theroot--2020-12-15--The 2020 Wypipo Awards

The 2020 Wypipo Awards

In 2018 , The Root embarked upon a mission to prove our commitment to the “ It ’ s OK to be White ” movement by honoring the notable achievements of America ’ s underwashclothed community .
Despite owning more Grammys , Tonys , Oscars and Emmys for the music , art and culture created by Black folks , we tend to ignore the most important aspect of Caucasian contributions—Wypipoing .
Wypipoing is calling oneself a “ patriot ” while booing Colin Kaepernick ’ s patriotic efforts to make America great .
Wypipoing is calling for “ law and order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement officers .
Perhaps the greatest example is when Thomas Jefferson took out his quill pen to explain why life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness are God-given rights ... And then retired to his quarters for another evening of slave-raping .
Throughout the year , we asked a diverse panel of wypipologists to nominate the best and whitest people in politics , news , entertainment and overall caucasity .
Our slate of electors includes Black people , non-white people , people who don ’ t shop in Victoria ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a few more Black people .
As we always point out that not all white people are not eligible for these accolades .
However , if a white person has ever used the phrase “ not all white people , ” they are probably on our radar .
Only wypipo could ever aspire to this high level of caucastic excellence .
Here are the 2020 nominees and winners : • White people are so angry about Nikole Hannah-Jones ’ Pulitzer Prize-winning project , these motherfuckers are trying to !
I told y @ @ @ @ @ @ @ machine .
• : I don ’ t care what else Mitt Romney does for the rest of his political career ; to me , he will always be the white man who was heralded as “ courageous ” for doing his damn job .
I ’ m sure Managing Editor Genetta Adams thinks I ’ m brave for writing this article but she doesn ’ t want to show favoritism .
• The Ariana Grande of Rachel Dolezals admitted that she was posing as an Afro-Caribbean professor of Black History because her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credence to my African American mothers ’ threats to “ slap the black off you.
” • : America ’ s favorite Southern dandy went on Fox News to beg for money because Senate candidate Jamie Harrison was beating the brakes off of Graham in fundraising .
And the winner is : The “ Stop the Steal ” Movement Despite Wytamurrca ’ s ( where wypipo live ) refusal to acknowledge racism , police brutality , the value of Black lives or the existence of seasoning , when Donald Trump told his supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew how to rig voting machines and change vote totals , white people bought it hook , line and sinker .
According to a Fox News poll , 68 percent of Republicans believe Trump actually won the election , cementing our panel ’ s theory that wypipo will believe anything ... • This Georgia Republican had no political , public service or government experience before she was appointed to fill Georgia ’ s empty Senate seat .
She is the Senate ’ s richest member because she married a rich man .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in farm subsidies .
She has one of the most mediocre , inexperienced white people of all time .
Chuck Todd better watch out .
• : Dr. Deborah Birx , whose job it is to protect the health of America , sat silently and furrowed her brow as Trump suggested that an intravenous Clorox and light cocktail could cure the coronavirus .
• : Nearly two years before everyone else found out that Kim Kardashian ’ s sister not named Khloe bamboozled everyone into believing she was a self-made business mogul , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ bullshit ” on Forbes ’ magazine assertion Kylie Jenner had reached billionaire status ... With her broke ass .
• : Although The Root has covered the epidemic since its inception , they received the second-highest vote total in this category .
It ’ s not that we don ’ t think they deserve it ; we just like to see them cry .
And the winner is : Amy Coney Barrett The Amy Army was represented when actual handmaid and anti-thong activist Amy Coney Barrett stole the Supreme Court seat by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child ’ s weightlifting prowess .
Somewhere Ruth Bader Ginsburg is looking down at this and saying : “ Roll me a blunt , Jesus .
Wan na ride to the robe outlet with me and Mahalia Jackson ?
” • : He ’ s a stand-in for all the white thugs of 2020 .
We really have to do something about white-on-white crime .
• y : The current White House press secretary doesn ’ t just lie and fill three-ring binders with bullshit .
She also spends a significant amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• : I kinda don ’ t care that they are a white supremacist organization ; I ’ m just mad they aren ’ t a breakdancing troupe .
• : The object of Joe Exotic ’ s ire is an example of people I don ’ t like just because of the way they look , although I did like her when I heard she fed a white man to a tiger .
And the winner is : Derek Chauvin I want someone to kneel on his neck for 8 minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother to have to stand there and watch it .
And his grandmother , if she is alive .
And every abusive law enforcement officer in the world .
Of course , this would have to take place in a stadium or something .
I want the world to see the last remnants of life trickle from his body knowing there is nothing he can do about it ; knowing no one will do anything about it ; knowing that it will be called “ justice.
” And when he takes his last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to look up into the standing-room-only crowd of corrupt cops who don ’ t give a fuck about Black lives and say : Best Wypipo-ing By a Duo or Group • : One of 2020 's biggest surprises was that people who like blackface , KKK hoods and a man who uses creamsicles as a makeup foundation would start a movement against covering their faces .
• Karens : They still had a great year , though .
• : Militias , Proud Boys , Stop the Stealers , Fox News hosts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , even if they didn ’ t win a title .
• : There is a special place in hell for the wypipo who enabled Trump ’ s white nationalist regime until he kicked them to the curb , at which point they became warriors for justice .
That place is called “ America.
” And the winner is : Amys What happens when a Karen gets super powers ?
Does she become Amy Coney Barrett , the first handmaid on the Supreme Court ?
Or perhaps she becomes a Klobuchar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect gave Kamala Harris those fake Timberlands ( I ’ m sorry , but I am a Timbs Truther .
A “ Timber , ” if you will . )
Or maybe she could follow in the footsteps of Amy Cooper , who called the cops on the least harmful variety of the American negro—a birdwatching nigga .
Does she shrivel up like a white woman on her 30th birthday ?
Or does she explode ?
All I ’ m saying is that we are concentrating on Karens when the actual taxonomy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name that substitutes a vowel for a more complex spelling ( ie Haleigh , Cyndie , Karynn , Taelyr , etc . )
• White thugs : 2020 was the year of the white thug , including antifa , Proud boys , white terrorists , militias and the entire Republican party .
• Superspreader events : All this time we ’ ve been refusing to give white people an invitation to our cookouts , we had no idea they ’ ve been having this whole time .
• White rioters : 2020 was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looters and rioters were actually white agent provocateurs .
Turns out , Black people want law and order , too .
• : I can ’ t wait to see this episode of Dateline NBC .
And the winner is : Trump Gets the ‘ Rona Nothing gave us more satisfaction than seeing Donald Trump wheeze after disparaging masks and COVID-19 for an entire year .
The only thing that could possibly be better than Trump catching coronavirus is if LeBron James purchases the New England Patriots and hires Colin Kaepernick , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Super Bowl after Eric Reid intercepts Tom Brady and returns it for a touchdown .
Of course , I ’ d be watching this in Rihanna ’ s skybox as she plays unfinished cuts from R9 .
But Rihanna would give me the evil eye when I ask her to turn it down so we can hear television commentator Snoop Dogg ’ s official call .
At an earlier ceremony , we also gave these awards : • Worst reparations ever : In response to protests against injustice and inequality , Black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ syrup and a bag of performative empathy .
• Most unsurprising fact of the year : voting for Trump .
• Black person only wypipo can appreciate : Terry Crews • Wypipo only Black people can appreciate : Antifa • : We did not factor her edges in our voting .
• : Oxpecker extraordinaire Jason Whitlock had a very good year hating everything black .
Unfortunately , not even white people give a fuck about what Jason Whitlock thinks .
• : Ice Cube , 50 Cent , Lil Wayne and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they rapped about the importance of money , cash and/or hoes .
• : Tim Scott isn ’ t anti-Black as much as he is pro-white .
He is willing to reach out to the Black community so that his Republican colleagues can continue chopping off our hands .
And the Winner is : Daniel Cameron If Candace Owens had a threesome with Tim Scott and Jason Whitlock and got pregnant but let Diamond and Silk raise the child until it was old enough to enroll in law classes at the Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baby would still be Blacker than Daniel Cameron .
The Kentucky attorney general ’ s handling of the Breonna Taylor case and ... You know what ?
“ Kentucky Attorney General ” is probably all you need to know .
• Pete Buttigieg : Pete Buttigieg wasn ’ t racist , per se .
He just seemed to have a blind spot when it came to Black people .
I have no idea if he ’ s changed ; but now that he won ’ t be president , I have much warmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : He still gives me I-say-the-n-word-when-I ’ m-upset vibes but his stock definitely went up .
• Snitches : The people inside the intelligence community who spoke out against Trump formed the basis for his impeachment .
• Michael Cohen : Trump ’ s bag man is now one of his biggest detractors after benefitting from his boss for years .
But I like him because he hates Trump .
And the winner is : Joe Biden Most Black people are wary of any 70-plus-year-old white man and Biden is no exception .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ because we knew that he had the best chance of beating Trump .
In fact , aside from the fact that he wasn ’ t Donald Trump , Biden ’ s greatest appeal was that he was an old white man .
We know that white people only vote for Black people once every 232 years .
When I was about 10 years old , I saw a bear ride a bicycle .
There were no training wheels or anything—just a motherfucking grizzly on a goddamned bike .
I ’ ve never seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve seen more bicycle-riding bears than I ’ ve seen 70-year-old white men who completely change their ways .
Reconstruction , the Red Summer of 1919 , the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church , the rise of the militia movement and the “ Stop the Steal ” protests are just a few examples of white people lashing out against Black people voting , living or having the audacity to look them in the eye .
Ask Colin Kaepernick .
Ask Sandra Bland .
Ask Martin Luther King .
Ask Medgar Evers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents of Tulsa .
Ask the residents of Rosewood .
Ask an enslaved African .
Ask Ona Judge .
Ask John Punch .
Ask any Black person who has ever dared to think of themselves as a full human being .
Wypipo of the Year : The Coronavirus Yes , the coronavirus is wypipo .
Think about it : It loves the cold .
It is most active during the winter months .
It hangs out in bars , dirty bathrooms and at Republican gatherings .
It fucks with Tom Hanks but not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air .
Old people are the most likely candidates .
It suppresses votes .
And most of all , It disproportionately attacks nonwhite communities .
Many people mistakenly equate the novel coronavirus with COVID-19 , but the ‘ rona causes the disease called COVID-19 just as wypipo causes the disease called white supremacy .
The original recipe Americans were just going about their business one day until a ship of coronavirus showed up on the shores and began claiming its manifest destiny .
Even though it only affected a small percentage of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had the disease .
To protect ourselves , we figured it was probably best to act as if everyone was infected with the disease because a lot of people couldn ’ t recognize the symptoms .
Soon , there was a coronavirus backlash .
They started showing up with guns and demanding their rights .
The privileged people ignored the devastation that the coronavirus caused to marginalized communities and even pretended that it was something we made up in our heads .
Even when they acknowledged that COVID-19 existed , our leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slowly go away if we went about our daily lives .
If we were honest with ourselves and confronted the coronavirus , we could have eliminated it .
Instead , we pretended that it isn ’ t the biggest threat to our health and safety .
Now , it ’ s affecting our education system , jobs , the healthcare system and the entire economy .
But if we really want a healthy country , we are going to have to vaccinate ourselves before it kills us all .
And it will kill @ @ @ @ @ @

In 2018, The Root embarked upon a mission to prove our commitment to the “It’s OK to be White” movement by honoring the notable achievements of America’s underwashclothed community. Despite owning more Grammys, Tonys, Oscars and Emmys for the music, art and culture created by Black folks, we tend to ignore the most important aspect of Caucasian contributions—Wypipoing.
What is wypipoing?
Wypipoing is calling oneself a “patriot” while booing Colin Kaepernick’s patriotic efforts to make America great. Wypipoing is calling for “law and order” to silence a protest against out-of-order law enforcement officers. Perhaps the greatest example is when Thomas Jefferson took out his quill pen to explain why life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are God-given rights...
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And then retired to his quarters for another evening of slave-raping.
Throughout the year, we asked a diverse panel of wypipologists to nominate the best and whitest people in politics, news, entertainment and overall caucasity. Our slate of electors includes Black people, non-white people, people who don’t shop in Victoria’s Secret’s “nude” section and a few more Black people.
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As we always point out that not all white people are not eligible for these accolades. However, if a white person has ever used the phrase “not all white people,” they are probably on our radar. Only wypipo could ever aspire to this high level of caucastic excellence.
Today, we recognize them.
Here are the 2020 nominees and winners:
White Tears Award
SixteenNineteeners: White people are so angry about Nikole Hannah-Jones’ Pulitzer Prize-winning project, these motherfuckers are trying to pass laws outlawing history
White people are so angry about Nikole Hannah-Jones’ Pulitzer Prize-winning project, these motherfuckers are trying to Mitt Romney : I don’t care what else Mitt Romney does for the rest of his political career; to me, he will always be the white man who was heralded as “courageous” for doing his damn job. I’m sure Managing Editor Genetta Adams thinks I’m brave for writing this article but she doesn’t want to show favoritism.
I don’t care what else Mitt Romney does for the rest of his political career; to me, he will always be the white man who was heralded as “courageous” for doing his damn job. I’m sure Managing Editor Genetta Adams thinks I’m brave for writing this article but she doesn’t want to show favoritism. Jessica Krug: The Ariana Grande of Rachel Dolezals admitted that she was posing as an Afro-Caribbean professor of Black History because her parents were mean to her, giving credence to my African American mothers’ threats to “slap the black off you.”
The Ariana Grande of Rachel Dolezals admitted that she was posing as an Afro-Caribbean professor of Black History because her parents were mean to her, giving credence to my African American mothers’ threats to “slap the black off you.” Lindsey Graham : America’s favorite Southern dandy went on Fox News to beg for money because Senate candidate Jamie Harrison was beating the brakes off of Graham in fundraising.
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And the winner is: The “Stop the Steal” Movement
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Despite Wytamurrca’s (where wypipo live) refusal to acknowledge racism, police brutality, the value of Black lives or the existence of seasoning, when Donald Trump told his supporters that secret cabals of uneducated negro saboteurs knew how to rig voting machines and change vote totals, white people bought it hook, line and sinker. According to a Fox News poll, 68 percent of Republicans believe Trump actually won the election, cementing our panel’s theory that wypipo will believe anything...
Except facts.
Becky of the Year
Kelly Loeffler: This Georgia Republican had no political, public service or government experience before she was appointed to fill Georgia’s empty Senate seat. She is the Senate’s richest member because she married a rich man. She hates socialism but her family received millions in farm subsidies. She has one of the most mediocre, inexperienced white people of all time. Chuck Todd better watch out.
This Georgia Republican had no political, public service or government experience before she was appointed to fill Georgia’s empty Senate seat. She is the Senate’s richest member because she married a rich man. She hates socialism but her family received millions in farm subsidies. She has one of the most mediocre, inexperienced white people of all time. Chuck Todd better watch out. Scarf Lady : Dr. Deborah Birx, whose job it is to protect the health of America, sat silently and furrowed her brow as Trump suggested that an intravenous Clorox and light cocktail could cure the coronavirus.
Dr. Deborah Birx, whose job it is to protect the health of America, sat silently and furrowed her brow as Trump suggested that an intravenous Clorox and light cocktail could cure the coronavirus. Kylie Jenner : Nearly two years before everyone else found out that Kim Kardashian’s sister not named Khloe bamboozled everyone into believing she was a self-made business mogul, The Root
Nearly two years before everyone else found out that Kim Kardashian’s sister not named Khloe bamboozled everyone into believing she was a self-made business mogul, Karens : Although The Root has covered the KAVID-19
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And the winner is: Amy Coney Barrett
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The Amy Army was represented when actual handmaid and anti-thong activist Amy Coney Barrett stole the Supreme Court seat by the sheer force of her adopted Black child’s weightlifting prowess. Somewhere Ruth Bader Ginsburg is looking down at this and saying:
“Roll me a blunt, Jesus. Wanna ride to the robe outlet with me and Mahalia Jackson?”
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Worst New Wypipo
Kyle Rittenhouse : He’s a stand-in for all the white thugs of 2020. We really have to do something about white-on-white crime.
He’s a stand-in for all the white thugs of 2020. We really have to do something about white-on-white crime. Kayleigh McEnan y: The current White House press secretary doesn’t just lie and fill three-ring binders with bullshit. She also spends a significant amount of time hating Obama and Black History Month.
The current White House press secretary doesn’t just lie and fill three-ring binders with bullshit. She also spends a significant amount of time hating Obama and Black History Month. Boogaloo Bois : I kinda don’t care that they are a white supremacist organization; I’m just mad they aren’t a breakdancing troupe.
I kinda don’t care that they are a white supremacist organization; I’m just mad they aren’t a breakdancing troupe. Carole Baskin : The object of Joe Exotic’s ire is an example of people I don’t like just because of the way they look, although I did like her when I heard she fed a white man to a tiger.
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And the winner is: Derek Chauvin
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I don’t wish death upon Derek Chauvin.
I want someone to kneel on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. I want his mother to have to stand there and watch it. And his grandmother, if she is alive. And every abusive law enforcement officer in the world.
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Of course, this would have to take place in a stadium or something.
I want the world to see the last remnants of life trickle from his body knowing there is nothing he can do about it; knowing no one will do anything about it; knowing that it will be called “justice.” And when he takes his last breath, I want then neck-kneeling referee to look up into the standing-room-only crowd of corrupt cops who don’t give a fuck about Black lives and say:
“Next.”
Best Wypipo-ing By a Duo or Group
Anti-maskers : One of 2020's biggest surprises was that people who like blackface, KKK hoods and a man who uses creamsicles as a makeup foundation would start a movement against covering their faces.
One of 2020's biggest surprises was that people who like blackface, KKK hoods and a man who uses creamsicles as a makeup foundation would start a movement against covering their faces. Karens: They still had a great year, though.
They still had a great year, though. Angry white men : Militias, Proud Boys, Stop the Stealers, Fox News hosts and Clemson football fans had a great year this year, even if they didn’t win a title.
Militias, Proud Boys, Stop the Stealers, Fox News hosts and Clemson football fans had a great year this year, even if they didn’t win a title. Ex-Trump administration officials : There is a special place in hell for the wypipo who enabled Trump’s white nationalist regime until he kicked them to the curb, at which point they became warriors for justice. That place is called “America.”
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And the winner is: Amys
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What happens when a Karen gets super powers?
Does she become Amy Coney Barrett, the first handmaid on the Supreme Court? Or perhaps she becomes a Klobuchar, a milquetoast white woman who I suspect gave Kamala Harris those fake Timberlands (I’m sorry, but I am a Timbs Truther. A “Timber,” if you will. ) Or maybe she could follow in the footsteps of Amy Cooper, who called the cops on the least harmful variety of the American negro—a birdwatching nigga. Does she shrivel up like a white woman on her 30th birthday?
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Or does she explode?
All I’m saying is that we are concentrating on Karens when the actual taxonomy of evil white women goes:
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Amy Karen Elizabeth Any name that substitutes a vowel for a more complex spelling (ie Haleigh, Cyndie, Karynn, Taelyr, etc.) Becky
The devil is a white woman named Aimee
Whitest Thing That Happened This Year
White thugs: 2020 was the year of the white thug, including antifa, Proud boys, white terrorists, militias and the entire Republican party.
2020 was the year of the white thug, including antifa, Proud boys, white terrorists, militias and the entire Republican party. Superspreader events: All this time we’ve been refusing to give white people an invitation to our cookouts, we had no idea they’ve been having Wypipo Freakniks
All this time we’ve been refusing to give white people an invitation to our cookouts, we had no idea they’ve been having White rioters: 2020 was the year we found out that the looters and rioters were actually white agent provocateurs. Turns out, Black people want law and order, too.
2020 was the year we found out that the looters and rioters were actually white agent provocateurs. Turns out, Black people want law and order, too. The plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor : I can’t wait to see this episode of Dateline NBC.
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And the winner is: Trump Gets the ‘Rona
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Nothing gave us more satisfaction than seeing Donald Trump wheeze after disparaging masks and COVID-19 for an entire year. The only thing that could possibly be better than Trump catching coronavirus is if LeBron James purchases the New England Patriots and hires Colin Kaepernick, who defeats the Tampa Bay Bucs in the Super Bowl after Eric Reid intercepts Tom Brady and returns it for a touchdown. Of course, I’d be watching this in Rihanna’s skybox as she plays unfinished cuts from R9. But Rihanna would give me the evil eye when I ask her to turn it down so we can hear television commentator Snoop Dogg’s official call.
A man can dream, can’t he?
At an earlier ceremony, we also gave these awards:
Worst reparations ever: In response to protests against injustice and inequality, Black people received a new bottle of Aunt Jemima syrup and a bag of performative empathy.
In response to protests against injustice and inequality, Black people received a new bottle of Aunt Jemima syrup and a bag of performative empathy. Most unsurprising fact of the year: 55 percent of white women
Black person only wypipo can appreciate : Terry Crews
: Terry Crews Wypipo only Black people can appreciate: Antifa
Best Supporting Wypipo
Candace Owens : We did not factor her edges in our voting.
We did not factor her edges in our voting. Jason Whitlock : Oxpecker extraordinaire Jason Whitlock had a very good year hating everything black. Unfortunately, not even white people give a fuck about what Jason Whitlock thinks.
Oxpecker extraordinaire Jason Whitlock had a very good year hating everything black. Unfortunately, not even white people give a fuck about what Jason Whitlock thinks. Black rappers : Ice Cube, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne and others proved that they weren’t faking when they rapped about the importance of money, cash and/or hoes.
Ice Cube, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne and others proved that they weren’t faking when they rapped about the importance of money, cash and/or hoes. Tim Scott : Tim Scott isn’t anti-Black as much as he is pro-white. He is willing to reach out to the Black community so that his Republican colleagues can continue chopping off our hands.
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And the Winner is: Daniel Cameron
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If Candace Owens had a threesome with Tim Scott and Jason Whitlock and got pregnant but let Diamond and Silk raise the child until it was old enough to enroll in law classes at the Kim Kardashian Yeezy school of Law, that baby would still be Blacker than Daniel Cameron. The Kentucky attorney general’s handling of the Breonna Taylor case and...
You know what? “Kentucky Attorney General” is probably all you need to know.
Most Improved Wypipo
Pete Buttigieg: Pete Buttigieg wasn’t racist, per se. He just seemed to have a blind spot when it came to Black people. I have no idea if he’s changed; but now that he won’t be president, I have much warmer feelings about him.
Pete Buttigieg wasn’t racist, per se. He just seemed to have a blind spot when it came to Black people. I have no idea if he’s changed; but now that he won’t be president, I have much warmer feelings about him. Andrew Cuomo: He still gives me I-say-the-n-word-when-I’m-upset vibes but his stock definitely went up.
He still gives me I-say-the-n-word-when-I’m-upset vibes but his stock definitely went up. Snitches: The people inside the intelligence community who spoke out against Trump formed the basis for his impeachment.
The people inside the intelligence community who spoke out against Trump formed the basis for his impeachment. Michael Cohen: Trump’s bag man is now one of his biggest detractors after benefitting from his boss for years. But I like him because he hates Trump.
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And the winner is: Joe Biden
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Most Black people don’t love Joe Biden.
Most Black people are wary of any 70-plus-year-old white man and Biden is no exception. But Black voters handed Biden the presidency because we knew that he had the best chance of beating Trump. In fact, aside from the fact that he wasn’t Donald Trump, Biden’s greatest appeal was that he was an old white man. We know that white people only vote for Black people once every 232 years.
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Has Biden changed?
When I was about 10 years old, I saw a bear ride a bicycle. There were no training wheels or anything—just a motherfucking grizzly on a goddamned bike. I’ve never seen anything like it.
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But I’ve seen more bicycle-riding bears than I’ve seen 70-year-old white men who completely change their ways.
Lifetime Achievement Award: White Backlash
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Reconstruction, the Red Summer of 1919, the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, the rise of the militia movement and the “Stop the Steal” protests are just a few examples of white people lashing out against Black people voting, living or having the audacity to look them in the eye.
Ask Colin Kaepernick. Ask Sandra Bland. Ask Martin Luther King. Ask Medgar Evers. Ask Emmett Till. Ask the residents of Tulsa. Ask the residents of Rosewood. Ask an enslaved African. Ask Ona Judge. Ask John Punch. Ask any Black person who has ever dared to think of themselves as a full human being.
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Shit, ask Jesus.
Wypipo of the Year: The Coronavirus
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Yes, the coronavirus is wypipo. Think about it: It loves the cold. It is most active during the winter months. It hangs out in bars, dirty bathrooms and at Republican gatherings. It fucks with Tom Hanks but not Samuel L. Jackson. It travels by air. Old people are the most likely candidates. It suppresses votes. And most of all, It disproportionately attacks nonwhite communities.
Many people mistakenly equate the novel coronavirus with COVID-19, but the ‘rona causes the disease called COVID-19 just as wypipo causes the disease called white supremacy.
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The original recipe Americans were just going about their business one day until a ship of coronavirus showed up on the shores and began claiming its manifest destiny. Even though it only affected a small percentage of people, there was no way to tell who had the disease. To protect ourselves, we figured it was probably best to act as if everyone was infected with the disease because a lot of people couldn’t recognize the symptoms.
Soon, there was a wypipo coronavirus backlash. They started showing up with guns and demanding their rights. The privileged people ignored the devastation that the coronavirus caused to marginalized communities and even pretended that it was something we made up in our heads. Even when they acknowledged that racism COVID-19 existed, our leaders tried to convince us that it would slowly go away if we went about our daily lives.
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If we were honest with ourselves and confronted whiteness the coronavirus, we could have eliminated it. Instead, we pretended that it isn’t the biggest threat to our health and safety. Now, it’s affecting our education system, jobs, the healthcare system and the entire economy. But if we really want a healthy country, we are going to have to vaccinate ourselves before it kills us all.
And it will kill us.
But for now...
Congratulations.


theroot--2020-12-15--No Charges Filed Against Minneapolis Pawn Shop Owner In Fatal Shooting of Black Man During George Fl

No Charges Filed Against Minneapolis Pawn Shop Owner In Fatal Shooting of Black Man During George Floyd Unrest

In July , The Root reported that 43-year-old Calvin Horton Jr. was allegedly shot and killed by a Minneapolis pawnshop owner during civil unrest two days after the killing of George Floyd .
As Horton ’ s family and their attorney , Ben Crump , took part in demonstrations demanding justice for Horton , police officials asked the public to come forward with information on the shooting as investigators were unable to find surveillance footage of the shooting and only had one cooperating witness .
Sadly , prosecutors announced Monday that no charges will be filed against the alleged shooter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses came forward and any surveillance cameras that may have captured the shooting had been destroyed during the unrest .
Let ’ s start with what we reported in July : Investigators say they haven ’ t been able to find any surveillance video of the shooting and only have one witness who saw part of the incident .
The family , however , said they have seen a Facebook video that shows Horton was receiving first aid by paramedics in front of the pawnshop before he was shot and that it proves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from an attack when he started firing into a crowd of protesters—which they said he did from inside the store , Fox 9 reports .
“ He shot out into a crowd of dozens of people , and we know bullets don ’ t have a name on it .
That bullet could have hit anybody , ” Crump said .
The family also said the video , as well as their viewing of Horton ’ s body , shows he was shot in the back , not in the chest , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the time , the medical examiner ’ s office said they could not comment on the family ’ s claim that Horton was shot in the back , and the Minneapolis Police Department said they couldn ’ t confirm if Horton was inside or outside of the store when he was shot as the investigation was still ongoing .
Unfortunately , there was never much progress made in investigating the shooting , and officials appear to suggest that protesters are at fault .
The Associated Press reports that Hennepin County Attorney Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a six-month investigation , there simply wasn ’ t enough evidence to disprove Rieple ’ s claim that he acted out of self-defense .
Freeman ’ s office said police responded to the pawn shop at dusk to find Horton on the sidewalk .
Officers began trying to help him , but they were physically and verbally assaulted , so they moved him to a nearby business .
Prosecutors said paramedics arrived to a chaotic scene and couldn ’ t reach Horton , so police carried him to an ambulance .
Officers arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processing the scene because they were being threatened , prosecutors said .
As a result , police never recovered a firearm .
And by the time police returned the next morning , the pawn shop had been ransacked .
Prosecutors said everything in the shop was gone , including security cameras and equipment that would have recorded the shooting .
The one witness who cooperated with authorities said that Horton was with a group of people that entered the store and that at least one member of the group had a handgun .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Horton armed but said he was about 7 feet away from the shop owner when he was shot .
Freeman ’ s office said that if any additional evidence surfaces , prosecutors can reconsider potential charges .

In July, The Root reported that 43-year-old Calvin Horton Jr. was allegedly shot and killed by a Minneapolis pawnshop owner during civil unrest two days after the killing of George Floyd. As Horton’s family and their attorney, Ben Crump, took part in demonstrations demanding justice for Horton, police officials asked the public to come forward with information on the shooting as investigators were unable to find surveillance footage of the shooting and only had one cooperating witness. Sadly, prosecutors announced Monday that no charges will be filed against the alleged shooter, John Rieple, because no additional witnesses came forward and any surveillance cameras that may have captured the shooting had been destroyed during the unrest.
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Let’s start with what we reported in July:
Investigators say they haven’t been able to find any surveillance video of the shooting and only have one witness who saw part of the incident. The family, however, said they have seen a Facebook video that shows Horton was receiving first aid by paramedics in front of the pawnshop before he was shot and that it proves Rieple wasn’t protecting his store from an attack when he started firing into a crowd of protesters—which they said he did from inside the store, Fox 9 reports. “He shot out into a crowd of dozens of people, and we know bullets don’t have a name on it. That bullet could have hit anybody,” Crump said. The family also said the video, as well as their viewing of Horton’s body, shows he was shot in the back, not in the chest, as the Hennepin County Medical Examiner reported.
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At the time, the medical examiner’s office said they could not comment on the family’s claim that Horton was shot in the back, and the Minneapolis Police Department said they couldn’t confirm if Horton was inside or outside of the store when he was shot as the investigation was still ongoing. Unfortunately, there was never much progress made in investigating the shooting, and officials appear to suggest that protesters are at fault.
The Associated Press reports that Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman’s office confirmed that after a six-month investigation, there simply wasn’t enough evidence to disprove Rieple’s claim that he acted out of self-defense.
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From AP:
Freeman’s office said police responded to the pawn shop at dusk to find Horton on the sidewalk. Officers began trying to help him, but they were physically and verbally assaulted, so they moved him to a nearby business. Prosecutors said paramedics arrived to a chaotic scene and couldn’t reach Horton, so police carried him to an ambulance. Officers arrested the pawn shop owner but left before processing the scene because they were being threatened, prosecutors said. As a result, police never recovered a firearm. And by the time police returned the next morning, the pawn shop had been ransacked. Prosecutors said everything in the shop was gone, including security cameras and equipment that would have recorded the shooting.
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The one witness who cooperated with authorities said that Horton was with a group of people that entered the store and that at least one member of the group had a handgun. The witness didn’t report seeing Horton armed but said he was about 7 feet away from the shop owner when he was shot.
Freeman’s office said that if any additional evidence surfaces, prosecutors can reconsider potential charges.


theroot--2020-12-15--This Twitter Thread of ‘Beyoncé Songs: Demo vs. Original’ Is Living Rent-Free in My Mind and You Hav

This Twitter Thread of ‘Beyoncé Songs: Demo vs. Original’ Is Living Rent-Free in My Mind and You Have to Hear Why

How many times can Beyoncé snatch my wig and throw it across the stratosphere ?
Let us count the ways .
Actually—let ’ s not do that ; we ’ d be here ‘ til Inauguration Day .
Instead , let ’ s take a look at this thread Twitter user Yonce Vocals dropped that perfectly showcases Beyoncé ’ s natural ability to upgrade a song from a lit track to a full-fledged MOMENT .
I present , example one : APES**T. Here we have a bop that could ’ ve also honestly stayed a Migos track , respectfully smacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beyoncé .
I ’ m not gon ’ lie to you though , I love when Bey gets in her rapper bag—the female version of a hustler in me starts shaking , in a good way .
But I ’ d also be lying if I said that the Migos ’ demo track wouldn ’ t equally bang at the pre-pandemic function .
“ Like my chips with the dip like Doritos.
” I mean !
Speaking of Doritos , I ’ m actually pissed now that there hasn ’ t been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on guys , these are what Rap Snacks ’ dreams are made of .
Make the call already .
Next up , Ryan Tedder ’ s “ Halo ” gets a more angelic feel , thanks to Beyoncé ’ s sweet mezzo-soprano tone .
Now , this is one song I ’ m glad Tedder let Bey adopt and bless .
It seems like just yesterday my friends and I were trying to test who could hit that falsetto run the best in that “ I ain ’ t never gon na shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ ll tell ya .
Good times .
( Spoiler alert : it was me , I hit that note the best .
I don ’ t care what my friends say .
But that ’ s probably the only Beyoncé note I ’ ll ever be able to hit again so someone please clap . )
Moving onto “ Hold Up , ” one of my personal faves off Lemonade .
Ezra Koenig is the one giving us the vibes and if I ’ m honest , I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head , White Boy !
The little twang in Bey ’ s voice and enunciations stand out more though , especially now that the two are side-by-side .
It feels like a good nod back to how Koenig did it but to be real , both versions work for me .
Of course , Queen Bey ’ s take ultimately reigns supreme here because , duh ?
Now , onto the one that arguably matters the most : “ Formation , ” demoed by Rae Sremmurd .
Now listen , I might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not , because The Glow Up ’ s Managing Editor Maiysha Kai also agrees and that ’ s all the confirmation I need , ATP ) , but I think I would have rather had Rae Sremmurd ’ s version .
Just listen to it !
No , seriously .
Sit back , close your eyes , and imagine the pre-pandemic party scene in your head .
Can you smell the hookah off in the cut ?
Do you see all the men and women choosing over by the bar ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t you hypnotized by all the ladies in the place throwing it in the circle while their friends hype them up ?
You see it , I know you do .
Rae Sremmurd ’ s version makes you want to get up and throw some mo ’ whereas Bey ’ s just makes you want to record those cute little videos of yourself lip-syncing and sipping mimosas while out to brunch at a day party for your Insta-story .
And that ’ s no shade to Bey , brunch or day parties—especially considering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really indulge or enjoy the latter two the way we want to right now .
( You know , with the whole worldwide pandemic still happening and all . )
The rest of this thread tackles “ 1+1 , ” “ Dance For You , ” “ Jealous , ” and “ Boss , ” which were demoed by “ Falsetto ” singer The Dream , Lyrica Anderson , and Ty Dolla $ ign respectively .
But since you ’ re probably now daydreaming about virus-free air , breakfast potatoes and twerking , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of these judgment calls for yourself , at your leisure .

Shanelle Genai on The Grapevine, shared by Shanelle Genai to The Root

How many times can Beyoncé snatch my wig and throw it across the stratosphere? Let us count the ways. Actually—let’s not do that; we’d be here ‘til Inauguration Day. Instead, let’s take a look at this thread Twitter user Yonce Vocals dropped that perfectly showcases Beyoncé’s natural ability to upgrade a song from a lit track to a full-fledged MOMENT.
Advertisement
I present, example one: APES**T. Here we have a bop that could’ve also honestly stayed a Migos track, respectfully smacked, flipped and turned upside down by Beyoncé. I’m not gon’ lie to you though, I love when Bey gets in her rapper bag—the female version of a hustler in me starts shaking, in a good way. But I’d also be lying if I said that the Migos’ demo track wouldn’t equally bang at the pre-pandemic function. “Like my chips with the dip like Doritos.” I mean! Speaking of Doritos, I’m actually pissed now that there hasn’t been a Migos x Doritos collab yet. Come on guys, these are what Rap Snacks’ dreams are made of. Make the call already.
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Next up, Ryan Tedder’s “Halo” gets a more angelic feel, thanks to Beyoncé’s sweet mezzo-soprano tone. Now, this is one song I’m glad Tedder let Bey adopt and bless. It seems like just yesterday my friends and I were trying to test who could hit that falsetto run the best in that “I ain’t never gonna shut you OOoouuutt” line. Good times, I’ll tell ya. Good times. (Spoiler alert: it was me, I hit that note the best. I don’t care what my friends say. But that’s probably the only Beyoncé note I’ll ever be able to hit again so someone please clap.)
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Moving onto “Hold Up,” one of my personal faves off Lemonade. Ezra Koenig is the one giving us the vibes and if I’m honest, I’m not mad at it. Go’ head, White Boy! The little twang in Bey’s voice and enunciations stand out more though, especially now that the two are side-by-side. It feels like a good nod back to how Koenig did it but to be real, both versions work for me. Of course, Queen Bey’s take ultimately reigns supreme here because, duh?
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Now, onto the one that arguably matters the most: “Formation,” demoed by Rae Sremmurd. Now listen, I might be in the minority here (actually I’m not, because The Glow Up’s Managing Editor Maiysha Kai also agrees and that’s all the confirmation I need, ATP), but I think I would have rather had Rae Sremmurd’s version. Just listen to it!
No, seriously. Sit back, close your eyes, and imagine the pre-pandemic party scene in your head. Can you smell the hookah off in the cut? Do you see all the men and women choosing over by the bar? And most of all, aren’t you hypnotized by all the ladies in the place throwing it in the circle while their friends hype them up? You see it, I know you do. Rae Sremmurd’s version makes you want to get up and throw some mo’ whereas Bey’s just makes you want to record those cute little videos of yourself lip-syncing and sipping mimosas while out to brunch at a day party for your Insta-story. And that’s no shade to Bey, brunch or day parties—especially considering the fact that we can’t really indulge or enjoy the latter two the way we want to right now. (You know, with the whole worldwide pandemic still happening and all.)
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The rest of this thread tackles “1+1,” “Dance For You,” “Jealous,” and “Boss,” which were demoed by “Falsetto” singer The Dream, Lyrica Anderson, and Ty Dolla $ign respectively. But since you’re probably now daydreaming about virus-free air, breakfast potatoes and twerking, I’ll leave you to make the rest of these judgment calls for yourself, at your leisure.


theroot--2020-12-15--Have a Not so Silent Night With These Stocking Stuffers Under $20 at Adam & Eve

Whether you 're celebrating with your loved ones in person or from a distance , The Inventory staff is dedicated @ @ @ @ @ the top gifts to ring in the season—and maybe a few good deals to snatch @ @ @ @ @ 's okay , your secret 's safe with us .
Adam & Eve want to @ @ @ @ @ a little merrier .
Starting at $ 4 grab a few extra goodies to stuff @ @ @ @ @ ’ s stocking this holiday season .
There ’ s something from everyone and you @ @ @ @ @ than $ 10 with the code BONUS50 .
Lots of candy cane decorated vibes for @ @ @ @ @ ’ re sure to put you on the naughty list .
Butt ... .
if @ @ @ @ @ a ride this yuletide plenty of items like the Booty Sparks ( $ 7 ) @ @ @ @ @ cheer .
And for solo Santas , the Shower Stroker ( $ 10 ) is @ @ @ @ @ ls .
Standard shipping is $ 8 on all orders .

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

Stocking Stuffers Under $20 | Adam & Eve | Use Code BONUS50
Adam & Eve want to help you make the season a little merrier . Starting at $4 grab a few extra goodies to stuff yours or a beloved one’s stocking this holiday season. There’s something from everyone and you won’t spend more than $10 with the code BONUS50.
Lots of candy cane decorated vibes for about $10 and they’re sure to put you on the naughty list. Butt.... if you’re in for a ride this yuletide plenty of items like the Booty Sparks ($7) will bring all the Christmas cheer. And for solo Santas, the Shower Stroker ($10) is here to jingle your bel ls.
Standard shipping is $8 on all orders.


theroot--2020-12-15--Stunt Queen Alert: Michigan Republican Leaves GOP Over Trump’s Endless Attempts to Overturn Election

Rep. Paul Mitchell , ( R-Mich. ) has had enough .
And by enough , I mean that babies in cages didn ’ t bother him nor did a wall to separate Mexico from America .
Mitchell wasn ’ t bothered by the president ’ s unwillingness to show his taxes or his use of public office to bash dissenters .
Mitchell was apparently fine with the president ’ s racism , xenophobia and horrible diet .
The straw that reportedly broke Rep. Paul Mitchell ’ s back was the president ’ s attempts to steal the election .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bloody Selma bridge too far for Mitchell , who has left the Republican Party to become an independent , because attention .
According to NBC News , the breaking point for Mitchell was “ the amicus brief signed by over 100 Republican House members in support of the unsuccessful Texas-led bid to overturn President-elect Joe Biden ’ s win at the Supreme Court , which made unsupported claims of widespread voter fraud and argued that voting procedures in four battleground states violated their own state laws.
” “ As I saw that amicus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weekend in the national media , it became clear to me that I could no longer be associated with the Republican Party , that leadership does not stand up and say the process , the election , is over , ” he said .
“ It ’ s over today.
” Mitchell added , “ And then I saw the president tweet out that it ’ s not over until January 20th and somehow , he is going to continue to combat this.
” That was when Mitchell got up off of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was going to do something about it !
So he sent a letter to “ Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , on Monday informing them of his decision.
” Also , no one outside of Michigan knew who the hell he was before he did this .
See , I ’ m totally questioning the authenticity of this move if that ’ s not been obvious .
You ’ re telling me that as an elected official , you watched the way that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to some 300,000 people dead and that didn ’ t force you to move on from this party that Trump built ?
Nope , it was the open thievery of the election that finally made Mitchell say , “ Enough.
” Very few Republicans have stood up to openly criticize Trump because they are punks who are afraid that going against Trump could lead to a derogatory nickname on Twitter and an inability to retain their office , come election time .
Trump has made it his mission , while in office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go against him .
And if I ’ ve not made it clear that I believe Mitchell ’ s defection from the GOP is all a stunt , maybe it helps to know that Mitchell waited until his retirement to say something .
Mitchell is “ retiring at the end of this session of Congress , ” and added that “ he voted for Trump and supported the administration the vast majority of the time.
” “ But this party has to stand up for democracy first , for our Constitution first , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect a candidate , not simply for raw political power , ” he said .
“ And that is what I feel is going on , and I ’ ve had enough .
”

Rep. Paul Mitchell, (R-Mich.) has had enough. And by enough, I mean that babies in cages didn’t bother him nor did a wall to separate Mexico from America. Mitchell wasn’t bothered by the president’s unwillingness to show his taxes or his use of public office to bash dissenters. Mitchell was apparently fine with the president’s racism, xenophobia and horrible diet. The straw that reportedly broke Rep. Paul Mitchell’s back was the president’s attempts to steal the election. That, it turns out, was a bloody Selma bridge too far for Mitchell, who has left the Republican Party to become an independent, because attention.
Stunt queen alert.
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According to NBC News, the breaking point for Mitchell was “the amicus brief signed by over 100 Republican House members in support of the unsuccessful Texas-led bid to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s win at the Supreme Court, which made unsupported claims of widespread voter fraud and argued that voting procedures in four battleground states violated their own state laws.”
“As I saw that amicus brief as well as the discussions over the weekend in the national media, it became clear to me that I could no longer be associated with the Republican Party, that leadership does not stand up and say the process, the election, is over,” he said. “It’s over today.”
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Mitchell added, “And then I saw the president tweet out that it’s not over until January 20th and somehow, he is going to continue to combat this.”
That was when Mitchell got up off of his fainting couch and decided that he was going to do something about it! So he sent a letter to “Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., on Monday informing them of his decision.”
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Also, no one outside of Michigan knew who the hell he was before he did this. See, I’m totally questioning the authenticity of this move if that’s not been obvious. You’re telling me that as an elected official, you watched the way that the president mishandled the coronavirus pandemic that has led to some 300,000 people dead and that didn’t force you to move on from this party that Trump built?
Nope, it was the open thievery of the election that finally made Mitchell say, “Enough.”
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Yeah, well, I hear something.
Stunt queen alert
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Very few Republicans have stood up to openly criticize Trump because they are punks who are afraid that going against Trump could lead to a derogatory nickname on Twitter and an inability to retain their office, come election time. Trump has made it his mission, while in office, to attack all of those who go against him.
And if I’ve not made it clear that I believe Mitchell’s defection from the GOP is all a stunt, maybe it helps to know that Mitchell waited until his retirement to say something. Mitchell is “retiring at the end of this session of Congress,” and added that “he voted for Trump and supported the administration the vast majority of the time.”
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“But this party has to stand up for democracy first, for our Constitution first, and not political considerations, not to protect a candidate, not simply for raw political power,” he said. “And that is what I feel is going on, and I’ve had enough.”
What’s that? I thought a stunt queen said something:


theroot--2020-12-15--Here Comes the Brand New Royal in Ya Ear: The Sussexes Ink Exclusive Podcast Deal With Spotify

If you ’ ve been a loyal fan of the dulcet tones of our forever first lady , Michelle Obama , via her eponymous podcast on Spotify ( with occasional guest appearances from her presidential partner ) , the digital music and podcast platform will now also have some royalty coming across their airwaves .
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle—also known as the Sussexes , will reportedly continue to follow the strategically laid path of the Obamas , having also inked an exclusive multi-year partnership with Spotify .
Earlier this year , the Sussexes joined the Obamas at Netflix , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 100 million ( h/t Elle ) .
They also signed to Obamas ’ speakers ’ bureau the Harry Walker Agency .
On Tuesday morning , Deadline reported that the d uke and d uchess will once again follow in the footsteps of the political power couple , now to “ produce audio programming via their company Archewell Audio.
” Per Deadline : “ The pair said that they wanted to create shows to “ spotlight diverse perspectives and voices.
” A joint statement from the duke and duchess explained their attraction to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love about podcasting is that it reminds all of us to take a moment and to really listen , to connect to one another without distraction .
With the challenges of 2020 , there has never been a more important time to do so , because when we hear each other , and hear each other ’ s stories , we are reminded of how interconnected we all are .
The investment will likely prove a worthy investment for Spotify .
As Harper ’ s Bazaar reports , Meghan and Harry ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this year in no way affected their profile on the world stage ; in fact , exclusive data shared with the magazine revealed that “ Meghan was the most tweeted-about member of the royal family in 2020 , closely followed by Harry and Queen Elizabeth , respectively.
” In a year that has seen interest in the House of Windsor surge , thanks to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ’ s official departure in March , as well as the recent release of The Crown ’ s fourth season , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were written about royal family members—a rise of more than 30 percent from the previous year , according to official data shared by Twitter , Inc .
The social media platform currently has more than 330 million active monthly users in over 180 countries .
The data shared exclusively with BAZAAR sees Meghan and Harry taking the top two spots by a landslide .
The duchess ’ s newly found freedom , steady stream of meaningful appearances , and candid conversations , including her emotional New York Times essay last month on losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center of more Twitter conversations than any other royal .
“ The Duke and Duchess of Sussex may live in California but the power of their voices rests in their status as citizens of the world .
That they are embracing the extraordinary capacity of podcasts on Spotify while also seeking to elevate underrepresented voices is a testament to their appreciation for the potential of audio storytelling , ” noted Spotify Chief Content and Advertising Business Officer , Dawn Ostroff .
“ We are proud to partner with The Duke and Duchess and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them and the other creators that they will be elevating via our global platform.
” The first full series from Archewell Audio is expected to premiere on Spotify next year , but royal watchers needn ’ t wait that long ; the Sussexes will host a holiday special later this month , produced in partnership with Spotify ’ s Gimlet studio .
Per Deadline , the special will feature “ stories of hope and compassion from inspirational guests in celebration of the new year.
” Updated : Tuesday , 12/15/20 , at 2:52 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is just one of two major moves made by Meghan this week .
A s reported by Fortune , on Monday , the d uchess also announced her first venture as a start-up investor .
After trying Clevr Blends ’ instant oat milk lattes at a pop-up event , Meghan reportedly reached out to the company , founded by Hannah Mendoza and headquartered near the couple ’ s Montecito home , ultimately becoming the company ’ s first outside investor .
“ This investment is in support of a passionate female entrepreneur who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” wrote Meghan in a statement about the new partnership .
“ I ’ m proud to invest in Hannah ’ s commitment to sourcing ethical ingredients and creating a product that I personally love and has a holistic approach to wellness .
I believe in her and I believe in her company .
”

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

If you’ve been a loyal fan of the dulcet tones of our forever first lady, Michelle Obama, via her eponymous podcast on Spotify (with occasional guest appearances from her presidential partner), the digital music and podcast platform will now also have some royalty coming across their airwaves. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle—also known as the Sussexes, will reportedly continue to follow the strategically laid path of the Obamas, having also inked an exclusive multi-year partnership with Spotify.
Earlier this year, the Sussexes joined the Obamas at Netflix, scoring a multi-year deal reportedly worth approximately $100 million (h/t Elle). They also signed to Obamas’ speakers’ bureau the Harry Walker Agency. On Tuesday morning, Deadline reported that the d uke and d uchess will once again follow in the footsteps of the political power couple, now to “produce audio programming via their company Archewell Audio.”
Advertisement
Per Deadline: “The pair said that they wanted to create shows to “spotlight diverse perspectives and voices.” A joint statement from the duke and duchess explained their attraction to the format, reading:
What we love about podcasting is that it reminds all of us to take a moment and to really listen, to connect to one another without distraction. With the challenges of 2020, there has never been a more important time to do so, because when we hear each other, and hear each other’s stories, we are reminded of how interconnected we all are.
Advertisement Advertisement
The investment will likely prove a worthy investment for Spotify. As Harper’s Bazaar reports, Meghan and Harry’s decision to step down as senior royals earlier this year in no way affected their profile on the world stage; in fact, exclusive data shared with the magazine revealed that “Meghan was the most tweeted-about member of the royal family in 2020, closely followed by Harry and Queen Elizabeth, respectively.”
In a year that has seen interest in the House of Windsor surge, thanks to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s official departure in March, as well as the recent release of The Crown’s fourth season, more than 20 million tweets around the world were written about royal family members—a rise of more than 30 percent from the previous year, according to official data shared by Twitter, Inc. The social media platform currently has more than 330 million active monthly users in over 180 countries. The data shared exclusively with BAZAAR sees Meghan and Harry taking the top two spots by a landslide. The duchess’s newly found freedom, steady stream of meaningful appearances, and candid conversations, including her emotional New York Times essay last month on losing a baby, saw Meghan at the center of more Twitter conversations than any other royal.
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“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex may live in California but the power of their voices rests in their status as citizens of the world. That they are embracing the extraordinary capacity of podcasts on Spotify while also seeking to elevate underrepresented voices is a testament to their appreciation for the potential of audio storytelling,” noted Spotify Chief Content and Advertising Business Officer, Dawn Ostroff. “We are proud to partner with The Duke and Duchess and look forward to listeners hearing directly from them and the other creators that they will be elevating via our global platform.”
The first full series from Archewell Audio is expected to premiere on Spotify next year, but royal watchers needn’t wait that long; the Sussexes will host a holiday special later this month, produced in partnership with Spotify’s Gimlet studio. Per Deadline, the special will feature “stories of hope and compassion from inspirational guests in celebration of the new year.”
Advertisement
Updated: Tuesday, 12/15/20, at 2:52 p.m., ET: Apparently, Spotify is just one of two major moves made by Meghan this week. A s reported by Fortune, on Monday, the d uchess also announced her first venture as a start-up investor. After trying Clevr Blends’ instant oat milk lattes at a pop-up event, Meghan reportedly reached out to the company, founded by Hannah Mendoza and headquartered near the couple’s Montecito home, ultimately becoming the company’s first outside investor.
“This investment is in support of a passionate female entrepreneur who prioritizes building community alongside her business,” wrote Meghan in a statement about the new partnership. “I’m proud to invest in Hannah’s commitment to sourcing ethical ingredients and creating a product that I personally love and has a holistic approach to wellness. I believe in her and I believe in her company.”


theroot--2020-12-15--Fox Does Not Have a Sweet Tooth for the Empire Spinoff About Cookie, So It's Being Shopped Elsewhere

Fox , the original broadcast home of Empire , apparently isn ’ t too hungry for its breakout character , Cookie .
Well , the network isn ’ t too interested in hosting her own leading series , that is .
According to Deadline , Fox is not moving forward with the previously reported Empire spinoff starring Taraji P. Henson , which is set to focus on Cookie .
Apparently , Disney TV Studios ’ 20th Television and Imagine TV are looking at ABC and Hulu as possible network homes .
More info ( which also gives some insight into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge Disney family tree ) , via Deadline : The mothership series , created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong , ran on Fox for six seasons .
A spinoff of such a successful series comes with a high price tag , which is hard for a broadcast network to cover , especially when it is not affiliated with the studio as is the case with Fox and 20th TV , which became separated by the Disney-Fox acquisition toward the end of Empire ‘ s run .
( Fox Entertainment has no ownership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strong , Stacy A. Littlejohn and Yolonda Lawrence , with Empire vet Sanaa Hamri set to direct . )
While Fox brass felt this was not the right show for the network at this time , they are committed to staying in business with the creative collaborators of Empire and the proposed spinoff .
The network recently opened a writers room for drama Our Kind of People , from Lee , Karen Gist and 20th TV , with an eye to a series order that appears likely .
Cookie truly became a whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to strike the Empire Cinematic Universe fire while it was hot .
In a 2016 Variety “ Actors on Actors ” interview with Ryan Reynolds , Henson opened up on her new level of superfame following her standout portrayal of Cookie .
“ You ’ re walking down the street and they ’ re just like , ‘ Hey Cookie ’ —maybe I didn ’ t want the world to see how I looked today , maybe I wore these sweats yesterday , ” Henson said at the time .
“ It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ okay under the radar , I could go to Target .
I never saw that coming .
I go from this normal life to having to find a house on a private gated road , it ’ s crazy.
” Should the pending spinoff land at Hulu , ABC or somewhere else , I guess we ’ ll see if that initial Cookie Craze is still a thing .
Besides , Cookie has a new wardrobe closet to show off !

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

Fox, the original broadcast home of Empire, apparently isn’t too hungry for its breakout character, Cookie. Well, the network isn’t too interested in hosting her own leading series, that is.
According to Deadline, Fox is not moving forward with the previously reported Empire spinoff starring Taraji P. Henson, which is set to focus on Cookie. Apparently, Disney TV Studios’ 20th Television and Imagine TV are looking at ABC and Hulu as possible network homes.
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More info (which also gives some insight into how the Fox network fits into the huge Disney family tree), via Deadline:
The mothership series, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, ran on Fox for six seasons. A spinoff of such a successful series comes with a high price tag, which is hard for a broadcast network to cover, especially when it is not affiliated with the studio as is the case with Fox and 20th TV, which became separated by the Disney-Fox acquisition toward the end of Empire‘s run. (Fox Entertainment has no ownership in the spinoff, written/exec produced by Strong, Stacy A. Littlejohn and Yolonda Lawrence, with Empire vet Sanaa Hamri set to direct.) While Fox brass felt this was not the right show for the network at this time, they are committed to staying in business with the creative collaborators of Empire and the proposed spinoff. The network recently opened a writers room for drama Our Kind of People, from Lee, Karen Gist and 20th TV, with an eye to a series order that appears likely.
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Cookie truly became a whole phenomenon, so it definitely made sense to strike the Empire Cinematic Universe fire while it was hot. In a 2016 Variety “Actors on Actors” interview with Ryan Reynolds, Henson opened up on her new level of superfame following her standout portrayal of Cookie.
“You’re walking down the street and they’re just like, ‘Hey Cookie’—maybe I didn’t want the world to see how I looked today, maybe I wore these sweats yesterday,” Henson said at the time. “It was fine until Cookie came, I was okay under the radar, I could go to Target. I never saw that coming. I go from this normal life to having to find a house on a private gated road, it’s crazy.”
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Should the pending spinoff land at Hulu, ABC or somewhere else, I guess we’ll see if that initial Cookie Craze is still a thing. Besides, Cookie has a new wardrobe closet to show off!


theroot--2020-12-15--All Aboard the AirPods Pro Hype Train, Now $60 off on Woot

I ’ m no stranger to the AirPods Pro magic Kinja Deals readers have gone apeshit over ever since Apple ’ s true wireless active noise-canceling earbuds first went on sale .
Between the H1 chip—which allows for automatic pairing to iPhones and iPads and pretty damn seamless pairing to everything else as well—and their better than expected ability to block out ambient sound , the AirPods Pro are close to perfect .
While I wasn ’ t a fan of the original AirPods due to the lack of rubberized tips , these boast substantive upgrades over their younger sibling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resistance for intense exercise .
And , for the next 5 days ( or whenever inventory sells out ) , they ’ re discounted $ 60 on Woot .
Although I ’ ll admit the battery life leaves something to be desired , unless transparency mode is enabled , AirPods Pro are some of the best true wireless earbuds you can buy right now , and probably the best in their size with active noise canceling functionality .
Just see what our friend Adam Clark Estes had to say in his review for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the AirPods .
That ’ s mainly because I ’ m one of the few people whose ears just don ’ t fit with the mostly universal design .
But they wouldn ’ t be so popular if they weren ’ t great earbuds .
So when Apple announced the AirPods Pro with different fit options and a flurry of new features , I thought it must be time for me to be a fanatic .
I ’ ve been using them for a week , and I love them .
One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the steep price tag , $ 249 MSRP .
At $ 170 ( again , price shown in cart ) , however , little more than a pair of Bose Soundsport Free and Jabra Elite 75t which don ’ t tout ANC technology or always-on pairing , AirPods Pro are a steal you don ’ t want to miss out on .

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

AirPods Pro | $190 | Woot
I’m no stranger to the AirPods Pro magic Kinja Deals readers have gone apeshit over ever since Apple’s true wireless active noise-canceling earbuds first went on sale. Between the H1 chip—which allows for automatic pairing to iPhones and iPads and pretty damn seamless pairing to everything else as well—and their better than expected ability to block out ambient sound, the AirPods Pro are close to perfect.
While I wasn’t a fan of the original AirPods due to the lack of rubberized tips, these boast substantive upgrades over their younger sibling and predecessor, including sweat and water resistance for intense exercise. And, for the next 5 days (or whenever inventory sells out) , they’re discounted $60 on Woot.
Although I’ll admit the battery life leaves something to be desired, unless transparency mode is enabled, AirPods Pro are some of the best true wireless earbuds you can buy right now, and probably the best in their size with active noise canceling functionality. Just see what our friend Adam Clark Estes had to say in his review for Gizmodo:
I’ve never loved the AirPods. That’s mainly because I’m one of the few people whose ears just don’t fit with the mostly universal design. But they wouldn’t be so popular if they weren’t great earbuds. So when Apple announced the AirPods Pro with different fit options and a flurry of new features, I thought it must be time for me to be a fanatic. I’ve been using them for a week, and I love them.
One of his few complaints about AirPods Pro was the steep price tag, $249 MSRP. At $170 (again, price shown in cart), however, little more than a pair of Bose Soundsport Free and Jabra Elite 75t which don’t tout ANC technology or always-on pairing, AirPods Pro are a steal you don’t want to miss out on.


theroot--2020-12-15--Federal Eviction Ban Set to Expire at the End of the Year; Experts Say Black and Latinos Will be Dis

Federal Eviction Ban Set to Expire at the End of the Year; Experts Say Black and Latinos Will be Disproportionately Affected

Dec. 31 doesn ’ t just mark the end of 2020 ; it marks the final day that renters will be protected by the federal ban on evictions put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention amid the coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc on the U.S. economy and leaving millions of people unemployed and unable to pay their bills .
And like all things related to the pandemic ( and America in general for that matter ) , Black and Latino c ommunities are likely to be hit the hardest .
According to Politico , “ Black and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rent as white people , ” and housing experts believe that when landlords are able to legally evict tenants for nonpayment again , the nation will see the most racially “ lopsided economic event imaginable.
” “ The majority of the up to 17 million households at risk of losing their homes this winter are comprised of people of color , ” Diane Yentel , president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition , said .
“ While the current crises have heightened the threat of eviction for Black and Latino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Structural racism leaves people of color disproportionately low-income , rent-burdened , or homeless .
These inequities compound the harm done by Covid-19.
” James Parrott , an economist with the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School , told Politico that the pandemic has caused “ the most lopsided economic event imaginable , ” and that , because Black and Latino workers are overrepresented in the service industries—which have been drained economically due to nationwide shutdowns—the wave of evictions that are sure to start on Jan. 1 will certainly affect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers who work those hourly paid jobs in the face-to-face service industries are most affected by this , ” Parrott said .
“ The problems with mounting levels of unpaid rent are going to be most severe in those same neighborhoods.
” If the fact that millions of renters are facing the possibility of ending up homeless in and of itself isn ’ t enough , a major concern is that people being put out of their homes will cause COVID-19 infection and mortality rates—which have been “ increasing across the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further than they are currently .
A recent study published by the Social Sciences Research Network found that “ evictions may accelerate COVID-19 transmission ” based on the infection rates in 27 states that lifted their eviction bans between March and September .
“ COVID-19 incidence in states that lifted their moratoriums was 1.6 ( 95 % CI 1.0,2.3 ) times the incidence of states that maintained their moratoriums at 10 weeks post-lifting and grew to a ratio of 2.1 ( CI 1.1,3.9 ) at ≥16 weeks , ” the study states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ moratoriums was 1.6 ( CI 1.2,2.3 ) times the mortality of states that maintained their moratoriums at 7 weeks post-lifting and grew to a ratio of 5.4 ( CI 3.1,9.3 ) at ≥16 weeks .
These results translate to an estimated 433,700 excess cases ( CI 365200,502200 ) and 10,700 excess deaths ( CI 8900,12500 ) nationally.
” As we know , COVID-19 infection has also been shown to affect Black and Latino communities disproportionately .
So yeah , the pandemic has been bad for everyone , but the economic gap being what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color are likely to be burdened the most .

Dec. 31 doesn’t just mark the end of 2020; it marks the final day that renters will be protected by the federal ban on evictions put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention amid the coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc on the U.S. economy and leaving millions of people unemployed and unable to pay their bills. And like all things related to the pandemic (and America in general for that matter), Black and Latino c ommunities are likely to be hit the hardest.
According to Politico, “Black and Latino people are twice as likely to rent as white people,” and housing experts believe that when landlords are able to legally evict tenants for nonpayment again, the nation will see the most racially “lopsided economic event imaginable.”
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“The majority of the up to 17 million households at risk of losing their homes this winter are comprised of people of color,” Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said. “While the current crises have heightened the threat of eviction for Black and Latino renters, it is not new. Structural racism leaves people of color disproportionately low-income, rent-burdened, or homeless. These inequities compound the harm done by Covid-19.”
James Parrott, an economist with the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School, told Politico that the pandemic has caused “the most lopsided economic event imaginable,” and that, because Black and Latino workers are overrepresented in the service industries—which have been drained economically due to nationwide shutdowns—the wave of evictions that are sure to start on Jan. 1 will certainly affect minority communities the most.
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“Low-wage workers who work those hourly paid jobs in the face-to-face service industries are most affected by this,” Parrott said. “The problems with mounting levels of unpaid rent are going to be most severe in those same neighborhoods.”
From Politico:
Just 29 percent of Black renters and 31 percent of Latino renters reported having “high confidence” they would be able to make their rent this month, according to the most recent Census survey, compared with half of white renters. Forty percent of Black renters and 35 percent of Latino renters expressed no or slight confidence in their ability to make rent, compared with 21 percent of white renters.
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If the fact that millions of renters are facing the possibility of ending up homeless in and of itself isn’t enough, a major concern is that people being put out of their homes will cause COVID-19 infection and mortality rates—which have been “increasing across the country,” according to the CDC—to spike even further than they are currently.
A recent study published by the Social Sciences Research Network found that “evictions may accelerate COVID-19 transmission” based on the infection rates in 27 states that lifted their eviction bans between March and September.
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“COVID-19 incidence in states that lifted their moratoriums was 1.6 (95% CI 1.0,2.3) times the incidence of states that maintained their moratoriums at 10 weeks post-lifting and grew to a ratio of 2.1 (CI 1.1,3.9) at ≥16 weeks,” the study states. “Mortality in states that lifted their moratoriums was 1.6 (CI 1.2,2.3) times the mortality of states that maintained their moratoriums at 7 weeks post-lifting and grew to a ratio of 5.4 (CI 3.1,9.3) at ≥16 weeks. These results translate to an estimated 433,700 excess cases (CI 365200,502200) and 10,700 excess deaths (CI 8900,12500) nationally.”
As we know, COVID-19 infection has also been shown to affect Black and Latino communities disproportionately. So yeah, the pandemic has been bad for everyone, but the economic gap being what it is in America, communities of color are likely to be burdened the most.


theroot--2020-12-15--Signs of the Times: Boots Riley’s I’m A Virgo Gets Series Order at Amazon, Jharrel Jerome to Star

As previously reported by The Root , Moonlight and When They See Us actor Jharrel Jerome is attached to star in an upcoming series from Boots Riley entitled , I ’ m A Virgo .
Variety announced today that Amazon has given the green light for the series , though there ’ s no word yet on a potential release date .
To refresh your memory , I ’ m A Virgo , a co-production between Amazon Studios and Media Res , is being described as “ an absurdist coming of age story ” about a 13-foot-tall Black man , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Oakland , Calif. Riley is set to write , direct and executive produce the half-hour series .
Michael Ellenberg of Media Res , Tze Chun , and Jerome will also executive produce alongside Riley .
Speaking on the series , COO and co-head of television for Amazon Studios had this to say : I ’ m A Virgo is refreshingly original and there ’ s nothing else like it on television .
No one is quite like Boots , and we ’ re so excited to be working with him and Jharrel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utterly unique new series .
We can ’ t wait for our Prime Video customers to see it .
Boots Riley also commented further on his upcoming series , saying , “ I ’ m thrilled to be working with Amazon on this project .
This show will either have me lauded or banned , and as such , I have demanded payment up front.
” This series marks the first project for Riley since his 2018 feature , Sorry to Bother You starring Lakeith Stanfield and Tessa Thompson .
The eclectic film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and was met with critical acclaim .
As for Jerome , he ’ s fresh off his 2019 history-making Emmy win for his portrayal of Korey Wise in Ava DuVernay ’ s When They See Us .
He also recently starred in the HBO adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates ’ New York Times Bestseller Between the World and Me .
Speaking of Jerome , did y ’ all see that viral throwback video floating around last week of him performing in his high school ’ s production of Lin-Manuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And did you also see Lin-Manuel standing to Jerome ’ s immediate left belting out the tunes alongside him ?
And did you also know In the Heights is expected to make its feature debut on June 18 , 2021 ?
It kind of makes this moment feel a bit full circle , don ’ t you think ?
Maybe this is what they meant when they said “ It Won ’ t Be Long Now.
” Life really does come at you fast .

As previously reported by The Root, Moonlight and When They See Us actor Jharrel Jerome is attached to star in an upcoming series from Boots Riley entitled, I’m A Virgo. Variety announced today that Amazon has given the green light for the series, though there’s no word yet on a potential release date.
To refresh your memory, I’m A Virgo, a co-production between Amazon Studios and Media Res, is being described as “an absurdist coming of age story” about a 13-foot-tall Black man, (played by Jerome) who lives in Oakland, Calif. Riley is set to write, direct and executive produce the half-hour series. Michael Ellenberg of Media Res, Tze Chun, and Jerome will also executive produce alongside Riley. Speaking on the series, COO and co-head of television for Amazon Studios had this to say:
I’m A Virgo is refreshingly original and there’s nothing else like it on television. No one is quite like Boots, and we’re so excited to be working with him and Jharrel on this fantastical, funny, and utterly unique new series. We can’t wait for our Prime Video customers to see it.
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Boots Riley also commented further on his upcoming series, saying, “I’m thrilled to be working with Amazon on this project. This show will either have me lauded or banned, and as such, I have demanded payment up front.” This series marks the first project for Riley since his 2018 feature, Sorry to Bother You starring Lakeith Stanfield and Tessa Thompson. The eclectic film earned a Grand Jury Prize nomination at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and was met with critical acclaim. As for Jerome, he’s fresh off his 2019 history-making Emmy win for his portrayal of Korey Wise in Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us. He also recently starred in the HBO adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ New York Times Bestseller Between the World and Me.
Speaking of Jerome, did y’all see that viral throwback video floating around last week of him performing in his high school’s production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights? And did you also see Lin-Manuel standing to Jerome’s immediate left belting out the tunes alongside him? And did you also know In the Heights is expected to make its feature debut on June 18, 2021?
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It kind of makes this moment feel a bit full circle, don’t you think? Maybe this is what they meant when they said “It Won’t Be Long Now.” Life really does come at you fast.