theroot--2020-11-13--The Root's Clapback Mailbag: The Answer to All Your Questions Is 'Wally'

Everyone knows that Don Ohlmeyer is a genius who will go down in history as one of the television industry ’ s greatest men .
He produced and directed two Super Bowls and three Olympic Games , including the one in Munich .
He ran NBC when it was the only profitable network and won 16 Emmys .
Ohlmeyer spearheaded Seinfeld , ER , Friends , Frasier and a little-known sports show called Monday Night Football .
What ’ s so amazing is that Don Ohlmeyer reportedly did all of these while being an unrepentant drunk .
He was also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also responsible for hiring Dennis Miller for Monday Night Football , even though Miller had no background in sports .
The move is still considered one of the dumbest decisions in sports broadcasting history .
Ohlmeyer fired Norm McDonald from Saturday Night Live for joking about one of Ohlmeyer ’ s best friends ...
So how can Don Ohlmeyer be remembered as one of the television industry ’ s greatest men ?
The answer to all your questions is in this week ’ s Clapback Mailbag .
We received many comments about our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good .
Some were bad .
Rant ?
I don ’ t rant !
OK , maybe Stephen does , but everyone knows he has a substance abuse problem .
He ’ s addicted to sneakers .
Yep , I said it .
He is like a Nike Imelda Marcos .
He ’ s like a hoarder and a doomsday prepper if Jesus was coming back to judge us by our shoe game .
But then , Jesus mostly wore Pic n ’ Pay sandals , which probably left him with ashy feet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lotion and not that watery hotel shit , either because— Oh , wait ... you wanted to know how we feel .
Have I asked you about “ Wally ?
” According to legend , Prince came into the studio one day and everyone could see that he was distraught about a breakup with Susannah Malvoin ( Wendy ’ s sister ) .
Everyone could see it .
So , to try not to cry , He turned to one of his backup singers , who was wearing shades , and just said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you get those glasses ?
” And then , by all accounts , Prince made the most beautiful song since “ Jesus will Work it Out.
” Every single musician in the room ( and he had damn near an orchestra ) said they ’ d never heard anything like it .
Every instrument wailed .
The guitar cried .
Prince supposedly came back the next day and re-recorded the song over the tape of the original , so the original will never be heard .
But Prince didn ’ t think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he never released it .
However , since then , the original tune and the re-recorded version have become a musical urban legend .
Everyone who was there says the original “ Wally ” might not be Prince ’ s best song , but it is the song that most exemplifies him as a beautiful , complex , tortured soul full of love and angst trying to pretend he is normal .
It ’ s supposedly the princiest Prince song .
This ain ’ t no rant , nigga .
This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been covering this administration while having to come up with a new way to describe this dumpster fire every day .
I don ’ t know how Stephen does it , but I can almost guarantee that there isn ’ t a human being on the planet that has written more about Donald Trump than Stephen Fucking Crockett ( that ’ s actually his middle name ) .
I know—without a shadow of a doubt—that no one has dragged him more than Crockett .
The first story I wrote as a full-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to kill this country .
I was nervous about writing it because , for some reason , Stephen was on vacation and the last thing he said before he left ( which is actually the first thing he ever said to me ) was : “ You better drag this shitty administration while I ’ m gone.
” This nigga stays in the “ Prince Part.
” There ’ s a part of every Prince song ( it ’ s not the bridge or the chorus or ... well , anything ) where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and moving his high-heel booted feet really fast in squiggly lines .
James Brown would also do this during live performances but in his recorded material , JB usually stuck to the traditional verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-verse format .
I didn ’ t make this up .
In interviews , people who performed and played with Prince say they have to learn the basic structure of every song and be prepared to improvise because Prince is liable go into the “ Prince Part ” at any time .
They say they can see in his eyes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to him ” and he ’ s about to go off .
Perhaps , the most easily accessible example of when Prince did this is in “ Little Red Corvette.
” The song has a guitar solo in the traditional place between the second and third verses .
But there ’ s another part of the song where Prince starts lowkey preach-sanging like when the pastor gets to the fourth quarter of a sermon and has to dab his forehead with a handkerchief to keep himself from sweating out all of his anointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to that part in a song because he will always randomly change octaves .
And he doesn ’ t slide down the octave scale .
Nah , this nigga hopscotches from a falsetto soprano to a deep baritone , not even stopping by alto ’ s house .
He be like : “ Fuck tenor , I ’ m going straight to bass , bitch.
” People who played with Prince refer to this section of Prince ’ s song by different names .
Some called it the “ Prince Bridge.
” Others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the “ second solo.
” I had never even noticed it until I heard my musician cousin , who is an opera singer and Prince fanatic , refer to it as the “ Prince Part.
” Didn ’ t I tell you that I don ’ t rant !
If you ’ re lucky , no matter who you are and what you do , you will have the experience of doing what you love and feeling as if it matters .
The absolute best of these moments is when you feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the universe just so you could exist at that particular space in time .
And—whatever you ’ re doing in that moment , you know you ’ re fucking shit up .
I ’ ve heard basketball players say the hoop looks as big as a garbage can when they ’ re “ in the zone.
” During an interview , I heard Malik B. of The Roots once say Black Thought ’ s mind works so fast that he has to clench his jaw to keep the words from tumbling out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when you ’ re halfway through your third drink of brown liquor and the DJ plays “ One More Chance ” and the woman in the red skirt gently grabs your hand and pulls you out on the floor and she ’ s dancing close enough for you to smell the coconut oil in her hair but then the DJ switches it up and you are like “ fuck !
Why does this have to end ?
” But then you hear Chaka Demus and/or Pliers wailing and you realize it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re winding and sipping and your head is tilted back a little bit and you realize you might marry that girl ... Or maybe it ’ s just me .
Because that ’ s the Holy Spirit , too .
It ’ s inspiration .
It ’ s an out-of-body experience .
Ain ’ t no other color that could describe it .
It is all sky and sunshine and night and royal and inside the part of your body that feels like Christmas morning after you unwrap the presents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wrapping paper because you have a new bike and you take the bike outside and pop a wheelie—the longest one you ever did—and you ’ ve NEVER popped a wheelie that long .
And if someone steals that bike or that ball or that girl or that freestyle verse you spat , it doesn ’ t matter .
Because it wasn ’ t about that thing .
It was about that time .
Now , if The Root staff ever entered a basketball tournament , we ’ d probably just have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is either short , old , slow or bad at basketball ( Although Managing Editor Genetta Adams—and I don ’ t know why I feel this way with no evidence—seems like she has a decent jump shot ) .
I know for a fact that Stephen is terrible at freestyling .
I didn ’ t grow up celebrating Christmas and—I don ’ t know why I was cursed this way—but I could never pop a wheelie .
But we can drag white folks .
Calling out these white nationalist , mask-hating , racism-denying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tantrums because Black folks made them shed all the white tears , is what we were put here to do .
So stay mad motherfuckers ; the dumpster fire is turning to smoke and ash .
fuck your feelings .
Ding Dong , the King is damn near dead !
This election is our “ Wally ” and we got the Purple Holy Ghost .
And no , we don ’ t feel like America has found the cure for white supremacy or ended oppression .
We ain ’ t jubilant about America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep white peopling .
We ’ re just happy we survived the flames this time .
We are acutely aware that they will surely find another dumpster to set afire .
And when we do , we will still be here , watching them carry their tiki torches to the next dumpster .
Perhaps Black people ’ s greatest asset is our indefatigable ability to not be white .
Instead of responding to their hate and ignorance with more hate and ignorance , we respond with truth because we see how stupid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truly believe they are living in a country that offers liberty and justice for all .
No , we aren ’ t destroying their country , we are just holding up a mirror to their dumb , racist eyes .
And that is precisely why they ’ re mad .
But if you really wonder how we feel , we feel the same way we felt on November second .
We already know they can ’ t kill us .
We are keenly aware that we ain ’ t gon na die .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is this : Where ’ d they get those glasses ?
There were quite a few responses to my contention that white people are just dumb Honestly , there were so many emails , DMs and tweets that will probably be the subject of next week ’ s mailbag too .
Many of these people used the tired old “ But what about Black on Black crime ” argument : Racism is racism and i will not stand for it .
What you wrote about white people being dumb crossed a line .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ article , i have no idea how your a credited joirnalist .
Your about as racist as it gets .
Because your black you can not be ?
Thats the dumb things you believe in .
White is a race too .
Because a white man sticks up for white people , his own people , he is white supremist .
But if a brother backs his own people hes an activist and great person .
You all live in this hypocracy bubble and think you can do and say whatever you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything about another race , its racist .
It ’ s a joke and why your still minorities because the Dems keep you there .
Just shut up , go to work and be good human beings like were supposed to and we will be all set .
Murder rates ?
Black children dying by black hands on guns and the police are the problem ?
That same cop would do anything to save your child if it was in harms way .
All men are created equal , at birth , creation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , your actions and decisions that will make you equal or not .
I am nor are you , in no way equal to some child murderer .
Lets see the numbers for white vs black as who is on SSI benefits .
If we , as white people stopped going to work , the country would shut down and your people would be left starving and resort to looting like usual .
You make up 14 % of our population , so how did just black voters win the election for Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trump , more than 2016 .
Black people , especially men have a high school dropout rate of 47 % .
Lack of fundamental skills to complete a high school program was stated as the reason .
Whos dumb ?
I dont want to hear about culturally bias testing .
Were a country , its all our culture .
Simple math and English are on the SATs .
If your in school putting the effort in , then you earn the skills needed to excel in this country .
Where you refuse to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ya ’ ll can ’ t make it .
You have hip hop and sports to rely on and look to these people as role models , when in fact most of them did not complete high school and with sports , most didnt graduate college .
All dropouts and you look to them for advice and leadership , thats why you all are dumb .
You put your resources into the wrong place .
Start taking care of your kids , feed them and make sure they are prepared for school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these articles doesnt help anything but divide us more .
white men created this country , the best country ever estsblished .
Africa been around how long and they just fight and kill thier own people .
Most parts look like a 3rd world country .
You care so much about being african , take our thoughts over there and make a change .
You dont care , thats the problem .
Your just in this part of time where you think your doing something good but your not .
No one will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you wrote .
Slavery happend since humans began creating civilizations .
Every race has been a slave to someone over the years .
We have all this great history going back thousand of years , wheres your written history .
Wheres all the bill of sales from your African chiefs selling of your ancestors .
Colonizers didnt just come steal them .
Either they were sold or given as a peace offering .
Should north africans give southern Italy reperations for invading and changing their DNA through rape of women and murder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full of awful shit .
We all have to let it go and move on .
If your so one sided and unwilling to change .
How do you expect whites to .
Articles you write will just turn the white peoole that care , to people who have to defend themselves from attacks like the one you have wrote .
Get a grip and a life .
Oh wait you think you have a life , but really your a big part of the problem .
Use your resources and platform to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get us anywhere .
Also , as a journalist , use better grammar .
You obviously got through college .
Its English whether you like it or not .
Using bad grammar is a sign of stupidity .
Your the ignorant one .
I ’ ve been thinking about the phenomenon of Black-on-Black crime , lately .
Of course , I have written a lot about this subject , specifically about the sociological implications of this issue .
I also struggle to figure out whether white people ’ s belief that Black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an insult or a compliment .
Do they believe we are powerful but apathetic superheroes or secretly supportive of Black people being shot in the face by other black people ?
More than a year ago , I wrote a piece for Very Smart Brothas , which began with a story about me being pulled over in a car with a drug dealer whose nickname was Smurf .
In the story , Smurf took the blame for everything and told the police I had nothing to do with the tiny amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lawyer to clear my charges and , ultimately , he beat his own charges .
He wasn ’ t my childhood friend .
We hadn ’ t even known each other for very long .
He was just a quiet , reserved dude who moved from out of state to my hometown to sell dope and boy did he do it well .
He grinded in the streets like a third-shift worker and his intelligence belied his demeanor .
Now that dude had a hard life .
I learned that he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was a teenager .
The reason Smurf took the blame for that incident was that he loved me .
Everyone knew it .
I don ’ t know why .
The nigga just thought I was smart and cool .
My entire family basically adopted him .
My mom and sisters would cook for him .
When I was a broke college student , he would—unprompted—send me care packages .
One of those care packages contained the first computer .
Sometimes , he would just show up at my apartment , ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promising that he was “ clean ” ) and just ask questions .
I realized that he just really liked hearing me “ talk that smart shit.
” I really don ’ t know how we lost contact but we did .
It has been at least 15 years since I heard from Smurf .
Yesterday , my phone rang and it was him .
He told me that he had seen the story and had been following me from afar after I just popped up on his television on CNN .
Apparently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison for drug trafficking .
No , Smurf wasn ’ t caught with drugs .
According to his court documents , he was caught because some other guys were caught with drugs and testified against him .
The prosecutor simply tallied up the amount they said he had sold to them over years and charged him with “ ghost dope , ” which is actually a thing in the criminal justice system that you can read about here , here and here .
Smurf was charged under the old federal guidelines that made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one hundred grams of cocaine powder .
And because he took that negligible charge that time with me , Smurf was considered a repeat violent offender , which caused the prosecutor to file what is called an 851 enhancement , a tool used by prosecutors that forces judges to hand down harsh sentences .
According to the U.S .
Sentencing Commission ( which , again , is a government agency ) : “ Black offenders constituted the majority ( 51.2 % ) of offenders against whom the government filed an information seeking an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 24.3 % ) , Hispanic offenders ( 22.5 % ) , and Other Race offenders ( 2.0 % ) .
” Smurf was sentenced to life in prison for drugs that did not exist because he didn ’ t let the criminal justice system commit an act of violence against me .
But this got me to thinking : : For instance , why is drug dealing only a violent crime if the drug is illegal ?
According to the federal government data , there are more overdose deaths from pharmaceutical drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combined .
Of course , the government ’ s answer to this riddle is that illegal drugs generate violent crime .
But do legal drugs cause less violence than illegal drugs if people are dying from legal drugs at three times the rate ?
Even if illicit and prescription substances cause equal damage , why are Black drug offenders 62.7 percent of the state prison population while whites are only 36.7 percent of all drug offenders admitted to state correctional facilities ?
I understand what you ’ re saying about the Black-on-Black crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written about so many of the drug dealers I ’ ve known and grew up around , so maybe I am a willing supporter of violent crime .
Perhaps all black people are criminals .
Maybe the entire Black community is at fault for fueling the problem by celebrating or ignoring criminals and drug dealers .
Maybe I am contributing to violent crime if I don ’ t do anything about all of the robbers and homicidal maniacs that I have never met .
I admit that might be a criminal but there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white people should confess : Almost every speck of every sociological , academic or criminological research know that violence is more related to poverty and education than people “ fixing their own house.
” So the fact that white people are largely unconcerned about school funding disparities , the Black unemployment rate , the wage gap , college debt or HBCU funding means they are more responsible for violent crime than Black people or the Stop Snitching movement .
The fact that white people don ’ t confront the right-wing extremists in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorism than the zero deaths caused by Black Lives Matter .
The fact that they “ back the blue ” and ignore disproportionate police violence means they are partially responsible for police killings than BLM .
OK , here is another question : Knowing what the combination of poverty and lack of education does to Black children , if the poorest white school district receives $ 1,500 per student more than the average majority non-white district , isn ’ t that an act of violence ?
If you know Black drug dealers don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poppy-seed farms or coca leaf extraction outfits , is incarcerating Black dope boys at three times the rate of whites an act of violence ?
What about the violent corporations who take Black taxpayers ’ money and refuse to pay their fair share in taxes ?
How about the violent white citizens who call the violent police every time they see a Black face ?
What about the violent pro-lifers who rail against abortions but remain silent about the doctors who dispense substandard healthcare to Black expectant mothers .
What about the homicidal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government ” conservatives who refuse to put resources on impoverished neighborhoods because they want to keep taxes low ?
What about all those murderous monsters who would rather watch poor people die than expand Medicare ?
What about the GOP politicians who burgle our access to democracy from our bleeding hands ?
What about the brutal bastard teachers who diminish our daughters ’ dignity by punishing them disproportionately ?
What about all those black boys who could ’ ve been something ?
I bet Smurf could have been someone important .
Well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison , Smurf watched a bunch of his fellow incarcerees go free because of the First Step Act .
Again they told him that he was ineligible .
But , because he hadn ’ t actually committed a violent crime , he insisted that he should be let go .
He started telling the authorities that he was eligible , but no one would listen to him .
He tried to contact attorneys but no one would listen .
After a while , Smurf convinced his homeboys who were in similar situations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison .
At first , they didn ’ t believe him ... Until he remembered those articles in The Root .
OK , technically , they were pieces dragging Donald Trump and Van Jones .
But when we mentioned the laws in the articles , we linked to the actual text of the legislation .
It seemed as if Smurf was right , but they couldn ’ t even print out the articles .
So , let me tell you what these nigga did : One of the friends got their relatives to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linked to .
And because prison officials can ’ t stop incarcerated people from receiving legal documents , they had it mailed to them .
Then they decided , on their own , to start fighting it .
The First Step Act supposedly retroactively reduces the sentences of the unfairly harsh crack laws .
But , just because an unfairly sentenced person qualifies doesn ’ t mean he or she is automatically released .
Each prisoner has to apply for early release through the original court that sentenced them .
To be fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t hard .
Other federal courts had already ruled in favor of the exact same argument as his .
But , apparently , the releases are up to the judges ’ discretion and , for some reason , the rulings weren ’ t applied to many of the people who were unfairly sentenced in the Middle District of Florida , which is filled with Trump-appointed judges I know , it doesn ’ t make any sense .
But they kept fighting .
They weren ’ t lawyers .
They weren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent , Black on Black criminals you hate .
And finally , a goddamned Florida dope boy got a federal judge to hear his case .
But here is the genius part of this shit .
Because of the luck of the draw , Smurf drew an Obama-appointed judge .
Smurf didn ’ t argue the merits of his sentence .
He didn ’ t flaunt his record that was filled with commendations for continuing his education .
Instead , Smurf contended that the Eighth Circuit and the Fourth Circuit Courts of Appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence as his so essentially , he argued , his sentence should be reduced because he had been arbitrarily defined as “ violent ” by one court .
“ [ The judge ] said , ‘ if I ’ m wrong , let me be wrong with the Fourth and the Circuit circuits , ’ ” Smurf told me .
“ Immediate release !
” I want to end this Mailbag by saying something clever like : “ The Root shall set you free.
” But during our conversation , Smurf asked about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina , including a mutual friend I have written about here , Mecenia Macie ” Dials .
When I told him that Macie had passed away from cancer , after serving 20 years in prison , he mentioned that her life could have probably been saved if she hadn ’ t been in prison .
And then he said the thing that changed how I thought of America .
So when you dummies accuse Black people of being violent after seeing how America rapes , tortures and kills us , my question for @ @ @

“The answer to all your questions is money” — Don Ohlmeyer
Who is Don Ohlmeyer?
Everyone knows that Don Ohlmeyer is a genius who will go down in history as one of the television industry’s greatest men. He produced and directed two Super Bowls and three Olympic Games, including the one in Munich. He ran NBC when it was the only profitable network and won 16 Emmys. Ohlmeyer spearheaded Seinfeld, ER, Friends, Frasier and a little-known sports show called Monday Night Football.
What’s so amazing is that Don Ohlmeyer reportedly did all of these while being an unrepentant drunk. He was also accused of sexual harassment. He is also responsible for hiring Dennis Miller for Monday Night Football, even though Miller had no background in sports. The move is still considered one of the dumbest decisions in sports broadcasting history. Ohlmeyer fired Norm McDonald from Saturday Night Live for joking about one of Ohlmeyer’s best friends...
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Orenthal James Simpson.
So how can Don Ohlmeyer be remembered as one of the television industry’s greatest men?
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The answer to all your questions is in this week’s Clapback Mailbag.
We received many comments about our election coverage. Some of them were good. Some were bad.
To: Michael Harriot
From: TJ You are by far the most racist sob I’ve ever seen or in this case had the complete displeasure of ever coming across a written article
To: Michael Harriot
From: Steve Who the fuck cares what your opinion is you dirty nigger. You treat whites like they are trash, so expect to be treated like shit right back at you, you piece of constipated shit.
To: Danielle Belton
From: Leslie W. I‘m a privileged white woman closing in on 50. No kids, no husband, I don’t even keep plants in my apartment. I read The Root daily to make sure I get the stories and perspectives I need to be an ally. Or at least recognize when I’m not being anti-racist and just going with the status quo so that I can do better. Thank you and your writers for calling out the ridiculous, the sublime and everything in between. I can’t speak for any other white person, but I appreciate what you put out into the world and I hope that you never stop calling out the hypocrisy and ridiculousness. We deserve it (and yes, both interpretations of that are correct). I love the success stories that may not make to the front of the New York Times. And not for nothing but naming Yamiche Alcindor “The Necklace” is brilliant and I hope that nickname follows her for the rest of her life. I don’t consider my opinion anything of note, but I expect you get a shit-ton of hate mail on a weekly basis, so I might as well try to put something positive in the world to counter it. It’s (almost literally) the least I could do. Kind regards Leslie
To: Michael Harriot
From: Lisa G Do you and the root seem to have joy about the stolen election because Trump supporters are upset. This is not funny. You and the root are not journalism. All you do is rant and call it journalism. How does that make you feel?
To: Michael Harriot
From: Phil Thank you for your articles about the election. Sometimes I watch the news and want to scream. But when I read you and Stevie Crockett’s rants, I feel like someone is ranting for us. Keep ranting. You’re the only sane people left. I know you don’t get a lot of appreciative mail so I just wanted to let you know you are appreciated. But I want to know, do you feel like anything will change for Black people? Do you feel like we really did something? Did America get less racist? PS: I know that’s not Stephen’s name. I read last week’s mailbag [smile emoji]
Dear everyone,
You ever heard “Wally?”
Rant? I don’t rant! OK, maybe Stephen does, but everyone knows he has a substance abuse problem. He’s addicted to sneakers. Yep, I said it. He is like a Nike Imelda Marcos. He’s like a hoarder and a doomsday prepper if Jesus was coming back to judge us by our shoe game. But then, Jesus mostly wore Pic n’ Pay sandals, which probably left him with ashy feet, but he could turn water into lotion and not that watery hotel shit, either because—
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Oh, wait...you wanted to know how we feel.
Have I asked you about “Wally?”
According to legend, Prince came into the studio one day and everyone could see that he was distraught about a breakup with Susannah Malvoin (Wendy’s sister). Everyone could see it. So, to try not to cry, He turned to one of his backup singers, who was wearing shades, and just said:
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“Wally, where’d you get those glasses?”
And then, by all accounts, Prince made the most beautiful song since “Jesus will Work it Out.”
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Every single musician in the room (and he had damn near an orchestra) said they’d never heard anything like it. Every instrument wailed. The guitar cried. Prince supposedly came back the next day and re-recorded the song over the tape of the original, so the original will never be heard. But Prince didn’t think the new version felt the same, so he never released it. However, since then, the original tune and the re-recorded version have become a musical urban legend.
Everyone who was there says the original “Wally” might not be Prince’s best song, but it is the song that most exemplifies him as a beautiful, complex, tortured soul full of love and angst trying to pretend he is normal. It’s supposedly the princiest Prince song.
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This ain’t no rant, nigga. This is a poem.
For four years we’ve been covering this administration while having to come up with a new way to describe this dumpster fire every day. I don’t know how Stephen does it, but I can almost guarantee that there isn’t a human being on the planet that has written more about Donald Trump than Stephen Fucking Crockett (that’s actually his middle name). I know—without a shadow of a doubt—that no one has dragged him more than Crockett.
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The first story I wrote as a full-time employee was about how Trump was going to kill this country.
An Obituary for America On Jan. 20, 2017, on a patch of grass in the Washington, D.C., park where we placed a monument to… Read more
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I was nervous about writing it because, for some reason, Stephen was on vacation and the last thing he said before he left (which is actually the first thing he ever said to me) was: “You better drag this shitty administration while I’m gone.”
This nigga stays in the “Prince Part.”
There’s a part of every Prince song (it’s not the bridge or the chorus or...well, anything) where he would start squealing, breathing hard and moving his high-heel booted feet really fast in squiggly lines. James Brown would also do this during live performances but in his recorded material, JB usually stuck to the traditional verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-verse format.
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I didn’t make this up. In interviews, people who performed and played with Prince say they have to learn the basic structure of every song and be prepared to improvise because Prince is liable go into the “Prince Part” at any time. They say they can see in his eyes when the song is “getting good to him” and he’s about to go off.
Perhaps, the most easily accessible example of when Prince did this is in “Little Red Corvette.”
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The song has a guitar solo in the traditional place between the second and third verses. But there’s another part of the song where Prince starts lowkey preach-sanging like when the pastor gets to the fourth quarter of a sermon and has to dab his forehead with a handkerchief to keep himself from sweating out all of his anointing.
You can tell when Prince gets to that part in a song because he will always randomly change octaves. And he doesn’t slide down the octave scale. Nah, this nigga hopscotches from a falsetto soprano to a deep baritone, not even stopping by alto’s house. He be like: “Fuck tenor, I’m going straight to bass, bitch.”
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People who played with Prince refer to this section of Prince’s song by different names. Some called it the “Prince Bridge.” Others call it the “second bridge” or the “second solo.” I had never even noticed it until I heard my musician cousin, who is an opera singer and Prince fanatic, refer to it as the “Prince Part.”
I call it the Purple Holy Ghost.
Didn’t I tell you that I don’t rant!
If you’re lucky, no matter who you are and what you do, you will have the experience of doing what you love and feeling as if it matters. The absolute best of these moments is when you feel like your entire being was manufactured by the universe just so you could exist at that particular space in time. And—whatever you’re doing in that moment, you know you’re fucking shit up.
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I’ve heard basketball players say the hoop looks as big as a garbage can when they’re “in the zone.” During an interview, I heard Malik B. of The Roots once say Black Thought’s mind works so fast that he has to clench his jaw to keep the words from tumbling out of his mouth.
It’s like when you’re halfway through your third drink of brown liquor and the DJ plays “One More Chance” and the woman in the red skirt gently grabs your hand and pulls you out on the floor and she’s dancing close enough for you to smell the coconut oil in her hair but then the DJ switches it up and you are like “fuck! Why does this have to end?”
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But then you hear Chaka Demus and/or Pliers wailing and you realize it’s the reggae portion of the evening and you’re winding and sipping and your head is tilted back a little bit and you realize you might marry that girl...
Or maybe it’s just me.
Because that’s the Holy Spirit, too. It’s inspiration. It’s an out-of-body experience.
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And, yes it’s purple.
Ain’t no other color that could describe it. It is all sky and sunshine and night and royal and inside the part of your body that feels like Christmas morning after you unwrap the presents and you don’t mind cleaning up the wrapping paper because you have a new bike and you take the bike outside and pop a wheelie—the longest one you ever did—and you’ve NEVER popped a wheelie that long.
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And if someone steals that bike or that ball or that girl or that freestyle verse you spat, it doesn’t matter. Because it wasn’t about that thing. It was about that time.
Now, if The Root staff ever entered a basketball tournament, we’d probably just have to keep passing to Damon because everyone else is either short, old, slow or bad at basketball (Although Managing Editor Genetta Adams—and I don’t know why I feel this way with no evidence—seems like she has a decent jump shot). I know for a fact that Stephen is terrible at freestyling. I didn’t grow up celebrating Christmas and—I don’t know why I was cursed this way—but I could never pop a wheelie.
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But we can drag white folks.
Calling out these white nationalist, mask-hating, racism-denying, police brutality-ignoring, Trump supporters throw tantrums because Black folks made them shed all the white tears, is what we were put here to do. So stay mad motherfuckers; the dumpster fire is turning to smoke and ash. fuck your feelings. Ding Dong, the King is damn near dead!
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This election is our “Wally” and we got the Purple Holy Ghost.
And no, we don’t feel like America has found the cure for white supremacy or ended oppression. We ain’t jubilant about America. We know white people are going to keep white peopling. We’re just happy we survived the flames this time. We are acutely aware that they will surely find another dumpster to set afire. And when we do, we will still be here, watching them carry their tiki torches to the next dumpster.
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Perhaps Black people’s greatest asset is our indefatigable ability to not be white. Instead of responding to their hate and ignorance with more hate and ignorance, we respond with truth because we see how stupid their hate has made them. They truly believe they are living in a country that offers liberty and justice for all. No, we aren’t destroying their country, we are just holding up a mirror to their dumb, racist eyes.
And that is precisely why they’re mad.
But if you really wonder how we feel, we feel the same way we felt on November second.
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We already know they can’t kill us. We are keenly aware that we ain’t gonna die. The only thing we want to know is this:
Where’d they get those glasses?
There were quite a few responses to my contention that white people are just dumb
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Honestly, there were so many emails, DMs and tweets that will probably be the subject of next week’s mailbag too. Many of these people used the tired old “But what about Black on Black crime” argument:
To: Michael Harriot
From: Michael C.
Subject: White People Are Stupid I read your “article” when it was linked on Yahoo. I did not vote for Trump and agree that the arguments by his supporters are illogical. I do not agree with Trumpites in the slightest. However, riddle me this - which is the more stupid and destructive behavior - supporting an idiot politically or spraying down a funeral with bullets because of some beef about a corner drug turf? In this discussion about racism it seems that any mention of Black behavior if off limits. Just because current times allow you to be racist against Whites in a way that would never be tolerated if things were reversed does not make it smart or right. Fix your own house first. Michael
To: Michael Harriot
From: C M So I don’t believe in racism at all, but it seems to me that if White Supremacy groups are terrorism then so is Black Lives Matter, same kind of group just different agenda. Why are journalist so bias these days!
To: Michael Harriot
From: Neil As long as we are now discussing characteristics of race, let’s talk black crime rates, specifically violent crime rates. Your piece in the Root is a prime reason we will never coexist to anyone’s satisfaction and that it’s time to give in to the NOIs demand for a separate country for all blacks
To: Michael Harriot
From: Joe Blow Racism is racism and i will not stand for it. What you wrote about white people being dumb crossed a line. Your so far off base with your article, i have no idea how your a credited joirnalist. Your about as racist as it gets. Because your black you can not be? Thats the dumb things you believe in. White is a race too. Because a white man sticks up for white people, his own people, he is white supremist. But if a brother backs his own people hes an activist and great person. You all live in this hypocracy bubble and think you can do and say whatever you want, but if a white person says anything about another race, its racist. It’s a joke and why your still minorities because the Dems keep you there. Just shut up, go to work and be good human beings like were supposed to and we will be all set. Murder rates? Black children dying by black hands on guns and the police are the problem? That same cop would do anything to save your child if it was in harms way. All men are created equal, at birth, creation. Its what you do in life, your actions and decisions that will make you equal or not. I am nor are you, in no way equal to some child murderer. Lets see the numbers for white vs black as who is on SSI benefits. If we, as white people stopped going to work, the country would shut down and your people would be left starving and resort to looting like usual. You make up 14% of our population, so how did just black voters win the election for Joe Biden? Black americans did vote for trump, more than 2016. Black people, especially men have a high school dropout rate of 47%. Lack of fundamental skills to complete a high school program was stated as the reason. Whos dumb? I dont want to hear about culturally bias testing. Were a country, its all our culture. Simple math and English are on the SATs. If your in school putting the effort in, then you earn the skills needed to excel in this country. Where you refuse to change. High school is a breeze and ya’ll can’t make it. You have hip hop and sports to rely on and look to these people as role models, when in fact most of them did not complete high school and with sports, most didnt graduate college. All dropouts and you look to them for advice and leadership, thats why you all are dumb. You put your resources into the wrong place. Start taking care of your kids, feed them and make sure they are prepared for school and things will change. You writing these articles doesnt help anything but divide us more. white men created this country, the best country ever estsblished. Africa been around how long and they just fight and kill thier own people. Most parts look like a 3rd world country. You care so much about being african, take our thoughts over there and make a change. You dont care, thats the problem. Your just in this part of time where you think your doing something good but your not. No one will remember you, no one will care what you wrote. Slavery happend since humans began creating civilizations. Every race has been a slave to someone over the years. We have all this great history going back thousand of years, wheres your written history. Wheres all the bill of sales from your African chiefs selling of your ancestors. Colonizers didnt just come steal them. Either they were sold or given as a peace offering. Should north africans give southern Italy reperations for invading and changing their DNA through rape of women and murder of the men. The past is full of awful shit. We all have to let it go and move on. If your so one sided and unwilling to change. How do you expect whites to. Articles you write will just turn the white peoole that care, to people who have to defend themselves from attacks like the one you have wrote. Get a grip and a life. Oh wait you think you have a life, but really your a big part of the problem. Use your resources and platform to be positive, your outlook will not get us anywhere. Also, as a journalist, use better grammar. You obviously got through college. Its English whether you like it or not. Using bad grammar is a sign of stupidity. Your the ignorant one.
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Hey guys,
I’ve been thinking about the phenomenon of Black-on-Black crime, lately. Of course, I have written a lot about this subject, specifically about the sociological implications of this issue. I also struggle to figure out whether white people’s belief that Black people can snap their fingers and stop crime is an insult or a compliment. Do they believe we are powerful but apathetic superheroes or secretly supportive of Black people being shot in the face by other black people?
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More than a year ago, I wrote a piece for Very Smart Brothas, which began with a story about me being pulled over in a car with a drug dealer whose nickname was Smurf. In the story, Smurf took the blame for everything and told the police I had nothing to do with the tiny amount of drugs in the car. He paid a lawyer to clear my charges and, ultimately, he beat his own charges.
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He wasn’t my childhood friend. We hadn’t even known each other for very long. He was just a quiet, reserved dude who moved from out of state to my hometown to sell dope and boy did he do it well. He grinded in the streets like a third-shift worker and his intelligence belied his demeanor. Now that dude had a hard life. I learned that he had basically been in the streets since before he was a teenager.
The reason Smurf took the blame for that incident was that he loved me.
Everyone knew it. I don’t know why. The nigga just thought I was smart and cool. My entire family basically adopted him. My mom and sisters would cook for him. When I was a broke college student, he would—unprompted—send me care packages. One of those care packages contained the first computer. Sometimes, he would just show up at my apartment, ask me to ride with him (after promising that he was “clean”) and just ask questions. I realized that he just really liked hearing me “talk that smart shit.”
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I really don’t know how we lost contact but we did. It has been at least 15 years since I heard from Smurf.
Until yesterday.
Yesterday, my phone rang and it was him. He told me that he had seen the story and had been following me from afar after I just popped up on his television on CNN. Apparently, Smurf had been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking.
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No, Smurf wasn’t caught with drugs. According to his court documents, he was caught because some other guys were caught with drugs and testified against him. The prosecutor simply tallied up the amount they said he had sold to them over years and charged him with “ghost dope,” which is actually a thing in the criminal justice system that you can read about here, here and here.
Smurf was charged under the old federal guidelines that made every gram of crack cocaine equivalent to one hundred grams of cocaine powder. And because he took that negligible charge that time with me, Smurf was considered a repeat violent offender, which caused the prosecutor to file what is called an 851 enhancement, a tool used by prosecutors that forces judges to hand down harsh sentences.
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According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission (which, again, is a government agency): “Black offenders constituted the majority (51.2%) of offenders against whom the government filed an information seeking an 851 enhancement, followed by White offenders (24.3%), Hispanic offenders (22.5%), and Other Race offenders (2.0%).”
Smurf was sentenced to life in prison for drugs that did not exist because he didn’t let the criminal justice system commit an act of violence against me.
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Life.
But this got me to thinking::
What is violence?
For instance, why is drug dealing only a violent crime if the drug is illegal? According to the federal government data, there are more overdose deaths from pharmaceutical drugs than from cocaine, heroin and meth combined.
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Of course, the government’s answer to this riddle is that illegal drugs generate violent crime. But do legal drugs cause less violence than illegal drugs if people are dying from legal drugs at three times the rate? Even if illicit and prescription substances cause equal damage, why are Black drug offenders 62.7 percent of the state prison population while whites are only 36.7 percent of all drug offenders admitted to state correctional facilities?
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I understand what you’re saying about the Black-on-Black crime thing, though. I’ve written about so many of the drug dealers I’ve known and grew up around, so maybe I am a willing supporter of violent crime. Perhaps all black people are criminals. Maybe the entire Black community is at fault for fueling the problem by celebrating or ignoring criminals and drug dealers. Maybe I am contributing to violent crime if I don’t do anything about all of the robbers and homicidal maniacs that I have never met.
I admit that might be a criminal but there are a few other crimes for which white people should confess:
Almost every speck of every sociological, academic or criminological research know that violence is more related to poverty and education than people “fixing their own house.” So the fact that white people are largely unconcerned about school funding disparities, the Black unemployment rate, the wage gap, college debt or HBCU funding means they are more responsible for violent crime than Black people or the Stop Snitching movement.
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The fact that white people don’t confront the right-wing extremists in their ranks means they are more responsible for terrorism than the zero deaths caused by Black Lives Matter. The fact that they “back the blue” and ignore disproportionate police violence means they are partially responsible for police killings than BLM.
Is that a crime?
OK, here is another question:
Knowing what the combination of poverty and lack of education does to Black children, if the poorest white school district receives $1,500 per student more than the average majority non-white district, isn’t that an act of violence? If you know Black drug dealers don’t own fentanyl manufacturing facilities, poppy-seed farms or coca leaf extraction outfits, is incarcerating Black dope boys at three times the rate of whites an act of violence?
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What about the violent corporations who take Black taxpayers’ money and refuse to pay their fair share in taxes? How about the violent white citizens who call the violent police every time they see a Black face? What about the violent pro-lifers who rail against abortions but remain silent about the doctors who dispense substandard healthcare to Black expectant mothers.
What about the homicidal maniacs who cast ballots for “small government” conservatives who refuse to put resources on impoverished neighborhoods because they want to keep taxes low? What about all those murderous monsters who would rather watch poor people die than expand Medicare? What about the GOP politicians who burgle our access to democracy from our bleeding hands? What about the brutal bastard teachers who diminish our daughters’ dignity by punishing them disproportionately? What about all those black boys who could’ve been something?
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I bet Smurf could have been someone important.
Well, Smurf is someone important.
While in prison, Smurf watched a bunch of his fellow incarcerees go free because of the First Step Act. Again they told him that he was ineligible. But, because he hadn’t actually committed a violent crime, he insisted that he should be let go. He started telling the authorities that he was eligible, but no one would listen to him. He tried to contact attorneys but no one would listen. After a while, Smurf convinced his homeboys who were in similar situations, that they should all be out of prison. At first, they didn’t believe him...
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Until he remembered those articles in The Root.
OK, technically, they were pieces dragging Donald Trump and Van Jones. But when we mentioned the laws in the articles, we linked to the actual text of the legislation. It seemed as if Smurf was right, but they couldn’t even print out the articles. So, let me tell you what these nigga did:
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One of the friends got their relatives to print the text of the law we linked to. And because prison officials can’t stop incarcerated people from receiving legal documents, they had it mailed to them. Then they decided, on their own, to start fighting it.
The First Step Act supposedly retroactively reduces the sentences of the unfairly harsh crack laws. But, just because an unfairly sentenced person qualifies doesn’t mean he or she is automatically released. Each prisoner has to apply for early release through the original court that sentenced them. To be fair, as Smurf told me, it wasn’t hard. Other federal courts had already ruled in favor of the exact same argument as his. But, apparently, the releases are up to the judges’ discretion and, for some reason, the rulings weren’t applied to many of the people who were unfairly sentenced in the Middle District of Florida, which is filled with Trump-appointed judges
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I know, it doesn’t make any sense.
But they kept fighting. They weren’t lawyers. They weren’t scholars. They were those same violent, Black on Black criminals you hate. And finally, a goddamned Florida dope boy got a federal judge to hear his case.
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But here is the genius part of this shit.
Because of the luck of the draw, Smurf drew an Obama-appointed judge. Smurf didn’t argue the merits of his sentence. He didn’t flaunt his record that was filled with commendations for continuing his education. Instead, Smurf contended that the Eighth Circuit and the Fourth Circuit Courts of Appeals had already freed people with the same sentence as his so essentially, he argued, his sentence should be reduced because he had been arbitrarily defined as “violent” by one court.
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“[The judge] said, ‘if I’m wrong, let me be wrong with the Fourth and the Circuit circuits,’” Smurf told me. “Immediate release!”
I want to end this Mailbag by saying something clever like: “The Root shall set you free.”
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But during our conversation, Smurf asked about a few people he knew from South Carolina, including a mutual friend I have written about here, Mecenia Macie” Dials. When I told him that Macie had passed away from cancer, after serving 20 years in prison, he mentioned that her life could have probably been saved if she hadn’t been in prison.
And then he said the thing that changed how I thought of America.
“She wasn’t even a drug dealer,” Smurf said. “Those violent motherfuckers.”
So when you dummies accuse Black people of being violent after seeing how America rapes, tortures and kills us, my question for you is:


theroot--2020-11-13--Terry McMillan Confirmed 'Waiting to Exhale Is Going to be a TV Series'—Is He Still a Good Man, Sava

Terry McMillan Confirmed 'Waiting to Exhale Is Going to be a TV Series'—Is He Still a Good Man, Savannah?

It ’ s time to exhale because the long wait for a continuation of Waiting to Exhale is here !
But it ’ s not the previously discussed feature film sequel ; it ’ s a different format altogether .
Terry McMillan , who wrote the 1992 novel Waiting to Exhale , has confirmed that a TV series based on her book and the subsequent film is in the works .
The 1995 film of the same name starred Whitney Houston ( Savannah ) , Angela Bassett ( Bernadine ) , Loretta Devine ( Gloria ) , and Lela Rochon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose lives we followed through dating , family and more .
“ So , Waiting to Exhale is going to be a TV series , ” McMillan confirmed on Twitter on Thursday .
“ Produced by Lee Daniels [ from Empire ] .
Attica Locke [ from When They See Us , Little Fires Everywhere ] and Tembi Locke [ from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air , NCIS ) are writing .
Anthony Hemingway [ from American Crime Story , Underground ] will direct .
I lucked out.
” That ’ s an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am curious and have so many questions !
Will this be a continuation from the film or a fresh take/reboot , based on the novel ?
Will the original cast from the film co-star or at least make cameos in the series ?
Will the series honor the film ’ s character portrayals of the late Houston ’ s Savannah and the late Gregory Hines ’ Marvin in some way ?
Devine actually teased this news earlier this week , according to The Source .
“ Well , I know Terry and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something because she ’ s been trying to get Waiting To Exhale back for so many years , ” Devine said in a recent interview .
“ And because it changed so much for everybody .
Not just Black women but also , so many shows came out of that with the same girlfriend format that they use.
” Devine may have also provided some answers to my questions .
“ I think they ’ re doing something about the kids of the women , and I think that ’ s going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s a lot of stuff that is being developed to look forward to , ” Devine said .
Amid Black Twitter ’ s general excitement about the upcoming series , it seems several actor-hopefuls threw their hats into the ring to potentially star in the series .
Apparently , it happened so much , McMillan had to make one thing clear : She does not make casting decisions , y ’ all !
“ Please know that I am not a casting agent !
” the author tweeted .
“ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I write novels.
” “ And thank you all for your excitement about Exhale .
I really do appreciate it .
It ’ ll take a minute .
Not my world .
Will keep you posted , ” McMillan added before signing off with “ stay safe.
” Get your snacks ready !
I know I ’ ll be snacking on a lil ’ somethin ’ : just some collard greens and cornbread , some candied yams , a little potato salad , fried chicken , peach cobbler , and a few @ @ @ @

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

It’s time to exhale because the long wait for a continuation of Waiting to Exhale is here! But it’s not the previously discussed feature film sequel; it’s a different format altogether.
Terry McMillan, who wrote the 1992 novel Waiting to Exhale, has confirmed that a TV series based on her book and the subsequent film is in the works. The 1995 film of the same name starred Whitney Houston (Savannah), Angela Bassett (Bernadine), Loretta Devine (Gloria), and Lela Rochon (Robin) as the leading ladies whose lives we followed through dating, family and more.
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“So, Waiting to Exhale is going to be a TV series,” McMillan confirmed on Twitter on Thursday. “Produced by Lee Daniels [from Empire]. Attica Locke [from When They See Us, Little Fires Everywhere] and Tembi Locke [from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, NCIS) are writing. Anthony Hemingway [from American Crime Story, Underground] will direct. I lucked out.”
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That’s an adaptation of an adaptation! Nice! I am curious and have so many questions! Will this be a continuation from the film or a fresh take/reboot, based on the novel? Will the original cast from the film co-star or at least make cameos in the series? Will the series honor the film’s character portrayals of the late Houston’s Savannah and the late Gregory Hines’ Marvin in some way?
Devine actually teased this news earlier this week, according to The Source.
“Well, I know Terry and I think Lee Daniels are working on something because she’s been trying to get Waiting To Exhale back for so many years,” Devine said in a recent interview. “And because it changed so much for everybody. Not just Black women but also, so many shows came out of that with the same girlfriend format that they use.”
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Devine may have also provided some answers to my questions.
“I think they’re doing something about the kids of the women, and I think that’s going to be coming out so look forward, there’s a lot of stuff that is being developed to look forward to,” Devine said.
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Amid Black Twitter’s general excitement about the upcoming series, it seems several actor-hopefuls threw their hats into the ring to potentially star in the series. Apparently, it happened so much, McMillan had to make one thing clear: She does not make casting decisions, y’all!
“Please know that I am not a casting agent!” the author tweeted. “That’s way outside my skill zone. I write novels.”
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“And thank you all for your excitement about Exhale. I really do appreciate it. It’ll take a minute. Not my world. Will keep you posted,” McMillan added before signing off with “stay safe.”
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Get your snacks ready! I know I’ll be snacking on a lil’ somethin’: just some collard greens and cornbread, some candied yams, a little potato salad, fried chicken, peach cobbler, and a few slices of ham.


theroot--2020-11-13--President-Elect Joe Biden Becomes First Democrat to Win Georgia in Almost 30 Years

Well , get ready for yet another temper tantrum from y ’ all ’ s bitch-ass president , as it ’ s been projected that President-Elect Joe Biden has become the first Democrat in almost 30 years to win the state of Georgia .
According to CNN , with the projection of Georgia for Biden , and North Carolina for President Donald Trump , the final tally of electoral votes is 306-232 .
This is the exact total by which President Trump won the electoral college in 2016 .
At the time he called it a “ landslide.
” I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeping that same energy today .
With this win , Biden has become the first Democrat since Bill Clinton in 1992 to win the state .
While Georgia has long been a solidly Republican state , former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton both came close to closing the gap in the previous two elections .
Biden ’ s win in the state is largely attributed to the hard work done by many grassroots organizations and voting rights groups , including the work done by Stacey Abrams and her organization Fair Fight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governor , likely as a result of widespread voter suppression within the state .
In an interview with CNN ’ s Jake Tapper , Abrams said “ We have been working at this for more than a decade .
And there have been dozens of organizations and hundreds of people who ’ ve made this their primary mission.
” “ I have been privileged to be able to bring to bear resources , both before the election of 2018 and then the $ 40 million we were able to spend in 2018 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have yielded a victory for me in 2018 , but certainly yielded a victory this week , ” she added .
In the early days of the election , the state looked as if it was going to Trump , but as more and more mail-in ballots were counted from heavily Democratic counties , it became clear that Biden would lead .
While Biden has been projected to win the state , this is not the end of the story because this is 2020 , and nothing can ever be easy .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race , a hand recount of the ballots will take place , as per Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger ( R ) , who was under pressure from Georgia Republicans to do something about voting irregularities .
Historically , recounts have only moved the margin within a fraction of a percentage point , and Biden ’ s lead currently sits around 14,000 .
Still , Republicans gon na Republican , and the state began an audit of votes on Thursday .
While the sitting president will probably be fixated on the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the rest of us functioning adults have moved our attention to Georgia ’ s senate race .
Both of the state ’ s s enate races have gone to runoffs , and should Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Rev .
Raphael Warnock beat their Republican opponents , it would likely result in a 50-50 split in the Senate that would see Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris being the deciding vote .

Well, get ready for yet another temper tantrum from y’all’s bitch-ass president, as it’s been projected that President-Elect Joe Biden has become the first Democrat in almost 30 years to win the state of Georgia.
According to CNN, with the projection of Georgia for Biden, and North Carolina for President Donald Trump, the final tally of electoral votes is 306-232. This is the exact total by which President Trump won the electoral college in 2016.
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At the time he called it a “landslide.” I’m curious if he’s keeping that same energy today.
With this win, Biden has become the first Democrat since Bill Clinton in 1992 to win the state. While Georgia has long been a solidly Republican state, former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton both came close to closing the gap in the previous two elections. Biden’s win in the state is largely attributed to the hard work done by many grassroots organizations and voting rights groups, including the work done by Stacey Abrams and her organization Fair Fight.
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Abrams narrowly lost her 2018 run for Governor, likely as a result of widespread voter suppression within the state. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Abrams said “We have been working at this for more than a decade. And there have been dozens of organizations and hundreds of people who’ve made this their primary mission.”
“I have been privileged to be able to bring to bear resources, both before the election of 2018 and then the $40 million we were able to spend in 2018 to build a Democratic infrastructure that may not have yielded a victory for me in 2018, but certainly yielded a victory this week,” she added.
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In the early days of the election, the state looked as if it was going to Trump, but as more and more mail-in ballots were counted from heavily Democratic counties, it became clear that Biden would lead.
While Biden has been projected to win the state, this is not the end of the story because this is 2020, and nothing can ever be easy. As a result of the close margin of the race, a hand recount of the ballots will take place, as per Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R), who was under pressure from Georgia Republicans to do something about voting irregularities.
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Historically, recounts have only moved the margin within a fraction of a percentage point, and Biden’s lead currently sits around 14,000. Still, Republicans gonna Republican, and the state began an audit of votes on Thursday.
While the sitting president will probably be fixated on the results of this election until lord knows when, the rest of us functioning adults have moved our attention to Georgia’s senate race.
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Both of the state’s s enate races have gone to runoffs, and should Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock beat their Republican opponents, it would likely result in a 50-50 split in the Senate that would see Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris being the deciding vote.


theroot--2020-11-13--The 10 Best Deals of November 13, 2020

The 10 Best Deals of November 13, 2020

It ’ s November 13 , and we at Kinja Deals are here to bring you the top 10 deals of the day .
Get started early on ModCloth ’ s Black Friday sale with a 30 % sitewide discount and 40 % off sale items .
Upgrade your on-the-go sound system with the Marshall Kilburn II p ortable Bluetooth s peaker .
And fight chapped lips with a 3-pack of Jack Black Intense Therapy l ip b alm .
If you ’ re still craving more deals , take a peek at Friday ’ s best deals overall .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ season a little earlier this year , kicking things off with a sale on Bella small kitchen appliances bound to relieve your wallet of any unwanted stress in the holiday shopping months .
Make waffles with your swamp-residing ogre friend in this stainless steel waffle iron for 55 % off the list price , then save even more when you fill out the form under the Special Offers tab and mail it in to claim your rebate—fear not , Nathan for You fans , you won ’ t have to climb to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prize .
In fact , if you wanted , you could revamp your entire kitchen for just $ 48 , assuming you ’ re game to send in a sextet of forms .
Level up your breakfast game with a 10.5 x 20 '' nonstick electric griddle , keep your bread nice and toasty with a four-slice stainless steel convection oven , improve your work-from-home lunches with an electric panini grill , drink your fruits and veggies with a 12-piece 13330 Rocket blender set , and whip up something quick for dinner with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However casual your cooking , however tight your budget , Macy ’ s is bringing the heat with the kitchenware to beat .
This deal was originally published by Gabe Carey .
Razer is dropping its Black Friday deals early , and you ’ ll want to give them a serious look-see if you ’ re in need of peripheral upgrades .
You ’ ll find that the BlackWidow Elite mechanical keyboard is down to $ 85 , its lowest ever and 50 % off MSRP .
It features green switches—which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passthrough , and a volume knob , something I ’ ll always award bonus points .
If you need a mouse to pair it with , several of those are up for grabs , too .
You can go with the relatively simple Razer Viper , the light-as-feathers wired mouse with Chroma RGB lighting , eight programmable buttons , and a 16K optical sensor , now down to $ 40 .
For the same price , however , you could also pick up the Razer Basilisk X .
This low-latency gaming mouse has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ditches RGB , but brings the same 16K DPI sensor and an added Bluetooth option if you don ’ t want to lug the HyperSpeed wireless adapter around .
Then there ’ s this thing .
That number pad squished onto the side may be unsightly at first , but mice like the Razer Naga Trinity ( down to $ 70 ) are perfect for MMOs and any other games that need a lot of dedicated key bindings or macros .
But actually , this one has interchangeable side button plates , giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as you desire ( two , seven , or twelve ) for any given task .
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer .
Best Buy is unloading Switch games for as little as $ 35 today , which is a hair lower than we usually see the company ’ s games dip .
Down at that mark are Yoshi ’ s Crafted World , New Super Mario Bros. U , Splatoon 2 , Mario Tennis Aces , and Fire Emblem : Three Houses , that last one stealing hours of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You ’ ll also find great titles at just $ 5 more , including The Legend of Zelda : Link ’ s Awakening , Super Mario Maker 2 , and Luigi ’ s Mansion 3 .
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer .
ModCloth is starting their Black Friday deals today .
For the rest of the month grab 30 % off anything on the site and dig throw their throwback wears .
You ’ ll also receive an extra 40 % off of anything in the sale section .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 % in some cases .
Revamp your winter looks and save a nice chunk .
No codes needed .
A great cardigan is key in the fall and winter .
And a brilliant pop of color can really make it stand out .
I ’ m all about fashion and function and that ’ s what this is .
This long cardigan is made of cozy and warm polyester and comes in a gorgeous rich gold color .
It ’ s only $ 18 in this deal .
A cute retro skirt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s effortlessly chic and can blend in with your current wardrobe .
Add black tights and boots for a solid winter look .
This cute A-line mini skirt is made of crepe fabric , has pockets , and looks straight from the 70s .
This will be a groovy addition to your closet for just $ 24 .
A solid pair of heeled boots are the perfect touch to any ensemble .
These black boots go with anything and are a little bit vintage and a little bit witchy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t mean you can ’ t integrate those spooky vibes into any outfit .
And the chunky heel is only 3 inches so no fear if you ’ re worried , these are comfy and stable .
The Spoonful of Sugar boots are just $ 48 in this sale .
Free shipping on all orders over $ 49 .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .
As I said in my wireless earbud roundup , Sony WF-1000XM3 's have an amazing sound quality and are just $ 168 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original list price .
But if you ’ re not convinced , here ’ s a rundown : What are you waiting for ?
Grab a pair before they ’ re gone !
This deal was originally posted by Ignacia Fulcher .
Today , Aukey ’ s 21W USB-C car charger is only $ 9 when using coupon code VVF2B9UZ .
With a USB-A port added , you can charge two devices at once , and the throughput is enough to charge more demanding devices like the iPad or Nintendo Switch at their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieve that using one port at a time .
If you ’ re regularly charging two or more devices at once , consider picking up this 36W metallic upgrade .
You ’ ll lose the USB-C hookup for a second USB-A port , but they support simultaneous quick charging at 18W each .
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer .
Winter is here , just like the Starks said .
A good way to prevent chapped lips is to get a lip balm that really works .
From personal experience , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It has a natural mint flavor that gives you a satisfying tingle when applied and will last for the majority of the day without having to re-apply .
Plus , a three-pack is $ 22 , which is on the more expensive side , but I promise you won ’ t use the other two for at LEAST a couple of months .
Think of it as an investment against ashy lips .
This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher .
Society6 is a great place to discover new artists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent creators .
They ’ ve been having incredible sales this whole year .
And honestly , it ’ s been ugly out there so why not thrive at home with some beautiful art .
Take 40 % off any print in the entire store starting today .
This is me just realizing now all the art in my bedroom is from Society6 .
And actually even my tapestry and bedspread too .
Guess I ’ m a fan .
I purchased that La Tinta poster during quarantine to brighten my space up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fan her art is perfection .
The detail and designs are breathtaking .
Lots of gorgeous nerdy pieces in her store .
I also bought this Rainbow Cheetah poster by Megan Galante .
I ’ m a sucker for anything that looks like it could be in a Wes Anderson movie .
And with the colors , it blended super well with my very pink decor .
There ’ s a definite whimsy to all of Megan ’ s pieces so if you want to make your home into one the Tenenbaums would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .
Just because it ’ s Friday the 13th in the weirdest year ever doesn ’ t mean today should be made worse .
In fact , our pals at Ella Paradis want to slash prices and ensure there are no bad vibes .
We really don ’ t need any more given everything so save up to 70 % off select items .
You ’ ll see the savings come off in your shopping cart so need for a code .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s if you ’ re a bit indecisive .
I know I ’ ve mentioned the Rabbit Lily ( $ 42 ) as a fave so obviously , I going to recommend it .
It ’ s the perfect classic vibe and never lets me down .
Tenga has some pretty dope products , mostly for dudes .
I ’ ve seen and handled a lot of them .
The tech they use to design their toys is really impressive so I ’ m going to give their Spinner Stroker ( $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 3 varieties depending on tastes , although at this price you should experience all of them .
Free shipping on all orders .
You will get a bonus mystery gift if you spend over $ 100 too .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .
It ’ s no secret I love Marshall .
They have consistently made quality products across all of their lines .
My favorite headphones , earbuds , and speaker are from them .
This portable speaker falls in line with all the others and today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off .
It looks like both the black and indigo color options are on sale .
The Kilburn II pairs easy with your phone and will give you up to twenty hours of listening enjoyment off of a single charge .
It ’ s been my experience that these don ’ t take overwhelmingly long to charge either .
You can get two hours of playtime on just a twenty-minute charge .
The range is decent and you should be able to still have a smooth connection even at thirty feet away .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anywhere and will look sharp both inside and out .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .

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

Friday’s Best Deals | Kinja Deals
It’s November 13, and we at Kinja Deals are here to bring you the top 10 deals of the day. Get started early on ModCloth’s Black Friday sale with a 30% sitewide discount and 40% off sale items. Upgrade your on-the-go sound system with the Marshall Kilburn II p ortable Bluetooth s peaker. And fight chapped lips with a 3-pack of Jack Black Intense Therapy l ip b alm.
If you’re still craving more deals, take a peek at Friday’s best deals overall.
#1: Macy’S countertop appliances
Macy’s is ringing in the season a little earlier this year, kicking things off with a sale on Bella small kitchen appliances bound to relieve your wallet of any unwanted stress in the holiday shopping months. Make waffles with your swamp-residing ogre friend in this stainless steel waffle iron for 55% off the list price, then save even more when you fill out the form under the Special Offers tab and mail it in to claim your rebate—fear not, Nathan for You fans, you won’t have to climb to the top of a mountain to secure this prize.
In fact, if you wanted, you could revamp your entire kitchen for just $48, assuming you’re game to send in a sextet of forms. Level up your breakfast game with a 10.5 x 20" nonstick electric griddle, keep your bread nice and toasty with a four-slice stainless steel convection oven, improve your work-from-home lunches with an electric panini grill, drink your fruits and veggies with a 12-piece 13330 Rocket blender set, and whip up something quick for dinner with a 12" round nonstick electric skillet. However casual your cooking, however tight your budget, Macy’s is bringing the heat with the kitchenware to beat.
This deal was originally published by Gabe Carey.
#2: RAzer gaming peripherals
Razer is dropping its Black Friday deals early, and you’ll want to give them a serious look-see if you’re in need of peripheral upgrades. You’ll find that the BlackWidow Elite mechanical keyboard is down to $85, its lowest ever and 50% off MSRP. It features green switches—which are tactile and clicky—plus RGB lighting, USB passthrough, and a volume knob, something I’ll always award bonus points.
If you need a mouse to pair it with, several of those are up for grabs, too. You can go with the relatively simple Razer Viper, the light-as-feathers wired mouse with Chroma RGB lighting, eight programmable buttons, and a 16K optical sensor, now down to $40.
For the same price, however, you could also pick up the Razer Basilisk X. This low-latency gaming mouse has fewer programmable buttons (six) and ditches RGB, but brings the same 16K DPI sensor and an added Bluetooth option if you don’t want to lug the HyperSpeed wireless adapter around.
Then there’s this thing. That number pad squished onto the side may be unsightly at first, but mice like the Razer Naga Trinity (down to $70) are perfect for MMOs and any other games that need a lot of dedicated key bindings or macros. But actually, this one has interchangeable side button plates, giving you as few or as many buttons as you desire (two, seven, or twelve) for any given task.
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer.
#3: Nintendo switch games
Best Buy is unloading Switch games for as little as $35 today, which is a hair lower than we usually see the company’s games dip. Down at that mark are Yoshi’s Crafted World, New Super Mario Bros. U, Splatoon 2, Mario Tennis Aces, and Fire Emblem: Three Houses, that last one stealing hours of my own life, I’ll attest.
You’ll also find great titles at just $5 more, including The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Super Mario Maker 2, and Luigi’s Mansion 3.
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer.
#4: modcloth sitewide sale
ModCloth is starting their Black Friday deals today. For the rest of the month grab 30% off anything on the site and dig throw their throwback wears. You’ll also receive an extra 40% off of anything in the sale section. That discount is cutting original prices to 80% in some cases. Revamp your winter looks and save a nice chunk. No codes needed.
A great cardigan is key in the fall and winter. And a brilliant pop of color can really make it stand out. I’m all about fashion and function and that’s what this is. This long cardigan is made of cozy and warm polyester and comes in a gorgeous rich gold color. It’s only $18 in this deal.
A cute retro skirt in an autumn jewel tone is key. It’s effortlessly chic and can blend in with your current wardrobe. Add black tights and boots for a solid winter look. This cute A-line mini skirt is made of crepe fabric, has pockets, and looks straight from the 70s. This will be a groovy addition to your closet for just $24.
A solid pair of heeled boots are the perfect touch to any ensemble. These black boots go with anything and are a little bit vintage and a little bit witchy. Just because the supernatural season has passed doesn’t mean you can’t integrate those spooky vibes into any outfit. And the chunky heel is only 3 inches so no fear if you’re worried, these are comfy and stable. The Spoonful of Sugar boots are just $48 in this sale.
Free shipping on all orders over $49.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.
#5: Sony wf-1000xm3 headphones
As I said in my wireless earbud roundup, Sony WF-1000XM3's have an amazing sound quality and are just $168, which is $62 lower than the original list price. But if you’re not convinced, here’s a rundown:
“All in all, the half-hour I spent really was worth it. The sound was so crisp. The mids were truly mid and the bass was banging. I could hear all the richness in Whitney Houston’s voice when I listened to “I Have Nothing” one time for the one time. The coolest thing about these though is you can control the ambient sound by tapping the left earphone once and activate noise-canceling with two taps. You can also pause and skip songs by tapping on the right headphone.”
What are you waiting for? Grab a pair before they’re gone!
This deal was originally posted by Ignacia Fulcher.
#6: Aukey car charger
Today, Aukey’s 21W USB-C car charger is only $9 when using coupon code VVF2B9UZ. With a USB-A port added, you can charge two devices at once, and the throughput is enough to charge more demanding devices like the iPad or Nintendo Switch at their fastest speeds, though you may only achieve that using one port at a time.
If you’re regularly charging two or more devices at once, consider picking up this 36W metallic upgrade. You’ll lose the USB-C hookup for a second USB-A port, but they support simultaneous quick charging at 18W each.
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer.
#7: Jack black lip balm
Winter is here, just like the Starks said. A good way to prevent chapped lips is to get a lip balm that really works. From personal experience, Jack Black Lip Balm is the truth. It has a natural mint flavor that gives you a satisfying tingle when applied and will last for the majority of the day without having to re-apply. Plus, a three-pack is $22, which is on the more expensive side, but I promise you won’t use the other two for at LEAST a couple of months. Think of it as an investment against ashy lips.
This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher.
#8: Society6 posters
Society6 is a great place to discover new artists and find pieces and decor from some amazing independent creators. They’ve been having incredible sales this whole year. And honestly, it’s been ugly out there so why not thrive at home with some beautiful art. Take 40% off any print in the entire store starting today. This is me just realizing now all the art in my bedroom is from Society6. And actually even my tapestry and bedspread too. Guess I’m a fan.
I purchased that La Tinta poster during quarantine to brighten my space up. If you’re an anime fan her art is perfection. The detail and designs are breathtaking. Lots of gorgeous nerdy pieces in her store.
I also bought this Rainbow Cheetah poster by Megan Galante. I’m a sucker for anything that looks like it could be in a Wes Anderson movie. And with the colors, it blended super well with my very pink decor. There’s a definite whimsy to all of Megan’s pieces so if you want to make your home into one the Tenenbaums would live in this is the artist for you.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.
#9: Ella paradis friday the 13th slae
Just because it’s Friday the 13th in the weirdest year ever doesn’t mean today should be made worse. In fact, our pals at Ella Paradis want to slash prices and ensure there are no bad vibes. We really don’t need any more given everything so save up to 70% off select items. You’ll see the savings come off in your shopping cart so need for a code.
All the Better Love toys are great go-to’s if you’re a bit indecisive. I know I’ve mentioned the Rabbit Lily ($42) as a fave so obviously, I going to recommend it. It’s the perfect classic vibe and never lets me down.
Tenga has some pretty dope products, mostly for dudes. I’ve seen and handled a lot of them. The tech they use to design their toys is really impressive so I’m going to give their Spinner Stroker ($18) a shoutout. It comes in 3 varieties depending on tastes, although at this price you should experience all of them.
Free shipping on all orders. You will get a bonus mystery gift if you spend over $100 too.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.
#10: Marshall bluetooth speaker
It’s no secret I love Marshall. They have consistently made quality products across all of their lines. My favorite headphones, earbuds, and speaker are from them. This portable speaker falls in line with all the others and today Best Buy has it for 20% off.
It looks like both the black and indigo color options are on sale. The Kilburn II pairs easy with your phone and will give you up to twenty hours of listening enjoyment off of a single charge. It’s been my experience that these don’t take overwhelmingly long to charge either. You can get two hours of playtime on just a twenty-minute charge. The range is decent and you should be able to still have a smooth connection even at thirty feet away. The sturdy strap lets you take it anywhere and will look sharp both inside and out.
There’s free shipping on this item.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.


theroot--2020-11-13--Buckle up for Safety With $40 off the Otterbox Defender Case for iPhone

If you ordered an iPhone 12 Mini or 12 Pro Max last week , there ’ s a good chance @ @ @ @ @ for delivery today .
Hopefully you already snagged a good case to keep your precious @ @ @ @ @ not , there ’ s no need to fret .
Otterbox ’ s Defender case @ @ @ @ @ protection , is down to $ 20 at Target , saving you $ 40 .
@ @ @ @ @ tomorrow , though , so act quick .
Fair warning : the case is bulky @ @ @ @ @ as you ’ re probably thinking .
I have the 12 Mini case in front @ @ @ @ @ ’ s still pretty easy to fit in my hand without much fussing .

Jordan McMahon on Kinja Deals, shared by Jordan McMahon to The Root

Otterbox Defender for iPhone | $20 | Target
If you ordered an iPhone 12 Mini or 12 Pro Max last week, there’s a good chance it’ll be out for delivery today. Hopefully you already snagged a good case to keep your precious cargo safe, but if not, there’s no need to fret. Otterbox’s Defender case, which offers plenty of protection, is down to $20 at Target, saving you $40. The sale only goes through tomorrow, though, so act quick.
Fair warning: the case is bulky, but not as bulky as you’re probably thinking. I have the 12 Mini case in front of me, and it’s still pretty easy to fit in my hand without much fussing.


theroot--2020-11-13--Black Man Exonerated and Released From Nashville Prison After Serving 15 Years for a Murder He Didn'

Black Man Exonerated and Released From Nashville Prison After Serving 15 Years for a Murder He Didn't Commit

After spending 15 years in a Nashville , Tenn. , prison , a Black man was exonerated of a brutal murder after a judge ruled that he was wrongfully convicted .
CNN reports that 41-year-old Joseph Webster was released from prison Tuesday following a four-year effort by his attorneys to have his 2005 conviction overturned and the charges against him dismissed .
Webster was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Leroy Owens in 1998 , according to court documents .
Owens was at a friend ’ s house when two men in a white station wagon arrived at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what witnesses believed to be a drug debt , the documents said .
Owens was able to escape , missing a shoe , and run to another home .
The resident asked Owens — who was disheveled , bruised and scared — to leave .
When he tried to run again , the men caught up with Owens , and he was fatally assaulted with a cinder block , according to court documents .
Witnesses at the time identified the man who killed Owens as Webster .
However , several of Owens ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his relatives had admitted to the murder , court documents said .
The car was then found to be owned by that relative .
When one of the witnesses who had originally identified Webster saw a photograph of his relative , she identified him as the actual perpetrator she had seen commit the killing , not Webster .
Fox 17 , which conducted an investigation of the case in 2018 , reports that one witness described Owens ’ killer as “ a man of medium build about 160 pounds ” and no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strange , considering Webster is around 300 pounds and wore a full gold grill the family said “ you can see from across the street , ” according to Fox 17 .
Daniel Horwitz , the Nashville attorney who reinvestigated the case , told the network that the inconsistencies in witness testimony are just one thing wrong with Webster ’ s conviction .
“ I mean , there is so much that ’ s impossible to overlook in this case , ” Horwitz said .
“ That ’ s why I think this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being the first conviction ever to be overturned here , all of the new evidence.
” A witness comes forward : Joseph Webster ’ s mom , Marie Burns .
Now you are going to say ‘ Of course a mom is going to say her son didn ’ t do it.
’ But here ’ s the thing , Marie Burns is saying her other son , Kenny Neal , is the killer .
“ Because my child [ Neal ] came to me .
He kept saying they can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did , don ’ t worry how can they say Joseph is me !
” said Burns .
Kenny Neal was dating Shawnna Norman at the time .
Norman also came forward and testified that Kenny Neal bragged to her that he was the one who beat Leroy Owens .
“ Kenny told me he had to chase him down and beat the shit out of him with a brick , ” Norman said .
If all of that isn ’ t enough to make you want to punch something while racking your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got convicted in the first place , Horwitz ’ s investigation revealed that DNA was found on the murder weapon but it wasn ’ t Webster ’ s and that the key witness who identified Webster , Tammy Nelson , recanted her testimony three times .
According to CNN , the Davidson County District Attorney ’ s Office announced that the judge “ no longer has confidence in the conviction against Mr. Webster ” —because ... no shit—and that Webster would be released and all charges against him dismissed .
“ After a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a murder that he did not commit , I am overjoyed that Joseph Webster ’ s wrongful conviction will finally be overturned , ” Horwitz said , CNN reports .
“ Mr .
Webster is also thinking of the entire Owens family at this time , which has to process the painful news of learning that the wrong person was convicted of committing this brutal murder.
” According to News 5 Nashville , Webster ’ s exoneration represents the first time an innocent person was exonerated of murder in Nashville .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Webster told News 5 .
“ The truth will set you free .
I just didn ’ t know when .
”

After spending 15 years in a Nashville, Tenn., prison, a Black man was exonerated of a brutal murder after a judge ruled that he was wrongfully convicted.
CNN reports that 41-year-old Joseph Webster was released from prison Tuesday following a four-year effort by his attorneys to have his 2005 conviction overturned and the charges against him dismissed.
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From CNN:
Webster was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Leroy Owens in 1998, according to court documents. Owens was at a friend’s house when two men in a white station wagon arrived at the home and began beating Owens over what witnesses believed to be a drug debt, the documents said. Owens was able to escape, missing a shoe, and run to another home. The resident asked Owens — who was disheveled, bruised and scared — to leave. When he tried to run again, the men caught up with Owens, and he was fatally assaulted with a cinder block, according to court documents. Witnesses at the time identified the man who killed Owens as Webster. However, several of Owens’ family members later told authorities that one of his relatives had admitted to the murder, court documents said. The car was then found to be owned by that relative. When one of the witnesses who had originally identified Webster saw a photograph of his relative, she identified him as the actual perpetrator she had seen commit the killing, not Webster.
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Fox 17, which conducted an investigation of the case in 2018, reports that one witness described Owens’ killer as “a man of medium build about 160 pounds” and no other distinguishable characteristics. That’s strange, considering Webster is around 300 pounds and wore a full gold grill the family said “you can see from across the street,” according to Fox 17.
Daniel Horwitz, the Nashville attorney who reinvestigated the case, told the network that the inconsistencies in witness testimony are just one thing wrong with Webster’s conviction.
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“I mean, there is so much that’s impossible to overlook in this case,” Horwitz said. “That’s why I think this case is the one that ended up being the first conviction ever to be overturned here, all of the new evidence.”
From Fox 17:
A witness comes forward: Joseph Webster’s mom, Marie Burns. Now you are going to say ‘Of course a mom is going to say her son didn’t do it.’ But here’s the thing, Marie Burns is saying her other son, Kenny Neal, is the killer. “Because my child [Neal] came to me. He kept saying they can’t say Joseph is him, but they did, don’t worry how can they say Joseph is me!” said Burns. Kenny Neal was dating Shawnna Norman at the time. Norman also came forward and testified that Kenny Neal bragged to her that he was the one who beat Leroy Owens. “Kenny told me he had to chase him down and beat the shit out of him with a brick,” Norman said.
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If all of that isn’t enough to make you want to punch something while racking your brain trying to figure out how Webster got convicted in the first place, Horwitz’s investigation revealed that DNA was found on the murder weapon but it wasn’t Webster’s and that the key witness who identified Webster, Tammy Nelson, recanted her testimony three times.
According to CNN, the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office announced that the judge “no longer has confidence in the conviction against Mr. Webster”—because...no shit—and that Webster would be released and all charges against him dismissed.
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“After a decade and a half in prison for a murder that he did not commit, I am overjoyed that Joseph Webster’s wrongful conviction will finally be overturned,” Horwitz said, CNN reports. “Mr. Webster is also thinking of the entire Owens family at this time, which has to process the painful news of learning that the wrong person was convicted of committing this brutal murder.”
According to News 5 Nashville, Webster’s exoneration represents the first time an innocent person was exonerated of murder in Nashville.
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“It’s unbelievable but believable,” Webster told News 5. “The truth will set you free. I just didn’t know when.”