theroot--2020-10-23--Here's a Counterintuitive and Sneakily Delicious Breakfast I Had This Morning

Pictured is a buttermilk pancake and a brussels sprouts bowl .
They ’ re both from a place called The Square Cafe , which used to be in the Regent Square neighborhood in Pittsburgh but recently moved to East Liberty .
Although I haven ’ t eaten inside of a restaurant since March , I still do pick-up orders , and it might be my favorite breakfast spot in the city .
The pancake , pictured above , is a mostly standard buttermilk pancake .
Fluffy .
Soft .
Happy .
Brown .
( I ’ d never , until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good pancakes share with nice booties . )
What distinguishes their pancakes from most other pancakes , though , is sweetness .
They almost taste like sheet cake .
I still put syrup on them , because I make curious decisions sometimes , but you really don ’ t have to .
Syrup is overkill .
( Unless it ’ s just for moisture . )
The star of my breakfast , however , is the brussel sprouts bowl .
It ’ s a counter-intuitive but hearty and sneakily delicious mash of sprouts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bacon , topped off with an egg .
( On the menu it ’ s over-easy , but I ask for it to be over-hard . )
I ’ ve been getting this same order from The Square Cafe for a couple years now .
And while the pancakes are an obvious choice , I don ’ t know what prompted me to first order the sprouts bowl .
I think I was in the same sprouts phase everyone else seemed to be in at the time , where we collectively discovered that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you prepare them right , and 2. the sprouts-related trauma we all experienced as kids was unnecessary .
This whole sprouts trauma thing has me reassessing lima beans , beets , and cottage cheese now , too .
Anyway , I had a great time eating breakfast this morning , and I just wanted to share my happiness with you .

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

Pictured is a buttermilk pancake and a brussels sprouts bowl. They’re both from a place called The Square Cafe, which used to be in the Regent Square neighborhood in Pittsburgh but recently moved to East Liberty. Although I haven’t eaten inside of a restaurant since March, I still do pick-up orders, and it might be my favorite breakfast spot in the city.
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The pancake, pictured above, is a mostly standard buttermilk pancake. Fluffy. Soft. Happy. Brown. (I’d never, until this moment, realized how many attributes good pancakes share with nice booties. ) What distinguishes their pancakes from most other pancakes, though, is sweetness. They almost taste like sheet cake. I still put syrup on them, because I make curious decisions sometimes, but you really don’t have to. Syrup is overkill. ( Unless it’s just for moisture.)
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The star of my breakfast, however, is the brussel sprouts bowl. It’s a counter-intuitive but hearty and sneakily delicious mash of sprouts, cheesy grits, onions, and bacon, topped off with an egg. (On the menu it’s over-easy, but I ask for it to be over-hard.)
I’ve been getting this same order from The Square Cafe for a couple years now. And while the pancakes are an obvious choice, I don’t know what prompted me to first order the sprouts bowl. I think I was in the same sprouts phase everyone else seemed to be in at the time, where we collectively discovered that 1. they’re actually good if you prepare them right, and 2. the sprouts-related trauma we all experienced as kids was unnecessary. This whole sprouts trauma thing has me reassessing lima beans, beets, and cottage cheese now, too.
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Anyway, I had a great time eating breakfast this morning, and I just wanted to share my happiness with you.


theroot--2020-10-23--Please Lord, Let the NBA's Virtual Draft Be As Entertaining As the NFL's Was

Much like everything else this year , the NBA Draft is going virtual .
ESPN reports that the draft will be hosted at its own studios in Bristol , Conn. , on November 18 .
Commissioner Adam Silver and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum will announce the selections for the first and second rounds in-studio , while draftees like LaMelo Ball and Georgia ’ s Anthony Edwards will participate in the festivities virtually .
In April , we were treated to the NFL ’ s first-ever virtual draft , which included all types of viral moments .
From Henry Ruggs III @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attire , to CeeDee Lamb snatching his phone out of his girl ’ s hand , to Titan ’ s coach Mike Vrabel ’ s kids mistaking draft night for Halloween and having the entire world believe that somebody was taking a shit on national television , there were plenty of laughs to be had .
But the star of the night was the mother of Titans first-round pick Isaiah Wilson , who snatched up Wilson ’ s girlfriend for pulling a Diddy and trying her damndest to steal his shine .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Now , I ’ m acutely aware that proper decorum and home training are in short supply in some households , but when are y ’ all gon ’ learn to stop playing with black women ’ s children ?
Carole Baskin almost caught hands and died for all of our sins for trying to be Beyoncé , when she knew damn well that ain ’ t nobody coming to see you , Otis .
Let us hope and pray that this NBA Draft brings the same level of entertainment , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out ourselves on November 18 .
The 2020 NBA Draft will air live on ESPN , ESPN Radio and the ESPN app .

Much like everything else this year, the NBA Draft is going virtual.
ESPN reports that the draft will be hosted at its own studios in Bristol, Conn., on November 18. Commissioner Adam Silver and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum will announce the selections for the first and second rounds in-studio, while draftees like LaMelo Ball and Georgia’s Anthony Edwards will participate in the festivities virtually.
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In April, we were treated to the NFL’s first-ever virtual draft, which included all types of viral moments. From Henry Ruggs III rocking a bathrobe as his choice of attire, to CeeDee Lamb snatching his phone out of his girl’s hand, to Titan’s coach Mike Vrabel’s kids mistaking draft night for Halloween and having the entire world believe that somebody was taking a shit on national television, there were plenty of laughs to be had.
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But the star of the night was the mother of Titans first-round pick Isaiah Wilson, who snatched up Wilson’s girlfriend for pulling a Diddy and trying her damndest to steal his shine.
As I wrote when it all went down:
Now, I’m acutely aware that proper decorum and home training are in short supply in some households, but when are y’all gon’ learn to stop playing with black women’s children? Carole Baskin almost caught hands and died for all of our sins for trying to be Beyoncé, when she knew damn well that ain’t nobody coming to see you, Otis.
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Behold this teachable moment yourself:
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Let us hope and pray that this NBA Draft brings the same level of entertainment, but I suppose we’ll all find out ourselves on November 18.
The 2020 NBA Draft will air live on ESPN, ESPN Radio and the ESPN app.


theroot--2020-10-23--The HBIC Is Back: Tiffany Pollard Is Debuting an I Love New York Reunion Special Hosted by Vivica A.

The HBIC Is Back: Tiffany Pollard Is Debuting an I Love New York Reunion Special Hosted by Vivica A. Fox

Every so often , there is a diamond in the rough-ass year known as 2020 .
This time , it ’ s Tiffany “ New York ” Pollard with great news .
Thirteen years after its second season finale ( a third season was shelved ) , we are getting a reunion special for I Love New York !
Do it look like I give a fuck ?
Because I do !
The reunion will be hosted by Vivica A .
Fox .
In a sort of a double-feature , VH1 will also be premiering a reunion special for its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 2012-2014 .
Here ’ s the scoop , via the press release sent to The Root : Reality TV queen Tiffany “ New York ” Pollard is returning to the small screen to look back on her wild journey finding love on the iconic reality hit I Love New York .
In this one-hour special of I Love New York : Reunited , Pollard and some of her most memorable flings will revisit the show ’ s greatest moments , break down the biggest heartbreaks , and dive into how the cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
In the one-hour special of Hollywood Exes : Reunited , the independent ladies will gather for a look back at the show that brought them all together , and fill fans in on what has happened since the cameras stopped rolling .
The special will feature Andrea Kelly ( ex-wife of R-Kelly ) , Nicole Murphy ( ex of Eddie Murphy ) , Mayte Garcia ( ex-wife of Prince ) , Shamicka Lawrence ( ex-wife of Martin Lawrence ) , Shanna Moakler ( ex-wife of Travis Barker ) and Sheree Zampino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As we know , we first met Tiffany as the standout contestant of Flavor of Love ( 2006-2008 ) .
Naturally , she ventured off into her own dating show as well as subsequent spinoffs , such as New York Goes to Hollywood and New York Goes to Work .
Though we never forgot her ( how could we ?
! )
, she reemerged onto the current scene appearing on the 17th season of Celebrity Big Brother in 2016 , and now has her own show , Brunch With Tiffany .
Plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beauty ambassador .
Who is stopping her ?
!
Most importantly , Tiffany ’ s impact ( along with her mom ’ s ) has infiltrated the meme culture , so yes , the HBIC is always relevant !
!
Speaking of which , here ’ s what I ’ m expecting to happen at this reunion : 1 .
New quotables ( there is nothing sure about 2020 , but this is a given ) 2 .
New meme-able content ( see above ) 3 .
New behind-the-scenes tea that only Tiffany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chance where he expresses his ongoing love for her to promote his own show ( where she will appear , per the newest supertrailer ) 5 .
A socially-distanced fight that ends up with some nigga running backstage and the cameras cutting off .
Yes , they will stay at least 6 feet from each other while running .
Shit , I hope the inevitable success of this special leads to an even bigger reunion involving Flavor of Love .
Oh , and by the way , VH1 is currently soliciting questions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fans .
Make ‘ em good , y ’ all !
I Love New York : Reunited premieres Monday , Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT , followed by Hollywood Exes : Reunited on Tuesday , Nov. 24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT , both on VH1 .
Also , starting Monday , Nov. 23 at 9 a.m. ET/PT , fans can reminisce over old episodes of both series as part of VH1 ’ s “ Throwback Thanksgiving ” marathon special .

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

Every so often, there is a diamond in the rough-ass year known as 2020. This time, it’s Tiffany “New York” Pollard with great news. Thirteen years after its second season finale (a third season was shelved), we are getting a reunion special for I Love New York!
Do it look like I give a fuck? Because I do!
The reunion will be hosted by Vivica A. Fox. In a sort of a double-feature, VH1 will also be premiering a reunion special for its reality series Hollywood Exes, which aired from 2012-2014.
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Here’s the scoop, via the press release sent to The Root:
Reality TV queen Tiffany “New York” Pollard is returning to the small screen to look back on her wild journey finding love on the iconic reality hit I Love New York. In this one-hour special of I Love New York: Reunited, Pollard and some of her most memorable flings will revisit the show’s greatest moments, break down the biggest heartbreaks, and dive into how the cast members’ lives have evolved through the years. In the one-hour special of Hollywood Exes: Reunited, the independent ladies will gather for a look back at the show that brought them all together, and fill fans in on what has happened since the cameras stopped rolling. The special will feature Andrea Kelly (ex-wife of R-Kelly), Nicole Murphy (ex of Eddie Murphy), Mayte Garcia (ex-wife of Prince), Shamicka Lawrence (ex-wife of Martin Lawrence), Shanna Moakler (ex-wife of Travis Barker) and Sheree Zampino (ex-wife of Will Smith).
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As we know, we first met Tiffany as the standout contestant of Flavor of Love (2006-2008). Naturally, she ventured off into her own dating show as well as subsequent spinoffs, such as New York Goes to Hollywood and New York Goes to Work. Though we never forgot her (how could we?!), she reemerged onto the current scene appearing on the 17th season of Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, and now has her own show, Brunch With Tiffany. Plus, she’s a whole-ass Fenty Beauty ambassador. Who is stopping her?!
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Most importantly, Tiffany’s impact (along with her mom’s) has infiltrated the meme culture, so yes, the HBIC is always relevant!! Speaking of which, here’s what I’m expecting to happen at this reunion:
1. New quotables (there is nothing sure about 2020, but this is a given)
2. New meme-able content (see above)
3. New behind-the-scenes tea that only Tiffany can spill
4. An appearance by Chance where he expresses his ongoing love for her to promote his own show (where she will appear, per the newest supertrailer)
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5. A socially-distanced fight that ends up with some nigga running backstage and the cameras cutting off. Yes, they will stay at least 6 feet from each other while running.
Shit, I hope the inevitable success of this special leads to an even bigger reunion involving Flavor of Love. Oh, and by the way, VH1 is currently soliciting questions to ask on the special, straight from the fans. Make ‘em good, y’all!
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I Love New York: Reunited premieres Monday, Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, followed by Hollywood Exes: Reunited on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, both on VH1. Also, starting Monday, Nov. 23 at 9 a.m. ET/PT, fans can reminisce over old episodes of both series as part of VH1’s “Throwback Thanksgiving” marathon special.


theroot--2020-10-23--'We Could All Serve to Be Less Patient Black People': The Root Presents: It's Lit! Talks About Race

'We Could All Serve to Be Less Patient Black People': The Root Presents: It's Lit! Talks About Race With Ijeoma Oluo

Triumph amid tragedy is always bittersweet—a unique type of survivor ’ s guilt many of us have become all too familiar with in recent months , as we reconcile profound loss with the rare but very bright spots that have occurred during this incredibly devastating year .
It ’ s a dichotomy bestselling author and 2017 and 2018 The Root 100 honoree Ijeoma Oluo knows well , having watched her 2018 bestseller , So You Want to Talk About Race , once again hit the bestsellers ’ list following the extrajudicial killing of George Floyd amid what has felt like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life and liberty , this spring and since .
“ I don ’ t know any Black person who wants their book to hit the top of the bestseller list because more Black people were murdered , ” Oluo told The Root ’ s Editor-in-Chief Danielle Belton and me while taping the fifth episode of our new literary podcast , The Root Presents : It ’ s Lit !
Nevertheless , white people are finally ready to talk about race .
And while we ’ ve never stopped talking about it , thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handy guide for that that does much of the heavy lifting for us , basically providing a primer on privilege , bias , and structural inequality—or , as I told her , “ doing the Lord ’ s work.
” “ This is an incredibly difficult time for Black people to be talking about race right now , ” she says .
“ You know , white people are like , ‘ I ’ m eager , I ’ m ready.
’ And Black people are like , ‘ this is the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Can I have a nap ?
’ ” While , aside from a nap , in our frustration , our inclination may also be to simply tell even the most well-meaning white people to figure it and their people out—after all , we are not their mules .
Some may wonder why Oluo feels it necessary to devote her labor to educating those who have historically remained willfully obtuse—and she concedes that she might have written the book slightly differently , two years later , saying , “ honestly , we could all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in these discussions because we have to practice our self-care.
” But as she also reminds us , none of us is entirely exempt from bias or occasional failings at inclusion—which can go a long way in establishing at least a modicum of empathy for the failures of others .
“ Like , where was that space where you learned ?
Because you didn ’ t , like , come out of the womb being like , you know , ‘ Let me talk to you about intersectional feminism , ’ ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know any of this , right ?
You didn ’ t know why these things were important .
And you got to this space and something got you there , and go back to that space before you knew and spend a little time there and figure out who you were and why this appealed to you .
And that will give you an idea of what you need to do to have conversations with people who aren ’ t there yet and bring them forward and talk with humility about your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you were a person who deserved care at that time , too .
And you also deserved accountability.
” Hear more about how to talk about race—plus the inspiration behind Oluo ’ s already buzzy next book , Mediocre : The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America—in the fifth episode of The Root Presents : It ’ s Lit !
, featuring the exceptional Ijeoma Oluo .
Now available on Apple , Spotify , Stitcher , iHeart Radio , Google Podcasts , Amazon , NPR One , TuneIn , and Radio Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : It ’ s Lit , Ep .
5 : Ijeoma Oluo is available below :

Triumph amid tragedy is always bittersweet—a unique type of survivor’s guilt many of us have become all too familiar with in recent months, as we reconcile profound loss with the rare but very bright spots that have occurred during this incredibly devastating year. It’s a dichotomy bestselling author and 2017 and 2018 The Root 100 honoree Ijeoma Oluo knows well, having watched her 2018 bestseller, So You Want to Talk About Race, once again hit the bestsellers’ list following the extrajudicial killing of George Floyd amid what has felt like an all-too-familiar onslaught of assaults on Black life and liberty, this spring and since.
“I don’t know any Black person who wants their book to hit the top of the bestseller list because more Black people were murdered,” Oluo told The Root’s Editor-in-Chief Danielle Belton and me while taping the fifth episode of our new literary podcast, The Root Presents: It’s Lit!
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Nevertheless, white people are finally ready to talk about race. And while we’ve never stopped talking about it, thanks to Oluo, there’s a handy guide for that that does much of the heavy lifting for us, basically providing a primer on privilege, bias, and structural inequality—or, as I told her, “doing the Lord’s work.”
“This is an incredibly difficult time for Black people to be talking about race right now,” she says. “You know, white people are like, ‘I’m eager, I’m ready.’ And Black people are like, ‘this is the most traumatic year of my entire life. Can I have a nap?’”
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While, aside from a nap, in our frustration, our inclination may also be to simply tell even the most well-meaning white people to figure it and their people out—after all, we are not their mules. Some may wonder why Oluo feels it necessary to devote her labor to educating those who have historically remained willfully obtuse—and she concedes that she might have written the book slightly differently, two years later, saying, “honestly, we could all serve to be less patient Black people in these discussions because we have to practice our self-care.”
But as she also reminds us, none of us is entirely exempt from bias or occasional failings at inclusion—which can go a long way in establishing at least a modicum of empathy for the failures of others.
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“Like, where was that space where you learned? Because you didn’t, like, come out of the womb being like, you know, ‘Let me talk to you about intersectional feminism,’” she laughs. “Like you didn’t know any of this, right? You didn’t know why these things were important. And you got to this space and something got you there, and go back to that space before you knew and spend a little time there and figure out who you were and why this appealed to you. And that will give you an idea of what you need to do to have conversations with people who aren’t there yet and bring them forward and talk with humility about your steps in your process. And remember that you were a person who deserved care at that time, too. And you also deserved accountability.”
Hear more about how to talk about race—plus the inspiration behind Oluo’s already buzzy next book, Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America—in the fifth episode of The Root Presents: It’s Lit!, featuring the exceptional Ijeoma Oluo. Now available on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts, Amazon, NPR One, TuneIn, and Radio Public.
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A transcript of The Root Presents: It’s Lit, Ep. 5: Ijeoma Oluo is available below:


theroot--2020-10-23--Get an Early Start on Your Black Friday Shopping in Amazon’s Holiday Dash Sale

Prime Day might be done , but the savings haven ’ t stopped .
Amazon ’ s Holiday Dash sale collects all sorts of bargains from across the site , from headphones to smartphones , toys , candy , DNA tests , and plenty more .
Each day brings new deals , and we ’ ll be updating this space daily to bring you the best of the sales in the weeks ahead .
Whether you ’ re starting your holiday shopping early or just want to keep an eye out for serious savings , be sure to check back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off Funko Pops and More There ’ s a Funko version of just about any pop culture fixture today , and today you can save up to 30 % on an array of Funko Pop vinyl toys alongside plush toys , games , apparel , and other colorful collectibles at Amazon .
We ’ ve picked a few standout options below , but hit the sale link for the full selection .
Save Up to 43 % off Naipo Massage Products If your body is aching right about now ( if not , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some potential sweet relief : Amazon has a trio of Naipo massaging devices on sale for up to 43 % off right now .
Two of them are designed specifically for your neck and shoulders , wrapping around your neck as they deliver shiatsu massaging , while the third is more versatile and aids with back pain .
Save Up to 50 % off KitchenAid Tools Here ’ s a great opportunity to save some cash on essential kitchen tools and devices from KitchenAid .
Whether it ’ s a dish drying rack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or digital scale , you can save up to 50 % off an array of items right now .
Click the link for the full sale listing .
Looking for a no-contact thermometer ?
LPOW ’ s infrared forehead thermometer is just $ 23 at Amazon right now , a savings of $ 7 .
This handy device measures someone ’ s temperature at a distance of a few centimeters or less , delivering an near-instant reading for adults , kids , and infants alike .
Save Up to 35 % off TCL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new TV ?
TCL ’ s budget-friendly smart TVs let you stream directly from the device itself , no set-top box or dongle needed , and right now there ’ s a few of them on sale at Amazon .
The 43 ” 4K Ultra HD LED set at $ 230 is arguably the highlight of the bunch , although there are a couple of 1080p Full HD sets too if you want to save extra scratch .
Save Up to 40 % off Le Creuset Cookware Le Creuset ’ s cast iron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it commands serious prices , as well .
Luckily , Amazon has a bunch of it on deep discount right now , including 40 % off of an Enameled Cast Iron Signature Sauteuse Oven , now $ 180 , plus a cast iron grill pan for $ 100 and $ 20 stoneware salt and pepper shakers .
Motorola makes some of the best budget Android smartphones around , and right now Amazon is carving down prices even further on several of those handsets .
Hit the link above for the full range , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ G7 Play for just $ 130 ( $ 70 off ) , a Motorola One Action for $ 230 ( $ 120 off ) , and a 2020 Moto G Stylus ( shown ) for just $ 244 ( $ 56 off ) Worried about the availability of toilet paper in the months ahead or just want to ensure that you have a steady supply for some time to come ?
Scott offers TP in bulk thanks to this Scott Essential bulk toilet paper package , which piles 80 rolls ( 2-ply ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
That ’ s half the regular price , and while this might not be the super-soft stuff you ’ ll pay a premium for in smaller packages , it is a whole lot of toilet paper .
Got questions about your heritage ?
You ’ re certainly not alone , as the millions of folks sending away saliva to DNA testing services demonstrate .
Seek answers with the 23andMe ancestry and traits DNA test , one of the most popular kits around .
It only takes a few minutes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your sample , and then within a couple of weeks , you ’ ll have a detailed and extensive look into your ancestry , along with the ability to connect with DNA relatives .
It ’ s $ 10 off at Amazon right now .
Save 20 % off the list price on this 50-pack of disposable face masks , which have a 3-ply design complete with a nose clip at the top .
These aren ’ t designed for medical usage but can help keep you covered up in a pinch while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the car for when you need to go out , or keep a box or two handy for the months ahead .
Active noise-canceling headphones don ’ t have to total wallet-drainers .
Anker ’ s Soundcore Life Q20 headphones feature hybrid active noise canceling smarts at a fraction of the price of big-name rivals , priced at just $ 45 right now—a 25 % savings off of the already-low list price .
These Bluetooth wireless cans promise a big bass kick and up to 40 hours of battery life on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use just about anywhere and with any device .
Looking for a serious clean for your teeth ?
Right now , Amazon has this Philips Sonicare ExpertClean 7500 electric toothbrush for $ 30 off the list price .
Available in black , white , and pink versions , this feature-rich tooth-scrubber has a pressure sensor that alerts you if you ’ re brushing too hard , plus it syncs via Bluetooth to a smartphone app to help you oversee your brushing habits .

Andrew Hayward on Roundups, shared by Quentyn Kennemer to The Root

Black Friday weekend hit a little different this year, and for your sake and everyone’s, we hope you did all of your deals shopping online. Luckily, retailers far and wide served up fantastic deals all weekend long, and they’re not stopping.
We’ve seen loads of great Cyber Monday deals, ranging from cheap earbuds and bath towels to PS4 games, cookware, apparel, cosmetics, and more. Here are some of the best deals around right now, updated daily through the rest of this weekend to bring even more can’t-miss bargains.
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This isn’t a deal in terms of price, but if you’re still looking to secure a Nintendo Switch before Christmas, Amazon has the standard console with red and blue Joy-Con controllers up for grabs at $300. It’s currently listed as being in stock on December 15 as of this writing, although that’s sure to change as people snap ‘em up.
Meanwhile, Best Buy has the newly-announced Fortnite Wildcat Bundle in stock, which comes with a specially-branded console along with the free-to-play game pre-downloaded on the system, plus 2,000 V-Bucks and exclusive in-game content. That’s also $300. And lastly, it won’t ship until January, but Amazon also has the adorable Animal Crossing-themed Switch console available for purchase at regular price.
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Amazon has a big Cyber Monday sale on smartphones that includes models from a variety of brands and is mostly focused on budget-friendly hardware. But there are a few big discounts on flagship phones here, too.
Standouts include the new OnePlus 8T for $630, a $120 savings from the list price, as well as the higher-end OnePlus 8 Pro for $750—that’s $250 off. Other bargains include the Moto G Power for $175, Google Pixel 3a XL for $299, and even a Tracfone Apple iPhone 7 for $130. Check out the full deal listing for several sub-$100 phones, as well.
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Got a Nintendo Switch or is someone you love getting it as a holiday gift? If you haven’t already played Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Mario Party, they’re two of the must-play multiplayer gems on the console. And right now, Target is slashing $40 off the combined price for these hits with this discounted bundle. Now that’s a heck of a deal.
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JACHS NY dropped prices up to 70% off for Black Friday, but the deals are even more serious for Cyber Monday, with items now up to 90% off without a coupon or code. JACHS NY primarily specializes in men’s apparel and accessories, but also has a handful of women’s pieces in the mix. Whether you’re looking to stock up for winter or grab some cheap bargains for the rest of the year, now’s the time to save big.
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Clip coupon and use code D3O7SXCN at checkout
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Looking for affordable wireless earbuds that won’t break the bank? You won’t find a much better deal than Mpow’s M5 wireless earbuds for just $30 at Amazon right now. This deal is exclusively for Prime members, mind you, and you’ll have to clip the coupon and use code D3O7SXCN at checkout. These earbuds have a strong 4.4-star rating at Amazon and deliver up to 6 hours of battery life per charge, with an additional 36 hours of charge available in the case.
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If you grew up in a certain era (say, the early-to-mid ‘90s), then you might remember these classic Tiger Electronics handheld video games. They were cheap, featured great licenses, and were a fun way to kill some time. Well, they’re back: these X-Men and Transformers games have been revived exactly as they were back when, and right now they’re $10 each at Amazon. Stuff one of these in a nostalgic fan’s stocking.
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If your dull blades aren’t slicing through proteins like butter these days, then it might be time for a kitchen upgrade. Luckily, Macy’s has these color-coded Cuisinart knives for just $15 right now, a savings of $25. You get five stainless steel blades here, each with a cover for safe storage, ranging from a lil’ 3.5” paring knife up to an 8” chef’s knife.
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Get your game on from essentially anywhere with the Acer Nitro 5, a notebook primed for high-quality PC gaming. This portable beast has an Intel Core i5 chip alongside a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, plus the 15.6” screen has a smooth 144Hz refresh rate and there’s a hefty 1TB hard drive here and a speedy 256GB SSD alongside too. It’s $300 off the list price at Walmart right now.
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If it’s high time to upgrade your entertainment center, especially ahead of the long winter ahead, then scope out this massive deal on a massive Samsung 4K TV from Best Buy. Right now, you can save $600 off the list price of this 82” Class 8 set, which will look super crisp in Ultra HD glory. Whether paired with a new game console or even just for streaming Netflix, it’s bound to be a beauty. Just make sure you have something large enough to hold it!
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Apple’s latest Macs are powered by its own brand new M1 chips, which are shockingly more powerful than the old Intel-driven models. Amazingly, you can already save $100 off the list price of either the base 256GB or larger 512GB models of the super-thin MacBook Air, which are now $899 and $1,149 respectively at Adorama. They’re significantly more powerful than the old Air laptops, making them more capable options for content creation.
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Clip coupon and use promo code KINGSO456G at checkout
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If your old artificial tree isn’t looking the part anymore, or if you’re finally ready to be done with buying a real tree each year, KingSo is offering discounts on fake Christmas trees at Amazon. A 7.5-foot tree is $60 when you clip the coupon on the page and use promo code KINGSO456G at checkout. A snow-flecked version of the same tree comes out to $72 when you clip the coupon and put in the same code.
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theroot--2020-10-23--White Teen Sentenced to 4 Years of Juvenile Detention for 2019 Plot to Stab Black AME Parishioners

A white 17-year-old girl was sentenced to four years in juvenile detention this week in Georgia after plotting to attack a Black Gainesville church in 2019 .
The teen pleaded guilty to attempted murder as part of a plea agreement , reports the Gainesville Times .
She will remain on probation for 10 years and must stay at least 150 feet away from any African Methodist Episcopal church in the state of Georgia .
Overall , the sentence requires probation , counseling , and four years at a Department of Juvenile Justice facility .
The teen was arrested in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African Methodist Episcopal Church in Gainesville .
Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish told reporters at the time that she had intended to stab parishioners .
“ She had procured some butcher knives , kitchen knives , to do the attack with and had actually scouted out the location , ” Parrish said last year .
“ She had written down how she wanted to do it , the best way to do it.
” Investigators say that the teen visited the church several times to both stake out the place and commit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there was no one there .
She was flagged to authorities after her Gainesville High School classmates alerted counselors about a notebook containing detailed plans to commit murder .
When school officials searched her backpack , they found a purple-and-white notebook and two T-shirts bearing white supremacist messaging .
One T-shirt had “ natural selection ” written on the front—an allusion to the racist belief that white people are genetically superior to nonwhites—and a “ Free Dylann Storm Roof ” shirt that had swastikas written on each arm , reports the Gainesville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parishioners at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston , S.C. , in 2015 .
His intention , he wrote in a manifesto , was to start a race war .
The back of the Roof shirt contained more writing , said Assistant District Attorney Julia Greene .
“ I ’ m not crazy I had to do this , ” the girl wrote .
“ I had to do it because somebody had to do something , because Black people are killing white people every day on the streets .
What I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to what they ’ re doing to white people every day .
I do consider myself a white supremacist.
” Greene said the first impulse of the school resource officer who discovered the teen ’ s writing was to treat it as a freedom of speech issue , and didn ’ t see a reason for law enforcement to be involved .
But the teen rebutted .
“ It ’ s not freedom of speech because I intended to do it , ” she said .
At that point , the officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any further statements until she was read Miranda rights , ” said Greene .
Rev .
Michelle Rizer-Pool , who leads Bethel AME , told the court the teen ’ s plot caused “ irreversible harm ” to the congregation : attendance has dropped off and the church diverted $ 8,500 in funds—originally intended to fix the church ’ s parking lot , plumbing and bathroom facilities—toward improved security measures , including changing locks and hiring off-duty police .
“ There are not enough sermons that I can preach , and the choir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope and love to erase these images and fears , ” Rizer-Pool said .
The Gainesville Times reports that the girl sobbed her apology to the court at her sentencing this past Thursday .
Her mother maintained that her child was “ not a monster ” and “ had never been taught hate.
” “ I am very sorry .
I want to let you know it was a mistake , ” the teen told the court , according to WSB TV .
Bishop Reginald Jackson , who oversees several AME churches in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generally ... moved ” by her mother ’ s comments , but cautioned , “ her attitude was shaped somewhere by somebody.
” “ The mother said she didn ’ t get it from home , and I generally was moved by her mother .
But she got it from somewhere .
”

A white 17-year-old girl was sentenced to four years in juvenile detention this week in Georgia after plotting to attack a Black Gainesville church in 2019.
The teen pleaded guilty to attempted murder as part of a plea agreement, reports the Gainesville Times. She will remain on probation for 10 years and must stay at least 150 feet away from any African Methodist Episcopal church in the state of Georgia. Overall, the sentence requires probation, counseling, and four years at a Department of Juvenile Justice facility.
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The teen was arrested in November last year after planning to attack Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Gainesville.
Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish told reporters at the time that she had intended to stab parishioners.
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“She had procured some butcher knives, kitchen knives, to do the attack with and had actually scouted out the location,” Parrish said last year. “She had written down how she wanted to do it, the best way to do it.”
Investigators say that the teen visited the church several times to both stake out the place and commit the attack, but each time she went, there was no one there.
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She was flagged to authorities after her Gainesville High School classmates alerted counselors about a notebook containing detailed plans to commit murder. When school officials searched her backpack, they found a purple-and-white notebook and two T-shirts bearing white supremacist messaging. One T-shirt had “natural selection” written on the front—an allusion to the racist belief that white people are genetically superior to nonwhites—and a “Free Dylann Storm Roof” shirt that had swastikas written on each arm, reports the Gainesville Times.
Roof fatally shot nine Black parishioners at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., in 2015. His intention, he wrote in a manifesto, was to start a race war.
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The back of the Roof shirt contained more writing, said Assistant District Attorney Julia Greene.
“I’m not crazy I had to do this,” the girl wrote. “I had to do it because somebody had to do something, because Black people are killing white people every day on the streets. What I did is still miniscule [sic] compared to what they’re doing to white people every day. I do consider myself a white supremacist.”
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Greene said the first impulse of the school resource officer who discovered the teen’s writing was to treat it as a freedom of speech issue, and didn’t see a reason for law enforcement to be involved. But the teen rebutted.
“It’s not freedom of speech because I intended to do it,” she said.
At that point, the officer “immediately told her to not make any further statements until she was read Miranda rights,” said Greene.
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Rev. Michelle Rizer-Pool, who leads Bethel AME, told the court the teen’s plot caused “irreversible harm” to the congregation: attendance has dropped off and the church diverted $8,500 in funds—originally intended to fix the church’s parking lot, plumbing and bathroom facilities—toward improved security measures, including changing locks and hiring off-duty police.
“There are not enough sermons that I can preach, and the choir cannot sing enough about faith, hope and love to erase these images and fears,” Rizer-Pool said.
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The Gainesville Times reports that the girl sobbed her apology to the court at her sentencing this past Thursday. Her mother maintained that her child was “not a monster” and “had never been taught hate.”
“I am very sorry. I want to let you know it was a mistake,” the teen told the court, according to WSB TV.
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Bishop Reginald Jackson, who oversees several AME churches in the region, said he was “generally...moved” by her mother’s comments, but cautioned, “her attitude was shaped somewhere by somebody.”
“The mother said she didn’t get it from home, and I generally was moved by her mother. But she got it from somewhere.”


theroot--2020-10-23--A Black Woman Just Won the Presidential Debate Between Two Old White Men

It only took one practice run , a positive coronavirus diagnosis , the refusal to have a virtual debate , a B lack female moderator , and the threat of a mute button to finally have a civilized and adult presidential debate .
And by adult , I mean that the president of people who believe that he is the least racist person he knows didn ’ t keep interrupting former V ice P resident Joe Biden , but that didn ’ t stop him from pushing some of the wildest conspiracy theories known to QAnon .
At one point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that candy corn , aka Satan ’ s butt plug , is actually candy was yelling “ Who built the cages , Joe ?
” during a segment on migrant children being locked away from their parents .
[ Editor ’ s Note from News Editor Monique Judge : I eat candy corn and I am not a Trump supporter , you rude jerk . ]
But I ’ m jumping the gun a bit and taking the attention off the true winner from last night ’ s debate : NBC White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know it was possible for someone to moderate the shit out of a debate but Kristen Welker moderated the shit out of the debate .
It ’ s the first time that I ’ ve seen President Trump actually STFU and listen , and it was glorious .
She held his feet to the flames and forced him to answer tough questions and even if those answers were bullshit , he had to answer them .
What transpired was actually , dare I say it , a debate .
Two people from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions .
Sure , one of them was completely making shit up and forcing the other side to answer conspiracy theories , but at least it didn ’ t go off the rails ; and for an administration that prides itself on alternative facts and completely made up bullshit , that ’ s saying a lot .
At one point , President Trump actually praised Welker , whom he ’ d been bashing all week : “ So far , I respect very much the way you ’ re handling this , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t show Welker ’ s face , I assume it looked a lot like this : If you are still undecided and this debate was what you needed to help you make your decision , then I have two thoughts on that matter .
One , you are racist .
And two , you are totally fucking racist .
Even considering voting for Trump makes you racist .
Possibly supporting racism makes you racist .
Pondering between racism and raised taxes makes you a racist you fucking racist .
And nothing spectacular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been watching .
Biden didn ’ t threaten to take Trump outside for a round of fisticuffs , which is a win for him , and Trump continued to push deep state conspiracy theories , which is a win for him .
Both appealed to the sides they support ; Biden appealing to reason and Trump appealing to white men in isolated trailers wearing tinfoil underpants .
In short , everyone held serve but if you ’ re looking for a winner , there was only one clear person who owned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once again that when America wants something done right— when America needs saving ; when America can ’ t get one grown-ass man to act like an adult , they call on a Black woman .

It only took one practice run, a positive coronavirus diagnosis, the refusal to have a virtual debate, a B lack female moderator, and the threat of a mute button to finally have a civilized and adult presidential debate.
And by adult, I mean that the president of people who believe that he is the least racist person he knows didn’t keep interrupting former V ice P resident Joe Biden, but that didn’t stop him from pushing some of the wildest conspiracy theories known to QAnon. At one point, the president of people who believe that candy corn, aka Satan’s butt plug, is actually candy was yelling “Who built the cages, Joe?” during a segment on migrant children being locked away from their parents.
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[Editor’s Note from News Editor Monique Judge: I eat candy corn and I am not a Trump supporter, you rude jerk. ]
But I’m jumping the gun a bit and taking the attention off the true winner from last night’s debate: NBC White House correspondent Kristen Welker. I didn’t know it was possible for someone to moderate the shit out of a debate but Kristen Welker moderated the shit out of the debate. It’s the first time that I’ve seen President Trump actually STFU and listen, and it was glorious. She held his feet to the flames and forced him to answer tough questions and even if those answers were bullshit, he had to answer them.
Talking Race at the Second Presidential Debate
What transpired was actually, dare I say it, a debate. Two people from opposing sides with opposing views argued their positions. Sure, one of them was completely making shit up and forcing the other side to answer conspiracy theories, but at least it didn’t go off the rails; and for an administration that prides itself on alternative facts and completely made up bullshit, that’s saying a lot.
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At one point, President Trump actually praised Welker, whom he’d been bashing all week:
“So far, I respect very much the way you’re handling this,” Trump said, and while they didn’t show Welker’s face, I assume it looked a lot like this:
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If you are still undecided and this debate was what you needed to help you make your decision, then I have two thoughts on that matter. One, you are racist. And two, you are totally fucking racist. Even considering voting for Trump makes you racist. Possibly supporting racism makes you racist. Pondering between racism and raised taxes makes you a racist you fucking racist. And nothing spectacular happened in this debate if you’ve been watching. Biden didn’t threaten to take Trump outside for a round of fisticuffs, which is a win for him, and Trump continued to push deep state conspiracy theories, which is a win for him. Both appealed to the sides they support; Biden appealing to reason and Trump appealing to white men in isolated trailers wearing tinfoil underpants. In short, everyone held serve but if you’re looking for a winner, there was only one clear person who owned that debate and that was Welker.
Proving once again that when America wants something done right— when America needs saving; when America can’t get one grown-ass man to act like an adult, they call on a Black woman.


theroot--2020-10-23--More Than 'the New Black': These Fashion Industry Veterans Are Building Coalitions to Sustain Black

More Than 'the New Black': These Fashion Industry Veterans Are Building Coalitions to Sustain Black Talent

If you thought the recent surge in support for Black talent in the fashion industry was a result of the black boxes that peppered our timelines in June as part of # BlackoutTuesday , you obviously haven ’ t been paying attention .
The hashtag may have been trending , but the tidal wave of social responsibility and largely performative proclamations presented a rare opportunity to the multiple influencers and fashion activists who had been doing the work to diversify the industry—from runway to retail to the corporate ranks .
Take , for instance , veteran model , agent and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been at the forefront of fashion ’ s diversity and inclusion movement since well before Lindsay Peoples Wagner , then fashion editor of The Cut , interviewed 100 insiders in 2018—including Hardison—to tell us “ what it ’ s really like to be Black and work in fashion.
” Hardison ’ s ongoing project , The Designers Hub , is a mentoring initiative founded with support from the Council of Fashion Designers of America ( CFDA ) , “ to help Black designers and Black-owned fashion brands and businesses , and provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ My objective is to make businesses stronger—young brands , young Black brands specifically , ” Hardison told Women ’ s Wear Daily ( WWD ) in August .
“ The reason I had to go down that road was I got tired of people saying to me , ‘ Where ’ s the Black designer ?
’ I used to say all the time , ‘ They ’ re around.
’ It ’ s just not that everybody is going to be Virgil Abloh ...
But that doesn ’ t mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and doing business.
” Though the rest of the world may seemingly just be catching on to racism—and the deep marginalization which has long been a tenet of the fashion industry , Hardison isn ’ t riding the trend on inclusion .
In fact , she helped set it , previously lobbying for inclusion on the catwalk alongside supermodels Iman and Naomi Campbell , and more recently , as a member of Gucci ’ s Changemakers Council .
Recognizing the dearth of support and mentorship for Black designers in fashion , she launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an extension of the work she ’ d already been doing .
“ This has not been motivated by what ’ s come upon everybody right now .
This is something that was just necessary to do .
You could see it .
I did , ” she explained WWD .
“ I just do the work .
I ’ ve just been busy doing the work .
I didn ’ t even give it a name until a couple of weeks ago.
” According to WWD , as of August , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were among the hub ’ s advisers , while 25 to 30 designers were participating , including Romeo Hunte ; Studio One Eighty-Nine co-founder Abrima Erwiah ; CFDA 2020 Emerging Designer Christopher John Rogers ; Fe Noel ; menswear designer Kenneth Nicholson ; Sergio Hudson , and Sukeina ’ s Omar Salam .
This week , Hardison and the CFDA , currently chaired by legendary designer Tom Ford , announced another major triumph in the elevation of Black talent in fashion : 10 recipients have been granted funding from the Designers Hub grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vogue ’ s A Common Thread fund and supported by Tom Ford International to aid fashion companies whose businesses are impacted by COVID-19 ’ s economic fallout , ” according to a release provided to The Glow Up .
“ I am very proud of the conscious support from Tom Ford and the CFDA via A Common Thread .
In the spirit of giving , this grant has made a great impact .
Mostly because it was a magnificent surprise , ” said Hardison in a statement .
“ It moved me greatly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Steven and the CFDA ... to give his donation to help our designers that hadn ’ t received and hadn ’ t qualified or applied to receive funding.
” The 10 inaugural Designers Hub grant recipients are Aisha McShaw ; House of Aama ’ s Akua Shabaka ; Ashya designers Ashley Cimone and Moya Annece ; Azède designer Azède Jean-Pierre ; menswear designer Jamall Osterholm ; Kristin and Kofi Essel of Third Crown ; Oak & Acorn designer Miko Underwood ; accessories designer Sade Mims of Edas ; nude shoe aficionado Salone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Campbell .
“ I have enormous respect for Bethann and her important work to bring diversity and equity to fashion , ” said Ford .
“ As both an American designer and Chairman of the CFDA , I am happy that we are able to support the Designers Hub and help Black talents build their businesses , make their voices heard , and leave their mark on the industry.
” Designer , adviser and longtime CFDA member Robinson , who has had more than 25 years of experience and pivotal roles leading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klein , Perry Ellis , Paco Rabanne and Gap , expressed to WWD the cautious optimism many are feeling about this sudden surge of support .
“ Everyone is right now pushing a Black agenda , putting a Black model on the cover , promoting a Black photographer—or a Black anyone .
That needs to be sustainable , ” he stressed .
“ People like Bethann are going to make sure that people are held accountable—that you can ’ t just show it this month and then September and October come and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old practices .
I have a lot of faith in Bethann to lead the call .
She has a very big voice that carries and people listen .
But I don ’ t think we ’ ve walked down the path far enough .
I ’ m 100 percent sure that we ’ re not there yet .
We have a lot of work to do .
A lot.
” The effort will likely also require a multipronged approach ; joining the Designers Hub are several other Black-led industry initiatives more recently launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t solely performative in addressing what insiders know has been a longstanding race issue .
While readily absorbing Black culture , aesthetics and influence , the industry has rarely taken on the “ burden ” of diversifying its ranks to reflect the influence it so readily appropriates ; however , the convergence of a renewed anti-racism movement with the devastating impact of COVID-19 upon Black communities and businesses , in particular , has demanded not just conversation , but decisive action .
“ This is their livelihood .
This person has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the child .
This person has a team and that business takes care of the team , ” Harlem ’ s Fashion Row founder Brandice Daniel recently told The Glow Up.
” No one understand this better than those who have fought to establish and sustain themselves in an industry that can be less than accommodating to talent of color .
Among the newly formed insider-led initiatives , organizations and coalitions are : • The , launched by Brother Vellies creative director Aurora James to compel retailers to commit a minimum of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black-owned businesses and already put into practice by Sephora , Rent the Runway , and more ; • The ( BIFC ) , launched by fashion PR exec Sandrine Charles and Peoples Wagner , now editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue , to increase diversity at the corporate level • , named for famed designer Patrick Kelly and launched with an open letter to the CFDA signed by more than 250 Black fashion professionals .
Dedicated to “ forging equitable inroads for Black fashion talent , ” it has already launched an for Black fashion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Victor Glemaud and described by as “ a networking concept for Black designers and creatives around the world.
” Its mission statement reads “ Our collective mission is to unify and to build solidarity and economic independence for Black individuals in the global fashion industry.
” And then , there is the CFDA itself , which created its own separate Black advisory board in September , headed by new CFDA president CaSandra Diggs , who announced , “ We are bringing together an impressive group of esteemed industry colleagues to collectively help us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equity , and inclusion in fashion , ” according to a release provided to The Glow Up .
Tracy Reese is also involved with this initiative , serving as vice chairwoman of the group , which also includes Harper ’ s Bazaar Editor-in-Chief Samira Nasr , Netflix ’ s Bozoma Saint John , Fashion Tech Connects ’ s Stacie Henderson , and CFDA member Martin Cooper .
Addressing the sudden groundswell of support for Black creatives , Reese , who launched her eponymous label in 1998 , said in a statement : Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this isn ’ t about jumping on the bandwagon .
It ’ s about really addressing our industry very thoughtfully and also addressing the CFDA as an organization , because most people perceive the CFDA as a governing body of our industry .
It ’ s not really that , but there ’ s definitely that perception .
We don ’ t have the authority to tell any business what it must do .
We can suggest , and we can lead by example .
For me , that ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the root and with our own foundation .
That ’ s why we ’ ve been taking very thoughtful steps to reach this point .
We also want to be working alongside a lot of these other organizations that have been formed .
We don ’ t want to be in competition at all .
BIFC ’ s Charles agrees .
“ There ’ s only so much we can do in terms of canceling brands over and over again , and then if we do continue to cancel them over and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opportunity for them to do the right thing .
We want to be a network for brands and companies , ” she told Bazaar in late September .
“ The short-term goal really is to create this industry standard ... We wanted to ensure that this was an opportunity for brands to step up and work alongside us.
” Since launching , BIFC has already entered three-year contractual agreements with over 100 companies , including Calvin Klein , the Gap , Glossier , L ’ Oréal , Tiffany & Co. , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the collective impact of interwoven imperatives working in tandem , telling Bazaar : “ Each organization has its own niche and strengths , and I think we can work in support of each other .
We are working a bit with Black in Fashion Council ( BIFC ) , and there are CFDA members that are part of other groups .
I think that each group has the potential to have a great impact , and together , I ’ m hoping three years down the road , five years down the road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measurable difference .
”

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

If you thought the recent surge in support for Black talent in the fashion industry was a result of the black boxes that peppered our timelines as part of #BlackoutTuesday in June, you haven’t been paying attention. The hashtag may have been trending, but the tidal wave of social responsibility and largely performative proclamations presented a rare opportunity to the multiple influencers, insiders and activists who had long since been doing the work to diversify the industry—from runway to retail to the corporate ranks.
Take, for instance, industry icon Bethann Hardison. The veteran model, agent, and adviser has been at the forefront of fashion’s diversity and inclusion movement since well before Lindsay Peoples Wagner, then fashion editor of The Cut, interviewed 100 insiders—including Hardison— in 2018 to tell us “what it’s really like to be Black and work in fashion.” Harnessing the wisdom and alliances garnered from decades spent in the industry, Hardison launched The Designers Hub, a mentoring initiative founded with support from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) “to help Black designers and Black-owned fashion brands and businesses, and provide them with guidance and opportunities to grow.”
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“My objective is to make businesses stronger—young brands, young Black brands specifically,” Hardison told Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) in August. “The reason I had to go down that road was I got tired of people saying to me, ‘Where’s the Black designer?’ I used to say all the time, ‘They’re around.’ It’s just not that everybody is going to be Virgil Abloh...But that doesn’t mean that people aren’t in business and doing business.”
Though much of the world seems to just be catching on to systemic racism—which has long manifested as marginalization, appropriation and tokenism in the fashion industry—Hardison isn’t riding the current trend of inclusion. In fact, she helped set it: for years, she’s lobbied for inclusion on the catwalk alongside supermodels Iman and Naomi Campbell, and more recently, she became a member of Gucci’s Changemakers Council. Recognizing the need for more support and mentorship of Black designers in fashion, Hardison launched the Designers Hub approximately two years ago as a further extension of that work.
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“This has not been motivated by what’s come upon everybody right now. This is something that was just necessary to do. You could see it. I did,” she explained WWD. “I just do the work. I’ve just been busy doing the work. I didn’t even give it a name until a couple of weeks ago.”
According to WWD, as of August, veteran designers Patrick Robinson and Tracy Reese were among the Hub’s advisers, while 25 to 30 designers were participating, including Romeo Hunte; Studio One Eighty-Nine co-founder Abrima Erwiah; CFDA 2020 Emerging Designer Christopher John Rogers; Fe Noel; menswear designer Kenneth Nicholson; Sergio Hudson, and Sukeina’s Omar Salam.
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This week, Hardison and the CFDA, currently chaired by legendary designer Tom Ford, announced another major triumph in the elevation of Black talent in fashion: 10 recipients have been granted funding from the Designers Hub grant, “made possible by CFDA and Vogue’s A Common Thread fund and supported by Tom Ford International to aid fashion companies whose businesses are impacted by COVID-19’s economic fallout,” according to a release provided to The Glow Up.
“I am very proud of the conscious support from Tom Ford and the CFDA via A Common Thread. In the spirit of giving, this grant has made a great impact. Mostly because it was a magnificent surprise,” said Hardison in a statement. “It moved me greatly when I saw the email from Tom to Steven and the CFDA...to give his donation to help our designers that hadn’t received and hadn’t qualified or applied to receive funding.”
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The 10 inaugural Designers Hub grant recipients are Aisha McShaw; House of Aama’s Akua Shabaka; Ashya designers Ashley Cimone and Moya Annece; Azède designer Azède Jean-Pierre; menswear designer Jamall Osterholm; Kristin and Kofi Essel of Third Crown; Oak & Acorn designer Miko Underwood; accessories designer Sade Mims of Edas; nude shoe aficionado Salone Monet and Bed on Water designer Shanel Campbell.
“I have enormous respect for Bethann and her important work to bring diversity and equity to fashion,” said Ford. “As both an American designer and Chairman of the CFDA, I am happy that we are able to support the Designers Hub and help Black talents build their businesses, make their voices heard, and leave their mark on the industry.”
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Designer, adviser, and longtime CFDA member Robinson, who has had more than 25 years of experience and pivotal roles leading the design studios at Giorgio Armani, Anne Klein, Perry Ellis, Paco Rabanne, and Gap, shared understandably cautious optimism about the sudden surge of support from the industry at large.
“Everyone is right now pushing a Black agenda, putting a Black model on the cover, promoting a Black photographer—or a Black anyone. That needs to be sustainable,” he told WWD. “People like Bethann are going to make sure that people are held accountable—that you can’t just show it this month and then September and October come and you go back to your old policies and old practices. I have a lot of faith in Bethann to lead the call. She has a very big voice that carries and people listen. But I don’t think we’ve walked down the path far enough. I’m 100 percent sure that we’re not there yet. We have a lot of work to do. A lot.”
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The effort will likely also require a multipronged approach. Joining the Designers Hub are several other Black-led industry initiatives launched within the past few month, each working from a different angle to ensure the industry’s promises to address its “race problem” aren’t solely performative . While readily absorbing Black culture and aesthetics , the industry has rarely taken on the “burden” of diversifying its ranks to reflect the influence it so readily appropriates. H owever, the convergence of a renewed anti-racism movement with the devastating impact of COVID-19 upon Black communities and businesses, in particular, has created a rare moment in which not only conversation is demanded , but decisive action.
“This is their livelihood. This person has a child and their business takes care of the child; t his person has a team and that business takes care of the team,” Harlem’s Fashion Row founder Brandice Daniel recently told The Glow Up.”
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No one understands this better than those who have fought to establish and sustain themselves in an industry that can be less than accommodating to creatives of color. In addition to Hardison’s Hub, the newly formed insider-led initiatives, organizations and coalitions include :
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And then, there is the CFDA itself, which created its own separate Black advisory board in September, headed by new CFDA president CaSandra Diggs, who announced, “We are bringing together an impressive group of esteemed industry colleagues to collectively help us build a framework for increased diversity, equity, and inclusion in fashion,” according to a release provided to The Glow Up. Tracy Reese is also involved with this initiative, serving as vice chairwoman of the group, which also includes Harper’s Bazaar Editor-in-Chief Samira Nasr, Netflix’s Bozoma Saint John, Fashion Tech Connects’s Stacie Henderson, and CFDA member Martin Cooper.
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Addressing the sudden groundswell of support for Black creatives, Reese, who launched her eponymous label in 1998, said in a statement:
Both CaSandra and I are of the mind that this isn’t about jumping on the bandwagon. It’s about really addressing our industry very thoughtfully and also addressing the CFDA as an organization, because most people perceive the CFDA as a governing body of our industry. It’s not really that, but there’s definitely that perception. We don’t have the authority to tell any business what it must do. We can suggest, and we can lead by example. For me, that’s the biggest part of it. We start at the root and with our own foundation. That’s why we’ve been taking very thoughtful steps to reach this point. We also want to be working alongside a lot of these other organizations that have been formed. We don’t want to be in competition at all.
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BIFC’s Charles agrees. “There’s only so much we can do in terms of canceling brands over and over again, and then if we do continue to cancel them over and over again, we are not proposing an opportunity for them to do the right thing. We want to be a network for brands and companies,” she told Bazaar in late September. “The short-term goal really is to create this industry standard ... We wanted to ensure that this was an opportunity for brands to step up and work alongside us.” Since launching, BIFC has already entered three-year contractual agreements with over 100 companies, including Calvin Klein, the Gap, Glossier, L’Oréal, Tiffany & Co., and The RealReal.
Reese, who, in addition to working with Hardison and other CFDA members and also forming an alliance with BIFC), is optimistic about the collective impact of so many interwoven imperatives working in tandem, telling Bazaar: “Each organization has its own niche and strengths, and I think we can work in support of each other... I think that each group has the potential to have a great impact, and together, I’m hoping three years down the road, five years down the road, we can start to see a measurable difference.”


theroot--2020-10-23--The Root's Clapback Mailbag: Scotts and Prayers

Every week , I come on here to complain about the haters .
But as Maya Angelou once said : “ Every day , I thank God for indoor plumbing , toilet paper and haters .
Because , without them , I ’ d have nothing to shit on.
” Or maybe it was Will Smith .
Although the visualization of that quote might make your mouth salty , we should all be thankful for the people who spend so much of their lives thinking about us .
When anyone sets aside some valuable time to send me an email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lets me know that I have fulfilled their purpose by impacting their way of thinking .
Wait ... Maybe that quote is from the Bible .
I know I read it in a Facebook meme .
M y grandmother always said : “ If the Devil is trying to stop you , keep going .
It means you ’ re doing the right thing.
” Anyway , it ’ s nice to feel love and appreciated .
Case in point : The National Review ’ s c ut- and- paster Isaac Schorr actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at him : For The Root , Michael Harriot responds to my post from earlier this week about Elie Mystal ’ s attacks on Amy Coney Barrett and her family : [ Schorr followed with four paragraphs from the article I wrote . ]
There ’ s a lot to unpack here , but if you don ’ t immediately recognize this screed for the hateful rubbish it so obviously is , there ’ s nothing I could say to convince you .
All you can do for someone as far gone as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d ask you all to do so .
First , I would like to thank you for your prayers .
When I started receiving prayer notifications out of the blue , I had no idea what was going on .
But after I realized that it was your doing , I was extremely pleased to discover that the readers of The National Review think so highly of me .
However , there is one thing I would like to clear up with Schorr ’ s fans : Maybe it ’ s because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I guess we all look alike ) but it seems as if many of your readers assumed that I am the invisible , abortion-hater in the sky because , instead of sending their prayers to God , I received emails like this one : Anyway , after receiving these letters , I actually set up a Zoom meeting with God ( he had one scheduled with Jeffrey Toobin , but Toobin said he was “ beat ” ) .
During our meeting , I read the emails to him and pitched an idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Almighty Savior Scott and Latter-Day Wypipo .
Like most conservative Christian religions , the goal of the A.S.S .
Wypes is to get to white heaven , where the streets are paved with gold stolen from the empires ransacked spreading the knowledge of the true and living God ( we call him Scott , which is a nice , generic white-sounding name ) .
I would start by explaining that Scott appeared to me and ask me to ghostwrite a book that laid out the ten most important tenets of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no other Gods before me .
Fuck all them other gods .
Other monotheistic religions believe in this flawed notion that they can live in harmony with people who believe in other Scotts .
We don ’ t play that bullshit here .
If you don ’ t believe in a deity who resembles Kris Kristofferson , Kenny Rogers , or the bearded members of ZZ Top , then you have no idea that Scott is good all the time and all the time ... • Thou shalt not make any graven images @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dies , you can wear the symbol of whatever killed him around your neck .
We call it an ASScott • Thou shalt not call Scott ’ s name in vain : Not even his street name , S. Diddy .
Don ’ t make him slap the Scott out of you .
• Remember the vagina and keep it holy : All religions are essentially groups of bearded men who decide what women can do with their innards .
So no abortions , masturbation or promiscuity .
Good , virtuous women like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only have sex in the missionary position ( Except on Valentine ’ s Day , because everyone knows that ’ s when you can do mouth stuff ) while thinking about casseroles and Bible Study .
Men get to fuck whoever they want because Scott loves the ladies .
• Thou shalt not kill : Unless it ’ s people who don ’ t believe in Scott Almighty , in which case , fuck them ( see the first commandment ) .
Killing is also OK as punishment for killers , because , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing each other if you don ’ t kill people ?
War is OK , too .
Or if you fear for your life .
Or if you wear any kind of badge .
Or if you don ’ t wear a badge but the president sent you to .
Or if you don ’ t feel like wearing a mask .
Or you hate Skittles .
Otherwise , respect life .
• Thou shalt not steal : Unless it ’ s land where Native Americans live .
Or you don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are nominated for a Supreme Court vacancy , oppose a woman ’ s right to do something with her body that doesn ’ t affect you whatsoever , or you want to stop a Black person from voting ... or living .
• Thou shalt not commit adultery : Adulting is hard ( I haven ’ t looked up “ adultery ” yet but I ’ m sure it has something to do with being a grown-ass man ) .
We stand for family values and two-parent homes .
Unless you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their parents .
Porn stars don ’ t count .
• Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor : If you ’ re at a S enate confirmation hearing , you can lie your ass off because you ’ re not your neighbor .
See ?
Anything can be the truth if you believe in yourself .
• Honor your mother and father : For instance , if your father was , honor that legacy by being even more racist .
Make sure your children honor you by acting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Tiffany .
Or you bought your children at a discount from Haiti , in which case , you can love them while destroying people who look like them .
• Thou shalt not covet : Just take it .
That ’ s what Scott would want .
God liked the idea but said I needed a way to convince people to give Scott money without having any evidence of his existence .
He also asked how I would handle people who violated my Caucasian commandments .
He suggested smiting or eternal damnation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harsh .
“ What if I just forgave the people who break the rules ?
” I asked .
“ Or even better , what if — instead of a list of rules , I just told them to be good people ?
” “ Too simple , ” he replied .
“ Who ’ d ever believe in something like that ?
I also received this DM about our election series : And this , from someone who apparently found me on Facebook to comment on a photo that had nothing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my white Facebook friends ( Told you I have white friends ) replied : “ Paul , what in the neck beard , burnt coffee , cigarette toothed , ayn rand body pillow , basement dwelling , cheez it gripping fuck is wrong with you ?
” to which Paul replied .
Hey , I resemble that remark !
But still , no amount of ad hominem will alter Harriot ’ s fate , and the fate of his partners-in-treason .
Cube ’ s defection today , and the unfolding ramifications the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1619 Project of overthrowing America .
Make way for the 1620 Project , i.e.
, the year Pilgrims and Strangers signed the Mayflower Compact in beautiful Provincetown , i.e.
, the birth of American democracy .
You may ask me if I ’ m happy , well , as matter of fact , I ’ m ecstatic , because Cube and Trump just made a pact themselves .
Platinum Plan , meet the Contract for Black America .
The traitors LOSE .
America , and particularly the black Americans that would ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his Root cronies who serve the interests of devilish transnational control freaks in Belgium and China ... all the halfway normal people of the world ... WE WIN .
Eat shit .
Thank you so much for seeking me out to let me know how much my work affects you .
I can understand why you seem so mad at me .
See , I know the secret plan that white people have been working on since 1609 : This country was never meant to be a d emocracy or a r @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a bastion of whiteness .
White supremacy was always the goal and history proves that the people who call themselves “ patriots ” were just trying to prevent their beloved nation from becoming a country that offers liberty and justice for all .
For instance , when the great Founding Slaveowners wrote the Constitution , they were trying to limit freedom .
For the life of me , I can ’ t understand why white people believe the American Revolution had something to do with tea or “ taxation without representation ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Black people , Native Americans and people who didn ’ t own land—couldn ’ t participate in this great experiment at its inception .
America came up with the idea of income taxes because Great Britain only exercised taxes on imports and business owners .
We started the taxation without representation shit .
The traitors who fought on the Southern side of the Civil War wanted to limit d emocracy .
Reconstruction , the most violent era in American history , was a terrorist plot to stop Black people from voting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ race massacres , ” history books still refer to them as “ riots ” because ... y ou know how white people hate violence .
Reconstruction ended when Southern whites agreed to stop killing people in exchange for subverting the election of 1876 and the government ’ s promise to build railroads and factories in the South as an economic stimulus .
I know my explanation is a little clunky .
If only there was a word that sums it this political theory .
Then came Jim Crow , which was the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Tears .
But when white people slaughtered Black people in the Red Summer of 1919 , they called them “ race riots ” again .
Oh , yeah , the Trail of Tears was anti-Democratic .
But to be fair , everything this country did to the I ndigenous people was about keeping the true Americans from being part of America .
During the c ivil r ights movement , white people lobbed claims of communism at Martin Luther King Jr. and anyone who dared try to assert their rights as Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful demonstrators were “ riots.
” Look , bruh , I know you have probably studied a whitewashed form of history that makes you believe that Jesus wrote the Constitution , flags are sacred and America is a democracy but , because I know a little bit about history , there are three things about which a white person can never ever lecture me about : But thanks for letting me know I ’ m doing something right .
By the way , have you heard the good news about Scott ?

Every week, I come on here to complain about the haters. But as Maya Angelou once said: “Every day, I thank God for indoor plumbing, toilet paper and haters. Because, without them, I’d have nothing to shit on.”
Or maybe it was Will Smith.
Although the visualization of that quote might make your mouth salty, we should all be thankful for the people who spend so much of their lives thinking about us. When anyone sets aside some valuable time to send me an email, tweet or a DM, it lets me know that I have fulfilled their purpose by impacting their way of thinking.
Advertisement
Wait...Maybe that quote is from the Bible. I know I read it in a Facebook meme.
M y grandmother always said: “If the Devil is trying to stop you, keep going. It means you’re doing the right thing.”
Advertisement Advertisement
Anyway, it’s nice to feel love and appreciated.
Case in point: The National Review’s writer c ut- and- paster Isaac Schorr actually clapped back at me for clapping back at him:
Pray for Michael Harriot | National Review All you can do for someone as far gone as Michael Harriot is pray, so I’d ask you all to do so. Read more
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Here is Schorr’s article.
For The Root, Michael Harriot responds to my post from earlier this week about Elie Mystal’s attacks on Amy Coney Barrett and her family: [Schorr followed with four paragraphs from the article I wrote.] There’s a lot to unpack here, but if you don’t immediately recognize this screed for the hateful rubbish it so obviously is, there’s nothing I could say to convince you. All you can do for someone as far gone as Michael Harriot is pray, so I’d ask you all to do so.
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That’s it. That’s the entire article.
Dear Isaac,
First, I would like to thank you for your prayers. When I started receiving prayer notifications out of the blue, I had no idea what was going on. But after I realized that it was your doing, I was extremely pleased to discover that the readers of The National Review think so highly of me. However, there is one thing I would like to clear up with Schorr’s fans:
I am not God.
Maybe it’s because God and I are both Black (I guess we all look alike) but it seems as if many of your readers assumed that I am the invisible, abortion-hater in the sky because, instead of sending their prayers to God, I received emails like this one:
From: James
To: Michael Harriot
Subject: Hell It’s nice to know where you’ll be spending eternity so I can make sure I don’t end up there. It’s one thing to attack a woman on her politics but mentioning her “panties” and her hair was out of bounds. Godless liberals like you are making it easy for conservative cause because you hate Christians and all we stand for. I hope your proud of yourselve.
Or this:
From: Shar
To: Michael Harriot Amy Coney Barrett is twice the Christian you’ll ever be. May God have mercy on your soul.
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Anyway, after receiving these letters, I actually set up a Zoom meeting with God (he had one scheduled with Jeffrey Toobin, but Toobin said he was “beat”). During our meeting, I read the emails to him and pitched an idea for a new religion called The Church of the Almighty Savior Scott and Latter-Day Wypipo.
Like most conservative Christian religions, the goal of the A.S.S. Wypes is to get to white heaven, where the streets are paved with gold stolen from the empires ransacked spreading the knowledge of the true and living God (we call him Scott, which is a nice, generic white-sounding name).
Advertisement
I would start by explaining that Scott appeared to me and ask me to ghostwrite a book that laid out the ten most important tenets of the Scottist Church:
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me. Fuck all them other gods. Other monotheistic religions believe in this flawed notion that they can live in harmony with people who believe in other Scotts. We don’t play that bullshit here. If you don’t believe in a deity who resembles Kris Kristofferson, Kenny Rogers, or the bearded members of ZZ Top , then you have no idea that Scott is good all the time and all the time... Thou shalt not make any graven images: But if the Son of Scott dies, you can wear the symbol of whatever killed him around your neck. We call it an ASScott Thou shalt not call Scott’s name in vain: Not even his street name, S. Diddy. Don’t make him slap the Scott out of you.
Remember the vagina and keep it holy: All religions are essentially groups of bearded men who decide what women can do with their innards. So no abortions, masturbation or promiscuity. Good, virtuous women like Amy Coney Barrett understand that respectful women only have sex in the missionary position (Except on Valentine’s Day, because everyone knows that’s when you can do mouth stuff) while thinking about casseroles and Bible Study. Men get to fuck whoever they want because Scott loves the ladies. Thou shalt not kill: Unless it’s people who don’t believe in Scott Almighty, in which case, fuck them (see the first commandment). Killing is also OK as punishment for killers, because, how else would you stop people from killing each other if you don’t kill people? War is OK , too. Or if you fear for your life. Or if you wear any kind of badge. Or if you don’t wear a badge but the president sent you to stop a protest Thou shalt not steal: Unless it’s land where Native Americans live. Or you don’t like paying all those taxes, or are nominated for a Supreme Court vacancy, oppose a woman’s right to do something with her body that doesn’t affect you whatsoever, or you want to stop a Black person from voting... or living. Thou shalt not commit adultery: Adulting is hard (I haven’t looked up “adultery” yet but I’m sure it has something to do with being a grown-ass man). We stand for family values and two-parent homes. Unless you’re a Mexican child who was stripped away from their parents. Porn stars don’t count. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor: If you’re at a S enate confirmation hearing, you can lie your ass off because you’re not your neighbor. See? Anything can be the truth if you believe in yourself. Honor your mother and father: For instance, if your father was arrested at a Klan rally Thou shalt not covet: Just take it. That’s what Scott would want.
God liked the idea but said I needed a way to convince people to give Scott money without having any evidence of his existence. He also asked how I would handle people who violated my Caucasian commandments. He suggested smiting or eternal damnation but I thought that was a little harsh.
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“What if I just forgave the people who break the rules?” I asked. “Or even better, what if — instead of a list of rules, I just told them to be good people?”
“Too simple,” he replied. “Who’d ever believe in something like that?
“Got any kids?”
Scottdamn him.
I also received this DM about our election series:
From: Bo To: Michael Harriot Your Root blog is a joke Funny how you think Republicans will start election violence when its leftists like BLM who are burning cities and looting stores. You’re 13 percent of the population and 50 percent of crime but always say whites are violent. Have you ever thought about why that is? America is the only place you can have true freedom and we will fight Commie twats like you who want to destroy our democracy
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And this, from someone who apparently found me on Facebook to comment on a photo that had nothing to do with anything political:
From: Paul To: Michael Harriot You’ll never forget today, either, 10/14/2020, the day Ice Cube ditched traitors like you and your grim fate as a communist sellout was SEALED. Bon voyage, Mike!
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One of my white Facebook friends (Told you I have white friends) replied: “Paul, what in the neck beard, burnt coffee, cigarette toothed, ayn rand body pillow, basement dwelling, cheez it gripping fuck is wrong with you?” to which Paul replied.
From: Paul
To: Michael Harriot Hey, I resemble that remark! But still, no amount of ad hominem will alter Harriot’s fate, and the fate of his partners-in-treason. Cube’s defection today, and the unfolding ramifications the next couple of weeks, has doomed the 1619 Project of overthrowing America. Make way for the 1620 Project, i.e., the year Pilgrims and Strangers signed the Mayflower Compact in beautiful Provincetown, i.e., the birth of American democracy. You may ask me if I’m happy, well, as matter of fact, I’m ecstatic, because Cube and Trump just made a pact themselves. Platinum Plan, meet the Contract for Black America. The traitors LOSE. America, and particularly the black Americans that would’ve been sold down the river by Harriot and his Root cronies who serve the interests of devilish transnational control freaks in Belgium and China...all the halfway normal people of the world...WE WIN. Eat shit.
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Dear Paul and Bo:
Thank you so much for seeking me out to let me know how much my work affects you. I can understand why you seem so mad at me. See, I know the secret plan that white people have been working on since 1609:
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Don’t let America become a d emocracy.
This country was never meant to be a d emocracy or a r epublic. It was always meant to be a bastion of whiteness. White supremacy was always the goal and history proves that the people who call themselves “patriots” were just trying to prevent their beloved nation from becoming a country that offers liberty and justice for all.
Advertisement
For instance, when the great Founding Slaveowners wrote the Constitution, they were trying to limit freedom. For the life of me, I can’t understand why white people believe the American Revolution had something to do with tea or “taxation without representation” when most of the people in America—women, Black people, Native Americans and people who didn’t own land—couldn’t participate in this great experiment at its inception. America came up with the idea of income taxes because Great Britain only exercised taxes on imports and business owners. We started the taxation without representation shit.
The traitors who fought on the Southern side of the Civil War wanted to limit d emocracy. Reconstruction, the most violent era in American history, was a terrorist plot to stop Black people from voting. But, instead of calling them “race massacres,” history books still refer to them as “riots” because ...y ou know how white people hate violence. Reconstruction ended when Southern whites agreed to stop killing people in exchange for subverting the election of 1876 and the government’s promise to build railroads and factories in the South as an economic stimulus.
Advertisement
I know my explanation is a little clunky. If only there was a word that sums it this political theory.
Advertisement
Then came Jim Crow, which was the most undemocratic, unconstitutional policy since the Trail of Tears. But when white people slaughtered Black people in the Red Summer of 1919, they called them “race riots” again. Oh, yeah, the Trail of Tears was anti-Democratic. But to be fair, everything this country did to the I ndigenous people was about keeping the true Americans from being part of America.
During the c ivil r ights movement, white people lobbed claims of communism at Martin Luther King Jr. and anyone who dared try to assert their rights as Americans. They said sit-ins, marches and peaceful demonstrators were “riots.”
Advertisement
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Look, bruh, I know you have probably studied a whitewashed form of history that makes you believe that Jesus wrote the Constitution, flags are sacred and America is a democracy but, because I know a little bit about history, there are three things about which a white person can never ever lecture me about:
Violence Racism Seasoning
But thanks for letting me know I’m doing something right.
By the way, have you heard the good news about Scott?