theroot--2020-05-26--Reading More? A $60 Kindle (33% off) Might Be Your Best Friend

A Kindle reader is still a good buy in 2020 , and the latest model front-lit model is 33 % @ @ @ @ @ one for just $ 60 following the discount , Note that this price only applies @ @ @ @ @ offers , which are unobtrusive ads that appear periodically on the standby screen .
( @ @ @ @ @ remove them later . )
It packs everything you love about Kindle Paperwhite at a @ @ @ @ @ battery life and a backlit 6 '' display ( pixel density of 167 ppi ) @ @ @ @ @ real pages .
It has half the starting storage at 4GB , but that ’ @ @ @ @ @ books .
It also supports Audible ’ s audiobooks and has waterproof construction .
All @ @ @ @ @ Kindle Unlimited for free , too , so you ’ ll have plenty to read @ @ @ @ @ t plan to buy a ton of books right away .
This article was originally @ @ @ @ @ 5/8/2020 and updated by Quentyn Kennemer with new information on 5/26/2020 .

Quentyn Kennemer on Kinja Deals, shared by Jordan McMahon to The Root

Kindle Paperwhite (8GB) | $100 | Amazon
Kindle Paperwhite (32GB) | $125 | Amazon
A Kindle reader is still a good buy in 2020, and the latest Paperwhite model is 23% off. You can get it in 8GB for just $100 following the discount, or $125 for 32GB. And don’t sneeze at the 8GB model—that’s a lot of books.
Note that this price only applies if you opt for special offers, which are unobtrusive ads that appear periodically on the standby screen. (You can always pay to remove them later.)
It packs everything you love about Kindle Paperwhite, including amazing battery life and a sharp LED-backlit 6" display (300 ppi) to simulate real ink on real pages.
It also supports Audible’s audiobooks and has waterproof construction. All buyers get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, too, so you’ll have plenty to read even if you don’t plan to buy a ton of books right away.
This article was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer on 5/8/2020 and updated by Quentyn Kennemer with new information on 6/18/2020.


theroot--2020-05-26--Black Reporter Harassed by White Man While On-Air

Another day , another example of a white man doing something absolutely trash .
Today ’ s story takes us to Illinois , where a WGN reporter was simply trying to do her job before a Kyle came through with the bullshit .
Buzzfeed News reports that Gaynor Hall was live on-air setting up a video package last Saturday night when a man grabbed her , yelled “ fuck her right in the pussy , ” and then ran off .
Hall was reporting on wind damage in the Shorewood area when the incident occurred .
“ It was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You grabbed me .
You scared me .
Was it worth it ?
” Gaynor said in a Facebook post about the incident .
The man was arrested shortly after the event transpired .
Buzzfeed reports that a statement from Shorewood Police identifies the culprit as Eric Farina , a 20-year-old from Minooka , Il .
Farina currently faces battery and disorderly conduct charges .
According to the statement , Farina made a “ full confession ” and is currently out on bond .
First of all , it ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harass a woman just doing her job .
Second , we ’ re in a goddamn pandemic and ol ’ boy got into her personal space and was not wearing a mask , just to pull off a dated-ass meme .

Another day, another example of a white man doing something absolutely trash. Today’s story takes us to Illinois, where a WGN reporter was simply trying to do her job before a Kyle came through with the bullshit.
Buzzfeed News reports that Gaynor Hall was live on-air setting up a video package last Saturday night when a man grabbed her, yelled “fuck her right in the pussy,” and then ran off. Hall was reporting on wind damage in the Shorewood area when the incident occurred.
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“It was not funny. You violated my personal space. You grabbed me. You scared me. Was it worth it?” Gaynor said in a Facebook post about the incident. The man was arrested shortly after the event transpired.
Buzzfeed reports that a statement from Shorewood Police identifies the culprit as Eric Farina, a 20-year-old from Minooka, Il. Farina currently faces battery and disorderly conduct charges. According to the statement, Farina made a “full confession” and is currently out on bond.
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First of all, it’s a trash move, in general, to harass a woman just doing her job. Second , we’re in a goddamn pandemic and ol’ boy got into her personal space and was not wearing a mask, just to pull off a dated-ass meme.


theroot--2020-05-26--Ink, Dye, Duels and 'Pankinis': Summer Unofficially Begins and Celebs Show Our 'New Normal' Is Anyth

Ink, Dye, Duels and 'Pankinis': Summer Unofficially Begins and Celebs Show Our 'New Normal' Is Anything But

Look , we get it .
Aside from being a historically solemn holiday made all the more so this year by the devastating loss and ongoing anxiety caused by the coronavirus outbreak , Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks the unofficial start of summer .
Since the weather now seems to consistently be calling us outdoors , staying inside—and entertained—has become that much more challenging , leading us to some ... extreme lengths to keep ourselves entertained while continuing to primarily shelter-in-place .
( We hope ; y ’ all , please don ’ t fall for the okie-doke of thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seasonal frolicking and festivities . )
Granted , if “ stir-craziness ” is what ’ s troubling you most this Mental Health Awareness Month , you can count yourself among the privileged , but take comfort in the fact that some of your faves likely are , too .
In fact , the social media feeds of several celebs demonstrated that we ’ re not the only ones struggling to fill all this extra time we all seem to have on our hands .
In fact , a few folks we regularly watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting a colorful new spin on quarantining .
Take , for instance , Dwyane Wade , who topped the “ NBA All-Star Dad ” status he earned during Pride Month last year by joining daughter Zaya in another act of solidarity , complementing the adolescent ’ s deep pink dye job with a ... vivid rendition of his own .
Admittedly , this particularly fiery shade of red might not have been the one we ’ d have chosen for the retired basketball player and devoted dad of four , but at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the look .
Elsewhere on the interwebs , Cardi B took advantage of the extended break to put the finishing touches on a work of body art that tattoo artist Jamie Scheme says took “ 60+ hours , [ and ] more than 10 cities ” to complete .
We have no details on how Cardi successfully pulled off an extensive inking session or several while sheltering in place and admittedly have questions , but something tells us the woman who made the cry of “ Coronavirus !
” go viral took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family was safe .
Plus , we have a feeling that this new art—a back-to-left hip tattoo which notably balances out the ink on her right —may have been a crisis coping mechanism .
But still , we have questions about the timing , Cardi .
Of course , Cardi showed off her new in a bikini by Fashion Nova—her partner in fashion and COVID-19 relief and a favorite of a few quarantining celebs ( we see you , Thee Stallion ! )
.
And further proving that quarantining and fun in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took a moment to show off her “ pankini ” —that ’ s a string bikini with matching mask and gloves—during a dip in the pool .
“ Welcome to summer 2020 , ” she captioned an Instagram post .
“ Priced at $ 180 , Lizzo ’ s pink tropical-print two-piece is really more like a five-piece , since it comes complete with a matching face mask and gloves , ” Page Six noted of the set , created by Thick by Robyn .
“ Unsurprisingly , the set swiftly sold out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of course , no Lizzo appearance would be complete without her now trademark twerk—this time , in bikini bottoms .
“ Go look in the mirror , ” she posted .
“ That body *is* your summer body .
Now twerk w me ho !
” While Megan Thee Stallion has been gifting us with plenty of bikini and lingerie-clad posts of her own , as of late , perhaps the rapper ’ s most relatable content came courtesy of candy .
The star observed a different kind of social distancing while having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her French bulldog , Frenchie—with Twizzlers as the swords—proving there are no limits to the creativity quarantining can inspire .
Granted , perhaps Meg was just fighting her way to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 , where her “ Savage ” remix featuring Beyoncé is currently Number 1 , but we ’ re happy to put that Red Vines vs. Twizzler debate to rest for once and for all : We win .

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

Look, we get it. Aside from being a historically solemn holiday made all the more so this year by the devastating loss and ongoing anxiety caused by the coronavirus outbreak, Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks the unofficial start of summer. Since the weather now seems to consistently be calling us outdoors, staying inside—and entertained—has become that much more challenging, leading us to some...extreme lengths to keep ourselves entertained while continuing to primarily shelter-in-place. (We hope; y’all, please don’t fall for the okie-doke of thinking we can return to our regularly scheduled seasonal frolicking and festivities.)
Granted, if “stir-craziness” is what’s troubling you most this Mental Health Awareness Month, you can count yourself among the privileged, but take comfort in the fact that some of your faves likely are, too. In fact, the social media feeds of several celebs demonstrated that we’re not the only ones struggling to fill all this extra time we all seem to have on our hands. In fact, a few folks we regularly watch got creative over the holiday weekend, putting a colorful new spin on quarantining.
Advertisement
Take, for instance, Dwyane Wade, who topped the “NBA All-Star Dad” status he earned during Pride Month last year by joining daughter Zaya in another act of solidarity, complementing the adolescent’s deep pink dye job with a...vivid rendition of his own.
Advertisement Advertisement
Admittedly, this particularly fiery shade of red might not have been the one we’d have chosen for the retired basketball player and devoted dad of four, but at least one of his famous peers was really into the look.
Advertisement
Elsewhere on the interwebs, Cardi B took advantage of the extended break to put the finishing touches on a work of body art that tattoo artist Jamie Scheme says took “60+ hours, [and] more than 10 cities” to complete. We have no details on how Cardi successfully pulled off an extensive inking session or several while sheltering in place and admittedly have questions, but something tells us the woman who made the cry of “Coronavirus!” go viral took every precaution available to ensure that her family was safe. Plus, we have a feeling that this new art—a back-to-left hip tattoo which notably balances out the ink on her right —may have been a crisis coping mechanism.
But still, we have questions about the timing, Cardi.
Advertisement
Of course, Cardi showed off her new in a bikini by Fashion Nova—her partner in fashion and COVID-19 relief and a favorite of a few quarantining celebs (we see you, Thee Stallion!). And further proving that quarantining and fun in the sun can go hand-in-gloved hand, Lizzo took a moment to show off her “pankini”—that’s a string bikini with matching mask and gloves—during a dip in the pool.
Advertisement
“Welcome to summer 2020,” she captioned an Instagram post.
“Priced at $180, Lizzo’s pink tropical-print two-piece is really more like a five-piece, since it comes complete with a matching face mask and gloves,” Page Six noted of the set, created by Thick by Robyn. “Unsurprisingly, the set swiftly sold out after the star posted her pic.”
Advertisement
Of course, no Lizzo appearance would be complete without her now trademark twerk—this time, in bikini bottoms. “Go look in the mirror,” she posted. “That body *is* your summer body. Now twerk w me ho!”
Advertisement
While Megan Thee Stallion has been gifting us with plenty of bikini and lingerie-clad posts of her own, as of late, perhaps the rapper’s most relatable content came courtesy of candy. The star observed a different kind of social distancing while having a play swordfight with a quarantining buddy and her French bulldog, Frenchie—with Twizzlers as the swords—proving there are no limits to the creativity quarantining can inspire. Granted, perhaps Meg was just fighting her way to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, where her “Savage” remix featuring Beyoncé is currently Number 1, but we’re happy to put that Red Vines vs. Twizzler debate to rest for once and for all: We win.


theroot--2020-05-26--Universal Music Group Announces Launch of Def Jam Africa

Monday was Africa Day , the annual commemoration of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity .
So it ’ s incredibly fitting that Universal Music Group , the world ’ s leading music company in over 60 countries , announced the launch of Def Jam Africa , which is dedicated to “ supporting the best in African hip-hop talent and culture across the continent.
” Per a press release from the music-based entertainment giant , the new label will be based in Johannesburg , South Africa and Lagos , Nigeria , and will find and sign talent from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employ workers in the areas of A & R , marketing , creative and digital .
These UMG teams will report to Sipho Dlamini , the managing director of Universal Music Sub-Saharan Africa & South Africa , a role he ’ s held since 2016 .
“ Many of us in Africa grew up on music from legendary labels under the UMG umbrella , ” Dlamini said in a statement .
“ From Blue Note for jazz fans , to Mercury Records , which was Hugh Masekela ’ s first US label and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Mary J Blige and many more .
For those into hip-hop , no label has such cultural and historic relevance as Def Jam .
From Run DMC , to LL Cool J , Disturbing tha Peace , Jay-Z , Big Sean and Kanye West , Def Jam has always been the ultimate destination for hip-hop and urban culture worldwide.
” The label is launching with a stellar roster of talent from all over the continent , with acts such as South Africa ’ s Tshego , Nasty C and Boity , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The label has forthcoming releases from acts like Ricky Tyler , Tellaman feat .
Alpha P , and Cassper Nyovest .
“ Def Jam is a globally recognized brand , synonymous with excellence in hip-hop , and we enthusiastically welcome the launch of Def Jam Africa as an opportunity for audiences worldwide to discover the incredibly talented hip-hop artists emerging from across the continent , ” Jeff Harleston , interim Chairman & CEO , Def Jam Recordings says of the launch .
“ It is a historic achievement that we ’ re now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Africa , to create an authentic and trusted home for those who aspire to be the best in hip-hop , Afrobeats and trap , ” Dlamini continues .
“ Together , we will build a new community of artists , that will push the boundaries of hip-hop from Africa , to reach new audiences globally .
”

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

Monday was Africa Day, the annual commemoration of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity. So it’s incredibly fitting that Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company in over 60 countries, announced the launch of Def Jam Africa, which is dedicated to “supporting the best in African hip-hop talent and culture across the continent.”
Per a press release from the music-based entertainment giant, the new label will be based in Johannesburg, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria, and will find and sign talent from all over Africa, as well as employ workers in the areas of A&R, marketing, creative and digital. These UMG teams will report to Sipho Dlamini, the managing director of Universal Music Sub-Saharan Africa & South Africa, a role he’s held since 2016.
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“Many of us in Africa grew up on music from legendary labels under the UMG umbrella,” Dlamini said in a statement. “From Blue Note for jazz fans, to Mercury Records, which was Hugh Masekela’s first US label and Uptown Records, the home of Jodeci and Mary J Blige and many more. For those into hip-hop, no label has such cultural and historic relevance as Def Jam. From Run DMC, to LL Cool J, Disturbing tha Peace, Jay-Z, Big Sean and Kanye West, Def Jam has always been the ultimate destination for hip-hop and urban culture worldwide.”
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The label is launching with a stellar roster of talent from all over the continent, with acts such as South Africa’s Tshego, Nasty C and Boity, to Nigeria’s very own Vector. The label has forthcoming releases from acts like Ricky Tyler, Tellaman feat. Alpha P, and Cassper Nyovest.
“Def Jam is a globally recognized brand, synonymous with excellence in hip-hop, and we enthusiastically welcome the launch of Def Jam Africa as an opportunity for audiences worldwide to discover the incredibly talented hip-hop artists emerging from across the continent,” Jeff Harleston, interim Chairman & CEO, Def Jam Recordings says of the launch.
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“It is a historic achievement that we’re now able to bring this iconic label to Africa, to create an authentic and trusted home for those who aspire to be the best in hip-hop, Afrobeats and trap,” Dlamini continues. “Together, we will build a new community of artists, that will push the boundaries of hip-hop from Africa, to reach new audiences globally.”


theroot--2020-05-26--Dry House? Breathe Easy With TaoTronics' Highly Rated Digital Humidifier, Discounted to $68 [Exclusi

Dry House? Breathe Easy With TaoTronics' Highly Rated Digital Humidifier, Discounted to $68 [Exclusive]

Not everyone has the luxury of moisture in the air during the Bad Times .
Some of us live in dry apartments or houses in which we can hardly breathe through our nostrils .
The solution , I ’ m told , is a humidifier .
I have a cheap one right now but it sucks !
This one from TaoTronics , according to reviewers , is much better .
At MSRP , its $ 100 price tag is a little steep if I ’ m honest , but at $ 70 with our exclusive code KINJIA66 , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unit , designed for large rooms , is capable of clearing out dry air for 45 hours straight on one fill .
It covers rooms up to 200-450 sq .
foot which , seeing as my apartment is 550 sq .
foot in its entirety , means you might only need one .
But if you have a larger apartment or house , it ’ s not a bad idea to shell out for one in each room .
In the winter , you can even set the temperature to dispense warm mist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience .
That said , warm mist mode is automatically disabled at night to keep you safe and sound from overheating and disruptive noise .
This post was originally published by Gabe Carey on 3/27/2020 and updated by Quentyn Kennemer with new information on 5/26/2020 .

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

TaoTronics Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier | $68 | Amazon | Promo code KINJIA66
Not everyone has the luxury of moisture in the air during the Bad Times. Some of us live in dry apartments or houses in which we can hardly breathe through our nostrils. The solution, I’m told, is a humidifier. I have a cheap one right now but it sucks! This one from TaoTronics, according to reviewers, is much better.
At MSRP, its $100 price tag is a little steep if I’m honest, but at $70 with our exclusive code KINJIA66, it’s actually quite tempting. The 5.5-liter unit, designed for large rooms, is capable of clearing out dry air for 45 hours straight on one fill. It covers rooms up to 200-450 sq. foot which, seeing as my apartment is 550 sq. foot in its entirety, means you might only need one.
But if you have a larger apartment or house, it’s not a bad idea to shell out for one in each room. In the winter, you can even set the temperature to dispense warm mist up to 140°F, for a sauna-like experience. That said, warm mist mode is automatically disabled at night to keep you safe and sound from overheating and disruptive noise.
This post was originally published by Gabe Carey on 3/27/2020 and updated by Quentyn Kennemer with new information on 5/26/2020.


theroot--2020-05-26--The Root's Danielle Belton Talks Biden's Gaffe, Trump's COVID-19 Inactions on MSNBC

Saturday during journalist Alicia Menendez ’ s broadcast on MSNBC , The Root ’ s Editor-in-Chief Danielle Belton ( meeeeee @ @ @ @ @ as a panelist discussing former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s recent remarks on The @ @ @ @ @ Democratic presidential candidate subsequently apologized for .
In this clip , I discuss how Trump @ @ @ @ @ ” but is simply “ pro-Trump ” when it comes to his COVID-19 response or @ @ @ @ @ clip from MSNBC above .

We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude


theroot--2020-05-26--Social Studies: These Are a Few of My Least Favorite (White) Things

Gun nuts and Karens with unseasoned chicken Producing white tears whenever racism ’ s mentioned Twerking in booty shorts made from cutoff mom jeans These are a few of my least fav ’ rite white things !
Saying “ all lives matter ” while tongue-kissing poodles But when cops kill us , it ’ s just business as usual .
They actually believe that Bob Dylan can sing These are a few of my least fav ’ rite white things !
Dialing 911 just to send us a message Using more illegal drugs while we get arrested Actually believing black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a few of my least fav ’ rite white things !
On social media white people weep Mentioning racism makes them mad But if you remember your least favorite white things Then you won ’ t feel so bad Fox News and Beckys and racist-ass MAGAts Recipes for chocolate chip potato salad I can ’ t list them all if I don ’ t want to scream But here are few more of my least fav ’ rite white things By now , everyone has seen this clip : While everyone has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cop-calling antics , the most interesting part of the video to me is how few people willingly acknowledged that had the cops shown up , the black man ’ s life could have been in danger .
Can you imagine how fucked up it is to live in a society where a white woman ’ s tears take precedent over an innocent black man ’ s word ?
If researchers gathered a group of people and asked them to imagine the least dangerous man in the world , I would every single one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Bird watcher in a city park who ’ s afraid of an unleashed cocker spaniel.
” Is there anything less offensive than birdwatching ?
This nigga ’ s eyes were literally on the sparrow !
Luckily , people on white twitter took action and called the authorities ... Thankfully , the dog was rescued from the woman who rescued the dog .
But she may not have even been the worst Karen of the weekend : Or was it these women ?
These women are actually not Karens , they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman ?
Well , she makes a compelling case , especially when you read this excerpt from the Miami Herald : It was Thursday night when Ripley called police with a dramatic and bizarre tale : A light-blue car forced her car off the road near a West Kendall Home Depot .
Two black men were inside .
One of men jumped out , she told Miami-Dade police , and demanded drugs .
When she told them she didn ’ t have any , the man — armed with a knife — took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tablet and drove off .
A statewide Amber Alert was issued for the child but it was canceled Friday morning when the boy ’ s body was found at the golf canal .
I never understood why white women do this .
Where is this illegal black market for white babies ?
I don ’ t know if its the economic downturn , mass shootings or the fact that white babies wear diapers until they ’ re 11 or 12 , but the trade-in value on used white babies has dropped tremendously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she is not the worst Karen .
And after a man pleaded with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey to delete Trump ’ s harmful tweets about the man ’ s dead wife , Donald Trump re-upped : Donald Trump is the worst Karen on the internet .
However , other social media users were quick to point out their least favorite white things : I ’ ve never heard a Doja Cat song but I ’ m told she is very popular amongst the people who like Doja Cat .
But of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always like a happy ending , so here is one of my favorite black things :

Gun nuts and Karens with unseasoned chicken
Producing white tears whenever racism’s mentioned
Twerking in booty shorts made from cutoff mom jeans
These are a few of my least fav’rite white things! Saying “all lives matter” while tongue-kissing poodles
But when cops kill us, it’s just business as usual.
They actually believe that Bob Dylan can sing
These are a few of my least fav’rite white things! Dialing 911 just to send us a message
Using more illegal drugs while we get arrested
Actually believing black on black crime is a thing
These are a few of my least fav’rite white things! On social media
white people weep
Mentioning racism makes them mad
But if you remember your least favorite white things
Then you won’t feel so bad Fox News and Beckys and racist-ass MAGAts
Recipes for chocolate chip potato salad
I can’t list them all if I don’t want to scream
But here are few more of my least fav’rite white things
By now, everyone has seen this clip:
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While everyone has rightfully condemned this woman for her dangerous cop-calling antics, the most interesting part of the video to me is how few people willingly acknowledged that had the cops shown up, the black man’s life could have been in danger.
Can you imagine how fucked up it is to live in a society where a white woman’s tears take precedent over an innocent black man’s word? If researchers gathered a group of people and asked them to imagine the least dangerous man in the world, I would every single one of them would choose the box marked: “Bird watcher in a city park who’s afraid of an unleashed cocker spaniel.”
Is there anything less offensive than birdwatching? This nigga’s eyes were literally on the sparrow!
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Luckily, people on white twitter took action and called the authorities...
The pet authorities.
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Thankfully, the dog was rescued from the woman who rescued the dog.
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But she may not have even been the worst Karen of the weekend:
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Or was it these women ?
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These women are actually not Karens, they’re actually Beckies.
How about this woman?
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Well, she makes a compelling case, especially when you read this excerpt from the Miami Herald:
It was Thursday night when Ripley called police with a dramatic and bizarre tale: A light-blue car forced her car off the road near a West Kendall Home Depot. Two black men were inside. One of men jumped out, she told Miami-Dade police, and demanded drugs. When she told them she didn’t have any, the man — armed with a knife — took the child, her cell phone and a tablet and drove off. A statewide Amber Alert was issued for the child but it was canceled Friday morning when the boy’s body was found at the golf canal.
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I never understood why white women do this. Where is this illegal black market for white babies? I don’t know if its the economic downturn, mass shootings or the fact that white babies wear diapers until they’re 11 or 12, but the trade-in value on used white babies has dropped tremendously over the last few years.
However, she is not the worst Karen.
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And after a man pleaded with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey to delete Trump’s harmful tweets about the man’s dead wife, Donald Trump re-upped:
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Donald Trump is the worst Karen on the internet.
However, other social media users were quick to point out their least favorite white things:
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Like white “pranks”:
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Blaccents:
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I’ve never heard a Doja Cat song but I’m told she is very popular amongst the people who like Doja Cat.
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Ruining TV shows:
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Or the air:
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Or news articles:
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But of course, here on Social Studies, we always like a happy ending, so here is one of my favorite black things:


theroot--2020-05-26--A Handmaid’s Tale About the Coronavirus: Why (Some) White People Want to Be Oppressed So Badly

I will never understand why some white people ( notice I didn ’ t say “ all white people , ” so please don ’ t email me explaining how you don ’ t own a gun and how your name isn ’ t Karen ) want to be oppressed to the point of taking up arms .
Yet , here we are in 2020 , the most underbidding Spades hand of all the years , ( seriously , fuck this year ) and some white men are ready to take up arms to get their freedom back from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reading this wrong—saving their lives .
Yep , they ’ re acting just like the ( wait , what do you call a group of white men with firearms storming the state capital without masks during a pandemic ?
Bubbas ?
Trumps ?
Cletuses , or is the plural of Cletus , Cletusi ? )
Cletusi who stormed the Michigan statehouse to be able to freely contract the coronavirus and possibly die .
Well , the husband of a Reopen N.C. movement leader has gone to the white supremacist website—or rather , Facebook—to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kill people to protect the country ( see , economy ) from something he ’ s calling the New World Order .
OK , now I ’ m completely confused , as I thought the leaders of the New World Order were Jay-Z , Versace prints and Hollywood Hulk Hogan .
This feels like The Handmaid ’ s Tale all over again—you know , the fictional story about the enslavement of white women that some white people ( notice I didn ’ t say all , again ) believe is real so they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this .
Imagine , if only there were a group of real women whose bodies were violated and ultimately destroyed by white men ; women whose children were stolen and sold into slavery ; women whose bodies were owned by white men , some women that feminists could champion instead of taking up the mantle of those fictionally oppressed .
Anyway , Adam Smith recorded the video and posted it to Facebook , noting that he wants children to look back on this time and see that the U.S. “ resisted what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ a reference to the stay-at-home orders in North Carolina and most states , ” WFAE reports .
“ And America said , ‘ No , ’ ” Smith , a Marine Corps veteran said .
“ We ’ re taking up arms .
It ’ s time for us to fight against this .
We ’ re not going to stop .
If you want to go to the full force time , we have the forces to retaliate .
And that ’ s really at the end of the day the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure our freedom is our willingness to step up and fight .
Do we want to pick up arms ?
Do we want to kill anybody ?
Of course not .
Nobody wants to take lives .
“ We don ’ t want to kill anybody .
But are we willing to kill people ?
Are we willing to lay our lives down ?
We have to say yes , ” Smith continued .
“ Is that violence ?
Is that terrorism ?
No .
It ’ s not terrorism .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hearts of people by saying , ‘ I ’ m going to kill you.
’ I ’ m going to say : If you bring force—We ’ re going to bring force .
If you bring guns , we ’ re going to bring guns .
If you ’ re armed with this , we ’ ll be armed with this.
” Bitch , who are you fighting ?
Who ?
There is no coronavirus army .
There is no armed militia with masks .
These whoteps are worse than actual hoteps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this tough-guy talk sounds like to me ?
A temper tantrum .
From white women being told to leash their wild jackals to white folks protesting stay-at-home orders , the response is looking a lot like when I tell my 2-year-old son that he ’ s had enough Popsicles for the day .
Because some white people are jealous of people of color ’ s actual oppression and seasonings , Ashley Smith , the lesser of the dumb Smiths , was arrested Tuesday for protesting outside “ the governor ’ s mansion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on April 28.
” Wait , I may have spoken too soon .
T urns out both of the Smiths are dumb ; after His Eye Smith posted the video to Facebook and it was taken down , Under His Eye Smith reposted it Sunday .
“ She complained that he is under attack by the ‘ liberal media ’ and said she is releasing the video in full because ‘ maybe you agree with him and maybe you don ’ t but we have nothing to hide .
This group is built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech and the Second Amendment , ’ ” WFAE reports .
She continued : “ Could he have said it better ?
Maybe , but that ’ s not for anyone to decide how a free person should speak their mind .
Our founding fathers would not be pleased that we gave up so much for so little .
Look how hard we are having to fight to get our freedom back !
” This is the equivalent of my 2-year-old son staging a walkout of nursery school because he doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indoors .
It ’ s embarrassing the levels to which some white people will go just to fight for a cause , even if that cause might be saving their lives .

I will never understand why some white people (notice I didn’t say “all white people,” so please don’t email me explaining how you don’t own a gun and how your name isn’t Karen) want to be oppressed to the point of taking up arms.
Yet, here we are in 2020, the most underbidding Spades hand of all the years, (seriously, fuck this year) and some white men are ready to take up arms to get their freedom back from the oppression of—wait, surely I’m reading this wrong—saving their lives.
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Yep, they’re acting just like the (wait, what do you call a group of white men with firearms storming the state capital without masks during a pandemic? Bubbas? Trumps? Cletuses, or is the plural of Cletus, Cletusi?) Cletusi who stormed the Michigan statehouse to be able to freely contract the coronavirus and possibly die.
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Well, the husband of a Reopen N.C. movement leader has gone to the white supremacist website—or rather, Facebook—to say that he’s ready to kill people to protect the country (see, economy) from something he’s calling the New World Order.
OK, now I’m completely confused, as I thought the leaders of the New World Order were Jay-Z, Versace prints and Hollywood Hulk Hogan. This feels like The Handmaid’s Tale all over again—you know, the fictional story about the enslavement of white women that some white people (notice I didn’t say all, again) believe is real so they dress up in real spaces looking like this. Imagine, if only there were a group of real women whose bodies were violated and ultimately destroyed by white men; women whose children were stolen and sold into slavery; women whose bodies were owned by white men, some women that feminists could champion instead of taking up the mantle of those fictionally oppressed.
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Anyway, Adam Smith recorded the video and posted it to Facebook, noting that he wants children to look back on this time and see that the U.S. “resisted what he called the ‘New World Order,’ a reference to the stay-at-home orders in North Carolina and most states,” WFAE reports.
“And America said, ‘No,’” Smith, a Marine Corps veteran said. “We’re taking up arms. It’s time for us to fight against this. We’re not going to stop. If you want to go to the full force time, we have the forces to retaliate. And that’s really at the end of the day the only thing that’s going to secure our freedom is our willingness to step up and fight. Do we want to pick up arms? Do we want to kill anybody? Of course not. Nobody wants to take lives.
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“We don’t want to kill anybody. But are we willing to kill people? Are we willing to lay our lives down? We have to say yes,” Smith continued. “Is that violence? Is that terrorism? No. It’s not terrorism. I’m not trying to strike fear in the hearts of people by saying, ‘I’m going to kill you.’ I’m going to say: If you bring force—We’re going to bring force. If you bring guns, we’re going to bring guns. If you’re armed with this, we’ll be armed with this.”
Bitch, who are you fighting? Who? There is no coronavirus army. There is no armed militia with masks. These whoteps are worse than actual hoteps. And you know what all of this tough-guy talk sounds like to me? A temper tantrum. From white women being told to leash their wild jackals to white folks protesting stay-at-home orders, the response is looking a lot like when I tell my 2-year-old son that he’s had enough Popsicles for the day.
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Because some white people are jealous of people of color’s actual oppression and seasonings, Ashley Smith, the lesser of the dumb Smiths, was arrested Tuesday for protesting outside “the governor’s mansion in Raleigh during the third Reopen N.C. protest on April 28.”
Wait, I may have spoken too soon. T urns out both of the Smiths are dumb; after His Eye Smith posted the video to Facebook and it was taken down, Under His Eye Smith reposted it Sunday.
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“She complained that he is under attack by the ‘liberal media’ and said she is releasing the video in full because ‘maybe you agree with him and maybe you don’t but we have nothing to hide. This group is built on the constitution and that includes free speech and the Second Amendment,’” WFAE reports.
She continued: “Could he have said it better? Maybe, but that’s not for anyone to decide how a free person should speak their mind. Our founding fathers would not be pleased that we gave up so much for so little. Look how hard we are having to fight to get our freedom back!”
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This is the equivalent of my 2-year-old son staging a walkout of nursery school because he doesn’t believe they should ever have to be indoors. It’s embarrassing the levels to which some white people will go just to fight for a cause, even if that cause might be saving their lives.


theroot--2020-05-26--10 Thoughts About the Jagged Edge x 112 Verzuz With the Struggle Sound

1 .
Coming off of the high that was the Bounty Killer versus Beenie Man Verzuz Dance Party Jam Session No Social Distance In Sight , I personally thought the Jagged Edge ( JE ) versus 112 joint was going to end up being somewhat underwhelming .
That Saturday night Verzuz was so lit and so live , it was the party we didn ’ t even know we needed .
Apparently , though , Jamaica has discovered the cure for COVID-19 because they were spitting into microphones , close-talking and who knows how many people were there .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ *shhh , nobody said they were doing too much the same way we said it about Teddy Riley , shhhh .
* I didn ’ t see nor hear nary an individual point out how many folks were present .
I ’ m not saying it didn ’ t happen , I ’ m just saying that all of the people I typically follow seemed to be on one accord that the party was awesome and only awesome .
Peeeridt .
There were two entire DJ setups .
Now perhaps because the whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clog up the Internet or shut down our in-home jam sessions , and nobody cared .
Perhaps it only matters if you have too many people around if in America and if the party doesn ’ t jam right .
Also , the police showing up in the middle of it just felt right .
At the same time , can you imagine being a police officer showing up to a house that ’ s too loud and seeing Beenie Man and Bounty Killer ?
Point is , that joint was awesomesauce .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ money was entirely on JE , though I didn ’ t think it would be any kind of blowout .
If JE won it would be close and the same for 112 .
Just want to make sure that ’ s clear .
I ’ ve already thrown my hat into the Jagged Edge versus 112 debate that everybody has an opinion about , have written about Jagged Edge a few times , etc .
I ’ m a fan .
I ’ m also a fan of 112 because who isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the better catalog , overall—plus deep cuts—whereas Jagged Edge has more hits ( this is facts ) .
Now it can be argued that JE found a formula and stuck to it longer and better than anybody else and that ’ s probably true .
And 112 both tried different things and thus has more diverse songs .
My preferences just lean towards JE .
With that said , “ Cupid ” is the best song between both groups .
3 .
With that being said , I was super excited about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I had a JE and 112 playlist running all day .
I was ready .
And because of the sound issues—which should not be a thing by this point—I pretty much checked out less than halfway through .
And it was mostly on the JE side .
I joked on Facebook that there was no way that all these Atlanta dudes would have solid wifi , and I don ’ t know if the wifi is actually the problem ( likely not ) or if it ’ s Instagram Live .
But largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve had weeks worth of Verzuz , there should be a better platform for it by now .
Roland Martin wasn ’ t wrong when he suggested that they come up with something alternate .
It ’ s pretty much what everybody ’ s been saying .
None of the Verzuz have been without their issues , even the good ones .
Some issues have just been lesser than others .
If the IG Live event went off seamlessly , we forget the number of times the feed died momentarily or the sound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In my head , T-Pain and Lil Jon had crisp , clear sound and that ’ s impossible given the platform ; they just had the least amount of sound issues .
Point is , whatever kits Timbaland and Swizz Beatz send to folks or guidance is provided , the truth is , at this point , the sound and wifi issues , or sound issues because of wifi , or because IG Live can ’ t handle the capacity , are killing the events .
I was ready as hell for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100k people .
I believe I saw the numbers get almost up to 300K ( not quite there ) at one point and the last number I remember paying attention to was right around 200K .
4 .
By the point that I checked out , after 10 songs , I had it even at 5-5 .
5 .
Why the hell did Keith Sweat just randomly pop up wherever 112/56 were ?
And then hugs .
I tell you , the social distance struggles have been real for everybody .
I doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , but all four of them were huddled up in , I believe , Bryan Michael Cox ’ s studio .
The remaining members of 112 , Slim and Mike , were together , which is where Keith Sweat showed up .
Maybe everybody has been exercising extreme caution .
I hope so .
It was nice seeing Keith Sweat though .
6 .
Did I mention just how bad the sound was ?
I think I just said it was bad .
Here ’ s how bad it was : when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear the songs as well as IG would allow .
Jagged Edge would play songs and you literally couldn ’ t hear shit .
It sounded like the sound that happens when a wire is loose or frayed and you get a tinny , small sound .
They had me looking stupid at times trying to hold the damn iPad up to my ears to make out what song it was , never mind that I was casting the whole shit to my television with surround sound speakers .
There were as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how trash the sound was .
It didn ’ t help that the dudes from JE , probably seeing the comments , keep talking in the background as well .
Oddly , it was both what I expected to happen and somehow way worse than I expected .
I wasn ’ t even disappointed , I was more annoyed that these issues are still happening .
7 .
I hope that Mike , Slim , Q and Daron get their issues together .
At the same time it seems like that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them all , and it looks like money is at the root of it , I don ’ t think there ’ s any coming back .
I won ’ t even say the world needs a new 112 album though I ’ d be here for it ; they released an album in 2017 that I didn ’ t even know happened until last week—put a pin in this .
Meanwhile , Jagged Edge has been releasing albums more consistently and they ’ re mostly all pretty good because again , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you ’ re getting and it ’ s usually pretty good .
To that end , folks saying that 112 should have battled Dru Hill ... look , I love Dru Hill , and as far as singers go , they have some top-notch singers .
I really think we remember them as more of a hit-making group than we think .
Unless Sisqo gets to count his solo songs as Dru Hill joints .
I even saw Jodeci versus Dru Hill talk .
Listen , stop .
8 .
One good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I finally checked out 112 ’ s last album , 2017 ’ s Q Mike Slim Daron which has a group duet cut clearly written and produced by Brian and Brandon Casey from JE , called “ Both Of Us.
” It sounds like a Jagged Edge song , but with 112 singing too and that shit GOES .
They need to release a joint album .
There was an extra edge hearing Slim sing over that JE production .
The two groups trading harmonies , etc .
It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d be the first to line up for more of that .
That 112 harmony works very well on this song .
More please .
9 .
We need an afrobeats Verzuz , with a solid setting to make it work properly .
The whole time I was watching Beenie Man and Bounty Killer , I kept thinking that Davido and Wizkid or Burna Boy or Mr. Eazi , etc .
I think that would be awesome .
I just hope the Verzuz set-up wouldn ’ t kill the good vibes and energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Timbaland .
People are literally showing up just because artists they love are present but the brand itself isn ’ t exciting anymore because when you think Verzuz , you think bad connections , sound and Teddy Riley .
While the good joints have been good , the bad shit far outweighs it and it becomes an event that folks are ready to turn into memes and jokes .
I ’ m going to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that because they have to know this , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look forward to it being a truly viable , dope event .

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

1. Coming off of the high that was the Bounty Killer versus Beenie Man Verzuz Dance Party Jam Session No Social Distance In Sight, I personally thought the Jagged Edge (JE) versus 112 joint was going to end up being somewhat underwhelming. That Saturday night Verzuz was so lit and so live, it was the party we didn’t even know we needed. Apparently, though, Jamaica has discovered the cure for COVID-19 because they were spitting into microphones, close-talking and who knows how many people were there. I do have to point out though, *shhh, nobody said they were doing too much the same way we said it about Teddy Riley, shhhh.* I didn’t see nor hear nary an individual point out how many folks were present. I’m not saying it didn’t happen, I’m just saying that all of the people I typically follow seemed to be on one accord that the party was awesome and only awesome. Peeeridt.
There were two entire DJ setups. Now perhaps because the whole thing worked: it didn’t clog up the Internet or shut down our in-home jam sessions, and nobody cared. Perhaps it only matters if you have too many people around if in America and if the party doesn’t jam right. Also, the police showing up in the middle of it just felt right. At the same time, can you imagine being a police officer showing up to a house that’s too loud and seeing Beenie Man and Bounty Killer? Point is, that joint was awesomesauce.
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2. Before it started, my money was entirely on JE, though I didn’t think it would be any kind of blowout. If JE won it would be close and the same for 112 . Just want to make sure that’s clear. I’ve already thrown my hat into the Jagged Edge versus 112 debate that everybody has an opinion about, have written about Jagged Edge a few times, etc. I’m a fan. I’m also a fan of 112 because who isn’t? I tend to think 112 has the better catalog, overall—plus deep cuts—whereas Jagged Edge has more hits (this is facts). Now it can be argued that JE found a formula and stuck to it longer and better than anybody else and that’s probably true. And 112 both tried different things and thus has more diverse songs. My preferences just lean towards JE. With that said, “Cupid” is the best song between both groups.
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3. With that being said, I was super excited about this battle. As I grilled, I had a JE and 112 playlist running all day. I was ready. And because of the sound issues—which should not be a thing by this point—I pretty much checked out less than halfway through. And it was mostly on the JE side. I joked on Facebook that there was no way that all these Atlanta dudes would have solid wifi, and I don’t know if the wifi is actually the problem (likely not) or if it’s Instagram Live.
But largely, at this point, we’ve had weeks worth of Verzuz, there should be a better platform for it by now. Roland Martin wasn’t wrong when he suggested that they come up with something alternate. It’s pretty much what everybody’s been saying. None of the Verzuz have been without their issues, even the good ones. Some issues have just been lesser than others. If the IG Live event went off seamlessly, we forget the number of times the feed died momentarily or the sound was trash, which is odd. In my head, T-Pain and Lil Jon had crisp, clear sound and that’s impossible given the platform; they just had the least amount of sound issues. Point is, whatever kits Timbaland and Swizz Beatz send to folks or guidance is provided, the truth is, at this point, the sound and wifi issues, or sound issues because of wifi, or because IG Live can’t handle the capacity, are killing the events.
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I was ready as hell for this and gave up, as did almost 100k people. I believe I saw the numbers get almost up to 300K (not quite there) at one point and the last number I remember paying attention to was right around 200K.
4. By the point that I checked out, after 10 songs, I had it even at 5-5.
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5. Why the hell did Keith Sweat just randomly pop up wherever 112/56 were? And then hugs. I tell you, the social distance struggles have been real for everybody. I doubt everybody in Jagged Edge lives together right now, but all four of them were huddled up in, I believe, Bryan Michael Cox’s studio. The remaining members of 112, Slim and Mike, were together, which is where Keith Sweat showed up. Maybe everybody has been exercising extreme caution. I hope so. It was nice seeing Keith Sweat though.
6. Did I mention just how bad the sound was? I think I just said it was bad. Here’s how bad it was: when 112 played songs, I could largely hear the songs as well as IG would allow. Jagged Edge would play songs and you literally couldn’t hear shit. It sounded like the sound that happens when a wire is loose or frayed and you get a tinny, small sound. They had me looking stupid at times trying to hold the damn iPad up to my ears to make out what song it was, never mind that I was casting the whole shit to my television with surround sound speakers. There were as many comments, especially from celebs, about how trash the sound was. It didn’t help that the dudes from JE, probably seeing the comments, keep talking in the background as well.
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Shit. Show.
Oddly, it was both what I expected to happen and somehow way worse than I expected. I wasn’t even disappointed, I was more annoyed that these issues are still happening.
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7. I hope that Mike, Slim, Q and Daron get their issues together. At the same time it seems like that’s an impossibility. Whatever issues exist between them all, and it looks like money is at the root of it, I don’t think there’s any coming back. I won’t even say the world needs a new 112 album though I’d be here for it; they released an album in 2017 that I didn’t even know happened until last week—put a pin in this. Meanwhile, Jagged Edge has been releasing albums more consistently and they’re mostly all pretty good because again, they have a formula. You know exactly what you’re getting and it’s usually pretty good. To that end, folks saying that 112 should have battled Dru Hill...look, I love Dru Hill, and as far as singers go, they have some top-notch singers. I really think we remember them as more of a hit-making group than we think. Unless Sisqo gets to count his solo songs as Dru Hill joints. I even saw Jodeci versus Dru Hill talk. Listen, stop.
8. One good thing to come out of this was that I finally checked out 112’s last album, 2017’s Q Mike Slim Daron which has a group duet cut clearly written and produced by Brian and Brandon Casey from JE, called “Both Of Us.” It sounds like a Jagged Edge song, but with 112 singing too and that shit GOES. They need to release a joint album. There was an extra edge hearing Slim sing over that JE production. The two groups trading harmonies, etc. It’s a winner of a song and I’d be the first to line up for more of that. That 112 harmony works very well on this song. More please.
Advertisement
9. We need an afrobeats Verzuz, with a solid setting to make it work properly. The whole time I was watching Beenie Man and Bounty Killer, I kept thinking that Davido and Wizkid or Burna Boy or Mr. Eazi, etc. I think that would be awesome. I just hope the Verzuz set-up wouldn’t kill the good vibes and energy.
10. Get it together Swizz and Timbaland. People are literally showing up just because artists they love are present but the brand itself isn’t exciting anymore because when you think Verzuz, you think bad connections, sound and Teddy Riley. While the good joints have been good, the bad shit far outweighs it and it becomes an event that folks are ready to turn into memes and jokes. I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that because they have to know this, they’re working on it. I look forward to it being a truly viable, dope event.


theroot--2020-05-26--Up to 60% off Wayfair's Backyard Playsets in This Summer Sale

Up to 60 % off Select Backyard Playset | Wayfair If you ’ re a parent sheltering in place might have been a headache with not only homeschooling but keeping your kids active within the house .
If you are lucky enough to have a yard additional hours in the sun has eased some of these pains .
Wayfair is running a sale on select backyard playsets to help .
Most can be used inside with the right planning and imagination .
N o yard really required just a lot of creativity .
There are over a thousand items in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fit your space and requirements .
Tents are a spectacular option because they ’ re easy to set up and can be used inside .
I loved my tent as a kid and it became a prominent fixture in my room .
This small sandbox is perfect if your little one is an a spiring explorer and it ’ s compact enough to keep inside if you ’ re comfortabl e with that .
This versatile pop- up playset can also be used inside or outside to help get as much energy out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few minutes of rest .
Free two-day shipping on all orders over $ 35

Sheilah Villari on Kinja Deals, shared by Jordan McMahon to The Root

Up to 60% off Select Backyard Playset | Wayfair
If you’re a parent sheltering in place might have been a headache with not only homeschooling but keeping your kids active within the house. If you are lucky enough to have a yard additional hours in the sun has eased some of these pains. Wayfair is running a sale on select backyard playsets to help . Most can be used inside with the right planning and imagination. N o yard really required just a lot of creativity.
There are over a thousand items in this sale so plenty of options to fit your space and requirements . Tents are a spectacular option because they’re easy to set up and can be used inside. I loved my tent as a kid and it became a prominent fixture in my room. This small sandbox is perfect if your little one is an a spiring explorer and it’s compact enough to keep inside if you’re comfortabl e with that. This versatile pop- up playset can also be used inside or outside to help get as much energy out as possible and give mom and/or dad a few minutes of rest.
Free two-day shipping on all orders over $35


theroot--2020-05-26--Big Beauty Tuesday: Yes, You Need Black Girl Sunscreen Because Melanin Isn't Enough

Handwashing .
Masks .
Social Distancing .
All of these are necessary measures of self-protection in our current climate .
But as we begin to consider how to move about the world in our current climate , we want to remind you of one simple , yet essential fact : Yes , yes , we know your beautiful brown skin loves the sun—but it also loves protection from harmful UVA/UVB rays .
In fact , May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month , and as a July 2019 article from the Skin Cancer Foundation states : Skin cancers are less prevalent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they occur , they tend to be diagnosed at a later stage and , as a result , have a worse prognosis .
One study , for example , found an average five-year melanoma survival rate of only 65 percent in black people versus 91 percent in white people .
Another showed that late-stage melanoma diagnoses are more common in Hispanic and black patients than in non-Hispanic white patients .
That ’ s why we ’ re so grateful entrepreneur Shontay Lundy invented Black Girl Sunscreen .
Even as a brown-skinned woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skin ’ s health during some of her favorite outdoor activities , which include hikes , yoga and sitting poolside sipping mojitos .
But when she went in search of a sunscreen that would provide adequate protection without leaving an unsightly , ashy blue-white cast on her skin , there were none to be found .
“ I knew there had to be something that could work , ” said Lundy in a statement .
“ And I knew that if I could figure out how to make it happen , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colored girls who have considered sunscreen when melanin is not enough , Black Girl Sunscreen was born .
But of course , Lundy ’ s cruelty-free , environmentally friendly and vegan formulation isn ’ t just for black girls , but every brown-skinned person who believes in sun protection .
It not only allows the brown beauty of our skin to shine through its 30 SPF ( 50 SPF for kids ) but is also free of proven problematic chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate that can disrupt our hormones .
Today , Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ product sold in Target ’ s sun care section full time—and just this month , the brand secured a $ 1 million dollar investment from a private female funding source , no small feat during a pandemic .
To stress the importance of wearing sunscreen during Skin Cancer Awareness Month and beyond , The Glow Up ’ s Managing Editor Maiysha Kai chatted with the founder of Black Girl Sunscreen Shontay Lundy to discuss the importance of cultivating healthy skincare habits , even while in quarantine .


theroot--2020-05-26--Michael Jordan Has Some Explaining to Do

Since ESPN ’ s The Last Dance aired , there ’ s been plenty of discussion as to whether or not Michael Jordan was involved in Isiah Thomas ’ exclusion from arguably the greatest basketball team ever assembled : the 1992 Olympic Dream Team .
Jordan has maintained for decades that he had nothing to do with Thomas ’ omission—a stance he reiterated in The Last Dance—while Thomas has popped up on sports show after sports show as of late basically calling His Airness a bold-faced liar .
Had this still been the ’ 90s , it ’ s likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained unresolved .
But thanks to The Dream Team Tapes with Jack McCallum , a new podcast that explores “ the real story ” of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team , we now have concrete evidence that yes , Jordan absolutely had everything to do with keeping Thomas off of that squad .
In a clip from a recent episode of The Dream Team Tapes that ’ s circulating on social media , Jordan is on tape admitting that he gave Rod Thorn—the same Rod Thorn who was on the 1992 Olympics selection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s insistence that Jordan had nothing to do with Thomas ’ omission—an ultimatum .
“ Rod Thorn called me .
I said , ‘ Rod , I won ’ t play if Isiah Thomas is on the team.
’ He assured me , ” Jordan said .
“ He said , ‘ You know what ?
Chuck [ Daly ] doesn ’ t want Isiah .
So , Isiah is not going to be part of the team.
” According to ESPN , the audio is taken from an interview that McCallum conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about-face from the lie Jordan told in The Last Dance .
“ Before the ‘ 92 Olympics , Rod Thorn calls me and says , ‘ We would love for you to be on the Dream Team , ’ Jordan said in the docu-series .
“ I say , ‘ Who ’ s all playing ?
’ He says , ‘ What does that mean ?
’ I say , ‘ Who ’ s all playing ?
’ He says , ‘ Well , the guy you ’ re talking about or you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not going to be playing.
’ Jordan added , “ I respect Isiah Thomas ’ talent .
To me , the best point guard of all time is Magic Johnson and right behind him is Isiah Thomas .
No matter how much I hate him , I respect his game .
Now , it was insinuated that I was asking about him , but I never threw his name in there.
” In an April appearance on ESPN ’ s Golic & Wingo , Thorn absolved His Airness of any fault or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Dream Team roster .
“ There was never anything in my conversation with [ Jordan ] that had to do with Isiah Thomas , period , ” Thorn said at the time .
“ He said , ‘ I ’ ll do it.
’ [ ... ] Isiah ’ s name never came up during that conversation .
And he never backtracked and said he didn ’ t want to do it from that time on , to those of us in the NBA office.
” He continued , “ Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then it happened with somebody else ; because when I talked to him , he ended up saying he would definitely do it.
” Neither Jordan nor Thomas has yet to publicly comment on the new audio that has surfaced , but I think it ’ s safe to say that the six-time NBA champion has some explaining to do .

Since ESPN’s The Last Dance aired, there’s been plenty of discussion as to whether or not Michael Jordan was involved in Isiah Thomas’ exclusion from arguably the greatest basketball team ever assembled: the 1992 Olympic Dream Team. Jordan has maintained for decades that he had nothing to do with Thomas’ omission—a stance he reiterated in The Last Dance—while Thomas has popped up on sports show after sports show as of late basically calling His Airness a bold-faced liar.
Had this still been the ’90s, it’s likely that their simmering beef would’ve remained unresolved. But thanks to The Dream Team Tapes with Jack McCallum, a new podcast that explores “the real story” of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team, we now have concrete evidence that yes, Jordan absolutely had everything to do with keeping Thomas off of that squad.
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In a clip from a recent episode of The Dream Team Tapes that’s circulating on social media, Jordan is on tape admitting that he gave Rod Thorn—the same Rod Thorn who was on the 1992 Olympics selection committee and who has backed Jordan’s insistence that Jordan had nothing to do with Thomas’ omission—an ultimatum.
“Rod Thorn called me. I said, ‘Rod, I won’t play if Isiah Thomas is on the team.’ He assured me,” Jordan said. “He said, ‘You know what? Chuck [Daly] doesn’t want Isiah. So, Isiah is not going to be part of the team.”
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According to ESPN, the audio is taken from an interview that McCallum conducted in 2011—and it’s a complete about-face from the story lie Jordan told in The Last Dance.
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“Before the ‘92 Olympics, Rod Thorn calls me and says, ‘We would love for you to be on the Dream Team,’ Jordan said in the docu-series. “I say, ‘Who’s all playing?’ He says, ‘What does that mean?’ I say, ‘Who’s all playing?’ He says, ‘Well, the guy you’re talking about or you’re thinking about, he’s not going to be playing.’
Jordan added, “I respect Isiah Thomas’ talent. To me, the best point guard of all time is Magic Johnson and right behind him is Isiah Thomas. No matter how much I hate him, I respect his game. Now, it was insinuated that I was asking about him, but I never threw his name in there.”
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In an April appearance on ESPN’s Golic & Wingo, Thorn absolved His Airness of any fault or blame in the decision to omit Thomas from the Dream Team roster.
“There was never anything in my conversation with [Jordan] that had to do with Isiah Thomas, period,” Thorn said at the time. “He said, ‘I’ll do it.’ [...] Isiah’s name never came up during that conversation. And he never backtracked and said he didn’t want to do it from that time on, to those of us in the NBA office.”
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He continued, “Now, if that in fact happened, then it happened with somebody else; because when I talked to him, he ended up saying he would definitely do it.”
Welp.
Neither Jordan nor Thomas has yet to publicly comment on the new audio that has surfaced, but I think it’s safe to say that the six-time NBA champion has some explaining to do.


theroot--2020-05-26--Babyface Gave Aretha Franklin Dating Advice and Other Fun Highlights From His Waiting to Exhale IG S

Babyface Gave Aretha Franklin Dating Advice and Other Fun Highlights From His Waiting to Exhale IG Session

Released on November 14 , 1995 by Arista Records , the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack celebrates its 25th anniversary this year .
So , t o honor the beloved work , Kenneth “ Babyface ” Edmonds decided to host a track-by-track music session where he shared behind-the-scenes stories .
The session , initially set to occur on Mother ’ s Day , was postponed after Andre Harrell ’ s untimely death .
However , last Sunday , the show was back on and it was quite the endearing treat .
If you missed it , I feel sorry for your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s what recaps are for !
So , here I am .
Because , just like Mr. Kenny Edmonds , “ I Care About You.
” Channeling a bit of his fun shade from the previous Instagram Live Verzuz with Teddy Riley , Babyface waited a bit before starting , holding up signs to assure that there were no technical difficulties and that he was simply waiting for more people to join to ensure that the bulk of listeners didn ’ t miss anything .
Occasionally reading from the film ’ s script @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a true producer ) , Babyface reminisced about working with the iconic group of artists ( he included a fun tidbit about TLC being “ silly , ” as expected ! )
and admitted how nervous he was to serve as the composer of the film when director Forest Whitaker approached him about it .
In hindsight , of course , there is no other person who could ’ ve done it .
Babyface Revealed That Whitney Basically Asked , “ Who All Gon ’ Be There ?
” Before committing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first asked who else would be a part of the project .
Yes , she basically asked “ who all gon ’ be there.
” Babyface recalled that he initially wrote “ Why Does It Hurt So Bad ” years prior , but Whitney wasn ’ t up to singing it at the time .
Lo and behold , he sat on it for a few years and realized the song was perfect for the soundtrack .
And it was .
He also revealed that they started scoring “ Exhale ( Shoop Shoop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Simpson was acquitted on two counts of murder in 1995 .
Wow .
Further , I must mention here that the way Babyface said “ shoop shoop ” was so funny and adorable .
With the previous blessing of Mr. Harrell himself ( Babyface confirmed Harrell had texted him to tell the story ) , Babyface told the story of when he first played “ Not Gon ’ Cry ” for the late music mogul in his car right outside The Four Seasons in Beverly Hills , Calif. “ After we finished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] goes , ‘ I don ’ t think that ’ s for Mary .
I don ’ t think that works .
That don ’ t work for Mary , ’ ” Babyface recalled , noting that Andre argued she had not lived the life of a long marriage and raising kids to be able to channel the emotions of the song adequately .
But , Babyface knew what we all realized after hearing the song—Mary is a storyteller and as the “ voice of pain and love , ” she did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way we said “ eleven ” and “ secretary ” —not being the voice of this song !
The horror !
Babyface Sat Up In His Room and Gave Brandy Her Flowers “ She came in ready , ” Babyface recalled of their recording session , before introducing “ Sittin ’ Up in My Room.
” “ She was prepared .
She did the backgrounds in three seconds .
I got chills from the way she sang the song .
Trust me , I ’ ve worked with so many singers over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say this little girl was one of the best singers I ’ d ever worked with and seen .
[ ... ] I think that she ’ s underrated and I don ’ t think people appreciate her voice enough .
I was so glad Whitney Houston said yes to Brandy being on this because she made a difference.
” The two music partners further showcased just how close they were by joking around a bit—Toni did an impersonation of her sister Tamar Braxton impersonating her before singing a few lines from “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she was a bit possessive over Babyface working with other artists , jokingly exclaiming , “ That ’ s my producer !
” Babyface Gave Aretha Franklin Dating Advice and Got Some Peach Cobbler First off , Babyface said Aretha brought peach cobbler to their recording session for “ It Hurts Like Hell , ” which is iconic in and of itself .
But the pièce de résistance came in the form of dating advice .
“ Five years ago , I performed with Aretha ...
I sat in her [ dressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave ... .then she said , ‘ You be writin ’ all these love songs and I want your advice.
’ She said , ‘ I ’ m seeing this gentleman and I ’ m gon na tell you some of the things he ’ s been doing , ” Babyface said .
“ And I ’ m trying to decide if I want to date him or not ’ ...
I said , ‘ I wouldn ’ t trust this gentleman.
’ About a month later I got a call and she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Face .
He wasn ’ t the one.
” That ’ s right , the Queen of Soul was still getting her groove on and made each day of her life count until she went on to glory .
What a life .
What a legend .
Shortly after the session ended , I realized I had a lingering smile on my face .
Thanks to the calming sensation of Babyface ’ s voice and his overall disposition , I just felt so good afterward .
It was nice .
Thank you @ @ @ @

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

“Everyone falls in love sometimes”…with Babyface’s Instagram page.
Released on November 14, 1995 by Arista Records, the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. So, t o honor the beloved work, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds decided to host a track-by-track music session where he shared behind-the-scenes stories. The session, initially set to occur on Mother’s Day, was postponed after Andre Harrell’s untimely death.
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However, last Sunday, the show was back on and it was quite the endearing treat. If you missed it, I feel sorry for your weekend, but luckily, that’s what recaps are for! So, here I am. Because, just like Mr. Kenny Edmonds, “I Care About You.”
Let’s get to it…
Channeling a bit of his fun shade from the previous Instagram Live Verzuz with Teddy Riley, Babyface waited a bit before starting, holding up signs to assure that there were no technical difficulties and that he was simply waiting for more people to join to ensure that the bulk of listeners didn’t miss anything.
Advertisement Advertisement
Occasionally reading from the film’s script (with his score in the background like a true producer), Babyface reminisced about working with the iconic group of artists (he included a fun tidbit about TLC being “silly,” as expected!) and admitted how nervous he was to serve as the composer of the film when director Forest Whitaker approached him about it. In hindsight, of course, there is no other person who could’ve done it.
Advertisement
Babyface Revealed That Whitney Basically Asked, “Who All Gon’ Be There?”
Before committing to sing on the soundtrack, Whitney Houston first asked who else would be a part of the project. Yes, she basically asked “who all gon’ be there.” Babyface recalled that he initially wrote “Why Does It Hurt So Bad” years prior, but Whitney wasn’t up to singing it at the time. Lo and behold, he sat on it for a few years and realized the song was perfect for the soundtrack. And it was.
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He also revealed that they started scoring “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” the very day that O.J. Simpson was acquitted on two counts of murder in 1995. Wow. Further, I must mention here that the way Babyface said “shoop shoop” was so funny and adorable.
Babyface Fought to Have Mary J. Blige Sing “Not Gon’ Cry”
With the previous blessing of Mr. Harrell himself (Babyface confirmed Harrell had texted him to tell the story), Babyface told the story of when he first played “Not Gon’ Cry” for the late music mogul in his car right outside The Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, Calif.
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“After we finished playing the song, then [Andre] goes, ‘I don’t think that’s for Mary. I don’t think that works. That don’t work for Mary,’” Babyface recalled, noting that Andre argued she had not lived the life of a long marriage and raising kids to be able to channel the emotions of the song adequately. But, Babyface knew what we all realized after hearing the song—Mary is a storyteller and as the “voice of pain and love,” she did just that. Imagine Mary—who singlehandedly changed the way we said “eleven” and “secretary”—not being the voice of this song! The horror!
Babyface Sat Up In His Room and Gave Brandy Her Flowers
“She came in ready,” Babyface recalled of their recording session, before introducing “Sittin’ Up in My Room.” “She was prepared. She did the backgrounds in three seconds. I got chills from the way she sang the song. Trust me, I’ve worked with so many singers over the years—and the best—and I have to say this little girl was one of the best singers I’d ever worked with and seen. [...] I think that she’s underrated and I don’t think people appreciate her voice enough. I was so glad Whitney Houston said yes to Brandy being on this because she made a difference.”
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BabyFaceTime With Toni Braxton
The two music partners further showcased just how close they were by joking around a bit—Toni did an impersonation of her sister Tamar Braxton impersonating her before singing a few lines from “Let It Flow.” Toni even admitted that she was a bit possessive over Babyface working with other artists, jokingly exclaiming, “That’s my producer!”
Advertisement
Babyface Gave Aretha Franklin Dating Advice and Got Some Peach Cobbler
First off, Babyface said Aretha brought peach cobbler to their recording session for “It Hurts Like Hell,” which is iconic in and of itself. But the pièce de résistance came in the form of dating advice.
Advertisement
“Five years ago, I performed with Aretha...I sat in her [dressing] room and she told everyone to leave....then she said, ‘You be writin’ all these love songs and I want your advice.’ She said, ‘I’m seeing this gentleman and I’m gonna tell you some of the things he’s been doing,” Babyface said. “And I’m trying to decide if I want to date him or not’...I said, ‘I wouldn’t trust this gentleman.’ About a month later I got a call and she said, ‘You were right, ‘Face. He wasn’t the one.”
That’s right, the Queen of Soul was still getting her groove on and made each day of her life count until she went on to glory. What a life. What a legend.
Advertisement
Shortly after the session ended, I realized I had a lingering smile on my face. Thanks to the calming sensation of Babyface’s voice and his overall disposition, I just felt so good afterward. It was nice. Thank you, Mr. Edmonds.


theroot--2020-05-26--Vomit All Your Ingredients Into a 6qt Tayama Pressure Cooker for $65

Of all the different counter-space-and-wallet- eating kitchen appliances out there , the pressure cooker is among tops when it comes @ @ @ @ @ when you get versatile units on the cheap .
You just scrounge up all the @ @ @ @ @ wouldn ’ t eat , chuck them in , set a timer , and pray @ @ @ @ @ create the gut ’ s equivalent of a nuclear bomb inside .
With an 8-in-1 @ @ @ @ @ down to $ 65—you also get a rice cooker , slow cooking functionality , and @ @

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

Tayama 6qt Pressure Cooker | $65 | Amazon
Of all the different counter-space-and-wallet- eating kitchen appliances out there, the pressure cooker is among tops when it comes to reusable value, especially when you get versatile units on the cheap. You just scrounge up all the leftover ingredients that your dogs wouldn’t eat , chuck them in, set a timer, and pray that you didn’t create the gut’s equivalent of a nuclear bomb inside. With an 8-in-1 unit like this 6qt Tayama—now down to $65—you also get a rice cooker, slow cooking functionality, and more.


theroot--2020-05-26--Doja Cat's 'Dindu Nuffin,' Explained

Doja Cat's 'Dindu Nuffin,' Explained

You know what you ’ re doing .
Doja Cat ?
Dindu Nuffin ?
These are not real things .
They ’ re not even real words .
Stop trolling me .
Trust me , they ’ re both real !
And I know that saying “ Trust me , they ’ re both real !
” in any context doesn ’ t inspire much confidence .
But , yeah .
Trust me .
OK.
I ’ ll play along .
Who is Doja Cat ?
“ Amalaratna Zandile Dlamini ( born October 21 , 1995 ) known professionally as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rapper , and songwriter .
She first rose to prominence with the release of the music video for her song “ Mooo !
” which went viral in 2018 .
She subsequently became known for creating music videos and songs that achieve widespread popularity online , specifically on social media apps like TikTok.
” Wait .
Did you just cut and paste that from Wikipedia ?
We ’ re doing this explainer for you to ... explain .
If I wanted a Wiki take , I ’ d just go there instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , too , because I didn ’ t know her real name or her age .
Still , the best way for me to describe her as an artist would be that she exists , with several others , on a cultural retention divider .
I thought her “ Mooo !
” song was quirky and catchy , and I know she has a hit single with Nicki Minaj .
But before the recent controversy , I was fine with that being the extent of my knowledge of her .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be the next Bob Dylan for all I know .
I ’ m just at an age where it takes a lot for me to latch onto new artists .
There just ain ’ t enough room in my pop cultural hard drive for it .
Shit , there are things that I know I ’ d enjoy—Breaking Bad , for instance—that I still haven ’ t made space to consume yet .
You ’ re an old , so that makes sense .
Anyway , so what is “ Dindu Nuffin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an alt-right message board-conceived term that ’ s popular in white supremacist circles .
It ’ s a phonetic compression , mocking the dialect of black victims of police brutality , who “ Didn ’ t do nothing.
” If you think that ’ s bad , wait till you read why “ cuck ” is so popular with them , too .
But yeah , dindu nuffin is actually past garden-variety alt-right territory , because at least they pretend to be racist-neutral “ realists.
” This is straight “ I hate black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that.
” Yikes .
So how is this connected to Doja Cat ?
Wait ... what ?
How ?
Why would she do that ?
That ’ s the million-dollar question .
The song itself is actually quite smooth .
I listened to it this morning , and it sounds like something you ’ d hear during a scene transition on Insecure .
If she called it literally anything else—well , literally anything other than that or “ Die Black Nigger Monkey Die ” —it would ’ ve been fine .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about that song , Doja Cat claimed that it was her way of reclaiming that term after being called it in on TinyChat , a video chat room she frequents .
Is this the same place that Dindu Nuffin came from ?
No .
This is a ... different place that racist whites also frequent .
Exactly !
“ Hmm ” is the perfect response to that .
The most charitable explanation here is that she ’ s comfortable enough in those spaces to go there to troll the trolls .
Also , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve made her 19 .
There ’ s nothing she ’ s done publicly since then—and nothing that ’ s been revealed about what she does privately—that would allow for the benefit of the doubt here .
She seems to be an edgelord—which is a ( usually white and male ) person who says trollish and taboo shit online to appear cool to other trolls .
They build community by shitting on other communities , and black people are their most frequent target .
Basically , edgelording is Spades for incels .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this ?
Unfortunately , what ’ s happening here isn ’ t that uncommon for black people who grew up in predominately white spaces .
Whiteness—particularly the cool and edgy white boys—is fetishized , and to assimilate , some flatten themselves into the black kid who isn ’ t offended by slurs and can be just as edgy as they are .
That Doja Cat is biracial and considered physically attractive matters here too , as it gives her even more distinction and separation from those “ regular black ” blacks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mechanism .
Some of us , in those environments , go extra hard with the blackety black black black , where blackness becomes a forcefield .
And some of us go—well , some of us go the other way .
The hope is that you grow out of it eventually .
Some do .
Some don ’ t .
So , is Doja Cat canceled now ?
I hate that term , for reasons Danielle Butler articulated years ago .
But I can ’ t cancel something I never subscribed to .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide if they believe her apologies are sincere .
That said , there ’ s an ( admittedly unverified ) rumor that “ Dindu Nuffin ” was created as a troll of Sandra Bland .
She denied it , but if I was a fan , I doubt I could get that out of my head .

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

Stop it.
What?
You know what you’re doing.
Huh?
Doja Cat? Dindu Nuffin? These are not real things. They’re not even real words. Stop trolling me.
Trust me, they’re both real! And I know that saying “Trust me, they’re both real!” in any context doesn’t inspire much confidence. But, yeah. Trust me.
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OK. I’ll play along. Who is Doja Cat?
“Amalaratna Zandile Dlamini (born October 21, 1995) known professionally as Doja Cat, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter. She first rose to prominence with the release of the music video for her song “Mooo!” which went viral in 2018. She subsequently became known for creating music videos and songs that achieve widespread popularity online, specifically on social media apps like TikTok.”
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Wait. Did you just cut and paste that from Wikipedia?
I did.
We’re doing this explainer for you to...explain. If I wanted a Wiki take, I’d just go there instead.
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So that bio was helpful for me, too, because I didn’t know her real name or her age. Still, the best way for me to describe her as an artist would be that she exists, with several others, on a cultural retention divider. I thought her “Mooo!” song was quirky and catchy, and I know she has a hit single with Nicki Minaj. But before the recent controversy, I was fine with that being the extent of my knowledge of her.
This is no diss of her talent; she could be the next Bob Dylan for all I know. I’m just at an age where it takes a lot for me to latch onto new artists. There just ain’t enough room in my pop cultural hard drive for it. Shit, there are things that I know I’d enjoy—Breaking Bad, for instance—that I still haven’t made space to consume yet.
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You’re an old, so that makes sense. Anyway, so what is “Dindu Nuffin”?
“Dindu nuffin” is an alt-right message board-conceived term that’s popular in white supremacist circles. It’s a phonetic compression, mocking the dialect of black victims of police brutality, who “Didn’t do nothing.”
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Wow. That is dark.
If you think that’s bad, wait till you read why “cuck” is so popular with them, too. But yeah, dindu nuffin is actually past garden-variety alt-right territory, because at least they pretend to be racist-neutral “realists.” This is straight “I hate black people, and I want you to know that.”
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Yikes. So how is this connected to Doja Cat?
In 2015, she recorded a song titled “Dindu Nuffin.”
Wait...what? How? Why would she do that?
That’s the million-dollar question. The song itself is actually quite smooth. I listened to it this morning, and it sounds like something you’d hear during a scene transition on Insecure. If she called it literally anything else—well, literally anything other than that or “Die Black Nigger Monkey Die”—it would’ve been fine.
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I have theories though.
Of course, you do.
When pressed about that song, Doja Cat claimed that it was her way of reclaiming that term after being called it in on TinyChat, a video chat room she frequents.
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Is this the same place that Dindu Nuffin came from?
No. This is a...different place that racist whites also frequent.
Hmm.
Exactly! “Hmm” is the perfect response to that. The most charitable explanation here is that she’s comfortable enough in those spaces to go there to troll the trolls. Also, this happened in 2015, which would’ve made her 19.
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But...?
There’s nothing she’s done publicly since then—and nothing that’s been revealed about what she does privately—that would allow for the benefit of the doubt here. She seems to be an edgelord—which is a (usually white and male) person who says trollish and taboo shit online to appear cool to other trolls. They build community by shitting on other communities, and black people are their most frequent target. Basically, edgelording is Spades for incels.
Advertisement
Why would a black woman do any of this?
Unfortunately, what’s happening here isn’t that uncommon for black people who grew up in predominately white spaces. Whiteness—particularly the cool and edgy white boys—is fetishized, and to assimilate, some flatten themselves into the black kid who isn’t offended by slurs and can be just as edgy as they are. That Doja Cat is biracial and considered physically attractive matters here too, as it gives her even more distinction and separation from those “regular black” blacks.
Advertisement
Ultimately, it’s a protection mechanism. Some of us, in those environments, go extra hard with the blackety black black black, where blackness becomes a forcefield. And some of us go—well, some of us go the other way.
The hope is that you grow out of it eventually. Some do. Some don’t.
So, is Doja Cat canceled now?
I hate that term, for reasons Danielle Butler articulated years ago. But I can’t cancel something I never subscribed to. It’s up to her fans to decide if they believe her apologies are sincere. That said, there’s an (admittedly unverified) rumor that “Dindu Nuffin” was created as a troll of Sandra Bland. She denied it, but if I was a fan, I doubt I could get that out of my head.
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(Updated 3/3/22 with new details)


theroot--2020-05-26--Widower of Joe Scarborough Staffer Begs Twitter to Remove Trump’s Conspiracy Tweets Claiming His Wif

Widower of Joe Scarborough Staffer Begs Twitter to Remove Trump’s Conspiracy Tweets Claiming His Wife Was Murdered

Trump will stop at nothing to berate his opponents .
For weeks , he ’ s been engaging in white-on-white violence with the married hosts of Morning Joe , Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski .
For those who haven ’ t been up on the news , or for those who ’ ve been ignoring the news for their own mental health , let me give y ’ all the play-by-play : In 2001 , Lori Klausutis , 28 , died after fainting and hitting her head while working in a Florida regional office for Scarborough , who was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no evidence of foul play ; in fact , it was found that Klausutis ’ death was just a freak accident as she had an undiagnosed heart condition , yet that hasn ’ t stopped the president from using his platform to imply that something fishy took place and Scarborough , who has been a consistent Trump critic , is at the bottom of it all .
It ’ s almost as if Scarborough was friends with an evil millionaire who no one knows how he made his millions , yet all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men , who… Managing Editor Genetta Adams : Stephen is this another Jeffery Epstein rant ?
Me : No .
Why would you even say that ?
This is just a hypothetical about a rich man with an island and underaged ... Me : ( yells ) Jeffery Epstein didn ’ t kill himself !
( runs from room ) .
Doesn ’ t matter that there has never been anything even remotely connecting Scarborough to anything , Trump is still on his ass .
On May 12 , the president ( I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remind everyone that this Twitter troll is the president of the United States ) tweeted : “ I ’ m asking you to intervene in this instance because the President of the United States has taken something that does not belong him—the memory of my dead wife—and perverted it for perceived political gain , ” Timothy J. Klausutis wrote in a letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey ( pdf ) , which was dated last week but gained traction Tuesday when the New York Times ’ Kara Swisher published it in an op-ed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 , the tweet is still up on the president ’ s official Twitter .
In fact , Twitter informed Klausutis that they had no plans to remove the tweet and apologized for the pain this tweet is causing his family .
“ We are deeply sorry about the pain these statements , and the attention they are drawing , are causing the family , ” the spokesperson said in a statement , Politico reports .
“ We ’ ve been working to expand existing product features and policies so we can more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we hope to have those changes in place shortly.
” Basically , “ we are a company that cares about profit and drama and the president being batshit brings both , so we don ’ t care.
” Of course , after Klausutis ’ letter gained traction , Trump continued to push his conspiracy theories , because the president isn ’ t much better than the white boys on the dark web who appeal to Doja Cat .
And on Tuesday , after Klausutis ’ letter drew widespread attention , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described it as a cold case , called Scarborough a “ Psycho ” and wrote , “ So many unanswered & obvious questions , but I won ’ t bring them up now !
Law enforcement eventually will ?
” In his letter , Klausutis suggested to Dorsey that “ Twitter ’ s policies about content are designed to maintain the appearance that your hands are clean.
” Per his reading of Twitter ’ s terms of service , he said , other users would be banned for tweets like Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pain his wife ’ s loved ones feel over her early death , and how the conspiracy theories have made it harder for them to move on .
“ I have mourned my wife every day since her passing .
I have tried to honor her memory and our marriage , ” he wrote .
“ As her husband , I feel that one of my marital obligations is to protect her memory as I would have protected her in life .
”

Trump will stop at nothing to berate his opponents. For weeks, he’s been engaging in white-on-white violence with the married hosts of Morning Joe, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. For those who haven’t been up on the news, or for those who’ve been ignoring the news for their own mental health, let me give y’all the play-by-play:
In 2001, Lori Klausutis, 28, died after fainting and hitting her head while working in a Florida regional office for Scarborough, who was a congressman at this time. There was no evidence of foul play; in fact, it was found that Klausutis’ death was just a freak accident as she had an undiagnosed heart condition, yet that hasn’t stopped the president from using his platform to imply that something fishy took place and Scarborough, who has been a consistent Trump critic, is at the bottom of it all.
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It’s almost as if Scarborough was friends with an evil millionaire who no one knows how he made his millions, yet all of his friends were rich, wealthy white men, who…
Managing Editor Genetta Adams: Stephen is this another Jeffery Epstein rant?
Me: No. Why would you even say that? This is just a hypothetical about a rich man with an island and underaged...
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Adams: Yep, we’ve talked about this….
Me: (yells) Jeffery Epstein didn’t kill himself! (runs from room).
Doesn’t matter that there has never been anything even remotely connecting Scarborough to anything, Trump is still on his ass. On May 12, the president (I think it’s important that I remind everyone that this Twitter troll is the president of the United States) tweeted:
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“I’m asking you to intervene in this instance because the President of the United States has taken something that does not belong him—the memory of my dead wife—and perverted it for perceived political gain,” Timothy J. Klausutis wrote in a letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey (pdf), which was dated last week but gained traction Tuesday when the New York Times’ Kara Swisher published it in an op-ed, Politico reports.
As of May 26, the tweet is still up on the president’s official Twitter. In fact, Twitter informed Klausutis that they had no plans to remove the tweet and apologized for the pain this tweet is causing his family.
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“We are deeply sorry about the pain these statements, and the attention they are drawing, are causing the family,” the spokesperson said in a statement, Politico reports. “We’ve been working to expand existing product features and policies so we can more effectively address things like this going forward, and we hope to have those changes in place shortly.”
Basically, “we are a company that cares about profit and drama and the president being batshit brings both, so we don’t care.”
Advertisement
Of course, after Klausutis’ letter gained traction, Trump continued to push his conspiracy theories, because the president isn’t much better than the white boys on the dark web who appeal to Doja Cat.
From Politico:


theroot--2020-05-26--Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship to Offer Mike Tyson Over $20 Million to Return to the Ring

The last time we saw Mike Tyson in the squared circle , it wasn ’ t pretty .
He was sloppy , washed up and on the receiving end of vicious blow after blow from journeyman Kevin McBride .
He would quit that ugly 2005 bout prior to the seventh round and it was widely assumed that we ’ d never see Iron Mike in the ring again .
But now 15 years later , the stage is set for a surprising comeback that could potentially restore his tarnished legacy and prove to be pretty damn lucrative , too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fighting Championship is hell-bent on luring the 53-year-old boxing legend from off of the couch and back into the ring .
And with an offer expected next week , it ’ s clear that BKFC will spare no expense in order to achieve its goal : BKFC President David Feldman told MMA Fighting the contract will exceed the $ 20 million offered to Tyson earlier this month , adding additional sweeteners that include charitable donations .
He said he wasn ’ t able to provide the exact value of the contract because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think I know what we need to do to make this thing happen , ” Feldman said .
Earlier this month , BKFC dangled a $ 20 million offer at Tyson , but apparently the former heavyweight champ didn ’ t take the bait .
So with a bigger payday imminent as multimillion-dollar offers pour in from several promoters , it ’ s going to become harder and harder to turn those offers down .
To sweeten the pot , UFC legends such as Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock are among those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tyson ’ s opponent in a future bout .
But in order to justify the millions on the table , Feldman would prefer former Pride champion Wanderlei Silva .
“ I didn ’ t offer that ( to Ortiz ) , ” Feldman said .
“ I don ’ t know that it really draws .
I think a Wanderlei Silva , someone of that nature .
No matter how old Silva gets , he ’ s dangerous , and I think that would be an intriguing matchup .
Something like that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything in mind right now.
” Tyson has piqued everyone ’ s interest since he began posting videos of his training sessions on social media earlier this month .
He ’ s been so impressive that even Rafael Cordeiro , the trainer tasked with catching those punches , can ’ t even believe what ’ s he ’ s seen .
“ I didn ’ t know what to expect , ” Cordeiro told ESPN .
“ He hasn ’ t hit mitts for almost 10 years .
So I didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I saw a guy with the same speed , same power as guys 21 , 22 years old.
” With so many of us starved for sports right now , between the money that ’ s being proposed and the amount of attention his return would garner , this sounds like the perfect opportunity for Tyson to resume his boxing career if his mind and body are 100 percent committed to the cause .

The last time we saw Mike Tyson in the squared circle, it wasn’t pretty. He was sloppy, washed up and on the receiving end of vicious blow after blow from journeyman Kevin McBride. He would quit that ugly 2005 bout prior to the seventh round and it was widely assumed that we’d never see Iron Mike in the ring again. But now 15 years later, the stage is set for a surprising comeback that could potentially restore his tarnished legacy and prove to be pretty damn lucrative, too.
According to MMA Fighting, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is hell-bent on luring the 53-year-old boxing legend from off of the couch and back into the ring. And with an offer expected next week, it’s clear that BKFC will spare no expense in order to achieve its goal:
BKFC President David Feldman told MMA Fighting the contract will exceed the $20 million offered to Tyson earlier this month, adding additional sweeteners that include charitable donations. He said he wasn’t able to provide the exact value of the contract because it’s still being finalized. “I think I know what we need to do to make this thing happen,” Feldman said.
Me too: money.
Earlier this month, BKFC dangled a $20 million offer at Tyson, but apparently the former heavyweight champ didn’t take the bait. So with a bigger payday imminent as multimillion-dollar offers pour in from several promoters, it’s going to become harder and harder to turn those offers down.
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To sweeten the pot, UFC legends such as Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock are among those who’ve volunteered to serve as Tyson’s opponent in a future bout. But in order to justify the millions on the table, Feldman would prefer former Pride champion Wanderlei Silva.
“I didn’t offer that (to Ortiz),” Feldman said. “I don’t know that it really draws. I think a Wanderlei Silva, someone of that nature. No matter how old Silva gets, he’s dangerous, and I think that would be an intriguing matchup. Something like that, but I don’t actually have anything in mind right now.”
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Tyson has piqued everyone’s interest since he began posting videos of his training sessions on social media earlier this month. He’s been so impressive that even Rafael Cordeiro, the trainer tasked with catching those punches, can’t even believe what’s he’s seen.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” Cordeiro told ESPN. “He hasn’t hit mitts for almost 10 years. So I didn’t expect to see what I saw. I saw a guy with the same speed, same power as guys 21, 22 years old.”
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With so many of us starved for sports right now, between the money that’s being proposed and the amount of attention his return would garner, this sounds like the perfect opportunity for Tyson to resume his boxing career if his mind and body are 100 percent committed to the cause.