theroot--2020-10-08--JP Morgan Chase Pledges $30 Billion in New Commitment to Reduce Racial Wealth Gap

JPMorgan Chase , the largest bank in the United States , announced Thursday that it is pledging $ 30 billion over the next five years as part of a commitment to address deeply entrenched racial inequality , particularly in housing and business .
The multi-pronged plan , which dedicates billions of dollars in loans specifically for Black and Latinx households and entrepreneurs , builds on existing investments to help reduce a yawning racial wealth gap that has only gotten larger since the 1970s .
“ Systemic racism is a tragic part of America ’ s history , ” said Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do more and do better to break down systems that have propagated racism and widespread economic inequality , especially for Black and Latinx people .
It ’ s long past time that society addresses racial inequities in a more tangible , meaningful way.
” To help tackle systemic racism , the banking giant is committing $ 8 billion alone to create 400,000 home purchase loans for Black and Latinx households .
Another $ 4 billion will be dedicated to refinancing loans , which are expected to reduce mortgage payments for another 20,000 Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feature of America ’ s wealth gap is that Latinx and Black people are far less likely to own their home than their white peers , and are overrepresented among those who are renting their homes .
As part of the new plan , JP Morgan will finance 100,000 affordable rental units , providing $ 14 billion in new loans and investments for these homes .
The bank has also committed $ 2 billion to provide another 15,000 loans to small businesses in majority Black and Latinx neighborhoods .
The $ 30 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s important to note JP Morgan is one of the few companies in the world capable of making such a pledge .
Ranked by S & P Global as the seventh-largest banking firm in the world , JP Morgan ’ s total assets are estimated to be around $ 3.23 trillion .
The firm ’ s $ 30 billion commitment to racial inequality represents just 0.93 percent of that number .
Still , JP Morgan ’ s plan could prove to be a gamechanger for many middle and low-income Black and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been attempting to stay in safe , affordable housing throughout the coronavirus pandemic and a recession .
“ All Americans deserve equitable access to affordable housing and the physical , emotional and financial security it represents , ” Lisa Rice , CEO of National Fair Housing Alliance said about the new plan .
“ Addressing the affordability crisis , now overlaid with the pandemic , will require many players on many fronts , and these commitments are concrete , meaningful steps in the right direction.
” JP Morgan ’ s new plan builds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2019 , the bank promised to help fuel Detroit ’ s economic recovery by pledging $ 200 million toward revitalization efforts , with most of that money earmarked for Black entrepreneurs and homeowners .
But the firm has also been the target of allegations of discrimination and racism from its clients and employees .
In December 2019 , JP Morgan asked staff across the company to come forward with experiences and concerns related to racism after a New York Times report alleged that employees at an Arizona Chase bank denied services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just over a year after Chase paid out a major settlement in a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by Black current and former employees .
About $ 20 million of that went directly to the plaintiffs , who alleged discrimination at the company that was “ uniform and national in scope , ” reports Bloomberg .
Earlier this year , the firm announced a new policy that would allow the bank to cut ties with customers who were racially abusive to its staff .
Part of JP Morgan ’ s latest plan is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities that have historically been divested from .
The bank pledges to hire 150 community managers and open new branches in underserved areas , including Crenshaw in Los Angeles , Southeast Washington D.C. , and Corktown in Detroit .

JPMorgan Chase, the largest bank in the United States, announced Thursday that it is pledging $30 billion over the next five years as part of a commitment to address deeply entrenched racial inequality, particularly in housing and business.
The multi-pronged plan, which dedicates billions of dollars in loans specifically for Black and Latinx households and entrepreneurs, builds on existing investments to help reduce a yawning racial wealth gap that has only gotten larger since the 1970s.
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“Systemic racism is a tragic part of America’s history,” said Chief Executive Jamie Dimon. “We can do more and do better to break down systems that have propagated racism and widespread economic inequality, especially for Black and Latinx people. It’s long past time that society addresses racial inequities in a more tangible, meaningful way.”
To help tackle systemic racism, the banking giant is committing $8 billion alone to create 400,000 home purchase loans for Black and Latinx households. Another $4 billion will be dedicated to refinancing loans, which are expected to reduce mortgage payments for another 20,000 Black and Latinx homeowners.
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But a significant feature of America’s wealth gap is that Latinx and Black people are far less likely to own their home than their white peers, and are overrepresented among those who are renting their homes. As part of the new plan, JP Morgan will finance 100,000 affordable rental units, providing $14 billion in new loans and investments for these homes.
The bank has also committed $2 billion to provide another 15,000 loans to small businesses in majority Black and Latinx neighborhoods.
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The $30 billion is certainly an eyebrow-raising figure, though it’s important to note JP Morgan is one of the few companies in the world capable of making such a pledge. Ranked by S&P Global as the seventh-largest banking firm in the world, JP Morgan’s total assets are estimated to be around $3.23 trillion. The firm’s $30 billion commitment to racial inequality represents just 0.93 percent of that number.
Still, JP Morgan’s plan could prove to be a gamechanger for many middle and low-income Black and Latinx Americans, particularly those who have been attempting to stay in safe, affordable housing throughout the coronavirus pandemic and a recession.
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“All Americans deserve equitable access to affordable housing and the physical, emotional and financial security it represents,” Lisa Rice, CEO of National Fair Housing Alliance said about the new plan. “Addressing the affordability crisis, now overlaid with the pandemic, will require many players on many fronts, and these commitments are concrete, meaningful steps in the right direction.”
JP Morgan’s new plan builds on similar efforts toward addressing racial inequality. In 2019, the bank promised to help fuel Detroit’s economic recovery by pledging $200 million toward revitalization efforts, with most of that money earmarked for Black entrepreneurs and homeowners.
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But the firm has also been the target of allegations of discrimination and racism from its clients and employees. In December 2019, JP Morgan asked staff across the company to come forward with experiences and concerns related to racism after a New York Times report alleged that employees at an Arizona Chase bank denied services to Black clients. The report came just over a year after Chase paid out a major settlement in a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by Black current and former employees. About $20 million of that went directly to the plaintiffs, who alleged discrimination at the company that was “uniform and national in scope,” reports Bloomberg.
Earlier this year, the firm announced a new policy that would allow the bank to cut ties with customers who were racially abusive to its staff. Part of JP Morgan’s latest plan is also to create a stronger presence in minority communities that have historically been divested from. The bank pledges to hire 150 community managers and open new branches in underserved areas, including Crenshaw in Los Angeles, Southeast Washington D.C., and Corktown in Detroit.


theroot--2020-10-08--Tennessee Titans Face 'Significant Punishment' for Violating COVID-19 Protocols by Holding Secret Pr

Tennessee Titans Face 'Significant Punishment' for Violating COVID-19 Protocols by Holding Secret Practice

What in the hell is going on with the Tennessee Titans ?
When last we left them , a grand total of 22 players and staff members had tested positive for the coronavirus since September 24 .
But since Donald Trump continues to apparently meander around their facilities without a mask , that number continues to defy logic and inexplicably climb .
We call that foreshadowing .
Because guess what ?
On Thursday morning , according to The Athletic , another Titans player tested positive for the White House virus , bringing their grand total to 23 players and staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more players with # ThatRona than she has kids .
While the general populous remains flabbergasted at the Titans ’ ability to take the Bébé ’ s Kids mantra of “ We don ’ t die , we multiply !
” to new heights , the rest of the NFL is fed up with the Titans refusal to get its house in order .
More specifically , the league has launched an investigation into the Titans ’ endless string of COVID-19 violations and per NBC Sports , the team could face “ significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a loss of draft picks , and even forfeiture of games .
A big reason why Tennessee ’ s punishment could be so severe is that not only has their rash of positive coronavirus tests thrown the NFL ’ s schedule into chaos—we previously reported that their Week 4 matchup against the Steelers was postponed until October 25 and Sunday ’ s game against the Bills more than likely will suffer a similar fate—but also because the Titans practice facilities were shut down on September 26 in order to curtail the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold secret practices anyway .
A group of Titans worked out at Montgomery Bell Academy on Sept. 30 despite an NFL directive not to hold such get-togethers while team headquarters was closed because of a COVID-19 outbreak , according to sources who saw players there .
A league source said that once the Titans building was closed down on Sept. 29 , the franchise was told there were to be “ no in-person meetings , workouts or activities at the facility or elsewhere.
” Students at the private school saw a large group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Titans working out on the school ’ s field during classes in the middle of the day .
Another source said he saw Ryan Tannehill there .
Mike Vrabel and Jon Robinson did not return requests for comment You can ’ t make this shit up .
Should the NFL decide to make the Titans forfeit games as part of a “ historic ” punishment , things could get even more tricky .
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report reports that if Tennessee is forced to forfeit games , neither team would be paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its fair share of challenges this season , but at this rate , we might not have football for much longer if the NFL doesn ’ t get this shit in order .

What in the hell is going on with the Tennessee Titans?
When last we left them, a grand total of 22 players and staff members had tested positive for the coronavirus since September 24. But since Donald Trump continues to apparently meander around their facilities without a mask, that number continues to defy logic and inexplicably climb.
We call that foreshadowing. Because guess what?
On Thursday morning, according to The Athletic, another Titans player tested positive for the White House virus, bringing their grand total to 23 players and staff and officially surpassing KeKe Wyatt by having more players with #ThatRona than she has kids.
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That’s quite the feat.
While the general populous remains flabbergasted at the Titans’ ability to take the Bébé’s Kids mantra of “We don’t die, we multiply!” to new heights, the rest of the NFL is fed up with the Titans refusal to get its house in order. More specifically, the league has launched an investigation into the Titans’ endless string of COVID-19 violations and per NBC Sports, the team could face “significant punishment” that could include fines, a loss of draft picks, and even forfeiture of games.
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A big reason why Tennessee’s punishment could be so severe is that not only has their rash of positive coronavirus tests thrown the NFL’s schedule into chaos—we previously reported that their Week 4 matchup against the Steelers was postponed until October 25 and Sunday’s game against the Bills more than likely will suffer a similar fate—but also because the Titans practice facilities were shut down on September 26 in order to curtail the spread of COVID-19 aaaaaaaand apparently the team continued to hold secret practices anyway.
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From NFL reporter Paul Kuharsky:
A group of Titans worked out at Montgomery Bell Academy on Sept. 30 despite an NFL directive not to hold such get-togethers while team headquarters was closed because of a COVID-19 outbreak, according to sources who saw players there. A league source said that once the Titans building was closed down on Sept. 29, the franchise was told there were to be “no in-person meetings, workouts or activities at the facility or elsewhere.” Students at the private school saw a large group of adult football players they identified as Titans working out on the school’s field during classes in the middle of the day. Another source said he saw Ryan Tannehill there. Mike Vrabel and Jon Robinson did not return requests for comment
You can’t make this shit up.
Should the NFL decide to make the Titans forfeit games as part of a “historic” punishment, things could get even more tricky. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report reports that if Tennessee is forced to forfeit games, neither team would be paid.
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Ouch.
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We knew this pandemic would present its fair share of challenges this season, but at this rate, we might not have football for much longer if the NFL doesn’t get this shit in order.


theroot--2020-10-08--Trump Won’t Do Virtual Debate, Wants to Take His Coronavirus on the Road Instead

President Trump wants to yell at Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in person or he doesn ’ t want to yell at all .
On Thursday , the organizing commission of the debates announced that in order to protect Biden from getting the president ’ s coronavirus—which the president claims is gone and healed , because God—they wanted to move the debates to a virtual platform , and Trump was like , fuck no .
“ I ’ m not going to do a virtual debate , ” Trump , who , I know it seems like months ago given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with coronavirus just last week , told Fox Business .
He added that the Commission on Presidential Debates is “ trying to protect ” Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
“ I ’ m not going to waste my time with a virtual debate .
That ’ s not what debating is all about .
You sit behind a computer and do a debate , that is ridiculous , ” Trump said , adding that virtual debates mean moderators could cut him off and he ain ’ t going for that .
The commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate on Oct. 15 in Miami would take the form of a virtual town hall meeting “ to protect the health and safety of all involved.
” The commission said the candidates would participate from separate , remote locations and the moderator and meeting participants from Miami .
Biden ’ s campaign indicated that the former vice president would participate .
“ Vice President Biden looks forward to speaking directly to the American people and comparing his plan for bringing the country together and building back better with Donald Trump ’ s failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the strong economy he inherited into the worst downturn since the Great Depression , ” campaign spokesperson Kate Bedingfield said in a statement .
Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien , who also was diagnosed with COVID-19 last week , composed a statement using his COVID-19 fingers criticizing the debate commission ’ s “ pathetic ” effort to “ rush to Joe Biden ’ s defense.
” And then get this : Stepien claimed that instead of holding a virtual debate , Trump would hold a campaign rally instead .
“ Here are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple negative tests prior to the debate , so there is no need for this unilateral declaration , ” Stepien said .
“ The safety of all involved can easily be achieved without canceling a chance for voters to see both candidates go head to head .
We ’ ll pass on this sad excuse to bail out Joe Biden and do a rally instead.
” Umm , does Trump understand how the coronavirus works and that he could potentially still be infected and possibly still contagious while going on his racism pep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that outdoor events don ’ t work without social distancing since that whole Rose Garden event has turned out to be a super spreader kegger that they aren ’ t even contact tracing for because and , I can ’ t stress this enough , the TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DOESN ’ T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT ANY OF US .
And that includes even those who support him .
So for now , next week ’ s debate is off but we also know that Trump is a liar so anything could happen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 22 , but if I ’ m Biden , I ’ d skip that one because fuck that guy .

President Trump wants to yell at Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in person or he doesn’t want to yell at all.
On Thursday, the organizing commission of the debates announced that in order to protect Biden from getting the president’s coronavirus—which the president claims is gone and healed, because God—they wanted to move the debates to a virtual platform, and Trump was like, fuck no.
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“I’m not going to do a virtual debate,” Trump, who, I know it seems like months ago given how quickly news moves, was diagnosed with coronavirus just last week, told Fox Business. He added that the Commission on Presidential Debates is “trying to protect” Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
“I’m not going to waste my time with a virtual debate. That’s not what debating is all about. You sit behind a computer and do a debate, that is ridiculous,” Trump said, adding that virtual debates mean moderators could cut him off and he ain’t going for that.
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From the Hill:
The commission said Thursday morning that the second presidential debate on Oct. 15 in Miami would take the form of a virtual town hall meeting “to protect the health and safety of all involved.” The commission said the candidates would participate from separate, remote locations and the moderator and meeting participants from Miami. Biden’s campaign indicated that the former vice president would participate. “Vice President Biden looks forward to speaking directly to the American people and comparing his plan for bringing the country together and building back better with Donald Trump’s failed leadership on the coronavirus that has thrown the strong economy he inherited into the worst downturn since the Great Depression,” campaign spokesperson Kate Bedingfield said in a statement.
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Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien, who also was diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, composed a statement using his COVID-19 fingers criticizing the debate commission’s “pathetic” effort to “rush to Joe Biden’s defense.”
And then get this: Stepien claimed that instead of holding a virtual debate, Trump would hold a campaign rally instead.
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“Here are the facts: President Trump will have posted multiple negative tests prior to the debate, so there is no need for this unilateral declaration,” Stepien said. “The safety of all involved can easily be achieved without canceling a chance for voters to see both candidates go head to head. We’ll pass on this sad excuse to bail out Joe Biden and do a rally instead.”
Umm, does Trump understand how the coronavirus works and that he could potentially still be infected and possibly still contagious while going on his racism pep rally? Also, we clearly see that outdoor events don’t work without social distancing since that whole Rose Garden event has turned out to be a super spreader kegger that they aren’t even contact tracing for because and, I can’t stress this enough, the TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DOESN’T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT ANY OF US. And that includes even those who support him.
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So for now, next week’s debate is off but we also know that Trump is a liar so anything could happen. There is a final debate scheduled for Oct. 22, but if I’m Biden, I’d skip that one because fuck that guy.


theroot--2020-10-08--Take Your Temperature Easily With 57% off an Infrared Thermometer

If you ’ ve been looking for a way to take your temperature ( or anyone else ’ s ) @ @ @ @ @ look into this infrared forehead thermometer .
It measures the heat coming off you in @ @ @ @ @ best possible reading .
You can also use it in the ear .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ which is about $ 34 off the original list price .
I would grab it @ @ @ @ @ .
This deal was originally published in August 2020 and updated by Quentyn Kennemer with @ @ @ @ @

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

Infrared Forehead Thermometer | $22 | MorningSave
If you’ve been looking for a way to take your temperature (or anyone else’s) without touching, you should look into this infrared forehead thermometer. It measures the heat coming off you in about a second for the best possible reading. You can also use it in the ear. It’s only $22, which is about $40 off the original list price. I would grab it before it’s gone.
This deal was originally published in August 2020 and updated by Quentyn Kennemer with new information on 10/27/2020.


theroot--2020-10-08--Daniel Cameron Wants to Ban Breonna Taylor Grand Juror From Speaking Publicly About Proceedings

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron filed a motion Wednesday attempting to bar an unidentified grand juror from speaking publicly about indictment proceedings in the Breonna Taylor case .
Last week , the juror made the rare decision to file a motion with the court asking for Cameron to release audio recordings of the proceedings , as well as a request to speak freely about the case and the indictment process .
“ As I ’ ve stated prior , I have no concerns with a grand juror sharing their thoughts or opinions about me and my office ’ s involvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms. Breonna Taylor , ” Cameron said in a statement announcing the motion , according to CBS News .
“ However , I have concerns with a grand juror seeking to make anonymous and unlimited disclosures about the grand jury proceedings.
” “ Allowing this disclosure would irreversibly alter Kentucky ’ s legal system by making it difficult for prosecutors and the public to have confidence in the secrecy of the grand jury process going forward , ” Cameron said .
What Cameron told grand jurors has become a major source of contention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisville Metro Police officers were charged directly for killing Taylor on March 13 during a botched drug raid .
Instead , former detective Brett Hankison was charged with three counts of “ wanton endangerment ” for recklessly firing at Taylor ’ s apartment from outside , potentially endangering her neighbors .
Sgt .
Jonathan Mattingly and Det .
Myles Cosgrove , both of whom are still working with LMPD , were not charged for fatally shooting Taylor .
Cameron said his office found the shooting justified because police were responding to shots fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walker , who said he had mistaken the plainclothes officers for intruders .
In the notice filed on Sep. 29 , the anonymous juror said Cameron , who served as a special prosecutor in the Taylor case , “ attempted to make it very clear that the grand jury alone made the decision on who and what to charge based solely on the evidence presented to them.
” “ Using the grand jurors as a shield to deflect accountability and responsibility for these decisions only sows more seeds of doubt in the process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spines of future grand jurors , ” the motion read .
When announcing the results of the indictment , Cameron initially said jurors agreed with prosecutors that no one should be directly charged with killing Taylor .
The attorney general also claimed he walked jurors through “ every homicide offense , and also presented all of the information that was available to the grand jury , ” writes The Washington Post .
Speaking through their lawyer Kevin Glogower , the grand juror said they were bothered by Cameron ’ s remarks because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of charging Mattingly and Cosgrove , and was only given possible charges for Hankison .
Cameron later confirmed that he had not recommended any homicide charges for any of the officers , nor had he recommended jurors charge Mattingly and Cosgrove with a crime .
Last week , attorney Glogower noted that many of the proceedings may not have actually been recorded , making it important that jurors be allowed to speak publicly in order for there to be full transparency about the indictment process .
While Cameron did release audio of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 hours of recordings did not include prosecutors ’ recommendations to the grand jury because those remarks are not considered evidence , the attorney general ’ s office said .
Cameron has also suggested the grand jury could have recommended further charges if it wanted .
“ If they wanted to make an assessment about different charges they could have done that , ” Cameron told local station WDRB .
“ But our recommendation was that [ officers ] Mattingly and Cosgrove were justified in their acts , in their conduct , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate at this stage to charge him with wanton endangerment.
” Several legal experts have noted that it would be extremely unusual for a grand jury to apply charges beyond what is recommended to them by prosecutors because jurors are typically not well-versed enough in the law to make such recommendations .
Cameron ’ s motion to silence the grand juror also came on the same day the city of Louisville released documents from LMPD ’ s internal investigation into Taylor ’ s killing .
As the Washington Post reports , the documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and decisions on the night they raided Taylor ’ s apartment .
“ The documents show other Louisville officers criticizing the raid and cast doubt on the police department ’ s justifications for the warrant , a key question addressed only in passing in recently released audio of the grand jury proceedings , ” writes the Post .
This appears to line up with earlier interviews SWAT team members who were at Taylor ’ s home gave to The Courier-Journal and WDRB .
“ It was just an egregious act , ” Lt. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SWAT team , told police .
“ It just seemed like there ’ s no target identification whatsoever for those rounds that were shot inside the apartment.
” A judge is expected to hear Cameron ’ s request to bar the grand juror from speaking today .

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron filed a motion Wednesday attempting to bar an unidentified grand juror from speaking publicly about indictment proceedings in the Breonna Taylor case. Last week, the juror made the rare decision to file a motion with the court asking for Cameron to release audio recordings of the proceedings, as well as a request to speak freely about the case and the indictment process.
“As I’ve stated prior, I have no concerns with a grand juror sharing their thoughts or opinions about me and my office’s involvement in the matter involving the death of Ms. Breonna Taylor,” Cameron said in a statement announcing the motion, according to CBS News. “However, I have concerns with a grand juror seeking to make anonymous and unlimited disclosures about the grand jury proceedings.”
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“Allowing this disclosure would irreversibly alter Kentucky’s legal system by making it difficult for prosecutors and the public to have confidence in the secrecy of the grand jury process going forward,” Cameron said.
What Cameron told grand jurors has become a major source of contention in the last two weeks. No Louisville Metro Police officers were charged directly for killing Taylor on March 13 during a botched drug raid. Instead, former detective Brett Hankison was charged with three counts of “wanton endangerment” for recklessly firing at Taylor’s apartment from outside, potentially endangering her neighbors. Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Det. Myles Cosgrove, both of whom are still working with LMPD, were not charged for fatally shooting Taylor.
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Cameron said his office found the shooting justified because police were responding to shots fired by Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, who said he had mistaken the plainclothes officers for intruders.
In the notice filed on Sep. 29, the anonymous juror said Cameron, who served as a special prosecutor in the Taylor case, “attempted to make it very clear that the grand jury alone made the decision on who and what to charge based solely on the evidence presented to them.”
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“Using the grand jurors as a shield to deflect accountability and responsibility for these decisions only sows more seeds of doubt in the process while leaving a cold chill down the spines of future grand jurors,” the motion read.
When announcing the results of the indictment, Cameron initially said jurors agreed with prosecutors that no one should be directly charged with killing Taylor. The attorney general also claimed he walked jurors through “every homicide offense, and also presented all of the information that was available to the grand jury,” writes The Washington Post.
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Speaking through their lawyer Kevin Glogower, the grand juror said they were bothered by Cameron’s remarks because the grand jury was not given the option of charging Mattingly and Cosgrove, and was only given possible charges for Hankison. Cameron later confirmed that he had not recommended any homicide charges for any of the officers, nor had he recommended jurors charge Mattingly and Cosgrove with a crime.
Last week, attorney Glogower noted that many of the proceedings may not have actually been recorded, making it important that jurors be allowed to speak publicly in order for there to be full transparency about the indictment process.
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While Cameron did release audio of the grand jury proceedings last week, the 15 hours of recordings did not include prosecutors’ recommendations to the grand jury because those remarks are not considered evidence, the attorney general’s office said.
Cameron has also suggested the grand jury could have recommended further charges if it wanted.
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“If they wanted to make an assessment about different charges they could have done that,” Cameron told local station WDRB. “But our recommendation was that [officers] Mattingly and Cosgrove were justified in their acts, in their conduct, and that officer Hankison at least it was appropriate at this stage to charge him with wanton endangerment.”
Several legal experts have noted that it would be extremely unusual for a grand jury to apply charges beyond what is recommended to them by prosecutors because jurors are typically not well-versed enough in the law to make such recommendations.
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Cameron’s motion to silence the grand juror also came on the same day the city of Louisville released documents from LMPD’s internal investigation into Taylor’s killing. As the Washington Post reports, the documents reveal internal criticism of officers’ conduct and decisions on the night they raided Taylor’s apartment.
“The documents show other Louisville officers criticizing the raid and cast doubt on the police department’s justifications for the warrant, a key question addressed only in passing in recently released audio of the grand jury proceedings,” writes the Post.
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This appears to line up with earlier interviews SWAT team members who were at Taylor’s home gave to The Courier-Journal and WDRB.
“It was just an egregious act,” Lt. Dale Massey, a member of the SWAT team, told police. “It just seemed like there’s no target identification whatsoever for those rounds that were shot inside the apartment.”
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A judge is expected to hear Cameron’s request to bar the grand juror from speaking today.


theroot--2020-10-08--Darnell Moore Makes the Black Gay and Queer Male Experience Vibrant and Visible With Being Seen

Simply put , Darnell Moore was born to do the work .
As an award-winning writer , vigilant activist and acclaimed thought leader , his illustrious career is defined not only by his passion for our people but his insistence that our humanity is honored and protected at all costs .
To that end , his latest venture , Being Seen , is a natural extension of that motif .
Produced by Harley & Co , and created in partnership with ViiV Healthcare , Being Seen seeks to capitalize on the flourishing podcast medium by exploring the impact of cultural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and creatives .
And in staying true to its namesake , its first season will focus on the gay and queer Black male experience , with the help of guests such as writer and director Lee Daniels , author Kiese Laymon and poet Saeed Jones .
In speaking with The Root , Moore explained why podcasting provided the perfect medium to address cultural biases and misconceptions through the power of storytelling .
“ I was really interested in doing something that actually centered Black , gay , queer , bi , trans men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ These are the types of voices that are often muted or erased out of conversations .
Even despite the many contributions that so many of us have not only done historically but also in a moment .
It was about elevating those voices and centering those voices right now.
” In centering those voices , Moore will demonstrate just how integral the contributions of the Black queer community have been to our collective progress .
“ When we think about Black culture in its wide , expansive way—whether that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment we ’ re in now with the movement for Black lives , or historically with the arc of the Black movement .
It is often the case that we don ’ t think about Black queer , trans and non-binary folks to being central to those things , ” Moore said .
“ When in fact we have been and are .
We can ’ t acknowledge the bigness of Black culture without talking about the contributions of Black , gay , queer , trans and non-binary people .
So I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filling in is this void that has always been .
A nd that ’ s invisibilizing and erasing [ the LGBTQIA community ] .
” Moore is also excited that Being Seen will also serve as an archive in which preeminent Black and gay queer voices have the opportunity to share the same space .
“ It ’ s not new , right ?
There have always been spaces where we ’ ve come together , ” he said .
“ But within this moment , to have one show that has everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to [ playwright ] Michael R. Jackson , right ?
To Saeed Jones and Michael Killgore .
And with brothers who are allies , like Kiese Laymon and Luke James .
[ ... ] Having these folks all in one place centering their conversations on Black gay and queer folk is everything to me .
I haven ’ t seen that.
” It ’ s also important to note that Being Seen isn ’ t built on the back of big names .
Moore is far more interested in conversing with game-changers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regardless of their popularity or stature .
“ Some of those folks we know their names .
Other people we don ’ t know their names , but we should , ” he said .
“ Every time I got off one of those conversations , I was like , ‘ Damn !
This is somebody that ’ s doing amazing work and we need to know about it.
’ ” And thanks to Being Seen , we will .
“ I hope the 35-minute journey that we take people on is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they leave each episode having learned something and feel inspired or more curious , ” Moore said .
Being Seen is available now on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you get your podcast fix .

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

Simply put, Darnell Moore was born to do the work.
As an award-winning writer, vigilant activist and acclaimed thought leader, his illustrious career is defined not only by his passion for our people but his insistence that our humanity is honored and protected at all costs.
To that end, his latest venture, Being Seen, is a natural extension of that motif. Produced by Harley & Co, and created in partnership with ViiV Healthcare, Being Seen seeks to capitalize on the flourishing podcast medium by exploring the impact of cultural representation with prominent entertainers, community leaders and creatives. And in staying true to its namesake, its first season will focus on the gay and queer Black male experience, with the help of guests such as writer and director Lee Daniels, author Kiese Laymon and poet Saeed Jones.
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In speaking with The Root, Moore explained why podcasting provided the perfect medium to address cultural biases and misconceptions through the power of storytelling.
“I was really interested in doing something that actually centered Black, gay, queer, bi, trans men and Black queer culture,” he said. “These are the types of voices that are often muted or erased out of conversations. Even despite the many contributions that so many of us have not only done historically but also in a moment. It was about elevating those voices and centering those voices right now.”
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In centering those voices, Moore will demonstrate just how integral the contributions of the Black queer community have been to our collective progress.
“When we think about Black culture in its wide, expansive way—whether that’s art, entertainment, literature—even the moment we’re in now with the movement for Black lives, or historically with the arc of the Black movement. It is often the case that we don’t think about Black queer, trans and non-binary folks to being central to those things,” Moore said. “When in fact we have been and are. We can’t acknowledge the bigness of Black culture without talking about the contributions of Black, gay, queer, trans and non-binary people. So I think the void [this podcast] is filling in is this void that has always been. A nd that’s invisibilizing and erasing [the LGBTQIA community].”
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Moore is also excited that Being Seen will also serve as an archive in which preeminent Black and gay queer voices have the opportunity to share the same space.
“It’s not new, right? There have always been spaces where we’ve come together,” he said. “But within this moment, to have one show that has everyone from like Lee Daniels to Jordan Cooper to [playwright] Michael R. Jackson, right? To Saeed Jones and Michael Killgore. And with brothers who are allies, like Kiese Laymon and Luke James. [...] Having these folks all in one place centering their conversations on Black gay and queer folk is everything to me. I haven’t seen that.”
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It’s also important to note that Being Seen isn’t built on the back of big names. Moore is far more interested in conversing with game-changers who are actively committed to Black freedom, regardless of their popularity or stature.
“Some of those folks we know their names. Other people we don’t know their names, but we should,” he said. “Every time I got off one of those conversations, I was like, ‘Damn! This is somebody that’s doing amazing work and we need to know about it.’”
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And thanks to Being Seen, we will.
“I hope the 35-minute journey that we take people on is one that they not only enjoy, but they leave each episode having learned something and feel inspired or more curious,” Moore said.
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Being Seen is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcast fix.


theroot--2020-10-08--Investigators Say Jonathan Price Tried to Shake the Hand of the Cop Who Shot Him. That Cop Has Now H

Investigators Say Jonathan Price Tried to Shake the Hand of the Cop Who Shot Him. That Cop Has Now Hired Amber Guyger’s Attorney

Police body camera footage revealed new details about what happened between 31-year-old Jonathan Price and Wolfe City , Texas , Police Officer Shaun Lucas in the moments before Price was fatally shot .
According to an affidavit from the Texas Rangers who are investigating the shooting , Price attempted to shake Lucas ’ hand at the start of their confrontation .
But before we get into all that , we really need to talk about the defense attorney that Lucas has retained—because he ’ s the same attorney who represented Amber Guyger , the former Dallas police officer who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 years after shooting and killing Botham Jean in his own apartment .
Robert Rogers appears to be a man who is all about giving police officers the benefit of the doubt .
The same attorney who argued in opening statements that media sensationalism is the only reason people didn ’ t see Guyger as a perfectly innocent woman who went to the wrong apartment and was so startled that she shot and killed an actually innocent Black man , is now crafting a narrative for his new client that appears to omit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened on the night of October 3 .
“ After Mr. Price refused repeated instructions and physically resisted , Officer Lucas deployed his Taser and continued to give Mr. Price instructions , ” Rogers said in a statement Tuesday night , CNN reports .
“ Mr .
Price resisted the effects of the Taser and attempted to take it away from Officer Lucas .
Officer Lucas only discharged his weapon in accordance with Texas law when he was confronted with an aggressive assailant who was attempting to take his Taser.
” According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a much broader story .
Lucas , 22 , responded to a domestic dispute call at the gas station ’ s convenience store around 8:24 p.m. Saturday , according to the affidavit .
Price ’ s family says Price was attempting to break up the dispute and didn ’ t threaten anyone .
Based on the bodycam footage , which has not been released to the public , the affidavit says that when Lucas arrived at the scene , Price greeted him and came “ very close to Officer Lucas , asking ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while extending his hand in a handshake gesture.
” “ Price apologized for broken glass on the ground and stated someone had tried to ‘ wrap me up , ’ ” the affidavit said .
Lucas told investigators that he thought that Price was intoxicated and attempted to detain Price , but Price allegedly stated , “ I can ’ t be detained , ” the affidavit said .
The officer then tried to detain Price “ by grabbing his arm and using verbal commands , ” but was unsuccessful , the affidavit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the affidavit .
Lucas warned Price to comply or he would use his Taser , and when Price walked away , the officer fired the Taser , the affidavit said .
While being tased , Price walked toward Lucas and tried to reach for the weapon , at which point the officer took out his service weapon and fired four times , according to the affidavit .
Lee Merritt , the attorney who represents Price ’ s family , wonders why Lucas—who was charged with murder in connection with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any kind of force at all given that the disturbance he was called to the scene for was reportedly over by the time he got there .
“ The situation was resolved before law enforcement arrived , according to witnesses , ” the attorney said , CNN reports .
“ Why this officer still felt the need to tase and shoot Jonathan is beyond comprehension .
”

Police body camera footage revealed new details about what happened between 31-year-old Jonathan Price and Wolfe City, Texas, Police Officer Shaun Lucas in the moments before Price was fatally shot. According to an affidavit from the Texas Rangers who are investigating the shooting, Price attempted to shake Lucas’ hand at the start of their confrontation.
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But before we get into all that, we really need to talk about the defense attorney that Lucas has retained—because he’s the same attorney who represented Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer who was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 10 years after shooting and killing Botham Jean in his own apartment.
Robert Rogers appears to be a man who is all about giving police officers the benefit of the doubt. The same attorney who argued in opening statements that media sensationalism is the only reason people didn’t see Guyger as a perfectly innocent woman who went to the wrong apartment and was so startled that she shot and killed an actually innocent Black man, is now crafting a narrative for his new client that appears to omit a lot of what investigators said actually happened on the night of October 3.
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“After Mr. Price refused repeated instructions and physically resisted, Officer Lucas deployed his Taser and continued to give Mr. Price instructions,” Rogers said in a statement Tuesday night, CNN reports. “Mr. Price resisted the effects of the Taser and attempted to take it away from Officer Lucas. Officer Lucas only discharged his weapon in accordance with Texas law when he was confronted with an aggressive assailant who was attempting to take his Taser.”
According to the Texas Rangers, bodycam footage tells a much broader story.
From ABC News:
Lucas, 22, responded to a domestic dispute call at the gas station’s convenience store around 8:24 p.m. Saturday, according to the affidavit. Price’s family says Price was attempting to break up the dispute and didn’t threaten anyone. Based on the bodycam footage, which has not been released to the public, the affidavit says that when Lucas arrived at the scene, Price greeted him and came “very close to Officer Lucas, asking ‘You doing good?’ multiple times while extending his hand in a handshake gesture.” “Price apologized for broken glass on the ground and stated someone had tried to ‘wrap me up,’” the affidavit said. Lucas told investigators that he thought that Price was intoxicated and attempted to detain Price, but Price allegedly stated, “I can’t be detained,” the affidavit said. The officer then tried to detain Price “by grabbing his arm and using verbal commands,” but was unsuccessful, the affidavit said. He then produced his Taser, according to the affidavit. Lucas warned Price to comply or he would use his Taser, and when Price walked away, the officer fired the Taser, the affidavit said. While being tased, Price walked toward Lucas and tried to reach for the weapon, at which point the officer took out his service weapon and fired four times, according to the affidavit.
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Lee Merritt, the attorney who represents Price’s family, wonders why Lucas—who was charged with murder in connection with the shooting on Monday—felt the need to use any kind of force at all given that the disturbance he was called to the scene for was reportedly over by the time he got there.
“The situation was resolved before law enforcement arrived, according to witnesses,” the attorney said, CNN reports. “Why this officer still felt the need to tase and shoot Jonathan is beyond comprehension.”


theroot--2020-10-08--The Fly and Blood in Mike Pence’s Eye: 5 Takeaways From the Vice Presidential Debate

So it happened .
The Mike Tyson and Roy Jones of vice-presidential candidates finally faced off behind plexiglass , and to quote former Arizona head coach Dennis Green , “ They are who we thought they were.
” Mike Pence proved to be a robotic version of the president ’ s agenda and Sen. Kamala Harris didn ’ t have time for the vice president ’ s fuckshit .
Below are five takeaways from Wednesday ’ s heavyweight matchup minus one heavyweight .
Look , I know that two minutes is not a long time to answer a question when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also know that it ’ s impossible for Pence to speed up his speech when he ’ s doing the “ Look at me , I ’ m talking like a president ” thing that he wouldn ’ t stop doing .
But fuck , man , this guy wouldn ’ t honor the moderator who was trying to be nice and not tell him : This dude just wouldn ’ t shut the fuck up .
Like it was impossible for him to stop fucking talking .
His camp agreed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people who aren ’ t poor yet still enjoy mayonnaise sandwiches just wouldn ’ t mind it , and while this debate had more civility than the presidential debate , Pence confirmed that he ’ s an evangelical Christian asshole .
Which is basically saying the same thing , I know .
Seriously , how fucking hard is it to stop talking ?
He shuts up every time President Trump commits another atrocity against the American people .
Where was this mouthy Mike Pence when migrant babies were being separated from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this what being pro-life looks like ?
Where was this “ I have to finish my incomplete thought ” -ass face when Trump was throwing the corona kegger in the Rose Garden ?
3 .
What the fuck is going on with Mike Pence ’ s eye ?
Several people on Twitter noted that Mike Pence looked as if he had pink eye or busted a blood vessel or something because he had the eye of a beaten boxer during the debate .
Pence ’ s eye looked so fucked up that Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( which I kept reading as “ penis eye ” because I ’ m 7 . )
Various people on Twitter pointed out that Pence ’ s left eye seemed to have a reddish hue .
More specifically , the normally white or whiter parts of his eye appeared to have some redness .
Of course , those parts of your eye are not supposed to be that color , unless , of course , you tried to squirt some ketchup on your hot dog and missed badly .
Some on Twitter speculated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conjunctivitis .
I have dated Black women all my life .
I am married to a Black woman .
I was raised by a Black woman and have two older sisters who are also Black women , so I ’ m qualified to know the many faces of Black women .
I ’ ve seen them all .
To the untrained eye , you might not think that there is a difference between the “ Oh , this nigga thinks I ’ m stupid ” face and the “ You just going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I assure you they are different .
Black women are so trained in the art of giving face that many don ’ t even know they are doing it .
Black women are face ninjas .
They can cut your heart out without ever saying a word .
So shoutout to the next vice president ( assuming God is listening and can stop Russia and white people from stealing this election ) for giving up all the faces during the election .
But this one might be my favorite : Every Black professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your Blackness in professional settings .
The higher you climb up the corporate ladder , the easier it becomes to lose the intrinsically Black parts of you , so it ’ s important to note that while she was killing Pence with kindness and with faces , Kamala Harris didn ’ t lose herself .
That face above is the same face Makeda made when King Solomon couldn ’ t figure out the first puzzle .
This is the same face Hattie McDaniel made when she was told she ’ d have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oscars .
You don ’ t believe in the power of faces ?
This is the face Michelle Obama made when handed a gift by the incoming first lady : 5 .
Now , a word from the fly .
A whole-ass fly flew in and stole the show by landing on the vice president ’ s head and chilling there for a whole two minutes while Pence didn ’ t do shit .
Didn ’ t swat at his hair , didn ’ t check to see why a whole-ass fly was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking with a fly reading the New York Times on his head .
I will say this : Kamala did a great job not yelling out , “ I can ’ t talk to this motherfucker with this whole-ass fly on his head !
’ Many Twitter users pointed out that flies love poop ...
I ’ m just saying .
Now a word from the fly :

So it happened. The Mike Tyson and Roy Jones of vice-presidential candidates finally faced off behind plexiglass, and to quote former Arizona head coach Dennis Green, “They are who we thought they were.”
Mike Pence proved to be a robotic version of the president’s agenda and Sen. Kamala Harris didn’t have time for the vice president’s fuckshit. Below are five takeaways from Wednesday’s heavyweight matchup minus one heavyweight.
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1. Mike Pence wouldn’t shut the fuck up.
Look, I know that two minutes is not a long time to answer a question when you’re a robot. I also know that it’s impossible for Pence to speed up his speech when he’s doing the “Look at me, I’m talking like a president” thing that he wouldn’t stop doing. But fuck, man, this guy wouldn’t honor the moderator who was trying to be nice and not tell him:
This dude just wouldn’t shut the fuck up. Like it was impossible for him to stop fucking talking. His camp agreed to the time limit and then the vice president of people who aren’t poor yet still enjoy mayonnaise sandwiches just wouldn’t mind it, and while this debate had more civility than the presidential debate, Pence confirmed that he’s an evangelical Christian asshole. Which is basically saying the same thing, I know.
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2. Mike Pence wouldn’t shut the fuck up.
Seriously, how fucking hard is it to stop talking? He shuts up every time President Trump commits another atrocity against the American people. Where was this mouthy Mike Pence when migrant babies were being separated from their parents and thrown into cages? Is this what being pro-life looks like? Where was this “I have to finish my incomplete thought”-ass face when Trump was throwing the corona kegger in the Rose Garden?
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3. What the fuck is going on with Mike Pence’s eye?
Several people on Twitter noted that Mike Pence looked as if he had pink eye or busted a blood vessel or something because he had the eye of a beaten boxer during the debate. Pence’s eye looked so fucked up that Pence’s eye was trending on Twitter (which I kept reading as “penis eye” because I’m 7.)
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From Forbes:
Various people on Twitter pointed out that Pence’s left eye seemed to have a reddish hue. More specifically, the normally white or whiter parts of his eye appeared to have some redness. Of course, those parts of your eye are not supposed to be that color, unless, of course, you tried to squirt some ketchup on your hot dog and missed badly. Some on Twitter speculated that the redness may have been from conjunctivitis.
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Pink eye is also, well…
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4. Kamala’s “Nigga, da fuq?!” faces.
I have dated Black women all my life. I am married to a Black woman. I was raised by a Black woman and have two older sisters who are also Black women, so I’m qualified to know the many faces of Black women. I’ve seen them all. To the untrained eye, you might not think that there is a difference between the “Oh, this nigga thinks I’m stupid” face and the “You just going to tell me anything” face, but I assure you they are different. Black women are so trained in the art of giving face that many don’t even know they are doing it. Black women are face ninjas.
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They can cut your heart out without ever saying a word. So shoutout to the next vice president (assuming God is listening and can stop Russia and white people from stealing this election) for giving up all the faces during the election. But this one might be my favorite:
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Every Black professional knows that it is easy to hide your Blackness in professional settings. The higher you climb up the corporate ladder, the easier it becomes to lose the intrinsically Black parts of you, so it’s important to note that while she was killing Pence with kindness and with faces, Kamala Harris didn’t lose herself. That face above is the same face Makeda made when King Solomon couldn’t figure out the first puzzle. This is the same face Hattie McDaniel made when she was told she’d have to sit at the segregated table at the Oscars.
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You don’t believe in the power of faces? This is the face Michelle Obama made when handed a gift by the incoming first lady:
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Kamala made the ancestors proud.
Harris v Pence: Where Do They Stand on Police Terrorism? CC Subtitles Off
English
5. Now, a word from the fly.
A whole-ass fly flew in and stole the show by landing on the vice president’s head and chilling there for a whole two minutes while Pence didn’t do shit. Didn’t swat at his hair, didn’t check to see why a whole-ass fly was on his head, Pence literally kept talking with a fly reading the New York Times on his head. I will say this: Kamala did a great job not yelling out, “I can’t talk to this motherfucker with this whole-ass fly on his head!’
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Many Twitter users pointed out that flies love poop...I’m just saying.
Now a word from the fly:


theroot--2020-10-09--TransGriot Blogger and Advocate Monica Roberts, 'a Pioneer and an Essential North Star' Has Died

A pioneering advocate for the trans community who was instrumental in changing the way much of the media regards and reports on trans lives has died .
Houston-based journalist-activist Monica Roberts , founder of the TransGriot blog and host of the TransGriot with Monica Roberts YouTube series , “ was called home to glory on Monday , ” according to a close friend ’ s Facebook post ( h/t the Advocate ) .
Roberts was 58 .
As reported by Out magazine : Roberts is the founder of the GLAAD Media Award-winning blog which has been covering trans issues since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cover violence against , and the accomplishments of the trans community , Roberts was doing so .
That work lived not only on her blog but in her writing for publications like Ebony , The Advocate , The Dallas Voice , and OutSmart Magazine .
She told Out in 2019 that she “ took up the mantle ” simply because “ nobody else was doing it.
” Translash Media founder Imara Jones was among the first to make Roberts ’ death widely known on Wednesday afternoon , expressing shock over the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For trans journalists , she was a pioneer and an essential North Star .
I know so many of us will be deeply saddened by her passing.
” Tributes continued to pour in through the afternoon and evening , with Alicia Garza , Janet Mock , Angelica Ross among the many mourning the groundbreaking activist .
“ The TransGriot blog ’ s mission is to become the griot of our community , ” read the mission statement Roberts penned for her blog , founded in 2006 , where she sought to center and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people throughout the African diaspora .
Since that time , she had become largely credited with drawing much-needed attention and dignity to transgender murder victims , who are disproportionately Black and female , and often misgendered by authorities and media , as explained in a 2019 profile on Roberts in the Daily Beast : “ Whenever you read about the transgender people killed in any given year , it ’ s in large part due to the work Roberts does .
National LGBT advocacy organizations and mainstream news outlets alike rely on her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the outlet wrote .
Roberts was born in Houston in 1962 , making her transition in 1994 while in her early thirties and well before trans issues were a part of mainstream discourse .
Further explaining how she ’ d eventually take on the arduous task of doing what local media and law enforcement had historically been too lazy or indifferent to do , the Daily Beast reported : “ I got tired , ” Roberts told the outlet , noting that misgendering victims often also delays delivering them the justice their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them being disrespected in death.
” For her efforts , Roberts was awarded the Virginia Prince Transgender Pioneer Award , the Robert Coles Call of Service Award , the Barbara Jordan Breaking Barriers Award , the Human Rights Campaign ’ s John Walzel Equality Award in 2017 , and the 2020 Susan J. Hyde Award for Longevity In The Movement .
In 2016 , she was memorably honored with a special recognition award for her blog at the 2016 GLAAD Media Awards , presented to her by none other than Ross , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miss that laugh .
You won ’ t be forgotten ... Rest in Power.
” The news of [ Monica Roberts ’ ] passing has brought me to a standstill , ” tweeted fellow journalist Carmen Phillips .
“ Working in queer independent media , there ’ s not a sentence—even a word—any of us form that isn ’ t built on her advocacy , love , and life ’ s work .
We ’ ve lost an absolute Giant .
May she rest.
” No further details have been released on Roberts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own words regarding victims of anti-trans violence are proving equally true in considering her own tremendous impact .
“ Those are losses not only to our community but to our society as a whole , ” she told the Daily Beast .
Similarly , the loss of Roberts is felt keenly both within the LGBTQ+ community and well beyond .
“ We are grateful for the impact Monica made industrywide , ” the National Association of Black Journalists tweeted .
“ Monica Roberts was an icon and a trailblazing voice for transgender rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas and around the country , ” said Alphonso David , president of the Human Rights Campaign ( h/t the Advocate ) .
“ For decades , Monica has been a fierce leader bringing light to the injustice transgender people face , especially Black transgender women .
She leaves behind a strong , and vital legacy—one that every LGBTQ person and ally should work to honor and advance .
Rest in power , Monica , and thank you.
” However , perhaps the best assessment of Roberts ’ remarkable legacy was made by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement is like a relay race , ” Roberts told the Daily Beast .
“ The torch got handed to me at a certain point and when it ’ s time for me to pass it on , I ’ m just going to turn around and hand that torch back to the next generation for y ’ all to advance—and then hand it to the trans kids behind you.
” “ Our goal , ” Roberts added , “ is to never let the flame go out .
”

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

A pioneering advocate for the trans community who was instrumental in changing the way much of the media regards and reports on trans lives has died. Houston-based journalist-activist Monica Roberts, founder of the TransGriot blog and host of the TransGriot with Monica Roberts YouTube series, “was called home to glory on Monday,” according to a close friend’s Facebook post (h/t the Advocate). Roberts was 58.
As reported by Out magazine:
Roberts is the founder of the GLAAD Media Award-winning blog which has been covering trans issues since 2006. Prior to mainstream outlets beginning to cover violence against, and the accomplishments of the trans community, Roberts was doing so. That work lived not only on her blog but in her writing for publications like Ebony, The Advocate, The Dallas Voice, and OutSmart Magazine. She told Out in 2019 that she “took up the mantle” simply because “nobody else was doing it.”
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Translash Media founder Imara Jones was among the first to make Roberts’ death widely known on Wednesday afternoon, expressing shock over the “sudden loss” and tweeting: “For trans journalists, she was a pioneer and an essential North Star. I know so many of us will be deeply saddened by her passing.” Tributes continued to pour in through the afternoon and evening, with Alicia Garza, Janet Mock, Angelica Ross among the many mourning the groundbreaking activist.
Advertisement Advertisement
“The TransGriot blog’s mission is to become the griot of our community,” read the mission statement Roberts penned for her blog, founded in 2006, where she sought to center and amplify the voices and lives of trans people throughout the African diaspora. Since that time, she had become largely credited with drawing much-needed attention and dignity to transgender murder victims, who are disproportionately Black and female, and often misgendered by authorities and media, as explained in a 2019 profile on Roberts in the Daily Beast:
“Whenever you read about the transgender people killed in any given year, it’s in large part due to the work Roberts does. National LGBT advocacy organizations and mainstream news outlets alike rely on her as an early source of information,” the outlet wrote.
Advertisement
Roberts was born in Houston in 1962, making her transition in 1994 while in her early thirties and well before trans issues were a part of mainstream discourse. Further explaining how she’d eventually take on the arduous task of doing what local media and law enforcement had historically been too lazy or indifferent to do, the Daily Beast reported:
Whenever she discovers through Facebook that there’s been a death in the community, she begins investigating, combing through local news reports of recent killings in the area. Often, within half an hour, Roberts can match the name of a slain transgender person to a murder victim who has been identified only by their legal name in local coverage. Then she publishes her findings on her long-running blog TransGriot.
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“I got tired,” Roberts told the outlet, noting that misgendering victims often also delays delivering them the justice their lives deserve. “I got tired of them being disrespected in death.”
For her efforts, Roberts was awarded the Virginia Prince Transgender Pioneer Award, the Robert Coles Call of Service Award, the Barbara Jordan Breaking Barriers Award, the Human Rights Campaign’s John Walzel Equality Award in 2017, and the 2020 Susan J. Hyde Award for Longevity In The Movement. In 2016, she was memorably honored with a special recognition award for her blog at the 2016 GLAAD Media Awards, presented to her by none other than Ross, who tweeted, “I’ll miss that laugh. You won’t be forgotten...Rest in Power.”
The news of [Monica Roberts’] passing has brought me to a standstill,” tweeted fellow journalist Carmen Phillips. “Working in queer independent media, there’s not a sentence—even a word—any of us form that isn’t built on her advocacy, love, and life’s work. We’ve lost an absolute Giant. May she rest.”
Advertisement
No further details have been released on Roberts’ cause of death, but her own words regarding victims of anti-trans violence are proving equally true in considering her own tremendous impact.
“Those are losses not only to our community but to our society as a whole,” she told the Daily Beast.
Advertisement
Similarly, the loss of Roberts is felt keenly both within the LGBTQ+ community and well beyond. “We are grateful for the impact Monica made industrywide,” the National Association of Black Journalists tweeted.
Advertisement
“Monica Roberts was an icon and a trailblazing voice for transgender rights, both in her home state of Texas and around the country,” said Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign (h/t the Advocate). “For decades, Monica has been a fierce leader bringing light to the injustice transgender people face, especially Black transgender women. She leaves behind a strong, and vital legacy—one that every LGBTQ person and ally should work to honor and advance. Rest in power, Monica, and thank you.”
Advertisement
However, perhaps the best assessment of Roberts’ remarkable legacy was made by the activist herself.
“Our rights movement is like a relay race,” Roberts told the Daily Beast. “The torch got handed to me at a certain point and when it’s time for me to pass it on, I’m just going to turn around and hand that torch back to the next generation for y’all to advance—and then hand it to the trans kids behind you.”
Advertisement
“Our goal,” Roberts added, “is to never let the flame go out.”


theroot--2020-10-08--Trash-Ass Rapper Tory Lanez Faces Assault Charges Stemming From Megan Thee Stallion Shooting

Over the summer , rapper Tory Lanez solidified his status as fuckboy extraordinaire after it was revealed he was allegedly responsible for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot .
On Thursday , the Los Angeles County District Attorney ’ s office revealed that Lanez , real name Daystar Peterson , will face felony charges as a result of the incident .
According to a statement released by the DA ’ s office , Peterson has been charged with assault with semiautomatic firearm , personal use of a firearm , and carrying a loaded , unregistered firearm in a vehicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could face up to 22 years max in prison .
He ’ s scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 13 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center .
Man , you hate to see it .
I mean , I don ’ t , but you might .
For those unaware of what happened , Megan Thee Stallion , real name Megan Pete , was hanging out with Peterson and Kylie Jenner on the evening of July 12 .
Later in the evening Peterson and Pete were riding in a SUV when the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the car and that ’ s when Lanez allegedly fired at her multiple times , injuring her foot .
As much as folks loved posting about their “ Hot Girl Summer , ” and making memes about “ WAP , ” the reaction to Pete ’ s shooting was met with skepticism and , frankly , a lot of trash-ass takes .
The skepticism grew so loudly that Pete eventually uploaded a picture showing her injured foot , something she shouldn ’ t have had to do .
The shooting appears to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meteoric rise .
Last weekend Megan Thee Stallion was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live and managed to get Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in his feelings after she called him out during a phenomenal performance of “ Savage Remix.
” In a true bitch-ass move , Tory Lanez dropped an album last week where he tried to position himself as the real victim here .
Be a decent person and stream Megan Thee Stallion ’ s new song instead .

Joe Jurado on The Grapevine, shared by Joe Jurado to The Root

Over the summer, rapper Tory Lanez solidified his status as fuckboy extraordinaire after it was revealed he was allegedly responsible for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot.
On Thursday, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office revealed that Lanez, real name Daystar Peterson, will face felony charges as a result of the incident.
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According to a statement released by the DA’s office, Peterson has been charged with assault with semiautomatic firearm, personal use of a firearm, and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle. Should he be convicted, Peterson could face up to 22 years max in prison. He’s scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 13 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
Man, you hate to see it. I mean, I don’t, but you might.
For those unaware of what happened, Megan Thee Stallion, real name Megan Pete, was hanging out with Peterson and Kylie Jenner on the evening of July 12. Later in the evening Peterson and Pete were riding in a SUV when the two got into an argument. Pete exited the car and that’s when Lanez allegedly fired at her multiple times, injuring her foot.
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As much as folks loved posting about their “Hot Girl Summer,” and making memes about “WAP,” the reaction to Pete’s shooting was met with skepticism and, frankly, a lot of trash-ass takes. The skepticism grew so loudly that Pete eventually uploaded a picture showing her injured foot, something she shouldn’t have had to do.
The shooting appears to be an admittedly horrific speed bump on her meteoric rise. Last weekend Megan Thee Stallion was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live and managed to get Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in his feelings after she called him out during a phenomenal performance of “Savage Remix.”
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In a true bitch-ass move, Tory Lanez dropped an album last week where he tried to position himself as the real victim here. Be a decent person and stream Megan Thee Stallion’s new song instead.


theroot--2020-10-10--After Black Child Was Suspended for Having BB Gun at Home, Louisiana Lawmakers Move to Help Him Appe

After Black Child Was Suspended for Having BB Gun at Home, Louisiana Lawmakers Move to Help Him Appeal

State lawmakers in Louisiana have moved to make it easier for students to appeal expulsions after a Black child was suspended last month for having a BB gun in his room .
According to WAFB , a committee in the state House has introduced a bill to make it easier for 4th grader Ka ’ Mauri Harrison to appeal his suspension .
Even though Harrison wasn ’ t on campus when the event occurred , the Jefferson Parish school district initially moved to expel him .
Harrison was attending class virtually when his younger brother tripped over a BB gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick up the gun and place it on his desk in view of the class .
“ This is certainly something that I don ’ t believe was anticipated by the school board that should ’ ve been anticipated by the school board , ” Rep. Ray Garofalo ( R ) , House education chairman , said during a hearing .
“ All the statements backed up what Ka ’ Mauri said .
If that ’ s the case , then this is an injustice.
” The school board decided to reduce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because , yeah , that makes sense .
The suspension will remain on Harrison ’ s permanent record unless he successfully wins an expulsion appeal .
The district refused to grant Harrison an appeal because even though they formally threatened to expel him , they didn ’ t .
“ Some students have been expelled or suspended for doing what would be considered normal at home , ” Rep .
Troy Romero ( R ) said during a hearing in the House .
Romero introduced a proposal that would allow students who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if their punishment is ultimately reduced .
It would also require schools to clarify what campus rules still apply during virtual learning and to craft a code of conduct for students during virtual classes .
Considering we don ’ t know how long students are going to have to continue virtual learning , I ’ m surprised other states haven ’ t taken similar steps .
Harrison ’ s father , Nyron , filed a suit against the school board shortly after the incident occurred .
“ We trust these people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sound judgmental decisions on their behalf , ” Nyron told WAFB .
“ Ka ’ Mauri is just the first .
He still has his children and generations to come after him .
Children all across the world are enduring these same injustices in school systems and whatnot.
” The bill , named after Ka ’ Mauri , passed through the state House with no opposition .

State lawmakers in Louisiana have moved to make it easier for students to appeal expulsions after a Black child was suspended last month for having a BB gun in his room.
According to WAFB, a committee in the state House has introduced a bill to make it easier for 4th grader Ka’Mauri Harrison to appeal his suspension. Even though Harrison wasn’t on campus when the event occurred, the Jefferson Parish school district initially moved to expel him.
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Harrison was attending class virtually when his younger brother tripped over a BB gun in his room, leading Harrison to pick up the gun and place it on his desk in view of the class.
“ This is certainly something that I don’t believe was anticipated by the school board that should’ve been anticipated by the school board,” Rep. Ray Garofalo (R), House education chairman, said during a hearing. “All the statements backed up what Ka’Mauri said. If that’s the case, then this is an injustice.”
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The school board decided to reduce the punishment from expulsion to a six-day suspension because, yeah, that makes sense.
The suspension will remain on Harrison’s permanent record unless he successfully wins an expulsion appeal. The district refused to grant Harrison an appeal because even though they formally threatened to expel him, they didn’t.
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“Some students have been expelled or suspended for doing what would be considered normal at home,” Rep. Troy Romero (R) said during a hearing in the House.
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Romero introduced a proposal that would allow students who are formally threatened with expulsion to appeal, even if their punishment is ultimately reduced. It would also require schools to clarify what campus rules still apply during virtual learning and to craft a code of conduct for students during virtual classes.
Considering we don’t know how long students are going to have to continue virtual learning, I’m surprised other states haven’t taken similar steps.
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Harrison’s father, Nyron, filed a suit against the school board shortly after the incident occurred. “We trust these people with our children on an everyday basis to make sound judgmental decisions on their behalf,” Nyron told WAFB. “Ka’Mauri is just the first. He still has his children and generations to come after him. Children all across the world are enduring these same injustices in school systems and whatnot.”
The bill, named after Ka’Mauri, passed through the state House with no opposition.


theroot--2020-10-09--Explore Ancient Greece in This Week’s Good-Ass Games at Good-Ass Prices

Howdy , folks !
It ’ s Friday , which means it ’ s time to save y ’ all some money .
This week sees the continuation of Sony ’ s Games of a Generation Sale and Xbox currently has a Warner Bros. , publisher sale along with the standard deals with gold .
It ’ s not a particularly stacked week but there were some gems to be found .
Quick warning for my Switch heads , I got nothing for you this week .
I ’ m sorry Nintendo doesn ’ t love your wallets like I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Assassin ’ s Creed franchise tops this week ’ s list .
The game expands on the Role Playing Game-lite approach introduced in Assassin ’ s Creed : Origins with branching quests , multiple endings , and a focus on character leveling .
While there ’ s a new AC game on the horizon , Odyssey is still worth giving a look .
I personally picked it up during a sale over the summer following two years of friends texting me “ Yo .
Have you played Odyssey ?
?
” I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I can definitely see how folks have sunk dozens of hours into this game .
Set in Ancient Greece , the game allows you to play as either Alexios or Kassandra , a descendant of Spartan King Leonidas I .
Yes , “ THIS .
IS .
SPARTAAAAAH , ” Leonidas .
The game even includes his iconic kick from 300 .
You fight through the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens and the approach rides a line between historical fiction and mythology .
If you ’ re looking for something that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content and an incredibly reasonable price this is your game .
Speaking of lots of content at a decent price , the Batman : Arkham Collection includes all three games in Rocksteady ’ s Batman : Arkham trilogy .
Batman : Arkham City remains one of my favorite October games to this day .
It ’ s not a horror game , but goddamn if it isn ’ t close .
I remember sitting in my bedroom being fucking horrified after picking up a pay phone only to hear Victor Zasz talk about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In terms of atmosphere and gameplay , both Arkham Asylum and Arkham City perfectly encapsulate how it should feel to be the Caped Crusader .
While the third game , Arkham Knight didn ’ t quite reach the highs of its predecessors , it still had its charms here and there .
Driving the Batmobile is tight , until , you know , it ’ s not .
Still , the first two games alone justify the price of this collection .
If you ’ ve never played or simply haven ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would definitely recommend giving it a look .
Hey , real quick , y ’ all like free shit ?
I figured as much .
It ’ s the first week of the month which means both Xbox and Playstation have revealed their free games for the month .
Playstation Plus members can currently grab both Need for Speed : Payback and Vampyr for free .
Payback is the second most recent entry in the Need for Speed franchise and was the series second attempt at being a not-Fast and Furious game .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I Redboxed the game but I remember the gameplay being aight but the loot box driven progression system really turned me off .
I haven ’ t personally played Vampyr but from what I ’ ve seen it ’ s a third-person action role playing game that has some cool ideas but also a fair amount of jank .
For free.99 though , I just may give it a go .
Xbox Gold members can currently grab Slayaway Camp : Butcher ’ s Cut , a puzzle game that puts you in control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hybrid of ‘ 80s slasher movies with some Minecraft graphics .
Gold members can also grab The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 and Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy , a game for the original Xbox that I always remembered seeing at Gamestop as a kid and never felt an inclination to try .
It got good reviews in 2003 according to Wikipedia though , so it could be good ?
Maybe ?
No ?
Okay , I tried .
That will do it for me today , folks .
I hope y @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend and I will see you next week with more cost-effective goodness .
As always , play more video games .

Howdy, folks! It’s Friday, which means it’s time to save y’all some money. This week sees the continuation of Sony’s Games of a Generation Sale and Xbox currently has a Warner Bros., publisher sale along with the standard deals with gold. It’s not a particularly stacked week but there were some gems to be found.
Quick warning for my Switch heads, I got nothing for you this week. I’m sorry Nintendo doesn’t love your wallets like I do.
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Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey (PS4 and Xbox One), $14.99
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The most recent entry in the Assassin’s Creed franchise tops this week’s list. The game expands on the Role Playing Game-lite approach introduced in Assassin’s Creed: Origins with branching quests, multiple endings, and a focus on character leveling.
While there’s a new AC game on the horizon, Odyssey is still worth giving a look. I personally picked it up during a sale over the summer following two years of friends texting me “Yo. Have you played Odyssey??” I’m still early into the game but I can definitely see how folks have sunk dozens of hours into this game.
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Set in Ancient Greece, the game allows you to play as either Alexios or Kassandra, a descendant of Spartan King Leonidas I. Yes, “THIS. IS. SPARTAAAAAH,” Leonidas. The game even includes his iconic kick from 300. You fight through the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens and the approach rides a line between historical fiction and mythology.
If you’re looking for something that will give you an incredible amount of content and an incredibly reasonable price this is your game.
Advertisement
Batman: Arkham Collection (PS4 and Xbox One), $14.99/$17.99
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Speaking of lots of content at a decent price, the Batman: Arkham Collection includes all three games in Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham trilogy. Batman: Arkham City remains one of my favorite October games to this day. It’s not a horror game, but goddamn if it isn’t close. I remember sitting in my bedroom being fucking horrified after picking up a pay phone only to hear Victor Zasz talk about the various atrocities he’s committed.
In terms of atmosphere and gameplay, both Arkham Asylum and Arkham City perfectly encapsulate how it should feel to be the Caped Crusader. While the third game, Arkham Knight didn’t quite reach the highs of its predecessors, it still had its charms here and there. Driving the Batmobile is tight, until, you know, it’s not.
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Still, the first two games alone justify the price of this collection. If you’ve never played or simply haven’t revisited them in sometime, I would definitely recommend giving it a look.
Hey, real quick, y’all like free shit? I figured as much. It’s the first week of the month which means both Xbox and Playstation have revealed their free games for the month.
Advertisement
Playstation Plus members can currently grab both Need for Speed: Payback and Vampyr for free. Payback is the second most recent entry in the Need for Speed franchise and was the series second attempt at being a not-Fast and Furious game. It’s been three years since I Redboxed the game but I remember the gameplay being aight but the loot box driven progression system really turned me off.
I haven’t personally played Vampyr but from what I’ve seen it’s a third-person action role playing game that has some cool ideas but also a fair amount of jank. For free.99 though, I just may give it a go.
Advertisement
Xbox Gold members can currently grab Slayaway Camp: Butcher’s Cut, a puzzle game that puts you in control of Skullface. The game looks like a hybrid of ‘80s slasher movies with some Minecraft graphics.
Gold members can also grab The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 and Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy, a game for the original Xbox that I always remembered seeing at Gamestop as a kid and never felt an inclination to try. It got good reviews in 2003 according to Wikipedia though, so it could be good? Maybe? No? Okay, I tried.
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That will do it for me today, folks. I hope y’all have a safe and lovely weekend and I will see you next week with more cost-effective goodness.
As always, play more video games.
Deuces.


theroot--2020-10-09--'Nazi Karen' Really Wants Us to Know How Much She Hates Black People. Nobody Asked, but OK

Don ’ t get me wrong : I love writing these stories up because these Barbie-bigots and their Klan-Ken counterparts need to be exposed , ridiculed and , if at all possible , cost their jobs and livelihoods often and with the same degree of contempt they keep in their hearts for Black people who dare breathe the same air as they do .
But ultimately , a Karen is but a microcosm of what America is and has always been : racist and proud but also in perpetual denial of its own oppressive ways .
But what about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shit ?
A video recently posted to social media shows that somewhere in America , some white woman , who probably doesn ’ t wash her legs and definitely thinks a dip in the swimming-hole counts as a bath , had no problem admitting to a Black man that she ’ s a loud and proud bed wench of white supremacy .
“ White lives matter .
Niggers don ’ t matter , ” she shouts as she stumbles toward the camera contemplating whether or not washcloths are even necessary .
“ Y @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you carry babies different , y ’ all are not us.
” “ Who matters ?
White power matters , you said ?
” the man filming can be heard asking Hitler ’ s ugliest footstool .
Becky-with-the-lice-infestation responded by pulling down the waist of her shorts to reveal a swastika tattoo literally no one asked to see .
She then claimed the man filming “ tried to fuck me.
” The man replied , “ No I didn ’ t .
Ew , ” because , while I ’ m sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the doublewide , no self-respecting Black man should stick his dick in the putrid vat of redneck sweat and discarded potato salad raisins that are her nether regions .
It also shouldn ’ t be lost on anyone that Ku Klux Karoline is wearing a T -shirt that reads “ Straight Outta Vallhalla , ” which is a play on NWA ’ s “ Straight Outta Compton.
” Remember what I said about microcosms ?
What ’ s more American than loving Black culture while hating Black people ?
Assless Abby got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off , and she could ’ ve ended her little bootleg American History X rant right there , but instead , she paused her departure long enough to proclaim herself as a racist and give her full name like the goddamn idiot she is .
“ I ’ m racist , ” the no-shittiest of no-shit Sherlocks said .
“ My name ’ s Angelica Rose Brecker , and I hate niggers.
” And that ’ s where the fun begins .
Becky Brecker ( it can ’ t be a coincidence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must not have realized that her social media posts make her seem like the barely literate druggy she ... well ... clearly is .
But the good folks on Twitter had a field day pulling out all the receipts .
Apparently , Nazi Nancy Nasty Nethers loves Xanax as much as she hates the coloreds .
Apparently , after she was flooded with backlash for her displayed racism , Ages-like-milk Angelica responded .
At least I think that ’ s what this is .
If anybody can read this garbled bunch of white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mayosapien Nazi butt plugs speak , please get back to me .
She appears to love black cats , black shirts and Black vernacular but her hatred for Black lives is a thing she can ’ t help but emphasize .
Is it just me or is this starting to look like a “ t he l ady doth protest too much ” situation ?
Who hates Black people so much that they can ’ t even share cat pics on social media without feeling the need to declare it ?
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ envy ” written all over it .
But that ’ s none of my business .

Karens don’t matter.
Don’t get me wrong: I love writing these stories up because these Barbie-bigots and their Klan-Ken counterparts need to be exposed, ridiculed and, if at all possible, cost their jobs and livelihoods often and with the same degree of contempt they keep in their hearts for Black people who dare breathe the same air as they do .
But ultimately, a Karen is but a microcosm of what America is and has always been: racist and proud but also in perpetual denial of its own oppressive ways. But what about the Karen who doesn’t bother denying shit?
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Meet Nazi Karen.
A video recently posted to social media shows that somewhere in America, some white woman, who probably doesn’t wash her legs and definitely thinks a dip in the swimming-hole counts as a bath, had no problem admitting to a Black man that she’s a loud and proud bed wench of white supremacy.
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“White lives matter. Niggers don’t matter,” she shouts as she stumbles toward the camera contemplating whether or not washcloths are even necessary. “Y’all’s skulls are thicker, you carry babies different, y’all are not us.”
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“Who matters? White power matters, you said?” the man filming can be heard asking Hitler’s ugliest footstool. Becky-with-the-lice-infestation responded by pulling down the waist of her shorts to reveal a swastika tattoo literally no one asked to see. She then claimed the man filming “tried to fuck me.”
The man replied, “No I didn’t. Ew,” because, while I’m sure her milkshake brings all the Proud Boys to the doublewide, no self-respecting Black man should stick his dick in the putrid vat of redneck sweat and discarded potato salad raisins that are her nether regions.
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It also shouldn’t be lost on anyone that Ku Klux Karoline is wearing a T -shirt that reads “Straight Outta Vallhalla, ” which is a play on NWA’s “Straight Outta Compton.” Remember what I said about microcosms? What’s more American than loving Black culture while hating Black people?
Assless Abby got into a car that started to pull off, and she could’ve ended her little bootleg American History X rant right there, but instead, she paused her departure long enough to proclaim herself as a racist and give her full name like the goddamn idiot she is.
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“I’m racist,” the no-shittiest of no-shit Sherlocks said. “My name’s Angelica Rose Brecker, and I hate niggers.”
And that’s where the fun begins.
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Becky Brecker (it can’t be a coincidence that those names are spelled so similarly) must not have realized that her social media posts make her seem like the barely literate druggy she...well...clearly is. But the good folks on Twitter had a field day pulling out all the receipts.
Apparently, Nazi Nancy Nasty Nethers loves Xanax as much as she hates the coloreds.
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Apparently, after she was flooded with backlash for her displayed racism, Ages-like-milk Angelica responded. At least I think that’s what this is. If anybody can read this garbled bunch of white nonsense written in whatever shit-kicker dialect uneducated, mayosapien Nazi butt plugs speak, please get back to me.
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She appears to love black cats, black shirts and Black vernacular but her hatred for Black lives is a thing she can’t help but emphasize.
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Is it just me or is this starting to look like a “t he l ady doth protest too much” situation? Who hates Black people so much that they can’t even share cat pics on social media without feeling the need to declare it?
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This whole thing has “Black dick rejection envy” written all over it.
But that’s none of my business.
Besides, Karens don’t matter.


theroot--2020-10-09--You Get to Enjoy Pixar's Soul With Your Soul Food at Home This Christmas

This year has had some soul-crushing moments in all aspects of life and the movie theater industry has definitely taken a super-hard hit .
Earlier this year , we found out that the anticipated history-making Pixar film Soul wasn ’ t going to be premiering on Juneteenth as originally planned and was being pushed to November .
Because Soul is the animation studio ’ s first Black-led film , that particular original release date had been perfect .
As expected , Soul will not be debuting in theaters at all and will instead head to Disney+ , Deadline reported on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to ingest this film in theaters , but it looks like we ’ ll be watching Pixar ’ s Blackest film to date right at home .
I guess we can make it a dinner and a movie moment and whip up a delicious platter of soul food ( instead of sneaking it into the theater ) .
More about Soul , via the Disney+ press release sent to The Root : What is it that makes you ... YOU ?
Pixar Animation Studios ’ Soul introduces Joe Gardner ( voice of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town .
But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before – a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities , quirks and interests before they go to Earth .
Determined to return to his life , Joe teams up with a precocious soul , 22 ( voice of Tina Fey ) , who has never understood the appeal of the human experience .
As Joe desperately tries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about living , he may just discover the answers to some of life ’ s most important questions .
Soul is Directed by Academy Award winner Pete Docter ( Inside Out , Up ) , co-directed by Kemp Powers ( One Night in Miami ) and produced by Academy Award nominee Dana Murray , p.g.a .
( Pixar short Lou ) .
“ The world can be an exhausting and frustrating place—but it ’ s also full of unexpected joys , even in seemingly mundane things , ” Pixar Animation Studios Chief Creative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ film with Powers , said in a statement .
“ Soul investigates what ’ s really important in our lives , a question we ’ re all asking these days .
I hope it will bring some humor and fun to people at a time when everyone can surely use that.
” Plus , Pixar is also making a documentary that chronicles the journey of finishing Soul during COVID-19 quarantine guidelines , per Entertainment Weekly .
According to the film ’ s producer Dana Murray , the team had “ seven weeks of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implemented in the U.S. back in March .
“ I guess we were really lucky and blessed of where we were at in production because the back-end is highly technical .
So , people were able to literally grab their machines and go home with them , and we were up and running in a day or two , ” Murray noted .
“ Our systems team is incredible .
Everyone was just really resilient.
” Soul makes its grand debut on Dec. 25 exclusively on Disney+ .
The film will be released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where Disney+ isn ’ t available .

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

This year has had some soul-crushing moments in all aspects of life and the movie theater industry has definitely taken a super-hard hit.
Earlier this year, we found out that the anticipated history-making Pixar film Soul wasn’t going to be premiering on Juneteenth as originally planned and was being pushed to November. Because Soul is the animation studio’s first Black-led film, that particular original release date had been perfect.
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As expected, Soul will not be debuting in theaters at all and will instead head to Disney+, Deadline reported on Thursday. We won’t be able to ingest this film in theaters, but it looks like we’ll be watching Pixar’s Blackest film to date right at home. I guess we can make it a dinner and a movie moment and whip up a delicious platter of soul food (instead of sneaking it into the theater).
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More about Soul, via the Disney+ press release sent to The Root:
What is it that makes you...YOU? Pixar Animation Studios’ Soul introduces Joe Gardner (voice of Jamie Foxx) – a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before – a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests before they go to Earth. Determined to return to his life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22 (voice of Tina Fey), who has never understood the appeal of the human experience. As Joe desperately tries to show 22 what’s great about living, he may just discover the answers to some of life’s most important questions. Soul is Directed by Academy Award winner Pete Docter (Inside Out, Up), co-directed by Kemp Powers (One Night in Miami) and produced by Academy Award nominee Dana Murray, p.g.a. (Pixar short Lou).
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“The world can be an exhausting and frustrating place—but it’s also full of unexpected joys, even in seemingly mundane things,” Pixar Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer Docter, who is co-directing this film with Powers, said in a statement. “Soul investigates what’s really important in our lives, a question we’re all asking these days. I hope it will bring some humor and fun to people at a time when everyone can surely use that.”
I hope so, too.
Plus, Pixar is also making a documentary that chronicles the journey of finishing Soul during COVID-19 quarantine guidelines, per Entertainment Weekly. According to the film’s producer Dana Murray, the team had “ seven weeks of production left” after shelter-in-place ordinances were implemented in the U.S. back in March.
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“I guess we were really lucky and blessed of where we were at in production because the back-end is highly technical. So, people were able to literally grab their machines and go home with them, and we were up and running in a day or two,” Murray noted . “Our systems team is incredible. Everyone was just really resilient.”
Soul makes its grand debut on Dec. 25 exclusively on Disney+. The film will be released theatrically in international markets and other markets where Disney+ isn’t available.


theroot--2020-10-09--Spend $30 and Save $10 On Beauty Products on Amazon

For a short time , if you spend $ 30 on beauty and grooming products , you can save $ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re featuring a collection of Tree Hut sugar scrubs , Eco gel styler , @ @ @ @ @ much more .
Honestly , I ’ d go crazy , but the hand sanitizer @ @ @ @ @ your buck !

Ignacia on Kinja Deals, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Beauty & Grooming Sale | Amazon
For a short time, if you spend $30 on beauty and grooming products, you can save $10 at Amazon. They’re featuring a collection of Tree Hut sugar scrubs, Eco gel styler, Dove body wash and so much more. Honestly, I’d go crazy, but the hand sanitizer is the best bang for your buck!