theroot--2020-04-21--Draymond Green Airs Out Kevin Durant After ESPN's The Last Dance Had Him Feeling Some Kinda Way

In the age of self-quarantine , ESPN ’ s 10-part magnum opus , The Last Dance , has provided sports fanatics with a much-needed escape from the chaos and uncertainty that consumes our everyday lives .
But for three-time NBA champion Draymond Green , the docuseries—which chronicles Michael Jordan ’ s final season with the Chicago Bulls—hits a little too close to home .
After losing to the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals , the Golden State Warriors completely unraveled .
To the surprise of no one , Kevin Durant defected to the Brooklyn Nets , Andre Iguodala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shaun Livingston retired and Splash Brothers Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry have spent the entire season attempting to rebound from significant injuries ; leaving Green as the last man standing on a team full of castoffs and vagabonds .
So with The Last Dance reopening wounds that haven ’ t quite healed yet , the three-time NBA All-Star had some shit to get off his chest on the latest edition of Uninterrupted ’ s “ WRTS : The After Party.
” “ [ The Last Dance ] definitely hit close to home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season was the 20-year anniversary of that season .
And we have a very important piece of our season , who was a piece of that season , which was [ our head coach ] Steve Kerr .
I think [ Bulls coach ] Phil [ Jackson ] did what was great , which is acknowledge the elephant in the room .
Because all year , if Phil doesn ’ t do that , all year everyone else is dealing with that somewhere .
And whether it ’ s coming in questions [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once you get these questions from the media , we ’ ve already addressed that as a team .
We really don ’ t need to talk about that .
And our season was a little different from the standpoint of it was contracts , but it was on players .
It wasn ’ t necessarily the organization.
” Was that a thinly veiled shot at Kerr ?
It sounds like one to me .
Green also discussed how the weight of Durant ’ s pending free agency last season derailed team chemistry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kevin took the one-year deal on his own .
So that was kind of the elephant in the room , ” he said .
“ And although Steve ’ s approach was like , ‘ Hey , guys , let ’ s approach this year because we don ’ t know what next year brings , ’ you ’ ve got Kevin ’ s contract , you ’ ve got [ Klay Thompson ] ’ s contract , and I kind of got thrown in that contract thing , although I had another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year .
And so that was kind of the elephant in the room , and although Steve would kind of hit on it , [ saying ] ‘ Let ’ s just enjoy this year for what it is because we don ’ t know what next year holds , ’ it didn ’ t necessarily carry the same weight because what should have happened was Kevin come out and say , ‘ Hey , man , this is it , so let ’ s do this , ’ or , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So is Dray basically calling Durant a coward for refusing to address the matter—to either the team or the media—and leaving that responsibility to his teammates ?
After months of navigating that contentious dynamic , it makes a lot more sense now why Green and Durant got into a heated confrontation in the middle of their final season together that would spell the team ’ s doom .
“ You can ’ t just leave the elephant in the room , because what happened was the question came to us every day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media , Klay and myself was asked about our contract , ” Green said .
“ It was strictly due to Kevin , because while that was going on , Klay was saying , ‘ I want to be a Warrior forever .
I want to be here .
We started this thing .
This is where I want to be.
’ I ’ m saying , ‘ Yo , I want to be here for my career .
We started this , we built this , I want to finish my career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with.
’ And then you kind of had Kevin , [ saying ] like , ‘ I don ’ t know what I ’ m going to do next year , and it don ’ t matter ’ ; but it does matter , because you ’ re not the only person that has to answer that question.
” “ To be quite frank with you , you ’ re honestly the last person that has to answer the question because you don ’ t really say shit .
Like , you don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If anything , you tell them to shut the fuck up .
Well , I don ’ t tell them to shut the fuck up .
I kind of have a conversation , and so I ’ m stuck answering that question all the time .
And due to that , there was always an elephant in the room amongst us , as opposed to with [ the Bulls ] , they didn ’ t have that elephant .
[ General manager Jerry Krause ] had said it was Phil ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this was the last dance .
Mike already said , ‘ Well , if Phil ain ’ t coming back next year , I ’ m not either.
’ So everybody knew it was Mike ’ s last year.
” He continued , “ They didn ’ t have that elephant .
Whereas I think we had a huge elephant sitting in the room , and Steve was trying to address it as best as he could , but it was kind of out of his hands.
” I completely understand how frustrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to remain focused despite such a huge distraction , but Durant was well within his right to dip for greener pastures if he felt inclined to do so .
That ’ s the beauty of free agency , especially in the modern era .
But had Durant said from jump that he was dipping out after the season , I find it hard to believe that it wouldn ’ t have created even more problems within the team .
There would ’ ve been trade rumors and other nonsense all year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash in on Durant ’ s value instead of letting him walk for free .
How soon we forget about Anthony Davis ’ ugly departure from the New Orleans Pelicans last summer , in which the seven-time NBA All-Star essentially quit on his team and was put on a minutes restriction in order to retain his trade value for the second half of the season .
Is that the type of thing you ’ re really trying to be bothered with during a championship run ?
Between Durant and his burner accounts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time before he either claps back or explains himself , but in the interim , you can watch Green ’ s interview in its entirety below .

In the age of self-quarantine, ESPN’s 10-part magnum opus, The Last Dance, has provided sports fanatics with a much-needed escape from the chaos and uncertainty that consumes our everyday lives. But for three-time NBA champion Draymond Green, the docuseries—which chronicles Michael Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls—hits a little too close to home.
After losing to the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors completely unraveled. To the surprise of no one, Kevin Durant defected to the Brooklyn Nets, Andre Iguodala was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, Shaun Livingston retired and Splash Brothers Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry have spent the entire season attempting to rebound from significant injuries; leaving Green as the last man standing on a team full of castoffs and vagabonds.
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So with The Last Dance reopening wounds that haven’t quite healed yet, the three-time NBA All-Star had some shit to get off his chest on the latest edition of Uninterrupted’s “WRTS: The After Party.”
“[The Last Dance] definitely hit close to home,” Green admitted “Ironically, our season was the 20-year anniversary of that season. And we have a very important piece of our season, who was a piece of that season, which was [our head coach] Steve Kerr. I think [Bulls coach] Phil [Jackson] did what was great, which is acknowledge the elephant in the room. Because all year, if Phil doesn’t do that, all year everyone else is dealing with that somewhere. And whether it’s coming in questions [from the media], so now once you get these questions from the media, we’ve already addressed that as a team. We really don’t need to talk about that. And our season was a little different from the standpoint of it was contracts, but it was on players. It wasn’t necessarily the organization.”
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Was that a thinly veiled shot at Kerr? It sounds like one to me.
Green also discussed how the weight of Durant’s pending free agency last season derailed team chemistry.
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“So, for instance, Kevin took the one-year deal on his own. So that was kind of the elephant in the room,” he said. “And although Steve’s approach was like, ‘Hey, guys, let’s approach this year because we don’t know what next year brings,’ you’ve got Kevin’s contract, you’ve got [Klay Thompson]’s contract, and I kind of got thrown in that contract thing, although I had another year after that year, which was this year. And so that was kind of the elephant in the room, and although Steve would kind of hit on it, [saying] ‘Let’s just enjoy this year for what it is because we don’t know what next year holds,’ it didn’t necessarily carry the same weight because what should have happened was Kevin come out and say, ‘Hey, man, this is it, so let’s do this,’ or, ‘This isn’t it.’”
So is Dray basically calling Durant a coward for refusing to address the matter—to either the team or the media—and leaving that responsibility to his teammates? After months of navigating that contentious dynamic, it makes a lot more sense now why Green and Durant got into a heated confrontation in the middle of their final season together that would spell the team’s doom.
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“You can’t just leave the elephant in the room, because what happened was the question came to us every day, like every time we spoke to the media, Klay and myself was asked about our contract,” Green said. “It was strictly due to Kevin, because while that was going on, Klay was saying, ‘I want to be a Warrior forever. I want to be here. We started this thing. This is where I want to be.’ I’m saying, ‘Yo, I want to be here for my career. We started this, we built this, I want to finish my career here with the guys I started it with.’ And then you kind of had Kevin, [saying] like, ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do next year, and it don’t matter’; but it does matter, because you’re not the only person that has to answer that question.”
Green then proceeded to address Durant directly.
“To be quite frank with you, you’re honestly the last person that has to answer the question because you don’t really say shit. Like, you don’t say much to the media. If anything, you tell them to shut the fuck up. Well, I don’t tell them to shut the fuck up. I kind of have a conversation, and so I’m stuck answering that question all the time. And due to that, there was always an elephant in the room amongst us, as opposed to with [the Bulls], they didn’t have that elephant. [General manager Jerry Krause] had said it was Phil’s last year. Phil had told them this was the last dance. Mike already said, ‘Well, if Phil ain’t coming back next year, I’m not either.’ So everybody knew it was Mike’s last year.”
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He continued, “They didn’t have that elephant. Whereas I think we had a huge elephant sitting in the room, and Steve was trying to address it as best as he could, but it was kind of out of his hands.”
Well, damn.
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I completely understand how frustrated the Warriors must’ve been while trying to remain focused despite such a huge distraction, but Durant was well within his right to dip for greener pastures if he felt inclined to do so. That’s the beauty of free agency, especially in the modern era. But had Durant said from jump that he was dipping out after the season, I find it hard to believe that it wouldn’t have created even more problems within the team. There would’ve been trade rumors and other nonsense all year, as the Warriors would likely attempt to cash in on Durant’s value instead of letting him walk for free.
How soon we forget about Anthony Davis’ ugly departure from the New Orleans Pelicans last summer, in which the seven-time NBA All-Star essentially quit on his team and was put on a minutes restriction in order to retain his trade value for the second half of the season. Is that the type of thing you’re really trying to be bothered with during a championship run?
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Between Durant and his burner accounts, it’s only a matter of time before he either claps back or explains himself, but in the interim, you can watch Green’s interview in its entirety below.


theroot--2020-04-21--In Relatable News, Megan Thee Stallion Gushes Over New Fan Janet Jackson

TikTokers can not get enough of the # SavageChallenge , the Keara Wilson-created viral dance craze which is set to Megan Thee Stallion ’ s song of the same name from her latest project , Suga .
Everyone from pop singer Normani to multi-hyphenate Keke Palmer has done their rendition of the dance for all to see , but during a video chat conversation with The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon , Hot Girl Meg was most excited about a music legend getting in on the # SavageChallenge fun .
“ Freakin ’ Janet Jackson , ” she said excitedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone .
While Ms. Jackson technically didn ’ t perform the challenge for TikTok or the ‘ Gram , someone did a supercut of her music videos and films set to the song , which was just as cute .
“ All the ladies were posting it , and I was like ‘ Janet Jackson , you know me ?
!
’ ” she laughed .
“ And now we follow each other on Instagram .
I ’ m like ‘ I win , Janet Jackson follows me on Instagram .
Everyone else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her interview , Thee Stallion discussed some of the causes she is supporting amidst the COVID-19 hysteria .
The college senior ( because you can be both smart and beautiful ) said she and Amazon partnered to donate money to Park Manor , an assisted living facility in Houston , TX .
For those who don ’ t know , when she ’ s not breaking necks and cashing checks , Meg is studying health administration at Texas Southern University .
She dreams of opening an assisted living facility of her own .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fanbase , The Hotties .
“ [ CashApp and I ] sent a lot of Hotties a lot of money like twice , and now we ’ re doing the All In Challenge , ” she said .
Created by businessman Michael Rubin , the All In Challenge is a call for the biggest names in the entertainment industry to raise funds in order to help those who have been impacted directly by the coronavirus by creating once-in-a-lifetime moments for their fans or auctioning off a prized possession .
Meg is offering one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to California to hang out with her , receive the star treatment and appear in her music video .

J'na Jefferson on The Grapevine, shared by J'na Jefferson to The Root

TikTokers cannot get enough of the #SavageChallenge, the Keara Wilson-created viral dance craze which is set to Megan Thee Stallion’s song of the same name from her latest project, Suga.
Everyone from pop singer Normani to multi-hyphenate Keke Palmer has done their rendition of the dance for all to see, but during a video chat conversation with The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon, Hot Girl Meg was most excited about a music legend getting in on the #SavageChallenge fun.
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“Freakin’ Janet Jackson,” she said excitedly when discussing how far the challenge has gone. While Ms. Jackson technically didn’t perform the challenge for TikTok or the ‘Gram, someone did a supercut of her music videos and films set to the song, which was just as cute.
“All the ladies were posting it, and I was like ‘Janet Jackson, you know me?!’” she laughed. “And now we follow each other on Instagram. I’m like ‘I win, Janet Jackson follows me on Instagram. Everyone else can go away.’”
Elsewhere in her interview, Thee Stallion discussed some of the causes she is supporting amidst the COVID-19 hysteria. The college senior (because you can be both smart and beautiful) said she and Amazon partnered to donate money to Park Manor, an assisted living facility in Houston, TX. For those who don’t know, when she’s not breaking necks and cashing checks, Meg is studying health administration at Texas Southern University. She dreams of opening an assisted living facility of her own.
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She is also giving back to her fanbase, The Hotties. “[CashApp and I] sent a lot of Hotties a lot of money like twice, and now we’re doing the All In Challenge,” she said. Created by businessman Michael Rubin, the All In Challenge is a call for the biggest names in the entertainment industry to raise funds in order to help those who have been impacted directly by the coronavirus by creating once-in-a-lifetime moments for their fans or auctioning off a prized possession.
Meg is offering one lucky fan the chance to be flown out to California to hang out with her, receive the star treatment and appear in her music video.


theroot--2020-04-22--'Open the Economy' Is the New 'White Lives Matter'

Is it a plot of dirt littered with the discarded bones of those who stood in the way of white manifest destiny or is it a Constitution ?
Is it an assemblage of huddled masses yearning to breathe free or is it simply a series of borders on a map ?
Is the idea of liberty and justice even a real thing or is it an apparition that only white people can see ?
If you are black , these are not rhetorical questions .
In the real America , rhetoric , liberty and justice are concepts afforded to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them the freedom to contemplate theoretical abstractions .
The rest of us are simply speed bumps and potholes along the path of white privilege treasure hunters .
We are bodies meant for sacrifice ... And they are liars .
Somehow , their idea of “ liberty and justice for all ” excludes mass incarceration or the war on drugs black people .
When small-government conservatives advocate for “ states ’ rights , ” they are not talking about the black and brown people who live in Republican-controlled Southern states .
The evangelical Christian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include the people awaiting execution on death row who are 55 percent black .
When they insist that “ All Lives Matter , ” they are not even referring to us .
They hold one truth to be self-evident : That all men are not created equal .
That only they are endowed with the inalienable right to life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness .
That ’ s why a legion of entitled , right-wing sycophants are now demanding that their governors “ open up the country ” .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
It is not that they don ’ t know about inequality and the murderous history of whiteness in America .
It is not even that they don ’ t care .
They truly believe in a white-centric nation that values their bodies above all else—black lives be damned .
And so whiteness damns us ... As the number of confirmed U.S. COVID-19 cases approaches 800,000 and the national death toll has eclipsed 42,000 , an overwhelmingly white protest movement is taking to the coronavirus-infected streets demanding that governors and state health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , scientists and that lady whose scarf game is unmatched and rescind the only effective method of fighting the spread of this global pandemic .
Undeterred by widespread death and disease , protesters in Florida , North Carolina , Virginia , Michigan , Minnesota , Maryland , New Hampshire , Idaho , Texas and California are pressuring states to remove stay-at-home restrictions because they ’ d rather see people die than watch their 401Ks decrease in value .
Meanwhile , President Donald Trump tweeted his support for the “ civil rights ” protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobs argue that America is on the cusp of a crippling recession and widespread unemployment and , according to their calculations , there is only one way to prevent this impending economic crisis : Let ’ s be clear ; every bit of available data shows that black and brown people are the ones who are suffering the most from COVID-19 .
And it ’ s not just in urban areas like New York and Chicago .
It ’ s doing the same thing in rural black communities like Allendale , S.C. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
and Albany , Ga. Black residents outnumber whites in eight of the 10 cities with the highest coronavirus death rates per capita .
Only one , Greensburg , Ind .
is majority white .
Even in Vermont , the whitest state in the union , the percentage of black people infected with COVID-19 is 10 times the black population percentage .
The suffering is not restricted to the infected .
According to CBS News , black workers are less likely to be able to work from home and The Guardian reports that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employed as “ essential workers.
” As the unemployment rate skyrockets , the percentage of black people losing jobs nearly doubles the white unemployment rate .
There is no doubt that black people are bearing the brunt of this pathogen ’ s deadly attack .
Lest one think this is a rudderless , organic movement of misguided privileged citizens , think again .
The rallies were organized and funded by wealthy , right-wing political groups like the Tea Party Patriots , the Devos-backed Michigan Freedom Fund and the Virginia Citizens Defense League , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s much-publicized protest didn ’ t take place in Milwaukee , where the black population has been ravaged by COVID-19 .
Instead , it took place in nearby Waukesha County , which is 89.5 percent white and only 1.4 percent black .
There is one other interesting fact about the Waukesha County , home to the downtrodden , huddled masses who are desperate to open up their decimated local economy : Waukesha County is the wealthiest county in Wisconsin .
No , it ’ s not that Trump , his conservative acolytes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives .
Knowing the facts , anyone pushing the “ open the economy ” narrative is sending a clear signal .
This particular decision is not a choice between the lesser of two evils .
Instead , they are openly stating their willingness to sacrifice black lives for white prosperity .
In their desperate search for a political and economic get-out-of-pandemic-free card , the president and his minions are staring black and brown people in the face while channeling the words of Marie Antionette : They want us to die .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be .
This recent example isn ’ t particularly different from All Lives Matter advocates ’ refusal to acknowledge the racial data behind police killings or the value of black lives .
It ’ s no different than Alabama ’ s pro-life Gov .
Kay Ivey signing a bill to ban abortions while assassinating Nathan Woods for not killing someone .
It ’ s America ’ s story of slaughter and slavery and genocide and Jim Crow and Japanese-American internment camps and Charlottesville , Va. , and child detention centers and Tuskegee and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and Trayvon and Trump… We believe our lives matter and they just say they do .
They are chomping at the bits to sacrifice our lives and open up their country because their statement and actions clearly show that , for them , our bodies hold no value .
Whiteness is their most precious commodity .
But only our blood .
Whatever this thing called America may be , they have made it abundantly clear that they do not believe in it .
They wave the flags and pretend that they love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embedded in this nation ’ s neverending pain have taught us anything , it is this : They won ’ t even try to wash their hands .

“Give me liberty or give me death” — A slaveowner
What is America?
Is it a plot of dirt littered with the discarded bones of those who stood in the way of white manifest destiny or is it a Constitution? Is it an assemblage of huddled masses yearning to breathe free or is it simply a series of borders on a map? Is the idea of liberty and justice even a real thing or is it an apparition that only white people can see?
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If you are black, these are not rhetorical questions. In the real America, rhetoric, liberty and justice are concepts afforded to the people whose birthright and skin color give them the freedom to contemplate theoretical abstractions. The rest of us are simply speed bumps and potholes along the path of white privilege treasure hunters. We are bodies meant for sacrifice...
And they are liars.
Somehow, their idea of “liberty and justice for all” excludes mass incarceration or the war on drugs black people. When small-government conservatives advocate for “states’ rights,” they are not talking about the black and brown people who live in Republican-controlled Southern states. The evangelical Christian, “pro-life” propaganda does not include the people awaiting execution on death row who are 55 percent black. When they insist that “All Lives Matter,” they are not even referring to us.
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Life is for white people.
They hold one truth to be self-evident: That all men are not created equal. That only they are endowed with the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That’s why a legion of entitled, right-wing sycophants are now demanding that their governors “open up the country”.
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But their America isn’t real.
It is a beautiful but self-serving fantasy they made up. It is not that they don’t know about inequality and the murderous history of whiteness in America. It is not even that they don’t care. They truly believe in a white-centric nation that values their bodies above all else—black lives be damned.
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And so whiteness damns us...
Again.
As the number of confirmed U.S. COVID-19 cases approaches 800,000 and the national death toll has eclipsed 42,000, an overwhelmingly white protest movement is taking to the coronavirus-infected streets demanding that governors and state health authorities go against the advice of doctors, scientists and that lady whose scarf game is unmatched and rescind the only effective method of fighting the spread of this global pandemic. Undeterred by widespread death and disease, protesters in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland, New Hampshire, Idaho, Texas and California are pressuring states to remove stay-at-home restrictions because they’d rather see people die than watch their 401Ks decrease in value. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump tweeted his support for the “civil rights” protesters:
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The president and his MAGA lynch mobs argue that America is on the cusp of a crippling recession and widespread unemployment and, according to their calculations, there is only one way to prevent this impending economic crisis:
Kill more black people.
Let’s be clear: every bit of available data shows that black and brown people are the ones who are suffering the most from COVID-19. And it’s not just in urban areas like New York and Chicago. It’s doing the same thing in rural black communities like Allendale, S.C., St. John the Baptist Parish, La. and Albany, Ga. Black residents outnumber whites in eight of the 10 cities with the highest coronavirus death rates per capita. Only one, Greensburg, Ind. is majority white. Even in Vermont, the whitest state in the union, the percentage of black people infected with COVID-19 is 10 times the black population percentage.
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The suffering is not restricted to those infected. According to CBS News, black workers are less likely to be able to work from home and The Guardian reports that black employees are more likely to be employed as “essential workers.” As the unemployment rate skyrockets, the percentage of black people losing jobs nearly doubles the white unemployment rate. There is no doubt that black people are bearing the brunt of this pathogen’s deadly attack.
Lest one think this is a rudderless, organic movement of misguided privileged citizens, think again. The rallies were organized and funded by wealthy, right-wing political groups like the Tea Party Patriots, the Devos-backed Michigan Freedom Fund and the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a GOP-supporting, gun-rights organization. Wisconsin’s much-publicized protest didn’t take place in Milwaukee, where the black population has been ravaged by COVID-19. Instead, it took place in nearby Waukesha County, which is 89.5 percent white and only 1.4 percent black.
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There is one other interesting fact about the Waukesha County, home to the downtrodden, huddled masses who are desperate to open up their decimated local economy:
Waukesha County is the wealthiest county in Wisconsin.
No, it’s not that Trump, his conservative acolytes and the Republican Party value money over lives. Knowing the facts, anyone pushing the “open the economy” narrative is sending a clear signal. This particular decision is not a choice between the lesser of two evils. Instead, they are openly stating their willingness to sacrifice black lives for white prosperity. In their desperate search for a political and economic get-out-of-pandemic-free card, the president and his minions are staring black and brown people in the face while channeling the words of Marie Antionette:
“Let them eat death.”
They want us to die.
America is blood.
It was, it is and it always will be.
This recent example isn’t particularly different from All Lives Matter advocates’ refusal to acknowledge the racial data behind police killings or the value of black lives. It’s no different than Alabama’s pro-life Gov. Kay Ivey signing a bill to ban abortions while assassinating Nathan Woods for not killing someone. It’s America’s story of slaughter and slavery and genocide and Jim Crow and Japanese-American internment camps and Charlottesville, Va., and child detention centers and Tuskegee and Tulsa and Bombingham and “Both Sides” and Trayvon and Trump…
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And us.
It’s always us.
We believe our lives matter and they just say they do. They are chomping at the bits to sacrifice our lives and open up their country because their statement and actions clearly show that, for them, our bodies hold no value. Whiteness is their most precious commodity.
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...And blood.
But only our blood.
Whatever this thing called America may be, they have made it abundantly clear that they do not believe in it. They wave the flags and pretend that they love America, but if the bloody fingerprints embedded in this nation’s neverending pain have taught us anything, it is this:
They are liars.
They won’t even try to wash their hands.


theroot--2020-04-23--Anthony Anderson, Kelly Rowland, Regina Hall and Terrence J to Host Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-1

Anthony Anderson, Kelly Rowland, Regina Hall and Terrence J to Host Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort

As we read report after report of COVID-19 disproportionately affecting the black community , it only makes sense that we have our own special centered around the pandemic .
In what looks to be an edu-tainment night , BET will be broadcasting Saving Our Selves : A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort .
In the weeks since we first reported on Saving Our Selves , the list of performers for the night has become pretty beefy , now including Alicia Keys , Kirk Franklin , Fantasia , Jonathan McReynolds , Kelly Price , Tasha Cobbs , Le ’ Andria Johnson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Usher , Jhene Aiko , Chloe X Halle , CeeLo Green , H.E.R.
, Ella Mai , Jermaine Dupri , Ludacris , Swae Lee , Tyrese Gibson , Buju Banton , DJ D-Nice , SiR , D Smoke and Charlie Wilson .
Plus , Tiffany Haddish , Idris Elba , Ciara , Don Cheadle , Mike Epps , Deon Cole , Angela Rye , Dr. Rheeda Walker , Charlamagne Tha God , Symone D. Sanders , DJ Khaled and Chance The Rapper will be making guest appearances .
And per the press release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also be going global : Expanding the reach of the telecast , BET will simulcast the special across BET and BET Her domestically , as well as their channels internationally bringing awareness to over 90 million homes .
Additionally , BET will join forces with Bounce to help expand the audience to include free , over-the-air broadcast viewers with Bounce simulcasting “ Saving Our Selves : A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort.
” Addressing the communities around the world , a global check-in segment for “ BET Saving Our Selves : COVID-19 Relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the globe are coping through COVID-19 .
BET Breaks ’ International talent Nomalanga ( South Africa ) , Flora Coquerel ( France ) , and Jourdan Riane ( UK ) will report on how the pandemic is affecting their countries .
British Hip Hop Artists behind the viral “ Don ’ t Rush ” social media challenge , Young T and Bugsy , and Idris Elba ’ s wife , Sabrina Elba , will make appearances as well .
Internationally , the show will be broadcast on Saturday , April 25 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea at 9:00 pm KST , Africa at 6:00 pm CAT , and France at 10:30 pm CEST .
Seriously , you ’ ll be able to find this special just about everywhere .
It ’ ll be simulcast on BET , BETher , BET International Channels , BET.com , BET Now App , BET+ , BET VOD ( with an encore available on April 23rd for BET+/BET VOD ) , Bounce , BET Social Platforms ( Youtube , Facebook , Twitter ) , MTV2 , Pluto TV , TIDAL and VH1 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate encore ) .
Plus , there will be more information to soak up , following the broadcast .
Per the press release : Immediately following the Saving Our Selves linear broadcast , BET Digital will be live-streaming the ‘ Saving Our Selves After Show ’ at 10 pm EST on BET ’ s YouTube , Facebook and Twitter channels .
Hosted by Devale Ellis ( BET ’ s ‘ Sistas ’ ) and his wife , social media influencer , Khadeen Ellis , the S.O.S After Show will take an interactive look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moments in BET ’ s groundbreaking S.O.S relief broadcast .
Saving Our Selves : A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort will air Wednesday , April 22 at 8 p.m .
ET .
If you ’ re able , donations can be made to the BET COVID-19 Relief Fund ( in partnership with United Way ) online via BET.com/donate or by texting BETGIVES to 51555 .
Through a new challenge grant , BET has pledged to match donations made during the broadcast up to $ 2 million .
You can also get further information at @ @

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

As we read report after report of COVID-19 disproportionately affecting the black community, it only makes sense that we have our own special centered around the pandemic. In what looks to be an edu-tainment night, BET will be broadcasting Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort.
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In the weeks since we first reported on Saving Our Selves, the list of performers for the night has become pretty beefy, now including Alicia Keys, Kirk Franklin, Fantasia, Jonathan McReynolds, Kelly Price, Tasha Cobbs, Le’Andria Johnson, Melvin Crispell III, John Legend, Usher, Jhene Aiko, Chloe X Halle, CeeLo Green, H.E.R., Ella Mai, Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris, Swae Lee, Tyrese Gibson, Buju Banton, DJ D-Nice, SiR, D Smoke and Charlie Wilson.
Plus, Tiffany Haddish, Idris Elba, Ciara, Don Cheadle, Mike Epps, Deon Cole, Angela Rye, Dr. Rheeda Walker, Charlamagne Tha God, Symone D. Sanders, DJ Khaled and Chance The Rapper will be making guest appearances.
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And per the press release provided to The Root, the event will also be going global:
Expanding the reach of the telecast, BET will simulcast the special across BET and BET Her domestically, as well as their channels internationally bringing awareness to over 90 million homes. Additionally, BET will join forces with Bounce to help expand the audience to include free, over-the-air broadcast viewers with Bounce simulcasting “Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort.” Addressing the communities around the world, a global check-in segment for “BET Saving Our Selves: COVID-19 Relief Effort” will highlight how various regions around the globe are coping through COVID-19. BET Breaks’ International talent Nomalanga (South Africa), Flora Coquerel (France), and Jourdan Riane (UK) will report on how the pandemic is affecting their countries. British Hip Hop Artists behind the viral “Don’t Rush” social media challenge, Young T and Bugsy, and Idris Elba’s wife, Sabrina Elba, will make appearances as well. Internationally, the show will be broadcast on Saturday, April 25 in the UK at 9:00 pm BST, Korea at 9:00 pm KST, Africa at 6:00 pm CAT, and France at 10:30 pm CEST.
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Seriously, you’ll be able to find this special just about everywhere. It’ll be simulcast on BET, BETher, BET International Channels, BET.com, BET Now App, BET+, BET VOD (with an encore available on April 23rd for BET+/BET VOD), Bounce, BET Social Platforms (Youtube, Facebook, Twitter), MTV2, Pluto TV, TIDAL and VH1 (the latter of which will broadcast an immediate encore).
Plus, there will be more information to soak up, following the broadcast. Per the press release:
Immediately following the Saving Our Selves linear broadcast, BET Digital will be live-streaming the ‘Saving Our Selves After Show’ at 10 pm EST on BET’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitter channels. Hosted by Devale Ellis (BET’s ‘Sistas’) and his wife, social media influencer, Khadeen Ellis, the S.O.S After Show will take an interactive look back at the impactful message and celebrity moments in BET’s groundbreaking S.O.S relief broadcast.
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Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort will air Wednesday, April 22 at 8 p.m. ET. If you’re able, donations can be made to the BET COVID-19 Relief Fund (in partnership with United Way) online via BET.com/donate or by texting BETGIVES to 51555. Through a new challenge grant, BET has pledged to match donations made during the broadcast up to $2 million.
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You can also get further information at BET.com/COVID19.


theroot--2020-04-22--Sling TV Blue Is Now Free During Prime Time Hours, NFL Network Included

While our lives have been changed in countless ways because of the ongoing pandemic , if you tend to struggle with finding something to watch amid the massive content libraries of the countless streaming services available , that ’ s probably been a frustrating constant in this uncertain time .
For those times where you just can ’ t buckle down on a new show , live TV can be a quick way to just turn something on and kick back .
Right now Sling TV is offering its service for free from 5 pm EST to midnight EST every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NFL draft tomorrow night .
If you ’ ve never used Sling before , you can register a new account to access Sling ’ s primetime offerings , and its Blue package , which has over 50 live channels , including AMC , FX , and HGTV .
You ’ ll also get access to all of Sling ’ s on-demand content , which has movies like IT Chapter One and Jurassic Park , there ’ s even ten seasons of Hell ’ s Kitchen on there .
Sling hasn ’ t said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this for free , but given its tie to the COVID -19 pandemic , it ’ s safe to assume you ’ ll be able to tune into the Property Brothers as long as you ’ ve got ta maintain social distancing .
If you end up liking what Sling has to offer and don ’ t want to limit yourself to a few hours after work , Sling ’ s offering $ 10 off your first month for new customers .

Jordan McMahon on News, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Sling Happy Hour Across America | Free | Sling
While our lives have been changed in countless ways because of the ongoing pandemic, if you tend to struggle with finding something to watch amid the massive content libraries of the countless streaming services available, that’s probably been a frustrating constant in this uncertain time.
For those times where you just can’t buckle down on a new show, live TV can be a quick way to just turn something on and kick back. Right now Sling TV is offering its service for free from 5 pm EST to midnight EST every night, just in time for the NFL draft tomorrow night.
If you’ve never used Sling before, you can register a new account to access Sling’s primetime offerings, and its Blue package, which has over 50 live channels, including AMC, FX, and HGTV. You’ll also get access to all of Sling’s on-demand content, which has movies like IT Chapter One and Jurassic Park, there’s even ten seasons of Hell’s Kitchen on there.
Sling hasn’t said how long they’ll offer all of this for free, but given its tie to the COVID -19 pandemic, it’s safe to assume you’ll be able to tune into the Property Brothers as long as you’ve gotta maintain social distancing.
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If you end up liking what Sling has to offer and don’t want to limit yourself to a few hours after work, Sling’s offering $10 off your first month for new customers.


theroot--2020-04-22--New York Announces Maternal Health Task Force to Help Support Pregnant Parents Amid Coronavirus Outb

New York Announces Maternal Health Task Force to Help Support Pregnant Parents Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

On Wednesday afternoon , New York Governor Andrew Cuomo warned that the coronavirus pandemic is “ not gon na be over anytime soon , ” suggesting that the city ’ s overburdened hospital system will have to continue its herculean efforts to treat the outbreak for some time .
There is a sliver of good news for the city ’ s pregnant parents , however .
With so many hospital resources across the state going toward treating the virus , New York has announced a maternal health task force that will advocate for the needs of expectant parents , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents to give birth safely .
As Vogue reports , the New York State Council on Women and Girls task force will also look into the effects of COVID-19 on pregnant parents and provide Gov .
Cuomo with concrete policy proposals to help keep birthing parents and their babies safe .
“ This pandemic strained our hospital system in a way no one could have ever imagined , and while New York leads in ensuring laboring mothers were able to have a healthy partner , friend , or family member with them during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional ways to make the experience less stressful , ” Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa said in a statement .
“ Birth centers can serve as a safe alternative for low-risk pregnancies—relieving the strain on hospitals and providing a supportive environment for mothers during an already stressful time.
” The birthing centers are the most immediate concern for the task force , which is slated to give Cuomo recommendations by the end of the week .
While New York faces unique challenges as the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds and safe birthing facilities could find themselves following suit .
Nan Strauss , managing director of policy , advocacy , and grantmaking for Every Mother Counts , also stressed improving access to midwifery care to Vogue .
Black birth workers like midwives and doulas have been instrumental in helping black expectant parents achieve better health outcomes .
Increased access to birth workers , as well as birthing centers , would go a long way to ensuring that families across the state have the support and care they need to bring new life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nervous about going to hospitals with a lot of very sick people .
Even now with the total number of hospitalizations going down , [ birthing centers ] are a great option for women who are not infected to give birth in a place with less risk of exposure and infection , ” said Strauss .
“ It ’ s an option that people really have been demanding in New York City , and this makes it that much more urgent .
”

Anne Branigin on The Glow Up, shared by Anne Branigin to The Root

On Wednesday afternoon, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo warned that the coronavirus pandemic is “not gonna be over anytime soon,” suggesting that the city’s overburdened hospital system will have to continue its herculean efforts to treat the outbreak for some time.
There is a sliver of good news for the city’s pregnant parents, however. With so many hospital resources across the state going toward treating the virus, New York has announced a maternal health task force that will advocate for the needs of expectant parents, including authorizing dedicated birthing centers that will allow parents to give birth safely.
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As Vogue reports, the New York State Council on Women and Girls task force will also look into the effects of COVID-19 on pregnant parents and provide Gov. Cuomo with concrete policy proposals to help keep birthing parents and their babies safe.
“This pandemic strained our hospital system in a way no one could have ever imagined, and while New York leads in ensuring laboring mothers were able to have a healthy partner, friend, or family member with them during childbirth, we can and should explore additional ways to make the experience less stressful,” Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa said in a statement. “Birth centers can serve as a safe alternative for low-risk pregnancies—relieving the strain on hospitals and providing a supportive environment for mothers during an already stressful time.”
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The birthing centers are the most immediate concern for the task force, which is slated to give Cuomo recommendations by the end of the week. While New York faces unique challenges as the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S., other states facing similar shortages of hospital beds and safe birthing facilities could find themselves following suit.
Nan Strauss, managing director of policy, advocacy, and grantmaking for Every Mother Counts, also stressed improving access to midwifery care to Vogue. Black birth workers like midwives and doulas have been instrumental in helping black expectant parents achieve better health outcomes. Increased access to birth workers, as well as birthing centers, would go a long way to ensuring that families across the state have the support and care they need to bring new life into the world.
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“Women are nervous about going to hospitals with a lot of very sick people. Even now with the total number of hospitalizations going down, [birthing centers] are a great option for women who are not infected to give birth in a place with less risk of exposure and infection,” said Strauss. “It’s an option that people really have been demanding in New York City, and this makes it that much more urgent.”


theroot--2020-04-22--Missy Elliot's 'Cool Off' Visuals Provide the Perfect Cure For Your Quarantine Blues

While Missy Elliot ’ s latest body of work , 2019 ’ s Iconology , failed to capture our attention , she ’ s been hitting us in the head with dope visual after dope visual since the EP ’ s August release .
And if you thought a global pandemic would prohibit her from continuing to do so , you have much to learn about the 48-year-old ’ s commitment to her craft .
In the new video for her latest single “ Cool Off , ” Missy delivers more trademark quirk as she assumes the role of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the livest museum dance party I ’ ve probably ever seen .
And if multi-colored neon tracksuits are your thing , there ’ s plenty of 80 ’ s nostalgia too .
It ’ s also safe to assume that with its fiery chants and contagious energy , that Missy has her sights set on becoming the latest TikTok craze .
The Daniel Russell-directed “ Cool Off ” clip follows videos from Iconology ’ s “ Why I Still Love You , ” “ DripDemeanor ” and the pulsating “ Throw It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest recipient of MTV ’ s Video Vanguard Award for her unparalleled contributions and impact on both pop culture and the music video medium .
“ This Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award means so much to me , ” the four-time Grammy Award Winner said during her acceptance speech .
“ I have worked diligently for over two decades .
And I never thought that I would be standing up here receiving this award .
So it means so much to me .
I promise you it doesn ’ t go unnoticed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ all [ have ] shown me over the years.
” Check out “ Cool Off ” below and keep an eye out for Teyana Taylor reprising her museum guide role from “ DripDemeanor ” and touting the Virginia native as “ the greatest , most timeless woman of all time .
”

Jay Connor on The Grapevine, shared by Jay Connor to The Root

While Missy Elliot’s latest body of work, 2019’s Iconology, failed to capture our attention, she’s been hitting us in the head with dope visual after dope visual since the EP’s August release. And if you thought a global pandemic would prohibit her from continuing to do so, you have much to learn about the 48-year-old’s commitment to her craft.
In the new video for her latest single “Cool Off,” Missy delivers more trademark quirk as she assumes the role of a dancing sculpture that’s caught up in the livest museum dance party I’ve probably ever seen. And if multi-colored neon tracksuits are your thing, there’s plenty of 80’s nostalgia too.
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Even Janet Jackson approves.
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It’s also safe to assume that with its fiery chants and contagious energy, that Missy has her sights set on becoming the latest TikTok craze.
The Daniel Russell-directed “Cool Off” clip follows videos from Iconology’s “Why I Still Love You,” “DripDemeanor” and the pulsating “Throw It Back.” In 2019, Missy became the latest recipient of MTV’s Video Vanguard Award for her unparalleled contributions and impact on both pop culture and the music video medium.
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“This Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award means so much to me,” the four-time Grammy Award Winner said during her acceptance speech. “I have worked diligently for over two decades. And I never thought that I would be standing up here receiving this award. So it means so much to me. I promise you it doesn’t go unnoticed that the support and love that y’all [have] shown me over the years.”
Check out “Cool Off” below and keep an eye out for Teyana Taylor reprising her museum guide role from “DripDemeanor” and touting the Virginia native as “the greatest, most timeless woman of all time.”


theroot--2020-04-22--New COVID-19 Model Predicts Failure to Reduce Jails Will Lead to Nearly 100,000 More Coronavirus Dea

New COVID-19 Model Predicts Failure to Reduce Jails Will Lead to Nearly 100,000 More Coronavirus Deaths

Since the coronavirus became a global pandemic , predictive models have been an important—and hotly debated—tool to help understand the spread of the virus and anticipate potential needs .
According to the estimates coming out of the White House ’ s models , slightly more than 100,000 people will die from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
It ’ s a staggering but , unfortunately , not altogether unthinkable number : more than 45,000 people have died in the U.S. so far , and COVID cases have yet to peak in many states .
According to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s also a gross undercount .
According to an epidemiological model released on Wednesday , a collaboration between the ACLU and a team of academic researchers across the country shows that the number of COVID-related deaths will increase twofold if measures are not taken to adequately reduce jail populations .
Even if social distancing is strictly followed in every other area of American life , running jails as per usual would potentially cause an additional 100,000 people , both in and outside of jails , to lose their lives .
“ Numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to consider several factors that will explosively increase the loss of life unless drastic reforms are adopted to reduce the nation ’ s jail populations , ” the ACLU writes in its report .
How could there be such a blind spot with our previous projections ?
As the ACLU explains , the models the U.S. uses are based on ones that have tracked cases in countries that experienced coronavirus outbreaks before we did .
But those countries did not have to account for a mass incarceration problem .
And with jails and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the virus , this is a huge oversight for the U.S. “ The prevailing epidemiological models largely fail to take into account our incarceration rates and the complete absence of social distancing in our jails—which is why we had to build our own model , ” Lucia Tian , chief analytics officer for the ACLU , said in a press release .
“ While we always knew that jails would have an impact on loss of life in this pandemic , the model shows us just how large that impact may be—that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be looking at 100,000 more deaths .
We can ’ t save our community while ignoring our jails.
” To build the ACLU model , researchers pulled data from more than 1,200 county jail systems to create predictions impacting 90 percent of the U.S. population .
They also accounted for average daily arrests and releases in individual counties , as well as regional spreads of COVID-19 thus far .
The new analysis highlights the unique challenges the U.S. faces as it combats the novel coronavirus , undergoing radical changes in nearly every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system .
The model focuses exclusively on jails because of the unique problems those facilities pose for transmitting the deadly virus .
Unlike prisons , jails are meant to function as revolving doors .
According to the ACLU , our nation ’ s jails will book 10.7 million admissions each year , with nearly 740,000 people in jail on any given day .
Of that number , about two-thirds are pretrial detainees—meaning they ’ re assumed innocent and have yet to be convicted of a crime .
To appreciate how busy American jails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have been admitted into jail in the time it takes you to read this sentence .
Because jails are designed for short stays , they ’ re typically overcrowded .
Bathroom and shower facilities are shared , and cleaning supplies and hygienic products are limited .
As criminal justice advocates and public health experts have noted , it ’ s impossible to practice social distancing under these conditions .
And unlike prisons , people cycle out of these facilities fairly regularly : the average person spends about 25 days in jail , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff nationwide regularly work in these volatile conditions before returning home to their communities .
Knowing how jails work is essential to understanding why these facilities have been likened to “ vectors , ” or carriers for the virus , much in the same way mosquitos act as vectors for malaria .
Health data is notoriously difficult to collect from correctional facilities , but we do know that certain jails have experienced alarming outbreaks .
Chicago ’ s WGN-TV reports that , as of April 20 , 398 jail detainees tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dying from the disease , including one corrections officer .
Of all the Cook County Sheriff ’ s office employees that have had the virus , nearly 85 percent have been corrections officers in the county jail .
Rikers Island jail in New York continues to be one of the most infected sites in the entire country , reports the Wall Street Journal .
Michigan ’ s prisons and jails have also been hit hard by the virus .
Earlier this month , the president of Detroit ’ s deputies union called working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a death sentence ” —a phrase that ’ s also been used by criminal justice advocates calling for mass releases in the last few weeks .
The ACLU analysis is just as blunt : “ What holds true across all counties in the United States is that jails will be the cause of many additional , avoidable deaths.
” This rare moment of agreement underscores the current severity of the pandemic in our nation ’ s jails , and what ’ s at stake if nothing changes .
To put it plainly : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is currently happening in American jails ; not if they keep operating as they have been .
The ACLU points out how this negligence of our jail population is out of line with the radical approaches federal , state , and local officials have taken to reduce the spread of the virus .
In many areas , schools have closed for the rest of the year and non-essential businesses remain shuttered ; at least seven states have even required their residents to wear masks if they go out in public .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of states ” have not applied this kind of aggressive and necessary approach to their jails .
Interestingly , the impact jail outbreaks can have on the population at large only increases when the rest of society practices stringent social distancing measures .
This is because jails would effectively replace restaurants , public transportation , and workplaces as a primary hub for the virus .
“ The takeaway is clear , ” the ACLU writes , “ social distancing measures can only be effective if we extend them to jails as well.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clear solution : a strategic , coordinated effort to reduce jail populations and thus , reduce the spread of the virus .
The new ACLU model contains useful projections for how many lives can be saved if this happens .
According to its data , reducing arrests by 50 percent nationwide would save the lives of 12,000 people currently living in jails , and 47,000 additional people living outside of them .
And more aggressive action begets even more lives saved .
If arrests are stopped for all but the most serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and aggravated assault ) , and jail releases are doubled , nearly 100,000 more lives can be saved ( 23,000 in jail , and 76,000 from surrounding communities ) .
To drive down the number of people in jails , the ACLU has included a detailed list of recommendations in its analysis .
Prosecutors can decline to prosecute custodial arrests for low-level charges , for instance , and county sheriffs can work to release anyone in a jail facility who is vulnerable to becoming severely ill from the virus , including the elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chiefs of police and sheriffs can also decline to arrest people unless there ’ s an imminent , serious risk of bodily harm to another person ; otherwise , they can offer summons for serious offenses and verbal warnings and citations for low-level charges .
The ACLU cites Colorado was one state that seems to have gotten it right .
There has been a 31 percent reduction in the jail population in that state , a decision that the ACLU model estimates could have saved around 1,100 lives .

Since the coronavirus became a global pandemic, predictive models have been an important—and hotly debated—tool to help understand the spread of the virus and anticipate potential needs. According to the estimates coming out of the White House’s models, slightly more than 100,000 people will die from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. It’s a staggering but, unfortunately, not altogether unthinkable number: more than 45,000 people have died in the U.S. so far, and COVID cases have yet to peak in many states.
According to a new report from the ACLU, it’s also a gross undercount.
According to an epidemiological model released on Wednesday, a collaboration between the ACLU and a team of academic researchers across the country shows that the number of COVID-related deaths will increase twofold if measures are not taken to adequately reduce jail populations. Even if social distancing is strictly followed in every other area of American life, running jails as per usual would potentially cause an additional 100,000 people, both in and outside of jails, to lose their lives.
Advertisement
“Numbers used by the Trump administration largely fail to consider several factors that will explosively increase the loss of life unless drastic reforms are adopted to reduce the nation’s jail populations,” the ACLU writes in its report.
How could there be such a blind spot with our previous projections? As the ACLU explains, the models the U.S. uses are based on ones that have tracked cases in countries that experienced coronavirus outbreaks before we did. But those countries did not have to account for a mass incarceration problem. And with jails and prison facilities now functioning as transmission hubs for the virus, this is a huge oversight for the U.S.
Advertisement Advertisement
“The prevailing epidemiological models largely fail to take into account our incarceration rates and the complete absence of social distancing in our jails—which is why we had to build our own model,” Lucia Tian, chief analytics officer for the ACLU, said in a press release. “While we always knew that jails would have an impact on loss of life in this pandemic, the model shows us just how large that impact may be—that even under our best-case scenarios, we could be looking at 100,000 more deaths. We can’t save our community while ignoring our jails.”
To build the ACLU model, researchers pulled data from more than 1,200 county jail systems to create predictions impacting 90 percent of the U.S. population. They also accounted for average daily arrests and releases in individual counties, as well as regional spreads of COVID-19 thus far.
Advertisement
The new analysis highlights the unique challenges the U.S. faces as it combats the novel coronavirus, undergoing radical changes in nearly every part of society except for its incarceration system.
Jails as Vectors
The model focuses exclusively on jails because of the unique problems those facilities pose for transmitting the deadly virus. Unlike prisons, jails are meant to function as revolving doors. According to the ACLU, our nation’s jails will book 10.7 million admissions each year, with nearly 740,000 people in jail on any given day. Of that number, about two-thirds are pretrial detainees—meaning they’re assumed innocent and have yet to be convicted of a crime. To appreciate how busy American jails are, consider this: two people will have been admitted into jail in the time it takes you to read this sentence.
Advertisement
Because jails are designed for short stays, they’re typically overcrowded. Bathroom and shower facilities are shared, and cleaning supplies and hygienic products are limited. As criminal justice advocates and public health experts have noted, it’s impossible to practice social distancing under these conditions. And unlike prisons, people cycle out of these facilities fairly regularly: the average person spends about 25 days in jail, and the 420,000 people working as jail staff nationwide regularly work in these volatile conditions before returning home to their communities.
Knowing how jails work is essential to understanding why these facilities have been likened to “vectors,” or carriers for the virus, much in the same way mosquitos act as vectors for malaria.
Advertisement
Health data is notoriously difficult to collect from correctional facilities, but we do know that certain jails have experienced alarming outbreaks. Chicago’s WGN-TV reports that, as of April 20, 398 jail detainees tested positive for COVID-19, with at least seven people dying from the disease, including one corrections officer. Of all the Cook County Sheriff’s office employees that have had the virus, nearly 85 percent have been corrections officers in the county jail.
Rikers Island jail in New York continues to be one of the most infected sites in the entire country, reports the Wall Street Journal. Michigan’s prisons and jails have also been hit hard by the virus. Earlier this month, the president of Detroit’s deputies union called working in the city’s jails “a death sentence”—a phrase that’s also been used by criminal justice advocates calling for mass releases in the last few weeks.
Advertisement
The ACLU analysis is just as blunt: “What holds true across all counties in the United States is that jails will be the cause of many additional, avoidable deaths.”
Advertisement
This rare moment of agreement underscores the current severity of the pandemic in our nation’s jails, and what’s at stake if nothing changes. To put it plainly: it is impossible to contain the spread that is currently happening in American jails; not if they keep operating as they have been.
The ACLU points out how this negligence of our jail population is out of line with the radical approaches federal, state, and local officials have taken to reduce the spread of the virus. In many areas, schools have closed for the rest of the year and non-essential businesses remain shuttered; at least seven states have even required their residents to wear masks if they go out in public. But civil rights organization notes “the vast majority of states” have not applied this kind of aggressive and necessary approach to their jails.
Advertisement
Interestingly, the impact jail outbreaks can have on the population at large only increases when the rest of society practices stringent social distancing measures. This is because jails would effectively replace restaurants, public transportation, and workplaces as a primary hub for the virus.
“The takeaway is clear,” the ACLU writes, “social distancing measures can only be effective if we extend them to jails as well.”
Advertisement
Reducing Jail Populations Saves Lives
This is a problem that has a clear solution: a strategic, coordinated effort to reduce jail populations and thus, reduce the spread of the virus. The new ACLU model contains useful projections for how many lives can be saved if this happens. According to its data, reducing arrests by 50 percent nationwide would save the lives of 12,000 people currently living in jails, and 47,000 additional people living outside of them.
Advertisement
And more aggressive action begets even more lives saved. If arrests are stopped for all but the most serious crimes (including murder, rape, and aggravated assault), and jail releases are doubled, nearly 100,000 more lives can be saved (23,000 in jail, and 76,000 from surrounding communities).
To drive down the number of people in jails, the ACLU has included a detailed list of recommendations in its analysis. Prosecutors can decline to prosecute custodial arrests for low-level charges, for instance, and county sheriffs can work to release anyone in a jail facility who is vulnerable to becoming severely ill from the virus, including the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. Chiefs of police and sheriffs can also decline to arrest people unless there’s an imminent, serious risk of bodily harm to another person; otherwise, they can offer summons for serious offenses and verbal warnings and citations for low-level charges.
Advertisement
The ACLU cites Colorado was one state that seems to have gotten it right. There has been a 31 percent reduction in the jail population in that state, a decision that the ACLU model estimates could have saved around 1,100 lives.