theroot--2020-12-29--Look at Mariah Carey—She's the Christmas Captain Now With the Longest-Running No. 1 Billboard Holida

Look at Mariah Carey—She's the Christmas Captain Now With the Longest-Running No. 1 Billboard Holiday Song

We ’ ve all lovingly referred to Mariah Carey as “ The Queen of Christmas , ” but Billboard has made it official ... when it comes to chart-topping , that is !
Carey ’ s holiday hit “ All I Want For Christmas Is You ” has now broken the record for most time spent at No .
1 on the Hot 100 , Billboard confirmed on Monday .
Considered to be the most modern true Christmas original classic , Carey ’ s Christmas carol has surpassed “ The Chipmunk Song , ” after recently tying with it for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Billboard Hot 100 in the chart ’ s 62-year , five-month history .
Carey also hit No .
1 on the Billboard Global 200 for the third week .
Billboard breaks down more stats for “ All I Want For Christmas Is You ” : Most weeks at No .
1 for a holiday song : As it logs its fifth total week atop the Hot 100 , “ Christmas ” solely claims the mark for the most time at No .
1 among holiday hits in the chart ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yuletide track has led the list : “ The Chipmunk Song , ” by The Chipmunks with David Seville , for four weeks beginning in December 1958 .
First song at No .
1 in three distinct years : Carey ’ s “ Christmas ” becomes the first song to rank at No .
1 on the Hot 100 in three distinct years : 2019 , 2020 and , now , 2021 .
It has led the lists dated Dec. 21 and 28 , 2019 ; Jan. 4 , 2020 ; Dec. 19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 .
One more , up to 84 : Carey adds her record-extending 84th career week at No .
1 on the Hot 100 , dating to the chart ’ s Aug. 4 , 1958 , inception .
Most Weeks at No .
1 on Hot 100 “ Christmas ” last year became Carey ’ s 19th Hot 100 No .
1 , the most among soloists and lifting her to within one of The Beatles ’ overall record 20 .
It also made Carey the first artist to have ranked at No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distinct decades .
Happy new year : Carey has now placed at No .
1 on the Hot 100 in a record-extending 17 distinct years ( per Hot 100 chart dates ) : 1990-2000 , 2005-06 , 2008 and , thanks to “ Christmas , ” 2019-21 .
Next up are three acts that have each spent time atop the Hot 100 in 10 individual years : Paul McCartney/Wings ( 1971 , 1973-76 , 1978 , 1980 , 1982-84 ) ; Michael Jackson ( 1972 , 1979-80 , 1983-84 , 1987-88 , 1991-92 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1984-87 , 1989-92 , 1995 , 2000 ) .
As a co-writer of the song ( which is where the real money is in music ) , Carey has made over $ 60 million in royalties from the hit holiday single , per a 2017 report by the Economist .
Also , Carey and her co-writing partner , producer Walter Afanasieff , reportedly wrote the song in only 15 minutes , per Business Insider .
That ’ s a hell of a paycheck for one ’ s time .

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

We’ve all lovingly referred to Mariah Carey as “The Queen of Christmas,” but Billboard has made it official...when it comes to chart-topping, that is!
Carey’s holiday hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You” has now broken the record for most time spent at No. 1 on the Hot 100, Billboard confirmed on Monday. Considered to be the most modern true Christmas original classic, Carey’s Christmas carol has surpassed “The Chipmunk Song,” after recently tying with it for the longest-running spot at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the chart’s 62-year, five-month history.
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Carey also hit No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 for the third week.
Billboard breaks down more stats for “All I Want For Christmas Is You”:
Most weeks at No. 1 for a holiday song: As it logs its fifth total week atop the Hot 100, “Christmas” solely claims the mark for the most time at No. 1 among holiday hits in the chart’s 62-year, five-month history. One other Yuletide track has led the list: “The Chipmunk Song,” by The Chipmunks with David Seville, for four weeks beginning in December 1958. First song at No. 1 in three distinct years: Carey’s “Christmas” becomes the first song to rank at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in three distinct years: 2019, 2020 and, now, 2021. It has led the lists dated Dec. 21 and 28, 2019; Jan. 4, 2020; Dec. 19, 2020; and Jan. 2, 2021. (As reported when “Christmas” crowned the Hot 100 two weeks ago, only one other song in the chart’s history boasts a longer span of appearing at No. 1: Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” first topped the chart dated Sept. 19, 1960; Thanks to new popularity among adult audiences, it led again on Jan. 13 and 20, 1962. Notably, the longevity of “The Twist” helped spark its No. 1 status on the Greatest of All-Time Hot 100 recap.) One more, up to 84: Carey adds her record-extending 84th career week at No. 1 on the Hot 100, dating to the chart’s Aug. 4, 1958, inception. Most Weeks at No. 1 on Hot 100 84, Mariah Carey 60, Rihanna 59, The Beatles 50, Boyz II Men 50, Drake “Christmas” last year became Carey’s 19th Hot 100 No. 1, the most among soloists and lifting her to within one of The Beatles’ overall record 20. It also made Carey the first artist to have ranked at No. 1 on the chart in four distinct decades. Happy new year: Carey has now placed at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in a record-extending 17 distinct years (per Hot 100 chart dates): 1990-2000, 2005-06, 2008 and, thanks to “Christmas,” 2019-21. Next up are three acts that have each spent time atop the Hot 100 in 10 individual years: Paul McCartney/Wings (1971, 1973-76, 1978, 1980, 1982-84); Michael Jackson (1972, 1979-80, 1983-84, 1987-88, 1991-92, 1995); and Madonna (1984-87, 1989-92, 1995, 2000).
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As a co-writer of the song (which is where the real money is in music), Carey has made over $60 million in royalties from the hit holiday single, per a 2017 report by the Economist. Also, Carey and her co-writing partner, producer Walter Afanasieff, reportedly wrote the song in only 15 minutes, per Business Insider. That’s a hell of a paycheck for one’s time.


theroot--2020-12-31--Michael B. Jordan to Make Directorial Debut With Creed III, Tessa Thompson Confirms

A few months back , we reported here at The Root that there were talks of Michael B. Jordan potentially directing the third installment of the Creed movie franchise .
But now it looks like those talks were actually true !
According to Entertainment Tonight , Creed co-star Tessa Thompson confirmed that People ’ s Sexiest Man Alive will indeed be directing Creed III during an interview about her recent Amazon Prime feature , Sylvie ’ s Love .
“ He is directing the next Creed , ” she told MTV News ’ Josh Horowitz .
Referencing Jordan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will play a role in their dynamic while filming , Thompson joked : “ It ’ s going to be ammo , I think , for me when he is engaging with me as a director .
I ’ m just going to tell him to dial down the sexiness.
” While Jordan may have big shoes to fill with previous directors Ryan Coogler and Steven Caple Jr. helming Creed I and Creed II respectively , he ’ ll be following in the footsteps of Sylvester Stallone , who also went from star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , IV and 2006 's Rocky Balboa .
The Creed franchise follows Jordan as Adonis Creed , son of Apollo Creed from the original Rocky franchise .
Creed II left us with a victorious “ Donnie , ” who must now grapple with the growing pains of becoming a new father as well as how to continue on the legacy of his late father while building up a legacy of his own .
And while Sylvester Stallone has previously made it clear that he won ’ t be returning for another film , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he makes some sort of appearance in the third installation .
After all , this is Creed ’ s son we ’ re talking about here .
Zach Baylin has been tapped to pen the script for Creed III per the Hollywood Reporter .
Baylin is also writing the script for the upcoming King Richard , a biopic of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams father , Richard Williams .
As of now there is no word yet on a potential release date for Creed III .

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

A few months back, we reported here at The Root that there were talks of Michael B. Jordan potentially directing the third installment of the Creed movie franchise. But now it looks like those talks were actually true!
According to Entertainment Tonight, Creed co-star Tessa Thompson confirmed that People’s Sexiest Man Alive will indeed be directing Creed III during an interview about her recent Amazon Prime feature, Sylvie’s Love.
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“He is directing the next Creed,” she told MTV News’ Josh Horowitz. Referencing Jordan’s newfound title and whether or not it will play a role in their dynamic while filming, Thompson joked: “It’s going to be ammo, I think, for me when he is engaging with me as a director. I’m just going to tell him to dial down the sexiness.”
While Jordan may have big shoes to fill with previous directors Ryan Coogler and Steven Caple Jr. helming Creed I and Creed II respectively, he’ll be following in the footsteps of Sylvester Stallone, who also went from star to director in Rocky II, III, IV and 2006's Rocky Balboa. The Creed franchise follows Jordan as Adonis Creed, son of Apollo Creed from the original Rocky franchise. Creed II left us with a victorious “Donnie,” who must now grapple with the growing pains of becoming a new father as well as how to continue on the legacy of his late father while building up a legacy of his own. And while Sylvester Stallone has previously made it clear that he won’t be returning for another film, I still wouldn’t be surprised if he makes some sort of appearance in the third installation. After all, this is Creed’s son we’re talking about here.
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Zach Baylin has been tapped to pen the script for Creed III per the Hollywood Reporter. Baylin is also writing the script for the upcoming King Richard, a biopic of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams father, Richard Williams.
As of now there is no word yet on a potential release date for Creed III.


theroot--2020-12-30--The Robot Vacuums Moms (and Pet Owners) Love

We ’ ve all spent a lot more time at home this year , which means we ’ re all generating more dust and dirt whether we realize it or not .
Luckily , robot vacuums are no longer solely expensive luxuries : the little automated helpers come in a wide variety of price points and perk packages these days , including entry-level models that won ’ t break the bank .
Whether you need help keeping the house clean amidst kids and pets or just want to cut something from your regular to-do list , now ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your home .
Here are today ’ s top options for varying needs .
Our friends at Gizmodo recently called out the iRobot Roomba i3+ as one of the Coolest Gadgets of 2020 , praising the robo-helper for its efficiency in sucking up pet hair among other highlights .
This mid-tier option now packs premium features , such as the optional base station that holds onto everything Roomba collects , letting you potentially go weeks between emptying the thing .
Gizmodo reviewer Catie Keck praised the Roomba i3+ from saving her from being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dawn McCarthy , a TV personality and a lifestyle advisor is also a dog mom .
When she started to shop for a vacuum , she wanted to make sure it would be excellent with pet hair , with a big enough chamber that it would have enough room .
Yeedi quickly rose to the top of her list .
“ With the dual chambers , it truly does a great job .
I like that it works on hardwood floors , and easily glides over many of my thicker rugs as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that wasn ’ t the only reason she bought it .
“ This was selling on Amazon for about half the price as others on the market.
” Although the vacuum does occasionally get lost , McCarthy says that she wishes it had a “ Find my Yeedi ” function .
In spite of that , she ’ s smitten .
It ’ s quiet and gets the job done daily .
“ For me personally , this has lived up to the hype , and again for dog parents who tend to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their pets , this truly does a great job , ” she told me .
“ Three kids and a golden retriever who sheds like crazy makes for constant cleanup , says Stefanie Pechan of Monterey Bay , California .
“ The Neato helped eliminate an item off our chore list.
” As a parent , taking an item off the list , and the ever-evolving to-do list , Pechan appreciates it ’ s technical abilities .
“ It ’ s nice to have the programmed schedule , so it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For Alan Ulicny of Buffalo , NY , simplicity is key to his family of four and two cats .
“ This unit does a great job cleaning and is really simple to run , he tells me .
“ It does a great job navigating and by the map it generates , gets to over 95 % of the floor space.
” Sometimes the Neato unit gets lost and Pechan has to find it , and other times , it gets clogged up by the sand the family tecks into the house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all , it ’ s “ a fantastic helper for this busy family , ” she tells me .
“ Our experience has been fantastic , Ulicny says .
“ [ The ] house now gets regular vacuuming and the cats are not bothered by it at all .
We do pick up any small items before running it and it can get caught on the occasional rug edge , but this is a truly serious vacuum and it ’ s fun to watch.
” Best , According to Consumer Reports : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Upstate New York .
She tells me about getting the Eufy RoboVac 11S .
“ I got sick of constantly having to either drag a vacuum around or to sweep in order to keep up with the tumbleweeds of hair , Sager said .
“ A robot vacuum seemed like a good option since I could essentially ‘ set it and forget it.
’ ” Vacuums are an investment , so Sager did a lot of research before settling on the Eufy vacuum cleaner .
It was well rated for fluffy pet hair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another reason .
“ I was looking for a vacuum with a low profile that would still be able to get underneath the couch and capture the dust bunnies and fur that collects there without me having to move the furniture.
” Like any vacuum cleaner , it isn ’ t perfect , but for $ 150 , it ’ s worth the money despite some minor qualms .
Sager says the Eufy didn ’ t work so well with her area rugs .
In fact , she tells me , “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all area rugs because I was constantly having to jump up and disentangle the vacuum and rug.
” “ I don ’ t use it every day anymore , ” Sager shared with me .
With area rugs and a family that lease socks and other small items around , it ’ s not as easy as she thought it would be to use .
“ That said , I do still like it over a big traditional vacuum.
” Kellie McGinnis and Natalie Craig both own and love the Roborock S4 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the many reasons that they invested in the vacuum .
“ The reviews for the Roborock were hard to beat—barely any complaints , so that made me feel secure in my decision to go with that brand , ” McGinnis said to me .
“ I love that I can clean the whole house , a specific room , or even a specific zone .
I also love the no-go zone , especially during the holidays when I don ’ t want it to go near my Christmas tree.
” Craig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a messy bird .
Eventually , she got tired of cleaning up after it multiple times a day , and a robot vacuum made perfect sense .
“ I did a lot of research on robot vacuums and I was impressed with the smart mapping features of the Roborock S4 , ” Craig tells me , as well as the suction force and the sweeping bristles.
” It ’ s these smart features that set the Roborock S4 from the more budget-friendly alternatives .
“ I knew it would be a smart and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Craig says .
“ I am even more impressed than I thought regarding its intuitiveness.
” “ This is one of the best purchases I ’ ve made all year , ” McGinnis says .
“ The only downside to the model I went with is that it is not self-emptying , but that was something I chose to compromise on to save some money.
” This story was originally published by Chaya Milchtein on 12/15/20 and updated by Andrew Hayward with new information on 12/30/2020 .

Chaya M Milchtein and Andrew Hayward on Roundups, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Featured Product: iRobot Roomba i3+ with Dirt Disposal | $549 | Amazon
Nobody wants to vacuum We’re all sick of it, and you know you’d give it up in a heartbeat if you could. Well, what if there was a way to have a strange little robotic disk do all of the work for you? What if there was a way to free yourself from this chore? Good news, that’s exactly what we’re going to tell you, because the best robot vacuums are no longer the ones that are extortionately unfathomably expensive.
Instead, you can get yourself a robovac for a lot cheaper than you might think, although you can also choose to spend a bit more if you’re looking for something bit fancier than the base models. A lot of robovacs now come with ways to help them navigate more efficiently, tackle tougher areas, and even learn your cleaning habits to choose the best times to get the work down. No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered with our list of the best robot vacuums.
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The iRobot Roomba i3+ was named one of Gizmodo’s Coolest Gadgets of 2020, and our colleagues appreciated this robovac particularly for its skills with sucking up pet hair, among other talents. It’s a mid-tier option with some premium features in the mix, such as the optional base station that automatically sucks the dirt out of your Roomba i3+ after each cycle. That means you don’t have to manually empty the robovac every single time.
Gizmodo’s Catie Keck said the Roomba i3+ helped her tame the dog fur tumbleweeds that previously dominated her space:
“I’d assumed that short of vacuuming my house virtually every day, multiple times a day, I’d have to come to terms with living like this, surrounded on all sides by my good girl’s no good shedding. That was until I met the Roomba i3+, a destroyer of dust bunnies and my secret to floors so clean I feel like I’m living in an entirely new home—no thanks at all to my pup.”
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Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair: Yeedi K650
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Dawn McCarthy, a TV personality and a lifestyle advisor, is also a dog mom. When she started to shop for a vacuum, she wanted to make sure it would be excellent with pet hair, with a big enough chamber that it would have enough room. Yeedi quickly rose to the top of her list.
“With the dual chambers, it truly does a great job. I like that it works on hardwood floors, and easily glides over many of my thicker rugs as well,” McCarthy told me. But that wasn’t the only reason she bought it. “This was selling on Amazon for about half the price as others on the market.”
Although the vacuum does occasionally get lost, McCarthy says that she wishes it had a “Find my Yeedi” function. In spite of that, she’s smitten. It’s quiet and gets the job done daily.
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“For me personally, this has lived up to the hype, and again for dog parents who tend to have more hair everywhere in the house with their pets, this truly does a great job,” she told me.
Best According to Consumer Reports: Eufy RoboVac 11S
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Jeanne Sager is a pet owner in Upstate New York. She tells me about getting the Eufy RoboVac 11S. “I got sick of constantly having to either drag a vacuum around or to sweep in order to keep up with the tumbleweeds of hair, Sager said. “A robot vacuum seemed like a good option since I could essentially ‘set it and forget it.’”
Vacuums are an investment, so Sager did a lot of research before settling on the Eufy vacuum cleaner. It was well rated for fluffy pet hair, but it also stood out for another reason. “I was looking for a vacuum with a low profile that would still be able to get underneath the couch and capture the dust bunnies and fur that collects there without me having to move the furniture.”
Like any vacuum cleaner, it isn’t perfect, but for $220, it’s worth the money despite some minor qualms. Sager says the Eufy didn’t work so well with her area rugs. In fact, she tells me, “I eventually had to rid my downstairs of all area rugs because I was constantly having to jump up and disentangle the vacuum and rug.”
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“I don’t use it every day anymore,” Sager shared with me. With area rugs and a family that lease socks and other small items around, it’s not as easy as she thought it would be to use. “That said, I do still like it over a big traditional vacuum.”
The RoboVac 11S MAX boosts the suction power from 1,300Pa to 2,000Pa for extra force. The base 11S model boasts a suction power of 1,300Pa , while the 11S MAX edition boosts that up to 2,000Pa.
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We obviously prefer affordability where possible, but if you’ve got a bit of money to spend and you’re after a robot that can not only vacuum, but also mop the floor, then we’ve got just the thing for you. The Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro+ is definitely one of the best robot vacuums going, and certainly one of the best robot vacuum and mop combos. We at The Inventory reviewed it a while ago, and our reviewer was very happy with it.
It has 2,600Pa suction, laser mapping and time-of-flight sensors to map your space out properly, and while the mop functionality isn’t what we’d call hardcore, it still does a good enough job to make sure your floors look a bit cleaner than normal. Plus, it even auto-empties itself at its special station. Now, for $800, it’s not the cheapest around, but it does go on sale now and then, so it’s worth wishlisting if you want to pick one up when that happens.
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Best Budget Robot Vacuum and Mop: Eufy RoboVac G30 Hybrid
Now, just because your want one of the best robot vacuum and mops around, it doesn’t mean you want to spend all of the money on it. Instead, you can grab Eufy’s RoboVac G30 Hybrid for $370 at full price, but at the moment it’s down to $250, which is excellent value. The multi-talented Wes Davis talks about it in more detail in their review of this unit, and while they admit it’s not the precise one he’s ever used, he was still quite happy with it overall.
“With a clean, fairly robust app interface, extremely quiet operation, and easy maintenance, the Eufy RoboVac G30 Hybrid sits pretty comfortably at its price point… a good value for those who keep things tidy enough to be cleaned on a schedule by a little geometric friend.”
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Best Reviewed Robot Vacuum : Roborock S4
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Kellie McGinnis and Natalie Craig both own and love the Roborock S4. Both are pet parents and that was one of the many reasons that they invested in the vacuum.
“The reviews for the Roborock were hard to beat—barely any complaints, so that made me feel secure in my decision to go with that brand,” McGinnis said to me. “I love that I can clean the whole house, a specific room, or even a specific zone. I also love the no-go zone, especially during the holidays when I don’t want it to go near my Christmas tree.”
Craig, a Chicago based blogger, has a messy bird. Eventually, she got tired of cleaning up after it multiple times a day, and a robot vacuum made perfect sense.
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“I did a lot of research on robot vacuums and I was impressed with the smart mapping features of the Roborock S4,” Craig tells me, as well as the suction force and the sweeping bristles.”
It’s these smart features that set the Roborock S4 from the more budget-friendly alternatives. “I knew it would be a smart and intuitive vacuum per the reviews,” Craig says. “I am even more impressed than I thought regarding its intuitiveness.”
“This is one of the best purchases I’ve made all year,” McGinnis says. “The only downside to the model I went with is that it is not self-emptying, but that was something I chose to compromise on to save some money.”
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This story was originally published by Chaya Milchtein on 12/15/20 and updated by Jason Coles with new information on 02/01/2022.


theroot--2020-12-31--Trailer Roundup: We Can Be Heroes in 2021 Because We've Declared Death to 2020

Since this is yet another short work week for the staff at The Root due to the holiday , I ’ ll keep this introduction short and sweet , using the energy of one Tiffany “ New York ” Pollard : BYE , 2020 !
BYE , PUMPKIN !
Let ’ s get to these trailers ... First Impressions : Partially based on filmmaker Yanatha Desouvre ’ s novella Revelations : Roads to Redemption , The Sweetest Girl is a Haitian film described as “ a love story , haunted by human trafficking and gun violence.
” Per Deouvre , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s discography .
Desouvre is also raising funds for post-production via Indiegogo , along with fellow filmmakers Harry Jeudy and Samuel Ladouceur .
Go/Don ’ t Go ( On Demand and Digital ; Release Date : Jan. 12 , 2021 ) First Impressions : This trailer is a true teaser as it ’ s a bunch of anxiety-inducing images with a voice over , “ They were there ... and then , they were gone.
” Uh-oh .
From the press release sent to The Root , this thriller about a white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ desolate landscape ” following a “ unknown cataclysm.
” Yikes .
Also , comedian Nore Davis ( who has appeared on MTV and Comedy Central ) stars as the dude ’ s Black friend .
First Impressions : I didn ’ t know about this show from author Carl Weber , but it ’ s apparently back for its second season and the second cycle .
OMG , y ’ all see Darrin ’ s Dance Grooves ( who actually has a real name I ’ ll list soon ) ?
!
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Black as hell—Ernie Hudson , Valarie Pettiford , Darrin DeWitt Henson , Javicia Leslie , Sean Ringgold , Tami Roman , Miguel A. Nunez , Arrington Foster , KJ Smith , Dylan Weber , Yadi Valerio and Emilio Rivera , plus guest stars including LisaRaye McCoy , Eva LaRue , Michael Jai White , Christian Keyes , Treach , Robert Picardo , Travis Winfrey , Anthony Montgomery , Nicholas Turturro , Eric Roberts , Brely Evans , Sam Asghari , Flex Alexander , Buddy Lewis , Mario Rodriguez Jr. , Franky G @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
First Impressions : If there ’ s anyone who can provide the official commentary of this motherfucking clusterfuck of a year , it ’ s Samuel L. Jackson .
Period .
Plus , this “ comedy event ” is from the creators of Black Mirror .
Very apt .
Finally , this trailer takes a quick shot at Quibi , which is hilarious .
Joseph and The Unity Ride ( Available to Rent/Buy on Amazon Prime ; Now Streaming ) First Impressions : Joseph and The Unity Ride documents 2 cyclists who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Toronto to uncover the history of The Underground Railroad by tracing one of its paths .
I can only fathom that feeling of learning about such a pivotal part of American History right on the ground .
We Can Be Heroes ( Netflix ; Now Streaming ) We Can Be Heroes trailer / YouTube First Impressions : The children are our future and that applies to the superhero world , too .
After the adult superheroes are captured by aliens , it ’ s up to the youngins ( who are descendants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
Obviously , I ’ m very into the fact that there ’ s these little Black kids—Isaiah Russell-Bailey ( Family Reunion ) , Akira Akbar ( This Is Us ) and Lyon Daniels ( Fundamentally Cynical ) That ’ s all for this short week !
Nigga , we made it .
‘ Til next week ... and next year .
See you on the other side .

Since this is yet another short work week for the staff at The Root due to the holiday, I’ll keep this introduction short and sweet, using the energy of one Tiffany “New York” Pollard: BYE, 2020! BYE, PUMPKIN!
Let’s get to these trailers...
The Sweetest Girl (Digital; Release Date: Feb. 2021)
The Sweetest Girl trailer / YouTube
First Impressions: Partially based on filmmaker Yanatha Desouvre’s novella Revelations: Roads to Redemption, The Sweetest Girl is a Haitian film described as “a love story, haunted by human trafficking and gun violence.” Per Deouvre, the film is inspired by Wyclef Jean’s discography. Desouvre is also raising funds for post-production via Indiegogo, along with fellow filmmakers Harry Jeudy and Samuel Ladouceur.
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Go/Don’t Go (On Demand and Digital; Release Date: Jan. 12, 2021)
Go/Don’t Go trailer / YouTube
First Impressions: This trailer is a true teaser as it’s a bunch of anxiety-inducing images with a voice over, “They were there...and then, they were gone.” Uh-oh. From the press release sent to The Root, this thriller about a white dude who ends up alone in a “desolate landscape” following a “unknown cataclysm.” Yikes. Also, comedian Nore Davis (who has appeared on MTV and Comedy Central) stars as the dude’s Black friend.
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The Family Business (BET+; Season 2, Cycle 2 Release Date: Dec. 31)
THE FAMILY BUSINESS trailer The Family Business trailer / Courtesy of BET+
First Impressions: I didn’t know about this show from author Carl Weber, but it’s apparently back for its second season and the second cycle. OMG, y’all see Darrin’s Dance Grooves (who actually has a real name I’ll list soon)?! Y’all, this cast list is Black as hell—Ernie Hudson, Valarie Pettiford, Darrin DeWitt Henson, Javicia Leslie, Sean Ringgold, Tami Roman, Miguel A. Nunez, Arrington Foster, KJ Smith, Dylan Weber, Yadi Valerio and Emilio Rivera, plus guest stars including LisaRaye McCoy, Eva LaRue, Michael Jai White, Christian Keyes, Treach, Robert Picardo, Travis Winfrey, Anthony Montgomery, Nicholas Turturro, Eric Roberts, Brely Evans, Sam Asghari, Flex Alexander, Buddy Lewis, Mario Rodriguez Jr., Franky G, Louie Ski Carr and Telma Hopkins.
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Death To 2020 (Netflix; Now Streaming)
Death To 2020 trailer / YouTube
First Impressions: If there’s anyone who can provide the official commentary of this motherfucking clusterfuck of a year, it’s Samuel L. Jackson. Period. Plus, this “comedy event” is from the creators of Black Mirror. Very apt. Finally, this trailer takes a quick shot at Quibi, which is hilarious.
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Joseph and The Unity Ride (Available to Rent/Buy on Amazon Prime; Now Streaming)
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First Impressions: Joseph and The Unity Ride documents 2 cyclists who take a 2,700-mile journey from New Orleans to Toronto to uncover the history of The Underground Railroad by tracing one of its paths. I can only fathom that feeling of learning about such a pivotal part of American History right on the ground.
We Can Be Heroes (Netflix; Now Streaming)
We Can Be Heroes trailer / YouTube
First Impressions: The children are our future and that applies to the superhero world, too. After the adult superheroes are captured by aliens, it’s up to the youngins (who are descendants of the heroes) to save the day. Obviously, I’m very into the fact that there’s these little Black kids—Isaiah Russell-Bailey (Family Reunion), Akira Akbar (This Is Us) and Lyon Daniels (Fundamentally Cynical)
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That’s all for this short week! Nigga, we made it. ‘Til next week...and next year. See you on the other side.


theroot--2020-12-30--The Essential Sneakerhead Starter Pack, According to Reshoevn8r Founder Steve Grear

Have you ever scuffed a pair of kicks within days of buying them ?
Spilled coffee on a pair of white Air Force Ones in a rush to get out the door ?
Don ’ t stress it .
No , seriously , you don ’ t have to stress it anymore ( even setting aside the fact that hey , sneakers are meant to be worn and broken in—a few scuffs never hurt anyone ) .
Gone are the days of scrubbing your favorite pair of Air Jordans with a toothbrush .
These days there ’ s a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-loved kicks in pristine condition but Reshoevn8r remains the top of the line .
We took some time to company founder Steve Grear about some of his favorite sneakers , his go-to cleaning supplies , and whether or not a guy who ’ s been in the game as long as him has any grails left to cop .
Wait , So What Exactly Is Reshoevn8r ?
We offer premium shoe care products for sneakers , mainly .
We have basically complete systems as well as cleaners and protectors , you name it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s one of the things we do , and then we have a drop-off cleaning service in Phoenix , Arizona .
So , luckily for me , I don ’ t need to clean my shoes very often anymore .
I have so many pairs that they don ’ t really get that dirty .
But in the past , the number one cleaning product for me has been the Signature Kit .
It ’ s the most versatile .
You can use the washing machine version with our laundry bag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick clean .
I guess the last pickup was the Off-White 4 Sail .
I wish I got it at retail , haha .
It ’ s hard .
I paid StockX prices on that one .
Yeah , my go-to beaters are probably a pair of Ultraboosts that I wear .
They ’ re so comfortable and the older I get , you know , I care if my feet are comfortable .
I use primarily StockX .
I try not to go on because you know , I try to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , but if I do , I typically use StockX .
Just because it seems like the best deal and it ’ s pretty transparent .
It might be the Off-White 4 .
They ’ re actually more comfortable than the regular Jordan 4 .
Just seems like it has more cushion .
The first time I put it on I was like , whoa , this is way more comfortable than any other 4 I ’ ve ever put on .
I ’ m kinda over that at this point .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m a big Air Max 1 fan so I have a lot of those and I ’ ve had the KidRobots , the Parras .
I don ’ t really have anything that I have to get .
If I were to choose one though , I mean , they ’ re so expensive but maybe the Oregon 4 ?
That ’ s something I ’ ve always liked , just haven ’ t pulled the trigger or wanted to spend that much money .
And obviously , the Dior 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afraid to wear it , but hey , it ’ s a pretty dope shoe .

Tres Dean on The Inventory, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Top Pick: Jordan 4 Retro Off-White Sail | $1,000 | StockX
Have you ever scuffed a pair of kicks within days of buying them? Spilled coffee on a pair of white Air Force Ones in a rush to get out the door? Don’t stress it. No, seriously, you don’t have to stress it anymore (even setting aside the fact that hey, sneakers are meant to be worn and broken in—a few scuffs never hurt anyone). Gone are the days of scrubbing your favorite pair of Air Jordans with a toothbrush. These days there’s a number of options for keeping even your most well-loved kicks in pristine condition but Reshoevn8r remains the top of the line.
We took some time to company founder Steve Grear about some of his favorite sneakers, his go-to cleaning supplies, and whether or not a guy who’s been in the game as long as him has any grails left to cop.
Wait, So What Exactly Is Reshoevn8r?
We offer premium shoe care products for sneakers, mainly. We have basically complete systems as well as cleaners and protectors, you name it, all shoecare in general. So that’s one of the things we do, and then we have a drop-off cleaning service in Phoenix, Arizona.
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What’s Your Go-To Sneaker Cleaning Product?
So, luckily for me, I don’t need to clean my shoes very often anymore. I have so many pairs that they don’t really get that dirty. But in the past, the number one cleaning product for me has been the Signature Kit. It’s the most versatile. You can use the washing machine version with our laundry bag or just the Cleaning Solution for a quick clean.
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I guess the last pickup was the Off-White 4 Sail. I wish I got it at retail, haha. It’s hard. I paid StockX prices on that one.
My Favorite Pair of Beaters: Adidas Ultraboost
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Yeah, my go-to beaters are probably a pair of Ultraboosts that I wear. They’re so comfortable and the older I get, you know, I care if my feet are comfortable.
My Resale Platform of Choice: StockX
I use primarily StockX. I try not to go on because you know, I try to get them at retail or through someone I know, but if I do, I typically use StockX. Just because it seems like the best deal and it’s pretty transparent.
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My Favorite Sneaker of 2020
It might be the Off-White 4. They’re actually more comfortable than the regular Jordan 4. Just seems like it has more cushion. The first time I put it on I was like, whoa, this is way more comfortable than any other 4 I’ve ever put on.
My Sneaker Grails
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I’m kinda over that at this point. I’ve owned so many. I’m a big Air Max 1 fan so I have a lot of those and I’ve had the KidRobots, the Parras. I don’t really have anything that I have to get. If I were to choose one though, I mean, they’re so expensive but maybe the Oregon 4? That’s something I’ve always liked, just haven’t pulled the trigger or wanted to spend that much money.
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And obviously, the Dior 1 would be pretty cool. Might be afraid to wear it, but hey, it’s a pretty dope shoe.


theroot--2020-12-30--Nashville Police Were Warned Last Year That Suicide Bomber Was Building Explosives in His RV, But Di

Nashville Police Were Warned Last Year That Suicide Bomber Was Building Explosives in His RV, But Didn’t Search It

There ’ s been a curiously quiet reaction to the Christmas Day RV bombing that took place in downtown Nashville last week , injuring three people , damaging over 40 buildings in the area and leading to massive disruptions in AT & T cell phone communications and 911 phone lines .
The culprit in the explosion was identified as 63-year-old Anthony Warner by authorities in Tennessee on Sunday , with U.S. Attorney Don Cochran making a careful statement that the man “ was present when the bomb went off and he perished in the bombing.
” President Trump has yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident .
It now appears that this kind of careful treatment of a man who terrorized a city block and put countless lives at risk stretches back to at least last year .
The Tennessean has revealed that Warner ’ s girlfriend informed police in August 2019 that he was building bombs in his RV trailer .
The woman and her attorney , Raymond Throckmorton III , told Nashville police at the time that Warner often talked about the military and bomb making and was “ capable of making a bomb.
” Throckmorton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman ’ s claim and that he feared Warner would harm her .
A police report obtained by t he Tennessean shows that the cops forwarded the information to the FBI and then made what sounds like a perfunctory attempt to follow up the warnings .
They went to Warner ’ s home , where they observed that he had “ several security cameras and wires attached to [ an alarm ] sign on the front door , ” said the report .
He did not answer their requests to open the door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves to gain access to his RV .
A Metro Nashville Police Department spokesperson told t he Tennessean that “ they saw no evidence of a crime and had no authority to enter his home or fenced property.
” A search for Warner ’ s name in the FBI database revealed no records , he added .
In the aftermath of Warner following through on his reported threats to make a bomb , the police approach to probing those early indications of what he was capable of doing feels distinctly hands-off .
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the context of the many incidents of police across the country entering the homes of Black people on flimsy or inaccurate evidence , guns a-blazing , with markedly less indication of potential terrorist activity , much less consideration for the sanctity of their homes—or even their bodies .
Indeed , the very same Metro Nashville Police Department that chose not to pursue a search into Warner ’ s home used a battering ram to enter the home of a Black woman while she was undressed , as part of a botched raid earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known that being a white man confers more privilege in America , particularly when it comes to the freedom to promise and carry out violence while still being treated like anything but a suspect .
This latest news is another confirmation of that unjust reality—and the risk posed to all of the general public from inequitable law enforcement .

There’s been a curiously quiet reaction to the Christmas Day RV bombing that took place in downtown Nashville last week, injuring three people, damaging over 40 buildings in the area and leading to massive disruptions in AT&T cell phone communications and 911 phone lines.
The culprit in the explosion was identified as 63-year-old Anthony Warner by authorities in Tennessee on Sunday, with U.S. Attorney Don Cochran making a careful statement that the man “was present when the bomb went off and he perished in the bombing.” President Trump has yet to make any public comment on the incident.
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It now appears that this kind of careful treatment of a man who terrorized a city block and put countless lives at risk stretches back to at least last year. The Tennessean has revealed that Warner’s girlfriend informed police in August 2019 that he was building bombs in his RV trailer.
The woman and her attorney, Raymond Throckmorton III, told Nashville police at the time that Warner often talked about the military and bomb making and was “capable of making a bomb.”
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Throckmorton said he told police to investigate the woman’s claim and that he feared Warner would harm her. A police report obtained by t he Tennessean shows that the cops forwarded the information to the FBI and then made what sounds like a perfunctory attempt to follow up the warnings.
They went to Warner’s home, where they observed that he had “several security cameras and wires attached to [an alarm] sign on the front door,” said the report.
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He did not answer their requests to open the door, so the officers made no further moves to gain access to his RV. A Metro Nashville Police Department spokesperson told t he Tennessean that “they saw no evidence of a crime and had no authority to enter his home or fenced property.” A search for Warner’s name in the FBI database revealed no records, he added.
In the aftermath of Warner following through on his reported threats to make a bomb, the police approach to probing those early indications of what he was capable of doing feels distinctly hands-off. Not to mention that this news comes in the context of the many incidents of police across the country entering the homes of Black people on flimsy or inaccurate evidence, guns a-blazing, with markedly less indication of potential terrorist activity, much less consideration for the sanctity of their homes—or even their bodies.
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Indeed, the very same Metro Nashville Police Department that chose not to pursue a search into Warner’s home used a battering ram to enter the home of a Black woman while she was undressed, as part of a botched raid earlier this year.
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We’ve long known that being a white man confers more privilege in America, particularly when it comes to the freedom to promise and carry out violence while still being treated like anything but a suspect. This latest news is another confirmation of that unjust reality—and the risk posed to all of the general public from inequitable law enforcement.


theroot--2020-12-30--If You Wanted to See Footage of Antonio Brown Destroying a Security Camera Like a Dumb Ass, Then Tod

If You Wanted to See Footage of Antonio Brown Destroying a Security Camera Like a Dumb Ass, Then Today's Your Lucky Day

In society , we have this thing called “ pretty privilege.
” How it works is that if you ’ re conventionally attractive , your life tends to be a bit easier than the rest of us who resemble a half-eaten breakfast burrito .
Your social interactions are much more fruitful , you appear to be more confident and trustworthy , you get the pick of the litter in the dating pool—unless you ’ ve just got a thing for ugly niggas—and your professional aspirations tend to be far more rewarding .
And before you call bullshit , this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports , teams could give less than a shit about how you look .
But if you can put up 30 points a game or propel a franchise to its first Super Bowl berth , trust and believe those same teams will be tripping over themselves to extend a similar degree of grace .
James Harden is abusing the shit out of those privileges as we speak , but the true founder and pioneer of “ Kiss my ass !
I ’ m the best player on this team !
” is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Antonio “ Fuck Yo Couch ” Brown .
In 11 NFL seasons , he ’ s solidified his status as one of the most productive receivers in the history of the game , collecting almost 12,000 receiving yards ( and counting ) , snagging 77 TDs ( and counting ) , and adding 875 receptions ( and counting ) for good measure .
During that same period , however , he ’ s berated and quit on his teammates , been involved in a number of violent incidents , been accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with three different teams ( and counting ) , and has pretty much done everything possible to prove he ’ s a vile human being who doesn ’ t deserve the privilege of playing in the NFL .
But because he ’ s a transcendent athlete , his “ pretty privilege ” ensures he will always find a locker room to call home despite his myriad problems off the field—which brings us to today .
After Tom Brady spent his offseason begging and pleading for the Bucs to bring his BFF into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was on thin ice when the Bucs eventually relented .
After agreeing to terms , he was warned to stay on his best behavior—or else—but do you think that prevented the inevitable backslide ?
In November , we learned that Brown had unleashed chaos yet again .
This time destroying a security camera in his gated community in Hollywood , Fla. , two weeks before joining the Bucs .
Aaaaaand how did the Bucs respond ?
By Kanye shrugging .
“ We are aware of the reported incident involving Antonio Brown prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
“ When Antonio joined us , we were clear about what we expected and required of him .
Thus far , he has met all the expectations we have in place.
” And now , roughly a month later , the Miami Herald has released footage of the star receiver ’ s violent outburst—which you can watch here if grown men throwing temper tantrums is your ministry .
As for those wondering what in the hell would possess a grown-ass man to throw his bike and break a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Sporting News does : A guest arrived at Hollywood Oaks ( Brown ’ s residence ) in a car , but a security officer informed them that Brown has “ gate restrictions , ” meaning he needed to be at the gate for the guest to be allowed in .
Brown soon showed up on a bicycle and allegedly told the guard , “ Why are you wasting my fucking time , you need to let my guest through the fucking gate.
” After that , Brown approached the security guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and break the surveillance camera .
It was unclear what Brown was hitting it with .
After Brown left and the guest again requested to enter and was denied , Brown returned and threw his bike at the security gate arm , causing it to be stuck in the upright position .
The police report also stated that Brown called the security guard “ a racist bitch.
” But the real question is if the Hollywood Police Department “ exceptionally cleared ” the case on Nov. 5 after the homeowners ’ association declined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retaliation , and the Bucs turned a blind eye like the rest of the league has done for years , what ’ s Brown ’ s incentive to properly address whatever mental health/anger issues have caused him to become an increasingly violent danger to the general public ?
I guess when you have pretty privilege , those aren ’ t the type of things you have to worry about .

In society, we have this thing called “pretty privilege.”
How it works is that if you’re conventionally attractive, your life tends to be a bit easier than the rest of us who resemble a half-eaten breakfast burrito. Your social interactions are much more fruitful, you appear to be more confident and trustworthy, you get the pick of the litter in the dating pool—unless you’ve just got a thing for ugly niggas—and your professional aspirations tend to be far more rewarding.
And before you call bullshit, this is all backed by extensive research.
In sports, teams could give less than a shit about how you look. But if you can put up 30 points a game or propel a franchise to its first Super Bowl berth, trust and believe those same teams will be tripping over themselves to extend a similar degree of grace.
Advertisement
James Harden is abusing the shit out of those privileges as we speak, but the true founder and pioneer of “Kiss my ass! I’m the best player on this team!” is the spiritual successor of David Ruffin himself, Mr. Antonio “Fuck Yo Couch” Brown.
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In 11 NFL seasons, he’s solidified his status as one of the most productive receivers in the history of the game, collecting almost 12,000 receiving yards (and counting), snagging 77 TDs (and counting), and adding 875 receptions (and counting) for good measure. During that same period, however, he’s berated and quit on his teammates, been involved in a number of violent incidents, been accused of sexual assault and intimidation, burned bridges with three different teams (and counting), and has pretty much done everything possible to prove he’s a vile human being who doesn’t deserve the privilege of playing in the NFL.
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But because he’s a transcendent athlete, his “pretty privilege” ensures he will always find a locker room to call home despite his myriad problems off the field—which brings us to today.
After Tom Brady spent his offseason begging and pleading for the Bucs to bring his BFF into the fold despite their disinterest, Brown knew he was on thin ice when the Bucs eventually relented. After agreeing to terms, he was warned to stay on his best behavior—or else—but do you think that prevented the inevitable backslide?
Advertisement
In November, we learned that Brown had unleashed chaos yet again. This time destroying a security camera in his gated community in Hollywood, Fla., two weeks before joining the Bucs. Aaaaaand how did the Bucs respond? By Kanye shrugging.
“We are aware of the reported incident involving Antonio Brown prior to his signing,” the team said in a statement. “When Antonio joined us, we were clear about what we expected and required of him. Thus far, he has met all the expectations we have in place.”
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OK, then.
And now, roughly a month later, the Miami Herald has released footage of the star receiver’s violent outburst—which you can watch here if grown men throwing temper tantrums is your ministry.
Advertisement
As for those wondering what in the hell would possess a grown-ass man to throw his bike and break a security camera, I have no idea. But Sporting News does:
A guest arrived at Hollywood Oaks (Brown’s residence) in a car, but a security officer informed them that Brown has “gate restrictions,” meaning he needed to be at the gate for the guest to be allowed in. Brown soon showed up on a bicycle and allegedly told the guard, “Why are you wasting my fucking time, you need to let my guest through the fucking gate.” After that, Brown approached the security guard’s shack and began to hit and break the surveillance camera. It was unclear what Brown was hitting it with. After Brown left and the guest again requested to enter and was denied, Brown returned and threw his bike at the security gate arm, causing it to be stuck in the upright position. The police report also stated that Brown called the security guard “a racist bitch.”
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Antonio Brown, ladies and gentlemen.
But the real question is if the Hollywood Police Department “exceptionally cleared” the case on Nov. 5 after the homeowners’ association declined to press charges due to fear of retaliation, and the Bucs turned a blind eye like the rest of the league has done for years, what’s Brown’s incentive to properly address whatever mental health/anger issues have caused him to become an increasingly violent danger to the general public?
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I guess when you have pretty privilege, those aren’t the type of things you have to worry about.


theroot--2020-12-30--Trump Pardons Racist Former Maryland Cop Who Unleashed Her Canine on Homeless People for Fun

Last week The Root reported that the president of pardoning despicable white people has been spending his last weeks in office doling out absolution to allies , white-collar criminals and war criminals like he ’ s the Grinch that stole clemency and now he ’ s giving it all back .
Well , it turns out we can add police brutality aficionado to the list , as it ’ s been reported that among Trump ’ s recent pardon recipients is a former Prince George ’ s County , Md.
, police officer , Stephanie C. Mohr , who served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2001 for unleashing her canine on two homeless people for ... well ... no damn reason at all .
In the middle of the night on Sept. 21 , 1995 , a local Prince George ’ s County police burglary stakeout unit found two homeless men on the empty roof of a business , eating food they had found in the trash in Takoma Park , Md .
Ordered down from the roof , Ricardo Mendez and his friend willingly climbed down .
Lit by a police helicopter above and facing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounded by police officers , some with guns drawn , and Mohr holding her German shepherd on a leash .
Both men obeyed commands and stood facing the wall with their hands up .
It should have been over .
It wasn ’ t .
A police sergeant later testified that he was approached by Mohr ’ s supervising officer who said , “ Hey Sarge , we got a new dog .
Mind if it gets a bite ?
” The sergeant gave consent , and Mohr set her dog to attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime was seeking a safe place to eat and sleep .
Mohr testified that she was doing her job as trained , and the victim needed “ only 10 stitches.
” According to the Post , the police sergeant involved also served prison time after pleading guilty to his role in the incident , so maybe he ’ s next on Donald Trump ’ s list of horrible people to be absolved of their horribleness .
In early December , Mohr went on Newsmax—the Republican Only Fans for white people who are even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News—to beg like one of her weaponized dogs for Trump to grant her pardon .
In a statement from the White House , officials wrote that Trump “ granted a full pardon ” to Mohr and that her “ clemency is supported by the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund and the Fraternal Order of Police.
” The statement also referred to her as a “ highly commended member of the police force prior to her prosecution.
” But here ’ s the thing : That ’ s a whole-ass lie .
More from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Mohr had previously released her dog on a Black teenager sleeping in a hammock in his own backyard .
She had threatened the relatives of a fugitive that she would let her dog attack their “ black ass ” if they did not tell her where he was .
There were other incidents that the jury did not even learn about , including one in which Mohr put her dog into a trash dumpster to attack a man who had fled from police .
Despite Mohr ’ s apparent h istory of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for police brutality , Jason Johnson , the president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund , insists that her prison sentence was “ unconscionably harsh.
” “ While this pardon can ’ t erase the years Stephanie lost , it ends a saga for Stephanie and her family and creates a Christmas like none other , ” Johnson said in a statement .
Because nothing puts you in the Holiday spirit like law enforcement officials congratulating a criminal cop for evading accountability after being rightfully brought to justice and lamenting the years @ @ @ @ @ @

Last week The Root reported that the president of pardoning despicable white people has been spending his last weeks in office doling out absolution to allies, white-collar criminals and war criminals like he’s the Grinch that stole clemency and now he’s giving it all back.
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Well, it turns out we can add police brutality aficionado to the list, as it’s been reported that among Trump’s recent pardon recipients is a former Prince George’s County, Md., police officer, Stephanie C. Mohr, who served a 10-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2001 for unleashing her canine on two homeless people for...well...no damn reason at all.
From the Washington Post:
In the middle of the night on Sept. 21, 1995, a local Prince George’s County police burglary stakeout unit found two homeless men on the empty roof of a business, eating food they had found in the trash in Takoma Park, Md. Ordered down from the roof, Ricardo Mendez and his friend willingly climbed down. Lit by a police helicopter above and facing a brick wall, the two men were surrounded by police officers, some with guns drawn, and Mohr holding her German shepherd on a leash. Both men obeyed commands and stood facing the wall with their hands up. It should have been over. It wasn’t. A police sergeant later testified that he was approached by Mohr’s supervising officer who said, “Hey Sarge, we got a new dog. Mind if it gets a bite?” The sergeant gave consent, and Mohr set her dog to attack Mendez, an undocumented immigrant whose only crime was seeking a safe place to eat and sleep. Mohr testified that she was doing her job as trained, and the victim needed “only 10 stitches.”
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According to the Post, the police sergeant involved also served prison time after pleading guilty to his role in the incident, so maybe he’s next on Donald Trump’s list of horrible people to be absolved of their horribleness.
In early December, Mohr went on Newsmax—the Republican Only Fans for white people who are even too racist for Republican Porn Hub Fox News—to beg like one of her weaponized dogs for Trump to grant her pardon.
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In a statement from the White House, officials wrote that Trump “granted a full pardon” to Mohr and that her “clemency is supported by the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund and the Fraternal Order of Police.” The statement also referred to her as a “highly commended member of the police force prior to her prosecution.” But here’s the thing: That’s a whole-ass lie.
More from the Post:
Evidence at trial showed that Mohr had previously released her dog on a Black teenager sleeping in a hammock in his own backyard. She had threatened the relatives of a fugitive that she would let her dog attack their “black ass” if they did not tell her where he was. There were other incidents that the jury did not even learn about, including one in which Mohr put her dog into a trash dumpster to attack a man who had fled from police.
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Despite Mohr’s apparent h istory of using her canine cop as a proxy for police brutality, Jason Johnson, the president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, insists that her prison sentence was “unconscionably harsh.”
“While this pardon can’t erase the years Stephanie lost, it ends a saga for Stephanie and her family and creates a Christmas like none other,” Johnson said in a statement.
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Because nothing puts you in the Holiday spirit like law enforcement officials congratulating a criminal cop for evading accountability after being rightfully brought to justice and lamenting the years that she deserved to lose.


theroot--2020-12-30--Los Angeles County and 22 Others Under Indefinite Lockdown as Virus Surges

As cases and deaths from COVID-19 surge throughout the state , California ’ s most densely populated counties are set to remain under a strict lockdown for the indefinite future .
According to ABC News , a stay-at-home order for Los Angeles County and 22 others was put in place on Dec. 6 due to a surge in coronavirus cases .
On Tuesday , California ’ s Health and Human Services Secretary , Dr. Mark Ghaly , announced the order will be extended indefinitely as Los Angeles County is currently in the midst of a massive surge of transmissions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County is the state ’ s most densely populated region and represents 40 percent of all coronavirus deaths in the state , with 227 new deaths reported on Tuesday .
Hospitalizations have also increased by an alarming rate , with the state health department reporting that there were 7,000 hospitalizations in one day .
This is about a 1000 percent increase from two months ago and the highest amount of hospitalizations in one day .
Hospitals in California are already being stretched to their limits , with some not having room to unload @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide oxygen to patients who need it .
Luckily , according to Ghaly , things haven ’ t yet reached the point where two people need ventilators and a hospital only has one .
That said , hospitals have been notified by officials that they may need to resort to “ crisis care ” if the spread continues at this rate .
“ Crisis care ” is when medical officials have to make hard decisions about who does and doesn ’ t get treatment based upon chances of survival as well as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one wants to be the reason someone didn ’ t get help , nor do they want to be the person denied care .
Ghaly has said that people disregarding social distancing protocols and gathering through the holidays has led to a “ surge on top of a surge.
” He encouraged people to not gather for New Year ’ s to prevent the surge continuing into January .
California has so far recorded over 2 million cases of COVID-19 and 25,000 deaths from the virus .
This week the state reported 31,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected following the holiday .
So please , I beg of you , just chill out for the next few months .
Stay washing those hands , wearing that mask , and curving your friends when they try to hang out .
It ’ s a shitty situation , and a less than ideal way to ring in the new year , but when we get through this we can make like Eddie Murphy ’ s old girl and party all the time .

As cases and deaths from COVID-19 surge throughout the state, California’s most densely populated counties are set to remain under a strict lockdown for the indefinite future.
According to ABC News, a stay-at-home order for Los Angeles County and 22 others was put in place on Dec. 6 due to a surge in coronavirus cases. On Tuesday, California’s Health and Human Services Secretary, Dr. Mark Ghaly, announced the order will be extended indefinitely as Los Angeles County is currently in the midst of a massive surge of transmissions and deaths from the virus.
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Los Angeles County is the state’s most densely populated region and represents 40 percent of all coronavirus deaths in the state, with 227 new deaths reported on Tuesday. Hospitalizations have also increased by an alarming rate, with the state health department reporting that there were 7,000 hospitalizations in one day. This is about a 1000 percent increase from two months ago and the highest amount of hospitalizations in one day.
Hospitals in California are already being stretched to their limits, with some not having room to unload ambulances, or even being able to provide oxygen to patients who need it. Luckily, according to Ghaly, things haven’t yet reached the point where two people need ventilators and a hospital only has one. That said, hospitals have been notified by officials that they may need to resort to “crisis care” if the spread continues at this rate.
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“Crisis care” is when medical officials have to make hard decisions about who does and doesn’t get treatment based upon chances of survival as well as the availability of staff and resources. No one wants to be the reason someone didn’t get help, nor do they want to be the person denied care.
Ghaly has said that people disregarding social distancing protocols and gathering through the holidays has led to a “surge on top of a surge.” He encouraged people to not gather for New Year’s to prevent the surge continuing into January.
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California has so far recorded over 2 million cases of COVID-19 and 25,000 deaths from the virus. This week the state reported 31,000 new cases, with more to be expected following the holiday.
So please, I beg of you, just chill out for the next few months. Stay washing those hands, wearing that mask, and curving your friends when they try to hang out . It’s a shitty situation, and a less than ideal way to ring in the new year, but when we get through this we can make like Eddie Murphy’s old girl and party all the time.
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Stay safe out there, y’all.


theroot--2020-12-30--The 10 Best Deals of December 30, 2020

The 10 Best Deals of December 30, 2020

It ’ s December 30 , and we at Kinja Deals are here to bring you the top 10 deals of the day .
Multi-task with the Cubii Pro u nder-d esk e lliptical .
Upgrade your security system with the Eufy Smart Lock Touch .
Protect your hands from hot coffee in the morning with Double Wall i nsulated g lass m ugs .
If you ’ re still craving more deals , take a peek at Wednesday ’ s best deals overall .
It ’ s tough to make time to exercise during a busy workday , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that front , what with blurring the lines between home and work time and closing fitness centers .
How about multitasking , then ?
That ’ s what the Cubii Pro Under-Desk Elliptical enables , and it ’ s $ 100 off the list price today only at Amazon .
This purportedly “ whisper-quiet ” device sits beneath your desk or table , letting you burn some calories without neglecting your work .
It ’ s a potentially great way to boost your energy throughout the day , plus you can track your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s down to $ 249 today in both Noir and Chrome , and Amazon customers give it a strong 4.6 stars .
This deal was originally published by Andrew Hayward .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 the low price of $ 1,500 for the 55 '' model , $ 2,197 for the 65 '' , and $ 3,497 for 77 '' , the latter two come with $ 100 and $ 340 Visa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 on Twitter .
Buy it now and prepare yourself properly for the day you can finally get your hands on a PS5 or Xbox Series X|S .
This deal was originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , a blessing from the Nordic gods , through January 5 .
Couts says in his abbreviated review : But NordVPN isn ’ t without its downsides .
“ ... 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 explained .
“ Another downside is that some of NordVPN ’ s servers are rented , which means another company you need to trust is in the mix .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hacked in 2018.
” Still , if you want 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 imagineable—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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smart locks are mighty convenient .
Not only will you rid yourselves of incessant key-fumbling , you ’ ll also be able to set up guest profiles and give everyone their own unique codes .
The Eufy Smart Lock Touch is one of the most interesting takes on this concept , but before we talk about why , know that you can get one for $ 60 off the list price at either Amazon or Newegg right now .
So , this thing uses your fingerprint for entry alongside the traditional numerical code @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , the Eufy Smart Lock Touch keeps all its information on local storage .
In fact , there ’ s absolutely no Wi-Fi connectivity or remote control whatsoever .
There is Bluetooth , however .
That ’ s why it ’ s the perfect product for security paranoids .
It ’ s also sleek , easy to install , and will withstand the daily elements with an IP65 rating .
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer .
I ’ ve been a fan of Clinique ’ s products for years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a loyal customer so I often get sent their lipstick when she would visit the makeup counter at Macy ’ s .
Passion Pop is my go-to color and this set brings 5 other shades from that collection together in one very affordable set .
The 5 piece Kisses Gift Set is only $ 15 .
This sale will run until January 11 .
Just one of these is normally $ 20 so this is quite the sale for a lipstick enthusiast .
Keep them all or share them with friends .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and leave your lips very soft .
They glide right on and have a really nice velvet finish .
The color is very saturated so you can go as bold as you want .
The shades in this set are all from the Pop line and include Nude , Plum , Poppy , Cherry , and Papaya .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .
With only 2 days left in 2020 *hysterical applause* , you may be thinking about spending your Christmas money on something practical .
Whether you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classes in college or high school , it might finally be time to upgrade that ol ’ clunker of a laptop , or since you ’ re stuck at home anyway maybe you ’ re considering a desktop PC where you ’ d get more raw power for less .
But then you ’ d need a monitor and some accessories , of course .
Luckily you can buy all of these things and more in HP ’ s Red Tag sale , offering its last major discounts of the year .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Laptop Mag ) HP Envy x360 is marked down 29 % using the promo code WINTRSAV5 .
While this code only applies to select PCs $ 599 and up , that includes a great deal of the items featured in the sale .
The base Spectre x360 , the company ’ s flagship convertible Gizmodo ’ s Sam Rutherford recommended when it first came out in late 2019 , is just over $ 800 using the same coupon at checkout .
Normally , that laptop would set you back a whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Pavilion Desktop ain ’ t too shabby either , boasting an AMD Ryzen 5 processor , RX Vega 11 graphics , 16GB of RAM , and 1TB of hard drive storage paired with a 256GB SSD ( the latter is mostly reserved for the operating system I ’ m guessing ) .
As for monitors , you can supersize your screen real estate to a full 27 inches with a 2560 x 1440 IPS panel for only $ 240— $ 90 off the list price—when you buy the HP 27mq .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll save an extra 10 % .
There ’ s plenty to go around , and although HP runs sales like this often featuring many of the same products , it ’ s worth highlighting some of the standouts given that these offers end January 5 .
Before you know it , you ’ ll be back at work or spring classes without the gear to get you through it .
For a more comprehensive guide to the best deals from HP ’ s Red Tag event , our own Andrew Hayward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal was originally published by Gabe Carey .
In Amazon ’ s Gold Box today , the Echo Flex with a Sengled Smart Bulb is just $ 10 , which enables you to have Alexa wherever there is an electric socket in your home .
Alongside this , the deal also comes with a smart bulb that can be added as an Alexa skill , so you can command it to switch on or off whenever you need it to .
This bundle is usually $ 35 , so at this price it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starter kit , in case you haven ’ t taken the plunge .
Give it a shot .
You can always add more connected devices down the line and use your voice to control ‘ em .
This deal was originally published by Daryl Baxter .
If you read my piece on great indie coffee companies to support you might have upgraded your java maker .
Well , now it ’ s time to revamp those coffee cups .
You can grab these two double-wall thermal mugs that are visually pleasing and keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just $ 14 today .
The type of glass these are made from use incredibly durable elements and keep warm beverages heated longer .
And there ’ s no need to worry able a hot handle they designed that right out of these .
It ’ s actually not too hot to handle .
The glass is gorgeous making these an excellent housewarming gift or present for an espresso aficionado .
They are dishwasher safe and if you prefer the microwave to the kettle no worries , they ’ re safe there too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheilah Villari .
When I was at another site ( name redacted ) we did a piece on Tenga after they joked about making a robot vibrator .
As a thank you gift they sent me a box of everything they had in their current line-up .
I could only really use one of the items .
Tenga specializes in male pleasure aids .
I have seen and touched most of their mastubators , strokers , and vibrators .
So I do actually know something about this .
The Tenga Flex gives the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and with the code BOX you can save $ 23 .
The spiral insides create a titillating feel with a pleasant suction .
As with most of their masturbators the flexible casing gives you the choice of what you need grip-wise .
All the Tenga products are easy to clean with their removable elastomer sleeves .
Please clean them !
It ’ s super simple with even just water and it ’ ll keep it intact longer .
I ’ d like to recommend the white color for reasons but to each their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Sheilah Villari .
The last time I wrote about Cyberpunk 2077 's official guide , we were pre-launch .
December 10 still seemed like a dream that could disappear at any moment .
In retrospect , perhaps it should have .
But questions about whether or not CD Projekt Red should have taken more time on the game aside , Cyberpunk 2077 is actually out after eight years of waiting and it ’ s as huge as promised .
If you ’ re like me and are finding yourself getting lost in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guide is currently on sale .
You can order a hardcover copy for $ 25 or a paperback one for $ 17 .
This 496 page guide will help guide you through Night City , making it a solid companion for the game .
If guides aren ’ t your thing , it still seems like a neat collector ’ s item for anyone looking to go all-in on the open world game .
This deal was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio .

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

Wednesday’s Best Deals | Kinja Deals
It’s December 30, and we at Kinja Deals are here to bring you the top 10 deals of the day. Multi-task with the Cubii Pro u nder-d esk e lliptical. Upgrade your security system with the Eufy Smart Lock Touch. Protect your hands from hot coffee in the morning with Double Wall i nsulated g lass m ugs.
If you’re still craving more deals, take a peek at Wednesday’s best deals overall.
#1: Cubii under-desk elliptical
It’s tough to make time to exercise during a busy workday, and the pandemic doesn’t help on that front, what with blurring the lines between home and work time and closing fitness centers.
How about multitasking, then? That’s what the Cubii Pro Under-Desk Elliptical enables, and it’s $100 off the list price today only at Amazon. This purportedly “whisper-quiet” device sits beneath your desk or table, letting you burn some calories without neglecting your work. It’s a potentially great way to boost your energy throughout the day, plus you can track your progress on the Cubii smartphone app.
It’s down to $249 today in both Noir and Chrome, and Amazon customers give it a strong 4.6 stars.
This deal was originally published by Andrew Hayward.
#2: Lg cx 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 the low price of $1,500 for the 55" model, $2,197 for the 65", and $3,497 for 77", the latter two come with $100 and $340 Visa gift cards, respectively. The CX 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 on Twitter. Buy it now and prepare yourself properly for the day you can finally get your hands on a PS5 or Xbox Series X|S.
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer.
#3: Nordvpn holiday sale
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 3 months, a blessing from the Nordic gods, through January 5.
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 downsides. “...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 explained. “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 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 imagineable—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 Giovanni Colantonio.
#4: eufy smart lock
Smart locks are mighty convenient. Not only will you rid yourselves of incessant key-fumbling, you’ll also be able to set up guest profiles and give everyone their own unique codes. The Eufy Smart Lock Touch is one of the most interesting takes on this concept, but before we talk about why, know that you can get one for $60 off the list price at either Amazon or Newegg right now.
So, this thing uses your fingerprint for entry alongside the traditional numerical code. Unlike many other smart locks, however, the Eufy Smart Lock Touch keeps all its information on local storage. In fact, there’s absolutely no Wi-Fi connectivity or remote control whatsoever. There is Bluetooth, however. That’s why it’s the perfect product for security paranoids. It’s also sleek, easy to install, and will withstand the daily elements with an IP65 rating.
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer.
#5: Clinique gift set
I’ve been a fan of Clinique’s products for years. My mom is still very much a loyal customer so I often get sent their lipstick when she would visit the makeup counter at Macy’s. Passion Pop is my go-to color and this set brings 5 other shades from that collection together in one very affordable set. The 5 piece Kisses Gift Set is only $15. This sale will run until January 11.
Just one of these is normally $20 so this is quite the sale for a lipstick enthusiast. Keep them all or share them with friends. I can tell you these are absolutely moisturizing and leave your lips very soft. They glide right on and have a really nice velvet finish. The color is very saturated so you can go as bold as you want. The shades in this set are all from the Pop line and include Nude, Plum, Poppy, Cherry, and Papaya.
Free shipping on orders over $25.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.
#6: Hp red tag sale
With only 2 days left in 2020 *hysterical applause*, you may be thinking about spending your Christmas money on something practical. Whether you’re working from home or enduring Zoom classes in college or high school, it might finally be time to upgrade that ol’ clunker of a laptop, or since you’re stuck at home anyway maybe you’re considering a desktop PC where you’d get more raw power for less. But then you’d need a monitor and some accessories, of course. Luckily you can buy all of these things and more in HP’s Red Tag sale, offering its last major discounts of the year.
As I mentioned yesterday, the best-reviewed (according to Laptop Mag) HP Envy x360 is marked down 29% using the promo code WINTRSAV5. While this code only applies to select PCs $599 and up, that includes a great deal of the items featured in the sale. The base Spectre x360, the company’s flagship convertible Gizmodo’s Sam Rutherford recommended when it first came out in late 2019, is just over $800 using the same coupon at checkout. Normally, that laptop would set you back a whole $1,150. For a midrange PC, the Pavilion Desktop ain’t too shabby either, boasting an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, RX Vega 11 graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of hard drive storage paired with a 256GB SSD (the latter is mostly reserved for the operating system I’m guessing). As for monitors, you can supersize your screen real estate to a full 27 inches with a 2560 x 1440 IPS panel for only $240—$90 off the list price—when you buy the HP 27mq. Combine it with a PC and you’ll save an extra 10%.
There’s plenty to go around, and although HP runs sales like this often featuring many of the same products, it’s worth highlighting some of the standouts given that these offers end January 5. Before you know it, you’ll be back at work or spring classes without the gear to get you through it. For a more comprehensive guide to the best deals from HP’s Red Tag event, our own Andrew Hayward curated a complete roundup here.
This deal was originally published by Gabe Carey.
#7: Echo flex + bulb
In Amazon’s Gold Box today, the Echo Flex with a Sengled Smart Bulb is just $10, which enables you to have Alexa wherever there is an electric socket in your home. Alongside this, the deal also comes with a smart bulb that can be added as an Alexa skill, so you can command it to switch on or off whenever you need it to.
This bundle is usually $35, so at this price it’s like a budget-friendly smart home starter kit, in case you haven’t taken the plunge. Give it a shot. You can always add more connected devices down the line and use your voice to control ‘em.
This deal was originally published by Daryl Baxter.
#8: insulated glass mugs
If you read my piece on great indie coffee companies to support you might have upgraded your java maker. Well, now it’s time to revamp those coffee cups. You can grab these two double-wall thermal mugs that are visually pleasing and keep your joe at the perfect temperature for just $14 today.
The type of glass these are made from use incredibly durable elements and keep warm beverages heated longer. And there’s no need to worry able a hot handle they designed that right out of these. It’s actually not too hot to handle. The glass is gorgeous making these an excellent housewarming gift or present for an espresso aficionado. They are dishwasher safe and if you prefer the microwave to the kettle no worries, they’re safe there too.
Free two-day shipping for all Prime members.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.
#9: Tenga flex
When I was at another site (name redacted) we did a piece on Tenga after they joked about making a robot vibrator. As a thank you gift they sent me a box of everything they had in their current line-up. I could only really use one of the items. Tenga specializes in male pleasure aids. I have seen and touched most of their mastubators, strokers, and vibrators. So I do actually know something about this. The Tenga Flex gives the tingles and embrace you are looking for and with the code BOX you can save $23.
The spiral insides create a titillating feel with a pleasant suction. As with most of their masturbators the flexible casing gives you the choice of what you need grip-wise. All the Tenga products are easy to clean with their removable elastomer sleeves. Please clean them! It’s super simple with even just water and it’ll keep it intact longer. I’d like to recommend the white color for reasons but to each their own.
Free shipping on all orders.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.
#10: cyberpunk guide
The last time I wrote about Cyberpunk 2077's official guide, we were pre-launch. December 10 still seemed like a dream that could disappear at any moment. In retrospect, perhaps it should have. But questions about whether or not CD Projekt Red should have taken more time on the game aside, Cyberpunk 2077 is actually out after eight years of waiting and it’s as huge as promised. If you’re like me and are finding yourself getting lost in the experience, the official Cyberpunk 2077 guide is currently on sale. You can order a hardcover copy for $25 or a paperback one for $17. This 496 page guide will help guide you through Night City, making it a solid companion for the game. If guides aren’t your thing, it still seems like a neat collector’s item for anyone looking to go all-in on the open world game.
This deal was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio.


theroot--2020-12-30--Finding Purpose Through Literature on Nia, the Fifth Day of Kwanzaa

The best way to educate ourselves is by listening to those around us with shared and different experiences .
Each @ @ @ @ @ in this world , and it is important to pay attention to what they say @ @ @ @ @ Kwanzaa represents Nia , or purpose .
In a time when we can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ even really sit and engage with someone next to us , carving out time to @ @ @ @ @ to bring those voices into our lives .
Here are some Black-owned bookstores to find @ @ @ @ @

The best way to educate ourselves is by listening to those around us with shared and different experiences. Each person serves a different purpose in this world, and it is important to pay attention to what they say. The fifth night of Kwanzaa represents Nia, or purpose. In a time when we can’t attend talks in public or even really sit and engage with someone next to us, carving out time to read is an important way to bring those voices into our lives. Here are some Black-owned bookstores to find that next good book.


theroot--2020-12-30--Police Say They’ve Identified and Will File Charges Against Karen Who Attacked Black Teen on False A

Police Say They’ve Identified and Will File Charges Against Karen Who Attacked Black Teen on False Accusations of Phone Theft

The NYPD is planning to lay assault charges against the woman captured on camera over the holiday weekend aggressively going after the 14-year-old son of jazz musician Keyon Harrold at a hotel in New York on the false accusation that he stole her phone .
That is if the police are able to locate her .
The NYPD told Gothamist that they have “ positively identified ” the woman in question and are now trying to find her , but will not release her name publicly .
Over the weekend , Harrold posted a video showing the woman belligerently screaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobby of the Arlo Hotel in Soho , claiming that the teenager had her phone .
Her phone was later found in an Uber but not before she scratched the musician and tackled his son , said Harrold .
Another video Harrold posted after the altercation shows that he sustained injuries to his hand : At a press briefing on Tuesday , Police Chief Rodney Harrison said they are considering assault and robbery charges against the unnamed assailant .
“ Our perpetrator initially started a verbal argument of this accusation and then tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his phone , grabbing his leg and trying to tackle him .
Our victim didn ’ t suffer any injuries .
But his father , who he was with , received slight injuries.
” Harrison said the case was initially classified as harassment after police were called to the hotel , but that has since changed .
“ After we were able to get video , we ’ re now looking to charge this individual with assault and maybe even look at grand larceny or maybe even attempted robbery , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Though the woman was not a guest at the hotel where Harrold and his son were staying and appeared to have no other justification for accusing the teenager of theft other than the fact that he was in possession of an iPhone and melanated skin , the NYPD says they are not considering racial bias charges in the incident .
The Harrold family is now being represented by civil rights lawyer Ben Crump , who has launched a petition calling for the Manhattan district attorney to file charges of assault and battery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is set to meet with the DA today .
They are also calling for a civil rights investigation into the hotel where the incident took place .
The video of the altercation shows a hotel manager demanding that Harrold ’ s son hand over his phone in response to the woman ’ s claim that it was hers .
I ’ m proud to see that the family isn ’ t letting this incident of profiling and outrageous aggression , especially against their Black child , go quietly .
It ’ s clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the problem of racism hasn ’ t led to an abatement of these incidents of racist violence happening .
Legal consequences ( and viral videos ) of these uncontrollable Karens are the next best bet .

The NYPD is planning to lay assault charges against the woman captured on camera over the holiday weekend aggressively going after the 14-year-old son of jazz musician Keyon Harrold at a hotel in New York on the false accusation that he stole her phone.
That is if the police are able to locate her.
The NYPD told Gothamist that they have “positively identified” the woman in question and are now trying to find her, but will not release her name publicly. Over the weekend, Harrold posted a video showing the woman belligerently screaming at him and his son in the lobby of the Arlo Hotel in Soho, claiming that the teenager had her phone.
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Her phone was later found in an Uber but not before she scratched the musician and tackled his son, said Harrold.
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Another video Harrold posted after the altercation shows that he sustained injuries to his hand:
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At a press briefing on Tuesday, Police Chief Rodney Harrison said they are considering assault and robbery charges against the unnamed assailant.
From NY Post:
“Our perpetrator initially started a verbal argument of this accusation and then tried to attack our teenager by grabbing for his phone, grabbing his leg and trying to tackle him. Our victim didn’t suffer any injuries. But his father, who he was with, received slight injuries.” Harrison said the case was initially classified as harassment after police were called to the hotel, but that has since changed. “After we were able to get video, we’re now looking to charge this individual with assault and maybe even look at grand larceny or maybe even attempted robbery,” he said at the 1 Police Plaza press briefing.
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Though the woman was not a guest at the hotel where Harrold and his son were staying and appeared to have no other justification for accusing the teenager of theft other than the fact that he was in possession of an iPhone and melanated skin, the NYPD says they are not considering racial bias charges in the incident.
The Harrold family is now being represented by civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who has launched a petition calling for the Manhattan district attorney to file charges of assault and battery against the unidentified woman. The family is set to meet with the DA today. They are also calling for a civil rights investigation into the hotel where the incident took place. The video of the altercation shows a hotel manager demanding that Harrold’s son hand over his phone in response to the woman’s claim that it was hers.
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I’m proud to see that the family isn’t letting this incident of profiling and outrageous aggression, especially against their Black child, go quietly. It’s clear that a year of nice-sounding national discussions about the problem of racism hasn’t led to an abatement of these incidents of racist violence happening. Legal consequences (and viral videos) of these uncontrollable Karens are the next best bet.