theroot--2020-08-20--The Complete Guide to Defeating Voter Suppression

If you ’ re reading this , they don ’ t want to count your vote .
If you , like many of our readers , are under the age of 40 , progressive , live around non-white people or don ’ t have anyone in your circle of friends and family who owns a pair of wraparound sunglasses , Republicans are doing everything in their power to make sure your vote doesn ’ t count .
Although scientific racism is usually a bunch of balderdash , genetic biologists report that white people are 83 percent more likely to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the Virginia colony spelled out its voting laws in 1619 , conservatives , autocrats and Caucasians have concocted an infinite number of insidious-but-lowkey-genius workarounds to suppress the Black vote .
( I may be mistaken , but it feels like another significant historical event also happened that year . )
In an attempt to defeat the deceptive but All-American tradition of Black voter suppression , The Root put together this handy guide for Black people who want to have their vote counted .
Look , I ’ m not calling you dumb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that registration and voting requirements are constantly changing , which is one of the slick ways legislators use to suppress the vote .
According to the National Council of State Legislatures , 49 states changed or slightly altered their rules for voting since the 2016 elections ( Alabama stands alone ) .
Because elections are run by individual states , the available information varies widely .
For instance , in Georgia , each voter gets their own “ My Voter ” page that shows their registration and voting status but in Maine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official to check your registration status .
The only way to know what is required to cast a ballot that will be counted is to visit your individual state ’ s election office website , which you can find here .
While this seems like a no-brainer , voter registration rules are like Kardashians—they ’ re similar but they are always evolving .
If you just turned 18 , are a new citizen , recently relocated or just want to exercise your right to vote for the first time , every state has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also important that you know when you can register to vote .
Leading up to the 2016 elections , nine Republican-controlled states shortened their registration periods , making it impossible for millions of people to cast a ballot during the period called “ election season.
” For example , you don ’ t even have to register to vote in North Dakota—you can just show up on Election Day with an acceptable form of identification .
In Virginia , however , you can register online , but only up until 22 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , someone like you is probably already registered to vote , so you ’ re Gucci , right ?
Not so fast my friend .
Even if you previously registered to vote , you may not be registered to vote .
One of the most overt forms of voter suppression is voter purges , where officials simply throw out people ’ s voter registrations .
Studies have shown that Black voters are more likely to be purged from voter rolls .
Georgia has purged nearly 300,000 voters in the past year , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal voter registrations in the garbage can before the November election .
Since 2017 , Oklahoma officials have deleted more than 10 percent of its voters ’ names from the books .
There are many reasons why your registration may have been purged , including inactivity , punctuation , the way you spell your name or even your handwriting .
If someone just says that you moved—even if you live in the same precinct—an election official has the right to make your registration disappear .
So go check your voter registration now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you cast your ballot because that ’ s how they getcha .
* *Honestly , I don ’ t know what that means but my cousin Tyran always says it when he ’ s figured out how to avert subterfuge : “ I always order my drink with no ice .
Sure , McDonald ’ s Sprite burns my esophagus like I ’ m drinking hydrochloric acid , but I get twice as much !
Never order ice .
That ’ s how they getcha ” Concerned about COVID-19 , long lines or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine states ( California , Colorado , Hawaii , Nevada , New Jersey , Oregon , Utah , Vermont and Washington State , along with Washington , D.C. ) where every single registered voter will be mailed a ballot or a request for an absentee ballot .
In 34 more states , voters don ’ t need a reason to request an absentee ballot or the state accepts the coronavirus as a valid reason , according to the New York Times .
There are only seven states ( Louisiana , Indiana , Mississippi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and South Carolina ) that don ’ t consider coronavirus concerns reason enough to send a voter an absentee ballot .
If you are worried that Russian mailbox hackers , the Grinch who steals mail or Donald Trump ’ s postal saboteurs will make your mail-in or absentee ballot vanish into thin air , here ’ s a secret : Thirteen states allow voters to drop their ballots off at a polling place and 11 states provide drop boxes for ballots .
You should check with your state ’ s election official ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) to determine how or if you can drop your ballot off in person .
Furthermore , every state except Alabama allows a designated person or family member person to mail your ballot or bring it to a polling location .
If all this seems like too much , you can just walk into your polling place and vote early .
Aside from the states that have all-mail elections , 30 additional states and the District of Columbia offer in-person early voting .
Early voting periods vary by state .
Some , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election and end the day before the election .
Other places , like Oklahoma , start five days before election day and ends three days before Election Day .
Alabama doesn ’ t play that early voting shit at all .
Didn ’ t I tell you to check here ?
Know where you ’ re going .
I know , you ’ re an experienced voter and you know what you ’ re doing but Republican-controlled Southern states have closed at least 1,200 polling places since the 2016 election , Reuters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black , there ’ s a greater likelihood that your polling location has been closed .
Even if your usual polling place hasn ’ t closed , if you relocated , you may have to vote at a different location .
If you haven ’ t moved and your polling place hasn ’ t changed , you shouldn ’ t have anything to worry about .
Except you do .
Even if your address hasn ’ t changed and your closest poll is the same , you may be in an entirely different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , counties and municipalities across the country have redrawn their electoral maps to benefit the parties in power .
In fact , Shelby v. Holder , the Supreme Court ruling that dismantles the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was essentially about redrawn voting districts in Shelby County , Ala. ( It ’ s always Alabama . )
Or , maybe your polling place was moved just to intimidate voters .
That ’ s what happened when Jonesboro , Ga. , officials quietly moved the city ’ s only polling location to a police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early or on Election Day , you should also know exactly where you ’ re going .
Didn ’ t I tell you to check here ?
Another voter suppression tool employed by Republicans is to simply make Black people wait longer to cast a ballot .
In 2019 , a first-of-its-kind study used cell phone data from 150,000 voters to discover that the average wait time for voters in Black neighborhoods was 29 percent longer than it was for voters in white neighborhoods .
Another study accurately predicted the percentage of Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowing only the wait time at the poll on Election Day How do you beat the wait ?
There are three important things you should know : • Make it quick : Did you know that most states offer sample ballots with all of the candidates you will vote for ?
• Don ’ t go early : This seems counterintuitive but a discovered that the earlier you go vote , the longer it will take .
• Don ’ t go too late : The shortest wait time , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even if there are more voters in line , the line moves faster because there are more poll workers and the volunteers have usually ironed out the glitches .
The Root was the first outlet to report a curious phenomenon that happened in the 2018 midterms .
During the election , thousands of Georgia voters mysteriously forgot to vote for lieutenant governor .
But it only happened in Black neighborhoods ... on Election Day ... on electronic machines with no paper trail ... in an election that was run by the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by mail , many states let individual voters track their ballots to make sure they are counted .
If you vote in person , it is advisable to bring your ID and your voter registration to the polls .
In any case , double-check your ballots to make sure it is filled out correctly and entered into the system correctly .
And if you aren ’ t sure whether your vote was entered correctly , you have the right to request a provisional ballot .
Many states only offer electronic voting machines with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow voters to request a paper ballot even when they vote in person .
Electronic voting screens can be laid out in ways that can confuse voters and cause miscounts , which happened in Florida in 2018 .
( Coincidentally , this happened in the county that just happens to have the second-highest Black population in the state . )
Sometimes machines break down , resulting in long lines , like the catastrophe in Detroit in the 2016 election .
Electronic machines can malfunction and “ miscount ” votes , which recently happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And of course , there are concerns about votes being hacked , which Russian hackers attempted in all 50 states in 2016 .
Republicans have created an entire art form of disqualifying ballots , sabotaging machines or literally making votes disappear .
So , just because you registered , stood in line and cast a ballot doesn ’ t mean that it will be counted .
Now here comes the scariest part .
If I wanted more information , I do not know who else I could call .
In reporting on voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviewed the top election security authorities , voting system experts and voter-suppression activists in America .
• Sen. , who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee ; • , president and executive director of the Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law ; • , a voting systems specialist and Ph.D. candidate who serves as an expert on voting irregularity cases ; • , distinguished professor of computing at Georgia Tech University and one of the most respected elections systems experts in the world and • , founder of the , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Every single one of them agrees that hand-marked , hand-counted paper ballots are the most reliably secure way to cast a ballot .
In April , Sen. Harris even told The Root that “ we need to move toward paper ballots everywhere ” because , as she explained : “ Russia can not hack a piece of paper.
” In fact , because so many absentee and mail-in ballots—which are essentially hand-counted paper ballots—are expected to be cast in the 2020 election , many experts believed that the 2020 election may be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unless , of course , someone found a way to hack the mail .
That ’ s how they ’ ll get us .

If you’re reading this, they don’t want to count your vote.
If you, like many of our readers, are under the age of 40, progressive, live around non-white people or don’t have anyone in your circle of friends and family who owns a pair of wraparound sunglasses, Republicans are doing everything in their power to make sure your vote doesn’t count.
Advertisement
Although scientific racism is usually a bunch of balderdash, genetic biologists report that white people are 83 percent more likely to be born with the loophole-finding gene. Ever since the Virginia colony spelled out its voting laws in 1619, conservatives, autocrats and Caucasians have concocted an infinite number of insidious-but-lowkey-genius workarounds to suppress the Black vote. (I may be mistaken, but it feels like another significant historical event also happened that year.)
In an attempt to defeat the deceptive but All-American tradition of Black voter suppression, The Root put together this handy guide for Black people who want to have their vote counted.
Advertisement Advertisement
Know things.
Look, I’m not calling you dumb. All I’m saying is that registration and voting requirements are constantly changing, which is one of the slick ways legislators use to suppress the vote. According to the National Council of State Legislatures, 49 states changed or slightly altered their rules for voting since the 2016 elections (Alabama stands alone).
Advertisement
Because elections are run by individual states, the available information varies widely. For instance, in Georgia, each voter gets their own “My Voter” page that shows their registration and voting status but in Maine, you have to call your local election official to check your registration status.
The only way to know what is required to cast a ballot that will be counted is to visit your individual state’s election office website, which you can find here.
Advertisement
Register to vote.
While this seems like a no-brainer, voter registration rules are like Kardashians—they’re similar but they are always evolving. If you just turned 18, are a new citizen, recently relocated or just want to exercise your right to vote for the first time, every state has a separate set of rules.
Advertisement
It is also important that you know when you can register to vote. Leading up to the 2016 elections, nine Republican-controlled states shortened their registration periods, making it impossible for millions of people to cast a ballot during the period called “election season.”
For example, you don’t even have to register to vote in North Dakota—you can just show up on Election Day with an acceptable form of identification. In Virginia, however, you can register online, but only up until 22 days before a general election.
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Of course, someone like you is probably already registered to vote, so you’re Gucci, right?
Not so fast my friend.
Unpurge yourself.
Even if you previously registered to vote, you may not be registered to vote.
Huh?
One of the most overt forms of voter suppression is voter purges, where officials simply throw out people’s voter registrations. Studies have shown that Black voters are more likely to be purged from voter rolls. Georgia has purged nearly 300,000 voters in the past year, while Wisconsin is still trying to toss 200,000 legal voter registrations in the garbage can before the November election. Since 2017, Oklahoma officials have deleted more than 10 percent of its voters’ names from the books.
Advertisement
There are many reasons why your registration may have been purged, including inactivity, punctuation, the way you spell your name or even your handwriting. If someone just says that you moved—even if you live in the same precinct—an election official has the right to make your registration disappear.
So go check your voter registration now.
And then check it again immediately before you cast your ballot because that’s how they getcha.*
Advertisement
*Honestly, I don’t know what that means but my cousin Tyran always says it when he’s figured out how to avert subterfuge: “I always order my drink with no ice. Sure, McDonald’s Sprite burns my esophagus like I’m drinking hydrochloric acid, but I get twice as much! Never order ice. That’s how they getcha”
Vote by mail—without the mail part.
Concerned about COVID-19, long lines or your schedule?
Well, there are nine states (California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington State, along with Washington, D.C.) where every single registered voter will be mailed a ballot or a request for an absentee ballot. In 34 more states, voters don’t need a reason to request an absentee ballot or the state accepts the coronavirus as a valid reason, according to the New York Times. There are only seven states (Louisiana, Indiana, Mississippi, New York, Tennessee, Texas and South Carolina) that don’t consider coronavirus concerns reason enough to send a voter an absentee ballot.
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If you are worried that Russian mailbox hackers, the Grinch who steals mail or Donald Trump’s postal saboteurs will make your mail-in or absentee ballot vanish into thin air, here’s a secret:
Voting by mail doesn’t necessarily require an actual mail system.
Thirteen states allow voters to drop their ballots off at a polling place and 11 states provide drop boxes for ballots. You should check with your state’s election official (which again, you can find here) to determine how or if you can drop your ballot off in person. Furthermore, every state except Alabama allows a designated person or family member person to mail your ballot or bring it to a polling location.
Advertisement
Vote early, in person.
If all this seems like too much, you can just walk into your polling place and vote early.
Advertisement
Aside from the states that have all-mail elections, 30 additional states and the District of Columbia offer in-person early voting. Early voting periods vary by state. Some, like South Dakota, begin 46 days before the election and end the day before the election. Other places, like Oklahoma, start five days before election day and ends three days before Election Day.
Alabama doesn’t play that early voting shit at all.
Didn’t I tell you to check here?
Know where you’re going.
I know, you’re an experienced voter and you know what you’re doing but Republican-controlled Southern states have closed at least 1,200 polling places since the 2016 election, Reuters reports. And if you’re Black, there’s a greater likelihood that your polling location has been closed. Even if your usual polling place hasn’t closed, if you relocated, you may have to vote at a different location. If you haven’t moved and your polling place hasn’t changed, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
Advertisement
Except you do.
Even if your address hasn’t changed and your closest poll is the same, you may be in an entirely different voting district. A number of states, counties and municipalities across the country have redrawn their electoral maps to benefit the parties in power. In fact, Shelby v. Holder, the Supreme Court ruling that dismantles the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was essentially about redrawn voting districts in Shelby County, Ala. (It’s always Alabama.) Or, maybe your polling place was moved just to intimidate voters. That’s what happened when Jonesboro, Ga., officials quietly moved the city’s only polling location to a police station.
Advertisement
Whether you plan on voting early or on Election Day, you should also know exactly where you’re going.
Google Maps has a great polling place locator or...
Didn’t I tell you to check here?
Timing is everything.
Another voter suppression tool employed by Republicans is to simply make Black people wait longer to cast a ballot.
Advertisement
In 2019, a first-of-its-kind study used cell phone data from 150,000 voters to discover that the average wait time for voters in Black neighborhoods was 29 percent longer than it was for voters in white neighborhoods. Another study accurately predicted the percentage of Black people (pdf) in a precinct knowing only the wait time at the poll on Election Day
How do you beat the wait? There are three important things you should know:
Make it quick: Did you know that most states offer sample ballots with all of the candidates you will vote for? Don’t go early: This seems counterintuitive but a research team at MIT Don’t go too late: The shortest wait time, according to the data, is around 5 p.m. because, even if there are more voters in line, the line moves faster because there are more poll workers and the volunteers have usually ironed out the glitches.
Advertisement
Make your vote count.
The Root was the first outlet to report a curious phenomenon that happened in the 2018 midterms. During the election, thousands of Georgia voters mysteriously forgot to vote for lieutenant governor. But it only happened in Black neighborhoods...on Election Day...on electronic machines with no paper trail...in an election that was run by the Republican candidate for governor.
Advertisement
If you voted by mail, many states let individual voters track their ballots to make sure they are counted. If you vote in person, it is advisable to bring your ID and your voter registration to the polls. In any case, double-check your ballots to make sure it is filled out correctly and entered into the system correctly. And if you aren’t sure whether your vote was entered correctly, you have the right to request a provisional ballot. Many states only offer electronic voting machines with no paper trail, although some states allow voters to request a paper ballot even when they vote in person.
Advertisement
Electronic voting screens can be laid out in ways that can confuse voters and cause miscounts, which happened in Florida in 2018. (Coincidentally, this happened in the county that just happens to have the second-highest Black population in the state.) Sometimes machines break down, resulting in long lines, like the catastrophe in Detroit in the 2016 election. Electronic machines can malfunction and “miscount” votes, which recently happened in Georgia’s Blackest counties. And of course, there are concerns about votes being hacked, which Russian hackers attempted in all 50 states in 2016.
Republicans have created an entire art form of disqualifying ballots, sabotaging machines and literally making votes disappear. So, just because you registered, stood in line and cast a ballot doesn’t mean that it will be counted.
Advertisement
That’s how they getcha!
Now here comes the scariest part.
If I wanted more information, I do not know who else I could call. In reporting on voter suppression and election security, I have interviewed the top election security authorities, voting system experts and voter-suppression activists in America.
Advertisement
The roster includes:
Advertisement
Every single one of them agrees that hand-marked, hand-counted paper ballots are the most reliably secure way to cast a ballot. In April, Sen. Harris even told The Root that “we need to move toward paper ballots everywhere” because, as she explained: “Russia cannot hack a piece of paper.”
In fact, because so many absentee and mail-in ballots—which are essentially hand-counted paper ballots—are expected to be cast in the 2020 election, many experts believed that the 2020 election may be the most secure election in recent history...
Advertisement
Unless, of course, someone found a way to hack the mail.
That’s how they’ll get us.


theroot--2020-08-21--Georgia Cop Put on Administrative Leave After Tasing Black Woman on Her Own Front Porch

In Georgia , an investigation has been launched after a video went viral showing a cop tasing a Black woman on her front porch .
According to AJC , the video shows an officer approaching a group of Black women sitting on their front porch .
He tells one of the women , identified as 22-year-old Kyndesia Smith , that she ’ s speaking too loud and threatens to arrest her .
“ I ’ m not going nowhere , it doesn ’ t matter .
You ’ re on our property .
We did not call you , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The officer then struggles to arrest Smith and eventually pulls out his taser .
Shortly after telling Smith to get on the ground , he fires the taser .
The video has been viewed over 14 million times on TikTok , where it was initially posted .
The officer , currently only identified as M. Oxford , wrote in a police report that he was responding to a call regarding property damage .
The neighbor who made the call showed surveillance footage to the police of a group of people arriving at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her car .
The neighbor told police that one of the women involved said she would “ kick her son in the head , ” before leaving to a nearby house .
One of the women wearing a white tank top and pants appeared to match the description of the person in the neighbor ’ s security footage , Oxford wrote in his report .
She was later identified as Aytra Thomas .
“ The other people that were on scene with her continued to yell and scream at me , making it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further conduct my investigation , ” Oxford wrote .
Another woman , identified as 22-year-old Kyndesia Smith , continued to yell and shout at the officer , he wrote in his report .
Oxford said he told Smith she needed to quiet down or move away from the scene if she didn ’ t want to be arrested on obstruction charges .
Smith was later arrested and charged with felony obstruction and simple battery against a police officer .
She was released Wednesday night on a $ 5,900 bond .
Even with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was no need for this to escalate to the level it did .
As a cop , it ’ s Oxford ’ s job to de-escalate the situation , not yell at people and tase them in the fucking leg .
As a result of the video , an investigation has been launched into the circumstances of the arrest .
“ The officer has been placed in an administrative role in the police department pending an internal investigation , ” Gwinnett police spokesman Cpl .
Collin Flynn told AJC .
Hopefully , Oxford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paperwork for being in the wrong font .

In Georgia, an investigation has been launched after a video went viral showing a cop tasing a Black woman on her front porch.
According to AJC, the video shows an officer approaching a group of Black women sitting on their front porch. He tells one of the women, identified as 22-year-old Kyndesia Smith, that she’s speaking too loud and threatens to arrest her. “I’m not going nowhere, it doesn’t matter. You’re on our property. We did not call you,” Smith tells the officer in the video. The officer then struggles to arrest Smith and eventually pulls out his taser. Shortly after telling Smith to get on the ground, he fires the taser. The video has been viewed over 14 million times on TikTok, where it was initially posted.
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The officer, currently only identified as M. Oxford, wrote in a police report that he was responding to a call regarding property damage. The neighbor who made the call showed surveillance footage to the police of a group of people arriving at her home and throwing a bottle at her car. The neighbor told police that one of the women involved said she would “kick her son in the head,” before leaving to a nearby house.
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From AJC:
One of the women wearing a white tank top and pants appeared to match the description of the person in the neighbor’s security footage, Oxford wrote in his report. She was later identified as Aytra Thomas. “The other people that were on scene with her continued to yell and scream at me, making it very difficult to speak with Aytra and further conduct my investigation,” Oxford wrote. Another woman, identified as 22-year-old Kyndesia Smith, continued to yell and shout at the officer, he wrote in his report. Oxford said he told Smith she needed to quiet down or move away from the scene if she didn’t want to be arrested on obstruction charges.
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Smith was later arrested and charged with felony obstruction and simple battery against a police officer. She was released Wednesday night on a $5,900 bond. Even with the added details of what happened, there was no need for this to escalate to the level it did. As a cop, it’s Oxford’s job to de-escalate the situation, not yell at people and tase them in the fucking leg.
As a result of the video, an investigation has been launched into the circumstances of the arrest. “The officer has been placed in an administrative role in the police department pending an internal investigation,” Gwinnett police spokesman Cpl. Collin Flynn told AJC.
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Hopefully, Oxford doesn’t try to tase his paperwork for being in the wrong font.


theroot--2020-08-20--Five More Men’s Sex Toys You’ll Meet in Life

The world of sex toys designed for men and for those with penises and prostates is growing like crazy .
Which is a very good thing !
Sex toys for everyone !
But with the category growth comes a whole new problem : What , like , even are these things ?
What do they do and how do they work ?
?
And which one is the right one for you ?
?
?
Well , we ’ re attempting to explain that very thing !
Today we ’ re covering two subspecies of masturbation sleeves for penises , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a newer type of toy : The talking masturbator !
Previously , we took a look at cock rings , Fleshlights , butt plugs , and prostate massagers .
Inventory readers get 20 % off all Bellesa products , using the code INVENTORY at checkout ; Ella Paradis offers our readers a 50 % discount off their products that is automatically applied to your cart .
The name really says it all !
Pocket pussies are portable masturbation sleeves that are designed to look like a vagina .
Some of them are quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being very honest with one another , can be a little gruesome-looking .
But the realistic look , and corresponding realistic feel , is their whole thing and I don ’ t mean to be shame-y , so let ’ s move this right along !
Speaking of feel , here ’ s an important thing to know when buying a pocket pussy : Look for ones made of TPE/TPR ( thermoplastic elastomer/rubber ) or silicone ; avoid other materials , especially anything with the word “ jelly ” as they contain phthalates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay away from any “ proprietary ” or “ secret ” formulas .
Onaholes are a subset of pocket pussies , but they ’ re unique enough that they deserve their own explainer .
Onaholes originate in Japan , and there ’ s a crazy huge variety of them available in a crazy huge variety of sizes , shapes , styles , etc .
The price range , also , can vary from inexpensive—under- $ 25 for disposable ones—to super pricey , especially when it comes to the larger ones that are shaped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s a whole wide world of butt play toys out there—in part 1 of this explainer , we covered prostate massagers like butt plugs and training kits .
Anal beads also fall into the prostate massager category but are absolutely enough of their own thing that they deserve a standalone entry .
Anal beads are made up of a strand of multiple spheres or balls—a.k.a .
the “ beads ” —that are attached together , usually from biggest to smallest .
The beads are inserted into the anus and removed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different levels of stimulation .
Most anal beads are fitted with an o-ring for the user to loop their finger through to pull the beads out , and to ensure the toy doesn ’ t fully enter the anus and get stuck .
And , as always when we talk about butt stuff : ALL CAPS WARNING INCOMING !
!
!
NEVER , EVER USE A TOY FOR BUTT PLAY THAT IS NOT SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR BUTT PLAY .
Anal beads are a good way to explore butt play , for those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of money .
Penis pumps are designed to draw blood into the penis , creating an erection ; the increased blood flow not only causes an erection , but it can also make it harder , stronger , and longer-lasting .
A cock ring is usually placed at the base of the penis after the pump has been used to help maintain the erection .
Penis pumps are primarily intended for people suffering from erectile dysfunction and can be used in concert with ED medications like Viagra , but pumps are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to achieve a stronger erection .
If you do suffer from ED , it ’ s worth noting that the purchase of a penis pump might be covered by your insurance , so speak with your doctor about getting a prescription ( yup ! )
for one if you think you qualify .
Toys That Talk to You There ’ s this great line in Real Housewives of Atlanta in which Nene Leakes expresses her disdain for vibrators ( which ?
Sorry to you , lady ! )
because , among other flaws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything to you but , “ Zzzzzzzzzzz.
” Well !
NOT SO , NENE .
Because talking toys exist in this beautiful , horny world of ours .

Jolie Kerr on The Inventory, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

The world of sex toys designed for men and for those with penises and prostates is growing like crazy. Which is a very good thing! Sex toys for everyone! But with the category growth comes a whole new problem: What, like, even are these things? What do they do and how do they work?? And which one is the right one for you???
Well, we’re attempting to explain that very thing! Today we’re covering two subspecies of masturbation sleeves for penises, anal beads, penis pumps, and a newer type of toy: The talking masturbator! Previously, we took a look at cock rings, Fleshlights, butt plugs, and prostate massagers.
Inventory readers get 20% off all Bellesa products, using the code INVENTORY at checkout; Ella Paradis offers our readers a 50% discount off their products that is automatically applied to your cart.
Pocket Pussies
Advertisement
The name really says it all! Pocket pussies are portable masturbation sleeves that are designed to look like a vagina. Some of them are quite realistic and, if we’re being very honest with one another, can be a little gruesome-looking. But the realistic look, and corresponding realistic feel, is their whole thing and I don’t mean to be shame-y, so let’s move this right along! Speaking of feel, here’s an important thing to know when buying a pocket pussy: Look for ones made of TPE/TPR (thermoplastic elastomer/rubber) or silicone; avoid other materials, especially anything with the word “jelly” as they contain phthalates, which are toxic, and definitely stay away from any “proprietary” or “secret” formulas.
Advertisement Advertisement
Onaholes
Advertisement
Onaholes are a subset of pocket pussies, but they’re unique enough that they deserve their own explainer. Onaholes originate in Japan, and there’s a crazy huge variety of them available in a crazy huge variety of sizes, shapes, styles, etc. The price range, also, can vary from inexpensive—under-$25 for disposable ones—to super pricey, especially when it comes to the larger ones that are shaped like the female hips and torso.
Advertisement
Anal Beads
Advertisement
There’s a whole wide world of butt play toys out there—in part 1 of this explainer, we covered prostate massagers like butt plugs and training kits. Anal beads also fall into the prostate massager category but are absolutely enough of their own thing that they deserve a standalone entry. Anal beads are made up of a strand of multiple spheres or balls—a.k.a. the “beads”—that are attached together, usually from biggest to smallest. The beads are inserted into the anus and removed, and the speed of removal allows for different levels of stimulation.
Most anal beads are fitted with an o-ring for the user to loop their finger through to pull the beads out, and to ensure the toy doesn’t fully enter the anus and get stuck. And, as always when we talk about butt stuff: ALL CAPS WARNING INCOMING!!!
NEVER, EVER USE A TOY FOR BUTT PLAY THAT IS NOT SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR BUTT PLAY.
Advertisement
Anal beads are a good way to explore butt play, for those who are new/curious/want to dabble without spending a lot of money.
Advertisement
Penis Pumps
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Penis pumps are designed to draw blood into the penis, creating an erection; the increased blood flow not only causes an erection, but it can also make it harder, stronger, and longer-lasting. A cock ring is usually placed at the base of the penis after the pump has been used to help maintain the erection. Penis pumps are primarily intended for people suffering from erectile dysfunction and can be used in concert with ED medications like Viagra, but pumps are also often used by people without ED issues to achieve a stronger erection. If you do suffer from ED, it’s worth noting that the purchase of a penis pump might be covered by your insurance, so speak with your doctor about getting a prescription (yup!) for one if you think you qualify.
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Toys That Talk to You
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There’s this great line in Real Housewives of Atlanta in which Nene Leakes expresses her disdain for vibrators (which? Sorry to you, lady!) because, among other flaws, the dildo can’t say anything to you but, “Zzzzzzzzzzz.” Well! NOT SO, NENE. Because talking toys exist in this beautiful, horny world of ours.


theroot--2020-08-20--Chicago Public Schools Significantly Cuts Budget for School Resource Officers

Officials for Chicago Public Schools have voted to significantly reduce the budget for school resource officers .
The budget , which barely passed , reduces the budget for SRO ’ s from $ 33 million to $ 15 million , according to WGN-9 .
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS CEO Janice Jackson announced on Wednesday that in addition to budget cuts , the program will also face significant reforms .
“ I understand the concerns and questions that many have surrounding policing , particularly when it involves our youth , ” Lightfoot said during a press conference .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have taken major steps to respond.
” Among the reforms implemented by CPS is a change to the criteria SRO ’ s must meet in order to be hired .
Officers can not have garnered any excessive force complaints over the last five years and can not have a history of verbally or physically assaulting students .
“ Candidates will undergo an extensive screening process ensuring their backgrounds are free of excessive force allegations and placing a premium on experiences working with young people , ” Lightfoot told reporters .
The reforms also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal immigration agents while on duty .
They also can not enter students ’ information into the city ’ s “ gang database , ” nor can they access the database while on campus .
Any complaints against officers will be sent to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability , according to Jackson .
Following the death of George Floyd in May , protests took place all around the country and Chicago was no exception , with many protesters arguing that police officers should be completely removed from schools .
Derion Smith , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mather High School , was among those who shared this sentiment .
“ Everything they ’ re demanding today is good , but it ’ s not good enough , ” Smith told WGN-8 .
“ They watch us walk through the hallways like we ’ re criminals , it ’ s painful to be inside ; you don ’ t want to be seen like that.
” Smith believes that the officers should be replaced with social workers instead .
While CPS hasn ’ t terminated its relationship with the department , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to determine for themselves if they still want officers on their campuses .
As of now , 17 schools in Chicago have elected to remove the officers from their campuses while 55 others have chosen for them to remain .
The aforementioned Mather High School and Roberto Clemente Career Academy are among the schools that have removed resource officers from their campuses .
“ We simply decided the future of Clemente did not include the police in our school , as part of our approach to student safety , ” Roberto Clemente @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Officials for Chicago Public Schools have voted to significantly reduce the budget for school resource officers.
The budget, which barely passed, reduces the budget for SRO’s from $33 million to $15 million, according to WGN-9. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS CEO Janice Jackson announced on Wednesday that in addition to budget cuts, the program will also face significant reforms. “I understand the concerns and questions that many have surrounding policing, particularly when it involves our youth,” Lightfoot said during a press conference. “We have heard you, and we have taken major steps to respond.”
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Among the reforms implemented by CPS is a change to the criteria SRO’s must meet in order to be hired. Officers cannot have garnered any excessive force complaints over the last five years and cannot have a history of verbally or physically assaulting students.
“Candidates will undergo an extensive screening process ensuring their backgrounds are free of excessive force allegations and placing a premium on experiences working with young people,” Lightfoot told reporters.
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The reforms also prevent SRO’s from working with federal immigration agents while on duty. They also cannot enter students’ information into the city’s “gang database,” nor can they access the database while on campus. Any complaints against officers will be sent to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, according to Jackson.
Following the death of George Floyd in May, protests took place all around the country and Chicago was no exception, with many protesters arguing that police officers should be completely removed from schools. Derion Smith, a former student at Chicago’s Mather High School, was among those who shared this sentiment.
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“Everything they’re demanding today is good, but it’s not good enough,” Smith told WGN-8. “They watch us walk through the hallways like we’re criminals, it’s painful to be inside; you don’t want to be seen like that.” Smith believes that the officers should be replaced with social workers instead.
While CPS hasn’t terminated its relationship with the department, Lightfoot has said that schools have the right to determine for themselves if they still want officers on their campuses. As of now, 17 schools in Chicago have elected to remove the officers from their campuses while 55 others have chosen for them to remain.
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The aforementioned Mather High School and Roberto Clemente Career Academy are among the schools that have removed resource officers from their campuses. “We simply decided the future of Clemente did not include the police in our school, as part of our approach to student safety,” Roberto Clemente Career Academy Principal Fernando Mojica told WGN-8.


theroot--2020-08-20--Save up to 70% During Huckberry's Swimwear Sale

Featured Deal : Huckberry Swimwear Sale | Up to 70 % off The best Huckberry deals of August 2020 are here .
Huckberry ’ s Swimwear Sale is in full swing right now , letting you save as much as $ 120 off the price of a wide variety of trunks .
The site has dozens of styles available , with some priced as low as $ 30 .
We ’ ve picked a few of our favorite styles from the sale below , along with other bargains from across the Huckberry catalog , including shirts and coats .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on orders of $ 75+ , along with free returns .
Flint and Tinder ’ s vintage-style , California-made boardshorts are perfect for those out-and-about days this summer , whether you ’ re having fun outdoors or just getting things done .
They ’ re $ 15 off the list price right now and available in Green/Navy and Rust/Charcoal as of this writing .
Many swim trunks aim to recreate the natural sights of summer , whether it ’ s flowers , palm trees , sunshine , or waves—but this is something different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trunks have a distinctive rainbow pattern on black that almost looks like a passing glance at a series of RGB gaming keyboards in a dark room .
That ’ s different .
If you ’ re not into the busy patterns seen on many swim trunks , why not keep it simple ?
This Onia Charles 7 shorts are clean cut with a tailored look , and right now they ’ re a whopping $ 90 off the list price .
This light blue Safari Sky color is currently available in all sizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navy and Deep Sage have more limited availability .
It ’ s always helpful to have an absorbent towel handy while backpacking or exploring , but quality towels often take up a heap of space .
Not Turkish Towels .
The brand ’ s Herringbone towel ( 40x70 ” ) is thin enough to roll into the approximate shape and size of a burrito , yet is claimed to be as absorbent as a beach towel .
It dries quickly and gets softer with each wash , too !
Save $ 15 right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on this handsome cotton-linen short sleeve shirt from Wellen , which is lightweight and breathable—perfect for summer days and nights alike .
Huckberry says it ’ s “ lighter than a breeze off ocean waves and as comfortable as hammock on a sunny day , ” which sounds pretty darn great to us .
This navy and green blanket stripe version is the cheapest of the bunch , with a salmon pinstripe version also available for a few bucks more .
Whether on surf or turf , these Howler Brothers Sayulita Watershorts are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dry once you ’ re out of the water , so you don ’ t stay soaked for long .
Planning to be in and out of water ?
These watershorts are a must-have , and they even have a zippered back pocket for storing keys or whatnot .
Save $ 12 right now at Huckberry .
Right now , you can save $ 55 on this roomy Mystery Ranch Mission Rover bag , which has a 43L capacity that meets most airlines ’ carry-on requirements and can be carried as a suitcase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bag .
Huckberry customers have raved over this bag , with one reviewer writing , “ It is versatile , durable , and spacious .
Couldn ’ t recommend more ” after multiple trips .
Whether intended for cool summer nights or the autumn ahead , Grayers ’ Paragon quilted featherweight jacket is a thin and lightweight way to retain heat .
This nylon zip jacket is built to resist the wind without bulking you up , and right now it ’ s down $ 58 from the list price .
Save $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stylish Proof Elements jacket , which looks like the perfect option for cool summer nights and then autumn beyond .
The ThermoTech fabric warms up as you wear it , keeping you comfortable despite the thin build .
Whether you need something warm for wandering your local surroundings or just want a cozy hoodie to social distance in , the Wellen Waffle Raglan Pullover looks to fit the bill .
The waffle weave design keeps it feeling soft while the front pocket will warm your hands during spring strolls , plus it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .

Gabe Carey, Sheilah Villari,  and Andrew Hayward on Roundups, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Featured Deal: Alba Optics Solo | $174
Huckberry’s best deals of September 2021 are here!
After spending the better part of the calendar year in a pandemic, I bet that your co-workers have probably seen every shirt you own on your Zoom meetings. If I’m right, then there’s no better excuse to spice up your virtual workwear by cashing in on Huckberry’s best deals.
From apparel to footwear, Huckberry has everything you can think of on sale.
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Made from hemp and organic cotton, the Wellen Hemp Polo provides long-lasting wear with sustainable materials that you can wear guilt-free. It is an easy-going , ultra-flattering design that will give you plenty of room without being baggy.
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The Flint and Tinder 365 Shorts - 9" is a performance short chino that was carefully constructed from a blended fabric to create a soft, year-round garment. It’s pre-shrunk for the ideal fit right out of the box. Note that it was expertly made from a sustainable factory in Indonesia.
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I don’t know about you, but I love tie-dye. Available in mustard, navy, and tide, the Wellen Shibori Stripe Tee features a beautiful pattern, made from the shibori dyeing process which is all done by hand.
Made from 100% organic cotton, these t-shirts also have the signature Wellen softness and are environmentally friendly.
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Having a solid set of whiskey glasses is key to kicking off the summer right! When you raise a glass to toast at the next outdoor party, do it in style!
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Huckberry is selling some beautiful Whiskey Peaks glasses, including American Mountains, Grand Tetons, and International Mountains. These glasses are made from 100% lead-free handblown glass, which is lighter than leaded glass and equally durable.
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As part of the summer sale, Huckberry is offering an up to 25% discount on hybrid shorts, which can be worn either in the water or on land. Plus, the hydrophobic fabrics dry super quickly, so you’re ready to hit your local bar.
The Beardedgoat Ridgeline Short is versatile and durable. It provides a four-way stretch for maximum mobility. Made from nylon ripstop fabric, this product is lightweight, yet durable. Plus, it comes with two side hand pockets, two rear pockets, and a hidden stash pocket for valuables.
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Handmade in Northern Italy, Astorflex can guarantee quality shoes that are stylish and eco-friendly. Plus, their soles are 100% made from natural rubber to ensure that you’re walking on a cloud. For Memorial Day weekend, Huckberry is offering deals on products from this brand at up to 35% off.
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The line-up includes styles and designs that will satisfy even the pickiest of shoe shoppers. One example is the highly flexible Astorflex Patnoflex Travel, the ideal summer shoe for those on the move. Another is the Astroflex Rolflex, a great shoe to transition from one season to another.
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Linen shirts are super stylish and functional for the summertime. However, my biggest pet peeve is how easily they wrinkle. Well, no more! Introducing the Wills Wrinkle-Free Linen Shirt (Bright Navy).
This breathable, lightweight garment pairs well with chinos, slacks, and even shorts. Note that it comes with a single pocket at the left chest, which is a great place to store a handy pen.
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With temperatures rising, everyone needs to have a beach towel in their arsenal. And why not cash in on one at a discounted price? At up to 45% off, Turkish Towels are a steal this Memorial Day weekend. They are super soft and plush, regardless if you are sitting by the pool, the lake, or the ocean.
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Named after the 45 RPM, Forty Five makes classic, vintage t-shirts to pay homage to the ‘60s and ‘70s. The brand’s shirts are made from 100% USA-grown Supima cotton in Los Angeles’ Fashion District. They’ve been designed at the perfect length for tucking and untucking and with a timeless sleeve length. They’re also been garment-dyed for added softness and preshrunk to ensure that you get the perfect fit.
This weekend, buy three t-shirts at the bundled price of $95.
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Looking for a new pair of glasses? Try the Alba Optics Solo, which features stunning lenses to choose from. They are designed to withstand the rigors of hiking and provides blue light and UV protection. Its color equalizer gives beautiful clarity and temple tips are telescopic to provide a custom fit. Note that these are made it Italy, so you’re getting the best of the best fashion-wise .
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Marine Layer Banks Pullover Hoodie is a great garment for a casual outing. As a brand, Marine Layer is known for providing the ultimate comfort and quality. This fabric has a heathered look to give a vintage impression. It also has a kangaroo pouch for storage. And it has a functional drawstring hoodie to ward off a cold breeze.
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Every guy needs a smart pair of trousers to take them from the office to the cornerstore without missing a beat. Available in 10 vibrant colors, the Flint and Tinder 365 pants are now on sale at two for $175. You can put that extra $21 on a summer date night. They’re super lightweight and dyed to comfortable straight out of the box. They even come with a fifth front pocket to securely carry all of your belongings.
This story was originally written by Sheilah Villari on 03/31/2020 and updated with new information by Juliana Clark on 09/09/2021.


theroot--2020-08-20--Study Shows Police Killings Haven't Slowed Despite There Being A Whole-Ass Pandemic

A new study has shown that despite the ongoing pandemic , there has not been a significant decrease in fatal police shootings .
According to NBC News , a report by the ACLU titled “ The Other Epidemic : Fatal Police Shootings in the Time of COVID-19 , ” shows that through June of this year there had been 511 fatal police shootings , an increase from 484 shootings at the same time last year .
“ Because of stay-at-home orders , social distancing requirements , and police department policies advising officers to initiate fewer investigative contacts , we might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 relative to years past , ” the report states .
Instead , the study “ found that despite COVID-19 , the rate of fatal police shootings has remained the same nationally .
In some states , the rate has even increased.
” The ACLU based its report on data analyzed from the University of Nebraska at Omaha .
Researchers found that from 2015–2019 , there was an average of 19.4 shootings per week during the first 27 weeks of the year .
Through that same course of time in 2020 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 has had virtually no effect on the rate of police shootings .
“ We want to express alarm that even when the nation was on lockdown during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic ... that didn ’ t stop police fatally shooting people at the same rate , ” Udi Ofer , the director of the ACLU ’ s Justice Division , told NBC News .
The study did find that following the killing of George Floyd in May , there was a decrease in police shootings .
Between late May , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities in cities and towns across the country took to the streets to demand not just justice but radical and transformative change , and the release of this report , fatal police shootings appear to have dropped precipitously .
In the four weeks leading up to Floyd ’ s killing , there were 27 , 20 , 22 , and 25 fatal shootings , respectively ( average = 23.5 ) .
The previous five-year average during this four-week period was 17.3 .
Following Floyd ’ s death and the worldwide protests in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatal police shootings may have slowed ( see Figure 3 ) .
There have been 17 or fewer fatal police shootings per week each of the last five weeks .
This occurred only three times during the first 22 weeks of 2020 .
Researchers noted that they couldn ’ t draw any notable conclusions with this data given the relatively short period of time that ’ s gone by since Floyd died .
They emphasized the importance of continuing to track the number of police shootings to see if the ongoing protests and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect on reducing the rate of fatal shootings .
Additionally , the study found that Black , Latinx and Indigenous people still make up a disproportionate amount of those fatally shot by police .
Black people made up 24 percent of the 5,442 people killed by police from 2015–2020 , despite only making up about 13 percent of the U.S. population .
In 2019 , Black people were about three times more likely to be shot by police than White people .
“ Whether crime is up or down , whether we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police continue to kill people , ” Ofer told NBC News .
The study recommended that cities reform their use of force protocols , end the militarization of the police , abolish qualified immunity , and remove police from non-serious offenses such as traffic stops .
The study also recommended that an alternative response force be created to handle people suffering from a mental health crisis .
“ These measures can lead to a reduction in police interactions , and in turn , help put an end to racist police violence , ” @ @ @ @

A new study has shown that despite the ongoing pandemic, there has not been a significant decrease in fatal police shootings.
According to NBC News, a report by the ACLU titled “The Other Epidemic: Fatal Police Shootings in the Time of COVID-19,” shows that through June of this year there had been 511 fatal police shootings, an increase from 484 shootings at the same time last year. “Because of stay-at-home orders, social distancing requirements, and police department policies advising officers to initiate fewer investigative contacts, we might have expected fewer fatal police shootings in 2020 relative to years past,” the report states.
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Instead, the study “found that despite COVID-19, the rate of fatal police shootings has remained the same nationally. In some states, the rate has even increased.” The ACLU based its report on data analyzed from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Researchers found that from 2015–2019, there was an average of 19.4 shootings per week during the first 27 weeks of the year. Through that same course of time in 2020, the average remained the same, meaning that COVID-19 has had virtually no effect on the rate of police shootings.
“We want to express alarm that even when the nation was on lockdown during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic ... that didn’t stop police fatally shooting people at the same rate,” Udi Ofer, the director of the ACLU’s Justice Division, told NBC News. The study did find that following the killing of George Floyd in May, there was a decrease in police shootings.
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From the ACLU:
Between late May, when Minneapolis police killed George Floyd and communities in cities and towns across the country took to the streets to demand not just justice but radical and transformative change, and the release of this report, fatal police shootings appear to have dropped precipitously. In the four weeks leading up to Floyd’s killing, there were 27, 20, 22, and 25 fatal shootings, respectively (average = 23.5). The previous five-year average during this four-week period was 17.3. Following Floyd’s death and the worldwide protests in the weeks that followed, it appears that fatal police shootings may have slowed (see Figure 3). There have been 17 or fewer fatal police shootings per week each of the last five weeks. This occurred only three times during the first 22 weeks of 2020.
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Researchers noted that they couldn’t draw any notable conclusions with this data given the relatively short period of time that’s gone by since Floyd died. They emphasized the importance of continuing to track the number of police shootings to see if the ongoing protests and demands for police reform had any tangible effect on reducing the rate of fatal shootings.
Additionally, the study found that Black, Latinx and Indigenous people still make up a disproportionate amount of those fatally shot by police. Black people made up 24 percent of the 5,442 people killed by police from 2015–2020, despite only making up about 13 percent of the U.S. population. In 2019, Black people were about three times more likely to be shot by police than White people.
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“Whether crime is up or down, whether we’re in a pandemic or not, police continue to kill people,” Ofer told NBC News.
The study recommended that cities reform their use of force protocols, end the militarization of the police, abolish qualified immunity, and remove police from non-serious offenses such as traffic stops. The study also recommended that an alternative response force be created to handle people suffering from a mental health crisis. “These measures can lead to a reduction in police interactions, and in turn, help put an end to racist police violence,” the report states.


theroot--2020-08-20--'Those Not Real People': Master P Pushes New Food Brand Aimed at Replacing Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben

The man who gave us No Limit Records in the mid-late ’ 90s , kept us entertained with club-bangers and hood-flicks through the early 2000s and has never stopped being a shining example of relentless hustle and God-tier Black entrepreneurship , is now promoting a new food brand to replace recently ditched brands like Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben that use caricatures of our likeness but are not Black-owned .
“ When you look at Aunt Jemima , and you look at Uncle Ben , we don ’ t own those products , we never did , ” Master P @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finance .
“ We need to understand that we ’ re not going to be able to put money back in our [ B lack ] community because we don ’ t own those brands .
Our grandparents [ have ] been having us buy those products because they think it ’ s people that look like us.
” P owns a variety of businesses such as shoe company MoneYatti , and he isn ’ t a stranger to selling food products as he ’ s already seen much success through his Rap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced his own rice brand , Uncle P ’ s rice—which of course is a play on Uncle Ben ’ s rice—and he hopes to have it distributed by major retailers in the near future .
“ If you have Aunt Jemima pancakes or Uncle Ben rice , you know , those are not real people , P told Yahoo .
“ [ There are ] other guys out there and girls that have products , bringing it to life.
” P also spoke about the Black Lives Matter explosion that has resulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( and the thing that has inspired all of these companies to rethink their racist branding ) and he advocates making a push for Black ownership part of the fight .
“ What we fighting for right now , we got to do it on a financial level , and start fighting for those rights on the financial side and start showing people that we have people that are thinking outside the box , coming up with great ideas , ” he said .
“ I tell people all the time , start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a great time , what we ’ re going into right now because not only us protesting , it ’ s whites , blacks , the unity that you ’ re seeing out there .
I think other races are starting to recognize that we are being victimized as African Americans.
” Join the discussion !
The Root is hosting its first-ever , virtual Root Institute , presented by Target , featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics , culture , health , community building and social @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Man, you gotta love Percy Miller.
The man who gave us No Limit Records in the mid-late ’ 90s, kept us entertained with club-bangers and hood-flicks through the early 2000s and has never stopped being a shining example of relentless hustle and God-tier Black entrepreneurship, is now promoting a new food brand to replace recently ditched brands like Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben that use caricatures of our likeness but are not Black-owned.
“When you look at Aunt Jemima, and you look at Uncle Ben, we don’t own those products, we never did,” Master P said in a recent interview with Yahoo Finance. “We need to understand that we’re not going to be able to put money back in our [B lack] community because we don’t own those brands. Our grandparents [have] been having us buy those products because they think it’s people that look like us.”
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P owns a variety of businesses such as shoe company MoneYatti, and he isn’t a stranger to selling food products as he’s already seen much success through his Rap Snacks brand.
This week Master P introduced his own rice brand, Uncle P’s rice—which of course is a play on Uncle Ben’s rice—and he hopes to have it distributed by major retailers in the near future.
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“If you have Aunt Jemima pancakes or Uncle Ben rice, you know, those are not real people, P told Yahoo. “[There are] other guys out there and girls that have products, bringing it to life.”
P also spoke about the Black Lives Matter explosion that has resulted in a national conversation about systemic racism (and the thing that has inspired all of these companies to rethink their racist branding) and he advocates making a push for Black ownership part of the fight.
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“What we fighting for right now, we got to do it on a financial level, and start fighting for those rights on the financial side and start showing people that we have people that are thinking outside the box, coming up with great ideas,” he said. “I tell people all the time, start your own business. I think this is a great time, what we’re going into right now because not only us protesting, it’s whites, blacks, the unity that you’re seeing out there. I think other races are starting to recognize that we are being victimized as African Americans.”
Join the discussion! The Root is hosting its first-ever, virtual Root Institute, presented by Target, featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics, culture, health, community building and social impact. Subscribe for updates today!


theroot--2020-08-20--9 Years a Slave: Black Combat Veteran Freed After Being Legally Enslaved Over $30 Worth of Weed

To be clear , Derrick Harris is Black .
He is also a combat veteran who served in the Army during Operation Desert Storm .
And , although the Constitution outlaws slavery and involuntary servitude , the 13th Amendment made a special exception for people who commit a “ crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.
” There are hundreds of thousands of incarcerated citizens who are legally enslaved in places like the Louisiana State Penitentiary , the largest maximum-security prison in the United States , which also serves as a literal slave plantation .
Every able-bodied ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the forced labor camp known as “ Angola ” spends some time in the fields while mostly white corrections officers ( called “ freemen ” ) patrol the inmates on horseback .
For nine years , Derrick Harris was one of those enslaved men .
In 2008 , Harris was arrested for selling less than one gram of marijuana for $ 30 to an undercover police officer in Abbeville , La.
, four months after the alleged incident occurred .
At that time , Louisiana ’ s “ Jim Crow juries ” could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so Harris chose not to have a jury trial and instead , let a judge decide his fate , the Appeal reports .
The district attorney ’ s office delayed the trial for three years and eventually bumped up the charges to distribution of marijuana .
On June 26 , 2012 , Harris was sentenced to 15 years in prison .
Unsatisfied , the district attorney filed a brief saying that Harris should have been sentenced as a habitual offender , based on his prior convictions .
Harris noted that his previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under Louisiana ’ s habitual offender law , it did not matter .
Not only does the state have the highest incarceration rate in the country and the second-highest percentage of Black prisoners , but one out of every three prisoners in its prison system are serving a life sentence , which is also the highest percentage in America , according to the Prison Policy Initiative .
On Nov. 15 , 2012 , Harris received a new sentence from Judge Durwood Conque .
Life without the possibility of parole .
Harris appealed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeals court found that his sentence wasn ’ t excessively harsh despite informing the court that he suffered from a drug addiction after his time serving the country in combat .
One of the judges wrote that the sentence was “ bereft of fundamental fairness.
” “ I believe it is unconscionable to impose a life-sentence-without-benefit upon this Defendant who served his country on the field of battle and returned home to find his country offered him no help for his drug addiction problem.
” Judge Sylvia R. Cooks wrote in her dissenting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , needless , tragic waste of a human life for the sake of slavish adherence to the technicalities of law.
” Cooks just happened to be the Third Court of Appeals ’ only Black judge .
But on August 6 , advocates from the Promise of Justice Initiative , a legal advocacy organization , helped Harris secure his freedom when a judge reduced his sentence to time served , KTLA reports .
In 1863 , the price for an enslaved African was $ 2,500 .
Using data from the Vera Institute , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about $ 146,259 to incarcerate Harris for nine years .
But if inmates worked 40 hours per day for nine years making $ 8.30 per hour ( the average farm-hand wage in Louisiana ) , then the state makes a profit of $ 1,000 per prisoner every year .
But the headline is still not true .
Harris didn ’ t receive a life sentence for selling $ 30 worth of weed .
He received a life sentence for selling .69 grams of marijuana .
According to data from the U.S. Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 5 worth of weed .
In Colorado , where medical marijuana is legal , Harris sold $ 7.24 worth of cannabis .
After doing my own extensive research on this obscure subject , Harris spent nine years in prison for selling enough reefer to roll a half a blunt .
Harris was not exonerated .
The court did not even say his sentence was too harsh .
He was released because the court effectively concluded that nine years was about the right amount of time for someone to be enslaved for “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apparently , in Louisiana , a Black life is worth less than $ 8 .
Sorry about the clickbait .

This headline is clickbait.
To be clear, Derrick Harris is Black. He is also a combat veteran who served in the Army during Operation Desert Storm. And, although the Constitution outlaws slavery and involuntary servitude, the 13th Amendment made a special exception for people who commit a “crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.” There are hundreds of thousands of incarcerated citizens who are legally enslaved in places like the Louisiana State Penitentiary, the largest maximum-security prison in the United States, which also serves as a literal slave plantation. Every able-bodied (and often non-able-bodied) man incarcerated at the forced labor camp known as “Angola” spends some time in the fields while mostly white corrections officers (called “freemen”) patrol the inmates on horseback.
For nine years, Derrick Harris was one of those enslaved men.
In 2008, Harris was arrested for selling less than one gram of marijuana for $30 to an undercover police officer in Abbeville, La., four months after the alleged incident occurred. At that time, Louisiana’s “Jim Crow juries” could convict a person without a unanimous verdict, so Harris chose not to have a jury trial and instead, let a judge decide his fate, the Appeal reports. The district attorney’s office delayed the trial for three years and eventually bumped up the charges to distribution of marijuana.
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On June 26, 2012, Harris was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Unsatisfied, the district attorney filed a brief saying that Harris should have been sentenced as a habitual offender, based on his prior convictions. Harris noted that his previous offenses did not involve violence, but under Louisiana’s habitual offender law, it did not matter. Not only does the state have the highest incarceration rate in the country and the second-highest percentage of Black prisoners, but one out of every three prisoners in its prison system are serving a life sentence, which is also the highest percentage in America, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. On Nov. 15, 2012, Harris received a new sentence from Judge Durwood Conque.
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Life without the possibility of parole.
Harris appealed his conviction but a year later, an appeals court found that his sentence wasn’t excessively harsh despite informing the court that he suffered from a drug addiction after his time serving the country in combat. One of the judges wrote that the sentence was “bereft of fundamental fairness.”
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“I believe it is unconscionable to impose a life-sentence-without-benefit upon this Defendant who served his country on the field of battle and returned home to find his country offered him no help for his drug addiction problem.” Judge Sylvia R. Cooks wrote in her dissenting opinion. “It is an incomprehensible, needless, tragic waste of a human life for the sake of slavish adherence to the technicalities of law.”
Cooks just happened to be the Third Court of Appeals’ only Black judge.
But on August 6, advocates from the Promise of Justice Initiative, a legal advocacy organization, helped Harris secure his freedom when a judge reduced his sentence to time served, KTLA reports.
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In 1863, the price for an enslaved African was $2,500. Using data from the Vera Institute, we figured it cost the state of Louisiana about $146,259 to incarcerate Harris for nine years. But if inmates worked 40 hours per day for nine years making $8.30 per hour (the average farm-hand wage in Louisiana), then the state makes a profit of $1,000 per prisoner every year.
But the headline is still not true.
Harris didn’t receive a life sentence for selling $30 worth of weed. He received a life sentence for selling .69 grams of marijuana. According to data from the U.S. Department of Justice, that’s less than $5 worth of weed. In Colorado, where medical marijuana is legal, Harris sold $7.24 worth of cannabis. After doing my own extensive research on this obscure subject, Harris spent nine years in prison for selling enough reefer to roll a half a blunt.
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Harris was not exonerated. The court did not even say his sentence was too harsh. He was released because the court effectively concluded that nine years was about the right amount of time for someone to be enslaved for “distributing” microscopic doses of marijuana.
Apparently, in Louisiana, a Black life is worth less than $8.
Sorry about the clickbait.


theroot--2020-08-20--New York City Is Dead, Because I Killed It When I Left and Went Back Home to Pittsburgh: An Essay Ab

New York City Is Dead, Because I Killed It When I Left and Went Back Home to Pittsburgh: An Essay About Murder

“ The city is dead , ” I said , aloud , to no one , while each step I took crashed the same cement I ’ d fallen in love with .
The pizza box I lugged with me—filled , just 32 minutes earlier , with a New York City pizza slice—was empty , except for crumbs .
Heh .
A metaphor , for the dead city .
“ A metaphor , for the dead city , ” I also said , aloud , to no one .
When I ’ d arrived 36 hours earlier on a flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LaGuardia to my hotel in midtown , the city was vibrant , alive , breathing , brimming , beaming , teaming .
People wore clothes , walked places and carried things with them .
Bags , mostly .
But also sometimes food .
Or pets .
Some of these people were very obviously members of certain ethnic groups .
Tall buildings stood on each block because that ’ s where city planners decided they should be , I assume .
There were businesses—so many businesses—and people would enter them , spend money , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid for .
Times Square was bright and smelly , like me at my after-prom .
The Statue of Liberty was just really far away .
Hell ’ s Kitchen was neither particularly hot nor wrapped around a stove , but I bought some Flaming Hot Cheetos from a Duane Reade there .
I was called to the city by a bodega safari .
I ’ d heard so much about them—on Law & Order episodes , on A & E and in Big Pun songs—that I had to experience one for myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cheese as good as AOC said it was ?
Would I witness a robbery ?
Or possibly even meet a bodega cat ?
I Ubered through the entire city in search of them .
Midtown .
Upper West Side .
Lower East Side .
Greenwich Village .
Williamsburg .
The Meatpacking District .
Tribeca .
During these journeys , I ’ d peer through the tinted windows of the Chevy Tahoes I rode around in , and the city would speak to me .
“ Hey you , ” the city would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A city never made me blush before .
They say the city never sleeps .
But I wanted the city to sleep with me .
Forget Sex and the City .
I wanted sex with the city .
But , by the second day of the safari , I found no bodegas .
Just Zara .
And not the clothing store Zara .
But Zara , the bartender at the restaurant in my hotel .
She was a born-and-bred New Yorker , which I instinctively knew once she told me she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked and talked so ... New York .
I ordered an avocado toast .
She asked if I wanted a drink , and I asked if she ever wanted to fuck the city .
She said , “ Oh , you must be new here.
” And then I said , “ How did you know ?
” And then she said , “ Everyone new here thinks they want to fuck the city .
But it ’ s just a place that people live .
It ’ s just like most other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also , functionally and logistically , how would sex with a city even work ?
Y ’ all are goofy.
” And then she said , “ You need to leave now.
” And I was like “ Why ?
I didn ’ t even get my food yet.
” And she was like “ It ’ s 2 a.m .
Your food came seven hours ago .
Please go.
” I went to my room , took some Mentos from the minibar , and fell asleep , alone .
The next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hotel and called my Uber , I realized that the city had lied to me .
I saw no bodegas .
No robberies .
No Robert De Niro .
No cats .
It wasn ’ t alive .
It wasn ’ t vibrant .
It wasn ’ t breathing .
It was dead , and I killed it by seeing the truth about it .
I ’ m back home now because home is where I live .

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

“The city is dead,” I said, aloud, to no one, while each step I took crashed the same cement I’d fallen in love with. The pizza box I lugged with me—filled, just 32 minutes earlier, with a New York City pizza slice—was empty, except for crumbs. Heh. A metaphor, for the dead city.
“A metaphor, for the dead city,” I also said, aloud, to no one.
When I’d arrived 36 hours earlier on a flight from Pittsburgh and then an Uber from LaGuardia to my hotel in midtown, the city was vibrant, alive, breathing, brimming, beaming, teaming. People wore clothes, walked places and carried things with them. Bags, mostly. But also sometimes food. Or pets. Some of these people were very obviously members of certain ethnic groups. Tall buildings stood on each block because that’s where city planners decided they should be, I assume. There were businesses—so many businesses—and people would enter them, spend money, and leave with the items they just paid for. Times Square was bright and smelly, like me at my after-prom. The Statue of Liberty was just really far away. Hell’s Kitchen was neither particularly hot nor wrapped around a stove, but I bought some Flaming Hot Cheetos from a Duane Reade there.
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I was called to the city by a bodega safari. I’d heard so much about them—on Law & Order episodes, on A&E and in Big Pun songs—that I had to experience one for myself. Was the bacon, egg, and cheese as good as AOC said it was? Would I witness a robbery? Or possibly even meet a bodega cat? I Ubered through the entire city in search of them. Midtown. Upper West Side. Lower East Side. Greenwich Village. Williamsburg. The Meatpacking District. Tribeca. During these journeys, I’d peer through the tinted windows of the Chevy Tahoes I rode around in, and the city would speak to me. “Hey you, ” the city would say, and I’d smile. A city never made me blush before. They say the city never sleeps. But I wanted the city to sleep with me. Forget Sex and the City. I wanted sex with the city.
But, by the second day of the safari, I found no bodegas. Just Zara. And not the clothing store Zara. But Zara, the bartender at the restaurant in my hotel. She was a born-and-bred New Yorker, which I instinctively knew once she told me she was a born-and-bred New Yorker. She just looked and talked so...New York. I ordered an avocado toast. She asked if I wanted a drink, and I asked if she ever wanted to fuck the city.
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She said, “Oh, you must be new here.” And then I said, “How did you know?” And then she said, “Everyone new here thinks they want to fuck the city. But it’s just a place that people live. It’s just like most other places, except we have more people. Also, functionally and logistically, how would sex with a city even work? Y’all are goofy.”
“Oh,” I said.
And then she said, “You need to leave now.” And I was like “Why? I didn’t even get my food yet.” And she was like “It’s 2 a.m. Your food came seven hours ago. Please go.”
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I went to my room, took some Mentos from the minibar, and fell asleep, alone. The next day, after I checked out of the hotel and called my Uber, I realized that the city had lied to me. I saw no bodegas. No robberies. No Robert De Niro. No cats. It wasn’t alive. It wasn’t vibrant. It wasn’t breathing. It was dead, and I killed it by seeing the truth about it.
I’m back home now because home is where I live.