theroot--2020-12-04--Black Google Employee Said She Was Fired for Calling Out the Company's Treatment of Minority Employe

Black Google Employee Said She Was Fired for Calling Out the Company's Treatment of Minority Employees

A Black woman known as a “ rare voice of public criticism ” at Google has been fired by the tech company after sending an internal email calling out the company ’ s treatment of minority employees—and in particular , those who are Black and female .
Timnit Gebru , who co-led the Ethical Artificial Intelligence team at Google , is considered a pioneer in the field , with a particular focus on how facial recognition software is biased against people of color .
As Bloomberg reports , Gebru says she was fired by the head of Google ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she sent to coworkers in which she said she felt “ constantly dehumanized ” at the tech company .
Gebru says she believes that her firing was intended to have a chilling effect on other employees , sending a message about the consequences of speaking up .
The email followed a struggle between Gebru and the company over a research paper Gebru had co-written with six other people , including four Google employees , which was critical of AI systems known as “ large language models , ” the Washington Post reports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the analytical paper , which had been approved by Gebru ’ s manager before being sent to others at the company for approval : The paper called out the dangers of using large language models to train algorithms that could , for example , write tweets , answer trivia and translate poetry , according to a copy of the document .
The models are essentially trained by analyzing language from the internet , which doesn ’ t reflect large swaths of the global population not yet online , according to the paper .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will only reflect the worldview of people who have been privileged enough to be a part of the training data .
Google wanted Gebru to retract the paper , she said .
And if she wouldn ’ t do that , they at least wanted the names of Google employees stricken from the research .
“ It ’ s the most fundamental silencing , ” Gebru said in an interview about Google ’ s demands .
“ You can ’ t even have your scientific voice.
” The struggle over the research paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gebru and the company , which Gebru described in her email to researchers on the company ’ s AI team under the mailing list “ Brain Woman and Allies.
” The letter was published on tech writer Casey Newton ’ s newsletter , Platformer , on Thursday .
“ There is zero accountability ” at Google , Gebru wrote .
“ There is no incentive to hire 39 % women : your life gets worse when you start advocating for underrepresented people .
“ We just had a Black research all hands with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she continued .
“ Do you know what happened since ?
Silencing in the most fundamental way possible.
” Gebru detailed several incidents between her and the company , including a potential lawsuit she and another colleague had considered filing against Google .
“ Google lawyers were prepared to throw us under the bus , ” Gebru said .
But after she and a colleague hired “ feminist lawyers , ” she was given “ some random ‘ impact award ’ ” by the tech giant .
“ Pure gaslighting , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ stop writing your documents because it doesn ’ t make a difference.
” “ There is no way more documents or more conversations will achieve anything.
” After sending the email , Gebru said her managers told her the message reflected “ behavior that is inconsistent with the expectations of a Google manager , ” then told her they were accepting her resignation .
Except , according to Gebru , she had not offered to resign .
Gebru , who was on vacation this week , found that the company had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounts , the Post reports .
After sharing the news of her firing on Twitter , many of her colleagues in and outside of Google responded with messages of support .
As Bloomberg notes , Gebru is considered one of the tech industry ’ s “ leading voices ” in the ethical use of AI .
One of the few Black women in her field , she is responsible for the 2018 landmark study showing facial recognition software misidentified dark-skinned women up to 35 percent of the time .
The same technology “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” writes the Post .
She also was not afraid to clash publicly with her superiors , taking issue with Jeff Dean , Google ’ s head of AI , after he tweeted support for law enforcement in May , less than a week after George Floyd was killed while being arrested by Minneapolis police officers .
“ You might think something is perfectly fine but you ’ re not the one dealing with this .
This adds to the violence against us , ” Gebru replied on Twitter .
“ Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you.
” Her outspokenness came with consequences .
Speaking to Bloomberg News in August , Gebru said that , while Black Google employees are heralded as examples of the company ’ s commitment to diversity , when they speak out about their work conditions , they are given excuses , ignored , or will have their tone policed .
In Gebru ’ s case , the former Google employee said her reputation for speaking out on diversity issues was used against her .
When the company was considering having her manage another employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether she could manage someone else if she was so unhappy , Bloomberg reported .
“ People don ’ t know the extent of the issues that exist because you can ’ t talk about them , ” Gebru told the publication at the time .
“ And the moment you do , you ’ re the problem .
”

A Black woman known as a “rare voice of public criticism” at Google has been fired by the tech company after sending an internal email calling out the company’s treatment of minority employees—and in particular, those who are Black and female.
Timnit Gebru, who co-led the Ethical Artificial Intelligence team at Google, is considered a pioneer in the field, with a particular focus on how facial recognition software is biased against people of color. As Bloomberg reports, Gebru says she was fired by the head of Google’s AI division on Wednesday for an email she sent to coworkers in which she said she felt “constantly dehumanized” at the tech company.
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Gebru says she believes that her firing was intended to have a chilling effect on other employees, sending a message about the consequences of speaking up.
The email followed a struggle between Gebru and the company over a research paper Gebru had co-written with six other people, including four Google employees, which was critical of AI systems known as “large language models,” the Washington Post reports.
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Here’s how Bloomberg summed up the analytical paper, which had been approved by Gebru’s manager before being sent to others at the company for approval:
The paper called out the dangers of using large language models to train algorithms that could, for example, write tweets, answer trivia and translate poetry, according to a copy of the document. The models are essentially trained by analyzing language from the internet, which doesn’t reflect large swaths of the global population not yet online, according to the paper. Gebru highlights the risk that the models will only reflect the worldview of people who have been privileged enough to be a part of the training data.
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Google wanted Gebru to retract the paper, she said. And if she wouldn’t do that, they at least wanted the names of Google employees stricken from the research.
“It’s the most fundamental silencing,” Gebru said in an interview about Google’s demands. “You can’t even have your scientific voice.”
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The struggle over the research paper topped off years of mounting tensions between Gebru and the company, which Gebru described in her email to researchers on the company’s AI team under the mailing list “Brain Woman and Allies.”
The letter was published on tech writer Casey Newton’s newsletter, Platformer, on Thursday.
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“There is zero accountability” at Google, Gebru wrote. “There is no incentive to hire 39% women: your life gets worse when you start advocating for underrepresented people.
“We just had a Black research all hands with such an emotional show of exasperation,” she continued. “Do you know what happened since? Silencing in the most fundamental way possible.”
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Gebru detailed several incidents between her and the company, including a potential lawsuit she and another colleague had considered filing against Google.
“Google lawyers were prepared to throw us under the bus,” Gebru said. But after she and a colleague hired “feminist lawyers,” she was given “some random ‘impact award’” by the tech giant.
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“Pure gaslighting,” Gebru said, ultimately advising her recipients to “stop writing your documents because it doesn’t make a difference.”
“There is no way more documents or more conversations will achieve anything.”
After sending the email, Gebru said her managers told her the message reflected “behavior that is inconsistent with the expectations of a Google manager,” then told her they were accepting her resignation. Except, according to Gebru, she had not offered to resign. Gebru, who was on vacation this week, found that the company had already terminated her access to company email accounts, the Post reports.
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After sharing the news of her firing on Twitter, many of her colleagues in and outside of Google responded with messages of support.
As Bloomberg notes, Gebru is considered one of the tech industry’s “leading voices” in the ethical use of AI. One of the few Black women in her field, she is responsible for the 2018 landmark study showing facial recognition software misidentified dark-skinned women up to 35 percent of the time. The same technology “worked with near precision on White men,” writes the Post.
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She also was not afraid to clash publicly with her superiors, taking issue with Jeff Dean, Google’s head of AI, after he tweeted support for law enforcement in May, less than a week after George Floyd was killed while being arrested by Minneapolis police officers.
“You might think something is perfectly fine but you’re not the one dealing with this. This adds to the violence against us,” Gebru replied on Twitter. “Most people would not even say anything to you.”
Advertisement
Her outspokenness came with consequences. Speaking to Bloomberg News in August, Gebru said that, while Black Google employees are heralded as examples of the company’s commitment to diversity, when they speak out about their work conditions, they are given excuses, ignored, or will have their tone policed. In Gebru’s case, the former Google employee said her reputation for speaking out on diversity issues was used against her. When the company was considering having her manage another employee, supervisors said they were concerned about whether she could manage someone else if she was so unhappy, Bloomberg reported.
“People don’t know the extent of the issues that exist because you can’t talk about them,” Gebru told the publication at the time. “And the moment you do, you’re the problem.”


theroot--2020-12-04--Auntie Unfiltered Chats With Sheryl Lee Ralph

When I was growing up in the ’ 80s , there was a television show about a group of waitresses who worked in a restaurant at the top of the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles .
The show was called It ’ s A Living , and it was my introduction to Sheryl Lee Ralph , one of the stars .
Sheryl Lee Ralph is a Black Hollywood icon .
She originated the role of Deena Jones in the Broadway version of Dreamgirls , for which she was nominated for a Tony award ; she played Moesha ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starring Brandy ; and she has appeared in numerous films including The Distinguished Gentleman , Sister Act 2 : Back in the Habit , Step Sisters , and To Sleep With Anger .
The phenomenal actress , singer , performer and author is also a philanthropist , having put on the Divas Simply Singing telethon for the last 30 years to raise money for HIV/AIDS .
As much of the world has gone virtual this year in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic , Ralph has adjusted and adapted her event to include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition to the grand performances scheduled for the evening of Saturday , December 5 .
Among those scheduled to perform during the event are Lalah Hathaway , Stephanie Mills , Anthony Hamilton , Kenny Lattimore , The Clark Sisters , Oleta Adams , Thelma Houston , Jodi Watley and Gloria Gaynor .
The event is at 7 p.m. on Saturday , and you can watch on the livestream on the website .
As always , I want to hear from you .
If you have questions , comments or concerns ; if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a topic you think I should discuss , please hit me up at AuntieSubmissions @ theroot.com , and I ’ ll see y ’ all next week .

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


theroot--2020-12-04--For Us, By Us—by Any Means Necessary: Daymond John Tells the Story Behind LL's Legendary Gap 'Coo'

You may have been surprised to find FUBU was suddenly trending today , and maybe even did a little digging ( as I did ) , hoping to discover a new drop or collaboration in the works .
( There are , by the way , as the pioneering Black-owned brand co-founded by Shark Tank judge Daymond John is still producing streetwear ) .
But no—as inexplicably as most things that occur on Twitter , an absolutely adorable Gen Z-er decided to break the news about this legendary Black-owned brand ... which was founded in 1992 .
Oh , honey—yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people and knowledge and experiences and fashion existed before you ?
But seriously , we love that younger generations are getting up on what was hot when we were their age—and actually have this newfound fashion historian to thank , since it compelled writer-director Matthew Cherry to bring LL Cool J ’ s 1999 Gap commercial onto the timeline , reminding us of the time the rap icon subversively wore a FUBU cap with his otherwise all-Gap ensemble .
“ FUBU ” also made it into the rapper ’ s rhyme ; in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for us , by us , on the low ” —which proved true .
Apparently , neither Gap ’ s creative team nor execs realized LL had slipped in some free advertising for the independently owned Black brand until the commercial had already been on the air for several weeks and fashion-heads were falling into the Gap looking for FUBU .
Initially horrified by the cross-promotion , the numbers—a 300 percent increase in sales from the Black community—told a truth more labels should ’ ve heeded decades ago : Blackness makes everything better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trip down Memory Lane , Daymond Green took to Twitter with a “ storytime ” to explain how it all went down .
Aside from cringing at the subtitle referencing history ’ s biggest advertising “ coo , ” what we love most about the coup staged by LL is how deftly it illustrates the ethos of both FUBU and Black ingenuity on the whole .
A moment in pop culture that encapsulates our ability to find a way or make one— for ourselves , by ourselves .
Now , how easy was @ @

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

You may have been surprised to find FUBU was suddenly trending today, and maybe even did a little digging (as I did), hoping to discover a new drop or collaboration in the works. (There are, by the way, as the pioneering Black-owned brand co-founded by Shark Tank judge Daymond John is still producing streetwear). But no—as inexplicably as most things that occur on Twitter, an absolutely adorable Gen Z-er decided to break the news about this legendary Black-owned brand...which was founded in 1992.
Advertisement
Oh, honey—yes, we did. Did you know people and knowledge and experiences and fashion existed before you? But seriously, we love that younger generations are getting up on what was hot when we were their age—and actually have this newfound fashion historian to thank, since it compelled writer-director Matthew Cherry to bring LL Cool J’s 1999 Gap commercial onto the timeline, reminding us of the time the rap icon subversively wore a FUBU cap with his otherwise all-Gap ensemble.
Advertisement Advertisement
“FUBU” also made it into the rapper’s rhyme; in fact, he winkingly throws in “for us, by us, on the low”—which proved true. Apparently, neither Gap’s creative team nor execs realized LL had slipped in some free advertising for the independently owned Black brand until the commercial had already been on the air for several weeks and fashion-heads were falling into the Gap looking for FUBU. Initially horrified by the cross-promotion, the numbers—a 300 percent increase in sales from the Black community—told a truth more labels should’ve heeded decades ago: Blackness makes everything better.
In response to Cherry’s trip down Memory Lane, Green took to Twitter with a “storytime” to explain how it all went down.
Advertisement
Aside from cringing at the subtitle referencing history’s biggest advertising “coo,” what we love most about the coup staged by LL is how deftly it illustrates the ethos of both FUBU and Black ingenuity on the whole; a pivotal moment in pop culture that encapsulates our ability to find a way or make one—for ourselves, by ourselves. N ow, how easy was that?


theroot--2020-12-04--Hear That, Maskholes? President-Elect Joe Biden Will Ask Americans to Wear Masks for 100 Days

Look , the current president of white supremacy has grand royally fucked up this whole coronavirus thing , so when President-elect Joe Biden takes office , he wants all Americans — including those maskholes who would rather die than wear a paper mask over their racist faces—to wear masks for 100 days so that America can try and get this train back on track .
During an interview Thursday with CNN , Biden noted that he would issue a “ standing order ” to require face coverings ( beards don ’ t count ) whenever entering a federal building and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you missed Dr. Anthony Fauci , don ’ t worry , he will be back as Biden has asked him to continue to be the government ’ s top infectious disease expert .
Only this time , the president will actually listen to him .
Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , a role he ’ s held since the Reagan administration .
But Biden suggested that Fauci would have an even bigger voice in his administration , advising the president directly .
“ I asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role he ’ s had for the past several presidents , and I asked him to be a chief medical adviser for me as well , and be part of the Covid team , ” Biden said .
He pointed out that his incoming chief of staff , Ron Klain , had worked closely with Fauci during the Ebola crisis beginning in 2014 .
Biden said he would order mask use “ where the federal government has authority.
” And he said he would call for all Americans to wear masks for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Not forever , for 100 days , ” he said .
“ And I think we ’ ll see a significant reduction ” in infections .
And that , my friend s , is how you president .

Look, the current president of white supremacy has grand royally fucked up this whole coronavirus thing, so when President-elect Joe Biden takes office, he wants all Americans — including those maskholes who would rather die than wear a paper mask over their racist faces—to wear masks for 100 days so that America can try and get this train back on track.
During an interview Thursday with CNN, Biden noted that he would issue a “standing order” to require face coverings (beards don’t count) whenever entering a federal building and interstate transportation.
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Oh, and if you missed Dr. Anthony Fauci, don’t worry, he will be back as Biden has asked him to continue to be the government’s top infectious disease expert. Only this time, the president will actually listen to him.
From Bloomberg:
Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a role he’s held since the Reagan administration. But Biden suggested that Fauci would have an even bigger voice in his administration, advising the president directly. “I asked him to stay on the exact same role he’s had for the past several presidents, and I asked him to be a chief medical adviser for me as well, and be part of the Covid team,” Biden said. He pointed out that his incoming chief of staff, Ron Klain, had worked closely with Fauci during the Ebola crisis beginning in 2014. Biden said he would order mask use “where the federal government has authority.” And he said he would call for all Americans to wear masks for the first 100 days of his presidency. “Not forever, for 100 days,” he said. “And I think we’ll see a significant reduction” in infections.
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And that, my friend s, is how you president.


theroot--2020-12-04--Grab Six Boxes of Limited Edition Stroopwafels From Daelman’s for the Holidays

I ’ m a huge fan of Daelman ’ s .
I got my first pack of these in a Try Treats box a few years ago and they were amazing .
This pack runs for $ 35 at Amazon so this is a nice deal for upgrading the snack section of your pantry .
Get $ 16 off while supplies last .
The individual packs are easy to toss in your bag and they are only 120 calories on par with a granola bar .
In this deal , you ’ ll get two boxes each of tasty and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chocolate .
This is a classic soft , bendy , and traditional treat straight from Holland you won ’ t regret grabbing .
These boxes are the limited edition Holiday Hexa Tower version .
These sold out quickly last time so we expect the same this go-round .
If you ’ ve read a few of our pieces on MorningSave before and you like what you ’ ve seen they offer a $ 5 monthly fee to get free shipping on all of your orders no matter how many .
Otherwise , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 too .

Sheilah Villari on Kinja Deals, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

48-Pack: Daelman’s Holiday Stroopwafels | $19 | MorningSave
I’m a huge fan of Daelman’s. I got my first pack of these in a Try Treats box a few years ago and they were amazing. This pack runs for $35 at Amazon so this is a nice deal for upgrading the snack section of your pantry. Get $16 off while supplies last.
The individual packs are easy to toss in your bag and they are only 120 calories on par with a granola bar. In this deal, you’ll get two boxes each of tasty and satisfying Dutch caramel, honey, and chocolate. This is a classic soft, bendy, and traditional treat straight from Holland you won’t regret grabbing. These boxes are the limited edition Holiday Hexa Tower version.
These sold out quickly last time so we expect the same this go-round.
If you’ve read a few of our pieces on MorningSave before and you like what you’ve seen they offer a $5 monthly fee to get free shipping on all of your orders no matter how many. Otherwise, it’s a flat rate of $5 too.


theroot--2020-12-04--Twitter Declares J.R. Smith Appreciation Day After NBA Announces It Won't Test for Marijuana This Se

Twitter Declares J.R. Smith Appreciation Day After NBA Announces It Won't Test for Marijuana This Season

While marijuana isn ’ t my ministry , there are plenty of folks who ’ ve been singing its praises since the dawn of time .
From recording artists to politicians , from Snoop Dogg to Bernie Sanders , spreading the gospel of that good green has become one of America ’ s favorite pastimes .
That sticky icky also has quite the fan base among professional athletes , who ’ ve long championed its uncanny ability to alleviate aches and pains , improve airflow , and aid muscle recovery .
As such , the NFL got tired of Josh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players for positive marijuana tests earlier this year , and now it appears that the NBA will be following suit .
Per NBA reporter Ben Dowsett , the decision was made in part due to precautions involving COVID-19 protocols , but NBA players are probably too busy spending their evenings getting high as shit to worry about the details .
In response to this glorious news , Twitter did what Twitter does and celebrated this momentous occasion by crowning NBA journeyman J.R. Smith the true winner of the league ’ s newly revised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Former NBA player and renowned weed connoisseur Matt Barnes was so excited by the news that he took to Instagram to jokingly toy with the idea of returning to the court .
He retired in 2017 .
“ It ’ s official ... IM COMING BACK !
!
Lol jk , ” he wrote .
“ Hats off to @ adamsilvernba for listening to his players & the research .
@ adamsilvernba I lost a couple 100k while I was playing cause of cannabis , can I get it back or nah.. ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has kept a low profile on social media and remained mum on the subject , but trust and believe his weed man just earned a lucrative Christmas bonus .
And in the immortal words of Nate Dogg : “ Smoke weed every day !
”

While marijuana isn’t my ministry, there are plenty of folks who’ve been singing its praises since the dawn of time. From recording artists to politicians, from Snoop Dogg to Bernie Sanders, spreading the gospel of that good green has become one of America’s favorite pastimes.
That sticky icky also has quite the fan base among professional athletes, who’ve long championed its uncanny ability to alleviate aches and pains, improve airflow, and aid muscle recovery. As such, the NFL got tired of Josh Gordon and pulled the plug on suspending players for positive marijuana tests earlier this year, and now it appears that the NBA will be following suit.
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Per NBA reporter Ben Dowsett, the decision was made in part due to precautions involving COVID-19 protocols, but NBA players are probably too busy spending their evenings getting high as shit to worry about the details.
Let freedom ring, dammit.
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In response to this glorious news, Twitter did what Twitter does and celebrated this momentous occasion by crowning NBA journeyman J.R. Smith the true winner of the league’s newly revised marijuana policy for...unspecified reasons.
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Former NBA player and renowned weed connoisseur Matt Barnes was so excited by the news that he took to Instagram to jokingly toy with the idea of returning to the court. He retired in 2017.
“It’s official... IM COMING BACK!! Lol jk,” he wrote. “Hats off to @adamsilvernba for listening to his players & the research. @adamsilvernba I lost a couple 100k while I was playing cause of cannabis, can I get it back or nah..? 🤔”
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For his part, Smith has kept a low profile on social media and remained mum on the subject, but trust and believe his weed man just earned a lucrative Christmas bonus.
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Congratulations, J.R.
And in the immortal words of Nate Dogg: “Smoke weed every day!”


theroot--2020-12-04--'She's So Real': The Root Presents: It's Lit! and Michaela Angela Davis Discuss The Meaning of Maria

'She's So Real': The Root Presents: It's Lit! and Michaela Angela Davis Discuss The Meaning of Mariah Carey

Fun fact : we highly considered naming this week ’ s episode of The Root Presents : It ’ s Lit !
“ All I Want for Christmas Is [ Truth ] .
” After all , our guest this week is veteran fashion stylist , editor , activist , and now author Michaela Angela Davis , who this year helped bring the long-awaited life story of Mariah Carey to the page—and the top of the New York Times ’ Best Sellers List—with The Meaning of Mariah Carey .
“ ❤ U MAD , ” Carey tweeted after the triumph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-writer by her initials .
In turn , Davis occasionally calls her co-writer and friend “ MC ” during her conversation with The Root ’ s Editor-in-Chief Danielle Belton and me ( Maiysha Kai , managing editor of The Glow Up ) during this week ’ s episode of The Root Presents : It ’ s Lit !
, where she shared exactly how cathartic this collaborative memoir was for its subject .
“ You know , to actually own your own narrative and to tell your story , for someone who ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about and interviewed about and mused about , it ’ s different , ” said Davis , who , after first meeting and forming a friendship with the self-proclaimed diva over a decade ago was the only person Carey trusted to help tell her story .
( Coincidentally , the two both also happen to be naturally blonde Black girls born under the sign of Aries . )
“ You know , she ’ s so confident as a songwriter and a singer and a producer—like , in the studio , she ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But this is different ; this is so revealing .
There ’ s lots of childhood memories and trauma that have never been discussed before.
” Carey ’ s most famous quip might be “ I don ’ t know her , ” but whether a member of the “ lambily ” or have taken marginal interest in Carey ’ s groundbreaking career , it ’ s impossible to leave The Meaning of Mariah Carey without feeling you know the iconic singer-songwriter better than you ever imagined .
“ I wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long Mariah album , ” said Davis , who tells Carey ’ s story in nonlinear fashion , gleaned through a series of intimate and occasionally intense discussions , and peppered with song lyrics and exclamations of “ Dahhhling , ” mimicking Carey ’ s own speech .
“ And so then , I began sort of studying the structure of her writing.
” The result is a memoir that largely eschews sensationalism in favor of profoundly sensitive revelations , giving poignant context to the public image of one of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Carey if self-effacing , at times irreverent and often hilarious , yet deeply vulnerable as she chronicles the intense highs and lows that threatened to undermine her stratospheric success : a deeply unstable childhood and still-dysfunctional family dynamics , an oppressive first marriage , and the highly publicized mental health crisis that nearly devastated her professionally as well as personally .
As Davis notes , Carey ’ s unprecedented transparency made the overwhelming reception to her memoir all the more gratifying .
“ It was such a genuine triumph , you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mariah ’ s level now , she—and we—were still underestimated , ” says Davis .
“ There wasn ’ t this expectation that we were going to be a number-one bestseller ...
So it was , again , just a validation for her—her story , the layers of a life—because we always identified this as a memoir of her identity.
” On Friday evening , after our podcast airs , AppleTV+ will Mariah Carey ’ s Magical Christmas Special , no doubt anchored by the singer-songwriter ’ s enduring holiday hit “ All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” a song which remarkably hit number one for the first time last December—25 years after its initial release .
( Did someone say “ underestimated ” ?
Well , as Carey would say , “ Baby don ’ t forget about us.
” ) Exactly a month after Carey ’ s memoir became a top bestseller , the song found new life on November 8 , the night the Biden-Harris ticket finally declared victory and crowds jubilantly danced in the street to Carey ’ s musical wish list .
“ Saw this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Watching this and sharing the feelings of joy and happiness with you all !
!
” Carey tweeted in response , revealing her maternal side as she added , “ Let ’ s remember to stay safe so we can really have the most FESTIVE Christmas yet.
” As Davis points out , much like the song she penned , Carey has repeatedly reinvented herself , adding chapters to her own narrative in spite of detractors , personal defeats , and a music industry notoriously destructive to its talents ; many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends—Ol ’ Dirty Bastard , Luther Vandross , Whitney Houston and Prince among them—not having lived to tell the tale .
‘ It ’ s amazing that she survived ’ ... and that ’ s one of the things that ’ s so great about Mariah , ” says Davis .
“ She survived it , you know , and she wrote a Christmas classic .
And she lives in a great house and she has beautiful kids ... she didn ’ t have a tragic end .
You know , some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us will.
” Hear this and much , much more on Episode 11 of The Root Presents : It ’ s Lit : Michaela Angela Davis on The Meaning of Mariah Carey , featuring the dynamic Michaela Angela Davis , now available on Apple , Spotify , Stitcher , iHeart Radio , Google Podcasts , Amazon , NPR One , TuneIn , and Radio Public .
Also available is a transcript of this week ’ s episode .

Fun fact: we highly considered naming this week’s episode of The Root Presents: It’s Lit! “All I Want for Christmas Is [Truth].” After all, our guest this week is veteran fashion stylist, editor, activist, and now author Michaela Angela Davis, who this year helped bring the long-awaited life story of Mariah Carey to the page—and the top of the New York Times’ Best Sellers List—with The Meaning of Mariah Carey.
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“❤ U MAD,” Carey tweeted after the triumph in early October, calling out her co-writer by her initials. In turn, Davis occasionally calls her co-writer and friend “MC” during her conversation with The Root’s Editor-in-Chief Danielle Belton and me (Maiysha Kai, managing editor of The Glow Up) during this week’s episode of The Root Presents: It’s Lit!, where she shared exactly how cathartic this collaborative memoir was for its subject.
“You know, to actually own your own narrative and to tell your story, for someone who’s been so written about and talked about and interviewed about and mused about, it’s different,” said Davis, who, after first meeting and forming a friendship with the self-proclaimed diva over a decade ago was the only person Carey trusted to help tell her story. (Coincidentally, the two both also happen to be naturally blonde Black girls born under the sign of Aries.) “You know, she’s so confident as a songwriter and a singer and a producer—like, in the studio, she’s a beast,” Davis continued. “But this is different; this is so revealing. There’s lots of childhood memories and trauma that have never been discussed before.”
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Carey’s most famous quip might be “I don’t know her,” but whether a member of the “lambily” or have taken marginal interest in Carey’s groundbreaking career, it’s impossible to leave The Meaning of Mariah Carey without feeling you know the iconic singer-songwriter better than you ever imagined.
“I wanted the book to feel like an opus—like a long Mariah album,” said Davis, who tells Carey’s story in nonlinear fashion, gleaned through a series of intimate and occasionally intense discussions, and peppered with song lyrics and exclamations of “Dahhhling,” mimicking Carey’s own speech. “And so then, I began sort of studying the structure of her writing.”
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The result is a memoir that largely eschews sensationalism in favor of profoundly sensitive revelations, giving poignant context to the public image of one of the world’s biggest stars and best-known voices. Carey if self-effacing, at times irreverent and often hilarious, yet deeply vulnerable as she chronicles the intense highs and lows that threatened to undermine her stratospheric success: a deeply unstable childhood and still-dysfunctional family dynamics, an oppressive first marriage, and the highly publicized mental health crisis that nearly devastated her professionally as well as personally. As Davis notes, Carey’s unprecedented transparency made the overwhelming reception to her memoir all the more gratifying.
“It was such a genuine triumph, you know, because, listen...even at Mariah’s level now, she—and we—were still underestimated,” says Davis. “There wasn’t this expectation that we were going to be a number-one bestseller...So it was, again, just a validation for her—her story, the layers of a life—because we always identified this as a memoir of her identity.”
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On Friday evening, after our podcast airs, AppleTV+ will Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special, no doubt anchored by the singer-songwriter’s enduring holiday hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” a song which remarkably hit number one for the first time last December—25 years after its initial release. (Did someone say “underestimated”? Well, as Carey would say, “Baby don’t forget about us.”) Exactly a month after Carey’s memoir became a top bestseller, the song found new life on November 8, the night the Biden-Harris ticket finally declared victory and crowds jubilantly danced in the street to Carey’s musical wish list.
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“Saw this last night during our own celebratory moments! Watching this and sharing the feelings of joy and happiness with you all!!” Carey tweeted in response, revealing her maternal side as she added, “Let’s remember to stay safe so we can really have the most FESTIVE Christmas yet.”
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As Davis points out, much like the song she penned, Carey has repeatedly reinvented herself, adding chapters to her own narrative in spite of detractors, personal defeats, and a music industry notoriously destructive to its talents; many of Carey’s contemporaries, collaborators and friends—Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston and Prince among them—not having lived to tell the tale.
‘It’s amazing that she survived’...and that’s one of the things that’s so great about Mariah,” says Davis. “She survived it, you know, and she wrote a Christmas classic. And she lives in a great house and she has beautiful kids...she didn’t have a tragic end. You know, some of us—some of us made it—and more of us will.”
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Hear this and much, much more on Episode 11 of The Root Presents: It’s Lit: Michaela Angela Davis on The Meaning of Mariah Carey, featuring the dynamic Michaela Angela Davis, now available on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts, Amazon, NPR One, TuneIn, and Radio Public. Also available is a transcript of this week’s episode.


theroot--2020-12-04--How Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Helped His State Become a Superspreader

If you aren ’ t familiar with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis , think South Carolina Lindsey Graham but even more spineless .
From the beginning of Trump ’ s presidency , DeSantis has been fighting to win the president ’ s gaze .
At one point , when states were turning up their nose at hosting the GOP convention because of the coronavirus , i t was DeSantis who stepped in to offer his state as a superspreader hotspot .
He ’ s encouraged Trump to “ fight on ” in his baseless battle to overturn the presidential election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would be Ron DeSantis .
So it seems about right that this week , Florida is coming from behind in the race to the bottom as they ’ ve become the third state to hit a million coronavirus cases and DeSantis notes that “ if we try harder we can make that number 2 million before the end of the year !
” OK , DeSantis didn ’ t say that , but an investigation has found that DeSantis and other Florida leaders mishandled the virus since the beginning , and outright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dangers during the pandemic aided in the spread of the virus .
According to a South Florida Sun Sentinel investigation , DeSantis and his administration have engaged in lies and concealment about COVID-19 , including suppressing unfavorable facts , and outright ignoring of public health officials while promoting the views of scientific dissenters who supported DeSantis ’ ( a la Trump ’ s ) apathetic view of the disease .
DeSantis has supported all of the Trumpisms surrounding the coronavirus : He ’ s not advocated for wearing masks , nor has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large crowds .
The governor ’ s own spokesman even took to Twitter to claim that the “ coronavirus was less deadly than the flu , ” and included stats that downplayed the impact of the virus .
The Sun Sentinel conducted interviews with more than 50 people , “ including scientists , doctors , political leaders , employees of the state health department , and other state officials , as well as more than 4,000 pages of documents ” and here is what they found .
• The DeSantis administration refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Florida , then denied the virus was spreading from person to person — despite mounting evidence that it was .
State officials withheld information about infections in schools , prisons , hospitals and nursing homes , relenting only under pressure or legal action from family members , advocacy groups and journalists .
• The DeSantis administration brushed aside scientists and doctors who advocated conventional approaches to fighting the virus , preferring scientists on the fringes who backed the governor ’ s positions .
• The governor ’ s spokesman regularly takes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the false claim that COVID was less deadly than the flu .
• The governor highlighted statistics that would paint the rosiest picture possible and attempted to cast doubt on the validity of Florida ’ s rising death toll .
“ It ’ s become pretty clear that what Florida is doing right now isn ’ t working , ” Dan Gelber , mayor of Miami Beach , said during a press event as the state was approaching some 900,000 cases of Covid-19 .
Gelber also called for a statewide mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unmistakably clear that Florida ’ s approach to managing this pandemic is failing pretty horribly.
” Gelber charged that coronavirus case numbers began surging after DeSantis “ opened up the economy totally in late September and simultaneously prevented local governments from enforcing individual mask mandates , ” the Sun Sentinel reports .
And the craziest part is that DeSantis has scientists at the ready , willing to help stop the spread of the virus , and instead of utilizing the advantages afforded him , he ’ d rather ride the Trump train @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faculty within this institute , ” Glenn Morris , director of the University of Florida ’ s Emerging Pathogens Institute , told the Sun Sentinel .
“ This is what we do for a living .
Yet the state has not taken full advantage of that expertise.
” And they won ’ t , because why bother yourself with science when you have white god , aka Trump , telling you from his anus-shaped mouth that one day this will all disappear like a miracle ?

If you aren’t familiar with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, think South Carolina Lindsey Graham but even more spineless. From the beginning of Trump’s presidency, DeSantis has been fighting to win the president’s gaze. At one point, when states were turning up their nose at hosting the GOP convention because of the coronavirus, i t was DeSantis who stepped in to offer his state as a superspreader hotspot. He’s encouraged Trump to “fight on” in his baseless battle to overturn the presidential election. Seriously, if Florida was a person it would be Ron DeSantis.
So it seems about right that this week, Florida is coming from behind in the race to the bottom as they’ve become the third state to hit a million coronavirus cases and DeSantis notes that “ if we try harder we can make that number 2 million before the end of the year!”
Advertisement
OK, DeSantis didn’t say that, but an investigation has found that DeSantis and other Florida leaders mishandled the virus since the beginning, and outright lied to the public about the extent and dangers during the pandemic aided in the spread of the virus.
According to a South Florida Sun Sentinel investigation, DeSantis and his administration have engaged in lies and concealment about COVID-19, including suppressing unfavorable facts, and outright ignoring of public health officials while promoting the views of scientific dissenters who supported DeSantis’ (a la Trump’s) apathetic view of the disease.
Advertisement Advertisement
DeSantis has supported all of the Trumpisms surrounding the coronavirus: He’s not advocated for wearing masks, nor has he encouraged citizens not to gather in large crowds. The governor’s own spokesman even took to Twitter to claim that the “coronavirus was less deadly than the flu,” and included stats that downplayed the impact of the virus.
The Sun Sentinel conducted interviews with more than 50 people, “including scientists, doctors, political leaders, employees of the state health department, and other state officials, as well as more than 4,000 pages of documents” and here is what they found.
Advertisement
From the Sun Sentinel:
The DeSantis administration refused to reveal details about the first suspected cases in Florida, then denied the virus was spreading from person to person — despite mounting evidence that it was. State officials withheld information about infections in schools, prisons, hospitals and nursing homes, relenting only under pressure or legal action from family members, advocacy groups and journalists.
The DeSantis administration brushed aside scientists and doctors who advocated conventional approaches to fighting the virus, preferring scientists on the fringes who backed the governor’s positions.
The governor’s spokesman regularly takes to Twitter to spread misinformation about the disease, including the false claim that COVID was less deadly than the flu.
The governor highlighted statistics that would paint the rosiest picture possible and attempted to cast doubt on the validity of Florida’s rising death toll.
Advertisement
“It’s become pretty clear that what Florida is doing right now isn’t working,” Dan Gelber, mayor of Miami Beach, said during a press event as the state was approaching some 900,000 cases of Covid-19. Gelber also called for a statewide mask mandate, adding: “It’s unmistakably clear that Florida’s approach to managing this pandemic is failing pretty horribly.”
Gelber charged that coronavirus case numbers began surging after DeSantis “opened up the economy totally in late September and simultaneously prevented local governments from enforcing individual mask mandates,” the Sun Sentinel reports.
Advertisement
And the craziest part is that DeSantis has scientists at the ready, willing to help stop the spread of the virus, and instead of utilizing the advantages afforded him, he’d rather ride the Trump train.
“We have over 200 affiliated faculty within this institute,” Glenn Morris, director of the University of Florida’s Emerging Pathogens Institute, told the Sun Sentinel.
Advertisement
“This is what we do for a living. Yet the state has not taken full advantage of that expertise.”
And they won’t, because why bother yourself with science when you have white god, aka Trump, telling you from his anus-shaped mouth that one day this will all disappear like a miracle?


theroot--2020-12-04--Ulta's Beauty Box Is a 49-Piece Kit That's Only $20, Perfect for Any Makeup Lover

Whether you 're celebrating with your loved ones in person or from a distance , The Inventory staff is dedicated to spreading holiday cheer with the top gifts to ring in the season—and maybe a few good deals to snatch up for yourself .
It 's okay , your secret 's safe with us .
Ulta ’ s Beauty Box : Glitz Edition is one of the company ’ s best sellers and is a favorite among makeup aficionados .
It ’ s currently $ 10 off and is filled with shadows , blushes , glosses , and anything you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This time they are offering the box in light pink instead of gold .
This is a 49- piece kit , the case is reusable , and it ’ s easy to travel with .
All the makeup within is cruelty-free an d top quality .
Here is what you ’ ll get : 30 eyeshadows , four blushes , four highlighters , two bronzers , two lip glosses , two sheer lip glosses , two eyeliner pencils , eyeshadow primer , brow gel , and an eyeshadow/blush brush .
All of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and made to create looks that will carry you through the day or night .

Beauty Box: Glitz Edition Light Pink | $20 | Ulta
Ulta’s Beauty Box: Glitz Edition is one of the company’s best sellers and is a favorite among makeup aficionados. It’s currently $10 off and is filled with shadows, blushes, glosses, and anything you could need all valued at $172. This time they are offering the box in light pink instead of gold.
This is a 49- piece kit, the case is reusable, and it’s easy to travel with. All the makeup within is cruelty-free an d top quality. Here is what you’ll get: 30 eyeshadows, four blushes, four highlighters, two bronzers, two lip glosses, two sheer lip glosses, two eyeliner pencils, eyeshadow primer, brow gel, and an eyeshadow/blush brush. All of this makeup is highly pigmented, blendable, and made to create looks that will carry you through the day or night.
Free shipping on orders over $35.


theroot--2020-12-04--Stamped (For Kids): A New Adaptation of the Bestseller Will Provide 'an Antiracist Building Block fo

Stamped (For Kids): A New Adaptation of the Bestseller Will Provide 'an Antiracist Building Block for Children'

“ Adults struggle to discuss race and racism .
But what if we were discussing race since we were kids ?
What if we were learning about racism since we were kids ?
” This is the question posed by Ibram X. Kendi , the award-winning author , activist and historian whose many groundbreaking books on race and antiracism in America include the 2016 National Book Award-winning tome , Stamped from the Beginning .
In 2020 , that bestseller spawned yet another from acclaimed Young Adult author Jason Reynolds , who “ remixed ” Kendi ’ s extensive historical analysis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and You , a book which became part of the antiracist zeitgeist following the extrajudicial killings of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and more this spring .
Now , Stamped will have an even greater potential impact—from the beginning .
Renowned educator , academic author , and co-founder and co-facilitator of the Institute for Racial Equity in Literacy Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul has adapted this essential reading for an even younger audience with Stamped ( For Kids ) , revisiting this non-revisionist history of race in America with a chapter book designed for readers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curriculum .
“ I can ’ t convey how excited I am for the arrival of Stamped ( For Kids ) , ” says Kendi in a statement provided to The Root , while Reynolds adds : “ What ’ s most important is to remember there is no age requirement to begin the conversation around race in America , though I understand how it could be uncomfortable , and sometimes difficult to find the language .
Stamped For Kids is meant to serve as support , a resource for discourse .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Cherry-Paul explained to The Root , her involvement with the project was organic .
She ’ d already engaged with the text when a chance meeting coincided with Little , Brown and Company ’ s Books for Young Readers imprint approaching her to develop “ a guide that would support educators in talking and teaching about race and racism and would support students as they journey through this text.
” The prospect was exciting—though as Reynolds also admitted of his adaptation process during his recent appearance on The Root Presents : It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had some hesitation in further distilling this important work for an even younger audience .
“ Abridging Stamped was definitely stressful , ” she shared via email .
“ I love Jason ’ s work so much ; it felt wrong to change anything about it .
And then , how do you decide to leave out any of Ibram ’ s scholarship in a book on race ?
But of course , things would have to change to make the work accessible to younger children.
” Still , she knew this work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Having the pandemic as well as continued police brutality and the election be the backdrop to this writing was heavy .
It all felt so urgent .
This abridgment was definitely informed by this .
It had to be .
And it felt like the most important thing I could be doing , ” she continued .
“ It added pressure , but it made me want to speak to children even more .
Especially because I know that many teachers and caregivers find it challenging to talk to young children about race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to silence it .
And this spring and summer , for many , was an awakening .
Suddenly there were so many educators and parents who wanted to talk about race and racism and didn ’ t feel equipped to do so .
I kept thinking about the power , purpose , and possibilities of Stamped ( For Kids ) and the difference it could make.
” Ultimately , she says , “ [ Reynolds ] provided a clear and powerful road map .
And I definitely tried to hug the road as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I just needed to take a different path , because traveling with younger kids is a bit different than older ones .
But I needed to make sure we arrived at the same destination .
I had to point things out more , give reminders , provide examples , and make comparisons to help younger kids grasp the concepts and hold onto them .
And carry those understandings with them across the book.
” In taking yet another new approach to this wealth of information and literally turning it into a teachable moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the intention of inspiring deeper dialogues and “ self-examination and interrogation ” among younger readers .
“ I tried to write curriculum that wasn ’ t a literal teaching of the book , but to instead create opportunities for students to be in conversation with one another about what they were reading ; a conversation that might go in many different directions , ” she explained .
“ I wanted to create invitations for students to continue to grapple with ideas they ’ re reading about and to connect them with their lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clubs who has previously written about the power of the format in the classroom , Dr. Cherry-Paul also approached Stamped with this type of engagement in mind , as well as opportunities for students to journal independently , “ to write the things they may not , for a variety of reasons , say out loud , ” she said .
“ I provided several possibilities so that the students could steer the discussions themselves , ” she added .
“ I wanted to create opportunities for there to be a more fluid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as I knew in many ways , teachers and students would all be learning and unlearning a lot about race and racism together , at the same time , thanks to the genius of Stamped.
” Understanding that kids are multitaskers with a grasp on technology most of us haven ’ t even acquired as adults , Dr. Cherry-Paul envisions a multi-pronged approach to engaging with Stamped ( For Kids ) .
“ They can be in conversation and checking out a reference on their phones and computers .
So the curriculum includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to investigate , and learn more about people and events raised in the book.
” One of Dr. Cherry-Paul ’ s most powerful suggestions is one that can take place at school or at home ( since home is where most schooling is taking place , at present ) .
“ One thing I suggest is that each club creates an antiracist timeline based on what they ’ re reading and learning , ” she advised .
“ So that the work of antiracism is always right there in front of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and helping them to think about how they want to be in the world.
” Regardless of where or how children engage with the powerful pedagogy of Stamped , Dr. Cherry-Paul is excited to have put her own stamp on this antiracist literary legacy for perhaps our most impressionable generation .
“ Jason wrote Stamped and it reads like he ’ s in the room speaking directly to kids , having this incredible conversation with them and you just know the kids are right there , riveted .
And he included those powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathe , ” she shared .
“ I thought about what that would look like for young children : How can I be conversational with them and hold their attention ?
To anticipate where and how often they ’ d need to pause and process ?
And in those moments , what might they be thinking or asking ?
“ It was also really important that young children would have the experience of reading a book about the history of race and racism and all of the unsettling truths about this and see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That they ’ d learn about the resistance and brilliance of Black people and the richness of Black history as they acquire tools to talk about race , identify how racism works systemically , and the ways they can make choices in their lives that can disrupt racism.
” Stamped ( For Kids ) : Racism , Antiracism , and You will be released in May 2021 and is available for preorder now .
In the meantime , you can view Reynolds ’ BookTube episode in which he discusses STAMPED Remixed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ‘ Bowties & Books ’ , and Danielle Bainbridge of ‘ Origin of Everything ’ .

“Adults struggle to discuss race and racism. But what if we were discussing race since we were kids? What if we were learning about racism since we were kids?”
This is the question posed by Ibram X. Kendi, the award-winning author, activist and historian whose many groundbreaking books on race and antiracism in America include the 2016 National Book Award-winning tome, Stamped from the Beginning. In 2020, that bestseller spawned yet another from acclaimed Young Adult author Jason Reynolds, who “remixed” Kendi’s extensive historical analysis for Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, a book which became part of the antiracist zeitgeist following the extrajudicial killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and more this spring.
Advertisement
Now, Stamped will have an even greater potential impact—from the beginning. Renowned educator, academic author, and co-founder and co-facilitator of the Institute for Racial Equity in Literacy Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul has adapted this essential reading for an even younger audience with Stamped (For Kids), revisiting this non-revisionist history of race in America with a chapter book designed for readers ages 7-10, accompanied by a teachable curriculum .
“I can’t convey how excited I am for the arrival of Stamped (For Kids),” says Kendi in a statement provided to The Root, while Reynolds adds: “What’s most important is to remember there is no age requirement to begin the conversation around race in America, though I understand how it could be uncomfortable, and sometimes difficult to find the language. Stamped For Kids is meant to serve as support, a resource for discourse. An antiracist building block for children.”
Advertisement Advertisement
As Dr. Cherry-Paul explained to The Root, her involvement with the project was organic. She’d already engaged with the text when a chance meeting coincided with Little, Brown and Company’s Books for Young Readers imprint approaching her to develop “a guide that would support educators in talking and teaching about race and racism and would support students as they journey through this text.” The prospect was exciting—though as Reynolds also admitted of his adaptation process during his recent appearance on The Root Presents: It’s Lit!, Dr. Cherry-Paul had some hesitation in further distilling this important work for an even younger audience.
Advertisement
“Abridging Stamped was definitely stressful,” she shared via email. “I love Jason’s work so much; it felt wrong to change anything about it. And then, how do you decide to leave out any of Ibram’s scholarship in a book on race? But of course, things would have to change to make the work accessible to younger children.”
Still, she knew this work was what the moment demanded. “Having the pandemic as well as continued police brutality and the election be the backdrop to this writing was heavy. It all felt so urgent. This abridgment was definitely informed by this. It had to be. And it felt like the most important thing I could be doing,” she continued. “It added pressure, but it made me want to speak to children even more. Especially because I know that many teachers and caregivers find it challenging to talk to young children about race and racism. There is a tendency to silence it. And this spring and summer, for many, was an awakening. Suddenly there were so many educators and parents who wanted to talk about race and racism and didn’t feel equipped to do so. I kept thinking about the power, purpose, and possibilities of Stamped (For Kids) and the difference it could make.”
Advertisement
Ultimately, she says, “[Reynolds] provided a clear and powerful road map. And I definitely tried to hug the road as much as possible. At times, I just needed to take a different path, because traveling with younger kids is a bit different than older ones. But I needed to make sure we arrived at the same destination. I had to point things out more, give reminders, provide examples, and make comparisons to help younger kids grasp the concepts and hold onto them. And carry those understandings with them across the book.”
In taking yet another new approach to this wealth of information and literally turning it into a teachable moment, Dr. Cherry-Paul approached the text with the intention of inspiring deeper dialogues and “self-examination and interrogation” among younger readers.
Advertisement
“I tried to write curriculum that wasn’t a literal teaching of the book, but to instead create opportunities for students to be in conversation with one another about what they were reading; a conversation that might go in many different directions,” she explained. “I wanted to create invitations for students to continue to grapple with ideas they’re reading about and to connect them with their lives today.”
A longtime advocate of book clubs who has previously written about the power of the format in the classroom, Dr. Cherry-Paul also approached Stamped with this type of engagement in mind, as well as opportunities for students to journal independently, “to write the things they may not, for a variety of reasons, say out loud,” she said.
Advertisement
“I provided several possibilities so that the students could steer the discussions themselves,” she added. “I wanted to create opportunities for there to be a more fluid power dynamic between teachers and students, as I knew in many ways, teachers and students would all be learning and unlearning a lot about race and racism together, at the same time, thanks to the genius of Stamped.”
Understanding that kids are multitaskers with a grasp on technology most of us haven’t even acquired as adults, Dr. Cherry-Paul envisions a multi-pronged approach to engaging with Stamped (For Kids). “They can be in conversation and checking out a reference on their phones and computers. So the curriculum includes opportunities for just that—for students to talk, to investigate, and learn more about people and events raised in the book.”
Advertisement
One of Dr. Cherry-Paul’s most powerful suggestions is one that can take place at school or at home (since home is where most schooling is taking place, at present). “One thing I suggest is that each club creates an antiracist timeline based on what they’re reading and learning,” she advised. “So that the work of antiracism is always right there in front of them, like a lighthouse, guiding them and helping them to think about how they want to be in the world.”
Regardless of where or how children engage with the powerful pedagogy of Stamped, Dr. Cherry-Paul is excited to have put her own stamp on this antiracist literary legacy for perhaps our most impressionable generation.
Advertisement
“Jason wrote Stamped and it reads like he’s in the room speaking directly to kids, having this incredible conversation with them and you just know the kids are right there, riveted. And he included those powerful moments for older kids to pause and breathe,” she shared. “I thought about what that would look like for young children: How can I be conversational with them and hold their attention? To anticipate where and how often they’d need to pause and process? And in those moments, what might they be thinking or asking?
“It was also really important that young children would have the experience of reading a book about the history of race and racism and all of the unsettling truths about this and see Blackness affirmed,” she continued. “That they’d learn about the resistance and brilliance of Black people and the richness of Black history as they acquire tools to talk about race, identify how racism works systemically, and the ways they can make choices in their lives that can disrupt racism.”
Advertisement
Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You will be released in May 2021 and is available for preorder now. In the meantime, you can view Reynolds’ BookTube episode in which he discusses STAMPED Remixed with other literary YouTubers, like Jesse Bowties of ‘Bowties & Books’, and Danielle Bainbridge of ‘Origin of Everything’.


theroot--2020-12-04--Pixar's Soul Exclusive Clip: Joe Stans for Dorothea, but She Seems Meh About Him

The official countdown to the debut of Pixar ’ s first film with a Black lead has officially begun !
The synopsis for Soul , via a press release provided to The Root : What is it that makes you ... YOU ?
Pixar Animation Studios ’ all-new feature film Soul introduces Joe Gardner ( voice of Jamie Foxx ) – a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town .
But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their personalities , quirks and interests before they go to Earth .
Determined to return to his life , Joe teams up with a precocious soul , 22 ( voice of Tina Fey ) , who has never understood the appeal of the human experience .
As Joe desperately tries to show 22 what ’ s great about living , he may just discover the answers to some of life ’ s most important questions .
Due to circumstances caused by the global pandemic , Disney/Pixar pivoted from its original Juneteenth theatrical release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the people by releasing it via Disney ’ s streaming platform , Disney+ .
That news was announced in October and here we are , in the month of December .
We have an early holiday gift for you—a sneak peek of the film !
In an exclusive clip obtained by The Root , Joe gets to meet and audition for his idol , legendary jazz musician Dorothea Williams ( Angela Bassett ) via a hookup from his former student , Curley ( Questlove ) .
After fumbling over his introduction due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to speak to Dorothea face-to-face .
Dorothea is playing her regal gold saxophone and the sound mixing is so crisp , you can hear the click-clack of the keys as she plays .
Curley tries to hype up his boy by mentioning that Joe is “ Ray Gardner ’ s son , ” noting that Joe is basically a jazz legacy .
Her response ?
“ So , we ’ re down to middle school band teachers now ?
”

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

The official countdown to the debut of Pixar’s first film with a Black lead has officially begun!
The synopsis for Soul, via a press release provided to The Root:
What is it that makes you...YOU? Pixar Animation Studios’ all-new feature film Soul introduces Joe Gardner (voice of Jamie Foxx) – a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before – a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests before they go to Earth. Determined to return to his life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22 (voice of Tina Fey), who has never understood the appeal of the human experience. As Joe desperately tries to show 22 what’s great about living, he may just discover the answers to some of life’s most important questions.
Advertisement
Due to circumstances caused by the global pandemic, Disney/Pixar pivoted from its original Juneteenth theatrical release and decided to present a Christmas gift to the people by releasing it via Disney’s streaming platform, Disney+. That news was announced in October and here we are, in the month of December. We have an early holiday gift for you—a sneak peek of the film!
In an exclusive clip obtained by The Root, Joe gets to meet and audition for his idol, legendary jazz musician Dorothea Williams (Angela Bassett) via a hookup from his former student, Curley (Questlove).
Glad You Made It” Clip / Pixar (YouTube)
After fumbling over his introduction due to natural nervousness, Joe finally gets to speak to Dorothea face-to-face. Dorothea is playing her regal gold saxophone and the sound mixing is so crisp, you can hear the click-clack of the keys as she plays. Curley tries to hype up his boy by mentioning that Joe is “Ray Gardner’s son,” noting that Joe is basically a jazz legacy. Her response? “So, we’re down to middle school band teachers now?”
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Ouch.
Soul debuts Dec. 25 on Disney+.


theroot--2020-12-04--Instead of Looking In the Mirror, Paul George Throws Doc Rivers Under the Bus for Clippers' Failures

Paul George might be a lot of things , but I ’ ll tell you one thing he isn ’ t—and that ’ s a leader .
Leaders not only inspire their teammates , but hold themselves accountable for their shortcomings .
In the process , they earn the respect of their peers , elevate the play of the players around them , and provide value that doesn ’ t always show up in box scores .
LeBron James is a leader .
Chris Paul is a leader .
Kobe was a leader .
Paul George ?
In the immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bed in the playoffs , instead of apologizing to the universe for playing like hot ass , reportedly this happened , according to Shams Charania of The Athletic : “ Paul George had a disappointing series against Denver , and had several moments that left him in compromising positions with his teammates—beyond just his production .
Multiple teammates had verbal spats with George throughout the postseason , citing in their exchanges a lack of accountability from him .
In the postgame locker room Tuesday night , George was preaching to teammates to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to the team this offseason and stay ready to make another run .
It was met by some eye rolls and bewilderment , sources said , because George did not back up his words with action in the series and the team has multiple free agents with decisions to make.
” Does this sound like a leader to you ?
What also doesn ’ t bode well for his standing within the organization is the fact that his teammates dragged him in their exit interviews .
When healthy , the six-time All-Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league .
But as Andre 3K once infamously rapped , “ Baby boy , you only funky as your last cut , you focus on the past , your ass ’ ll be a ‘ has-what.
’ ” During George ’ s final season in Oklahoma City , he put up 28 points , eight boards , and four assists a game .
You can say whatever the hell you want to your coaches , teammates , baby mothers , and the media when you ’ re winning and putting up video game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Temecula fell well short of that for a myriad of reasons ( health , chemistry issues , etc . )
, so thinking he still carried that same clout on an entirely new team with an entirely different roster while hurling up brick after brick after brick when the team needed you to step the fuck up during the playoffs ain ’ t gon ’ work , bruh .
Further cementing his status as the worst leader since Donald John Trump are George ’ s comments during an upcoming episode of Showtime ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by retired NBA vets Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson .
Here ’ s what he had to say about Doc Rivers , who has since moved on to greener pastures : I ’ ll let Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports debunk this bullshit : He also said this about his former head coach : “ We went up 3-1 .
We felt like we ’ re gon na win the next one .
We lost .
We ’ re like , ‘ Cool , we up 3-2 , we gon na win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during that whole process , we never worked on adjustments .
We never worked on what to do differently .
We were just literally having the same shit happen over and over again .
It started to play a trick on you , like , man what ’ s going on ?
We talking amongst each other , the conversations like , ‘ We gon na be alright.
’ The conversations should have been like , ‘ Nah , we need to change this .
We need to switch this up.
’ ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critique of Doc—I ’ m sure the Bucks have spent their entire offseason saying the exact same thing about Mike Budenholzer—but what stands out the most about this quote is his insistence that “ we ” need to change this .
That “ we ” need to switch this up .
So you ’ re over there coughing up double-digit leads in three consecutive games and never , not one time , thought to step up and say something yourself ?
What the hell are they paying you nearly $ 40 million a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be fucking serious .
The Clippers season has been over for months and he still has yet to say say “ me ” or “ I ” one damn time .
Absolutely no accountability whatsoever .
And then you ’ re gon na speak on behalf of your teammates and say your team didn ’ t deserve it ?
What in the hell ?
In October , I wrote about how Ty Lue ’ s got a lot of work to do to fix the Clippers .
But as long as George is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always have a leadership void .

Paul George might be a lot of things, but I’ll tell you one thing he isn’t—and that’s a leader.
Leaders not only inspire their teammates, but hold themselves accountable for their shortcomings. In the process, they earn the respect of their peers, elevate the play of the players around them, and provide value that doesn’t always show up in box scores.
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LeBron James is a leader. Chris Paul is a leader. Kobe was a leader. Paul George?
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In the immediate aftermath of the Los Angeles Temecula Clippers shitting the bed in the playoffs, instead of apologizing to the universe for playing like hot ass, reportedly this happened, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic:
“Paul George had a disappointing series against Denver, and had several moments that left him in compromising positions with his teammates—beyond just his production. Multiple teammates had verbal spats with George throughout the postseason, citing in their exchanges a lack of accountability from him. In the postgame locker room Tuesday night, George was preaching to teammates to remain committed, for all the players to return to the team this offseason and stay ready to make another run. It was met by some eye rolls and bewilderment, sources said, because George did not back up his words with action in the series and the team has multiple free agents with decisions to make.”
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Does this sound like a leader to you?
What also doesn’t bode well for his standing within the organization is the fact that his teammates dragged him in their exit interviews. When healthy, the six-time All-Star is absolutely a top-15 player in the league. But as Andre 3K once infamously rapped, “Baby boy, you only funky as your last cut, you focus on the past, your ass’ll be a ‘has-what.’”
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During George’s final season in Oklahoma City, he put up 28 points, eight boards, and four assists a game. You can say whatever the hell you want to your coaches, teammates, baby mothers, and the media when you’re winning and putting up video game numbers. But his first season in Los Angeles Temecula fell well short of that for a myriad of reasons (health, chemistry issues, etc.), so thinking he still carried that same clout on an entirely new team with an entirely different roster while hurling up brick after brick after brick when the team needed you to step the fuck up during the playoffs ain’t gon’ work, bruh.
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Further cementing his status as the worst leader since Donald John Trump are George’s comments during an upcoming episode of Showtime’s All the Smoke podcast, hosted by retired NBA vets Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson.
Here’s what he had to say about Doc Rivers, who has since moved on to greener pastures:
“The way I was being used, I felt Doc was trying to play me as like a Ray Allen or like a JJ Redick, all pin-downs. I can do it, but that ain’t my game. I need some flow, I need some mixes of pick-and-rolls, I need some post-ups, just different touches, you know what I mean? That last season was just hard overall.”
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Huh?
I’ll let Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports debunk this bullshit:
George had fewer catch-and-shoot attempts per game last season than he did during his breakout 2018-19 campaign in Oklahoma City. He also had the exact same number of post-ups per game and more possessions as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, according to NBA.com. George did have significantly fewer isolations last season, however, and performed worse in those situations, going from 0.92 points per possession in 2018-19 to 0.75 with the Clippers.
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Translation: PG-13 is full of shit.
He also said this about his former head coach:
“We went up 3-1. We felt like we’re gonna win the next one. We lost. We’re like, ‘Cool, we up 3-2, we gonna win the next one.’ We lost. But during that whole process, we never worked on adjustments. We never worked on what to do differently. We were just literally having the same shit happen over and over again. It started to play a trick on you, like, man what’s going on? We talking amongst each other, the conversations like, ‘We gonna be alright.’ The conversations should have been like, ‘Nah, we need to change this. We need to switch this up.’”
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Failure to make adjustments is a fair critique of Doc—I’m sure the Bucks have spent their entire offseason saying the exact same thing about Mike Budenholzer—but what stands out the most about this quote is his insistence that “we” need to change this. That “we” need to switch this up. So you’re over there coughing up double-digit leads in three consecutive games and never, not one time, thought to step up and say something yourself? What the hell are they paying you nearly $40 million a year for?
And lastly, here’s George’s coup de grace:
“At the end of the day I don’t think we deserved it. We wasn’t prepared enough going into it—just us making adjustments. We wasn’t prepared. We didn’t put the work into it. It was kind of just like, ‘Yo, we got PG, we got Kawhi, we got [Lou Williams], [Montrezl Harrell]. We gonna be straight. We gonna figure it out.’ “
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This nigga cannot be fucking serious. The Clippers season has been over for months and he still has yet to say say “me” or “I” one damn time. Absolutely no accountability whatsoever. And then you’re gonna speak on behalf of your teammates and say your team didn’t deserve it? What in the hell?
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In October, I wrote about how Ty Lue’s got a lot of work to do to fix the Clippers. But as long as George is on the roster, this team will always have a leadership void.