theroot--2020-10-30--Walmart Removed Guns and Ammo From Sales Floor for Fear of Post-Election Civil Unrest—but Suddenly R

Walmart Removed Guns and Ammo From Sales Floor for Fear of Post-Election Civil Unrest—but Suddenly Reversed Decision

No matter how next Tuesday turns out , the days and weeks following Election Day are going to be wild .
Citing fears of civil unrest , Walmart made the decision to remove guns and ammo from the sales floor of all its stores , only to strangely quickly reverse it .
CBS News reports that the company previously did this over the summer during the protests that arose following George Floyd ’ s death .
“ We have seen some isolated civil unrest , and as we have done on several occasions over the last few years , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sales floor as a precaution for the safety of our associates and customers , ” a Walmart spokesperson wrote in an email to CBS .
“ These items do remain available for purchase by customers.
” Apparently , something changed in the last 24 hours because they have now reversed the decision .
According to NBC News , the retailer has decided to keep guns and ammo on the sales floor of its stores .
Walmart spokesperson Kory Lundberg told NBC News in an email that the company initially made the move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” due to instances of civil unrest across the country .
Lundberg added , “ as the current incidents have remained geographically isolated , we have made the decision to begin returning these products to the sales floor today.
” I just , I don ’ t get it ?
Like , why announce something only to change it 24 hours later ?
It doesn ’ t even look like this was the result of public backlash , they just said “ Y ou know what ?
Nah .
” While the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major seller of guns and ammo , it has significantly scaled back the presence of guns in its stores .
Only half of the retailer ’ s 4,700 U.S. stores currently sell guns , following the countless mass shootings that have occurred within the last decade .
The company stopped selling assault-style guns such as the AR-15 in 2015 , raised the minimum age to buy guns and ammo in its stores from 18 to 21 three years later , and just last year it stopped selling ammo for assault-style weapons following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Texas Walmart that killed 23 people .
While the company has made moves to limit gun sales in its stores , Walmart CEO Doug McMillon has elected not to pull the company out of the gun trade altogether .
Instead , the company has shifted its focus on guns for hunting and sport .
“ We believe these actions will reduce our market share of ammunition from around 20 percent to a range of approximately 6 to 9 percent , ” McMillon said in 2019 .
Overall , gun sales have risen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buyers accounting for forty percent of gun sales this year , according to a survey from the National Shooting Sports Foundation .
The survey also found that in the first half of this year , there were 12.1 million background checks for guns , up almost 72 percent from the year before .
I really hope that next week we can look back on stories like these and laugh at how hyperbolic this all seemed .
Unfortunately , this has been a year of unprecedented wilding .
I mean , the fact a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and executing a sitting governor because they didn ’ t want to wear face masks certainly gives me pause when thinking about what ’ s going to happen post-Election Day .
So , with that said , please allow me to give this quick G.I .
Joe PSA : This Tuesday we have a very important election coming up and , unfortunately , a small but incredibly violent group of white folks have shown they ’ ve lost any and all ability to act right .
It ’ s all but certain these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Day to try and keep you from exercising your constitutional right .
While I highly encourage you to vote if you can , I also want you to stay safe .
So , if at all possible , consider voting early this weekend to ( hopefully ) avoid long lines , and any potential confrontations with folks who will use racial slurs and perhaps even violence to make sure the President of the United States remains the same .
Perhaps consider taking a friend or two with you to go vote so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s safety .
Also , remember to keep a face mask on deck .
COVID-19 cases are rising nationwide and I don ’ t want you to become a statistic .
If you didn ’ t know shit was getting this real , now you do—and knowing is half the battle .
Now , go watch Duck Tales or something to keep the Saturday morning vibes going .

No matter how next Tuesday turns out, the days and weeks following Election Day are going to be wild. Citing fears of civil unrest, Walmart made the decision to remove guns and ammo from the sales floor of all its stores, only to strangely quickly reverse it.
CBS News reports that the company previously did this over the summer during the protests that arose following George Floyd’s death. “We have seen some isolated civil unrest, and as we have done on several occasions over the last few years, we have moved our firearms and ammunition off the sales floor as a precaution for the safety of our associates and customers,” a Walmart spokesperson wrote in an email to CBS. “These items do remain available for purchase by customers.”
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Apparently, something changed in the last 24 hours because they have now reversed the decision. According to NBC News, the retailer has decided to keep guns and ammo on the sales floor of its stores. Walmart spokesperson Kory Lundberg told NBC News in an email that the company initially made the move due to “an abundance of caution,” due to instances of civil unrest across the country.
Lundberg added, “as the current incidents have remained geographically isolated, we have made the decision to begin returning these products to the sales floor today.”
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I just, I don’t get it? Like, why announce something only to change it 24 hours later? It doesn’t even look like this was the result of public backlash, they just said “Y ou know what? Nah .”
While the nation’s largest retailer is still a major seller of guns and ammo, it has significantly scaled back the presence of guns in its stores. Only half of the retailer’s 4,700 U.S. stores currently sell guns, following the countless mass shootings that have occurred within the last decade.
Advertisement
The company stopped selling assault-style guns such as the AR-15 in 2015, raised the minimum age to buy guns and ammo in its stores from 18 to 21 three years later, and just last year it stopped selling ammo for assault-style weapons following a mass shooting in an El Paso, Texas Walmart that killed 23 people.
While the company has made moves to limit gun sales in its stores, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon has elected not to pull the company out of the gun trade altogether. Instead, the company has shifted its focus on guns for hunting and sport.
Advertisement
“We believe these actions will reduce our market share of ammunition from around 20 percent to a range of approximately 6 to 9 percent,” McMillon said in 2019.
Overall, gun sales have risen dramatically this year, with first-time gun buyers accounting for forty percent of gun sales this year, according to a survey from the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The survey also found that in the first half of this year, there were 12.1 million background checks for guns, up almost 72 percent from the year before.
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I really hope that next week we can look back on stories like these and laugh at how hyperbolic this all seemed. Unfortunately, this has been a year of unprecedented wilding.
I mean, the fact a group of white domestic terrorists considered kidnapping and executing a sitting governor because they didn’t want to wear face masks certainly gives me pause when thinking about what’s going to happen post-Election Day.
Advertisement
So, with that said, please allow me to give this quick G.I. Joe PSA:
Hey kids, it’s ya boi.
This Tuesday we have a very important election coming up and, unfortunately, a small but incredibly violent group of white folks have shown they’ve lost any and all ability to act right. It’s all but certain these folks are going to show up on Election Day to try and keep you from exercising your constitutional right.
Advertisement
While I highly encourage you to vote if you can, I also want you to stay safe. So, if at all possible, consider voting early this weekend to (hopefully) avoid long lines, and any potential confrontations with folks who will use racial slurs and perhaps even violence to make sure the Grand Wizard President of the United States remains the same. Perhaps consider taking a friend or two with you to go vote so you can look out for each other’s safety.
Also, remember to keep a face mask on deck. COVID-19 cases are rising nationwide and I don’t want you to become a statistic.
Advertisement
If you didn’t know shit was getting this real, now you do—and knowing is half the battle.
Now, go watch Duck Tales or something to keep the Saturday morning vibes going.


theroot--2020-10-30--T.I. Just Gave Some Wildly Stupid Advice About How to Beat COVID

Now more than ever , some dudes need to be reminded that shutting the hell up is not only free but a wonderful exercise—particularly if you don ’ t know what the fuck you ’ re talking about .
Such is the case with rapper and professional dubious advice-giver Clifford Harris Jr. , also known as T.I .
In an interview clip shared by Complex host Speedy Morman on Friday , T.I .
gave absurd and incorrect advice on how to beat COVID .
“ Tea three times a day keeps the COVID away ?
” Morman asked the rapper—facetiously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID starts in the throat , ” T.I .
responded while sipping his cup of tea .
“ If you catch it while it ’ s still in the throat and you drink warm liquid , the warm liquid [ will ] wash it down to the stomach where the stomach acid will then kill it.
” And if you thought T.I .
was being ironic—you know , having a little sarcastic laugh amongst friends—I regret to inform you that he wasn ’ t .
He continued , “ I ’ d rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against COVID should I come in contact with it , rather than wear a mask and hide in fear of coming in contact with it.
” Nope nope nope nope nope nope nope .
Absolutely not .
Folks , if there is any doubt in your mind that this is complete bullshit—if you have friends or uncles or great-aunts who buy into this—I beg you : Do NOT follow this advice : It has been widely and thoroughly refuted !
In fact , do not ever follow medical advice unless that person is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mastermind behind The Trap Museum ain ’ t that .
COVID isn ’ t just a dry biscuit you can just wash down .
It is a deadly virus that is currently spiking in many parts of the country , and wearing a mask , washing your hands , and keeping your distance from people you do not live with remains the most effective way of preventing the spread of the virus .
It has killed more than 220,000 people in the United States alone—a disproportionate amount of them Black , Latinx and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Do I expect a man who threw a huge-ass party for his 40th birthday last month to be a public health exemplar—probably not !
But I do expect—hope , pray even—that a man with T.I.
’ s platform has a shred of common sense .
( Though T.I .
did say the family and close friends who attended the party were tested for COVID—most partygoers opted not to wear face masks . )
At this point , I wish I could throttle celebrity culture and leave it to die in an unmarked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see any creepy holograms of someone ’ s deceased father looking like a phantom David Schwimmer ; I ’ m tired of seeing out-of-touch millionaires who have never done the tiring , relentless work of organizing suddenly be propped up as community representatives ; I ’ m tired of folks monetizing their little platforms only to abuse the hell out of them ; and I would be very happy indeed if Lil Wayne was as silent as the g in lasagna ( even though it ’ s not really silent , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
I ’ m cranky .
T.I .
can kiss my ass expeditiously .
And I hope everyone under the sound of my tiny little internet voice has a safe , COVID-free weekend .

Anne Branigin on The Grapevine, shared by Anne Branigin to The Root

Now more than ever, some dudes need to be reminded that shutting the hell up is not only free but a wonderful exercise—particularly if you don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.
Such is the case with rapper and professional dubious advice-giver Clifford Harris Jr., also known as T.I.
Advertisement
In an interview clip shared by Complex host Speedy Morman on Friday, T.I. gave absurd and incorrect advice on how to beat COVID.
“Tea three times a day keeps the COVID away?” Morman asked the rapper—facetiously, we’re assuming.
Advertisement Advertisement
“COVID starts in the throat,” T.I. responded while sipping his cup of tea. “If you catch it while it’s still in the throat and you drink warm liquid, the warm liquid [will] wash it down to the stomach where the stomach acid will then kill it.”
And if you thought T.I. was being ironic—you know, having a little sarcastic laugh amongst friends—I regret to inform you that he wasn’t. He continued, “I’d rather boost my immune system to defend me against COVID should I come in contact with it, rather than wear a mask and hide in fear of coming in contact with it.”
Advertisement
Nope nope nope nope nope nope nope. Absolutely not. Folks, if there is any doubt in your mind that this is complete bullshit—if you have friends or uncles or great-aunts who buy into this—I beg you: Do NOT follow this advice: It has been widely and thoroughly refuted! In fact, do not ever follow medical advice unless that person is a qualified professional—and no, being the mastermind behind The Trap Museum ain’t that.
Advertisement
COVID isn’t just a dry biscuit you can just wash down. It is a deadly virus that is currently spiking in many parts of the country, and wearing a mask, washing your hands, and keeping your distance from people you do not live with remains the most effective way of preventing the spread of the virus. It has killed more than 220,000 people in the United States alone—a disproportionate amount of them Black, Latinx and Native, largely due to systemic reasons. Do I expect a man who threw a huge-ass party for his 40th birthday last month to be a public health exemplar—probably not! But I do expect—hope, pray even—that a man with T.I.’s platform has a shred of common sense. (Though T.I. did say the family and close friends who attended the party were tested for COVID—most partygoers opted not to wear face masks.)
At this point, I wish I could throttle celebrity culture and leave it to die in an unmarked grave. I don’t want to see any creepy holograms of someone’s deceased father looking like a phantom David Schwimmer; I’m tired of seeing out-of-touch millionaires who have never done the tiring, relentless work of organizing suddenly be propped up as community representatives; I’m tired of folks monetizing their little platforms only to abuse the hell out of them; and I would be very happy indeed if Lil Wayne was as silent as the g in lasagna (even though it’s not really silent, but that’s neither here nor there).
Advertisement
I’m cranky. T.I. can kiss my ass expeditiously. And I hope everyone under the sound of my tiny little internet voice has a safe, COVID-free weekend.


theroot--2020-10-30--Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing Makes It Official, Unveils Bubba Wallace's New Car

The wait is over .
In September , Michael Jordan became NASCAR ’ s first Black principal owner in almost 50 years .
He announced that three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin would join him on his quest to conquer auto racing , and he also revealed that he stole Bubba Wallace from Richard Petty Motorsports to drive for his team beginning in 2021 .
Then as fans speculated on what Jordan ’ s NASCAR team would be called , trademark filings spilled the beans and we learned that Jordan ’ s latest venture would fall under the umbrella of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ iconic jersey number during his playing days .
There ’ s also been speculation about which manufacturer Jordan would work with , as well as what Wallace ’ s car would like .
And on Friday , 23XI Racing answered both questions with a big reveal on their Twitter account .
“ It ’ s official , ” 23XI Racing tweeted , along with a picture of a tricked out red , white and black Toyota Camry .
And yes , that ’ s “ 23 '' painted on the doors , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes that lost in the excitement of 23XI Racing ’ s reveal is an alliance that assures that Jordan ’ s team will be provided the best opportunity to compete .
Joe Gibbs Racing is the flagship organization of Toyota Racing Development and the team Hamlin has driven for throughout his 16-plus-year Cup Series career .
The TRD relationship includes an agreement with JGR that allows 23XI Racing to purchase equipment and share technical information .
“ My main goal for 23XI Racing is to be competitive for a championship as soon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
“ Our partnership with Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing gives us the equipment , resources and expertise to do it.
” Apparently , Wallace didn ’ t always have access to the best equipment while racing with Richard Petty Motorsports , but that will no longer be a problem .
“ There ’ s no doubt that Bubba has outperformed the equipment he ’ s had , week in and week out , ” Hamlin said Friday on CBS This Morning while sitting next to Wallace .
And yes , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that unlike the Chevys of Richard Petty Motorsports , Wallace will be returning to Toyota for the first time since Wallace ’ s 2013-14 seasons in the Truck series—back when he was still driving for Kyle Busch .
“ This is a great opportunity for him to return to the Toyota family , a family he was with early in his career , ” Hamlin said .
“ It ’ s an exciting partnership for everyone.
” “ I ’ m still processing it every day , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure I do my part and deliver each and every time out next year.
” Jordan ’ s disdain for losing is well-documented , so hopefully , his union with Hamlin and Wallace is a fruitful one .

The wait is over.
In September, Michael Jordan became NASCAR’s first Black principal owner in almost 50 years. He announced that three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin would join him on his quest to conquer auto racing, and he also revealed that he stole Bubba Wallace from Richard Petty Motorsports to drive for his team beginning in 2021.
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Then as fans speculated on what Jordan’s NASCAR team would be called, trademark filings spilled the beans and we learned that Jordan’s latest venture would fall under the umbrella of 23XI Racing, a nod to his iconic jersey number during his playing days.
There’s also been speculation about which manufacturer Jordan would work with, as well as what Wallace’s car would like. And on Friday, 23XI Racing answered both questions with a big reveal on their Twitter account.
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“It’s official,” 23XI Racing tweeted, along with a picture of a tricked out red, white and black Toyota Camry. And yes, that’s “23" painted on the doors, because of course, it is.
Advertisement
ESPN notes that lost in the excitement of 23XI Racing’s reveal is an alliance that assures that Jordan’s team will be provided the best opportunity to compete.
From ESPN:
Joe Gibbs Racing is the flagship organization of Toyota Racing Development and the team Hamlin has driven for throughout his 16-plus-year Cup Series career. The TRD relationship includes an agreement with JGR that allows 23XI Racing to purchase equipment and share technical information. “My main goal for 23XI Racing is to be competitive for a championship as soon as possible,” Jordan said in a statement. “Our partnership with Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing gives us the equipment, resources and expertise to do it.”
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Apparently, Wallace didn’t always have access to the best equipment while racing with Richard Petty Motorsports, but that will no longer be a problem.
“There’s no doubt that Bubba has outperformed the equipment he’s had, week in and week out,” Hamlin said Friday on CBS This Morning while sitting next to Wallace.
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And yes, they both were rocking Jordans.
Hamlin then noted that unlike the Chevys of Richard Petty Motorsports, Wallace will be returning to Toyota for the first time since Wallace’s 2013-14 seasons in the Truck series—back when he was still driving for Kyle Busch.
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“This is a great opportunity for him to return to the Toyota family, a family he was with early in his career,” Hamlin said. “It’s an exciting partnership for everyone.”
Wallace echoed those sentiments.
“I’m still processing it every day,” he said. “I’ve just got to make sure I do my part and deliver each and every time out next year.”
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Jordan’s disdain for losing is well-documented, so hopefully, his union with Hamlin and Wallace is a fruitful one.


theroot--2020-10-30--The 10 Best Deals of October 30, 2020

The 10 Best Deals of October 30, 2020

It ’ s October 30 , and we at Kinja Deals are here to bring you the greatest hits from our top 10 deals of the day posts .
Prep for your Halloween screening of Hocus Pocus on a brand-spanking-new LG CX 55 '' OLED TV .
Perfect your best pop star costume with Marc Jacobs Le Marc Crème l ipstick .
And live your best millennial life with a pair of Apple AirPods Pro .
If you ’ re still looking for more savings , take a look at Friday ’ s best deals overall .
In his roundup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Couts called NordVPN “ fast and easy to use , ” citing accessibility and affordability as reasons to subscribe .
Though it ’ s almost always marked down from its $ 287 list price , the 2-year plan is nonetheless the cheapest option to get started with the service and continue using it long-term .
For a limited time only , though , it ’ s not only 68 % off , bringing your total to just $ 89 for 730 days , but it also comes with an extra plan on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nordic gods .
Couts says in his abbreviated review : But NordVPN isn ’ t without its downsized .
“ ... some researchers have found that it sends your email address and Google Ad ID to a marketing company when you register through the Android app and contains some trackers , ” Couts explains .
“ Another downside is that some of NordVPN ’ s servers are rented , which means another company you need to trust is in the mix .
And yes , one of those servers got hacked in 2018.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the most reliable VPN clients , with the budget to support its robust infrastructure , you can ’ t go wrong with NordVPN .
Plus , with availability on virtually every platform you can think of—from macOS to Android TV—it ’ s equal parts ubiquitous and acclaimed .
Endorsed by PCMag , Wired , CNET , Business Insider , and more , it may be time to board the Nord hype train if you ’ re somehow unwedded to a VPN already .
This deal was originally published by Gabe Carey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago to a Big Fig Mattress , specifically for large-bodied people like me , I thought that I was getting the best , most luxurious sleep of my life .
It was the perfect firm bed , didn ’ t dip or sag and I slept like a baby .
And I really was getting the best sleep of my life .
Until now .
After sleeping for a week on the Eight Sleep Pod Pro Cover , it turns out I was wrong .
My sleep could totally get better .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ up my beloved Big Fig Mattress .
Ranging from $ 1,445 to $ 1,745 depending on the size of your bed ( or $ 175 off using our exclusive promo code KINJA175 ) , the Pod Pro Cover from popular mattress brand Eight Sleep turns ANY mattress into a five-star sleeping experience , and I got to test it out !
In a recent edition of our weekly Co-op questionnaire , readers of The Inventory rated the original voted in the original Eight Sleep Pod mattress as one of the best mattresses you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just launched Pod Pro Cover can fit right over that , or your existing mattress , for a truly game-changing slumber .
Thanks to its Pod Pro technology , also present in its cooling smart mattresses , Eight Sleep claims 96 % of users have noted improved sleep quality .
This deal was originally published by Chaya M Milchtein .
Best Buy has an insane deal going for a brand new 55 '' 4K TCL smart TV .
It ’ s the S434 , which is pretty baseline for TCL ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there ’ s little to complain about .
TCL ’ s panels are plenty sharp and accurate , and with this set , you ’ ll get HDR10 compliance for enhanced color and brightness in supported games and video content .
This model has Android TV onboard for all your app needs , and with an included voice remote , all your favorite content is just a shout away with the help of Google Assistant .
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer .
If you ’ re going to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time to start considering .
I ’ ll contend you can still get away with an LG B7 , the baseline from a couple of generations ago , but the TVs have gotten exceptional .
Burn-in and input lag are two of the biggest knocks against OLED , especially for gamers , but according to reviews , that should be a non-issue on the LG CX .
So long as you ’ re not watching the news or playing games with the same HUD for many consecutive hours on end , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ image retention issues anytime soon .
Now down to its all-time low price of $ 1,397 on Amazon and at BuyDig , this 55 '' TV is one of the best LG currently has to offer .
It begins with that beautiful OLED panel , of course , which bids sayonara to muddy grays and backlight bleed thanks to its per-pixel lighting .
For movies , Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision HDR return to give you the best cinematic experience possible , the latter adding a feature that automatically tunes the picture around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re watching .
The TV also includes both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync , both of which are gaming features that eliminate screen tearing with little ( if any ) added input lag .
Because of these tailored features , along with its gorgeous visuals and uniquely low price point , I ’ ve seen countless people in the gaming industry—including Bugsnax creator Philip Tibotoski , PCMag and Tom ’ s Guide writer Tony Polanco , and IGN ’ s Wesley DeBlanc—raving about the LG CX 55 '' on Twitter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the PS5 and Xbox Series X .
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer .
If you ’ re an iPhone user with some cash to blow , skip the pretenders and even the lesser AirPods to go for something better .
The AirPods Pro stepped the game up with rubber tips , noise cancellation , and better overall audio quality .
They ’ re a bit expensive and the price has dropped bit by bit over time , leading up to today ’ s opportunity to save $ 50 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a wireless charging case .
With active noise canceling , automatic pairing on iPhones and iPads , and water/sweat resistance , picking ‘ em now is a no-brainer if you were already in the market for them .
We saw these drop just before Amazon Prime Day , and the price has held steady since .
However , B & H Photo had a similar offer that was originally set to expire after today , which may be a signal that the opportunity is about to pass .
Be sure to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still time !
This deal was originally posted by Quentyn Kennemer .
You can get the newest iPad Air ( 4th Generation ) at Amazon right now and get $ 40 in savings , bringing your total down to $ 560 for the base 64GB model in green .
Early reviews are in , and all indications are that this is the best value among all of Apple ’ s big slates .
It shares a lot in common with the bigger , more powerful , much more expensive iPad Pro .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Face ID ( but the fingerprint reader is back to help ) , plus the display isn ’ t as bright ( 600 nits vs 500 ) , big ( 12.9 inches vs 10.9 inches ) , or fast ( 120hz vs 60hz ) .
But it has the powerful Apple A14 Bionic chipset and picks up Apple Pencil support , making this a much sweeter option for casual artists and multimedia buffs .
It also comes in five fun colors : Green , Silver Gold , Space Grey , and Sky Blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quentyn Kennemer .
Think of the Watch SE as the low-cost equivalent to the Series 5 .
It features the same screen , the same processor , fall-detection , cellular , and lots more , except for the ECG and always-on display .
It ’ s meant to be in the middle of the Series 6 and the Series 3 , as a way of introducing new customers to the Apple Watch as a whole , while taking full advantage of what watchOS 7 offers .
This deal was originally published by Daryl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tools and storage , Milwaukee Electric Tool has made a name for itself since its founding almost 100 years ago , and for good reason .
And for a limited time , you can save $ 190 on three pieces of its high-capacity Packout kit , including a large standard tool box , a rolling tool box , and an 18.6 '' crate bin , at The Home Depot .
While both tool boxes are IP65 water resistance , the storage crate is hardy too , with Milwaukee claiming it can withstand drops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To claim the discount , all you have to do is add all three items to your cart , and voila !
It ’ s time to get down to business , on a budget .
Seeing how our last deal this sweet from Home Depot sold out in a day , this offer won ’ t last long—so jump on it while you can .
Otherwise , the FOMO will set in and you ’ ll wind up buying it anyway if you ’ re anything like myself .
So why not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discount instead ?
This deal was originally published by Gabe Carey .
You should floss your teeth every day if you want a healthy mouth .
That ’ s not advice from me , but from dentists all around the world .
Well , the iTeknic Water Flosser Kit makes it ten times easier .
With six different attachments to really get into the crevices , you ’ ll be able to get all the food between your teeth .
It ’ s only $ 24 with the promo code KINJAPIK .
Grab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher .
If you ’ re looking for a long-wear lipstick with good color that won ’ t smudge Marc Jacobs Le Marc Crème Lipsticks are some of the best .
I was gifted the color Boy Gorgeous , a berry rouge , for my birthday last year and I wore it to death .
I ’ ve since gone on to purchase the color Vinyl Dreams and haven ’ t been disappointed .
Take 50 % off all 13 cream colors right now at Sephora @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and glide on smoothly .
They will absolutely get you through the bulk of the day .
The suggested time is about 10 hours for one application and that seems about right .
Marc Jacobs is synonymous with luxury and these lipsticks have that vibe for sure .
The tube is even chic with each lipstick encased in a slick black home .
My lips have never felt dry post wear .
This is probably due to the antioxidant-rich seaberry and cocoa butter in each stick .
There ’ s a subtle vanilla @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an awesome deal if you are looking to try this brand or make a few shade upgrades to your collection .
Free shipping on all orders with the code FREESHIP .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .

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

Friday’s Best Deals | Kinja Deals
It’s October 30, and we at Kinja Deals are here to bring you the greatest hits from our top 10 deals of the day posts. Prep for your Halloween screening of Hocus Pocus on a brand-spanking-new LG CX 55" OLED TV. Perfect your best pop star costume with Marc Jacobs Le Marc Crème l ipstick. And live your best millennial life with a pair of Apple AirPods Pro.
If you’re still looking for more savings, take a look at Friday’s best deals overall.
#1: Nordvpn
In his roundup of the best VPNs at Gizmodo, Andrew Couts called NordVPN “fast and easy to use,” citing accessibility and affordability as reasons to subscribe. Though it’s almost always marked down from its $287 list price, the 2-year plan is nonetheless the cheapest option to get started with the service and continue using it long-term. For a limited time only, though, it’s not only 68% off, bringing your total to just $89 for 730 days, but it also comes with an extra plan on top of that—chosen at random by the Nordic gods. Couts says in his abbreviated review:
No matter what you pay, you’ll get access to more than 5,400 servers in more than 60 countries, a bunch of features you may or may not want, and, because the company is based in Panama, assurances that your data—or lack of data, as the case may be—is outside of U.S. and European jurisdictions. Like every other VPN on this list, NordVPN claims to have a “strict no-logs policy,” so most of your data isn’t collected, the company says. It does still collect your email address, payment information, and the timestamp of the last time you launched the VPN.
But NordVPN isn’t without its downsized. “...some researchers have found that it sends your email address and Google Ad ID to a marketing company when you register through the Android app and contains some trackers,” Couts explains. “Another downside is that some of NordVPN’s servers are rented, which means another company you need to trust is in the mix. And yes, one of those servers got hacked in 2018.”
Still, if you want the one of the most reliable VPN clients, with the budget to support its robust infrastructure, you can’t go wrong with NordVPN. Plus, with availability on virtually every platform you can think of—from macOS to Android TV—it’s equal parts ubiquitous and acclaimed. Endorsed by PCMag, Wired, CNET, Business Insider, and more, it may be time to board the Nord hype train if you’re somehow unwedded to a VPN already.
This deal was originally published by Gabe Carey.
#2: Eight Sleep Pod pro Cover
When I upgraded my mattress two years ago to a Big Fig Mattress, specifically for large-bodied people like me, I thought that I was getting the best, most luxurious sleep of my life. It was the perfect firm bed, didn’t dip or sag and I slept like a baby. And I really was getting the best sleep of my life. Until now. After sleeping for a week on the Eight Sleep Pod Pro Cover, it turns out I was wrong. My sleep could totally get better. And get better without having to give up my beloved Big Fig Mattress.
Ranging from $1,445 to $1,745 depending on the size of your bed (or $175 off using our exclusive promo code KINJA175), the Pod Pro Cover from popular mattress brand Eight Sleep turns ANY mattress into a five-star sleeping experience, and I got to test it out! In a recent edition of our weekly Co-op questionnaire, readers of The Inventory rated the original voted in the original Eight Sleep Pod mattress as one of the best mattresses you can buy. And the brand new, just launched Pod Pro Cover can fit right over that, or your existing mattress, for a truly game-changing slumber. Thanks to its Pod Pro technology, also present in its cooling smart mattresses, Eight Sleep claims 96% of users have noted improved sleep quality.
This deal was originally published by Chaya M Milchtein.
#3: TCL 55" 4k tcl smart tv
Best Buy has an insane deal going for a brand new 55" 4K TCL smart TV. It’s the S434, which is pretty baseline for TCL’s lineup, but at just $200, there’s little to complain about. TCL’s panels are plenty sharp and accurate, and with this set, you’ll get HDR10 compliance for enhanced color and brightness in supported games and video content. This model has Android TV onboard for all your app needs, and with an included voice remote, all your favorite content is just a shout away with the help of Google Assistant.
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer.
#4: LG cx 55" 4k oled tv
If you’re going to give OLED a try, this might be the time to start considering. I’ll contend you can still get away with an LG B7, the baseline from a couple of generations ago, but the TVs have gotten exceptional. Burn-in and input lag are two of the biggest knocks against OLED, especially for gamers, but according to reviews, that should be a non-issue on the LG CX. So long as you’re not watching the news or playing games with the same HUD for many consecutive hours on end, you shouldn’t run into any nasty image retention issues anytime soon.
Now down to its all-time low price of $1,397 on Amazon and at BuyDig, this 55" TV is one of the best LG currently has to offer. It begins with that beautiful OLED panel, of course, which bids sayonara to muddy grays and backlight bleed thanks to its per-pixel lighting. For movies, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision HDR return to give you the best cinematic experience possible, the latter adding a feature that automatically tunes the picture around your ambient lighting conditions and the content you’re watching.
The TV also includes both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, both of which are gaming features that eliminate screen tearing with little (if any) added input lag. Because of these tailored features, along with its gorgeous visuals and uniquely low price point, I’ve seen countless people in the gaming industry—including Bugsnax creator Philip Tibotoski, PCMag and Tom’s Guide writer Tony Polanco, and IGN’s Wesley DeBlanc—raving about the LG CX 55" on Twitter. Buy it now and prepare yourself properly for the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer.
#5: airpods pro
If you’re an iPhone user with some cash to blow, skip the pretenders and even the lesser AirPods to go for something better. The AirPods Pro stepped the game up with rubber tips, noise cancellation, and better overall audio quality. They’re a bit expensive and the price has dropped bit by bit over time, leading up to today’s opportunity to save $50 on a pair of your own, complete with a wireless charging case. With active noise canceling, automatic pairing on iPhones and iPads, and water/sweat resistance, picking ‘em now is a no-brainer if you were already in the market for them.
We saw these drop just before Amazon Prime Day, and the price has held steady since. However, B&H Photo had a similar offer that was originally set to expire after today, which may be a signal that the opportunity is about to pass. Be sure to get your order in while there’s still time!
This deal was originally posted by Quentyn Kennemer.
#6: iPad air
You can get the newest iPad Air (4th Generation) at Amazon right now and get $40 in savings, bringing your total down to $560 for the base 64GB model in green. Early reviews are in, and all indications are that this is the best value among all of Apple’s big slates.
It shares a lot in common with the bigger, more powerful, much more expensive iPad Pro. It’s only missing extra cameras and Face ID (but the fingerprint reader is back to help), plus the display isn’t as bright (600 nits vs 500), big (12.9 inches vs 10.9 inches), or fast (120hz vs 60hz). But it has the powerful Apple A14 Bionic chipset and picks up Apple Pencil support, making this a much sweeter option for casual artists and multimedia buffs. It also comes in five fun colors: Green, Silver Gold, Space Grey, and Sky Blue.
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer.
#7: apple watch se
Think of the Watch SE as the low-cost equivalent to the Series 5. It features the same screen, the same processor, fall-detection, cellular, and lots more, except for the ECG and always-on display. It’s meant to be in the middle of the Series 6 and the Series 3, as a way of introducing new customers to the Apple Watch as a whole, while taking full advantage of what watchOS 7 offers.
This deal was originally published by Daryl Baxter.
#8: 3-piece milwaukee tool box set
Known for its high-quality power tools and storage, Milwaukee Electric Tool has made a name for itself since its founding almost 100 years ago, and for good reason. And for a limited time, you can save $190 on three pieces of its high-capacity Packout kit, including a large standard tool box, a rolling tool box, and an 18.6" crate bin, at The Home Depot. While both tool boxes are IP65 water resistance, the storage crate is hardy too, with Milwaukee claiming it can withstand drops and scuffs, no questions asked.
To claim the discount, all you have to do is add all three items to your cart, and voila! It’s time to get down to business, on a budget. Seeing how our last deal this sweet from Home Depot sold out in a day, this offer won’t last long—so jump on it while you can. Otherwise, the FOMO will set in and you’ll wind up buying it anyway if you’re anything like myself. So why not grab it at a steep Black Friday-esque discount instead?
This deal was originally published by Gabe Carey.
#9: iteknic water flosser
You should floss your teeth every day if you want a healthy mouth. That’s not advice from me, but from dentists all around the world. Well, the iTeknic Water Flosser Kit makes it ten times easier. With six different attachments to really get into the crevices, you’ll be able to get all the food between your teeth. It’s only $24 with the promo code KINJAPIK. Grab it before it’s gone!
This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher.
#10: marc jacobs crÈme lipstick
If you’re looking for a long-wear lipstick with good color that won’t smudge Marc Jacobs Le Marc Crème Lipsticks are some of the best. I was gifted the color Boy Gorgeous, a berry rouge, for my birthday last year and I wore it to death. I’ve since gone on to purchase the color Vinyl Dreams and haven’t been disappointed. Take 50% off all 13 cream colors right now at Sephora.
These lipsticks are rich in pigment and glide on smoothly. They will absolutely get you through the bulk of the day. The suggested time is about 10 hours for one application and that seems about right. Marc Jacobs is synonymous with luxury and these lipsticks have that vibe for sure. The tube is even chic with each lipstick encased in a slick black home. My lips have never felt dry post wear. This is probably due to the antioxidant-rich seaberry and cocoa butter in each stick. There’s a subtle vanilla scent to each too. This is an awesome deal if you are looking to try this brand or make a few shade upgrades to your collection.
Free shipping on all orders with the code FREESHIP.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.


theroot--2020-10-30--Triple Threat: Beyoncé's Newest Vogue Covers Once Again Make History—This Time, With a 21-Year-Old B

Triple Threat: Beyoncé's Newest Vogue Covers Once Again Make History—This Time, With a 21-Year-Old Black Woman

There ’ s B ’ Day , and then , there ’ s Bey Week—which is a bit like Shark Week , but with much more buzz .
Beyoncé kicked off the week building the buzz about her latest ( and already sold out ) Ivy Park drop with Adidas—her second since the label ’ s relaunch—and is ending it with the debut of three covers of British Vogue ’ s December issue .
The issue marks the third anniversary for British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful ( coincidentally , today also marks my third anniversary as an editor at The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the issue and styled her via Zoom .
And much like Beyoncé ’ s historic September cover story for American Vogue in which a then 23-year-old Tyler Mitchell became the first Black ( and possibly youngest ) photographer to shoot a cover for the famed fashion magazine , this appearance marks another first : Honoring Beyoncé ’ s request to be photographed by a woman of color , she and Enninful chose 21-year-old North Carolinian Kennedi Carter to shoot Bey ’ s trio of covers and a 20-page fashion story , making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover of British Vogue ( or potentially , any edition in the franchise ) —let alone , three at once .
“ It feels like it dropped out of the sky , ” says the aptly named Carter , a Beyoncé fan since age 3 ( adorably , the same age Bey ’ s twins Sir and Rumi are now ) , tells Vogue .
“ I ’ m 21… I haven ’ t really had many opportunities like this .
“ I thought I wouldn ’ t be able to do something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with many years in the game , ” she added , crediting fellow Black female photographer and 2020 The Root 100 honoree Dana Scruggs for helping to elevate her work .
“ This is for people at the pinnacle of their careers.
” Well , we hope you ’ re ready for the climb , Kennedi .
To our delight , Carter ’ s website describes her as : “ a photographer with a primary focus on Black subjects , ” whose work “ highlights the aesthetics & sociopolitical aspects of Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Black experience : skin , texture , trauma , peace , love and community .
Her work aims to reinvent notions of creativity and confidence in the realm of Blackness.
” To which we say : COME THRU , SIS !
And what was it like photographing one of the most famous women in the world ?
“ I was just going with the flow .
I had done a lot of research into how she works , and I had underestimated how much she ’ s willing to submit herself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else ’ s muse , ” Carter , an African American studies major in the 2021 class of University of North Carolina at Greensboro told the magazine .
“ Plus she ’ s from Texas .
So she has that energy.
” “ Everyone always wants to know what it ’ s like to work with Beyoncé and her incredible team , and the answer is… flawless , ” Enninful writes in his editor ’ s letter .
“ A perfectionist to the core , more than anything , she wanted her Vogue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this trickiest of years draws to a close.
” Well , consider us exponentially more positive after the news .
If Bey has her way , the kids are gon na be alright , after all .
“ It ’ s really amazing that she ’ s using her influence to be able to give young artists this experience , and allowing their voices to be heard .
She ’ s opening the door for others , ” says Carter .
The December issue of British Vogue , starring Beyoncé and shot by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 6 .

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

There’s B’Day, and then, there’s Bey Week—which is a bit like Shark Week, but with much more buzz. Beyoncé kicked off the week building the buzz about her latest (and already sold out) Ivy Park drop with Adidas—her second since the label’s relaunch—and is ending it with the debut of three covers of British Vogue’s December issue.
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The issue marks the third anniversary for British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful (coincidentally, today also marks my third anniversary as an editor at The Root), who also interviews Beyoncé for the issue and styled her via Zoom. And much like Beyoncé’s historic September cover story for American Vogue in which a then 23-year-old Tyler Mitchell became the first Black (and possibly youngest) photographer to shoot a cover for the famed fashion magazine, this appearance marks another first: Honoring Beyoncé’s request to be photographed by a woman of color, she and Enninful chose 21-year-old North Carolinian Kennedi Carter to shoot Bey’s trio of covers and a 20-page fashion story, making her the youngest photographer to shoot a cover of British Vogue (or potentially, any edition in the franchise)—let alone, three at once.
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“It feels like it dropped out of the sky,” says the aptly named Carter, a Beyoncé fan since age 3 (adorably, the same age Bey’s twins Sir and Rumi are now), tells Vogue. “I’m 21… I haven’t really had many opportunities like this.
“I thought I wouldn’t be able to do something at this level unless I was older, with many years in the game,” she added, crediting fellow Black female photographer and 2020 The Root 100 honoree Dana Scruggs for helping to elevate her work. “This is for people at the pinnacle of their careers.”
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Well, we hope you’re ready for the climb, Kennedi. To our delight, Carter’s website describes her as: “a photographer with a primary focus on Black subjects,” whose work “highlights the aesthetics & sociopolitical aspects of Black life as well as the overlooked beauties of the Black experience: skin, texture, trauma, peace, love and community. Her work aims to reinvent notions of creativity and confidence in the realm of Blackness.”
To which we say: COME THRU, SIS!
And what was it like photographing one of the most famous women in the world? “I was just going with the flow. I had done a lot of research into how she works, and I had underestimated how much she’s willing to submit herself to a vision and truly become someone else’s muse,” Carter, an African American studies major in the 2021 class of University of North Carolina at Greensboro told the magazine. “Plus she’s from Texas. So she has that energy.”
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“Everyone always wants to know what it’s like to work with Beyoncé and her incredible team, and the answer is… flawless,” Enninful writes in his editor’s letter. “A perfectionist to the core, more than anything, she wanted her Vogue moment to be filled with positivity as this trickiest of years draws to a close.”
Well, consider us exponentially more positive after the news. If Bey has her way, the kids are gonna be alright, after all.
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“It’s really amazing that she’s using her influence to be able to give young artists this experience, and allowing their voices to be heard. She’s opening the door for others,” says Carter.
The December issue of British Vogue, starring Beyoncé and shot by Kennedi Carter, will hit newsstands on November 6.


theroot--2020-10-30--Don-Dada Lemon Talks Cutting Trump-Supporting Friends Out of His Life: ‘They’re Too Far Gone’

The last four years have given us disaster after disaster : unprecedented natural calamity , worsening racial tensions , the rise of right-wing militias and terrorism , a global pandemic—just to name a few .
Through all this , CNN viewers have also witnessed the radicalization of anchor Don Lemon , who under the Trump administration has gotten notably spicier , particularly when talking about Trump and race .
Lemon kept the 2.0 vibes strong on Thursday night in the handoff between Chris Cuomo ’ s show and his .
The two were discussing the recent spikes of coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wake of President Donald Trump ’ s campaign rallies .
Lemon then got serious about how he ’ s cut friends out of his life for supporting the president .
“ I have many people who I love in my life and , yeah , I come from a red state—I ’ ve lived in several red states , ” began Lemon , who is from Baton Rouge , La .
“ There are a lot of friends who I ’ ve really had to get rid of because they are so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus ] .
” “ Every single talking point that they hear on state TV and that they hear from this president , they repeat it and they ’ re blinded by it , ” Lemon continued.
” Here ’ s the thing , I had to get rid of them because they are too far gone .
I try and I try and I try ; they ’ ll say something really stupid and I ’ ll show them the science and I give them the information , and they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite the highly visible surges of the virus in red states , apparently , Lemon ’ s little conservative friends weren ’ t trying to hear it .
“ I just had to get rid of a lot of people in my life because sometimes you just have to let them go .
I think that they have to hit rock bottom like an addict and they have to want to get help , they have to want to know the truth , they have to want to live in reality , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t sure if he ’ ll ever return to those friendships .
“ At a certain point , you just say , ‘ They ’ re too far gone and I ’ ve got to let them go.
’ If they ’ re willing to come back and willing to live in reality , then I will welcome them with open arms .
But I can ’ t do it anymore.
” That ’ s right , Don Thee Lemon is ending 2020 with some big “ cut ‘ em OFF ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journey for the cable news anchor , who in 2013 blamed high incarceration rates on single parenting and criticized hip hop for promoting “ thug and reprehensible behavior.
” “ Pay close attention to the hip-hop and rap culture that many of you embrace , a culture that glorifies everything I just mentioned .
Thug and reprehensible behavior , ” he said at the time .
Ahhh , growth .
We love to see it .

The last four years have given us disaster after disaster: unprecedented natural calamity, worsening racial tensions, the rise of right-wing militias and terrorism, a global pandemic—just to name a few. Through all this, CNN viewers have also witnessed the radicalization of anchor Don Lemon, who under the Trump administration has gotten notably spicier, particularly when talking about Trump and race.
Lemon kept the 2.0 vibes strong on Thursday night in the handoff between Chris Cuomo’s show and his. The two were discussing the recent spikes of coronavirus cases, particularly in red states and in the wake of President Donald Trump’s campaign rallies. Lemon then got serious about how he’s cut friends out of his life for supporting the president.
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“I have many people who I love in my life and, yeah, I come from a red state—I’ve lived in several red states,” began Lemon, who is from Baton Rouge, La. “There are a lot of friends who I’ve really had to get rid of because they are so nonsensical when it comes to [the coronavirus].”
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“Every single talking point that they hear on state TV and that they hear from this president, they repeat it and they’re blinded by it,” Lemon continued.”Here’s the thing, I had to get rid of them because they are too far gone. I try and I try and I try; they’ll say something really stupid and I’ll show them the science and I give them the information, and they’ll still repeat those talking points.”
And despite the highly visible surges of the virus in red states, apparently, Lemon’s little conservative friends weren’t trying to hear it.
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“I just had to get rid of a lot of people in my life because sometimes you just have to let them go. I think that they have to hit rock bottom like an addict and they have to want to get help, they have to want to know the truth, they have to want to live in reality,” Lemon said, adding that he wasn’t sure if he’ll ever return to those friendships.
“At a certain point, you just say, ‘They’re too far gone and I’ve got to let them go.’ If they’re willing to come back and willing to live in reality, then I will welcome them with open arms. But I can’t do it anymore.”
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That’s right, Don Thee Lemon is ending 2020 with some big “cut ‘em OFF” energy. It’s a remarkable journey for the cable news anchor, who in 2013 blamed high incarceration rates on single parenting and criticized hip hop for promoting “thug and reprehensible behavior.”
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“Pay close attention to the hip-hop and rap culture that many of you embrace, a culture that glorifies everything I just mentioned. Thug and reprehensible behavior,” he said at the time.
Ahhh, growth. We love to see it.


theroot--2020-10-30--Twitter Points Out the Hypocrisy of Black Athletes Being Told to 'Shut Up and Play' After Jay Cutler

Twitter Points Out the Hypocrisy of Black Athletes Being Told to 'Shut Up and Play' After Jay Cutler, Jack Nicklaus Publicly Endorse Trump

For Black professional athletes , it ’ s an all too familiar refrain meant to dissuade grown-ass men and women from expressing their personal opinions on relevant issues that affect American society as a whole .
Simply put , it ’ s a very white thing to say .
It ’ s also a completely foreign concept to people like New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees , who was hailed as a patriot back in June for freely expressing his ass-backward views on athletes peacefully protesting during the national anthem .
“ I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or our country , ” Brees told Yahoo Finance ’ s Daniel Roberts .
“ What you do by standing there and showing respect to the flag with your hand over your heart , is it shows unity .
It shows that we are all in this together , we can all do better and that we are all part of the solution.
” Brees has since apologized for being loud and wrong , but only after Black folks—like teammate Malcolm Jenkins—committed themselves to doing the emotional labor required to bring him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under siege , and we need help , ” Jenkins said in an Instagram video after Brees ’ initial comments surfaced .
“ And what you ’ re telling us is don ’ t ask for help that way .
Ask for it a different way .
I can ’ t listen to it when you ask that way .
We ’ re done asking , Drew .
And people who share your sentiments , who express those and push them throughout the world , the airwaves , are the problem.
” Perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so forthright , perennial failure Jay Cutler , wielder of one of the worst attitudes in the history of the NFL , decided to take to social media on Thursday to publicly endorse somebody you should not be voting for under any circumstance whatsoever : Donald John Trump .
But instead of heaping praise upon our Commander-in-Tweet himself , Cutler merely co-signed a lengthy endorsement from golf legend Jack Nicklaus—who , much like Cutler , is painfully alabaster .
So if you ’ re over there wondering why white athletes feel so comfortable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Black athletes are chastised for doing the exact same thing , you aren ’ t alone .
In fact , many have taken to Twitter to point out the blatant hypocrisy .
Of course , detractors have pointed out the fact that Cutler and Nicklaus are years removed from the height of their athletic prowess .
“ Jack Nicklaus hasn ’ t played a professional round of golf in about 15 years , ” user @ JoeFL65 tweeted .
“ He ’ s 80 now .
Cutler has been retired for about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ athletes is a ridiculous stretch on your part.
” Buuuuuuuuuut last time I checked , people like Drew Brees , punk-ass Colby Covington or MMA legend Tito Ortiz are very much active in their respective sports , and are very much open about expressing their political views without consequence .
I guess that ’ s exactly how double standards are supposed to work when it comes to Black folks though .

Shut up and dribble.
For Black professional athletes, it’s an all too familiar refrain meant to dissuade grown-ass men and women from expressing their personal opinions on relevant issues that affect American society as a whole. Simply put, it’s a very white thing to say.
It’s also a completely foreign concept to people like New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who was hailed as a patriot back in June for freely expressing his ass-backward views on athletes peacefully protesting during the national anthem.
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“I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country,” Brees told Yahoo Finance’s Daniel Roberts. “What you do by standing there and showing respect to the flag with your hand over your heart, is it shows unity. It shows that we are all in this together, we can all do better and that we are all part of the solution.”
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Brees has since apologized for being loud and wrong, but only after Black folks—like teammate Malcolm Jenkins—committed themselves to doing the emotional labor required to bring him to his senses.
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“Our communities are under siege, and we need help,” Jenkins said in an Instagram video after Brees’ initial comments surfaced. “And what you’re telling us is don’t ask for help that way. Ask for it a different way. I can’t listen to it when you ask that way. We’re done asking, Drew. And people who share your sentiments, who express those and push them throughout the world, the airwaves, are the problem.”
Perhaps inspired by Brees’ privilege and willingness to be so forthright, perennial failure Jay Cutler, wielder of one of the worst attitudes in the history of the NFL, decided to take to social media on Thursday to publicly endorse somebody you should not be voting for under any circumstance whatsoever: Donald John Trump. But instead of heaping praise upon our Commander-in-Tweet himself, Cutler merely co-signed a lengthy endorsement from golf legend Jack Nicklaus—who, much like Cutler, is painfully alabaster.
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So if you’re over there wondering why white athletes feel so comfortable expressing their opinions on political matters, while Black athletes are chastised for doing the exact same thing, you aren’t alone. In fact, many have taken to Twitter to point out the blatant hypocrisy.
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Of course, detractors have pointed out the fact that Cutler and Nicklaus are years removed from the height of their athletic prowess.
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“Jack Nicklaus hasn’t played a professional round of golf in about 15 years,” user @JoeFL65 tweeted. “He’s 80 now. Cutler has been retired for about 3 years. Comparing them to active athletes is a ridiculous stretch on your part.”
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Buuuuuuuuuut last time I checked, people like Drew Brees, punk-ass Colby Covington or MMA legend Tito Ortiz are very much active in their respective sports, and are very much open about expressing their political views without consequence.
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I guess that’s exactly how double standards are supposed to work when it comes to Black folks though.
Go figure.


theroot--2020-10-30--AirPods, MacBooks, and iPads (Oh My!): Today’s Best Apple Deals

The best Apple deals and discounts of November 2020 are here .
The iPhone 12 is rolling out in four different versions , ranging from the one-hand-friendly iPhone 12 Mini all the way up to the super-sized iPhone 12 Pro Max .
All of them pack in 5G support and myriad other improvements , and you ’ ll pay a fair amount of any of ‘ em as they release in the days and weeks ahead .
Looking for a bargain on another Apple device , such as AirPods , Apple Watches , MacBooks , iPads , and older iPhones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re always catching wind of hot Apple deals and now we ’ re keeping them all collected here in this roundup , which we ’ re updating regularly .
These are today ’ s best Apple deals .
Save $ 50 on Apple ’ s premium AirPods Pro right now at Amazon .
You get active noise canceling technology to block out the world , along with silicone tips to enhance fit and comfort and a case that you can pop on a wireless charger to top up .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just are ready for an upgrade , now ’ s the time to snag these stellar ‘ buds .
Apple ’ s brand new iPad Air might not be billed as the highest-end model of the bunch , but it has the newest and fastest processor and cribs the sleek design from the pricier , perk-packed iPad Pro .
In short : it hits the sweet spot in terms of power and price , and right now you can save an additional $ 40 off the green model at Amazon .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for most prospective buyers , carrying the most important core features of the pricier Apple Watch Series 6 with just a smidge less power and a $ 120 savings .
Right now , you can get the Apple Watch SE for even less at Amazon , where both the 40mm and 44mm sizes are marked down $ 2 0 with the sport band included .
Check the color and size options as the discounts have come and gone between the various models .
You ’ ll get an even larger discount on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already marked down $ 30 right after its release .
Unlike the redesigned iPad Air , this entry-level iPad still looks the same as the old one , but it has a faster A12 Bionic chip inside ( comparable to iPhone XS ) .
The 32GB model is $ 299 , while the 128GB version sees a slightly larger discount at $ 395 ( that ’ s $ 34 off ) .
All three colors are available for the 32GB model sale , while Silver and Space Gray are on sale for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new Apple Watch Series 6 color options on sale for $ 25 off right now .
The 40mm Black version shows the full discount on the listing , while the Silver and Product ( RED ) editions add the full savings at checkout .
Meanwhile , some of the larger 44mm versions are $ 20 off at checkout .
Both add a speed boost via a newer processor and pack in a new blood oxygen sensor , as well .
The iPhone 12 releases this week $ 799 , packing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its upgrades .
However , if you ’ re looking to save some scratch , you can snag a refurbished ( renewed ) version of the iPhone 11 at Amazon starting at $ 576 .
Multiple colors are available , and you can pay a bit more for extra capacity on some models .
Don ’ t want to go Pro ?
Apple ’ s standard current-model AirPods are also discounted at Amazon , and are marked down $ 30 right now for the standard edition .
These buds are super-handy allies for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the case can be recharged with the included cable .
A version with a wirelessly rechargeable case is available for $ 160 ( that ’ s $ 39 off ) .
Save $ 70 off the list price of Apple ’ s thin current-gen MacBook Air laptop right now .
You can grab it at this price in Space Gray , Silver , or Rose Gold , each coming with a 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor , 8GB RAM , 256GB storage , and a 13.3 ” high-res Retina display .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laptop , assuming you don ’ t need the high-end computing power of a pricier MacBook Pro .
Save $ 13 0 off the active noise-canceling wireless Beats Solo Pro headphones right now at Amazon in a a couple of colors .
They pair easily with iOS devices thanks to Apple ’ s H1 chip and promise a stellar 22 hours of battery life on a full charge .
The red , light blue , and navy blue colors are still available as of this writing .
It ’ s not a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one : right now you can save $ 59 off the price of Apple ’ s largest current-gen iPad , the iPad Pro 12.9 ” .
With a massive ProMotion screen , serious speed onboard , and even a LIDAR camera , it ’ s the most perk-packed tablet in Apple ’ s stable .
And if you want Apple ’ s pricey Magic Keyboard for this model , it ’ s also $ 25 off at Amazon .
If you can skip out on the active noise canceling from the Pro model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wireless headphones for $ 80 off right now—just $ 120 .
There are multiple colors available , and these fold-up , on-ear cans deliver up to 40 hours of battery life per charge .
If you ’ re on the hunt for a large , semi-recent iPhone that you can take to any network , this iPhone XR deal might be up your alley .
It has a sizable 6.1 ” screen , is available in a handful of eye-catching colors , and the A12 Bionic processor is still plenty speedy compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s more than $ 300 off the original new list price when you buy this certified renewed version from Amazon , which is unlocked .
The price varies slightly based on which color you choose .
Apple ’ s biggest current MacBook Pro model is a wallet-buster , as you might expect , but at least Amazon is slashing a couple hundred bucks off right now .
The 16 '' base model is $ 2 00 off right now , snagging you a powerful notebook ideal for creative work via an Intel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a meaty 512GB of internal storage .
Bump up to the Core i9 version with a 1TB SSD and you ’ ll save $ 30 0 off of its higher price point .

Andrew Hayward on Roundups, shared by Quentyn Kennemer to The Root

Featured Deal: Apple Watch Series 7 (Green) | $339 | Amazon
The best Apple deals and discounts of the month are here.
If you’re an Apple fan, then you know that the company’s popular iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watch, and AirPods don’t come cheap—and sales can be sporadic.
Luckily, we watch Apple bargains like a hawk here at Kinja Deals, and we’re always keeping an eye out for the best deals across all Apple devices. Scope out some great prices on AirPods Pro, iPad Pro, and M1 Macs below, and stay tuned: we’ll be updating this roundup regularly.
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Have you been just itching to get an Apple Watch Series 7, but the full price of $399 is a bridge too far? Well, lucky you, it’s on sale at Amazon right now for $339—that’s $60 off, or enough to pick up an Apple Watch accessory like a new sport loop band. This deal is only on the base GPS watch, and only the green one, but listen, if you’re on a budget and you haven’t invited an Apple Watch into your life yet, I can attest to it being one of the most useful pieces of tech on the market right now.
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If you’re one to work in one fixed location, the 2020 iMac is on sale for $150 off. The 21.5" all-in-one 1080p desktop computer and monitor has 8GB of memory and a 256GB SSD. As is standard, it comes with the Apple Magic Mouse which can scroll in all directions like a touchpad on top and is just a delight to use—especially for artists. That discount brings it down to $950.
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Sick of your phone dying on you when you’re out and about? Well if you’ve got an iPhone 12 or later, you can just slap a MagSafe battery pack onto the back of it. No cables dangling around to connect to a powerbank. This uses the wireless charger in the back of the phone and stays magnetically connected to it. The whole thing fits right in your pocket, just bit more snug. Normally goes for $99, but you can get it for 9% off right now.
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Discounts on Apple’s new MacBook Air model with the powerful M1 chip have been steadier lately, and right now you can save a strong $100 off the 512GB model in silver or space gray. The M1 chip makes the MacBook Air “extraordinary,” thanks to fantastic battery life and better performance than some much pricier Windows-based rivals. If you’re on the hunt for a speedy, reliable new laptop, jump on this bargain! For folks who don’t need that much storage, the 256GB version is also $100 off bringing it to just $899.
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The deluxe AirPods Max are the over-the-ear option from Apple which normally run for $549. Right now, Amazon is offering roughly $70 off for a selection of different colors. If you’re looking for a comfy, fashionable, great-sounding set of headphones to seamlessly work with your other Apple tech, now may be the time to jump on board.
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The latest Apple TV in 4K is discounted over at Amazon. Only by $10, but hey. If you were in the market for an Apple TV and haven’t pulled the trigger yet, you might as well save $10. Get the 32GB version for $169 or the 64GB version for $190. I will say, the Siri remote is excellent to use so you can avoid typing in the shows or movies you want to pull up with just the arrow buttons and on screen keyboard.
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If you’re an iPhone user with some cash to blow, skip the pretenders and even the lesser AirPods to go for something better. The AirPods Pro step the game up with rubber tips, active noise cancellation, better overall audio quality, and a wirelessly-chargeable case as standard. They’re a bit expensive normally, but right now you can get ‘em for $59 off the list price.
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Just looking for something simple? Apple’s standard 2nd gen model AirPods are also on sale at Amazon. You can snag yourself a pair for $50 off. These earbuds are rechargeable via the case and cable and produce quality sound. If you don’t need the latest and greatest, you can save quite a bit of dough going with this previous generation version.
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Apple released the latest set of Bluetooth wireless earbuds in its AirPods 3. With an original price point of $179, you would expect it to fall somewhere between their old AirPods 2 and the $249 AirPods Pro. Well, you’d be exactly right. The AirPods 3 are a step up from the 2, adding some of the features we saw come with the Pro like spatial audio support and water resistance. They also have a redesign aesthetically. The most notable absent feature from the Pro is the lack of active noise canceling. Right now Amazon has them for $10 off.


theroot--2020-10-30--'We're Not Some New Anomaly': The Root Presents It's Lit Talks Purpose, Process and Pronouns With Ge

'We're Not Some New Anomaly': The Root Presents It's Lit Talks Purpose, Process and Pronouns With George M. Johnson

When The Root first spoke to George M. Johnson ( one of our longtime contributors ) just ahead of the release of their debut book , All Boy Aren ’ t Blue : A Memoir Manifesto , we had a feeling they were on the cusp of something groundbreaking .
Borne from their own reflections on growing up without the language and representation they needed , All Boys Aren ’ t Blue provided exactly that ; not just for themselves , but for countless others coming of age outside the binary .
The book became a beacon—and an instant bestseller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has had several reprintings , been optioned for television by Gabrielle Union ’ s production company I ’ ll Have Another , and landed on any number of “ best of ” lists—including a recent nomination for a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Memoir & Autobiography .
All Boys Aren ’ t Blue is a manifesto , yes .
It ’ s also a movement .
On this week ’ s episode of The Root Presents : It ’ s Lit !
Johnson makes clear that theirs is a freedom project for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full breadth of Blackness .
“ I ’ m always just pushing Black families to understand that , like , Blackness is not a monolith .
And it doesn ’ t have to look like this one nuclear thing that we ’ ve been kind of assimilated into and ascribe to just because of our existence , particularly here , ” they say .
“ And so if you know the history that , you know , we existed , pre-colonization , we existed in Africa .
There are stories about gatekeepers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... we ’ ve always existed ... Like , we ’ re not like some new anomaly.
” Unlike too many Black queer kids , what Johnson never doubted was the unconditional love of their family .
It ’ s a support system that not only provided the framework for their first ( and in 2021 , second ) book but is informing the community they ’ re building and structures they ’ re encouraging others to create .
“ The story I always use is everybody always prays for a healthy child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking for is a healthy heterosexual child .
And the sooner that people are able to admit that , the sooner they can then unravel those layers as to why that is the actual request that they want , ” Johnson explains .
“ [ A ] child is just a child .
And you are here to parent and nurture the child .
You are there to give advice .
And you are there to build structure .
But you are not there to dictate what that child innately feels and innately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to nurture it and to learn from it .
And so , I ’ m just always pushing Black families , in particular , to understand that we really don ’ t have space to be divisive or space to separate our own community because we truly are all that we have , ” they continue .
“ So I think about , like , who I ’ ve got to become because I had a supportive family .
That ’ s all it really takes .
It really just takes like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to love who you are , like innately , I mean , unconditionally .
And you can become anything and feel protected and safe.
” Hear more about not just defying , but thriving outside of the binary—plus what we can expect from Johnson ’ s next book about Black boyhood under the gaze of a grandmother ’ s love—We Are Not Broken : A Memoir—in the sixth episode of The Root Presents : It ’ s Lit !
, featuring the groundbreaking George M. Johnson .
Now available on Apple , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google Podcasts , Amazon , NPR One , TuneIn , and Radio Public .
A transcript of The Root Presents : It ’ s Lit , Ep .
6 : George M. Johnson is available below :

When The Root first spoke to George M. Johnson (one of our longtime contributors) just ahead of the release of their debut book, All Boy Aren’t Blue: A Memoir Manifesto, we had a feeling they were on the cusp of something groundbreaking. Borne from their own reflections on growing up without the language and representation they needed, All Boys Aren’t Blue provided exactly that; not just for themselves, but for countless others coming of age outside the binary.
The book became a beacon—and an instant bestseller. Since its publication this spring, it has had several reprintings, been optioned for television by Gabrielle Union’s production company I’ll Have Another, and landed on any number of “best of” lists—including a recent nomination for a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Memoir & Autobiography.
Advertisement
All Boys Aren’t Blue is a manifesto, yes. It’s also a movement. On this week’s episode of The Root Presents: It’s Lit! Johnson makes clear that theirs is a freedom project for all of us who truly value the full breadth of Blackness.
Advertisement Advertisement
“I’m always just pushing Black families to understand that, like, Blackness is not a monolith. And it doesn’t have to look like this one nuclear thing that we’ve been kind of assimilated into and ascribe to just because of our existence, particularly here,” they say. “And so if you know the history that, you know, we existed, pre-colonization, we existed in Africa. There are stories about gatekeepers and oracles who were genderless and orishas and...we’ve always existed...Like, we’re not like some new anomaly.”
Unlike too many Black queer kids, what Johnson never doubted was the unconditional love of their family. It’s a support system that not only provided the framework for their first (and in 2021, second) book but is informing the community they’re building and structures they’re encouraging others to create.
Advertisement
“The story I always use is everybody always prays for a healthy child. But what you’re really asking for is a healthy heterosexual child. And the sooner that people are able to admit that, the sooner they can then unravel those layers as to why that is the actual request that they want,” Johnson explains.
“[A] child is just a child. And you are here to parent and nurture the child. You are there to give advice. And you are there to build structure. But you are not there to dictate what that child innately feels and innately gravitates toward. But you are there to nurture it and to learn from it. And so, I’m just always pushing Black families, in particular, to understand that we really don’t have space to be divisive or space to separate our own community because we truly are all that we have,” they continue. “So I think about, like, who I’ve got to become because I had a supportive family. That’s all it really takes. It really just takes like a supportive family to understand who you are and to love who you are, like innately, I mean, unconditionally. And you can become anything and feel protected and safe.”
Advertisement
Hear more about not just defying, but thriving outside of the binary—plus what we can expect from Johnson’s next book about Black boyhood under the gaze of a grandmother’s love—We Are Not Broken: A Memoir—in the sixth episode of The Root Presents: It’s Lit!, featuring the groundbreaking George M. Johnson. Now available on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts, Amazon, NPR One, TuneIn, and Radio Public.
Advertisement
A transcript of The Root Presents: It’s Lit, Ep. 6: George M. Johnson is available below:


theroot--2020-10-30--Too Many Black Men Wish to Be White, and That's a Problem the Election Won't End

When attempting to explain , during a university-sponsored book talk a few weeks ago , the difference between truth and honesty to the students , I posed a scenario where Jeff Bezos decided to buy a house on my block and live there .
With him as my new neighbor , if you took the newly combined net worth of each of the families on the block , and divided that number by the number of families on the block ( roughly 20 ) , you could factually state that the average person in my neighborhood is a billionaire now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it ’ s also deeply dishonest because of one person ’ s wildly disproportionate impact on the results .
This was a crude example , I know—and I ’ ll blame that on my iron deficiency that morning ( I hadn ’ t eaten yet ) .
But it did provide a quick and clear-ish delineation , and I thought of this hypothetical while reading Michael Harriot ’ s “ The Myth of the Black Male Trump Supporter ” earlier this week .
In it , Michael uses allegory , anecdote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience to dispel the notions that 1 .
Black men are sympathizing and siding with Donald Trump in large numbers and 2 .
There are enough Black male Trump voters to have any real impact on the election .
What he says here is unquestionably true .
There are still far more prospective Black male voters who will vote for Joe Biden than Trump .
And , as I ’ ve stated before , the results of the election are dependent on white people , not us .
But while I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a nearsightedness there obscuring a larger point : Far too many of the Black men disillusioned with national politics escape to a low-information politic that , whether they realize it or not , aligns them with the worst of white people .
Instead of allowing the frustration to shift us left , we become Mitch McConnell .
And far too many of us are too easily seduced by the attention and allure of Black contrarianism .
As ignorant and uncouth as the president is , his emotional intelligence is high enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal to Ice Cube and Lil Wayne and Kanye West and Jason Whitlock and the tens of thousands of much poorer and much less famous Black men who think like them , is through ego .
“ Don ’ t be a sheep , ” he whispers in their ears , as they giddily nod and smile .
“ Why be a commoner over there when you can be a commander over here ?
” And while it ’ s also true that many of these men aren ’ t voting anyway and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact on what happens next week , the election is a red herring .
Fuck the election .
What worries me as much as—and perhaps even more than—a Trump victory is the reality that so many of us are so happily seduced by white supremacy , so easily charmed by white men , and so excitedly willing to throw Black women and Black children ( and other Black men ) under the bus for a seat at a janky , rotten , and God-less table .
And yes , as Michael also stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines are more likely to be Republicans and/or support Trump than women are , so this problem ain ’ t unique to Black men .
That is true .
But we ( Black men ) are uniquely hunted and feared and arrested and maimed and incarcerated and killed by America .
If even one percent of one percent of one percent of us still chooses to align ourselves with the people who actively want us dead , that ’ s too many .
This makes me sad , because I love us and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fix this .
And I get how safe it might seem to choose white .
How choosing white might seem like choosing light .
I feel it sometimes too .
Not often .
But sometimes .
I ’ m not immune .
But I know it ’ s a sickness , and I don ’ t know how to convince them it ain ’ t the cure .

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

When attempting to explain, during a university-sponsored book talk a few weeks ago, the difference between truth and honesty to the students, I posed a scenario where Jeff Bezos decided to buy a house on my block and live there. With him as my new neighbor, if you took the newly combined net worth of each of the families on the block, and divided that number by the number of families on the block (roughly 20), you could factually state that the average person in my neighborhood is a billionaire now. This would be the truth, but it’s also deeply dishonest because of one person’s wildly disproportionate impact on the results.
This was a crude example, I know—and I’ll blame that on my iron deficiency that morning (I hadn’t eaten yet). But it did provide a quick and clear-ish delineation, and I thought of this hypothetical while reading Michael Harriot’s “The Myth of the Black Male Trump Supporter” earlier this week. In it, Michael uses allegory, anecdote, data, interviews, and his own experience to dispel the notions that 1. Black men are sympathizing and siding with Donald Trump in large numbers and 2. There are enough Black male Trump voters to have any real impact on the election.
Advertisement
What he says here is unquestionably true. There are still far more prospective Black male voters who will vote for Joe Biden than Trump. And, as I’ve stated before, the results of the election are dependent on white people, not us. But while I don’t believe his piece is dishonest, there is a nearsightedness there obscuring a larger point: Far too many of the Black men disillusioned with national politics escape to a low-information politic that, whether they realize it or not, aligns them with the worst of white people.
Advertisement Advertisement
Instead of allowing the frustration to shift us left, we become Mitch McConnell. And far too many of us are too easily seduced by the attention and allure of Black contrarianism. As ignorant and uncouth as the president is, his emotional intelligence is high enough to know that the best way to appeal to Ice Cube and Lil Wayne and Kanye West and Jason Whitlock and the tens of thousands of much poorer and much less famous Black men who think like them, is through ego. “Don’t be a sheep,” he whispers in their ears, as they giddily nod and smile. “Why be a commoner over there when you can be a commander over here?”
And while it’s also true that many of these men aren’t voting anyway and won’t have much of an impact on what happens next week, the election is a red herring. Fuck the election. What worries me as much as—and perhaps even more than—a Trump victory is the reality that so many of us are so happily seduced by white supremacy, so easily charmed by white men, and so excitedly willing to throw Black women and Black children (and other Black men) under the bus for a seat at a janky, rotten, and God-less table.
Advertisement
And yes, as Michael also stated in his piece, men across racial lines are more likely to be Republicans and/or support Trump than women are, so this problem ain’t unique to Black men. That is true. But we (Black men) are uniquely hunted and feared and arrested and maimed and incarcerated and killed by America. If even one percent of one percent of one percent of us still chooses to align ourselves with the people who actively want us dead, that’s too many.
This makes me sad, because I love us and I don’t know how to fix this. And I get how safe it might seem to choose white. How choosing white might seem like choosing light. I feel it sometimes too. Not often. But sometimes. I’m not immune. But I know it’s a sickness, and I don’t know how to convince them it ain’t the cure.


theroot--2020-10-30--Exonerated Five's Kevin Richardson Reflects On Receiving Honorary Degree from Syracuse University, U

Exonerated Five's Kevin Richardson Reflects On Receiving Honorary Degree from Syracuse University, Using It As an Opportunity to Inspire Others

In 2019 , many of us learned the story of Kevin Richardson , who was one of five teenagers wrongly convicted for the 1989 rape of a white woman jogging in New York City ’ s Central Park .
Netflix ’ s When They See Us gave us a glimpse into Richardson ’ s life before and after it was derailed by our corrupted criminal justice system , and one of the most heartbreaking scenes involved Richardson ’ s aspirations to grow up and play the trumpet for Syracuse University ’ s marching band .
Sadly , he was denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a youth , but thanks to the students of Syracuse University—who started a petition to reward Richardson for his perseverance—the youngest member of the Exonerated Five received an honorary degree from Syracuse during a virtual ceremony on October 16 .
And in speaking to The Root , Richardson took a moment to reflect on how surreal it was to finally fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a graduate at such a prestigious university .
“ I never thought that it would happen , ” he told The Root .
“ When you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have dreams and hopes coming from the inner city , I always thought it would be cool to attend [ Syracuse ] , but I never got the opportunity .
Just to think it all started from being on When They See Us Now—which was the interview with Oprah—basically just speaking from my heart .
She asked me about it and I said I wanted to attend Syracuse University , but I was robbed of the opportunity .
“ That line right there sent waves throughout the world .
Then Syracuse University got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s assistant vice president of multicultural advancement ) and people of that nature .
So to see everything come into full swing is just incredible .
I ’ m just happy that I ’ m actually here to really receive this , because it could have been a different way.
” What ’ s also interesting is that honorary degrees are typically doctorates , but Richardson insisted on receiving a bachelor of fine arts in music instead .
In explaining his decision , he pointed to his childhood aspirations as the deciding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve went to university and graduated in the 90s , maybe class of 95 or 96 , it would ’ ve been a degree in that form , ” he explained .
“ So I wanted to have the same effect that I would have gotten had I attended the university .
So I think that suits me well.
” He ’ s also keenly aware that there are plenty of other Black and Brown folks who have fallen victim to our criminal justice system .
So receiving his honorary degree not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to inspire others to never give up on their own .
“ I love to be the first of anything , ” Richardson said .
“ So just to be the first in school history to get an [ honorary ] undergraduate bachelor ’ s [ degree ] is beautiful .
And to set the way for others to follow .
Out of everything , that ’ s all I really wanted to do .
Just inspire others .
“ If I could do it , after all I ’ ve been through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong and positive and weather the storm , then you can do it as well .
Because it wasn ’ t easy .
It took every ounce of strength .
[ ... ] So I think if I could do it , anyone can do it , too .
And just that alone gives me the strength to keep doing what I ’ m doing.
” He ’ s also incredibly proud of Syracuse ’ s Kevin Richardson Fund , a scholarship fund that supports Black and Brown students .
It was announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our Time Has Come Scholarship last year during a ceremony honoring Richardson .
“ That ’ s another thing that ’ s really dear to me , ” he said .
“ That was presented to me when I made my first visit to the university .
[ ... ] To have my name attached [ and ] have Black and Brown kids get an opportunity to attend school—coming from the inner city or wherever in the city they ’ re from—to get that opportunity is the best thing that I can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very dear to my heart.
” And in using his journey to provide inspiration and opportunities for so many others , Richardson wanted to make one point clear : to never give up on the dreams and aspirations that each of us holds dear .
“ Once I got incarcerated , I thought that ship had sailed , ” he said .
“ When I was in prison , I got my [ associate in arts ] .
And at that time , Governor Pataki stopped education in prison .
So I thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where I ’ m ending.
’ So I just want to tell people to never give up on what you believe in .
Because there is light .
“ Especially this year , period .
Dealing with the pandemic , dealing with people of color getting killed , dealing with people dying .
It ’ s easy to give up hope .
But you have to find that strength from within .
[ ... ] Even in your darkest times , you will come out of it .
”

In 2019, many of us learned the story of Kevin Richardson, who was one of five teenagers wrongly convicted for the 1989 rape of a white woman jogging in New York City’s Central Park.
Netflix’s When They See Us gave us a glimpse into Richardson’s life before and after it was derailed by our corrupted criminal justice system, and one of the most heartbreaking scenes involved Richardson’s aspirations to grow up and play the trumpet for Syracuse University’s marching band.
Advertisement
Sadly, he was denied the opportunity to ever pursue that dream as a youth, but thanks to the students of Syracuse University—who started a petition to reward Richardson for his perseverance—the youngest member of the Exonerated Five received an honorary degree from Syracuse during a virtual ceremony on October 16.
Advertisement Advertisement
And in speaking to The Root, Richardson took a moment to reflect on how surreal it was to finally fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a graduate at such a prestigious university.
“I never thought that it would happen,” he told The Root. “When you’re a child, and you have dreams and hopes coming from the inner city, I always thought it would be cool to attend [Syracuse], but I never got the opportunity. Just to think it all started from being on When They See Us Now—which was the interview with Oprah—basically just speaking from my heart. She asked me about it and I said I wanted to attend Syracuse University, but I was robbed of the opportunity.
Advertisement
“That line right there sent waves throughout the world. Then Syracuse University got in touch with me—Rachel Vassel (Syracuse’s assistant vice president of multicultural advancement) and people of that nature. So to see everything come into full swing is just incredible. I’m just happy that I’m actually here to really receive this, because it could have been a different way.”
Indeed.
What’s also interesting is that honorary degrees are typically doctorates, but Richardson insisted on receiving a bachelor of fine arts in music instead. In explaining his decision, he pointed to his childhood aspirations as the deciding factor.
Advertisement
“If I would’ve went to university and graduated in the 90s, maybe class of 95 or 96, it would’ve been a degree in that form,” he explained. “So I wanted to have the same effect that I would have gotten had I attended the university. So I think that suits me well.”
He’s also keenly aware that there are plenty of other Black and Brown folks who have fallen victim to our criminal justice system. So receiving his honorary degree not only fulfilled a lifelong dream, but serves to inspire others to never give up on their own.
Advertisement
“I love to be the first of anything,” Richardson said. “So just to be the first in school history to get an [honorary] undergraduate bachelor’s [degree] is beautiful. And to set the way for others to follow. Out of everything, that’s all I really wanted to do. Just inspire others.
“If I could do it, after all I’ve been through 30 years ago...to be standing strong and positive and weather the storm, then you can do it as well. Because it wasn’t easy. It took every ounce of strength. [...] So I think if I could do it, anyone can do it, too. And just that alone gives me the strength to keep doing what I’m doing.”
Advertisement
He’s also incredibly proud of Syracuse’s Kevin Richardson Fund, a scholarship fund that supports Black and Brown students. It was announced as part of the school’s Our Time Has Come Scholarship last year during a ceremony honoring Richardson.
Advertisement
“That’s another thing that’s really dear to me,” he said. “That was presented to me when I made my first visit to the university. [...] To have my name attached [and] have Black and Brown kids get an opportunity to attend school—coming from the inner city or wherever in the city they’re from—to get that opportunity is the best thing that I can do. [...] That’s very dear to my heart.”
And in using his journey to provide inspiration and opportunities for so many others, Richardson wanted to make one point clear: to never give up on the dreams and aspirations that each of us holds dear.
Advertisement
“Once I got incarcerated, I thought that ship had sailed,” he said. “When I was in prison, I got my [associate in arts]. And at that time, Governor Pataki stopped education in prison. So I thought, ‘Well, that’s where I’m ending.’ So I just want to tell people to never give up on what you believe in. Because there is light.
“Especially this year, period. Dealing with the pandemic, dealing with people of color getting killed, dealing with people dying. It’s easy to give up hope. But you have to find that strength from within. [...] Even in your darkest times, you will come out of it.”


theroot--2020-10-29--This 55" 4K TCL Smart TV Hangs on Your Wall for $200

Best Buy has an insane deal going for a brand new 55 '' 4K TCL smart TV .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ is pretty baseline for TCL ’ s lineup , but at just $ 200 , @ @ @ @ @ complain about .
TCL ’ s panels are plenty sharp and accurate , and with @ @ @ @ @ ll get HDR10 compliance for enhanced color and brightness in supported games and video content @ @ @ @ @ TV onboard for all your app needs , and with an included voice remote , @ @ @ @ @ just a shout away with the help of Google Assistant .

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

TCL 55" S434 4K Smart TV | $200 | Best Buy
Best Buy has an insane deal going for a brand new 55" 4K TCL smart TV. It’s the S434, which is pretty baseline for TCL’s lineup, but at just $200, there’s little to complain about. TCL’s panels are plenty sharp and accurate, and with this set, you’ll get HDR10 compliance for enhanced color and brightness in supported games and video content. This model has Android TV onboard for all your app needs, and with an included voice remote, all your favorite content is just a shout away with the help of Google Assistant.