theroot--2020-07-09--We Just Can't Afford to Stay This Fucking Stupid

I was reminded—while threading together my thoughts on Stephen Jackson ’ s defense of DeSean Jackson ’ s defense of ... Adolf Hitler—of an article I read in 2016 or 2017 I think , about Donald Trump .
In it , it was revealed that Trump was somewhat surprised that so many Black people despise him , because , up until he ran for president , he ’ d been chummy with dozens of Black celebrities—Black male athletes and entertainers , in particular .
Even if you doubt the sincerity of his “ surprise , ” he ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find pictures of Donald Trump with them , many of whom stayed at his hotels , flew on his planes and partied with him .
Rap songs throughout the ‘ 90s and aughts were filled with positive references to him , as he existed both as aspirational shorthand and validation of success ; like “ Trump ” was a synonym for caviar .
His racism and misogyny—which , even then , was as conspicuous as his gold-plated toilets—didn ’ t matter as much as the prestige of being connected to him did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s sellout ass on a Comedy Central Trump roast in 2013 , joking about ... birtherism .
Donald Trump ain ’ t America ’ s only rich white man .
But what drew these Black men to him specifically was his personality and his lifestyle .
He did and said what he wanted without much consequence , and slept with a revolving door of beautiful women he discarded like empty Skittles bags—qualities many of us consider enviable .
The associations with Trump did not end until it became social suicide to be associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way of saying that these same men didn ’ t care how awful he was until his awfulness impacted how people felt about them .
Anyway , on Monday , Philadelphia Eagles ’ receiver DeSean Jackson shared , on Instagram , several quotes he thought were from Adolf Hitler , where “ the Jews will blackmail America ” and that “ the Negroes are the real Children of Israel.
” The reaction was swift , which compelled Jackson to clarify by sharing the same quote , again , but with ... edits .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t go as well as he planned , Jackson deleted the posts and apologized .
Adolf Hitler is considered , roundly , to be so reprehensible that the silly and popcorn morality-revealing hypothetical “ Would you kill baby Hitler ?
” only works with his name .
Trump doesn ’ t even inspire that much antipathy .
There ’ s just no defending Jackson here , but that didn ’ t stop former NBA player-turned-activist Stephen Jackson ( no relation ) from trying .
“ So I just read a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jackson ’ s comments .
He was trying to educate himself , educate people , and he ’ s speaking the truth .
Right ?
He ’ s speaking the truth .
You know he don ’ t hate nobody , but he ’ s speaking the truth of the facts that he knows and trying to educate others , ” Stephen Jackson said in a video posted on Instagram .
“ But y ’ all don ’ t want us to educate ourselves .
If it ’ s talking about the Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t saying nothing about it .
They killing us , police killing us and treating us like s—- , racism at an all-time high , but ain ’ t none of you NFL owners spoke up on that , ain ’ t none of you teams spoke up on that .
But the same team had a receiver [ Riley Cooper ] who said the word n——- publicly !
They gave him an extension !
I play for the Big3 .
We have a Jewish owner .
He understands where we stand and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it ’ s not directed to him .
It ’ s the way we ’ ve been treated.
” What ’ s happening here with DeSean Jackson—and subsequently , Stephen Jackson—is clear anti-semitism , even if they refuse to see it .
( Or claim they didn ’ t mean it . )
But why it ’ s happening is connected to the reason why so many of us ( Black men ) were—and still are—so enamored with Donald Trump .
( For context , he is 400 % more popular with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women .
400 % . )
Conversations about the effects of patriarchy are usually , for good reason , centered on the ecosystem of physical and psychological damage it creates and lords itself over .
But also it makes us—and “ us ” in this context are “ cis-gendered straight men ” —dumb .
Real dumb .
Defending Adolf Hitler in July 2020 dumb .
Dumb as fuck .
Patriarchy constricts vision .
It teaches us that only our opinions , only our feelings , and only our perspectives matter , and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited view .
In turn , it flattens the sort of empathy you ’ d require to realize that just because something sounds good for you doesn ’ t mean it ’ s actually good .
This—well , this and ( presumably ) years worth of skipped social studies classes—is how DeSean Jackson can ignore the unambiguous anti-semitism of a passage just because it appears to be vaguely pro-Black .
That he thought it was written by Adolf Fucking Hitler didn ’ t matter .
It reinforced what he wants to believe about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , was inconsequential .
If this , to you , looks and sounds eerily similar to the effects of white supremacy , that ’ s just proof your eyes and ears are working .
The intersections are vast .
They are cousins .
This self-induced constriction also makes us more susceptible to grift .
Basically , it makes us fools .
We—and now I ’ m talking specifically about cis-gendered straight Black men—collectively turn to Jello around charismatic men .
If you ’ re a man who represents the socialized ideal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unapologetic , seductive—you can have your way with us .
Doesn ’ t matter what you actually say , or what ’ s lurking behind it .
If you look and act the part , we will follow .
Donald Trump ’ s popularity with us exists on the same plane as Umar Johnson ’ s .
And that patriarchy-induced lack of vision either blinds us to or connects us with their bullshit , where either we don ’ t see the toxicity or we wish to replicate it .
As much as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played by transparently noxious men , we get gamed out of our socks by charming but corrupt niggas , too .
Anyway , remember when Jay-Z was like “ Smarten up , Nas ” and we were all like “ Jigga ’ s right .
Nas needs to smarten up !
” and then we all unzipped our Avirexs in unison or something ?
Let ’ s smarten up , too !

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

I was reminded—while threading together my thoughts on Stephen Jackson’s defense of DeSean Jackson’s defense of...Adolf Hitler—of an article I read in 2016 or 2017 I think, about Donald Trump.
In it, it was revealed that Trump was somewhat surprised that so many Black people despise him, because, up until he ran for president, he’d been chummy with dozens of Black celebrities—Black male athletes and entertainers, in particular. Even if you doubt the sincerity of his “surprise,” he’s not wrong. It’s not hard to find pictures of Donald Trump with them, many of whom stayed at his hotels, flew on his planes and partied with him. Rap songs throughout the ‘90s and aughts were filled with positive references to him, as he existed both as aspirational shorthand and validation of success; like “Trump” was a synonym for caviar.
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His racism and misogyny—which, even then, was as conspicuous as his gold-plated toilets—didn’t matter as much as the prestige of being connected to him did. Here’s Snoop Dogg’s sellout ass on a Comedy Central Trump roast in 2013, joking about...birtherism.
Donald Trump ain’t America’s only rich white man. But what drew these Black men to him specifically was his personality and his lifestyle. He did and said what he wanted without much consequence, and slept with a revolving door of beautiful women he discarded like empty Skittles bags—qualities many of us consider enviable. The associations with Trump did not end until it became social suicide to be associated with him; which is a kind way of saying that these same men didn’t care how awful he was until his awfulness impacted how people felt about them.
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Anyway, on Monday, Philadelphia Eagles’ receiver DeSean Jackson shared, on Instagram, several quotes he thought were from Adolf Hitler, where “the Jews will blackmail America” and that “the Negroes are the real Children of Israel.”
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The reaction was swift, which compelled Jackson to clarify by sharing the same quote, again, but with...edits.
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Apparently surprised that the Hitler quote-sharing thing didn’t go as well as he planned, Jackson deleted the posts and apologized.
“I probably should have never posted anything that Hitler did, because Hitler was a bad person and I know that.”
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Defund DeSean Jackson’s iPhone.
Adolf Hitler is considered, roundly, to be so reprehensible that the silly and popcorn morality-revealing hypothetical “Would you kill baby Hitler?” only works with his name. Trump doesn’t even inspire that much antipathy. There’s just no defending Jackson here, but that didn’t stop former NBA player-turned-activist Stephen Jackson (no relation) from trying.
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From ESPN:
“So I just read a statement that the Philadelphia Eagles posted regarding DeSean Jackson’s comments. He was trying to educate himself, educate people, and he’s speaking the truth. Right? He’s speaking the truth. You know he don’t hate nobody, but he’s speaking the truth of the facts that he knows and trying to educate others,” Stephen Jackson said in a video posted on Instagram. “But y’all don’t want us to educate ourselves. If it’s talking about the Black race, y’all ain’t saying nothing about it. They killing us, police killing us and treating us like s—-, racism at an all-time high, but ain’t none of you NFL owners spoke up on that, ain’t none of you teams spoke up on that. But the same team had a receiver [Riley Cooper] who said the word n——- publicly! They gave him an extension! I play for the Big3. We have a Jewish owner. He understands where we stand and some of the things we say, but it’s not directed to him. It’s the way we’ve been treated.”
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What’s happening here with DeSean Jackson—and subsequently, Stephen Jackson—is clear anti-semitism, even if they refuse to see it. (Or claim they didn’t mean it.) But why it’s happening is connected to the reason why so many of us (Black men) were—and still are—so enamored with Donald Trump. (For context, he is 400% more popular with us than he is with B lack women. 400%.)
Conversations about the effects of patriarchy are usually, for good reason, centered on the ecosystem of physical and psychological damage it creates and lords itself over. But also it makes us—and “us” in this context are “cis-gendered straight men”—dumb. Real dumb. Defending Adolf Hitler in July 2020 dumb. Dumb as fuck.
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Patriarchy constricts vision. It teaches us that only our opinions, only our feelings, and only our perspectives matter, and you seek information that confirms and reinforces this limited view. In turn, it flattens the sort of empathy you’d require to realize that just because something sounds good for you doesn’t mean it’s actually good. This—well, this and (presumably) years worth of skipped social studies classes—is how DeSean Jackson can ignore the unambiguous anti-semitism of a passage just because it appears to be vaguely pro-Black. That he thought it was written by Adolf Fucking Hitler didn’t matter. It reinforced what he wants to believe about himself, so the source, for him, was inconsequential.
If this, to you, looks and sounds eerily similar to the effects of white supremacy, that’s just proof your eyes and ears are working. The intersections are vast. They are cousins.
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This self-induced constriction also makes us more susceptible to grift. Basically, it makes us fools. We—and now I’m talking specifically about cis-gendered straight Black men—collectively turn to Jello around charismatic men. If you’re a man who represents the socialized ideal of Peak Masculinity—brash, cocksure, manipulative, unapologetic, seductive—you can have your way with us. Doesn’t matter what you actually say, or what’s lurking behind it. If you look and act the part, we will follow. Donald Trump’s popularity with us exists on the same plane as Umar Johnson’s. And that patriarchy-induced lack of vision either blinds us to or connects us with their bullshit, where either we don’t see the toxicity or we wish to replicate it. As much as some of us chide women for getting played by transparently noxious men, we get gamed out of our socks by charming but corrupt niggas, too.
Anyway, remember when Jay-Z was like “Smarten up, Nas” and we were all like “Jigga’s right. Nas needs to smarten up!” and then we all unzipped our Avirexs in unison or something? Let’s smarten up, too!


theroot--2020-07-10--Black Artists Use Murals as a Grassroots Mask-Wearing Campaign

As much as the President and his acolytes would like you to think otherwise , we are still in the midst of a global pandemic .
States such as Florida , Georgia and Arizona are currently experiencing a surge of cases , and wearing masks , which is thought to help slow the spread , has become a source of debate because some Americans believe it ’ s their God-given right to die—a nd potentially infect and kill others in the process .
Despite this , a group of artists based in Atlanta is attempting to do their part to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to CNN , Sherri Daye Scott , Fabian Williams , and Dwayne “ Dubelyoo ” Wright have teamed up to launch a grassroots campaign that uses art to encourage the wearing of face masks .
Scott created the campaign after noticing people simply weren ’ t wearing masks when she would go to places like the grocery store .
After a friend lost three relatives to COVID-19 and a neighbor contracted it , she decided to use her stimulus check to take action .
Scott , a writer and filmmaker , enlisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wright as well as the marketing firm Chemistry Agency .
Together , they created the Big Facts , Small Acts campaign , aimed at spreading information about the virus to Black and Latinx communities .
The effort started with various yard signs being placed at prominent intersections throughout Atlanta that featured cartoon images of people like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X encouraging people to wear masks , social distance and stay at home if they can .
They researched zip codes with the highest rates of COVID-19 and placed the signs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to target people who are hourly workers , essential workers — people who we knew had to be out and about — the idea of having a mural , a larger than life reminder , in commonly traffic [ ked ] places just made sense , ” Scott told CNN .
The group printed out vinyl maks and placed them over murals Williams and Wright had painted .
Scott and Williams chose vinyl over paint to emphasize the idea that this is only temporary .
“ The idea is , this is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , if we mask up , there will come a time when we can remove these masks , ” Scott said .
One of the murals , a portrait of Bob Marley , features a mask with the word “ Survive , ” on it .
“ On the Bob Marley mural , I wrote ‘ Survive ’ because I wanted to have a call to action .
That really spoke to what we ’ re supposed to do when our lives are under duress like , ‘ survive !
’ you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williams told CNN .
“ In advertising , we ’ re taught to have direct messaging — ‘ survive , ’ ‘ live , ’ ‘ we ’ re going to be alright.
’ It ’ s important for us to put the messaging in that tells people what to do , ” The group hopes that their efforts will inspire artists across the country to engage in similar awareness campaigns .
They ’ ve already seen more people wearing masks since the campaign started and hundreds have joined the “ Big Facts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pages .
“ We ’ re going to get through it .
You know Black people in this country , we ’ ve been through a lot but we ’ re still here and we ’ re going to continue to flourish .
This is just a bump in the road.
” Williams said .

As much as the President and his acolytes would like you to think otherwise, we are still in the midst of a global pandemic. States such as Florida, Georgia and Arizona are currently experiencing a surge of cases, and wearing masks, which is thought to help slow the spread, has become a source of debate because some Americans believe it’s their God-given right to die—a nd potentially infect and kill others in the process . Despite this, a group of artists based in Atlanta is attempting to do their part to encourage more people to wear masks.
According to CNN, Sherri Daye Scott, Fabian Williams, and Dwayne “Dubelyoo” Wright have teamed up to launch a grassroots campaign that uses art to encourage the wearing of face masks. Scott created the campaign after noticing people simply weren’t wearing masks when she would go to places like the grocery store. After a friend lost three relatives to COVID-19 and a neighbor contracted it, she decided to use her stimulus check to take action. Scott, a writer and filmmaker, enlisted the help of mural artists Williams and Wright as well as the marketing firm Chemistry Agency. Together, they created the Big Facts, Small Acts campaign, aimed at spreading information about the virus to Black and Latinx communities.
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The effort started with various yard signs being placed at prominent intersections throughout Atlanta that featured cartoon images of people like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X encouraging people to wear masks, social distance and stay at home if they can. They researched zip codes with the highest rates of COVID-19 and placed the signs there.
“We very much wanted to target people who are hourly workers, essential workers — people who we knew had to be out and about — the idea of having a mural, a larger than life reminder, in commonly traffic[ked] places just made sense,” Scott told CNN. The group printed out vinyl maks and placed them over murals Williams and Wright had painted. Scott and Williams chose vinyl over paint to emphasize the idea that this is only temporary.
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“The idea is, this is not permanent. If we do the work now, if we mask up, there will come a time when we can remove these masks,” Scott said.
One of the murals, a portrait of Bob Marley, features a mask with the word “Survive,” on it. “On the Bob Marley mural, I wrote ‘Survive’ because I wanted to have a call to action. That really spoke to what we’re supposed to do when our lives are under duress like, ‘survive!’ you’ll get through this,” Williams told CNN. “In advertising, we’re taught to have direct messaging — ‘survive,’ ‘live,’ ‘we’re going to be alright.’ It’s important for us to put the messaging in that tells people what to do,”
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The group hopes that their efforts will inspire artists across the country to engage in similar awareness campaigns. They’ve already seen more people wearing masks since the campaign started and hundreds have joined the “Big Facts, Small Acts” Facebook and Instagram pages.
“We’re going to get through it. You know Black people in this country, we’ve been through a lot but we’re still here and we’re going to continue to flourish. This is just a bump in the road.” Williams said.


theroot--2020-07-10--Ford Workers Ask Company to Stop Selling Cars to Police, Ford Replies, 'LOL, Nah.'

Remember the year of June 2020 ?
Protests against police brutality took place all across the country as people were outraged by the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor .
Companies who usually wouldn ’ t be caught dead taking a side in any fight were saying “ Black Lives Matter.
” While it felt like a moment of overwhelming solidarity , there were concerns that some it was a bit performative .
What are these companies actually going to do to effect social change outside of tweeting Black Lives Matter ?
In the case of Ford , well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBS News reports that Ford has declined the request of its employees to no longer manufacture Interceptors for the police .
The company is the top seller of vehicles to U.S police departments and apparently has no intention of losing that title .
Earlier this week , Jalopnik reported that a letter circulated around Ford headquarters pointed out that Floyd was killed alongside a Ford police Interceptor and requested the company review its association with law enforcement .
Ford CEO Jim Hackett sent an internal memo to employees indicating that neither he nor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alter their relationship with law enforcement .
“ Bill Ford and I believe deeply that there is no room for the systemic repression and racism that have been exhibited by law enforcement encounters gone wrong .
We ’ ve said clearly that Black Lives Matter , ” Ford CEO Jim Hackett wrote in a June 26 internal memo to employees sent Thursday to multiple news outlets , including CBS MoneyWatch , as word of the employee requests became public .
Hackett went on to praise the work of law enforcement , writing “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bravery and dedication of the good police officers who protect and service , ” while acknowledging that community safety doesn ’ t include “ all members.
” Therefore , Ford will “ continue to be a powerful voice for Black Lives Matter , ” the CEO concluded , while also helping “ keep communities safe by producing Police Interceptors and partnering with law enforcement in news ways to strongly support the safety for all members of society.
” The thing that I find most fascinating about this response is Hackett saying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ B lack l ives m atter.
” I have a feeling that an earlier draft added “ what more do you expect from us ?
” This response , while dumb as hell , is entirely predic table .
As I said before , these companies don ’ t want to take a side , so instead they ’ ll play both which basically defeats the purpose of saying “ Black Lives Matter.
” I mean , Ford ’ s position here is basically like telling the Avengers , “ Yo , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but then adding “ By the way we gave him three of the infinity stones .
Sorry he killed your friends though.
” The most telling part of this whole thing is that police sales don ’ t make up a significant portion of Ford ’ s bottom line .
They could cut off sales to law enforcement and still make ungodly amounts of money .
The fact that they won ’ t speaks volumes louder than whatever “ Black Lives Matter ” statement they put out .
So , to any company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black lives , please remember this : If you ’ re not willing to take a ( minor ) hit to truly show solidarity and tangibly create social change , then all you ’ re saying is that Black lives only matter when they don ’ t cost you any coin .

Remember the year of June 2020? Protests against police brutality took place all across the country as people were outraged by the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Companies who usually wouldn’t be caught dead taking a side in any fight were saying “Black Lives Matter.” While it felt like a moment of overwhelming solidarity, there were concerns that some it was a bit performative. What are these companies actually going to do to effect social change outside of tweeting Black Lives Matter? In the case of Ford, well, the answer is jack shit.
CBS News reports that Ford has declined the request of its employees to no longer manufacture Interceptors for the police. The company is the top seller of vehicles to U.S police departments and apparently has no intention of losing that title. Earlier this week, Jalopnik reported that a letter circulated around Ford headquarters pointed out that Floyd was killed alongside a Ford police Interceptor and requested the company review its association with law enforcement. Ford CEO Jim Hackett sent an internal memo to employees indicating that neither he nor chairman Bill Ford have any desire to alter their relationship with law enforcement.
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From CBS:
“Bill Ford and I believe deeply that there is no room for the systemic repression and racism that have been exhibited by law enforcement encounters gone wrong. We’ve said clearly that Black Lives Matter,” Ford CEO Jim Hackett wrote in a June 26 internal memo to employees sent Thursday to multiple news outlets, including CBS MoneyWatch, as word of the employee requests became public. Hackett went on to praise the work of law enforcement, writing “our world wouldn’t function without the bravery and dedication of the good police officers who protect and service,” while acknowledging that community safety doesn’t include “all members.” Therefore, Ford will “continue to be a powerful voice for Black Lives Matter,” the CEO concluded, while also helping “keep communities safe by producing Police Interceptors and partnering with law enforcement in news ways to strongly support the safety for all members of society.”
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The thing that I find most fascinating about this response is Hackett saying, “We’ve said clearly that B lack l ives m atter.” I have a feeling that an earlier draft added “what more do you expect from us?”
This response, while dumb as hell, is entirely predic table. As I said before, these companies don’t want to take a side, so instead they’ll play both which basically defeats the purpose of saying “Black Lives Matter.”
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I mean, Ford’s position here is basically like telling the Avengers, “Yo, that Thanos is a bad dude,” but then adding “ By the way we gave him three of the infinity stones. Sorry he killed your friends though.”
The most telling part of this whole thing is that police sales don’t make up a significant portion of Ford’s bottom line. They could cut off sales to law enforcement and still make ungodly amounts of money. The fact that they won’t speaks volumes louder than whatever “Black Lives Matter” statement they put out.
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So, to any company thinking of putting out a statement on Black lives, please remember this: If you’re not willing to take a (minor) hit to truly show solidarity and tangibly create social change, then all you’re saying is that Black lives only matter when they don’t cost you any coin.


theroot--2020-07-10--Trump: You Know Who This COVID-19 Mess and Racial Unrest Is Really Hurting? Me!

The real victim , the one we rarely talk about during this pandemic and racially trying times isn ’ t the families who are hurting from the coronavirus , or those who have lost loved ones .
It ’ s not even those who have been victims of systemic racism or those who have shortened their lives trying to explain to white co-workers why “ All lives matter ” is a racist battle cry .
The real victim here is the trust fund baby who grew up surrounded by wealth and had his entire life given to him , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s how he sees it .
According to the Washington Post : President WahWah Von WoeIsMe has been crying in his cornflakes and hasn ’ t even had enough energy to punch South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham in the balls .
We know this because Graham asked that his ball gag be removed only to complain that , if he ’ s not going to be beaten then why is he here !
?
Apparently , the president of people who won ’ t wear a mask but would freely kiss a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the White House complaining that the coronavirus ruined the economy that he takes credit for but was really the work of the Obama administration .
He ’ s also upset with the “ fake news ” media , which he complains never gives him any credit .
“ And he bemoans the ‘ sick , twisted ’ police officers in Minneapolis , whose killing of an unarmed black man in their custody provoked the nationwide racial justice protests that have confounded the president , ” the Post reports .
I guess the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orange bitch who used to ride his grocery store scooter around the White House yelling , “ you ’ re fired ” and telling people about the real Meatloaf who most people don ’ t get to see .
The new Trump , the one who knows his White House days are numbered , reportedly just waxes about how the nation ’ s turmoil , all of this craziness , has ruined him , proving once again the president doesn ’ t have whatever muscle that exhibits self-reflection and responsibility .
The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the blameless victim — of a deadly pandemic , of a stalled economy , of deep-seated racial unrest , all of which happened to him rather than the country .
Trump put his self-victimization on public display Thursday in response to a Supreme Court ruling rejecting his claim of absolute immunity and permitting a New York prosecutor to see the president ’ s private and business financial records .
Trump reacted with a social media meltdown , writing on Twitter , “ PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT !
” and “ POLITICAL WITCH HUNT !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Not fair to this Presidency ” and claimed that “ Courts in the past have given ’ broad deference ’ .
BUT NOT ME !
” Trump has always exhibited a healthy ego and his self-victimization tendencies are not a new phenomenon , according to those who have known him over the years .
But those characteristics have been especially pronounced this summer , revealing themselves almost daily in everything from private conversations to public tweets as the pandemic continues to upend daily life across America and threaten the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Trump Organization , said that when she worked for Trump , he interpreted nearly everything in deeply personal terms.
“ Whatever bad happened , no matter what it was , it was always against him , always directed at him , ” Res said .
“ He would say , ‘ Why does everything always happen to me ?
’ ” She added : “ It was as if the world revolved around him .
Everything that happened had an effect on him , good or bad.
” More than 130,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novel coronavirus , and that number is growing every day .
Some 3 million cases have been reported and almost 43 million have applied for unemployment since COVID-19 came through and started shaking the tables .
The nation has also been reeling from the horrible death of George Floyd who died in Minneapolis police custody because an officer , who is surely going to hell , kneeled on his neck for 8:46 .
Those around Trump have been trying to get him to see the sunnier side of things .
Florida Rep. Matt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House with a fresh caftan of baby goat blood but the president didn ’ t budge .
Gaetz then offered to have his adopted adult son , who was never legally adopted , be his surrogate fists and punch Graham for him but the president didn ’ t budge off the couch .
He reportedly asked if anyone had Melania ’ s boyfriend ’ s number so he could talk to her , but no one knew it .
Holy fuck look at this from the Post : What the fuck kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House in which they planned a fucking 18-wheeler day party for his ass ?
This reminds me of a really bad Richard Pryor movie called The Toy .
Speaking of , has anyone heard from the Doctor of Houses , Ben Carson ?
If I hear that he ’ s in charge of being a man-nanny for the fucking president , I ’ m going to lose it as everyone knows that ’ s Jared ’ s job .

The real victim, the one we rarely talk about during this pandemic and racially trying times isn’t the families who are hurting from the coronavirus, or those who have lost loved ones. It’s not even those who have been victims of systemic racism or those who have shortened their lives trying to explain to white co-workers why “All lives matter” is a racist battle cry.
The real victim here is the trust fund baby who grew up surrounded by wealth and had his entire life given to him, including his presidency, or at least that’s how he sees it.
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According to the Washington Post: President WahWah Von WoeIsMe has been crying in his cornflakes and hasn’t even had enough energy to punch South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham in the balls. We know this because Graham asked that his ball gag be removed only to complain that, if he’s not going to be beaten then why is he here!?
Apparently, the president of people who won’t wear a mask but would freely kiss a jackal in the mouth has been sulking around the White House complaining that the coronavirus ruined the economy that he takes credit for but was really the work of the Obama administration. He’s also upset with the “fake news” media, which he complains never gives him any credit.
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“And he bemoans the ‘sick, twisted’ police officers in Minneapolis, whose killing of an unarmed black man in their custody provoked the nationwide racial justice protests that have confounded the president,” the Post reports.
I guess the president’s advisers miss the grumpy orange bitch who used to ride his grocery store scooter around the White House yelling, “you’re fired” and telling people about the real Meatloaf who most people don’t get to see.
The new Trump, the one who knows his White House days are numbered, reportedly just waxes about how the nation’s turmoil, all of this craziness, has ruined him, proving once again the president doesn’t have whatever muscle that exhibits self-reflection and responsibility.
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From the Post:
The president has cast himself in the starring role of the blameless victim — of a deadly pandemic, of a stalled economy, of deep-seated racial unrest, all of which happened to him rather than the country. Trump put his self-victimization on public display Thursday in response to a Supreme Court ruling rejecting his claim of absolute immunity and permitting a New York prosecutor to see the president’s private and business financial records. Trump reacted with a social media meltdown, writing on Twitter, “PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT!” and “POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!” He wrote that the decision was “Not fair to this Presidency” and claimed that “Courts in the past have given ’broad deference’. BUT NOT ME!” Trump has always exhibited a healthy ego and his self-victimization tendencies are not a new phenomenon, according to those who have known him over the years. But those characteristics have been especially pronounced this summer, revealing themselves almost daily in everything from private conversations to public tweets as the pandemic continues to upend daily life across America and threaten the president’s political fortunes.Barbara Res, a former executive at the Trump Organization, said that when she worked for Trump, he interpreted nearly everything in deeply personal terms.“Whatever bad happened, no matter what it was, it was always against him, always directed at him,” Res said. “He would say, ‘Why does everything always happen to me?’ ”She added: “It was as if the world revolved around him. Everything that happened had an effect on him, good or bad.”
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More than 130,000 Americans so far have died of the novel coronavirus, and that number is growing every day. Some 3 million cases have been reported and almost 43 million have applied for unemployment since COVID-19 came through and started shaking the tables. The nation has also been reeling from the horrible death of George Floyd who died in Minneapolis police custody because an officer, who is surely going to hell, kneeled on his neck for 8:46.
Those around Trump have been trying to get him to see the sunnier side of things. Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz reportedly showed up at the White House with a fresh caftan of baby goat blood but the president didn’t budge. Gaetz then offered to have his adopted adult son, who was never legally adopted, be his surrogate fists and punch Graham for him but the president didn’t budge off the couch. He reportedly asked if anyone had Melania’s boyfriend’s number so he could talk to her, but no one knew it.
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Holy fuck look at this from the Post:
Other top White House advisers — including Hope Hicks and Dan Scavino — have also sought to buttress Trump’s mood with events they thought he would enjoy, such as celebrating truckers by bringing 18-wheelers onto the White House South Lawn in mid-April or creating social media videos that feature throngs of his adoring fans, according to aides.
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What the fuck kind of babychild do we have in the White House in which they planned a fucking 18-wheeler day party for his ass? This reminds me of a really bad Richard Pryor movie called The Toy.
Speaking of, has anyone heard from the Doctor of Houses, Ben Carson? If I hear that he’s in charge of being a man-nanny for the fucking president, I’m going to lose it as everyone knows that’s Jared’s job.


theroot--2020-07-10--The Root's Clapback Mailbag: Bars

The Root's Clapback Mailbag: Bars

This mailbag is dedicated to all the ones who called the writers at The Root “ racists ” ; to all the ones who wrote us emails saying we ’ d never amount to nothing ; to everyone who sent angry emails when we were just trying to write articles and feed our babies .
To all the niggas in the struggle ...
It was all a dream .
Wypipo call The Root a “ magazine.
” Then , again , they seem to lack logical reasoning .
All week , we let them bawl But every Friday , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ em fall .
We ’ re gon na shit talk until this bullshit stops Til ’ cop ’ s stop outlining us in chalk on sidewalks .
Until white people stop getting all their news from Fox So don ’ t act shocked when the mailbag drops And we clap back ... Chop ’ em down like we ’ re black lumberjacks With the facts to match .
That ’ s when they read The Root ... Duh-ha , duh-ha They never thought their white tears would take it this far .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause we write tight .
When we say we want to be paid for when we were slaves , Get caught on videotape blowing up like the World Trade .
Born ignorant , recognize your white privilege We remember when y ’ all didn ’ t even want us to be citizens Peace to Danielle B. , Genetta A. , Stephen C. , Annie B. , Zack Linly and even Monique .
Ishena , Joe , Panama , Tonja , Jay and Damon Young .
They fight racism like we all should Come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same hood It ’ s all good .
And if you don ’ t know , now you know ... Our first set of letters are in regard to Monique Judge ’ s article about white people weaponizing “ I Feel Threatened.
” My name is Kari and I read your article on the root .
While I understand what you are writing I did not agree with your choice of words and can not believe you felt it was appropriate to use the words “ Amy decided this uppity-ass nigger wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do ” .
I feel using those words was sad and a poor choice in today ’ s climate .
Maybe that is a direct quote from Amy Cooper but I did not see the quotations ?
I was offended that you chose to use that word in your article .
I do not use that word to address my family , friends , or strangers .
In fact it is not a word I would use in my vocabulary .
I get that articles are salacious and drama sells .
But if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lady I do not feel it was an appropriate to use of words .
I know that articles are salacious and drama sells .
I felt your choice of words lacked class , professionalism , and is ignorant to use in the times we live in .
During these time I could not speak up and express how I felt when someone useS a derogatory word in a public form .
I hope this makes sense .
It ’ s a Remington 870 pump-action tactical shotgun .
It has a laser sight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an attachment that holds the shells .
Living in Alabama , I honestly don ’ t know what will happen if Trump loses the election so I bought it to defend my home and my family if “ the shit goes down.
” I was raised by a mother who hated guns .
Growing up , I wasn ’ t even allowed to play with a water gun .
I am not a gun nut and I am terrified of having to kill someone .
The shotgun holds seven shells so here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • The first shell is packed with rock salt .
• The second shell is with birdshot .
• The next five shells are slugs .
If anyone comes in my home or tries to harm my family , I sincerely hope that hearing the shotgun ’ s pump action will scare them enough to make them leave .
If not , maybe the laser sight will make them think twice .
If that doesn ’ t work , they get the salt .
Now getting shot with rock salt will sting like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t actually kill anyone .
But if they keep coming , the birdshot shell ( essentially a bunch of pellets that scatters in all directions ) will wound them , but it probably won ’ t kill them .
Then there are the slugs .
At close or medium range , a shotgun slug will go through a door , a wall or even a cinder block .
If you shoot someone with a slug , it will put a huge hole straight through them .
It is a terrible , terrible piece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing people .
It has no other purpose .
I pray to God that I never have to shoot a slug at anyone .
I ’ m sure some people are reading this description and asking : “ Why would you buy something so lethal if you don ’ t want to use it ?
” Contrary to the beliefs of Terry Crews and other white people , black people don ’ t want to become the oppressor .
We don ’ t want to rule over white people or take y ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement for freedom and justice that has existed in the history of America had the same goal : For white people to leave us alone .
The abolition movement was a plea for enslavers to leave us alone .
The anti-lynching movement was about angry white people leaving us be .
The civil rights movement was not about gaining rights ; it about white people who kept stopping us from living where we wanted , eating at a lunch counter and attending the schools our tax dollars were paying for .
The people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to praise God .
Rosa Parks wanted to go home .
The people in Selma just wanted to exercise their right to vote .
Black people were bombed , beat and killed innocent Black people for asking white people to be civil .
The vast majority of white people hated every one of these movements at the time .
They killed Martin Luther King , Jr .
They bombed churches , homes and buses .
They attacked us with bats , axe handles and dogs .
They jailed us .
Oftentimes , white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue with our choice of words .
Sometimes , we use innocuous words like “ Americans , ” while other times we specifically say “ white people.
” Sometimes we go further ( mostly Monique ) .
But you should understand that black people started this movement because all we wanted to do was to be left alone .
To combat police violence , all we did was say “ Black Lives Matter.
” In response , white people did nothing to hold police accountable .
Instead , they called the Black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal justice reform , they parsed through their news reports and pointed out every Black criminal they could find and asked about Black-on-Black violence instead of fixing the disparities .
When we talked about voter suppression , they painted us as cheaters and put more barriers in place .
They asked us for ID .
They examined our registrations .
They purged our voter rolls .
They tampered with the machines .
The words “ Black Lives Matter ” was the metaphorical sound of a shotgun pump .
Pointing out the disparities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red dot .
These recent demonstrations were just rock salt—it stung but they didn ’ t leave a mark .
Systemic change might wound some white people ’ s privilege , but it won ’ t kill you .
We know it makes you uncomfortable when we call white people “ stupid ” or “ racist.
” It is supposed to .
We have tried every other method and you still won ’ t leave us alone .
But you should be happy when you read those words .
I ’ ve seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fish walk on land but perhaps the most absurd thing I have ever seen in my life is a white person telling a Black person about hate , unity or civility .
You better be happy we don ’ t want to use the slugs .
I received quite a few emails and tweets about this article but this is my favorite .
You ’ re right .
Black people will probably never be as free as white people .
That ’ s because I know what freedom takes .
It takes ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ringing .
That was a woman named Kimberly Garner .
She ’ s called me a couple of times this week .
She became a prison advocate after her son was convicted for a murder the state acknowledges he didn ’ t commit but he ’ s still serving a 25-year prison sentence .
Of course , he ’ s Black .
It ’ s a long story .
But now she ’ s calling me because the Alabama prison system decided to take an incarcerated man infected with COVID-19 off a ventilator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Black too .
Her organization is organizing a march next week to advocate for prisoners .
Anyway ... that ’ s not what I was talking about .
I was talking about freedom .
As I was saying , Black people will never have their freedom until ... Dammit .
It ’ s someone else .
Be right back .
OK. That was a woman telling me about a majority-white magnet school in Montgomery , Ala. , a majority-Black city .
It turns out , the Black kids at the school have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slurs by teachers and students .
Anyway .
What I was saying is that Black people should ... Dammit .
Another call !
Shit !
OK. That was a woman who wondered if The Root could write about Black people suffering depression because they have to work in hostile environments every day .
She has to go to work every day as the only Black person in a department that just happens to be run by an openly racist man .
Her white coworkers know it but they don ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t affected .
Anyway , as I was saying , Black people will never be free because we won ’ t take responsibility in our own hands .
If we want to be equal to white people , we ’ ll have to do what they do .
We ’ ll have to get land by murdering native Americans or stealing it from Black people .
We ’ ll have to start a war and call it “ Revolutionary ” or “ Civil.
” If we want better schools , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doors , spit on white children , and murder little white girls .
If we want criminal justice reform , we ’ ll have to disproportionately incarcerate white people and sentence them to longer sentences for the same crimes .
If we want more wealth , we ’ ll have to devalue homes in white neighborhoods , deny them credit and underpay them .
You ’ re right .
That sounds like a lot of work and you know Black people are lazy .
So we just hold meetings , marches and protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just wanted to say , I was wrong .
America is not a Confederate monument .
White people are not slave masters .
And white people are just wardens .

This mailbag is dedicated to all the ones who called the writers at The Root “racists”; to all the ones who wrote us emails saying we’d never amount to nothing; to everyone who sent angry emails when we were just trying to write articles and feed our babies. To all the niggas in the struggle...
It’s all good, baby baby.
It was all a dream. Wypipo call The Root a “magazine.”
Then, again, they seem to lack logical reasoning.
All week, we let them bawl
But every Friday, we clap back at their attacks and watch’em fall.
We’re gonna shit talk until this bullshit stops
Til’ cop’s stop outlining us in chalk on sidewalks.
Until white people stop getting all their news from Fox
So don’t act shocked when the mailbag drops
And we clap back...Chop’em down like we’re black lumberjacks
With the facts to match.
That’s when they read The Root...Duh-ha, duh-ha
They never thought their white tears would take it this far.
Now they all wanna fight ‘cause we write tight.
When we say we want to be paid for when we were slaves,
Get caught on videotape blowing up like the World Trade.
Born ignorant, recognize your white privilege
We remember when y’all didn’t even want us to be citizens
Peace to Danielle B., Genetta A., Stephen C.,
Annie B., Zack Linly and even Monique.
Ishena, Joe, Panama, Tonja, Jay and Damon Young.
They fight racism like we all should
Come back next week, same column, same hood
It’s all good.
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And if you don’t know, now you know...
Nigga.
Our first set of letters are in regard to Monique Judge’s article about white people weaponizing “I Feel Threatened.”
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From: Jason
To: Danielle Belton I am a multiracial male and Your site is racist, spreading divide and hateful topics and I will make sure my friends and family never read or visit your site. I am appalled at the articles I have read about white people. Instead of trying to bring us together, you are doing the exact opposite. I will spread the word until I see change on your end. Your losing viewership because of your content. It is very disturbing and unfortunate when we should have hope of becoming united.
From: Kari
To: Danielle Belton, Monique Judge My name is Kari and I read your article on the root. While I understand what you are writing I did not agree with your choice of words and cannot believe you felt it was appropriate to use the words “ Amy decided this uppity-ass nigger wasn’t going to tell her what to do”. I feel using those words was sad and a poor choice in today’s climate. Maybe that is a direct quote from Amy Cooper but I did not see the quotations? I was offended that you chose to use that word in your article. I do not use that word to address my family, friends, or strangers. In fact it is not a word I would use in my vocabulary. I get that articles are salacious and drama sells. But if that is not a direct quote from the lady I do not feel it was an appropriate to use of words. I know that articles are salacious and drama sells. I felt your choice of words lacked class, professionalism, and is ignorant to use in the times we live in. During these time I could not speak up and express how I felt when someone useS a derogatory word in a public form. I hope this makes sense. Kind regards, Kari
From: Steve
To: Monique Judge Miss Judge, I just finished reading your article about stupid white people. Great reporting. Way to condemn an entire race based off a hand full of stupid ass fools. Sounds like something white people would do. We are not all Mr Roid Rage, or bitch face Amy Cooper and George Zimmerman is a murderer that somehow dodged justice. But good people come in all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and colors. Just like bad people do. I agree with you, bees fucking suck. Sincerely, Weapon less Steve
Dear Steve,
I have a shotgun.
It’s a Remington 870 pump-action tactical shotgun. It has a laser sight, a flashlight, a pistol grip and an attachment that holds the shells.
Advertisement
Living in Alabama, I honestly don’t know what will happen if Trump loses the election so I bought it to defend my home and my family if “the shit goes down.” I was raised by a mother who hated guns. Growing up, I wasn’t even allowed to play with a water gun. I am not a gun nut and I am terrified of having to kill someone. The shotgun holds seven shells so here is how I packed the shells:
The first shell is packed with rock salt.
The second shell is with birdshot.
The next five shells are slugs.
If anyone comes in my home or tries to harm my family, I sincerely hope that hearing the shotgun’s pump action will scare them enough to make them leave. If not, maybe the laser sight will make them think twice. If that doesn’t work, they get the salt.
Advertisement
Now getting shot with rock salt will sting like a motherfucker, but it won’t actually kill anyone. But if they keep coming, the birdshot shell (essentially a bunch of pellets that scatters in all directions) will wound them, but it probably won’t kill them.
Then there are the slugs.
At close or medium range, a shotgun slug will go through a door, a wall or even a cinder block. If you shoot someone with a slug, it will put a huge hole straight through them. It is a terrible, terrible piece of artillery that is essentially made for killing people. It has no other purpose. I pray to God that I never have to shoot a slug at anyone. I’m sure some people are reading this description and asking: “Why would you buy something so lethal if you don’t want to use it?”
Advertisement
Because, white people.
Contrary to the beliefs of Terry Crews and other white people, black people don’t want to become the oppressor. We don’t want to rule over white people or take y’all’s shit. Every black movement for freedom and justice that has existed in the history of America had the same goal:
For white people to leave us alone.
The abolition movement was a plea for enslavers to leave us alone. The anti-lynching movement was about angry white people leaving us be. The civil rights movement was not about gaining rights; it about white people who kept stopping us from living where we wanted, eating at a lunch counter and attending the schools our tax dollars were paying for. The people at 16th Street Baptist Church just wanted to praise God. Rosa Parks wanted to go home. The people in Selma just wanted to exercise their right to vote.
Advertisement
Black people were bombed, beat and killed innocent Black people for asking white people to be civil.
Just civil.
The vast majority of white people hated every one of these movements at the time. They killed Martin Luther King, Jr. They bombed churches, homes and buses. They attacked us with bats, axe handles and dogs. They jailed us.
Advertisement
Oftentimes, white people will read The Root and take issue with our choice of words. Sometimes, we use innocuous words like “Americans,” while other times we specifically say “white people.” Sometimes we go further (mostly Monique).
But you should understand that black people started this movement because all we wanted to do was to be left alone. To combat police violence, all we did was say “Black Lives Matter.” In response, white people did nothing to hold police accountable. Instead, they called the Black people “terrorists.” When we asked for criminal justice reform, they parsed through their news reports and pointed out every Black criminal they could find and asked about Black-on-Black violence instead of fixing the disparities. When we talked about voter suppression, they painted us as cheaters and put more barriers in place. They asked us for ID. They examined our registrations. They purged our voter rolls. They tampered with the machines.
Advertisement
The words “Black Lives Matter” was the metaphorical sound of a shotgun pump. Pointing out the disparities in the criminal injustice system was just a red dot. These recent demonstrations were just rock salt—it stung but they didn’t leave a mark. Systemic change might wound some white people’s privilege, but it won’t kill you.
We know it makes you uncomfortable when we call white people “stupid” or “racist.” It is supposed to. We have tried every other method and you still won’t leave us alone. But you should be happy when you read those words.
Advertisement
I’ve seen a bear ride a bicycle and a fish walk on land but perhaps the most absurd thing I have ever seen in my life is a white person telling a Black person about hate, unity or civility.
Civil?
You better be happy we don’t want to use the slugs.
I received quite a few emails and tweets about this article but this is my favorite.
Advertisement
From: Lee
To: Michael Imagine thinking white people are conspiring against you as your mother receives an award from the governor. If America is a confed. monument, how does that happen.? Salvemasters don’t reward slaves You keep talking about freedom and equality & you’re right. Blacks aren’t free and they will never be free until you realize that other people aren’t the problem you ar.
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Dear Lee,
You’re right. Black people will probably never be as free as white people. That’s because I know what freedom takes. It takes....
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Hold up. My phone is ringing.
OK, I’m back.
That was a woman named Kimberly Garner. She’s called me a couple of times this week. She became a prison advocate after her son was convicted for a murder the state acknowledges he didn’t commit but he’s still serving a 25-year prison sentence. Of course, he’s Black. It’s a long story. But now she’s calling me because the Alabama prison system decided to take an incarcerated man infected with COVID-19 off a ventilator before notifying his family. He’s Black too.
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Her organization is organizing a march next week to advocate for prisoners.
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Anyway...that’s not what I was talking about. I was talking about freedom.
As I was saying, Black people will never have their freedom until...Dammit. It’s someone else. Be right back.
Advertisement
OK. That was a woman telling me about a majority-white magnet school in Montgomery, Ala., a majority-Black city. It turns out, the Black kids at the school have faced-rampant racism, including being called racial slurs by teachers and students.
Anyway. What I was saying is that Black people should...
Dammit. Another call! Shit!
OK. That was a woman who wondered if The Root could write about Black people suffering depression because they have to work in hostile environments every day. She has to go to work every day as the only Black person in a department that just happens to be run by an openly racist man. Her white coworkers know it but they don’t want to confront him because...well, they aren’t affected.
Advertisement
Anyway, as I was saying, Black people will never be free because we won’t take responsibility in our own hands. If we want to be equal to white people, we’ll have to do what they do.
We’ll have to get land by murdering native Americans or stealing it from Black people. We’ll have to start a war and call it “Revolutionary” or “Civil.” If we want better schools, we’ll have to stand in schoolhouse doors, spit on white children, and murder little white girls. If we want criminal justice reform, we’ll have to disproportionately incarcerate white people and sentence them to longer sentences for the same crimes. If we want more wealth, we’ll have to devalue homes in white neighborhoods, deny them credit and underpay them.
Advertisement
You’re right. That sounds like a lot of work and you know Black people are lazy. So we just hold meetings, marches and protests. Stupid us.
Anyway, I just wanted to say, I was wrong. America is not a Confederate monument. White people are not slave masters.
Advertisement
America is a prison.
And white people are just wardens.


theroot--2020-07-10--'We Were Over': Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith Discuss Previous Separation and Jada's Relationshi

'We Were Over': Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith Discuss Previous Separation and Jada's Relationship with August Alsina

When you woke up this morning , you probably thought you ’ d be having a regular Friday afternoon .
Oh , but no !
This isn ’ t a regular Friday , this is 2020 Friday .
In a surprise drop reminiscent of Beyoncé releasing her self-titled album , the much-anticipated episode where Jada Pinkett Smith finally addressed the controversy surrounding her reported relationship with August Alsina released on Facebook Watch this Friday afternoon .
“ I brought myself to the table last week but decided to hold the episode out of respect for the far more important situations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Jada tweeted once the episode was live on Facebook .
Right as the episode faded in , it was immediately apparent that Jada wasn ’ t alone at the infamous red table and was instead joined by her husband , Will Smith .
The two got right to it , with Pinkett Smith immediately confirming that a statement was released on her behalf , but also confirming it was not from her .
Both admitted they intentionally decided not to make any immediate statements , despite seeing all of the headlines and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter has claimed it as [ their ] business , ” Smith joked .
Jada recalled that when she met August approximately four-and-a-half years ago , they developed a very close friendship , which ultimately evolved into something more .
Jada and Will then confirmed that they were separated at the time .
Jada then went on to say that she was in an “ entanglement ” with August , who she commonly referred to as “ Aug. ” After some prodding from Will , though , Jada used the word “ relationship.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ really , really sick ” at the time that they met and she believed that her relationship with him may have been a situation where one tries to fix their own childhood trauma by attempting to fix someone else ’ s .
Will , who noted that they were 25 years in the game and never kept secrets from each other , did admit he had conflicting feelings about Jada and August ’ s turn of relationship .
“ I wasn ’ t sure I was even going to speak to you again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two didn ’ t agree on whether or not what Jada did was a “ transgression ” ( she doesn ’ t think so ; he does ) , they did both agree that this very challenging aspect of their marriage journey got them to a place where they knew without a doubt that they had each other ’ s back .
“ You have to go through some shit to get the answers , ” Jada concluded .
“ We ride together , we die together , bad marriage for life !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bad Boys reference ) , followed with a loving dap .
To watch the full episode , head to facebook.com .

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

When you woke up this morning, you probably thought you’d be having a regular Friday afternoon. Oh, but no! This isn’t a regular Friday, this is 2020 Friday.
In a surprise drop reminiscent of Beyoncé releasing her self-titled album, the much-anticipated episode where Jada Pinkett Smith finally addressed the controversy surrounding her reported relationship with August Alsina released on Facebook Watch this Friday afternoon.
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“I brought myself to the table last week but decided to hold the episode out of respect for the far more important situations that have been happening around us,” Jada tweeted once the episode was live on Facebook.
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Right as the episode faded in, it was immediately apparent that Jada wasn’t alone at the infamous red table and was instead joined by her husband, Will Smith.
Advertisement
The two got right to it, with Pinkett Smith immediately confirming that a statement was released on her behalf, but also confirming it was not from her. Both admitted they intentionally decided not to make any immediate statements, despite seeing all of the headlines and discussions.
“But now, Black Twitter has claimed it as [their] business,” Smith joked.
Jada recalled that when she met August approximately four-and-a-half years ago, they developed a very close friendship, which ultimately evolved into something more. Jada and Will then confirmed that they were separated at the time.
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“We were over,” Jada said.
“We were separated, amicably,” Will reinforced.
Jada then went on to say that she was in an “entanglement” with August, who she commonly referred to as “Aug.” After some prodding from Will, though, Jada used the word “relationship.” Jada admitted that August was “really, really sick” at the time that they met and she believed that her relationship with him may have been a situation where one tries to fix their own childhood trauma by attempting to fix someone else’s.
Advertisement
Will, who noted that they were 25 years in the game and never kept secrets from each other, did admit he had conflicting feelings about Jada and August’s turn of relationship.
“I wasn’t sure I was even going to speak to you again,” Will admitted.
Though the two didn’t agree on whether or not what Jada did was a “transgression” (she doesn’t think so; he does), they did both agree that this very challenging aspect of their marriage journey got them to a place where they knew without a doubt that they had each other’s back.
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“You have to go through some shit to get the answers,” Jada concluded.
“We ride together, we die together, bad marriage for life!” the two joked (using a Bad Boys reference), followed with a loving dap.
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To watch the full episode, head to facebook.com.


theroot--2020-07-10--Who Run the World? Meghan Markle, Michelle Obama and More to Appear at the Virtual Girl Up Leadershi

Who Run the World? Meghan Markle, Michelle Obama and More to Appear at the Virtual Girl Up Leadership Summit

Love her , hate her , ambivalent or as yet undecided , Meghan Markle—also known as the Duchess of Sussex—is a household name we should all be well accustomed to hearing by now .
And as we ’ ve previously reported , since she and husband Harry have recently signed to leading speakers bureau the Harry Walker Agency , we should also get accustomed to hearing more of both of them for the foreseeable future .
But should you want to hear this household name from the comfort of your own home , on Wednesday , the Girl Up campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual Leadership Summit , a three-day online event taking place from July 13-15 .
According to the organization ’ s official website , Girl Up is an initiative that has worked with 65,000 girls via 3,500 clubs in nearly 120 countries and all 50 United States to inspire a generation of young women to be a force for gender equality and social change .
The event will be one of the duchess ’ s first public speaking engagements since stepping away from the royal family .
Of course , the duchess is only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men ! )
speaking and presenting at this year ’ s event , including Michelle Obama , Storm Reid , Steph Curry and Monique Coleman ( Disney ’ s High School Musical ) and more .
The coolest part ?
You can bring all this girl power home for free—and it ’ s not too late to register !
You find out more , donate and get tickets at the Girl Up website .

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

Love her, hate her, ambivalent or as yet undecided, Meghan Markle—also known as the Duchess of Sussex—is a household name we should all be well accustomed to hearing by now. And as we’ve previously reported, since she and husband Harry have recently signed to leading speakers bureau the Harry Walker Agency, we should also get accustomed to hearing more of both of them for the foreseeable future.
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But should you want to hear this household name from the comfort of your own home, on Wednesday, the Girl Up campaign announced Markle will be appearing at their virtual Leadership Summit, a three-day online event taking place from July 13-15.
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As reported by PureWow:
According to the organization’s official website, Girl Up is an initiative that has worked with 65,000 girls via 3,500 clubs in nearly 120 countries and all 50 United States to inspire a generation of young women to be a force for gender equality and social change. The event will be one of the duchess’s first public speaking engagements since stepping away from the royal family.
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Of course, the duchess is only one of several dynamic women (and men!) speaking and presenting at this year’s event, including Michelle Obama, Storm Reid, Steph Curry and Monique Coleman (Disney’s High School Musical) and more.
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The coolest part? You can bring all this girl power home for free—and it’s not too late to register! You find out more, donate and get tickets at the Girl Up website.


theroot--2020-07-10--Auntie Unfiltered: Not All White People

Auntie Unfiltered: Not All White People

Whenever the topic of discussion turns to white people and the bullshit they pull against Black people , there will @ @ @ @ @ voices that want to disrupt what could be a productive conversation with that old white @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve written about and spoken on this topic before .
It ’ s nothing @ @ @ @ @ people is a deflection .
It rhymes with “ I ’ ve always been good @ @ @ @ @ and it is in the verse after “ Some of my best friends are Black.
@ @ @ @ @ defense mechanism that white people use when they feel affronted .
On this episode , @ @ @ @ @ need to stop doing this .
As always , I want to hear from you @ @ @ @ @ , comments or concerns , if you need advice , or if you have a @ @ @ @ @ discuss , please hit me up at AuntieSubmissions @ theroot.com .

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Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude


theroot--2020-07-10--YG Says He Won’t Work With Nicki Minaj After Her Tekashi 6ix9ine Collab: ‘My Feelings Was Hurt’

The richest , most beautiful feature of a phrase like “ I ’ m cool , ” or “ I ’ m good ” is how many different meanings it holds .
It can be literal—yes , sure , shit ’ s fine over here—or it can mean “ shit is certainly , 100 percent not fine , ” “ this conversation is done , ” “ or “ stay over there.
” Needless to say , when YG says he ’ s “ cool ” not doing another song with Nicki Minaj , he means his mind is made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ host Bootleg Kev on Thursday , the Compton-based rapper said he didn ’ t see himself collaborating with Nicki Minaj in the future .
YG ’ s recent , uh , frostiness comes courtesy of Nicki ’ s recent collaboration with Tekashi 6ix9ine , the melted My Little Pony-turned federal informant , “ Trollz.
” Bootleg Kev asked YG directly if he would work with Nicki again after working with the 23-year-old Brooklyn rapper , who testified against members of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods in exchange for reduced charges of racketeering , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Yeah .
I don ’ t know , my feelings was hurt .
I ’ m a real street n***a , ” said YG .
When Bootleg Kev clarified this meant no more Nicki features , YG replied , “ Yeah , I ’ m cool.
” The “ Trollz ” single came out last month , following Tekashi ’ s early release from prison in April due to coronavirus concerns .
The single debuted at number one , which is fascinating ( I ’ ll admit I haven ’ t listened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I also love myself ) .
YG had previously worked with Nicki on his single “ Big Bank , ” in which she featured prominently .
But as The Source notes , YG ’ s beef with 6ix9ine predates his turn as a snitch , starting with Tekashi talking shit about L.A. gang culture .
Of course , 6ix9ine ’ s involvement with the feds just added fuel to the fire ; at Coachella last year , YG performed his song “ Stop Snitching ” in front of Tekashi ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest , is more than aware of YG ’ s feelings .
After a clip of the interview was shared to the Shade Room , the rapper responded in typical troll fashion .
“ Smh Damn Nicki u done messed up big time , ” 6ix9ine , adding his contribution to TSR ’ s infamous comments section .
Love this energy from YG , but would have loved it even more if , say , 6ix9ine ’ s child porn offenses ( which he pleaded guilty to in 2018 ) warranted the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6ix9ine before , referring to the rapper as a pedophile in the video for his 2018 song “ Bulletproof.
” This was the same year YG collaborated with Nicki on “ Big Bank ” ( released in late May ) ; Nicki would end up working with 6ix9ine on “ FeFe ” that summer .
But the sex abuse charges were treated more like a jab at 6ix9ine ; YG didn ’ t follow them with any declarations that he would cease working with 6ix9ine ’ s collaborators , nor did he allude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wouldnt work with Nicki any longer ( Nicki , for her part , is no stranger to accusations that she supports abusive men ) .
With hip-hop—and the greater music industry—once again being called to reckon with the way it marginalizes survivors and upholds the powerful people that abuse them , it would be a refreshing change to see rappers take the uncompromising attitude they have toward snitching toward accused sex abusers and their enablers .
Thus far , Nicki hasn ’ t responded to YG ’ s comments .

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

The richest, most beautiful feature of a phrase like “I’m cool,” or “I’m good” is how many different meanings it holds. It can be literal—yes, sure, shit’s fine over here—or it can mean “shit is certainly, 100 percent not fine,” “this conversation is done,” “or “stay over there.”
Needless to say, when YG says he’s “cool” not doing another song with Nicki Minaj, he means his mind is made up.
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Talking to 92.3 LA radio host Bootleg Kev on Thursday, the Compton-based rapper said he didn’t see himself collaborating with Nicki Minaj in the future. YG’s recent, uh, frostiness comes courtesy of Nicki’s recent collaboration with Tekashi 6ix9ine, the melted My Little Pony-turned federal informant, “Trollz.”
Bootleg Kev asked YG directly if he would work with Nicki again after working with the 23-year-old Brooklyn rapper, who testified against members of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods in exchange for reduced charges of racketeering, firearms offenses, and drug trafficking.
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YG shook his head.
“It’s a no?” Bootleg Kev followed up.
“Yeah. I don’t know, my feelings was hurt. I’m a real street n***a,” said YG. When Bootleg Kev clarified this meant no more Nicki features, YG replied, “Yeah, I’m cool.”
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The “Trollz” single came out last month, following Tekashi’s early release from prison in April due to coronavirus concerns. The single debuted at number one, which is fascinating (I’ll admit I haven’t listened to the song. I love blogging, but I also love myself).
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YG had previously worked with Nicki on his single “Big Bank,” in which she featured prominently. But as The Source notes, YG’s beef with 6ix9ine predates his turn as a snitch, starting with Tekashi talking shit about L.A. gang culture. Of course, 6ix9ine’s involvement with the feds just added fuel to the fire; at Coachella last year, YG performed his song “Stop Snitching” in front of Tekashi’s mugshot.
6ix9ine, currently under house arrest, is more than aware of YG’s feelings. After a clip of the interview was shared to the Shade Room, the rapper responded in typical troll fashion.
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“Smh Damn Nicki u done messed up big time,” 6ix9ine, adding his contribution to TSR’s infamous comments section.
Love this energy from YG, but would have loved it even more if, say, 6ix9ine’s child porn offenses (which he pleaded guilty to in 2018) warranted the same hard-line stance. YG has called out 6ix9ine before, referring to the rapper as a pedophile in the video for his 2018 song “Bulletproof.” This was the same year YG collaborated with Nicki on “Big Bank” (released in late May); Nicki would end up working with 6ix9ine on “FeFe” that summer. But the sex abuse charges were treated more like a jab at 6ix9ine; YG didn’t follow them with any declarations that he would cease working with 6ix9ine’s collaborators, nor did he allude to those charges when he explained why he wouldnt work with Nicki any longer (Nicki, for her part, is no stranger to accusations that she supports abusive men).
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With hip-hop—and the greater music industry—once again being called to reckon with the way it marginalizes survivors and upholds the powerful people that abuse them, it would be a refreshing change to see rappers take the uncompromising attitude they have toward snitching toward accused sex abusers and their enablers.
Thus far, Nicki hasn’t responded to YG’s comments.


theroot--2020-07-10--What Would Be an Appropriate Consequence (Or Punishment) for Someone Like Amy Cooper?

There ’ s a scene in Gone Baby Gone where Patrick Kenzie ( Casey Affleck ) is deep in the white hoods of Boston , and he runs into two dopeboys he knows—one Black and one white .
After greeting the Black one , he turns to speak to the white one .
I think about that reply a lot because it ’ s just a bad-ass way of telling someone to fuck off .
And I ’ m thinking about it today because I ’ m imagining Amy Cooper asking someone—anyone—how they ’ ve been recently , and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best response there too .
In the weeks since Melody Cooper shared the video her brother , Christian , took of a random white woman harassing and threatening to call the police on him at Central Park , Amy Cooper ’ s life has been trash .
She lost her job .
Temporarily lost her dog .
Reportedly got banned from Central Park—which still makes me laugh .
Had her personal business , including a messy-as-all-the-fucks love quadrangle , published by the New York Times .
And became the most infamous embodiment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I joked about in a piece I wrote about her in May .
She ’ s back in the news because she was charged with filing a false police report , a class “ A ” misdemeanor , but Christian Cooper doesn ’ t want to cooperate with the police , insisting that “ Bringing her more misery just seems like piling on.
” And while most of the conversation this week about this case has been focused on his lack of desire to have her face legal consequences , I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more interested in what we think should be done with someone like her .
Of course , there ’ s the historical context of white women weaponizing their whiteness to have “ law enforcement ” lynch Black people .
And while lying on a Black man in 2020 admittedly doesn ’ t carry the same threat of life-ending consequence as lying on a Black boy in 1955 did , the potential for it is still there .
Christian Cooper could ’ ve been a hashtag for a much worse reason .
If a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false claims , Amy Cooper should face those consequences .
Or maybe not .
What would a misdemeanor charge do that becoming a social pariah hasn ’ t done already ?
The national conversation about the reduction and eventual abolishment of the police also involves imagining and enacting alternative modes of accountability—including ones that don ’ t waste as much money and resources and bandwidth as some valueless criminal charge would .
There are abolitionist scholars , including Angela Davis and Mariame Kaba , whose work revolves around t hose questions .
Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curious what you believe is an appropriate consequence for Amy Cooper , because I ’ m still trying to figure that out myself .

There’s a scene in Gone Baby Gone where Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) is deep in the white hoods of Boston, and he runs into two dopeboys he knows—one Black and one white. After greeting the Black one, he turns to speak to the white one.
Patrick Kenzie: How you been, Chris? Chris: Better than you.
I think about that reply a lot because it’s just a bad-ass way of telling someone to fuck off. And I’m thinking about it today because I’m imagining Amy Cooper asking someone—anyone—how they’ve been recently, and “better than you” would probably be the best response there too.
In the weeks since Melody Cooper shared the video her brother, Christian, took of a random white woman harassing and threatening to call the police on him at Central Park, Amy Cooper’s life has been trash. She lost her job. Temporarily lost her dog. Reportedly got banned from Central Park—which still makes me laugh. Had her personal business, including a messy-as-all-the-fucks love quadrangle, published by the New York Times. And became the most infamous embodiment of the “Karen”—a status I joked about in a piece I wrote about her in May.
SHE’S A PIONEER THE FIRST KAREN OF HER NAME THE KAREN THAT WAS PROMISED THE SUBATOMIC BECKY THE NIKOLA TESLA OF ABIGAIL FISHERS AND THERE CAN BE NO EARTHLY COMPARISON.
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(If I could go back and write this again, I would’ve added “DOCTOR KAREN MANHATTAN.”)
She’s back in the news because she was charged with filing a false police report, a class “A” misdemeanor, but Christian Cooper doesn’t want to cooperate with the police, insisting that “Bringing her more misery just seems like piling on.” And while most of the conversation this week about this case has been focused on his lack of desire to have her face legal consequences, I’m less concerned with how he feels and more interested in what we think should be done with someone like her.
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Of course, there’s the historical context of white women weaponizing their whiteness to have “ law enforcement” lynch Black people. And while lying on a Black man in 2020 admittedly doesn’t carry the same threat of life-ending consequence as lying on a Black boy in 1955 did, the potential for it is still there. Christian Cooper could’ve been a hashtag for a much worse reason. If a law exists to charge people for making false claims, Amy Cooper should face those consequences.
Or maybe not.
What would a misdemeanor charge do that becoming a social pariah hasn’t done already? The national conversation about the reduction and eventual abolishment of the police also involves imagining and enacting alternative modes of accountability—including ones that don’t waste as much money and resources and bandwidth as some valueless criminal charge would.
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There are abolitionist scholars, including Angela Davis and Mariame Kaba, whose work revolves around t hose questions. Today, though, I’m more curious what you believe is an appropriate consequence for Amy Cooper, because I’m still trying to figure that out myself.


theroot--2020-07-10--Trump Is Totally Going to Pardon Mr. Whitefolks, Roger Stone

Roger Stone , the pimp-dressing white man who was voted most likely to rock a monocle , is going to get pardoned before he ’ s scheduled to report to prison next week and Trump , being the reality TV show man that he is , is just building up suspense for what we all know is going to happen .
On Friday , Trump was asked about possibly pardoning Mr. Whitefolks , his pimp-dressing friend who was convicted of lying to Congress and witness tampering , to which Mr. WhiteNationalistFolks replied , “ Well , I ’ ll be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think Roger Stone was very unfairly treated , as were many people , ” the Washington Post reports .
By “ unfairly treated , ” Trump means that StoneColdPimpinOnTheseHoes should have been given a pass because he ’ s Trump ’ s friend .
Trump claimed during a radio interview that StoneColdMonocleOnTheirAss has been “ praying ” for a pardon .
“ If you say he ’ s praying , his prayer may be answered , ” Trump said .
“ Let ’ s see what happens.
” Trump told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ always thinking ” when asked if he was thinking about a pardon or commutation .
“ You ’ ll be watching like everyone else in this case , ” Trump added .
Bitch , stop building the hype as everyone knows that Stone is going to get pardoned .
Stone lied to protect the president and the president rewards that level of loyalty and increases his level of petty to the maximum when he feels betrayed .
Stone , 67 , was sentenced to three years and four months in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get details from Hillary Clinton ’ s private emails from the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks , then intimidating a friend who could contradict his story .
He has been ordered to report to prison by Tuesday .
Because of the coronavirus pandemic .
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson had given Stone a two-week delay to quarantine before traveling from South Florida to the prison in Jessup , Ga .
But she denied the two-month reprieve that Stone had requested with prosecutors ’ assent .
With the date for Stone to report looming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump pardon and the potential political impact for him of doing so ahead of the November election .
Asked about Trump ’ s intentions earlier Friday , White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said she would not get ahead of her boss .
So now we wait until the president makes it official , but raise your hand if you don ’ t believe he ’ s going to pardon the whitest pimp to ever do it .

Roger Stone, the pimp-dressing white man who was voted most likely to rock a monocle, is going to get pardoned before he’s scheduled to report to prison next week and Trump, being the reality TV show man that he is, is just building up suspense for what we all know is going to happen.
On Friday, Trump was asked about possibly pardoning Mr. Whitefolks, his pimp-dressing friend who was convicted of lying to Congress and witness tampering, to which Mr. WhiteNationalistFolks replied, “Well, I’ll be looking at it,” Trump said. “I think Roger Stone was very unfairly treated, as were many people,” the Washington Post reports.
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By “unfairly treated,” Trump means that StoneColdPimpinOnTheseHoes should have been given a pass because he’s Trump’s friend. Trump claimed during a radio interview that StoneColdMonocleOnTheirAss has been “praying” for a pardon.
“If you say he’s praying, his prayer may be answered,” Trump said. “Let’s see what happens.”
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Trump told Fox News on Thursday that he’s “always thinking” when asked if he was thinking about a pardon or commutation.
“You’ll be watching like everyone else in this case,” Trump added.
Bitch, stop building the hype as everyone knows that Stone is going to get pardoned. Stone lied to protect the president and the president rewards that level of loyalty and increases his level of petty to the maximum when he feels betrayed.
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From the Post:
Stone, 67, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison for making false statements about his attempts to get details from Hillary Clinton’s private emails from the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks, then intimidating a friend who could contradict his story. He has been ordered to report to prison by Tuesday. Because of the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson had given Stone a two-week delay to quarantine before traveling from South Florida to the prison in Jessup, Ga. But she denied the two-month reprieve that Stone had requested with prosecutors’ assent. With the date for Stone to report looming, speculation has ratcheted up about a Trump pardon and the potential political impact for him of doing so ahead of the November election. Asked about Trump’s intentions earlier Friday, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said she would not get ahead of her boss.
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So now we wait until the president makes it official, but raise your hand if you don’t believe he’s going to pardon the whitest pimp to ever do it.
(Updated 3/3/22 with new details)


theroot--2020-07-10--Gina Prince-Bythewood Speaks on the 'Black Female Gaze' Contributing to KiKi Layne's 'Integral' Part

Gina Prince-Bythewood Speaks on the 'Black Female Gaze' Contributing to KiKi Layne's 'Integral' Part in The Old Guard

What does it look like to have a badass summer action flick brought to the screen through the eyes of an equally badass black woman ?
Well , it looks like The Old Guard .
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood , The Old Guard is based on the acclaimed graphic Greg Rucka novel of the same name .
The synopsis for the film provided by Netflix is as follows : Along with Theron and Layne , The Old Guard stars Marwan Kenzari , Luca Marinelli , Harry Melling , Van Veronica Ngo , Matthias Schoenaerts and Chiwetel Ejiofor , the latter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s cut in the “ Morris Chestnut Fine ” category .
The Root sat down for a virtual interview with Prince-Bythewood and Layne to discuss the importance of Black women leading an action-thriller film with a sizable budget in all aspects—both behind and in front of the camera .
The budget for The Old Guard was 10 times more than Prince-Bythewood ’ s last film .
That gap is nothing to scoff at , especially considering these types of opportunities are few and far between for Black female directors .
“ The most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not look like us and so when they read a script and don ’ t see themselves reflected , they are not connected and have no desire to make it , ” Prince-Bythewood mused .
“ As opposed to us—the way I can go and see The Notebook and fall in love with those characters , it doesn ’ t matter if they ’ re white , I ’ m just falling in love with them .
That [ concept ] needs to be flipped .
People need to see our stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beauty of me being in this director ’ s chair—and hopefully , more following—is with the story .
Greg Rucker wrote an incredible graphic novel and adapted the script .
But in reading it , I noticed early on that Nile needs more character .
I wanted to expand her character , give her a full arc , more backstory and make sure she ’ s integral to the climax , the plot and the story .
Would someone else had recognized that ?
Probably not .
Because they ’ re so used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sidekick or comic relief .
So , we need our Black female gaze on these films.
” That very Black female gaze is readily apparent and confirmed throughout the film .
A recent report on The Daily Bulletin confirmed that Terilyn A. Shropshire—who had worked with Prince-Bythewood for a long time—is “ the first Black woman to edit a superhero film , and the rare editor to cut one by herself , without a co-editor or two to handle the voluminous frames of footage these movies produce.
” At first glance , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the white-leading actress carries the film to attract “ mainstream ” audiences at the expense of the Black “ sidekick ” —but once you watch , you quickly realize Layne ’ s Nile is no sidekick , honey .
She ’ s the core .
Obviously , that is especially important since Layne is a dark-skinned actress .
“ Honestly , the biggest thing that I ’ m going after with my career is to break through those barriers , those boundaries and the assumption of where the actress that looks like me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hollywood has definitely made it clear where it thinks I belong !
You get to play these 3 types of roles and tell 3 types of stories and that ’ s it , which is silly , because in day to day life , we live all of these different stories , circumstances , situations and playing all of these different roles.
” I highly recommend streaming this film this weekend as it ’ s an effectively thrilling action film .
In fact , there ’ s one particular sequence that is so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knots—and it was all told in flashback .
We may not get the traditional version of a blockbuster summer movie schedule due to the lockdown , but I think this film will satisfy a streamer fan ’ s appetite .
The Old Guard is now streaming on Netflix .


theroot--2020-07-10--US Army Probing How Completely Accurate Description of ‘MAGA’ as ‘Covert White Supremacy’ Was Includ

US Army Probing How Completely Accurate Description of ‘MAGA’ as ‘Covert White Supremacy’ Was Included in Racial Inclusivity Workshop

Someone told the truth on a U.S. Army base , and folks ( Army leadership ) are not happy about it !
As CNN reports , a graphic was distributed at an Army base in Alabama this week describing Donald Trump ’ s campaign slogan , “ Make America Great Again ” as a form of “ covert white supremacy.
” The handout—a set of slides—was distributed by officials to personnel at Redstone Arsenal , near Huntsville , Ala .
In a statement , Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said the handout “ included two unapproved pages that were sent out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal favorite part about this is that the slides are tied to a new initiative called “ Project Inclusion , ” which is aimed at improving diversity and racial inclusion across the armed forces .
The handout was part of a “ listening tour , ” according to CNN : The graphic shown on one of the slides includes a pyramid graphic sourced from Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence that states blackface , swastikas and racist jokes are forms of “ overt white supremacy.
” The graphic includes “ MAGA , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ All Lives Matter ” as types of socially acceptable or “ covert white supremacy.
” “ The slides—copied from a non-government website—included a word cloud with phrases that were intended to spark conversation ; however , the document was predecisional and inappropriate for the discussion .
The unapproved pages were in no way used as part of the ‘ Your Voice Matters ’ listening tour sessions , ” Smith said .
Naturally , the army is investigating how this unintended sliver of truth got slipped into a presentation that was intended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any substantial way .
If you want to get one more little chuckle , Smith added that the Army “ is and will continue to remain an apolitical organization.
” Apolitical ?
The same armed forces that have been dispatched against Black Lives Matter protesters across the country ?
The same organization that specifically targets young Black and Latinx folks for recruitment , promising adventure , education , and a steady paycheck ( never mind the PTSD , or the racial discrimination and sexual abuse that runs rampant through its ranks ) ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and kill people of color in “ developing ” nations ?
That US military ?

Someone told the truth on a U.S. Army base, and folks (Army leadership) are not happy about it!
As CNN reports, a graphic was distributed at an Army base in Alabama this week describing Donald Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again” as a form of “covert white supremacy.” The handout—a set of slides—was distributed by officials to personnel at Redstone Arsenal, near Huntsville, Ala.
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In a statement, Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said the handout “included two unapproved pages that were sent out in error and immediately recalled.”
My personal favorite part about this is that the slides are tied to a new initiative called “Project Inclusion,” which is aimed at improving diversity and racial inclusion across the armed forces. The handout was part of a “listening tour,” according to CNN:
The graphic shown on one of the slides includes a pyramid graphic sourced from Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence that states blackface, swastikas and racist jokes are forms of “overt white supremacy.” The graphic includes “MAGA,” the “celebration of Columbus Day” and “All Lives Matter” as types of socially acceptable or “covert white supremacy.” “The slides—copied from a non-government website—included a word cloud with phrases that were intended to spark conversation; however, the document was predecisional and inappropriate for the discussion. The unapproved pages were in no way used as part of the ‘Your Voice Matters’ listening tour sessions,” Smith said.
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Naturally, the army is investigating how this unintended sliver of truth got slipped into a presentation that was intended to talk about racism, but not in any substantial way.
If you want to get one more little chuckle, Smith added that the Army “is and will continue to remain an apolitical organization.”
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Apolitical? The same armed forces that have been dispatched against Black Lives Matter protesters across the country? The same organization that specifically targets young Black and Latinx folks for recruitment, promising adventure, education, and a steady paycheck (never mind the PTSD, or the racial discrimination and sexual abuse that runs rampant through its ranks)? The same military historically used to dominate and kill people of color in “developing” nations? That US military?
That’s news to me!