theroot--2020-10-21--The Best Steam Mops to Eliminate Grime and Finally Attain Perfectly Clean Floors

When my editor handed me this assignment , I was truly amused .
What is a steam mop ?
I ’ d never even heard of one , let alone knew what to do with it .
So I got to work , extensively researching all the contenders for the best steam mop I could find online , learning how and when to use it , and of course , figuring out exactly what it is , to begin with .
What Is a Steam Mop Anyway ?
The best way I can describe a steam mop is a Swiffer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a reservoir filled with a chemical solution , it ’ s filled with water .
When you plug the mop in , it quickly heats and disperses 250-degree steam into the mop head .
Then you use that to easily clean the floor .
Here ’ s the thing : Unlike a regular mop or the old hands and knees method , you don ’ t use any soap or solution with a steam mop .
According to The Spruce , it ’ s actually not for deep cleaning at all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mop is used for maintenance or for killing bacteria after you ’ ve deep cleaned .
The steam makes washing your floor easy if you choose to do it often .
It ’ s perfect for rainy or snowy days , a lot of little ones running around , or just keeping those stubborn floors spotless .
Most people don ’ t actually need this mop .
Since this doesn ’ t need any soap , it is a good option for folks who have a chemical or sent sensitivity or prefer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How to Use a Steam Mop Using it is simple .
Sweep the floor and make sure there is no dirt/debris .
Make sure you have a few mop pads to use , so when one gets dirty , swap it out , and keep going .
The mop pads are easy to clean , just pop them in the washing machine and you ’ re good to go the next time you need to use the steam mop .
Most steam mop manufacturers recommend this mop for all kinds of floors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not as safe as people think it is and should be used for stone , tile , perhaps carpet but certainly not wood .
I tried out the True & Tidy mop for the review and overall I was impressed .
I don ’ t think I like cleaning enough to use it regularly , but it ’ s a good tool to have in the back pocket when my wife comes home from a rainy bike ride and trains water all over the house .
For $ 34 over at MorningSave ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon ) , it ’ s a budget-friendly choice for a steam mop .
A Consumer Reports-approved steam mob , Amazon reviews of the Bissell Powerfresh Deluxe are shining stars as well .
The 4.6- out of 5-star rating with over 6000 reviews speaks for itself .
One of those reviewers , Erin B. Morrigan writes , “ All I can tell you is , I actually feel legitimate love for this inanimate object .
I have steam cleaned my entire house in the last 24 hours and I can not believe how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things I thought had been cleaned well.
” Unlike the budget-friendly mop , this one has a bigger surface area , and it can be flipped over and continue the cleaning job without replacing the mop pad .
This helpful review tells you everything you need to know .
“ I did quite a bit of research on steam mops before making a purchase and I love this mop !
It ’ s perfect for hardwood and tile floors , ” says Diane Katzdorn .
“ You don ’ t have to worry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on hand since it only requires water and the cleaning pads can be washed vs constantly having to purchase more .
If the room is large , the water may have to be refilled , but easy to do while cleaning .
I used to hate cleaning my floors till I got this shark .
”

Chaya M Milchtein on The Inventory, shared by Ignacia to The Root

Top Product: Bissell Powerfresh Deluxe | $100 | Amazon
When my editor handed me this assignment, I was truly amused. What is a steam mop? I’d never even heard of one, let alone knew what to do with it. So I got to work, extensively researching all the contenders for the best steam mop I could find online, learning how and when to use it, and of course, figuring out exactly what it is, to begin with.
What Is a Steam Mop Anyway?
The best way I can describe a steam mop is a Swiffer, except with a cord. Instead of a reservoir filled with a chemical solution, it’s filled with water. When you plug the mop in, it quickly heats and disperses 250-degree steam into the mop head. Then you use that to easily clean the floor.
Why Use a Steam Mop?
Here’s the thing: Unlike a regular mop or the old hands and knees method, you don’t use any soap or solution with a steam mop. According to The Spruce, it’s actually not for deep cleaning at all, contrary to my first impressions. This mop is used for maintenance or for killing bacteria after you’ve deep cleaned. The steam makes washing your floor easy if you choose to do it often. It’s perfect for rainy or snowy days, a lot of little ones running around, or just keeping those stubborn floors spotless.
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Most people don’t actually need this mop. Since this doesn’t need any soap, it is a good option for folks who have a chemical or sent sensitivity or prefer to keep household chemicals to a minimum.
How to Use a Steam Mop
If you’ve never used a steam mop and feel a little intimidated, know that there’s no need to worry. Using it is simple. First, be sure to sweep up the floor to minimize the dirt. Then, grab a couple of mop pads. They’re super easy to clean and can be dropped into the washing machine. Nte that most steam mop manufacturers state that their mops can be used on all kinds of floors. However, cleaning experts recommend reserving them for stone, tile, and carpet.
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Scrub and sanitize like no one else! The Shark Steam and Scrub All-in-One S7001TGT mop provides a powerful comb ination of steam and rotating pads. As a result, this tool can provide 150 scrubs per minute, creating a smooth and effortless cleaning experience.
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Note that this product is specifically designed for hard floors, including marble, tile, stone, and hardwood. Plus, it comes with three cleaning modes, a headligfht, swivel steering, an upright lock, and 22-ft. power cord.
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A Consumer Reports-approved steam mob, Amazon reviews of the Bissell Powerfresh Deluxe are shining stars as well. The 4.6- out of 5-star rating with over 6000 reviews speaks for itself. One of those reviewers, Erin B. Morrigan writes, “All I can tell you is, I actually feel legitimate love for this inanimate object. I have steam cleaned my entire house in the last 24 hours and I cannot believe how dirty everything actually was!! Even things I thought had been cleaned well.”
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The Shark Steam Mop Deep Cleaning S1200 provides a 99.9% chemical free floor sanitation. The removable XL water tank is easy to fill, and the product as a whole is super lightweight and compact. Note that this product has an 18 ft. power cord, so you have a ton of space to deep clean .
It also comes with a limited one year warranty
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This story was originally published by Chaya M Milchtein on 10/21/2020 and updated with new information by Juliana Clark on 09/02/2021.


theroot--2020-10-21--A List of All the Times I Definitely Did Not Cry at All While Watching Inside Out

So Inside Out is a Pixar movie about a kid named Riley and mostly about the intersecting and competing emotions inside of her that exist like a control center in her brain and how all emotions—even the ones like sadness that we ’ d rather not have—have a symbiotic relationship .
It was released in 2015 but I watched it for the first time last week because I have kids and Disney+ now and I had neither of those things five years ago because they didn ’ t exist yet ( well , kids and shit existed , but mine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t want to get too caught in the moment or myopic or irrational or disproportionately influenced by something I just watched again last night for the 10th time in a 200-hour span or whatever but it ’ s the best movie that ’ s ever existed .
Still , although Pixar movies are known for manipulating and tricking tear ducts into releasing spontaneous buckets of moisture from your eyes , that definitely did not happen to me at all while watching this .
My eyes have never been drier .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I needed drops to shut them again .
I even had to drive to Rite-Aid to buy some Visine , and the pharmacist noticed that I couldn ’ t close my dry-ass eyes and was like “ What happened ?
” And I was like , “ I just watched Inside Out , which dried the shit out of my eyes because I didn ’ t cry not one time whatsoever while watching it.
” And then he was like , “ Put your mask back on.
” Anyway , below is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not cry at all while watching this movie .
1 .
When Riley got all sad on her first day of school while speaking to the class and remembering how she misses home .
My eyes were DAH ( dry as hell ) .
2 .
When Bing Bong ’ s rocketship was pushed into the dump .
3 .
When Bing Bong sacrificed himself so Joy could get out of the dump .
4 .
When Bing Bong just withered away and died .
5 .
When Sadness was holding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a montage of Riley and her parents just being a happy family and shit .
6 .
When Riley just couldn ’ t take it anymore and broke down in front of her parents .

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

So Inside Out is a Pixar movie about a kid named Riley and mostly about the intersecting and competing emotions inside of her that exist like a control center in her brain and how all emotions—even the ones like sadness that we’d rather not have—have a symbiotic relationship. It was released in 2015 but I watched it for the first time last week because I have kids and Disney+ now and I had neither of those things five years ago because they didn’t exist yet (well, kids and shit existed, but mine didn’t yet). I don’t want to get too caught in the moment or myopic or irrational or disproportionately influenced by something I just watched again last night for the 10th time in a 200-hour span or whatever but it’s the best movie that’s ever existed.
Still, although Pixar movies are known for manipulating and tricking tear ducts into releasing spontaneous buckets of moisture from your eyes, that definitely did not happen to me at all while watching this. My eyes have never been drier. My eyes were so dry after watching this that I needed drops to shut them again. I even had to drive to Rite-Aid to buy some Visine, and the pharmacist noticed that I couldn’t close my dry-ass eyes and was like “What happened?” And I was like, “I just watched Inside Out, which dried the shit out of my eyes because I didn’t cry not one time whatsoever while watching it.” And then he was like, “Put your mask back on.”
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Anyway, below is a list of the times I definitely did not cry at all while watching this movie.
1. When Riley got all sad on her first day of school while speaking to the class and remembering how she misses home.
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My eyes were DAH (dry as hell).
2. When Bing Bong’s rocketship was pushed into the dump.
Try again.
3. When Bing Bong sacrificed himself so Joy could get out of the dump.
Nope.
4. When Bing Bong just withered away and died.
Nah.
5. When Sadness was holding the core memories and it took us through a montage of Riley and her parents just being a happy family and shit.
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Nada wetness, yo.
6. When Riley just couldn’t take it anymore and broke down in front of her parents.
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Fuck you.


theroot--2020-10-21--Barney Is a Dinosaur From Daniel Kaluuya's Imagination and Now We Know Why the Hell He's Making This

Barney Is a Dinosaur From Daniel Kaluuya's Imagination and Now We Know Why the Hell He's Making This Movie

What would 2020 be without a bizarre introspective film about a big-ass purple dinosaur ?
!
Back in October , Mattel Films announced Daniel Kaluuya would be producing a live-action film based on Barney the Dinosaur .
The popular purple dinosaur made his TV debut in 1992 with the premiere of Barney & Friends .
“ Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods , then he disappeared into the shadows , left misunderstood , ” Kaluuya said about the upcoming film at the time .
“ We ’ re excited to explore this compelling modern-day hero and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love you , you love me ’ can stand the test of time.
” Now , I actually thought this movie had been shelved since I hadn ’ t heard much else about it , but it looks like Kaluuya is pretty damn passionate about this .
In fact , he recently told Entertainment Weekly exactly why he wanted to make this film in an interview .
“ Barney taught us , ‘ I love you , you love me .
Won ’ t you say you love me too ?
’ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I remember , and what happens when that isn ’ t true ?
” Kaluuya mused .
“ I thought that was really heartbreaking .
I have no idea why but it feels like that makes sense .
It feels like there ’ s something unexpected that can be poignant but optimistic .
Especially at this time now , I think that ’ s really , really needed.
” OK , that went dark pretty quickly .
Now I ’ m picturing the movie trailer voice guy ( R.I.P .
Don LaFontaine ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : In a world ... where a jolly giant purple dinosaur gives all of his love with the expectation that you will return it .
Find out what happens when that expectation isn ’ t met .
*ominous soundbite* Barney the Dinosaur ’ s happy family may not be so happy ... after all .
From the star of GET OUT and straight from your imagination…BARNEY .
I really don ’ t know why this is happening , but it is .
What I do know is that when it does come out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to interview Kaluuya for this film , I will undoubtedly and happily troll him with Barney trivia .

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

What would 2020 be without a bizarre introspective film about a big-ass purple dinosaur?!
Back in October, Mattel Films announced Daniel Kaluuya would be producing a live-action film based on Barney the Dinosaur. The popular purple dinosaur made his TV debut in 1992 with the premiere of Barney & Friends.
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“Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood,” Kaluuya said about the upcoming film at the time. “We’re excited to explore this compelling modern-day hero and see if his message of ‘I love you, you love me’ can stand the test of time.”
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Now, I actually thought this movie had been shelved since I hadn’t heard much else about it, but it looks like Kaluuya is pretty damn passionate about this. In fact, he recently told Entertainment Weekly exactly why he wanted to make this film in an interview.
“Barney taught us, ‘I love you, you love me. Won’t you say you love me too?’ That’s one of the first songs I remember, and what happens when that isn’t true?” Kaluuya mused. “I thought that was really heartbreaking. I have no idea why but it feels like that makes sense. It feels like there’s something unexpected that can be poignant but optimistic. Especially at this time now, I think that’s really, really needed.”
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OK, that went dark pretty quickly. Now I’m picturing the movie trailer voice guy (R.I.P. Don LaFontaine) introducing the following concept to the audience:
In a world...where a jolly giant purple dinosaur gives all of his love with the expectation that you will return it. Find out what happens when that expectation isn’t met. *ominous soundbite* Barney the Dinosaur’s happy family may not be so happy...after all. From the star of GET OUT and straight from your imagination…BARNEY.
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I really don’t know why this is happening, but it is. What I do know is that when it does come out and I’m in the position to interview Kaluuya for this film, I will undoubtedly and happily troll him with Barney trivia.


theroot--2020-10-21--'A Mammogram Can Save Our Lives': Mary J. Blige Joins The Root for a Discussion About Breast Cancer

'A Mammogram Can Save Our Lives': Mary J. Blige Joins The Root for a Discussion About Breast Cancer Awareness

When Mary J. Blige ’ s aunt died of breast cancer , the news was both shocking and devastating .
“ I didn ’ t find out that she died from breast cancer until she died , ” said the nine-time Grammy winner .
Like many other families , Blige ’ s family didn ’ t discuss breast cancer—but in this case , the silence was deadly .
Now , the “ Love Is All We Need ” singer has joined forces with Black Women ’ s Health Imperative , Hologic and RAD-AID for the P.O.W.E.R .
of Sure Campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer screening disparities amongst Black women by driving home the importance of annual mammograms .
As October is Breast Cancer Awareness month , and The Root loves Black women , we are continuing this critical conversation about breast health .
In the above video watch The Root ’ s Editor-in-Chief , Danielle C. Belton , moderate a panel with singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige ; President and CEO of Black Women ’ s Health Imperative Linda Goler Blount ; and Medical Director and Co-Founder of Breast Care for Washington , Regina Hampton , MD @

Felice León on The Glow Up, shared by Felice León to The Root

We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude


theroot--2020-10-20--Relax and Re-Energize: Sunday Scaries Vitamin D3- and B12-Infused CBD Gummies Are 25% Off

Whenever I ’ ve had a stressful day at work ( or , as I call them , a day at work ) , Sunday Scaries comes through with CBD gummies that don ’ t just help me chill out , they also double as a multi-vitamin of sorts—serving up that D3 and B12 enrichment our bodies crave .
While both nutrients work to prevent fatigue , B12 also helps to stave off megaloblastic anemia .
The Vitamin D3 boost is increasingly more important in the winter months , when you ’ re not absorbing as much from the sun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is a non-psychoactive cannabis extract and is said to help with everything from anxiety to chronic pain .
These gummies in particular feature 10mg of CBD each , with 22 gummies found in each container .
The CBD oil it ’ s made from is broad spectrum and contain no THC .
Whether you want to place a recurring order or purchase a bottle outright , you can save 25 % on Sunday Sca ries vitamin D3- and B12-enriched gummy bears using the promo code ESINV25 for a limited time .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to $ 22 ; one-time buyers , on the other hand , can scoop it up and try it out for $ 27 with the coupon , automatically applied at checkout .
See why PopSugar , Buzzfeed , Forbes , and Cosmopolitan are all raving about Sunday Scaries CBD and secure a batch at a generous discount today .

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

10mg CBD Gummies (22-Count) | $22 | Sunday Scaries | Promo Code ESINV25
Whenever I’ve had a stressful day at work (or, as I call them, a day at work), Sunday Scaries comes through with CBD gummies that don’t just help me chill out, they also double as a multi-vitamin of sorts—serving up that D3 and B12 enrichment our bodies crave. While both nutrients work to prevent fatigue, B12 also helps to stave off megaloblastic anemia. The Vitamin D3 boost is increasingly more important in the winter months, when you’re not absorbing as much from the sun. CBD, on the other hand, is a non-psychoactive cannabis extract and is said to help with everything from anxiety to chronic pain.
These gummies in particular feature 10mg of CBD each, with 22 gummies found in each container. The CBD oil it’s made from is broad spectrum and contain no THC. Whether you want to place a recurring order or purchase a bottle outright, you can save 25% on Sunday Sca ries vitamin D3- and B12-enriched gummy bears using the promo code ESINV25 for a limited time. For subscribers, this brings your final price down to $22; one-time buyers, on the other hand, can scoop it up and try it out for $27 with the coupon, automatically applied at checkout. See why PopSugar, Buzzfeed, Forbes, and Cosmopolitan are all raving about Sunday Scaries CBD and secure a batch at a generous discount today.


theroot--2020-10-21--San Francisco’s CAREN Act One-Step Away From Becoming Law and Holding Karens Accountable for Racist

San Francisco’s CAREN Act One-Step Away From Becoming Law and Holding Karens Accountable for Racist 911 Calls

Imagine an America where you can call the authorities on a Karen for calling the authorities on you just for existing while Black .
San Francisco , Calif. , may very well be on its way to that reality—or at least one where Karens and their Ken counterparts will be held accountable for their racism .
In July , The Root reported that San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton introduced the Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies Act at a Board of Supervisors meeting .
The CAREN Act would make it illegal to fabricate false racially-biased emergency reports .
Well now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being signed into law as the board voted unanimously to advance the proposed legislation on Tuesday .
CBS SF reports that the CAREN act will be voted on again by the Board of Supervisors next Tuesday and if it passes it will be sent to Mayor London Breed to be signed .
Ok , so the signing of this bill into law doesn ’ t necessarily mean you ’ ll be able to have a nosey , entitled and irrationally fearful white woman arrested for trying to use the police as her personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just saying , that would be awesome ) , but it does mean that victims of 911 calls made with the specific intent to target someone because of their race , ethnicity , national origin , place of birth , sexual orientation , gender identity or religion will have legal recourse to sue the caller .
“ We want to make sure people don ’ t continue to weaponize emergency calls to law enforcement , ” Walton said during the meeting , CBS reports .
“ Communities of color have the right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by someone calling 911 on them due to someone ’ s racism .
Rather than calling the police or law enforcement on your neighbor or someone who you think doesn ’ t look like they should be your neighbor , try talking to them and getting to know them .
Let ’ s build relationships in our communities.
” CBS interviewed San Francisco residents who were voting early at the Civic Center and many of them expressed support for the measure .
“ Because they are using their white privilege to create trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based in reality , ” said Nicole Didondiff .
“ People with privilege like myself use that to our advantage sometimes and a lot of that uncertainity that comes from not knowing people of color allows us the space to make those accusations safely – and it ’ s gon na take a hard check to get some of that righted , ” said Jason Powers .
“ So I think it ’ s an interesting and potentially game changing measure.
” According to CNN , there are some who are critical of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a common sense and long-overdue approach to dealing with the racial profiling of citizens with trigger-happy 911 fingers ?
Well the Karens , of course .
“ The name of the act places a target on my name as a racist and I am not , ” one resident wrote in a letter to the board .
“ By associating the name ‘ Caren ’ or anyone elses name with such a law , really is offensive.
” “ I do not have objection to this act ; the issue it is trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another resident .
“ I do strongly object to the the name .
The insensitive choice of many people to use the name Karen as a general purpose term of disapproval for middle age white women needs to stop.
” For the record : White people taking legislation meant to curb discrimination against people of color and making it about themselves and how they could potentially be harmed is definitely some A-1 Karen shit .
Hopefully , the CAREN Act will pass in San Francisco and invite more legislation like it to be @ @ @ @ @ @

Imagine an America where you can call the authorities on a Karen for calling the authorities on you just for existing while Black. San Francisco, Calif., may very well be on its way to that reality—or at least one where Karens and their Ken counterparts will be held accountable for their racism.
In July, The Root reported that San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton introduced the Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies Act at a Board of Supervisors meeting. The CAREN Act would make it illegal to fabricate false racially-biased emergency reports. Well now, it’s one step closer to being signed into law as the board voted unanimously to advance the proposed legislation on Tuesday.
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CBS SF reports that the CAREN act will be voted on again by the Board of Supervisors next Tuesday and if it passes it will be sent to Mayor London Breed to be signed. Ok, so the signing of this bill into law doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to have a nosey, entitled and irrationally fearful white woman arrested for trying to use the police as her personal can of negro-be-gone (I’m just saying, that would be awesome), but it does mean that victims of 911 calls made with the specific intent to target someone because of their race, ethnicity, national origin, place of birth, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion will have legal recourse to sue the caller.
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“We want to make sure people don’t continue to weaponize emergency calls to law enforcement,” Walton said during the meeting, CBS reports. “Communities of color have the right to go about daily activities without being threatened by someone calling 911 on them due to someone’s racism. Rather than calling the police or law enforcement on your neighbor or someone who you think doesn’t look like they should be your neighbor, try talking to them and getting to know them. Let’s build relationships in our communities.”
CBS interviewed San Francisco residents who were voting early at the Civic Center and many of them expressed support for the measure.
Advertisement
From CBS:
“Because they are using their white privilege to create trouble for someone else that isn’t based in reality,” said Nicole Didondiff. “People with privilege like myself use that to our advantage sometimes and a lot of that uncertainity that comes from not knowing people of color allows us the space to make those accusations safely – and it’s gonna take a hard check to get some of that righted,” said Jason Powers. “So I think it’s an interesting and potentially game changing measure.”
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According to CNN, there are some who are critical of the measure. Who would oppose such a common sense and long-overdue approach to dealing with the racial profiling of citizens with trigger-happy 911 fingers? Well the Karens, of course.
From CNN:
“The name of the act places a target on my name as a racist and I am not,” one resident wrote in a letter to the board. “By associating the name ‘Caren’ or anyone elses name with such a law, really is offensive.” “I do not have objection to this act; the issue it is trying to address is wrong,” wrote another resident. “ I do strongly object to the the name. The insensitive choice of many people to use the name Karen as a general purpose term of disapproval for middle age white women needs to stop.”
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For the record: White people taking legislation meant to curb discrimination against people of color and making it about themselves and how they could potentially be harmed is definitely some A-1 Karen shit.
Hopefully, the CAREN Act will pass in San Francisco and invite more legislation like it to be considered all over the nation.


theroot--2020-10-21--#EndSARS: Nigerians Say Government Forces Surrounded, Fatally Shot Unarmed Protesters Demonstrating

#EndSARS: Nigerians Say Government Forces Surrounded, Fatally Shot Unarmed Protesters Demonstrating Against Police Brutality

Despite a 24-hour curfew imposed by the government , hundreds of young Nigerians gathered in Lagos Tuesday afternoon to continue protesting against police violence in the country .
As they had been doing for weeks , they waved Nigerian flags , danced to Afrobeats and carried signs with the slogan “ # EndSARSNow.
” The Nigerian military threatened last week to take action against “ troublemakers ” at protests—a warning believed by demonstrators to be targeted at them , though they had more frequently been the target of violence .
Still , organizers believed that if they demonstrated nonviolently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video showed an organizer advising protesters to sit down as uniformed men with guns approached a crowd in Lekki , a suburb of Lagos , the country ’ s largest city .
Just after 7 pm , as the uniformed men surrounded the crowd , the street lights suddenly went dark .
In the darkness , gunfire rang out , followed by screams .
The numbers of the dead are still unclear , with the Nigerian government saying little about the coordinated action taken against protesters or the fatalities and injuries that occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protests , as well as information pouring in through various grassroots organizations are helping many in Nigeria and across the world understand exactly what happened on Tuesday night .
Several are believed to be dead and dozens wounded at last night ’ s demonstrations .
One anonymous person who was at the Lekki toll plaza told the Washington Post there was no warning before police began firing upon protesters ; at least four people around him had died .
Another unnamed witness told BBC News that soldiers fired directly at protesters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ advancing straight at us .
It was chaos .
Somebody got hit straight beside me and he died on the spot , ” he said .
Witnesses speaking to the Nigerian newspaper , The Premium Times reported about a dozen dead .
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave a stunningly passive statement Tuesday night , blaming the shooting of protesters on “ forces beyond his control , ” the Premium Times reported .
“ This is the toughest night of our lives as forces beyond our direct control have moved to make dark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will face it and come out stronger , ” Sanwo-Olu said .
In a statement Wednesday , Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari did not refer to the shootings Tuesday night , calling on Nigerians to be patient as police reforms “ gather pace.
” Meanwhile , the army , which on Oct. 14 warned “ all subversive elements ” that it would “ defend the country and her democracy at all cost ” called media reports of the violence in Lekki “ fake news.
” Curfews have been imposed beyond Lagos to other Nigerian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Nigeria have many parallels to demonstrations happening in the United States and elsewhere around the world , with young Nigerians calling for greater government accountability for years of corruption , poor governance and a lack of oversight and responsibility for systemic state violence .
The movement in Nigeria , Africa ’ s wealthiest and most populous nation , is a decentralized one , with multiple grassroots organizations working to disseminate information , coordinate protests and raise funds .
The protests have primarily concentrated on the Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS ) unit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heinous crimes against young Nigerians , including extortion , unlawful detainment and extrajudicial killings .
Sources talking to the BBC reported never seeing their loved ones again after encounters with SARS officers .
Last week , President Buhari agreed to dissolve SARS but said it would be replaced by a new unit , the Special Weapons and Tactics ( SWAT ) team .
But protesters have largely rejected the reform , calling for more substantial changes to the country ’ s policing .
As Time reports , there are five core demands circulating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate release of all arrested protesters , justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and additional compensation for their families , an independent oversight body that would investigate and prosecute all reports of police misconduct within 10 days and a requirement that all SARS officers undergo psychological evaluation and re-training by an independent organization before working with other units .
In response to the military crackdown on Tuesday night , Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden called on Nigerian officials to cease the violence against protesters , writing , “ the U.S. must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy.
” Celebrities like Rihanna and Nigerian soccer star Odion Jude Ighalo , who plays for Manchester United , also amplified the # EndSARS movement .
“ I ’ m ashamed of this government , ” Ighalo said in an online video , pleading with Nigerians to “ remain safe , be indoors .
Please don ’ t come out because this government , they [ will ] kill us , and they will keep killing if the world do not talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds for protesters are American groups like Abolitionists @ Northwestern University , who are raising funds for temporary safehouses for queer protesters in Nigeria , and a number of Nigerian organizations , among them the Nigerian feminist group Feminist Coalition , which is accepting donations in bitcoin .
In New York City , a “ March for Nigerian Lives ” organized by # EndSARSNYC is being planned for 2 pm ET .

Despite a 24-hour curfew imposed by the government, hundreds of young Nigerians gathered in Lagos Tuesday afternoon to continue protesting against police violence in the country. As they had been doing for weeks, they waved Nigerian flags, danced to Afrobeats and carried signs with the slogan “#EndSARSNow.”
The Nigerian military threatened last week to take action against “troublemakers” at protests—a warning believed by demonstrators to be targeted at them, though they had more frequently been the target of violence. Still, organizers believed that if they demonstrated nonviolently, they could avoid being attacked. One video showed an organizer advising protesters to sit down as uniformed men with guns approached a crowd in Lekki, a suburb of Lagos, the country’s largest city.
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Just after 7 pm, as the uniformed men surrounded the crowd, the street lights suddenly went dark. In the darkness, gunfire rang out, followed by screams.
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The numbers of the dead are still unclear, with the Nigerian government saying little about the coordinated action taken against protesters or the fatalities and injuries that occurred as a result. Videos taken at the protests, as well as information pouring in through various grassroots organizations are helping many in Nigeria and across the world understand exactly what happened on Tuesday night.
Several are believed to be dead and dozens wounded at last night’s demonstrations. One anonymous person who was at the Lekki toll plaza told the Washington Post there was no warning before police began firing upon protesters; at least four people around him had died. Another unnamed witness told BBC News that soldiers fired directly at protesters. “They were firing and they were advancing straight at us. It was chaos. Somebody got hit straight beside me and he died on the spot,” he said.
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Witnesses speaking to the Nigerian newspaper, The Premium Times reported about a dozen dead.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave a stunningly passive statement Tuesday night, blaming the shooting of protesters on “forces beyond his control,” the Premium Times reported.
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“This is the toughest night of our lives as forces beyond our direct control have moved to make dark notes in our history, but we will face it and come out stronger,” Sanwo-Olu said.
In a statement Wednesday, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari did not refer to the shootings Tuesday night, calling on Nigerians to be patient as police reforms “gather pace.” Meanwhile, the army, which on Oct. 14 warned “all subversive elements” that it would “defend the country and her democracy at all cost” called media reports of the violence in Lekki “fake news.”
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Curfews have been imposed beyond Lagos to other Nigerian cities.
The protests against police brutality in Nigeria have many parallels to demonstrations happening in the United States and elsewhere around the world, with young Nigerians calling for greater government accountability for years of corruption, poor governance and a lack of oversight and responsibility for systemic state violence. The movement in Nigeria, Africa’s wealthiest and most populous nation, is a decentralized one, with multiple grassroots organizations working to disseminate information, coordinate protests and raise funds.
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The protests have primarily concentrated on the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit, which has long been accused of heinous crimes against young Nigerians, including extortion, unlawful detainment and extrajudicial killings.
Sources talking to the BBC reported never seeing their loved ones again after encounters with SARS officers.
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Last week, President Buhari agreed to dissolve SARS but said it would be replaced by a new unit, the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. But protesters have largely rejected the reform, calling for more substantial changes to the country’s policing. As Time reports, there are five core demands circulating from organizers seeking reforms, including the immediate release of all arrested protesters, justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and additional compensation for their families, an independent oversight body that would investigate and prosecute all reports of police misconduct within 10 days and a requirement that all SARS officers undergo psychological evaluation and re-training by an independent organization before working with other units.
In response to the military crackdown on Tuesday night, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden called on Nigerian officials to cease the violence against protesters, writing, “the U.S. must stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and seeking an end to corruption in their democracy.”
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Celebrities like Rihanna and Nigerian soccer star Odion Jude Ighalo, who plays for Manchester United, also amplified the #EndSARS movement.
“I’m ashamed of this government,” Ighalo said in an online video, pleading with Nigerians to “remain safe, be indoors. Please don’t come out because this government, they [will] kill us, and they will keep killing if the world do not talk about this.”
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Among the organizations raising funds for protesters are American groups like Abolitionists @ Northwestern University, who are raising funds for temporary safehouses for queer protesters in Nigeria, and a number of Nigerian organizations, among them the Nigerian feminist group Feminist Coalition, which is accepting donations in bitcoin.
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In New York City, a “March for Nigerian Lives” organized by #EndSARSNYC is being planned for 2 pm ET.


theroot--2020-10-21--Looks Like Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz Was Out Here Twerking for Trump to Get Low Hotel Rates

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R ) has been battling South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R ) for who will get to bronze the president ’ s testicles and keep them in their suit jacket pocket , closest to their heart .
While no one will beat Graham ’ s commitment and penchant for punishment , it looks like Gaetz didn ’ t walk away empty-handed , as his campaign received deep discounts on rooms at the Trump International Hotel near the White House .
According to Salon , the campaign to reelect Gaetz appears to have had prices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Convention in August , and such a discount is a violation of federal election laws , which bar corporations from contributing directly to campaigns .
Recent Federal Election Commission ( FEC ) filings show the Gaetz campaign made four separate payments , ranging from $ 216.20 to $ 261.47 , for lodging at Trump ’ s hotel on Aug. 27 , the last of four nights of the convention when Trump gave his acceptance speech from the White House lawn .
On that evening , the price for rooms for one adult through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as high as $ 2,070 , The Daily Beast reported .
On the three convention dates prior to Trump ’ s keynote address , the hotel priced its cheapest room at $ 695 a night .
( Rates for rooms this week range from $ 695 to $ 895 . )
It appears the hotel cut the Gaetz campaign a discount far below market rates .
Even if the campaign had booked the cheapest room available , it appears to have paid about one-third of the market rate , saving anywhere between $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discount would represent an in-kind donation to the Gaetz campaign , courtesy of Trump Old Post Office LLC .
( The FEC treats any item of value as money . )
Gaetz has been competing with Barron for Trump ’ s kid who gets to sleep in the White House , and like all the good IG side-pieces before him , Gaetz was seen in a photo with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and New Jersey convention delegate Joseph Belnome—which was posted to Belnome ’ s IG page , showing them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the payment to the hotel was made .
Corporate contributions or discounts to campaigns are illegal under federal election law .
Salon notes that when campaigns pay reduced rates they must report the discount as a contribution .
[ A ] nything of value made by any person for the purpose of influencing any election for Federal office is a contribution .
.
.
For purposes of this section , the term anything of value includes all in-kind contributions .
.
.
[ T ] he provision of any goods or services without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than the usual and normal charge for such goods or services is a contribution .
.
.
If goods or services are provided at less than the usual and normal charge , the amount of the in-kind contribution is the difference between the usual and normal charge for the goods or services at the time of the contribution and the amount charged the political committee .
The Gaetz campaign did not report a discount in its latest filing , because of course , they didn ’ t .
A source did note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this bullshit , because he ’ s getting flew ’ d out and stays booked and busy while you bitches stay broke and bothered .
( It was me .
I ’ m the source . )
Salon even notes that there is literally no way Gaetz could ’ ve gotten the severely discounted price without someone else ’ s ( read the White House ’ s ) help .
They also note that Gaetz couldn ’ t have made the reservation in advance as the plan to have the convention in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until Aug. 13 .
Even if Gaetz did book in advance , he still wouldn ’ t have gotten that reduced rate .
And all of this is even funnier because during a Trump campaign rally in Florida the president kept referring to Gaetz as “ Rick ” —which must be his work name .
“ Gaetz is particularly close to Trump and has been to Trump properties more than any other Representative—tied with Kevin McCarthy , ” Jordan Libowitz , of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington , told Salon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senators Lindsey Graham and Rand Paul.
” “ So how he got a discount is really a question he ’ d need to answer , ” Libowitz added , noting that standard room rates at the hotel start around the high-300s to mid- to high-400s .
**The Root reached out to Gaetz for comment and someone answered the phone and yelled , “ I thought a broke bitch said something , ” and hung up .
**The Root did not reach out to Gaetz for comment as we don ’ t have the @ @ @ @ @ @

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) has been battling South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) for who will get to bronze the president’s testicles and keep them in their suit jacket pocket, closest to their heart. While no one will beat Graham’s commitment and penchant for punishment, it looks like Gaetz didn’t walk away empty-handed, as his campaign received deep discounts on rooms at the Trump International Hotel near the White House.
According to Salon, the campaign to reelect Gaetz appears to have had prices slashed on lodging during the Republican National Convention in August, and such a discount is a violation of federal election laws, which bar corporations from contributing directly to campaigns.
Advertisement
From Salon:
Recent Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings show the Gaetz campaign made four separate payments, ranging from $216.20 to $261.47, for lodging at Trump’s hotel on Aug. 27, the last of four nights of the convention when Trump gave his acceptance speech from the White House lawn. On that evening, the price for rooms for one adult through Hotels.com began at $795 and ran as high as $2,070, The Daily Beast reported. On the three convention dates prior to Trump’s keynote address, the hotel priced its cheapest room at $695 a night. (Rates for rooms this week range from $695 to $895.) It appears the hotel cut the Gaetz campaign a discount far below market rates. Even if the campaign had booked the cheapest room available, it appears to have paid about one-third of the market rate, saving anywhere between $470 and $530. Such a discount would represent an in-kind donation to the Gaetz campaign, courtesy of Trump Old Post Office LLC. (The FEC treats any item of value as money.)
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Gaetz has been competing with Barron for Trump’s kid who gets to sleep in the White House, and like all the good IG side-pieces before him, Gaetz was seen in a photo with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and New Jersey convention delegate Joseph Belnome—which was posted to Belnome’s IG page, showing them outside the hotel on the same day the payment to the hotel was made.
Corporate contributions or discounts to campaigns are illegal under federal election law. Salon notes that when campaigns pay reduced rates they must report the discount as a contribution.
Advertisement
From the Federal Election Commission:
[A]nything of value made by any person for the purpose of influencing any election for Federal office is a contribution . . . For purposes of this section, the term anything of value includes all in-kind contributions. . . [T]he provision of any goods or services without charge or at a charge that is less than the usual and normal charge for such goods or services is a contribution . . . If goods or services are provided at less than the usual and normal charge, the amount of the in-kind contribution is the difference between the usual and normal charge for the goods or services at the time of the contribution and the amount charged the political committee.
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The Gaetz campaign did not report a discount in its latest filing, because of course, they didn’t. A source did note that Gaetz doesn’t have time for this bullshit, because he’s getting flew’d out and stays booked and busy while you bitches stay broke and bothered. (It was me. I’m the source.)
Salon even notes that there is literally no way Gaetz could’ve gotten the severely discounted price without someone else’s (read the White House’s) help. They also note that Gaetz couldn’t have made the reservation in advance as the plan to have the convention in Washington, D.C., was not announced until Aug. 13.
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Even if Gaetz did book in advance, he still wouldn’t have gotten that reduced rate.
And all of this is even funnier because during a Trump campaign rally in Florida the president kept referring to Gaetz as “Rick”—which must be his work name.
“Gaetz is particularly close to Trump and has been to Trump properties more than any other Representative—tied with Kevin McCarthy,” Jordan Libowitz, of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told Salon. “But he’s still behind Senators Lindsey Graham and Rand Paul.”
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“So how he got a discount is really a question he’d need to answer,” Libowitz added, noting that standard room rates at the hotel start around the high-300s to mid- to high-400s.
**The Root reached out to Gaetz for comment and someone answered the phone and yelled, “I thought a broke bitch said something,” and hung up.
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theroot--2020-10-21--'They Just Aren't Good at Their Jobs': Dallas Cowboys Players Call Out Their Own Coaching Staff, and

'They Just Aren't Good at Their Jobs': Dallas Cowboys Players Call Out Their Own Coaching Staff, and They Ain't Lying

With the Cowboys sitting at 2-4 , there ’ s plenty of blame to be passed around .
But when your defense is coughing up a mind-boggling 36.3 points per game , it makes it nearly impossible to field a winning football team .
That said , Cowboys fans are justified in their disillusionment and disdain for all things Mike Nolan—Dallas ’ defensive coordinator—and would hope that Jones and the rest of the organization would demand more from a man who has clearly failed the team miserably .
Jones hopped on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday and did what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grace in place of actual accountability—formerly known as the Jason Garrett Manager ’ s Special .
“ I like the way we came out defensively , ” Jones said .
“ I thought we had a good plan for the skills of [ Kyler ] Murray and what the Cardinals presented us .
These aren ’ t excuses , but his defense has had a very difficult time with field position , where we ’ ve gotten the ball early .
I don ’ t care what the skill level of a team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , they ’ re gon na tee off on you.
” Then , in what should come as a surprise to no one , Jones uttered these fateful words : “ I ’ m okay with Mike Nolan .
I am.
” Ummmmm how ?
Remember that part where I said the Cowboys are allowing 36.3 points per game ?
Allow me to provide a bit more context : Okay , now that you ’ ve picked your jaw up from the floor , would now be a good time to also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have only forced three turnovers all season ?
Oh , and they ’ ve also only collected 11 sacks during that span .
And and and if you guessed that they ’ re ranked 31st in rushing yards allowed and have the worst turnover differential in the league , you ’ d also be correct .
Yet Jones is “ okay ” with this shit ?
Understandably , his players—who actually want to win games—feel otherwise .
So instead of keeping their mouths shut about Dolan or head coach Mike McCarthy—who by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well—they broke ranks and gave the NFL Network ’ s Jane Slater some anonymous gems .
Per Slater , players speaking off the record called their coach staff “ totally unprepared ” and insisted that “ they don ’ t teach .
They don ’ t have any sense of adjusting on the fly.
” Oh , and this : “ They just aren ’ t good at their jobs.
” You mean to tell me Mike McCarthy is struggling to make adjustments ?
!
?
!
!
Poor performance rarely costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t hold your breath expecting Jones to make any changes .
But once players start chirping to the media , it only gets uglier from here .
Much like the Cowboys ’ play on the field .

Jerry Jones doesn’t get it.
With the Cowboys sitting at 2-4, there’s plenty of blame to be passed around. But when your defense is coughing up a mind-boggling 36.3 points per game, it makes it nearly impossible to field a winning football team.
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That said, Cowboys fans are justified in their disillusionment and disdain for all things Mike Nolan—Dallas’ defensive coordinator—and would hope that Jones and the rest of the organization would demand more from a man who has clearly failed the team miserably.
But nope!
Jones hopped on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday and did what he does best: offer excuses and extend grace in place of actual accountability—formerly known as the Jason Garrett Manager’s Special.
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“I like the way we came out defensively,” Jones said. “I thought we had a good plan for the skills of [Kyler] Murray and what the Cardinals presented us. These aren’t excuses, but his defense has had a very difficult time with field position, where we’ve gotten the ball early. I don’t care what the skill level of a team is. When they get up on you, they’re gonna tee off on you.”
Then, in what should come as a surprise to no one, Jones uttered these fateful words: “I’m okay with Mike Nolan. I am.”
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Ummmmm how? Remember that part where I said the Cowboys are allowing 36.3 points per game? Allow me to provide a bit more context:
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Okay, now that you’ve picked your jaw up from the floor, would now be a good time to also bring to your attention that the Cowboys have only forced three turnovers all season? Oh, and they’ve also only collected 11 sacks during that span. And and and if you guessed that they’re ranked 31st in rushing yards allowed and have the worst turnover differential in the league, you’d also be correct.
Yet Jones is “okay” with this shit?
Understandably, his players—who actually want to win games—feel otherwise. So instead of keeping their mouths shut about Dolan or head coach Mike McCarthy—who by his own admission is doing a terrible-ass job as well—they broke ranks and gave the NFL Network’s Jane Slater some anonymous gems.
Advertisement
Per Slater, players speaking off the record called their coach staff “totally unprepared” and insisted that “they don’t teach. They don’t have any sense of adjusting on the fly.”
Oh, and this: “They just aren’t good at their jobs.”
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You mean to tell me Mike McCarthy is struggling to make adjustments?!?!!
No way!!!!!!!
Poor performance rarely costs anyone their job in Dallas, so don’t hold your breath expecting Jones to make any changes. But once players start chirping to the media, it only gets uglier from here. Much like the Cowboys’ play on the field.


theroot--2020-10-21--From Politics to Polo: Valerie Jarrett Joins Ralph Lauren's Board of Directors

Valerie Jarrett was one of the most trusted advisers in President Obama ’ s administration , and in the years since , has lent her expertise as a board member of Ariel Investments , Lyft , the Kennedy Center , Time ’ s Up , and more , in addition to being Chair of the Board of When We All Vote , co-Chair of the United State of Women , and a Senior Advisor to the Obama Foundation and media company ATTN : .
Oh , and did we also mention that the former attorney turned public servant turned New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior distinguished fellow at the University of Chicago Law School ?
We don ’ t know how she fits it all in , but Jarrett does it in style—and is now an adviser to another American icon .
O n Tuesday , Women ’ s Wear Daily reported that Jarrett had been named to the board of Ralph Lauren , welcomed by the famed designer himself .
“ We are pleased to welcome Valerie to the Ralph Lauren board of directors , ” said Ralph Lauren , the company ’ s executive chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
“ Valerie is a proven and highly respected leader with a clear passion for citizenship and making a positive impact on the world .
Valerie ’ s breadth of experience across the public and private sectors and unparalleled expertise in government , law and leadership will bring new perspective as we continue to build the future of our iconic company.
” “ Ralph Lauren ’ s purpose-driven culture and focus on aspiration , timelessness and optimism has long inspired me , ” Jarrett said in a statement .
“ I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board of directors and look forward to contributing to the company ’ s continued growth and success and to be building on the longevity of this admired organization.
” Jarrett is the second person of color appointed to Ralph Lauren ’ s recently expanded ( and from all appearances , formerly all-white ) board of 13 .
Darren Walker , president and CEO of the Ford Foundation , also joined the board in recent months .
“ Valerie ’ s unique perspective and insights as one of the country ’ s most distinguished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ralph Lauren board , ” said Patrice Louvet , Lauren ’ s president and chief executive officer .
“ Her experience across the public and private sectors will be invaluable as we continue to write the next great chapter for our company .
”

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

Valerie Jarrett was one of the most trusted advisers in President Obama’s administration, and in the years since, has lent her expertise as a board member of Ariel Investments, Lyft, the Kennedy Center, Time’s Up, and more, in addition to being Chair of the Board of When We All Vote, co-Chair of the United State of Women, and a Senior Advisor to the Obama Foundation and media company ATTN:.
Oh, and did we also mention that the former attorney turned public servant turned New York Times bestselling author is also a senior distinguished fellow at the University of Chicago Law School?
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We don’t know how she fits it all in, but Jarrett does it in style—and is now an adviser to another American icon. O n Tuesday, Women’s Wear Daily reported that Jarrett had been named to the board of Ralph Lauren, welcomed by the famed designer himself.
“We are pleased to welcome Valerie to the Ralph Lauren board of directors,” said Ralph Lauren, the company’s executive chairman and chief creative officer (h/t WWD). “Valerie is a proven and highly respected leader with a clear passion for citizenship and making a positive impact on the world. Valerie’s breadth of experience across the public and private sectors and unparalleled expertise in government, law and leadership will bring new perspective as we continue to build the future of our iconic company.”
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“Ralph Lauren’s purpose-driven culture and focus on aspiration, timelessness and optimism has long inspired me,” Jarrett said in a statement. “I am honored to join the company’s board of directors and look forward to contributing to the company’s continued growth and success and to be building on the longevity of this admired organization.”
Jarrett is the second person of color appointed to Ralph Lauren’s recently expanded (and from all appearances, formerly all-white) board of 13. Darren Walker, president and CEO of the Ford Foundation, also joined the board in recent months.
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“Valerie’s unique perspective and insights as one of the country’s most distinguished leaders makes her an excellent addition to the Ralph Lauren board,” said Patrice Louvet, Lauren’s president and chief executive officer. “Her experience across the public and private sectors will be invaluable as we continue to write the next great chapter for our company.”


theroot--2020-10-22--Funny, Shady, and Everything in Between: Why Jasmyn Lawson Loves Verzuz Battles

Jasmyn Lawson has done a lot during these socially-distant times , including successfully announcing an incredible lineup of our favorite @ @ @ @ @ ll keep us entertained well into winter .
But when the editorial and brand manager @ @ @ @ @ Black Lead—who was also recognized on this year ’ s The Root 100 list—isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ s big on watching content that celebrates the culture .
“ I ’ ve loved @ @ @ @ @ as a community , have been able to come together virtually , especially during moments @ @ @ @ @ Lawson .
Our favorite Strong Black Lead explains why Verzuz battles have been giving her @ @ @ @ @ they are the Blackest moments of 2020 thus far in the video above .


theroot--2020-10-22--Op-Ed: Nigerian Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka Reflects on What Feels Like 'Déjà Vu—In Tragic Vein'

I arrived home from external commitments just over a week ago to an extraordinary homecoming gift .
It took the form of a movement—sometimes angry , sometimes entrancing , poignant , sometimes strident , certainly robust in expectations but always moving , visionary and organized .
That movement demanded an end to [ brutality ] from state security agencies , focusing on a notorious unit known as SARS .
But of course , SARS merely stood for the parasitic character of governance itself , in all ramifications .
That dimension—albeit not in those very terms , of course—was acknowledged by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivered through the vice president .
The movement involved members of the Nigerian Bar Association , feminist groups , professionals , technocrats , students , prelates , industrial institutions , and artists—writers , cineastes , actors , musicians .
It was markedly a youthful movement , its energy , creativity and resolve diffused throughout the nation through impressive strategies .
It was , above all , orderly .
In places , one felt vibrations that seemed to echo concert grounds like Woodstock ; other times , the massed processions of France ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Solidarity movement .
Even closer , more recently and pertinent , the patient , stoical gatherings in Mali that lasted weeks and in whose resolution our own nation played a critical role .
As I stated in my Message to Youth at the Freedom Park 10th anniversary events on Saturday , Oct. 17 , these youths brought fresh blood into tired veins .
It was bliss indeed to be alive , to watch youths finally begin to take the future into their own hands .
But—and haven ’ t we been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it all changed .
State security services—which specific branch , we have yet to identify—transported thugs to break up the protests .
The videos exist , they have been widely disseminated—sleek motorcades with number plates covered—moved to recruit and disgorge thugs and breeds of hoodlums to break up the peaceful protests .
Those mercenaries set fire to the protesters ’ vehicles where parked , set upon the gathered youths with cudgels and machetes .
They broke open at least one prison to let out the inmates .
It has since been established @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruited prisoners who , we can only presume , have been paid not only in cash but in kind .
Casualties began in single , sporadic numbers , climaxing in the shooting deaths of a yet undetermined number of protesters in a Lagos sector called Lekki .
The mood and climate of protest changed abruptly and devastatingly with that diabolical intrusion .
For the first time , anger and nihilism entered the lists , moving to dominate emotions .
Organized militancy has been replaced by vengeful , omnidirectional hatred .
The capital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the famous Apo market—that name itself evoking memories of an ancient massacre of youth—known as the APO Six—by SARS .
On Tuesday , Oct. 20 , I set out to drive to my hometown , Abeokuta , to be on my own turf as the violence was spiraling mindlessly in multiple directions .
After negotiating my way through some eight or nine protesters ’ roadblocks , I was compelled to turn back .
It was all déjà vu—the uprisings in the former Western Region of Nigeria , the anti-Abacha movement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt , however , enabled me to assess the mood and transformation of the movement .
I was better prepared .
I rescheduled my trip for the following morning .
In the meantime , however—that is , within the next eight to ten hours—the tension became unimaginable !
At that [ aforementioned ] Lagos sector , Lekki , where most of the affirmative action gatherings had taken place , soldiers opened fire on unarmed demonstrators , killing and wounding a yet undetermined number .
One such extrajudicial killing has drenched the Nigerian flag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The video has , in accustomed parlance , ‘ gone viral ’ .
I have spoken by phone to eyewitnesses .
One , a noted public figure has shared his first-hand testimony on television .
The government should cease to insult this nation with petulant denials .
I resumed my trip to Abeokuta at 6 am [ Wednesday ] morning as scheduled , again negotiating roadblocks—this time , somewhere between twelve and fifteen , all distinguished by an implacable state of rage .
It was in stark contrast to the inclusivity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ of earlier days .
All inherent beauty of instant bonding and solidarity [ had ] evaporated .
At the block just before the Lagos Secretariat , the protesters proved the most recalcitrant .
In the end , they exacted from me just the one offering to the rites of passage—I could sense it coming—I had to come down from the car and address them .
I did .
Little did they know what was churning in my mind : This is not real .
This is Back to Abacha—in grotesque replay !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ government know that the army has now replaced SARS in the demonic album of the protesters .
My inquiry so far indicates that the Lagos governor did not invite in the army , did not complain of a ‘ breakdown in law and order ’ .
Nevertheless , the [ Center ] has chosen to act in an authoritarian manner and has inflicted a near incurable wound on the community psyche .
Need I add that , on arrival in Abeokuta , my hometown , I again had to negotiate a roadblock ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , and have no doubt that more are being erected as this is being written .
It is pathetic and unimaginative to claim , as some have done , that the continued protest is hurting the nation ’ s economy , etc.
, etc .
COVID-19 has battered the Nigerian economy—such as it is—for over eight months .
Of course , it is not easy to bring down COVID under a hail of bullets—human lives are easier targets , and there are even trophies to flaunt as evidence of victory—such as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims was waving at the time of his murder .
To the affected governors all over the nation , there is one immediate step to take : demand the withdrawal of those soldiers .
Convoke town hall meetings as a matter of urgency .
24-hr curfews are not the solution .
Take over the security of your people with whatever resources you can rummage .
Substitute community self-policing based on local councils to curb hooligan infiltration and extortionist and destructive opportunism .
We commiserate with the bereaved and urge state governments to compensate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any process of healing at all—dare one assume that this is the ultimate destination of desire ?
—the army must apologize , not merely to the nation but to the global community .
The facts are indisputable—you , the military , opened fire on unarmed civilians .
There has to be structured restitution and assurance that such aberrations will not again be recorded .
Then , both governance and its security arms can commence a meaningful , lamentably overdue dialogue with society .
Do not attempt to dictate—Dialogue !
Wole Soyinka is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ educator who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986 .

I arrived home from external commitments just over a week ago to an extraordinary homecoming gift. It took the form of a movement—sometimes angry, sometimes entrancing, poignant, sometimes strident, certainly robust in expectations but always moving, visionary and organized. That movement demanded an end to [brutality] from state security agencies, focusing on a notorious unit known as SARS. But of course, SARS merely stood for the parasitic character of governance itself, in all ramifications. That dimension—albeit not in those very terms, of course—was acknowledged by the first formal response of government, delivered through the vice president.
The movement involved members of the Nigerian Bar Association, feminist groups, professionals, technocrats, students, prelates, industrial institutions, and artists—writers, cineastes, actors, musicians. It was markedly a youthful movement, its energy, creativity and resolve diffused throughout the nation through impressive strategies. It was, above all, orderly. In places, one felt vibrations that seemed to echo concert grounds like Woodstock; other times, the massed processions of France’s yellow vests or waves of Lech Walesa’s Solidarity movement. Even closer, more recently and pertinent, the patient, stoical gatherings in Mali that lasted weeks and in whose resolution our own nation played a critical role. As I stated in my Message to Youth at the Freedom Park 10th anniversary events on Saturday, Oct. 17, these youths brought fresh blood into tired veins. It was bliss indeed to be alive, to watch youths finally begin to take the future into their own hands.
Advertisement
But—and haven’t we been here before?—suddenly, virtually overnight, it all changed. State security services—which specific branch, we have yet to identify—transported thugs to break up the protests. The videos exist, they have been widely disseminated—sleek motorcades with number plates covered—moved to recruit and disgorge thugs and breeds of hoodlums to break up the peaceful protests. Those mercenaries set fire to the protesters’ vehicles where parked, set upon the gathered youths with cudgels and machetes. They broke open at least one prison to let out the inmates. It has since been established that some of those vandals were actually recruited prisoners who, we can only presume, have been paid not only in cash but in kind. Casualties began in single, sporadic numbers, climaxing in the shooting deaths of a yet undetermined number of protesters in a Lagos sector called Lekki.
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The mood and climate of protest changed abruptly and devastatingly with that diabolical intrusion. For the first time, anger and nihilism entered the lists, moving to dominate emotions. Organized militancy has been replaced by vengeful, omnidirectional hatred. The capital, Abuja, has been torched in places, including the famous Apo market—that name itself evoking memories of an ancient massacre of youth—known as the APO Six—by SARS. On Tuesday, Oct. 20, I set out to drive to my hometown, Abeokuta, to be on my own turf as the violence was spiraling mindlessly in multiple directions. After negotiating my way through some eight or nine protesters’ roadblocks, I was compelled to turn back. It was all déjà vu—the uprisings in the former Western Region of Nigeria, the anti-Abacha movement, etc., etc., etc. The attempt, however, enabled me to assess the mood and transformation of the movement. I was better prepared. I rescheduled my trip for the following morning.
In the meantime, however—that is, within the next eight to ten hours—the tension became unimaginable! At that [aforementioned] Lagos sector, Lekki, where most of the affirmative action gatherings had taken place, soldiers opened fire on unarmed demonstrators, killing and wounding a yet undetermined number. One such extrajudicial killing has drenched the Nigerian flag in the blood of innocents—and not symbolically. The video has, in accustomed parlance, ‘gone viral’. I have spoken by phone to eyewitnesses. One, a noted public figure has shared his first-hand testimony on television. The government should cease to insult this nation with petulant denials.
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I resumed my trip to Abeokuta at 6 am [Wednesday] morning as scheduled, again negotiating roadblocks—this time, somewhere between twelve and fifteen, all distinguished by an implacable state of rage. It was in stark contrast to the inclusivity of the protesting ‘family of common cause’ of earlier days. All inherent beauty of instant bonding and solidarity [had] evaporated. At the block just before the Lagos Secretariat, the protesters proved the most recalcitrant. In the end, they exacted from me just the one offering to the rites of passage—I could sense it coming—I had to come down from the car and address them. I did. Little did they know what was churning in my mind: This is not real. This is Back to Abacha—in grotesque replay!
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It is absolutely essential to let this government know that the army has now replaced SARS in the demonic album of the protesters. My inquiry so far indicates that the Lagos governor did not invite in the army, did not complain of a ‘breakdown in law and order’. Nevertheless, the [Center] has chosen to act in an authoritarian manner and has inflicted a near incurable wound on the community psyche. Need I add that, on arrival in Abeokuta, my hometown, I again had to negotiate a roadblock? That went smoothly enough; I expected it, and have no doubt that more are being erected as this is being written.
It is pathetic and unimaginative to claim, as some have done, that the continued protest is hurting the nation’s economy, etc., etc. COVID-19 has battered the Nigerian economy—such as it is—for over eight months. Of course, it is not easy to bring down COVID under a hail of bullets—human lives are easier targets, and there are even trophies to flaunt as evidence of victory—such as the blood-soaked Nigerian flag that one of the victims was waving at the time of his murder.
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To the affected governors all over the nation, there is one immediate step to take: demand the withdrawal of those soldiers. Convoke town hall meetings as a matter of urgency. 24-hr curfews are not the solution. Take over the security of your people with whatever resources you can rummage. Substitute community self-policing based on local councils to curb hooligan infiltration and extortionist and destructive opportunism. We commiserate with the bereaved and urge state governments to compensate for material losses, wherever. To commence any process of healing at all—dare one assume that this is the ultimate destination of desire?—the army must apologize, not merely to the nation but to the global community. The facts are indisputable—you, the military, opened fire on unarmed civilians. There has to be structured restitution and assurance that such aberrations will not again be recorded.
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Then, both governance and its security arms can commence a meaningful, lamentably overdue dialogue with society. Do not attempt to dictate—Dialogue!
Wole Soyinka
11 a.m., October 21, 2020
Wole Soyinka is a Nigerian playwright, poet, essayist and educator who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986.


theroot--2020-10-22--Truck Driver Who Drove Through George Floyd Protesters in Minneapolis Charged

A truck driver who drove through a group of protesters on a bridge in Minneapolis now faces two criminal charges .
On Thursday , Hennepin County prosecutors charged Bogdan Vechirko with making threats of violence and criminal vehicular operation .
The charges are a felony and a gross misdemeanor , respectively .
The prosecutors believe Bodgan was attempting to frighten the protesters to clear out his path , and he had plenty of time to scare them , ABC News reports .
Thousands were protesting on the Interstate 35W bridge in early June , six days after George Floyd was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nobody was critically injured , but one protester did suffer a minor injury after trying to jump out the way of the truck .
Entrances to the highway were closed by authorities as a precaution , but Vechirko managed to get on the highway from an entrance that was left open for reasons still unclear .
According to Vechirko ’ s attorney , when the trucker saw the the protesters he “ relied on his professional instinct and training to avoid a hard brake that could have jackknifed the truck and could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , and instead slowed his vehicle while maneuvering through the parted crowd.
” Vechirko added that he was returning from a fuel delivery and didn ’ t intend to drive into the protesters or injure anyone .
Gov .
Tim Walz and Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington cosigned that assessment and felt the footage showed that he was simply confused .
While it ’ s entirely possible Vechirko was confused , even if that was the case the dude looks dumb as hell .
First , there ’ s no way that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death you didn ’ t at least have an inkling of what was going on in Minneapolis .
You would literally have to be the Patrick Star of Minneapolis for that to make sense .
Knowing there had been ongoing protests in the city , and seeing that the highway is closed save for one entrance , common sense would say “ hey , maybe I shouldn ’ t go on the highway.
” At the very least , call someone to see what ’ s going on with the highway .
Vechirko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s unclear when his first hearing will be .

A truck driver who drove through a group of protesters on a bridge in Minneapolis now faces two criminal charges.
On Thursday, Hennepin County prosecutors charged Bogdan Vechirko with making threats of violence and criminal vehicular operation. The charges are a felony and a gross misdemeanor, respectively. The prosecutors believe Bodgan was attempting to frighten the protesters to clear out his path, and he had plenty of time to scare them, ABC News reports.
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Thousands were protesting on the Interstate 35W bridge in early June, six days after George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis p olice officer . Nobody was critically injured, but one protester did suffer a minor injury after trying to jump out the way of the truck.
Entrances to the highway were closed by authorities as a precaution, but Vechirko managed to get on the highway from an entrance that was left open for reasons still unclear. According to Vechirko’s attorney, when the trucker saw the the protesters he “relied on his professional instinct and training to avoid a hard brake that could have jackknifed the truck and could have seriously injured or killed thousands of people, and instead slowed his vehicle while maneuvering through the parted crowd.”
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Vechirko added that he was returning from a fuel delivery and didn’t intend to drive into the protesters or injure anyone. Gov. Tim Walz and Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington cosigned that assessment and felt the footage showed that he was simply confused.
While it’s entirely possible Vechirko was confused, even if that was the case the dude looks dumb as hell. First, there’s no way that six days after George Floyd’s death you didn’t at least have an inkling of what was going on in Minneapolis. You would literally have to be the Patrick Star of Minneapolis for that to make sense.
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Knowing there had been ongoing protests in the city, and seeing that the highway is closed save for one entrance, common sense would say “hey, maybe I shouldn’t go on the highway.” At the very least, call someone to see what’s going on with the highway.
Vechirko is currently not in custody and it’s unclear when his first hearing will be.


theroot--2020-10-22--White Supremacist Group Recorded Plotting Paramilitary Trainings, Insists They’re Totally Not Domest

White Supremacist Group Recorded Plotting Paramilitary Trainings, Insists They’re Totally Not Domestic Terrorists or Anything

Secret recordings published by the Southern Poverty Law Center ( SPLC ) revealed that a white nationalist group plotted paramilitary training for its members .
According to CNN , the SPLC acquired about 83 hours of phone calls from over 100 people linked to The Base , a white nationalist organization .
One of the calls involved the vetting of a man using the pseudonym “ Erik.
” During the call , two of the members expressed both the importance of paramilitary training and having a location to conduct such training .
Erik , who says he ’ s 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property to conduct the training .
In a later call , the training is postponed after his mother expressed nervousness around the idea .
It ’ s unclear if the training was ever held , though the two other members expressed using a lot of ammunition during a prior training event .
The calls were recorded throughout the course of 2018 up to January 2020 for the SPLC ’ s podcast , “ Sounds Like Hate.
” Jamila Paksima , co-host of the podcast , told CNN the calls were supplied by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vetted by field experts who matched the voice of the leader to other audio recordings .
The leader of this particular cell of The Base is Rinaldo Nazzaro , whose voice was heard on many of the calls .
Nazzaro , who according to the SPLC now lives in St. Petersburg , Russia , was responsible for recruiting new members to the organization .
The main factors for recruitment included youth , whiteness , and military training .
CNN contacted Nazzaro by email to ask him about the recordings .
He didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group , though he did push back on it being characterized as a white nationalist organization .
“ The Base is a survivalism and self-defense network .
Our objective is sharing knowledge and training to prepare for crisis situations , ” Nazzaro told CNN in an email .
“ The Base is not a neo-Nazi organization or a terrorist group .
We do not encourage violence beyond self-defense situations.
” Oh okay , no worries folks , it ’ s just a glorified self-defense class .
Except , according to Nazzaro , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls , Nazzaro explicitly states the white nationalist underpinnings of The Base .
“ Most of us are national socialists , but there are others who just consider themselves white nationalists , ” he said in one of the calls , because , as we all know , there is a world of difference between Nazi s and white nationalists .
He added in another call that being “ pro-white ” was one of the primary criteria for joining the group .
This , right here , is what pisses me off about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all this hard shit about how they ’ re gon na “ create an ethno-state , ” and , as Nazzaro comically states at one point , “ create order out of chaos , ” but you can ’ t even be fucking honest about what you are .
Granted , if they were really honest about who they are , they would realize they ’ re nothing but a bunch of whiney white boys who failed to learn all that they needed was a C-average , just a hint of charisma , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they wanted to .
Look at who ’ s in the Oval Office , and tell me I ’ m wrong .
Jonathan Lewis , a research fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University , describes The Base as “ [ a ] small accelerationist Neo-Nazi movement , ” whose “ primary goal is to recruit , radicalize , inspire , train others , to commit violence and bringing about a societal collapse.
” The group also heavily encourages its members to enlist in the army so they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goals .
So , as much as they want to spin it , they ’ re domestic terrorists who encourage their members to enlist so they can become more effective domestic terrorists .
The problem is , this isn ’ t new information .
Like at all .
Just last year , FBI Director Christopher Wray said that white nationalists were one of the biggest threats to homeland security , and their presence in the armed forces and law enforcement is also well- documented .
Despite this , efforts to weed out white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down , and “ radical leftists ” have been framed as the real threats to domestic security .
Whiteness .
Clearly , it ’ s one hell of a drug .

Secret recordings published by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) revealed that a white nationalist group plotted paramilitary training for its members.
According to CNN, the SPLC acquired about 83 hours of phone calls from over 100 people linked to The Base, a white nationalist organization. One of the calls involved the vetting of a man using the pseudonym “Erik.” During the call, two of the members expressed both the importance of paramilitary training and having a location to conduct such training.
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Erik, who says he’s 17, offers up his mother’s property to conduct the training. In a later call, the training is postponed after his mother expressed nervousness around the idea. It’s unclear if the training was ever held, though the two other members expressed using a lot of ammunition during a prior training event.
The calls were recorded throughout the course of 2018 up to January 2020 for the SPLC’s podcast, “Sounds Like Hate.” Jamila Paksima, co-host of the podcast, told CNN the calls were supplied by a confidential source, and their authenticity was vetted by field experts who matched the voice of the leader to other audio recordings.
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The leader of this particular cell of The Base is Rinaldo Nazzaro, whose voice was heard on many of the calls. Nazzaro, who according to the SPLC now lives in St. Petersburg, Russia, was responsible for recruiting new members to the organization. The main factors for recruitment included youth, whiteness, and military training.
CNN contacted Nazzaro by email to ask him about the recordings. He didn’t deny being a leader of the group, though he did push back on it being characterized as a white nationalist organization.
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“The Base is a survivalism and self-defense network. Our objective is sharing knowledge and training to prepare for crisis situations,” Nazzaro told CNN in an email. “The Base is not a neo-Nazi organization or a terrorist group. We do not encourage violence beyond self-defense situations.”
Oh okay, no worries folks, it’s just a glorified self-defense class.
Except, according to Nazzaro, it’s not. In the recorded calls, Nazzaro explicitly states the white nationalist underpinnings of The Base. “Most of us are national socialists, but there are others who just consider themselves white nationalists,” he said in one of the calls, because, as we all know, there is a world of difference between Nazi s and white nationalists.
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He added in another call that being “pro-white” was one of the primary criteria for joining the group.
This, right here, is what pisses me off about these groups. They wanna talk all this hard shit about how they’re gonna “create an ethno-state,” and, as Nazzaro comically states at one point, “create order out of chaos,” but you can’t even be fucking honest about what you are.
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Granted, if they were really honest about who they are, they would realize they’re nothing but a bunch of whiney white boys who failed to learn all that they needed was a C-average, just a hint of charisma, and they could become the goddamn president if they wanted to.
Look at who’s in the Oval Office, and tell me I’m wrong.
Jonathan Lewis, a research fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, describes The Base as “[a] small accelerationist Neo-Nazi movement,” whose “primary goal is to recruit, radicalize, inspire, train others, to commit violence and bringing about a societal collapse.” The group also heavily encourages its members to enlist in the army so they can utilize that training to see through their goals.
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So, as much as they want to spin it, they’re domestic terrorists who encourage their members to enlist so they can become more effective domestic terrorists. The problem is, this isn’t new information.
Like at all.
Just last year, FBI Director Christopher Wray said that white nationalists were one of the biggest threats to homeland security, and their presence in the armed forces and law enforcement is also well- documented. Despite this, efforts to weed out white nationalists in the army have been shut down, and “radical leftists” have been framed as the real threats to domestic security.
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Whiteness. Clearly, it’s one hell of a drug.


theroot--2020-10-22--Jacksonville Family Demands Justice for 19-Year-Old Black Man Fatally Shot by Police Outside Chicago

A grieving family is demanding answers and justice after a 19-year-old Black man was fatally shot by a police officer in Waukegan , Ill. —a suburb of Chicago—during a traffic stop on Tuesday .
The officer shot both the driver and passenger of the car involved in the stop .
One shooting victim survived and is now in the hospital .
News 4 JAX reports that Marcellis Stinnette had recently moved from Jacksonville , Fla. , to Chicago , according to his family .
Waukegan Police said that the events that led to the shooting happened just before midnight Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ suspicious vehicle.
” The car drove off when they arrived .
Sometime later , another officer spotted the car .
According to police , as the officer approached on foot , the car reversed and the officer fired his pistol , he said , out of fear for his safety .
Stinnette , a 19-year-old passenger in the vehicle , died at the scene .
His girlfriend , Tafara Williams , who was driving the car , is now in the hospital with serious injuries .
According to the Chicago Sun-Times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wounds .
Her mother , Clifftina Johnson , told ABC 7 that she has spoken with her daughter .
“ When I got there , she said , ‘ Mama , they just shot us for nothing , ’ ” Johnson said .
“ My daughter said she put her hand up , and if she didn ’ t put her hand up , she said , ‘ Mama , I would be dead.
’ ” Body camera and squad car video were turned over to the Illinois State Police and investigators confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle .
“ This is just something that I see on the news or on TV and think it ’ ll never happen to me , ” Stinnette ’ s sister , Zhanellis Banks , told News 4 .
“ Now I ’ m a victim of the same thing .
My mother has lost her son .
Another African-American family is broken.
” Stinnette ’ s sister Tanellis Holmes told reporters through tears that her brother “ didn ’ t deserve to go out like this .
He didn ’ t deserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told reporters that “ at this point , I ’ ve cried all my tears , ” and she ’ s ready for the fight for justice on behalf of her brother .
“ We ’ re ready for justice .
we ’ re ready for reform .
This can ’ t happen to another family , ” Banks said .
The unidentified officer who the Sun-Times described as “ a Hispanic five-year veteran of the department ” who “ fired his pistol out of ‘ fear for his safety , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duration of the investigation , according to Waukegan Police Commander Edgar Navarro .
Meanwhile , State ’ s Attorney Michael Nerheim said in a statement that it may take several weeks for the investigation into Stinnette ’ s death to conclude .
“ Once I have had the opportunity to review the entire investigation , I will make a determination regarding whether the officers violated any laws , ” Nerheim said , the Sun-Times reports .
“ Should it be determined the officers violated a law , they will be criminally charged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will write up a detailed statement that will completely review the facts , show the evidence , explain applicable laws , and give our reasoning for the final decision.
” According to ABC 7 , protesters gathered in Waukegan to march for justice on behalf of Stinnette Thursday .

A grieving family is demanding answers and justice after a 19-year-old Black man was fatally shot by a police officer in Waukegan, Ill. —a suburb of Chicago—during a traffic stop on Tuesday. The officer shot both the driver and passenger of the car involved in the stop. One shooting victim survived and is now in the hospital.
News 4 JAX reports that Marcellis Stinnette had recently moved from Jacksonville, Fla., to Chicago, according to his family. Waukegan Police said that the events that led to the shooting happened just before midnight Tuesday when officers were called to investigate a “suspicious vehicle.” The car drove off when they arrived.
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From News 4:
Sometime later, another officer spotted the car. According to police, as the officer approached on foot, the car reversed and the officer fired his pistol, he said, out of fear for his safety. Stinnette, a 19-year-old passenger in the vehicle, died at the scene. His girlfriend, Tafara Williams, who was driving the car, is now in the hospital with serious injuries.
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According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Williams is expected to recover from her wounds. Her mother, Clifftina Johnson, told ABC 7 that she has spoken with her daughter.
“When I got there, she said, ‘Mama, they just shot us for nothing,’” Johnson said. “My daughter said she put her hand up, and if she didn’t put her hand up, she said, ‘Mama, I would be dead.’”
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Body camera and squad car video were turned over to the Illinois State Police and investigators confirmed that no weapons were found in the vehicle.
“This is just something that I see on the news or on TV and think it’ll never happen to me,” Stinnette’s sister, Zhanellis Banks, told News 4. “Now I’m a victim of the same thing. My mother has lost her son. Another African-American family is broken.”
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Stinnette’s sister Tanellis Holmes told reporters through tears that her brother “didn’t deserve to go out like this. He didn’t deserve that at all.”
Banks, however, told reporters that “at this point, I’ve cried all my tears,” and she’s ready for the fight for justice on behalf of her brother.
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“We’re ready for justice. we’re ready for reform. This can’t happen to another family,” Banks said.
The unidentified officer who the Sun-Times described as “a Hispanic five-year veteran of the department” who “fired his pistol out of ‘fear for his safety,’” is on administrative leave for the duration of the investigation, according to Waukegan Police Commander Edgar Navarro.
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Meanwhile, State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim said in a statement that it may take several weeks for the investigation into Stinnette’s death to conclude.
“Once I have had the opportunity to review the entire investigation, I will make a determination regarding whether the officers violated any laws,” Nerheim said, the Sun-Times reports. “Should it be determined the officers violated a law, they will be criminally charged. If laws were not broken, I will write up a detailed statement that will completely review the facts, show the evidence, explain applicable laws, and give our reasoning for the final decision.”
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According to ABC 7, protesters gathered in Waukegan to march for justice on behalf of Stinnette Thursday.


theroot--2020-10-19--What's the Best Smart Plug?

What's the Best Smart Plug?

Jeez , when did humans become so lazy ?
It took a while for the virtues of smart home living to stick with me .
I never considered the short three-step walk to the light switch too bothersome , and I sure as hell don ’ t need any robots starting dinner up for me .
That ’ s what DoorDash is for , thank you very much !
Jokes aside , there ’ s a load of valid reasons to smarten up your home depending on your needs .
Some of the most intricate stuff ( think smart thermostats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gear and in-wall wire tinkering , but if you just want a taste of a life pampered by inanimate , artificially intelligent objects , a smart plug is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get started .
With one , anything that plugs into a wall can be “ smart.
” Using smartphone apps or voice controls , you can set up air conditioners , lamps , fans , and even an old coffee machine to turn on and off without impeding your motionless gait .
But with so many to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s a pecking order for reliability , consistency , and ease of use among these simple little smart prongs of joy .
If you ’ ve tried your fair share , consider lending a helping hand to your fellow C0-opulace members who may be contemplating the move .
Here ’ s how : 1 ) Your nomination should contain the name of a specific smart plug , why you think it ’ s the best , a link where it can be purchased , and an image .
2 ) You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put each one in a separate comment .

Quentyn Kennemer on Co-op, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Jeez, when did humans become so lazy? It took a while for the virtues of smart home living to stick with me. I never considered the short three-step walk to the light switch too bothersome, and I sure as hell don’t need any robots starting dinner up for me. That’s what DoorDash is for, thank you very much!
Jokes aside, there’s a load of valid reasons to smarten up your home depending on your needs . Some of the most intricate stuff (think smart thermostats and built-in lighting) usually requires special gear and in-wall wire tinkering, but if you just want a taste of a life pampered by inanimate, artificially intelligent objects, a smart plug is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get started.
With one, anything that plugs into a wall can be “smart.” Using smartphone apps or voice controls, you can set up air conditioners, lamps, fans, and even an old coffee machine to turn on and off without impeding your motionless gait.
But with so many to choose from, we’re certain there’s a pecking order for reliability, consistency, and ease of use among these simple little smart prongs of joy. If you’ve tried your fair share, consider lending a helping hand to your fellow C0-opulace members who may be contemplating the move. Here’s how:
1) Your nomination should contain the name of a specific smart plug, why you think it’s the best, a link where it can be purchased, and an image.