theroot--2020-09-15--The Safe Negro Guide to Lovecraft Country: Strange Case

Hey !
Welcome back to another week in Lovecraft Country !
Our fifth week ’ s episode—the first half of our midpoint in the season , and our most extensive analysis to date—was full of interruptions and metamorphoses ( spoilers to follow ) : Ruby was plagued by interruptions , both as a Black woman and a white one ; Tic ’ s progress seems to be constantly interrupted by his father ; and Montrose ’ s whole narrative could be considered “ Man , Interrupted , ” as he is a walking , gaping wound of trauma .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotional , as this was an episode and growth and change for Ruby , Tic , and hopefully Montrose , as well .
Last week , I spoke about Black folks as oppressors , as perpetrators of the historical white settler-colonial project , as seen , in particular , in the actions of Montrose .
At the beginning of this latest episode , we see that there is a distinct divide in the Black community with regard to this issue : Atticus shows us the anger many Black folks feel when our own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tools of white supremacy .
We also see the distinct effects of Montrose ’ s shame associated with his murder of Yahima .
So much of this episode is about the horrors of a lack of imagination .
Montrose is seemingly unable to show protective love toward Tic without enacting violence .
Tic and Leti are unable to imagine a romantic relationship in which they aren ’ t constantly battling each other .
And Ruby is unable to imagine that as a white woman powered with a prodigious education , she could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s saleswoman .
Yet each character uses the interruptions of life to metamorphose into someone with more complexity and in hope of finding peace ; it reminds me of Toni Cade Bambara ’ s words in her novel The Salteaters ( 1980 ) : “ Are you sure , sweetheart , that you want to be well ?
… Just so ’ s you ’ re sure , sweetheart , and ready to be healed , cause wholeness is no trifling matter .
A lot of weight when you ’ re well.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ time with Michigan State University ’ s Kristie Dotson , a Black feminist philosopher and a specialist on black women ’ s epistemic oppression and the epistemic violence inflicted upon us .
Basically , she investigates why folks don ’ t listen to Black women—especially when they know we are right .
Dr. Dotson views the interruptions in this episode as a metaphor for the everyday drumbeat of oppression and the particularly relentless nature of suppression and subordination .
“ You can ’ t actually understand this episode unless you are focusing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And you are thinking about the many layers of who ’ s got whose boot on whose neck—and who owns that boot ?
And it affects white folks , too , ” she adds .
‘ White women in particular.
” As illustrated in Ruby ’ s story arc ( “ somebody/anybody , sing a Black girl ’ s song , ” Ntozake Shange ’ s words implore ) , it ’ s not that Black and white women face the same oppressions but we must acknowledge the overlap of the oppressive structures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gorgeous , and educated but can only seem to find a job as a charwoman or part-time housecleaner , and her side hustle as a blueswoman ain ’ t paying the bills—especially since she keeps cussing out her audience .
( Yelling out “ Well fuck you , too ” on the mic doesn ’ t seem to get folks to open their wallets . )
L. Michael Gipson , a cultural critic , community advocate and creator of the forthcoming Gipson Gazette podcast believes Ruby also interrupts herself : “ She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head in which she is already counting herself out before anyone else can , ” he posits .
“ Racism , sexism , and sizeism [ are ] real .
But she has already made the decision that it won ’ t happen.
” This is clear in Ruby ’ s inability to dream bigger : Is being a Marshall Field ’ s servicewoman really the extent of her liberated fantasy ?
It is actually her new boss , Mr. Hughes , who insists she become the assistant manager , even as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level : “ Maybe I should worry about you taking my job !
” he nervously chuckles .
But even as a white woman , Ruby is repeatedly interrupted : She is whisked back to her “ husband ” William by the cops , who easily accept his male words over her female “ hysteria.
” ( Interruption . )
She has to deal with the catty asides of her fellow white workers , even though they are her subordinates .
( Interruption . )
And then , there is her “ handsy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hug after awarding her the job and drools at the prospect of being her sexual pet .
( Interruption . )
Ruby is perhaps the only one surprised that William is revealed to be Christina by the end of the episode—and it isn ’ t due to a lack of intelligence but a lack of vision , since Christina was BDE personified .
“ Ruby , you trying to be a white lady , ” Dotson argues .
“ Christina is dreaming BIG—she wants to be a white man !
Sky is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go ahead and be this interrupted white woman ; Christina has done that ... Christina is at the rich and powerful white man level—a patriarch !
If you ’ re going to dream white supremacy , dream BIG !
” Ruby ’ s true metamorphosis is not one of the body but one of the self as she gains clarity in the sociological hierarchies that plague our society .
I think it is easy to say Ruby did not want to be Black—but that ignores the nuance packed into this short tale .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ title , “ Strange Case , ” refers not only to the full title of the famed story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde but also acts as a rightful term for the body itself ; how it acts as a “ strange case ” for our very selves .
Ruby is simply trying to negotiate the skin she is in as she recognizes it for the currency it is .
That skin—white or Black—is something in which she could trade and exchange as she clamors for the access to power it offers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her problems , ” says Dotson .
“ But it got more and more complicated when gender got introduced , and then when even brute power [ i.e.
, the tortured guy in Lancaster ’ s closet ] got introduced .
You can ’ t even say white dudes got it better .
I think it shocked her so much and that ’ s why she had that tirade on the floor [ admonishing Tamara ] .
” And this is the genius of Lovecraft Country : you know shit is bad when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a sea of Black folks across the gender and sexuality spectrum are the white man locked in the closet with his tongue cut out and the white male manager with a velvet stiletto stuck in his ass .
This was an episode focused on patriarchy and power : Who is the one able to interrupt as opposed to being interrupted ?
We see this in Tic ’ s harrowing relationship with his father , Montrose .
Montrose continues to interrupt his son ’ s search for mystical answers in the Language of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metastisizing in its violence .
He is horrified when he realizes his father has killed Yahima .
Yes , she was a font of information , but this was also the needless death of one more person of color perpetrated by his father even as Tic is still processing the needless deaths he caused in Korea , fighting another white man ’ s war .
Gipson sees himself in Tic : “ When you are a Black boy who grows up with that kind of father , who has all of that violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ...
Your greatest hope , your greatest fear is that you won ’ t be him , ” he says .
“ You can ’ t grow up with that kind of violence , that kind of figure , and not address that violence in you.
” The interruptions of Montrose breathe life into the violence within Tic and it scares him .
“ Tic brought a tear to my eye when he said , ‘ Please don ’ t be scared of me , ’ ” Gipson continues.
” It was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also the weight of it.
” Tic ’ s metamorphosis is the rejection of his father ’ s violence and the power his father ’ s interruptions hold over him .
In the process , Tic willingly gives up power to Leti , gently breaking down the hierarchies of their romantic relationship and rejecting the poison of patriarchy .
Tic and Leti are fighting ( literally ) to reimagine what healthy Black heterosexual love could look like , creating a dynamic in which power is traded back and forth , privileging balance over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Montrose .
His continuous subjugation to his own trauma is so damn frustrating and presents repeated interruptions to his own possible happiness .
The dude emotionally bleeds over everyone—and frankly , it ’ s tiring .
He hoards what little power he has and lords it over his lover , Sammy , in ways that are , at the very least , emotionally abusive .
Sammy gives up all of his power to Montrose , feeding off of the breadcrumbs of small flashes of tenderness during their otherwise violent sex as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his power and emotionally surrender .
Ultimately , Montrose is literally lifted up as he lays his burdens down .
Unfortunately , I don ’ t trust it .
I would love to be wrong but I see Montrose as past the point of no return , stagnant in his potential for growth and healing .
He literally has nothing and no one left but Sammy—no brother , no son , no wife , no peace—and in my opinion , it ’ s not a fair deal to either of them .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will return again in the morning , as it is impossible for him to stay in the freedom of the ballroom where he can get a taste of being his true self and be at peace with who he is and what he has done .
That moment was fleeting ; so too is his redemption .
And so I return to the genius of Toni Cade Bambara as I revel in the hope and metamorphosis of Ruby and Tic : “ ... got to give it all up , the pain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room for lovely things to rush in and fill you full.
” Glossary : a list of terms and descriptions to help you along your journey into Lovecraft Country .
Locusts - Throughout this episode , locusts are a continuing motif signifying the process of metamorphosis .
A man on television reports a swarm of Kenyan locusts in the scene in which William first frees Ruby from the Hilary body ; later , Sammy says the locust inspired his performance .
Offscreen , there is an actual locust invasion of Kenya happening ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is someone with the ability to change their form through supernatural or scientific means ; a common supernatural trope .
Shapeshifters usually refer to the ability to change into another animal or non-human entity while a changeling often refers to the ability to change from one humanoid being to another .
The mythological changeling is actually one of The Fae .
Soucouyant - a shapeshifting mythological being from Caribbean folklore that can literally shed her skin and take on another spiritual form .
She feeds off of the energy from young babies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lilith .
Cheryl Dunye - the Black woman who directed this episode .
She specializes in creative works that portray dignity and complexity in Black queer folks .
She is best known for her classic film , The Watermelon Woman ( 1996 ) .
Drag Pageantry - the precursor to what is now known as ballroom culture .
The earliest pageant dates back to 1869 in Harlem ’ s Hamilton Lodge , and has been a space of release and liberation for well over a century ; the only space queer men could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performance .
Chicago was one of the lesser-known locations of flourishing ballroom culture and the early stirrings of the queer liberation movement , but Black men remained especially vulnerable , often harassed by the cops and , if you were caught in a raid , local media would notoriously publish your name in the paper , thus ruining your life .
Because of this , Gipson insists we are looking at Montrose and Sammy ’ s 1955 relationship with contemporary eyes : “ Gay Black folks could expect sex and flings .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an actual partner , ” he says , reminding us : “ This was before the Gay rights movement ... relationships were limited and were primarily sexual and/or transactional ... and illegal.
” Pulp Fiction - a subgenre of popular literature that “ refers to a genre of racy , action-based stories published in cheaply printed magazines from around 1900 to the 1950s , mostly in the United States , ” and named for the ragged-edged paper they were printed on , made from wood pulp , according to Dictionary.com , which notes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground for new and exciting genres ; though their heyday has passed , the magazines ’ eye-catching covers and dramatic , fast-paced , and simple stories left a legacy that can be seen in today ’ s movies , TV , books , and comics featuring action heroes and over-the-top villains.
” Recommendations : If your interest is piqued and you would like to take a deeper dive , here are some media suggestions that will help you better understand the Lovecraftian universe and other themes in this episode .
The Silence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Demme The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ( 1886 ) , Robert Louis Stevenson Black No More : Being an Account of the Strange and Wonderful Workings of Science in the Land of the Free , A. D. 1933-1940 ( 1931 ) , George Schuyler For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf ( 1975 ) by Ntozake Shange The Shadow Out of Time ( 1936 ) , H.P .
Lovecraft Skin Shows : Gothic Horror and the Technology of Monsters ( 1995 ) , J.
@ @

Hey! Welcome back to another week in Lovecraft Country! Our fifth week’s episode—the first half of our midpoint in the season, and our most extensive analysis to date—was full of interruptions and metamorphoses (spoilers to follow): Ruby was plagued by interruptions, both as a Black woman and a white one; Tic’s progress seems to be constantly interrupted by his father; and Montrose’s whole narrative could be considered “Man, Interrupted,” as he is a walking, gaping wound of trauma. The theme of metamorphosis was both literal and emotional, as this was an episode and growth and change for Ruby, Tic, and hopefully Montrose, as well.
Last week, I spoke about Black folks as oppressors, as perpetrators of the historical white settler-colonial project, as seen, in particular, in the actions of Montrose. At the beginning of this latest episode, we see that there is a distinct divide in the Black community with regard to this issue: Atticus shows us the anger many Black folks feel when our own people allow themselves to be used as tools of white supremacy. We also see the distinct effects of Montrose’s shame associated with his murder of Yahima.
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“Look at what your father did to protect you.” — Leti to Tic
So much of this episode is about the horrors of a lack of imagination. Montrose is seemingly unable to show protective love toward Tic without enacting violence. Tic and Leti are unable to imagine a romantic relationship in which they aren’t constantly battling each other. And Ruby is unable to imagine that as a white woman powered with a prodigious education, she could be so much more than a Marshall Field’s saleswoman. Yet each character uses the interruptions of life to metamorphose into someone with more complexity and in hope of finding peace; it reminds me of Toni Cade Bambara’s words in her novel The Salteaters (1980):
Advertisement Advertisement
“Are you sure, sweetheart, that you want to be well?… Just so’s you’re sure, sweetheart, and ready to be healed, cause wholeness is no trifling matter. A lot of weight when you’re well.”
This week, I spent some time with Michigan State University’s Kristie Dotson, a Black feminist philosopher and a specialist on black women’s epistemic oppression and the epistemic violence inflicted upon us. Basically, she investigates why folks don’t listen to Black women—especially when they know we are right. Dr. Dotson views the interruptions in this episode as a metaphor for the everyday drumbeat of oppression and the particularly relentless nature of suppression and subordination.
Advertisement
“You can’t actually understand this episode unless you are focusing on hierarchies,” she insists. “And you are thinking about the many layers of who’s got whose boot on whose neck—and who owns that boot? And it affects white folks, too,” she adds. ‘White women in particular.”
“Who are you really, uninterrupted?” — Christina to Ruby
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As illustrated in Ruby’s story arc (“somebody/anybody, sing a Black girl’s song,” Ntozake Shange’s words implore), it’s not that Black and white women face the same oppressions but we must acknowledge the overlap of the oppressive structures they operate within. Ruby is young, gorgeous, and educated but can only seem to find a job as a charwoman or part-time housecleaner, and her side hustle as a blueswoman ain’t paying the bills—especially since she keeps cussing out her audience. (Yelling out “Well fuck you, too” on the mic doesn’t seem to get folks to open their wallets.) L. Michael Gipson, a cultural critic, community advocate and creator of the forthcoming Gipson Gazette podcast believes Ruby also interrupts herself:
“She [has] this narrative in her head in which she is already counting herself out before anyone else can,” he posits. “Racism, sexism, and sizeism [are] real. But she has already made the decision that it won’t happen.”
Advertisement
This is clear in Ruby’s inability to dream bigger: Is being a Marshall Field’s servicewoman really the extent of her liberated fantasy? It is actually her new boss, Mr. Hughes, who insists she become the assistant manager, even as he admits to being threatened by her education level: “Maybe I should worry about you taking my job!” he nervously chuckles.
“The world keeps interrupting, and I am sick of being interrupted.” — Ruby to William
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But even as a white woman, Ruby is repeatedly interrupted: She is whisked back to her “husband” William by the cops, who easily accept his male words over her female “hysteria.” (Interruption.) She has to deal with the catty asides of her fellow white workers, even though they are her subordinates. (Interruption.) And then, there is her “handsy” boss who offers her a long hug after awarding her the job and drools at the prospect of being her sexual pet. (Interruption.)
Ruby is perhaps the only one surprised that William is revealed to be Christina by the end of the episode—and it isn’t due to a lack of intelligence but a lack of vision, since Christina was BDE personified.
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“That’s the currency of magic. Unmitigated freedom.” — Christina to Ruby
“Ruby, you trying to be a white lady,” Dotson argues. “Christina is dreaming BIG—she wants to be a white man! Sky is the fucking limit! [Ruby] can go ahead and be this interrupted white woman; Christina has done that...Christina is at the rich and powerful white man level—a patriarch! If you’re going to dream white supremacy, dream BIG!”
Advertisement
Ruby’s true metamorphosis is not one of the body but one of the self as she gains clarity in the sociological hierarchies that plague our society. I think it is easy to say Ruby did not want to be Black—but that ignores the nuance packed into this short tale. Media professor John Jennings states that the title, “Strange Case,” refers not only to the full title of the famed story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde but also acts as a rightful term for the body itself; how it acts as a “strange case” for our very selves. Ruby is simply trying to negotiate the skin she is in as she recognizes it for the currency it is. That skin—white or Black—is something in which she could trade and exchange as she clamors for the access to power it offers.
“I enjoyed my entire day: using the only currency that I needed: whiteness.” — Ruby to William
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“She thought whiteness would solve her problems,” says Dotson. “But it got more and more complicated when gender got introduced, and then when even brute power [i.e., the tortured guy in Lancaster’s closet] got introduced...I think it shocked her so much and that’s why she had that tirade on the floor [admonishing Tamara].”
And this is the genius of Lovecraft Country: you know shit is bad when the people having the worst day ever in a sea of Black folks across the gender and sexuality spectrum are the white man locked in the closet with his tongue cut out and the white male manager with a velvet stiletto stuck in his ass.
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“Because white folks are even more fucked up than you think they are! They have got shit you can’t even imagine.” — Hilary/Ruby to Tamara.
This was an episode focused on patriarchy and power: Who is the one able to interrupt as opposed to being interrupted? We see this in Tic’s harrowing relationship with his father, Montrose. Montrose continues to interrupt his son’s search for mystical answers in the Language of Adam and Tic’s response is metastisizing in its violence. He is horrified when he realizes his father has killed Yahima. Yes, she was a font of information, but this was also the needless death of one more person of color perpetrated by his father even as Tic is still processing the needless deaths he caused in Korea, fighting another white man’s war.
Advertisement
Gipson sees himself in Tic: “When you are a Black boy who grows up with that kind of father, who has all of that violence, strictness, controlling in his nature...Your greatest hope, your greatest fear is that you won’t be him,” he says. “You can’t grow up with that kind of violence, that kind of figure, and not address that violence in you.” The interruptions of Montrose breathe life into the violence within Tic and it scares him. “Tic brought a tear to my eye when he said, ‘Please don’t be scared of me,’” Gipson continues.”It was the way that he said it. But also the weight of it.”
“Please don’t be scared of me.” — Tic to Leti
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Tic’s metamorphosis is the rejection of his father’s violence and the power his father’s interruptions hold over him. In the process, Tic willingly gives up power to Leti, gently breaking down the hierarchies of their romantic relationship and rejecting the poison of patriarchy. Tic and Leti are fighting (literally) to reimagine what healthy Black heterosexual love could look like, creating a dynamic in which power is traded back and forth, privileging balance over subjugation.
Yet subjugation plagues the life of Montrose. His continuous subjugation to his own trauma is so damn frustrating and presents repeated interruptions to his own possible happiness. The dude emotionally bleeds over everyone—and frankly, it’s tiring. He hoards what little power he has and lords it over his lover, Sammy, in ways that are, at the very least, emotionally abusive. Sammy gives up all of his power to Montrose, feeding off of the breadcrumbs of small flashes of tenderness during their otherwise violent sex as he patiently waits for Montrose to give up his power and emotionally surrender. Ultimately, Montrose is literally lifted up as he lays his burdens down.
Advertisement
“I understand why your father let her go. Keeping her against her will would have made us no better than Titus.” — Leti to Tic
Unfortunately, I don’t trust it. I would love to be wrong but I see Montrose as past the point of no return, stagnant in his potential for growth and healing. He literally has nothing and no one left but Sammy—no brother, no son, no wife, no peace—and in my opinion, it’s not a fair deal to either of them. I predict Montrose’s shame and anger will return again in the morning, as it is impossible for him to stay in the freedom of the ballroom where he can get a taste of being his true self and be at peace with who he is and what he has done. That moment was fleeting; so too is his redemption.
Advertisement
And so I return to the genius of Toni Cade Bambara as I revel in the hope and metamorphosis of Ruby and Tic:
“...got to give it all up, the pain, the hurt, the anger and make room for lovely things to rush in and fill you full.”
Advertisement
Glossary: a list of terms and descriptions to help you along your journey into Lovecraft Country.
Locusts - Throughout this episode, locusts are a continuing motif signifying the process of metamorphosis. A man on television reports a swarm of Kenyan locusts in the scene in which William first frees Ruby from the Hilary body; later, Sammy says the locust inspired his performance. Offscreen, there is an actual locust invasion of Kenya happening...right now.
Advertisement
Changeling/Shapeshifter - a shapeshifter is someone with the ability to change their form through supernatural or scientific means; a common supernatural trope. Shapeshifters usually refer to the ability to change into another animal or non-human entity while a changeling often refers to the ability to change from one humanoid being to another. The mythological changeling is actually one of The Fae.
Soucouyant - a shapeshifting mythological being from Caribbean folklore that can literally shed her skin and take on another spiritual form. She feeds off of the energy from young babies and is often conflated with the myth of Lilith.
Advertisement
Cheryl Dunye - the Black woman who directed this episode. She specializes in creative works that portray dignity and complexity in Black queer folks. She is best known for her classic film, The Watermelon Woman (1996).
Drag Pageantry - the precursor to what is now known as ballroom culture. The earliest pageant dates back to 1869 in Harlem’s Hamilton Lodge, and has been a space of release and liberation for well over a century; the only space queer men could relieve themselves of the masculine expectation of performance. Chicago was one of the lesser-known locations of flourishing ballroom culture and the early stirrings of the queer liberation movement, but Black men remained especially vulnerable, often harassed by the cops and, if you were caught in a raid, local media would notoriously publish your name in the paper, thus ruining your life. Because of this, Gipson insists we are looking at Montrose and Sammy’s 1955 relationship with contemporary eyes: “Gay Black folks could expect sex and flings. But it was rare and lucky to find an actual partner,” he says, reminding us: “This was before the Gay rights movement...relationships were limited and were primarily sexual and/or transactional...and illegal.”
Advertisement
Pulp Fiction - a subgenre of popular literature that “refers to a genre of racy, action-based stories published in cheaply printed magazines from around 1900 to the 1950s, mostly in the United States,” and named for the ragged-edged paper they were printed on, made from wood pulp, according to Dictionary.com, which notes: “Pulp fiction created a breeding ground for new and exciting genres; though their heyday has passed, the magazines’ eye-catching covers and dramatic, fast-paced, and simple stories left a legacy that can be seen in today’s movies, TV, books, and comics featuring action heroes and over-the-top villains.”
Recommendations: If your interest is piqued and you would like to take a deeper dive, here are some media suggestions that will help you better understand the Lovecraftian universe and other themes in this episode.
Advertisement
Film:
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931), Rouben Mamoulian
Imitation of Life (1959), Douglas Sirk
The Queen (1968), Frank Simon
The Manitou (1978), William Girdler
The Fly (1986), David Cronenberg
Switch (1991), Blake Edwards
The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Jonathan Demme
American Psycho (2000), Mary Harron
Splice (2009), Vicenzo Natali
The Soul Collector (2019), Haröld Holscher
Readings:
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886), Robert Louis Stevenson
Black No More: Being an Account of the Strange and Wonderful Workings of Science in the Land of the Free, A. D. 1933-1940 (1931), George Schuyler
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Passing (1929), Nella Larsen
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf (1975) by Ntozake Shange
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Short Stories:
The Shadow Out of Time (1936), H.P. Lovecraft
Blue Hand Mojo: Dust to Dust (#1) (2016), John Jennings
Television:
Supernatural: Skin, Season 1, Episode 6
X-Files: Gender Bender, Season 1, Episode 14
Reference:
Skin Shows: Gothic Horror and the Technology of Monsters (1995), J. Jack Halberstam


theroot--2020-09-18--Another Day, Another Dolezal: UW-Madison Student Admits They Been Pulling a Krug and Apologizes for

Another Day, Another Dolezal: UW-Madison Student Admits They Been Pulling a Krug and Apologizes for Faking Blackness

Can you imagine the full-throated cackles you would get if you told Black people 50 years ago that by the year 2020 , white people would be losing their jobs , credibility , social circles and self respect by pretending to be niggas ?
A white person who is not Rachel Dolezal or Jessica Krug has become the latest star of the ongoing saga : White People Who Want to be Oppressed So Badly They Decided to be Black .
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate student CV Vitolo-Haddad—who uses non-binary they/them pronouns—issued an apology Monday after they spent years “ posturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a teaching assistant and acting as co-president of UW-Madison ’ s chapter of the Teaching Assistants ’ Association graduate student worker ’ s union , ” the Daily Cardinal reports .
Vitolo-Haddad , who worked at UW-Madison ’ s School of Journalism and Mass Communication , actually identifies as Southern Italian/Sicilian .
However when certain individuals made assumptions about their race , they failed to correct people who identified them as Black and relied on their parent ’ s “ conflicting stories ” of their heritage , the Wisconsin State Journal Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website Medium , announcing their resignation as teaching assistant and co-president of the TAA .
“ The harm I caused is a result of my lack of courage , a preference for being vague and contradictory , uncertain and insecure .
I want to make amends for every ounce of heartbreak and betrayal , ” reads Vitolo-Haddad ’ s first post .
Vitolo-Haddad on Sept. 8 , titled “ A Second Step , ” which intended to provide a clearer statement of their identity and what they did wrong .
“ What I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality .
Race is not flat , it is a social construct rife with contradictions , ” Vitolo-Haddad writes .
“ Fighting racism never required dissociating myself from whiteness .
In fact , it derailed the cause by centering my experience.
” I mean ...
I suppose if I was feeling very , very , extremely generous , I might buy that people who saw Vitolo-Haddad as racially ambiguous might have taken a wild shot in the dark ( pun intended ) and guessed , of all things , that they were Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as far as them relying on their parent ’ s “ conflicting stories ” of their heritage , what white person doesn ’ t take it at face value when their drunk uncle tells them they ’ re 1/36th Cherokeee on their great , great , great , great grandfather ’ s favorite slave ’ s aunty ’ s side ?
Vitolo-Haddad admits that they benefited “ socially ” from posing as a person of color ( they also didn ’ t correct people who thought they were Latino , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they never identified as non-white on paper or applied for any scholarships or awards designated for people of color .
Of course , the TAA released a statement apologizing for facilitating Vitolo-Haddad ’ s ruse saying that they “ have unknowingly rewarded the toxic opportunism of performing Blackness.
” I guess you can give Vitolo-Haddad that they ’ re not quite as bad as Krug—who received her doctorate in history from UW-Madison , according to the New Yorker—only because Krug explictly claimed a Black identity , championed herself as a Black activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to borrow a Great Value blaccent from whoever sold Iggy Azalea hers .
It ’ s also widely believed that Krug had to be outed by a someone else as the second coming of Dolezal before she made the decision to publish that weak-ass mea culpa and resign from her position as a professor at George Washington University .
There ’ s just one thing about Dolezal , Krug , Vitolo-Haddad and all the others we all know are out there that continues to truly baffle me : They all appear to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just be white in America .

*DJ Khaled voice* AND ANOTH ER ONE!!!
Can you imagine the full-throated cackles you would get if you told Black people 50 years ago that by the year 2020, white people would be losing their jobs, credibility, social circles and self respect by pretending to be niggas?
A white person who is not Rachel Dolezal or Jessica Krug has become the latest star of the ongoing saga: White People Who Want to be Oppressed So Badly They Decided to be Black.
Advertisement
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate student CV Vitolo-Haddad—who uses non-binary they/them pronouns—issued an apology Monday after they spent years “posturing as a person of color while working as a teaching assistant and acting as co-president of UW-Madison’s chapter of the Teaching Assistants’ Association graduate student worker’s union,” the Daily Cardinal reports.
From the Cardinal:
Vitolo-Haddad, who worked at UW-Madison’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, actually identifies as Southern Italian/Sicilian. However when certain individuals made assumptions about their race, they failed to correct people who identified them as Black and relied on their parent’s “conflicting stories” of their heritage, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. Last Sunday, Vitolo-Haddad released their first apology on the blogging website Medium, announcing their resignation as teaching assistant and co-president of the TAA. “The harm I caused is a result of my lack of courage, a preference for being vague and contradictory, uncertain and insecure. I want to make amends for every ounce of heartbreak and betrayal,” reads Vitolo-Haddad’s first post. Vitolo-Haddad issued a second apology on Sept. 8, titled “A Second Step,” which intended to provide a clearer statement of their identity and what they did wrong. “What I know now is that perception is not reality. Race is not flat, it is a social construct rife with contradictions,” Vitolo-Haddad writes. “Fighting racism never required dissociating myself from whiteness. In fact, it derailed the cause by centering my experience.”
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I mean... I suppose if I was feeling very, very, extremely mother fucking DELUSIONAL generous, I might buy that people who saw Vitolo-Haddad as racially ambiguous might have taken a wild shot in the dark (pun intended) and guessed, of all things, that they were Black. Sure, why not? And as far as them relying on their parent’s “conflicting stories” of their heritage, what white person doesn’t take it at face value when their drunk uncle tells them they’re 1/36th Cherokeee on their great, great, great, great grandfather’s favorite slave’s aunty’s side?
Vitolo-Haddad admits that they benefited “socially” from posing as a person of color (they also didn’t correct people who thought they were Latino, according to the New York Post), but they said they never identified as non-white on paper or applied for any scholarships or awards designated for people of color.
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Of course, the TAA released a statement apologizing for facilitating Vitolo-Haddad’s ruse saying that they “have unknowingly rewarded the toxic opportunism of performing Blackness.”
I guess you can give Vitolo-Haddad that they’re not quite as bad as Krug—who received her doctorate in history from UW-Madison, according to the New Yorker—only because Krug explictly claimed a Black identity, championed herself as a Black activist, and even went so far as to borrow a Great Value blaccent from whoever sold Iggy Azalea hers. It’s also widely believed that Krug had to be outed by a someone else as the second coming of Dolezal before she made the decision to publish that weak-ass mea culpa and resign from her position as a professor at George Washington University.
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There’s just one thing about Dolezal, Krug, Vitolo-Haddad and all the others we all know are out there that continues to truly baffle me: They all appear to have forgotten how much easier it is to just be white in America.


theroot--2020-09-16--The Verdict Is In: These Are the Best Non-Stick Pans You Can Buy Online, According to the Experts

There ’ s a bunch of debate on which frying pans are going to give you the best bang for your buck .
As a seasoned home cook , I personally can make a meal or two in any pot or pan you give me , but recently , after cooking a couple of duck breasts in my old , off-brand pan I bought maybe seven years ago , I thought I should maybe upgrade my cookware .
This led me to research eight of the best non-stick frying pans you can get on the internet .
These picks are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honestly just want to make sure you get what you deserve when it comes to your own cooking experience .
Let ’ s get to it .
This pan was rated the best overall frying pan over at Food Network for a reason .
It can heat super fast , but EVENLY , so no matter where you place the meat on the pan , it ’ ll get the same amount of brown , which is super important for stir-frys or whatever else .
Plus , it ’ s only $ 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the budget-conscious .
So , here ’ s a personal recommendation , but is also backed by Consumer Reports .
Apparently I DO know what I ’ m talking about .
I ’ ve had this duo for about eight years , and honestly , the main reason for the purchase was for the color ( red matched with the rest of my kitchen ) .
Home decor aside , the pan heats evenly , and things like eggs will easily slide off the pan .
Cleanup is simpler—give it a rinse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to go .
But if you ’ re lazy like me , you can also pop it in the dishwasher .
It says it can withstand oven temperatures of 350 degrees or less , but I ’ ve made duck breasts in this bad boy on 450 and it was fine .
Plus , this duo , which includes 10.5- and 12-inch pans at a low $ 29 is a deal in and of itself .
If you ’ re a self-proclaimed pro on a budget , you might find the Tramontina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit more weight than the other two and can withstand oven heat up to 400 degrees .
Not to mention it features a silicone grip so you won ’ t burn your hands while you ’ re sauteeing your meal .
Plus , it ’ s only $ 36 , so it ’ s still hella affordable .
Usually , ceramic pans lose their slickness over time , but we ’ ve found Green Pan ’ s frying pan worth the $ 40 , plus its PFAS- , PFOA- , lead- and cadmium-free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We stan .
This last pick is for the folks who are PROFESSIONAL , ok ?
Le Creuset is a well-known brand for a reason .
This pan can withstand heat up to 500 degrees in the oven , is PFOA-free , as well as dishwasher- and broiler-safe .
So get creative with the meals you ’ re going to want to make .
Obviously , with all of this going for it , the price is about $ 114 for a 10-inch pan , but it ’ s an investment that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and isn ’ t that what you want from cookware , anyway ?

Ignacia on Roundups, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Top Product: Always Pan
Cooking your own food slaps. We all love to get takeaway when we can, but there’s something so innately satisfying about cooking a dish from scratch on your own that is hard to match. If you’re someone who’s recently discovered the joys of home-cooking, then you probably need to upgrade your equipment and grab one of the best non-stick pans.
Non-stick pans are a huge boost to your cooking ability because not having to worry about sticking things to your pan by accident is huge. It’s a hassle to have to think about it, and not having to makes your life easier, and things that make life easier can only be good, you know?
So, we’ve gone ahead and picked out the best non-stick pans around no matter what you like to cook. So, feast your eyes on these options and then get back into the kitchen to make yourself a tasty treat.
Best Non-Stick Frying Pan Overall: Always Pan
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Long-term cooks have probably picked up a lot of pots, pans, and weird little kitchen gadgets they no longer use in their times in the kitchen. We all accumulate stuff to help us do the things we like, and cooking happens to have some of the larger bits and bobs that you may have picked up. However, you can actually reduce a lot of these accessories down into one pan, if you know which one to go with.
The Always Pan is an impressive non-stick ceramic pan that can let you fry, boil, braise, saute, strain, sear, and even steam your food. It’s got a modular lid to allow it to serve these different functions, and while it’s a bit pricey, it’s undoubtedly one of the best non-stick pans around for basically anything you want to cook.
Plus, it comes in a few different colors, which is nice.
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It’s no wonder Cuisinart has cultivated the reputation that it has. Their pans provide incredible quality at an affordable price, especially this 622-20 Chef’s Classic. It’s hard anodized, which is harder than stainless steel. This product is also dense, nonporous, and highly wear-resistant. Plus, it’s oven-safe up to 500 degrees F and has a tapered drip-free rim with a limited lifetime warranty.
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Faberware has brought heavy-duty performance and reliability for over 100 years. This cookware set has colorful exteriors and superior DiamondMax nonstick interiors that perform three times better than ceramic nonstick. These pots and pans are oven safe up to 350°F. The shatter-resistant glass lids allow cooking to be monitored without losing heat or moisture. It has durable construction with heavy-duty aluminum for excellent heat distribution and durability.
Note that this set includes:
1-Quart Covered Saucepan
2-Quart Covered Straining Saucepan
5-Quart Covered Dutch Oven
8- and 9.75-Inch Skillets
9-Inch by 13-Inch Cookie Sheet
6 Prestige Nylon Tools: Slotted Turner and Spoon, Solid Spoon, Pasta Fork, Whisk, Ladle
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The Granite Stone Diamond 8" Nonstick Titanium & Mineral Infused Round Fry Pan is absolutely a steal!
The titanium and diamond-infused coating allows you to cook with less butter or oil so that you can stay healthy. The lightweight design makes for a comfortable cooking experience.
Plus, it’s made by pressing from a single sheet of aluminum for even heat distribution and no hot spots. This product is even oven safe up to 500°F.
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Also, feel safe knowing that this pan is PFOA-free and suitable for all stovetops.
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Do you have the confidence of a professional chef but shopping on a more modest budget? Worry not: Tramontina’s non-stick restaurant pan has found the sweet spot just for you. It’s a bit heavier than most skillets and can take heat up to 400 degrees. It was also manufactured with a sweet silicone grip to keep your hands safe during the next gourmet cooking spree.
Made in the USA, this pan was the Wirecutter’s pick for the best overall non-stick pan around, with the review citing its “durable coating” and “excellent maneuverability,” not to mention the good heat distribution and long-lasting build. It’s also just $30 right now at Amazon.
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The Copper Chef Non-Stick Fry Pan, 8 Inch comes with a steel induction plate for rapid heat distribution across. Heat resistant up to 850° F, this pan is perfect for the oven or any stovetop, including electric, induction, ceramic, and gas. This product is part of Cerami-Tech which comes with an exclusive non-stick ceramic coating and riveted handles for a super-secure grip. With Cerami-Tech, clean-up is super easy without leaving any residue behind. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe.
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The GraniteStone Diamond 10" Titanium Nonstick Coating Mineral Infused Fry Pan has triple food-grade granite layers for maximum durability and to prevent age or heat-induced warping. It’s oven-safe for up to 500° Fahrenheit and comes with a toxin-free ceramic non-stick coating that is free of PFOA and has a scratch-resistant surface. It’s even suitable for all stovetops and metal utensil and dishwasher safe.
This story was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher on 09/14/2020 and updated with new information by Jason Coles on 02/08/2022.


theroot--2020-09-17--Netflix Wants the Oscars to Run Delroy Lindo a Best Actor Nomination for ‘Da 5 Bloods’

Netflix is gearing up for awards season , and it ’ s betting big on Delroy Lindo , the standout star of Spike Lee ’ s Vietnam War drama , Da 5 Bloods .
As Variety reports , the streaming platform and production company confirmed that they will be campaigning the 67-year-old Lindo for an Academy Award nomination for lead actor .
Lindo has certainly put in the work .
As Variety observes , he ’ s been a mainstay on the silver and the small screen for 40 years , in which time he has racked up more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shorty , The Cider House Rules and Malcolm X .
He was also the heartbeat of Da 5 Bloods , playing a Vietnam War veteran battling PTSD on a return trip to the Southeast Asian country with three of his brothers-in-arms .
That Lindo was , without question , the center of gravity for the film says a lot considering the movie ’ s formidable ensemble : Chadwick Boseman , of course , but also acclaimed character actors Clarke Peters ( Treme , The Wire ) , Isaiah Whitlock Jr. ( The Wire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Da Vinci Code ) and rising star Jonathan Majors ( Lovecraft Country , The Last Black Man in San Francisco ) .
Lindo ’ s iconic walk across the dance floor of a Ho Chi Minh nightclub was instantly meme-able and award-worthy in and of itself ( and a realistic portrayal of my weekend processions to the pantry when the [ redacted ] hits ) .
Netflix will campaign Majors , Peters , Whitlock and Boseman , as well as co-star Norm Lewis , for supporting actor nominations .
Variety notes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month after a prolonged battle with colon cancer , has two performances this year that could see him get posthumous award nominations .
Aside from Da 5 Bloods , Boseman also stars in the upcoming Ma Rainey ’ s Black Bottom , also distributed by Netflix .

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

Netflix is gearing up for awards season, and it’s betting big on Delroy Lindo, the standout star of Spike Lee’s Vietnam War drama, Da 5 Bloods.
As Variety reports, the streaming platform and production company confirmed that they will be campaigning the 67-year-old Lindo for an Academy Award nomination for lead actor.
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Lindo has certainly put in the work. As Variety observes, he’s been a mainstay on the silver and the small screen for 40 years, in which time he has racked up more than 40 screen credits, including for Get Shorty, The Cider House Rules and Malcolm X.
He was also the heartbeat of Da 5 Bloods, playing a Vietnam War veteran battling PTSD on a return trip to the Southeast Asian country with three of his brothers-in-arms. That Lindo was, without question, the center of gravity for the film says a lot considering the movie’s formidable ensemble: Chadwick Boseman, of course, but also acclaimed character actors Clarke Peters (Treme, The Wire), Isaiah Whitlock Jr. (The Wire), Jean Reno (The Professional, The Da Vinci Code) and rising star Jonathan Majors (Lovecraft Country, The Last Black Man in San Francisco). Lindo’s iconic walk across the dance floor of a Ho Chi Minh nightclub was instantly meme-able and award-worthy in and of itself (and a realistic portrayal of my weekend processions to the pantry when the [redacted] hits).
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Netflix will campaign Majors, Peters, Whitlock and Boseman, as well as co-star Norm Lewis, for supporting actor nominations. Variety notes that Boseman, who passed away last month after a prolonged battle with colon cancer, has two performances this year that could see him get posthumous award nominations. Aside from Da 5 Bloods, Boseman also stars in the upcoming Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, also distributed by Netflix.


theroot--2020-09-17--Bipartisan Call in the Senate for Congressional Gold Medal to be Awarded to Emmett Till and His Moth

Bipartisan Call in the Senate for Congressional Gold Medal to be Awarded to Emmett Till and His Mother

In a rare moment of bi-partisanship , a Republican and Democratic senator have called for the nation ’ s highest civilian honor to be awarded posthumously to Emmett Till and his mother , Mamie Till-Mobley .
NBC News reports that Sen. Cory Booker ( D-N.J. ) and Sen. Richard Burr ( R-N.C. ) introduced a bill to award the Congressional Medal of Honor to the Till family .
Emmett Till was a 14-year-old Black boy who , in 1955 , was brutally lynched by a group of white men after being accused of whistling at a white woman .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the men responsible were acquitted in court .
“ While his lynching and the impunity that followed was unique in its horror , it revealed the persistent legacy of racialized terror and violence waged against Black Americans and reflected the stain of racism and bigotry that this nation continues to struggle with today , ” Booker said in a statement introducing the bill .
Till ’ s mother , Mamie , held an open-casket funeral for her son so people could see what was done to her son .
Images of Till @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the then-burgeoning civil rights movement and Mamie Till remained a civil rights activist throughout her life to honor her son .
She went on to form the Emmett Till Players , which involved teenagers traveling the country and spreading the speeches of Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. “ The Congressional Gold Medal is the nation ’ s highest civilian honor .
Awarding it posthumously to Emmett Till , and his mother , Mamie Till-Mobley , would be a long overdue recognition of what the Till family endured and what they accomplished in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
Till-Mobley would also go on to help found the Emmett Till Justice Campaign , an effort to launch a new investigation into her son ’ s case .
She died in 2003 at the age of 81 , almost fifty years after her son had died .
In 2008 , President George W. Bush signed the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act into law , which allowed the unsolved civil rights cases to be re-opened .

In a rare moment of bi-partisanship, a Republican and Democratic senator have called for the nation’s highest civilian honor to be awarded posthumously to Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley.
NBC News reports that Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) introduced a bill to award the Congressional Medal of Honor to the Till family. Emmett Till was a 14-year-old Black boy who, in 1955, was brutally lynched by a group of white men after being accused of whistling at a white woman. Despite eyewitness testimony tying them to the murder, the men responsible were acquitted in court.
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“While his lynching and the impunity that followed was unique in its horror, it revealed the persistent legacy of racialized terror and violence waged against Black Americans and reflected the stain of racism and bigotry that this nation continues to struggle with today,” Booker said in a statement introducing the bill.
Till’s mother, Mamie, held an open-casket funeral for her son so people could see what was done to her son. Images of Till’s body only added fuel to the then-burgeoning civil rights movement and Mamie Till remained a civil rights activist throughout her life to honor her son. She went on to form the Emmett Till Players, which involved teenagers traveling the country and spreading the speeches of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
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“The Congressional Gold Medal is the nation’s highest civilian honor. Awarding it posthumously to Emmett Till, and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, would be a long overdue recognition of what the Till family endured and what they accomplished in their fight against injustice” Burr said in a statement.
Till-Mobley would also go on to help found the Emmett Till Justice Campaign, an effort to launch a new investigation into her son’s case. She died in 2003 at the age of 81, almost fifty years after her son had died. In 2008, President George W. Bush signed the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act into law, which allowed the unsolved civil rights cases to be re-opened.


theroot--2020-09-17--Dallas School District Issues Apology After Assignment Listed Kenosha Shooter as 'Hero for the Moder

Dallas School District Issues Apology After Assignment Listed Kenosha Shooter as 'Hero for the Modern Age'

If I ’ ve learned anything during my time in this job , it ’ s that white people really be fucking trying it .
Take for instance a school in Dallas , Texas , where a teacher listed Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse as a possible hero for students to write about .
NBC News reports that the Dallas Independent School district issued an apology for the “ unapproved assignment.
” The assignment tasked students with writing an essay about a possible “ hero for the modern age , ” and listed Rittenhouse alongside names such as Gandhi , Cesar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Apparently , killing those fighting against systemic oppression is just as heroic as fighting systemic oppression .
Rittenhouse , a 17-year-old from Illinois , was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber during a protest over the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha , Wis. Kristian Hernandez told KXAS that her younger brother , a student of Warren Travis White High School in Dallas , shared details of the assignment with their family and they were all stunned by Rittenhouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of George Floyd ’ s name with Kyle ’ s name was just astounding , ” she told KXAS .
“ The value of Black lives are not up for debate and that ’ s what it felt like this was sort of getting at — by way of the names that were included.
” The assignment was apparently made by a teacher who has only been with the district for three years .
An early version of the assignment somehow managed to misspell Malcolm X ’ s name , so clearly they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things .
The assignment was removed from the student portal , and students are not expected to complete the essay .
The district issued a statement apologizing for the assignment .
“ Racial equity is a top priority in Dallas ISD , and we remain committed to providing a robust teaching environment where all students can learn , ” the district ’ s apology read .
“ It is important that we continue to be culturally sensitive to our diverse populations and provide a space of respect and value.
” For Hernandez , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punish the teacher responsible and move on .
“ I don ’ t want to treat this as an isolated incident , but I want to examine structurally what is not happening to where this harm was already done , ” Hernandez told KXAS .

If I’ve learned anything during my time in this job, it’s that white people really be fucking trying it. Take for instance a school in Dallas, Texas, where a teacher listed Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse as a possible hero for students to write about.
NBC News reports that the Dallas Independent School district issued an apology for the “unapproved assignment.” The assignment tasked students with writing an essay about a possible “hero for the modern age,” and listed Rittenhouse alongside names such as Gandhi, Cesar Chavez, George Floyd and Malcolm X. Apparently, killing those fighting against systemic oppression is just as heroic as fighting systemic oppression.
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Rittenhouse, a 17-year-old from Illinois, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber during a protest over the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis.
Kristian Hernandez told KXAS that her younger brother, a student of Warren Travis White High School in Dallas, shared details of the assignment with their family and they were all stunned by Rittenhouse’s inclusion.
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“The juxtaposition of George Floyd’s name with Kyle’s name was just astounding,” she told KXAS. “The value of Black lives are not up for debate and that’s what it felt like this was sort of getting at — by way of the names that were included.”
The assignment was apparently made by a teacher who has only been with the district for three years. An early version of the assignment somehow managed to misspell Malcolm X’s name, so clearly they’ve got a solid grip on things. The assignment was removed from the student portal, and students are not expected to complete the essay. The district issued a statement apologizing for the assignment.
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“Racial equity is a top priority in Dallas ISD, and we remain committed to providing a robust teaching environment where all students can learn,” the district’s apology read. “It is important that we continue to be culturally sensitive to our diverse populations and provide a space of respect and value.”
For Hernandez, it’s not enough to simply punish the teacher responsible and move on. “I don’t want to treat this as an isolated incident, but I want to examine structurally what is not happening to where this harm was already done,” Hernandez told KXAS.


theroot--2020-09-17--Snag a Laptop, Desktop, or Printer on the Cheap in HP’s 72-Hour Flash Sale

HP doesn ’ t need a holiday to hang its latest sale on : the computer giant ’ s 72-Hour Flash Sale just kicked off today , delivering three days of stellar bargains on laptops , desktops , printers , monitors , and accessories .
Whether you need something entry-level and affordable , a PC primed for serious gaming , or something in between those extremes , you ’ ll probably find an appealing deal in the mix .
Hit HP ’ s landing page for the full selection , or keep scrolling for our picks of the best deals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15Z is a lean little number : modest on power , but with a big screen and solid enough specs to handle everyday browsing , streaming , and such .
The base 15Z has an AMD Ryzen 3 processor with AMD Graphics , Windows 10 Home , 8GB RAM , and a 128GB SSD within .
The 15.6 ” screen is low-res at 1366x768 and it doesn ’ t sound like it ’ s super bright , but Netflix and YouTube ought to look just fine on here .
You can get this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too .
Want to go BIG at a bargain ?
Amazingly , you can get a Windows laptop with a huge 17.3 ” screen for just $ 430 right now in HP ’ s Flash S ale .
This HP Laptop 17Z has lightweight specs , as you might expect , with an AMD Athlon Gold processor and AMD Radeon Graphics , plus 8GB of RAM .
It does have a huge amount of storage in the form of a 2TB hard drive , though .
Look , a 17.3 ” display at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be super crisp , but at least you ’ ll have ample real estate for multitasking .
It ’ s $ 80 off right now .
You don ’ t have to spend a lot more to get a pretty nice power upgrade with the HP Laptop 15T .
This notebook has a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 processor with 12GB of RAM , and a solid ( state ) 256GB SSD .
The 15.6 ” screen has the same resolution as the Laptop 15Z above .
The savings here is pretty significant , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the list price , for a limited time only .
This is the cheapest desktop in HP ’ s s ale : a slim tower that should have just enough power to give you smooth sailing across everyday tasks like streaming media , browsing the web , and typing up documents .
The compact computer has an AMD Ryzen 3 processor inside with AMD Radeon Graphics , 8GB RAM , and a huge 1TB hard drive paired with a speedy 256GB SSD .
You even get a DVD-RW drive in the mix .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ price during the sale .
Game on while saving $ 1 00 in the process with the HP Envy Desktop .
It ’ s well-equipped , thanks to the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti ( 6GB ) GPU , with a 10th-gen Intel Core i7 chip alongside , plus 16GB RAM , a 2TB hard drive , and a 256GB SSD .
It ’ s certainly not tippy-top-of-the-line , but this modest rig nails the sweet spot between price and performance .
Get up and running with a laser printer for just $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The black-and-white HP LaserJet Pro M404n is currently $ 120 off , with a speedy and effective printer that can handle 40 pages per minute and has two paper trays .
It ’ s not an all-in-one machine with scanning and such , and it doesn ’ t have wireless printing or some of the other bells and whistles from super-premium alternatives , but you can ’ t beat this price on a LaserJet .
This HP All-in-One PC bundles both the brains and screen into one package , saving space while delivering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10th-gen Intel Core i3 chip and 8GB memory , it won ’ t be a beast for gaming or intense productivity .
However , the 21.5 ” 1080p display and pairing of a 1TB hard drive and 128GB SSD will give you loads of space for media and more .
It ’ s $ 50 off right now .
Save $ 35 off the list price of this killer HP OMEN gaming monitor during the Flash Sale .
It ’ s a crisp QHD display at 2560x1440 resolution , and on top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for ultra-smooth performance .
It ’ s still pricey , but games will look spectacular on this thing .
Here ’ s an ideal cost-effective monitor to go with one of those affordable desktops above .
This 24 ” LED-backlit monitor is a good size and will be solidly crisp at 1080p resolution , with VGA , DVI , and HDMI ports for connectivity .
It ’ s $ 40 off the list price right now .
And if you ’ re looking for something larger , wider , or crisper , HP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is a pretty excellent deal on a set of peripherals designed to boost your PC gaming experience .
You ’ ll get the HP Omen Mouse 400 , HP Gaming Keyboard 500 , Gaming Headset 400 , and sizable Gaming Mouse Pad 300 .
Why all the numbers ?
I don ’ t know .
But here are the numbers that really count : the bundle is 60 % off the usual price you ’ ll pay for these individual devices , marked down from $ 150 .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gear that ’ s surely better than whatever basic OEM peripherals came with your desktop .

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

Featured Deal: HP ProDesk 405 G6 Desktop Mini PC | $566 | HP
Even though HP’s Labor Day sale has passed, there are still massive savings to be found. Everything from laptops and desktops to printers, monitors, and accessories. If you’re on the hunt for a speedy new PC or a sharper monitor, or have finally come to grips with needing a home printer, there’s no better time to scope out HP’s best deals.
This is a customizable commercial grade work PC. You probably haven’t seen one of these since you went work-from-home full time. And now you can own one yourself for nearly have its list price. That’s $566 for a computer that normally goes for over $1000.
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The HP Chromebook 14-inch FHD Laptop’s price has been reduced over 30% on Amazon. This is a laptop for someone who just needs it to check Facebook, their email, and have access to the Google Suite of services like Docs and Sheets. And at only $236, that’s pretty good honestly. You’re not going to be playing the Battlefield 2042 on this thing, but maybe you can get it to run the next Jackbox Party Pack.
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Save big on an HP Envy Desktop TE01-2250XT PC. This tower with a 11th gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of memory, and a 256 GB SSD which normally goes for $600 is down to just $500. That’s a healthy $100 discount.
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The portable, ultra HP Pavilion 13 Laptop has enough performance to power through your to-do list and still pump up the entertainment. This is your quintessential personal or business laptop and right now it’s $180 off.
Need a new monitor? This isn’t something to game on, but the FHD monitor works great for anyone needing a large display to go with that HP ProDesk. Adjustable viewing angle use of HP Eye Ease will keep your eyes comfortable when having to stare at it all day.
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Eyeing a laptop that’s compact and cheap? The HP Chromebook 11a can certainly fit the bill: it’s just $170 right now direct from HP following a $50 discount. It’s a lil’ laptop with an 11.6” HD screen, and while the specs are very lightweight, Chromebooks don’t need a ton of power to handle things like web browsing, YouTube, Google Docs, and more. It’s a bargain.
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Here is one of the most affordable Windows laptops that HP offers right now: an entry-level device that might not be a powerhouse, but should be just right for basic everyday usage and media streaming. You’ll get a 14” HD screen here with an AMD processor and GPU, along with 8GB RAM and a solid 128GB SSD for storage. It’s $100 off right now.
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This is one of HP’s most affordable laptops, and it’s $50 off right now. The HP Laptop 15Z is a lean little number: modest on power, but with a big screen and solid enough specs to handle everyday browsing, streaming, and such.
The base 15Z has an AMD Athlon Gold processor with AMD Graphics, Windows 10 Home, 8GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD within. The 15.6” screen is low-res at 1366x768 and it doesn’t sound like it’s super bright, but Netflix and YouTube ought to look just fine on here. You can get this one in a trio of colors.
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A powerful laptop with a sizable 17” display for under $400? That’s what you’ll get with the HP Laptop 17Z right now. This configuration is $70 off the list price right now, packing an AMD Athlon Gold processor, 8GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD. The 1600x900 screen isn’t the brightest or crispest around, but it’s sizable and should be more than fine for your everyday needs.
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Looking for something fancier? HP’s Spectre x360 is a convertible 2-in-1 laptop with a refined design and stellar power within. It features a 13.3” Full HD touchscreen and appears to come with HP’s pen stylus (device photos show it alongside), while an 11th-gen Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB RAM keep things humming along smoothly. It has a 256GB SSD and converts into tablet-like and tent-like forms as desired. Save $100 right now.
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Got an old desktop PC that’s barely chugging along? Replace it with the svelte new HP Slim Desktop, which packs in modest power in a small footprint, and is the most affordable desktop right now. This particular configuration is $50 off the list price right now and packs an AMD Ryzen 3 chip with 8GB RAM, a 1TB hard drive and 256GB SSD alongside, plus a DVD burner.
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HP’s Envy desktop is a modestly-priced option that’ll give you entry-level power for a range of everyday tasks. Right now, the base configuration is $100 off from HP.com, with a 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB RAM, a speedy 256GB SSD, and loads of handy ports for plugging in peripherals and external memory. You’ll need to provide your own monitor for this one, though.
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This HP All-in-One PC bundles both the brains and screen into one package, saving space while delivering a solid home desktop. With an AMD Ryzen 3 chip and 8GB memory, it won’t be a beast for gaming or intense productivity. However, the 23.8” 1080p display and pairing of a 1TB hard drive and 256GB SSD will give you loads of space for media and more. It’s $50 off right now.
Includes 12 months of ink through HP+
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The HP OfficeJet Pro 8035e is an all-in-one option that lets you print, scan, copy, and even fax with ease. It can handle up to 20 pages per minute in black and white and 10 pages per minute in color, and while this printer is listed at the list price, it’s being bundled with a full year of free ink through the HP+ service plus an extended two-year warranty. If you sign up for HP+, you’ll get ink cartridges automatically sent your way when you’re running low.
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Looking for an incredible screen for high-end PC gaming? The HP Omen X 27 240Hz gaming monitor checks all of the essential boxes, delivering QHD resolution, the super-smooth 240Hz refresh rate, and AMD FreeSync 2 support for low-latency play. Save $130 off the list price.


theroot--2020-09-17--Set Your Clocks, Because Beyonce's Stylized Adidas Superstar Drops Tomorrow

When it comes to superstars , it ’ s difficult to conjure a bigger one than Beyoncé , which makes her latest collaboration with brand partner Adidas especially fitting .
Our orange Ivy Park boxes may have gotten lost in transit this January , but Bey ’ s next drop for the brand is slightly more accessible— if you ’ re ready .
As reported by Teen Vogue , Beyoncé ’ s remix of the classic Adidas Superstar sneaker —including a platform and tapered toe—drops Friday at 10:30 AM EST on the Adidas app .
Adidas describes the newest iteration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Beyoncé lends her elegance and perspective to the iconic silhouette for the 50th anniversary of the Superstar .
” Teen Vogue adds a pretty apt description of the new design : Beyoncé ’ s Superstar sneakers have an elevated midsole that extends slightly outward and a pointed toe .
These details give the sneakers an architectural feel .
Though with a somewhat polarizing sole , the [ Adidas x Beyoncé ] sneakers further prove that style and the comfort of sneakers are not mutually exclusive .
Leave it to Beyoncé to fit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in true Virgo fashion , you ’ d better get organized if you want to snag these kicks , nicknamed the “ Platform .
” They ’ re rumored to retail for approximately $ 160 ( we ’ d have $ 200 ready , just in case ) , and will only be available via the Adidas app , so make sure to download and be in formation when t he Adidas x Beyoncé Superstars drop at 10:30 AM E T .

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

When it comes to superstars, it’s difficult to conjure a bigger one than Beyoncé, which makes her latest collaboration with brand partner Adidas especially fitting. Our orange Ivy Park boxes may have gotten lost in transit this January, but Bey’s next drop for the brand is slightly more accessible— if you’re ready.
As reported by Teen Vogue, Beyoncé ’ s remix of the classic Adidas Superstar sneaker —including a platform and tapered toe—drops Friday at 10:30 AM EST on the Adidas app. Adidas describes the newest iteration as “The meeting of two icons: Beyoncé lends her elegance and perspective to the iconic silhouette for the 50th anniversary of the Superstar. ”
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Teen Vogue adds a pretty apt description of the new design :
Beyoncé’s Superstar sneakers have an elevated midsole that extends slightly outward and a pointed toe. These details give the sneakers an architectural feel. Though with a somewhat polarizing sole, the [Adidas x Beyoncé] sneakers further prove that style and the comfort of sneakers are not mutually exclusive.
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Leave it to Beyoncé to fit this release in before Virgo season ends—and in true Virgo fashion, you’d better get organized if you want to snag these kicks, nicknamed the “Platform .” They’re rumored to retail for approximately $160 (we’d have $200 ready, just in case), and will only be available via the Adidas app, so make sure to download and be in formation when t he Adidas x Beyoncé Superstars drop at 10:30 AM E T.


theroot--2020-09-17--Not Saying America Is Racist or Anything, but Over 240 Schools Are Named After Confederate Leaders

Over the summer , cities and states scrambled to respond to the protests that erupted in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death from police violence .
Among the many symbolic gestures was the renaming of schools named after Confederate leaders .
According to CNN , the Equal Justice Initiative ( EJI ) has found that over 240 schools are named after Confederate leaders .
Making this even more suspect is the fact that about half of these schools serve student populations that are predominantly non-white .
According to the EJI , this was intentional .
Historically , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ architects and defenders of slavery has been part of a broader effort to maintain racial hierarchy in the U.S .
In particular , many schools were given Confederate-themed names in the 1950s and 1960s as Southern states mounted what they termed “ Massive Resistance , ” a coordinated effort by governors , legislators , and other white leaders to resist the racial integration of public schools .
As federal law increasingly required school desegregation , white communities built new schools—schools that were either explicitly or implicitly intended for white children only—and named those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racists .
The schools are located in 17 different states , mostly throughout the south .
Jefferson Davis Elementary School in Greenwood , Miss.
, is named after the president of the Confederacy .
Its population is almost entirely made up of Black students .
Stonewall Jackson Elementary in Plant City , Fla. , is named after Confederate general and slave owner Thomas “ Stonewall ” Jackson .
That school has an 85 percent non-white student population .
U ntil this year , Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery , Ala. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students to “ Never by word or by deed do anything to discredit the name of this great man .
” I ’ m not sure what more students could do to discredit the name of a man who killed his fellow countrymen in the name of slavery .
For its part , the Montgomery County Board of Education voted to change the name of Robert E , Lee High School , as well as Jefferson Davis High School and Sidney Lanier High School , in July of this year .
Since 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders have changed their names .
Following the death of George Floyd , the Southern Poverty Law Center has said that 59 Confederate symbols have been removed from public spaces .
That ’ s nice— until you remember that there are currently over 1,700 Confederate symbols still occupying public space .
It ’ s almost like this country is trying to send a message or something .

Over the summer, cities and states scrambled to respond to the protests that erupted in the wake of George Floyd’s death from police violence. Among the many symbolic gestures was the renaming of schools named after Confederate leaders.
According to CNN, the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) has found that over 240 schools are named after Confederate leaders. Making this even more suspect is the fact that about half of these schools serve student populations that are predominantly non-white. According to the EJI, this was intentional.
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From the EJI:
Historically, the practice of naming schools to honor the architects and defenders of slavery has been part of a broader effort to maintain racial hierarchy in the U.S. In particular, many schools were given Confederate-themed names in the 1950s and 1960s as Southern states mounted what they termed “Massive Resistance,” a coordinated effort by governors, legislators, and other white leaders to resist the racial integration of public schools. As federal law increasingly required school desegregation, white communities built new schools—schools that were either explicitly or implicitly intended for white children only—and named those schools after white Southerners who were notorious racists.
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The schools are located in 17 different states, mostly throughout the south. Jefferson Davis Elementary School in Greenwood, Miss., is named after the president of the Confederacy. Its population is almost entirely made up of Black students.
Stonewall Jackson Elementary in Plant City, Fla., is named after Confederate general and slave owner Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. That school has an 85 percent non-white student population.
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U ntil this year, Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, Ala., had a placard on it that encouraged students to “Never by word or by deed do anything to discredit the name of this great man. ”
I’m not sure what more students could do to discredit the name of a man who killed his fellow countrymen in the name of slavery.
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For its part, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted to change the name of Robert E, Lee High School, as well as Jefferson Davis High School and Sidney Lanier High School, in July of this year. Since 2014, nearly 40 schools named after Confederate leaders have changed their names.
Following the death of George Floyd, the Southern Poverty Law Center has said that 59 Confederate symbols have been removed from public spaces. That’s nice— until you remember that there are currently over 1,700 Confederate symbols still occupying public space.
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It’s almost like this country is trying to send a message or something.


theroot--2020-09-17--Bradley Beal, Trae Young Among Notable Snubs for All-NBA Teams: 'What's the Requirements?'

Nobody likes to get snubbed .
If you bust your ass working on something , you want acknowledgment for your efforts just like everyone else .
Jordan Peele became the first African-American to win the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 2017 with Get Out , white people have won white supremacy for a few centuries in a row and Donald Trump became the President of the United States after a lengthy history of sexual assault accusations , bankruptcies and perpetual failure .
Hard work pays off .
It ’ s the American way .
To that end , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2019-20 season on Wednesday , and while there are plenty of familiar names , there are appear to be a few names missing .
Again , solid-ass group , but like many others , rookie phenom Ja Morant has questions .
“ No [ Bradley Beal ] or [ Trae Young ] ?
?
” he tweeted following the announced teams .
And because numbers never lie , he trotted out each NBA-All Stars season averages before asking , “ What ’ s the requirements ?
” Historically , voters tend to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But if Trae Young , whose Hawks finished 14th in the Eastern Conference with an abysmal 20-47 record , was good enough to be named an NBA-All Star , how in the hell was he not good enough to make the All-NBA team ?
I mean , I love CP3-to-6-weeks like everyone else , but removing his otherworldly intangibles from the equation , are you really trying to tell me he had a better season of individual play than Beal or Young ?
Yeah , they ’ re not drinking the Kool-Aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t the only players noticeably absent , as a compelling argument could be made for ballin ’ -ass Devin Booker , the 76ers ’ Joel Embiid , Raptors legend Kyle Lowry , the Heat ’ s Bam Adebayo and even Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks .
With the addition of Clint Capela and whoever they scoop up in the draft , Young ’ s Hawks are expected to be much improved next year .
But for Beal , whose Wizards are where hopes and dreams go to die , this snub just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade this upcoming offseason .
“ I ’ m not here to say who shouldn ’ t have made it , ” Beal ’ s wife , Kamiah Adams- Beal tweeted .
“ Not my place .
HOWEVER I am here to and will CONTINUE to be VERY vocal on saying BRADLEY BEAL IS A F-ING ALL-STAR AND ALL NBA !
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
Put some respect on his name !
”

Nobody likes to get snubbed.
If you bust your ass working on something, you want acknowledgment for your efforts just like everyone else.
Jordan Peele became the first African-American to win the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 2017 with Get Out, white people have won white supremacy for a few centuries in a row and Donald Trump became the President of the United States after a lengthy history of sexual assault accusations, bankruptcies and perpetual failure.
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Hard work pays off. It’s the American way.
To that end, the NBA announced it s All-NBA teams for the 2019-20 season on Wednesday, and while there are plenty of familiar names, there are appear to be a few names missing.
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First Team
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
F: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
G: James Harden, Houston Rockets
C: Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
G: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Second Team
F: Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
C: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
G: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
G: Chris Paul, Oklahoma City Thunder
F: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors
Third Team
F: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
F: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
C: Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
G: Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
G: Russell Westbrook, Houston Rockets
Again, solid-ass group, but like many others, rookie phenom Ja Morant has questions.
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“No [Bradley Beal] or [Trae Young]??” he tweeted following the announced teams.
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And because numbers never lie, he trotted out each NBA-All Stars season averages before asking, “What’s the requirements?”
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Historically, voters tend to favor standout players on winning ball clubs. But if Trae Young, whose Hawks finished 14th in the Eastern Conference with an abysmal 20-47 record, was good enough to be named an NBA-All Star, how in the hell was he not good enough to make the All-NBA team?
I mean, I love CP3-to-6-weeks like everyone else, but removing his otherworldly intangibles from the equation, are you really trying to tell me he had a better season of individual play than Beal or Young?
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Yeah, they’re not drinking the Kool-Aid either.
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Beal and Young aren’t the only players noticeably absent, as a compelling argument could be made for ballin’-ass Devin Booker, the 76ers’ Joel Embiid, Raptors legend Kyle Lowry, the Heat’s Bam Adebayo and even Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks.
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With the addition of Clint Capela and whoever they scoop up in the draft, Young’s Hawks are expected to be much improved next year. But for Beal, whose Wizards are where hopes and dreams go to die, this snub just creates even more incentive to demand a trade this upcoming offseason.
“I’m not here to say who shouldn’t have made it,” Beal’s wife, Kamiah Adams- Beal tweeted. “Not my place. HOWEVER I am here to and will CONTINUE to be VERY vocal on saying BRADLEY BEAL IS A F-ING ALL-STAR AND ALL NBA!!!!!!!!!! Put some respect on his name!”
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Better luck next year?


theroot--2020-09-17--DRK Beauty: Cynthia Erivo Covers InStyle's Beauty Issue—and Crusades for Black Women's Mental Health

“ Beautiful , inside and out.
” “ Pretty is as pretty does.
” We ’ re all familiar with the platitudes , but beyond being our kindest , most generous selves , what does putting it into practice actually look like for Black women ?
We ’ re well accustomed to taking care of everyone else , but as InStyle ’ s October cover star Cynthia Erivo reminds us that true beauty is an inside job—and it starts with taking care of our mental health .
The Grammy , Tony and Emmy-winner has added her star power to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital platform aiming to provide free therapy for women of color .
“ [ Black women ] aren ’ t always given the opportunity to take a minute to discuss how we ’ re feeling , to process our feelings , and to get other people ’ s help to do that , ” Erivo tells InStyle .
Launched in mid-May , DRK Beauty Healing aims “ to give away 10,000 hours of free therapy to those who identify as women of color in the US and have been affected by COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do this , the organization has asked clinicians across the country to donate 10 or more hours of therapy .
With Erivo ’ s help , DRK Beauty is hoping to garner additional financial support for the mental health initiative , toward which 80 percent of donations will help enable clinicians to continue to provide free therapy .
According to the GoFundMe , the remaining 20 percent “ will be allocated for legal and administrative fees to effectively resource the initiative.
” Altogether , the aim is to “ ensure short and long-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undoubtedly have a generational healing effect.
” As Erivo tells InStyle , the effort couldn ’ t be more timely .
“ After George [ Floyd ] , after Breonna [ Taylor ] , I was , like , deeply sad .
I was just sad , tearful , crying .
I couldn ’ t really shift the feeling , ” she shares .
“ I thought , ‘ Wouldn ’ t it be nice if I could use this platform to spark joy ?
’ If anything , that ’ s my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Erivo—she of the golden-voice and contagious , gap-toothed smile—does have a tendency to spark joy .
As her appearance on InStyle ’ s cover ( photographed by Joshua Kissi ) indicates , the diminutive star is also helping to shift the paradigm on beauty .
Her always adventurous beauty squad is also unambiguously and unapologetically Black—including stylist Jason Bolden , hairstylist Coree Moreno .
and makeup artist Terrell Mullin .
So too is Erivo herself , telling the magazine : “ I do think there has to be a point where we stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black .
And people are afraid when it ’ s on display proudly .
I don ’ t know how to hide my Blackness , so I live in it as it is .
I really love it.
” And we love to see it—especially since we don ’ t know when we ’ ll be seeing Erivo ’ s version of late musical icon Aretha Franklin in National Geographic ’ s Genius : Aretha .
Deadline reports that the series “ was originally designated to premiere on the Disney-owned network on Memorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bio from MGM with Jennifer Hudson was set to follow.
” However , as with most things we were anticipating in 2020 , COVID-19 intervened , shutting down production .
InStyle reports the biopic will premiere later this fall .
In the meantime , Erivo is devoting her energy to making this dark moment in history just a little bit brighter and more bearable for Black women .
“ I am aware of how brutal this time is , and some of us just don ’ t have the space or the means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she says .
“ So I want to help.
” If you or anyone you know is feeling depressed , suicidal , or considering self-harm , please the National Crisis Hotline by dialing 988 on your phone or calling 1-800-273-TALK ( 8255 ) .
For more information on DRK Beauty , visit healing @ thisisdrkbeauty.com .

“Beautiful, inside and out.” “Pretty is as pretty does.” We’re all familiar with the platitudes, but beyond being our kindest, most generous selves, what does putting it into practice actually look like for Black women? We’re well accustomed to taking care of everyone else, but as InStyle’s October cover star Cynthia Erivo reminds us that true beauty is an inside job—and it starts with taking care of our mental health.
The Grammy, Tony and Emmy-winner has added her star power to a GoFundMe for DRK Beauty Healing, a digital platform aiming to provide free therapy for women of color. “[Black women] aren’t always given the opportunity to take a minute to discuss how we’re feeling, to process our feelings, and to get other people’s help to do that,” Erivo tells InStyle.
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Launched in mid-May, DRK Beauty Healing aims “to give away 10,000 hours of free therapy to those who identify as women of color in the US and have been affected by COVID-19,” according to its site. To do this, the organization has asked clinicians across the country to donate 10 or more hours of therapy. With Erivo’s help, DRK Beauty is hoping to garner additional financial support for the mental health initiative, toward which 80 percent of donations will help enable clinicians to continue to provide free therapy. According to the GoFundMe, the remaining 20 percent “will be allocated for legal and administrative fees to effectively resource the initiative.” Altogether, the aim is to “ensure short and long-term sustainability of DRK Beauty Healing and will undoubtedly have a generational healing effect.”
As Erivo tells InStyle, the effort couldn’t be more timely. “After George [Floyd], after Breonna [Taylor], I was, like, deeply sad. I was just sad, tearful, crying. I couldn’t really shift the feeling,” she shares. “I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if I could use this platform to spark joy?’ If anything, that’s my job.”
Advertisement Advertisement
I can personally attest that Erivo—she of the golden-voice and contagious, gap-toothed smile—does have a tendency to spark joy. As her appearance on InStyle’s cover (photographed by Joshua Kissi) indicates, the diminutive star is also helping to shift the paradigm on beauty. Her always adventurous beauty squad is also unambiguously and unapologetically Black—including stylist Jason Bolden, hairstylist Coree Moreno. and makeup artist Terrell Mullin. So too is Erivo herself, telling the magazine: “I do think there has to be a point where we stop being afraid of seeing Black people be Black. And people are afraid when it’s on display proudly. I don’t know how to hide my Blackness, so I live in it as it is. I really love it.”
Advertisement
And we love to see it—especially since we don’t know when we’ll be seeing Erivo’s version of late musical icon Aretha Franklin in National Geographic’s Genius: Aretha. Deadline reports that the series “was originally designated to premiere on the Disney-owned network on Memorial Day, as an Aretha big screen bio from MGM with Jennifer Hudson was set to follow.” However, as with most things we were anticipating in 2020, COVID-19 intervened, shutting down production. InStyle reports the biopic will premiere later this fall.
In the meantime, Erivo is devoting her energy to making this dark moment in history just a little bit brighter and more bearable for Black women.
Advertisement
“I am aware of how brutal this time is, and some of us just don’t have the space or the means to have people help us,” she says. “So I want to help.”
If you or anyone you know is feeling depressed, suicidal, or considering self-harm, please the National Crisis Hotline by dialing 988 on your phone or calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For more information on DRK Beauty, visit healing@thisisdrkbeauty.com.


theroot--2020-09-17--Remember When Charles Barkley and Shaq Got Into That On-Court Scrap? It Turns Out It Was Their Mothe

Remember When Charles Barkley and Shaq Got Into That On-Court Scrap? It Turns Out It Was Their Mothers Who Squashed the Beef

At over seven feet tall and somewhere around 330 pounds , he ’ s not the type of dude who ’ s had to throw hands too many times over the course of his life .
But back in 1999 , fellow NBA legend Charles Barkley decided he wanted that smoke .
So during the second quarter of a game between the Lakers and Rockets , all hell broke loose when the Round Mound of Rebound threw the ball at Shaq ’ s head after a hard foul and followed it up with fists of fury .
The two friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , considering nowadays they quarrel on-air for a living as co-hosts of the Emmy-nominated series Inside the NBA , but at the time , shit could ’ ve gotten pretty thick .
Thankfully , their mothers intervened and forced the two future NBA Hall of Famers to make peace , as Shaq shared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday .
“ Me and Charles had a fight , ” he began “ He hits me in the head with the ball .
I ’ m like , ‘ Charles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I got ta knock you out.
’ So I lunge with the left , I wanted him to come on the inside , but he went on the outside , grabbed me , pulled me to the ground.
” After dismissing the fight as not “ real , ” Shaq detailed what happened after he returned to the locker room and received the one phone call he wasn ’ t expecting .
“ So on two-way was my mom and Charles Barkley ’ s mom , ” he said .
“ I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ’ s like , ‘ This is Charles ’ mom and your mom ’ s on the phone too.
’ I was like , ‘ Yes ma ’ am , how are you ?
’ She said , ‘ Y ’ all need to stop .
I already talked to Charles .
He ’ s gon na meet you in the hallway .
Y ’ all need to stop and hug .
Y ’ all are two of the greatest players in the world , we don ’ t want y ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Y ’ all stop that.
’ ” So did the two NBA stars comply ?
“ I got into the hallway , me and Charles , we hug it out , ” Shaq said .
“ When you play sports , it ’ s like a spur-of-the-moment thing .
It ’ s never personal .
Not that I hate him , but when you throw a ball at me , I got to knock you out , boy boy .
You already know what I ’ m going to do to you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time Shaq ’ s revisited their on-court tussle , but I always wonder if Brad Miller was ever extended the same grace—considering he almost decapitated that dude on national TV .
But mothers are almost never wrong , so thankfully they personally ensured that cooler heads prevailed .

Shaquille O’Neal is big as shit.
At over seven feet tall and somewhere around 330 pounds, he’s not the type of dude who’s had to throw hands too many times over the course of his life. But back in 1999, fellow NBA legend Charles Barkley decided he wanted that smoke. So during the second quarter of a game between the Lakers and Rockets, all hell broke loose when the Round Mound of Rebound threw the ball at Shaq’s head after a hard foul and followed it up with fists of fury.
The two friends can look back and laugh about it now, considering nowadays they quarrel on-air for a living as co-hosts of the Emmy-nominated series Inside the NBA, but at the time, shit could’ve gotten pretty thick. Thankfully, their mothers intervened and forced the two future NBA Hall of Famers to make peace, as Shaq shared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday.
“Me and Charles had a fight,” he began “He hits me in the head with the ball. I’m like, ‘Charles, I respect you, but now I gotta knock you out.’ So I lunge with the left, I wanted him to come on the inside, but he went on the outside, grabbed me, pulled me to the ground.”
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After dismissing the fight as not “real,” Shaq detailed what happened after he returned to the locker room and received the one phone call he wasn’t expecting.
“So on two-way was my mom and Charles Barkley’s mom,” he said. “I was like, ‘Hello?’ and she’s like, ‘This is Charles’ mom and your mom’s on the phone too.’ I was like, ‘Yes ma’am, how are you?’ She said, ‘Y’all need to stop. I already talked to Charles. He’s gonna meet you in the hallway. Y’all need to stop and hug. Y’all are two of the greatest players in the world, we don’t want y’all fighting in front of the kids. Y’all stop that.’”
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So did the two NBA stars comply?
“I got into the hallway, me and Charles, we hug it out,” Shaq said. “When you play sports, it’s like a spur-of-the-moment thing. It’s never personal. Not that I hate him, but when you throw a ball at me, I got to knock you out, boy boy. You already know what I’m going to do to you, boy.”
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This isn’t the first time Shaq’s revisited their on-court tussle, but I always wonder if Brad Miller was ever extended the same grace—considering he almost decapitated that dude on national TV.
But mothers are almost never wrong, so thankfully they personally ensured that cooler heads prevailed.