theroot--2020-12-28--Alvin Kamara Is Not Human, the Jaguars Know What They're Doing and Other Takeaways From Week 16 of t

Alvin Kamara Is Not Human, the Jaguars Know What They're Doing and Other Takeaways From Week 16 of the NFL

Thanks to the Christmas holiday , we were treated to three days of NFL football , so if you were too preoccupied with opening gifts or squandering your life away on Clubhouse , here ’ s what you missed Alvin Kamara Is Not to Be Played With While the standings will have you believe otherwise , it ’ s been a tumultuous season for the New Orleans Saints ( 11-4 ) .
All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas has barely been on the field all year ; Emmanuel Sanders and Terron Armstead got put in a headlock by the coronavirus ; Cam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usual self , and Drew Brees—yes , that Drew Brees—also missed several games with 11 ( !
!
!
!
!
! )
rib fractures .
Yet despite surviving more chaos than the Trump administration , the Saints have had one constant that has almost felt like an unfair advantage , and his name is Alvin Kamara .
No matter the odds or circumstances , week after week Kamara has provided the type of consistency from the running back position that most organizations can only dream of—especially since he not only does it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And with Thomas out for the rest of the regular season while Brees is easing himself back to the fold to prepare for the playoffs , Kamara put the team on his shoulders and treated us all to a historic performance on Christmas Day .
Hyperbole gets thrown around a lot in sports , but after collecting 172 yards from scrimmage and scoring six touchdowns , I think we can all agree that Kamara is one of the best to ever do it in a Saints uniform—all while remaining fashionable with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To put Kamara ’ s performance into context , he tied a single-game rushing TD record that was set in 1929 .
1929 !
He also became the first player since Gale Sayers in 1965 to score that many touchdowns in a game .
I don ’ t know what in the hell Kamara eats for breakfast , but dude is no fucking joke on the field .
He deserves a chapter in the Bible or something .
Damn .
After being a dumpster fire since the dawn of time , suddenly the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope .
What a difference a couple of New York Jets wins make .
On the same day the Jags set a franchise record by losing their 14th consecutive game of the season , their ineptitude brought them unspeakable joy as they learned that as a reward for officially having the worst record in the league , they ’ ll be picking first in the 2021 NFL Draft .
Why is this such a big goddamn deal ?
Because Trevor Lawrence , the best college quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck , is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ago , the sorry-ass Jets were the ones who had dibs .
But because the Jets picked the absolute worst time in the history of their franchise to ring off an inexplicable two-game winning streak—after giving the Rams that work the week before , they punched the Browns in the mouth on Sunday—New York will be picking second in the draft .
So now literally overnight , the Jags—who are also looking for a new GM and head coach—have gone from one of the worst run organizations in professional sports to having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire league .
Because who the hell doesn ’ t want to coach or build a team around a potential future Hall of Fame quarterback ?
Trevor definitely dodged a bullet by avoiding playing for the Jets , but at least they have their pride intact by not going winless this season ...
I guess .
Let me know how that works out for you as you continue to swirl around the toilet bowl for the next three or four seasons since y ’ all can ’ t even lose right .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ All On the same day the Kansas City Chiefs clinched the No .
1 seed in the AFC and earned themselves a first-round bye , Travis Kelce and his cybernetic implants set a single-season record for tight end receiving yards—a record previously set by Greg Kittle of the 49ers in 2018 .
In what realm of reality is a tight end doing this type of damage even remotely fair ?
Mind you , the Chiefs still have one more game left this season .
So while it ’ s likely that he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game in order to rest for the playoffs , it ’ s also possible that he might get some snaps in next week and run these numbers up even higher .
Tom Brady tore Detroit a new asshole and Jeff Wilson blacked out against the Cardinals , but did you see Ryan Fitzpatrick heave that Fitzmagic against the Raiders to help eliminate them from the playoffs ?
How in the hell ?
!
Talk about a Christmas miracle .

Thanks to the Christmas holiday, we were treated to three days of NFL football, so if you were too preoccupied with opening gifts or squandering your life away on Clubhouse, here’s what you missed
Alvin Kamara Is Not to Be Played With
While the standings will have you believe otherwise, it’s been a tumultuous season for the New Orleans Saints (11-4). All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas has barely been on the field all year; Emmanuel Sanders and Terron Armstead got put in a headlock by the coronavirus; Cam Jordan hasn’t looked like his usual self, and Drew Brees—yes, that Drew Brees—also missed several games with 11 (!!!!!!) rib fractures. Yet despite surviving more chaos than the Trump administration, the Saints have had one constant that has almost felt like an unfair advantage, and his name is Alvin Kamara.
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No matter the odds or circumstances, week after week Kamara has provided the type of consistency from the running back position that most organizations can only dream of—especially since he not only does it on the ground but in the air. And with Thomas out for the rest of the regular season while Brees is easing himself back to the fold to prepare for the playoffs, Kamara put the team on his shoulders and treated us all to a historic performance on Christmas Day.
Hyperbole gets thrown around a lot in sports, but after collecting 172 yards from scrimmage and scoring six touchdowns, I think we can all agree that Kamara is one of the best to ever do it in a Saints uniform—all while remaining fashionable with a custom diamond grill and Christmas-themed cleats.
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To put Kamara’s performance into context, he tied a single-game rushing TD record that was set in 1929. 1929! He also became the first player since Gale Sayers in 1965 to score that many touchdowns in a game.
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I don’t know what in the hell Kamara eats for breakfast, but dude is no fucking joke on the field. He deserves a chapter in the Bible or something. Damn.
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Trevor Lawrence Will Be a Jaguar
After being a dumpster fire since the dawn of time, suddenly the future of the Jaguars is brimming with hope. What a difference a couple of New York Jets wins make.
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On the same day the Jags set a franchise record by losing their 14th consecutive game of the season, their ineptitude brought them unspeakable joy as they learned that as a reward for officially having the worst record in the league, they’ll be picking first in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Why is this such a big goddamn deal? Because Trevor Lawrence, the best college quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck, is the top prize. And up until two weeks ago, the sorry-ass Jets were the ones who had dibs. But because the Jets picked the absolute worst time in the history of their franchise to ring off an inexplicable two-game winning streak—after giving the Rams that work the week before, they punched the Browns in the mouth on Sunday—New York will be picking second in the draft.
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So now literally overnight, the Jags—who are also looking for a new GM and head coach—have gone from one of the worst run organizations in professional sports to having two of the most desirable openings in the entire league. Because who the hell doesn’t want to coach or build a team around a potential future Hall of Fame quarterback?
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Trevor definitely dodged a bullet by avoiding playing for the Jets, but at least they have their pride intact by not going winless this season...I guess.
Let me know how that works out for you as you continue to swirl around the toilet bowl for the next three or four seasons since y’all can’t even lose right.
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Travis Kelce Is Here to Destroy Us All
On the same day the Kansas City Chiefs clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC and earned themselves a first-round bye, Travis Kelce and his cybernetic implants set a single-season record for tight end receiving yards—a record previously set by Greg Kittle of the 49ers in 2018.
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From NFL.com:
With a 31-yard catch in the fourth quarter of Kansas City’s 17-14 win over the Atlanta Falcons that saw K.C. secure homefield in the AFC, Kelce surpassed Kittle’s 2018 single-season record of 1,377 yards to set a new standard. Kelce finished with 98 yards and a touchdown on seven catches on the day, giving him 1,416 receiving yards and 105 catches on the season.
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In what realm of reality is a tight end doing this type of damage even remotely fair?
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Mind you, the Chiefs still have one more game left this season. So while it’s likely that he’ll sit the team’s final game in order to rest for the playoffs, it’s also possible that he might get some snaps in next week and run these numbers up even higher.
Damn. Congrats, Travis.
Who Balled Out
Tom Brady tore Detroit a new asshole and Jeff Wilson blacked out against the Cardinals, but did you see Ryan Fitzpatrick heave that Fitzmagic against the Raiders to help eliminate them from the playoffs?
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How in the hell?! Talk about a Christmas miracle.
See y’all next week.


theroot--2020-12-28--Ma Rainey Director George C. Wolfe on the Legacy of Race and Black Artists in the Entertainment Indu

Ma Rainey Director George C. Wolfe on the Legacy of Race and Black Artists in the Entertainment Industry

“ We ’ re all caught up trying to figure out how to have our stories told , how to protect those stories , how to be paid [ what we feel is that we deserve ] , how to fight and protect those stories so they don ’ t get diluted or transformed .
—George C. Wolfe , Director This idea of understanding one ’ s value is critical in personal and professional life .
I ’ d argue that it takes years of this knowing and a tremendous amount of courage to begin demanding said worth .
Playwright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wolfe explores this theme , among others , in Ma Rainey ’ s Black Bottom .
Make no mistake , Ma Rainey was a Black woman navigating the music industry in the 1920s—white executives would , no doubt , exploit her if they had the opportunity .
Still , the performer understood her worth and wouldn ’ t accept anything less than what she thought she deserved .
In the film , Ma ( portrayed by Viola Davis ) sums up her stance pretty clearly , “ I don ’ t stand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the film , Ma describes the dynamic between Black performers and the white people ( who at the time ) almost exclusively ran the country ’ s record labels .
“ You ’ re colored and you can make them some money , then you ’ re alright with them , ” she says .
“ Otherwise , you ’ re just a dog in some alley.
” Are Black artists are still perceived this way today ?
“ I think it ’ s a fight for all artists to be treated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be respected , the way that they want to be respected and to be valued , ” Wolfe told The Root .
While the director believes that all artists want to be seen and heard , the situation becomes a bit dicier if they are Black .
“ Then you add into the equation race and the legacy of Black performers ( in terms of the entertainment industry ) , then it becomes this complicated , really brutal , painful , historically overwhelming machine , ” said Wolfe .
If you haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rainey ’ s Black Bottom yet , then you ’ re definitely missing out .
Watch a snippet of our conversation with George C. Wolfe about the film above .

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Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude


theroot--2020-12-29--Only When It Is Darkest, Can We See the Stars: Marc Lamont Hill Reflects on 2020

“ 2020 showed us how vulnerable we are to the unforeseeable , it showed us how precarious our lives are .
2020 showed us that in a day , our entire worlds could be turned around .
And because of our vulnerability , that instant shift in our lives could have devastating consequences.
” —Marc Lamont Hill , Ph.D. Like many of us , Marc Lamont Hill is still attempting to make sense of the tumultuous year that was 2020 .
From the coronavirus pandemic that paralyzed the country , leaving over 330,000 dead ( and counting ) ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people ; the 2020 uprisings , which were a response to the police killings ; and not to mention the loss of many , many luminaries—to say that “ 2020 kicked our asses ” might be an understatement .
“ It was the confluence of all those things at once against the backdrop of a presidency which was even more racist , even more indifferent to Black suffering than other presidencies which all have been and so on some level , ” says the author of We Still Here : Pandemic Policing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s presidency has shown that we live in a country where white supremacy still exists .
His mere presence in the White House emboldened many racist Americans , and his inaction during a time of crisis made a bad situation , well , worse .
As we end this unequivocally bleak year , where is there hope ?
“ In 1968 , Dr. King said , it is only when it is darkest that we can see the stars , ” Hill said .
“ This was an incredibly dark moment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , those stars roaming the streets of Minneapolis , those stars were on the streets of Philadelphia , in New York and Los Angeles and Houston .
Those stars were protesters who were willing to stand up and speak out and use their bodies and put their bodies on the line as a means of pushing for freedom.
” Watch Marc Lamont Hill ’ s entire reflection on 2020 in the video above .


theroot--2020-12-30--Boston Removes a Statue Depicting a Free Black Man Kneeling Before Abraham Lincoln, and It Only Took

Boston Removes a Statue Depicting a Free Black Man Kneeling Before Abraham Lincoln, and It Only Took Them 150 Years!

Today I learned that a statue depicting a freed Black man kneeling before President Abraham Lincoln stood in Boston since 1879 , further proving that America has had a white savior complex since before any of us were born .
According to NBC Boston , the statue , a replica of t he Emancipation Memorial in Washington , D.C. , was finally taken down this week after officials voted to remove it over the summer .
The vote came after a petition to remove the statue garnered thousands of signatures .
Tory Bullock , a Boston native and the creator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the statue had bothered him since he was a child , with the question “ If he ’ s free , why is he still on his knees ?
” often coming to mind when he saw it .
I can ’ t even front , it ’ s a weird fucking statue .
Now , I ’ m not going to use this time to dunk on Lincoln .
That ’ s mainly due to having a public school education and not knowing much about the man beyond issuing the Emancipation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gettysburg .
I will , however , talk shit about the choices made by whoever designed this statue .
Off jump , the fact that the man is allegedly free but is still kneeling before a white man is just a bad look .
There ’ s no way around it .
The badness of it all is only compounded by Lincoln ’ s posture and facial expression .
He looks almost annoyed , as though he ’ s saying “ Y eah yeah , you ’ re free , whatever , now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he has one hand on what I can only imagine is the Emancipation Proclamation and another held over the freedman , as though he ’ s casting some sort of freedom enchantment .
While I would ’ ve much rather watched Abraham Lincoln : Dark Magician over Abraham Lincoln : Vampire Hunter , it ’ s still a weird-ass look for the 16th U.S. president .
It wasn ’ t lost on Boston officials that people felt some kind of way about the monument .
The statue ’ s depiction of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first installed 151 years ago , with the petition basically just hammering home the message .
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh ( D ) issued a statement in support of the move .
“ As we continue our work to make Boston a more equitable and just city , it ’ s important that we look at the stories being told by the public art in all of our neighborhoods , ” Walsh wrote .
“ After engaging in a public process , it ’ s clear that residents and visitors to Boston have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its reductive representation of the Black man ’ s role in the abolitionist movement .
I fully support the Boston Art Commission ’ s decision for removal and thank them for their work.
” A permanent sign is expected to go up explaining the history of what used to stand in the statue ’ s area .

Today I learned that a statue depicting a freed Black man kneeling before President Abraham Lincoln stood in Boston since 1879, further proving that America has had a white savior complex since before any of us were born.
According to NBC Boston, the statue, a replica of t he Emancipation Memorial in Washington, D.C., was finally taken down this week after officials voted to remove it over the summer. The vote came after a petition to remove the statue garnered thousands of signatures. Tory Bullock, a Boston native and the creator of the petition, told NBC Boston that the statue had bothered him since he was a child, with the question “If he’s free, why is he still on his knees?” often coming to mind when he saw it.
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I can’t even front, it’s a weird fucking statue. Now, I’m not going to use this time to dunk on Lincoln. That’s mainly due to having a public school education and not knowing much about the man beyond issuing the Emancipation Proclamation and apparently scoring four times in Gettysburg. I will, however, talk shit about the choices made by whoever designed this statue.
Off jump, the fact that the man is allegedly free but is still kneeling before a white man is just a bad look. There’s no way around it. The badness of it all is only compounded by Lincoln’s posture and facial expression. He looks almost annoyed, as though he’s saying “Y eah yeah, you’re free, whatever, now can I go home?”
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Also, he has one hand on what I can only imagine is the Emancipation Proclamation and another held over the freedman, as though he’s casting some sort of freedom enchantment.
While I would’ve much rather watched Abraham Lincoln: Dark Magician over Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, it’s still a weird-ass look for the 16th U.S. president.
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It wasn’t lost on Boston officials that people felt some kind of way about the monument. The statue’s depiction of the freedman has been criticized since it was first installed 151 years ago, with the petition basically just hammering home the message. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh (D) issued a statement in support of the move.
“As we continue our work to make Boston a more equitable and just city, it’s important that we look at the stories being told by the public art in all of our neighborhoods,” Walsh wrote. “After engaging in a public process, it’s clear that residents and visitors to Boston have been uncomfortable with this statue, and its reductive representation of the Black man’s role in the abolitionist movement. I fully support the Boston Art Commission’s decision for removal and thank them for their work.”
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A permanent sign is expected to go up explaining the history of what used to stand in the statue’s area.


theroot--2020-12-28--Shop Last-Minute Holiday Sales on Skincare, Cosmetics, and More at Ulta Beauty

The best Ulta Beauty deals for January 2021 are here .
If you ’ re still looking to cash in on some extra holiday deals , look no further than Ulta Beauty .
The makeup retailer has a wide variety of products , ranging from skincare to makeup to beauty tools .
A number of these products are vegan , cruelty-free , and/or socially conscious .
There ’ s really nothing that can beat it !
And if you ’ re really looking to score , be sure to snag a 20 % off coupon on a qualifying purchase with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at the list of some of the best finds this holiday season .
Today is the last day to order plastic Ulta gift cards for this holiday season to be delivered by Christmas Eve ( 12/24 ) .
However , if you ’ re looking to cut down on plastic waste , you can also purchase an eGift Card instead .
Note that eGift Cards are only sold online while plastic gift cards can be purchased online , at an Ulta store , or authorized retailer .
I don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be renegades .
Some hairs grow in odd directions , and it doesn ’ t have that effortless look that I ’ m going for in my day-to-day makeup look .
However , after I discovered tinted brow gel , my eyebrows have been in check ever since .
Anastasia Beverly Hills makes a great brow gel product with tons of shades , guaranteed to match your hair color .
Buy one , get one 50 % off I don ’ t know about you , but serums are an absolute must in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Radiance+ 15 % Vitamin C Serum is just the type of serum I love .
This product has a lightweight gel texture and is formulated with vitamin C to brighten dark spots and uneven skin tone .
Not only does it improve your skin ’ s texture , but it infuses it with a glow that lasts all day long .
After this year , we all need a little bit of time to relax and recharge , and Epsom salt baths are a great way to soothe your workday fatigue .
Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Solution is formulated with lavender oil to relax your mind and body while helping you achieve a restful night of sleep .
I started using Buxom products about a year or two ago because I was looking to spice up my makeup routine , and I wasn ’ t disappointed .
The Buxom ’ s Ultimate Lip Party Plumping Lip set features six gorgeous lip glosses and two matte lip liners , which come in a yummy Bellini scent .
These products come in the following colors : Celeste , Ginger , Sarina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Incognito , and Hush Hush .
Do you ever get tired of burning yourself while curling your hair ?
Me too .
With this in mind , Conair created the Unbound Cordless Auto-Curler .
This product has respective three heat and timing settings for variety .
It even comes with a storage pouch and has a digital display for ease and readability .
Spend $ 30 on Clinique products ( online-only , and get a Fresh Pressed Recharge System for $ 15 ( valid until 1/30/21 ) For those of us who struggle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try Clinique ’ s Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum .
With 15 SPF , this product will brighten your skin tone , reducing those spots visibility , while providing sun protection .
This product also has 24-hour coverage , so you don ’ t have to worry about clogging your pores by constantly reapplying .
Available in the colors Autumn , Angel , and Mary Jo K , this Holiday Lip Kit Trio provides a great sampling of some of Kylie Cosmetics signature products .
It ’ s a great way to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different looks .
This limited-edition Gen Nude eyeshadow palette features six neutral and plum tones so that you can fluctuate from your day to night looks .
These shades are shimmer and are luminous while delivering a defined eye .
And rest assured knowing that the packaging is low-waste , recyclable , and made from 100 % FSC-certified paper .
Looking for a little makeup pick me up without making a huge splurge ?
Cash in on NARS ’ Mini Orgasm Double Duo .
This product features an award-winning shade of blush and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compact .
Not only is it simple but will reduce clutter in your makeup bag .
Purchase any Becca Foundation and get the Bring the Light Prime + Set Kit for $ 5 ( offer valid until 12/31/21 ) .
The BECCA Skin Love Weightless Blur Foundation is a great moisturizing , medium coverage product , giving the effect of healthy-looking skin .
Crafted with pore-blurring pigments , this product diminishes imperfections and has 24-hour true wear .
All BECCA products are cruelty-free and PETA certified .
This story was originally published on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clark .

Juliana Clark on Roundups, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Featured Deals: It Cosmetics Superhero Superstar Trio | $25
The best Ulta Beauty deals for December 2021 are here.
The makeup retailer has a wide variety of products, ranging from skincare to makeup to beauty tools. A number of these products are vegan, cruelty-free, and/or socially conscious.
Now, take a look at the list of some of our best finds.
A new perfume can turn a day around and give you the confidence to tackle anything. As a fan of Pinrose, their feminine florals certainly do this. The Wild Child set is like having your own personal field of jasmine flowers follow you around. With a hint of tropical air and vanilla this effervescent aroma will bring a smile to your face. This perfume is accompanied by fragrance towelettes to tuck away in your purse or gym bag for a touch up throughout the day.
Looking for a highly pigmented and long lasting red lip for the holidays? In four different shades PYT’s lipstick is both hydrating and weightless. Flawless application leaves you with a smooth and sassy tinited lip. Shea butter and an array of oils keep everything soft and kissable all day and night.
Do you hate it buying a palette and then having all of these shades that are left unused? Well, not anymore! Buxom is allowing shoppers to customize their own eyeshadow palette. All shades are primer-infused to prevent fallout and highly pigmented to create rich color. Now, ULTA Beauty is offering a bundle of a palette, plus six single refills for $40.
A good eye makeup set is great to have in your beauty arsenal. It Cosmetics has some excellent options at really affordable price points. Their Superhero Superstar Trio could be that set for you. You’ll get the top-rated volumizing and lengthening mascara, the sharpenable gel liner, and the brow power eyebrow pencil. Even if you don’t get a super power you will have the perfect smokey eye and that’s a heroic feat alone.
Save $10 It Cosmetics Superhero Superstar Trio Limited-edition holiday gift set!
Mascara stretches the look of your lashes wider and longer for maximum impact. Buy for $25 at Ulta
In the words of NikkiTutorials, not to prime is a crime. So, why not try the Flower Beauty In Your Prime Perfecting Primer? It’s the perfect base for your makeup application. Its universally flattering formula is great to layer underneath your concealer, foundation, or tinted moisturizer. It ensures your skin is fully prepped, regardless of your skin type.
36% off Flower Beauty In Your Prime Perfecting Primer Ideal for all skin types!
Creates a smooth and even surface so skin is prepped and primed. Buy for $7 at Ulta
Get a free gift with purchase
For those of us who struggle with acne scars or sun spots, try Clinique’s Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum. With 15 SPF, this product will brighten your skin tone, reducing those spots visibility, while providing sun protection. This product also has 24-hour coverage, so you don’t have to worry about clogging your pores by constantly reapplying.
I’m a huge fan of Holika Holika and I promise you will fall in love with them too. This creamy lipstick in the shape of a heart glides on beautifully and evenly.
It’s soft, light, and nourishes dry lips in just one coating. Pick from three red hues and give your pucker a luscious, vibrant color. This glossy appearance looks as if the shades were melted right onto your lips.
This Charcoal & Tea Tree Oil Mineral Wet Mask restores and detoxifies skin bothered by acne, oil, and breakouts. Blemishes can appear at anytime so having a treatment like this on hand is vital to getting it under control. Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial which can help with reducing redness and clear your complexion in days. Charcoal is also a great ingredient to tackle bacteria and excess oil. Gently exfoliate your way to a happier face and moisturize the skin without clogging pores.
With the assistance of vitamin B5 and Honest’s calming mist can aid even the most irritated of faces. This ultra fine mist will help soothe and instantaneously cool trouble spots. In just a few spritzes your skin will be nourished and revitalized. This was formulated for all skin types and builds a barrier for extra protection. A must in any makeup bag.
Styling for fine to very thick hair can be hard without the right tools. The Beauty Silver Glitz Flat Iron was made just for Ulta and is versatile for all hair types. Smooth your tresses out for a shinier look with no fear of static and frizz thanks to its fancy tourmaline ceramic technology. Glide easily over your strands and have it perfectly stlyed in seconds. The LED light blinks when its reached the maximum temperature and it comes with a 11 feet long chord.
This story was originally published by Juliana Clark on 12/22/2020 and updated with new information by Sheilah Villari on 12/21/2021.


theroot--2020-12-30--LeBron James, Naomi Osaka Named Associated Press Male and Female Athletes of the Year

During a year that ’ s presented an endless succession of unprecedented challenges , LeBron James and Naomi Osaka dug deep and still managed to dominate both on and off the court , a nd for their accomplishments in both sports and social activism , the Associated Press has named them the Male and Female Athletes of the Year .
LeBron James told the world in 2020 that Black Lives Matter .
He helped convince many who had never voted to finally head to the polls .
He found more ways to continue elevating the lives of people in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough , he won another NBA championship .
With his fourth Athlete of the Year win , James matches embattled cyclist Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods for the most by men .
“ I still know what I do on the floor and obviously , I give everything to the game , ” James told AP .
“ But I can make a greater impact off the floor right now , more than I can on the floor .
And I want to continue to inspire people with the way I play the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s so many more things that I can do off the floor to help cultivate people , inspire people , bring people together , empower them.
” For King James that included launching the voting initiative More Than a Vote , which seeks to protect the voting rights of Black folks in America , and partnering with the Los Angeles Dodgers to transform Dodger Stadium into a polling center for the presidential election .
As for Osaka , aside from finishing the year ranked No .
3 , she won her third Grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September while “ positioning herself as a leader not only in women ’ s tennis but in all of sports ” and “ a force for change in our society , ” according to tennis great Billie Jean King .
“ She successfully completed the difficult task of taking excellence in sports performance and using that platform to succeed outside of sports on a much bigger stage , ” King told the AP .
“ She ignited a conversation on social justice , the results of which were bigger than tennis , larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised the bar for all those who want to leverage the gifts and talents we have to make a difference in our world.
” And she also did it while ensuring that the entire world said Breonna Taylor ’ s name by wearing a mask paying tribute .
Prior to subsequent matches , she also wore masks bearing the names of Tamir Rice , Elijah McClain , George Floyd , Trayvon Martin , Ahmaud Arbery and Philando Castile .
“ To be honest , I really didn ’ t stop to think about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Osaka said while discussing her decision .
“ Other people ’ s opinions weren ’ t going to stop me from doing what I know in my heart was the right thing to do .
The strong voices of Colin [ Kaepernick ] and LeBron were certainly positive influences for me and gave me strength in my own convictions.
” Congrats are in order to both Naomi and LeBron .
Very much deserved on both accounts , and don ’ t be surprised if they both run it back next year @ @ @

During a year that’s presented an endless succession of unprecedented challenges, LeBron James and Naomi Osaka dug deep and still managed to dominate both on and off the court, a nd for their accomplishments in both sports and social activism, the Associated Press has named them the Male and Female Athletes of the Year.
From NBC News:
LeBron James told the world in 2020 that Black Lives Matter. He helped convince many who had never voted to finally head to the polls. He found more ways to continue elevating the lives of people in his hometown. If that weren’t enough, he won another NBA championship.
With his fourth Athlete of the Year win, James matches embattled cyclist Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods for the most by men.
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“I still know what I do on the floor and obviously, I give everything to the game,” James told AP. “But I can make a greater impact off the floor right now, more than I can on the floor. And I want to continue to inspire people with the way I play the game of basketball. But there’s so many more things that I can do off the floor to help cultivate people, inspire people, bring people together, empower them.”
For King James that included launching the voting initiative More Than a Vote, which seeks to protect the voting rights of Black folks in America, and partnering with the Los Angeles Dodgers to transform Dodger Stadium into a polling center for the presidential election.
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As for Osaka, aside from finishing the year ranked No. 3, she won her third Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open in September while “positioning herself as a leader not only in women’s tennis but in all of sports” and “a force for change in our society,” according to tennis great Billie Jean King.
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“She successfully completed the difficult task of taking excellence in sports performance and using that platform to succeed outside of sports on a much bigger stage,” King told the AP. “She ignited a conversation on social justice, the results of which were bigger than tennis, larger than sports, and in doing so raised the bar for all those who want to leverage the gifts and talents we have to make a difference in our world.”
Pretty much.
And she also did it while ensuring that the entire world said Breonna Taylor’s name by wearing a mask paying tribute.
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Prior to subsequent matches, she also wore masks bearing the names of Tamir Rice, Elijah McClain, George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Ahmaud Arbery and Philando Castile.
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“To be honest, I really didn’t stop to think about what others would think of my actions,” Osaka said while discussing her decision. “Other people’s opinions weren’t going to stop me from doing what I know in my heart was the right thing to do. The strong voices of Colin [Kaepernick] and LeBron were certainly positive influences for me and gave me strength in my own convictions.”
Congrats are in order to both Naomi and LeBron. Very much deserved on both accounts, and don’t be surprised if they both run it back next year, too.


theroot--2020-12-29--Stacey Abrams’ Sister, a Federal Judge, Also Doesn’t Play, Blocks Attempt at Georgia Voter Purge

Man , I know the Georgia GOP is probably tired of the Abrams sisters right about now .
Stacey Abrams ’ work in combating voter suppression was essential in turning the state blue , and her sister , a federal judge , has blocked an attempt to purge over 4,000 voters from the rolls ahead of the state ’ s Jan. 5 runoff election .
I can ’ t help but imagine Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp ( R ) reacting to the ruling by flipping a desk and yelling “ They keep letting those coloreds vote and I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to Politico , U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner ruled in favor of Majority Forward , the voting rights group that brought forth the suit .
The organization , represented by National Democratic Party attorney Marc Elias , filed the suit after voting boards in Muscogee County and Ben Hill County attempted to purge their voting rolls using data from the U.S .
Postal Service ’ s publicly accessible change-of-address records .
Muscogee County , which President-e lect Joe Biden won in November , attempted to purge over 4,000 registered voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump won by a wide margin , attempted to purge only 150 voters .
Interesting how that all worked out .
“ Failure to grant the injunctive relief could result in eligible voters being denied the right to vote , voters who would otherwise exercise their constitutional right to vote being intimidated or discouraged from doing so , or eligible voters being forced to go to extraordinary lengths during the holiday season and ongoing Covid-19 pandemic to prove that they are eligible to vote , ” Gardner wrote in her ruling , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court acknowledges that an injunction may burden defendants in their role managing the ongoing election , the harm to voters whose right to vote is wrongfully impeded or denied is far greater , ” she added .
The thing that defines the current- day GOP is cruelty and incompetence , and that last one came into play here .
See , these challenges weren ’ t filed by attorneys , legal scholars , or anyone who generally knows the law .
It was just regular-ass citizens doing their part to suppress the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed by a local voter named Ralph Russell earlier in December and was simply based on him looking at publicly available but unverified information and going , “ they can ’ t vote no more.
” I ’ m not even being reductive right now , that ’ s pretty much what happened .
“ I believe that each of the individuals named ... as a result of registering their name and change of address to a location outside of Muscogee County , removed to another state with the intention of making the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the county board .
“ Thus , each individual has lost their residence in Muscogee County , and consequently , each individual is ineligible to vote in Muscogee County.
” The Muscogee board voted 3-1 in favor of Russell ’ s motion on Dec. 16 , despite no additional evidence being presented and Russell not even attending the meeting .
The board ruled that voters on Russell ’ s list would have to vote via provisional ballot and provide evidence of their residency .
The situation was more or less the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board voted 2-1 in favor of a challenge presented by Tommy Roberts , a city councilman in Fitzgerald , Ga .
Similarly , Roberts ’ s challenge was based on change-of-address data , and the board still backed the challenge even though they were told that it wouldn ’ t likely hold up in a court of law .
Gardner even noted this in her ruling , writing “ Despite this advice from the County Attorney , the Ben Hill Board voted to find that there was probable cause to sustain the challenges.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Black mom hitting you with , “ You knew damn well you had no business being over there , ” before telling you what your punishment is and adding “ you lucky I didn ’ t beat your little hard-headed ass.
” Hard-headed is exactly what their asses were , as the Muscogee board filed a motion requesting Gardner recuse herself from the case due to her sister ’ s notable efforts to combat voter suppression in the state .
How does one present getting more people to vote as a bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , be the baddies ?
Lawyers for the board , described Abrams as “ a Georgia politician and voting rights activist who was the Democratic candidate in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election and has since engaged in various highly publicized efforts to increase voter registration and turnout for the 2020 general election in Georgia.
” The motion requesting Gardner ’ s recusal noted that a voter registration group affiliated with Abrams , Fair Fight , filed a suit in another federal court in Georgia last week complaining that a national organization dedicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vote , is making unjustified challenges to Georgia voters in the lead-up to the Jan. 5 runoffs .
“ Abrams ’ involvement in the Fair Fight Litigation ... is sufficient to satisfy the standard for mandatory judicial recusal , ” the board ’ s attorneys wrote .
“ Abrams has a clear interest in the outcome of this proceeding and other similarly situated litigation in Georgia due to her voting advocacy through projects such as Fair Fight and the New Georgia Project.
” Gardner declined to withdraw from the case and noted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The Court has reviewed the motion and finds no basis for recusal .
An Order detailing the Court ’ s reasoning is forthcoming , ” she wrote .
Georgia ’ s U.S. Senate runoff election will take place on Jan. 5 and will see Jon Ossoff ( D ) go against Sen. David Purdue ( R ) , and Rev .
Raphael Warnock ( D ) take on Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R ) .
Senate Republicans currently hold 50 seats in the Senate .
Should Ossoff and Warnock win , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate , with Vice President-e lect Kamala Harris being the tie-breaker vote .

Man, I know the Georgia GOP is probably tired of the Abrams sisters right about now. Stacey Abrams’ work in combating voter suppression was essential in turning the state blue, and her sister, a federal judge, has blocked an attempt to purge over 4,000 voters from the rolls ahead of the state’s Jan. 5 runoff election.
I can’t help but imagine Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) reacting to the ruling by flipping a desk and yelling “They keep letting those coloreds vote and I’m fucking sick of it!”
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According to Politico, U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner ruled in favor of Majority Forward, the voting rights group that brought forth the suit. The organization, represented by National Democratic Party attorney Marc Elias, filed the suit after voting boards in Muscogee County and Ben Hill County attempted to purge their voting rolls using data from the U.S. Postal Service’s publicly accessible change-of-address records.
Muscogee County, which President-e lect Joe Biden won in November, attempted to purge over 4,000 registered voters. Ben Hill County, which President-r eject Trump won by a wide margin, attempted to purge only 150 voters.
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Interesting how that all worked out.
“Failure to grant the injunctive relief could result in eligible voters being denied the right to vote, voters who would otherwise exercise their constitutional right to vote being intimidated or discouraged from doing so, or eligible voters being forced to go to extraordinary lengths during the holiday season and ongoing Covid-19 pandemic to prove that they are eligible to vote,” Gardner wrote in her ruling, according to CBS News.
Advertisement
“While the court acknowledges that an injunction may burden defendants in their role managing the ongoing election, the harm to voters whose right to vote is wrongfully impeded or denied is far greater,” she added.
The thing that defines the current- day GOP is cruelty and incompetence, and that last one came into play here. See, these challenges weren’t filed by attorneys, legal scholars, or anyone who generally knows the law. It was just regular-ass citizens doing their part to suppress the vote.
Advertisement
The challenge in Muscogee County was filed by a local voter named Ralph Russell earlier in December and was simply based on him looking at publicly available but unverified information and going, “they can’t vote no more.” I’m not even being reductive right now, that’s pretty much what happened.
“I believe that each of the individuals named ... as a result of registering their name and change of address to a location outside of Muscogee County, removed to another state with the intention of making the new state their residence,” Russell told the county board. “Thus, each individual has lost their residence in Muscogee County, and consequently, each individual is ineligible to vote in Muscogee County.”
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See? I told you.
The Muscogee board voted 3-1 in favor of Russell’s motion on Dec. 16, despite no additional evidence being presented and Russell not even attending the meeting. The board ruled that voters on Russell’s list would have to vote via provisional ballot and provide evidence of their residency.
Advertisement
The situation was more or less the same in Ben Hill County, where the board voted 2-1 in favor of a challenge presented by Tommy Roberts, a city councilman in Fitzgerald, Ga. Similarly, Roberts’s challenge was based on change-of-address data, and the board still backed the challenge even though they were told that it wouldn’t likely hold up in a court of law. Gardner even noted this in her ruling, writing “Despite this advice from the County Attorney, the Ben Hill Board voted to find that there was probable cause to sustain the challenges.”
Oof. That just read like a Black mom hitting you with, “You knew damn well you had no business being over there,” before telling you what your punishment is and adding “you lucky I didn’t beat your little hard-headed ass.”
Advertisement
Hard-headed is exactly what their asses were, as the Muscogee board filed a motion requesting Gardner recuse herself from the case due to her sister’s notable efforts to combat voter suppression in the state. How does one present getting more people to vote as a bad thing without realizing they might, in fact, be the baddies?
From Politico:
Lawyers for the board, described Abrams as “a Georgia politician and voting rights activist who was the Democratic candidate in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election and has since engaged in various highly publicized efforts to increase voter registration and turnout for the 2020 general election in Georgia.” The motion requesting Gardner’s recusal noted that a voter registration group affiliated with Abrams, Fair Fight, filed a suit in another federal court in Georgia last week complaining that a national organization dedicated to targeting voter fraud, True the Vote, is making unjustified challenges to Georgia voters in the lead-up to the Jan. 5 runoffs. “Abrams’ involvement in the Fair Fight Litigation ... is sufficient to satisfy the standard for mandatory judicial recusal,” the board’s attorneys wrote. “Abrams has a clear interest in the outcome of this proceeding and other similarly situated litigation in Georgia due to her voting advocacy through projects such as Fair Fight and the New Georgia Project.”
Advertisement
Gardner declined to withdraw from the case and noted the request for her recusal in her ruling. “The Court has reviewed the motion and finds no basis for recusal. An Order detailing the Court’s reasoning is forthcoming,” she wrote.
Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoff election will take place on Jan. 5 and will see Jon Ossoff (D) go against Sen. David Purdue (R), and Rev. Raphael Warnock (D) take on Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R). Senate Republicans currently hold 50 seats in the Senate. Should Ossoff and Warnock win, there will be a 50-50 party split in the Senate, with Vice President-e lect Kamala Harris being the tie-breaker vote.


theroot--2020-12-29--Ava DuVernay Introduces Diverse Database 'Array Crew'—We Better Not Hear Anymore Excuses, Hollywood

Far too often , Black and other Film/TV crew members of color often hear a variation on trite excuse , “ We keep hiring this white person because there aren ’ t a lot of [ insert specific POC identifier here ] directors , producers , cinematographers , production designers , costume designers , editors , etc .
!
” It ’ s a lie .
It ’ s not that they don ’ t exist ; it ’ s that the gatekeepers aren ’ t looking hard enough .
Frankly , it ’ s laziness .
Well , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use as pushback against that tired narrative .
According to the LA Times , Ava DuVernay has partnered with Warner Bros. TV executive Peter Roth to launch Array Crew , a division of Array Alliance , which will serve as a database to highlight below-the-line talent ( the industry term for crew members that aren ’ t the actors , writer , director or producer , who are all considered to be “ above-the-line talent ” ) that executives and hiring managers can use .
It ’ s the next step toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ bridge the hiring gap for women and people of color in the entertainment industry.
” Here ’ s more info about the brand new database , via LA Times : Already in a soft launch stage , the searchable database so far features 2,500 profiles , which can be sorted by crew position , experience , location and more — think IMDb meets LinkedIn .
The database is free to qualifying talent , who must have at least one verified credit .
While the purpose of the database is to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of color for crew positions , it ’ s open to everyone .
It ’ s focused on U.S.-based talent , but there are plans to expand it to include the U.K. and Canada next year .
“ I ’ ve never had the experience of being so closely connected with someone who ’ s probably , just on paper , the polar opposite of me—not a woman , not Black , not my age and certainly not anyone with as much power as Peter has , ” DuVernay said of Roth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge overall deal with Warner Bros. TV .
“ It serves as a model for the kinds of relationship [ s ] that we can be in , in our industry.
” Though this new database is the brainchild of two people with a Warner Bros. link , studio competitors such as Disney , Netflix and Sony have signed up for and invested in the project .
In a video call with the LA Times , DuVernay gave more of a background on how Array Crew came to be : The genesis of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now .
And Peter has a lot to do with that .
We thought : “ Oh , let ’ s just put together names of a bunch of people that we know — like everyone else in town , make a list.
” There ’ s all these lists that people have ... literally , like little pieces of paper .
You ask , “ Can I see the list ?
” Everyone has one .
CAA has one .
But they weren ’ t together in one [ omnibus list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we thought about is : “ Let ’ s go to everyone and say , ‘ Hey , why don ’ t we all put our lists into one kind of spreadsheet , so we have one mega-list .
People weren ’ t with that .
And it ’ s like , “ You ’ re proprietary with those 30 names ?
Are you serious , that little list , you don ’ t want to give ?
” Fine , we ’ ll make our own .
The first two weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After a while it was 750 and then 1,000 and then people calling and hearing about it , and it became a bit of a thing .
It was really Peter who said : “ We should contact everyone.
” He helped me think larger in terms of studios taking part in the foundation of it in a way that made it feel like theirs , which was our original idea .
He knew , from a business perspective , [ the studios ] should invest in this so that you feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s why we are where we are now where it ’ s not a spreadsheet ...
It is a tech company with a chief , with a CTO and a full staff and a fully vetted backend that is proprietary that we built from scratch .
Though this effort is to expand on existing industry lists , it ’ s actually been quite some time since Hollywood gatekeepers had absolutely no excuse when it came to diversifying their behind-the-scenes talent , with existing databases such as The JTC List ( including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Representation or initiatives such as the implementation of inclusion riders .
With DuVernay ’ s launch—especially given the significant combined platforms that she and Roth have—there is even less of an excuse not to have a truly diverse film or TV set .
Any further excuses ?
We don ’ t want to hear it .
Just do the right thing .
For more information on Array Crew , head to arraycrew.com .

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

Far too often, Black and other Film/TV crew members of color often hear a variation on trite excuse, “We keep hiring this white person because there aren’t a lot of [insert specific POC identifier here] directors, producers, cinematographers, production designers, costume designers, editors, etc.!”
It’s a lie. It’s not that they don’t exist; it’s that the gatekeepers aren’t looking hard enough. Frankly, it’s laziness. Well, it looks like we have yet another receipt to use as pushback against that tired narrative.
Advertisement
According to the LA Times, Ava DuVernay has partnered with Warner Bros. TV executive Peter Roth to launch Array Crew, a division of Array Alliance, which will serve as a database to highlight below-the-line talent (the industry term for crew members that aren’t the actors, writer, director or producer, who are all considered to be “above-the-line talent”) that executives and hiring managers can use. It’s the next step toward more inclusive crews and its mission is to “bridge the hiring gap for women and people of color in the entertainment industry.”
Here’s more info about the brand new database, via LA Times:
Already in a soft launch stage, the searchable database so far features 2,500 profiles, which can be sorted by crew position, experience, location and more — think IMDb meets LinkedIn. The database is free to qualifying talent, who must have at least one verified credit. While the purpose of the database is to make it easier to find qualified women and people of color for crew positions, it’s open to everyone. It’s focused on U.S.-based talent, but there are plans to expand it to include the U.K. and Canada next year.
Advertisement Advertisement
“I’ve never had the experience of being so closely connected with someone who’s probably, just on paper, the polar opposite of me—not a woman, not Black, not my age and certainly not anyone with as much power as Peter has,” DuVernay said of Roth, a relationship that led to her huge overall deal with Warner Bros. TV. “It serves as a model for the kinds of relationship[s] that we can be in, in our industry.”
Though this new database is the brainchild of two people with a Warner Bros. link, studio competitors such as Disney, Netflix and Sony have signed up for and invested in the project.
Advertisement
In a video call with the LA Times, DuVernay gave more of a background on how Array Crew came to be:
The genesis of it was a lot smaller than it is now. And Peter has a lot to do with that. We thought: “Oh, let’s just put together names of a bunch of people that we know — like everyone else in town, make a list.” There’s all these lists that people have ... literally, like little pieces of paper. You ask, “Can I see the list?” Everyone has one. CAA has one. But they weren’t together in one [omnibus list]. So, the first thing we thought about is: “Let’s go to everyone and say, ‘Hey, why don’t we all put our lists into one kind of spreadsheet, so we have one mega-list. People weren’t with that. And it’s like, “You’re proprietary with those 30 names? Are you serious, that little list, you don’t want to give?” Fine, we’ll make our own. The first two weeks, we had 500 people on a spreadsheet. After a while it was 750 and then 1,000 and then people calling and hearing about it, and it became a bit of a thing. It was really Peter who said: “We should contact everyone.” He helped me think larger in terms of studios taking part in the foundation of it in a way that made it feel like theirs, which was our original idea. He knew, from a business perspective, [the studios] should invest in this so that you feel like it’s yours. And that’s why we are where we are now where it’s not a spreadsheet ... It is a tech company with a chief, with a CTO and a full staff and a fully vetted backend that is proprietary that we built from scratch.
Advertisement
Though this effort is to expand on existing industry lists, it’s actually been quite some time since Hollywood gatekeepers had absolutely no excuse when it came to diversifying their behind-the-scenes talent, with existing databases such as The JTC List (including their #StartWith8Hollywood program) and Diverse Representation or initiatives such as the implementation of inclusion riders. With DuVernay’s launch—especially given the significant combined platforms that she and Roth have—there is even less of an excuse not to have a truly diverse film or TV set.
Any further excuses? We don’t want to hear it. Just do the right thing.
For more information on Array Crew, head to arraycrew.com.


theroot--2020-12-29--Everything You Need to Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions

The new year is here , and while most are filled with a lot of hope , this year is a little tougher .
This year dragged on , but as we face a new year and all the challenges it ’ s sure to bring , let ’ s take a look at some nice things to help you stay on track in 2021 .
There is nothing quite like flying through the street on the back of a bicycle .
If your goal is to get outside more , the Rad Power Bikes RadRover will help you spin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also helps you stay active in a way that feels good , and go further with an electric motor that will have you sailing down the bike path in no time .
A Rad Power Bike takes just 5 - 6 hours to charge up , so you can ride in the morning , charge up , and then ride again in the evening .
One charge will take you a full 25 - 45 miles , which is plenty for a casual ride through town .
The website has 10 available bikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which bike is a fit for your leg length and needs .
You also have the option to select a white glove delivery for a bike that is put together and fully-tuned , ready to get on and ride .
“ Finally got our RRST eBike and truly love the fun and excitement of riding around the hilly terrain to the beaches of So Cal , ” writes Douglas E. in his review .
“ You can peddle for exercise , or go all electric for a casual stroll.
” The Rad Rover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you into the great outdoors , flying through the street and recharging yourself for all that life throws at you next .
According to NASA , plants improve the quality of the air inside your house .
“ Both plant leaves and roots are utilized in removing trace levels of toxic vapors from inside tightly sealed buildings.
” Costa Farms offers some of the best potted succulents on the market and at budget-friendly prices that make this resolution an easy one to fulfill .
Our faces are still covered by masks , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the top of your list .
But , before you write this off , it ’ s the perfect time to focus on eye shadow .
If you haven ’ t perfected your technique , Flirty Flekk offers a pallet that makes eye makeup a breeze with a simple guide , and comes with all the right shades and brushes .
Before you know it , you ’ ll be a pro .
My washer and dryer set left a lot to be desired , so my wife and I trekked back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time and energy on a task that can easily be done at home .
And so , when Whirlpool offered its brand new smart washing machine and dryer set to review , I was in .
Now , a few weeks later , I ’ m confident this is a set worth investing in .
This washing machine has top of the line technology .
The built-in load and go feature cuts out the step of working with messy detergent and saves you time .
If you ’ re still trekking to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an upgrade , clean clothing is a resolution I ’ d make and easily keep with this set .
Is this the year you finally start taking care of your teeth ?
Get yourself the DiamondClean Smart .
It is a top of the line Sonicare toothbrush , recommended by top dentists including Dr. Marianna Weiner .
In addition to the incredible benefits of Sonicare , “ [ Philips ] developed a way to track your real-time brushing with sensors , five sensors to be exact , that connects to an app that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Weiner told me .
“ This app also has options to customize the intensity that you brush with , allowing you to brush with up to 62,000 strokes a minute , giving you fast results that would normally take weeks of manual brushing to achieve.
” If you promised yourself that you would get more sleep this year , then you need the Muse S. This is essentially a smart headband that tracks your sleep and can take you on guided meditation journeys .
The headband offers you unique insights into who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muse S has a 10-hour battery life , so even if you sleep in , it won ’ t die on you .
If your goal is to take your self-care to the next level and bring some self-pleasure into your life , the Curvy 1+ is the toy you need .
The latest Satisfyer toy offers fabulous tech built into a little unit that packs a punch and doesn ’ t cost hundreds of dollars .
The Curvy 1+ has both vibration and air pulse technology , and a handy app where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over control to a partner ( yes , even if they live far away ! )
Have you been putting off making your car safer , and protecting yourself in the event of an accident ?
If your New Year ’ s resolution is to finally change that , start with a Car and Driver Duo dash cam .
This dash cam has both a forward and rear camera , touch screen display , the cameras are designed to easily read plate for those unlucky hit-and-run situations .
In addition , if your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance safety tech , the dash cam has an alert system .
It works to increase your safety by warning you if you leave your lane , or might possibly end up in a collision .
If your resolution is to take care of your skin and hair , then a silk pillowcase might be exactly what you need .
Dr. Neal Schultz , a New York City-based dermatologist and author of It ’ s Not Just About Wrinkles told Good Housekeeping that silk pillowcases prevent frizzy hair and help keep skin hydrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look for a high momme of 22 or more , Dr. Schultz said .
“ Also look for Mulberry silk , which is silk ’ s equivalent of Egyptian cotton.
” Celestial Silk pillowcases check all of those boxes and are budget-friendly .
They are available in both a ton of colors and in unique patterns like marble to make your bed look marvelous .
If you ’ re like a lot of people , you keep track of everything you need to do using the sheer power of your brain .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as life gets more complicated , this task becomes more and more difficult .
Investing in an Erin Condren planner is a no brainer .
It offers both a monthly and hourly calendar view , a space to take notes and make goals , and even stickers to mark special occasions like birthdays .
I can ’ t wait to use mine come January 1st , and when you get this , you ’ ll be thrilled to fulfill your resolution and write down everything you need to do too .

Chaya M Milchtein on The Inventory, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Top Pick: Rad Power Bikes RadRover | $1,600 | Rad Power Bikes
The new year is here, and while most are filled with a lot of hope, this year is a little tougher. This year dragged on, but as we face a new year and all the challenges it’s sure to bring, let’s take a look at some nice things to help you stay on track in 2021.
There is nothing quite like flying through the street on the back of a bicycle. If your goal is to get outside more, the Rad Power Bikes RadRover will help you spin right on to your goals. It also helps you stay active in a way that feels good, and go further with an electric motor that will have you sailing down the bike path in no time.
Advertisement
A Rad Power Bike takes just 5 - 6 hours to charge up, so you can ride in the morning, charge up, and then ride again in the evening. One charge will take you a full 25 - 45 miles, which is plenty for a casual ride through town. The website has 10 available bikes and makes it easy to figure out which bike is a fit for your leg length and needs. You also have the option to select a white glove delivery for a bike that is put together and fully-tuned, ready to get on and ride.
“Finally got our RRST eBike and truly love the fun and excitement of riding around the hilly terrain to the beaches of So Cal,” writes Douglas E. in his review. “You can peddle for exercise, or go all electric for a casual stroll.” The Rad Rover is simply the best way to get you into the great outdoors, flying through the street and recharging yourself for all that life throws at you next.
Advertisement Advertisement
According to NASA, plants improve the quality of the air inside your house. “Both plant leaves and roots are utilized in removing trace levels of toxic vapors from inside tightly sealed buildings.” Costa Farms offers some of the best potted succulents on the market and at budget-friendly prices that make this resolution an easy one to fulfill.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Our faces are still covered by masks, so maybe putting on makeup isn’t at the top of your list. But, before you write this off, it’s the perfect time to focus on eye shadow. If you haven’t perfected your technique, Flirty Flekk offers a pallet that makes eye makeup a breeze with a simple guide, and comes with all the right shades and brushes. Before you know it, you’ll be a pro.
Advertisement
My washer and dryer set left a lot to be desired, so my wife and I trekked back and forth to the laundromat, wasting time and energy on a task that can easily be done at home. And so, when Whirlpool offered its brand new smart washing machine and dryer set to review, I was in.
Now, a few weeks later, I’m confident this is a set worth investing in.
This washing machine has top of the line technology. The built-in load and go feature cuts out the step of working with messy detergent and saves you time. If you’re still trekking to the laundromat, or your current set needs an upgrade, clean clothing is a resolution I’d make and easily keep with this set.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Is this the year you finally start taking care of your teeth? Get yourself the DiamondClean Smart. It is a top of the line Sonicare toothbrush, recommended by top dentists including Dr. Marianna Weiner.
In addition to the incredible benefits of Sonicare, “[Philips] developed a way to track your real-time brushing with sensors, five sensors to be exact, that connects to an app that will guide the user personally,” Dr. Weiner told me.
“This app also has options to customize the intensity that you brush with, allowing you to brush with up to 62,000 strokes a minute, giving you fast results that would normally take weeks of manual brushing to achieve.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
If you promised yourself that you would get more sleep this year, then you need the Muse S. This is essentially a smart headband that tracks your sleep and can take you on guided meditation journeys. The headband offers you unique insights into who you are and how you tick. Muse S has a 10-hour battery life, so even if you sleep in, it won’t die on you.
Advertisement
If your goal is to take your self-care to the next level and bring some self-pleasure into your life, the Curvy 1+ is the toy you need. The latest Satisfyer toy offers fabulous tech built into a little unit that packs a punch and doesn’t cost hundreds of dollars. The Curvy 1+ has both vibration and air pulse technology, and a handy app where you can control it, or give over control to a partner (yes, even if they live far away!)
Advertisement
Have you been putting off making your car safer, and protecting yourself in the event of an accident? If your New Year’s resolution is to finally change that, start with a Car and Driver Duo dash cam. This dash cam has both a forward and rear camera, touch screen display, the cameras are designed to easily read plate for those unlucky hit-and-run situations.
In addition, if your car doesn’t have built-in driver assistance safety tech, the dash cam has an alert system. It works to increase your safety by warning you if you leave your lane, or might possibly end up in a collision.
Advertisement
If your resolution is to take care of your skin and hair, then a silk pillowcase might be exactly what you need. Dr. Neal Schultz, a New York City-based dermatologist and author of It’s Not Just About Wrinkles told Good Housekeeping that silk pillowcases prevent frizzy hair and help keep skin hydrated.
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theroot--2020-12-29--We Need to Talk About the 'Twisted Tea' Incident and Why This Story Matters

Let me first just say that we at The Root do not promote violence .
We believe that you should use your words and that “ an eye for an eye leaves everyone ’ s sticks and stones unturned.
” ( I don ’ t think that ’ s how it goes , but whichever adage means “ don ’ t punch people ” is what I ’ m saying . )
We believe that before one resorts to violence , they should ask themselves : What would MLK Jesus do ?
With that out of the way ... Booooooooy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black man who both figuratively and literally opened up a can of whoop-ass on this white man who thought his affinity for Black vernacular gave him a free pass to say “ nigga ” around niggas without catching all manner of hands .
Let ’ s just get right down to it : I heard “ nigga ” seven times .
A “ violence is never the answer ” -ass nigga would probably argue that the Black man could have simply walked away from the white man who appeared to be drunk AF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I , on the other hand , would argue that a nigga who lets a white man say “ nigga ” at least seven times before busting his head to the even-whiter white meat has shown tremendous restraint .
“ Fuck my momma , nigga ?
Fuck my momma ?
Fuck your momma , nigga , ” Eminem ’ s stunt double can be heard saying in a now-viral video taken by a bystander .
“ And you know what ’ s crazy ?
I ’ mm a walk to you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ On God , ” he said in a way that , even if you h ad your eyes closed , you could still tell how absolutely white he is .
( Also , in my experience a lot of white people who use AAVE in the streets still sound like Howdy Doody when they ’ re at home speaking to their parents . )
“ I ’ m not trying to disrespect you , ” Machine Gun Smelly continued .
“ Then stop saying it , ” the Black man who is already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ma say nigga all day , every day , ” Vanilla Lice replied .
“ Are you kidding me ?
Where you from , nigga ?
” Anyway , fast forward to after about three more n-words and the Black man can be seen picking up a can of Twisted Tea and Aggy Azealia can be heard repeatedly daring him to smack him with it .
Now , a “ stop the violence , increase the peace ” -ass nigga might argue that just because discount Gary Owens kept asking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man needed to smack him with the can of tea and then punch him a few times after Wacklemore ’ s pathetic attempt at fighting back .
I , on the other hand , would argue that all the Black man did was honor a white man ’ s request by delivering the goods quicker than Amazon Prime .
Thanks to Twitter , the Black man also inadvertently gave Twisted Tea better advertising than it likely could have paid for .
Now let ’ s get into why this story matters .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ word either ” -ass nigga would join the chorus of culturally oblivious white people in arguing that if Black people want white people to stop using the word , we should set an example by not using it ourselves .
People who go there always believe they ’ re making the most logical argument , but here ’ s the thing : Fuck that .
First of all , I ’ ve seen enough Martin Scorsese movies to know that Italians , Irish folk and plenty of other ethnic groups use their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expecting outsiders to refrain from using them .
But like many things in America , shit doesn ’ t get controversial until Black people do it .
“ Nigga ” —when coming out of a Black person ’ s mouth—carries various connotations that range from the endearing “ my nigga ” to the significantly less endearing “ bitch-ass nigga.
” However we use it , there ’ s no implied racism .
The point is , there ’ s cultural context at play here that most white people wouldn ’ t understand and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the history involved and keep the word out of their mouths .
Or whatever , let them keep saying the word and keep catching hands , cans and other methods of violence—which again , The Root absolutely does not promote .

Let me first just say that we at The Root do not promote violence. We believe that you should use your words and that “an eye for an eye leaves everyone’s sticks and stones unturned.” (I don’t think that’s how it goes, but whichever adage means “don’t punch people” is what I’m saying.) We believe that before one resorts to violence, they should ask themselves: What would MLK Jesus do?
With that out of the way...
*clears throat*
Booooooooy, let’s talk about this Black man who both figuratively and literally opened up a can of whoop-ass on this white man who thought his affinity for Black vernacular gave him a free pass to say “nigga” around niggas without catching all manner of hands.
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Let’s just get right down to it: I heard “nigga” seven times.
A “violence is never the answer”-ass nigga would probably argue that the Black man could have simply walked away from the white man who appeared to be drunk AF and was possibly emboldened by his inebriation. I, on the other hand, would argue that a nigga who lets a white man say “nigga” at least seven times before busting his head to the even-whiter white meat has shown tremendous restraint.
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“Fuck my momma, nigga? Fuck my momma? Fuck your momma, nigga,” Eminem’s stunt double can be heard saying in a now-viral video taken by a bystander.
“And you know what’s crazy? I’mm a walk to you. Right to my house for you. On God,” he said in a way that, even if you h ad your eyes closed, you could still tell how absolutely white he is. (Also, in my experience a lot of white people who use AAVE in the streets still sound like Howdy Doody when they’re at home speaking to their parents.)
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“I’m not trying to disrespect you,” Machine Gun Smelly continued.
“Then stop saying it,” the Black man who is already way better than me responded.
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“I’ma say nigga all day, every day,” Vanilla Lice replied. “Are you kidding me? Where you from, nigga?”
Anyway, fast forward to after about three more n-words and the Black man can be seen picking up a can of Twisted Tea and Aggy Azealia can be heard repeatedly daring him to smack him with it.
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Now, a “stop the violence, increase the peace”-ass nigga might argue that just because discount Gary Owens kept asking for it doesn’t mean the Black man needed to smack him with the can of tea and then punch him a few times after Wacklemore’s pathetic attempt at fighting back. I, on the other hand, would argue that all the Black man did was honor a white man’s request by delivering the goods quicker than Amazon Prime.
Thanks to Twitter, the Black man also inadvertently gave Twisted Tea better advertising than it likely could have paid for.
Advertisement
Advertisement
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Now let’s get into why this story matters.
A “we shouldn’t use the word either”-ass nigga would join the chorus of culturally oblivious white people in arguing that if Black people want white people to stop using the word, we should set an example by not using it ourselves. People who go there always believe they’re making the most logical argument, but here’s the thing: Fuck that.
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First of all, I’ve seen enough Martin Scorsese movies to know that Italians, Irish folk and plenty of other ethnic groups use their own slurs among each other fairly commonly while expecting outsiders to refrain from using them. But like many things in America, shit doesn’t get controversial until Black people do it.
“Nigga”—when coming out of a Black person’s mouth—carries various connotations that range from the endearing “my nigga” to the significantly less endearing “bitch-ass nigga.” However we use it, there’s no implied racism. The point is, there’s cultural context at play here that most white people wouldn’t understand and they would do well to simply respect the history involved and keep the word out of their mouths.
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Or whatever, let them keep saying the word and keep catching hands, cans and other methods of violence—which again, The Root absolutely does not promote.


theroot--2020-12-29--A County Attorney in Washington Resigned Due to ‘Racially Motivated Attacks’

The more I hear about the Pacific Northwest , the more I ’ m good on ever checking it out .
Everything I ’ ve been told by people who live in the region just makes it sound like white liberal hell .
The fact that an elected prosecuting attorney in Washington state resigned from his job due to “ racially motivated attacks ” from the community only further reinforces the notion that the PNW might be RAF ( Racist as fuck . )
According to Oregon Live , Okanogan County Attorney Arian Noma ( R ) tendered his resignation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be Jan. 15 .
Noma is of Native American and Black descent and has served as Okanogan C ounty attorney for two years .
“ I routinely received vile attacks about my race , ancestry , and even the color of my skin , ” Noma wrote in his resignation letter .
The letter also went into detail about a Facebook group that he believed was staging a racist , targeted campaign against him and his family , with photos of his personal vehicle uploaded to the page .
The Facebook page issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying the criticisms weren ’ t due to race and that the pictures uploaded to the page were meant to depict his alleged absences from office .
Yeah , so , here ’ s the thing .
No matter what the reason is , taking pictures of someone ’ s home or personal vehicle and uploading them to the internet without their consent is gross and fucking weird .
Seriously , what ’ s going on in your life that following a county attorney and putting their data online seems like a healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You literally have nothing else you could be doing ?
Read a book , learn to cook , play Persona 5 .
Sure , it ’ s a 100+ hour game but it ’ s certainly more productive than whatever this fuckery is .
There ’ s a difference between warranted criticism of elected officials and engaging in outright harassment .
In addition to the racist attacks , Noma also highlighted budgetary issues in the department .
According to the Spokesman-Review , Noma alleged that his office is “ woefully understaffed , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hiring more attorneys to help clear backlogged cases .
Noma has declined to go into further detail about the reasons behind his resignation until it takes effect next month .
It ’ s now up to the Okanogan County Republican Party to forward a recommendation to county commissioners for who should be appointed to replace Noma .
So far , only two people have applied , with Friday being the cutoff for applications .
State law requires that whoever takes the position be registered to vote in the county they represent and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you live in Okanogan County , have a law degree , and feel like being an elected prosecutor , here ’ s your chance .

The more I hear about the Pacific Northwest, the more I’m good on ever checking it out. Everything I’ve been told by people who live in the region just makes it sound like white liberal hell. The fact that an elected prosecuting attorney in Washington state resigned from his job due to “racially motivated attacks” from the community only further reinforces the notion that the PNW might be RAF (Racist as fuck.)
According to Oregon Live, Okanogan County Attorney Arian Noma (R) tendered his resignation, with his last day expected to be Jan. 15. Noma is of Native American and Black descent and has served as Okanogan C ounty attorney for two years. “I routinely received vile attacks about my race, ancestry, and even the color of my skin,” Noma wrote in his resignation letter. The letter also went into detail about a Facebook group that he believed was staging a racist, targeted campaign against him and his family, with photos of his personal vehicle uploaded to the page.
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The Facebook page issued a rebuttal to Noma’s letter saying the criticisms weren’t due to race and that the pictures uploaded to the page were meant to depict his alleged absences from office. Yeah, so, here’s the thing. No matter what the reason is, taking pictures of someone’s home or personal vehicle and uploading them to the internet without their consent is gross and fucking weird.
Seriously, what’s going on in your life that following a county attorney and putting their data online seems like a healthy and productive use of your time? You literally have nothing else you could be doing? Read a book, learn to cook, play Persona 5. Sure, it’s a 100+ hour game but it’s certainly more productive than whatever this fuckery is.
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There’s a difference between warranted criticism of elected officials and engaging in outright harassment.
In addition to the racist attacks, Noma also highlighted budgetary issues in the department. According to the Spokesman-Review, Noma alleged that his office is “woefully understaffed,” and budget constraints have prevented him from hiring more attorneys to help clear backlogged cases. Noma has declined to go into further detail about the reasons behind his resignation until it takes effect next month.
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It’s now up to the Okanogan County Republican Party to forward a recommendation to county commissioners for who should be appointed to replace Noma. So far, only two people have applied, with Friday being the cutoff for applications. State law requires that whoever takes the position be registered to vote in the county they represent and have a license to practice law. So if you live in Okanogan County, have a law degree, and feel like being an elected prosecutor, here’s your chance.