ’ s because you fought for it because it is your right .
This is not about benevolence or charity ; it is about every human being ’ s God-given right .
What do we collectively do to fight for that ?
That ’ s what justice represents to me—it ’ s about empowerment of the people.
” Her ideas about the best ways to demand and achieve justice have gotten more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces criticism about her past as a prosecutor .
She is not ashamed of having evolved her perspective and hopes the current moment is the beginning of something , not the end .
“ What I hope and pray is that we can get to a point where , through what are undoubtedly difficult conversations , we confront the real history of America , ” Harris says .
“ Doing it in a way that is motivated by love , but also is fully honest.
” Honesty—and vulnerability—are at the core of self-proclaimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s post-Fifth Harmony career , as she tells 2020 The Root 100 honoree Tre ’ vell Anderson , for Teen Vogue ’ s October cover story , shot by Micaiah Carter and styled by Zerina Akers .
“ Vulnerability is talking about the fact that I do get anxiety sometimes , and just showing the consumer what that feels like for me ... Just the fact that I am in a position that I ’ m in , but I don ’ t want to be so unattainable .
I ’ m just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says , adding : “ I feel hurt , sad , elated sometimes .
I feel like I ’ m in my head .
I feel not so confident .
I just want to be able to show not only women , but people in general , that I am a human as well.
” No doubt quite a few folks would like to live next door to Normani—especially after her Naomi Campbell-inspired cameo in the “ WAP ” video , a moment that reinforced the power of brown-skinned beauty .
“ Representation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key , ” says Normani .
“ To be a young woman that looks like myself , I just feel like [ being a positive example ] is a part of my legacy .
It ’ s me wanting to create better opportunities for us , and also just for people who think that they got us figured out ...
I want to change lives and I want to reach as many people as I can , ” she later adds .
“ I feel like that ’ s the difference between doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purpose .
I want to tell our stories and , like I said , be a representation that Black girls can do anything ...
I feel like it ’ s my calling.
” The tennis season may have ended abruptly ( and painfully ) for Serena Williams last week , but as the phenom tells British Vogue , for her , “ Tennis is a small play in the whole scheme of things.
” “ In this society , women are not taught or expected to be that future leader or future CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrative has to change .
And maybe it doesn ’ t get better in time for me , but someone in my position can show women and people of color that we have a voice , because Lord knows I use mine .
I love sticking up for people and supporting women .
Being the voice that millions of people don ’ t have.
” For her November appearance , Williams , a longtime ambassador for the Allstate Foundation ’ s Purple Purse Project , gives fans a peek inside her own designer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her cover story , Williams strikes a more somber tone when talking about watching the world wake up to racism in real-time over the past several months , saying , “ I was like : well , you didn ’ t see any of this before ?
I ’ ve been talking about this my whole career .
It ’ s been one thing after another.
” “ Underpaid , undervalued , ” are some of the other challenges Williams has faced one after another in her now-epic career—as well as derision for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has come “ full circle , ” thanks to three-year-old daughter Olympia ) which she says has and brown skin .
Like Normani , it ’ s skin she is rightfully glad to be living—and thriving in .
“ I ’ ve never been a person that has been like , ‘ I want to be a different color ’ or ‘ I want my skin tone to be lighter , ’ ” she says .
“ I like who I am , I like how I look , and I love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For me , it ’ s perfect .
I wouldn ’ t want it any other way .
”

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

“All-American” has long inferred a certain type of (Caucasian) citizen, but a trio of covers debuting this October and November encourage us to think far more colorfully, Serena Williams, Normani, and vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris all grace covers dropping in the next month, giving new meaning to the phrase. Here, a few highlights:
Kamala Harris
On Wednesday, Kamala Harris will face off against incumbent Vice President Mike Pence on a plexiglass-protected debate stage (all the better to contain the bloodbath that will no doubt ensue). The issue won’t hit stands until Election Day, but on Tuesday, the history-making candidate’s cover story for Elle magazine debuted online (sans typical fashion spread), penned by writer Ashley C. Ford, who admits that like the rest of us, “I have a lot of questions—and a few trust issues,” writing:
I ask what justice means to a prosecutor who wants to defend our civil rights. The senator says, smiling, “It’s about freedom, it’s about equality, it’s about dignity. When you achieve equality, and freedom, and fairness, it’s not because I grant it to you. It’s because you fought for it because it is your right. This is not about benevolence or charity; it is about every human being’s God-given right. What do we collectively do to fight for that? That’s what justice represents to me—it’s about empowerment of the people.” ... Her ideas about the best ways to demand and achieve justice have gotten more progressive over time, but she still faces criticism about her past as a prosecutor. She is not ashamed of having evolved her perspective and hopes the current moment is the beginning of something, not the end. “What I hope and pray is that we can get to a point where, through what are undoubtedly difficult conversations, we confront the real history of America,” Harris says. “Doing it in a way that is motivated by love, but also is fully honest.”
Normani
Honesty—and vulnerability—are at the core of self-proclaimed “girl next door” Normani’s post-Fifth Harmony career, as she tells 2020 The Root 100 honoree Tre’vell Anderson, for Teen Vogue’s October cover story, shot by Micaiah Carter and styled by Zerina Akers.
Advertisement
“Vulnerability is talking about the fact that I do get anxiety sometimes, and just showing the consumer what that feels like for me...Just the fact that I am in a position that I’m in, but I don’t want to be so unattainable. I’m just the girl next door,” she says, adding: “I feel hurt, sad, elated sometimes. I feel like I’m in my head. I feel not so confident. I just want to be able to show not only women, but people in general, that I am a human as well.”
No doubt quite a few folks would like to live next door to Normani—especially after her Naomi Campbell-inspired cameo in the “WAP” video, a moment that reinforced the power of brown-skinned beauty.
Advertisement Advertisement
“Representation, like I always say, is key,” says Normani. “To be a young woman that looks like myself, I just feel like [being a positive example] is a part of my legacy. It’s me wanting to create better opportunities for us, and also just for people who think that they got us figured out...I want to change lives and I want to reach as many people as I can,” she later adds. “I feel like that’s the difference between doing something that you love and also having purpose. I want to tell our stories and, like I said, be a representation that Black girls can do anything...I feel like it’s my calling.”
Advertisement
Serena Williams
The tennis season may have ended abruptly (and painfully) for Serena Williams last week, but as the phenom tells British Vogue, for her, “Tennis is a small play in the whole scheme of things.”
Advertisement
“In this society, women are not taught or expected to be that future leader or future CEO,” she continues. “The narrative has to change. And maybe it doesn’t get better in time for me, but someone in my position can show women and people of color that we have a voice, because Lord knows I use mine. I love sticking up for people and supporting women. Being the voice that millions of people don’t have.”
For her November appearance, Williams, a longtime ambassador for the Allstate Foundation’s Purple Purse Project, gives fans a peek inside her own designer bags (above), but in her cover story, Williams strikes a more somber tone when talking about watching the world wake up to racism in real-time over the past several months, saying, “I was like: well, you didn’t see any of this before? I’ve been talking about this my whole career. It’s been one thing after another.”
Advertisement
“Underpaid, undervalued,” are some of the other challenges Williams has faced one after another in her now-epic career—as well as derision for her powerful frame (her love for which has come “full circle,” thanks to three-year-old daughter Olympia) which she says has and brown skin. Like Normani, it’s skin she is rightfully glad to be living—and thriving in. “I’ve never been a person that has been like, ‘I want to be a different color’ or ‘I want my skin tone to be lighter,’” she says. “I like who I am, I like how I look, and I love representing the beautiful dark women out there. For me, it’s perfect. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”


theroot--2020-10-06--Voter Registration Deadline Extended in Florida and Arizona

Still haven ’ t registered to vote ?
Well , you ’ re in luck if you reside in Arizona or Florida .
Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee extended the deadline for voter registration to Tuesday , Oct. 6 at 7 p.m .
ET after increased traffic crashed the registration website , CBS News reports .
In a statement released Tuesday morning , Lee says she met with Gov .
Ron DeSantis to discuss “ the difficulties we encountered last night due to unprecedented volume and traffic to our website.
” “ We are working with local Supervisors of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Safety and Motor Vehicles to ensure that all eligible registrants have the ability to submit a voter registration application by 7 p.m. this evening , ” Lee said .
The secretary said that the state ’ s voter registration site was receiving an “ unprecedented ” 1.1 million requests per hour .
The anomaly raised concerns about potential election interference .
“ We will work with our state and federal law-enforcement partners to ensure this was not a deliberate act against the voting process , ” Lee said .
“ If you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you do your part for your fellow Floridians and please do not try to access RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov during this time and drive up traffic to the site.
” Lee ordered county supervisors ’ offices , departments of motor vehicles offices and tax collectors ’ offices to stay open until 7 p.m. on Tuesday to accept any potential applications to vote .
Applications that are postmarked by Tuesday will also be accepted .
Florida is a swing state that went to Trump in 2016 and is considered an important part of the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weirdly , is looking to be a swing state as well this election .
I say weirdly because with the amount of Trump bumper stickers I regularly see , you wouldn ’ t have guessed that Biden is currently leading Trump in the Arizona polls .
If you ’ re one of those folks who felt voting blue in a red state was useless , first off , local elections matter , yo !
Secondly , according to AZ Central , you still have time to register as a federal judge has extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The extension was granted only hours before the previous deadline of Oct. 5 was set to pass .
U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan attributed the impact COVID-19 has had on face-to-face efforts to register voters .
Logan said that while Arizona has made it easier to register , with online registration , a large swath of voters don ’ t have reliable internet access in the state .
“ Registering to vote has never been easier for some , though others are not so fortunate .
Ballot access is an extremely important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during this unprecedented time , ” Logan wrote in his decision .
Mi Familia Vota and Arizona Coalition for Change filed the suit as the pandemic has greatly affected their ability to register voters .
While they ’ ve held various drive-thru registrations as well as virtual and teleconference events , the registration numbers have still been significantly depressed .
Lawyers representing the Republican National Committee filed an appeal late Monday night , promising a legal battle that may go on up until the election .
Opponents to the ruling believe that none @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governor Doug Ducey prevented people from engaging in their first amendment rights .
Secretary of State Katie Hobbs , a Democrat , also opposed moving the deadline as county election officials will have to simultaneously process both early ballots and new registrations .
Those in favor of the extension argued that it ’ s not unusual for deadlines to be moved in the wake of unprecedented events .
“ It ’ s not the first time the court has had to extend a deadline due to an unprecedented natural disaster , ” argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting rights groups that filed the suit .
She also argued that other states have later deadlines as well , making the move less unusual .
Typically Arizona is one of 15 states that closes voter registration 28-30 days before the election .
An additional 19 states allow people to register to vote on the same day they cast their ballots .
I ’ m just going to assume the other 16 states in the union throw a Bible at a ballot and let whatever happens , happen .

Still haven’t registered to vote? Well, you’re in luck if you reside in Arizona or Florida.
Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee extended the deadline for voter registration to Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET after increased traffic crashed the registration website, CBS News reports. In a statement released Tuesday morning, Lee says she met with Gov. Ron DeSantis to discuss “the difficulties we encountered last night due to unprecedented volume and traffic to our website.”
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“We are working with local Supervisors of Elections and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to ensure that all eligible registrants have the ability to submit a voter registration application by 7 p.m. this evening,” Lee said. The secretary said that the state’s voter registration site was receiving an “unprecedented” 1.1 million requests per hour. The anomaly raised concerns about potential election interference.
“We will work with our state and federal law-enforcement partners to ensure this was not a deliberate act against the voting process,” Lee said. “If you are NOT registering to vote, we ask that you do your part for your fellow Floridians and please do not try to access RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov during this time and drive up traffic to the site.”
Advertisement Advertisement
Lee ordered county supervisors’ offices, departments of motor vehicles offices and tax collectors’ offices to stay open until 7 p.m. on Tuesday to accept any potential applications to vote. Applications that are postmarked by Tuesday will also be accepted.
Florida is a swing state that went to Trump in 2016 and is considered an important part of the president’s path to reelection.
Advertisement
Arizona, weirdly, is looking to be a swing state as well this election. I say weirdly because with the amount of Trump bumper stickers I regularly see, you wouldn’t have guessed that Biden is currently leading Trump in the Arizona polls.
If you’re one of those folks who felt voting blue in a red state was useless, first off, local elections matter, yo! Secondly, according to AZ Central, you still have time to register as a federal judge has extended the registration deadline to Oct. 23.
Advertisement
The extension was granted only hours before the previous deadline of Oct. 5 was set to pass. U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan attributed the impact COVID-19 has had on face-to-face efforts to register voters. Logan said that while Arizona has made it easier to register, with online registration, a large swath of voters don’t have reliable internet access in the state.
“Registering to vote has never been easier for some, though others are not so fortunate. Ballot access is an extremely important right, and it has been restricted during this unprecedented time,” Logan wrote in his decision.
Advertisement
Mi Familia Vota and Arizona Coalition for Change filed the suit as the pandemic has greatly affected their ability to register voters. While they’ve held various drive-thru registrations as well as virtual and teleconference events, the registration numbers have still been significantly depressed.
Lawyers representing the Republican National Committee filed an appeal late Monday night, promising a legal battle that may go on up until the election. Opponents to the ruling believe that none of the executive orders signed by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey prevented people from engaging in their first amendment rights.
Advertisement
Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, also opposed moving the deadline as county election officials will have to simultaneously process both early ballots and new registrations. Those in favor of the extension argued that it’s not unusual for deadlines to be moved in the wake of unprecedented events.
“It’s not the first time the court has had to extend a deadline due to an unprecedented natural disaster,” argued Zoe Salzman, a lawyer representing the voting rights groups that filed the suit. She also argued that other states have later deadlines as well, making the move less unusual.
Advertisement
Typically Arizona is one of 15 states that closes voter registration 28-30 days before the election. An additional 19 states allow people to register to vote on the same day they cast their ballots. I’m just going to assume the other 16 states in the union throw a Bible at a ballot and let whatever happens, happen.


theroot--2020-10-06--The 10 Best Deals of October 6, 2020

The 10 Best Deals of October 6, 2020

It ’ s October 6 , and we at Kinja Deals are here to bring some spice to your digital reality with the top 10 deals of the day .
Get ready to emerge from quarantine looking buff with the help of C4 Pre-Workout Mix .
Cure your Zoom fatigue with a boost from Driftaway Coffee .
And prep for a socially distanced outdoor lunch with Ilia ’ s Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint .
If you ’ re still craving more deals , check out Tuesday ’ s best deals overall .
Amazon Prime Day isn ’ t scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we ’ ve already seen several Prime-exclusive offers for those who can ’ t wait another week .
Today , Amazon dropped another bombshell of a discount , this time for the Echo Show 5 , its Alexa-equipped smart display .
It ’ s a full 50 % off , bringing you down to $ 45 from its original $ 90 sticker .
The Amazon Echo Show takes its cue from the original smart speakers , but changes the game with a 5.5-inch display that keeps you entertained , informed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for checking up on the weather , watching recipe videos while you ’ re in the kitchen , controlling your smart home , seeing who ’ s at the door , and video calling family and friends .
There ’ s a privacy guard ensuring your mic and camera are turned off whenever you don ’ t need them , too .
There ’ s just one catch : you have to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage .
Thankfully , you can get started with a free 30-day trial that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the door for Prime Day next week .
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer .
Three pure aluminum Nordic Ware sheet pans are only $ 33 , down from their original list price of $ 45 .
They won ’ t rust and can give you perfectly browned cookies , salmon , asparagus , and whatever else your heart desires .
Grab a set of this classic cookie sheets from a brand you trust , right now .
What are you waiting for ?
This article was originally published by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waste in Springfield ’ s nuclear chemical plant , C4 Sport—in my experience at least—works wonders .
NSF-certified and designed to motivate higher rep counts , therefore helping you build lean muscle , the pre-workout mix is normally found at nutrition stores like GNC for around $ 25 , but for a limited time , you can shave 20 % off the already marked down $ 18 price tag simply by clipping a coupon on Amazon .
With that discount applied , the Blue Raspberry flavor ( the best if you ask me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fruit Punch , on the other hand , is a little pricier at $ 16 , but it also has the worst aftertaste of the two , so why bother ?
All three feature copious amounts of caffeine , in case that was a concern , to keep you stimulated throughout your workout , making the most of your limited time to work out given increasingly hectic work schedules .
Take it before your workout and bolster your strength , thanks to creatine , an excellent and drug-free way to recover your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Make like Goku and take fewer breaks between sessions , work out longer and faster , and maintain focus on a budget with your pick of sugar-free pre-workout solution , all soluble in 6-8 fluid ounces of water .
You do have to tick “ subscribe and save ” on the Amazon listing to take advantage of this exceptional deal , so I ’ d only recommend signing off if you ’ re comfortable with a recurring order being placed in your name ; however , you can cancel at any time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and you ’ ll eventually have to restock anyway .
This deal was originally published by Gabe Carey .
I ’ m a sucker for clever and cute packing and Driftaway Coffee certainly has that in droves .
I was sent a review box and was pleasantly surprised when what I saw in pictures actually translated in person .
Beyond that , the coffee is really good .
Fresh , bold , and flavorful .
They ’ ve become one of my favorite brands .
Save $ 5 on your first box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is for a subscription but I know you ’ ll fall for this company too .
Each box comes with four coffees from around the world at different roast levels .
I loved the EAC blend from Ethiopia in my trial box .
Each bag is four ounces , so sixteen total in a box .
The whole bean bags are fresh and shipped right from Brooklyn .
Each bag comes with a card on the history of the coffee : who grew it , where it came from , and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brew .
Just because we can ’ t travel doesn ’ t mean we can ’ t open our palates up to new experiences .
In this sample box , you ’ ll receive bags from Africa , South America , and Central America .
This box is a passport to the ultimate perk up .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .
“ Mask up ” isn ’ t just a statement , it ’ s a lifestyle .
For $ 17 , you can grab 50 disposable face masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Seeing as the president caught the novel pathogen , it makes it extra clear Ms. Rona isn ’ t going away with thoughts , prayers , or politics .
So , as Spike Lee said , do the right thing and just wear the damn mask .
This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher .
A flannel is an essential part of any fall wardrobe .
This weekend my pal had no idea what to pair her very cute silk cami and jeans with .
As we stood in her closet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shirt .
Of course , she had the quintessential red plaid .
It ’ s perfect for a casual , classy , and cozy look .
Right now at UNIQLO grab any of their Women ’ s Long-Sleeve Flannels for $ 20 .
There are seventeen color combos to choose from so you ’ re sure to find one that fits your style and the vibe of your wardrobe .
These are so easy to dress up or down and use as an extra layer to not get chilly .
They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collar with sleeves that are easy to roll up .
Traditional Scottish plaid has never gone out of style and neither will these so you might as well grab a few while their $ 10 off .
Free shipping on your first order or a standard $ 8 for any purchase under $ 200 .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .
This Samsung soundbar sitting for $ 30 off at Best Buy doesn ’ t win you the ultimate prizes in home audio like Dolby Atmos , but it does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The subwoofer to help with that is wireless , and you expand the system later on with Samsung ’ s Wireless Rear Speaker Kit , offering you full surround sound with very few wires to trip over .
Your pre-tax total for the soundbar today rings up to $ 230 .
Bluetooth is on board to beam your music over from smartphones and tablets , too .
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer .
Ilia Beauty is one of my favorite clean brands and I got to review a bunch of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustainability site .
Today they launch their Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint line .
If this is your first time at Ilia use the code HELLOCLEAN to get 15 % off your entire order and see what all the fuss is about .
In eight shades this liquid eye tint dries quick and is easy to blend out .
This means you can choose how intense a vibe you want with minimal adjustments .
Each color is highly pigmented and has a metallic shimmer .
Glides on and then sets as a powder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a problem with others like this .
Made with horse chestnut flower and magnolia bark extract whatever look you land on it won ’ t budge .
Now add some Midnight Express Liquid Eyeliner and you ’ re good to go .
Standard shipping is free on all orders over $ 50 .
Otherwise , shipping is $ 5 .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .
Nearing the end of your PlayStation Plus subscription ?
It would normally cost you $ 60 , but today at Eneba , you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for just $ 29 , 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Ain ’ t no party like an Anker sale party ‘ cuz an Anker sale party don ’ t stop ... kind of like how the Soundcore Wakey doesn ’ t stop yelling at you when it ’ s time to wake up with its FM radio .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first place with a built-in white noise machine .
You may come to love the digital display giving you a glanceable timestamp through the felt speaker covers , and with a Qi charging pad on top , it ’ s guaranteed to be the first unlucky inanimate object to feel the wrath of your daily morning blues .
Get the Wakey and prepare thy blankey .
Down to $ 62 , it ’ s one of several from the Soundcore family you can find on sale as part of Amazon ’ s Gold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % on the other Anker speakers whose names aren ’ t nearly as cute , including the Soundcore 2 for $ 28 , the pill-shaped Soundcore Motion+ cut down to $ 70 , and the sexiest of all—the Soundcore Flare and its RGB butt—falls to just $ 40 .
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer .

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

Tuesday’s Best Deals | Kinja Deals
It’s October 6, and we at Kinja Deals are here to bring some spice to your digital reality with the top 10 deals of the day.
Get ready to emerge from quarantine looking buff with the help of C4 Pre-Workout Mix. Cure your Zoom fatigue with a boost from Driftaway Coffee. And prep for a socially distanced outdoor lunch with Ilia’s Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint.
If you’re still craving more deals, check out Tuesday’s best deals overall.
#1: Amazon Echo Show 5
Amazon Prime Day isn’t scheduled to bring blowout deals until October 13, but we’ve already seen several Prime-exclusive offers for those who can’t wait another week. Today, Amazon dropped another bombshell of a discount, this time for the Echo Show 5, its Alexa-equipped smart display. It’s a full 50% off, bringing you down to $45 from its original $90 sticker.
The Amazon Echo Show takes its cue from the original smart speakers, but changes the game with a 5.5-inch display that keeps you entertained, informed, and connected. It’s great for checking up on the weather, watching recipe videos while you’re in the kitchen, controlling your smart home, seeing who’s at the door, and video calling family and friends. There’s a privacy guard ensuring your mic and camera are turned off whenever you don’t need them, too.
There’s just one catch: you have to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage. Thankfully, you can get started with a free 30-day trial that’s lengthy enough to get you in the door for Prime Day next week.
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer.
#2: Nordic Ware Sheet pans
Three pure aluminum Nordic Ware sheet pans are only $33, down from their original list price of $45. They won’t rust and can give you perfectly browned cookies, salmon, asparagus, and whatever else your heart desires. Grab a set of this classic cookie sheets from a brand you trust, right now. What are you waiting for?
This article was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher.
#3: C4 Pre-workout mix
Despite resembling the chemical waste in Springfield’s nuclear chemical plant, C4 Sport—in my experience at least—works wonders. NSF-certified and designed to motivate higher rep counts, therefore helping you build lean muscle, the pre-workout mix is normally found at nutrition stores like GNC for around $25, but for a limited time, you can shave 20% off the already marked down $18 price tag simply by clipping a coupon on Amazon. With that discount applied, the Blue Raspberry flavor (the best if you ask me) comes down to $14 apiece. Fruit Punch, on the other hand, is a little pricier at $16, but it also has the worst aftertaste of the two, so why bother?
All three feature copious amounts of caffeine, in case that was a concern, to keep you stimulated throughout your workout, making the most of your limited time to work out given increasingly hectic work schedules. Take it before your workout and bolster your strength, thanks to creatine, an excellent and drug-free way to recover your aching body after particularly exhausting physical exertion. Make like Goku and take fewer breaks between sessions, work out longer and faster, and maintain focus on a budget with your pick of sugar-free pre-workout solution, all soluble in 6-8 fluid ounces of water.
You do have to tick “subscribe and save” on the Amazon listing to take advantage of this exceptional deal, so I’d only recommend signing off if you’re comfortable with a recurring order being placed in your name; however, you can cancel at any time, so it’s relatively non-committal, and you’ll eventually have to restock anyway.
This deal was originally published by Gabe Carey.
#4: Driftaway coffee box
I’m a sucker for clever and cute packing and Driftaway Coffee certainly has that in droves. I was sent a review box and was pleasantly surprised when what I saw in pictures actually translated in person. Beyond that, the coffee is really good. Fresh, bold, and flavorful. They’ve become one of my favorite brands. Save $5 on your first box and join in a java journey.
This is for a subscription but I know you’ll fall for this company too. Each box comes with four coffees from around the world at different roast levels. I loved the EAC blend from Ethiopia in my trial box. Each bag is four ounces, so sixteen total in a box. The whole bean bags are fresh and shipped right from Brooklyn. Each bag comes with a card on the history of the coffee: who grew it, where it came from, and how to get the most out of the brew. Just because we can’t travel doesn’t mean we can’t open our palates up to new experiences. In this sample box, you’ll receive bags from Africa, South America, and Central America. This box is a passport to the ultimate perk up.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.
#5: Disposable masks (50-pack)
“Mask up” isn’t just a statement, it’s a lifestyle. For $17, you can grab 50 disposable face masks to protect yourselves and others from COVID-19. Seeing as the president caught the novel pathogen, it makes it extra clear Ms. Rona isn’t going away with thoughts, prayers, or politics. So, as Spike Lee said, do the right thing and just wear the damn mask.
This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher.
#6: uniqlo women’s flannel
A flannel is an essential part of any fall wardrobe. This weekend my pal had no idea what to pair her very cute silk cami and jeans with. As we stood in her closet I asked if she had a flannel shirt. Of course, she had the quintessential red plaid. It’s perfect for a casual, classy, and cozy look. Right now at UNIQLO grab any of their Women’s Long-Sleeve Flannels for $20.
There are seventeen color combos to choose from so you’re sure to find one that fits your style and the vibe of your wardrobe. These are so easy to dress up or down and use as an extra layer to not get chilly. They’re 100% cotton and have a skipper collar with sleeves that are easy to roll up. Traditional Scottish plaid has never gone out of style and neither will these so you might as well grab a few while their $10 off.
Free shipping on your first order or a standard $8 for any purchase under $200.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.
#7: Samsung 2.1-channel soundbar
This Samsung soundbar sitting for $30 off at Best Buy doesn’t win you the ultimate prizes in home audio like Dolby Atmos, but it does deliver 2.1 channels of quality sound. The subwoofer to help with that is wireless, and you expand the system later on with Samsung’s Wireless Rear Speaker Kit, offering you full surround sound with very few wires to trip over. Your pre-tax total for the soundbar today rings up to $230. Bluetooth is on board to beam your music over from smartphones and tablets, too.
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer.
#8: ilia liquid powder eye tint
Ilia Beauty is one of my favorite clean brands and I got to review a bunch of their products when I was at a sustainability site. Today they launch their Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint line. If this is your first time at Ilia use the code HELLOCLEAN to get 15% off your entire order and see what all the fuss is about.
In eight shades this liquid eye tint dries quick and is easy to blend out. This means you can choose how intense a vibe you want with minimal adjustments. Each color is highly pigmented and has a metallic shimmer. Glides on and then sets as a powder so creasing is minimal which can be a problem with others like this. Made with horse chestnut flower and magnolia bark extract whatever look you land on it won’t budge. Now add some Midnight Express Liquid Eyeliner and you’re good to go.
Standard shipping is free on all orders over $50. Otherwise, shipping is $5.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.
#9: 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 $29, 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.
#10: anker soundcore speakers
Ain’t no party like an Anker sale party ‘cuz an Anker sale party don’t stop... kind of like how the Soundcore Wakey doesn’t stop yelling at you when it’s time to wake up with its FM radio. It helps you get to sleep in the first place with a built-in white noise machine. You may come to love the digital display giving you a glanceable timestamp through the felt speaker covers, and with a Qi charging pad on top, it’s guaranteed to be the first unlucky inanimate object to feel the wrath of your daily morning blues. Get the Wakey and prepare thy blankey.
Down to $62, it’s one of several from the Soundcore family you can find on sale as part of Amazon’s Gold Box today. Save up to 30% on the other Anker speakers whose names aren’t nearly as cute, including the Soundcore 2 for $28, the pill-shaped Soundcore Motion+ cut down to $70, and the sexiest of all—the Soundcore Flare and its RGB butt—falls to just $40.
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer.


theroot--2020-10-06--Treat Your Wrists to the Best Ergonomic Keyboards, According to Enthusiasts

It ’ s not something many of us think about often , but RSI is no joke .
Left unchecked , you can find yourself with lasting neck , shoulder , back , and wrist pain that could lead to permanent nerve damage .
That sounds scary , and it can be !
But the good news is it ’ s totally preventable with the right gear and good posture .
Between monitor arms , ergonomic mice and trackballs , seat cushions , and various other accessories , it can be a lot to take in .
Since you probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your keyboard , that ’ s a good place to start .
Easier said than done though , right ?
There ’ s lots of options to choose from , many are some variation of pricey and ugly , and you might not know it ’ ll really help your wrists—or keep them safe if you ’ re just being precautionary .
A good ergonomic keyboard will feature a split key design to keep you from cramping up your wrists and shoulders , with keys that don ’ t require too much pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want a wireless keyboard , or maybe you ’ re prioritizing mechanical keys .
Either way , you ’ ve got some good options to choose from , and we ’ ve rounded up the best options according to Amazon reviewers and mechanical keyboard-obsessed Redditors .
The Best for Your Desk : The bummer about many ergonomic products is they can look anywhere from dull and uninspired to clunky and ugly .
Not so with Microsoft ’ s Surface Ergonomic Keyboard .
It features a split design with curved sides that let you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type , and its wrist wrest is covered in Alcantara , a fancy fabric that feels nice but can get dirty if you ’ re not too careful .
As far as ergonomic keyboards go , it ’ d be hard to find one that ’ d look better on your desk .
You don ’ t buy ergonomic keyboards for their looks , though ; you buy them to give your wrists some relief .
I ’ ve been using the Surface Ergonomic Keyboard on and off since last December , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuck with another , more cramped keyboard .
The Surface ’ s chiclet keys are large enough to type accurately on and don ’ t feel too strenuous to type on for long periods of time .
It ’ s wireless , so you can easily pair it with any computer or tablet you ’ ve got in your house , but there ’ s no way to easily switch between devices , and it isn ’ t rechargeable .
But as long as you ’ re fine with that , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Surface will keep your wrists as cozy as it keeps them healthy .
The Best for Mac Users : Great as the Surface Ergonomic Keyboard is , I wish I ’ d known that it ’ s tricky to pair with a Mac .
Luckily , for Mac users who care about design , there ’ s still a good looking ergonomic keyboard reviewers seem to like .
The Logitech Ergo K860 looks sort of like a darker version of the Surface Ergonomic , and at $ 124 on Amazon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with slightly rounder keys .
In addition to being easily pairable with a Mac , Logitech ’ s keyboard has another trick up its sleeve the Surface Ergonomic can ’ t match : its palm rest can tilt to 0 , -4 , and -7 degrees to get the right position for your wrists .
The wrist rest has two layers of protection to keep them comfortable and reduce strain , and its fabric is stain resistant so you shouldn ’ t have to worry too much about mucking it up with coffee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , be careful .
When my wrists were really giving me trouble , I was afraid my mechanical keyboard was part of the problem ( maybe it was ! )
So when I decided to switch to an ergonomic keyboard , I completely avoided looking at mechanical options .
There ’ s plenty to choose from , though , and I ’ ve found /r/mechanicalkeyboards to be a great resource over the years for recommendations .
Among their top endorsements for ergonomic options is the Kinesis Freestyle2 , a split keyboard that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bit more wiggle room with how you position both sides of keys .
Its keys are low-impact , and it has a zero degree slope , which will give your wrists some much-needed relief .
Oh , and even though you may not be traveling or going outside much right now , its slim profile makes it easy to pack in a bag for a week away .
At $ 100 , it ’ s cheaper than many other keyboards in its class , so as long as you ’ re sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s a tough keyboard to beat if you ’ re not a fan of the Surface and Logi ’ s sloped designs .
Don ’ t be fooled by its clunky looks—the Kinesis Advantage2 packs all the power of a mechanical keyboard in an ergonomic design that puts your wrist health first .
Based on the IBM keyboard design of the 1960s , split keys and a scooped design keep your hands in a cozy position .
It comes in a few configurations , with an option for either Cherry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ torment your colleagues on every conference call , or silenced Cherry MX Red switches to keep things quiet .
You won ’ t have to worry about compatibility , either , since it works with Windows , macOS , and Linux out of the box .
At $ 330 for the silenced model , it ’ s the most expensive model on the list .
That said , reviewers on Amazon swear by it , with many calling it their favorite keyboard .
Many also note the learning curve involved , saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring some frustration , but you ’ ll come out the other side grateful for the journey .

Jordan McMahon on Roundups, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Featured Product: Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard | $56 | Amazon
Please, for the love of all that is good and nice, look after your wrists. RSI, or repetitive strain injury, is a deeply unpleasant affliction that’ll effectively wipe out any comfort you have while using your hands, arms, shoulders, and possibly even your neck and back. It hurts like hell, and it can cause long-term damage if you’re not careful.
It’s not something that’s impossible to avoid though, and you can actually help alleviate it and dodge it entirely with the right bits of kit, and also a constant reminder to sit up straight. That’s why it’s so essential to look into the world of ergonomics. Ergonomics feels like a weird and pointless word when you’re young, but trust us when we say that you’re going to need to consider it if you want to enjoy a pain-free life. It’s always good to consider good wrist support, the correct monitor height, and even things like armrests on your chair too.
Aside from poor posture, which we all probably have, one of the biggest risk factors tends to be keyboards, so it’s always good to make sure you’re picking one that’s going to offer you support. So, we’ve gone ahead and made sure we’ve found some of the best ergonomic keyboards around, and then put them all here for you to choose from.
The Best for Your Desk: Microsoft Sculpt
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As with many options on this list, Microsoft’s Sculpt ergonomic keyboard is a strange-looking device. The sloped shape, the hotel in the middle, and the separate number pad all feel a bit odd at first, but the shape is designed to help you use it more naturally, and that’ll take some pressure off of your wrists. Plus, who doesn’t like being a little bit quirky anyway?
Amazon reviewers praise the impact on their wrists. One customer called it “the greatest joy that the technological world has brought us,” with perhaps some hyperbole, while another described it as such:
“This is the best one out of the bunch. The individual keys are slightly indented enhancing finger placement and key finding. The wrist area is padded. The ergonomic angle is just right and feels very natural. The board feels heavy and well-made. The keys are solid, quiet, and tight. The separate 10-key pad: genius. I struggle to have enough room on my keyboard tray for a full board and mouse with its pad, so this fits great. In addition, having a 10-key on your board always pushes your mouse hand too far to the right for proper ergonomics. Just think, hundreds of times per day, your right hand is traveling too far to find that mouse!”
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It’s not like looks are the most important thing when you’re investigating the best ergonomic keyboards, but let’s be honest, they help. Thankfully, the Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard is actually fairly sleek. The soft gray color helps it stand apart from the usual black affairs you’ll find, and the curved and sloped design mean it really does look good.
Not only that, but the design of it means that you’ll feel a noticeable difference when using it. There’s a very clear feeling of relief when typing on this thing, and because it’s wireless, you’ll be able to take it with you and use it with nearly anything you’d like, whether that’s a PC or a tablet. The Surface Ergonomic Keyboard has keys large enough to type on accurately, but they’re never too far apart that it feels like a lot of effort to use for a long time. It’s not a perfect keyboard, but it’s a strong contender thanks to all of its pros.
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The Best for Mac Users: Logitech Ergo K860
Don’t worry Mac users, we’ve not forgotten about you. If you’ve chosen to stick with Apple, then you’ll be glad to know that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a nice ergonomic keyboard. While most on this list will pair with a Mac, it’s not always easy. Thankfully though, you can always just grab yourself a Logitech Ergo K860 is an incredibly well-rounded ergonomic keyboard. There’s a pun in there somewhere, and we’re not ashamed of that.
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The K860 is easy to pair with a Mac, and aside from looking an awful lot like the Microsoft Surface, also has the ability to tilt, which means you can find the best angle for your wrists. Plus, the wrist rest itself actually has dual-layer protection, which makes it even more comfortable. You’re definitely not going to be missing out if you’re on Mac.
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When my wrists were really giving me trouble, I was afraid my mechanical keyboard was part of the problem (maybe it was!) So when I decided to switch to an ergonomic keyboard, I completely avoided looking at mechanical options. There’s plenty to choose from, though, and I’ve found /r/mechanicalkeyboards to be a great resource over the years for recommendations.
Among their top endorsements for ergonomic options is the Kinesis Freestyle2, a split keyboard that’s actually split, so you have a bit more wiggle room with how you position both sides of keys. Its keys are low-impact, and it has a zero degree slope, which will give your wrists some much-needed relief. Oh, and even though you may not be traveling or going outside much right now, its slim profile makes it easy to pack in a bag for a week away. At $115 right now from Newegg, it’s cheaper than many other keyboards in its class, so as long as you’re sure you’ll dig a mechanical keyboard, it’s a tough keyboard to beat if you’re not a fan of the Surface and Logi’s sloped designs.
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Don’t be fooled by its clunky looks—the Kinesis Advantage2 packs all the power of a mechanical keyboard in an ergonomic design that puts your wrist health first. Based on the IBM keyboard design of the 1960s, split keys and a scooped design keep your hands in a cozy position. It comes in a few configurations, with an option for either Cherry MX Brown switches if you prefer to torment your colleagues on every conference call, or silenced Cherry MX Red switches to keep things quiet. You won’t have to worry about compatibility, either, since it works with Windows, macOS, and Linux out of the box.
At $339 for the silenced model, it’s the most expensive model on the list. That said, reviewers on Amazon swear by it, with many calling it their favorite keyboard. Many also note the learning curve involved, saying that the first couple days of typing may bring some frustration, but you’ll come out the other side grateful for the journey.
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If you’re looking for an ergonomic mechanical keyboard that doesn’t have a big footprint to it, plus one that’s great for Mac as well as Windows, then consider the Keychron K2. The updated version of this keyboard has an angled design that is easier on your wrists, and you can angle it further with the adjustable feet.
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The Keychron K2 features a 75% layout without the number pad and extra cruft alongside, so it’s pretty small and you can easily cart it around. It’s also wireless and has a robust 4,000mAh battery that’s rated for up to 72 hours of typing. A switch lets you swap between Windows and Mac layouts, plus you can swap some keycaps to better suit either of those operating systems. You can also choose between Red, Brown, and Blue key switches, each of which has its own distinctive feel and sound when typing.
Our friends at Gizmodo praised the Keychron for its price and Mac-specific keycap layout, saying this:
For the price and feature set, the Keychron K2 offers up great value, particularly if you’re not too picky or new to the world of mechanical keyboards. Sure, it’s way more expensive than a wireless membrane keyboard, but as far as Mac-specific mechanical keyboards go, it’s pretty dang affordable. It’s also much, much, much more enjoyable to type on than the Magic Keyboard—throw that flat piece of overpriced trash in the fiery pits of hell. And while some keyboard snobs might turn their nose up because the K2 isn’t the fanciest keyboard around, I frankly do not give a damn. I’m not one of those mechanical keyboard enthusiasts who would willingly plop down over $300 for the perfect keyboard. I am unapologetically cheap and don’t like keyboards that much. I’m just someone who wants a reasonably priced, non-mushy wireless keyboard for my Mac—and the Keychron K2 is perfect for that.
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Bottom Line?
Millions of people struggle with standard keyboards, but ergonomic keyboards like these provide needed relief without slowing you down. Granted, it takes a while to get used to a new keyboard shape or layout, particularly with some of these that really go outside the box. Still, it could be well worth a little short-term frustration to secure some long-term relief. Why wait?
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This story was originally published by Jordan McMahon on 10/06/2020 and updated by Jason Coles with new information on 01/19/2022.


theroot--2020-10-06--Star Wars: Squadrons Is a Phenomenal Game in a Frustratingly Limited Package

Growing up , Star Wars games like Rogue Squadron , The Clone Wars and Jedi Starfighter occupied a large amount of my time .
While I love a wide variety of Star Wars games , I ’ ve always had a particular appreciation for the vehicular-based ones .
I even owned Star Wars : Demolition .
Going into Squadrons , I had my fair share of reservations .
The game looked cool , sure , but EA ’ s track record with the Star Wars license has been spotty , to put it politely .
As soon as I got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though , any concerns went completely out the window .
Developer EA Motive has created a Star Wars experience that is fun , unique , and incredibly thrilling .
It ’ s a game that leaves you wanting more , for better and worse .
Squadrons ( reviewed on PC , also available on PS4 and Xbox One ) is a dogfighting game that is controlled entirely from the view of your ship ’ s cockpit .
There is no option to change this as most of the game ’ s user interface @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panels in the cockpit .
This winds up being a smart choice as it creates a true feeling of immersion , a feeling that only increases the more accessories you have at your disposal .
Playing Squadrons with a flight stick and VR headset is an experience unto itself .
It ’ s basically the game I ’ ve been dreaming of since I was a 6-year-old boy pretending I was flying along Red Squadron to take down the Death Star .
The scale of the ships comes alive in a way that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Skimming across the surface of a Star Destroyer while blasting its surface turrets is such a specific thrill .
If you have a VR headset , Squadrons is a must-own .
The game comes with a single-player campaign and online multiplayer mode .
The campaign serves a solid way to get your bearings with the surprisingly complex controls .
While the game isn ’ t a hardcore simulation title , it does have some light sim-elements that keep things from feeling too basic .
Depending on your ship you can divert power to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can also customize your ship ’ s loadout and change what weapons , missiles , engines , and countermeasures your ship is equipped with .
Oh , perhaps most importantly , you can drift a goddamn X-Wing .
The game ’ s story is serviceable if disappointingly slight in scope .
Similarly to Battlefront II , the game takes place after the events of Return of the Jedi .
The campaign places you in control of a pilot for both the New Republic and Galactic Empire as both sides do battle to either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starhawk .
Squadrons continues the lack of narrative ambition that has plagued the modern Star Wars games .
The events between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens are largely unknown , which makes it fertile ground for some interesting storytelling .
It ’ s a shame that Squadrons doesn ’ t really fill that void with anything cool .
It ’ d be one thing if the game had some memorable characters but I ’ m blanking on just about everyone ’ s name right now .
All I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be able to play through the iconic moments of the series , the new games should pull a Knights of the Old Republic and create some of their own .
The campaign is not the only place where the game is lacking .
The minute-to-minute gameplay is phenomenal and provides a strong foundation for a truly fun multiplayer experience .
To be fair , what ’ s there is a lot of fun .
The problem is there ’ s just not a lot there .
At launch , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fleet battle .
Dogfight is a traditional 5v5 team deathmatch .
This mode is basically the meat and potatoes of the game .
Good ass controls , thrilling space combat , this is the essence Squadrons .
You can choose between five ships at the start of each match and leveling up will allow you to further customize your loadout .
Fleet Battle adds some interesting strategic wrinkles to the proceedings .
Both teams are charged with protecting their flagship across three phases .
A morale meter at the top of the screen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The first phase is a standard dogfight where you blast both rival players and bots .
After one team fills the morale meter , they can push and begin targeting enemy cruisers with the third phase allowing you to target the enemy flagship .
It ’ s a really cool mode and the objective-based gameplay provides a nice change of pace from dogfight .
The problem is there isn ’ t a wide variety of maps or ships to keep things interesting .
While some of the maps are cool , most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the campaign .
The gameplay here is really fun but a lack of variety can lead to it becoming repetitive .
As of now , there are no plans for any DLC or additional content .
The game comes at a $ 40 price tag so the lack of content isn ’ t egregious as much as it is disappointing .
Ultimately , Star Wars : Squadrons is a B-game with A-level execution .
It completely nails the handful of things it ’ s trying to do .
From the sound design @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrilling dogfights , the game is truly an experience worthwhile of the Star Wars name .
At $ 40 , I can easily recommend Star Wars : Squadrons to anyone considering picking it up .
It ’ s so good , you ’ re going to wish there was more of it .

Growing up, Star Wars games like Rogue Squadron, The Clone Wars and Jedi Starfighter occupied a large amount of my time. While I love a wide variety of Star Wars games, I’ve always had a particular appreciation for the vehicular-based ones. I even owned Star Wars: Demolition.
This shit is real, y’all.
Going into Squadrons, I had my fair share of reservations. The game looked cool, sure, but EA’s track record with the Star Wars license has been spotty, to put it politely. As soon as I got behind the cockpit of an X-Wing, though, any concerns went completely out the window. Developer EA Motive has created a Star Wars experience that is fun, unique, and incredibly thrilling. It’s a game that leaves you wanting more, for better and worse.
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Squadrons (reviewed on PC, also available on PS4 and Xbox One) is a dogfighting game that is controlled entirely from the view of your ship’s cockpit. There is no option to change this as most of the game’s user interface is reliant on the instruments and display panels in the cockpit. This winds up being a smart choice as it creates a true feeling of immersion, a feeling that only increases the more accessories you have at your disposal.
Playing Squadrons with a flight stick and VR headset is an experience unto itself. It’s basically the game I’ve been dreaming of since I was a 6-year-old boy pretending I was flying along Red Squadron to take down the Death Star. The scale of the ships comes alive in a way that can only be described as jaw-dropping . Skimming across the surface of a Star Destroyer while blasting its surface turrets is such a specific thrill. If you have a VR headset, Squadrons is a must-own.
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The game comes with a single-player campaign and online multiplayer mode. The campaign serves a solid way to get your bearings with the surprisingly complex controls. While the game isn’t a hardcore simulation title, it does have some light sim-elements that keep things from feeling too basic. Depending on your ship you can divert power to shields, engines or weapons. You can also customize your ship’s loadout and change what weapons, missiles, engines, and countermeasures your ship is equipped with.
Oh, perhaps most importantly, you can drift a goddamn X-Wing.
The game’s story is serviceable if disappointingly slight in scope. Similarly to Battlefront II, the game takes place after the events of Return of the Jedi. The campaign places you in control of a pilot for both the New Republic and Galactic Empire as both sides do battle to either destroy or protect the mysterious Project: Starhawk.
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Squadrons continues the lack of narrative ambition that has plagued the modern Star Wars games. The events between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens are largely unknown, which makes it fertile ground for some interesting storytelling. It’s a shame that Squadrons doesn’t really fill that void with anything cool. It’d be one thing if the game had some memorable characters but I’m blanking on just about everyone’s name right now.
All I’m saying is if we’re not going to be able to play through the iconic moments of the series, the new games should pull a Knights of the Old Republic and create some of their own.
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The campaign is not the only place where the game is lacking. The minute-to-minute gameplay is phenomenal and provides a strong foundation for a truly fun multiplayer experience. To be fair, what’s there is a lot of fun. The problem is there’s just not a lot there.
At launch, there are only two multiplayer modes: dogfight and fleet battle. Dogfight is a traditional 5v5 team deathmatch . This mode is basically the meat and potatoes of the game. Good ass controls, thrilling space combat, this is the essence Squadrons. You can choose between five ships at the start of each match and leveling up will allow you to further customize your loadout.
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Fleet Battle adds some interesting strategic wrinkles to the proceedings. Both teams are charged with protecting their flagship across three phases. A morale meter at the top of the screen builds as your squadron racks up kills. The first phase is a standard dogfight where you blast both rival players and bots. After one team fills the morale meter, they can push and begin targeting enemy cruisers with the third phase allowing you to target the enemy flagship.
It’s a really cool mode and the objective-based gameplay provides a nice change of pace from dogfight. The problem is there isn’t a wide variety of maps or ships to keep things interesting. While some of the maps are cool, most of them are based on locations seen in the campaign.
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The gameplay here is really fun but a lack of variety can lead to it becoming repetitive. As of now, there are no plans for any DLC or additional content. The game comes at a $40 price tag so the lack of content isn’t egregious as much as it is disappointing.
Ultimately, Star Wars: Squadrons is a B-game with A-level execution. It completely nails the handful of things it’s trying to do. From the sound design, the incredible graphics, to the thrilling dogfights, the game is truly an experience worthwhile of the Star Wars name.
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At $40, I can easily recommend Star Wars: Squadrons to anyone considering picking it up. It’s so good, you’re going to wish there was more of it.


theroot--2020-10-06--We All Need a Break from 2020 and Facebook Watch Wants Us to Have Peace of Mind With Taraji

Mental health awareness has always been relevant , but of course , 2020 has been something ... special , for lack of a better term .
Whether it ’ s entertainment , exercise , food , libations , Mary Jane or sleep ( or all of the above ) , we ’ ve all found different ways to escape the toils of the world today .
Still , it ’ s important to be in tune with our mental health .
As we do every year here at The Root , we try to do our part in keeping that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Awareness Month .
On Monday , Facebook Watch announced its new show , Peace of Mind With Taraji ( currently the working title of the series ) , which focuses on mental wellness .
The upcoming show will be hosted by Taraji P. Henson ( of course ) and her longtime best friend Tracie Jade Jenkins , executive director of Henson ’ s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation .
“ I ’ ve long been a mental health advocate for the Black community and created the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in 2018 that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are struggling , ” Henson said in a statement .
“ I ’ m looking forward to bringing this new talk series to Facebook Watch , where I can continue to create conversation around an issue that is near and dear to my heart.
” Here ’ s some scoop on what to expect of the series , via a press release sent to The Root : Through personal interviews with both celebrities , experts and everyday people , the series will show how to provide support , bring awareness and help eliminate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Each episode will focus on a different mental health topic with multiple content drops per week .
“ The work Taraji has done in the mental health space is inspiring , and we ’ re thrilled to have her come to our platform to educate and entertain around this incredibly important topic.
” Mina Lefevre , Head of Development & Programming for Facebook Watch stated .
“ One of our strengths at Facebook Watch is building community and conversation around topics people care about , and we ’ re looking forward to taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we lead up into a number of new mental health and emotional features and products in advance of World Mental Health Day ( Oct. 10 ) , Facebook will be providing a number of new mental health and emotional features and products across Facebook , Instagram , Messenger and WhatsApp .
You can check out more info on that here .
Henson , who has been a constant advocate toward mental wellness , recently stopped by The Root Institute to discuss mental health awareness , as well .
Peace of Mind With Taraji @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Tonja Renée Stidhum on The Grapevine, shared by Tonja Renée Stidhum to The Root

Mental health awareness has always been relevant, but of course, 2020 has been something...special, for lack of a better term. Whether it’s entertainment, exercise, food, libations, Mary Jane or sleep (or all of the above), we’ve all found different ways to escape the toils of the world today.
Still, it’s important to be in tune with our mental health. As we do every year here at The Root, we try to do our part in keeping that conversation going, especially during Mental Health Awareness Month.
Advertisement
On Monday, Facebook Watch announced its new show, Peace of Mind With Taraji (currently the working title of the series), which focuses on mental wellness. The upcoming show will be hosted by Taraji P. Henson (of course) and her longtime best friend Tracie Jade Jenkins, executive director of Henson’s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation.
“I’ve long been a mental health advocate for the Black community and created the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in 2018 that has provided resources to thousands of people who are struggling,” Henson said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to bringing this new talk series to Facebook Watch, where I can continue to create conversation around an issue that is near and dear to my heart.”
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Here’s some scoop on what to expect of the series, via a press release sent to The Root:
Through personal interviews with both celebrities, experts and everyday people, the series will show how to provide support, bring awareness and help eliminate the stigmas of mental health issues. Each episode will focus on a different mental health topic with multiple content drops per week.
Advertisement
“The work Taraji has done in the mental health space is inspiring, and we’re thrilled to have her come to our platform to educate and entertain around this incredibly important topic.” Mina Lefevre, Head of Development & Programming for Facebook Watch stated. “One of our strengths at Facebook Watch is building community and conversation around topics people care about, and we’re looking forward to taking this journey together.”
Additionally, as we lead up into a number of new mental health and emotional features and products in advance of World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10), Facebook will be providing a number of new mental health and emotional features and products across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp. You can check out more info on that here.
Advertisement
Henson, who has been a constant advocate toward mental wellness, recently stopped by The Root Institute to discuss mental health awareness, as well.
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Peace of Mind With Taraji will begin production later this year.


theroot--2020-10-06--I Bought a Pair of Crocs. I've Even Worn Them Out in Public. Welcome to My Panama Talk

I ’ m not saying , nor alleging , that I ’ m cooler than you .
You might have designer shades just to hide your fac e and maybe even wear them around like you think that you ’ re cooler than me .
But what separates me and you ( maybe even your mama and your cousin , too ) is that , until recently , you wore Crocs and in my head , that was not a cool kid move and because I didn ’ t ( wear Crocs ) I at least wasn ’ t not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double negative game is top-notch .
Definite cool kid shit .
But then I did something that I wasn ’ t sure if my shelf-of-steam could handle : I bought a pair of Crocs .
I even wore them out in public .
More than once .
I don ’ t hate myself .
Let ’ s talk about it .
We should start at the beginning .
In the beginning , God created the heavens and earth .
A little while later God created Crocs .
I saw some of you walking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what you had on your feet .
Also , I wonder if Crocs are the first shoes that also double as visual onomatopoeia .
Is there a word for things that look like the word used to define them ?
Pointdexters ?
No ?
Either way , Crocs sound exactly like they look .
I remember seeing them and finding out they were called Crocs and said to myself , “ self , marketing got that name right.
” Anyway , I pretty much disliked the shit out of Crocs .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I see the same….shoe .
Which is kind of baffling because they couldn ’ t possibly be that damn comfortable could they ?
( I can provide a spoiler alert here if you ’ re on the fence about Crocs ; they ’ re comfortable , but nowhere near as comfortable as they should be considering how popular they are amongst the orthopedic shoe gangs .
Adidas makes tremendously more comfortable slides . )
Granted , Crocs makes “ foam clogs.
” Clogs , as you might be aware are literally the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They also suck , in general , for things like basketball .
They ’ re shoes made out of wood and have , like , nooooooo cushion .
If you ’ re looking for basketball shoes I can ’ t recommend at all .
I grew up in Germany , so I grew up around clogs .
I ’ m pretty sure I even won a pair at a festival once .
Anyway , Crocs are backless , strap-ful shoes that are made out of some foam with some traction on the bottom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t know why I ’ m explaining this , you know what Crocs are .
Hell , you probably own some .
Everybody else does .
Grandmothers .
Middle American white women fuck with Crocs hardbody .
I see them on kids ( this is how I got here , actually ; more on this in a few ) .
I ’ ve even seen the corner boys in my neighborhood ( on occasion ) wearing them which seems remarkably inefficient for the task at hand .
I wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not a corner boy .
It just looks odd is all I ’ m saying .
They ’ re not good for exiting premises expeditiously .
Anywho , everybody and their mama has Crocs .
There are even a ton of sneakerhead collabos with Crocs : from Chinatown Market to Alife to celebs like Post Malone and Grateful Dead .
Despite this , I ’ ve always viewed them as booboo .
I do own a pair of Yeezy Slides ( I had three ; purchased for $ 55 a piece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owned—no lie—for a combined $ 530 for a profit of $ 420 ... on slides ) which I admit could be considered confounding since Yeezy Slides look like sticks of butter with holes cut into them , but that was clearly a Hypebeast move and I genuinely wanted to see them in person ; you can ’ t just walk into a shoe store and get Yeezys .
There are whole ass Croc stores , I ’ ve seen Crocs in person .
Did not want .
Recently , we had a deck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This was a brilliant suggestion on the part of my wife .
It ’ s a nice , sizable deck that is perfect for entertaining and a little razzle-dazzle , whether pimpin ’ your pen on cold Michigan nights or in the hot California sun .
My kids have sandals and tennis shoes and boots , etc .
But what they didn ’ t have—which became apparent with this new deck—was some quick shoes they could just throw on and walk outside .
So I decided to go get them some easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the door .
This mission took me on a trip to an outlet center near my home which has a Crocs store .
I walked in and there was a sale and I was like , “ my kids don ’ t care about how fly they are at this age , let me go on ahead and cop them some of these on-sale crocs.
” But then I made an interesting decision—I bought a pair for myself .
It wasn ’ t because I had a change of heart , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see if the comfort justified rocking goofy-ass looking boy shoes .
They didn ’ t have black so I copped some army green joints .
I went home .
I put them on and walked around in the house with them .
Next thing I knew , they kept ending up on my feet .
Despite them being comfortable , but not even my most comfortable pair of , um , slide shoe things , I started putting them on all the time .
There ’ s something about that ease of use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t lie , the shit ’ s provocative .
And then came the big test .
I was getting dressed to take my kids to tennis class ( relax , we have a pod of parents involved ) and I realized that the outfit I had on matched with my Crocs .
I did the unthinkable .
I decided to rock my Crocs for the day , outside and in public .
And then the thing happened that all shoe folks need to happen in order to decide that not only did you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re also stylin ’ these motherfuckers .
One of the parents in the tennis group told me that she didn ’ think she could look as cool as I did wearing my Crocs .
I didn ’ t expect it , but at that point , she gave me vindication .
I swagged differently after that .
We went to Target after tennis and I was walking around wondering why other folks didn ’ t have on Crocs .
And then I saw the folks who did have them on and considered them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ folks had on that made me jealous .
I decided long ago , never to walk in anyone ’ s shadow .
But I also decided I would go back and get some tie-dye joints that match with nothing and thus match with everything .
I ’ m changed .
Don ’ t get me wrong , I don ’ t think I ’ m wearing the coolest shit ever .
But what I did discover is that I can still look cool AF rocking some shit that aesthetically leaves much to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And they are comfortable ( though my Yeezys are actually more comfortable ) .
I bought some Crocs and wore them out in public .
I didn ’ t hate myself .
Thank you for coming to my Panama Talk .

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

I’m not saying, nor alleging, that I’m cooler than you. You might have designer shades just to hide your fac e and maybe even wear them around like you think that you’re cooler than me. But what separates me and you (maybe even your mama and your cousin, too) is that, until recently, you wore Crocs and in my head, that was not a cool kid move and because I didn’t (wear Crocs) I at least wasn’t not a cool kid. Also, my double negative game is top-notch. Definite cool kid shit.
But then I did something that I wasn’t sure if my shelf-of-steam could handle: I bought a pair of Crocs. I even wore them out in public. More than once. I don’t hate myself. Let’s talk about it.
Advertisement
We should start at the beginning. In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth. A little while later God created Crocs. I saw some of you walking around in them and I was confused about what you had on your feet. Also, I wonder if Crocs are the first shoes that also double as visual onomatopoeia. Is there a word for things that look like the word used to define them? Pointdexters? No? Either way, Crocs sound exactly like they look. I remember seeing them and finding out they were called Crocs and said to myself, “self, marketing got that name right.”
Anyway, I pretty much disliked the shit out of Crocs. But everywhere I look, everywhere I go, I see the same….shoe. Which is kind of baffling because they couldn’t possibly be that damn comfortable could they? (I can provide a spoiler alert here if you’re on the fence about Crocs; they’re comfortable, but nowhere near as comfortable as they should be considering how popular they are amongst the orthopedic shoe gangs. Adidas makes tremendously more comfortable slides.)
Advertisement Advertisement
Granted, Crocs makes “foam clogs.” Clogs, as you might be aware are literally the least comfortable shoes you can wear. They also suck, in general, for things like basketball. They’re shoes made out of wood and have, like, nooooooo cushion. If you’re looking for basketball shoes I can’t recommend at all. I grew up in Germany, so I grew up around clogs. I’m pretty sure I even won a pair at a festival once.
Anyway, Crocs are backless, strap-ful shoes that are made out of some foam with some traction on the bottom and some nodules in the midsole. I don’t know why I’m explaining this, you know what Crocs are. Hell, you probably own some. Everybody else does. Grandmothers. Middle American white women fuck with Crocs hardbody. I see them on kids (this is how I got here, actually; more on this in a few). I’ve even seen the corner boys in my neighborhood (on occasion) wearing them which seems remarkably inefficient for the task at hand. I wouldn’t know, I suppose; I’m not a corner boy. It just looks odd is all I’m saying. They’re not good for exiting premises expeditiously.
Advertisement
Anywho, everybody and their mama has Crocs. There are even a ton of sneakerhead collabos with Crocs: from Chinatown Market to Alife to celebs like Post Malone and Grateful Dead. Despite this, I’ve always viewed them as booboo. I do own a pair of Yeezy Slides (I had three; purchased for $55 a piece, I sold the other two I owned—no lie—for a combined $530 for a profit of $420...on slides) which I admit could be considered confounding since Yeezy Slides look like sticks of butter with holes cut into them, but that was clearly a Hypebeast move and I genuinely wanted to see them in person; you can’t just walk into a shoe store and get Yeezys. There are whole ass Croc stores, I’ve seen Crocs in person. Did not want.
Recently, we had a deck built as an addition to our house. This was a brilliant suggestion on the part of my wife. It’s a nice, sizable deck that is perfect for entertaining and a little razzle-dazzle, whether pimpin’ your pen on cold Michigan nights or in the hot California sun. My kids have sandals and tennis shoes and boots, etc. But what they didn’t have—which became apparent with this new deck—was some quick shoes they could just throw on and walk outside. So I decided to go get them some easy, breezy slip-on shoes they could leave by the door. This mission took me on a trip to an outlet center near my home which has a Crocs store. I walked in and there was a sale and I was like, “my kids don’t care about how fly they are at this age, let me go on ahead and cop them some of these on-sale crocs.”
Advertisement
But then I made an interesting decision—I bought a pair for myself. It wasn’t because I had a change of heart, but academic: I decided I wanted to see if the comfort justified rocking goofy-ass looking boy shoes. They didn’t have black so I copped some army green joints. I went home.
I put them on and walked around in the house with them. Next thing I knew, they kept ending up on my feet. Despite them being comfortable, but not even my most comfortable pair of, um, slide shoe things, I started putting them on all the time. There’s something about that ease of use that got me going; can’t lie, the shit’s provocative. And then came the big test.
Advertisement
I was getting dressed to take my kids to tennis class (relax, we have a pod of parents involved) and I realized that the outfit I had on matched with my Crocs. I did the unthinkable. I decided to rock my Crocs for the day, outside and in public. And then the thing happened that all shoe folks need to happen in order to decide that not only did you make the right decision, you’re also stylin’ these motherfuckers. One of the parents in the tennis group told me that she didn’ think she could look as cool as I did wearing my Crocs.
I didn’t expect it, but at that point, she gave me vindication. I swagged differently after that. We went to Target after tennis and I was walking around wondering why other folks didn’t have on Crocs. And then I saw the folks who did have them on and considered them my tribe. I saw colorways other folks had on that made me jealous. I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone’s shadow. But I also decided I would go back and get some tie-dye joints that match with nothing and thus match with everything. I’m changed.
Advertisement
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think I’m wearing the coolest shit ever. But what I did discover is that I can still look cool AF rocking some shit that aesthetically leaves much to be desired. I like them now. And they are comfortable (though my Yeezys are actually more comfortable). I bought some Crocs and wore them out in public. I didn’t hate myself.
Thank you for coming to my Panama Talk.


theroot--2020-10-06--Ilia Beauty Launches Their Liquid Powder Eye Tint Today and First Time Purchasers Can Save 15% on Th

Ilia Beauty Launches Their Liquid Powder Eye Tint Today and First Time Purchasers Can Save 15% on Them

Ilia Beauty is one of my favorite clean brands and I got to review a bunch of their products when @ @ @ @ @ site .
Today they launch their Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint line .
If this @ @ @ @ @ Ilia use the code HELLOCLEAN to get 15 % off your entire order and see @ @ @ @ @ about .
In eight shades this liquid eye tint dries quick and is easy to @ @ @ @ @ you can choose how intense a vibe you want with minimal adjustments .
Each color @ @ @ @ @ a metallic shimmer .
Glides on and then sets as a powder so creasing is @ @ @ @ @ problem with others like this .
Made with horse chestnut flower and magnolia bark extract @ @ @ @ @ it won ’ t budge .
Now add some Midnight Express Liquid Eyeliner and you @ @ @ @ @ .
Standard shipping is free on all orders over $ 50 .
Otherwise , shipping @ @ @ @

Sheilah Villari on Kinja Deals, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint | $24 | Ilia Beauty | Use Code HELLOCLEAN
Ilia Beauty is one of my favorite clean brands and I got to review a bunch of their products when I was at a sustainability site. Today they launch their Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint line. If this is your first time at Ilia use the code HELLOCLEAN to get 15% off your entire order and see what all the fuss is about.
In eight shades this liquid eye tint dries quick and is easy to blend out. This means you can choose how intense a vibe you want with minimal adjustments. Each color is highly pigmented and has a metallic shimmer. Glides on and then sets as a powder so creasing is minimal which can be a problem with others like this. Made with horse chestnut flower and magnolia bark extract whatever look you land on it won’t budge. Now add some Midnight Express Liquid Eyeliner and you’re good to go.
Standard shipping is free on all orders over $50. Otherwise, shipping is $5.