theroot--2020-09-02--To Help 'Power the Polls,' Old Navy Is Willing to Pay Employees to Be Poll Workers on Election Day

In case you weren ’ t aware , Tuesday marked exactly nine weeks until the 2020 presidential election .
While we can only brace ourselves for what hijinks may ensue between now and then ( since we have a messy bitch who lives for drama trying to hold on to the White House ) , what we know for sure is that , largely thanks to a lack of federal response , we ’ ll still be dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic .
The ongoing threat of contagion is predicted to not only deeply impact voter turnout at the polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers at each of those locations , as traditionally , the volunteer positions are largely occupied by senior retirees , one of the highest at-risk groups for the coronavirus .
In fact , in past elections , more than half of poll workers were over the age of 60 ; understandably far less are willing to volunteer this year .
That ’ s why this Tuesday was also National Poll Worker Recruitment Day , “ a national awareness day established by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to encourage people to help America vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reads the Election Assistance Commission ’ s webpage .
And because of the high risks posed this election year to the traditional demographic of poll workers , Power the Polls— “ a first-of-its-kind , nonpartisan initiative to recruit a new wave of poll workers , especially among younger , more diverse populations that have not been historically represented in these roles , ” according to a statement provided to The Glow Up—set out to recruit 250,000 potential poll workers ahead of November 3 .
Power the Polls was launched in June by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Civic Alliance , Comedy Central , Creative Artists Agency ( CAA ) , Fair Elections Center , Levi Strauss & Co , MTV , Patagonia , Pizza to the Polls , Time To Vote , Uber , and We Can Vote .
On Tuesday , they met their goal , and have now set out to recruit an additional 100,000 potential poll workers , in hopes of ensuring that every U.S. polling location is fully staffed for this crucial election .
Thankfully , the organization has prominent support in amplifying their mission , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s When We All Vote , LeBron James , Trevor Noah , the Human Rights Campaign , the National Disability Rights Network , and more .
“ Reaching this milestone of 250,000 poll worker recruits on National Poll Worker Recruitment Day means we ’ re that much closer to ensuring voters ’ ability to cast a ballot is not stifled by mass closures , long lines , and fewer opportunities to physically distance at polling sites due to a lack of poll workers , ” said Scott Duncombe , Co-Director of Power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t slow down—we won ’ t stop until every poll worker position in the country is filled.
” Several bold-faced retailers have announced plans to allow their employees time off to vote this Election Day , but fast-fashion juggernaut Old Navy is providing unprecedented support in the effort to make sure voting is as accessible and efficient and as possible , announcing Tuesday that it will compensate any and all employees who volunteer as poll workers on Election Day , regardless of whether they are scheduled to work—which gives new meaning to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Old Navy is partnering with Civic Alliance and Power the Polls to hopefully bridge the gap and decrease some of the deficit of poll workers .
( It is partnering specifically with Power the Polls to facilitate the application and training process for its employees to work the polls . )
It ’ s a powerful move , all things considered : Old Navy has 50,000-plus employees across more than 1,000 stores , which is a large pool of people who would not have to worry about losing pay in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a release from the retailer , 64 % of Old Navy field employees are between 18 and 29 years old , which historically “ is the segment of the population with the lowest voter turnout.
” This means that Old Navy ’ s new incentive not only boosts the number of poll workers but also potentially boosts the odds of more young people voting as well ; it ’ s certainly easier to cast a ballot if you ’ re already working the station .
It ’ s something many other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well .
It ’ s certainly a strategy that should serve as a model to other businesses that can afford to do so—especially if they want to send a message that they ’ re as serious about civics and public safety as they are about sales .

In case you weren’t aware, Tuesday marked exactly nine weeks until the 2020 presidential election. While we can only brace ourselves for what hijinks may ensue between now and then (since we have a messy bitch who lives for drama trying to hold on to the White House), what we know for sure is that, largely thanks to a lack of federal response, we’ll still be dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing threat of contagion is predicted to not only deeply impact voter turnout at the polls, but also the number of poll workers at each of those locations, as traditionally, the volunteer positions are largely occupied by senior retirees, one of the highest at-risk groups for the coronavirus.
In fact, in past elections, more than half of poll workers were over the age of 60; understandably far less are willing to volunteer this year. That’s why this Tuesday was also National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, “a national awareness day established by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to encourage people to help America vote by serving as poll workers,” reads the Election Assistance Commission’s webpage. And because of the high risks posed this election year to the traditional demographic of poll workers, Power the Polls—“a first-of-its-kind, nonpartisan initiative to recruit a new wave of poll workers, especially among younger, more diverse populations that have not been historically represented in these roles,” according to a statement provided to The Glow Up—set out to recruit 250,000 potential poll workers ahead of November 3.
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Power the Polls was launched in June by a coalition of businesses and nonprofits, including Civic Alliance, Comedy Central, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Fair Elections Center, Levi Strauss & Co, MTV, Patagonia, Pizza to the Polls, Time To Vote, Uber, and We Can Vote. On Tuesday, they met their goal, and have now set out to recruit an additional 100,000 potential poll workers, in hopes of ensuring that every U.S. polling location is fully staffed for this crucial election. Thankfully, the organization has prominent support in amplifying their mission, including President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote, LeBron James, Trevor Noah, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Disability Rights Network, and more.
“Reaching this milestone of 250,000 poll worker recruits on National Poll Worker Recruitment Day means we’re that much closer to ensuring voters’ ability to cast a ballot is not stifled by mass closures, long lines, and fewer opportunities to physically distance at polling sites due to a lack of poll workers,” said Scott Duncombe, Co-Director of Power the Polls. “We can’t slow down—we won’t stop until every poll worker position in the country is filled.”
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Several bold-faced retailers have announced plans to allow their employees time off to vote this Election Day, but fast-fashion juggernaut Old Navy is providing unprecedented support in the effort to make sure voting is as accessible and efficient and as possible, announcing Tuesday that it will compensate any and all employees who volunteer as poll workers on Election Day, regardless of whether they are scheduled to work—which gives new meaning to the brand’s beloved “Super Cash.”
As reported by Vogue:
Old Navy is partnering with Civic Alliance and Power the Polls to hopefully bridge the gap and decrease some of the deficit of poll workers. (It is partnering specifically with Power the Polls to facilitate the application and training process for its employees to work the polls.) It’s a powerful move, all things considered: Old Navy has 50,000-plus employees across more than 1,000 stores, which is a large pool of people who would not have to worry about losing pay in order to be a poll worker. And, according to a release from the retailer, 64% of Old Navy field employees are between 18 and 29 years old, which historically “is the segment of the population with the lowest voter turnout.” This means that Old Navy’s new incentive not only boosts the number of poll workers but also potentially boosts the odds of more young people voting as well; it’s certainly easier to cast a ballot if you’re already working the station. It’s something many other larger retailers should be thinking about as well.
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It’s certainly a strategy that should serve as a model to other businesses that can afford to do so—especially if they want to send a message that they’re as serious about civics and public safety as they are about sales.


theroot--2020-09-02--An Exclusive Interview With a Passenger From Donald Trump's 'Thug Plane'

During an interview with Faux News ’ Laura Ingraham , Donald Trump recounted a story about a plane “ almost completely loaded with thugs ” headed to destroy one of the great American cities .
Trump ’ s claim was echoed by Sen. Rand Paul ( R-Ky. ) , who was also familiar with Boyz n the Hoods Airlines .
While some speculated that Samuel L. Jackson was starring in a sequel called Niggas on a Plane , we spoke to a guy whose names rhymes with “ Vladimir Putin ” ( hey , you try rhyming in Russian !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t read intelligence reports that a two-month-old , debunked rumor he read on Facebook was probably , maybe possibly true .
However , during our investigation , The Root discovered a real Sky Thug who was flying around the country thugging out .
We managed to catch up with Malik Franklin , the organizer of this imaginary field trip , who granted us an exclusive interview .
The Root : Hello !
I like to start all of my interviews by asking your full name and your preferred pronoun .
Malik @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tyrone Hussein Umar Gustavo Navi Ignacio Graham and my pronoun is “ Goddamned Antifa.
” THUGNIGGA : Yeah , it ’ s basically urban , Muslim , African , Mexican and Jewish—all the things white people are afraid of .
My dad wanted to name me “ Economic Anxiety ” or “ Nonwhite Neighbor ” but my mom put her foot down when he suggested “ Black Penis.
” TR : So where are you from ?
TR : Is that an actual place ?
THUGNIGGA : Yes , it ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lily-white suburbs filled with all Caucasian non-criminals who don ’ t smoke crystal meth and trade oxycodone like baseball cards .
It ’ s in the urban , underprivileged inner-city .
TR : Is that where you grew up ?
THUGNIGGA : Nope .
My parents came here from a shithole country and had me here as an anchor baby , so I ’ m a citizen .
But we were deported when my father was caught in a child trafficking ring in the basement of a pizza parlor .
THUGNIGGA : Yep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood with shitty , underfunded schools but he was arrested for signing me up at Jefferson Davis Confederate Elementary , a predominately white school in the suburbs .
Because we were from a different zip code , they charged him with child trafficking , sent me to a detention center and deported us to Mexico .
TR : Is that where your parents are from ?
TR : But Puerto Rico is in America !
TR : So how did you get back to America ?
THUGNIGGA : We went to Mexico and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was a long trip .
Some of us didn ’ t make it .
TR : I ’ m sorry to hear that .
Did they get eaten by coyotes ?
Did you bury them in the desert ?
THUGNIGGA : What ?
No !
Of course not !
What do you think I am , a savage ?
It ’ s just that my favorite teddy bear couldn ’ t fit in the Dodge Caravan because there was very little room in the backseat .
I like to stretch out and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I understand .
So is that what radicalized you ?
THUGNIGGA : No .
Honestly , it was when I joined MS-13 .
THUGNIGGA : No , it was Microsoft ’ s coding summer camp for 13-year-olds .
I was the only B lack kid there .
When I realized there was a technology gap but I was still smarter than those rich white kids , it changed my life forever .
That ’ s why I joined Black Lives Matter , antifa , and the radical left .
TR : So what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Was there an initiation ceremony ?
How much was the membership fees ?
THUGNIGGA : Well , to join Black Lives Matter , you just have to believe Black l ives m atter .
And when I read about fascism , I decided I was against it , so I automatically became an anti-fascist .
To be honest , I assumed everyone was an anti-fascist .
I ’ m always shocked by white people ’ s hate for antifa because I rarely meet any pro-fascist people ( except in Alabama ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ plane trip .
It was a recruiting trip .
THUGNIGGA : Our goal is to get white people to stop being racist and to get the police to stop killing Black people .
TR : Is that why you were wearing all black on the plane ?
THUGNIGGA : Nah , we bought those T-shirts at the gift shop at the Seattle airport .
They lost our luggage .
TR : Were you offended when the president called you a thug ?
THUGNIGGA : No .
After George Floyd ’ s death , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minute and began questioning the movement until the president said that .
THUGNIGGA : Well , when white people started tweeting out the words “ Black Lives Matter ” and showing up at protests , I began to wonder if we were going about this in the right way .
White people have never , ever been on the right side of history .
They fought the Civil War to protect slavery .
They lynched “ thugs ” who looked white women in the eyes .
They instituted Jim Crow to protect their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thugs .
Poll taxes kept thugs from voting .
You know who else they called a thug ?
Emmett Till .
And Cleveland Sellers .
And Medgar Evers .
And Rosa Parks .
They said the same thing about John Lewis and the Freedom Riders .
They said it about Martin Luther King Jr .
They called Malcolm X a thug .
They called the B lack Panthers thugs .
And Tupac .
And Eric Garner .
And Trayvon Martin .
And Korryn Gaines .
And Kaepernick .
And Breonna Taylor .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To them , “ thug ” means “ refuses to be oppressed.
” It means “ does what he believes is right .
” I t means “ doesn ’ t listen to white people.
” It means “ nigger.
” It means “ target.
” It means “ I give you permission to kill this person.
” How many times have you heard Kyle Rittenhouse be called a “ thug ” ?
How about Dylann Roof ?
Show me a clip of Trump calling the white supremacist terrorists who marched on Charlottesville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president called us thugs , it confirmed that we were doing the right thing .
TR : I see .
But what about the violence at protests ?
Why do you condone that ?
THUGNIGGA : Oh , that ’ s them white boys .
Everyone knows that .
TR : So why haven ’ t you spoken out about it ?
THUGNIGGA : Wait ... Are you asking me why I haven ’ t fact-checked a liar ?
Are you asking why I haven ’ t reached out to media outlets that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about National Lampoon ’ s Thugcation but haven ’ t once challenged him on how he knew they were thugs or what he thinks these mythical thugs look like ?
The same media who reports the handful of violent protests but not the thousands of nonviolent ones ?
The same media that never mentions that more people are arrested at protests than were hurt or killed at protests ?
The same media who calls the protests violent when the cops are often the ones committing the violence ?
What would be the point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would you like the world to know about you ?
THUGNIGGA : I ’ d like them to stop killing Black people or we are going to burn down their buildings , buy low-income housing in the suburbs and fornicate with teenage white girls .
TR : Wait ... Are you really gon na do all that ?
THUGNIGGA : Of course not .
But why should we be the only ones walking around in fear ?
TR : Thanks for the interview .
This was my first time talking to a real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officer .
”

During an interview with Faux News’ Laura Ingraham, Donald Trump recounted a story about a plane “almost completely loaded with thugs” headed to destroy one of the great American cities. Trump’s claim was echoed by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who was also familiar with Boyz n the Hoods Airlines.
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While some speculated that Samuel L. Jackson was starring in a sequel called Niggas on a Plane, we spoke to a guy whose names rhymes with “Vladimir Putin” (hey, you try rhyming in Russian!) who told a certain president who doesn’t read intelligence reports that a two-month-old, debunked rumor he read on Facebook was probably, maybe possibly true.
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However, during our investigation, The Root discovered a real Sky Thug who was flying around the country thugging out. We managed to catch up with Malik Franklin, the organizer of this imaginary field trip, who granted us an exclusive interview.
The Root: Hello! I like to start all of my interviews by asking your full name and your preferred pronoun.
Advertisement
Malik Franklin: I go by the name Tyrone Hussein Umar Gustavo Navi Ignacio Graham and my pronoun is “Goddamned Antifa.”
TR: Wow! That’s quite a name.
THUGNIGGA: Yeah, it’s basically urban, Muslim, African, Mexican and Jewish—all the things white people are afraid of. My dad wanted to name me “Economic Anxiety” or “Nonwhite Neighbor” but my mom put her foot down when he suggested “Black Penis.”
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TR: So where are you from?
THUGNIGGA: Da Hood.
TR: Is that an actual place?
THUGNIGGA: Yes, it’s the opposite of Trump’s beautiful, lily-white suburbs filled with all Caucasian non-criminals who don’t smoke crystal meth and trade oxycodone like baseball cards. It’s in the urban, underprivileged inner-city.
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TR: Is that where you grew up?
THUGNIGGA: Nope. My parents came here from a shithole country and had me here as an anchor baby, so I’m a citizen. But we were deported when my father was caught in a child trafficking ring in the basement of a pizza parlor.
TR: Wait, your father was a child trafficker?
THUGNIGGA: Yep. We lived in a B lack neighborhood with shitty, underfunded schools but he was arrested for signing me up at Jefferson Davis Confederate Elementary, a predominately white school in the suburbs. Because we were from a different zip code, they charged him with child trafficking, sent me to a detention center and deported us to Mexico.
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TR: Is that where your parents are from?
THUGNIGGA: Nah, they emigrated from Puerto Rico.
TR: But Puerto Rico is in America!
THUGNIGGA: Semantics, nigga. Semantics.
TR: So how did you get back to America?
THUGNIGGA: We went to Mexico and crossed the border in a Caravan. It was a long trip. Some of us didn’t make it.
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TR: I’m sorry to hear that. Did they get eaten by coyotes? Did you bury them in the desert?
THUGNIGGA: What? No! Of course not! What do you think I am, a savage? It’s just that my favorite teddy bear couldn’t fit in the Dodge Caravan because there was very little room in the backseat. I like to stretch out and be comfortable.
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TR: Oh, I understand. So is that what radicalized you?
THUGNIGGA: No. Honestly, it was when I joined MS-13.
TR: You’re a member of the deadly Hispanic gang?
THUGNIGGA: No, it was Microsoft’s coding summer camp for 13-year-olds. I was the only B lack kid there. When I realized there was a technology gap but I was still smarter than those rich white kids, it changed my life forever. That’s why I joined Black Lives Matter, antifa, and the radical left.
Advertisement
TR: So what did you have to do to join? Was there an initiation ceremony? How much was the membership fees?
THUGNIGGA: Well, to join Black Lives Matter, you just have to believe Black l ives m atter. And when I read about fascism, I decided I was against it, so I automatically became an anti-fascist. To be honest, I assumed everyone was an anti-fascist. I’m always shocked by white people’s hate for antifa because I rarely meet any pro-fascist people (except in Alabama).
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That’s why I organized the plane trip. It was a recruiting trip.
TR: Recruiting for what?
THUGNIGGA: Our goal is to get white people to stop being racist and to get the police to stop killing Black people.
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TR: Is that why you were wearing all black on the plane?
THUGNIGGA: Nah, we bought those T-shirts at the gift shop at the Seattle airport. They lost our luggage.
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TR: Were you offended when the president called you a thug?
THUGNIGGA: No. After George Floyd’s death, I was actually getting worried for a minute and began questioning the movement until the president said that.
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TR: Why?
THUGNIGGA: Well, when white people started tweeting out the words “Black Lives Matter” and showing up at protests, I began to wonder if we were going about this in the right way.
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White people have never, ever been on the right side of history. They fought the Civil War to protect slavery. They lynched “thugs” who looked white women in the eyes. They instituted Jim Crow to protect their children and their white women from so-called thugs. Poll taxes kept thugs from voting.
You know who else they called a thug? Emmett Till. And Cleveland Sellers. And Medgar Evers. And Rosa Parks. They said the same thing about John Lewis and the Freedom Riders. They said it about Martin Luther King Jr. They called Malcolm X a thug. They called the B lack Panthers thugs. And Tupac. And Eric Garner. And Trayvon Martin. And Korryn Gaines. And Kaepernick. And Breonna Taylor. And Ahmaud Arbery. And George Floyd.
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To them, “thug” means “refuses to be oppressed.” It means “does what he believes is right. ” I t means “doesn’t listen to white people.” It means “nigger.” It means “target.” It means “I give you permission to kill this person.”
How many times have you heard Kyle Rittenhouse be called a “thug”? How about Dylann Roof? Show me a clip of Trump calling the white supremacist terrorists who marched on Charlottesville “thugs.”
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So, when the president called us thugs, it confirmed that we were doing the right thing.
TR: I see. But what about the violence at protests? Why do you condone that?
THUGNIGGA: Oh, that’s them white boys. Everyone knows that.
TR: So why haven’t you spoken out about it?
THUGNIGGA: Wait...Are you asking me why I haven’t fact-checked a liar? Are you asking why I haven’t reached out to media outlets that pointed out that Trump might be lying about National Lampoon’s Thugcation but haven’t once challenged him on how he knew they were thugs or what he thinks these mythical thugs look like?
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The same media who reports the handful of violent protests but not the thousands of nonviolent ones? The same media that never mentions that more people are arrested at protests than were hurt or killed at protests? The same media who calls the protests violent when the cops are often the ones committing the violence?
What would be the point of that?
TR: So what would you like the world to know about you?
THUGNIGGA: I’d like them to stop killing Black people or we are going to burn down their buildings, buy low-income housing in the suburbs and fornicate with teenage white girls.
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TR: Wait...Are you really gonna do all that?
THUGNIGGA: Of course not.
But why should we be the only ones walking around in fear?
TR: Thanks for the interview. This was my first time talking to a real thug.
THUGNIGGA: No, it isn’t.
You just called him “police officer.”