theroot--2020-07-07--The Cakewalk: Cops, My Mental Condition and the Tradition of Police Brutality

It started with a piece of strawberry cake .
During my years after high school , some of my good friends , who would later become family , opened a Caribbean restaurant on H Street N.E .
in D.C .
It was really a takeout place with a few places to sit , but for many of us , it was a second home .
My second family was from Trinidad , and they managed to survive the Rayful Edmond ’ 80s , so they were hip when we ’ d slide through with our eyes bloodshot in the middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chicken smothered in curry .
They never questioned why we ’ d crush a slice of cake in seconds .
I don ’ t know anyone who could open the plastic cake container , smell the glorious scent of the frosting , and not punish that strawberry softness to smithereens .
The stew chicken was divine but truthfully , I was in it for the cake .
The cakes were heavenly .
They made all kinds of cakes : lemon , chocolate , but my favorite was strawberry .
My boy Derrick would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the evening after we ’ d smoked and drank it all .
This was our tradition .
This night was one of those nights .
The initial plan was that Derrick and I were going to dip off to another spot and meet the family back at the house later .
But on this night we didn ’ t get back until late—well past 2 a.m .
This was before cell phones .
We didn ’ t want to wake everyone up so we figured we ’ d sleep outside .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we knew the 18-wheeler drivers would leave their big 53-foot-long containers , and figured we ’ d sleep in one of those .
We ’ d just found an empty joint that was open and were getting ready to go to sleep when Derrick reminded me that he still had a piece of cake .
He pulled it out of his bookbag .
Both of our eyes lit up as he popped the plastic cake case open .
That ’ s when the car came barreling down the street .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , I don ’ t know what happened—just that a car drove past us , fast , slammed on the brakes and shooting rang out from everywhere .
We couldn ’ t see anything because we were in the back of an 18-wheeler-truck container and there weren ’ t any windows .
I laid flat on my back praying that a bullet didn ’ t hit us .
At some point , Derrick must ’ ve closed the lid to the cake because we kind of laughed later when we both realized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooting stopped , we hopped out of the truck container and started running .
We didn ’ t even know where we were running , but we knew that our destination was away from there .
When we looked up , Derrick realized that we were a good hour away from a girl he was dating but if we made it there , she ’ d surely let us stay the night .
We decided that we ’ d give her the cake as a peace offering for waking her up so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his hand the whole way .
We walked , trying to piece together what happened , but nothing we thought of made any sense .
We ’ d finally made it to Eastern Avenue , which was 30 minutes from his lady ’ s place when four officers rolled up on us .
They wanted to know why my back was dirty .
I didn ’ t even know what the officer was talking about ; I couldn ’ t even open my mouth before Derrick shot back , “ Is having dirt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” I guess I ’ d gotten dirt on my shirt from laying down in the truck .
I figured I could talk us out of this by just explaining the truth that we were going to sleep in a truck until someone started shooting .
But the officer and Derrick had already gotten into something I couldn ’ t name .
We were exhausted—normally our nights like this ended with funny stories—and we just wanted to get where we were going .
That ’ s when the cop said something to Derrick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cop smacked the cake out of Derrick ’ s hand .
I watched as the cake lid opened and the cake , in all its strawberry goodness , went crashing into the ground .
The cop then took his boot and smashed it into the pavement .
Derrick said , “ I wish that man who was killing cops would ’ ve killed your ass.
” And just like that , Derrick was handcuffed .
I figured they were going to take him somewhere and beat him , which was normal D.C. operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t unlikely for an officer to roll up on you , search you , take your money and weed and let you go .
I once had an officer almost hit me with his car when I raised my hands outward to imply , “ What the fuck are you doing ?
” The officer put his hand over his badge and asked me “ What ’ s up ?
!
” He wanted to fight me .
It was their tradition .
Derrick kept shouting a phone number , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t high anymore .
I ’ d stopped being high when the shooting started and I really stopped being high once we started running but I still couldn ’ t put together what he was saying .
The cops bounced with Derrick just as fast as they arrived , and I realized I was alone .
The number was his lady ’ s number .
I didn ’ t remember it .
I walked back to a neighborhood I was familiar with and slept outside .
It wouldn ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to panic attacks and new to being single .
I was working a job that I hated and starting to feel like an old-ass burden .
I ’ d been having trouble driving , trouble sitting in places too long .
I was miserable .
I was starting to feel like I was losing my mind and now I was trying to date .
I just needed a distraction .
I used to go out all the time ; now , I had a list of shows I watched on TV .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring it up or how to talk about it so I just told the woman I was trying to date , “ Look , sometimes I lunch out , so if I get real quiet or need to sit outside , don ’ t freak out and definitely don ’ t call 9-1-1.
” I wasn ’ t born hating the police .
I just didn ’ t believe they could help me .
I can ’ t think of one time where a police officer has added anything of value to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ ve needed their police reports to file claims but that ’ s an insurance requirement , not mine .
Police aren ’ t trained in de-escalation—they don ’ t alleviate my anxiety , they add to it .
I imagine them arriving and placing me in handcuffs for their safety and mine .
Except , I hate feeling trapped .
I spent the majority of my teen years outside .
My best friend and I used to have this thing where we ’ d get drunk , walk the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us .
Some nights turned out fantastic ; others tragic but either way , they were memorable and we were cool with that .
As an adult , I feel the most comfortable and truly my most free when I ’ m outside .
To this day , if I have anxiety in the house , I leave and take a walk—not because they ’ re refreshing or whatever white people get from walks—it ’ s just ...
I don ’ t know how to explain it .
It was my tradition .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ car , I need to get out .
I need to be free .
Imagine trying to explain this to someone you ’ re trying to date .
Imagine trying to present yourself as a provider and protector who doesn ’ t really fuck with traffic jams or bridges .
But I didn ’ t want to lie about it , so I explained that I grew up kind of fucked up so I get panic attacks sometimes .
I was getting them more often than not .
I was having them on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times a week .
But she was beautiful and funny and I was willing to try to make it something .
In fact , she still teases me for telling her after a week of dating that I loved her .
That ’ s not how it went down exactly : what I told her is that “ I don ’ t know how much you can love someone in a week but , whatever that measurement is , I one-week love you.
” And I did .
I ’ d never met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to call the police if I had a panic attack because I wasn ’ t trying to get fucked up .
She didn ’ t understand .
I told her that my height ( 6 ’ 2 ) , weight ( 215 on a good day ) and freaking out is an ass whooping just waiting to happen .
She was from a hippie town in upstate New York but she wasn ’ t dumb .
We were driving when I could feel an anxiety attack coming on .
She could tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was virtually impossible for me to get out and walk around .
That ’ s when she told me to lay down in the backseat .
I did , embarrassed .
Here I am , this big-ass man curled up in the fetal position in the back of the car and that ’ s when her hand reached back for me to hold .
Have you ever been pushed onto a hot car hood ?
It ’ s not like a fire burn that sears the skin ; it ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of red .
The first time I was smashed on a hot car hood , I was 14 .
I didn ’ t set out to dislike the police .
In fact , up until that point , the police were about as impactful as a cab driver or any other common job that people had .
I didn ’ t have any interactions with them to go by .
Until I was 14 .
I was with a few friends attempting to get into a youth rec center in Old Greenbelt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there would let white kids in without any fuss but , every time we tried to get in , they ’ d ask us for ID to prove we lived in Greenbelt .
We know this now as a microaggression , but back then we just figured they were being assholes .
Same thing , really .
Finally , my friend Eric decided he ’ d had enough .
He asked why they treated us like this .
Told them where we lived and how we wouldn ’ t have a fucking ID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy cigarettes or drive a car .
Apparently , these adults were frightened by Eric ’ s 14-year-old words because minutes later , the police had pinned me face-down on the hood of a hot car .
I guess the only way these grown adults figured they could handle the situation was to call the police .
It was their tradition .
I don ’ t believe that the police can be saved .
I also believe that the individuals who make up the police force can be decent people .
They have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cops .
It ’ s their tradition .
My illness requires a compassion that even I don ’ t have—in fact , it ’ s one of the reasons I still suffer from it .
I didn ’ t grow up in a compassionate house .
I didn ’ t grow up receiving hugs ( I imagine that healthy households include self-hugging ) .
Although it is changing , I understand why Black folks don ’ t even believe in the power of therapy .
Imagine carrying around all that healthy compassion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you .
A person with a healthy mind might not have panic attacks but a person with a healthy mind might not be able to compose themself after nearly being killed in a random drive-by .
A person with a healthy mind might process the bite-size racism that we call “ microaggression ” but they would also probably disintegrate into a tub of tears after being brutalized and tortured by an ever-present , all-powerful uniformed stalker .
I ’ ve been told that the only way through is through .
I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , champ.
” I ’ ve been told to go to cognitive therapy , which is like Sesame Street for your brain .
I ’ ve been told that this too shall pass .
I ’ ve been told to learn 2 Timothy 1:7 .
I ’ ve been told to repeat it in those moments when I ’ m at my weakest .
I ’ ve been told that “ God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control .
... hath not given us the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and of love , and of a sound mind.
” Having a fear of police is natural for Black men .
The news confirms this .
Police shootings confirm this .
White folks so threatened by Black Lives Matter that they can ’ t even stand a government-approved banner on the streets confirms this .
Calling the police for a mental health episode only for the concerned party to watch their loved one gunned down confirms this .
There needs to be a whole separate category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black men ’ s mental health issues .
Our issues are complex .
We are both imitated and hated , beloved and despised , copied and degraded .
And as such , my relationship with the police is complicated .
My mental health issues require a kindness that isn ’ t only foreign to me , it ’ s foreign to people who look like me .
I once had a therapist tell me to repeat “ I ’ m OK ...
I ’ m OK ” when I can feel my anxiety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that I ’ m not .
The hot car hood is emblazoned in my mind .
I can ’ t forget it .
It was my first encounter with the police and the first conversation I had with my father about that purgatory of being a black male ; the space where you are too young to alleviate your troubles with a beer and too old not to understand that you aren ’ t white .
There are rules and I learned them on this day .
Being right didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our parents wanted the same for us ( which is why we all lived in that shitty-ass suburb in the first place ) didn ’ t save us .
Trying to leave when we realized it was pointless didn ’ t save us .
The scariest part of having a panic attack is the moment when your heart is racing and your palms are sweating and you realize that you are alone and intimidating even while scared out of your own mind .
What I really needed in these moments is an understanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold my hand and say “ You ’ ve been through this before , it ’ s going to be alright.
” I was 14 and I learned then that the police will never be that hand .
The police are still killing Black people .
Those on the front line are still fighting for change .
Colin Kaepernick is still a free agent , and just some weeks ago , I watched a cop kneel on the neck of a Black man for almost nine minutes until he died .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
It ’ s because those people who were begging the police to stop , those who were fighting to save George Floyd ’ s life couldn ’ t just push the officer off him themselves .
It ’ s a trick bag .
All of it .
And I don ’ t trust the system or the process because until a therapist can talk to me about the code-switching it takes to navigate the liquor store in my neighborhood , then they can ’ t even begin to understand where all this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weakness , Black man weakness—doesn ’ t move the sticks where I live .
I remember wincing the first time that I heard my childhood referred to as trauma .
I remember thinking that trauma has a whole unit in the hospital .
Trauma is what war veterans experience .
Trauma is beyond serious , it ’ s cancerous .
A good friend ’ s mom told her this saying that stuck with her : “ Pain doesn ’ t decompose just because you buried it.
” Most of us have buried our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is painful .
I know how to destroy ; building up has been a process .
I don ’ t know how to love…anything , really .
I know how to be critical .
I know how to leave the cap off just enough so it all spills out .
I know how to cut grass , but I couldn ’ t tell you how or when to water a plant .
I ’ m a breaker of things by nature or design .
Either way , I ’ m good at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside , remember ?
It means I know how to leave .
It was my tradition .
But the one time I stayed , the one time I didn ’ t run , I held her hand and asked her to marry me .
Being black in America comes with trauma , pain and issues that need to be confronted .

It started with a piece of strawberry cake.
During my years after high school, some of my good friends, who would later become family, opened a Caribbean restaurant on H Street N.E. in D.C. It was really a takeout place with a few places to sit, but for many of us, it was a second home. My second family was from Trinidad, and they managed to survive the Rayful Edmond ’80s, so they were hip when we’d slide through with our eyes bloodshot in the middle of the day to devour plates of chicken smothered in curry. They never questioned why we’d crush a slice of cake in seconds. I don’t know anyone who could open the plastic cake container, smell the glorious scent of the frosting, and not punish that strawberry softness to smithereens.
The stew chicken was divine but truthfully, I was in it for the cake. The cakes were heavenly. They made all kinds of cakes: lemon, chocolate, but my favorite was strawberry. My boy Derrick would get an extra piece just for the end of the evening after we’d smoked and drank it all.
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This was our tradition.
This night was one of those nights. The initial plan was that Derrick and I were going to dip off to another spot and meet the family back at the house later. But on this night we didn’t get back until late—well past 2 a.m. This was before cell phones. We didn’t want to wake everyone up so we figured we’d sleep outside. We walked up the block to where we knew the 18-wheeler drivers would leave their big 53-foot-long containers, and figured we’d sleep in one of those. We’d just found an empty joint that was open and were getting ready to go to sleep when Derrick reminded me that he still had a piece of cake. He pulled it out of his bookbag. Both of our eyes lit up as he popped the plastic cake case open.
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That’s when the car came barreling down the street. That’s when the shooting started.
To this day, I don’t know what happened—just that a car drove past us, fast, slammed on the brakes and shooting rang out from everywhere. We couldn’t see anything because we were in the back of an 18-wheeler-truck container and there weren’t any windows. I laid flat on my back praying that a bullet didn’t hit us. At some point, Derrick must’ve closed the lid to the cake because we kind of laughed later when we both realized that the cake was secure. When the shooting stopped, we hopped out of the truck container and started running.
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We didn’t even know where we were running, but we knew that our destination was away from there. When we looked up, Derrick realized that we were a good hour away from a girl he was dating but if we made it there, she’d surely let us stay the night. We decided that we’d give her the cake as a peace offering for waking her up so late. Derrick held the cake in his hand the whole way.
We walked, trying to piece together what happened, but nothing we thought of made any sense. We’d finally made it to Eastern Avenue, which was 30 minutes from his lady’s place when four officers rolled up on us. They wanted to know why my back was dirty. I didn’t even know what the officer was talking about; I couldn’t even open my mouth before Derrick shot back, “Is having dirt on your back against the law?”
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I guess I’d gotten dirt on my shirt from laying down in the truck. I figured I could talk us out of this by just explaining the truth that we were going to sleep in a truck until someone started shooting. But the officer and Derrick had already gotten into something I couldn’t name. We were exhausted—normally our nights like this ended with funny stories—and we just wanted to get where we were going. That’s when the cop said something to Derrick and before he could answer, the cop smacked the cake out of Derrick’s hand. I watched as the cake lid opened and the cake, in all its strawberry goodness, went crashing into the ground. The cop then took his boot and smashed it into the pavement.
Derrick said, “I wish that man who was killing cops would’ve killed your ass.” And just like that, Derrick was handcuffed. I figured they were going to take him somewhere and beat him, which was normal D.C. operating procedure at the time. It wasn’t unlikely for an officer to roll up on you, search you, take your money and weed and let you go. I once had an officer almost hit me with his car when I raised my hands outward to imply, “What the fuck are you doing?” The officer put his hand over his badge and asked me “What’s up?!” He wanted to fight me.
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It was their tradition.
Derrick kept shouting a phone number, and it was all happening so fast. I wasn’t high anymore. I’d stopped being high when the shooting started and I really stopped being high once we started running but I still couldn’t put together what he was saying. The cops bounced with Derrick just as fast as they arrived, and I realized I was alone. The number was his lady’s number. I didn’t remember it. I walked back to a neighborhood I was familiar with and slept outside. It wouldn’t be the last time.
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I was new to panic attacks and new to being single. I was working a job that I hated and starting to feel like an old-ass burden. I’d been having trouble driving, trouble sitting in places too long. I was miserable. I was starting to feel like I was losing my mind and now I was trying to date. I just needed a distraction. I used to go out all the time; now, I had a list of shows I watched on TV.
Tuesday shows. Friday shows.
I didn’t even know how to bring it up or how to talk about it so I just told the woman I was trying to date, “Look, sometimes I lunch out, so if I get real quiet or need to sit outside, don’t freak out and definitely don’t call 9-1-1.”
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I wasn’t born hating the police. I just didn’t believe they could help me. I can’t think of one time where a police officer has added anything of value to a situation I was involved in. Yes, I’ve needed their police reports to file claims but that’s an insurance requirement, not mine. Police aren’t trained in de-escalation—they don’t alleviate my anxiety, they add to it. I imagine them arriving and placing me in handcuffs for their safety and mine. Except, I hate feeling trapped. I spent the majority of my teen years outside. My best friend and I used to have this thing where we’d get drunk, walk the city and see what the night would give us. Some nights turned out fantastic; others tragic but either way, they were memorable and we were cool with that. As an adult, I feel the most comfortable and truly my most free when I’m outside. To this day, if I have anxiety in the house, I leave and take a walk—not because they’re refreshing or whatever white people get from walks—it’s just...I don’t know how to explain it.
It was my tradition.
If I ever feel panicky in a car, I need to get out. I need to be free. Imagine trying to explain this to someone you’re trying to date. Imagine trying to present yourself as a provider and protector who doesn’t really fuck with traffic jams or bridges. But I didn’t want to lie about it, so I explained that I grew up kind of fucked up so I get panic attacks sometimes.
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This was a lie.
I was getting them more often than not. I was having them on some level at least four to five times a week. But she was beautiful and funny and I was willing to try to make it something. In fact, she still teases me for telling her after a week of dating that I loved her. That’s not how it went down exactly: what I told her is that “I don’t know how much you can love someone in a week but, whatever that measurement is, I one-week love you.” And I did. I’d never met someone so kind.
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I told her not to call the police if I had a panic attack because I wasn’t trying to get fucked up. She didn’t understand. I told her that my height (6’2), weight (215 on a good day) and freaking out is an ass whooping just waiting to happen. She was from a hippie town in upstate New York but she wasn’t dumb. We were driving when I could feel an anxiety attack coming on. She could tell. We were on the highway and it was virtually impossible for me to get out and walk around. That’s when she told me to lay down in the backseat. I did, embarrassed. Here I am, this big-ass man curled up in the fetal position in the back of the car and that’s when her hand reached back for me to hold.
It felt like home.
Have you ever been pushed onto a hot car hood? It’s not like a fire burn that sears the skin; it’s just unrelenting hotness that turns your body degrees of red. The first time I was smashed on a hot car hood, I was 14. I didn’t set out to dislike the police. In fact, up until that point, the police were about as impactful as a cab driver or any other common job that people had. I didn’t have any interactions with them to go by. Until I was 14.
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I was with a few friends attempting to get into a youth rec center in Old Greenbelt, Md. The white folks that worked there would let white kids in without any fuss but, every time we tried to get in, they’d ask us for ID to prove we lived in Greenbelt. We know this now as a microaggression, but back then we just figured they were being assholes. Same thing, really.
Finally, my friend Eric decided he’d had enough. He asked why they treated us like this. Told them where we lived and how we wouldn’t have a fucking ID because we can’t vote or buy cigarettes or drive a car. Apparently, these adults were frightened by Eric’s 14-year-old words because minutes later, the police had pinned me face-down on the hood of a hot car. I guess the only way these grown adults figured they could handle the situation was to call the police.
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It was their tradition.
I don’t believe that the police can be saved.
I also believe that the individuals who make up the police force can be decent people.
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They have a proclivity for brutality because they are cops. It’s their tradition.
My illness requires a compassion that even I don’t have—in fact, it’s one of the reasons I still suffer from it. I didn’t grow up in a compassionate house. I didn’t grow up receiving hugs (I imagine that healthy households include self-hugging). Although it is changing, I understand why Black folks don’t even believe in the power of therapy.
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Imagine carrying around all that healthy compassion in a world that has no compassion for you. A person with a healthy mind might not have panic attacks but a person with a healthy mind might not be able to compose themself after nearly being killed in a random drive-by. A person with a healthy mind might process the bite-size racism that we call “microaggression” but they would also probably disintegrate into a tub of tears after being brutalized and tortured by an ever-present, all-powerful uniformed stalker.
I’ve been told that the only way through is through. I’ve been told to “Suck it up, champ.” I’ve been told to go to cognitive therapy, which is like Sesame Street for your brain. I’ve been told that this too shall pass. I’ve been told to learn 2 Timothy 1:7. I’ve been told to repeat it in those moments when I’m at my weakest. I’ve been told that “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. ... hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Advertisement
Having a fear of police is natural for Black men. The news confirms this. Police shootings confirm this. White folks so threatened by Black Lives Matter that they can’t even stand a government-approved banner on the streets confirms this. Calling the police for a mental health episode only for the concerned party to watch their loved one gunned down confirms this. There needs to be a whole separate category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) for Black men’s mental health issues.
Our issues are complex. We are both imitated and hated, beloved and despised, copied and degraded. And as such, my relationship with the police is complicated. My mental health issues require a kindness that isn’t only foreign to me, it’s foreign to people who look like me. I once had a therapist tell me to repeat “I’m OK...I’m OK” when I can feel my anxiety beginning to rise. But the reality is that I’m not.
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The hot car hood is emblazoned in my mind. I can’t forget it. It was my first encounter with the police and the first conversation I had with my father about that purgatory of being a black male; the space where you are too young to alleviate your troubles with a beer and too old not to understand that you aren’t white. There are rules and I learned them on this day. Being right didn’t save us. Trying to explain that our parents wanted the same for us (which is why we all lived in that shitty-ass suburb in the first place) didn’t save us. Trying to leave when we realized it was pointless didn’t save us.
The scariest part of having a panic attack is the moment when your heart is racing and your palms are sweating and you realize that you are alone and intimidating even while scared out of your own mind. What I really needed in these moments is an understanding ear; someone, really anyone, to hold my hand and say “You’ve been through this before, it’s going to be alright.” I was 14 and I learned then that the police will never be that hand.
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The police are still killing Black people. Those on the front line are still fighting for change. Colin Kaepernick is still a free agent, and just some weeks ago, I watched a cop kneel on the neck of a Black man for almost nine minutes until he died. And you want to know why he died? It’s because those people who were begging the police to stop, those who were fighting to save George Floyd’s life couldn’t just push the officer off him themselves. It’s a trick bag. All of it. And I don’t trust the system or the process because until a therapist can talk to me about the code-switching it takes to navigate the liquor store in my neighborhood, then they can’t even begin to understand where all this comes from and why weakness—especially mental health weakness, Black man weakness—doesn’t move the sticks where I live.
I remember wincing the first time that I heard my childhood referred to as trauma. I remember thinking that trauma has a whole unit in the hospital. Trauma is what war veterans experience. Trauma is beyond serious, it’s cancerous. A good friend’s mom told her this saying that stuck with her: “Pain doesn’t decompose just because you buried it.” Most of us have buried our pain so far that even looking at it is painful.
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I know how to destroy; building up has been a process. I don’t know how to love…anything, really. I know how to be critical. I know how to leave the cap off just enough so it all spills out. I know how to cut grass, but I couldn’t tell you how or when to water a plant. I’m a breaker of things by nature or design. Either way, I’m good at it to a fault—I’m comfortable outside, remember? It means I know how to leave.
It was my tradition.
But the one time I stayed, the one time I didn’t run, I held her hand and asked her to marry me.
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Being black in America comes with trauma, pain and issues that need to be confronted.
But, if you’re lucky, there’s cake.


theroot--2020-07-07--A Black Man Says He Was Nearly Lynched by 5 White Men in Indiana, No Arrests Have Been Made

Why does there always seem to be so much hesitation to arrest racists who attack Black people and call it vigilante work ?
It took nearly two months for George Zimmerman to be arrested for the killing of Trayvon Martin ( and we all know how that turned out ) and it took well over two months for the three men involved in the death of Ahmaud Arbery to be arrested .
Now , a Black man in Indiana claims he was the victim of an attempted lynching committed by a group of white men who accused him of trespassing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on camera , no arrests have been made days after it took place .
Thankfully , this Black man survived to tell his story .
IndyStar reports that Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the altercation between Monroe County Human Rights Commission member Vauhxx Booker and five white men who Booker said beat and attempted to lynch him on Saturday at Lake Monroe .
Booker said he and some friends were at Lake Monroe , just south of Bloomington , to watch the lunar eclipse Saturday when a group of white men approached claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of the men was wearing a hat with a Confederate flag , according to Booker .
Booker said he apologized .
When he and some of his friends later went to talk with the group in an attempt to “ smooth things over , ” he said five white men attacked him .
Booker posted a series of what appear to be cellphone videos of the incident .
The videos contain strong language and gestures .
One clip shows a white man in a red shirt pinning or holding Booker against a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard shouting “ let him go , ” while the man holding the other man turns to the camera and tells them to leave .
Other men and a woman , all white , are near the man at the tree and are shouting .
At one point , a shirtless man tries to knock the camera out of the hand of the person shooting video .
Another video shows the same shirtless man calling a man off-camera a “ nappy headed ( expletive ) .
” The man off camera replies “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me ?
” and the shirtless man repeats the phrase .
The shirtless man in another video clip yells “ You invaded us ” and calls another man a “ stupid ( expletive ) liberal ( expletive ) .
” Booker claimed in a Facebook post that one of the white men told someone to “ get a noose ” during the attack .
He also said one of the men shouted , “ white power ” and another threatened to break his arms .
None of those comments are captured in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the footage is a man pinning Booker to a tree while he ’ s down on his hands and knees and while onlookers are demanding that the men let him go .
It ’ s unclear why that footage isn ’ t enough to make immediate arrests , especially considering the fact that there were several witnesses who can be heard shouting at the men to release Booker .
“ The Indiana Department of Natural Resources , Law Enforcement Division is working diligently with the Monroe County Prosecutor ’ s Office to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a press release , IndyStar reports .
“ This matter remains under investigation and no further information will be released at this time.
” According to the Washington Post , hundreds of protesters gathered outside Monroe County Courthouse in Bloomington on Monday to demand that Booker ’ s alleged assailants be arrested immediately .
The protest was peaceful except for one incident where a motorist was caught on video plowing into a protester after stopping to remove a scooter that was in the driver ’ s way .
The driver sped off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the car which another protester told the Post “ went 0 to 50 in about three seconds.
” Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton and City Clerk Nicole Bolden released a joint statement regarding Booker ’ s attack and a separate incident of alleged racial profiling where “ a sheriff ’ s deputy from a neighboring county questioned and detained another Black Bloomington resident walking down the Bloomington street where they live.
” “ These separate incidents exemplify the persistence of racism and bias in our country and our own community , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than our collective condemnation .
They require that we come together as a whole , and recognize that racism damages all of us , not just our residents of color .
We deserve better , and we must make it happen .
Videos of the events remind us of the importance of witnesses and witnessing.
” Booker said in his post that he suffered a mild concussion and bruises and that patches of his hair had been pulled out .
Hopefully , his horrifying story ends in his alleged attackers being brought @ @ @

So…
Why does there always seem to be so much hesitation to arrest racists who attack Black people and call it vigilante work? It took nearly two months for George Zimmerman to be arrested for the killing of Trayvon Martin (and we all know how that turned out) and it took well over two months for the three men involved in the death of Ahmaud Arbery to be arrested. Now, a Black man in Indiana claims he was the victim of an attempted lynching committed by a group of white men who accused him of trespassing. Despite the attack being partially caught on camera, no arrests have been made days after it took place. Thankfully, this Black man survived to tell his story.
IndyStar reports that Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the altercation between Monroe County Human Rights Commission member Vauhxx Booker and five white men who Booker said beat and attempted to lynch him on Saturday at Lake Monroe.
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From IndyStar:
Booker said he and some friends were at Lake Monroe, just south of Bloomington, to watch the lunar eclipse Saturday when a group of white men approached claiming they were trespassing on private property. One of the men was wearing a hat with a Confederate flag, according to Booker. Booker said he apologized. When he and some of his friends later went to talk with the group in an attempt to “smooth things over,” he said five white men attacked him. Booker posted a series of what appear to be cellphone videos of the incident. The videos contain strong language and gestures. One clip shows a white man in a red shirt pinning or holding Booker against a tree. Someone off camera can be heard shouting “let him go,” while the man holding the other man turns to the camera and tells them to leave. Other men and a woman, all white, are near the man at the tree and are shouting. At one point, a shirtless man tries to knock the camera out of the hand of the person shooting video. Another video shows the same shirtless man calling a man off-camera a “nappy headed (expletive).” The man off camera replies “What do you really want to call me?” and the shirtless man repeats the phrase. The shirtless man in another video clip yells “You invaded us” and calls another man a “stupid (expletive) liberal (expletive).”
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Booker claimed in a Facebook post that one of the white men told someone to “get a noose” during the attack. He also said one of the men shouted, “white power” and another threatened to break his arms. None of those comments are captured in the video but what can be seen in the footage is a man pinning Booker to a tree while he’s down on his hands and knees and while onlookers are demanding that the men let him go. It’s unclear why that footage isn’t enough to make immediate arrests, especially considering the fact that there were several witnesses who can be heard shouting at the men to release Booker.
“The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division is working diligently with the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office to ensure a lawful resolution,” officials wrote in a press release, IndyStar reports. “This matter remains under investigation and no further information will be released at this time.”
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According to the Washington Post, hundreds of protesters gathered outside Monroe County Courthouse in Bloomington on Monday to demand that Booker’s alleged assailants be arrested immediately.
The protest was peaceful except for one incident where a motorist was caught on video plowing into a protester after stopping to remove a scooter that was in the driver’s way. The driver sped off as one protester clung to the side of the car which another protester told the Post “went 0 to 50 in about three seconds.”
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Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton and City Clerk Nicole Bolden released a joint statement regarding Booker’s attack and a separate incident of alleged racial profiling where “a sheriff’s deputy from a neighboring county questioned and detained another Black Bloomington resident walking down the Bloomington street where they live.”
“These separate incidents exemplify the persistence of racism and bias in our country and our own community,” the statement reads. ”They deserve nothing less than our collective condemnation. They require that we come together as a whole, and recognize that racism damages all of us, not just our residents of color. We deserve better, and we must make it happen. Videos of the events remind us of the importance of witnesses and witnessing.”
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Booker said in his post that he suffered a mild concussion and bruises and that patches of his hair had been pulled out. Hopefully, his horrifying story ends in his alleged attackers being brought to justice.


theroot--2020-07-07--WNBA Players Will Wear Names of Women Killed at the Hands of Police. NBA Players Will Wear...'Listen

WNBA Players Will Wear Names of Women Killed at the Hands of Police. NBA Players Will Wear...'Listen'?

The NBA could learn a thing or two from its “ little sister , ” the WNBA .
After both leagues announced their intentions to resume their seasons , one of the highest priorities for players has been the opportunity to continue to address police brutality and racial injustice .
It ’ s become so much of a sticking point that it damn near created a Civil War between players since some desperately want to play while others believe their energy would be better suited focusing on social activism .
So in an effort to appease both sides , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only will the court have “ Black Lives Matter ” painted on it , but players have been given the green light to rock personalized social justice messages on their jerseys .
Everybody wins , right ?
Not entirely .
A number of players have openly criticized the personalized messages , since players can ’ t put whatever they want on their jerseys and instead must choose from a list that includes nebulous phrases like “ Liberation , ” “ I Am a Man , ” and “ Listen.
” If these sound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because this is exactly what happens when you try to filter Black progress through billions of dollars in corporate interests—and players like Philadelphia 76ers forward Mike Scott ain ’ t having it .
“ They gave us some names and phrases to put on the back of jerseys , ” Scott told reporters during a video conference call .
“ That was terrible .
It was a bad list , bad choice .
They didn ’ t give players a chance to voice their opinion on it .
They just gave us a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad .
That ’ s terrible.
” Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown echoed those same sentiments but was a bit more tactful in his approach .
“ I would like to see—because I think it can still happen—more options available to put on the back of our jerseys , ” Brown told reporters .
“ We understand anything vulgar our league doesn ’ t necessarily represent , but for histories and causes such as now , I think that that list is an example of a form of limitation .
I think we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a little bit more .
“ I was very disappointed in the list that was agreed to .
I think things were tried and attempts were made to add to that list , but the NBA agreed that that list was satisfactory .
Hopefully , we can get some more names on that list.
” Meanwhile , over in the WNBA , they ’ re taking the phrase “ listen to Black women ” to the next level .
Huffington Post reports that players will not only wear warmups that feature “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her Name ” prominently , but they ’ ll call a thing a thing and wear the names of women who have been victims of racialized violence , such as Breonna Taylor and Sandra Bland .
“ We are incredibly proud of WNBA players who continue to lead with their inspiring voices and effective actions in the league ’ s dedicated fight against systemic racism and violence , ” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in the statement .
How in the hell can the NBA mess this up so badly ?
Marc J.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ players have declined to wear the names of victims of racially motivated incidents “ due to concerns about offending those close to someone whose name might not be used , ” but that sounds like bullshit .
There are no favorites .
Creating awareness around this issue inherently draws attention to other victims of racialized violence .
Plus who does wearing tepid slogans like “ Peace ” or “ Respect Us ” even benefit ?
If only the NBA was as serious about its commitment to racial justice as it is its commitment @ @ @ @ @ @

The NBA could learn a thing or two from its “little sister,” the WNBA.
After both leagues announced their intentions to resume their seasons, one of the highest priorities for players has been the opportunity to continue to address police brutality and racial injustice. It’s become so much of a sticking point that it damn near created a Civil War between players since some desperately want to play while others believe their energy would be better suited focusing on social activism.
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So in an effort to appease both sides, the NBA extended an olive branch. Not only will the court have “Black Lives Matter” painted on it, but players have been given the green light to rock personalized social justice messages on their jerseys.
Everybody wins, right? Not entirely.
A number of players have openly criticized the personalized messages, since players can’t put whatever they want on their jerseys and instead must choose from a list that includes nebulous phrases like “Liberation,” “I Am a Man,” and “Listen.” If these sound a bit diluted, that’s because this is exactly what happens when you try to filter Black progress through billions of dollars in corporate interests—and players like Philadelphia 76ers forward Mike Scott ain’t having it.
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“They gave us some names and phrases to put on the back of jerseys,” Scott told reporters during a video conference call. “That was terrible. It was a bad list, bad choice. They didn’t give players a chance to voice their opinion on it. They just gave us a list to pick from. That was bad. That’s terrible.”
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown echoed those same sentiments but was a bit more tactful in his approach.
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“I would like to see—because I think it can still happen—more options available to put on the back of our jerseys,” Brown told reporters. “We understand anything vulgar our league doesn’t necessarily represent, but for histories and causes such as now, I think that that list is an example of a form of limitation. I think we should be able to express our struggle just a little bit more.
“I was very disappointed in the list that was agreed to. I think things were tried and attempts were made to add to that list, but the NBA agreed that that list was satisfactory. Hopefully, we can get some more names on that list.”
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Meanwhile, over in the WNBA, they’re taking the phrase “listen to Black women” to the next level. Huffington Post reports that players will not only wear warmups that feature “Black Lives Matter” and “Say Her Name” prominently, but they’ll call a thing a thing and wear the names of women who have been victims of racialized violence, such as Breonna Taylor and Sandra Bland.
“We are incredibly proud of WNBA players who continue to lead with their inspiring voices and effective actions in the league’s dedicated fight against systemic racism and violence,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in the statement.
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How in the hell can the NBA mess this up so badly?
Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated reported that NBA players have declined to wear the names of victims of racially motivated incidents “due to concerns about offending those close to someone whose name might not be used,” but that sounds like bullshit. There are no favorites. Creating awareness around this issue inherently draws attention to other victims of racialized violence. Plus who does wearing tepid slogans like “Peace” or “Respect Us” even benefit?
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If only the NBA was as serious about its commitment to racial justice as it is its commitment to protecting its corporate interests.


theroot--2020-07-07--Tucker Carlson Claims Combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth Doesn’t Love America and She Claps Back: ‘Walk

Tucker Carlson Claims Combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth Doesn’t Love America and She Claps Back: ‘Walk a Mile in My Legs’

You may disagree with Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth ’ s policy .
You may not even like the fact that she ’ s bold and outspoken , but what you won ’ t ever do in the history of ever is come for Duckworth ’ s patriotism .
For some reason , white nationalists ’ favorite whiny-voiced crisis talk show host Tucker Carlson decided that he was going to use Duckworth ’ s call for a “ national dialogue ” around the convoluted history of memorials to problematic white men to claim that the combat veteran , who lost both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down a Black Hawk helicopter she was co-piloting , doesn ’ t love America .
“ You ’ re not supposed to criticize Tammy Duckworth in any way because she once served in the military , ” Carlson said , with the same mouth he uses to kiss the president ’ s ass on his show , Tucker Carlson Tonight , which was originally called Racist YT Man Speaks ( OK , it wasn ’ t originally titled this ) , the Hill reports .
“ Most people just ignore her .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re reminded what a deeply silly and unimpressive person she is .
“ It ’ s long been considered out of bounds to question a person ’ s patriotism .
It ’ s a very strong charge , and we try not ever to make it .
But in the face of all of this , the conclusion can ’ t be avoided .
These people actually hate America .
There ’ s no longer a question about that , ” Carlson claimed .
Duckworth is not only a Purple Heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duckworth—assuming , of course , that Duckworth had both her hands tied behind her back to make it fair—and Carlson was armed with a sword , the smart money is still on Duckworth .
On Monday , because Duckworth was not finna let Carlson ’ s slick shit slide , she tweeted : “ Does @ TuckerCarlson want to walk a mile in my legs and then tell me whether or not I love America ?
” I can not confirm but it has been speculated that Duckworth mouthed the word “ bitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only dragged Carlson like a destroyed teddy bear , but she ’ s one of the names recently floated to be presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s running mate .
This all started because Duckworth had the audacity to claim that Carlson ’ s lord and foster father President ShooFly GoFuckUrSelf ’ s speech during Independence Day celebrations at Mount Rushmore showed that his “ priorities are all wrong.
” Duckworth accused Trump of spending “ more time worried about honoring dead Confederates ” than discussing the Americans who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill reports .
Who are we kidding ?
Carlson would also need a chainsaw to take on Duckworth and even that doesn ’ t move smart money off Duckworth .

You may disagree with Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s policy. You may not even like the fact that she’s bold and outspoken, but what you won’t ever do in the history of ever is come for Duckworth’s patriotism.
For some reason, white nationalists’ favorite whiny-voiced crisis talk show host Tucker Carlson decided that he was going to use Duckworth’s call for a “national dialogue” around the convoluted history of memorials to problematic white men to claim that the combat veteran, who lost both her legs in 2004 when insurgents shot down a Black Hawk helicopter she was co-piloting, doesn’t love America.
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“You’re not supposed to criticize Tammy Duckworth in any way because she once served in the military,” Carlson said, with the same mouth he uses to kiss the president’s ass on his show, Tucker Carlson Tonight, which was originally called Racist YT Man Speaks (OK, it wasn’t originally titled this), the Hill reports. “Most people just ignore her. But when Duckworth does speak in public, you’re reminded what a deeply silly and unimpressive person she is.
“It’s long been considered out of bounds to question a person’s patriotism. It’s a very strong charge, and we try not ever to make it. But in the face of all of this, the conclusion can’t be avoided. These people actually hate America. There’s no longer a question about that,” Carlson claimed.
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Duckworth is not only a Purple Heart recipient but if Carlson agreed to fight Duckworth—assuming, of course, that Duckworth had both her hands tied behind her back to make it fair—and Carlson was armed with a sword, the smart money is still on Duckworth.
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On Monday, because Duckworth was not finna let Carlson’s slick shit slide, she tweeted: “Does @TuckerCarlson want to walk a mile in my legs and then tell me whether or not I love America?”
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I cannot confirm but it has been speculated that Duckworth mouthed the word “bitch” before sending the tweet.
Duckworth not only dragged Carlson like a destroyed teddy bear, but she’s one of the names recently floated to be presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s running mate.
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This all started because Duckworth had the audacity to claim that Carlson’s lord and foster father President ShooFly GoFuckUrSelf’s speech during Independence Day celebrations at Mount Rushmore showed that his “priorities are all wrong.” Duckworth accused Trump of spending “more time worried about honoring dead Confederates” than discussing the Americans who have died during the coronavirus pandemic, the Hill reports.
Who are we kidding? Carlson would also need a chainsaw to take on Duckworth and even that doesn’t move smart money off Duckworth.


theroot--2020-07-07--Don Lemon Hops In a DeLorean to Interview His Former Self

Terry Crews is ‘ Crew-sing ’ along that trite hill he intends to “ die ” on .
Following his “ Black supremacy ” and “ Black lives better ” tweets , the actor has continued to double- and triple down on his foolish ideologies .
In fact , he recently added yet another asinine phrase to the lexicon , “ I ’ m a human rights activist—not a human wrongs activist.
” Well , he ’ s definitely a human incorrects activist .
In a recent interview with Don Lemon on CNN , Crews discussed his series of tweets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the Black Lives Matter ( BLM ) movement .
“ Mannnnn you stepped in it , ” Lemon starts right off the bat .
He then asks Crews why exactly he was willing to “ die on this hill.
” “ There are some very militant-type forces in Black Lives Matter and what I was issuing was a warning , ” Crews noted , referencing his tweet on Monday in regard to the multiple children killed in Chicago over the holiday weekend .
“ I ’ ve been a part of different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really go far and go wild , ” the 51-year-old actor added .
“ When a warning is seen as detrimental to the movement , how can you ever have checks and balances ?
” Crews then went on to cite his belief that “ All Black Lives Matter , ” claiming that the BLM movement isn ’ t as concerned with B lack-on-B lack crime , which isn ’ t true .
It ’ s a typical and common straw man argument , recently exhibited by this pasty pimple , too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ messaging of “ All Black Lives Matter ” which strives to include the forgotten Black women and members of the LGBTQ+ community within the protests for social justice .
For the umpteenth time , Lemon had to cite the fact that most crimes are intraracial and based on proximity as well as break down the hypocrisy behind people who critique the BLM movement for not being all-inclusive .
“ If someone started a movement that said ‘ cancer matters , ’ and then someone came and said ‘ why aren ’ t you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not the same thing , ” Lemon said .
Other than the topic of the good-natured debate itself , most viewers on Black Twitter noticed that the interview even further demonstrated just how far Lemon had come from the previous version of himself .
In fact , several years ago , Lemon would ’ ve been spewing the same rhetoric as Crews is today .
In 2014 , Lemon once pleaded that we “ move on ” from talking about race .
Or , we can always go back to that infamous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t imagine how Lemon feels watching Crews happily live in his own world of Idiocracy , where he was a “ resident ” himself just about 5 years ago .
What an uncanny revelation , in hindsight .
Life comes at you fast—as fast as rolling down a steep hill one is willing to die on .
You can watch the full interview below :

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

Terry Crews is ‘Crew-sing’ along that trite hill he intends to “die” on. Following his “Black supremacy” and “Black lives better” tweets, the actor has continued to double- and triple down on his foolish ideologies. In fact, he recently added yet another asinine phrase to the lexicon, “I’m a human rights activist—not a human wrongs activist.”
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Well, he’s definitely a human incorrects activist. In a recent interview with Don Lemon on CNN, Crews discussed his series of tweets as well as an especially incendiary tweet about the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.
“Mannnnn you stepped in it,” Lemon starts right off the bat. He then asks Crews why exactly he was willing to “die on this hill.”
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“There are some very militant-type forces in Black Lives Matter and what I was issuing was a warning,” Crews noted, referencing his tweet on Monday in regard to the multiple children killed in Chicago over the holiday weekend.
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“I’ve been a part of different groups and you see how extremes can really go far and go wild,” the 51-year-old actor added. “When a warning is seen as detrimental to the movement, how can you ever have checks and balances?”
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Crews then went on to cite his belief that “All Black Lives Matter,” claiming that the BLM movement isn’t as concerned with B lack-on-B lack crime, which isn’t true. It’s a typical and common straw man argument, recently exhibited by this pasty pimple, too. Plus, it muddles the actually productive messaging of “All Black Lives Matter” which strives to include the forgotten Black women and members of the LGBTQ+ community within the protests for social justice.
For the umpteenth time, Lemon had to cite the fact that most crimes are intraracial and based on proximity as well as break down the hypocrisy behind people who critique the BLM movement for not being all-inclusive.
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“If someone started a movement that said ‘cancer matters,’ and then someone came and said ‘why aren’t you talking about HIV?’—It’s not the same thing,” Lemon said.
Other than the topic of the good-natured debate itself, most viewers on Black Twitter noticed that the interview even further demonstrated just how far Lemon had come from the previous version of himself. In fact, several years ago, Lemon would’ve been spewing the same rhetoric as Crews is today.
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In 2014, Lemon once pleaded that we “move on” from talking about race.
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Or, we can always go back to that infamous photo from the Ferguson protests.
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I can’t imagine how Lemon feels watching Crews happily live in his own world of Idiocracy, where he was a “resident” himself just about 5 years ago. What an uncanny revelation, in hindsight. Life comes at you fast—as fast as rolling down a steep hill one is willing to die on.
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You can watch the full interview below:


theroot--2020-07-07--Creator of Dear White People Says Show's Growing Popularity Feels Like a 'Weird Consolation Prize'

According to data from Parrot Analytics obtained by The Root , viewership for Netflix ’ s series When They See Us and Dear White People jumped 329 percent during the recent uptick in Black Lives Matter protests .
Justin Simien , the creator of Dear White People , says that although he ’ s thrilled to see interest in his work , he has mixed feelings about its growing popularity .
“ [ Dear White People ] has its fans and it always has a fervor when it was released , and our social media buzz is crazy , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Playlist .
The show is based on the 2014 film of the same name , also created by Simien .
“ But it just doesn ’ t always seem to sort of [ become ] the center of popular culture , the way other shows with white casts , at our same level of [ acclaim ] .
So , it ’ s nice that it ’ s happening .
It ’ s devastating that it ’ s happening on the heels of yet another series of murders , by the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he acknowledges the importance of creating something that is “ [ moving ] the needle ” and “ meeting the cultural moment right now.
” “ That does feel like , ‘ O.K.
, I don ’ t know , I ’ ve done something meaningful .
So , it ’ s complicated , ’ ” Simien says .
“ I think people are just sort of finally giving it a chance and realizing that there ’ s something there that they really enjoy , and that they didn ’ t expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mouth , just talking to friends about like , ‘ Wow , you should really watch this show.
’ ” Elsewhere in the interview , Simien discusses the fourth and final season of the show .
With COVID-19 putting production on the back burner for much of the television industry , he ’ s had ample time to fine-tune some ideas .
He ’ s looking at both sides of the coin in terms of optimism and pessimism , as he ’ s unsure of when his cast and crew will be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m always working on the showdown to the final hour , ” he says .
“ I mean , we ’ re always working that script and working the jokes , and punching things up , and dialing things up , and dialing things down , and all that stuff .
So , I think if anything , we might dial some things up , but really the heart of it , the thesis of this season is incredibly relevant and of the moment , I have to say , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know , dismay ?
But I think it ’ ll make for a really good season .
”

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

According to data from Parrot Analytics obtained by The Root, viewership for Netflix’s series When They See Us and Dear White People jumped 329 percent during the recent uptick in Black Lives Matter protests. Justin Simien, the creator of Dear White People, says that although he’s thrilled to see interest in his work, he has mixed feelings about its growing popularity.
“[Dear White People] has its fans and it always has a fervor when it was released, and our social media buzz is crazy,” Simien said in a recent interview with The Playlist. The show is based on the 2014 film of the same name, also created by Simien. “But it just doesn’t always seem to sort of [become] the center of popular culture, the way other shows with white casts, at our same level of [acclaim]. So, it’s nice that it’s happening. It’s devastating that it’s happening on the heels of yet another series of murders, by the state, of B lack people.”
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Nevertheless, he acknowledges the importance of creating something that is “[moving] the needle” and “meeting the cultural moment right now.”
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“That does feel like, ‘O.K., I don’t know, I’ve done something meaningful. So, it’s complicated,’” Simien says. “I think people are just sort of finally giving it a chance and realizing that there’s something there that they really enjoy, and that they didn’t expect, and are spreading through word of mouth, just talking to friends about like, ‘Wow, you should really watch this show.’”
Elsewhere in the interview, Simien discusses the fourth and final season of the show. With COVID-19 putting production on the back burner for much of the television industry, he’s had ample time to fine-tune some ideas. He’s looking at both sides of the coin in terms of optimism and pessimism, as he’s unsure of when his cast and crew will be able to get back on set.
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“I’m always working on the showdown to the final hour,” he says. “I mean, we’re always working that script and working the jokes, and punching things up, and dialing things up, and dialing things down, and all that stuff. So, I think if anything, we might dial some things up, but really the heart of it, the thesis of this season is incredibly relevant and of the moment, I have to say, to my surprise and, I don’t know, dismay? But I think it’ll make for a really good season.”


theroot--2020-07-07--Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Announces She and Her Husband Tested Positive for COVID-19

You would be hard-pressed to find many officials who have been more diligent and vocal about protecting their citizens from the coronavirus outbreak than Atlanta ’ s Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms .
So it was a shock to many when she announced via Twitter on Monday evening that she herself has tested positive for COVID-19 “ COVID-19 has literally hit home , ” Bottoms tweeted .
“ I have had NO symptoms and have tested positive.
” In an interview with MSNBC , Bottoms said she and her husband had been tested for the virus two weeks ago and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided to get tested again because her husband “ literally has been sleeping since Thursday , which is just not like him.
” She said despite them taking “ all of the precautions you could possibly take , ” they have now both tested positive .
“ I have no idea when and where we were exposed , ” she said .
While it ’ s unknown where and when she contracted the virus , it is known what the next steps are for her and whoever has come in contact with her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed by Georgia Department of Health Commissioner Kathleen E. Toomey last month , anyone who came within six feet of Bottoms for 15 minutes or more will have to quarantine themselves at home for 14 days .
And Bottoms will have to isolate herself and cooperate with state and local public health personnel to identify and locate those she came into contact with two days before her positive test sample .
She may also have to provide a list of locations she visited during the time she might have potentially transmitted the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her diagnosis—Bottoms held a press conference over the shooting death of 8-year-old Secoriea Turner , which occurred Saturday night near the Wendy ’ s where Rayshard Brooks was fatally shot by Atlanta police .
During the conference—which was held in a room full of police officers as well as three City Council members and members of Turner ’ s family—Bottoms called for an end to gun violence saying , “ You shot and killed a baby.
” Bottoms told MSNBC that she has already contacted Turner ’ s parents to let them know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ diagnosis is especially surprising since she was so vocal in her criticism of Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp ’ s decision to reopen non-essential businesses in the state back in April .
She even shared a racist text she received for speaking out against the Governor .
Now , less than three months later , she has contracted the very disease she ’ s worked so hard at combatting .
BuzzFeed News reports that Georgia has reported more than 95,000 COVID-19 cases and 2,860 deaths .
According to 11 Alive , Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 2 and in the last two weeks alone , cases increased by an average of 2,201 new cases per day .

You would be hard-pressed to find many officials who have been more diligent and vocal about protecting their citizens from the coronavirus outbreak than Atlanta’s Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. So it was a shock to many when she announced via Twitter on Monday evening that she herself has tested positive for COVID-19
“COVID-19 has literally hit home,” Bottoms tweeted. “I have had NO symptoms and have tested positive.”
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In an interview with MSNBC, Bottoms said she and her husband had been tested for the virus two weeks ago and they both tested negative. She said they decided to get tested again because her husband “literally has been sleeping since Thursday, which is just not like him.” She said despite them taking “all of the precautions you could possibly take,” they have now both tested positive.
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“I have no idea when and where we were exposed,” she said.
While it’s unknown where and when she contracted the virus, it is known what the next steps are for her and whoever has come in contact with her recently.
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From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
According to an administrative order signed by Georgia Department of Health Commissioner Kathleen E. Toomey last month, anyone who came within six feet of Bottoms for 15 minutes or more will have to quarantine themselves at home for 14 days. And Bottoms will have to isolate herself and cooperate with state and local public health personnel to identify and locate those she came into contact with two days before her positive test sample. She may also have to provide a list of locations she visited during the time she might have potentially transmitted the disease.
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On Sunday—the day before she announced her diagnosis—Bottoms held a press conference over the shooting death of 8-year-old Secoriea Turner, which occurred Saturday night near the Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks was fatally shot by Atlanta police. During the conference—which was held in a room full of police officers as well as three City Council members and members of Turner’s family—Bottoms called for an end to gun violence saying, “You shot and killed a baby.”
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Bottoms told MSNBC that she has already contacted Turner’s parents to let them know of her diagnosis.
News of Bottoms’ diagnosis is especially surprising since she was so vocal in her criticism of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision to reopen non-essential businesses in the state back in April. She even shared a racist text she received for speaking out against the Governor. Now, less than three months later, she has contracted the very disease she’s worked so hard at combatting.
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BuzzFeed News reports that Georgia has reported more than 95,000 COVID-19 cases and 2,860 deaths. According to 11 Alive, Georgia set a record for new cases on July 2 and in the last two weeks alone, cases increased by an average of 2,201 new cases per day.


theroot--2020-07-07--Dave Chappelle Held a Socially Distanced Block Party, and I Guess Our Invite Was Lost in the Mail

Dave Chappelle ’ s famed Brooklyn-based musical festival was held in 2004 and later released as a documentary ( Dave Chappelle ’ s Block Party ) during 2005 ’ s Toronto International Film Festival .
The concert featured the likes of The Roots , Mos Def , Kanye West and Talib Kweli , and was released in the U.S. shortly after Chappelle walked away from his wildly popular Comedy Central sketch show .
Things are very different in 2020 .
Block parties are admonished in the age of COVID-19 , but despite recent social distancing protocols , Chappelle is back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to get that old thing back , the comedian held a July 4th block party-style music fest in Yellow Springs , Ohio , where attendees were tested for the virus onsite and social distancing was encouraged .
According to Spin , acts who performed at the celeb-studded event included Chappelle , Erykah Badu , Common , Talib Kweli , The Roots , and stand-up comedians Michelle Wolf , Tiffany Haddish and Michael Che .
The entire event was six-hours long , and 400 people were present .
“ During the night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Like Teen Spirit , ’ Chappelle covered Radiohead ’ s ‘ Creep , ’ Kweli and Common joined Chappelle for a cover of Eric B. and Rakim ’ s ‘ Paid in Full ’ and [ Jon ] Hamm sang Journey ’ s ‘ Don ’ t Stop Believin ’ ’ to the audience ’ s delight , ” writes the publication .
Brooklyn Vegan reports that the event was filmed and will be distributed at a later time .
“ Drove 900+ miles to a hippie farm town , got tested 2ce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the first time in 4 months , ” Questlove wrote on Instagram of the event .
“ To be honest a lot of us were afraid of how rusty we ’ ve become since March .
This was missed & needed ( the camaraderie ( been a min since I ’ ve seen/had meaningful conversations w people I know in the flesh ) worth the effort .
”

Dave Chappelle’s famed Brooklyn-based musical festival was held in 2004 and later released as a documentary (Dave Chappelle’s Block Party) during 2005’s Toronto International Film Festival. The concert featured the likes of The Roots, Mos Def, Kanye West and Talib Kweli, and was released in the U.S. shortly after Chappelle walked away from his wildly popular Comedy Central sketch show.
Things are very different in 2020. Block parties are admonished in the age of COVID-19, but despite recent social distancing protocols, Chappelle is back and busier than ever. In an effort to get that old thing back, the comedian held a July 4th block party-style music fest in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where attendees were tested for the virus onsite and social distancing was encouraged.
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According to Spin, acts who performed at the celeb-studded event included Chappelle, Erykah Badu, Common, Talib Kweli, The Roots, and stand-up comedians Michelle Wolf, Tiffany Haddish and Michael Che. The entire event was six-hours long, and 400 people were present.
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“During the night, Badu sang Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit,’ Chappelle covered Radiohead’s ‘Creep,’ Kweli and Common joined Chappelle for a cover of Eric B. and Rakim’s ‘Paid in Full’ and [Jon] Hamm sang Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believin’’ to the audience’s delight,” writes the publication. Brooklyn Vegan reports that the event was filmed and will be distributed at a later time.
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“Drove 900+ miles to a hippie farm town, got tested 2ce & mask/rantined & got on a drumset for the first time in 4 months,” Questlove wrote on Instagram of the event. “To be honest a lot of us were afraid of how rusty we’ve become since March. This was missed & needed (the camaraderie (been a min since I’ve seen/had meaningful conversations w people I know in the flesh) worth the effort.”


theroot--2020-07-08--Because of COVID-19, I Haven't Hugged My Daughter in Months

Before COVID-19 hit ( well , impacted the way we live our lives ) , my family was impacted by health concerns .
In what should have been my daughter ’ s last semester of 5th grade , and before she made the transition to being a middle schooler , her year was cut short over a month before schools closed for good in March .
My daughter has been having some health challenges that looked like the flu , but were way too prolonged for that to be the case .
After a trip to the emergency room on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her pediatrician that prompted her pediatrician to tell us to “ go to the ER at Children ’ s National Medical Center right now , ” in early February , my daughter—a week after turning 11—ended up admitted to Children ’ s Hospital in Washington , D.C. For two weeks , and amidst alternating around the clock shifts , a million blood draws and tests and non-stop pep talks and reminders to a child that whatever was going on with her body , we just needed to make sure she was at her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home with a diagnosis we could address in mid-February .
For the record , I can ’ t imagine a better situation for a child who is sick than Children ’ s National .
Our experience there was literally about as good as it could be .
While we waited for the doctor ’ s sign off on her ability to return to school ( a sign off that never came , by the way , even before COVID-19 ) , she was at home , attempting to do homework and things to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which also kept her spirits up—it was a reminder of a version of normalcy .
So it was disheartening every time we went to the doctor ’ s office and were told that maybe she could return to school in another two weeks , after her next round of results from blood work .
You could see her excitement deflate as the doctor told us she just wasn ’ t ready to go back .
The reason for this is that the medicine she was taking suppressed her immune-system to the point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about contact with other folks , and it was still flu season .
At her school , on any given day , a dozen kids were out because of the flu .
Her catching the flu could have a devastating effect , so going back to school , then , didn ’ t make sense .
And then COVID-19 impacted in a way that shut down schools .
So not only had my daughter been out for a month-plus , now schools were closing down for who knew how long .
My kid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthy and being in school was something she was looking forward to , now that was also gone .
My daughter ’ s mental health during this time has been at the forefront of all of our attention .
But there are also other considerations .
We are a blended family .
In my home is my wife and my two boys .
While we share custody and my daughter typically would go back and forth between our homes , her mother ( who is married and has two other kids , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her doctors ) that it made the most sense for her to be in one place while she recovered—that one place was her mother ’ s home , where she resides the vast majority of the time .
At first , I would go over and visit and go into their home , confined to a small area , and sit with my daughter and hang out for a while .
But over time , and because of understandable and reasonable family concerns , it made sense to practice social distancing measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we were ensuring the safest measures for everybody .
That means that since early April , all of my visits with my daughter have been outdoors and social-distanced , which means that since April , I have not physically touched my child .
It ’ s hard .
Very hard .
My daughter is frustrated because she ’ s confined to her home and even though we come and visit , she has to play with her little brothers from afar .
They can ’ t hug each other .
I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t hug me .
When we see each other , we have to keep distance .
It ’ s probably the most difficult thing we all have to do .
Do you know what it feels like to not be able to touch your child ?
My daughter has threatened to run and jump on me because then it ’ s pointless to keep us apart ( it was an idle threat that I squashed , natch ) .
She wants to come to my home and play with her brothers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to be in another space that belongs to her .
My wife is pregnant and my daughter wants to feel her new , unborn sibling move inside of her step-mother ’ s stomach .
She wants to know she ’ ll be present when the baby is born .
She just wants to touch us .
We just want to touch her , but we have to be safe .
There ’ s no end in sight even though I keep assuring her we ’ re closer to “ normal ” than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even as I write this , though , I ’ m mad all over again about it , but I have to put on a good face for my child because she needs to see us feeling okay about it .
But it is exhausting .
As the effects of her medicine have more and more positive effects ( though in our case , she ’ ll just be better not cured ; she will be on medication likely for the rest of her life ) , we ’ re getting closer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It also means that as a household we have to make sure we ’ re around other people who are doing their best to stay safe as well .
But hell , if you don ’ t have the same concerns and considerations we have , you might not feel a need to be as hard-core about safety .
And when I see folks acting a damn fool in places like Atlanta ( and you know it ’ s happening all over ) who don ’ t care who I know will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crazy .
I was at a Target in Forestville , Md.
, a few weeks back when a fight broke out in the store .
A woman spit on another woman—that ’ s become a common way to show how much you ’ re mad about a situation no matter what race , creed or class , apparently ; that shit looks like attempted murder to me—and those are the people in the streets .
Those are the people shopping next to all of us .
Those are the people ruining the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and successfully and get back to life .
And those are the people I have to consider when thinking about my child and how her immune system is down .
And that means that because I have to handle things and attempt to provide as much of a normal life for my other kids , I might come in contact with them as well .
And because the doctors are also still telling us that we ’ re a ways away from her coming to my home , that means we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that hurts .
My daughter told me that the day she gets the okay to hug me and come to my house she will be attached to my hip for days .
I can ’ t wait .
Until then , we wait .
We wait to hug .
We wait to love on each other like family is supposed to .
We wait for her to be better .
And we wait for us , and the world to be okay .
Hug your kids ; all of us can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter in months .

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

I haven’t hugged my daughter in months.
Before COVID-19 hit (well, impacted the way we live our lives), my family was impacted by health concerns. In what should have been my daughter’s last semester of 5th grade, and before she made the transition to being a middle schooler, her year was cut short over a month before schools closed for good in March. My daughter has been having some health challenges that looked like the flu, but were way too prolonged for that to be the case. After a trip to the emergency room on Super Bowl Sunday and a trip to her pediatrician that prompted her pediatrician to tell us to “go to the ER at Children’s National Medical Center right now,” in early February, my daughter—a week after turning 11—ended up admitted to Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. For two weeks, and amidst alternating around the clock shifts, a million blood draws and tests and non-stop pep talks and reminders to a child that whatever was going on with her body, we just needed to make sure she was at her best, she finally got to go home with a diagnosis we could address in mid-February. For the record, I can’t imagine a better situation for a child who is sick than Children’s National. Our experience there was literally about as good as it could be.
While we waited for the doctor’s sign off on her ability to return to school (a sign off that never came, by the way, even before COVID-19), she was at home, attempting to do homework and things to keep her caught up with her classmates, which also kept her spirits up—it was a reminder of a version of normalcy. So it was disheartening every time we went to the doctor’s office and were told that maybe she could return to school in another two weeks, after her next round of results from blood work. You could see her excitement deflate as the doctor told us she just wasn’t ready to go back. The reason for this is that the medicine she was taking suppressed her immune-system to the point that she needed to be super careful about contact with other folks, and it was still flu season. At her school, on any given day, a dozen kids were out because of the flu. Her catching the flu could have a devastating effect, so going back to school, then, didn’t make sense.
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And then COVID-19 impacted in a way that shut down schools. So not only had my daughter been out for a month-plus, now schools were closing down for who knew how long. My kid was struggling to get back to feeling healthy and being in school was something she was looking forward to, now that was also gone. My daughter’s mental health during this time has been at the forefront of all of our attention. But there are also other considerations.
We are a blended family. In my home is my wife and my two boys. While we share custody and my daughter typically would go back and forth between our homes, her mother (who is married and has two other kids, as well) and I decided (along with her doctors) that it made the most sense for her to be in one place while she recovered—that one place was her mother’s home, where she resides the vast majority of the time. At first, I would go over and visit and go into their home, confined to a small area, and sit with my daughter and hang out for a while. But over time, and because of understandable and reasonable family concerns, it made sense to practice social distancing measures, to ensure that as blended households, we were ensuring the safest measures for everybody. That means that since early April, all of my visits with my daughter have been outdoors and social-distanced, which means that since April, I have not physically touched my child.
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It’s hard. Very hard. My daughter is frustrated because she’s confined to her home and even though we come and visit, she has to play with her little brothers from afar. They can’t hug each other. I can’t hug her. She can’t hug me. When we see each other, we have to keep distance. It’s probably the most difficult thing we all have to do. Do you know what it feels like to not be able to touch your child? My daughter has threatened to run and jump on me because then it’s pointless to keep us apart (it was an idle threat that I squashed, natch). She wants to come to my home and play with her brothers and be in her room here. She wants to be in another space that belongs to her. My wife is pregnant and my daughter wants to feel her new, unborn sibling move inside of her step-mother’s stomach. She wants to know she’ll be present when the baby is born. She just wants to touch us. We just want to touch her, but we have to be safe. There’s no end in sight even though I keep assuring her we’re closer to “normal” than we are with each passing day. Even as I write this, though, I’m mad all over again about it, but I have to put on a good face for my child because she needs to see us feeling okay about it. But it is exhausting. As the effects of her medicine have more and more positive effects (though in our case, she’ll just be better not cured; she will be on medication likely for the rest of her life), we’re getting closer.
But what does closer look like? It also means that as a household we have to make sure we’re around other people who are doing their best to stay safe as well. But hell, if you don’t have the same concerns and considerations we have, you might not feel a need to be as hard-core about safety. And when I see folks acting a damn fool in places like Atlanta (and you know it’s happening all over) who don’t care who I know will not care wherever they go it drives me crazy.
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I was at a Target in Forestville, Md., a few weeks back when a fight broke out in the store. A woman spit on another woman—that’s become a common way to show how much you’re mad about a situation no matter what race, creed or class, apparently; that shit looks like attempted murder to me—and those are the people in the streets. Those are the people shopping next to all of us. Those are the people ruining the country’s ability to open up safely and successfully and get back to life.
And those are the people I have to consider when thinking about my child and how her immune system is down. And that means that because I have to handle things and attempt to provide as much of a normal life for my other kids, I might come in contact with them as well. And because the doctors are also still telling us that we’re a ways away from her coming to my home, that means we’re still ways away from hugs. And that hurts.
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My daughter told me that the day she gets the okay to hug me and come to my house she will be attached to my hip for days. I can’t wait. Until then, we wait. We wait to hug. We wait to love on each other like family is supposed to.
We wait for her to be better. And we wait for us, and the world to be okay.
Hug your kids; all of us can’t. I haven’t hugged my daughter in months.
I’m waiting.