theroot--2020-05-29--Killing of Trans Black Man Tony McDade Marks 3rd Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Tallahassee in L

Killing of Trans Black Man Tony McDade Marks 3rd Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Tallahassee in Less Than 2 Months

As protests erupted around the country Thursday night in response to multiple , widespread , and longstanding allegations of police brutality , community activists in Tallahassee , Fla. , have tried to press for more accountability from police officers after three officer-involved killings in just over two months .
On Wednesday night , community activists protested the recent killings , demanding more transparency from Tallahassee officials who have given frustratingly little information about the shootings .
Members of the Tallahassee Community Action Committee told WTXL-TV there ’ s “ been no method of real accountability ” since the first officer-involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instance , police claim that 31-year-old Mychael Johnson , suspected of carjacking , got into a fight with Officer Justin Davidson after attempting to flee .
According to WTXL , the police report stated that during the fight between Davidson and Johnson , Officer Zackri Jones fired a single shot at Johnson , killing him .
Although Johnson died from the encounter , TPD officials said they consider Davidson to be the victim in the case .
The second police-involved killing happened on May 19 , when police killed Wilbon Cleveland Woodard after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a restaurant parking lot .
TPD says a confrontation with Woodard ensued , during which they had to use deadly force on Woodard , claiming he was armed .
Last week , the department said it was investigating the incident , but didn ’ t release the names of any officers involved , saying only that a cop had been placed on administrative leave .
Woodard was 69 years old .
The third shooting , just eight days later , is the one that has received the most attention on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tony McDade on May 27 ( TPD and other local outlets have misidentified McDade as a woman ) .
The details that emerged so far are murky , and witness accounts appear to conflict with the TPD version of what happened .
The Tallahassee Democrat reports that Wednesday ’ s officer-involved shooting began with a “ savage attack by a group of men ” on a person believed to be McDade .
At 10:45 a.m. , police responded to a report about a stabbing at the Leon Arms apartment complex : McDade was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be armed with a knife and handgun .
This is where police and eyewitness accounts diverge .
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell told reporters in a briefing Wednesday that officers tracked down McDade and “ immediately saw [ him ] with the gun.
” “ According to what we ’ ve been told , [ McDade ] pointed the gun at the officer before the officer could even fully exit the vehicle , ” Revell said .
But people at the apartment complex at the time are confused by the police account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who lives at Leon Arms and witnessed the shooting .
“ I walked down this way , as soon as I get around this curve , I just hear shots , ” Butler told WFSU .
“ I see [ McDade ] right behind the tree , but I see him ( the officer ) just jump out the car , swing the door open and just start shooting.
” Butler said he heard seven or eight shots total , but didn ’ t hear the officer who fired his weapon give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never heard ‘ Get down , freeze , I ’ m an officer ’ –nothing .
I just heard gun shots , ” Butler said .
According to him , two officers shot at McDade .
Barbara McClakin was visiting a relative at Leon Arms during the shooting .
She told the Tallahassee Democrat that she and her cousin rushed outside after hearing gunfire and saw a police officer with his gun still drawn , pointing to the back of McDade ’ s head .
“ That ’ s what everybody is trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun at the back of [ his ] head when [ he ’ s ] already down ?
” McClakin said .
Police said McDade died from his injuries at a nearby hospital , as did the man he ’ s suspected of stabbing .
During the press conference , Revell said he didn ’ t know how many times McDade was shot , and appeared to imply there was just one shooter .
According to the Tallahassee Democrat , the officer is considered a victim in this shooting , and his privacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Law , an amendment to Florida ’ s constitution passed in 2018 .
Delilah Pierre , a member of the Tallahassee Community Action Committee , said Wednesday ’ s shooting has pushed the community to the edge .
“ We still don ’ t know the name of the police officer who murdered Wilbon Woodard , and we still don ’ t know the name of the police officer who murdered the black [ man ] today , ” Pierre said .
Revell tried to distance his department from the national outrage around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the death of George Floyd , a 46-year-old black man who died after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for at least eight minutes during an arrest on Monday .
The police chief defended the officer in this week ’ s shooting , saying that once a suspect points a gun at a cop , “ you ’ re defending your life at that point.
” He insisted that race had nothing to do with the shooting .
“ Obviously the timing with what ’ s going on across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revell said .
“ But you can ’ t associate one incident in another state with the incident that happened here , other than to say it ’ s a concern for our entire community.
” But racial justice advocates and LGBTQ rights activists say the McDade ’ s killing falls directly in the long continuum of state-sponsored , state-enabled deaths that have disproportionately targeted black and trans communities .
David J. Johns , Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition , said in a statement Thursday , “ adequate words do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pain that accompanies drafting statements to honor Black people who have been murdered as a result of who they are and how they show up in the world.
” “ Tony , a Black trans man , is our brother .
Prior to being shot and fatally wounded by a police officer , Tony posted a video to his Facebook page recounting a horrific beating he received from five men because he is a Black trans man , ” Johns continued , noting that 1,500 hate crimes against LGBTQ people were recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know a lot of the details around Tony ’ s death , or how police became involved .
We do know that Tony should not have been killed , ” he added cautioning Tallahassee PD that “ the world is watching .
”

As protests erupted around the country Thursday night in response to multiple, widespread, and longstanding allegations of police brutality, community activists in Tallahassee, Fla., have tried to press for more accountability from police officers after three officer-involved killings in just over two months.
On Wednesday night, community activists protested the recent killings, demanding more transparency from Tallahassee officials who have given frustratingly little information about the shootings.
Advertisement
Members of the Tallahassee Community Action Committee told WTXL-TV there’s “been no method of real accountability” since the first officer-involved killing on March 20. In that instance, police claim that 31-year-old Mychael Johnson, suspected of carjacking, got into a fight with Officer Justin Davidson after attempting to flee.
According to WTXL, the police report stated that during the fight between Davidson and Johnson, Officer Zackri Jones fired a single shot at Johnson, killing him. Although Johnson died from the encounter, TPD officials said they consider Davidson to be the victim in the case.
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The second police-involved killing happened on May 19, when police killed Wilbon Cleveland Woodard after responding to a call about an altercation in a restaurant parking lot. TPD says a confrontation with Woodard ensued, during which they had to use deadly force on Woodard, claiming he was armed.
Last week, the department said it was investigating the incident, but didn’t release the names of any officers involved, saying only that a cop had been placed on administrative leave. Woodard was 69 years old.
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The third shooting, just eight days later, is the one that has received the most attention on social media thus far—the killing of trans black man Tony McDade on May 27 (TPD and other local outlets have misidentified McDade as a woman).
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The details that emerged so far are murky, and witness accounts appear to conflict with the TPD version of what happened.
The Tallahassee Democrat reports that Wednesday’s officer-involved shooting began with a “savage attack by a group of men” on a person believed to be McDade. At 10:45 a.m., police responded to a report about a stabbing at the Leon Arms apartment complex: McDade was identified as a suspect and was said to be armed with a knife and handgun.
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This is where police and eyewitness accounts diverge. Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell told reporters in a briefing Wednesday that officers tracked down McDade and “immediately saw [him] with the gun.”
“According to what we’ve been told, [McDade] pointed the gun at the officer before the officer could even fully exit the vehicle,” Revell said.
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But people at the apartment complex at the time are confused by the police account. One of them is Clifford Butler, who lives at Leon Arms and witnessed the shooting.
“I walked down this way, as soon as I get around this curve, I just hear shots,” Butler told WFSU. “I see [McDade] right behind the tree, but I see him (the officer) just jump out the car, swing the door open and just start shooting.”
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Butler said he heard seven or eight shots total, but didn’t hear the officer who fired his weapon give any warning before shooting.
“I never heard ‘Get down, freeze, I’m an officer’–nothing. I just heard gun shots,” Butler said. According to him, two officers shot at McDade.
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Barbara McClakin was visiting a relative at Leon Arms during the shooting. She told the Tallahassee Democrat that she and her cousin rushed outside after hearing gunfire and saw a police officer with his gun still drawn, pointing to the back of McDade’s head.
“That’s what everybody is trying to figure out—why do they have a gun at the back of [his] head when [he’s] already down?” McClakin said. Police said McDade died from his injuries at a nearby hospital, as did the man he’s suspected of stabbing.
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During the press conference, Revell said he didn’t know how many times McDade was shot, and appeared to imply there was just one shooter. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, the officer is considered a victim in this shooting, and his privacy rights are protected by Marsy’s Law, an amendment to Florida’s constitution passed in 2018.
Delilah Pierre, a member of the Tallahassee Community Action Committee, said Wednesday’s shooting has pushed the community to the edge.
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“We still don’t know the name of the police officer who murdered Wilbon Woodard, and we still don’t know the name of the police officer who murdered the black [man] today,” Pierre said.
Revell tried to distance his department from the national outrage around police shootings, which escalated this week after the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for at least eight minutes during an arrest on Monday.
Advertisement
The police chief defended the officer in this week’s shooting, saying that once a suspect points a gun at a cop, “you’re defending your life at that point.”
He insisted that race had nothing to do with the shooting.
“Obviously the timing with what’s going on across the country makes this even tougher,” Revell said. “But you can’t associate one incident in another state with the incident that happened here, other than to say it’s a concern for our entire community.”
Advertisement
But racial justice advocates and LGBTQ rights activists say the McDade’s killing falls directly in the long continuum of state-sponsored, state-enabled deaths that have disproportionately targeted black and trans communities.
David J. Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition, said in a statement Thursday, “adequate words do not exist to describe the weight of the pain that accompanies drafting statements to honor Black people who have been murdered as a result of who they are and how they show up in the world.”
Advertisement
“Tony, a Black trans man, is our brother. Prior to being shot and fatally wounded by a police officer, Tony posted a video to his Facebook page recounting a horrific beating he received from five men because he is a Black trans man,” Johns continued, noting that 1,500 hate crimes against LGBTQ people were recorded in 2018.
“We don’t know a lot of the details around Tony’s death, or how police became involved. We do know that Tony should not have been killed,” he added cautioning Tallahassee PD that “the world is watching.”


theroot--2020-05-29--Sunscreen Stains Are So Bad You Should Skip the Stuff Entirely (OMG but Don’t!)

As far as personal philosophies go , I ’ m one of those people who believe in the power of the sun and of sex to heal the mind , body , and soul .
Taking in both , and often , is good for one ’ s physical and emotional health .
However , both require some measure of protection .
Mmm-hm .
Fortunately for you , Sex Week has come and gone , so I ’ m not here to hector you about safe sex practices !
And I ’ m actually not really even here to hector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say that you should do it .
What I ’ m really here to talk to you about is sunscreen stains , which are BEASTLY THINGS .
The reason they ’ re so beastly is that they have A SECRET INGREDIENT that isn ’ t actually a secret—it ’ s called avobenzone—that does terrible stain-y things to clothes .
So today we ’ re going to cover sunscreen and what you need to know about it when it comes to stain removal .
So I mentioned this stuff , avobenzone , right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in most sunscreens .
The problem with avobenzone is this : It reacts to iron in a way that causes orange stains .
And you ’ re probably like , “ No problem , I ’ ll just … avoid iron when I ’ m tanning ?
” Ahh sure that sounds like it should be so easy except there ’ s iron in our water supply and right .
Bad news all around .
Now then , those orange stains ?
Are actually the equivalent of rust stains , and there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treating rust stains : They HATE both chlorine and oxygen bleaches , so you can ’ t use either of those products , nor a laundry detergent that contains oxygen bleach , to treat them .
It will just make them worse .
UGH I KNOW .
I have help though !
There ’ s actually a very easy way to treat rust stains—it ’ s got a bit of a DIY feel to it but I promise this is one of those “ home remedies ” that actually works , although you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can also offer you commercial rust stain removing products .
Choices !
We love choices here in my world .
The DIY-ish thing is to use lemon juice and salt to treat the stain , by first flushing the stain with cool water , then squeezing lemon juice directly on the wet stain .
Next , lay the garment flat in a place where it can stay , undisturbed and pour salt over the lemon juice .
Leave the stain treatment on the garment for a few hours up to overnight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as usual .
I mentioned commercial products for removing rust stains from clothes , and they are Carbona Stain Devils # 9 ( Rust and Perspiration ) and Whink Rust Stain Remover .
There you go !
Both can be used as a pre-treatment for rust stains prior to regular laundering .
You ’ re probably like , “ Okay but what if I just buy sunscreens without avobenzone ?
” Which is reasonable !
The thing is , it ’ s hard to find sunscreens without avobenzone , though they do exist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and also avobenzone is a very good UV blocker , so it ’ s worth making peace with its stain-y ways tbh .
HOWEVER !
I am a giver and so I give you this roundup of sunscreens you can buy that do not contain avobenzone .

Jolie Kerr on The Inventory, shared by Ignacia to The Root

As far as personal philosophies go, I’m one of those people who believe in the power of the sun and of sex to heal the mind, body, and soul. Taking in both, and often, is good for one’s physical and emotional health. However, both require some measure of protection. Mmm-hm. Fortunately for you, Sex Week has come and gone, so I’m not here to hector you about safe sex practices! And I’m actually not really even here to hector you about wearing sunscreen, other than to say that you should do it.
What I’m really here to talk to you about is sunscreen stains, which are BEASTLY THINGS. The reason they’re so beastly is that they have A SECRET INGREDIENT that isn’t actually a secret—it’s called avobenzone—that does terrible stain-y things to clothes. So today we’re going to cover sunscreen and what you need to know about it when it comes to stain removal.
The Sunscreen Stain Thing
So I mentioned this stuff, avobenzone, right? It’s an ingredient found in most sunscreens. The problem with avobenzone is this: It reacts to iron in a way that causes orange stains. And you’re probably like, “No problem, I’ll just … avoid iron when I’m tanning?” Ahh sure that sounds like it should be so easy except there’s iron in our water supply and right. Bad news all around.
Advertisement
Now then, those orange stains? Are actually the equivalent of rust stains, and there is a very specific thing to know about treating rust stains: They HATE both chlorine and oxygen bleaches, so you can’t use either of those products, nor a laundry detergent that contains oxygen bleach, to treat them. It will just make them worse. UGH I KNOW. I have help though!
Treating Sunscreen and/or Rust Stains
There’s actually a very easy way to treat rust stains—it’s got a bit of a DIY feel to it but I promise this is one of those “home remedies” that actually works, although you do not need to believe me because I can also offer you commercial rust stain removing products. Choices! We love choices here in my world.
Advertisement Advertisement
The DIY-ish thing is to use lemon juice and salt to treat the stain, by first flushing the stain with cool water, then squeezing lemon juice directly on the wet stain. Next, lay the garment flat in a place where it can stay, undisturbed and pour salt over the lemon juice. Leave the stain treatment on the garment for a few hours up to overnight, then brush away the salt and launder as usual.
I mentioned commercial products for removing rust stains from clothes, and they are Carbona Stain Devils #9 (Rust and Perspiration) and Whink Rust Stain Remover. There you go! Both can be used as a pre-treatment for rust stains prior to regular laundering.
Advertisement
Sunscreens That Don’t Contain Avobenzone
You’re probably like, “Okay but what if I just buy sunscreens without avobenzone?” Which is reasonable! The thing is, it’s hard to find sunscreens without avobenzone, though they do exist, mostly in sunscreens formulated for kids, and also avobenzone is a very good UV blocker, so it’s worth making peace with its stain-y ways tbh.
Advertisement
HOWEVER! I am a giver and so I give you this roundup of sunscreens you can buy that do not contain avobenzone.
Advertisement


theroot--2020-05-29--How 'Spoon Theory' Can Help You Monitor and Manage Your Mental Wellbeing During Turbulent Times

The news about the state of the nation ’ s mental health was alarming even before the traumatic events of this past week—when news cycles and social media timelines were flooded with news about racists , deadly , and un-redressed assaults on black people .
On Tuesday ( which , somehow , wasn ’ t three years ago ) a Census Bureau report showed a third of all Americans are showing signs of clinical anxiety and depression .
The data was collected between April 23 and May 19 , and showed nearly 40 percent of people who identified as black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during that time .
Much of the strain reflected in this data can be credited to the ongoing coronavirus and a looming recession that has gripped the country for months , but after a week full of chaotic protests over the unjustified killing and targeting of black people , it ’ s not a stretch to assume that black communities today , more so than the weeks prior , are struggling to cope , emotionally and mentally .
Understanding “ spoon theory ” can help traumatized people and communities manage the ongoing crises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who have chronic illnesses—this approach is built on the idea that we all have a limited amount of energy , which can be measured out in “ spoons.
” Let ’ s say that each day , you have 20 spoons .
Some days , it may take 10 spoons just to get out bed and take a shower .
On other days , you may feel like you haven ’ t even used up all your spoons .
Months ago , when I was still largely unaware ( or in denial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would sit at my desk , hours after I finished working .
I was confused about why I just didn ’ t have the energy to pack up and go to the subway at 5 pm , just like all my other coworkers had ( I wanted to avoid crowded subways and slow trains , I told myself ) .
Learning about spoon theory helped crystallize what was happening : by the end of the workday , I had simply run out of spoons .
Mental wellness advocate and therapist Jor-El Caraballo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Spoon theory ] is a premise that we can all use to better understand our capacity to cope and manage through our daily changes and circumstances .
For black people , who unjustly carry the burden of race-based trauma for example , we can imagine that this ongoing burden takes its toll on our mental health , ” Caraballo told The Root .
The theory grew so popular , it became a way for people who have chronic conditions to help identify and connect with each other : as “ spoonies.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chronic stress , racism , and health , and as more local and state governments identify racism as a public health issue , it may be appropriate to look at racism and racist behavior as a chronic condition—one regularly inflicted by both systemic forces and interpersonal encounters on black people .
Spoon theory , then , can help those dealing with racial trauma be gentle with themselves as they face an onslaught of distraction and distress , while still dealing with “ regular ” ups-and-downs of pandemic life .
“ Some days we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manage the emotional weight , while other days , daily activities might require much more energy and support to get to a ‘ normal ’ level of functioning .
Those days we may need more rest or more support , ” said Caraballo .
“ By being able to gauge how many spoons each task requires , we can more accurately understand the current capacity we have and adjust accordingly.
” This may be especially true for advocates and activists .
While the recent deaths of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , Ahmaud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ importance and urgency of public , in-person protests—activism takes a toll on the body , spirit , and mind .
When the work of seeking racial justice demands you perpetually dust yourself off to fight another day , spoon theory can be used to create some much needed space to honor your own needs .
In a 2017 interview with Healthline , Dawn Gibson , a black woman who lives with spondylitis , food allergies , and learning difficulties , said , “ for me , the spoon theory ’ s highest value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ myself .
Our people often remind each other that we are not our diseases , and that ’ s true .
But the Spoonie ethos allows me to make that separation intellectually.
” In 2020 , spoon theory can allow black people and other marginalized communities to give some space to ourselves , and others , as more of us toggle through varying states of anxiety , depression , and stress .
As Gibson explained , it can let us listen to our bodies , recalibrate our expectations , and give us permission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment .
“ If my body decides that we can ’ t keep social plans , I know that ’ s not me being flaky .
There ’ s no help for it , ” said Gibson .
“ That eases the heavy cultural burden to just gut it out or try harder .
”

The news about the state of the nation’s mental health was alarming even before the traumatic events of this past week—when news cycles and social media timelines were flooded with news about racists, deadly, and un-redressed assaults on black people.
On Tuesday (which, somehow, wasn’t three years ago) a Census Bureau report showed a third of all Americans are showing signs of clinical anxiety and depression. The data was collected between April 23 and May 19, and showed nearly 40 percent of people who identified as black experienced symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders during that time.
Advertisement
Much of the strain reflected in this data can be credited to the ongoing coronavirus and a looming recession that has gripped the country for months, but after a week full of chaotic protests over the unjustified killing and targeting of black people, it’s not a stretch to assume that black communities today, more so than the weeks prior, are struggling to cope, emotionally and mentally.
Understanding “spoon theory” can help traumatized people and communities manage the ongoing crises. Coined by disability activists—in particular, those who have chronic illnesses—this approach is built on the idea that we all have a limited amount of energy, which can be measured out in “spoons.”
Advertisement Advertisement
Let’s say that each day, you have 20 spoons. Some days, it may take 10 spoons just to get out bed and take a shower. On other days, you may feel like you haven’t even used up all your spoons. Months ago, when I was still largely unaware (or in denial) about my own mental state, I would sit at my desk, hours after I finished working. I was confused about why I just didn’t have the energy to pack up and go to the subway at 5 pm, just like all my other coworkers had (I wanted to avoid crowded subways and slow trains, I told myself). Learning about spoon theory helped crystallize what was happening: by the end of the workday, I had simply run out of spoons.
Mental wellness advocate and therapist Jor-El Caraballo breaks it down this way:
“[Spoon theory] is a premise that we can all use to better understand our capacity to cope and manage through our daily changes and circums tances. For black people, who unjustly carry the burden of race-based trauma for example, we can imagine that this ongoing burden takes its toll on our mental health,” Caraballo told The Root.
Advertisement
The theory grew so popular, it became a way for people who have chronic conditions to help identify and connect with each other: as “spoonies.” As more research connects the dots between chronic stress, racism, and health, and as more local and state governments identify racism as a public health issue, it may be appropriate to look at racism and racist behavior as a chronic condition—one regularly inflicted by both systemic forces and interpersonal encounters on black people. Spoon theory, then, can help those dealing with racial trauma be gentle with themselves as they face an onslaught of distraction and distress, while still dealing with “regular” ups-and-downs of pandemic life.
“Some days we may have more ‘spoons’ to manage the emotional weight, while other days, daily activities might require much more energy and support to get to a ‘normal’ level of functioning. Those days we may need more rest or more support,” said Caraballo . “By being able to gauge how many spoons each task requires, we can more accurately understand the current capacity we have and adjust accordingly.”
Advertisement
This may be especially true for advocates and activists. While the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Tony McDade have highlighted the importance and urgency of public, in-person protests—activism takes a toll on the body, spirit, and mind. When the work of seeking racial justice demands you perpetually dust yourself off to fight another day, spoon theory can be used to create some much needed space to honor your own needs.
In a 2017 interview with Healthline, Dawn Gibson, a black woman who lives with spondylitis, food allergies, and learning difficulties, said, “for me, the spoon theory’s highest value is that it allows me to understand myself. Our people often remind each other that we are not our diseases, and that’s true. But the Spoonie ethos allows me to make that separation intellectually.”
Advertisement
In 2020, spoon theory can allow black people and other marginalized communities to give some space to ourselves, and others, as more of us toggle through varying states of anxiety, depression, and stress. As Gibson explained, it can let us listen to our bodies, recalibrate our expectations, and give us permission to be gentle—even if just for a moment.
“If my body decides that we can’t keep social plans, I know that’s not me being flaky. There’s no help for it,” said Gibson. “That eases the heavy cultural burden to just gut it out or try harder.”


theroot--2020-05-29--Safe Space: Black Imagination Offers a Necessary Respite From the Onslaught of Black Trauma

This is the sobering half-wish offered on page 57 of Black Imagination , an amalgamation of black thought , poetry , rituals , inspiration , hope , and yes , imaginings of what healing might look like amid an inequitable existence .
The project and resulting book—more aptly described by acclaimed author Kiese Laymon ( Heavy ) as “ exquisite art in action ” ( h/t Amazon ) —was conceived and curated by Seattle-based conceptual artist Natasha Marin and released on February 4 , mere weeks before the coronavirus would become recognized as another crisis disproportionately affecting black Americans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Ahmaud Arbery , Breonna Taylor and George Floyd still walked among us ( not to mention untold others ) , oblivious to the fact that a few months later , their deaths would send fresh shockwaves of rage across the country .
It ’ s now difficult not to wonder what Floyd might ’ ve been up to in his adopted home of Minneapolis—also my birthplace and former home—as Marin and I spoke by phone on May 21 .
An artist who considers working with people her chosen medium , she explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create “ immersive experiences of celebration , healing , beauty…turning an idea into something real that you can touch , smell , taste , feel.
” In conversation , Marin ’ s speech is frequently punctuated with words like “ juicy ” and “ delicious , ” words that evoke pleasure , nourishment , and a sense of comfort many of us have been denied since the onset of the pandemic—and certainly since the latest series of state-sanctioned murders that have reminded us of the callousness and disregard with which this country treats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , too .
Seeing ourselves as whole and healthy is an act of pure rebellion in a world so titillated by our subjugation , ” reads a quote from Marin in Black Imagination ’ s dust jacket .
On its cover is a photograph of artist Vanessa German ’ s “ Altar , ” a sculptural assemblage featuring a saintly black female figure holding her hand over her heart , the image evoking the Yoruba-inspired religious artistry of the Caribbean ( Marin herself is Trinidadian by birth ) .
The words “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flank each side of the tableau , which also includes the words “ Safety ” and “ Holy ” upon a background studded with “ evil eyes.
” “ There ’ s an evil eye right on the cover , so you don ’ t pick it up if you don ’ t need to ; it ’ s not for everyone !
” Marin laughed at the time , acknowledging that some might consider it “ woo-woo , ” before quickly adding : “ But if you ’ re looking for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it ’ s absolutely for us.
” To even the least spiritually inclined , the cover is a visual invocation ; an invitation to participate in a sacred and transformative rite .
Instinctively opening the book to a random page , Wallace ’ s words ( quoted above ) were the first to greet me—and were admittedly somehow exactly what I needed to hear at that moment ; a statement that seemingly made sense of the infection—both literal and institutional—plaguing our country .
A week later , Black Imagination feels like essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again opened the book to another random page—33—which read : It ’ s no coincidence that Marin and I connected over her work during May , which is Mental Health Awareness Month .
While profoundly inspiring , Black Imagination was born from emotional trauma ; Marin ’ s previous project , 2016 's Reparations , went viral in its request for white people to leverage their privilege to assist people of color in easy , organic ways .
That August , The Guardian described Reparations as “ a half art project , half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is this : people of color can request help or services , and others ( white people , other people of color , anyone ) could offer help.
” “ I ’ m trying to create moments of solidarity between people of color , and between people of color and people who are white , ” Marin told the outlet .
“ I ’ m not into polarizing .
I ’ m into people working together for solutions … who can you help , who can you connect with , how can you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request , but swiftly met with an irrational and deeply abusive onslaught of vitriol from those likely triggered by the concept of reparations alone .
“ I really was quite surprised that my little organizing , art project-doing self would suddenly be the target of so much—so much—hatred .
People have so much free time , ” Marin scoffed .
“ After that little joyride , I definitely needed to do something for my soul .
You know , there was a point in time where being called ‘ nigger ’ hurt—and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like , ‘ Well , now I ’ m being called a nigger a thousand times before breakfast ; let me get on with my day.
’ “ It definitely left a kind of raw , gravelly bitterness that didn ’ t feel indigenous to who I am , ” she conti nu ed , sharing that she found both a needed escape and newfound inspiration in the writings of bestselling black female fantasists N.K .
Jemisin , Tomi Adeyemi and Nnedi Okorafor .
“ I wanted to go and reclaim the territory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ myself in a juicy , hot sweet tea of Blackness , and I have been very reluctant to leave.
” Instead , Marin has done what comes most naturally : create art and a way forward out of often painful and difficult conversations .
With Black Imagination , she invites us to join her in a space created with the sole intention of affirming our experience and cultivating our healing—by whatever means necessary .
“ While I was sort of nourishing myself with literature , and music , and film and everything , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she shared .
“ And really not talking , but listening…listening to black people share not just how they ’ re surviving , but healing and thriving and giving themselves permission to be joyful.
” “ There was no effort required , at any point , ” she later added in explanation of the process .
“ This work wanted to be done , and so it was , and it was a joy for me to do it—so joyful at every stage.
” There are no instructions on how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recommend any specific method , encouraging us to experience it in any way that most makes sense—as a classic text , daily devotional ( my preferred method ) or as the literary component of what is a still-evolving art exhibition .
“ You don ’ t have to sit down and chuck through all the pages in a row .
I do think it ’ s a radical thought , in terms of conceptual art : that we are sacred—and that we be treated as such , ” she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while black—and for those of us who do more than that , please tell me how .
I wan na know : Are you joyful today , despite all of this ?
Can I join you ?
Can you help me ?
“ The book is like an exhibition you can take with you—you don ’ t have to be alone , ” she later added .
“ The book encourages dialogue—please see what the rest of us are thinking about , and engage and celebrate the you that is much bigger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her words in my ears , I open another page—121—remarkably , another passage contributed by William Wallace III .
So what would Marin—in her wildest black imagination—collectively wish for us ?
“ I wish for all of us black and brown people that we give ourselves to ourselves , and each other , ” she responded .
“ There is no territory—mentally , spiritually , emotionally , experientially—that is not ours , but we rarely give ourselves to ourselves…There ’ s nothing like the hug of Blackness ; giving yourself to your Blackness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrating with and for your Blackness.
’ ” This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity .
Black Imagination is available in multiple formats from major booksellers now .

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

“A safe world, in my opinion, would be one where other humans are not an existential threat. Love and value would have to fall in line for such a world to exist.” — William Wallace III, Philadephia, Penn.
This is the sobering half-wish offered on page 57 of Black Imagination, an amalgamation of black thought, poetry, rituals, inspiration, hope, and yes, imaginings of what healing might look like amid an inequitable existence. The project and resulting book—more aptly described by acclaimed author Kiese Laymon (Heavy) as “exquisite art in action” (h/t Amazon)—was conceived and curated by Seattle-based conceptual artist Natasha Marin and released on February 4, mere weeks before the coronavirus would become recognized as another crisis disproportionately affecting black Americans. Strikingly, it was also a date when Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd still walked among us (not to mention untold others), oblivious to the fact that a few months later, their deaths would send fresh shockwaves of rage across the country.
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It’s now difficult not to wonder what Floyd might’ve been up to in his adopted home of Minneapolis—also my birthplace and former home—as Marin and I spoke by phone on May 21. An artist who considers working with people her chosen medium, she explained that she employs collaboration to help her create “immersive experiences of celebration, healing, beauty…turning an idea into something real that you can touch, smell, taste, feel.”
In conversation, Marin’s speech is frequently punctuated with words like “juicy” and “delicious,” words that evoke pleasure, nourishment, and a sense of comfort many of us have been denied since the onset of the pandemic—and certainly since the latest series of state-sanctioned murders that have reminded us of the callousness and disregard with which this country treats black lives.
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“Witnessing is sacred work, too. Seeing ourselves as whole and healthy is an act of pure rebellion in a world so titillated by our subjugation,” reads a quote from Marin in Black Imagination’s dust jacket. On its cover is a photograph of artist Vanessa German’s “Altar,” a sculptural assemblage featuring a saintly black female figure holding her hand over her heart, the image evoking the Yoruba-inspired religious artistry of the Caribbean (Marin herself is Trinidadian by birth). The words “I Will Not Suffer for You” flank each side of the tableau, which also includes the words “Safety” and “Holy” upon a background studded with “evil eyes.”
“There’s an evil eye right on the cover, so you don’t pick it up if you don’t need to; it’s not for everyone!” Marin laughed at the time, acknowledging that some might consider it “woo-woo,” before quickly adding: “But if you’re looking for this, it’s absolutely here, and it’s absolutely for us.”
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To even the least spiritually inclined, the cover is a visual invocation; an invitation to participate in a sacred and transformative rite. Instinctively opening the book to a random page, Wallace’s words (quoted above) were the first to greet me—and were admittedly somehow exactly what I needed to hear at that moment; a statement that seemingly made sense of the infection—both literal and institutional—plaguing our country.
A week later, Black Imagination feels like essential reading. As such, I once again opened the book to another random page—33—which read:
In a world where I feel safe, valued and loved / There would be skyscrapers / Filled with chairs where / Cisgender / Able-bodied / Affluent / Straight / White Men / (and Women) / Could take several seats. / For months at a time. / We’d call them greenhouses. / To ensure their growth (and sweat) from sitting down. — Ebo Barton, Seattle, Wash.
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It’s no coincidence that Marin and I connected over her work during May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. While profoundly inspiring, Black Imagination was born from emotional trauma; Marin’s previous project, 2016's Reparations, went viral in its request for white people to leverage their privilege to assist people of color in easy, organic ways. That August, The Guardian described Reparations as “a half art project, half social experiment, the idea of which is this: people of color can request help or services, and others (white people, other people of color, anyone) could offer help.”
“I’m trying to create moments of solidarity between people of color, and between people of color and people who are white,” Marin told the outlet. “I’m not into polarizing. I’m into people working together for solutions…who can you help, who can you connect with, how can you offset your privilege.”
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A seemingly simple request, but swiftly met with an irrational and deeply abusive onslaught of vitriol from those likely triggered by the concept of reparations alone.
“I really was quite surprised that my little organizing, art project-doing self would suddenly be the target of so much—so much—hatred. People have so much free time,” Marin scoffed. “After that little joyride, I definitely needed to do something for my soul. You know, there was a point in time where being called ‘nigger’ hurt—and then I did Reparations, and it was like, ‘Well, now I’m being called a nigger a thousand times before breakfast; let me get on with my day.’
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“It definitely left a kind of raw, gravelly bitterness that didn’t feel indigenous to who I am,” she continued, sharing that she found both a needed escape and newfound inspiration in the writings of bestselling black female fantasists N.K. Jemisin, Tomi Adeyemi and Nnedi Okorafor. “I wanted to go and reclaim the territory of myself. So, I steeped myself in a juicy, hot sweet tea of Blackness, and I have been very reluctant to leave.”
Instead, Marin has done what comes most naturally: create art and a way forward out of often painful and difficult conversations. With Black Imagination, she invites us to join her in a space created with the sole intention of affirming our experience and cultivating our healing—by whatever means necessary.
Advertisement
“While I was sort of nourishing myself with literature, and music, and film and everything, I was also talking to black people,” she shared. “And really not talking, but listening…listening to black people share not just how they’re surviving, but healing and thriving and giving themselves permission to be joyful.”
“There was no effort required, at any point,” she later added in explanation of the process. “This work wanted to be done, and so it was, and it was a joy for me to do it—so joyful at every stage.”
Advertisement
There are no instructions on how to approach Black Imagination, and Marin hesitates to recommend any specific method, encouraging us to experience it in any way that most makes sense —as a classic text, daily devotional (my preferred method) or as the literary component of what is a still-evolving art exhibition.
Advertisement
“You don’t have to sit down and chuck through all the pages in a row. I do think it’s a radical thought, in terms of conceptual art: that we are sacred—and that we be treated as such,” she said. “We’re all experts at surviving while black—and for those of us who do more than that, please tell me how. I wanna know: Are you joyful today, despite all of this? Can I join you? Can you help me?
“The book is like an exhibition you can take with you—you don’t have to be alone,” she later added. “The book encourages dialogue: please see what the rest of us are thinking about, and engage and celebrate the you that is much bigger, and everlasting, and all-encompassing.”
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With her words in my ears, I open another page—121—remarkably, another passage contributed by William Wallace III.
To heal, I step away from my own life and seek out the places where Life is at work. Whenever possible I drive thousands of miles towards storms or forest or incalculable spaces. And I breathe. And I listen. And I let go. And I’m free.
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So what would Marin—in her wildest black imagination—collectively wish for us?
“I wish for all of us black and brown people that we give ourselves to ourselves, and each other,” she responded. “There is no territory—mentally, spiritually, emotionally, experientially—that is not ours, but we rarely give ourselves to ourselves…There’s nothing like the hug of Blackness; giving yourself to your Blackness; holding yourself with your Blackness; celebrating with and for your Blackness. ”
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This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Black Imagination is available in multiple formats from major booksellers now.


theroot--2020-05-29--Auntie Unfiltered: Self-Care in the Age of Coronavirus and Racism

The roof !
The roof !
The roof is on fire !
We don ’ t need no water ; let that mother fucker burn !
Nieces and nephews , the world is quite literally on fire .
As if being under quarantine due to the coronavirus wasn ’ t enough , we as black people have the added strain and pressure of several high-profile killings of unarmed black people .
Breonna Taylor , Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd were all killed within the last few months , and their deaths have had a devastating toll on the black community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supremacy and racism still are in American culture .
They have reminded us that when it comes to black people being killed , justice is slower than molasses with a bureaucratic red tape that is just as thick to cut through .
We have watched a man take his last dying gasps on video for the second time in six years as a police officer did his part to steal his breath .
We have been reminded that police lie , and they will lie to protect themselves as well as their well-insulated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through all of this , we are expected to continue to function like regular people—as if the evidence of our dehumanization at the hands of white supremacy is not all around us .
We can ’ t go birding , walk in and out of our apartment buildings , sleep peacefully in our homes , play video games with our nephews , play with toy guns in a park or walk home from the convenience store with an Arizona Iced Tea and some Skittles without a white person inserting themselves into our existence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told how we are supposed to feel about what is happening .
We can ’ t speak out , lest we be called “ thugs.
” We can ’ t take up arms because that assures death .
So what do we do ?
How do we take care of ourselves mentally and emotionally with all of this going on ?
In this week ’ s Auntie Unfiltered , I offer some suggestions .
As always , I want to hear from you .
If you have any questions , comments or concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you have a suggestion for a topic you would like me to discuss , please email me at AuntieSubmissions @ theroot.com .

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


theroot--2020-05-29--It's Only $99 to Learn Your Pupper's Breed Mix With a Dog DNA Test Kit

Human ancestry has been a hot topic for years now , but there are benefits to knowing your pets ’ @ @ @ @ @ With Embark ’ s Dog DNA Test kit , down to $ 99 at Amazon @ @ @ @ @ , you can learn more about your mixed breed dog , which is fun for @ @ @ @ @ also help shape how you approach its health management .
Different breeds may be more @ @ @ @ @ diseases and conditions , or may require differences in daily care .
It could also @ @ @ @ @ little Japanese Chin barks like a guard dog on constant alert when others ’ barely @ @ @ @ @ you , Myoki !
😭 )

Quentyn Kennemer on Kinja Deals, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Embark Dog DNA Test Kit | $99 | Amazon Gold Box
Human ancestry has been a hot topic for years now, but there are benefits to knowing your pets’ genetic makeup, too. With Embark’s Dog DNA Test kit, down to $9 9 at Amazon ($30 off), you can learn more about your mixed breed dog, which is fun for anecdotal reference, but could also help shape how you approach its health management.
Different breeds may be more or less susceptible to different diseases and conditions, or may require differences in daily care. It could also help figure out why your little Japanese Chin barks like a guard dog on constant alert when others’ barely whimper. (I miss you, Myoki! 😭)
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer on 5/29/2020 and updated with new information on 7/8/2020.


theroot--2020-05-29--Derek Chauvin, Officer Involved in George Floyd's Death, Arrested and Charged With Manslaughter and

Derek Chauvin, Officer Involved in George Floyd's Death, Arrested and Charged With Manslaughter and 3rd-Degree Murder

The country has been reeling this week after graphic footage of George Floyd ’ s death at the hands of Minnesota police officers was released .
After nationwide protests on Thursday night , one of the men responsible for Floyd ’ s death has finally been taken into custody .
On Friday afternoon , Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety John Harrington announced in a press conference that Derek Chauvin , the former police officer seen with his knee on Floyd ’ s neck , has been taken into custody .
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman also announced that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third-degree murder and manslaughter .
Currently , t here ’ s no word on whether Tou Thao , Thomas Lane and J Alexander Kueng , the other officers involved in Floyd ’ s death , will be arrested and charged as well .
Chauvin ’ s arrest was made by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension .
Floyd ’ s death is currently being investigated by multiple federal agencies , including the U.S Attorney ’ s Office , the Minneapolis branch of the FBI and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call about a counterfeit bill .
Footage of the arrest shows that Floyd initially compiled with officers before falling to the ground .
Chauvin had his knee on Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes despite Floyd telling the officers he couldn ’ t breathe .
On Tuesday , all four officers involved in the incident were fired by the Minneapolis Police Department .
Bystanders recorded video of the incident that spread across social media , spurring national outrage .
Protests erupted in Minneapolis all week in the wake of Floyd ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men responsible had not been arrested and charged with Floyd ’ s death .

The country has been reeling this week after graphic footage of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minnesota police officers was released. After nationwide protests on Thursday night, one of the men responsible for Floyd’s death has finally been taken into custody.
On Friday afternoon , Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety John Harrington announced in a press conference that Derek Chauvin, the former police officer seen with his knee on Floyd’s neck, has been taken into custody. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman also announced that the former officer has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. Currently, t here’s no word on whether Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J Alexander Kueng, the other officers involved in Floyd’s death, will be arrested and charged as well.
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Chauvin’s arrest was made by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Floyd’s death is currently being investigated by multiple federal agencies, including the U.S Attorney’s Office, the Minneapolis branch of the FBI and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
On Monday, Minneapolis police responded to a call about a counterfeit bill. Footage of the arrest shows that Floyd initially compiled with officers before falling to the ground. Chauvin had his knee on Floyd’s neck for several minutes despite Floyd telling the officers he couldn’t breathe. On Tuesday, all four officers involved in the incident were fired by the Minneapolis Police Department. Bystanders recorded video of the incident that spread across social media, spurring national outrage.
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Protests erupted in Minneapolis all week in the wake of Floyd’s death. Many were outraged that the men responsible had not been arrested and charged with Floyd’s death.


theroot--2020-05-29--Amy Klobuchar Needs to STFU

Amy Klobuchar Needs to STFU

To understand Amy Klobuchar , all you need to know is how she treats her staff .
An aide once carried her bags and a salad onto a plane for a short flight .
Once onboard , the aide realized the horrible mistake he made : somewhere between fumbling with the Minnesota senator ’ s luggage and her lunch , he ’ d somehow lost her eating utensils .
The flight crew didn ’ t have anything forks onboard so Klobuchar screamed at the aide and then pulled a comb from her bag and used it to eat the salad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Cersei Lannister before her , Klobuchar turned to the aide , who was probably still reeling from being dressed down , and told him to clean her fork .
Everyone believes that Amy Klobuchar is an asshole .
She ’ s such an asshole that it ’ s time for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to come out an say , “ I ’ ve heard the story about Amy eating the salad with her fork and her inconsistent prosecutorial record of going after cops who kill black folks and as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her for vice president.
” Something tells me he ’ s going to fuck this up .
As the world is focused on Minnesota and more importantly Minneapolis , it ’ s important to note that Klobuchar ’ s comb of not giving a fuck about black death is all over this salad .
Christopher Burns , a 44-year-old black man , was unarmed and at home in Minneapolis with his fiancee and three young children when the police arrived in response to a domestic violence call .
The officers put him in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scene , according to the medical examiner .
The 2002 incident marked the third killing of a black person by the city ’ s police department that year , prompting local activists to stage rallies and demand that the two officers involved in Burns ’ s death face charges .
The focus of the community ’ s anger was Amy Klobuchar , the up-and-coming attorney of Hennepin County , who had declined to prosecute police accused of using excessive force against black suspects .
Klobuchar had a habit of punting on charging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grand jury whom always found reasons not to charge the officers .
And now Klobuchar is being vetted to possibly become Biden ’ s running mate at a time when Minneapolis is undergoing a full on revolution prompted by police officers ’ excessive use of force that lead to the death of 46-year-old George Floyd .
It also comes at a time when America needs black votes more than ever if it has any plans of pushing the evil orange ogre out of office .
The problem is this : Minnesota is mad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s record of prosecuting police involved in black deaths and now that she ’ s in a national spotlight , they do and it ’ s not looking too good for ol ’ Salad Comb .
Also from the Post : Aggressively prosecuting vandalism , you say ?
Maybe that ’ s why with damn near all of Minneapolis smoldering from an uprising over black death , Klobuchar felt the need to tweet this : Yep , that ’ s it .
That ’ s the tweet from possibly America ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I ask Karen Klobuchar to STFU .
At this point , I would rather see Madonna ’ s son ’ s dance to end racism than hear anything else this woman has to say .
If I learned that Klobuchar was calling me to tell me the alternative ending to the horrible Game of Thrones finale , the best I could do is let he speak to my mother-in-law who would tell me what happened once she hung up .
Klobuchar could have auditioned for the NFL the way she punted police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a run-in with 19-year Minneapolis police veteran Derek Chauvin , who was last seen with his knee firmly on George Floyd ’ s neck .
Chauvin was the man whose actions lead to Floyd ’ s death .
But , the Guardian reports that two of the officers–Chauvin and Tou Thao , is a 10-year veteran of the force—were involved in previous incidents while on duty .
Chauvin joined the force in 2001 and “ had already been involved in several incidents , according to a database by the Minneapolis ’ Communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guardian notes .
In 2006 , Chauvin , along with several officers , was involved in a shooting of a man who stabbed multiple people before turning towards the police .
Although the Hennepin County district attorney at the time , Klobuchar failed to prosecute the officers ; instead the case went to a grand jury , which chose not to charge the officers in the shooting .
If Klobuchar wants to talk about Myon Burrell , then I ’ m willing to listen .
Burrell is the then-teen that Klobuchar helped send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Tyesha Edwards , an 11-year-old girl who was killed by a stray bullet .
In an attempt to find the killer , Klobuchar used literally testimony from several jailhouse snitches , some of whom have recanted their stories , and stories paid for by the then-lead homicide detective to convict Burrell , who is probably innocent .
And , now , after she ’ s been called out , Klobuchar is calling for an independent review of Burrell ’ s case .
“ Why is the man who killed George Floyd not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jacob Frey , asked as he called for charges on Wednesday .
“ We can not turn a blind eye , it is on us as leaders to see this for what it is and call it what it is.
” Klobuchar has always had trouble calling it what it is , and now that the world is listening , she ’ s trying to do a tap dance loud enough that we ignore the racial injustices of her past .
Well she can keep dancing and rapping about vandalism in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in control , when the ball was literally in her hands , she punted .

To understand Amy Klobuchar, all you need to know is how she treats her staff. An aide once carried her bags and a salad onto a plane for a short flight. Once onboard, the aide realized the horrible mistake he made: somewhere between fumbling with the Minnesota senator’s luggage and her lunch, he’d somehow lost her eating utensils. The flight crew didn’t have anything forks onboard so Klobuchar screamed at the aide and then pulled a comb from her bag and used it to eat the salad and when she was done, much like Cersei Lannister before her, Klobuchar turned to the aide, who was probably still reeling from being dressed down, and told him to clean her fork.
Everyone believes that Amy Klobuchar is an asshole. She’s such an asshole that it’s time for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to come out an say, “I’ve heard the story about Amy eating the salad with her fork and her inconsistent prosecutorial record of going after cops who kill black folks and as such I’m no longer considering her for vice president.”
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Something tells me he’s going to fuck this up.
As the world is focused on Minnesota and more importantly Minneapolis, it’s important to note that Klobuchar’s comb of not giving a fuck about black death is all over this salad.
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From the Washington Post:
Christopher Burns, a 44-year-old black man, was unarmed and at home in Minneapolis with his fiancee and three young children when the police arrived in response to a domestic violence call. The officers put him in a chokehold, and he died on the scene, according to the medical examiner. The 2002 incident marked the third killing of a black person by the city’s police department that year, prompting local activists to stage rallies and demand that the two officers involved in Burns’s death face charges. The focus of the community’s anger was Amy Klobuchar, the up-and-coming attorney of Hennepin County, who had declined to prosecute police accused of using excessive force against black suspects.
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Klobuchar had a habit of punting on charging police involved in black death to a grand jury whom always found reasons not to charge the officers. And now Klobuchar is being vetted to possibly become Biden’s running mate at a time when Minneapolis is undergoing a full on revolution prompted by police officers’ excessive use of force that lead to the death of 46-year-old George Floyd.
It also comes at a time when America needs black votes more than ever if it has any plans of pushing the evil orange ogre out of office. The problem is this: Minnesota is mad white so no one cared about Klobuchar’s record of prosecuting police involved in black deaths and now that she’s in a national spotlight, they do and it’s not looking too good for ol’ Salad Comb.
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Also from the Post:
As chief prosecutor for Minnesota’s most populous county from 1999 to 2007, Klobuchar declined to bring charges in more than two dozen cases in which people were killed in encounters with police. At the same time, she aggressively prosecuted smaller offenses such as vandalism and routinely sought longer-than-recommended sentences, including for minors. Such prosecutions, done with the aim of curbing more serious crimes, have had mixed results and have been criticized for their disproportionate effect on poor and minority communities.
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Aggressively prosecuting vandalism, you say? Maybe that’s why with damn near all of Minneapolis smoldering from an uprising over black death, Klobuchar felt the need to tweet this:
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Yep, that’s it. That’s the tweet from possibly America’s next second-in-command and it is with this that I ask Karen Klobuchar to STFU. At this point, I would rather see Madonna’s son’s dance to end racism than hear anything else this woman has to say. If I learned that Klobuchar was calling me to tell me the alternative ending to the horrible Game of Thrones finale, the best I could do is let her speak to my mother-in-law, who would tell me what happened once she hung up.
Klobuchar could have auditioned for the NFL the way she punted police cases to grand juries. She even had a run-in with 19-year Minneapolis police veteran Derek Chauvin, who was last seen with his knee firmly on George Floyd’s neck. Chauvin was the man whose actions lead to Floyd’s death.
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But, the Guardian reports that two of the officers–Chauvin and Tou Thao, is a 10-year veteran of the force—were involved in previous incidents while on duty.
Chauvin joined the force in 2001 and “had already been involved in several incidents, according to a database by the Minneapolis’ Communities United Against Police Brutality,” the Guardian notes.
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In 2006, Chauvin, along with several officers, was involved in a shooting of a man who stabbed multiple people before turning towards the police. Although the Hennepin County district attorney at the time, Klobuchar failed to prosecute the officers; instead the case went to a grand jury, which chose not to charge the officers in the shooting.
If Klobuchar wants to talk about Myon Burrell, then I’m willing to listen. Burrell is the then-teen who Klobuchar helped send to prison for life in the killing of Tyesha Edwards, an 11-year-old girl who was killed by a stray bullet. In an attempt to find the killer, Klobuchar used testimony from several jailhouse snitches, some of whom have recanted their stories, and stories paid for by the then-lead homicide detective to convict Burrell, who is probably innocent.
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And, now, after she’s been called out, Klobuchar is calling for an independent review of Burrell’s case.
“Why is the man who killed George Floyd not in jail?” Minneapolis’ mayor, Jacob Frey, asked as he called for charges on Wednesday. “We cannot turn a blind eye, it is on us as leaders to see this for what it is and call it what it is.”
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Klobuchar has always had trouble calling it what it is, and now that the world is listening, she’s trying to do a tap dance loud enough that we ignore the racial injustices of her past. Well, she can keep dancing and rapping about vandalism in a time of black crisis, but when she was in control, when the ball was literally in her hands, she punted.


theroot--2020-05-29--Black Journalists and Covering the Storm That Never Passes

I knew what I was getting into .
I grew up reading the newspaper daily , since about age 11 .
I started watching the evening news—both the local and the national broadcasts—around the same time .
My earliest media memories are of the 1987 Iran-Contra hearings and the Challenger explosion the year prior .
Every weekend I watched Tim Russert on Meet the Press , as well as CBS ’ 60 Minutes with my parents .
It wasn ’ t a surprise that I would want to be and would become a journalist , because I saw how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us the world around us .
Not everyone can go to the school board meeting .
Not everyone can protest .
Not everyone can travel to different regions of this country , let alone the world , to know what ’ s happening first-hand .
They need journalists .
They need the news .
But journalists are people .
And people have a breaking point .
We all know the James Baldwin quote about how being black and relatively conscious means being in a rage all the time .
This is also the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you think consuming black death day in and day out can be remedied by some “ emotional distance ” and “ journalistic integrity , ” you are wrong .
After Hurricane Katrina , a study was done looking at how black people viewed black victims versus how white people viewed white victims in similar circumstances .
The study revealed that the stronger a person identified with being African American , the more likely they were to feel empathy for another black person in peril .
Being a reporter , blogger , editor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not imbue you with the ability to turn your humanity off , white or black , but black people—who can ’ t get a get-out-of-racism free card no matter their education , socio-economic status , background or zip code—are acutely sensitive to stories like these .
The deaths of Ahmaud Arbery , Breonna Taylor , Tony McDade and George Floyd—all at the hands of either white vigilantes or state-sponsored violence—take a toll .
Never mind the threat of death-by-cop levied at bird-watcher Christian Cooper by a white woman , Amy Cooper , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s hard to look at things like this , including the arrest of CNN reporter Omar Jimenez , and not think “ This could have been me ” or “ This could have been someone I love ” —because it can and it has been .
I no longer remember the first time I read a story about a black person being killed by the police .
In my hometown of St. Louis , it happened throughout my childhood , before the death of Mike Brown and the Ferguson uprisings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
At one point in my youth , local activists even cut a radio commercial instructing black people how to interact with police , an act of oppressed people trying to grapple with what little they could control in a situation beyond that .
The first real uprising in my lifetime that I remember over police violence was the LA Riots in 1992 after all the officers involved in the videotaped beating of Rodney King were acquitted .
I still remember my own shock ( and everyone ’ s shock , honestly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the evidence of their brutality .
It was the first time many got to witness what state-sponsored violence looks like , putting visuals to something black people had been talking about and protesting against since the advent of segregation and the end of slavery .
It was television , as Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. predicted , that would show America ’ s true face .
This is the same logic behind showing the Rodney King beating , or the cellphone camera footage of the many deaths and beatings that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers against black men , women and children in recent years .
But as necessary as these images are , they take a toll on all who witness them , including the press , and in particular black journalists .
I can ’ t tell you how many times I , or someone on my team , has cried into their laptops over the injustices inflicted daily on black people , who have gone to bed with anxiety over what looms in the morning , in the aftermath of another violent act against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are fortunate in that we can comfort each other and find solace in our shared pain , but so many other black journalists at predominantly white-run media outlets don ’ t have this luxury—of someone asking if they are OK. Of someone asking , “ do you need to take time off ?
” Of someone suggesting therapy or some other support to get through the crisis .
Because often , to white people , this is just another news story .
For us , this is our lives ... and our deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without context or understanding .
As those exhausted look away for their own mental health , we can not .
We labor on because we have a cause bigger than ourselves .
But it doesn ’ t mean we don ’ t turn to friends , family , colleagues and therapy to get through his , because we do .
I ask for those consuming this news site and many , many other black journalists ’ work understand that we are reporting while dealing with our own life-long post-traumatic stress from repeatedly bearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The pain is real .
It lingers .
And what we witness today will shape us for the rest of our lives .

I knew what I was getting into.
I grew up reading the newspaper daily, since about age 11. I started watching the evening news—both the local and the national broadcasts—around the same time. My earliest media memories are of the 1987 Iran-Contra hearings and the Challenger explosion the year prior. Every weekend I watched Tim Russert on Meet the Press, as well as CBS’ 60 Minutes with my parents.
It wasn’t a surprise that I would want to be and would become a journalist, because I saw how the news changed lives—for better or worse—by showing us the world around us. Not everyone can go to the school board meeting. Not everyone can protest. Not everyone can travel to different regions of this country, let alone the world, to know what’s happening first-hand. They need journalists. They need the news.
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But journalists are people. And people have a breaking point.
We all know the James Baldwin quote about how being black and relatively conscious means being in a rage all the time. This is also the plight of the black journalist. If you think consuming black death day in and day out can be remedied by some “emotional distance” and “journalistic integrity,” you are wrong.
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After Hurricane Katrina, a study was done looking at how black people viewed black victims versus how white people viewed white victims in similar circumstances. The study revealed that the stronger a person identified with being African American, the more likely they were to feel empathy for another black person in peril. Being a reporter, blogger, editor, broadcaster or any kind of journalist does not imbue you with the ability to turn your humanity off, white or black, but black people—who can’t get a get-out-of-racism free card no matter their education, socio-economic status, background or zip code—are acutely sensitive to stories like these. The deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade and George Floyd—all at the hands of either white vigilantes or state-sponsored violence—take a toll. Never mind the threat of death-by-cop levied at bird-watcher Christian Cooper by a white woman, Amy Cooper, in New York City’s Central Park. It’s hard to look at things like this, including the arrest of CNN reporter Omar Jimenez, and not think “This could have been me” or “This could have been someone I love”—because it can and it has been.
I no longer remember the first time I read a story about a black person being killed by the police. In my hometown of St. Louis, it happened throughout my childhood, before the death of Mike Brown and the Ferguson uprisings, and continues to happen to this day. At one point in my youth, local activists even cut a radio commercial instructing black people how to interact with police, an act of oppressed people trying to grapple with what little they could control in a situation beyond that.
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The first real uprising in my lifetime that I remember over police violence was the LA Riots in 1992 after all the officers involved in the videotaped beating of Rodney King were acquitted. I still remember my own shock (and everyone’s shock, honestly) when they were set free despite all the evidence of their brutality. It was the first time many got to witness what state-sponsored violence looks like, putting visuals to something black people had been talking about and protesting against since the advent of segregation and the end of slavery. It was television, as Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. predicted, that would show America’s true face.
“We are here to say to the white men that we no longer will let them use clubs on us in the dark corners,” King said. “We’re going to make them do it in the glaring light of television.”
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This is the same logic behind showing the Rodney King beating, or the cellphone camera footage of the many deaths and beatings that have taken place at the hands of police officers against black men, women and children in recent years. But as necessary as these images are, they take a toll on all who witness them, including the press, and in particular black journalists.
I can’t tell you how many times I, or someone on my team, has cried into their laptops over the injustices inflicted daily on black people, who have gone to bed with anxiety over what looms in the morning, in the aftermath of another violent act against our humanity.
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We at The Root are fortunate in that we can comfort each other and find solace in our shared pain, but so many other black journalists at predominantly white-run media outlets don’t have this luxury—of someone asking if they are OK. Of someone asking, “do you need to take time off?” Of someone suggesting therapy or some other support to get through the crisis. Because often, to white people, this is just another news story. For us, this is our lives...and our deaths, displayed for public consumption, often without context or understanding.
As those exhausted look away for their own mental health, we cannot. We labor on because we have a cause bigger than ourselves. But it doesn’t mean we don’t turn to friends, family, colleagues and therapy to get through his, because we do. I ask for those consuming this news site and many, many other black journalists’ work understand that we are reporting while dealing with our own life-long post-traumatic stress from repeatedly bearing witness to our dehumanization and murder.
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The pain is real. It lingers. And what we witness today will shape us for the rest of our lives.


theroot--2020-05-29--Heat up the Summer With up to 50% off at Ella Paradis

Up to 50 % off | Ella Paradis | Use Code HOT Ella Paradis loves giving out discounts like this @ @ @ @ @ find .
Drop the code HOT in at checkout and see which savings you get @ @ @ @ @ and 40 % off on different products just to test the code out .
But @ @ @ @ @ the discount doesn ’ t work on holy grail items like the Hitachi Magic Wand @ @ @ @ @ does work on the top-selling Womanizer Premium Stimulator .
This code is good for a @ @ @ @ @ , bondage , candles , condoms , etc . )
across the site but you @ @ @ @ @ with it .
At the moment it seems arbitrary , which might be the point @ @ @ @ @ giving you a $ 5 coupon when you spend $ 100 if you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ Free shipping on all orders and deal runs until June 10 .

Sheilah Villari on Kinja Deals, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Up to 50% off | Ella Paradis | Use Code HOT
Ella Paradis loves giving out discounts like this, seek and ye shall find. Drop the code HOT in at checkout and see which savings you get. I got 50% and 40% off on different products just to test the code out.
But there are some restrictions like the discount doesn’t work on holy grail items like the Hitachi Magic Wand. Bummer. But it does work on the top-selling Womanizer Premium Stimulator. This code is good for a variety of products (lube, bondage, candles, condoms, etc.) across the site but you do have to play around with it. At the moment it seems arbitrary, which might be the point. Ella Paradis is also giving you a $5 coupon when you spend $100 if you’re feeling wily on spending.
Free shipping on all orders and deal runs until June 10.


theroot--2020-05-29--Colin Kaepernick, LeBron James Among Sports Figures to Support Protests, Speak Out Against George Fl

Colin Kaepernick, LeBron James Among Sports Figures to Support Protests, Speak Out Against George Floyd's Death

We live in a world where sports figures and professional athletes are more vocal about social issues than ever before , and in light of protests that have erupted throughout the country in response to George Floyd ’ s death at the hands of the Minneapolis police , many have channeled their outrage o nto social media .
Colin Kaepernick , who was exiled from the NFL for protesting the same police misconduct that cost Floyd his life , voiced his support for protesters while insisting that “ we have the right to fight back.
” “ When civility leads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logical reaction , ” he tweeted .
“ The cries for peace will rain down , and when they do , they will land on deaf ears , because your violence has brought this resistance.
” LeBron James made it a point to draw attention to the necessity of Kaepernick ’ s national anthem protests .
Additionally , he posted a picture of himself wearing an “ I Can ’ t Breathe ” t-shirt in response to Eric Garner ’ s death in 2014 and noted that little has changed six years later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Instagram to lament Floyd ’ s death and demand action .
“ My heart is broken ... again !
” he wrote .
“ The disregard for human life is unbelievable .
Prayers up like usual BUT “ Faith without works is dead ” so we must also have ACTION !
Something has to change 😔😔😔 # Couldhavebeenme # Icantbreathe # enoughisenough # GeorgeFloyd ” Former NBA star Jamal Crawford had some words for Donald Trump , who openly threatened protesters despite his standing as the President of the United States .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ?
” he tweeted .
“ What you gon na do about the cops that made him a memory ?
” In keeping that same energy , Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley pointed out how Trump had an entirely different response to armed , white protesters in Michigan earlier this month .
Former NBA star Stephen Jackson , who was a lifelong friend of Floyd , has been very vocal about his desire to seek justice .
Outside of expressing his thoughts on social media , he ’ s made a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the matter and will be participating in a protest in Minneapolis scheduled for Friday .
“ God please guide my steps , ” he posted on Instagram on Friday .
“ Help me use my words wisely but at the same time let me be the [ gorilla ] I need to be .
# ivehadenough U my brother till I ’ m dead and gone and I love u like u was apart of me that ’ s why I ’ m singing this song .
Rest Easy [ Floyd ] .
@

We live in a world where sports figures and professional athletes are more vocal about social issues than ever before, and in light of protests that have erupted throughout the country in response to George Floyd’s death at the hands of the Minneapolis police, many have channeled their outrage o nto social media.
Colin Kaepernick, who was exiled from the NFL for protesting the same police misconduct that cost Floyd his life, voiced his support for protesters while insisting that “we have the right to fight back.”
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“When civility leads to death, revolting is the only logical reaction,” he tweeted. “The cries for peace will rain down, and when they do, they will land on deaf ears, because your violence has brought this resistance.”
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LeBron James made it a point to draw attention to the necessity of Kaepernick’s national anthem protests. Additionally, he posted a picture of himself wearing an “I Can’t Breathe” t-shirt in response to Eric Garner’s death in 2014 and noted that little has changed six years later.
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Memphis Grizzlies forward Anthony Tolliver took to Instagram to lament Floyd’s death and demand action.
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“My heart is broken...again!” he wrote. “The disregard for human life is unbelievable. Prayers up like usual BUT “Faith without works is dead” so we must also have ACTION! Something has to change 😔😔😔 #Couldhavebeenme #Icantbreathe #enoughisenough #GeorgeFloyd”
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Former NBA star Jamal Crawford had some words for Donald Trump, who openly threatened protesters despite his standing as the President of the United States.
“—Thugs dishonoring the memory of George Floyd?” he tweeted. “What you gonna do about the cops that made him a memory?”
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In keeping that same energy, Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley pointed out how Trump had an entirely different response to armed, white protesters in Michigan earlier this month.
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“Make America great again huh?” Dudley tweeted.
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Former NBA star Stephen Jackson, who was a lifelong friend of Floyd, has been very vocal about his desire to seek justice. Outside of expressing his thoughts on social media, he’s made a number of media appearances this week addressing the matter and will be participating in a protest in Minneapolis scheduled for Friday.
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“God please guide my steps,” he posted on Instagram on Friday. “Help me use my words wisely but at the same time let me be the [gorilla] I need to be. #ivehadenough U my brother till I’m dead and gone and I love u like u was apart of me that’s why I’m singing this song. Rest Easy [Floyd].”


theroot--2020-05-29--The Root Jams Weekly (5/29/2020): 'Protest Music'

This week , month , and year have been exhausting for Black America .
There ’ s always a battle @ @ @ @ @ that prey and pray for our downfall .
Gathered here are a collection of staff-curated @ @ @ @ @ of protest .
# RIPGeorgeFloyd The Temptations “ Ball of Confusion ( That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ ) “ Gil Scott-Heron “ The Revolution Will Not Be Televised ” Rage Against the @ @ @ @ @ ” Curtis Mayfield “ ( Don ’ t Worry ) If There ’ s Hell @ @ @ @ @ All Going To Go ” Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five “ The Message ” @ @ @ @ @ “ If You All Get to Heaven ”

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

This week, month, and year have been exhausting for Black America. There’s always a battle raging somewhere against power structures that prey and pray for our downfall. Gathered here are a collection of staff-curated songs that embody the spirit of protest. #RIPGeorgeFloyd
Tonja Stidhum
Billie Holiday “Strange Fruit”
The Beatles “Come Together”
The Temptations “Ball of Confusion (That’s What The World Is Today)“
Monique Judge
dead prez featuring Jay-Z “Hell Yeah (Pimp the System)“
Public Enemy “Fight The Power”
Gil Scott-Heron “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”
J’na Jefferson
H.E.R. featuring YBN Cordae “Lord Is Coming”
Beyoncé “Formation”
James Brown “Say It Loud-I’m Black and I’m Proud”
Kendrick Lamar “Alright”
Genetta Adams
Bob Marley & The Wailers “War”
Panama Jackson
Tevin Campbell “Tomorrow”
Sam Cooke “A Change Gon’ Come”
Rage Against the Machine “Bulls on Parade”
Queen Latifah “U.N.I.T.Y.”
U2 “Sunday Bloody Sunday”
Joi “Freedom”
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes “Wake Up Everybody”
Curtis Mayfield “(Don’t Worry) If There’s Hell Below, We’re All Going To Go”
Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On”
Maiysha Kai
Prince “America”
Pointer Sisters “Yes, We Can Can”
Tracy Chapman “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution”
Gil Scott-Heron “Who’ll Pay Reparations on My Soul?”
Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar “Freedom”
Stevie Wonder “Jesus Children of America”
Donny Hathaway “Someday We’ll All Be Free”
Isley Brothers “Fight the Power”
Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five “The Message”
Aretha Franklin & the Royal Philharmonic “People Get Ready”
Childish Gambino “This Is America”
Terrence Trent D’Arby “If You All Get to Heaven”
Anne Branigin
D’Angelo “Betray My Heart”
Nina Simona “Backlash Blues”
Bob Marley & The Wailers “Redemption Song”
Lauryn Hill “Conquering Lion”
Jay Connor
Dilla “Fuck The Police”
Anthony David “Krooked Kop”
N.W.A. “Fuck Tha Police”
PJ Rickards
Bob Marley & The Wailers “Burnin’ and Lootin’”
Richard Pryor “Niggers Vs. The Police”
Big L featuring Fat Joe “The Enemy”
D’Angelo “The Charade”
Michael Harriot
Tupac “Fuck All Y’all”


theroot--2020-05-29--911 Call of Breonna Taylor's Shooting Death Released as Protests and Shootings Occur in Louisville,

911 Call of Breonna Taylor's Shooting Death Released as Protests and Shootings Occur in Louisville, Ky.

Thursday night , protests against police violence took place nationwide .
Louisville , Ky. , was the site of one such protest as people gathered in honor of Breonna Taylor , the 26-year-old EMT who was shot and killed after police entered her home .
New information about the case was released during the evening shortly before the protests transpired .
The 911 call made by Kenneth Walker , Taylor ’ s boyfriend , on the night of her death has been released , according to CBS News .
Walker is heard on the call telling the dispatcher “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somebody kicked in the door and shot my girlfriend.
” Throughout the call , he ’ s pleading with Taylor to respond and frantically asking the dispatcher to send help .
The dispatcher asks where Taylor has been shot and Walker responds he doesn ’ t know .
An attorney for Taylor ’ s family released the call Thursday evening .
On March 13 , three officers entered Breonna Taylor ’ s home with a search warrant for illegal drugs .
The story from the Louisville Metro Police Department is that the officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” warrant at the wrong house , announced their presence and were met with gunfire .
A lawsuit filed by Taylor ’ s family alleges a different series of events , claiming the officers were in plainclothes and didn ’ t announce their presence .
This led Taylor and Walker to believe the men were burglars .
Walker , a registered gun owner who fired at what he thought were intruders , was initially arrested and charged with the attempted murder of a police officer .
H e has since been released and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release of the call came as Louisville faces a steady wave of protests since the death of Taylor .
Thursday night saw the protests escalate , resulting in seven people being shot according to the Courier Journal .
The protests began peacefully with approximately 500 to 600 people marching through downtown to Louisville Metro Hall .
Things intensified as the night went on and police arrived in full riot gear .
At one point shots were fired in the crowd , hitting seven people .
Two of the people shot required surgery with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is unclear who fired the shots , though an LMPD spokesperson has said the police didn ’ t fire their guns .
The police did fire tear gas and paintballs into the crowd .
It is unclear how many people were arrested and if any of them were involved in the shooting .
As a result of Taylor ’ s death and the protests surrounding it , Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer announced that he would be suspending “ no-knock ” warrants .

Thursday night, protests against police violence took place nationwide. Louisville, Ky., was the site of one such protest as people gathered in honor of Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old EMT who was shot and killed after police entered her home. New information about the case was released during the evening shortly before the protests transpired.
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The 911 call made by Kenneth Walker, Taylor’s boyfriend, on the night of her death has been released, according to CBS News. Walker is heard on the call telling the dispatcher “I don’t know what happened...somebody kicked in the door and shot my girlfriend.” Throughout the call, he’s pleading with Taylor to respond and frantically asking the dispatcher to send help. The dispatcher asks where Taylor has been shot and Walker responds he doesn’t know. An attorney for Taylor’s family released the call Thursday evening.
On March 13, three officers entered Breonna Taylor’s home with a search warrant for illegal drugs. The story from the Louisville Metro Police Department is that the officers, who were executing a “no-knock” warrant at the wrong house, announced their presence and were met with gunfire. A lawsuit filed by Taylor’s family alleges a different series of events, claiming the officers were in plainclothes and didn’t announce their presence. This led Taylor and Walker to believe the men were burglars. Walker, a registered gun owner who fired at what he thought were intruders, was initially arrested and charged with the attempted murder of a police officer. H e has since been released and the charges have been dropped.
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The release of the call came as Louisville faces a steady wave of protests since the death of Taylor. Thursday night saw the protests escalate, resulting in seven people being shot according to the Courier Journal. The protests began peacefully with approximately 500 to 600 people marching through downtown to Louisville Metro Hall. Things intensified as the night went on and police arrived in full riot gear. At one point shots were fired in the crowd, hitting seven people. Two of the people shot required surgery with the other five victims in good condition. It is unclear who fired the shots, though an LMPD spokesperson has said the police didn’t fire their guns. The police did fire tear gas and paintballs into the crowd. It is unclear how many people were arrested and if any of them were involved in the shooting.
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As a result of Taylor’s death and the protests surrounding it, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer announced that he would be suspending “no-knock” warrants.


theroot--2020-05-29--Shameik Moore Dives Deep Into the Spider-Curse of Respectability Politics

When audiences finished the Oscar-winning film , Spider-Man : Into the Spider-Verse , there was one particular scene that stuck in everyone ’ s minds : the moment Miles Morales officially became Spider-Man .
After many minutes of self-doubt , Miles finally took a leap of faith and we all realized he wasn ’ t falling , but flying .
That happened on December 14 , 2018—the date of the film ’ s wide release in theaters .
On Thursday , May 28 , 2020 , the complete reverse occurred to the very person who voices the beloved animated Miles—Shameik @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was falling ( flailing , even ) ... deeper and deeper into the abyss of respectability politics .
And he got caught in the web of the lies black folks tell themselves .
“ We have to work on our community before blaming everything on “ racist ” and police , ” Shameik began on his Twitter account .
“ 1 ... there is STILL black on black violence that needs to be addressed ... and 2.. if we KNOW that the wrong white person could change our whole life with a false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and debunked argument of black-on-black crime wasn ’ t enough , he doubled down writing , “ Look ... all I ’ m saying is ... in the MOMENT ... when we are experiencing racism..can we the black community find ways to avoid being killed ?
Or hunted.
” In a subsequent series of tweets , he assured his followers that all of his critics were taking him “ out of context , ” despite providing three more chapters of context , all of which dug him deeper into a misguided ( as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach out to a celebrity ’ s team for comment , but that ’ s a useless gesture since Shameik directly stated that he had chosen to go against the very team he probably pays pretty handsomely to mitigate these situations .
And if things hadn ’ t already gone horribly awry , he brought up Rosa Parks in his Instagram Live Session , insinuating that she should ’ ve taken a black-owned cab instead of making the historic sit-down protest she made on the bus .
Respectability politics has been proven time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( and downright useless and dangerous , at this point ) method .
No matter how many different ways we show up with an “ honorable ” resume of attributes , the right and respectable attire , or the disciplined protocol with which to address police , my people end up at the same morbid destination .
All of those benefits of the doubt are strictly reserved for those afforded the label of basic humanity ( oh , and for domestic pets and zoo-kept animals , too ) .
It didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dressed ) peaceful protest in American history .
It didn ’ t work when one man followed textbook protocol to comply with the police .
It definitely wouldn ’ t have worked if this guy chose the respectable route .
It didn ’ t even fucking work for a fucking cop .
And for this type of rhetoric to come merely a few hours before witnessing an uprising that has been boiling for years was a sobering sense of cosmic timing .
What happened with Shameik can be summarized by the first five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” It ’ s a damn shame that , at 25 years old , he is both young and old enough to have lived in an era where he has been bombarded with an array of visual proof on social media and beyond that immediately contradicts his assertion .
And yet , he is so deafened by the cacophony of his own ego , he doesn ’ t hear us , though .
No matter your age , the first step to growing and learning is listening .
Maybe then , he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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

When audiences finished the Oscar-winning film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, there was one particular scene that stuck in everyone’s minds: the moment Miles Morales officially became Spider-Man. After many minutes of self-doubt, Miles finally took a leap of faith and we all realized he wasn’t falling, but flying.
This shot right here:
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That happened on December 14, 2018—the date of the film’s wide release in theaters.
On Thursday, May 28, 2020, the complete reverse occurred to the very person who voices the beloved animated Miles—Shameik Moore. Instead of flying, he was falling (flailing, even)...deeper and deeper into the abyss of respectability politics. And he got caught in the web of the lies black folks tell themselves.
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“We have to work on our community before blaming everything on “racist” and police,” Shameik began on his Twitter account. “1... there is STILL black on black violence that needs to be addressed... and 2.. if we KNOW that the wrong white person could change our whole life with a false accusation...”
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If reviving the trite and debunked argument of black-on-black crime wasn’t enough, he doubled down writing, “Look...all I’m saying is...in the MOMENT...when we are experiencing racism..can we the black community find ways to avoid being killed? Or hunted.”
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In a subsequent series of tweets, he assured his followers that all of his critics were taking him “out of context,” despite providing three more chapters of context, all of which dug him deeper into a misguided (as) hell-hole.
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Typically, I would reach out to a celebrity’s team for comment, but that’s a useless gesture since Shameik directly stated that he had chosen to go against the very team he probably pays pretty handsomely to mitigate these situations.
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And if things hadn’t already gone horribly awry, he brought up Rosa Parks in his Instagram Live Session, insinuating that she should’ve taken a black-owned cab instead of making the historic sit-down protest she made on the bus.
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Sigh.
Respectability politics has been proven time and time again to be a faulty (and downright useless and dangerous, at this point) method. No matter how many different ways we show up with an “honorable” resume of attributes, the right and respectable attire, or the disciplined protocol with which to address police, my people end up at the same morbid destination. All of those benefits of the doubt are strictly reserved for those afforded the label of basic humanity (oh, and for domestic pets and zoo-kept animals, too).
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It didn’t work during the most-cited (and respectively dressed) peaceful protest in American history. It didn’t work when one man followed textbook protocol to comply with the police. It definitely wouldn’t have worked if this guy chose the respectable route. It didn’t even fucking work for a fucking cop.
We’re way past that.
And for this type of rhetoric to come merely a few hours before witnessing an uprising that has been boiling for years was a sobering sense of cosmic timing.
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What happened with Shameik can be summarized by the first five letters of his name—a damn “shame.” It’s a damn shame that, at 25 years old, he is both young and old enough to have lived in an era where he has been bombarded with an array of visual proof on social media and beyond that immediately contradicts his assertion. And yet, he is so deafened by the cacophony of his own ego, he doesn’t hear us, though.
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No matter your age, the first step to growing and learning is listening. Maybe then, he’ll truly get some fucking Spidey sense.