theroot--2020-08-12--On Loneliness at 3 A.M. in Lagos

On Loneliness at 3 A.M. in Lagos

It was 3 a.m. in Onikan , a suburb of Lagos .
The street below her window was uncharacteristically quiet .
In the distance , she could hear the faint thump of a bass-line and the strained , faint chorus of afrobeat .
She listened for the shrieks of laughter and enjoyment coming from the building down the road .
In the daytime , it looked like a mild mannered gathering hall , something used for the occasional town meeting or wedding reception , but tonight , it was a full on dance hall .
She imagined it was filled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space on the dance floor , their limbs twisted in motion ; their faces upturned and glowing with sweat or unfiltered joy .
For a moment , she wondered if she should get dressed and join them .
It had been too long since her body twisted into a candy ribbon of dance .
Too long since she could press her herself against someone hard and wet with sweat .
Too long since there was a voice other than her own ricocheting around her head , bouncing between her ears like a bullet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held her by the throat for the third week in a row and staring out into the cool night air was now a ritual .
She had taken one sleeping pill hours before and she felt nothing more than the broken promise of a blink .
The bed felt like it was filled with sacks of coins and the lumpy mattress was digging into the sensitive parts of her back .
After four hours , staring at the flat , white ceiling , she decided to take another sleeping pill .
She knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that would be dangerous , but she wished she had a shot of whisky to help the drugs a bit .
The whisky , she knew , would calm the anxiety growing rivers in her body .
But she knew that this was not the night for risk .
She still wasn ’ t sure if she wanted to entertain those thoughts again— thoughts of no longer being here anymore .
Of finding a way to sleep that didn ’ t threaten her with morning .
Or maybe afraid , that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She often wondered if insomnia— the inability to sleep— was actually saving her from the disappointment of waking .
All she knew was that she needed to rest her eyes for a few hours before the sun made it impossible , shoving its sunlight through the window at 6 a.m. She lifted herself out of the bed to the window , again , the party seemed to be winding down and she watched the drinkers and their caretakers tumble into their cars or take cautious walks home .
In a few hours , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , laughter and chaos .
There will be a bustling : the market women setting up their wares , the mallam who have traveled from the muslim North to work , the men and women hoping to avoid traffic to the mainland or other parts of the island .
Her favorite were the school children in neat , oversized uniforms , even in the early mornings they would chatter and bounce .
In a few hours , this will become a sound filled city again .
Right now , this small stretch of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Too quiet .
The silence entered her , igniting the loneliness that she had tried to keep at bay .
She shook the feeling settling into her and focused on the sleeping city .
The Third Mainland Bridge stood deserted across the way , every once in a while a car would pass .
By morning , the expressway would be packed with vehicles , bumpers kissing each other in slow or no moving traffic .
The yellow buses always leaned precariously into spaces too small to walk through .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shouting and frustrated travelers battling each other and the heat .
At this angle of morning , the breeze from the ocean carried a reminder that across the Atlantic is her family .
She looks at her clock and does the slow backwards count calculating the time differences .
On the East Coast of America , it was a quarter after 7 .
She looked at her phone no longer charging after the electricity went out .
She hadn ’ t realized that that was causing the abrasive silent and shocking darkness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this size would be shining a majestic skyline but not in Lagos .
She looked up hoping to see a star or two .
She can ’ t tell if it ’ s cloud or pollution that keeps them hidden .
“ This city need stars , ” She says out loud .
She can ’ t remember the last time she spoke and her words felt heavy with the weight of her loneliness .
She considers calling her parents .
Her father , at least , would be happy to hear from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many questions .
None of which she would have answers to give .
With each phone call , she heard the lines of worry surrounding each innocuous statement ; flashing like hazard lights .
She didn ’ t have the heart to tell them how difficult this place was .
How much of a struggle it was to stay alive when all this body wanted to do was shut down .
Her father will ask , “ It is after 3 a.m. where you are , why are you not sleeping ?
Has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want to worry them .
Or lie .
So there will be no phone call .
She takes one more look outside , counting lights in the distance until the swirl in her belly subsides .
She needs to sleep .
She needs a hug from someone who loves her .
Someone who misses her .
But there is nobody .
Nobody who understands what it ’ s like to be a tourist in your own body , an uninvited guest to your brain .
The loneliness is back and pressing heavy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wishes that house party was still going on .
Longing for the thump thump thump of music matching heartbeat .
The tears can not fall now .
A sudden breeze rushes through the window and surrounds her .
This is a hug , she tells herself .
This is enough for her to leave the window and find her bed .
She crawls in ; there is a counting .
She starts from 300 and goes backwards subtracting 15 until she is bored and drowsy .
She knows that the sleep will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the brain will only quiet ; not stop .
She knows that the loneliness will settle into her bones .
Her eyes fall into tired squint , she remembers the song that held her earlier that day , and whispers loud : “ If there ’ s a reason , I ’ m still alive when so many have died… ” Loneliness is 3 a.m. , in a body that isn ’ t a home .
It is finding a way to navigate the oppressive stillness of a brain as distant as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it won ’ t last always .
And the willingness to wait for it to end .

Bassey Ikpi on Very Smart Brothas, shared by Panama Jackson to The Root

It was 3 a.m. in Onikan, a suburb of Lagos. The street below her window was uncharacteristically quiet. In the distance, she could hear the faint thump of a bass-line and the strained, faint chorus of afrobeat. She listened for the shrieks of laughter and enjoyment coming from the building down the road. In the daytime, it looked like a mild-mannered gathering hall, something used for the occasional town meeting or wedding reception, but tonight, it was a full-on dance hall. She imagined it was filled with people, brown bodies fighting for space on the dance floor, their limbs twisted in motion, and their faces upturned and glowing with sweat or unfiltered joy. For a moment, she wondered if she should get dressed and join them. It had been too long since her body twisted into a candy ribbon of dance. Too long since she could press herself against someone hard and wet with sweat. Too long since there was a voice other than her own ricocheting around her head, bouncing between her ears like a bullet or an afrobeat .
Insomnia had held her by the throat for the third week in a row and staring out into the cool night air was now a ritual. She had taken one sleeping pill hours before and she felt nothing more than the broken promise of a blink. The bed felt like it was filled with sacks of coins and the lumpy mattress was digging into the sensitive parts of her back. After four hours, staring at the flat, white ceiling, she decided to take another sleeping pill. She knew she couldn’t take a third, that would be dangerous, but she wished she had a shot of whiskey to help the drugs a bit. The whiskey , she knew, would calm the anxiety growing rivers in her body. But she knew that this was not the night for risk. She still wasn’t sure if she wanted to entertain those thoughts again— thoughts of no longer being here anymore. Of finding a way to sleep that didn’t threaten her with morning. Or maybe afraid, that she would welcome them with open arms. She often wondered if insomnia— the inability to sleep— was actually saving her from the disappointment of waking.
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All she knew was that she needed to rest her eyes for a few hours before the sun made it impossible, shoving its sunlight through the window at 6 a.m.
She lifted herself out of the bed to the window, again, the party seemed to be winding down and she watched the drinkers and their caretakers tumble into their cars or take cautious walks home.
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In a few hours, the streets will be filled with noise, laughter and chaos. There will be a bustling: the market women setting up their wares, the mallam who have traveled from the Muslim North to work, the men and women hoping to avoid traffic to the mainland or other parts of the island. Her favorite were the school children in neat, oversized uniforms, even in the early mornings they would chatter and bounce. In a few hours, this will become a sound filled city again. Right now, this small stretch of street and building was a quiet village. Too quiet. The silence entered her, igniting the loneliness that she had tried to keep at bay. She shook the feeling settling into her and focused on the sleeping city.
The Third Mainland Bridge stood deserted across the way, every once in a while a car would pass. By morning, the expressway would be packed with vehicles, bumpers kissing each other in slow or no moving traffic. The yellow buses always leaned precariously into spaces too small to walk through. In a few hours the bridge would be honking and shouting and frustrated travelers battling each other and the heat.
Advertisement
At this angle of morning, the breeze from the ocean carried a reminder that across the Atlantic is her family. She looks at her clock and does the slow backward count calculating the time differences. On the East Coast of America, it was a quarter after 7. She looked at her phone no longer charging after the electricity went out. She hadn’t realized that that was causing the abrasive silent and shocking darkness of the city. Most cities of this size would be shining a majestic skyline but not in Lagos. She looked up hoping to see a star or two. She can’t tell if it’s a cloud or pollution that keeps them hidden.
“This city needs stars,” s he says out loud. She can’t remember the last time she spoke and her words felt heavy with the weight of her loneliness.
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She considers calling her parents. Her father, at least, would be happy to hear from her. Her mother would have too many questions. None of which she would have answers to give. With each phone call, she heard the lines of worry surrounding each innocuous statement; flashing like hazard lights.
“So how is work?”
“Are you eating?”
“Are you sleeping?”
No.
She didn’t have the heart to tell them how difficult this place was. How much of a struggle it was to stay alive when all this body wanted to do was shut down.
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Her father will ask, “It is after 3 a.m. where you are, why are you not sleeping? Has it returned?”
Yes.
She doesn’t want to worry them. Or lie. So there will be no phone call.
She takes one more look outside, counting lights in the distance until the swirl in her belly subsides. She needs to sleep. She needs a hug from someone who loves her. Someone who misses her. But there is nobody. Nobody who understands what it’s like to be a tourist in your own body, an uninvited guest to your brain. The loneliness is back and pressing heavy and hollow against her chest. She wishes that the house party was still going on. Longing for the thump thump thump of music matching heartbeat. The tears can not fall now. A sudden breeze rushes through the window and surrounds her. This is a hug, she tells herself.
Advertisement
This is enough for her to leave the window and find her bed. She crawls in; there is a counting. She starts from 300 and goes backward subtracting 15 until she is bored and drowsy. She knows that sleep will be short and restless. She knows that the brain will only quiet; not stop. She knows that the loneliness will settle into her bones. Her eyes fall into a tired squint, she remembers the song that held her earlier that day, and whispers loud: “If there’s a reason, I’m still alive when so many have died…”
Loneliness is 3 a.m., in a body that isn’t a home.
It is finding a way to navigate the oppressive stillness of a brain as distant as a dark city.
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Hope is believing that it won’t last always.
And the willingness to wait for it to end.


theroot--2020-08-13--Marjorie Taylor Greene, QAnon Supporter and Purveyor of Racism, Wins Georgia GOP Nomination

White America is clearly intent on putting its worst foot forward .
We already have to deal with folks like Tom Cotton , Matt Gaetz , and , obviously , the president himself , but apparently this wasn ’ t enough trash for the folks in Georgia ’ s 14th Congressional district as the GOP nomination went to a QAanon supporter and blatant racist .
Marjorie Taylor Greene defeated neurosurgeon John Cowan in Tuesday ’ s runoff election , according to the Associated Press .
Her victory in the deeply red district comes despite multiple GOP officials denouncing racist comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ So the Republican establishment was against me .
The DC swamp has been against me .
An d the lying fake news media hates my guts , ” Greene said in a victory speech posted on social media .
“ Yep , it ’ s a badge of honor.
” She posted another victory tweet Tuesday evening showing a campaign party where folks weren ’ t wearing masks or maintaining any kind of social distancing .
Greene has amassed thousands of followers on social media where she frequently posts videos of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is currently being taken over by an “ Islamic invasion.
” After placing first in June ’ s primary , multiple videos of Greene being casually racist came to light .
In them , she made comments saying that Black and Hispanic men are being held back due to “ gangs and dealing drugs , ” and pushed a conspiracy theory that billionaire philanthropist and Jewish man George Soros collaborated with the Nazis .
This led to Georgia Rep. Jody Hice rescinding her endorsement of Greene .
Speaking of conspiracy theories , Greene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement .
For those unaware , QAnon is a series of far-right conspiracy theories concocted by people I can only assume have watched the Jason Bourne movies a few too many times .
She ’ s pro-gun , pro-life , anti-immigration and is a staunch supporter of President Trump .
Trump tweeted congratulations to Greene early Wednesday morning .
Greene will face Democrat Kevin Van Ausdal this coming November .
Van Ausdal has been forthcoming about the challenges he faces in the traditionally conservative district .
“ Honestly the local Democratic money is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an interview on Tuesday .
“ We need donors to help get out the message and show people that there is an alternative , and a great alternative , to QAnon conspiracies and divisive rhetoric.
” Join the discussion !
The Root is hosting its first-ever , virtual Root Institute , presented by Target , featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics , culture , health , community building and social impact .
Subscribe for updates today !

White America is clearly intent on putting its worst foot forward. We already have to deal with folks like Tom Cotton, Matt Gaetz, and, obviously, the president himself, but apparently this wasn’t enough trash for the folks in Georgia’s 14th Congressional district as the GOP nomination went to a QAanon supporter and blatant racist.
Marjorie Taylor Greene defeated neurosurgeon John Cowan in Tuesday’s runoff election, according to the Associated Press. Her victory in the deeply red district comes despite multiple GOP officials denouncing racist comments Greene has made across multiple videos. “So the Republican establishment was against me. The DC swamp has been against me. An d the lying fake news media hates my guts,” Greene said in a victory speech posted on social media. “Yep, it’s a badge of honor.” She posted another victory tweet Tuesday evening showing a campaign party where folks weren’t wearing masks or maintaining any kind of social distancing.
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Greene has amassed thousands of followers on social media where she frequently posts videos of her saying totally normal things like the government is currently being taken over by an “Islamic invasion.” After placing first in June’s primary, multiple videos of Greene being casually racist came to light. In them, she made comments saying that Black and Hispanic men are being held back due to “gangs and dealing drugs,” and pushed a conspiracy theory that billionaire philanthropist and Jewish man George Soros collaborated with the Nazis. This led to Georgia Rep. Jody Hice rescinding her endorsement of Greene.
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Speaking of conspiracy theories, Greene is also a supporter of the QAnon movement. For those unaware, QAnon is a series of far-right conspiracy theories concocted by people I can only assume have watched the Jason Bourne movies a few too many times. She’s pro-gun, pro-life, anti-immigration and is a staunch supporter of President Trump. Trump tweeted congratulations to Greene early Wednesday morning.
Greene will face Democrat Kevin Van Ausdal this coming November. Van Ausdal has been forthcoming about the challenges he faces in the traditionally conservative district. “Honestly the local Democratic money is not a lot,” he said in an interview on Tuesday. “We need donors to help get out the message and show people that there is an alternative, and a great alternative, to QAnon conspiracies and divisive rhetoric.”
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Join the discussion! The Root is hosting its first-ever, virtual Root Institute, presented by Target, featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics, culture, health, community building and social impact. Subscribe for updates today!


theroot--2020-08-12--Prepd Cheat Sheets Are Here to Save You Time and Energy Cooking at Home

Having your food touch is gross , or so I ’ ve heard .
Well , I ’ ve got a solution for you—Prep d Cheat Sheets .
They ’ re made of silicone , so they can take the heat of your oven , and fit perfectly on any large cookie sheet .
I used them mainly to heat up leftovers because it had the right variety of food for the separators .
Chicken and broccoli in one section , spare ribs in the second , and lo-mein in the third .
They all cooked perfectly and there wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spare ribs , which I appreciated .
The versatility of being able to take out one type of food when it ’ s done and leaving in others really saves you time and effort in prepping a meal for the whole family .
While I used them for basic cooking , they ’ re great for any novice who wants to try out new ways of cooking .
For instance , I recently made three salmon steaks for my family since I ’ m cooking more in these ... quarantine times .
Usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold in the olive oil , various spices , and pieces of dill so they wouldn ’ t spill onto my cookie sheet , but none of that was an issue with the Cheat Sheets .
The salmon came out magnificent , and not dry at all after a half-hour in the oven at about 350 degrees .
But what I was really impressed about was that the sheets were so damn easy to clean .
A quick rinse in the sink with soap and water truly did the trick .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HATE to do dishes , even if I appreciate a clean and organized kitchen .
Also !
If you hate doing dishes by hand , they ’ re absolutely safe to pop ‘ em in the dishwasher which is groundbreaking in terms of lazy cooks .
So , what are you waiting for ?
Grab these dividers today and upgrade your cooking game ASAP !

Ignacia on News, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Prep d Cheat Sheets | $39 | Kickstarter
Having your food touch is gross, or so I’ve heard. Well, I’ve got a solution for you—Prep d Cheat Sheets. They’re made of silicone, so they can take the heat of your oven, and fit perfectly on any large cookie sheet.
I used them mainly to heat up leftovers because it had the right variety of food for the separators. Chicken and broccoli in one section, spare ribs in the second, and lo-mein in the third. They all cooked perfectly and there wasn’t any broccoli juice on the spare ribs, which I appreciated. The versatility of being able to take out one type of food when it’s done and leaving in others really saves you time and effort in prepping a meal for the whole family.
While I used them for basic cooking, they’re great for any novice who wants to try out new ways of cooking. For instance, I recently made three salmon steaks for my family since I’m cooking more in these ... quarantine times. Usually, I would wrap foil around them to hold in the olive oil, various spices, and pieces of dill so they wouldn’t spill onto my cookie sheet, but none of that was an issue with the Cheat Sheets.
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The salmon came out magnificent, and not dry at all after a half-hour in the oven at about 350 degrees. But what I was really impressed about was that the sheets were so damn easy to clean. A quick rinse in the sink with soap and water truly did the trick. That’s a big deal because I HATE to do dishes, even if I appreciate a clean and organized kitchen. Also! If you hate doing dishes by hand, they’re absolutely safe to pop ‘em in the dishwasher which is groundbreaking in terms of lazy cooks.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab these dividers today and upgrade your cooking game ASAP!


theroot--2020-08-12--Fani Willis Wins Runoff Election to Become Fulton County's First Female District Attorney

On Tuesday evening , Fani Willis proved successful in her bid to unseat longtime Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard .
AJC reports that Willis took 73 percent of the vote in Tuesday ’ s runoff election .
Willis is set to become the first woman elected to serve as Fulton ’ s DA .
“ Y ’ all we made herstory , ” Willis said .
“ You have my word , during my tenure as district attorney in Fulton County , we will be a beacon for justice and ethics in Georgia and across the nation.
” Howard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first Black man to ever serve as a District Attorney in the state of Georgia .
He hadn ’ t faced any serious challengers in almost 20 years .
Willis secured the majority of votes in the June primary but fell short of the 50 percent needed to secure victory .
An Emory Law School graduate , Willis was hired by Howard and worked for 16 years in the Fulton District Attorney ’ s Office .
During that time she was promoted to the Major Case Division and later named Deputy District Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served as the lead prosecutor in the trial of 12 Atlanta Public School teachers accused of correcting standardized test answers by their students .
All but one of the defendants was found guilty of racketeering .
Howard , the first African-American to win election as a district attorney in Georgia , had not faced a serious challenger since 2000 .
When Willis formalized her candidacy in March , she made it clear that Howard ’ s conduct in office would be a major issue .
“ I have gotten calls from South Fulton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me to run .
The office under Howard ’ s leadership is broken , I believe I ’ m the right person to fix it , ” Willis said in a recent interview .
Howard is currently the focus of an ongoing criminal investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for funneling nearly $ 200,000 in city funds to a non-profit he was CEO of .
Last week , he agreed to pay the state ethics commission a $ 6,500 fine and admitted to 14 ethics violations .
In June , Howard charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts over the shooting death of Rayshard Brooks .
He conceded defeat on Tuesday night and told reporters “ I came in with pride and I ’ m leaving with pride.
” Speaking to her supporters on Tuesday night , Willis vowed that she would run the office with “ transparency and accountability .
”

On Tuesday evening, Fani Willis proved successful in her bid to unseat longtime Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard.
AJC reports that Willis took 73 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s runoff election. Willis is set to become the first woman elected to serve as Fulton’s DA. “Y’all we made herstory,” Willis said. “You have my word, during my tenure as district attorney in Fulton County, we will be a beacon for justice and ethics in Georgia and across the nation.” Howard took office in 1997 and was the first Black man to ever serve as a District Attorney in the state of Georgia. He hadn’t faced any serious challengers in almost 20 years. Willis secured the majority of votes in the June primary but fell short of the 50 percent needed to secure victory.
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From AJC:
An Emory Law School graduate, Willis was hired by Howard and worked for 16 years in the Fulton District Attorney’s Office. During that time she was promoted to the Major Case Division and later named Deputy District Attorney of the Complex Trial Division. Willis served as the lead prosecutor in the trial of 12 Atlanta Public School teachers accused of correcting standardized test answers by their students. All but one of the defendants was found guilty of racketeering. Howard, the first African-American to win election as a district attorney in Georgia, had not faced a serious challenger since 2000. When Willis formalized her candidacy in March, she made it clear that Howard’s conduct in office would be a major issue.
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“I have gotten calls from South Fulton, North Fulton, Buckhead just begging me to run. The office under Howard’s leadership is broken, I believe I’m the right person to fix it,” Willis said in a recent interview. Howard is currently the focus of an ongoing criminal investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for funneling nearly $200,000 in city funds to a non-profit he was CEO of.
Last week, he agreed to pay the state ethics commission a $6,500 fine and admitted to 14 ethics violations. In June, Howard charged now-fired Officer Garrett Rolfe with 11 criminal counts over the shooting death of Rayshard Brooks. He conceded defeat on Tuesday night and told reporters “I came in with pride and I’m leaving with pride.”
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Speaking to her supporters on Tuesday night, Willis vowed that she would run the office with “transparency and accountability.”


theroot--2020-08-12--Black Girl Sent to Juvenile Facility for Not Doing Her Homework Released From Probation

The Michigan judge who sent a 15-year-old Black girl to a juvenile detention facility for not completing her online homework released the teen from probation Tuesday following the ruling of an appeals court .
The Associated Press reports that Oakland Circuit Judge Mary Ellen Brennan “ adopted a caseworker ’ s recommendation that the case be terminated and that the girl , called ‘ Grace ’ to protect her identity , continue receiving mental health treatment at home.
” This came after the Michigan Court of Appeals ordered Grace to be released from Oakland County Children ’ s Village on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s goal to place her ( in Children ’ s Village ) was to address delinquent behavior and improve life at home for her and her mother , ” Brennan said , AP reports .
In 2019 , Grace was charged with assault for getting into a physical altercation with her mother , and charged with theft for stealing another student ’ s phone after hers was taken away .
She was placed on probation in April and one of her requirements was to complete all of her schoolwork .
In May , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probation by “ failure to submit any schoolwork and getting up for school , ” and sent her Children ’ s Village despite the fact that Grace ’ s teacher told her caseworker that Grace ’ s struggle to get up for school and get her work done is “ not out of alignment with most of [ her ] other students.
” Brennan also appears to ignore the fact that Grace has a learning disability ( ADHD and a mood disorder ) and the fact that she and her attorneys argued that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving at Children ’ s Villiage was inadequate .
Brennan even went as far as to say she believes Grace is a “ threat to ( the ) community.
” During a July 20 hearing , Brennan claimed that sending Grace to a juvenile detention center wasn ’ t about her not doing her homework , but about her history with her mother .
( She is now characterizing Grace ’ s behavior as “ delinquent ” after calling her a “ threat , ” but I guess we ’ re not going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) But during her original violation hearing , Grace ’ s mother told Brennan that she and her daughter have not had an altercation during the probation period and that there has not been an incident since the original assault charge in November .
It ’ s almost as if a certain judge was bound and determined to criminalize a Black child whether it was actually in that child ’ s better interest or not .
“ You have deprived my client access to mental health treatment that was available through her school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a court hearing , ” Grace ’ s attorney Saima Khalil accusing Brennan of “ callous conduct , ” AP reports .
Thankfully , the appeals court tied the judge ’ s hands and forced her to set Grace free .
“ To say that we are pleased with the outcome is an understatement .
While it was an unfortunate and painful process , it has resulted in Grace finally and permanently returning home to her family , ” Graces mother said in a statement , according to WXYZ Detroit .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ otherwise obscure window into a system that requires change in order to effectively and positively impact those it is designed to serve .
We will continue to work towards that change for our Grace , and the thousands of other children whose lives are touched by this system .
“ In the short period of time that Grace has been home , we have become keenly aware of how damaging the juvenile system is as she recants loss of well-being , quality education , effective therapies and faith in a system that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she continued .
“ No child should walk away feeling less than because a system is degenerative and designed to break the spirit .
Rather , than lift up and motivate a child to live up to their potential and vision their dreams fulfilled within arms reach.
” Join the discussion !
The Root is hosting its first-ever , virtual Root Institute , presented by Target , featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics , culture , health , community building and social impact .
Subscribe @ @ @ @

The Michigan judge who sent a 15-year-old Black girl to a juvenile detention facility for not completing her online homework released the teen from probation Tuesday following the ruling of an appeals court.
The Associated Press reports that Oakland Circuit Judge Mary Ellen Brennan “adopted a caseworker’s recommendation that the case be terminated and that the girl, called ‘Grace’ to protect her identity, continue receiving mental health treatment at home.” This came after the Michigan Court of Appeals ordered Grace to be released from Oakland County Children’s Village on July 3.
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“This court’s goal to place her (in Children’s Village) was to address delinquent behavior and improve life at home for her and her mother,” Brennan said, AP reports.
In 2019, Grace was charged with assault for getting into a physical altercation with her mother, and charged with theft for stealing another student’s phone after hers was taken away. She was placed on probation in April and one of her requirements was to complete all of her schoolwork. In May, Brennan found Grace guilty of violating her probation by “failure to submit any schoolwork and getting up for school,” and sent her Children’s Village despite the fact that Grace’s teacher told her caseworker that Grace’s struggle to get up for school and get her work done is “not out of alignment with most of [her] other students.” Brennan also appears to ignore the fact that Grace has a learning disability (ADHD and a mood disorder) and the fact that she and her attorneys argued that the level of education she has been receiving at Children’s Villiage was inadequate. Brennan even went as far as to say she believes Grace is a “threat to (the) community.”
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During a July 20 hearing, Brennan claimed that sending Grace to a juvenile detention center wasn’t about her not doing her homework, but about her history with her mother. (She is now characterizing Grace’s behavior as “delinquent” after calling her a “threat, ” but I guess we’re not going to talk about all that dog-whistling.) But during her original violation hearing, Grace’s mother told Brennan that she and her daughter have not had an altercation during the probation period and that there has not been an incident since the original assault charge in November.
It’s almost as if a certain judge was bound and determined to criminalize a Black child whether it was actually in that child’s better interest or not.
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“You have deprived my client access to mental health treatment that was available through her school and this court publicly lambasted the child during a court hearing,” Grace’s attorney Saima Khalil accusing Brennan of “callous conduct,” AP reports. Thankfully, the appeals court tied the judge’s hands and forced her to set Grace free.
“To say that we are pleased with the outcome is an understatement. While it was an unfortunate and painful process, it has resulted in Grace finally and permanently returning home to her family,” Graces mother said in a statement, according to WXYZ Detroit. “ It has also provided insight into an otherwise obscure window into a system that requires change in order to effectively and positively impact those it is designed to serve. We will continue to work towards that change for our Grace, and the thousands of other children whose lives are touched by this system.
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“In the short period of time that Grace has been home, we have become keenly aware of how damaging the juvenile system is as she recants loss of well-being, quality education, effective therapies and faith in a system that was supposed to protect and preserve the family,” she continued. “No child should walk away feeling less than because a system is degenerative and designed to break the spirit. Rather, than lift up and motivate a child to live up to their potential and vision their dreams fulfilled within arms reach.”
Join the discussion! The Root is hosting its first-ever, virtual Root Institute, presented by Target, featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics, culture, health, community building and social impact. Subscribe for updates today!


theroot--2020-08-12--Get a Premium Clean at a Wallet-Friendly Price With Today's Best Dyson Deals

The best Dyson deals on vacuums and air purifiers for August 2020 are here .
Let ’ s be honest : the name “ Dyson ” might emit a scream from your wallet or handbag , as the company ’ s high-end products usually don ’ t come cheap .
But you don ’ t have to settle for imitators .
Right now , many of Dyson ’ s top cord-free vacuums are on sale , including big discounts on factory-refurbished and warrantied models , plus you ’ ll find bargains on Dyson ’ s other products : like lamps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deals below !
Clean the air while you clear dust using Dyson ’ s V7 Allergy cord-free stick vacuum .
It looks a lot like the other V7 models , but has the benefit of a whole-machine HEPA filter built in .
It ’ ll capture allergens and pump out cleaner air while you vacuum .
The V7 Allergy has the same 30-minute run time on a full charge , and up to six minutes on MAX mode for deeper suction .
Newegg has a refurbished edition for nearly half-off right now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is cordless , chargeable , and ready to deal with whatever you ’ ve spilled on multiple surfaces , from carpet to hardwood .
People love this model for its wall mounting dock and ability to shift into a handheld vacuum for small spaces .
You can snag it for $ 100 off the list price right now from Dyson .
Got pets ?
If so , then you probably need a heavy-duty vacuum to deal with all of the fur and dander that line your halls and/or carpets .
Dyson ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically for the purpose , digging dug-in dirt and animal hair out of carpets and rugs thanks to its powerful head motor .
This cordless wonder is $ 150 off from Dyson right now .
Can you imagine the immense power of a Dyson vacuum in reverse… and blowing against your head ?
That ’ s the promise of the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer .
Dyson ’ s hair products aren ’ t cheap , with perhaps even more sticker shock than with the vacuums , but right now Newegg has a refurbished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 28 0 .
A $ 700 lamp ?
That ’ s madness , right ?
Well , that ’ s Dyson : high-end design at a high-end price .
Besides , that ’ s the price after a $ 200 discount direct from the maker .
What makes it unique aside from the look ?
Well , the Dyson Lightcycle Floor automatically tracks color temperature and brightness of your surrounding daylight to adjust the output , and has a half-dozen LEDs aided by heat pipe technology to last upwards of 60 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system lets you intricately position the lamp and trust that it ’ ll stay put .
It ’ s still a $ 700 lamp , mind you , but damn it ’ s a cool lamp .
Dyson ’ s Pure Cool White air purifier and tower fan pulls double duty in both cleaning the air with its HEPA filter and cooling the space around you .
It ’ s billed to capture 99.97 % of allergens and is also Wi-Fi enabled , letting you view reports and control it from your smartphone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things as quiet as possible to avoid interrupting your precious slumber .
Dyson is currently taking $ 100 off the list price , direct from its own website .
This is one of the best prices you ’ ll ever see for one of Dyson ’ s signature cordless vacuums thanks to this refurbished offer at Walmart , direct from Dyson .
The Dyson V6 doesn ’ t have quite the battery life ( 20 minutes ) as the newer models , but still gives you the incredible versatility to clean up your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pipe to clean smaller spaces like your car .
Get even more sucking power with the Dyson V6 Absolute , which has a direct drive cleaner head that provides up to 75 % additional power .
It also has whole-machine HEPA filtration for those concerned about allergens , and it ’ s just $ 190 right now refurbished from Dyson .
While it ’ s true that this isn ’ t one of the more modern stick-like wireless vacuums that Dyson has become synonymous with , it ’ s tough to argue with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upright , ball-centric model benefits from whole-machine HEPA filtration and has a six-month warranty through Dyson .
Again , it ’ s just $ 150 at Walmart right now !
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is a must-have for pet owners who sometimes become concerned that their pet must be running around completely bald after shedding so much pet hair onto the carpets .
With multiple accessory options to get spots high and low , the pet vacuum also comes with a washable filter and a seal of approval from the Asthma and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a refurbished version is half-off the list price direct from Dyson .
Need a powerful vacuum that excels at sucking but doesn ’ t , you know , suck ?
The lightweight Dyson V7 Origin ought to do the trick .
It can give you up to 30 minutes of standard vacuuming , or you can switch on the motorized head for about six minutes of super-sucking .
It charges via a wall mount so it ’ s always ready when you need it , and you can eject the pipe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a pinch .
A larger model than most Dyson vacuums , this multi-use machine is powerful .
Promising to tackle dirt and allergens , accessories like a reach wand allow you to clean high molding and even ceiling cobwebs .
Its high-speed action and collection of bristles mean you can clean carpet , tile , or hardwood .
You can snag it for $ 102 off the list price right now .

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

Featured Deal: Dyson V7 Animal (Refurbished) | $170 | Walmart
The best Dyson deals on vacuums and air purifiers for July 2021 are here.
Dyson has set the standard for high-quality vacuums with excellent performance and fantastic design. They’re not cheap, however, so bringing one into your home is typically a well-considered investment.
Luckily, some of Dyson’s most popular cordless vacuums are on sale right now, along with other striking products such as fans and hair styling products. These are the best Dyson deals we’ve seen right now.
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The Dyson V8 Motorhead is effectively the base model of the V8 line, delivering more suction power than the earlier V7 lineup and up to 40 minutes of power on a full charge. It’s $100 off at Newegg right now, where the new unit is marked down to $280.
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Looking for a powerful higher-end Dyson designed specifically to suck up pesky allergens? That’s just what the Dyson Cyclone V10 Allergy is made for. The V10 models have more suction power than the lower-numbered models, and this one boasts whole-machine filtration that traps 99.99% of fine dust particles. Save $80 direct from Dyson right now.
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Save $100 off the price of Dyson’s TP02 Pure Cool Link air purifier/fan right now when you buy refurbished from Newegg. Dyson’s sleek app-connected devices suck out 99.97% of allergens and pollutants from the air in your space while providing cooling air, and sports the ultra-cool look with no spinning blades in sight. This is a serious bargain if you don’t mind a certified refurbished model, sold by Dyson itself through Newegg.
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A bigger model than most Dyson vacuums, this corded Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Total Clean is powerful indeed. It promises to tackle dirt and allergens, while accessories like a reach wand allow you to clean high molding and even ceiling cobwebs. Save $250 at Best Buy, today only.
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Did you know that Dyson makes hair-styling products? While they’re unsurprisingly a lot more expensive than your average device, you’re paying for a high-quality device that does things a bit differently—and probably better. In this case, the Dyson Airwrap both styles and dries and does so without extreme heat levels. Dyson has this refurbished model for $50 off.
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The Dyson V7 Animal has a HEPA filter than some of the other V7 models don’t have, along with additional attachments. That makes it a versatile, carpet-centric cordless stick vacuum that’s well primed to handle your space. Save $230 off the new list price when you buy a certified refurbished model from Walmart.
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Can you imagine the immense power of a Dyson vacuum in reverse… and blowing against your head? That’s the promise of the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer. Dyson’s hair products aren’t cheap, with perhaps even more sticker shock than with the vacuums, but it ought to be worth the investment. This is at regular price, but Dyson is throwing in a complementary carrying case valued at $60.
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It’s no slender stick-like vacuum, but this multi-use machine is powerful. Equipped with a HEPA filter, the Dyson Ball promises to tackle dirt and allergens, while accessories like a reach wand allow you to clean high molding and even ceiling cobwebs. Save $44 at Amazon.
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If you have pets, you have filth—whether you can see it all or not. Luckily, that’s what the Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal is for. It’s built to suck animal fur out of carpets and can last up to 35 minutes with the Torque drive cleaner head (or 60 minutes without). Save $50 right now through Amazon.


theroot--2020-08-12--Jodie Turner-Smith Reflects on 'the Sacred Process of Creating a Family' Amid 'Systemic Racism' in N

Jodie Turner-Smith Reflects on 'the Sacred Process of Creating a Family' Amid 'Systemic Racism' in New Essay

The prospect of giving birth as a Black woman is currently as daunting as it is joyful .
Black maternal health has become a major topic of discussion in recent years—one we ’ ve covered extensively here at The Glow Up—as mortality rates for Black mothers have risen to three to four times those of their white counterparts ; the COVID-19 crisis adding another terrifying and complicating layer to the persistent threat .
Queen & Slim star Jodie Turner-Smith cited the above statistic in a post-pregnancy personal essay for British Vogue ’ s September 2020 issue , writing “ According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of pregnancy-related deaths is more than three times greater for black women than for white women , pointing , it seems to me , to systemic racism ” ( h/t Page Six ) .
It was for this reason that the 33-year-old and her husband , fellow actor Joshua Jackson ( Dawson ’ s Creek , The Affair ) , chose an at-home birth in Los Angeles for their first child , a baby girl who arrived in April .
Reflecting on the experience of first-time motherhood , Turner-Smith writes.
“ Every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges and lessons , ” including nausea and subchorionic bleeds due to a detached placenta in her first trimester .
“ Nobody really teaches you about what your body goes through to bring a child into the world until you ’ re actually doing it.
” “ God knows what my baby thought was happening , because I spent most of that trimester either on set , tearing around the center of Berlin with tactical gear and a rifle while blowing things up , ” she says , referring to the challenge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Michael B. Jordan .
“ [ O ] r rushing through an airport to catch a flight back to America to promote Queen & Slim , ” she adds .
Jackson was steadfast in his support , telling Turner-Smith : “ ‘ There ’ s no part of this that I ’ m going to miss , ’ ” she recalls .
“ And there wasn ’ t. ” The couple quietly married late last year , and Turner-Smith also writes : “ Both of us had watched our own mothers struggle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both of us were determined to create something different for ourselves.
” The couple ’ s home birth would turn out to be a nearly four-day process .
“ Early in the morning on my third day of labor , my husband and I shared a quiet moment , ” she recalls .
“ I was fatigued and beginning to lose my resolve .
Josh ran me a bath , and as I lay in it contracting , I talked to my body and I talked to my daughter .
In that moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An honest moment of family and togetherness—a husband supporting a wife , our baby still inside me , the sacred process of creating a family.
” The picture accompanies Turner-Smith ’ s essay in Vogue , in which the actress-model also muses about the turbulent world her first child entered into .
“ Sometimes I wonder how I will explain to my daughter what it meant to be born in the year 2020 , ” she writes .
“ The historic events , the social unrest , and me—a new mother just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think I will tell her that it was as if the world had paused for her to be born .
And that , hopefully , it never quite returned to the way it was before.
” Jodie Turner-Smith ’ s essay is available to read in full in the September 2020 issue of British Vogue , on newsstands now .
Join the discussion !
The Root is hosting its first-ever , virtual Root Institute , presented by Target , featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics , culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact .
Subscribe for updates today !

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

The prospect of giving birth as a Black woman is currently as daunting as it is joyful. Black maternal health has become a major topic of discussion in recent years—one we’ve covered extensively here at The Glow Up—as mortality rates for Black mothers have risen to three to four times those of their white counterparts; the COVID-19 crisis adding another terrifying and complicating layer to the persistent threat.
Queen & Slim star Jodie Turner-Smith cited the above statistic in a post-pregnancy personal essay for British Vogue’s September 2020 issue, writing “According to the [CDC], the risk of pregnancy-related deaths is more than three times greater for black women than for white women, pointing, it seems to me, to systemic racism” (h/t Page Six). It was for this reason that the 33-year-old and her husband, fellow actor Joshua Jackson (Dawson’s Creek, The Affair), chose an at-home birth in Los Angeles for their first child, a baby girl who arrived in April.
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Reflecting on the experience of first-time motherhood, Turner-Smith writes.“Every stage of my pregnancy brought its own challenges and lessons,” including nausea and subchorionic bleeds due to a detached placenta in her first trimester. “Nobody really teaches you about what your body goes through to bring a child into the world until you’re actually doing it.”
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“God knows what my baby thought was happening, because I spent most of that trimester either on set, tearing around the center of Berlin with tactical gear and a rifle while blowing things up,” she says, referring to the challenge of simultaneously shooting the action film Without Remorse with Michael B. Jordan. “[O]r rushing through an airport to catch a flight back to America to promote Queen & Slim,” she adds.
Jackson was steadfast in his support, telling Turner-Smith: “‘There’s no part of this that I’m going to miss,’” she recalls. “And there wasn’t.”
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The couple quietly married late last year, and Turner-Smith also writes: “Both of us had watched our own mothers struggle to raise children without such support. Both of us were determined to create something different for ourselves.”
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The couple’s home birth would turn out to be a nearly four-day process. “Early in the morning on my third day of labor, my husband and I shared a quiet moment,” she recalls. “I was fatigued and beginning to lose my resolve. Josh ran me a bath, and as I lay in it contracting, I talked to my body and I talked to my daughter. In that moment, he snapped a picture of me. An honest moment of family and togetherness—a husband supporting a wife, our baby still inside me, the sacred process of creating a family.”
The picture accompanies Turner-Smith’s essay in Vogue, in which the actress-model also muses about the turbulent world her first child entered into.
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“Sometimes I wonder how I will explain to my daughter what it meant to be born in the year 2020,” she writes. “The historic events, the social unrest, and me—a new mother just trying to do her best. I think I will tell her that it was as if the world had paused for her to be born. And that, hopefully, it never quite returned to the way it was before.”
Jodie Turner-Smith’s essay is available to read in full in the September 2020 issue of British Vogue, on newsstands now.
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Join the discussion! The Root is hosting its first-ever, virtual Root Institute, presented by Target, featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics, culture, health, community building and social impact. Subscribe for updates today!


theroot--2020-08-12--Property Owner Outraged That a Black Lives Matter Billboard Was Put Up Next to His Confederate Flag

If there is any upshot to the hellscape we currently live in , it ’ s that folks are steadily exposing their true selves .
Take Sam White , a property owner in Pittsboro , N.C. , who is big mad that a Black Lives Matter billboard was erected next to a Confederate flag that he allowed to be placed on the property .
“ I told them if they don ’ t take it down September 1 , they ’ re going to hear my chainsaw running , ” White told WTVD .
In July , the billboard was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community-led effort on GoFundMe .
It was meant to stand in direct opposition to the Confederate flag that currently flies near the billboard .
“ The billboards send a very strong message ; as strong of a message as that Confederate flag , ” Dawn Blagrove , the executive director of Emancipate NC , told the news outlet .
Blagrove and Kerwin Pittman , executive director of Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services , Inc. ( RREPS ) , placed the names of their non-profits on the billboard so it could meet the requirements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the message ( of the billboard ) was to implore the individuals of that town who seek to sow hatred and fear and terror amongst the citizens of that town - that Black lives do matter , ” Pittman told WTVD .
White , the descendant of a Confederate veteran , wasn ’ t feeling that .
“ There ’ s some things that are a lot more important than money .
The new phrase , BLM means burn , loot and murder , not Black Lives Matter , ” White said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ couldn ’ t be any more on the nose , advocated against the recent removal of a Confederate monument at the Chatham County courthouse and allowed the Confederate flag to go up on his property in protest of the county ’ s decision .
“ This is an individual who is deeply seeded in racism .
To remove currency from your pocket because of mentions of Black Lives Matter speaks to the testament of how he truly feels , ” Pittman said .
While saddened that the billboard is going down , Blagrove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It is a win-win for the people of Pittsboro who wanted to send a message that those Confederate flags do not represent all of them , ” Blagrove said .
The Pittsboro billboard is set to go down at the end of the month but a new one has already been erected in Raleigh , N.C .
The billboard was placed in close proximity to Wake Detention Center as a symbolic call for criminal justice reform .
Join the discussion !
The Root is hosting its first-ever , virtual Root Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the leading minds in our community talking about politics , culture , health , community building and social impact .
Subscribe for updates today !

If there is any upshot to the hellscape we currently live in, it’s that folks are steadily exposing their true selves. Take Sam White, a property owner in Pittsboro, N.C., who is big mad that a Black Lives Matter billboard was erected next to a Confederate flag that he allowed to be placed on the property.
“I told them if they don’t take it down September 1, they’re going to hear my chainsaw running,” White told WTVD. In July, the billboard was put up on Highway 64 following a community-led effort on GoFundMe. It was meant to stand in direct opposition to the Confederate flag that currently flies near the billboard. “The billboards send a very strong message; as strong of a message as that Confederate flag,” Dawn Blagrove, the executive director of Emancipate NC, told the news outlet.
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Blagrove and Kerwin Pittman, executive director of Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services, Inc. (RREPS), placed the names of their non-profits on the billboard so it could meet the requirements needed to be erected. “So the message (of the billboard) was to implore the individuals of that town who seek to sow hatred and fear and terror amongst the citizens of that town - that Black lives do matter,” Pittman told WTVD.
White, the descendant of a Confederate veteran, wasn’t feeling that. “There’s some things that are a lot more important than money. The new phrase, BLM means burn, loot and murder, not Black Lives Matter,” White said.
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White, who’s last name couldn’t be any more on the nose, advocated against the recent removal of a Confederate monument at the Chatham County courthouse and allowed the Confederate flag to go up on his property in protest of the county’s decision.
“This is an individual who is deeply seeded in racism. To remove currency from your pocket because of mentions of Black Lives Matter speaks to the testament of how he truly feels,” Pittman said. While saddened that the billboard is going down, Blagrove still sees the endeavor as a success. “It is a win-win for the people of Pittsboro who wanted to send a message that those Confederate flags do not represent all of them,” Blagrove said.
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The Pittsboro billboard is set to go down at the end of the month but a new one has already been erected in Raleigh, N.C. The billboard was placed in close proximity to Wake Detention Center as a symbolic call for criminal justice reform.
Join the discussion! The Root is hosting its first-ever, virtual Root Institute, presented by Target, featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics, culture, health, community building and social impact. Subscribe for updates today!


theroot--2020-08-12--Why (Some) Men Seem to be So Bothered by Cardi B's 'WAP,' Explained

Why would anyone in their right mind be bothered by waffles and pancakes ?
They ’ re delicious breakfast and brunch staples .
The Anthony Davis of breakfast and brunch .
And , even if you had celiac disease , there are gluten-free options .
Do these men hate french toast too ?
You ’ re making this shit up to fill a weekly content quota , aren ’ t you ?
You need to leave the house more .
“ WAP ” refers to a new song and video from Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pussy.
” This is still dumb .
Why would any man in his right mind be bothered by wet ass pussy ?
They ’ re delicious sex staples .
The Anthony Davis of fucking .
And , even if you had celiac disease , there are gluten-free options .
I ’ m sure you can find that at Trader Joe ’ s .
But really ?
This is a thing ?
Unfortunately , yes .
Since the video ’ s release , there have been countless tweets , op-eds , videos , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about lubrication efficiency is the sign of the apocalypse .
Even professional sheet cake person Ben Shapiro weighed in , and actually got on Kyrie Irving ’ s internet to share that he believes a WAP is a serious medical condition .
I don ’ t get it .
Do these men not want women to enjoy sex ?
So , I think that question is misframing the issue .
Most men who have sex with women very much want women to enjoy the sex they ’ re having ... with them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason than the fact that her enjoyment makes it more likely that she ’ ll continue wanting to fuck you .
Men also want women in porn to enjoy sex—or , at least , feign enjoyment .
But both the porn sex and the sex-sex are centered in male desire and pleasure .
The problem with men who have a problem with “ WAP ” have is agency .
Cardi and Megan , in the song , are very direct with their expectations of a lover .
Basically , if you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your wallet ( or both ) —you need not apply .
Basically , Cardi and Megan are telling these men that they don ’ t matter .
It ’ s about the woman ’ s pleasure , the woman ’ s wants , the woman ’ s desires .
And what you ’ re seeing , in the response , is a fear of inadequacy and sexual irrelevance .
They just can ’ t handle being a non-motherfuckin ’ factor .
It matters that there are no men in the video .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not even so much about sex .
They ’ re twerking and stripping and whatever , but mostly they ’ re just having goofy , silly , fun .
The video takes place in a funhouse that belongs in a Tim Burton movie .
It ’ s less porny than it ’ s campy—fun that exists without any male input or gaze .
Shit .
I wish this was about waffles and pancakes now .
At least the men mad at this would have a valid defense .

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

This is dumb.
What?
Your entire premise.
What’s wrong with it?
Why would anyone in their right mind be bothered by waffles and pancakes? They’re delicious breakfast and brunch staples. The Anthony Davis of breakfast and brunch. And, even if you had celiac disease, there are gluten-free options. Do these men hate french toast too? You’re making this shit up to fill a weekly content quota, aren’t you?
You need to leave the house more. “WAP” refers to a new song and video from Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. It’s an acronym for “wet ass pussy.”
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This is still dumb.
What?
Your entire premise.
What’s wrong with it?
Why would any man in his right mind be bothered by wet ass pussy? They’re delicious sex staples. The Anthony Davis of fucking. And, even if you had celiac disease, there are gluten-free options.
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Gluten-free pussy options?
I’m sure you can find that at Trader Joe’s. But really? This is a thing?
Unfortunately, yes. Since the video’s release, there have been countless tweets, op-eds, videos, and Facebook status messages about how a song about lubrication efficiency is the sign of the apocalypse.
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Even professional sheet cake person Ben Shapiro weighed in, and actually got on Kyrie Irving’s internet to share that he believes a WAP is a serious medical condition.
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I don’t get it. Do these men not want women to enjoy sex?
So, I think that question is misframing the issue. Most men who have sex with women very much want women to enjoy the sex they’re having...with them. For no other (admittedly selfish) reason than the fact that her enjoyment makes it more likely that she’ll continue wanting to fuck you. Men also want women in porn to enjoy sex—or, at least, feign enjoyment. But both the porn sex and the sex-sex are centered in male desire and pleasure. The problem with men who have a problem with “WAP” have is agency. Cardi and Megan, in the song, are very direct with their expectations of a lover. Basically, if you’re not packing—either in your pants or in your wallet (or both)—you need not apply.
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Basically, Cardi and Megan are telling these men that they don’t matter. It’s about the woman’s pleasure, the woman’s wants, the woman’s desires. And what you’re seeing, in the response, is a fear of inadequacy and sexual irrelevance. They just can’t handle being a non-motherfuckin’ factor.
Ah. Anything else?
It matters that there are no men in the video. And if you watch it, it’s not even so much about sex. They’re twerking and stripping and whatever, but mostly they’re just having goofy, silly, fun. The video takes place in a funhouse that belongs in a Tim Burton movie . It’s less porny than it’s campy—fun that exists without any male input or gaze.
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Shit. I wish this was about waffles and pancakes now. At least the men mad at this would have a valid defense.
Me too.


theroot--2020-08-12--Since We Know You Were Wondering, No, the Sussexes Aren't Still Holed Up at Tyler Perry's House

We know you ’ ve been losing sleep over this for months now , but the chances of Tyler Perry announcing Meghan Markle as the lead in his next film just decreased exponentially .
The actress-turned-duchess and her immediate family have apparently moved on from Perry ’ s Beverly Hills mansion , where they ’ ve been staying since relocating to California post-Megxit .
If you ’ re still reading past the page break , you definitely care , so let ’ s not play that silly game in the comments where you pretend that you don ’ t , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us .
( *Beyoncé voice* We know you care ! )
Anyhoo , People magazine reports that in spite of divesting from the royal family ’ s substantial financial support earlier this year , Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have purchased what is undoubtedly a charming home in “ the picturesque seaside town ” of Santa Barbara , approximately 100 miles north of Los Angeles .
( And last time I visited , Santa Barbara wasn ’ t cheap—after all , it merited its own soap opera ! )
“ The Duke and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home in July of this year , ” the couple ’ s rep said .
“ They have settled into the quiet privacy of their community since their arrival and hope that this will be respected for their neighbors , as well as for them as a family.
” According to Page Six , the Sussexes moved six weeks ago ; a source further explained that Meghan and Harry had never intended to settle in Los Angeles permanently , but wanted to be close to Meghan ’ s mom Doria Ragland upon their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , Ragland was reportedly living with the couple and helping to care for 15-month-old son Archie ( h/t Vanity Fair ) , but the newest updates infer that she ’ ll continue to reside in L.A. while the family lives an hour or so upstate .
“ They intend to put down their roots in this house and the quiet community , which has considerable privacy , ” said the source , hinting at the invasion of privacy lawsuits recently filed by the couple after drones allegedly attempted to capture pictures of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want to bring Archie up , where they hope he can have as normal a life as possible.
” Well , not too normal—they are still famous and presumably rich , after all .
People noted that their new neighbors include good friend Oprah Winfrey , who “ owns a number of properties in the area and lives in a stunning estate located in the Montecito community of Santa Barbara.
” But for those of you prone to accuse the Sussexes of soliciting handouts , don ’ t get it twisted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ or anyone else , they bought this home themselves .
This is where they want to continue their lives after leaving the UK , ” the source told Page Six , adding that although they ’ d remodeled Windsor ’ s Frogmore Cottage together ( their first home ) , the new house represents a surprising new milestone for the couple , who married in 2018 .
“ This is the first home either of them has ever owned .
It has been a very special time for them as a couple and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
The Root is hosting its first-ever , virtual Root Institute , presented by Target , featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics , culture , health , community building and social impact .
Subscribe for updates today !

We know you’ve been losing sleep over this for months now, but the chances of Tyler Perry announcing Meghan Markle as the lead in his next film just decreased exponentially. The actress-turned-duchess and her immediate family have apparently moved on from Perry’s Beverly Hills mansion, where they’ve been staying since relocating to California post-Megxit.
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If you’re still reading past the page break, you definitely care, so let’s not play that silly game in the comments where you pretend that you don’t, and get into this stateside royal-watching with us. (*Beyoncé voice* We know you care!) Anyhoo, People magazine reports that in spite of divesting from the royal family’s substantial financial support earlier this year, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have purchased what is undoubtedly a charming home in “the picturesque seaside town” of Santa Barbara, approximately 100 miles north of Los Angeles. (And last time I visited, Santa Barbara wasn’t cheap—after all, it merited its own soap opera!)
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved into their family home in July of this year,” the couple’s rep said. “They have settled into the quiet privacy of their community since their arrival and hope that this will be respected for their neighbors, as well as for them as a family.”
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According to Page Six, the Sussexes moved six weeks ago; a source further explained that Meghan and Harry had never intended to settle in Los Angeles permanently, but wanted to be close to Meghan’s mom Doria Ragland upon their arrival in California. As of last month, Ragland was reportedly living with the couple and helping to care for 15-month-old son Archie (h/t Vanity Fair), but the newest updates infer that she’ll continue to reside in L.A. while the family lives an hour or so upstate.
“They intend to put down their roots in this house and the quiet community, which has considerable privacy,” said the source, hinting at the invasion of privacy lawsuits recently filed by the couple after drones allegedly attempted to capture pictures of their son. “This is where they want to bring Archie up, where they hope he can have as normal a life as possible.”
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Well, not too normal—they are still famous and presumably rich, after all. People noted that their new neighbors include good friend Oprah Winfrey, who “owns a number of properties in the area and lives in a stunning estate located in the Montecito community of Santa Barbara.” But for those of you prone to accuse the Sussexes of soliciting handouts, don’t get it twisted.
“They are not houseguests of Oprah or anyone else, they bought this home themselves. This is where they want to continue their lives after leaving the UK,” the source told Page Six, adding that although they’d remodeled Windsor’s Frogmore Cottage together (their first home), the new house represents a surprising new milestone for the couple, who married in 2018. “This is the first home either of them has ever owned. It has been a very special time for them as a couple and as a family.”
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theroot--2020-08-12--Three Men Connected With R. Kelly Charged With 'Threatening and Intimidating' Female Accusers

Justice may have moved frustratingly slow in holding R. Kelly accountable for countless allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation , but life is coming at several of his alleged enablers fast .
On Wednesday , the Associated Press reported that federal prosecutors have announced charges against three men accused of “ threatening and intimidating ” women who have come forward with accusations against the singer-producer .
The details of the allegations include bribery , blackmail , and arson , and all three men charged have links to Kelly .
Illinois resident and “ longtime friend ” of Kelly ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purportedly offered $ 500,000 to a victim in exchange for withholding incriminating information .
“ Manager and adviser ” Donnell Russell , 45 , of Chicago , threatened another woman who filed suit against Kelly with the release of “ cropped nude photographs ” of the victim , sending both a letter to her attorney and a text to her which read : “ Pull the plug or you will be exposed.
” Russell is also accused of harassing the woman ’ s mother .
A third man , Michael Williams , 37 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of setting fire to an SUV parked outside a Florida home where one of Kelly ’ s victims was known to be staying .
Williams is reportedly related to a former publicist of Kelly ’ s .
In a news release obtained by the AP , authorities added the damning detail that he conducted internet searches for “ the detonation properties of fertilizer and diesel fuel , witness intimidation and witness tampering and countries that do not have extradition with the United States.
” “ The men charged today allegedly have shown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not cross to help Kelly avoid the consequences of his alleged crimes—even if it means re-victimizing his accusers , ” Peter Fitzhugh , special agent in charge of the Homeland Security Investigations in New York , said in a statement ( h/t AP ) .
Unsurprisingly , Kelly ’ s camp claims their client—who is currently facing an array of criminal charges in Illinois , Minnesota , and New York—had “ no involvement whatsoever ” in any witness intimidation .
This , despite a wiretap obtained by authorities in which Arline recounts a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place since the entertainer has been in custody .
Nevertheless , the singer ’ s defense attorney Steve Greenberg continues to maintain his innocence , tweeting : “ Without question , Robert Kelly had nothing to do with any of these alleged acts by those charged .
He hasn ’ t attempted to intimidate anyone , or encouraged anyone else to do so .
”

Justice may have moved frustratingly slow in holding R. Kelly accountable for countless allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation, but life is coming at several of his alleged enablers fast.
On Wednesday, the Associated Press reported that federal prosecutors have announced charges against three men accused of “threatening and intimidating” women who have come forward with accusations against the singer-producer. The details of the allegations include bribery, blackmail, and arson, and all three men charged have links to Kelly.
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Illinois resident and “longtime friend” of Kelly’s, Richard Arline Jr., 31, purportedly offered $500,000 to a victim in exchange for withholding incriminating information. “Manager and adviser” Donnell Russell, 45, of Chicago, threatened another woman who filed suit against Kelly with the release of “cropped nude photographs” of the victim, sending both a letter to her attorney and a text to her which read: “Pull the plug or you will be exposed.” Russell is also accused of harassing the woman’s mother.
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A third man, Michael Williams, 37, of Valdosta, Ga., is accused of setting fire to an SUV parked outside a Florida home where one of Kelly’s victims was known to be staying. Williams is reportedly related to a former publicist of Kelly’s. In a news release obtained by the AP, authorities added the damning detail that he conducted internet searches for “the detonation properties of fertilizer and diesel fuel, witness intimidation and witness tampering and countries that do not have extradition with the United States.”
“The men charged today allegedly have shown that there is no line they will not cross to help Kelly avoid the consequences of his alleged crimes—even if it means re-victimizing his accusers,” Peter Fitzhugh, special agent in charge of the Homeland Security Investigations in New York, said in a statement (h/t AP).
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Unsurprisingly, Kelly’s camp claims their client—who is currently facing an array of criminal charges in Illinois, Minnesota, and New York—had “no involvement whatsoever” in any witness intimidation. This, despite a wiretap obtained by authorities in which Arline recounts a three-way call with Kelly that has taken place since the entertainer has been in custody. Nevertheless, the singer’s defense attorney Steve Greenberg continues to maintain his innocence, tweeting: “Without question, Robert Kelly had nothing to do with any of these alleged acts by those charged. He hasn’t attempted to intimidate anyone, or encouraged anyone else to do so.”


theroot--2020-08-12--Meet Cecilia Brækhus, the Boxer Poised to Break Joe Louis's 72-Year-Old Record

The first women ’ s amateur boxing match sanctioned by USA Boxing was held in 1993 , on the campus of Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood , Washington .
The two fighters , Dallas Malloy and Heather Poyner , made history in front of a crowd of 1189 people .
But took 16 more years for the International Olympic Committee to lift its ban on women ’ s boxing in 2009—over 100 years after it was first introduced in 1904 , but denied as an Olympic sport because women were deemed too delicate to fight each other .
A 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women ’ s Olympic boxing match noted that its initial rejection was due to the way boxing commissions “ sometimes insisted premenstrual anxiety made females too unstable to box.
” Quanitta Underwood , a U.S. boxer who competed but lost her bout in the 2012 Olympics , responded that “ making history is not enough .
I gave up half my life for this and it just doesn ’ t feel like the reward of being here is enough.
” As the sport gained slow acceptance in mainstream organizations—thanks in part to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took the 2004 Oscar for Best Picture—women boxers started developing a stronger , more vocal fanbase .
For years , the most recognizable name in women ’ s boxing was ( and remains ) Laila Ali , daughter of Muhammad Ali , whose professional career spanned from 1999-2007 during which she racked up no losses and 24 wins , with 21 of those being knockouts .
Her record propelled her career and made her name synonymous with the sport for casual fans of women ’ s boxing .
But for boxing fanatics and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is about to make its way into the history books of women ’ s boxing—and possibly women ’ s sport overall .
Cecilia Brækhus , a Norwegian welterweight born in Cartagena , Colombia , is the current undisputed , undefeated champion in women ’ s boxing ; she holds an astonishing five titles with the World Boxing Council , International Boxing Federation , World Boxing Association , International Boxing Organization , and World Boxing Organization .
“ I love [ boxing ] and I think it ’ s important that we do what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her impressive professional boxing career , which began in 2007 .
Brækhus , who ’ s known as the First Lady of boxing , has won 36 fights , nine of them by knockout , and displays an incomparable technique and endurance every time she steps into the ring .
But on August 15 , in a scheduled bout with fellow welterweight Jessica McCaskill , she is poised to break a long-held boxing record that no boxer—woman or man—has taken since 1949 .
If Brækhus beats McCaskill , she will be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most successful title defenses in a single weight class since Joe Louis , who defended his heavyweight championship 25 times .
“ I think it will be very good publicity for women ’ s boxing and for me personally , it would be a big deal , ” Brækhus said , “ because I don ’ t think that record is going to be broken again in quite a while.
” Brækhus also thinks the publicity surrounding the fight could encourage young girls in the sport to continue on their path , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage between men and women ’ s boxing ( boxing promoter Lou DiBella said in 2019 women boxers make “ 15 to 20 cents on the dollar ” compared to men ) .
“ I ’ ve always been very sure of myself and my skill and what I should be getting paid , ” said Brækhus , who has always been vocal about the gender pay gap in boxing .
But she thinks that the road to equal pay and increasing viewership has to go beyond this one fight , and beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You see that that ’ s been done in the UFC , ” she said .
“ Girls are getting invested in [ by promoters ] , and the girls are getting full promotion behind them .
You don ’ t just invest in one girl to keep her [ as a ] politically correct statement .
But you actually invest in a lot of female talent like they do with the boys , then you can create big fights so women [ can ] get paid better.
” Should Brækhus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her titles and break Louis ’ s record , putting her in a position to eventually face Ireland ’ s Katie Taylor , another undefeated , undisputed boxer .
When asked if she felt she would win , Braekhaus simply answered , “ I ’ m confident.
” Perhaps this time around , making history will finally be enough .
Brækhus vs McCaskill will air Saturday on DAZN starting at 8 pm ET .

Shannon Melero on Jezebel, shared by Monique Judge to The Root

The first women’s amateur boxing match sanctioned by USA Boxing was held in 1993, on the campus of Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood, Washington. The two fighters, Dallas Malloy and Heather Poyner, made history in front of a crowd of 1189 people. But took 16 more years for the International Olympic Committee to lift its ban on women’s boxing in 2009—over 100 years after it was first introduced in 1904, but denied as an Olympic sport because women were deemed too delicate to fight each other. A 2012 New York Times article on the first women’s Olympic boxing match noted that its initial rejection was due to the way boxing commissions “sometimes insisted premenstrual anxiety made females too unstable to box.” Quanitta Underwood, a U.S. boxer who competed but lost her bout in the 2012 Olympics, responded that “making history is not enough. I gave up half my life for this and it just doesn’t feel like the reward of being here is enough.”
As the sport gained slow acceptance in mainstream organizations—thanks in part to the success of Million Dollar Baby, which took the 2004 Oscar for Best Picture—women boxers started developing a stronger, more vocal fanbase. For years, the most recognizable name in women’s boxing was (and remains) Laila Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali, whose professional career spanned from 1999-2007 during which she racked up no losses and 24 wins, with 21 of those being knockouts. Her record propelled her career and made her name synonymous with the sport for casual fans of women’s boxing. But for boxing fanatics and casual watchers alike, a new name is about to make its way into the history books of women’s boxing—and possibly women’s sport overall.
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Cecilia Brækhus, a Norwegian welterweight born in Cartagena, Colombia, is the current undisputed, undefeated champion in women’s boxing; she holds an astonishing five titles with the World Boxing Council, International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association, International Boxing Organization, and World Boxing Organization. “I love [boxing] and I think it’s important that we do what we love,” Brækhus told Jezebel of her impressive professional boxing career, which began in 2007. Brækhus, who’s known as the First Lady of boxing, has won 36 fights, nine of them by knockout, and displays an incomparable technique and endurance every time she steps into the ring. But on August 15, in a scheduled bout with fellow welterweight Jessica McCaskill, she is poised to break a long-held boxing record that no boxer—woman or man—has taken since 1949.
If Brækhus beats McCaskill, she will be the first person in 72 years to have the most successful title defenses in a single weight class since Joe Louis, who defended his heavyweight championship 25 times. “I think it will be very good publicity for women’s boxing and for me personally, it would be a big deal,” Brækhus said, “because I don’t think that record is going to be broken again in quite a while.” Brækhus also thinks the publicity surrounding the fight could encourage young girls in the sport to continue on their path, despite the disparities in pay and media coverage between men and women’s boxing (boxing promoter Lou DiBella said in 2019 women boxers make “15 to 20 cents on the dollar” compared to men).
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“I’ve always been very sure of myself and my skill and what I should be getting paid,” said Brækhus, who has always been vocal about the gender pay gap in boxing. But she thinks that the road to equal pay and increasing viewership has to go beyond this one fight, and beyond promoting one woman boxer at a time. “You see that that’s been done in the UFC,” she said. “Girls are getting invested in [by promoters], and the girls are getting full promotion behind them. You don’t just invest in one girl to keep her [as a] politically correct statement. But you actually invest in a lot of female talent like they do with the boys, then you can create big fights so women [can] get paid better.”
Should Brækhus win, she will retain all five of her titles and break Louis’s record, putting her in a position to eventually face Ireland’s Katie Taylor, another undefeated, undisputed boxer. When asked if she felt she would win, Braekhaus simply answered, “I’m confident.” Perhaps this time around, making history will finally be enough.
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Brækhus vs McCaskill will air Saturday on DAZN starting at 8 pm ET.


theroot--2020-08-12--After the Lakers Get Swept in the 1st Round of the Playoffs, NBA Bubble Will Open Doors for Friends,

After the Lakers Get Swept in the 1st Round of the Playoffs, NBA Bubble Will Open Doors for Friends, Family But Bans 'Casual Acquaintances'

[ Note from News Editor Monique Judge : As an editor for The Root , I disavow and disagree with Jay ’ s blatant disrespect for the Los Angeles Lakers , a team that is a national treasure and a gotdamn dynasty . ]
Outside of Damian Lillard snatching the soul out of the Mavericks on Tuesday night , one of the most memorable moments from the NBA bubble was when friends and family surprised members of the Phoenix Suns during their player introductions .
As much as we ’ ve enjoyed the games , it ’ s important to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only potentially risking exposure to COVID-19 , but also sacrificing time with their loved ones for as long as three months .
So as I watched this heartfelt moment live on TV , I can neither confirm nor deny that I shed a thug tear or seven .
Thankfully , the NBA will ease up on its restrictions after the first round of the playoffs , and as ESPN reports , guests will finally be permitted to enter the bubble—but there ’ s a catch .
So yes , me and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be allowed entry , but “ casual aquaintances ” —sorry , Bumble boos and Tinderonis—are a no go .
Per the NBA ’ s policy , each player is allowed up to four guests with exceptions made for children .
But ol ’ girl ( or boy ) who keeps crawling into your DMs with that timely “ WYD ?
” She ’ s got ta stay her ass home .
In order to preserve the safety of the bubble , guests will be required to quarantine for seven days off-site or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market prior to their arrival , then for four more days on the Disney campus .
Additionally , players will be allotted one ticket per guest per playoff game , with an additional seat available to small children .
These family reunions will give players a much-needed jolt of morale , though I wonder how many lemon pepper wings Clippers star Lou Williams will try to smuggle in as guests .

[Note from News Editor Monique Judge: As an editor for The Root, I disavow and disagree with Jay’s blatant disrespect for the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that is a national treasure and a gotdamn dynasty.]
Outside of Damian Lillard snatching the soul out of the Mavericks on Tuesday night, one of the most memorable moments from the NBA bubble was when friends and family surprised members of the Phoenix Suns during their player introductions.
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As much as we’ve enjoyed the games, it’s important to remember that each of these players are not only potentially risking exposure to COVID-19, but also sacrificing time with their loved ones for as long as three months. So as I watched this heartfelt moment live on TV, I can neither confirm nor deny that I shed a thug tear or seven.
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Thankfully, the NBA will ease up on its restrictions after the first round of the playoffs, and as ESPN reports, guests will finally be permitted to enter the bubble—but there’s a catch.
From ESPN:
Those without “an established pre-existing, personal and known relationship” won’t be allowed into the bubble, where each second-round playoff team has been allocated 17 hotel rooms for guests. The earliest guests could clear the quarantine process and join players is Aug. 31, according to the memo.
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So yes, me and you, your momma and your cousin too would be allowed entry, but “casual aquaintances”—sorry, Bumble boos and Tinderonis—are a no go.
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Per the NBA’s policy, each player is allowed up to four guests with exceptions made for children. But ol’ girl (or boy) who keeps crawling into your DMs with that timely “WYD?” She’s gotta stay her ass home.
“As one general manager told ESPN, the issue of casual acquaintances ‘could create problems within your team — and maybe someone else’s too’ and has been a significant topic of discussion among organizations hoping to minimize internal drama as the playoffs unfold.
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Basically the league is calling NBA players messy.
As shit.
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In order to preserve the safety of the bubble, guests will be required to quarantine for seven days off-site or three days in the team’s market prior to their arrival, then for four more days on the Disney campus. Additionally, players will be allotted one ticket per guest per playoff game, with an additional seat available to “casual acquaintances” pretending to be relatives small children.
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These family reunions will give players a much-needed jolt of morale, though I wonder how many lemon pepper wings Clippers star Lou Williams will try to smuggle in as guests.