theroot--2020-06-08--College Football Has a Serious Coronavirus Problem and the Season Hasn't Even Started Yet

With well over 100 college football teams and thousands of players among its ranks , steering clear of a global pandemic is nearly impossible .
To that end , athletes are finally being allowed back on campus for the first time since March and at the University of Alabama , at least five of them returned with COVID-19 , per CNN .
But don ’ t think that Alabama is alone , as Oklahoma State , Iowa State , Marshall , Auburn and others have each reported similar scenarios .
This is all bad .
At Oklahoma State , senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participating in recent protests in neighboring Tulsa , Okla. “ After attending a protest in Tulsa AND being well protective of myself , I have tested positive for COVID-19 , ” he tweeted .
“ Please , if you are going to protest , take care of yourself and stay safe.
” Each school has deployed different protocols to address the matter , as Oklahoma State has deterred incoming freshmen from reporting to campus while other schools have imposed quarantines and other methods .
In response to this news , the Office of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressing their concern for the well-being of their student-athletes : Translation : there isn ’ t a chance in hell that some little funky ass pandemic is about to slow up our $ 177 million hustle .
These are obviously uncharted waters that the NCAA is navigating , but if so many players are already contracting the virus with offseason activities so severely limited , this doesn ’ t bode well for college football once the season actually starts—especially if it involves star players like Ogbongbemiga , who ’ s one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You think the NBA has any extra room at Disney World ?

The NCAA is massive.
With well over 100 college football teams and thousands of players among its ranks, steering clear of a global pandemic is nearly impossible. To that end, athletes are finally being allowed back on campus for the first time since March and at the University of Alabama, at least five of them returned with COVID-19, per CNN.
But don’t think that Alabama is alone, as Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Marshall, Auburn and others have each reported similar scenarios.
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This is all bad.
At Oklahoma State, senior linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga attributed his diagnosis to participating in recent protests in neighboring Tulsa, Okla.
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“After attending a protest in Tulsa AND being well protective of myself, I have tested positive for COVID-19,” he tweeted. “Please, if you are going to protest, take care of yourself and stay safe.”
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Each school has deployed different protocols to address the matter, as Oklahoma State has deterred incoming freshmen from reporting to campus while other schools have imposed quarantines and other methods.
In response to this news, the Office of Strategic Communications at Alabama released a statement expressing their concern for the well-being of their student-athletes:
“The health and safety of our student-athletes is a top priority. Resources and protocols are in place to ensure they receive the best medical care when returning to campus. Due to privacy laws we cannot share information specific to the health of our student-athletes.”
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Translation: there isn’t a chance in hell that some little funky ass pandemic is about to slow up our $177 million hustle.
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These are obviously uncharted waters that the NCAA is navigating, but if so many players are already contracting the virus with offseason activities so severely limited, this doesn’t bode well for college football once the season actually starts—especially if it involves star players like Ogbongbemiga, who’s one of the best linebackers in the Big 12.
You think the NBA has any extra room at Disney World?


theroot--2020-06-08--Fight the Morning With Nespresso's Single Serve Coffee Maker, 50% off Today-Only

A Nespressor VertuoPlus single-serve coffee and espresso maker is one of the best deals you ’ re going to find @ @ @ @ @ , because it ’ s 51 % off in Amazon ’ s latest Gold Box @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ll get a high quality machine that supports multiple cup sizes : You @ @ @ @ @ pack of varying flavors to try with your purchase , and the mobile app is @ @ @ @ @ once you ’ ve fallen deeply in love with this style of brewing .

Quentyn Kennemer on Kinja Deals, shared by Ignacia to The Root

Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee Maker | $115 | Amazon Gold Box
A Nespressor VertuoPlus single-serve coffee and espresso maker is one of the best deals you’re going to find today, and only today, because it’s 51% off in Amazon’s latest Gold Box. For $115, you’ll get a high quality machine that supports multiple cup sizes:
Alto (14oz)
Coffee (8oz)
Gran Lungo (5oz)
Double Espresso (2.7oz)
Espresso (1.35oz)
You’ll get a 30- pack of varying flavors to try with your purchase, and the mobile app is your stop for ordering more once you’ve fallen deeply in love with this style of brewing.


theroot--2020-06-08--Candace ‘Black Karen’ Owens’ GoFundMe Account Suspended Over George Floyd Comments

For some reason , Candace Owens and white people think we should care about George Floyd ’ s criminal record .
We don ’ t , of course , because a ) cops are absolutely not doing background checks before shooting , beating or kneeling on the necks of black people , and b ) a criminal past shouldn ’ t disqualify anyone from protection against police violence .
Fortunately , GoFundMe is having none of Owens ’ white nonsense and has suspended her account over insensitive comments she ’ s made about Floyd ’ s death .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday announcing that it is suspending an account that I-Guess-She ’ s-Black Karen created in support of Michael Dykes , the Parkside Cafe owner in Birmingham , Ala. , whose “ already-struggling business ” was allegedly boycotted by the “ # BLM mob ” after he texted comments to the cafe ’ s co-owner calling Floyd a “ thug ” and suggesting a $ 2 “ protest tax ” for all of the “ idiots ” who he says are “ responsible for us not being able to open normal hours.
” Owens—whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had raised $ 205,000 for Dykes ’ cafe before her account was suspended .
A GoFundMe spokesperson told The Hill that the site “ suspended the account associated with Candace Owens and the GoFundMe campaign has been removed because of a repeated pattern of inflammatory statements that spread hate , discrimination , intolerance and falsehoods against the black community at a time of profound national crisis.
” Unfortunately , Parkside Cafe will likely still be receiving the funds that were raised as GoFundMe claims the cafe ’ s staff has denounced Dykes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Parkside Café ’ s staff to facilitate the transfer of the funds raised on their behalf , ” the spokesperson said .
“ It ’ s important to remember that when money is raised on behalf of another individual or organization , the funds are safely held by our payment processor , and only transferred directly to the beneficiary of the campaign .
In this case , the money is safely held and will only be released to the Parkside Cafe .
If a donor would like a refund , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Owens—whose edges are even anti-black—posted a video to Twitter on June 3 where she declared that she does not “ support George Floyd and the media ’ s depiction of him as a martyr for black America.
” In the video , which is captioned , “ Confession : # GeorgeFloyd is neither a martyr or a hero ” —a strange title since that ’ s not what a confession is and literally no one is calling Floyd a hero or a martyr—Owens said that , while she understands that Floyd didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did , she does not “ accept the narrative that this is the best the black community has to offer.
” This just shows that Owens , like many white people , doesn ’ t have a clue what the Black Lives Matter movement is about .
There is no “ best the black community has to offer.
” Any black victim of extrajudicial execution by police officers or vigilantes deserves to be recognized by the BLM movement .
Folks like Floyd and Freddie Gray , who had criminal records , are just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Breonna Taylor , Trayvon Martin , Michael Brown , Ahmaud Arbery and Tamir Rice who had little to no histories of trouble with the law at all .
“ Black Lives Matter ” means ALL black lives—not just the ones deemed respectable by people like Owens , who ’ s made a career out of being racist white America ’ s “ black friend .
”

For some reason, Candace Owens and white people think we should care about George Floyd’s criminal record. We don’t, of course, because a) cops are absolutely not doing background checks before shooting, beating or kneeling on the necks of black people, and b) a criminal past shouldn’t disqualify anyone from protection against police violence. Fortunately, GoFundMe is having none of Owens’ white nonsense and has suspended her account over insensitive comments she’s made about Floyd’s death.
According to CBS 42, GoFundMe released a statement Saturday announcing that it is suspending an account that I-Guess-She’s-Black Karen created in support of Michael Dykes, the Parkside Cafe owner in Birmingham, Ala., whose “already-struggling business” was allegedly boycotted by the “#BLM mob” after he texted comments to the cafe’s co-owner calling Floyd a “thug” and suggesting a $2 “protest tax” for all of the “idiots” who he says are “responsible for us not being able to open normal hours.”
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Owens—whose sunken place is in the Sunken Place—said she had raised $205,000 for Dykes’ cafe before her account was suspended.
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A GoFundMe spokesperson told The Hill that the site “suspended the account associated with Candace Owens and the GoFundMe campaign has been removed because of a repeated pattern of inflammatory statements that spread hate, discrimination, intolerance and falsehoods against the black community at a time of profound national crisis.”
Unfortunately, Parkside Cafe will likely still be receiving the funds that were raised as GoFundMe claims the cafe’s staff has denounced Dykes’ comments.
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“GoFundMe will work with the Parkside Café’s staff to facilitate the transfer of the funds raised on their behalf,” the spokesperson said. “It’s important to remember that when money is raised on behalf of another individual or organization, the funds are safely held by our payment processor, and only transferred directly to the beneficiary of the campaign. In this case, the money is safely held and will only be released to the Parkside Cafe. If a donor would like a refund, we will immediately process that refund request.”
Owens—whose edges are even anti-black—posted a video to Twitter on June 3 where she declared that she does not “support George Floyd and the media’s depiction of him as a martyr for black America.” In the video, which is captioned, “Confession: #GeorgeFloyd is neither a martyr or a hero”—a strange title since that’s not what a confession is and literally no one is calling Floyd a hero or a martyr—Owens said that, while she understands that Floyd didn’t deserve to die the way he did, she does not “accept the narrative that this is the best the black community has to offer.”
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This just shows that Owens, like many white people, doesn’t have a clue what the Black Lives Matter movement is about. There is no “best the black community has to offer.” Any black victim of extrajudicial execution by police officers or vigilantes deserves to be recognized by the BLM movement. Folks like Floyd and Freddie Gray, who had criminal records, are just as important to the movement as victims like Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Ahmaud Arbery and Tamir Rice who had little to no histories of trouble with the law at all.
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“Black Lives Matter” means ALL black lives—not just the ones deemed respectable by people like Owens, who’s made a career out of being racist white America’s “black friend.”


theroot--2020-06-08--30 Days of Iconic Video Blackness With VSB, Day 8: Total, 'Kissin' You'

I like Total , always have .
Their brand of interesting-note sonics always appealed to me as a person who couldn ’ t sing but always thought I should be an R & B singer—Total was an inspiration .
I never dove full-fledge into sharing my vocal stylings with the world , but the dream is still alive in my heart .
For the record , I don ’ t think Total couldn ’ t sing , but I wouldn ’ t debate you if you were to say they couldn ’ t either .
In the same vein of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” comes the video for Total ’ s third single off of their self-titled debut , the Raphael Saadiq co-written and produced , “ Kissing You.
” I love this song and have loved it since 1996 .
Something else has happened since 1996 , too .
And that ’ s the reason why this video is on the list of iconic black music videos .
I have no earthly idea what the fuck is happening in this video , what is attempting to be conveyed or anything .
If you were to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for The Adjustment Bureau , which wouldn ’ t come out until 2010 , I ’ d believe you .
Otherwise , it makes absolutely no sense .
It never has .
It doesn ’ t even match the song lyrics—which isn ’ t necessary .
And that would be well and good except they attempted a story and it doesn ’ t make sense .
And never has .
And that ’ s okay , or would be , except folks have literally been trying to understand this video since it came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
I went onto Google and typed in “ Total Kissin You video ” and the “ Total Kissin ’ You video meaning ” self-populated .
Even Google doesn ’ t know what the fuck it ’ s about and after God , Google knows everything .
Honestly , I ’ m amazed that there isn ’ t some article online somewhere that explains it .
Maybe because it came out before the Al Gore ’ s internet was a thing thing and before niggas who thinkpiece ( raises hand ) started thinkpiecing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s just due .
True story time : Last year I was on a panel for BroccoliCon , the conference arm of Broccoli City Festival and before my panel , I attended a talk that featured ( I believe ) Kima from Total .
When it came to the Q & A portion of the talk , it took everything in my soul not to waste everybody ’ s time and get up and ask “ Hi , Panama Jackson from VerySmartBrothas.com , really love your shoes .
So , what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kissin ’ You ’ video ?
This is the stuff my readers want to know about .
Thank you , Baaaaaaaaad Boy.
” I didn ’ t .
I should have .
For the 10 of us who care .
Either way , that ’ s what makes it an iconic video : it ’ s literally been on my mind for 24 years and I ’ m guessing nobody will ever know .
And that , my friends , is iconic .

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

I like Total, always have. Their brand of interesting-note sonics always appealed to me as a person who couldn’t sing but always thought I should be an R&B singer—Total was an inspiration. I never dove full-fledge into sharing my vocal stylings with the world, but the dream is still alive in my heart. For the record, I don’t think Total couldn’t sing, but I wouldn’t debate you if you were to say they couldn’t either.
In the same vein of “hmm, this is interesting,” comes the video for Total’s third single off of their self-titled debut, the Raphael Saadiq co-written and produced, “Kissing You.” I love this song and have loved it since 1996. Something else has happened since 1996, too.
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Total “Kissin’ You” (1996)
And that’s the reason why this video is on the list of iconic black music videos.
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I have no earthly idea what the fuck is happening in this video, what is attempting to be conveyed or anything. If you were to tell me this video was the inspiration for The Adjustment Bureau, which wouldn’t come out until 2010, I’d believe you.
Otherwise, it makes absolutely no sense. It never has. It doesn’t even match the song lyrics—which isn’t necessary. And that would be well and good except they attempted a story and it doesn’t make sense. And never has. And that’s okay, or would be, except folks have literally been trying to understand this video since it came out. How do I know this?
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I went onto Google and typed in “Total Kissin You video” and the “Total Kissin’ You video meaning” self-populated. Even Google doesn’t know what the fuck it’s about and after God, Google knows everything. Honestly, I’m amazed that there isn’t some article online somewhere that explains it. Maybe because it came out before the Al Gore’s internet was a thing thing and before niggas who thinkpiece (raises hand) started thinkpiecing shit to death it never got it’s just due.
True story time: Last year I was on a panel for BroccoliCon, the conference arm of Broccoli City Festival and before my panel, I attended a talk that featured (I believe) Kima from Total. When it came to the Q&A portion of the talk, it took everything in my soul not to waste everybody’s time and get up and ask “Hi, Panama Jackson from VerySmartBrothas.com, really love your shoes. So, what the fuck was the story in the ‘Kissin’ You’ video? This is the stuff my readers want to know about. Thank you, Baaaaaaaaad Boy.”
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I didn’t. I should have. For the 10 of us who care. Either way, that’s what makes it an iconic video: it’s literally been on my mind for 24 years and I’m guessing nobody will ever know.
And that, my friends, is iconic.


theroot--2020-06-08--Save 20% On Samsung Charging Accessories

Hey , are you a Samsung junkie ?
Well , for a limited time , Amazon is doing you a @ @ @ @ @ % off it s Duo Pad , Fast Charger , and Galaxy Buds ( with @ @ @ @ @ .
So why not charge all your devices and listen to music in style ?
@ @ @ @ @ ’ re gone !

Ignacia on Kinja Deals, shared by Ignacia to The Root

Samsung Duo Pad | $80 | Amazon
Samsung 15W Fast Charger | $60 | Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Charging Pad | $150 | Amazon
Hey, are you a Samsung junkie? Well, for a limited time, Amazon is doing you a solid and is offering 20% off it s Duo Pad, Fast Charger, and Galaxy Buds (with an added charging pad). So why not charge all your devices and listen to music in style? Grab em’ before they’re gone!


theroot--2020-06-08--A Letter to Terry Crews From the Grand Wiz of Black Supremacy

Happy Countdown to Juneteenth , brother .
I hope this message finds you well and Black AF .
While I ’ d rather spend my time officially reworking the rules of Uno , your recent tweets have summoned me here .
You may have heard of the Grand Wizard of leading white supremacist group , the Ku Klux Klan , well I ’ m the Grand Wiz of Black Supremacy .
Get it ?
Because The Wiz is the black Wizard of Oz ?
Anyway .
Let ’ s cut right to the chase .
This : Sure , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you can ’ t help but conclude that the black race is superior .
Wakanda may be a fictional place , but black pride is real .
As per the natural course of over 400 years of constant bamboozling and hoodwinking , we have about 50-11 reasons to be wary of so-called well-meaning white allies .
In all honesty , dismantling white supremacy is absolutely the work of white folks and shouldn ’ t be the burden of me and my people .
We are not “ all in this together ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race-based privilege .
Your tweet doesn ’ t acknowledge white folks ’ responsibility , it further assuages their guilt .
With your tweet , you ’ re basically asking us to extend an olive-branch-shaped invitation to the race relations cookout .
Speaking of cookouts ...
I have yet to receive the official data , but I feel like you ’ re one of the people who arbitrarily invite white people to the cookout and are one of the reasons why the number of mediocre potato salad incidents are currently on the rise .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dry like racism roadkill , you attempted to get back in the good graces of the black delegation earlier this year and as recently as earlier this month , the police killings of black people made you realize the importance of protecting and supporting black women .
Even your TV son had to explain why your comments were off-base .
So , here I am attempting to join the club .
Somewhere in the distance , beyond the sound of your pulsating pecs , there ’ s space to just listen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are ashy .
You ’ re probably the spokesperson for the jumbo bottle of Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Lotion .
While I do not watch anything with “ white ” in the title and have never seen White Chicks , I completely believe everyone ’ s assertion that you are your character from White Chicks .
Best Regards From the Best Race In All the Land ,

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

Dear Terry Crews,
Happy Countdown to Juneteenth, brother. I hope this message finds you well and Black AF.
While I’d rather spend my time officially reworking the rules of Uno, your recent tweets have summoned me here. You may have heard of the Grand Wizard of leading white supremacist group, the Ku Klux Klan, well I’m the Grand Wiz of Black Supremacy. Get it? Because The Wiz is the black Wizard of Oz? Anyway.
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Let’s cut right to the chase. This:
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And this:
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Sure, when you see rhythmic tragedies such as this, you can’t help but conclude that the black race is superior. Wakanda may be a fictional place, but black pride is real.
As per the natural course of over 400 years of constant bamboozling and hoodwinking, we have about 50-11 reasons to be wary of so-called well-meaning white allies. In all honesty, dismantling white supremacy is absolutely the work of white folks and shouldn’t be the burden of me and my people. We are not “all in this together” when there is clearly a hierarchy of race-based privilege. Your tweet doesn’t acknowledge white folks’ responsibility, it further assuages their guilt. With your tweet, you’re basically asking us to extend an olive-branch-shaped invitation to the race relations cookout.
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Speaking of cookouts... I have yet to receive the official data, but I feel like you’re one of the people who arbitrarily invite white people to the cookout and are one of the reasons why the number of mediocre potato salad incidents are currently on the rise.
After leaving your black female peer out to dry like racism roadkill, you attempted to get back in the good graces of the black delegation earlier this year and as recently as earlier this month, the police killings of black people made you realize the importance of protecting and supporting black women.
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Even your TV son had to explain why your comments were off-base. So, here I am attempting to join the club. Somewhere in the distance, beyond the sound of your pulsating pecs, there’s space to just listen to reason.
In conclusion, sir, you are ashy. You’re probably the spokesperson for the jumbo bottle of Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Lotion. While I do not watch anything with “white” in the title and have never seen White Chicks, I completely believe everyone’s assertion that you are your character from White Chicks.
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Best Regards From the Best Race In All the Land,
Grand Wiz


theroot--2020-06-08--A Thoughtful Rumination on Lawmakers' Performative Wearing of Kente Stoles to Unveil the Justice in

A Thoughtful Rumination on Lawmakers' Performative Wearing of Kente Stoles to Unveil the Justice in Policing Act of 2020

Panama Jackson is the Senior Editor of Very Smart Brothas .
He 's pretty fly for a light guy .
@ @ @ @ @ your mama 's mama 's house drinking all her brown liquors .

The Upshaws Are Back & So Is Tracy Morgan On The Stand Up Mic: TV Picks Of The Week
Friday 1:34PM


theroot--2020-06-08--Ben Carson Says Protesting NFL Players Should Say They Love America; Colin Kaepernick’s Mom Claps Ba

Ben Carson Says Protesting NFL Players Should Say They Love America; Colin Kaepernick’s Mom Claps Back With Receipts

The doctor of Housing and Urban Development , Ben Carson , is a fucking idiot .
Maybe it ’ s not his fault .
Maybe he ’ s playing a role to keep himself relevant .
Maybe he ’ s lying , like the lies he ’ s told before .
Like the time he claimed that he thwarted a robbery by pointing the robber towards the cash register or the time that he almost killed a man in a stabbing but his knife hit a belt buckle .
Fine , maybe these aren ’ t lies .
Maybe all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have to admit that Carson ’ s stories are as far fetched as me telling my son that the lone black man in Trump ’ s cabinet , the one that runs the Housing and Urban Development department , was once one of the most decorated neurosurgeons in the world .
Anyway , Carson spent his Sunday pushing the tired troupe , the dumb dissertation , the overused obtuse unoriginal oligarchy outburst that kneeling NFL players are somehow flag-hating , un-Americans who were disrespecting the military .
Carson ’ s answer : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it clear that they were merely against police brutality and not America .
“ My personal feeling is if those players were to come out and say we love our nation , we are patriots , we love our flag , we honor the memory of those who died to give us our freedom , but we are protesting some of the brutality that has occurred , and that ’ s why we ’ re doing this , I think it would solve the problem , ” Carson said on CNN ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports .
“ And I suggest that they do that.
” Except they have “ over and over again in the years since quarterback Colin Kaepernick , then of the San Francisco 49ers , began the national anthem protests in 2016 ” NBC News kindly points out to Carson .
Carson , much like the rest of his plantation , is simply refusing to hear what ’ s been said surrounding the history of Kaepernick ’ s movement and how kneeling as a protest began after he spoke with former NFL long snapper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who told the then-quarterback that kneeling was an appropriate form of protest that wouldn ’ t disrespect the military or the flag .
“ We hate that people are going to see it that we don ’ t respect the military , the men and women that are braver than us that go and put their life on the line , ” NFL defensive back Devin McCourty said in 2017 after President Donald Trump claimed that the protest was un-American .
“ But we just wanted to send a message of unity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disrespect .
... All of us want to send a message of unity , not just as a team but a fraternity of NFL players.
” Mama Kaepernick was not here for Carson of any of his ASMR-voiced bullshit .
She promptly tweeted a story of Kaepernick ’ s $ 1 million donation to charities that support racial equality in America .
The NBC News story from 2017 also included this : In the third quarter , Kaepernick stood at attention during the singing of “ God Bless America.
” He applauded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steven Powell from the U.S. Navy .
“ I ’ m not anti-America , ” Kaepernick said .
“ I love America .
I love people .
That ’ s why I ’ m doing this .
I want to help make America better .
I think having these conversations helps everybody have a better understanding of where everybody is coming from.
” She also asked that Ben Carson keep her son ’ s name out of his easy-listening-voice-head-ass-mouth before she punches him in his voice box .
Fine , you know Mama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she could ’ ve and I would ’ ve been fine with that .
Punk-ass NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell apologized to players Friday for not having listened to their comments earlier about police brutality , although Goddell forgot to mention Kaepernick and free-agent safety Eric Reid , who pushed this issue to the mainstream and may have sacrificed their careers to further the movement for black lives .
Fuck the NFL and Ben Carson , I mean it ’ s not as if he ’ s a legendary doctor with a painting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his house , because that would just be unbelievable , wouldn ’ t it ?

The doctor of Housing and Urban Development, Ben Carson, is a fucking idiot. Maybe it’s not his fault. Maybe he’s playing a role to keep himself relevant. Maybe he’s lying, like the lies he’s told before. Like the time he claimed that he thwarted a robbery by pointing the robber towards the cash register or the time that he almost killed a man in a stabbing but his knife hit a belt buckle.
Fine, maybe these aren’t lies. Maybe all of those things actually happened, but you have to admit that Carson’s stories are as far fetched as me telling my son that the lone black man in Trump’s cabinet, the one that runs the Housing and Urban Development department, was once one of the most decorated neurosurgeons in the world.
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Bullshit, right?
Anyway, Carson spent his Sunday pushing the tired troupe, the dumb dissertation, the overused obtuse unoriginal oligarchy outburst that kneeling NFL players are somehow flag-hating, un-Americans who were disrespecting the military.
Advertisement Advertisement
Carson’s answer: If only these football players could make it clear that they were merely against police brutality and not America.
“My personal feeling is if those players were to come out and say we love our nation, we are patriots, we love our flag, we honor the memory of those who died to give us our freedom, but we are protesting some of the brutality that has occurred, and that’s why we’re doing this, I think it would solve the problem,” Carson said on CNN’s State of the Union, NBC News reports. “And I suggest that they do that.”
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Except they have “over and over again in the years since quarterback Colin Kaepernick, then of the San Francisco 49ers, began the national anthem protests in 2016” NBC News kindly points out to Carson.
Carson, much like the rest of his plantation, is simply refusing to hear what’s been said surrounding the history of Kaepernick’s movement and how kneeling as a protest began after he spoke with former NFL long snapper Nate Boyer, a former Green Beret, who told the then-quarterback that kneeling was an appropriate form of protest that wouldn’t disrespect the military or the flag.
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“We hate that people are going to see it that we don’t respect the military, the men and women that are braver than us that go and put their life on the line,” NFL defensive back Devin McCourty said in 2017 after President Donald Trump claimed that the protest was un-American. “But we just wanted to send a message of unity and being together and not standing for the disrespect. ... All of us want to send a message of unity, not just as a team but a fraternity of NFL players.”
Mama Kaepernick was not here for Carson of any of his ASMR-voiced bullshit. She promptly tweeted a story of Kaepernick’s $1 million donation to charities that support racial equality in America.
Advertisement
The NBC News story from 2017 also included this:
In the third quarter, Kaepernick stood at attention during the singing of “God Bless America.” He applauded the performance of Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Powell from the U.S. Navy. “I’m not anti-America,” Kaepernick said. “I love America. I love people. That’s why I’m doing this. I want to help make America better. I think having these conversations helps everybody have a better understanding of where everybody is coming from.”
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She also asked that Ben Carson keep her son’s name out of his easy-listening-voice-head-ass-mouth before she punches him in his voice box. Fine, you know Mama Kaepernick didn’t say this but she could’ve and I would’ve been fine with that.
Punk-ass NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell apologized to players Friday for not having listened to their comments earlier about police brutality, although Goddell forgot to mention Kaepernick and free-agent safety Eric Reid, who pushed this issue to the mainstream and may have sacrificed their careers to further the movement for black lives.
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Fuck the NFL and Ben Carson, I mean it’s not as if he’s a legendary doctor with a painting of Jesus’ hand on his shoulder hanging in his house, because that would just be unbelievable, wouldn’t it?


theroot--2020-06-08--Save $260 on Dyson’s Tiny Vacuum Cleaner at Newegg Today

Nobody likes spending their Saturdays cleaning a bunch of gunk off the floor , but it ’ s got ta @ @ @ @ @ vacuum cleaner won ’ t completely alleviate the need to do a thorough clean , @ @ @ @ @ the job a bit easier .
Right now , a refurbished model of Dyon ’ @ @ @ @ @ is down from $ 400 to $ 160 on Amazon .
At just over 12 @ @ @ @ @ light enough to carry around the house , and its handle is collapsible so you @ @ @ @ @ too much storage space .
It also has a 31 ft cord , so you @ @ @ @ @ switch outlets too often , even in larger rooms .

Jordan McMahon on Kinja Deals, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Dyson Small Ball Vacuum | $140 | Newegg
Nobody likes spending their Saturdays cleaning a bunch of gunk off the floor, but it’s gotta be done. A good vacuum cleaner won’t completely alleviate the need to do a thorough clean, but it’ll make the job a bit easier. Right now, a refurbished model of Dyon’s compact Small Ball Vacuum is down from $400 to $160 on Amazon.
At just over 12 lbs, it’s light enough to carry around the house, and its handle is collapsible so you can store it without losing too much storage space. It also has a 31 ft cord, so you shouldn’t have to switch outlets too often, even in larger rooms.


theroot--2020-06-08--The Good, the Bad and the Traumatic: Reevaluating the Role of Sharing Black Death on Social Media

From the days of American slavery to the present , the world has seen an abundance of media depicting black trauma—from death to violence and everything in between .
On Memorial Day , Christian Cooper was the target of white rage .
In a now viral encounter , the avid birder got into a confrontation with a white dog walker in Central Park who refused to leash her pup .
Pet owner , Amy Cooper , called the police and wrongfully accused Christian Cooper ( no relation ) , an African-American man of “ threatening ” her life .
Christian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the run-in made headlines .
His decision to film the incident was very intentional .
“ When Philando Castile was shot dead in Minnesota , he did all the things that we ’ re told , ” Christian told The Root .
“ You ’ re supposed to contort yourself into all sorts of pretzels to make sure that some white person doesn ’ t feel like you ’ re a threat.
” He continued , “ He did all these things and he still ended up shot dead in front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the back of the car .
And when that happened , I kind of thought to myself , ‘ They ’ re going to shoot us no matter what.
’ And that being the case , I ’ m going to go down with my dignity intact.
” During his viral Central Park encounter , Christian was a black witness ( filming the incident ) and the target of violence .
While in some cases cell-phone footage is necessary to prove that an atrocity occurred—and in this specific case , Christian Cooper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but wonder about the impact of witnessing violence against black people again and again .
Allissa V. Richardson is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Southern California , and the author of Bearing Witness While Black : African-Americans , Smart Phones and Protest Journalism .
In her text , she discusses the notion of black witnessing and identifies three historic eras of domestic terror towards black people : Slavery , lynching and police brutality .
When examining the recent protests for black lives , the professor says that the mainstream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage , as opposed to the “ Open America ” protests .
African Americans who chose to protest don ’ t receive similar justice .
“ What starts out as a meaningful , peaceful demonstration then comes the fire and brimstone coverage that you see looped again on television .
Re-traumatizing and almost making caricatures out of black people who are protesting for someone they care about , someone they loved.
” Richardson went on detailing the disparities : “ They [ “ Open America ” protesters ] can demonstrate and have their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen as soon as they stood on those steps with their guns.
” Watch above as we unpack the good , the bad and the downright traumatic aspects of filming and sharing violence against black folks on video .

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Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude


theroot--2020-06-08--Amidst Black Lives Matter Protests, Prince's Estate Releases Lyric Video for 2015 Song About Police

Amidst Black Lives Matter Protests, Prince's Estate Releases Lyric Video for 2015 Song About Police Brutality

In honor of what would have been his 62nd birthday on June 7 , Prince ’ s estate released the lyric video for his 2015 song commemorating the black victims of police brutality titled “ Baltimore.
” The video was released in response to the recent wave of Black Lives Matter protests .
The over four-minute video features images and information regarding Freddie Gray ’ s death , as well as photos of protests stemming from the tragedy and headlines about Prince ’ s philanthropic efforts during that period .
He spoke out about a broken system during a Baltimore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in May 2015 .
“ Does anybody hear us pray ?
For Michael Brown or Freddie Gray ?
” The Purple One says in the song .
“ Peace is more than the absence of war , ” he continues.
” Gray ’ s death was caused by injuries of his spinal cord .
He was being transported to the hospital in a police van after being arrested by the Baltimore Police Department , but the circumstances behind how he got his life-ending injuries were initially unclear to the public .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the six Baltimore police officers involved in his death were suspended without pay .
“ It ’ s going to take young people to fix [ the world ] , ” Prince said during the Rally 4 Peace concert in 2015 .
“ We need new ideas , new life .
Most of all , we need new piece .
And the kind of piece I ’ m talking about is spelled ‘ P-I-E-C-E. ’ Next time I come to Baltimore , I want to stay in a hotel owned by one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a building owned and operated by one of you .
I ’ m talking to the young people now.
” Prince ’ s estate also released a timely statement written by the late musician , which read “ Nothing more ugly in the whole wide world than INTOLERANCE ( between ) Black , white , red , yellow , boy or girl .
INTOLERANCE.
” Per the caption of the Instagram post featuring his words , his estate wrote “ Prince dedicated his life to speaking out against injustice , advocating for black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Love 4 One Another.
’ In this note that he kept in his personal archives , he wrote a message that still resonates today .
”

J'na Jefferson on The Grapevine, shared by J'na Jefferson to The Root

In honor of what would have been his 62nd birthday on June 7, Prince’s estate released the lyric video for his 2015 song commemorating the black victims of police brutality titled “Baltimore.” The video was released in response to the recent wave of Black Lives Matter protests.
The over four-minute video features images and information regarding Freddie Gray’s death, as well as photos of protests stemming from the tragedy and headlines about Prince’s philanthropic efforts during that period. He spoke out about a broken system during a Baltimore area concert called “Rally 4 Peace” in May 2015.
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“Does anybody hear us pray? For Michael Brown or Freddie Gray?” The Purple One says in the song. “Peace is more than the absence of war,” he continues.”
Gray’s death was caused by injuries of his spinal cord. He was being transported to the hospital in a police van after being arrested by the Baltimore Police Department, but the circumstances behind how he got his life-ending injuries were initially unclear to the public. His death was ruled a homicide, and the six Baltimore police officers involved in his death were suspended without pay.
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“It’s going to take young people to fix [the world],” Prince said during the Rally 4 Peace concert in 2015. “We need new ideas, new life. Most of all, we need new piece. And the kind of piece I’m talking about is spelled ‘P-I-E-C-E.’ Next time I come to Baltimore, I want to stay in a hotel owned by one of you. I want to play in a building owned and operated by one of you. I’m talking to the young people now.”
Prince’s estate also released a timely statement written by the late musician, which read “Nothing more ugly in the whole wide world than INTOLERANCE (between) Black, white, red, yellow, boy or girl. INTOLERANCE.” Per the caption of the Instagram post featuring his words, his estate wrote “Prince dedicated his life to speaking out against injustice, advocating for black excellence, and spreading the message of ‘Love 4 One Another.’ In this note that he kept in his personal archives, he wrote a message that still resonates today.”


theroot--2020-06-08--The Police Would Rather Kill White People Than Stop Killing Black People

I was reminded last week , while watching the clip of 75-year-old Martin Gugino getting pushed by Buffalo police officers and cracking his head open , of a Twitter thread a few years ago by Gene Demby .
I can not find the actual thread right now ( perhaps someone can help me and I ’ ll add a link to it ) but the gist of it was that , since black people have more encounters with the police than white people do—because of racialized neighborhood occupation , because of racial profiling , because of racist policies like stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutalized by them .
Even if you believe that most cops are “ good ” —I don ’ t , but for argument ’ s sake let ’ s say they are—the more frequent interactions give us a greater likelihood to meet a Michael Rosfeld or a Derek Chauvin .
Waiting for white people to work to dismantle white supremacy because it ’ s the right thing to do is a fundamentally flawed practice .
People—white people , black people , people who put salt on fruit—just don ’ t change without incentives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the incentive is always the catalyst .
And , if you ’ re a white person existing at the top of America ’ s social caste , what is the incentive for changing a thing that theoretically benefits you ?
The rub here is that white supremacy actually harms white people more than it helps .
Of course , there are the tangible benefits of this foundational social hierarchy .
But a commitment to the protection and preservation of whiteness ’ status hurts white people too .
Shortens white lifespans too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robs them of their humanity .
Prevents them from developing empathy , compassion and perspective .
The police are agents of white supremacy— the sentinels developed , trained , and instructed to protect it by any means necessary .
And as billions across the world have seen in the past two weeks , they will harass , they will arrest , they will beat , they will brutalize , they will maim , and they will kill white people too for the privilege to continue harassing , arresting , beating , brutalizing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t matter to them as much as white supremacy does .
This is why , when Martin Gugino was bleeding from his ears after they shoved him to the pavement , they treated him like litter—an empty pretzel bag someone else would clean up .
The flippancy here is terrifying .
This is where the haughtiness and the arrogance of the 57 officers who resigned from the emergency response team—a collective pout because two of them were suspended for shoving Gugino—stems from .
White supremacy and feckless audacity are first cousins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an actual , substantive and transformative change ?
I don ’ t know .
I just know that , if asked about the ubiquity of police brutality , white people can no longer say “ I don ’ t know .
”

Damon Young on Very Smart Brothas, shared by Damon Young to The Root

I was reminded last week, while watching the clip of 75-year-old Martin Gugino getting pushed by Buffalo police officers and cracking his head open, of a Twitter thread a few years ago by Gene Demby.
I cannot find the actual thread right now (perhaps someone can help me and I’ll add a link to it) but the gist of it was that, since black people have more encounters with the police than white people do—because of racialized neighborhood occupation, because of racial profiling, because of racist policies like stop and frisk—we are more likely to be brutalized by them. Even if you believe that most cops are “good”—I don’t, but for argument’s sake let’s say they are—the more frequent interactions give us a greater likelihood to meet a Michael Rosfeld or a Derek Chauvin.
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Waiting for white people to work to dismantle white supremacy because it’s the right thing to do is a fundamentally flawed practice. People—white people, black people, people who put salt on fruit—just don’t change without incentives. Some incentives are nobler than others, but the incentive is always the catalyst. And, if you’re a white person existing at the top of America’s social caste, what is the incentive for changing a thing that theoretically benefits you?
The rub here is that white supremacy actually harms white people more than it helps. Of course, there are the tangible benefits of this foundational social hierarchy. But a commitment to the protection and preservation of whiteness’ status hurts white people too. Shortens white lifespans too. Kills white people, too. Robs them of their humanity. Prevents them from developing empathy, compassion and perspective.
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The police are agents of white supremacy— the sentinels developed, trained, and instructed to protect it by any means necessary. And as billions across the world have seen in the past two weeks, they will harass, they will arrest, they will beat, they will brutalize, they will maim, and they will kill white people too for the privilege to continue harassing, arresting, beating, brutalizing, maiming and killing us. White lives don’t matter to them as much as white supremacy does.
This is why, when Martin Gugino was bleeding from his ears after they shoved him to the pavement, they treated him like litter—an empty pretzel bag someone else would clean up. The flippancy here is terrifying. This is where the haughtiness and the arrogance of the 57 officers who resigned from the emergency response team—a collective pout because two of them were suspended for shoving Gugino—stems from. White supremacy and feckless audacity are first cousins.
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Is this uprising enough to lead to an actual, substantive and transformative change? I don’t know. I just know that, if asked about the ubiquity of police brutality, white people can no longer say “I don’t know.”


theroot--2020-06-10--DeAndre Hopkins, Deshaun Watson Petition Clemson to Remove John C. Calhoun's Name From Honors Colleg

DeAndre Hopkins, Deshaun Watson Petition Clemson to Remove John C. Calhoun's Name From Honors College

Outside of chin-checking racists and forgetting what I look like with a haircut , one of my favorite pastimes is spending exorbitant amounts of time devouring Wikipedia pages .
And a cursory glance at John Caldwell Calhoun ’ s page reveals that our former vice president is remembered for “ strongly defending slavery , ” marrying his cousin and inciting the Civil War .
Sadly , there are plenty of people who feel otherwise , and they ’ re currently petitioning Clemson University to remove his name from the school ’ s honors college , according to ESPN .
Leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeAndre Hopkins , who ’ s so dismayed by Calhoun ’ s affiliation with Clemson that he outright refuses to mention the university ’ s name during his NFL game intros .
“ As we watch everything happening in the world , I want to bring up something that has been bothering me for a long time in my community , ” Hopkins wrote on Instagram .
“ Clemson University still honors the name of well-known slave owner and pro-slavery politician John C. Calhoun on its buildings , signs , and in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt this oppressive figure during my time at Clemson and purposely do not mention the University ’ s name before NFL games because of it .
I am joining the voices of the students and faculty who have restarted this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College .
I urge all Clemson students , football players , and alumni to join us , so the next generation of young Black leaders can be proud of the institution they graduate from .
Now is the time for change.
” “ Clemson University should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any way , ” Watson tweeted on Monday .
“ His name should be removed from all University property and programming .
I am joining the students , faculty & DeAndre to restart this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College.
” According to Clemson ’ s own website , the school campus was built on Calhoun ’ s Fort Hill Plantation , where he enslaved as many as 80 of our ancestors .
It also appears that Hopkins has Benjamin Tillman in his crosshairs too .
Tillman was a politician and unrepentant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clemson as a university .
As such , his name is sprinkled all over campus as well .
“ GOOGLE - Benjamin Tilman - Played big part in founding of Clemson university , ” Hopkins tweeted .
“ On the floor of the U.S. Senate , he defended lynching , and frequently ridiculed black Americans in his speeches , boasting of having helped kill them .
But buildings are named after him on Campus.
” It ’ s great that recent events have inspired millions to be much more proactive in combating racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disheartening that this awakening came at the cost of George Floyd ’ s life .
Those interested in supporting Watson and Hopkins ’ efforts are encouraged to sign their petition here .

Outside of chin-checking racists and forgetting what I look like with a haircut, one of my favorite pastimes is spending exorbitant amounts of time devouring Wikipedia pages. And a cursory glance at John Caldwell Calhoun’s page reveals that our former vice president is remembered for “strongly defending slavery,” marrying his cousin and inciting the Civil War.
My kinda guy!
Sadly, there are plenty of people who feel otherwise, and they’re currently petitioning Clemson University to remove his name from the school’s honors college, according to ESPN. Leading that charge are alums DeShaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins, who’s so dismayed by Calhoun’s affiliation with Clemson that he outright refuses to mention the university’s name during his NFL game intros.
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“As we watch everything happening in the world, I want to bring up something that has been bothering me for a long time in my community,” Hopkins wrote on Instagram. “Clemson University still honors the name of well-known slave owner and pro-slavery politician John C. Calhoun on its buildings, signs, and in the name of its honors program. I felt this oppressive figure during my time at Clemson and purposely do not mention the University’s name before NFL games because of it. I am joining the voices of the students and faculty who have restarted this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College. I urge all Clemson students, football players, and alumni to join us, so the next generation of young Black leaders can be proud of the institution they graduate from. Now is the time for change.”
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“Clemson University should not honor slave owner John C. Calhoun in any way,” Watson tweeted on Monday. “His name should be removed from all University property and programming. I am joining the students, faculty & DeAndre to restart this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College.”
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According to Clemson’s own website, the school campus was built on Calhoun’s Fort Hill Plantation, where he enslaved as many as 80 of our ancestors.
It also appears that Hopkins has Benjamin Tillman in his crosshairs too. Tillman was a politician and unrepentant white supremacist who was integral in establishing Clemson as a university. As such, his name is sprinkled all over campus as well.
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“GOOGLE - Benjamin Tilman - Played big part in founding of Clemson university,” Hopkins tweeted. “On the floor of the U.S. Senate, he defended lynching, and frequently ridiculed black Americans in his speeches, boasting of having helped kill them. But buildings are named after him on Campus.”
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It’s great that recent events have inspired millions to be much more proactive in combating racial inequality, but it’s equally disheartening that this awakening came at the cost of George Floyd’s life.
Those interested in supporting Watson and Hopkins’ efforts are encouraged to sign their petition here.


theroot--2020-06-09--The Best Lightweight Sheet Sets for Summer

As the temperature rises , many people switch out their bedding for something lightweight and cooler , or just to create a different look in their bedroom .
Whether you ’ re looking for new sheets to help keep you cooler while you sleep—heavy night sweaters , we ’ ve got help for you too !
—or you just want something that evokes a more summery feeling , these are the best sheet sets you can buy this summer .
Well , not literally because of woof , sand in the bed , no bueno .
But these sheets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can bring a bit of the beach to bed with you .
These sheets are made from quick-dry microfiber , and are super lightweight , so they ’ re perfect for summer .
And , if palm trees aren ’ t your thing , sets are available in other summery patterns like flamingos , sailboats , or seashells .
This summery feeling sheet set , which features a geometric watercolor pattern in muted blues , greens , and pinks , comes with a fitted and flat sheet , and matching pillowcases .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wick away moisture , so there will be no more waking up in a puddle after a nightmare involving the Mister Softee jingle .
Unfortunately , extra pillowcases aren ’ t available for individual sale , but the designer ’ s website offers accent pillows in the same pattern , as well as face masks , in the event you want to match your PPE to your bedding .
Hot sleepers don ’ t only suffer during the summer , but things do tend to get ( literally ! )
stickier in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to invest in a sheet set .
These 100 % linen sheets come in ten core colors like petal and chambray , as well as limited edition colors and patterns ( stripes ! )
Brooklinen ’ s linen core line also includes a lightweight blanket as well as a linen duvet cover .
If you have linen sheet tastes on a polyester sheet budget , this bamboo-cotton blend sheet set is for you .
It mimics the look and feel of linen , and because it ’ s fabric content is 55 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathable , making for a cooler , more comfortable sleep .
This sheet set , which includes fitted and flat sheets and pillowcases , comes in five colors : White , pink , navy , light gray , and charcoal .
So look , there are hot sleepers and then there are hot sleepers .
If you fall into the latter category you ’ ve probably tried every “ cooling ” sheet out there , but perhaps you have not tried Sheex .
If not , you must click with haste and add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that good .
They ’ re made of the same type of material that sweat-wicking athletic clothing is made from and , while that may sound somewhat unappealing in a sheet , they ’ re actually really lovely .
They are a bit more slippery than most sheets , but they ’ re super soft and luxe-feeling .

Jolie Kerr on The Inventory, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

As the temperature rises, many people switch out their bedding for something lightweight and cooler, or just to create a different look in their bedroom. Whether you’re looking for new sheets to help keep you cooler while you sleep—heavy night sweaters, we’ve got help for you too!—or you just want something that evokes a more summery feeling, these are the best sheet sets you can buy this summer.
Bring the Beach to Bed
Well, not literally because of woof, sand in the bed, no bueno. But these sheets, with their jaunty little palm trees, can bring a bit of the beach to bed with you. These sheets are made from quick-dry microfiber, and are super lightweight, so they’re perfect for summer. And, if palm trees aren’t your thing, sets are available in other summery patterns like flamingos, sailboats, or seashells.
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Best 300 Threadcount Sheets
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French Blue Striped Sheet Set features a timeless print that is perfect for layering the bed. Soft and ultra-luxurious, these striped sheets have a 300 thread count are woven from long-staple cotton. This product was sold as a set with or without the top sheet and sheets can be purchased individually. Note that sizes range from twin to California King.
Best for Hot Sleepers
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Hot sleepers don’t only suffer during the summer, but things do tend to get (literally!) stickier in the warmer months, making this a great time to invest in a sheet set. These 100% linen sheets come in ten core colors like petal and chambray, as well as limited edition colors and patterns (stripes!) Brooklinen’s linen core line also includes a lightweight blanket as well as a linen duvet cover.
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A Solution for the Super Sweaters
The Mellanni Fitted Sheet will help you wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and full of energy. It’s easy to care for given that they are fade, stain, shrink, and wrinkle resistant. This product is made from the highest quality of microfiber, and its workmanship was built to last. It comes in 31 colors and even has options for extra deep pockets.
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Note that this sheet comes with the Mellanni Lifetime Promise, which provides top-of-the-line customer service with each purchase. Plus, if you’re not satisfied with your product, you can return it with no questions asked!
This story was originally published by Jolie Kerr on 06/09/2020 and updated with new information by Juliana Clark on 09/07/2021.


theroot--2020-06-09--Louisiana Family Wants Answers After Father Dies in Police Custody

Tommie McGlothen ’ s family were suspicious when Shreveport , La.
, police told them that he had died of a heart attack while in police custody .
Cellphone video released earlier this week proved that , unfortunately , their suspicions were right .
KSLA reports that cellphone video shows the 44- year- old McGlothen being beaten and tased by four Shreveport police officers on April 5 .
It appears that the elder McGlothen struggled with police and , after being handcuffed , was hit with a baton on his legs and was tased several times .
On the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screams from McGlothen .
It also appears that he was handcuffed when he was kicked or pushed to the ground from a standing position .
Witnesses say that when he was eventually put inside the police cruiser , he appeared slumped over and unconscious , KSLA notes .
The police were responding after McGlothen allegedly got into a fight with someone in the neighborhood .
In April , Shreveport police told McGlothen ’ s family that he suffered a heart attack , but when the family went to view his body , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broken jaw and the entire right side of his face was swollen .
Understandably , the family wants answers as to why Shreveport police didn ’ t publicly acknowledge McGlothen ’ s death and why they misled the family about the circumstances surrounding it .
“ I just wanted to know what happened , ” Tommy McGlothen III , McGlothen ’ s son , told KSLA .
It took 54 days for the Shreveport Police Department to send an investigative report to District Attorney James Stewart .
Even then , Stewart said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , downloads and other vital information essential to conduct a thorough and complete review.
” On Monday , Shreveport Police Chief Ben Raymond issued a statement saying that the four officers seen in the video have been placed on administrative leave while the incident is under investigation .
It should be noted they were still on duty during the two months since the incident occurred .
Louisiana State Police are also reviewing the case .

Tommie McGlothen’s family were suspicious when Shreveport, La., police told them that he had died of a heart attack while in police custody. Cellphone video released earlier this week proved that, unfortunately, their suspicions were right.
KSLA reports that cellphone video shows the 44- year- old McGlothen being beaten and tased by four Shreveport police officers on April 5.
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From KSLA:
It appears that the elder McGlothen struggled with police and, after being handcuffed, was hit with a baton on his legs and was tased several times. On the video, you can hear what sound like screams from McGlothen. It also appears that he was handcuffed when he was kicked or pushed to the ground from a standing position.
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Witnesses say that when he was eventually put inside the police cruiser, he appeared slumped over and unconscious, KSLA notes.
The police were responding after McGlothen allegedly got into a fight with someone in the neighborhood. In April, Shreveport police told McGlothen’s family that he suffered a heart attack, but when the family went to view his body, they discovered he had a broken nose, broken jaw and the entire right side of his face was swollen.
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Understandably, the family wants answers as to why Shreveport police didn’t publicly acknowledge McGlothen’s death and why they misled the family about the circumstances surrounding it.
“I just wanted to know what happened,” Tommy McGlothen III, McGlothen’s son, told KSLA. It took 54 days for the Shreveport Police Department to send an investigative report to District Attorney James Stewart. Even then, Stewart said the file was “missing reports, statements, downloads and other vital information essential to conduct a thorough and complete review.”
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On Monday, Shreveport Police Chief Ben Raymond issued a statement saying that the four officers seen in the video have been placed on administrative leave while the incident is under investigation. It should be noted they were still on duty during the two months since the incident occurred. Louisiana State Police are also reviewing the case.


theroot--2020-06-09--Update Your Closet Without Leaving Your House With These Nordstrom Sales

The best Nordstrom sales for June 2020 are here .
If you ’ re on the hunt for a killer father ’ s day gift , look no further than Nordstrom ’ s online selection .
The retailer is currently offering up to 50 % off more than 1,000 men ’ s items including shirts , pants , shoes , bags , belts , and plenty more .
We ’ ve picked a few of our favorites from the sale , but be sure to browse through the promotion page for many more options .
Our selection is heavily focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the father ’ s day promo , but you ’ ll also find women ’ s apparel and other items below , plus the website has thousands of sale items across all categories .
Nordstrom has free shipping and returns , too .
Refresh your underwear drawer at an affordable price with Nordstrom ’ s sale on a three-pack of its Supima cotton boxers .
Available in a trio navy/charcoal/blue or just all black , these soft and durable boxers are half off the list price right now .
• None @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ‘ 90s throwback with these Levi ’ s cutoff shorts , which save you the hassle of shredding your jeans with scissors .
They have a faded black wash look and frayed edges , but reviews note that they run small—so order a size larger if you don ’ t like ‘ em tight .
They ’ re 50 % off .
• None Buy it now for $ 30 Here ’ s another half-off bargain from Nordstrom ’ s men ’ s sale .
Bonobos ’ Riviera slim fit floral short-sleeve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backing with a dreamy pink and white floral print .
This cotton poplin is perfect for summer shindigs .
• None Buy it now for $ 39 Store a whole bunch of stuff and keep it safe from the elements with Rain ’ s waterproof rolltop backpack .
This polyurethane/polyester bag has a bold look , adjustable straps , and a thankfully padded back to keep your haul comfortable .
It ’ s 50 % off the list price .
• None Buy it now for $ 63 Made in Portugal , these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have customizable arch support .
The listing suggests that they run large , so you might want to snag a size down .
They ’ re 53 % off list right now .
• None Buy it now for $ 156 Save 40 % off on Trina Turk ’ s vibrant one-piece swimsuit , which has colorful stripes along the plunging neckline .
This Poppy color is especially eye-catching , although it ’ s also available in black .
• None Buy it now for $ 97 Get super-fancy shades at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s a trio of styles available for these 50mm Saint Laurent sunglasses , including black and white stripes or black with studs ( as seen ) .
They ’ re usually $ 930 , but right now they ’ re 60 % off .
• None Buy it now for $ 372 Snag some chic sandals for summer at a discount .
Tory Burch ’ s Mignon Miller logo sandal is available in this striking rainbow colorway for 40 % off the list price right now .
• None Buy it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throwback basketball jacket recalls the style of the 90s—for better or worse—with crinkled nylon and a striking color palette .
You can score this for your next jam session for 40 % off the list price .
• None Buy it now for $ 60 Stand out in pastels with Topman ’ s Dax trousers , which have a slim fit but a tapered leg for comfort .
It ’ s down to just $ 44 from the usual $ 85 price point , and you can pair it with the Dax suit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % to $ 105 .
• None Buy it now for $ 44 While you almost certainly don ’ t need a hearty winter jacket right this moment , you can snag one heck of a great deal if you can invest some cash now for later this year .
Rodd & Gunn ’ s down-insulated Queenstown Genuine Shearling Trimmed jacket is available in Tussock and Lava colors and is currently 60 % off the $ 698 list price .
• None Buy it now for $ 280 This lavish Italian silk tie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to your next Zoom meeting .
Available in Pink and Melon styles , it has a geometric motif and currently sells for 60 % off of the normal $ 115 price .
• None Buy it now for $ 115

Molly Horan and Andrew Hayward on Roundups, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Featured Deal: Coach Marlow Leather Crossbody Bag | $195
The best Nordstrom sales of September 2021 are here.
G et price matching on select styles from top brands, including AllSaints, Theory, Paige, and Rag & Bone with an ultimate discount of up to 25% off.
To expedite your online shopping process, Kinja Deals has compiled a list of its favorite products for both men and women.
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Looking for a new blouse to go back to the office in? Try this flowy Nordstrom V-Neck Tank Top. It’s a versatile tank that comes in a variety of colors. Note that the dipped neckline is cut in the front and the back.
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The Kut From the Kloth Donna High Waist Ankle Skinny Jeans is a sleek skinny jeean that can be dressed up or down depending on where you’re going. With a five-pocket style, this product also comes with a zip fly button closure . It’s made from cotton, recycled polyester, as well as rayon and spandex.
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Get the perfect jacket for summer nights by cashing in on the BlankNYC Faux Leather Jacket with Removable Hood. This counterculture chic product can block out chilly weather while also looking fashionable. And as a bonus, you can feel good that an animal wasn’t hard to make this cute fashion item.
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There’s a reason why Ray-Ban’s Wayfarer style is a classic! Not only are they effortlessly cool, but they go with a wide range of styles. The crystal lenses offer 100% UV protection and can be dressed up or down, suiting wherever you’re going.
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Make sure the guy in your life is looking slick with the Ted Baker London Tortila Slim Fit Tipped Pocket Polo. Made of modal and cotton, this polo is super soft but isn’t so delicate that it can’t be machine washed! Its short-sleeve style makes it a great option for the summer. Note that this shirt is considered an extra slim fit.
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Ready to hit the town for the last days of warm weather? Try this BP. Babydoll Crinkle Camisole. This product is made from a great textured knit and is available in a rust orange color. It has adjustable straps and is nine inches in length from the center front .
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Tired of denim? Switch it up with the Peter Millar Ultimate Sateen Five-Pocket Pants. It’s made from a blend of cotton and modal, so it could be a great summer alternative to jeans. This pair has a classic cut and is comfortable for sitting for extended periods of time.
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Who doesn’t love a chino? With a clean and versatile cut, the Treasure & Bond Ballard Slim Fit Chino Pants are easy to love. They’re tapered below the knee to give you a great silhouette. Plus, when you shop from Treasure & Bond, Nordstrom will donate 2.5% of its net sales to organizations that empower youth experiencing homelessness.
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T his Rag & Bone Retro Runner Sneaker features a vintage style that has a serrated tread for a refined look. Feel good knowing that the upper is made from 100% post consumer plastic bottles, so you can reduce your carbon footprint . The removable EVA footbed is cushioned and has arch support.
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I don’t know about you, but I am seriously feeling Coach’s handbag game! Like the Marlow Leather Crossbody Bag. Available in yellow and black, this purse will add the perfect dash of style to your going-out look. It has dual interior compartments, one zip pocket, and eight card slots. And this purse is made from calf leather, so it will always feel super soft.
This story was originally published by Molly Horan on 04/01/2020 and updated with new information by Juliana Clark on 09/01/2021.


theroot--2020-06-09--An 1890 Land Deed Halts Removal of Robert E. Lee Statue in Virginia

Over the last five years , a prolonged effort has ensued to remove Confederate statues from public spaces .
These efforts have only intensified in recent weeks as protests have spread nationwide over the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police .
But in Virginia , efforts to remove a monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee have been stifled by an agreement made 130 years ago .
According to NBC News , a temporary injunction filed by a Richmond judge has prevented Gov .
Ralph Northam from removing the statue .
The injunction cites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state agreed to “ faithfully guard ” and “ affectionately protect ” the monument .
The lawsuit was filed by William C. Gregory , who the complaint lists as a descendant of two of the signatories to the deed .
“ ( Gregory ’ s ) family has taken pride for 130 years in this statue resting upon land belonging to his family and transferred to the Commonwealth in consideration of the Commonwealth contractually guaranteeing to perpetually care for and protect the Lee Monument , ” the lawsuit states .
Gov .
Northam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , along with four other Confederate monuments , citing the ongoing protests around Floyd ’ s death as one of the leading factors in his decision .
Northam vowed to remove the statue “ as soon as possible ” and crews have already surveyed the site to determine how to safely remove it .
“ The massive statue weighs approximately 12 tons , stands 21 feet tall , and has been on a 40-foot pedestal for 130 years .
Meticulous planning is required to remove an aging monument of this size and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Services said in a statement .
Nationwide , monuments to white supremacy have either been removed or defaced .
In Alabama , the Confederate soldiers and sailors ’ monument in Birmingham was removed .
In Fredericksburg , Va. , a slave auction block was defaced and eventually removed .
A monument to Frank Rizzo , a former Philadelphia mayor and police commissioner known for his racist and homophobic views was defaced by protestors and eventually taken down .
Internationally , a video circulated of a group of protesters in the British town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands and throwing a monument to slave trader Edward Colston into the bottom of the harbor .
The injunction filed by the judge only lasts for 10 days , after which it will be decided what happens to the statue of Lee .
If one thing is clear here , it ’ s that white people will continue to do the most to glorify one of the biggest L ’ s in history .

Over the last five years, a prolonged effort has ensued to remove Confederate statues from public spaces. These efforts have only intensified in recent weeks as protests have spread nationwide over the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police. But in Virginia, efforts to remove a monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee have been stifled by an agreement made 130 years ago.
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According to NBC News, a temporary injunction filed by a Richmond judge has prevented Gov. Ralph Northam from removing the statue. The injunction cites a deed from 1890 in which the state agreed to “faithfully guard” and “affectionately protect” the monument. The lawsuit was filed by William C. Gregory, who the complaint lists as a descendant of two of the signatories to the deed. “(Gregory’s) family has taken pride for 130 years in this statue resting upon land belonging to his family and transferred to the Commonwealth in consideration of the Commonwealth contractually guaranteeing to perpetually care for and protect the Lee Monument,” the lawsuit states.
Gov. Northam ordered that the statue be removed last week, along with four other Confederate monuments, citing the ongoing protests around Floyd’s death as one of the leading factors in his decision. Northam vowed to remove the statue “as soon as possible” and crews have already surveyed the site to determine how to safely remove it. “The massive statue weighs approximately 12 tons, stands 21 feet tall, and has been on a 40-foot pedestal for 130 years. Meticulous planning is required to remove an aging monument of this size and scale safely,” The Department of General Services said in a statement.
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Nationwide, monuments to white supremacy have either been removed or defaced. In Alabama, the Confederate soldiers and sailors’ monument in Birmingham was removed. In Fredericksburg, Va., a slave auction block was defaced and eventually removed. A monument to Frank Rizzo, a former Philadelphia mayor and police commissioner known for his racist and homophobic views was defaced by protestors and eventually taken down. Internationally, a video circulated of a group of protesters in the British town of Bristol taking matters into their own hands and throwing a monument to slave trader Edward Colston into the bottom of the harbor.
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The injunction filed by the judge only lasts for 10 days, after which it will be decided what happens to the statue of Lee. If one thing is clear here, it’s that white people will continue to do the most to glorify one of the biggest L’s in history.


theroot--2020-06-09--George Floyd Laid to Rest in Houston, Following Weeks of Protests Calling for Racial Justice and an

George Floyd Laid to Rest in Houston, Following Weeks of Protests Calling for Racial Justice and an End to Police Brutality

After several memorials that took place over six days in Minneapolis and North Carolina and weeks of nationwide and global protests fueled by his death , George Floyd was laid to rest Tuesday following a private funeral held at the Fountain of Praise church in Houston , where he grew up .
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced during the service that Houston police would no longer be allowed to use chokeholds on people in custody , according to the Washington Post .
Turner said he intended to sign an executive order banning the use of the move as soon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive order will also mandate that police actively deescalate confrontations , require using a firearm to be a last resort and will require officers to give a warning before firing their gun .
Turner also declared Tuesday “ George ‘ Perry ’ Day ” saying , “ We honor him today because when he took his last breath , the rest of us were able to breathe.
” A video recorded by presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden was also played at the funeral .
“ Why , in this nation , do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose their life just for living their life ?
” Biden asked in the video .
His remarks , somber in tone , were partially addressed at Gianna , Floyd ’ s 6-year-old daughter .
“ Now is the time for racial justice .
That ’ s the answer we must give to our children when they ask , ‘ Why ?
’ Because when there ’ s justice for George Floyd , we will truly be on our way to racial justice in America .
And then , as you said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world , ” Biden said .
Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green called for the creation of a new federal department focused on race relations .
“ We have a responsibility to not only George Floyd , but to those other persons , to…ensure the future generations that this won ’ t happen again , ” Green also called for the end of “ no-knock warrants , ” a reference to Breonna Taylor who was killed after officers open fired on her and her boyfriend while executing a no-knock warrant .
The Rev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Floyd , taking aim at the NFL , President Trump and the inherent hypocrisy of the criminal justice system .
“ Well , don ’ t apologize .
Give Colin Kaepernick a job back , ” he said , referring to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ’ s recent apology to black players who protested .
“ Don ’ t come with some empty apology , take a man ’ s livelihood , strip a man down of his talents—and four years later , when the whole world is marching , you go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ you ’ re sorry.
’ ” Sharpton also called out the president ’ s response to the protests and his recent photo-op in front of a Washington , D.C. , church .
“ When some kids wrongly start violence that this family doesn ’ t condone , the president talks about bringing in the military .
But he ’ s not said one word about the 8 minutes and 46 seconds of police murder of George Floyd.
” Sharpton said .
“ To clear out peaceful protesters and then take a Bible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and use a church as a prop…wickedness in high places .
You ain ’ t been walking across that street when the church didn ’ t have boards up , ” he added .
He also pointed out how differently the circumstances of the last month would ’ ve played out had it been four black cops that killed a white man .
“ If four black cops had done to one white what was done to George , they wouldn ’ t have to teach no new lessons .
They would send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After the ceremony , Floyd ’ s body was taken to Houston Memorial Gardens , where he was buried next to his mother .

After several memorials that took place over six days in Minneapolis and North Carolina and weeks of nationwide and global protests fueled by his death, George Floyd was laid to rest Tuesday following a private funeral held at the Fountain of Praise church in Houston, where he grew up.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced during the service that Houston police would no longer be allowed to use chokeholds on people in custody, according to the Washington Post. Turner said he intended to sign an executive order banning the use of the move as soon as he returned to city hall. The executive order will also mandate that police actively deescalate confrontations, require using a firearm to be a last resort and will require officers to give a warning before firing their gun.
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Turner also declared Tuesday “George ‘Perry’ Day” saying, “We honor him today because when he took his last breath, the rest of us were able to breathe.”
A video recorded by presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden was also played at the funeral. “Why, in this nation, do black Americans wake up knowing they can lose their life just for living their life?” Biden asked in the video.
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His remarks, somber in tone, were partially addressed at Gianna, Floyd’s 6-year-old daughter. “Now is the time for racial justice. That’s the answer we must give to our children when they ask, ‘Why?’ Because when there’s justice for George Floyd, we will truly be on our way to racial justice in America. And then, as you said, Gianna, your daddy will have changed the world,” Biden said.
Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green called for the creation of a new federal department focused on race relations. “We have a responsibility to not only George Floyd, but to those other persons, to…ensure the future generations that this won’t happen again,” Green also called for the end of “no-knock warrants,” a reference to Breonna Taylor who was killed after officers open fired on her and her boyfriend while executing a no-knock warrant.
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The Rev. Al Sharpton delivered another passionate eulogy for Floyd, taking aim at the NFL, President Trump and the inherent hypocrisy of the criminal justice system.
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“Well, don’t apologize. Give Colin Kaepernick a job back,” he said, referring to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s recent apology to black players who protested. “Don’t come with some empty apology, take a man’s livelihood, strip a man down of his talents—and four years later, when the whole world is marching, you go and do a FaceTime, talking about ‘you’re sorry.’ ”
Sharpton also called out the president’s response to the protests and his recent photo-op in front of a Washington, D.C., church. “When some kids wrongly start violence that this family doesn’t condone, the president talks about bringing in the military. But he’s not said one word about the 8 minutes and 46 seconds of police murder of George Floyd.” Sharpton said. “To clear out peaceful protesters and then take a Bible and walk in front of a church and use a church as a prop…wickedness in high places. You ain’t been walking across that street when the church didn’t have boards up,” he added.
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He also pointed out how differently the circumstances of the last month would’ve played out had it been four black cops that killed a white man. “If four black cops had done to one white what was done to George, they wouldn’t have to teach no new lessons. They would send them to jail.” Sharpton said.
After the ceremony, Floyd’s body was taken to Houston Memorial Gardens, where he was buried next to his mother.


theroot--2020-06-09--The Woman Who Sang the Viral 'Lose Yo Job' Song Is Getting the Recognition—and Coins—She Deserves

The song of the summer had no marketing plan , no record deal , no big , glitzy video with star cameos .
It contains just two lines , perfectly delivered and perfectly encapsulating a moment that is both maddening , exhausting , and oddly hopeful .
It comes courtesy of 27-year-old Johnniqua Charles , and she ’ s as surprised by the development as anyone else .
If you ’ ve spent any time on the internet in the last two weeks you ’ re likely familiar with the song , known informally as “ Lose Yo Job.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being detained by a security guard outside a nightclub in Dillon , S.C. earlier this year .
“ Why are you detaining me ?
You about to lose yo job , ” Charles says , before busting out into an impromptu song .
“ You about to lose yo job .
You about to lose yo job .
Get this dance !
You about to lose yo job ‘ cause you are detaining me for nothing.
” It became something of an anthem—Charles has been quoted in signage and graffiti around the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matter protests .
It ’ s also been remixed by DJ Suede the Remix God and iMarkkeyz , two popular DJs who remixed Cardi B.
’ s viral “ Coronavirus ” clip in March .
But until recently , little was known about Charles—when the video happened , who she was , and whether she was getting any credit or compensation for her viral hit .
A new report from BuzzFeed confirms that , thus far , the popular earworm has had a positive impact on Charles ’ life .
Until recently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the streets , estranged from her family .
She was having trouble managing her drug addiction and had turned to sex work in order to survive .
Her 3-year-old son was being raised by her family , whom she hadn ’ t spoken to since November of last year .
The video of her was actually first posted in February by the guard who detained her , Julius Locklear .
He told BuzzFeed that he had a colleague film the incident because his body camera wasn ’ t on .
She was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diamond Gentlemen ’ s Club ; Charles says she had actually left her purse inside and was just trying to retrieve it .
“ I guess he thought I was going back in just to go back inside the club , but he wouldn ’ t allow me , and that ’ s how the argument between me and him started , ” Charles said .
“ I told him to suck my dick , and that is the moment he basically put the handcuffs on me and tussled with me a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vent , ” said Locklear , “ and exercise her freedom of speech.
” “ The situation had nothing to do with race or discrimination , ” he said .
“ You can see me handling it professionally and trying to keep a straight face , but I couldn ’ t. ” Charles was let go once sheriff ’ s deputies arrived .
It ’ s unclear how the clip had resurfaced , but once it did , it was seemingly everywhere .
It provided a much-needed moment of levity as protesters continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also became a warning for every politician intent on giving half-assed , lukewarm responses to protecting black lives ( looking at you , Bill de Blasio ) .
As of Tuesday afternoon , the song was No .
28 on iTunes .
But more importantly , the song has helped bring Charles and her family back together , and given her a “ breakthrough ” she sorely needed .
“ I ’ d been on the streets , and they ’ d been looking for me , ” Charles said .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could basically change my life , and they put out a whole search party to find me.
” Her sister Andrea has set up an Instagram for her , as well as a GoFundMe that has raised more than $ 50,000 since it was launched three days ago .
Andrea says the impetus for the GoFundMe came after fielding tons of requests from people eager to send her sister donations .
“ Once I made her Instagram , people were flooding in , saying , ‘ How can I bless her ?
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She just made my day , ’ ” said Andrea .
“ So the only reason it was created was so people could bless her life.
” Dj Suede the Remix God also said proceeds from the song would go toward Charles and her song .
Charles is wary of the newfound fame— “ I don ’ t want to consider myself quote-unquote famous or a celebrity .
I can ’ t do that , ” she told BuzzFeed—but she doesn ’ t take the dramatic and sudden turnaround for granted .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them so much , but they don ’ t understand —nobody understands—how much this video going viral like this is helping me , because it ’ s giving me the breakthrough I so badly needed for so long .
”

The song of the summer had no marketing plan, no record deal, no big, glitzy video with star cameos. It contains just two lines, perfectly delivered and perfectly encapsulating a moment that is both maddening, exhausting, and oddly hopeful. It comes courtesy of 27-year-old Johnniqua Charles, and she’s as surprised by the development as anyone else.
If you’ve spent any time on the internet in the last two weeks you’re likely familiar with the song, known informally as “Lose Yo Job.” Charles first sang it as she was being detained by a security guard outside a nightclub in Dillon, S.C. earlier this year.
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“Why are you detaining me? You about to lose yo job,” Charles says, before busting out into an impromptu song. “You about to lose yo job. You about to lose yo job. Get this dance! You about to lose yo job ‘cause you are detaining me for nothing.”
It became something of an anthem—Charles has been quoted in signage and graffiti around the country as part of the massive Black Lives Matter protests. It’s also been remixed by DJ Suede the Remix God and iMarkkeyz, two popular DJs who remixed Cardi B.’s viral “Coronavirus” clip in March.
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But until recently, little was known about Charles—when the video happened, who she was, and whether she was getting any credit or compensation for her viral hit. A new report from BuzzFeed confirms that, thus far, the popular earworm has had a positive impact on Charles’ life.
Until recently, BuzzFeed reports, Charles had been living on the streets, estranged from her family. She was having trouble managing her drug addiction and had turned to sex work in order to survive. Her 3-year-old son was being raised by her family, whom she hadn’t spoken to since November of last year.
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The video of her was actually first posted in February by the guard who detained her, Julius Locklear. He told BuzzFeed that he had a colleague film the incident because his body camera wasn’t on. She was accused of trying to trespass at the Diamond Gentlemen’s Club; Charles says she had actually left her purse inside and was just trying to retrieve it.
From BuzzFeed:
“I guess he thought I was going back in just to go back inside the club, but he wouldn’t allow me, and that’s how the argument between me and him started,” Charles said. “I told him to suck my dick, and that is the moment he basically put the handcuffs on me and tussled with me a little bit.” “I just let her vent,” said Locklear, “and exercise her freedom of speech.” “The situation had nothing to do with race or discrimination,” he said. “You can see me handling it professionally and trying to keep a straight face, but I couldn’t.”
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Charles was let go once sheriff’s deputies arrived.
It’s unclear how the clip had resurfaced, but once it did, it was seemingly everywhere. It provided a much-needed moment of levity as protesters continue to combat police brutality, but it also became a warning for every politician intent on giving half-assed, lukewarm responses to protecting black lives (looking at you, Bill de Blasio). As of Tuesday afternoon, the song was No. 28 on iTunes.
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But more importantly, the song has helped bring Charles and her family back together, and given her a “breakthrough” she sorely needed.
“I’d been on the streets, and they’d been looking for me,” Charles said. “And I guess they seen that this video could basically change my life, and they put out a whole search party to find me.”
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Her sister Andrea has set up an Instagram for her, as well as a GoFundMe that has raised more than $50,000 since it was launched three days ago. Andrea says the impetus for the GoFundMe came after fielding tons of requests from people eager to send her sister donations.
“Once I made her Instagram, people were flooding in, saying, ‘How can I bless her? She just blessed my day so much. She just made my day,’” said Andrea. “So the only reason it was created was so people could bless her life.”
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Dj Suede the Remix God also said proceeds from the song would go toward Charles and her song.
Charles is wary of the newfound fame—“I don’t want to consider myself quote-unquote famous or a celebrity. I can’t do that,” she told BuzzFeed—but she doesn’t take the dramatic and sudden turnaround for granted.
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“Other people keep telling me I helped them so much, but they don’t understand —nobody understands—how much this video going viral like this is helping me, because it’s giving me the breakthrough I so badly needed for so long.”