theroot--2020-05-20--Civil Liberties Groups, Activists Express Concern Over COVID-19 Data Being Shared With Law Enforceme

Civil Liberties Groups, Activists Express Concern Over COVID-19 Data Being Shared With Law Enforcement

There is a lot to worry about given the entire state of , well , everything .
Your personal information being given to the cops shouldn ’ t be one of them .
Unfortunately , that seems to be the case in many states across the country .
According to ABC News , there have been growing concerns about people ’ s personal data being shared with first responders after receiving a coronavirus test .
Over 11 million people have been tested across the country so far .
Officials in nearly two-thirds of states have been sharing the addresses of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 10 of them even sharing the patient ’ s names .
First responders argue the information is vital to helping them take extra precautions to avoid contracting and spreading the coronavirus .
But civil liberty and community activists have expressed concerns of potential profiling in African-American and Hispanic communities that already have an uneasy relationship with law enforcement .
Some envision the data being forwarded to immigration officials .
“ The information could actually have a chilling effect that keeps those already distrustful of the government from taking the COVID-19 test and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the Tennessee Black Caucus said in a statement .
In Tennessee , the issue has sparked the ire of both Democrats and Republicans who weren ’ t aware of the data sharing until this month .
If a person ’ s COVID-19 test comes back positive , the information is then forwarded to dispatch centers by state and local officials .
The state then deletes the data within a month or whenever the health department stops monitoring the patient .
Still , there are those in the state who have their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Tell us how it ’ s working for you , then tell us how well it ’ s been working .
Don ’ t just tell us you need it for your job , ” state Rep. G.A .
Hardway , a Memphis Democrat who chairs the legislative black caucus , told ABC News .
Thomas Saenz , president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund , said “ We should question why the information needs to be provided to law enforcement , whether there is that danger of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement is going to accept this information then they should at least provide a guarantee that it won ’ t be turned over to the federal government .
The National Fraternal Order of Police say that this information is essential for keeping its officers safe and preventing the spread and transmission of COVID-19 .
Critics don ’ t understand why first responders simply don ’ t take precautions with everyone they encounter .
Given that asymptomatic transmission is one way the virus spreads , only taking protective steps for those confirmed with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent contracting COVID-19 .
In Ohio , the American Civil Liberties Union is troubled by the wording of an order released by state Health Director Dr. Amy Acton .
The order requires the names and addresses of those who test positive for the virus to be given to first responders , yet it also tells first responders to presume anyone they come in contact with has the virus .
“ If that is a best or recommended practice , then why the need or desire to share this specific information with first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobbyist for the ACLU ’ s Ohio chapter , told ABC News .
There have already been concerns about the misuse of the data .
In New Hampshire , some first responders had been sharing the information of people who tested positive with local leaders .
There was no information on who the data was shared with or even why .
Jake Leon , a spokesman for the state ’ s health department , has only said that the incident was a misunderstanding and has since been stopped .

There is a lot to worry about given the entire state of, well, everything. Your personal information being given to the cops shouldn’t be one of them. Unfortunately, that seems to be the case in many states across the country.
According to ABC News, there have been growing concerns about people’s personal data being shared with first responders after receiving a coronavirus test. Over 11 million people have been tested across the country so far. Officials in nearly two-thirds of states have been sharing the addresses of people who tested positive with first responders with 10 of them even sharing the patient’s names.
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From ABC News:
First responders argue the information is vital to helping them take extra precautions to avoid contracting and spreading the coronavirus. But civil liberty and community activists have expressed concerns of potential profiling in African-American and Hispanic communities that already have an uneasy relationship with law enforcement. Some envision the data being forwarded to immigration officials. “The information could actually have a chilling effect that keeps those already distrustful of the government from taking the COVID-19 test and possibly accelerate the spread of the disease,” the Tennessee Black Caucus said in a statement.
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In Tennessee, the issue has sparked the ire of both Democrats and Republicans who weren’t aware of the data sharing until this month. If a person’s COVID-19 test comes back positive, the information is then forwarded to dispatch centers by state and local officials. The state then deletes the data within a month or whenever the health department stops monitoring the patient. Still, there are those in the state who have their concerns about the transparency of the process.
“Tell us how it’s working for you, then tell us how well it’s been working. Don’t just tell us you need it for your job,” state Rep. G.A. Hardway, a Memphis Democrat who chairs the legislative black caucus, told ABC News.
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Thomas Saenz, president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said “We should question why the information needs to be provided to law enforcement, whether there is that danger of misuse.” He said that if law enforcement is going to accept this information then they should at least provide a guarantee that it won’t be turned over to the federal government.
The National Fraternal Order of Police say that this information is essential for keeping its officers safe and preventing the spread and transmission of COVID-19. Critics don’t understand why first responders simply don’t take precautions with everyone they encounter. Given that asymptomatic transmission is one way the virus spreads, only taking protective steps for those confirmed with the virus seems to be an ineffective way to prevent contracting COVID-19.
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In Ohio, the American Civil Liberties Union is troubled by the wording of an order released by state Health Director Dr. Amy Acton. The order requires the names and addresses of those who test positive for the virus to be given to first responders, yet it also tells first responders to presume anyone they come in contact with has the virus. “If that is a best or recommended practice, then why the need or desire to share this specific information with first responders?” Gary Daniels, chief lobbyist for the ACLU’s Ohio chapter, told ABC News.
There have already been concerns about the misuse of the data. In New Hampshire, some first responders had been sharing the information of people who tested positive with local leaders. There was no information on who the data was shared with or even why. Jake Leon, a spokesman for the state’s health department, has only said that the incident was a misunderstanding and has since been stopped.


theroot--2020-05-19--Upgrade Your Pantry Storage for Under $30

The two best pieces of pantry organization advice you ’ ll get will cost you nothing to implement and they are this : Group like things—pastas , snacks , canned goods , baking supplies , etc.—together , and put the stuff you use most often in the easiest-to-reach spots .
But still , there are some organizing solutions that are worth considering throwing some ( but not a lot ! )
of money at in aid of bringing order to pantries and cabinets that are overwhelmed by bags of this and jars of that and oh , ugh , did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the best pantry organizing products that won ’ t break the bank .
A lot of common pantry items , like bags of beans or nuts , are packaged in a way that makes storing them in an orderly fashion a bit tricky .
Organizer bins exist and can help with this , but they take up precious cabinet space .
Enter : The undershelf storage basket .
These baskets have arms that slide over a shelf and hang underneath , maximizing unused cabinet storage space .
Another easy way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or in cabinets is to use a shelf extender that doubles the amount of flat storage available .
Shelf extenders are usually wire , but this style has a flat metal shelf , making it a better choice for storing breakable items like spice jars or drinking glasses .
Many popular pantry storage containers have the same sort of problem that organizer bins do : They can take up a lot of unnecessary space .
But this set of six storage containers , that can be used to hold things like flour , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ etc.
, has a relatively small footprint compared to similar products—and the flat tops allow for easy stacking .
When it comes to storing small items like jars of spices in a deep cabinet , it ’ s easy for things to get lost in the way-back .
A riser can help keep those things in your line of sight , so you won ’ t have to take everything out to find the cream of tartar you use once a year for your famous lemon meringue pie .
We love a lazy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pantry storage solutions , they can take up space unnecessarily .
A two-tied lazy susan , however , allows you to use a cabinet ’ s vertical space to store things like bottles and jars , and the turntable design makes it a lot easy to grab what you need without having to take a whole bunch of other stuff out first .

Jolie Kerr on The Inventory, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

The two best pieces of pantry organization advice you’ll get will cost you nothing to implement and they are this: Group like things—pastas, snacks, canned goods, baking supplies, etc.—together, and put the stuff you use most often in the easiest-to-reach spots. But still, there are some organizing solutions that are worth considering throwing some (but not a lot!) of money at in aid of bringing order to pantries and cabinets that are overwhelmed by bags of this and jars of that and oh, ugh, did the honey leak again? These are some of the best pantry organizing products that won’t break the bank.
Undershelf Baskets
A lot of common pantry items, like bags of beans or nuts, are packaged in a way that makes storing them in an orderly fashion a bit tricky. Organizer bins exist and can help with this, but they take up precious cabinet space. Enter: The undershelf storage basket. These baskets have arms that slide over a shelf and hang underneath, maximizing unused cabinet storage space.
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Shelf Extender
Another easy way to increase the usable space in a pantry or in cabinets is to use a shelf extender that doubles the amount of flat storage available. Shelf extenders are usually wire, but this style has a flat metal shelf, making it a better choice for storing breakable items like spice jars or drinking glasses.
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Storage Containers
Many popular pantry storage containers have the same sort of problem that organizer bins do: They can take up a lot of unnecessary space. But this set of six storage containers, that can be used to hold things like flour, sugar, loose beans, pasta, etc., has a relatively small footprint compared to similar products—and the flat tops allow for easy stacking.
Advertisement
Risers
When it comes to storing small items like jars of spices in a deep cabinet, it’s easy for things to get lost in the way-back. A riser can help keep those things in your line of sight, so you won’t have to take everything out to find the cream of tartar you use once a year for your famous lemon meringue pie.
Advertisement
Lazy Susans
We love a lazy susan moment but, like other popular pantry storage solutions, they can take up space unnecessarily. A two-tied lazy susan, however, allows you to use a cabinet’s vertical space to store things like bottles and jars, and the turntable design makes it a lot easy to grab what you need without having to take a whole bunch of other stuff out first.


theroot--2020-05-19--The Crazy Story of Washington Football Wide Receiver Cody Latimer, the Gun and the Claim of a Sexual

The Crazy Story of Washington Football Wide Receiver Cody Latimer, the Gun and the Claim of a Sexual Assault on a 4-Year-Old

We are supposed to be quarantining y ’ all .
There shouldn ’ t even be a moment for an NFL player to get arrested , and yet , here we are in the year of Satan ’ s favorite president .
On Saturday , Washington football team wide receiver ( which is the same as saying the D-League of the NFL ) Cody Latimer was arrested after he reportedly shot a gun inside a Colorado apartment .
That is the simple part of the story , everything else is bizarre AF .
On Monday , details from the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatened his best friend with a gun after a night of drinking at a poker game , according to a report from 9 News in Denver .
According to the report from the Douglas County Sheriff ’ s Department , the evening began when Latimer called up Roderick English to set up a poker game at English ’ s apartment .
English identified himself to police as Latimer ’ s best friend .
OK , for those in the back of the class , Latimer and English , his best friend , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s apartment .
There is drinking , and we can assume that this is poker-game drinking , which , by law , means if you are losing , you replace the money you ’ ve lost in alcohol consumption .
Apparently , seven or eight folks also showed up , which I can ’ t be mad about because I think you can still have folks over in these coronavirus times as long as it ’ s under 10 people .
According to the police report viewed by Yahoo Sports , Latimer reportedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , causing English to call the game off and kick everyone out of his crib .
Thirty minutes after leaving , Latimer reportedly returned with a gun and blamed English for starting the confrontation .
Latimer reportedly told English that he saved two bullets to kill English and his girlfriend , who was also in the apartment .
Latimer also threatened to “ kill everybody , ” the police report states .
Latimer reportedly cooled down a bit , emptied the clip of his gun , before he lost it and fired two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pinned him to the wall before Latimer allegedly hit English in the head with the gun .
“ The altercation de-escalated for good when English again pinned Latimer against the wall and urged him to calm down , according to the report .
Now here is where things get really confusing .
According to ESPN , Latimer ’ s attorney Harvey Steinberg told a Douglas County court on Monday “ that law enforcement officials contacted him about an investigation of a sexual assault of Latimer ’ s 4-year-old son allegedly committed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game.
” Wait , so was Latimer initially arguing with the man he believes sexually assaulted his son ?
And if so , how did English become the agitator in this whole thing ?
Yahoo Sports notes that “ no law enforcement officials have publicly verified Steinberg ’ s claim , and no other details are known.
” Nevertheless , Latimer is charged with three felonies including , “ assault in the second degree , felony menacing , felony illegal discharge of a firearm , misdemeanor prohibited use of weapons and misdemeanor reckless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Latimer began his career with the Denver Broncos in 2014 after being drafted in the second round .
He played his last two seasons with the New York Giants before taking his talents to the Serbian desert of football , Washington , D.C .

We are supposed to be quarantining y’all.
There shouldn’t even be a moment for an NFL player to get arrested, and yet, here we are in the year of Satan’s favorite president.
On Saturday, Washington football team wide receiver (which is the same as saying the D-League of the NFL) Cody Latimer was arrested after he reportedly shot a gun inside a Colorado apartment. That is the simple part of the story, everything else is bizarre AF.
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From Yahoo Sports:
On Monday, details from the police report became public with police claiming Latimer threatened his best friend with a gun after a night of drinking at a poker game, according to a report from 9 News in Denver. According to the report from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, the evening began when Latimer called up Roderick English to set up a poker game at English’s apartment. English identified himself to police as Latimer’s best friend.
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OK, for those in the back of the class, Latimer and English, his best friend, are having a poker game at English’s apartment. There is drinking, and we can assume that this is poker-game drinking, which, by law, means if you are losing, you replace the money you’ve lost in alcohol consumption. Apparently, seven or eight folks also showed up, which I can’t be mad about because I think you can still have folks over in these coronavirus times as long as it’s under 10 people.
According to the police report viewed by Yahoo Sports, Latimer reportedly got into an argument with another player, causing English to call the game off and kick everyone out of his crib.
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Thirty minutes after leaving, Latimer reportedly returned with a gun and blamed English for starting the confrontation. Latimer reportedly told English that he saved two bullets to kill English and his girlfriend, who was also in the apartment. Latimer also threatened to “kill everybody,” the police report states.
Latimer reportedly cooled down a bit, emptied the clip of his gun, before he lost it and fired two shots near English. English rushed Latimer and pinned him to the wall before Latimer allegedly hit English in the head with the gun.
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“The altercation de-escalated for good when English again pinned Latimer against the wall and urged him to calm down, according to the report.
Police arrived after reports of shots fired,” Yahoo Sports reports.
Now here is where things get really confusing. According to ESPN, Latimer’s attorney Harvey Steinberg told a Douglas County court on Monday “that law enforcement officials contacted him about an investigation of a sexual assault of Latimer’s 4-year-old son allegedly committed by one of the players at the poker game.”
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Wait, so was Latimer initially arguing with the man he believes sexually assaulted his son? And if so, how did English become the agitator in this whole thing? Yahoo Sports notes that “no law enforcement officials have publicly verified Steinberg’s claim, and no other details are known.”
Nevertheless, Latimer is charged with three felonies including, “assault in the second degree, felony menacing, felony illegal discharge of a firearm, misdemeanor prohibited use of weapons and misdemeanor reckless endangerment,” Yahoo Sports reports.
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Latimer was released on $25,000 bond.
Latimer began his career with the Denver Broncos in 2014 after being drafted in the second round. He played his last two seasons with the New York Giants before taking his talents to the Serbian desert of football, Washington, D.C.


theroot--2020-05-19--Review Finds Officer Was Justified in Handcuffing Black Miami Doctor in Front of His Own Home

There is a widely held belief that no matter what you ’ re doing , doing it while black automatically makes it a punishable offense .
A police investigation in Miami has further backed that assertion .
The New York Times reports that an internal investigation by the Miami Police Department found that Sgt .
Mario Menegazzo was justified in handcuffing Dr. Armen Henderson outside his home on April 10 .
On April 10 , Henderson was picking up boxes when he was approached by Menegazzo .
There had been reports of illegal dumping in the area and Menegazzo asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After a brief exchange of words , the officer handcuffed the doctor .
“ As a sworn police officer , Sergeant Menegazzo had the right to detain Dr. Henderson until his reasonable suspicion that Dr. Henderson was dumping illegally was dispelled , ” the report said .
Henderson filed a complaint with the Police Department ’ s Civilian Investigative Panel , which resulted in the investigation .
“ I felt that it was ridiculous that , No .
1 , that the stop was justified , and then the detainment was justified as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when are we going to start holding people accountable for their actions ?
I was very sad , very disgusted at the report I read.
” Henderson told the Times .
While the report found Menegazzo justified in the cuffing , it also found he committed multiple violations during the incident .
These included pointing and yelling into Henderson ’ s face , not wearing a mask as is protocol during the pandemic , and failing to notify dispatchers that he was carrying out an investigative stop .
The report wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken against Menegazzo for those violations .
Chief Jorge Colina of the Miami Police Department has said that Menegazzo would be reprimanded and the violations would become a permanent part of his file .
Henderson practices internal medicine in the University of Miami Health System .
He has been working in the community during the pandemic , providing free coronavirus tests for Miami ’ s homeless and was on his way to provide tents for the homeless when he was stopped by Menegazzo .
Henderson told the Times he intends to file a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only racially profiled by the officer but that “ the officer put my life in danger by not having a mask on .
”

There is a widely held belief that no matter what you’re doing, doing it while black automatically makes it a punishable offense. A police investigation in Miami has further backed that assertion.
The New York Times reports that an internal investigation by the Miami Police Department found that Sgt. Mario Menegazzo was justified in handcuffing Dr. Armen Henderson outside his home on April 10 . On April 10, Henderson was picking up boxes when he was approached by Menegazzo. There had been reports of illegal dumping in the area and Menegazzo asked if Henderson was dumping his trash. After a brief exchange of words, the officer handcuffed the doctor .
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“As a sworn police officer, Sergeant Menegazzo had the right to detain Dr. Henderson until his reasonable suspicion that Dr. Henderson was dumping illegally was dispelled,” the report said. Henderson filed a complaint with the Police Department’s Civilian Investigative Panel, which resulted in the investigation.
“I felt that it was ridiculous that, No. 1, that the stop was justified, and then the detainment was justified as well. It’s like, when are we going to start holding people accountable for their actions? I was very sad, very disgusted at the report I read.” Henderson told the Times. While the report found Menegazzo justified in the cuffing, it also found he committed multiple violations during the incident. These included pointing and yelling into Henderson’s face, not wearing a mask as is protocol during the pandemic, and failing to notify dispatchers that he was carrying out an investigative stop.
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The report wasn’t clear if any disciplinary action will be taken against Menegazzo for those violations. Chief Jorge Colina of the Miami Police Department has said that Menegazzo would be reprimanded and the violations would become a permanent part of his file.
Henderson practices internal medicine in the University of Miami Health System. He has been working in the community during the pandemic, providing free coronavirus tests for Miami’s homeless and was on his way to provide tents for the homeless when he was stopped by Menegazzo. Henderson told the Times he intends to file a lawsuit against Menegazzo as he felt not only racially profiled by the officer but that “the officer put my life in danger by not having a mask on.”


theroot--2020-05-19--Bring Some Trustworthy Potato Salad Because You Are Invited to Questlove's Potluck

Well , Ahmir “ Questlove ” Thompson is inviting you to his potluck .
Well , kind of .
You ’ re invited to watch his new show on Food Network , Questlove ’ s Potluck .
Here ’ s what to goes down in the series : With an exciting array of invited guests , this entirely remotely-shot production will bring friends together as they virtually share their favorite foods and drinks that are bringing them and their families joy while sheltering at home .
The candid conversations and cooking moments will offer something for everyone to sample - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the simple pleasures and comfort that food brings to all those joining the potluck .
Plus , it ’ s for a good cause .
This series will support America ’ s Food Fund and its efforts toward food security .
In case you ’ re wondering who “ all gon ’ be there ’ , the confirmed guest list includes Bun B. , Hannibal Buress , Tiffany Haddish , Patti LaBelle , Kenan Thompson , Tariq Trotter aka Black Thought , Gabrielle Union , Roy Wood Jr. and more .
“ Bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who I admire around food is something I love to do .
When I can bring people together around a cause that I care deeply about , it ’ s even more meaningful , ” Questlove said in a statement via a press release sent to the Root .
“ America ’ s Food Fund is supporting several organizations including Feeding America , World Central Kitchen , and No Kid Hungry , that are tackling one of the biggest issues many of our neighbors are facing , access to food .
I hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for a night of food , drink , and laughter in supporting this incredible organization , and having some fun while we ’ re at it !
” But really , who is bringing the potato salad ?
We have to screen them properly .
Questlove ’ s Potluck premieres on Food Network on Thursday , May 28 at 10 p.m .
ET / PT .

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

Y’all hungry?
Well, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson is inviting you to his potluck. Well, kind of. You’re invited to watch his new show on Food Network, Questlove’s Potluck.
Here’s what to goes down in the series:
With an exciting array of invited guests, this entirely remotely-shot production will bring friends together as they virtually share their favorite foods and drinks that are bringing them and their families joy while sheltering at home. The candid conversations and cooking moments will offer something for everyone to sample - personal recipes, favorite cocktails, and the simple pleasures and comfort that food brings to all those joining the potluck.
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Plus, it’s for a good cause. This series will support America’s Food Fund and its efforts toward food security.
In case you’re wondering who “all gon’ be there’, the confirmed guest list includes Bun B., Hannibal Buress, Tiffany Haddish, Patti LaBelle, Kenan Thompson, Tariq Trotter aka Black Thought, Gabrielle Union, Roy Wood Jr. and more.
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“Bringing together friends, collaborators, and those who I admire around food is something I love to do. When I can bring people together around a cause that I care deeply about, it’s even more meaningful,” Questlove said in a statement via a press release sent to the Root. “America’s Food Fund is supporting several organizations including Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, and No Kid Hungry, that are tackling one of the biggest issues many of our neighbors are facing, access to food. I hope everyone will join me and my friends, for a night of food, drink, and laughter in supporting this incredible organization, and having some fun while we’re at it!”
But really, who is bringing the potato salad? We have to screen them properly.
Questlove’s Potluck premieres on Food Network on Thursday, May 28 at 10 p.m. ET / PT.


theroot--2020-05-19--Picture Me Trolling: Trump Ends American Tradition, Refuses to Host Obama White House Portrait Unvei

Picture Me Trolling: Trump Ends American Tradition, Refuses to Host Obama White House Portrait Unveiling

It ’ s an American tradition that has historically superseded political discord , world crises and even death .
For more than a half-century , each president has hosted a White House ceremony unveiling the official portrait of his White House predecessor .
Until it was the black guy ’ s turn .
NBC reports that the dumpster pyromaniacs presently occupying the White House will be the first administration to eschew the modern ritual of unveiling the presidential portrait of the immediate past president .
And , according to White House insiders , even if Donald Trump recovers from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second term , it will be at least 2025 until Obama sees his official portrait hanging beside every president since George Washington .
And I know some people will say that this is petty as fuck .
It ’ s not .
Isaiah Thomas refusing to shake Michael Jordan ’ s hand is petty .
Nancy Pelosi pointing out that Donald Trump is morbidly obese is petty ( accurate , but petty ) .
Discontinuing an American tradition because your ego is more fragile than Derrick Rose ’ s knees is childish , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s fuckboy-ish .
It ’ s the move of a seventh-grade Karen who ’ s jealous because her best friend , Becky , is going to the prom with Chad because Becky knows how Karen feels about Chad ever since he kissed her down at the lake .
I ’ d bet my entire 401 ( k ) that if Obama attended a White House ceremony , Donald Trump would serve KFC .
The presidential portraits at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. are different from the ones that hang in the Smithsonian ’ s National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s portraits brought in more than one million visitors the first year after they were unveiled in 2018 .
The Obamas had begun preparing for the years-long process required for their White House portraits .
By 2017 , the only first couple we acknowledge had selected an artist and already finalized the contract with the privately funded White House Historical Association .
Maybe Trump is too busy .
For comparison , the Obamas hosted George and Laura Bush ’ s unveiling on May 31 , 2012 , while he was also managing his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House and Senate , discussing the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan , dealing with Russia firing missiles at allies and working with the World Health Organization to stop a global pandemic .
But we know Trump ain ’ t no Obama .
Trump is unconcerned about shunning yet another presidential custom , and he has attacked Obama to an extent no other president has done to a predecessor .
Most recently he ’ s made unfounded accusations that Obama committed an unspecified crime .
Obama , for his part , has no interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passage so long as Trump is in office , the people familiar with the matter said .
Being that Trump has questioned Obama ’ s status as an American , insinuated that he should be arrested and called Barack Obama everything but a child of white Jesus , I understand Obama ’ s lack of interest in hanging out with Donald , especially knowing that Trump is desecrating the foundation of the democracy that Obama took an oath to protect .
Obama probably just wants to make the presidency great again To be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years for someone to hang John F. Kennedy ’ s portrait and he didn ’ t attend his official unveiling either .
It was the only time that Jacqueline Kennedy visited the White House after she ceased being the first lady .
Of course , JFK had a great excuse for not attending the private ceremony in 1971 : Neither Barack or Michelle Obama has spoken on the record about this dumb stuff , but our sources tell us that the royal couple may be reluctant to attend because they ’ re afraid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s culturally appropriated collard greens .
The Root has also found a clip of Donald Trump practicing for his presidential portrait unveiling .

It’s an American tradition that has historically superseded political discord, world crises and even death. For more than a half-century, each president has hosted a White House ceremony unveiling the official portrait of his White House predecessor.
Until it was the black guy’s turn.
NBC reports that the dumpster pyromaniacs presently occupying the White House will be the first administration to eschew the modern ritual of unveiling the presidential portrait of the immediate past president. And, according to White House insiders, even if Donald Trump recovers from his likely hydroxychloroquine-induced heart attack and wins a second term, it will be at least 2025 until Obama sees his official portrait hanging beside every president since George Washington.
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And I know some people will say that this is petty as fuck. It’s not. Isaiah Thomas refusing to shake Michael Jordan’s hand is petty. Nancy Pelosi pointing out that Donald Trump is morbidly obese is petty (accurate, but petty). Discontinuing an American tradition because your ego is more fragile than Derrick Rose’s knees is childish, immature and downright unpatriotic. It’s fuckboy-ish. It’s the move of a seventh-grade Karen who’s jealous because her best friend, Becky, is going to the prom with Chad because Becky knows how Karen feels about Chad ever since he kissed her down at the lake.
I’d bet my entire 401(k) that if Obama attended a White House ceremony, Donald Trump would serve KFC.
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The presidential portraits at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. are different from the ones that hang in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery where Barack and Michelle’s portraits brought in more than one million visitors the first year after they were unveiled in 2018. The Obamas had begun preparing for the years-long process required for their White House portraits. By 2017, the only first couple we acknowledge had selected an artist and already finalized the contract with the privately funded White House Historical Association.
Maybe Trump is too busy. For comparison, the Obamas hosted George and Laura Bush’s unveiling on May 31, 2012, while he was also managing his reelection campaign, fighting with a Republican House and Senate, discussing the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, dealing with Russia firing missiles at allies and working with the World Health Organization to stop a global pandemic.
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But we know Trump ain’t no Obama.
NBC reports:
Trump is unconcerned about shunning yet another presidential custom, and he has attacked Obama to an extent no other president has done to a predecessor. Most recently he’s made unfounded accusations that Obama committed an unspecified crime. Obama, for his part, has no interest in participating in the post-presidency rite of passage so long as Trump is in office, the people familiar with the matter said.
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Being that Trump has questioned Obama’s status as an American, insinuated that he should be arrested and called Barack Obama everything but a child of white Jesus, I understand Obama’s lack of interest in hanging out with Donald, especially knowing that Trump is desecrating the foundation of the democracy that Obama took an oath to protect.
Obama probably just wants to make the presidency great again
To be fair, it took more than eight years for someone to hang John F. Kennedy’s portrait and he didn’t attend his official unveiling either. It was the only time that Jacqueline Kennedy visited the White House after she ceased being the first lady. Of course, JFK had a great excuse for not attending the private ceremony in 1971:
He died in 1963.
Neither Barack or Michelle Obama has spoken on the record about this dumb stuff, but our sources tell us that the royal couple may be reluctant to attend because they’re afraid they might have to try Melania’s culturally appropriated collard greens.
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The Root has also found a clip of Donald Trump practicing for his presidential portrait unveiling.