theroot--2020-07-12--Aaryn Lang on Being More Than a Muse and Her Grant to Support Black Trans Women Artists

Marsha P. Johnson ’ s smiling face graced the halls of the Whitney Museum of Art last year as part of an Andy Warhol retrospective .
Walking through the exhibition , I instantly recognized the S.T.A.R .
revolutionary , color-blocked in the Warhol portrait as per the artist ’ s distinctive pop art style .
Reading more about the portrait , however , I was disappointed if not totally surprised to learn that Warhol never formally named Johnson as the subject of this piece .
That connection was made through subsequent research later on .
Though Johnson is basically a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in queer circles—largely thanks to the artist and filmmaker Tourmaline ’ s archival work concerning Johnson , Sylvia Rivera , Miss Major Griffin-Gracy , and other trans foremothers—Warhol thought nothing of relegating her to the chorus of unnamed trans women and drag queens who sat for his Ladies and Gentlemen series .
It ’ s a common dynamic in the visual arts—the white cis artist capturing the Black transfeminine muse—and it ’ s one that Aaryn Lang says needs to change immediately .
“ We ’ ve got to take this back for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consultant , writer , and public speaker who lives in New York City .
“ I think we ’ ve seen , at this point , that cis people really don ’ t know how to push the conversation any further than it is now.
” That is why Lang , along with photographer Mariette Pathy Allen and multidisciplinary artist Serena Jara , spent the past year and a half developing the Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists , administered by New York City-based LGBTQ+ arts organization Queer|Art and the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual grant , announced last week , will award $ 10,000 to a Black trans woman or trans femme visual artist at any stage in her career .
The recipient will be selected by a monumentally impressive judging panel—The Studio Museum in Harlem director and chief curator Thelma Golden ; poet , performer , DJ , and visual artist Juliana Huxtable ; visual narrator Texas Isaiah ; and multidisciplinary artist Kiyan Williams—that will rotate every year .
“ We need the vision of Black trans people at the forefront to be unfiltered and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Illuminations Grant is FUBU at its finest , ” Lang adds with a laugh .
“ It is literally the vision of a Black trans woman for Black trans women.
” I recently had the chance to speak with Lang about the grant and how it came together , as well as the greater question about artists and muses and what she envisions for Black trans women in the art world more broadly .
Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity .
HARRON WALKER : When I was reading about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the part about how it aims to challenge the art world “ to see Black trans women as more than mere subjects ” but as artists in their own right .
How does that dynamic play out in the art world ?
AARYN LANG : The relationship between subject and artist is complicated .
Who gets to be the artist ?
Who gets to document life ?
Who is allowed to tell stories , and what have the outcomes of that answer been ?
Wealthy artists get to travel the world and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full lives , who do not just exist in connection to certain issues but have families and cultures just as expansive as those wealthy artists have .
But they get reduced down to whatever agenda or narrative the artist documenting them is trying to build .
We don ’ t just see it with art .
We see it in many different industries .
People of many crafts use Black trans women as a means to push their agendas , whatever they may be , without actually consulting with Black trans women about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve seen that lately is with the deaths of Black trans women , using them as a kind of mascot for liberation .
It ’ s meant to evoke a kind of feeling for Black trans women , but I fear that what it actually does is reinforce a connection between Black transness and death .
What I ’ m so desperately focused on in my work now is not connecting Black trans women simply to death , and part of that is giving Black trans women the tools to tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reveal how Black trans women make sense of the world around us .
This grant does that .
It creates a pathway to success that doesn ’ t include having to be a muse for someone else .
It ’ s about making the subject the artist—making the subject the creator .
In the art world—everywhere , really—there ’ s this idea about who Black trans women are .
The Illuminations Grant is actually opening the floor up to hear from Black trans women ourselves .
And the name of the grant itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I read , Queer|Art usually names its grants after established artists—like the Barbara Hammer Grant for lesbian filmmakers .
You all decided not to name this grant after anyone in part to reflect the absence of documented Black trans women visual artists in history .
This industry is not welcoming to Black trans women .
Even if the spaces don ’ t outright say that , so many factors around access and resources lead to why we ’ re not there—and the people in those spaces think that ’ s OK .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ artists looking at photos of Black trans women , feeling moved by those images , but nobody questions why there are no Black trans women in this space .
Why is there only one Black trans woman that we know of ?
Is this a matter of excellence or access ?
That ’ s what this grant is about .
Coming from movement and the nonprofit space , there are many Black trans women .
People think that ’ s because Black trans women always want to be in movement work , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding that goes into that space .
The funding goes to nonprofits for Black trans women to come in to combat transphobia or whatever other crusade foundations and funders care to support .
We have to survive , so we go where there is an opportunity to sustain ourselves .
I believe in building on that model , so that we can create avenues for people to come in and succeed and potentially shift the conditions of other industries , as well .
It ’ s ambitious , and I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will put an end to Black trans women being murdered or disproportionately impacted by homelessness .
But I want to see what happens to the art industry three or four years from now when we have four new Black trans women visual artists coming in and shaking up that space , providing art we ’ ve never seen before .
I think of Tourmaline .
I think of Juliana Huxtable .
I think of the amazing work these women have created and how critical their work has been to all of our psyches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Juliana Huxtables ?
What happens when we get 50 Tourmalines ?
What happens to this space when the art world is saturated with Black trans women ?
That is the question .
What does it mean for Mariette Pathy Allen , a cis artist who has been photographing transfeminine subjects in her work for decades , to have played a crucial role in creating this grant ?
I met Mariette a little over a year ago .
She and Serena Jara had been working on a grant together since about the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the following February to make it make sense [ laughs ] .
Serena and Mariette were looking to create a grant for trans people , and I said , “ Make it for Black trans people .
Make it for Black trans women.
” If that was the intention , then make it more intentional .
Before we began our official working relationship , Serena , who is a friend of mine , convinced Mariette to sit down and consult with me , one-on-one .
In those initial conversations , I didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact funding like this would have on the industry—I made it clear that this was a way that she could take her career , which one could say is pioneering in its own right , and pioneering in a new way , by directly offering to support the most marginalized people in the community that she has been photographing all this time .
For the past 40 years , she has taken pictures of crossdressers , gender-nonconforming folks , and trans folks with the desire to humanize us .
I think that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applaud that work .
But after 40 years , you ’ d hope that all that humanization would have led us to these industry spaces welcoming the newly humanized with open arms , and I don ’ t believe we ’ ve seen that .
I challenged Mariette to see outside of herself and to see that her role could be more than just trying to humanize us through photographs .
She could facilitate space for us to actually share our own humanity on our own terms .
When we take pictures of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ march in the street for people , the idea is not that we do this forever .
It ’ s supposed to be a means to an end .
We accept voyeurism as a mode of support .
We accept tokenization as a mode of support .
We accept that making one individual a kind of magical exception is a mode of support—but what of the broader community , with its wealth of experiences and viewpoints ?
People are trying to wax poetic about us , while we are trying to talk for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this process , and when she finally got it and became a champion , that was probably the most beautiful thing for me to see .
Mariette has been really courageous in looking beyond herself .
Who is the ideal candidate to apply ?
Who do you think would benefit the most from this grant ?
This grant is really for any Black trans woman visual artist .
Early career artists , artists of all ages , artists who haven ’ t had an exhibition , artists who have .
I want people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have this opportunity .
I really , really encourage Southern and Midwestern Black trans women to apply .
But honestly , it ’ s for all the girls .
You could ’ ve been doing this work for 10 years .
You could ’ ve been doing this work for five .
If the work is good , if the work is moving , it ’ s time to apply .
This is a prestigious award , and this judging panel is phenomenal .
This is a Black-ass grant [ laughs ] .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , talented , and revered panel of Black artists and Black industry professionals , you know ?
Changemakers , movers , and shakers .
That , to me , is a big part of this grant that I hope makes Black trans women want to apply .
The judges won ’ t bring the gaze of whiteness to their work .
The eyes that are going to be laid upon their work are going to be Black .
They will understand the experience and conditions that this work speaks to and springs out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ totally unrestricted , meaning you can use it however you want and don ’ t have to perform for it .
The work doesn ’ t have to be about “ being trans.
” It doesn ’ t have to be about Pride or connected to a civil rights icon .
We ’ re not requiring anything but the work and talent you already possess .
The girls can do whatever they want .
I don ’ t want this to be something where the girls are second- and triple-guessing themselves .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trans women who want to break into this field .
We ’ re creating a pathway into the art industry as it ’ s established .
I want everybody to apply .
If you ’ ve got the work to submit , apply .
Learn more about Aaryn Lang and her work on her website , and follow her on Instagram .
Apply for the Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists here .

Harron Walker on The Muse, shared by Genetta M. Adams to The Root

Marsha P. Johnson’s smiling face graced the halls of the Whitney Museum of Art last year as part of an Andy Warhol retrospective. Walking through the exhibition, I instantly recognized the S.T.A.R. revolutionary, color-blocked in the Warhol portrait as per the artist’s distinctive pop art style. Reading more about the portrait, however, I was disappointed if not totally surprised to learn that Warhol never formally named Johnson as the subject of this piece. That connection was made through subsequent research later on.
Though Johnson is basically a household name these days, at least in queer circles—largely thanks to the artist and filmmaker Tourmaline’s archival work concerning Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, and other trans foremothers—Warhol thought nothing of relegating her to the chorus of unnamed trans women and drag queens who sat for his Ladies and Gentlemen series. It’s a common dynamic in the visual arts—the white cis artist capturing the Black transfeminine muse—and it’s one that Aaryn Lang says needs to change immediately.
Advertisement
“We’ve got to take this back for ourselves,” says Lang, a consultant, writer, and public speaker who lives in New York City. “I think we’ve seen, at this point, that cis people really don’t know how to push the conversation any further than it is now.”
That is why Lang, along with photographer Mariette Pathy Allen and multidisciplinary artist Serena Jara, spent the past year and a half developing the Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists, administered by New York City-based LGBTQ+ arts organization Queer|Art and the New York Community Trust. The newly established annual grant, announced last week, will award $10,000 to a Black trans woman or trans femme visual artist at any stage in her career. The recipient will be selected by a monumentally impressive judging panel—The Studio Museum in Harlem director and chief curator Thelma Golden; poet, performer, DJ, and visual artist Juliana Huxtable; visual narrator Texas Isaiah; and multidisciplinary artist Kiyan Williams—that will rotate every year.
Advertisement Advertisement
“We need the vision of Black trans people at the forefront to be unfiltered and ‘for us, by us.’ The Illuminations Grant is FUBU at its finest,” Lang adds with a laugh. “It is literally the vision of a Black trans woman for Black trans women.”
I recently had the chance to speak with Lang about the grant and how it came together, as well as the greater question about artists and muses and what she envisions for Black trans women in the art world more broadly. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Advertisement
HARRON WALKER: When I was reading about the Illuminations Grant, I was struck by the part about how it aims to challenge the art world “to see Black trans women as more than mere subjects” but as artists in their own right. How does that dynamic play out in the art world?
AARYN LANG: The relationship between subject and artist is complicated. Who gets to be the artist? Who gets to document life? Who is allowed to tell stories, and what have the outcomes of that answer been? Wealthy artists get to travel the world and take pictures of people—people who are living full lives, who do not just exist in connection to certain issues but have families and cultures just as expansive as those wealthy artists have. But they get reduced down to whatever agenda or narrative the artist documenting them is trying to build.
Advertisement
Is this a matter of excellence or access?
We don’t just see it with art. We see it in many different industries. People of many crafts use Black trans women as a means to push their agendas, whatever they may be, without actually consulting with Black trans women about what we want. One way that we’ve seen that lately is with the deaths of Black trans women, using them as a kind of mascot for liberation. It’s meant to evoke a kind of feeling for Black trans women, but I fear that what it actually does is reinforce a connection between Black transness and death. What I’m so desperately focused on in my work now is not connecting Black trans women simply to death, and part of that is giving Black trans women the tools to tell their stories, express themselves, and reveal how Black trans women make sense of the world around us.
Advertisement
This grant does that. It creates a pathway to success that doesn’t include having to be a muse for someone else. It’s about making the subject the artist—making the subject the creator. In the art world—everywhere, really—there’s this idea about who Black trans women are. The Illuminations Grant is actually opening the floor up to hear from Black trans women ourselves.
And the name of the grant itself reflects that question of access. From what I read, Queer|Art usually names its grants after established artists—like the Barbara Hammer Grant for lesbian filmmakers. You all decided not to name this grant after anyone in part to reflect the absence of documented Black trans women visual artists in history.
Advertisement
This industry is not welcoming to Black trans women. Even if the spaces don’t outright say that, so many factors around access and resources lead to why we’re not there—and the people in those spaces think that’s OK. There can be a room full of artists looking at photos of Black trans women, feeling moved by those images, but nobody questions why there are no Black trans women in this space. Why is there only one Black trans woman that we know of? Is this a matter of excellence or access? That’s what this grant is about.
People are trying to wax poetic about us, while we are trying to talk for ourselves.
Advertisement
Coming from movement and the nonprofit space, there are many Black trans women. People think that’s because Black trans women always want to be in movement work, but it’s largely due to the funding that goes into that space. The funding goes to nonprofits for Black trans women to come in to combat transphobia or whatever other crusade foundations and funders care to support. We have to survive, so we go where there is an opportunity to sustain ourselves.
I believe in building on that model, so that we can create avenues for people to come in and succeed and potentially shift the conditions of other industries, as well. It’s ambitious, and I’m not naïve enough to think that this grant will put an end to Black trans women being murdered or disproportionately impacted by homelessness. But I want to see what happens to the art industry three or four years from now when we have four new Black trans women visual artists coming in and shaking up that space, providing art we’ve never seen before.
Advertisement
I think of Tourmaline. I think of Juliana Huxtable. I think of the amazing work these women have created and how critical their work has been to all of our psyches. What happens when we get 50 Juliana Huxtables? What happens when we get 50 Tourmalines? What happens to this space when the art world is saturated with Black trans women? That is the question.
What does it mean for Mariette Pathy Allen, a cis artist who has been photographing transfeminine subjects in her work for decades, to have played a crucial role in creating this grant?
Advertisement
I met Mariette a little over a year ago. She and Serena Jara had been working on a grant together since about the end of 2018, and I was brought in the following February to make it make sense [laughs]. Serena and Mariette were looking to create a grant for trans people, and I said, “Make it for Black trans people. Make it for Black trans women.” If that was the intention, then make it more intentional.
Advertisement
Before we began our official working relationship, Serena, who is a friend of mine, convinced Mariette to sit down and consult with me, one-on-one. In those initial conversations, I didn’t just speak about what kind of impact funding like this would have on the industry—I made it clear that this was a way that she could take her career, which one could say is pioneering in its own right, and pioneering in a new way, by directly offering to support the most marginalized people in the community that she has been photographing all this time. For the past 40 years, she has taken pictures of crossdressers, gender-nonconforming folks, and trans folks with the desire to humanize us. I think that’s really noble, and I do applaud that work. But after 40 years, you’d hope that all that humanization would have led us to these industry spaces welcoming the newly humanized with open arms, and I don’t believe we’ve seen that. I challenged Mariette to see outside of herself and to see that her role could be more than just trying to humanize us through photographs. She could facilitate space for us to actually share our own humanity on our own terms.
The girls can do whatever they want.
Advertisement
When we take pictures of people who are marginalized, when we march in the street for people, the idea is not that we do this forever. It’s supposed to be a means to an end. We accept voyeurism as a mode of support. We accept tokenization as a mode of support. We accept that making one individual a kind of magical exception is a mode of support—but what of the broader community, with its wealth of experiences and viewpoints? People are trying to wax poetic about us, while we are trying to talk for ourselves.
I challenged Mariette all throughout this process, and when she finally got it and became a champion, that was probably the most beautiful thing for me to see. Mariette has been really courageous in looking beyond herself.
Advertisement
Who is the ideal candidate to apply? Who do you think would benefit the most from this grant?
This grant is really for any Black trans woman visual artist. Early career artists, artists of all ages, artists who haven’t had an exhibition, artists who have. I want people who are not in coastal cities to have this opportunity. I really, really encourage Southern and Midwestern Black trans women to apply. But honestly, it’s for all the girls. You could’ve been doing this work for 10 years. You could’ve been doing this work for five. If the work is good, if the work is moving, it’s time to apply.
Advertisement
This is a prestigious award, and this judging panel is phenomenal. This is a Black-ass grant [laughs]. It is being judged by a prestigious, talented, and revered panel of Black artists and Black industry professionals, you know? Changemakers, movers, and shakers. That, to me, is a big part of this grant that I hope makes Black trans women want to apply. The judges won’t bring the gaze of whiteness to their work. The eyes that are going to be laid upon their work are going to be Black. They will understand the experience and conditions that this work speaks to and springs out of.
The $10,000 is also totally unrestricted, meaning you can use it however you want and don’t have to perform for it. The work doesn’t have to be about “being trans.” It doesn’t have to be about Pride or connected to a civil rights icon. We’re not requiring anything but the work and talent you already possess. The girls can do whatever they want.
Advertisement
I don’t want this to be something where the girls are second- and triple-guessing themselves. This is an amazing opportunity for all Black trans women who want to break into this field. We’re creating a pathway into the art industry as it’s established. I want everybody to apply. If you’ve got the work to submit, apply.
Learn more about Aaryn Lang and her work on her website, and follow her on Instagram.
Advertisement
Apply for the Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists here.


theroot--2020-07-13--Knife Fight: Vivica A. Fox Wants Quentin Tarantino to Cast Zendaya as Her Daughter in Possible Kill

Knife Fight: Vivica A. Fox Wants Quentin Tarantino to Cast Zendaya as Her Daughter in Possible Kill Bill 3

My name is Tonja Stidhum and I am a Kill Bill stan .
In fact , after seeing the ending to the amazing fight sequence between Vernita Green ( Vivica A .
Fox ) and The Bride aka Beatrix Kiddo ( Uma Thurman ) , I immediately yearned for what was obviously to come in the foreshadowing exchange between Beatrix and Vernita ’ s daughter , Nikki ( Ambrosia Kelley ) .
Kill Bill Vol .
1 Movie Clip - Your Mother Had it Coming / YouTube After defeating Vernita , The Bride stands in the threshold in front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tells her , “ It was not my intention to do this in front of you .
For that , I ’ m sorry .
But you can take my word for it , your mother had it coming .
When you grow up , if you still feel raw about it , I ’ ll be waiting.
” After seeing Kill Bill Vol .
2 in 2004 , I was salivating .
I had heard rumor after rumor that writer-director Quentin Tarantino wanted to continue the storyline of Nikki , focusing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Bride .
Hell , he ’ s lucky Twitter wasn ’ t invented at the time , because I would ’ ve been @ -ing him every damn day asking when it was happening .
“ I just had dinner with Uma Thurman last night , ” Tarantino told Andy Cohen in a 2019 interview .
“ We were at a really cool Japanese restaurant .
I do have an idea of what I would do with [ ‘ Kill Bill Vol .
3 ’ ] .
That was the whole thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened to The Bride since then ?
And what do I want to do ?
” “ I didn ’ t just want to come up with some cockamamie adventure .
[ The character ] doesn ’ t deserve that , ” Tarantino added .
“ The Bride has fought long and hard .
I have an idea now that could be interesting .
I still wouldn ’ t do it for a little bit .
It would be at least three years from now .
It is definitely in the cards.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms. Fox , has one currently poppin ’ actress in mind : Zendaya .
“ So I went , Zendaya !
How hot would that be ?
And that would probably green light this project , ” Fox told NME in a recent interview .
“ Her and Uma are both very tall , and it would just be kick-butt , and I love her.
” This is all assuming Kelley isn ’ t acting any longer , that is ... because she could easily just reprise the role .
“ Hopefully now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Tarantino , cast Zendaya !
’ And spark his interest to put it on the fast track , ” Fox added .
As I said , I ’ ve been obsessing over this possible trilogy ( especially as Tarantino has expressed he plans to retire soon ) , but as I ’ ve gotten older , I can ’ t help but admit how hesitant I am for this to happen given what I ’ ve learned about him and his behavior on set via a 2018 New York Times feature op-ed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get into how white male directors have been lauded for their devious procedures to get the “ best ” out of their actors , only for those actions to be written off as quirky or , worse yet , genius .
But , maybe that ’ s another blog for another day .
That said , I ’ m conflicted .
Of course , the stan in me wants this story to be told , but I ’ m only accepting a completely safe and trusting set for all actors and crew involved @ @ @ @

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

My name is Tonja Stidhum and I am a Kill Bill stan.
In fact, after seeing the ending to the amazing fight sequence between Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox) and The Bride aka Beatrix Kiddo (Uma Thurman), I immediately yearned for what was obviously to come in the foreshadowing exchange between Beatrix and Vernita’s daughter, Nikki (Ambrosia Kelley).
Kill Bill Vol. 1 Movie Clip - Your Mother Had it Coming / YouTube
After defeating Vernita, The Bride stands in the threshold in front of Nikki, who stares as The Bride tells her, “It was not my intention to do this in front of you. For that, I’m sorry. But you can take my word for it, your mother had it coming. When you grow up, if you still feel raw about it, I’ll be waiting.”
After seeing Kill Bill Vol. 2 in 2004, I was salivating. I had heard rumor after rumor that writer-director Quentin Tarantino wanted to continue the storyline of Nikki, focusing on the inevitable revenge she would exact on The Bride. Hell, he’s lucky Twitter wasn’t invented at the time, because I would’ve been @-ing him every damn day asking when it was happening.
Advertisement
“I just had dinner with Uma Thurman last night,” Tarantino told Andy Cohen in a 2019 interview. “We were at a really cool Japanese restaurant. I do have an idea of what I would do with [‘Kill Bill Vol. 3’]. That was the whole thing, conquering the concept. What has happened to The Bride since then? And what do I want to do?”
“I didn’t just want to come up with some cockamamie adventure. [The character] doesn’t deserve that,” Tarantino added. “The Bride has fought long and hard. I have an idea now that could be interesting. I still wouldn’t do it for a little bit. It would be at least three years from now. It is definitely in the cards.”
Advertisement Advertisement
According to Variety, Vernita herself, Ms. Fox, has one currently poppin’ actress in mind: Zendaya.
“So I went, Zendaya! How hot would that be? And that would probably green light this project,” Fox told NME in a recent interview. “Her and Uma are both very tall, and it would just be kick-butt, and I love her.”
Advertisement
This is all assuming Kelley isn’t acting any longer, that is...because she could easily just reprise the role.
“Hopefully now we can put that out, like ‘Tarantino, cast Zendaya!’ And spark his interest to put it on the fast track,” Fox added.
Advertisement
As I said, I’ve been obsessing over this possible trilogy (especially as Tarantino has expressed he plans to retire soon), but as I’ve gotten older, I can’t help but admit how hesitant I am for this to happen given what I’ve learned about him and his behavior on set via a 2018 New York Times feature op-ed and interview with Thurman. We can get into how white male directors have been lauded for their devious procedures to get the “best” out of their actors, only for those actions to be written off as quirky or, worse yet, genius. But, maybe that’s another blog for another day.
That said, I’m conflicted. Of course, the stan in me wants this story to be told, but I’m only accepting a completely safe and trusting set for all actors and crew involved...or nothing.


theroot--2020-07-13--Is Chance the Rapper Secretly Just A Human-Sized Sheet Cake? (Probably!)

Chance the Rapper is a rapper who raps about the sort of things you ’ d expect a rapper with “ Rapper ” in their rap name to rap about .
If you are not familiar with him or his work , the best way to describe him and it is “ aggressively earnest.
” Think of a trade school admissions counselor who also rapped on the side sometimes .
His music—some of which I genuinely enjoy—is what you listen to when driving your mom to Rite-Aid .
I also believe that , if Chance were to accidentally slice his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m certain Chance cuts oranges instead of peeling them—he would not bleed .
Instead , a decadent piece of vanilla layer cake , slathered in creamy vanilla buttercream , would be revealed .
And we ’ d all be fooled .
And also hungry .
We ’ d want Chance to cut more oranges and cut more fingers to reveal more cakes .
That Chance the Rapper is actually a Cake Person is obvious once you consider the reality that 1. cake people exist and 2 .
Chance the Rapper is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hits you , his support of Kanye West ’ s presidential bid makes more sense .
If you believe that Chance the Rapper is a real human being , from real human parents with deep political roots and sensibilities , things don ’ t quite add up .
But while cake can be tasty and filling and rich and sometimes even sexy , cake is dumb .
Cake never went to school .
Cake can ’ t read .
Cake doesn ’ t know the capital of Illinois .
Or even that Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happens to be sitting in , and that this place also has a thing called a “ capital.
” Cake probably saw Kanye ’ s name and just thought that must be how you spell cake .
Cake literally does not have a brain .
Just maybe sprinkles sometimes .
If you ’ re still in doubt , ask yourself if you ’ ve even seen Chance the Rapper eat cake .
He appears to lead the sort of cake-friendly life where cake-eating—at christenings , during baby showers , and while pre-gaming for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even picture Chance the Rapper crashing birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese , just to eat the cakes .
But there ’ s no footage of him eating a cake .
I used to think maybe it was because he ’ s gluten-free or something .
But now the answer is clear : He doesn ’ t because it would be cannibalism .

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

Chance the Rapper is a rapper who raps about the sort of things you’d expect a rapper with “Rapper” in their rap name to rap about. If you are not familiar with him or his work, the best way to describe him and it is “aggressively earnest.” Think of a trade school admissions counselor who also rapped on the side sometimes. His music—some of which I genuinely enjoy—is what you listen to when driving your mom to Rite-Aid.
I also believe that, if Chance were to accidentally slice his finger while cutting an orange—and yes, I’m certain Chance cuts oranges instead of peeling them—he would not bleed. Instead, a decadent piece of vanilla layer cake, slathered in creamy vanilla buttercream, would be revealed. And we’d all be fooled. And also hungry. We’d want Chance to cut more oranges and cut more fingers to reveal more cakes.
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That Chance the Rapper is actually a Cake Person is obvious once you consider the reality that 1. cake people exist and 2. Chance the Rapper is one of them. Once this realization hits you, his support of Kanye West’s presidential bid makes more sense. If you believe that Chance the Rapper is a real human being, from real human parents with deep political roots and sensibilities, things don’t quite add up. But while cake can be tasty and filling and rich and sometimes even sexy, cake is dumb. Cake never went to school. Cake can’t read. Cake doesn’t know the capital of Illinois. Or even that Illinois is the name of the place he happens to be sitting in, and that this place also has a thing called a “capital.” Cake probably saw Kanye’s name and just thought that must be how you spell cake. Cake literally does not have a brain. Just maybe sprinkles sometimes.
If you’re still in doubt, ask yourself if you’ve even seen Chance the Rapper eat cake. He appears to lead the sort of cake-friendly life where cake-eating—at christenings, during baby showers, and while pre-gaming for brunches—is a regular occurrence. I can even picture Chance the Rapper crashing birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese, just to eat the cakes. But there’s no footage of him eating a cake. I used to think maybe it was because he’s gluten-free or something.
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But now the answer is clear: He doesn’t because it would be cannibalism.
Cakeabalism.


theroot--2020-07-13--Ilia Beauty Is Giving Friends and Family 20% off Everything on Their Site

The fine folks at Ilia Beauty want to give a little summer treat to their friends and family with 20 @ @ @ @ @ .
Starting today use the code ILIAFAM at check for your discount .
This sale @ @ @ @ @ .
The code will also work on items already on sale , so you ’ @ @ @ @ @ % off some of the products in that section .
This is a great time @ @ @ @ @ True Skin Foundation which is not only a best seller but what the company is @ @ @ @ @ all their skin serums have been raved about by beauty gurus .
I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ lipsticks in the company ’ s catalog too .
Sales like this are an awesome @ @ @ @ @ or a company you ’ ve had on your list and you ’ ve got @ @ @ @ @ savings .
Free shipping on orders over $ 50 or a flat $ 5 for @ @ @ @

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

20% off Sitewide Sale | Ilia Beauty | Use Code REVIVE20
The fine folks at Ilia Beauty want to give a pre-holiday treat to their friends and family with 20% off the entire site. Use the code REVIVE20 at check out for your discount. This deal runs until November 29.
This is a great time to try Ilia’s True Skin Foundation and what the company is known for. Pretty much all their skin serums have been raved about by beauty gurus. I’ve heard great things about the lipsticks ($22) in the company’s catalog too. Personally, I’m a big fan of the Multi-Stick ($23) for lips and cheeks. Sales like this are an awesome opportunity to try a product or a company you’ve had on your list.


theroot--2020-07-13--#FreeWoj Is Trending Because ESPN Won't Let NBA Twitter Have Nice Things

There ’ s a time and place for proper decorum , but when a Republican senator trolls the NBA for “ kowtowing to Beijing ” and “ withdrawing support ” from the military , trust and believe that world-renowned NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski—affectionately known as “ Woj ” to those of us who eat and breathe basketball—is with the shits .
On Friday , Senator Josh Hawley ( R-Mo . )
fired off a goofy-ass mass email outraged at the NBA ’ s decision to allow players to wear personalized messages on their jerseys addressing social justice : The truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to allow and which to censor—much like the censorship decisions of the CCP—are themselves statements about your association ’ s values .
If I am right—if the NBA is more committed to promoting the CCP ’ s interests than to celebrating its home nation—your fans deserve to know that is your view .
If not , prove me wrong .
Let your players stand up for the Uighurs and the people of Hong Kong .
Let them stand up for American law enforcement if they so choose .
Give them the choice to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their jerseys .
Or “ Support our Troops.
” Maybe “ God Bless America.
” What could be more American than that ?
To which Woj provided the following email response : Even though Woj ’ s retort was entirely justified , ESPN wasn ’ t exactly enthused about one of its employees airing out a US Senator .
“ This is completely unacceptable behavior and we do not condone it .
It is inexcusable for anyone working for ESPN to respond in the way Adrian did to Senator Hawley , ” ESPN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are addressing it directly with Adrian and specifics of those conversations will remain internal.
” Apparently “ addressing it directly with Adrian ” meant suspending his ass , because that ’ s exactly what happened this weekend—which meant breaking news like Lakers guard Rondo Rajon fracturing his thumb on Sunday came from other sources .
As you can expect , NBA Twitter is going through it without breaking news—commonly referred to as “ Woj bombs ” —being provided by our lord and savior , and as a result , # FreeWoj has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into thin air on Friday .
More importantly , NBA players have been practically tripping over each other to let it be known where they stand on the matter .
For those wondering what the penalty for Woj ’ s clapback cost him , the New York Post reports that Woj will go benched and unpaid for two long-ass weeks—but yes , he will be back in time for the NBA ’ s return on July 30 .
( Look at God ) In the interim , now would be an opportune time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charania because where in the hell else are you gon na get your hoops news fix ?
Fox News ?

There’s a time and place for proper decorum, but when a Republican senator trolls the NBA for “kowtowing to Beijing” and “withdrawing support” from the military, trust and believe that world-renowned NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski—affectionately known as “Woj” to those of us who eat and breathe basketball—is with the shits.
On Friday, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) fired off a goofy-ass mass email outraged at the NBA’s decision to allow players to wear personalized messages on their jerseys addressing social justice:
The truth is that your decisions about which messages to allow and which to censor—much like the censorship decisions of the CCP—are themselves statements about your association’s values. If I am right—if the NBA is more committed to promoting the CCP’s interests than to celebrating its home nation—your fans deserve to know that is your view. If not, prove me wrong. Let your players stand up for the Uighurs and the people of Hong Kong. Let them stand up for American law enforcement if they so choose. Give them the choice to write “Back the Blue” on their jerseys. Or “Support our Troops.” Maybe “God Bless America.” What could be more American than that?
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To which Woj provided the following email response:
Fuck you.
Even though Woj’s retort was entirely justified, ESPN wasn’t exactly enthused about one of its employees airing out a US Senator.
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“This is completely unacceptable behavior and we do not condone it. It is inexcusable for anyone working for ESPN to respond in the way Adrian did to Senator Hawley,” ESPN said in a statement. “We are addressing it directly with Adrian and specifics of those conversations will remain internal.”
Apparently “addressing it directly with Adrian” meant suspending his ass, because that’s exactly what happened this weekend—which meant breaking news like Lakers guard Rondo Rajon fracturing his thumb on Sunday came from other sources.
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As you can expect, NBA Twitter is going through it without breaking news—commonly referred to as “Woj bombs”—being provided by our lord and savior, and as a result, #FreeWoj has been a trending topic since the 51-year-old dissolved into thin air on Friday. More importantly, NBA players have been practically tripping over each other to let it be known where they stand on the matter.
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For those wondering what the penalty for Woj’s clapback cost him, the New York Post reports that Woj will go benched and unpaid for two long-ass weeks—but yes, he will be back in time for the NBA’s return on July 30. ( Look at God)
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In the interim, now would be an opportune time to follow The Athletic’s Shams Charania because where in the hell else are you gonna get your hoops news fix? Fox News?
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#FreeWoj, dammit.


theroot--2020-07-13--White Radio Host Becomes Next Karen to Lose Her Job After Harassing Spanish-Speaking New Hampshire W

White Radio Host Becomes Next Karen to Lose Her Job After Harassing Spanish-Speaking New Hampshire Workers

Is anybody else starting to get the feeling that some of these Karens are hopping aboard the “ You ‘ bout to lose yo ’ job ” train on purpose ?
Either a lot of white people have come up with a clever way to intentionally rid themselves of their employment , or they are so out of touch that they haven ’ t quite caught on to the trend of viral racism resulting in immediate consequences .
One of these things has to be the case for a New Hampshire radio host who…*checks notes* ... recorded her own dumb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist rant while harassing Spanish-speaking workers for failing to speak English in her presence .
Her display of bigotry continued after a Black man intervened .
Now-former WSMN 1590 talk-radio host Dianna Ploss posted a video to Facebook Live showing her berating landscapers in Nashua , N.H. , by repeatedly shouting at them , “ It ’ s America .
Speak English !
” Side note : Dianna Ploss is not to be confused with Black R & B icon Diana Ross .
Although I ’ ve heard Ploss does have a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Ain ’ t No Mountain High Enough ... To Keep Me From Hanging Nooses , ” “ I ’ m Coming Out ... As the Racist You Already Knew I was , ” “ Stop in the Name of ...
I ’ m About to Call the Police for No Reason ” and “ Ease on Down the Road ...
Which You Don ’ t Belong on Anyway , Blacky.
” Ploss can be heard in the video wrongly assuming the people she was harassing worked for the state of New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the workers ( who had way more patience than me ) that they were a private company , Ploss asked them the name of their company and continued to demand they speak English .
She then pans her camera over the area and begins talking ( presumably ) to her followers .
“ So now they have people who don ’ t speak English who are putting in this stuff ... that taxpayers are paying for ... and look at what they ’ re doing .
This is communism !
” ( Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , workers speaking Spanish while minding their own damn business is not Communism ) Eventually , a Black man wearing a face mask who had been eating lunch nearby confronted Ploss asking her why she ’ s harassing the workers .
“ They should be speaking English , ” Ploss answered .
“ Are they illegal aliens ?
Do they not speak the language ?
” She then asks , “ Why do you care ?
I ’ m not talking to you.
” The Black man responded , “ Because you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most Kareny Karen in Karensville replies , “ I have a right !
” ( Just to save you all the Google search , white racists do not have a right to verbally abuse and harass random people on the street just because they ’ re annoyed by the language they ’ re speaking . )
After asking the Black man why he ’ s wearing a mask—to which he replied , “ Because there ’ s a global pandemic going on , ” —Ploss turned the camera to herself so she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so this guy decided he ’ s gon na come over here and be a social justice warrior , ” she said .
“ Because he ’ s a Black man .
He ’ s gon na protect the brown man from this white woman…white privilege , because she happened to walk by and heard this guy talking to all of these guys doing this work , in Spanish.
” At some point , we really have to address white Americans ’ weird obsession with everybody speaking English .
What is it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ploss was frustrated because she couldn ’ t communicate with an employee who was serving her .
These people weren ’ t talking to her at all ; they were speaking Spanish among themselves .
You could argue that white people ’ s abject inability to mind their own mother fucking business has them wanting everyone around them speaking a language they can understand , but it has to be deeper than that .
Anyway , according to TMZ , WSMN 1590 issued a statement Sunday saying Ploss has been let go .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ or affiliated in any way with WSMN or Bartis-Russell Broadcasting , LLC .
“ They wrote .
“ We at WSMN value freedom of speech , freedom of expression and assembly .
We will not tolerate discrimination , racism or hatred .
We continue to present and offer on-air opportunities for discussion , education and the exchange of opinions and ideas .
”

Is anybody else starting to get the feeling that some of these Karens are hopping aboard the “You ‘bout to lose yo’ job” train on purpose? Either a lot of white people have come up with a clever way to intentionally rid themselves of their employment, or they are so out of touch that they haven’t quite caught on to the trend of viral racism resulting in immediate consequences. One of these things has to be the case for a New Hampshire radio host who…*checks notes*...recorded her own dumb ass self in the midst of a racist rant while harassing Spanish-speaking workers for failing to speak English in her presence. Her display of bigotry continued after a Black man intervened.
Now-former WSMN 1590 talk-radio host Dianna Ploss posted a video to Facebook Live showing her berating landscapers in Nashua, N.H., by repeatedly shouting at them, “It’s America. Speak English!”
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Side note: Dianna Ploss is not to be confused with Black R&B icon Diana Ross. Although I’ve heard Ploss does have a number of hit songs herself such as: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough...To Keep Me From Hanging Nooses,” “I’m Coming Out...As the Racist You Already Knew I was,” “Stop in the Name of...I’m About to Call the Police for No Reason” and “Ease on Down the Road...Which You Don’t Belong on Anyway, Blacky.”
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Ploss can be heard in the video wrongly assuming the people she was harassing worked for the state of New Hampshire. After being informed by one of the workers (who had way more patience than me) that they were a private company, Ploss asked them the name of their company and continued to demand they speak English.
She then pans her camera over the area and begins talking (presumably) to her followers.
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“So now they have people who don’t speak English who are putting in this stuff...that taxpayers are paying for...and look at what they’re doing. This is communism!” (Just to save you all the Google search, workers speaking Spanish while minding their own damn business is not Communism)
Eventually, a Black man wearing a face mask who had been eating lunch nearby confronted Ploss asking her why she’s harassing the workers.
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“They should be speaking English,” Ploss answered. “Are they illegal aliens? Do they not speak the language?” She then asks, “Why do you care? I’m not talking to you.”
The Black man responded, “Because you’re harassing them,” to which the most Kareny Karen in Karensville replies, “I have a right!” (Just to save you all the Google search, white racists do not have a right to verbally abuse and harass random people on the street just because they’re annoyed by the language they’re speaking.)
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After asking the Black man why he’s wearing a mask—to which he replied, “Because there’s a global pandemic going on,”—Ploss turned the camera to herself so she could address her followers.
“Okay, so this guy decided he’s gonna come over here and be a social justice warrior,” she said. “Because he’s a Black man. He’s gonna protect the brown man from this white woman…white privilege, because she happened to walk by and heard this guy talking to all of these guys doing this work, in Spanish.”
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At some point, we really have to address white Americans’ weird obsession with everybody speaking English. What is it about? It’s not like Ploss was frustrated because she couldn’t communicate with an employee who was serving her. These people weren’t talking to her at all; they were speaking Spanish among themselves. You could argue that white people’s abject inability to mind their own mother fucking business has them wanting everyone around them speaking a language they can understand, but it has to be deeper than that.
Anyway, according to TMZ, WSMN 1590 issued a statement Sunday saying Ploss has been let go.
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“Dianna Ploss is no longer associated or affiliated in any way with WSMN or Bartis-Russell Broadcasting, LLC. “They wrote. “We at WSMN value freedom of speech, freedom of expression and assembly. We will not tolerate discrimination, racism or hatred. We continue to present and offer on-air opportunities for discussion, education and the exchange of opinions and ideas.”


theroot--2020-07-13--U.S. Navy Celebrates Its First Black Female Tactical Fighter Pilot

Congrats are in order for Lt. j.g .
Madeline Swegle , who the Naval Air Training Command is recognizing as the first known Black female tactical fighter pilot .
Per ABC News , the Virginia native recently completed naval flight school and will receive her “ Wings of Gold , ” a flight officer insignia bestowed upon members who are deemed qualified to operate a military aircraft .
Swegle graduated from the U.S .
Naval Academy in 2017 and has been assigned to the Redhawks of Training Squadron 21 in Texas .
The U.S. Navy tweeted about the impressive accomplishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Training ’ s recognition of Swegle , writing “ MAKING HISTORY !
” Vice Chief of Information Rear Adm. Paula Dunn also celebrated the news , writing “ Very proud of LTJG Swegle .
Go forth and kick butt , and Senator Kamala Harris also offered kind words about “ paving the way for young girls everywhere.
” According to USA Today , Swegle ’ s accomplishment comes over 45 years after Rosemary Mariner became the first woman to fly a tactical fighter jet .
Swegle ’ s historic achievement also fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soldier became the first woman named to the Green Berets .
USA Today writes that the reason for the anonymity of the accomplished soldier is “ due to unique missions assigned upon graduation ” for members of the Army .
The woman is a member of the National Guard .

J'na Jefferson on The Glow Up, shared by J'na Jefferson to The Root

Congrats are in order for Lt. j.g. Madeline Swegle, who the Naval Air Training Command is recognizing as the first known Black female tactical fighter pilot.
Per ABC News, the Virginia native recently completed naval flight school and will receive her “Wings of Gold,” a flight officer insignia bestowed upon members who are deemed qualified to operate a military aircraft. Swegle graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2017 and has been assigned to the Redhawks of Training Squadron 21 in Texas.
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The U.S. Navy tweeted about the impressive accomplishment last Thursday in response to the Navy Air Training’s recognition of Swegle, writing “MAKING HISTORY!” Vice Chief of Information Rear Adm. Paula Dunn also celebrated the news, writing “Very proud of LTJG Swegle. Go forth and kick butt, and Senator Kamala Harris also offered kind words about “paving the way for young girls everywhere.”
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According to USA Today, Swegle’s accomplishment comes over 45 years after Rosemary Mariner became the first woman to fly a tactical fighter jet. Swegle’s historic achievement also fell on the same day an unidentified female soldier became the first woman named to the Green Berets. USA Today writes that the reason for the anonymity of the accomplished soldier is “due to unique missions assigned upon graduation” for members of the Army. The woman is a member of the National Guard.


theroot--2020-07-13--Naya Rivera's Body Reportedly Found at California Lake [Updated]

After an extensive search , we unfortunately have very sad news to report : Naya Rivera ’ s body has been reportedly found in Lake Piru , California .
The beloved Glee actress was 33 years old .
Ventura County officials said Monday that a body had been found at the lake , and our law enforcement sources have confirmed it is , in fact , her .
A press conference sharing the news publicly is forthcoming .
As we reported ... Naya and her 4-year-old son , Josey Hollis Dorsey , were swimming in Lake Piru when something terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boat and when authorities arrived for a check , he told them he and his mom were swimming and he didn ’ t know what happened to her .
“ A body has been found at Lake Piru this morning .
The recovery is in progress .
There will be a news conference at 2 pm at the lake , ” Ventura County Sheriff ’ s Office confirmed in a tweet on Monday .
Born on January 12 , 1987 , Rivera first made a name for herself as a child actress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Family Matters , The Royal Family and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air .
Making her big break with the hit show Glee , Rivera was also a model and singer .
She released a single , “ Sorry ” in 2013 with Big Sean , who she was previously engaged to before they ended the relationship .
She married Ryan Dorsey in 2014 , divorced in 2018 and the two share custody of their son , Josey .
Rivera was born of African-American , German and Puerto Rican descent .
Rivera disappeared on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ search by volunteer rescuers .
Her family also joined in to attempt to save her .
As the search went on , concerned local Erin Jordan created a petition urging officials to post warning signs of Lake Piru ’ s known dangerous conditions , which includes heavy rip currents .
Many fans and peers alike took to social media , including longtime friend Tahj Mowry , who wrote an especially heartfelt letter about the young star , noting that he “ never stopped loving ” her .
“ My sweet Naya - to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an understatement .
This is a nightmare .
Everyday gets harder , ” Mowry wrote over the weekend .
Update : 07/13/2020 , 5:45 p.m .
ET : The Ventura County Sheriff confirmed in a press conference on Monday afternoon local time that the body found in Lake Piru is Naya Rivera .
“ We are confident the body we found is that of Naya Rivera , ” he said .

After an extensive search, we unfortunately have very sad news to report: Naya Rivera’s body has been reportedly found in Lake Piru, California. The beloved Glee actress was 33 years old.
TMZ adds more details:
Ventura County officials said Monday that a body had been found at the lake, and our law enforcement sources have confirmed it is, in fact, her. A press conference sharing the news publicly is forthcoming. As we reported ... Naya and her 4-year-old son, Josey Hollis Dorsey, were swimming in Lake Piru when something terrible happened Wednesday. Josey got back in the boat and when authorities arrived for a check, he told them he and his mom were swimming and he didn’t know what happened to her.
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“A body has been found at Lake Piru this morning. The recovery is in progress. There will be a news conference at 2 pm at the lake,” Ventura County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a tweet on Monday.
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Born on January 12, 1987, Rivera first made a name for herself as a child actress, appearing in TV shows such as Family Matters, The Royal Family and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Making her big break with the hit show Glee, Rivera was also a model and singer. She released a single, “Sorry” in 2013 with Big Sean, who she was previously engaged to before they ended the relationship. She married Ryan Dorsey in 2014, divorced in 2018 and the two share custody of their son, Josey. Rivera was born of African-American, German and Puerto Rican descent.
Rivera disappeared on July 8, resulting in a thorough search by volunteer rescuers. Her family also joined in to attempt to save her.
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As the search went on, concerned local Erin Jordan created a petition urging officials to post warning signs of Lake Piru’s known dangerous conditions, which includes heavy rip currents.
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Many fans and peers alike took to social media, including longtime friend Tahj Mowry, who wrote an especially heartfelt letter about the young star, noting that he “never stopped loving” her.
“My sweet Naya - to say that I am devastated would be an understatement. This is a nightmare. Everyday gets harder,” Mowry wrote over the weekend.
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Rest in power, Naya.
This story is developing.
Update: 07/13/2020, 5:45 p.m. ET: The Ventura County Sheriff confirmed in a press conference on Monday afternoon local time that the body found in Lake Piru is Naya Rivera.
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“We are confident the body we found is that of Naya Rivera,” he said.


theroot--2020-07-13--Florida Cop Fired and Charged With Assault After Pointing Gun to Handcuffed Black Man’s Head for Not

Florida Cop Fired and Charged With Assault After Pointing Gun to Handcuffed Black Man’s Head for Not Giving His Name

The Hillsborough County Sheriff ’ s Office in Florida has fired and charged a sergeant with a felony after the officer held a gun to a handcuffed Black man ’ s head and threatened to kill him for not providing his name .
The cop ’ s quick termination comes as a result of his fellow officers , who reported him to their commanders after the incident .
Sgt .
Janak Amin , who worked in Tampa Bay , Fla. , was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Friday after threatening the victim ’ s life last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The man was unarmed , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said the victim was previously in custody at the county jail but was “ inadvertently ” released to a treatment facility for people with substance abuse or mental health issues .
County sheriff ’ s deputies were apprehending the man , who was found hiding behind a trailer , to take him back to jail .
According to Chronister , officers initially put the man in a prone position face down on the ground .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to answer .
Amin responded by kneeling beside the man , taking out his weapon and holding it inches from the victim ’ s head .
Chronister says Amin told the man that if he didn ’ t tell officers his name , he would “ splatter his brains over the concrete.
” In a statement given to investigators after the incident , the victim said he didn ’ t give his name because he was “ scared to death.
” Amin is a 21-year veteran of the force with no prior record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event was enough for the department to break its ties with the officer , said the sheriff .
“ It only takes one incident to violate the oath that you take , violate the public ’ s trust and break the law , ” he said .
The swift punishment is noteworthy—it is difficult to imagine such rapid and decisive accountability happening before the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests that took root after George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis , Minn. , in late May .
But how the incident in Tampa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Chronister , part of the reason Amin was dismissed and charged so quickly is because his fellow officers reported his behavior .
The sheriff applauded the deputies on scene who reported Amin to the command staff immediately after witnessing his behavior .
He said they were following recent training requiring them to intervene when they witness excessive force by colleagues .
That policy has been newly implemented at police departments across the country in the aftermath of George Floyd ’ s killing in Minneapolis on May 25 .
For police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intervene ” policy , such as at the Hillsborough County Sheriff ’ s Office , deputies who stand by while a colleague brutalizes people or engages in other unacceptable behavior could also face consequences for failing to step in to de-escalate the situation .
According to the sheriff , the department has actually had this policy in place for years .
But following weeks of protests calling for police accountability and transformative reforms , Chronister required all deputies to review a training video on the policy several weeks ago .
Part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departments is the way cops will protect and fall in line with their fellow officers .
Police reformists , who want policing to be more fair and equitable but don ’ t want to go so far as to implement abolitionist proposals , such as defunding or disbanding the police , might be heartened by this development in Tampa .
But the incident also shows the limits of police reform .
Hillsborough County has one less “ bad apple ” in its midst , but there is still a person being detained who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly as a result of Amin and the jail administrators who accidentally freed him .
The question of what happens to him—how he will be supported , cared for , and healed—remains unresolved .
It ’ s an undoubted improvement that accountability for police brutality came so quickly in this case , but it feels a far cry , still , to call this “ justice .
”

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Florida has fired and charged a sergeant with a felony after the officer held a gun to a handcuffed Black man’s head and threatened to kill him for not providing his name. The cop’s quick termination comes as a result of his fellow officers, who reported him to their commanders after the incident.
Sgt. Janak Amin, who worked in Tampa Bay, Fla., was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Friday after threatening the victim’s life last Thursday, reports The Washington Post. The man was unarmed, according to the sheriff’s office.
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Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said the victim was previously in custody at the county jail but was “inadvertently” released to a treatment facility for people with substance abuse or mental health issues. County sheriff’s deputies were apprehending the man, who was found hiding behind a trailer, to take him back to jail.
According to Chronister, officers initially put the man in a prone position face down on the ground. When asked his name, he refused to answer. Amin responded by kneeling beside the man, taking out his weapon and holding it inches from the victim’s head. Chronister says Amin told the man that if he didn’t tell officers his name, he would “splatter his brains over the concrete.”
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In a statement given to investigators after the incident, the victim said he didn’t give his name because he was “scared to death.”
Amin is a 21-year veteran of the force with no prior record of unjustified use of force. But the event was enough for the department to break its ties with the officer, said the sheriff.
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“It only takes one incident to violate the oath that you take, violate the public’s trust and break the law,” he said.
The swift punishment is noteworthy—it is difficult to imagine such rapid and decisive accountability happening before the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests that took root after George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis, Minn., in late May. But how the incident in Tampa was addressed is also worth reflecting on. According to Chronister, part of the reason Amin was dismissed and charged so quickly is because his fellow officers reported his behavior.
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From The Washington Post:
The sheriff applauded the deputies on scene who reported Amin to the command staff immediately after witnessing his behavior. He said they were following recent training requiring them to intervene when they witness excessive force by colleagues. That policy has been newly implemented at police departments across the country in the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis on May 25. For police departments that have the “duty to intervene” policy, such as at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, deputies who stand by while a colleague brutalizes people or engages in other unacceptable behavior could also face consequences for failing to step in to de-escalate the situation.
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According to the sheriff, the department has actually had this policy in place for years. But following weeks of protests calling for police accountability and transformative reforms, Chronister required all deputies to review a training video on the policy several weeks ago.
Part of the struggle with getting more accountability from police departments is the way cops will protect and fall in line with their fellow officers. Police reformists, who want policing to be more fair and equitable but don’t want to go so far as to implement abolitionist proposals, such as defunding or disbanding the police, might be heartened by this development in Tampa.
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But the incident also shows the limits of police reform. Hillsborough County has one less “bad apple” in its midst, but there is still a person being detained who is traumatized, and that trauma comes directly as a result of Amin and the jail administrators who accidentally freed him. The question of what happens to him—how he will be supported, cared for, and healed—remains unresolved.
It’s an undoubted improvement that accountability for police brutality came so quickly in this case, but it feels a far cry, still, to call this “justice.”


theroot--2020-07-13--Trump’s Fight Against Common Sense Has Made Dr. Anthony Fauci Collateral Damage

President Trump is the Scott Baio of Chuck Woolerys .
For some reason , the president does this thing where an expert in a field—literally , a person who has spent damn near his entire life becoming an expert in his respective field—tells the president what makes sense , and the president then spends his time discrediting the expert ’ s conclusion because it doesn ’ t align with his agenda .
So Dr. Anthony Fauci , who really deserves a medal for trying this hard to save America from the coronavirus , has now become the target of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to push to reopen the country despite COVID-19 surging in several states .
According to CNN , the president and Dr. Fauci haven ’ t spoken in weeks , and they appear to be using interviews and statements to discredit each other .
It appears that the president is doing that thing again where he hates stats , bar graphs , charts , science , data and death tolls , and instead favors his gut , which is based on McDonald ’ s and KFC .
It looks as if Dr. Fauci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bus for the White House ’ s ineffective ability to get the coronavirus under control .
On Monday , “ the President retweeted a baseless claim by game show host Chuck Woolery that ‘ everyone is lying ’ about the coronavirus — including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
” If you are a young person , you are probably wondering who the fuck Chuck Woolery is .
Well , he ’ s a third-tier celebrity [ Managing Editor Genetta Adams : Is that the lowest tier ?
Because this seems too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tinder on TV , before computers and Tinder .
He ’ s also a goddamn idiot .
Who gives a fuck what Chuck Woolery thinks ?
When is the last time anyone inside or outside of the Woolery family has ever said , “ Wait , let ’ s check with Chuck Woolery to see what he ’ d do !
” From CNN ( seriously , read this shit ) : In a statement Saturday , a White House official told CNN that “ several White House officials are concerned about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong on things.
” The official went on to provide a lengthy list of examples , citing Fauci ’ s comments early in the pandemic and linking to past interviews .
These bullet points , which resembled opposition research on a political opponent , included Fauci downplaying the virus early on and a quote from March when Fauci said , “ People should not be walking around with masks , ” among other comments .
Not included were previous statements from the surgeon general urging people not to buy masks or an acknowledgment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims and misstatements about the virus .
So this is what we are doing now ?
We have stooped to the level of Chuck Woolery and bullet points to try and discredit the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert because the coronavirus didn ’ t just disappear like Trump said it would ?
While Fauci didn ’ t have time for the president ’ s fuckshit , CNN did point out a few times when the two , the infectious disease expert and the infectious disease in the Oval Office , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Financial Times , Dr. Fauci disclosed that he has not briefed the President in weeks , ( which is reportedly what prompted the White House to distribute the list of Fauci statements ) , an aide familiar with their beef told CNN .
Fauci also disputed Trump ’ s claim that “ 99 % ” of coronavirus cases in the United States were “ totally harmless ” —saying that was “ obviously not the case ” —and pointed out that as he ’ s told the truth , the White House has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and this can ’ t be overstated , fuck Chuck Woolery .

President Trump is the Scott Baio of Chuck Woolerys.
For some reason, the president does this thing where an expert in a field—literally, a person who has spent damn near his entire life becoming an expert in his respective field—tells the president what makes sense, and the president then spends his time discrediting the expert’s conclusion because it doesn’t align with his agenda.
So Dr. Anthony Fauci, who really deserves a medal for trying this hard to save America from the coronavirus, has now become the target of the White House discrediting machine as the administration continues to push to reopen the country despite COVID-19 surging in several states.
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According to CNN, the president and Dr. Fauci haven’t spoken in weeks, and they appear to be using interviews and statements to discredit each other. It appears that the president is doing that thing again where he hates stats, bar graphs, charts, science, data and death tolls, and instead favors his gut, which is based on McDonald’s and KFC. It looks as if Dr. Fauci is going to be thrown under the bus for the White House’s ineffective ability to get the coronavirus under control.
On Monday, “the President retweeted a baseless claim by game show host Chuck Woolery that ‘everyone is lying’ about the coronavirus — including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” If you are a young person, you are probably wondering who the fuck Chuck Woolery is. Well, he’s a third-tier celebrity [Managing Editor Genetta Adams: Is that the lowest tier? Because this seems too high.] who used to host Tinder on TV, before computers and Tinder. He’s also a goddamn idiot. Who gives a fuck what Chuck Woolery thinks? When is the last time anyone inside or outside of the Woolery family has ever said, “Wait, let’s check with Chuck Woolery to see what he’d do!”
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From CNN (seriously, read this shit):
In a statement Saturday, a White House official told CNN that “several White House officials are concerned about the number of times Dr. Fauci has been wrong on things.” The official went on to provide a lengthy list of examples, citing Fauci’s comments early in the pandemic and linking to past interviews. These bullet points, which resembled opposition research on a political opponent, included Fauci downplaying the virus early on and a quote from March when Fauci said, “People should not be walking around with masks,” among other comments. Not included were previous statements from the surgeon general urging people not to buy masks or an acknowledgment of the President’s own false claims and misstatements about the virus.
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So this is what we are doing now? We have stooped to the level of Chuck Woolery and bullet points to try and discredit the nation’s top infectious disease expert because the coronavirus didn’t just disappear like Trump said it would?
While Fauci didn’t have time for the president’s fuckshit, CNN did point out a few times when the two, the infectious disease expert and the infectious disease in the Oval Office, have disagreed.
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In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Dr. Fauci disclosed that he has not briefed the President in weeks, (which is reportedly what prompted the White House to distribute the list of Fauci statements), an aide familiar with their beef told CNN. Fauci also disputed Trump’s claim that “99%” of coronavirus cases in the United States were “totally harmless”—saying that was “obviously not the case”—and pointed out that as he’s told the truth, the White House has cut his TV appearances.
Also, and this can’t be overstated, fuck Chuck Woolery.


theroot--2020-07-13--Fallen but Not Forgotten: Unpacking the Erasure of Black Women in Conversations About Police Violenc

Fallen but Not Forgotten: Unpacking the Erasure of Black Women in Conversations About Police Violence

Perhaps you ’ ve heard these names .
They are all Black women who have been killed by police .
Do you know their stories ?
Are you aware of the circumstances of their killings ?
If you ’ ve answered “ no ” to either of these questions , do you care to know why ?
Let there be no mistake , Black women are killed by the police ( please note that the names of slain Black women listed above is by no means exhaustive ) .
But , there is a long history of Black women being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the United States , this erasure of violence towards Black women started with the institution of slavery .
Slave owners killed and maimed enslaved Black people willy-nilly .
Enslaved women were also raped by slave owners , with no repercussions—after all , Black women were considered property .
Kimberlé Crenshaw is a professor of law at UCLA and Columbia Law School , and also the executive director of the African American Policy Forum .
Crenshaw first came to the realization as a student in law school that Black women and girls weren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence .
“ I was taking a class on race and slavery and the professor was talking about racist violence and the institutionalization of slavery.
” Crenshaw continued , “ And when he touched on the kind of violence , the specific violence that Black women experience , the violence that allowed slavery to be reproduced through the forced reproduction through our bodies , namely rape .
What he said was , ‘ Can you imagine what it would be like to be a father , a husband , a son who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sister , daughter was raped ?
’ And my reaction was , I know that was bad , but I ’ m sure it couldn ’ t have been as bad as being that daughter , wife or sister who was , you know , sexually abused.
” Crenshaw says that Black women aren ’ t protected because the larger society isn ’ t telling the stories of the racist and gendered violence that Black women experience , in all of its forms .
If we ’ re not telling these stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forms of oppression with the horrors of history .
In 2014 , Crenshaw—who coined the term “ intersectionality ” 30 years ago—created # SayHerName to honor the Black women whose lives were taken by the police .
Over time , the campaign pulled together the names of these slain Black women and the circumstances of their killings .
And the # SayHerName movement includes all Black women : trans , cis , femmes and girls .
Crenshaw memorializes the forgotten by telling their stories—shifting the narrative of racial violence .
“ I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that introducing the recognition that there are some who are left out is being divisive .
But it ’ s the same way that some people think Black Lives Matter is divisive .
We have to say all lives matter .
We ll we know all lives matter .
The point is that we live in a society that acts as though some lives don ’ t .
That ’ s why we say Black Lives Matter .
And that ’ s why we ‘ Say Her Name ’ .
” In this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the history of how Black women are erased from conversations of police violence , social justice movements and intra-racial violence .
Watch the full video above .

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Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude


theroot--2020-07-13--Because Black Girls Shred, Too: Proper Gnar, the First Black Female-Owned Skateboard Company, Is Rid

Because Black Girls Shred, Too: Proper Gnar, the First Black Female-Owned Skateboard Company, Is Riding High After Props From Beyoncé

Proper Gnar , the first Black female-owned skateboard company , was featured on Beyoncé ’ s June list of Black-owned businesses we should know .
The company , founded by Latosha Stone in 2013 , is bringing representation to female skaters ( especially Black ones ) in the U.S. “ Skateboarding has traditionally been a man ’ s sport , which is why I am so passionate about my role as a Black woman who challenges past assumptions and shows that skateboarding is for all of us , ” Stone tells Black Enterprise .
“ I take pride in creating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from other skate brands .
I live and breathe skating and art , and I think that is reflected in the work I produce.
” On the company ’ s website , Stone sells skateboards , as well as artwork prints , apparel , and other skating accessories to round out the entire look .
( In this day and age , that means a really cute graffiti-printed face mask , which is available for purchase on the site for $ 12 . )
Prices for the boards range between $ 60- $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designs from candy to flames to designs featuring Black women .
Stone ’ s skateboards were featured on the HBO series Betty , which focuses on a group of skater girls from all ethnicities as they traverse the largely male-dominated scene in New York City .
Dede Lovelace , Moonbear , and Ajani Russell are a few of the real-life Black female skateboarders featured on the show , who have all discussed a lack of representation in the space .
( “ I wan na be the role model I didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girls like me , ” Russell wrote in a recent Instagram post . )
“ I believe that representation is the key to having more young girls interested in skating , ” Stone continues .
“ Genuinely loving skateboarding means you have to advocate and support it when you can.
” The Black skateboarding scene in general has experienced an uptick in popularity in recent years .
In 2016 , VIBE dissected the millennial resurgence of Black skateboarders , noting that the subculture “ has its own history ” within the Black community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1960s , but fell in the ‘ 70s due to a belief that skating was “ kid stuff , ” as well as a scarcity of skate parks in Black neighborhoods .
“ With the rise of punk , gangsta rap , and grunge music in the 1980s and 1990s , skateboarding became a reflection of anti-corporate and anti-establishment values of the times , ” Shanna Collins of VIBE wrote .
“ No longer was the subculture associated with wholesome , blond surfer boys on the West Coast ; to the horror of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of urban anarchy .
”

Proper Gnar, the first Black female-owned skateboard company, was featured on Beyoncé’s June list of Black-owned businesses we should know. The company, founded by Latosha Stone in 2013, is bringing representation to female skaters (especially Black ones) in the U.S.
“Skateboarding has traditionally been a man’s sport, which is why I am so passionate about my role as a Black woman who challenges past assumptions and shows that skateboarding is for all of us,” Stone tells Black Enterprise. “I take pride in creating authentic and beautiful art that stands out from other skate brands. I live and breathe skating and art, and I think that is reflected in the work I produce.”
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On the company’s website, Stone sells skateboards, as well as artwork prints, apparel, and other skating accessories to round out the entire look. (In this day and age, that means a really cute graffiti-printed face mask, which is available for purchase on the site for $12.) Prices for the boards range between $60-$65, and feature an array of designs from candy to flames to designs featuring Black women.
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Stone’s skateboards were featured on the HBO series Betty, which focuses on a group of skater girls from all ethnicities as they traverse the largely male-dominated scene in New York City. Dede Lovelace, Moonbear, and Ajani Russell are a few of the real-life Black female skateboarders featured on the show, who have all discussed a lack of representation in the space. (“I wanna be the role model I didn’t have growing up, for other little girls like me,” Russell wrote in a recent Instagram post.)
“I believe that representation is the key to having more young girls interested in skating,” Stone continues. “Genuinely loving skateboarding means you have to advocate and support it when you can.”
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The Black skateboarding scene in general has experienced an uptick in popularity in recent years. In 2016, VIBE dissected the millennial resurgence of Black skateboarders, noting that the subculture “has its own history” within the Black community. It surged in popularity in the 1960s, but fell in the ‘70s due to a belief that skating was “kid stuff,” as well as a scarcity of skate parks in Black neighborhoods.
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“With the rise of punk, gangsta rap, and grunge music in the 1980s and 1990s, skateboarding became a reflection of anti-corporate and anti-establishment values of the times,” Shanna Collins of VIBE wrote . “No longer was the subculture associated with wholesome, blond surfer boys on the West Coast; to the horror of white suburbia, it was now symbolic of urban anarchy.”


theroot--2020-07-13--Exclusive: Tracy Clayton Is the New Host of Podcast Going Through It; Guests Include Tamron Hall, Il

Exclusive: Tracy Clayton Is the New Host of Podcast Going Through It; Guests Include Tamron Hall, Ilhan Omar, Mara Brock Akil and More

If you ’ ve followed Tracy Clayton online throughout the years , you ’ ve probably noticed her endearing and comforting humor .
She most certainly transitioned that online charm over into the podcast world , hosting Another Round ( which debuted in 2015 ) and most recently , Netflix ’ s Strong Black Legends .
Hell , Beyoncé enjoys her , too .
Next up for Clayton ?
Well , she ’ s the new host of Mailchimp Presents ’ podcast Going Through It .
The second season “ will feature 14 prominent Black women discussing a pivotal moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was time to make a change.
” Along with confirming the premiere date ( July 14 ! )
, The Root has obtained the exclusive guest lineup for the second season of the podcast : “ I was so thrilled to hear that this season would feature black women ’ s voices and stories , ” Clayton told The Root in a statement .
“ When most of the media companies we look to for news and entertainment are run by white folks , Black women ’ s stories often get kept away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t bring in enough clicks or there just simply isn ’ t internal interest in them .
When a website ’ s audience is historically white , it makes sense they would stick to mostly white stories to continue catering to that audience .
It makes sense , but it also leaves so many people , Black women especially , without images of themselves and their experiences .
And also without the healing that comes with sharing our stories.
” Speaking of sharing stories , Clayton , a former staff writer for The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own story , inspiring others to become open with their mental health journey in the aforementioned show Another Round , which she co-hosted with Heben Nigatu .
To the surprise of many of its fans and listeners ( including me ) , Buzzfeed ceased production of the popular show in 2017 .
In June , both Nigatu and Clayton took to Twitter to continue their ongoing fight to retain the rights to the show .
Watching this go down in real-time , I had this previous exchange in the back of my head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Black female creators retaining their autonomy , in general .
Especially given the topic of this new podcast she ’ s hosting , I thought the question was pretty damn timely .
It is “ evergreen content , ” if you will .
“ This is why ownership , autonomy , and agency at the companies that produce the stories we consume are so important , ” Clayton added in her statement .
“ No one knows a Black woman ’ s needs or struggles like a Black woman , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions about which stories get told , how they ’ re structured , and who presents them .
Black women must be trusted as the authorities on our own experiences because it works to strengthen the whole community .
In a world not built for you , seeing someone like you makes you feel less alien , less paranoid about who you are ; this is why a Black woman telling her story is always an act of revolution .
It ’ s an honor to be able to use Going Through It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Season 2 of Going Through It debuts on July 14 at 10 a.m .
ET and will air weekly .
You can listen to Going Through It at mailchimp.com or where ever else you typically listen to podcasts .

If you’ve followed Tracy Clayton online throughout the years, you’ve probably noticed her endearing and comforting humor.
She most certainly transitioned that online charm over into the podcast world, hosting Another Round (which debuted in 2015) and most recently, Netflix’s Strong Black Legends. Hell, Beyoncé enjoys her, too.
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Next up for Clayton? Well, she’s the new host of Mailchimp Presents’ podcast Going Through It. The second season “will feature 14 prominent Black women discussing a pivotal moment in their lives when they decided it was time to make a change.”
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Along with confirming the premiere date (July 14!), The Root has obtained the exclusive guest lineup for the second season of the podcast:
Guests (in order of episode appearance): ● Josie Duffy Rice ● Ilhan Omar ● Danielle Brooks ● Cori Murrray ● Naj Austin ● Jenna Wortham ● Meagan Good ● Ashley C. Ford ● Lena Waithe ● Raquel Willis ● Mara Brock Akil ● Angela Davis (The Kitchenista) ● Tika Sumpter ● Tamron Hall
“I was so thrilled to hear that this season would feature black women’s voices and stories,” Clayton told The Root in a statement. “When most of the media companies we look to for news and entertainment are run by white folks, Black women’s stories often get kept away from the microphone because they won’t bring in enough clicks or there just simply isn’t internal interest in them. When a website’s audience is historically white, it makes sense they would stick to mostly white stories to continue catering to that audience. It makes sense, but it also leaves so many people, Black women especially, without images of themselves and their experiences. And also without the healing that comes with sharing our stories.”
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Speaking of sharing stories, Clayton, a former staff writer for The Root, has been transparent with her own story, inspiring others to become open with their mental health journey in the aforementioned show Another Round, which she co-hosted with Heben Nigatu. To the surprise of many of its fans and listeners (including me), Buzzfeed ceased production of the popular show in 2017. In June, both Nigatu and Clayton took to Twitter to continue their ongoing fight to retain the rights to the show.
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Watching this go down in real-time , I had this previous exchange in the back of my head when I asked Clayton about the importance of Black female creators retaining their autonomy, in general. Especially given the topic of this new podcast she’s hosting, I thought the question was pretty damn timely. It is “evergreen content,” if you will.
Advertisement
“This is why ownership, autonomy, and agency at the companies that produce the stories we consume are so important,” Clayton added in her statement. “No one knows a Black woman’s needs or struggles like a Black woman, and we should be allowed and encouraged to make decisions about which stories get told, how they’re structured, and who presents them. Black women must be trusted as the authorities on our own experiences because it works to strengthen the whole community. In a world not built for you, seeing someone like you makes you feel less alien, less paranoid about who you are; this is why a Black woman telling her story is always an act of revolution. It’s an honor to be able to use Going Through It’s platform to help do that.”
Season 2 of Going Through It debuts on July 14 at 10 a.m. ET and will air weekly. You can listen to Going Through It at mailchimp.com or where ever else you typically listen to podcasts.