theroot--2020-05-01--Vice President's Staff Threaten Retaliation Against Reporter for Tweeting About Pence’s Mask Off Ant

Vice President's Staff Threaten Retaliation Against Reporter for Tweeting About Pence’s Mask Off Antics

Vice President Pence ’ s office isn ’ t a fan of the truth , or at least the truth being leaked over Twitter , so now they ’ re threatening retaliation against a reporter who tweeted that Pence ’ s people told journalists to wear a mask during a recent visit to the Mayo Clinic , even though the vice president was going full mask off .
Live video of VP Pence deciding not to wear his mask : So here ’ s the back story : On Tuesday , VP Pence ( who may or may not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t need masks ) visited the Mayo Clinic where he was photographed looking like the biggest asshole in the room because he was the only one there without a mask , despite the Minnesota clinic ’ s requirement that everyone wear a mask .
Hell , you can ’ t even get into the CVS in my neighborhood without a mask , damn a clinic that deals with coronavirus .
Pence caught hella shit for his “ mask off , fuck it mask off ” stunt , a move his wife Karen ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! )
would tell Fox News on Thursday was because he didn ’ t know he had to wear one .
See , that ’ s where things get tricky , and by tricky I mean that they lying , because “ Steve Herman , who covers the White House for Voice of America , suggested that there was more to the story after Karen Pence ’ s interview.
” “ All of us who traveled with [ Pence ] were notified by the office of @ VP the day before the trip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the @ MayoClinic and to prepare accordingly , ” tweeted Herman , who was with a pool of reporters during the visit , the Washington Post reports .
The tweet apparently enraged Pence ’ s staff , which told Herman that he had violated the off-the-record terms of a planning memo that had been sent to him and other reporters in advance of Pence ’ s trip .
Herman said he was notified by the White House Correspondents ’ Association that Pence ’ s office had banned him from further travel on Air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence ’ s office later told VOA managers than any punishment was still under discussion , pending an apology from Herman or VOA .
VOA is continuing to talk with Pence ’ s staff , said Yolanda Lopez , the director of VOA ’ s news center .
She said it wasn ’ t clear how the vice president intended to proceed .
The issue , according to people involved , is whether Herman ’ s tweet violated the off-the-record terms of a planning document sent via email Monday evening by the vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned to travel with Pence to the clinic .
A copy of the document obtained by The Washington Post explicitly stated that masks are required for the visit and instructed reporters to wear them .
“ Please note , the Mayo Clinic is requiring all individuals traveling with the VP wear masks , ” the document said .
“ Please bring one to wear while on the trip.
” Pence knew he needed to wear a mask and he chose not to wear one .
It ’ s as simple as that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about is how his maskless stunt didn ’ t make him look like a maverick willing to fight the invisible enemy head-on , it actually made him look like an old man who wasn ’ t wearing a mask ( unless , of course , he ’ s a robot ! )
Y ’ all need to open your third eye .
When questioned after his visit about why he didn ’ t wear a mask , Pence told reporters that he ’ s tested frequently and that he didn ’ t wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to these researchers , these incredible health-care personnel , and look them in the eye and say thank you , ” the Post reports .
Pence ’ s team isn ’ t upset about the mask stunt , they are upset that Herman leaked “ off the record ” material with the public and that off the record material was the fact that everyone was told to wear a damn mask , which proves my point from an earlier piece I penned , titled : The Post notes that there is some gray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pool reporters last .
“ My tweet speaks for itself , ” Herman said in a statement , the Post reports .
“ We always have and will strictly adhere to keeping off the record any White House communications to reporters for planning purposes involving logistics that have security implications prior to events .
... .
All White House pool reporters , including myself and my VOA colleagues , take this very seriously.
” You know whose ass had on a mask on Thursday ?
VP Mike Pence .
He wore one while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plant in Indiana that has been converted into a factory making ventilators for hospitals around the country , ” the Post reports .
But the mask could ’ ve been just for show if Pence is , in fact , a robot .

Vice President Pence’s office isn’t a fan of the truth, or at least the truth being leaked over Twitter, so now they’re threatening retaliation against a reporter who tweeted that Pence’s people told journalists to wear a mask during a recent visit to the Mayo Clinic, even though the vice president was going full mask off.
Live video of VP Pence deciding not to wear his mask:
So here’s the back story: On Tuesday, VP Pence (who may or may not be a robot and therefore robots don’t need masks) visited the Mayo Clinic where he was photographed looking like the biggest asshole in the room because he was the only one there without a mask, despite the Minnesota clinic’s requirement that everyone wear a mask. Hell, you can’t even get into the CVS in my neighborhood without a mask, damn a clinic that deals with coronavirus.
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Pence caught hella shit for his “mask off, fuck it mask off” stunt, a move his wife Karen (hahahahahahha, her real name is Karen!) would tell Fox News on Thursday was because he didn’t know he had to wear one.
See, that’s where things get tricky, and by tricky I mean that they lying, because “Steve Herman, who covers the White House for Voice of America, suggested that there was more to the story after Karen Pence’s interview.”
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“All of us who traveled with [Pence] were notified by the office of @VP the day before the trip that wearing of masks was required by the @MayoClinic and to prepare accordingly,” tweeted Herman, who was with a pool of reporters during the visit, the Washington Post reports.
From the Post:
The tweet apparently enraged Pence’s staff, which told Herman that he had violated the off-the-record terms of a planning memo that had been sent to him and other reporters in advance of Pence’s trip. Herman said he was notified by the White House Correspondents’ Association that Pence’s office had banned him from further travel on Air Force Two, although a spokesperson in Pence’s office later told VOA managers than any punishment was still under discussion, pending an apology from Herman or VOA. VOA is continuing to talk with Pence’s staff, said Yolanda Lopez, the director of VOA’s news center. She said it wasn’t clear how the vice president intended to proceed. Pence’s press secretary, Katie Miller, declined to comment. The issue, according to people involved, is whether Herman’s tweet violated the off-the-record terms of a planning document sent via email Monday evening by the vice president’s office to reporters who planned to travel with Pence to the clinic. A copy of the document obtained by The Washington Post explicitly stated that masks are required for the visit and instructed reporters to wear them. “Please note, the Mayo Clinic is requiring all individuals traveling with the VP wear masks,” the document said. “Please bring one to wear while on the trip.”
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Pence knew he needed to wear a mask and he chose not to wear one. It’s as simple as that. What Pence’s staff is upset about is how his maskless stunt didn’t make him look like a maverick willing to fight the invisible enemy head-on, it actually made him look like an old man who wasn’t wearing a mask (unless, of course, he’s a robot!)
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Y’all need to open your third eye.
When questioned after his visit about why he didn’t wear a mask, Pence told reporters that he’s tested frequently and that he didn’t wear one so that he could “speak to these researchers, these incredible health-care personnel, and look them in the eye and say thank you,” the Post reports.
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Pence’s team isn’t upset about the mask stunt, they are upset that Herman leaked “off the record” material with the public and that off the record material was the fact that everyone was told to wear a damn mask, which proves my point from an earlier piece I penned, titled:
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The Post notes that there is some gray area between how long those directives to pool reporters last.
“My tweet speaks for itself,” Herman said in a statement, the Post reports. “We always have and will strictly adhere to keeping off the record any White House communications to reporters for planning purposes involving logistics that have security implications prior to events. .... All White House pool reporters, including myself and my VOA colleagues, take this very seriously.”
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You know whose ass had on a mask on Thursday? VP Mike Pence. He wore one while he visited a “General Motors auto plant in Indiana that has been converted into a factory making ventilators for hospitals around the country,” the Post reports.
But the mask could’ve been just for show if Pence is, in fact, a robot.


theroot--2020-05-01--This Is Dedicated to All the Unfiltered Aunties I Have Known and Loved

Aunties are a thing in the black community .
Whether they are the actual sibling of one of your parents , a close friend of your mama ’ s , a coworker , a teacher , someone at the church or just a member of your community , we all know at least one black lady we think of as “ Auntie.
” She gives you advice .
She calls you out and puts you in check when you need to be .
She tells you her wild and outlandish stories .
She gives you hugs .
She shares her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best peach cobbler and the best macaroni and cheese .
She brings value .
At The Root , that black lady is me .
I am your auntie .
And this is Auntie Unfiltered .
Each week , I am going to be coming to you directly from somewhere in my house ( because we are all social distancing ) and sharing the knowledge , wisdom and experience of my journey with you .
We can talk about absolutely anything—from relationship advice to who makes the best drugstore lipstick .
We can talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential election , and everything in between .
You can play your part by sending me your topic ideas and advice requests to auntiesubmissions @ theroot.com .
I will go through your emails , and every Friday we will come together to discuss the topic at hand .
Be ready , because the show is called Auntie Unfiltered for a reason .
This ain ’ t for the faint of heart .
But if you are ready for some good advice , good information , good conversation and good laughs , this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next week , nieces and nephews .
P.S .
I want to dedicate this to all the unfiltered aunties I have known and loved : my mama , my Auntie Harriet ( RIP ) , Ms. Jacqueline Reid , Sandra Gail Walker-Truitt , Debra White , and my grandmother .
You have all shown me the way , and I do this in your honor .
Thank you .

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


theroot--2020-05-01--The Root's Clapback Mailbag: Black People Are Stupid

I want to be wrong .
Every week , when the staff at The Root begins scouring our various inboxes for the weekly clapback mailbag , I keep hoping that one of us will discover an email , tweet , DM or comments from someone who can articulately explain why racism is dead .
Just once , I ’ d love to hear someone explain that all of the woes of black people are caused by black people repeatedly deciding to do it wrong for 400 years .
Perhaps , one day , I ’ ll run across an email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hiding , alive and well .
Maybe the disproportionate school funding is because all those majority-black school districts collectively and simultaneously committed the same rounding error .
I keep waiting for the DM from the Bureau of Prisons , the Supreme Court or the Department of Justice disproving the statistics on arrest rates , sentencing disparities , mass incarceration and the war on drugs .
As soon as this happens , our entire staff will draft a statement gladly admitting how wrong we were .
But until then ...
Since Rashad Robinson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classy ( and probably too busy ) to clap back at readers who objected to their guest column , I guess I will .
Stop blaming everyone else for your own woes .
You want to stop the spread of the virus ?
How about not attending a 1k+ party in Chicago ?
Yes , you guessed it .
Only black folks ... Oh , yeah the economy .
Don ’ t want to catch the virus ?
Don ’ t go to the fucking barber shop .
Pretty simple if you ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you at the point of a gun to visit the store .
YOU choose to do so .
Grow the fuck up and seriously stop blaming everybody else for your own fucking problems .
Black lives don ’ t matter , until they matter to black lives .
When and if you grasp this concept , you as a people may advance in life .
Well , that is assuming you can get off the plantation and stop blaming whitey ... First , I would like to congratulate you on your achievements .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to figure out a way to inject “ but what about Chicago ?
” into an argument about health disparities but you did it .
Considering the fact that the two people who penned this post might be the leading civil rights leaders of our time and you are a sad group of fucktrolls who probably spend your days searching for ways to disagree with people whose IQs , morals and commitment to a cause dwarf yours , I acknowledge your top-tier , exemplary example of “ whataboutism.
” Secondly , Regarding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is something that I must confess on behalf of the entire staff of The Root : We think those motherfuckers are stupid , too .
We feel the same way about people who go to beaches during global pandemics , black cops who kill black people , black people who kill black people and black- on- black gun violence in Chicago .
Now that I have exposed our opposition to murder and mayhem as a staff , crew and record label , can we at least agree that there is a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an institution ?
Let ’ s be honest : Some people will always be racist .
We will continue to report on those admittedly rare instances of blatant racial hate just as other outlets will blast a black face across the news every time there is a negro jaywalker .
You should feel free to ingest these stories that fuel your belief that COVID-19 is ravaging black communities because niggas won ’ t stop going to barbershops and that every black person spends their money on cars , clothes and rims .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ know where it comes from .
You are white , and when you see a black person doing something that diminishes that person , you ascribe their actions to all black people .
For instance , I agree when you said that if you gave black people a lot of money , “ most would be broke in a couple of years blame YT for not instructing them how to use it , predatory lending , their Uncle Trayvion stole dey damn money , the govt .
shoulda done this/that/and another thing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Black people would definitely blow it .
You know why ?
Because damn near all millionaires lose their money .
Seven in 10 wealthy families lose their money by the second generation and 90 percent lose it by the third , according to Williams Group Wealth Consultancy .
And do you know why they lose it ?
Michael Cole — the president of Ascent Private Capital Management at U.S. Bank who has worked with clients worth $ 75 million or more for decades now — says he knows why .
Often , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in trust and communication between family members , ” Cole says .
“ Wealth [ often ] breaks down family trust and relationships.
” Specifically , Cole ... says he believes that about 60 % of the wealth disintegration is due to a lack of communication and trust , 25 % to a lack of preparation for how to handle the money ; and about 10 % to a lack of a shared vision about family goals around money .
Bad investment and financial decisions tie into all of these too , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people ’ s u ncle Trayvion stole de y money , too ?
White people don ’ t know how to handle handed-down assets ?
White people are as financially illiterate as black people ?
When white people list those legitimate reasons for going broke , why aren ’ t they “ blaming whitey ” ?
Why would you only attribute those qualities to black people ?
Well , you would do it for the same reason you never talk about white- on- white crime .
You do it for the same reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breakers in the same category as black house partiers .
You do it for the same reason you equate organized , systematic , legally enshrined white supremacy with the actions of an insignificantly minute percentage of the black population who robs , kills and steals .
Because , even though we have repeatedly demonstrated our willingness to address crime , financial responsibility and the shortcomings that exist in the black community , white people like you don ’ t want to admit that racism is your fault .
My uncle Trayvion really liked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going , too .
Yes , that ’ s what I ’ m saying .
There are black people aren ’ t smart enough to figure out how to vote .
I wish there was another way to say it , but there isn ’ t .
Black people are too dumb to realize that a racist like Brian Kemp exists when we name our children .
We ’ re not wise enough to recognize that the white woman at the DMV doesn ’ t care about putting the apostrophe in our kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uninformed to know that states like Georgia secretly adopted the Exact Match system that matches voter registrations to drivers ’ licenses and disproportionately tosses out black voters .
We ’ re too dumb to know that people who live in white neighborhoods don ’ t have to wait as long to cast a ballot .
We aren ’ t always aware that states can indiscriminately change voting laws between elections .
We don ’ t take the time to read the classifieds and know that polling places are more likely to close in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ re too preoccupied with being black to think of all the schemes conservatives can conjure up to steal our votes .
They target black voters by zip codes .
They use intimidation .
They blatantly spread false information .
They give black precincts faulty voting machines .
See , black people are so stupid , we believe we will be treated like equals .
How stupid is that ?

I want to be wrong.
Every week, when the staff at The Root begins scouring our various inboxes for the weekly clapback mailbag, I keep hoping that one of us will discover an email, tweet, DM or comments from someone who can articulately explain why racism is dead. Just once, I’d love to hear someone explain that all of the woes of black people are caused by black people repeatedly deciding to do it wrong for 400 years.
Perhaps, one day, I’ll run across an email revealing the hidden location where Trayvon Martin is hiding, alive and well. Maybe the disproportionate school funding is because all those majority-black school districts collectively and simultaneously committed the same rounding error. I keep waiting for the DM from the Bureau of Prisons, the Supreme Court or the Department of Justice disproving the statistics on arrest rates, sentencing disparities, mass incarceration and the war on drugs.
Advertisement
As soon as this happens, our entire staff will draft a statement gladly admitting how wrong we were.
But until then...
Since Rashad Robinson and Rev. William Barber are too classy (and probably too busy) to clap back at readers who objected to their guest column, I guess I will.
Advertisement Advertisement
From: GrowTheFuckUp
To: Rev. William Barber II and Rashad Robinson Dear Black People, Stop blaming everyone else for your own woes. You want to stop the spread of the virus? How about not attending a 1k+ party in Chicago? Yes, you guessed it. Only black folks... Oh, yeah the economy. Don’t want to catch the virus? Don’t go to the fucking barber shop. Pretty simple if you ask me. Whitey ain’t forcing you at the point of a gun to visit the store. YOU choose to do so. Grow the fuck up and seriously stop blaming everybody else for your own fucking problems. Black lives don’t matter, until they matter to black lives. When and if you grasp this concept, you as a people may advance in life. Well, that is assuming you can get off the plantation and stop blaming whitey...
From: Ooogaboooooga
To: Rev. William Barber II and Rashad Robinson ah, the eternal victims, blafrican complaimericans will always complain. Nothing anyone every does would be enough to fill the hole of stupid that exists. You could hand each one a billion dollars and most would be broke within a couple years, blame YT for not instructing them how to use it, predatory lending, their Uncle Trayvion stole dey damn money, the govt. shoulda done this/that/and another thing to help them. Never ending, life sucking creatures.
From: The Root is Going Out of Business
To: Rev. William Barber II and Rashad Robinson The Root: “Stop blaming black people for anything they do ever!!!”
Dear motherfuckers,
First, I would like to congratulate you on your achievements. It takes an elite level of whiteness to figure out a way to inject “but what about Chicago?” into an argument about health disparities but you did it.
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Considering the fact that the two people who penned this post might be the leading civil rights leaders of our time and you are a sad group of fucktrolls who probably spend your days searching for ways to disagree with people whose IQs, morals and commitment to a cause dwarf yours, I acknowledge your top-tier, exemplary example of “whataboutism.”
Kudos to you.
Secondly, Regarding the attendees of the Chicago house party, there is something that I must confess on behalf of the entire staff of The Root:
We think those motherfuckers are stupid, too.
We feel the same way about people who go to beaches during global pandemics, black cops who kill black people, black people who kill black people and black- on- black gun violence in Chicago. Now that I have exposed our opposition to murder and mayhem as a staff, crew and record label, can we at least agree that there is a big difference between some dumb, reckless partygoers and an institution?
Advertisement
Let’s be honest: Some people will always be racist. We will continue to report on those admittedly rare instances of blatant racial hate just as other outlets will blast a black face across the news every time there is a negro jaywalker. You should feel free to ingest these stories that fuel your belief that COVID-19 is ravaging black communities because niggas won’t stop going to barbershops and that every black person spends their money on cars, clothes and rims. While the stereotype is offensive, I know where it comes from. You are white, and when you see a black person doing something that diminishes that person, you ascribe their actions to all black people.
For instance, I agree when you said that if you gave black people a lot of money, “most would be broke in a couple of years blame YT for not instructing them how to use it, predatory lending, their Uncle Trayvion stole dey damn money, the govt. shoulda done this/that/and another thing to help them.”
Advertisement
You’re right. Black people would definitely blow it.
You know why?
Because damn near all millionaires lose their money.
Seven in 10 wealthy families lose their money by the second generation and 90 percent lose it by the third, according to Williams Group Wealth Consultancy. And do you know why they lose it?
Michael Cole — the president of Ascent Private Capital Management at U.S. Bank who has worked with clients worth $75 million or more for decades now — says he knows why. Often, “it’s because of failures in trust and communication between family members,” Cole says. “Wealth [often] breaks down family trust and relationships.” Specifically, Cole ... says he believes that about 60% of the wealth disintegration is due to a lack of communication and trust, 25% to a lack of preparation for how to handle the money; and about 10% to a lack of a shared vision about family goals around money. Bad investment and financial decisions tie into all of these too, of course.
Advertisement
Wait... you mean white people’s u ncle Trayvion stole de y money, too? White people don’t know how to handle handed-down assets? White people are as financially illiterate as black people? When white people list those legitimate reasons for going broke, why aren’t they “blaming whitey”? Why would you only attribute those qualities to black people?
Well, you would do it for the same reason you never talk about white- on- white crime. You do it for the same reasons you don’t put white spring breakers in the same category as black house partiers. You do it for the same reason you equate organized, systematic, legally enshrined white supremacy with the actions of an insignificantly minute percentage of the black population who robs, kills and steals.
Advertisement
Because, even though we have repeatedly demonstrated our willingness to address crime, financial responsibility and the shortcomings that exist in the black community, white people like you don’t want to admit that racism is your fault.
But still...
Congratulations on the false equivalency.
My uncle Trayvion really liked it.
And this response got me going, too.
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Dear Bob,
Yes, that’s what I’m saying.
There are black people aren’t smart enough to figure out how to vote. I wish there was another way to say it, but there isn’t.
Advertisement
Black people are too dumb to realize that a racist like Brian Kemp exists when we name our children. We’re not wise enough to recognize that the white woman at the DMV doesn’t care about putting the apostrophe in our kids’ names . We’re too uninformed to know that states like Georgia secretly adopted the Exact Match system that matches voter registrations to drivers’ licenses and disproportionately tosses out black voters.
We’re too dumb to know that people who live in white neighborhoods don’t have to wait as long to cast a ballot. We aren’t always aware that states can indiscriminately change voting laws between elections. We don’t take the time to read the classifieds and know that polling places are more likely to close in minority precincts.
Advertisement
But most of all, we’re too preoccupied with being black to think of all the schemes conservatives can conjure up to steal our votes. They target black voters by zip codes. They use intimidation. They blatantly spread false information. They give black precincts faulty voting machines.
See, black people are so stupid, we believe we will be treated like equals.
How stupid is that?


theroot--2020-05-01--Trailer Roundup: Your Mission Is To Catch a Beautician... But I May Destroy You

Welcome back to Friday !
By the way , these trailer roundups not only serve as a way to catch all the trailers that were released this week , it ’ s also a great way to remember what day it is during self-isolation .
You ’ re welcome .
This week was pretty packed with new content—we ’ ve already highlighted Michelle Obama ’ s documentary and Tyler Perry ’ s male companion to Sistas , but wait , there ’ s more !
Let ’ s get to it .
I May Destroy You ( HBO ; Release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently unknown ] ) I May Destroy You Official Teaser / HBO ( YouTube ) First Impressions : First off , I ’ ve been thoroughly excited for Michaela Coel ’ s career since I first saw her in Chewing Gum .
Coel is fearless in her comedic performances and channeling smart conversations about sexual agency .
In this series , it looks like Coel will be exploring the topic of sexual consent and will , per the press release , navigate the differences between “ liberation and exploitation.
” Basketball County : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Date : May 15 , 2020 ) Basketball County : In The Water ( 2020 ) Official Trailer / Showtime Basketball ( YouTube ) First Impressions : Following the success of professional basketball players Kevin Durant ( who serves as an executive producer of this doc ) , Victor Oladipo , Michael Beasley , Markelle Fultz , Marissa Coleman , Jeff Green and Quinn Cook , Prince George ’ s ( PG ) County , Md .
has come to be known as “ the mecca of basketball ” as its natives have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fan of documentaries , I ’ m always intrigued to explore the roots of what makes a star ... a star .
What about their upbringing influenced their tenacity and strength ?
This doc seems to explore just that .
First Impressions : Let ’ s get this out of the way—No , this is not affiliated with Beyoncé ’ s Homecoming .
In fact , while the Netflix documentary brings pure joy , this series is shrouded in mystery , uneasiness and intrigue .
Janelle Monáe is joining the sophomore season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character ( whose name we ’ re not aware of yet ) wakes up in a rowboat with absolutely no memory of who she is and how she got there .
Oh , shit .
The Last Laugh : A Celebration of Black Sitcoms ( ; Release Date : Available Now ) First Impressions : In 2015 , Etienne Maurice filmed a documentary short as part of his senior thesis at Drexel University .
Featuring interviews with black excellence such as Jackée Harry , Blair Underwood , Marla Gibbs , Sheryl Lee Ralph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! )
and more , The Last Laugh will take us on a trip down memory lane during the golden age of the black sitcom renaissance .
“ I made this film at time when black comedies seemed to have faded away .
Although progress has been made since I filmed this documentary , I still believe there are many more and varied stories to be told , ” Etienne posted on his Instagram , hoping to provide some content to watch while we ’ re stuck under the stay-at-home order .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : I remember the days of live-tweeting episodes of To Catch a Predator and this show ’ s title is clearly a riff off of that .
Tamar Braxton and celebrity hair guru Johnny Wright have a mission to help folks with botched hairstyles confront the stylists who did their edges wrong .
The failed beautician will then go through a hair boot camp as a method of redemption .
Will Chris Hansen make a cameo ?
I guess we ’ ll see .
‘ Til next week !
Stay safe , wash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re binging this weekend in the comments .
In that order .

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

Welcome back to Friday! By the way, these trailer roundups not only serve as a way to catch all the trailers that were released this week, it’s also a great way to remember what day it is during self-isolation. You’re welcome.
This week was pretty packed with new content—we’ve already highlighted Michelle Obama’s documentary and Tyler Perry’s male companion to Sistas, but wait, there’s more! Let’s get to it.
Advertisement
I May Destroy You (HBO; Release Date: June 2020 [exact date currently unknown])
I May Destroy You Official Teaser / HBO (YouTube)
First Impressions: First off, I’ve been thoroughly excited for Michaela Coel’s career since I first saw her in Chewing Gum. Coel is fearless in her comedic performances and channeling smart conversations about sexual agency. In this series, it looks like Coel will be exploring the topic of sexual consent and will, per the press release, navigate the differences between “liberation and exploitation.”
Advertisement Advertisement
Basketball County: In the Water (Showtime; Release Date: May 15, 2020)
Basketball County: In The Water (2020) Official Trailer / Showtime Basketball (YouTube)
First Impressions: Following the success of professional basketball players Kevin Durant (who serves as an executive producer of this doc), Victor Oladipo, Michael Beasley, Markelle Fultz, Marissa Coleman, Jeff Green and Quinn Cook, Prince George’s (PG) County, Md. has come to be known as “the mecca of basketball” as its natives have “provided buckets for America.” As a fan of documentaries, I’m always intrigued to explore the roots of what makes a star...a star. What about their upbringing influenced their tenacity and strength? This doc seems to explore just that.
Advertisement
Homecoming (Amazon Prime Video; Season 2 Release Date: May 22, 2020)
Homecoming Trailer / Amazon Prime Video (YouTube)
First Impressions: Let’s get this out of the way—No, this is not affiliated with Beyoncé’s Homecoming. In fact, while the Netflix documentary brings pure joy, this series is shrouded in mystery, uneasiness and intrigue. Janelle Monáe is joining the sophomore season and is immediately thrust into some drama—her character (whose name we’re not aware of yet) wakes up in a rowboat with absolutely no memory of who she is and how she got there. Oh, shit.
Advertisement
The Last Laugh: A Celebration of Black Sitcoms ( WalkGood Productions YouTube Page
The Last Laugh Trailer / WalkGood Productions (YouTube)
First Impressions: In 2015, Etienne Maurice filmed a documentary short as part of his senior thesis at Drexel University. Featuring interviews with black excellence such as Jackée Harry, Blair Underwood, Marla Gibbs, Sheryl Lee Ralph (who is Etienne’s mother!) and more, The Last Laugh will take us on a trip down memory lane during the golden age of the black sitcom renaissance. “I made this film at time when black comedies seemed to have faded away. Although progress has been made since I filmed this documentary, I still believe there are many more and varied stories to be told,” Etienne posted on his Instagram, hoping to provide some content to watch while we’re stuck under the stay-at-home order. I’ll be watching!
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To Catch a Beautician (VH1; Release Date: May 25, 2020)
To Catch a Beautician Trailer / VH1 (YouTube)
First Impressions: I remember the days of live-tweeting episodes of To Catch a Predator and this show’s title is clearly a riff off of that. Tamar Braxton and celebrity hair guru Johnny Wright have a mission to help folks with botched hairstyles confront the stylists who did their edges wrong. The failed beautician will then go through a hair boot camp as a method of redemption. Will Chris Hansen make a cameo? I guess we’ll see.
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‘Til next week! Stay safe, wash your hands and let me know what you’re binging this weekend in the comments. In that order.
Update: Friday, 5/8/2020, at 10:59 p.m. ET: We’ve just received word from HBO via press release that Michaela Coel’s I May Destroy You now has an official release date—June 7 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. Mark your calendars!


theroot--2020-05-01--I Think You Better Call Tyrone to Cook Some Griiiiits Because the 1st Female Verzuz Is Erykah Badu v

I Think You Better Call Tyrone to Cook Some Griiiiits Because the 1st Female Verzuz Is Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott

Oh it ’ s on !
And on ... Timbaland and Swizz Beatz have announced their next Verzuz Instagram battle and this time , they ’ re trying something new .
The next artists who will go head-to-head are Erykah Badu and Jill Scott .
This will mark the first time female artists have participated in the popular battle and the event will be in partnership with woman empowerment event company Femme It Forward .
Now , we ’ ve said this before but part of the allure of the IG battles is to hear the artists engage in commentary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause a bit of hesitation as both ladies have received criticism for their previous comments about R. Kelly and Bill Cosby .
So , best scenario is that the convo sticks to music and behind-the-scenes stories , I ’ d imagine .
As for what will go down , the possibilities are endless .
Will Jill try to fellate her condenser mic as a wild card ?
Will Erykah debut an impromptu performance , reliving her iconic “ Tyrone ” moment ?
Will Jill cook a pot of griiiiiiiiits during the battle ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ incense in the background , in an attempt to rival Babyface ’ s candles and Grammys ?
I guess we ’ ll see on May 9 at 7 p.m .
ET .
So ... who y ’ all got to win the battle ?

Oh it’s on! And on...
Timbaland and Swizz Beatz have announced their next Verzuz Instagram battle and this time, they’re trying something new. The next artists who will go head-to-head are Erykah Badu and Jill Scott.
This will mark the first time female artists have participated in the popular battle and the event will be in partnership with woman empowerment event company Femme It Forward.
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Now, we’ve said this before but part of the allure of the IG battles is to hear the artists engage in commentary. This battle, however, may cause a bit of hesitation as both ladies have received criticism for their previous comments about R. Kelly and Bill Cosby. So, best scenario is that the convo sticks to music and behind-the-scenes stories, I’d imagine.
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As for what will go down, the possibilities are endless. Will Jill try to fellate her condenser mic as a wild card? Will Erykah debut an impromptu performance, reliving her iconic “Tyrone” moment? Will Jill cook a pot of griiiiiiiiits during the battle? Will Erykah light some of her Badussy incense in the background, in an attempt to rival Babyface’s candles and Grammys?
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I guess we’ll see on May 9 at 7 p.m. ET.
So... who y’all got to win the battle?


theroot--2020-05-01--Free Shipping at UNIQLO for the Next Three Days

If you ’ re familiar with Japanese retailer UNIQLO you know their philosophy is one of high quality , clever @ @ @ @ @ affordability .
Starting today until Sunday they ’ re giving you free shipping on all @ @ @ @ @ .
This is the perfect opportunity to stock up on some cute new tees for @ @ @ @ @ ollaborations are world-famous and I think I bought every single one in the Marvel collection @ @ @ @ @ might have this Pikachu tee in my cart right now .
They have wallet-friendly fashions @ @ @ @ @ .
Ladies , you have to check out the Marimekko dresses .
Gents , there @ @ @ @ @ items in the sale section , especially if you ’ re looking for a new @ @ @ @ @ as always , there ’ s a ton of cute tees for the kids .
@ @ @ @ @ quickly .
Pieces won ’ t last with the awesome sales and free shipping .

Sheilah Villari on Kinja Deals, shared by Quentyn Kennemer to The Root

Free Shipping Until May 3rd | UNIQLO
If you’re familiar with Japanese retailer UNIQLO you know their philosophy is one of high quality, clever design, and above all affordability. Starting today until Sunday they’re giving you free shipping on all orders, no code needed.
This is the perfect opportunity to stock up on some cute new tees for summer. Their tshirt c ollaborations are world-famous and I think I bought every single one in the Marvel collection last year. And I might have this Pikachu tee in my cart right now.
They have wallet-friendly fashions for the whole family too. Ladies , you have to check out the Marimekko dresses. Gents, there are a ton of great items in the sale section, especially if you’re looking for a new blazer or buttondown. And as always, there’s a ton of cute tees for the kids.
Whatever you choose, choose quickly. Pieces won’t last with the awesome sales and free shipping.


theroot--2020-05-01--The Root Jams Weekly (5/1/2020): 'Guilty Pleasures'

We all have them .
Maybe you don ’ t want the homies to know that you love that song @ @ @ @ @ level of music appreciation , there ’ s no way you ’ d love that @ @ @ @ @ you would never listen to that .
Except you would because you do and every @ @ @ @ @ you buss it open for whoever is present .
Or you hit a mean two-step @ @ @ @ @ of your lungs .
We all have guilty pleasures .
Remember : you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ caught !
Here is a list of songs deemed “ guilty pleasures ” for your @ @ @ @ @ Swift “ We Are Never Getting Back Together ” Too Short “ Ain ’ t @ @ @ @ @ Akinyele featuring Kia Jefferies “ Put It In Your Mouth ”

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

We all have them. Maybe you don’t want the homies to know that you love that song. Based on your understood level of music appreciation, there’s no way you’d love that drivel. A person like you would never listen to that. Except you would because you do and every time it comes on, you buss it open for whoever is present. Or you hit a mean two-step or sing at the top of your lungs. We all have guilty pleasures. Remember: you’re only guilty if you get caught! Here is a list of songs deemed “guilty pleasures” for your weekly jam session.
Panama Jackson
Pressha “Splackavellie”
Taylor Swift “We Are Never Getting Back Together”
Selena Gomez “Back to You”
Hillary Duff “Come Clean”
Frozen Original Motion Picture Soundtrack “Let It Go”
Maiysha Kai
Laura Branigin “Gloria”
Wings “Arrow Through Me”
Elvis Costello “Every Day I Write the Book”
Michael Harriot
2pac “Fuck All Y’all”
NWA “Dopeman”
Too Short “Ain’t Nothing Like Pimpin’”
Anne Branigin
Bruno M ars “Gorilla”
ASAP Rocky “Fuckin’ Problems”
Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording) “Say No To This”
Ashley Velez
Plies featuring Ne-Yo “Bust It Baby, Pt. 2”
Taylor Swift “You Belong With Me”
Jesse McCartney “Beautiful Soul”
Soulja Boy “Blowin’ Me Kisses”
Tonja Stidhum
Cassie “Me & U”
Sisqo “The Thong Song”
Taylor Swift featuring The Civil Wars “Safe & Sound”
Monique Judge
Akinyele featuring Kia Jefferies “Put It In Your Mouth”
Akinyele “Fuck Me For Free”
J’Na Jefferson
Tevin Campbell, Rosie Gaines from A Goofy Movie “I2I”
Bridget Mendler “Ready or Not”
Saweetie “My Type”
Jonas Brothers “Sucker”


theroot--2020-05-01--For the First Time in a Year, the White House Press Secretary Is Going to Speak, and It’s Going to B

For the First Time in a Year, the White House Press Secretary Is Going to Speak, and It’s Going to Be a Disaster

Before the Trumps took over the White House and parked a broken-down Chevy pickup , trampoline and inflatable swimming pool on the front lawn , there used to be regularly scheduled press briefings .
But the president is a liar , and as the White House press secretary , I ’ d imagine it ’ s hard to explain the president ’ s lies when staring out into a sea of reporters who are not here for your fuck shit .
Unless you ’ re a heartless bag of overpriced high heels named Kayleigh McEnany , then you are probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For the first time in a year , McEnany , the White House press secretary is going to hold a formal press briefing , and she ’ s going to get steamrolled .
This is must-see TV and it ’ s supposed to happen at 2 p.m .
ET if they don ’ t cancel it , Bloomberg reports .
The White House announced that McEnany—whose name I keep reading as McEnema which is basically a Big Mac—who used to be Trump ’ s re-election campaign spokesperson , would be taking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropping a mixtape .
It was the “ brutal assault ” of former Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders that discontinued the practice in March of last year .
The Devil ’ s Mouthpiece basically lied every time she took the stage and her lies mixed with Trump ’ s lies just became too much to keep up with .
Her successor , Stephanie Grisham , did not resume them because she was literally the worst .
The president heard that there was an open mic and like any M idwesterner will tell you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is basically free karaoke !
Like a SoundCloud rapper pushing his shitty album , the president began hosting his own coronavirus briefings and that turned out to be disastrous after he suggested that America shoot up bleach .
Bloomberg , notes that McEnany , “ a Harvard Law School graduate and former commentator on CNN , came to the White House after the arrival of Mark Meadows , Trump ’ s new chief of staff , who has made several personnel changes.
” Something tells me that this whole thing is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration has done up to this point has been a success .

Before the Trumps took over the White House and parked a broken-down Chevy pickup, trampoline and inflatable swimming pool on the front lawn, there used to be regularly scheduled press briefings.
But the president is a liar, and as the White House press secretary, I’d imagine it’s hard to explain the president’s lies when staring out into a sea of reporters who are not here for your fuck shit. Unless you’re a heartless bag of overpriced high heels named Sarah Suckabee Sanders Kayleigh McEnany, then you are probably dumb enough to give it a shot.
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For the first time in a year, McEnany, the White House press secretary is going to hold a formal press briefing, and she’s going to get steamrolled . This is must-see TV and it’s supposed to happen at 2 p.m. ET if they don’t cancel it, Bloomberg reports.
The White House announced that McEnany—whose name I keep reading as McEnema which is basically a Big Mac—who used to be Trump’s re-election campaign spokesperson, would be taking to the podium late Thursday like she was dropping a mixtape.
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It was the “brutal assault” of former Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders that discontinued the practice in March of last year. The Devil’s Mouthpiece basically lied every time she took the stage and her lies mixed with Trump’s lies just became too much to keep up with. Her successor, Stephanie Grisham, did not resume them because she was literally the worst.
The president heard that there was an open mic and like any M idwesterner will tell you, an open mic and captive audience is basically free karaoke! Like a SoundCloud rapper pushing his shitty album, the president began hosting his own coronavirus briefings and that turned out to be disastrous after he suggested that America shoot up bleach.
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Bloomberg, notes that McEnany, “a Harvard Law School graduate and former commentator on CNN, came to the White House after the arrival of Mark Meadows, Trump’s new chief of staff, who has made several personnel changes.”
Something tells me that this whole thing is going to be a glorious mess, because nothing the Trump administration has done up to this point has been a success.


theroot--2020-05-01--Drake Drops Dark Lane Demo Tapes and the Internet Weeps With Joy

If you went to bed last night thinking , “ Boyyyyyy , would I love a new Drake mixtape !
” then today ’ s your lucky day , because the 6 God has emerged from his “ 50,000-square-foot ultra-luxe pleasure dome ” with a new project in tow .
On Friday , at exactly midnight , October ’ s Very Own dropped Dark Lane Demo Tapes his latest TikTok-approved , 13-track endeavor , which features the likes of Future , Young Thug , Chris Brown and other people whose music I don ’ t particularly care for .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you probably saw him post a very special announcement : that a new album is on the way , coronavirus be damned .
“ My brothers @ oliverelkhatib @ ovonoel put together [ a lot ] of the songs people have been asking for ( some leaks and some joints from SoundCloud and some new vibes ) DARK LANE DEMO TAPES out everywhere at midnight , ” he posted .
“ Also my 6th STUDIO ALBUM DROPPING SUMMER 2020 !
!
!
Lucky number 6 😈 ” If anybody has the power to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party anthems , it ’ s Adonis ’ daddy .
So what ’ s the early verdict on Drake ’ s latest release ?
One song in particular that has the streets tweets buzzing is “ From Florida With Love , ” in which Drake reflects on some of the life lessons he learned after a 2009 robbery .
Rest in peace to Static , yellin ’ “ Shawty want a thug , ” ayy Bottles in the club , ayy , know I love to touch ( Ayy ) Weezy played that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bus Went and got a chain for me , I had to give it up ( Yeah ) Niggas had they pistols loaded pointed at my truck , ayy And you know that lesson stuck ( Right ) From that day I never touched the road without a ( Plugg ) Ayy , from that day I never saw the point in talkin ’ tough ( Nah ) Hasn ’ t happened since , I guess you niggas know what ’ s up ( Yup ) “ Pain 1993 , ” featuring Playboi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of love too .
Feel free to express your admiration and reverence to all things 6 God by checking out the new project on your streaming platform of choice .

If you went to bed last night thinking, “Boyyyyyy, would I love a new Drake mixtape!” then today’s your lucky day, because the 6 God has emerged from his “50,000-square-foot ultra-luxe pleasure dome” with a new project in tow.
On Friday, at exactly midnight, October’s Very Own dropped Dark Lane Demo Tapes his latest TikTok-approved, 13-track endeavor, which features the likes of Future, Young Thug, Chris Brown and other people whose music I don’t particularly care for.
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Though if Instagram is your ministry, then you probably saw him post a very special announcement: that a new album is on the way, coronavirus be damned.
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“My brothers @oliverelkhatib @ovonoel put together [a lot] of the songs people have been asking for (some leaks and some joints from SoundCloud and some new vibes) DARK LANE DEMO TAPES out everywhere at midnight,” he posted. “Also my 6th STUDIO ALBUM DROPPING SUMMER 2020!!! Lucky number 6 😈”
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If anybody has the power to defeat COVID-19 with a barrage of pool party anthems, it’s Adonis’ daddy. So what’s the early verdict on Drake’s latest release?
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One song in particular that has the streets tweets buzzing is “From Florida With Love,” in which Drake reflects on some of the life lessons he learned after a 2009 robbery.
From Genius:
Rest in peace to Static, yellin’ “Shawty want a thug,” ayy Bottles in the club, ayy, know I love to touch (Ayy) Weezy played that shit for me and Kobe on the bus Went and got a chain for me, I had to give it up (Yeah) Niggas had they pistols loaded pointed at my truck, ayy And you know that lesson stuck (Right) From that day I never touched the road without a (Plugg) Ayy, from that day I never saw the point in talkin’ tough (Nah) Hasn’t happened since, I guess you niggas know what’s up (Yup)
“Pain 1993,” featuring Playboi Carti, seems to be getting plenty of love too.
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Feel free to express your admiration and reverence to all things 6 God by checking out the new project on your streaming platform of choice.


theroot--2020-05-01--Fela Kuti Drummer and 'Father of Afrobeat' Tony Allen Dead at 79

Fela Kuti drummer Tony Allen , lovingly known as the “ Father of Afrobeat ” died on Thursday evening at the age of 79 , Rolling Stone confirms .
Allen died of an abdominal aortic aneurysm at Georges Pompidou European Hospital in Paris .
“ He was in great shape , ” Allen ’ s manager Eric Trosser told France 24 .
“ It was quite sudden.
” As a member of Kuti ’ s band Africa 70 , Allen helped revolutionize the art of drumming , simultaneously anchoring and propelling classic albums like 1973 ’ s Gentleman , 1975 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afrobeat legend ’ s most enduring work , 1976 ’ s Zombie .
Each release depended on Allen ’ s slippery , ferocious , polyrhythmic grooves .
“ Without Tony Allen , there would be no Afrobeat , ” Kuti once said .
Damon Albarn and Brian Eno were also famously enamored with Allen ’ s playing ; Eno called him “ one of the great musicians of the 20th century—and the 21st.
” “ There was no band like the Africa 70 , ” Femi Kuti , Fela ’ s son , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And there is no drummer like Tony Allen.
” Born August 12 , 1940 in Lagos Nigeria , Allen taught himself how to play the drums at the age of 18 and was heavily influenced by jazz musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie , Charlie Parker , Art Blakey , Elvin Jones , Philly Joe Jones , Gene Krupa , as well as contemporary African music .
Allen met Kuti in 1964 and initially played for his band , Koola Lobitos .
Allen ’ s tenure as drummer and musical director of Africa 70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a 26-year collaboration before Allen parted ways with the group .
It has been said that following Allen ’ s departure , Kuti needed four drummers to replace him .
“ Some drummers don ’ t know what it means to play soft , it ’ s not in their book , ” Allen told The Guardian in a 2016 interview .
“ I know I can make my drums bring the house down if I have to .
But I know how to make it subtle .
You listen to it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pioneer in cultivating the sounds that many artists are inspired by today , Allen certainly made an impact on artists and fans alike .
Upon hearing news of his death , followers across the globe took to social media to pay tribute to the legendary musician .
“ Fela Kuti did not invent afrobeat , Fela and Tony birthed it together , ” Red Hot Chilli Peppers bassist Flea wrote in a stirring tribute to the iconic drummer in an Instagram post .
“ Without Tony Allen there is NO afrobeat .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour with him , holed up in a London studio , jamming the days away .
It was fucking heavenly .
He was and still is , my hero.
” Allen , musician David Albarn and Flea joined together to form a band named Rocket Juice & The Moon , releasing a collaborative album in 2012 .

Fela Kuti drummer Tony Allen, lovingly known as the “Father of Afrobeat” died on Thursday evening at the age of 79, Rolling Stone confirms.
Allen died of an abdominal aortic aneurysm at Georges Pompidou European Hospital in Paris. “He was in great shape,” Allen’s manager Eric Trosser told France 24. “It was quite sudden.”
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Rolling Stone further reports:
As a member of Kuti’s band Africa 70, Allen helped revolutionize the art of drumming, simultaneously anchoring and propelling classic albums like 1973’s Gentleman, 1975’s Expensive Shit, and the Afrobeat legend’s most enduring work, 1976’s Zombie. Each release depended on Allen’s slippery, ferocious, polyrhythmic grooves. “Without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat,” Kuti once said. Damon Albarn and Brian Eno were also famously enamored with Allen’s playing; Eno called him “one of the great musicians of the 20th century—and the 21st.” “There was no band like the Africa 70,” Femi Kuti, Fela’s son, told Rolling Stone in 2017. “And there is no drummer like Tony Allen.”
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Born August 12, 1940 in Lagos Nigeria, Allen taught himself how to play the drums at the age of 18 and was heavily influenced by jazz musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Gene Krupa, as well as contemporary African music. Allen met Kuti in 1964 and initially played for his band, Koola Lobitos. Allen’s tenure as drummer and musical director of Africa 70 resulted in 40 recorded albums, lasting in a 26-year collaboration before Allen parted ways with the group. It has been said that following Allen’s departure, Kuti needed four drummers to replace him.
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“Some drummers don’t know what it means to play soft, it’s not in their book,” Allen told The Guardian in a 2016 interview. “I know I can make my drums bring the house down if I have to. But I know how to make it subtle. You listen to it flowing like a river.”
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As a pioneer in cultivating the sounds that many artists are inspired by today, Allen certainly made an impact on artists and fans alike. Upon hearing news of his death, followers across the globe took to social media to pay tribute to the legendary musician.
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“Fela Kuti did not invent afrobeat, Fela and Tony birthed it together,” Red Hot Chilli Peppers bassist Flea wrote in a stirring tribute to the iconic drummer in an Instagram post. “Without Tony Allen there is NO afrobeat. I was lucky enough to spend many an hour with him, holed up in a London studio, jamming the days away. It was fucking heavenly. He was and still is, my hero.” Allen, musician David Albarn and Flea joined together to form a band named Rocket Juice & The Moon, releasing a collaborative album in 2012.
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Rest in power, Mr. Allen.


theroot--2020-05-01--Today Would Have Been Gigi Bryant’s 14th Birthday

We should not be mourning the loss of a young girl on what would have been her 14th birthday , @ @ @ @ @ Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant was tragically killed in a January 26 helicopter crash that also took @ @ @ @ @ , the helicopter pilot , and the other six passengers on board .
It was @ @ @ @ @ the families involved , as well as fans across the world .
Gigi was a @ @ @ @ @ to be following in her legendary father ’ s footsteps on the court .
There @ @ @ @ @ love and passion for the game .
She also loved her family very much , @ @ @ @ @ videos and photographs across the internet as well as the words spoken by her mother @ @ @ @ @ the public memorial for the crash victims .
Many took to Twitter Friday morning to @ @ @ @ @ “ Mambacita ” as she is known .
Rest in heavenly paradise , Gigi .
@ @ @ @ @ .

We should not be mourning the loss of a young girl on what would have been her 14th birthday, but here we are.
Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant was tragically killed in a January 26 helicopter crash that also took the lives of her father, the helicopter pilot, and the other six passengers on board. It was a horrific loss for all the families involved, as well as fans across the world.
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Gigi was a rising basketball star who looked to be following in her legendary father’s footsteps on the court. There was no doubt about her love and passion for the game.
She also loved her family very much, as evidenced by the many videos and photographs across the internet as well as the words spoken by her mother, Vanessa Bryant, at the public memorial for the crash victims.
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Many took to Twitter Friday morning to express love for the little “Mambacita” as she is known.
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Rest in heavenly paradise, Gigi. You were gone too soon.


theroot--2020-05-01--Get Kinky During the Month of May With a $55 Ella Paradis Vibrator Bundle

If you wan na get a little crazy , you should check out this Ella Paradis Cinco de Mayo bundle @ @ @ @ @ $ 55 , and you get a total of three vibrators ( a rabbit , @ @ @ @ @ blowfish vibe ) as well as a sex game and sexy eye mask to wear @ @ @ @ @ !
It ’ s down from $ 178 bucks , so you ’ re saving @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re getting off .
You also benefit from free shipping .
Isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ Grab this deal before it ’ s gone !
Make sure to check out the @ @ @ @ @ while you ’ re at it .

Ignacia on Kinja Deals, shared by Ignacia to The Root

Cinco Fiesta Vibrator Bundle | $55 | Ella Paradis
If you wanna get a little crazy, you should check out this Ella Paradis Cinco de Mayo bundle. It’s only $55, and you get a total of three vibrators (a rabbit, fingertip vibe, and a blowfish vibe) as well as a sex game and sexy eye mask to wear during shenanigans with a partner! It’s down from $178 bucks, so you’re saving a bunch of money while you’re getting off. You also benefit from free shipping. Isn’t that totally stimulating? Grab this deal before it’s gone! Make sure to check out the other options at Ella Paradis while you’re at it.


theroot--2020-05-01--Snoop Perrito? Your Favorite Rapper Blends G-Funk With Mexican Folk Music and It Slaps

Being from Los Angeles , my ears have grown accustomed to hearing the airy sounds of Mariachi , Banda and Mexican folk music .
It is as much a part of the L.A. soundtrack as Dr. Dre and Snoop .
It is as much a part of our city ’ s culture as the elote man and buying fruit sprinkled with chili powder , lime and salt off of a cart on the corner by your house .
So I guess it ’ s only fitting that Snoop Dogg , whose name is synonymous with L.A. rap , has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ band out of Mazatlán , Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizárraga , or Banda MS for short .
The song , “ Que Maldición , ” is heavy on the bass , just as you would expect from a Snoop Dogg song , but it also includes the trademark brass horn section we have come to expect from banda music .
Loosely translated to mean “ what a curse , ” “ Que Maldición ” features Snoop rapping about how in love he is and how much he misses his woman when she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signature drawl as he says in Spanglish , “ Every time you leave there ’ s only one thing that I know .
What ’ s that ?
Baby , yo te extraño.
” That means he misses her , y ’ all .
Our Latinx cousins and many others on Twitter were very excited about the collaboration , as evidenced by Snoop trending early Friday morning .
Rolling Stone reports that the collaboration with Banda MS didn ’ t come out of thin air ; the rapper was scheduled to perform with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ontario , Calif. Now with the coronavirus in full effect , it is unclear whether or not that concert will still happen , but this song should satisfy everyone in the meantime .
So put on your sombrero , lace up your Chucks , roll a blunt , pour a shot of that Don Julio 1942 and check out the animated video for the song below .
Sí or no ?
Let us know in the comments .

Monique Judge on The Grapevine, shared by Monique Judge to The Root

Being from Los Angeles, my ears have grown accustomed to hearing the airy sounds of Mariachi, Banda and Mexican folk music. It is as much a part of the L.A. soundtrack as Dr. Dre and Snoop. It is as much a part of our city’s culture as the elote man and buying fruit sprinkled with chili powder, lime and salt off of a cart on the corner by your house.
So I guess it’s only fitting that Snoop Dogg, whose name is synonymous with L.A. rap, has a new single out with a Mexican folk band out of Mazatlán, Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizárraga, or Banda MS for short.
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The song, “Que Maldición,” is heavy on the bass, just as you would expect from a Snoop Dogg song, but it also includes the trademark brass horn section we have come to expect from banda music.
Loosely translated to mean “what a curse,” “Que Maldición” features Snoop rapping about how in love he is and how much he misses his woman when she leaves. The added touch is his signature drawl as he says in Spanglish, “Every time you leave there’s only one thing that I know. What’s that? Baby, yo te extraño.” That means he misses her, y’all.
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Our Latinx cousins and many others on Twitter were very excited about the collaboration, as evidenced by Snoop trending early Friday morning.
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Rolling Stone reports that the collaboration with Banda MS didn’t come out of thin air; the rapper was scheduled to perform with the group in July at a concert in Ontario, Calif. Now with the coronavirus in full effect, it is unclear whether or not that concert will still happen, but this song should satisfy everyone in the meantime.
So put on your sombrero, lace up your Chucks, roll a blunt, pour a shot of that Don Julio 1942 and check out the animated video for the song below.
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Sí or no? Let us know in the comments.


theroot--2020-05-01--Update Your Closet Without Leaving Your House With These Nordstrom Sales

The best Nordstrom sales for May 2020 are here .
Nordstrom is going hard on its online deals right now , with up to 50 % off list prices on thousands of items .
We ’ ve picked out our favorite deals below , but act fast : not only do Nordstrom ’ s items sell quickly on a regular basis , but some of these prices will only be valid through May 3 .
And since Nordstrom has free shipping and free returns for everything , you don ’ t have to worry about taking a risk on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you spend $ 150 on eGift Cards ahead of Mother ’ s Day , you ’ ll get a $ 25 eGift Card for yourself .
What ’ s better than both giving and getting ?
( Nothing . )
It ’ s high time to take advantage of the warm weather and get out of the house—at socially-distanced-appropriate levels , of course .
Match the blossoming nature around you with this charming Leith chiffon minidress , currently marked down 50 % from list price .
• None Buy it now for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s ideal for the months ahead : a cotton knit shoulderless top that lets you grab some rays while feeling oh-so-comfortable .
It ’ s available in regular and plus-sized in black , white , blue glow , and green thyme , and up to 70 % off depending on chosen options .
• None Buy it now for $ 8-11 Strike a bold look with Bao Bao Issey Miyake ’ s Maru Maru Tote , made from PVC triangles that adorn a flexible mesh .
This Japanese tote “ invoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” according to Nordstrom , and is currently $ 200 off the regular price .
• None Buy it now for $ 550 Give you fuzzy friend a comfortable , enclosed space wherever you are with the fold-out KindTail PAWD Pet Nesting Space .
The plastic crate folds flat for easy storage and transport , but then easily opens up to accommodate a small pet pal .
It ’ s down more than half off from $ 99 .
• None Buy it now for $ 45 Layer up this spring with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently available at 70 % off in the Blue Marl Striped Combo style .
It ’ ll add just enough warmth to aid you on those spring strolls , all while providing an attractive edge complete with contrast-stripe lining inside the hood .
• None Buy it now for $ 27 Go for the clean-cut finish with the Bonobos Moto Bomber Jacket , a lightweight , slim-fit bomber with a baseball collar , button pockets , and a sleek overall allure .
It ’ s currently 50 % off the list price in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for $ 84 Diaper bags don ’ t have to be drab .
Case in point : Herschel Supply Co. ’ s Nova Sprout backpack is made to cart around your essential baby supplies , but does so with a bit of panache , as seen with this Summer Floral Black option .
It ’ s 40 % off right now .
• None Buy it now for $ 78 Put a little flash on your feet with the Nike React Sertu Sneaker , a pair of men ’ s kicks inspired in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The tag logo , “ THE10TH , ” pays tribute to the World War II Army unit of Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman .
These are down heavily from the $ 150 list price .
• None Buy it now for $ 92 Every tarot card reading would be a guaranteed success if it showed pizza in your future , but even if the regulation decks don ’ t have such a card , you can put the wishful design on the back of your iPhone 11 .
Recover ’ s case is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 models , and is currently 70 % off the list price .
• None Buy it now for $ 7 Give your pup a distinctive covering with Ellen Van Dusen ’ s colorful sweater , which is made from alpaca fleece .
It ’ s certainly a unique design , and depending on the size of the bottle , you could probably also dress up a bottle of wine with this thing if social distancing makes you stir crazy .
Why not ?
It ’ s usually $ 80 .
• None @ @ @ @ @ @

Molly Horan and Andrew Hayward on Kinja Deals, shared by Elizabeth Henges to The Root

Featured Deal: Coach Marlow Leather Crossbody Bag | $195
The best Nordstrom sales of September 2021 are here.
G et price matching on select styles from top brands, including AllSaints, Theory, Paige, and Rag & Bone with an ultimate discount of up to 25% off.
To expedite your online shopping process, Kinja Deals has compiled a list of its favorite products for both men and women.
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Looking for a new blouse to go back to the office in? Try this flowy Nordstrom V-Neck Tank Top. It’s a versatile tank that comes in a variety of colors. Note that the dipped neckline is cut in the front and the back.
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The Kut From the Kloth Donna High Waist Ankle Skinny Jeans is a sleek skinny jeean that can be dressed up or down depending on where you’re going. With a five-pocket style, this product also comes with a zip fly button closure . It’s made from cotton, recycled polyester, as well as rayon and spandex.
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Get the perfect jacket for summer nights by cashing in on the BlankNYC Faux Leather Jacket with Removable Hood. This counterculture chic product can block out chilly weather while also looking fashionable. And as a bonus, you can feel good that an animal wasn’t hard to make this cute fashion item.
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There’s a reason why Ray-Ban’s Wayfarer style is a classic! Not only are they effortlessly cool, but they go with a wide range of styles. The crystal lenses offer 100% UV protection and can be dressed up or down, suiting wherever you’re going.
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Make sure the guy in your life is looking slick with the Ted Baker London Tortila Slim Fit Tipped Pocket Polo. Made of modal and cotton, this polo is super soft but isn’t so delicate that it can’t be machine washed! Its short-sleeve style makes it a great option for the summer. Note that this shirt is considered an extra slim fit.
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Ready to hit the town for the last days of warm weather? Try this BP. Babydoll Crinkle Camisole. This product is made from a great textured knit and is available in a rust orange color. It has adjustable straps and is nine inches in length from the center front .
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Tired of denim? Switch it up with the Peter Millar Ultimate Sateen Five-Pocket Pants. It’s made from a blend of cotton and modal, so it could be a great summer alternative to jeans. This pair has a classic cut and is comfortable for sitting for extended periods of time.
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Who doesn’t love a chino? With a clean and versatile cut, the Treasure & Bond Ballard Slim Fit Chino Pants are easy to love. They’re tapered below the knee to give you a great silhouette. Plus, when you shop from Treasure & Bond, Nordstrom will donate 2.5% of its net sales to organizations that empower youth experiencing homelessness.
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T his Rag & Bone Retro Runner Sneaker features a vintage style that has a serrated tread for a refined look. Feel good knowing that the upper is made from 100% post consumer plastic bottles, so you can reduce your carbon footprint . The removable EVA footbed is cushioned and has arch support.
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I don’t know about you, but I am seriously feeling Coach’s handbag game! Like the Marlow Leather Crossbody Bag. Available in yellow and black, this purse will add the perfect dash of style to your going-out look. It has dual interior compartments, one zip pocket, and eight card slots. And this purse is made from calf leather, so it will always feel super soft.
This story was originally published by Molly Horan on 04/01/2020 and updated with new information by Juliana Clark on 09/01/2021.


theroot--2020-05-02--During COVID-19, Black Women Are Still Dying From Not Being Taken Seriously

About a year ago I made up my mind to never give birth to a child in the United States .
The decision came after I stumbled into an urgent care clinic in the Chicago neighborhood I lived in , after hours of lying on the couch in my apartment feeling weak and severely dehydrated yet unable to keep down even sips of water .
My body started trembling uncontrollably while I was on the phone with my grandmother in Jamaica who was prescribing me a home remedy , and she was worried enough about the trembling to tell me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though she doesn ’ t think they know all that much .
When I walked into the clinic , the nurse who manned the reception desk was talking compassionately to a white couple trying to get vaccination records fast-tracked .
My memory is fuzzy and I was bent over the check-in desk trying not to faint at the time , but I don ’ t remember it sounding like they needed the records for an emergency .
Still , the nurse talked to them at length about how he could help them out—giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back soon—before he waited to acknowledge me .
After the couple left the nurse asked me brusquely what I needed .
When I told him I couldn ’ t keep any water down he said that I was probably fine and just needed to drink some Pedialyte .
Then I made the mistake of asking how soon I would be able to see a doctor .
For some reason , that made him enraged .
He yelled at me to get out of the clinic and shouted that I was probably a drunk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sidewalk , as I shakily dialed up an Uber to take me back home , I remember thinking to myself , what if I was dying ?
What if I was having a baby ?
I ’ ve read about maternal mortality in the U.S. , how black women here lose their lives at nearly 3 times the rate white women do in childbirth , how even Serena Williams almost died from blood clots after giving birth to her daughter Olympia because the people taking care of her in the hospital didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed a CT scan .
But the onset of the deadly COVID-19 infection has shown that black women can be dismissed and suffer fatal consequences even outside of maternity experiences .
That was the case for Rana Zoe Mungin , a 30-year-old black woman and Brooklyn resident who recently died from coronavirus complications , and who ironically wrote about institutional racism while a Master ’ s student at the University of Massachusetts , according to the Boston Globe .
Mungin sought out treatment multiple times in the weeks before her death .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortness of breath for nearly a week she went to an urgent care clinic for help .
Though she was worried she had COVID-19 , they treated her for an asthma attack .
Mungin ’ s condition worsened , and because she was too weak to take the subway to the nearest hospital , she called 911 .
When the ambulance arrived , the EMTs were convinced it was a panic attack , not COVID-19 .
One of them sat with Mungin , who is Black , asking her questions to help her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about her long-term dreams and goals , she replied through labored breath , “ My goal is not to die today.
” The EMTs left her to head to their next call .
Still determined to get help , Mungin found her own way to the emergency room at Brookdale Hospital .
There , she was placed in an area with people who had tested positive for COVID-19 but was not tested herself .
Doctors said her lungs sounded clear .
Terrified she would contract the virus if she hadn ’ t already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal is not to die today , ” Mungin said .
By April 27 she was dead .
A similar story came out recently from Michigan , where a 63-year-old black woman died from COVID-19 after being turned away four different times from the hospital where she had worked for 31 years .
How many more lives will be lost because black women ’ s symptoms , voices , and pain are not taken seriously ?
Though I find my grandmother ’ s stubborn distrust of Western medicine equal parts funny and scary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her for putting her trust in home remedies .
Some things , like seeking out help you know you need to live— only to be turned away , are infinitely scarier .

About a year ago I made up my mind to never give birth to a child in the United States. The decision came after I stumbled into an urgent care clinic in the Chicago neighborhood I lived in, after hours of lying on the couch in my apartment feeling weak and severely dehydrated yet unable to keep down even sips of water.
My body started trembling uncontrollably while I was on the phone with my grandmother in Jamaica who was prescribing me a home remedy, and she was worried enough about the trembling to tell me to take myself to a doctor even though she doesn’t think they know all that much.
Advertisement
When I walked into the clinic, the nurse who manned the reception desk was talking compassionately to a white couple trying to get vaccination records fast-tracked . My memory is fuzzy and I was bent over the check-in desk trying not to faint at the time, but I don’t remember it sounding like they needed the records for an emergency. Still, the nurse talked to them at length about how he could help them out—giving them tips and telling them to come back soon—before he waited to acknowledge me.
After the couple left the nurse asked me brusquely what I needed. When I told him I couldn’t keep any water down he said that I was probably fine and just needed to drink some Pedialyte. Then I made the mistake of asking how soon I would be able to see a doctor. For some reason, that made him enraged. He yelled at me to get out of the clinic and shouted that I was probably a drunk or a druggie.
Advertisement Advertisement
Outside on the sidewalk, as I shakily dialed up an Uber to take me back home, I remember thinking to myself, what if I was dying? What if I was having a baby?
I’ve read about maternal mortality in the U.S., how black women here lose their lives at nearly 3 times the rate white women do in childbirth, how even Serena Williams almost died from blood clots after giving birth to her daughter Olympia because the people taking care of her in the hospital didn’t listen when she told them she needed a CT scan. But the onset of the deadly COVID-19 infection has shown that black women can be dismissed and suffer fatal consequences even outside of maternity experiences.
Advertisement
That was the case for Rana Zoe Mungin, a 30-year-old black woman and Brooklyn resident who recently died from coronavirus complications, and who ironically wrote about institutional racism while a Master’s student at the University of Massachusetts, according to the Boston Globe.
Mungin sought out treatment multiple times in the weeks before her death. After experiencing a fever, cough, and shortness of breath for nearly a week she went to an urgent care clinic for help. Though she was worried she had COVID-19, they treated her for an asthma attack.
Advertisement
From The Appeal:
Mungin’s condition worsened, and because she was too weak to take the subway to the nearest hospital, she called 911. When the ambulance arrived, the EMTs were convinced it was a panic attack, not COVID-19. One of them sat with Mungin, who is Black, asking her questions to help her calm down. When he asked her about her long-term dreams and goals, she replied through labored breath, “My goal is not to die today.” The EMTs left her to head to their next call. Still determined to get help, Mungin found her own way to the emergency room at Brookdale Hospital. There, she was placed in an area with people who had tested positive for COVID-19 but was not tested herself. Doctors said her lungs sounded clear. Terrified she would contract the virus if she hadn’t already, she went home.
Advertisement
“My goal is not to die today,” Mungin said.
By April 27 she was dead.
A similar story came out recently from Michigan, where a 63-year-old black woman died from COVID-19 after being turned away four different times from the hospital where she had worked for 31 years.
Advertisement
How many more lives will be lost because black women’s symptoms, voices, and pain are not taken seriously?
Though I find my grandmother’s stubborn distrust of Western medicine equal parts funny and scary, sometimes I can’t blame her for putting her trust in home remedies. Some things, like seeking out help you know you need to live— only to be turned away, are infinitely scarier.


theroot--2020-05-02--HBO Renews Insecure, Promising Us More Issa & Molly Shenanigans After 2020

Halfway through what already feels like a too-short season of Insecure , the addictively funny show on HBO about Black millennials living in Los Angeles , has secured a fifth season .
HBO announced its decision to renew Insecure in a press release on Friday : “ We ’ re thrilled that Issa , Prentice [ Penny ] , and the whole Insecure team will be getting back together for a fifth season , ” said Amy Gravitt , executive vice president , HBO Programming .
“ As we laugh and cringe with recognition , their stories make us all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world.
” While efforts to lobby for episodes longer than 30 minutes have so far been unsuccessful , news of the renewal should mollify Insecure fans hungry for more content .
The fourth season of the show is currently airing on HBO , with a brand new episode scheduled for this Sunday .
Issa Rae—who created Insecure along with comedian Larry Wilmore—helms the show as a star character and is joined by an ensemble cast featuring Yvonne Orji ( who plays Molly ) , Jay Ellis , Natasha Rothwell , Amanda Seales and @ @ @

Halfway through what already feels like a too-short season of Insecure, the addictively funny show on HBO about Black millennials living in Los Angeles, has secured a fifth season.
HBO announced its decision to renew Insecure in a press release on Friday:
“We’re thrilled that Issa, Prentice [Penny], and the whole Insecure team will be getting back together for a fifth season,” said Amy Gravitt, executive vice president, HBO Programming. “As we laugh and cringe with recognition, their stories make us all feel a little less alone in the world.”
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While efforts to lobby for episodes longer than 30 minutes have so far been unsuccessful, news of the renewal should mollify Insecure fans hungry for more content. The fourth season of the show is currently airing on HBO, with a brand new episode scheduled for this Sunday.
Issa Rae—who created Insecure along with comedian Larry Wilmore—helms the show as a star character and is joined by an ensemble cast featuring Yvonne Orji (who plays Molly), Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales and Alexander Hodge.


theroot--2020-05-02--Trevor Noah Is Paying Daily Show Crew Furloughed by COVID-19 Out of His Own Pocket

Trevor Noah reminds me of Barack Obama in a lot of ways .
He ’ s written a successful memoir about his upbringing and mixed identity , he ’ s extremely well-spoken and handsome with slightly protruding ears that somehow manage to make him look just more adorable , and he seems like the kinda guy you just can ’ t help but like .
But enough of my Trevor Noah fangirling ( though if you ’ re reading this , Trevor , you should call me ) .
You don ’ t have to take my word for it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As first reported by Variety , the South African comedian has stepped up in a big way to support his coworkers on The Daily Show during the current COVID-19 crisis .
Noah has informed crew members that he will continue to pay their salaries until production begins to ramp back up in the television industry .
“ These are the people who have been on the show with Trevor from day one and help him put on the show , ” a source close to the production tells Variety .
“ Trevor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production business opens again .
He respects his crew tremendously and feels it ’ s only right that they get thru this together.
” Noah has been recording his Comedy Central show from home since COVID-19 hit the states in a new format aptly titled The Daily Social Distancing Show With Trevor Noah , with some staff contributing remotely .
However , due to social distancing rules in place in New York City , 25 crew members who ’ d usually be in-studio ( camera operators , audio technicians , stage management personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working on the program .
Kudos to Noah for personally covering those crew members ’ salaries .
If you ’ re a fan of The Daily Show , good news : the remote version will be expanded to 45 minutes , the first time in history that the franchise will run longer than half-an-hour according to Variety .
I ’ m not at all surprised that Trevor Noah is so responsive to people ’ s needs .
Speaking of needs…

Trevor Noah reminds me of Barack Obama in a lot of ways. He’s written a successful memoir about his upbringing and mixed identity, he’s extremely well-spoken and handsome with slightly protruding ears that somehow manage to make him look just more adorable, and he seems like the kinda guy you just can’t help but like.
But enough of my Trevor Noah fangirling (though if you’re reading this, Trevor, you should call me). You don’t have to take my word for it that he’s a cool dude. As first reported by Variety, the South African comedian has stepped up in a big way to support his coworkers on The Daily Show during the current COVID-19 crisis.
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From Variety:
Noah has informed crew members that he will continue to pay their salaries until production begins to ramp back up in the television industry. “These are the people who have been on the show with Trevor from day one and help him put on the show,” a source close to the production tells Variety. “Trevor is personally covering their salaries until the production business opens again. He respects his crew tremendously and feels it’s only right that they get thru this together.”
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Noah has been recording his Comedy Central show from home since COVID-19 hit the states in a new format aptly titled The Daily Social Distancing Show With Trevor Noah, with some staff contributing remotely. However, due to social distancing rules in place in New York City, 25 crew members who’d usually be in-studio (camera operators, audio technicians, stage management personnel) have not been able to continue working on the program. Kudos to Noah for personally covering those crew members’ salaries.
If you’re a fan of The Daily Show, good news: the remote version will be expanded to 45 minutes, the first time in history that the franchise will run longer than half-an-hour according to Variety.
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I’m not at all surprised that Trevor Noah is so responsive to people’s needs. Speaking of needs…
Trevor? Please call me.


theroot--2020-05-03--'Savage Remix' Inspires Some Equally Savage Choreography

I don ’ t know about y ’ all , but I ’ ve been trying my best to lean @ @ @ @ @ I can find during this dystopian timeline we are now living in .
Thankfully Beyoncé @ @ @ @ @ patron saints of Houston and hot black girls everywhere , recently dropped the remix to @ @ @ @ @ that became the eponymously named challenge everybody was already filming themselves doing while staying at @ @ @ @ @ Queen Bey sings in the new song that she ’ s turning it up 800 @ @ @ @ @ been responding accordingly with—you guessed it—some more fire choreography .
Kiera Wilson , creator of @ @ @ @ @ viral with the song , posted an updated version : Since I still haven ’ @ @ @ @ @ , I think I ’ m gon na just find joy by admiring these even @ @ @ @ @ you have a favorite of the new dances ?

I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve been trying my best to lean into any moments of joy I can find during this dystopian timeline we are now living in.
Thankfully Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion, patron saints of Houston and hot black girls everywhere, recently dropped the remix to “Savage”—the bop that became the eponymously named challenge everybody was already filming themselves doing while staying at home during this pandemic.
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Queen Bey sings in the new song that she’s turning it up 800 degrees and black people have been responding accordingly with—you guessed it—some more fire choreography.
Kiera Wilson, creator of the dance that first went viral with the song, posted an updated version:
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Since I still haven’t mastered the original choreography, I think I’m gonna just find joy by admiring these even more advanced dances.
They’re pretty damn impressive:
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Do you have a favorite of the new dances?


theroot--2020-05-03--Chicago Mayor Tells Black Teens on Playground to Go Home, Gets Roasted in Response on Camera

Black youth in Chicago were already a little wary of Mayor Lori Lightfoot , the first mayor for the city who is a black woman and member of the LGBTQ community .
During her historic mayoral campaign young activists frequently took Lightfoot to task on how she would ensure more accountability in the Chicago Police Department , given her background as president of the Police Board in a city replete with cases of police killing Black teens and covering it up .
This history may help explain the on-camera roasting Mayor Lightfoot got this weekend when she strolled up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Chicago ’ s East Garfield Park neighborhood while backed by an entourage of cops and a whole gang of other people .
The mayor may have been attempting to channel the role of Party-Pooper Auntie she ’ s been playing on in a tongue-in-cheek way online to remind people to stay inside during Illinois ’ shelter-in-place order due to COVID-19 .
But if Mayor Lightfoot was trying to create a meme moment it didn ’ t quite work out in her favor , since the kids didn ’ t take too kindly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yourself in this video of the interaction shared on Twitter : Now I ’ m the first to say that youth should respect their elders and that young men in particular should speak to women with respect .
I also appreciate the very real concern that the great weather Chicago and other places across the country experienced this weekend has tempted people to forget we still need to be social distancing .
But I also can ’ t say that I didn ’ t laugh at “ baldheaded ass.
” Meanwhile GoodKidsMadCity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence in cities through more resources in their communities rather than police made a good point in their response to the mayor ’ s on-camera roasting .
The day before Mayor Lightfoot tried to make an example of the teens on that playground , a crowd of predominantly white protestors had been posted up in Chicago ’ s Downtown area defying the stay-at-home order : “ She didn ’ t tell they asses to go home or that they may infect they Mommas , ” GoodKidsMadCity tweeted .
“ But she got smoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t say the kids aren ’ t woke .

Black youth in Chicago were already a little wary of Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the first mayor for the city who is a black woman and member of the LGBTQ community. During her historic mayoral campaign young activists frequently took Lightfoot to task on how she would ensure more accountability in the Chicago Police Department, given her background as president of the Police Board in a city replete with cases of police killing Black teens and covering it up.
This history may help explain the on-camera roasting Mayor Lightfoot got this weekend when she strolled up to a group of teens on a playground in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood while backed by an entourage of cops and a whole gang of other people. The mayor may have been attempting to channel the role of Party-Pooper Auntie she’s been playing on in a tongue-in-cheek way online to remind people to stay inside during Illinois’ shelter-in-place order due to COVID-19.
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But if Mayor Lightfoot was trying to create a meme moment it didn’t quite work out in her favor, since the kids didn’t take too kindly to her strong-handed approach. See for yourself in this video of the interaction shared on Twitter:
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Now I’m the first to say that youth should respect their elders and that young men in particular should speak to women with respect. I also appreciate the very real concern that the great weather Chicago and other places across the country experienced this weekend has tempted people to forget we still need to be social distancing.
But I also can’t say that I didn’t laugh at “baldheaded ass.”
Meanwhile GoodKidsMadCity, a group of youth fighting to end violence in cities through more resources in their communities rather than police made a good point in their response to the mayor’s on-camera roasting. The day before Mayor Lightfoot tried to make an example of the teens on that playground, a crowd of predominantly white protestors had been posted up in Chicago’s Downtown area defying the stay-at-home order:
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“She didn’t tell they asses to go home or that they may infect they Mommas,” GoodKidsMadCity tweeted. “But she got smoke for Black kids though?”
You can’t say the kids aren’t woke.


theroot--2020-05-03--Prosecutors Know Who Killed This Black Man in Georgia but Have Made No Arrests

The family of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery says he was jogging in his neighborhood in Brunswick Country , Georgia in February when he was chased , shot , and killed by two white men .
Two months later no arrests have been made—though the identity of the men who chased him are known to police , Arbery ’ s mother said to CBS news .
The prosecutors who have handled the case so far say that Gregory McMichael and his son Travis McMichael acted in self-defense and “ within the scope of Georgia ’ s citizen arrest statute ” when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ultimately ended with them killing him .
Arbery was allegedly spotted at a home that was under construction before he began to run .
911 calls came in moments later .
A dispatcher on one 911 call can be heard asking , “ and you said someone is breaking into it right now ?
” “ No , it ’ s all open , it ’ s under construction .
And he ’ s running right now .
There he goes right now , ” the caller says .
The dispatcher then asks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caller says , “ running down the street.
” According to a police report , Gregory McMichael said he saw Arbery run by and recognized him from the break-ins .
He and his 34-year-old son Travis McMichael then grabbed a shotgun and a pistol and got into their truck to go after Arbery , the report says .
Once they caught up to him , Gregory McMichael told investigators Arbery “ violently ” attacked Travis and the two fought “ over the shotgun ” before Travis shot twice and killed him .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the area , which seems to be the basis of the citizen ’ s arrest justification for this young man ’ s death .
But does self-defense include pursuing a person who is jogging , then fighting him when he reacts like any human being would to strangers pointing a shotgun at him , and then killing him with said shotgun ?
Sounds more like hunting to me .
“ There ’ s more than enough evidence for a case for murder , ” Lee Merrit , an attorney for the deceased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The lawyer says he suspects no indictments have been made in the case because Gregory McMichael previously worked for the Brunswick district attorney ’ s office .
The Southern Poverty Law Center is now demanding a federal investigation into Arbery ’ s death .

The family of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery says he was jogging in his neighborhood in Brunswick Country, Georgia in February when he was chased, shot, and killed by two white men.
Two months later no arrests have been made—though the identity of the men who chased him are known to police, Arbery’s mother said to CBS news.
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The prosecutors who have handled the case so far say that Gregory McMichael and his son Travis McMichael acted in self-defense and “within the scope of Georgia’s citizen arrest statute” when they went after Arbery in a chase that ultimately ended with them killing him.
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From CBS News:
Arbery was allegedly spotted at a home that was under construction before he began to run. 911 calls came in moments later. A dispatcher on one 911 call can be heard asking, “and you said someone is breaking into it right now?” “No, it’s all open, it’s under construction. And he’s running right now. There he goes right now,” the caller says. The dispatcher then asks what the man is doing and the caller says, “running down the street.” According to a police report, Gregory McMichael said he saw Arbery run by and recognized him from the break-ins. He and his 34-year-old son Travis McMichael then grabbed a shotgun and a pistol and got into their truck to go after Arbery, the report says. Once they caught up to him, Gregory McMichael told investigators Arbery “violently” attacked Travis and the two fought “over the shotgun” before Travis shot twice and killed him.
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According to neighbors there had been break-ins happening in the area, which seems to be the basis of the citizen’s arrest justification for this young man’s death. But does self-defense include pursuing a person who is jogging, then fighting him when he reacts like any human being would to strangers pointing a shotgun at him, and then killing him with said shotgun?
Sounds more like hunting to me.
“There’s more than enough evidence for a case for murder,” Lee Merrit, an attorney for the deceased man’s family told CBS news.
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The lawyer says he suspects no indictments have been made in the case because Gregory McMichael previously worked for the Brunswick district attorney’s office.
The Southern Poverty Law Center is now demanding a federal investigation into Arbery’s death.