theroot--2020-12-06--Trump Continues His Campaign to Steal the Election by Fixating on Georgia's Election Results

President Trump is still attempting to claim victory in an election that he has indisputably lost , this time by focusing on invalidating President-elect Joe Biden ’ s win in Georgia .
Over the weekend , Trump reportedly called on Governor Brian Kemp to ask for a special legislative session in the state to overturn the will of voters and award him Georgia ’ s votes in the electoral college .
Since his campaign has lost his legal attempts to challenge election results in Wisconsin , Nevada , Michigan , Arizona , Minnesota , and Georgia , the president appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last option to eke out a win that he didn ’ t earn .
Hours before he was scheduled to hold a rally in Georgia on behalf of the state ’ s two GOP senators , Trump pressed Kemp to call a special session of the state legislature for lawmakers to override the results and appoint electors who would back the president at the electoral college , according to two people familiar with the conversation , who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the private call .
Trump also asked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on mail ballots , something Kemp has previously noted he has no power to do .
Kemp declined the president ’ s entreaty , according to the people .
After the phone call , in which sources told the Washington Post that Kemp got “ chewed out ” by Trump , the president got on his favorite platform—Twitter—to call for the verification of signatures on ballots that have already been counted .
“ If we win Georgia , everything else falls in place !
” Trump tweeted , seeming to blame Kemp for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” that will suddenly prove that he actually won the state .
Though Kemp responded that he has publicly called for a signature audit , his attempts to appease the president ’ s exhausting unwillingness to accept that more people voted for Joe Biden did not save him from being lambasted on stage on Saturday when Trump spoke at a rally in Georgia for the state ’ s upcoming runoff elections .
In a free-wheeling , characteristically hot-mess speech , Trump belittled Kemp , saying the Governor should be “ ashamed of himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him .
After calling on lawmakers and the Supreme Court to grant him the presidential victory , Trump went on to encourage rally attendees to vote for the Republican candidates in Georgia ’ s senate runoff race in January , and flagged a potential run for the Oval Office in 2024 while adding that he ’ d rather “ go back three weeks ” than wait four more years to take back the White House ( a thought makes me shiver ) .
“ We will never , ever surrender , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech , signaling that we are not out of the woods in terms of this long , painful , bloviating period before he is booted out of the presidency once and for all .

President Trump is still attempting to claim victory in an election that he has indisputably lost, this time by focusing on invalidating President-elect Joe Biden’s win in Georgia.
Over the weekend, Trump reportedly called on Governor Brian Kemp to ask for a special legislative session in the state to overturn the will of voters and award him Georgia’s votes in the electoral college. Since his campaign has lost his legal attempts to challenge election results in Wisconsin, Nevada, Michigan, Arizona, Minnesota, and Georgia, the president appears to have identified Republican lawmakers as his last option to eke out a win that he didn’t earn.
Advertisement
From the Washington Post:
Hours before he was scheduled to hold a rally in Georgia on behalf of the state’s two GOP senators, Trump pressed Kemp to call a special session of the state legislature for lawmakers to override the results and appoint electors who would back the president at the electoral college, according to two people familiar with the conversation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the private call. Trump also asked the governor to demand an audit of signatures on mail ballots, something Kemp has previously noted he has no power to do. Kemp declined the president’s entreaty, according to the people.
Advertisement Advertisement
After the phone call, in which sources told the Washington Post that Kemp got “chewed out” by Trump, the president got on his favorite platform—Twitter—to call for the verification of signatures on ballots that have already been counted.
“If we win Georgia, everything else falls in place!” Trump tweeted, seeming to blame Kemp for not uncovering mythical “large scale discrepancies” that will suddenly prove that he actually won the state.
Advertisement
Though Kemp responded that he has publicly called for a signature audit, his attempts to appease the president’s exhausting unwillingness to accept that more people voted for Joe Biden did not save him from being lambasted on stage on Saturday when Trump spoke at a rally in Georgia for the state’s upcoming runoff elections.
Advertisement
In a free-wheeling, characteristically hot-mess speech, Trump belittled Kemp, saying the Governor should be “ashamed of himself” for not helping manufacture a win for him.
Advertisement
After calling on lawmakers and the Supreme Court to grant him the presidential victory, Trump went on to encourage rally attendees to vote for the Republican candidates in Georgia’s senate runoff race in January, and flagged a potential run for the Oval Office in 2024 while adding that he’d rather “go back three weeks” than wait four more years to take back the White House (a thought that makes me shiver).
“We will never, ever surrender,” Trump declared at the end of his speech, signaling that we are not out of the woods in terms of this long, painful, bloviating period before he is booted out of the presidency once and for all.


theroot--2020-12-06--Nourish Sensitive Skin With 15% off Natural, Cruelty-Free Klairs K-Beauty Skincare Routine Essential

Nourish Sensitive Skin With 15% off Natural, Cruelty-Free Klairs K-Beauty Skincare Routine Essentials

The added anxiety of the election season and the pandemic these past few months has done a number on my skin .
I ’ ve learned that the best way to come back from stress-related skin woes is to nourish it with a dedicated skin routine full of clean ingredients .
If your skin is sensitive like mine , you ’ ll love Korean beauty brand Klair , which is cruelty-free and skips the unnecessary ingredients that irritate some , like artificial fragrances and harsh chemicals .
Any skincare routine worth its weight will include toner , and you really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classic Klairs Supple Preparation facial toner , just $ 17 when you clip the coupon .
Toner comes after the cleansing step , which you can complete with the highly-rated Klairs Gentle Black Sugar charcoal soap .
It ’ s not on sale , but it ’ s not a bad deal at $ 15 for a bar said to help with blemish-prone skin .
If you need your skin to calm down ( or just need to tone down redness ) , the Klairs Midnight Blue calming cream is a beauty favorite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also get 15 % off of this one , bringing it down to just $ 19 .
Layer it over some Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating drops for just $ 25 when paired with the 15 % off coupon just below the price on Amazon .
It ’ s not clear how long this coupon will be available for , so take advantage of it while you can !

Elizabeth Lanier on Kinja Deals, shared by Elizabeth Lanier to The Root

Dear, Klairs Gentle Black Sugar Charcoal Soap | $15 | Amazon
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner | $19 | Amazon | Clip coupon
Dear, Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream | $20 | Amazon | Clip coupon
Dear, Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop | $26 | Amazon
The added anxiety of, well, everything these past 12 months has done a number on my skin. I’ve learned that the best way to come back from stress-related skin woes is to nourish it with a dedicated skin routine full of clean ingredients.
If your skin is sensitive like mine, you’ll love Korean beauty brand Klair, which is cruelty-free and skips the unnecessary ingredients that irritate some, like artificial fragrances and harsh chemicals.
Any skincare routine worth its weight will include toner, and you really can’t go wrong with the classic Klairs Supple Preparation facial toner, just $19 when you clip the coupon. Toner comes after the cleansing step, which you can complete with the highly-rated Klairs Gentle Black Sugar charcoal soap. It’s not on sale, but it’s not a bad deal at $15 for a bar said to help with blemish-prone skin. I love this soap personally! And it lasts for a long time. Even the toner has lasted me about three months and still going.
If you need your skin to calm down (or just need to tone down redness), the Klairs Midnight Blue calming cream is a beauty favorite with a near cult-following! You can also get 10 % off of this one when you clip the coupon below the price , bringing it down to just $20 . Layer it over some Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating drops for just $26 — not on sale right now but this stuff nourishes your skin and helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles, so it’s a good buy still.
It’s not clear how long these coupons will be available for, so take advantage of these deals while you can!
This deal was originally published on 12/06/20 by Elizabeth Lanier and was updated with new information on 2/28/21.


theroot--2020-12-06--Family Disputes Official Story in Police Killing of Casey Goodson Jr. in Columbus, Ohio

Police shot and killed a 23-year-old man in Columbus , Ohio over the weekend , claiming they shot him after he drove by them in a car while waving a weapon .
According to a report from The Columbus Dispatch , the Franklin County Sheriff ’ s office in Ohio said its SWAT team had been unsuccessfully searching for a fugitive on Friday when a young man—identified by his family online as Casey Goodson Jr.—passed by them in a car while waving a handgun .
At a press conference about the incident , U.S .
Marshal for the Southern District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not the target of the search but was confronted by a member of the SWAT task force who shot him after he did not follow a command to drop his weapon .
But Goodson ’ s family members dispute that version of events .
His sister , Kaylee Harper , said that her brother had been in the process of entering his home while holding a sandwich when he was shot by police .
“ They are lying , ” Harper posted on social media in response to the Franklin Country Sherrif @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer-involved shooting .
“ My brother literally walked across the yard , walked into the back fence to get to the side door , had his subway and mask in one hand , keys in the other.
” “ Why did you kill a man walking into his own home ?
He just wanted to enjoy his Subway after leaving the dentist ’ s office , ” she added .
“ Police shot him in the back three times through the door , ” Goodson ’ s mother Tamala Cain said , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that her son was licensed to carry a concealed weapon and had no history of trouble with the law .
Police have released little additional details about the incident , outside of saying that a 17-year-veteran of the Franklin County Sheriff ’ s Office shot the 23-year-old and that they believe the shooting was justified .
Officials have yet to publicly name Goodson as the victim , but say a police-led investigation will be carried out into the incident and that it will be presented to prosecutors and a grand jury in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s family has launched a GoFundMe to help with the cost of his burial .

Police shot and killed a 23-year-old man in Columbus, Ohio over the weekend, claiming they shot him after he drove by them in a car while waving a weapon.
According to a report from The Columbus Dispatch, the Franklin County Sheriff’s office in Ohio said its SWAT team had been unsuccessfully searching for a fugitive on Friday when a young man—identified by his family online as Casey Goodson Jr.—passed by them in a car while waving a handgun.
Advertisement
At a press conference about the incident, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio Peter Tobin said the deceased was not the target of the search but was confronted by a member of the SWAT task force who shot him after he did not follow a command to drop his weapon.
But Goodson’s family members dispute that version of events. His sister, Kaylee Harper, said that her brother had been in the process of entering his home while holding a sandwich when he was shot by police.
Advertisement Advertisement
“They are lying,” Harper posted on social media in response to the Franklin Country Sherrif’s office report of the so-called officer-involved shooting. “My brother literally walked across the yard, walked into the back fence to get to the side door, had his subway and mask in one hand, keys in the other.”
“Why did you kill a man walking into his own home? He just wanted to enjoy his Subway after leaving the dentist’s office,” she added.
Advertisement
“Police shot him in the back three times through the door,” Goodson’s mother Tamala Cain said, according to a report from BET. Cain added that her son was licensed to carry a concealed weapon and had no history of trouble with the law.
Advertisement
Police have released little additional details about the incident, outside of saying that a 17-year-veteran of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office shot the 23-year-old and that they believe the shooting was justified. Officials have yet to publicly name Goodson as the victim, but say a police-led investigation will be carried out into the incident and that it will be presented to prosecutors and a grand jury in Franklin County for consideration.
Goodson’s family has launched a GoFundMe to help with the cost of his burial.


theroot--2020-12-08--'Breakin' 3: Olympic Boogaloo' Coming to a Summer Olympic Games Near You

Y ’ all .
Listen .
The 2024 Summer Olympics are about to be the greatest sporting event in history by virtue of the fact that breaking—competitive breakdancing—is officially an olympic sport .
According to CBS News , the sport is set to be among the final list of sports to be announced for the 2024 games .
The inclusion is part of an ongoing effort by the International Olympic Committee to appeal to the youth and increase diversity within the games .
The delayed-2020 Tokyo Games will see the debut of skateboarding , freestyle BMX and 3v3 basketball as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going to be great for breaking as it gives us more recognition as a sport , ” British breakdancer Karam Singh told BBC Sport .
The USA Breaking Committee previously told CBS Sports that they would be ready to go should they receive approval from the IOC .
We ’ re talking rulebooks , a scoring system , and a process to ensure that only Olympic caliber athletes are out here doing the damn thing .
This is clearly great for the athletes who have worked their entire lives for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legitimacy .
We love to see it , truly .
Do you know how good dance movies/TV shows/anime are about to get ?
Man , fuck a couple g ’ s and a Lil ’ Kim music video , how about winning an Olympic gold medal and getting them brand deals ?
!
Imagine a group of inner city kids taking home the gold in honor of G-Baby/Lil ’ Saint/whatever kid inevitably winds up dying to bring the team back together and motivate them to beat the Russians/Koreans/whoever is the rival crew in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making ?
Sidenote on the Lil ’ Saint link : That is literally the only time Prof. Oglevee appears in You Got Served and now that ’ s going to bug you too .
Actually , speaking of You Got Served , why not give it that Olympic legacy sequel ?
Omarion pop-locking at the Olympic games ?
Take my money , please .
Hell , imagine the Netflix documentaries we ’ re going to get about dancers across the globe working to be the best ?
!
The inevitable 30 for 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gold medal for breaking ?
!
The anime of really cool , hyper-stylized dance teams freaking going Super Saiyan while doing a sick-ass headspin ?
!
ARE YOU UNDERSTANDING WHY THIS IS A GOOD THING FOR EVERYBODY , YET ?
!
I just really like dance movies .
I even saw Step Up : 3D in 3D .
All I ’ m saying is that while this is a great development for athletes in the sport , it ’ s even better for us who like to watch it in reality and @ @

Y’all. Listen. The 2024 Summer Olympics are about to be the greatest sporting event in history by virtue of the fact that breaking—competitive breakdancing—is officially an olympic sport.
According to CBS News, the sport is set to be among the final list of sports to be announced for the 2024 games. The inclusion is part of an ongoing effort by the International Olympic Committee to appeal to the youth and increase diversity within the games. The delayed-2020 Tokyo Games will see the debut of skateboarding, freestyle BMX and 3v3 basketball as part of this effort.
Advertisement
“It’s going to be great for breaking as it gives us more recognition as a sport,” British breakdancer Karam Singh told BBC Sport.
The USA Breaking Committee previously told CBS Sports that they would be ready to go should they receive approval from the IOC. We’re talking rulebooks, a scoring system, and a process to ensure that only Olympic caliber athletes are out here doing the damn thing.
Advertisement Advertisement
This is clearly great for the athletes who have worked their entire lives for their sport to be given this level of legitimacy. We love to see it, truly.
But y’all—
Do you know how good dance movies/TV shows/anime are about to get?
Man, fuck a couple g’s and a Lil’ Kim music video, how about winning an Olympic gold medal and getting them brand deals?! Imagine a group of inner city kids taking home the gold in honor of G-Baby/Lil’ Saint/whatever kid inevitably winds up dying to bring the team back together and motivate them to beat the Russians/Koreans/whoever is the rival crew in this made up movie we’re making?
Advertisement
Sidenote on the Lil’ Saint link: That is literally the only time Prof. Oglevee appears in You Got Served and now that’s going to bug you too.
Actually, speaking of You Got Served, why not give it that Olympic legacy sequel? Omarion pop-locking at the Olympic games? Take my money, please.
Advertisement
Hell, imagine the Netflix documentaries we’re going to get about dancers across the globe working to be the best?! The inevitable 30 for 30 about the first team to ever win the gold medal for breaking?! The anime of really cool, hyper-stylized dance teams freaking going Super Saiyan while doing a sick-ass headspin?!
ARE YOU UNDERSTANDING WHY THIS IS A GOOD THING FOR EVERYBODY, YET?!
Ahem. Sorry.
I just really like dance movies. I even saw Step Up: 3D in 3D.
All I’m saying is that while this is a great development for athletes in the sport, it’s even better for us who like to watch it in reality and fiction.


theroot--2020-12-08--Black Firefighters Say Lack of Promotions and Rampant Use of Racial Slurs Embody Culture of Kansas C

Black Firefighters Say Lack of Promotions and Rampant Use of Racial Slurs Embody Culture of Kansas City Fire Department

One of the positives , for lack of a better word , of the renewed focus on systemic racism in America is seeing Black people across the country speaking out about the years of racist treatment they ’ ve tolerated in their respective fields .
A group of Black firefighters in Kansas City , Mo.
, have spoken out about the years of racial discrimination they ’ ve endured in the city ’ s fire department .
A report by the Kansas City Star found that a pattern of systemic racism has plagued the Kansas City Fire Department in Kansas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The report was triggered following an incident last year where Benjamin Barton , a white fire cadet , said his favorite knot was a noose , threw a rope around the neck of a Black classmate , and pulled it tight .
“ I went back and sat down because I didn ’ t want to lose my job or anything like that since at that time , I was a probationary firefighter , ” the affected firefighter told the Kansas City Star .
The firefighter remained anonymous for fear of retaliation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many firefighters in the department called for Barton to be fired .
Instead , after multiple roadblocks and union politicking , Barton was ultimately employed for several weeks after the incident and allowed to resign on his own .
“ For me to take the higher road for it and still not get the justice that I felt was satisfactory to me was actually kind of heartbreaking , ” the impacted firefighter told the Star .
The firefighter said that Barton initially tried to tell him that he didn ’ t know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t trying to hear that .
“ Man , it ’ s 2019. Who in their right mind can live in America and not know what a noose represents to a Black person ?
” the firefighter said .
“ I know people live under rocks , but that ’ s got to be like the deepest rock in the world.
” According to the 30 current and former Black firefighters interviewed by the Star , the lack of consequences for what was a blatantly racist act is unsurprising .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right color , not the right sex , you are going to have a problem , ” Therese Brown , a retired Black firefighter , told the Star .
Records obtained by the Star show that half of the city ’ s fire crews don ’ t have a single black firefighter among them .
Black firefighters are also overlooked for promotions in high-ranking positions ; of the 48 highest-ranking firefighters , only three are Black .
In the 30 years since Kansas City last had a Black fire chief , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the position .
The last Black Kansas City firefighter in the running to be chief was James Garrett , who endured open racism for decades and rose to become the department ’ s spokesman and deputy chief .
But he was passed over for the top job , and when he filed a federal discrimination complaint , the city paid him a $ 111,000 settlement .
Brown , the third Black woman hired by the KCFD , suffered both racism and sexual harassment in her 22 years with the department .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a future fire chief abandoned her under a collapsed wall in a burning building .
Stephen Seals , a Black battalion chief , tried to stick up for Black cadets at the academy when one of them was called a racial slur in 2016 , according to court filings .
But when he confronted a white peer , Seals was disciplined and , according to a second lawsuit he filed , he was passed over for promotion in retaliation .
Clearly , it ’ s not as if the KCFD wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its culture .
It simply didn ’ t care .
Garrett recounted an incident to the Star from 26 years ago when he was a fresh-faced cadet in training .
A Black cadet was leading the training when two white firefighters drove by the class and yelled a racial slur at him .
“ They shouted , ‘ Go get ’ em , nigger , ’ or ‘ Lead ’ em , nigger , ’ or something like that , ” Garrett said .
“ ... And everybody in the class heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black cadets reported the incident to Carolyn Mitchell , their then-captain and the first Black woman in the department , Mitchell ’ s higher-ups didn ’ t take any disciplinary action against the firefighters who used the slur .
“ I guess what I thought was after I complained about it that somebody would take up that cause and at least reprimand them , something would happen , ” Garrett told the news outlet .
“ And when nothing happened , I was like , ‘ Oh my God.
’ ” Garrett went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 years with the department he regularly dealt with racist behavior from his fellow firefighters , having to straight up tell people to not use the N-word in front of him in “ almost every station ” he ’ s ever gone to .
While Garrett managed to rise through the ranks , becoming the first Black deputy chief in 15 years , his career track is very much the exception not the rule .
Of the nearly 1,300 people employed by the department , only 14 percent are Black , despite Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s population .
At Station 23 in the Northeast , 29 of the 30 firefighters are white , even in a ZIP code where more than 23 % of the residents are Black and 36 % are Hispanic , according to an estimate from the 2018 American Community Survey .
Every captain that has worked there for the last 10 years has been white .
Over the last 10 years , Black firefighters made up only 7 % of the more than 200 firefighters assigned to Station 35 , on Emanuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Avenue .
The station sits in a ZIP code that is 88 % Black .
Both stations are home to busy pumper crews that respond to thousands of emergency calls , including hundreds of potential fires , every year .
Any effort by the city to address the long-standing problem has basically been a non-starter .
In the 1980s , a policy was in place that mandated every fourth department promotion had to go to either a woman or non-white person .
This policy ended after a group of white firefighters pulled out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ card .
It ’ s not as if all this racism hasn ’ t come at a cost to the city , either .
Over the last 20 years the city has had to pay out $ 2.5 million in judgments , attorney ’ s fees , court costs and litigation expenses to settle lawsuits by former employees alleging discrimination , harassment and reta liation .
Lynne Bratcher , an attorney who has represented many Black firefighters in these cases , is frustrated at the lack of action the city has taken when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exists within the department .
“ Corporations when they see that they have a policy that is promoting discrimination , they ’ ll change it because it is in their best interests financially , ” Bratcher said .
“ The city does not operate with this good business judgment and it ’ s frustrating .
”

One of the positives, for lack of a better word, of the renewed focus on systemic racism in America is seeing Black people across the country speaking out about the years of racist treatment they’ve tolerated in their respective fields. A group of Black firefighters in Kansas City, Mo., have spoken out about the years of racial discrimination they’ve endured in the city’s fire department.
A report by the Kansas City Star found that a pattern of systemic racism has plagued the Kansas City Fire Department in Kansas City, Mo., for decades. The report was triggered following an incident last year where Benjamin Barton, a white fire cadet, said his favorite knot was a noose, threw a rope around the neck of a Black classmate, and pulled it tight.
Advertisement
“I went back and sat down because I didn’t want to lose my job or anything like that since at that time, I was a probationary firefighter,” the affected firefighter told the Kansas City Star. The firefighter remained anonymous for fear of retaliation.
As word spread about the incident, many firefighters in the department called for Barton to be fired. Instead, after multiple roadblocks and union politicking, Barton was ultimately employed for several weeks after the incident and allowed to resign on his own.
Advertisement Advertisement
“For me to take the higher road for it and still not get the justice that I felt was satisfactory to me was actually kind of heartbreaking,” the impacted firefighter told the Star.
The firefighter said that Barton initially tried to tell him that he didn’t know what he did was racist but the firefighter wasn’t trying to hear that. “Man, it’s 2019. Who in their right mind can live in America and not know what a noose represents to a Black person?” the firefighter said.
Advertisement
“I know people live under rocks, but that’s got to be like the deepest rock in the world.”
According to the 30 current and former Black firefighters interviewed by the Star, the lack of consequences for what was a blatantly racist act is unsurprising. “If (you’re) not the right color, not the right sex, you are going to have a problem,” Therese Brown, a retired Black firefighter, told the Star.
Advertisement
Records obtained by the Star show that half of the city’s fire crews don’t have a single black firefighter among them. Black firefighters are also overlooked for promotions in high-ranking positions; of the 48 highest-ranking firefighters, only three are Black.
In the 30 years since Kansas City last had a Black fire chief, not a single Black firefighter has been promoted to the position.
Advertisement
From the Kansas City Star:
The last Black Kansas City firefighter in the running to be chief was James Garrett, who endured open racism for decades and rose to become the department’s spokesman and deputy chief. But he was passed over for the top job, and when he filed a federal discrimination complaint, the city paid him a $111,000 settlement. Brown, the third Black woman hired by the KCFD, suffered both racism and sexual harassment in her 22 years with the department. She said fellow firefighters drained her oxygen tank, and a future fire chief abandoned her under a collapsed wall in a burning building. Stephen Seals, a Black battalion chief, tried to stick up for Black cadets at the academy when one of them was called a racial slur in 2016, according to court filings. But when he confronted a white peer, Seals was disciplined and, according to a second lawsuit he filed, he was passed over for promotion in retaliation.
Advertisement
Clearly, it’s not as if the KCFD wasn’t aware of the racism embedded in its culture. It simply didn’t care.
Garrett recounted an incident to the Star from 26 years ago when he was a fresh-faced cadet in training. A Black cadet was leading the training when two white firefighters drove by the class and yelled a racial slur at him.
Advertisement
“They shouted, ‘Go get ’em, nigger,’ or ‘Lead ’em, nigger,’ or something like that,” Garrett said. “... And everybody in the class heard it.”
While Garrett and his fellow Black cadets reported the incident to Carolyn Mitchell, their then-captain and the first Black woman in the department, Mitchell’s higher-ups didn’t take any disciplinary action against the firefighters who used the slur.
Advertisement
“I guess what I thought was after I complained about it that somebody would take up that cause and at least reprimand them, something would happen,” Garrett told the news outlet. “And when nothing happened, I was like, ‘Oh my God.’”
Garrett went on to say that in his over 20 years with the department he regularly dealt with racist behavior from his fellow firefighters, having to straight up tell people to not use the N-word in front of him in “almost every station” he’s ever gone to.
Advertisement
While Garrett managed to rise through the ranks, becoming the first Black deputy chief in 15 years, his career track is very much the exception not the rule. Of the nearly 1,300 people employed by the department, only 14 percent are Black, despite Black people making up 30 percent of the city’s population.
From the Star:
At Station 23 in the Northeast, 29 of the 30 firefighters are white, even in a ZIP code where more than 23% of the residents are Black and 36% are Hispanic, according to an estimate from the 2018 American Community Survey. Every captain that has worked there for the last 10 years has been white. Over the last 10 years, Black firefighters made up only 7% of the more than 200 firefighters assigned to Station 35, on Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard just east of Prospect Avenue. The station sits in a ZIP code that is 88% Black. Both stations are home to busy pumper crews that respond to thousands of emergency calls, including hundreds of potential fires, every year.
Advertisement
Any effort by the city to address the long-standing problem has basically been a non-starter. In the 1980s, a policy was in place that mandated every fourth department promotion had to go to either a woman or non-white person. This policy ended after a group of white firefighters pulled out the good old “reverse discrimination” card.
Oh white people, y’all really don’t change.
It’s not as if all this racism hasn’t come at a cost to the city, either. Over the last 20 years the city has had to pay out $2.5 million in judgments, attorney’s fees, court costs and litigation expenses to settle lawsuits by former employees alleging discrimination, harassment and reta liation.
Advertisement
Lynne Bratcher, an attorney who has represented many Black firefighters in these cases, is frustrated at the lack of action the city has taken when it comes to the blatant racism that exists within the department.
“Corporations when they see that they have a policy that is promoting discrimination, they’ll change it because it is in their best interests financially,” Bratcher said. “The city does not operate with this good business judgment and it’s frustrating.”


theroot--2020-12-08--Black Doll With Braided Hair Described as 'Colored Dirty Braid Fashion' Pulled by Amazon

Amazon sure seems to have a difficult time making sure it isn ’ t used to sell products from vendors that use racist descriptions to advertise their merchandise .
Recently , the company had to remove a children ’ s doll from its digital marketplace because some overseas company thought it was a good idea to describe a Black doll ’ s braided hair as “ colored dirty braid fashion.
” After TMZ reported on the racist descriptor while the doll was still available online , Amazon told the publication that the product has been removed from the site .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s manufacturer , Doli Yearning , is a Chinese company that has been affiliated with Amazon for less than a year .
“ Doli Yearning 14-inch Adorable Black Doll with Casual Red Skirt and Colored Dirty Braid Fashion Gorgeous Doll for Ages 3+ Interactive Playtime BPA Free Safety Product Well-Designed Collectible Box , ” the product description read .
TMZ also pointed out what a departure that description is from how the company describes its white dolls which doesn ’ t include any mention of color and certainly not the word “ dirty.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ company ’ s melanin redacted dolls is sold under the description : “ Doli Yearning 14-inch Adorable Doll with Denim Suit and Colored Headbands Fashion Gorgeous Doll for Ages 3+ Interactive Playtime BPA Free Safety Product Well-Designed Collectable Box.
” So OK , Amazon got wind of the issue and immediately removed it , but here ’ s the thing : This isn ’ t even the first time in 2020 that this has happened .
CNN Business reports that in August , Amazon had to remove shoes from its site because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shit you not— “ nigger brown.
” By the way : That incident actually marks at least the second time a company has found itself under fire for selling products from vendors that describe dark brown color patterns on merchandise as “ nigger brown.
” I guess the moral of this story is : Racism is a global phenomenon that you won ’ t even be able to escape while getting your holiday shopping done because Amazon and other companies desperately need to get their shit together .

Zack Linly on The Glow Up, shared by Zack Linly to The Root

So...
Amazon sure seems to have a difficult time making sure it isn’t used to sell products from vendors that use racist descriptions to advertise their merchandise.
Recently, the company had to remove a children’s doll from its digital marketplace because some overseas company thought it was a good idea to describe a Black doll’s braided hair as “colored dirty braid fashion.”
Advertisement
After TMZ reported on the racist descriptor while the doll was still available online, Amazon told the publication that the product has been removed from the site.
Advertisement Advertisement
According to TMZ, the doll’s manufacturer, Doli Yearning, is a Chinese company that has been affiliated with Amazon for less than a year.
“Doli Yearning 14-inch Adorable Black Doll with Casual Red Skirt and Colored Dirty Braid Fashion Gorgeous Doll for Ages 3+ Interactive Playtime BPA Free Safety Product Well-Designed Collectible Box,” the product description read. TMZ also pointed out what a departure that description is from how the company describes its white dolls which doesn’t include any mention of color and certainly not the word “dirty.”
Advertisement
In fact, one of the company’s melanin redacted dolls is sold under the description: “Doli Yearning 14-inch Adorable Doll with Denim Suit and Colored Headbands Fashion Gorgeous Doll for Ages 3+ Interactive Playtime BPA Free Safety Product Well-Designed Collectable Box.”
So OK, Amazon got wind of the issue and immediately removed it, but here’s the thing: This isn’t even the first time in 2020 that this has happened.
Advertisement
CNN Business reports that in August, Amazon had to remove shoes from its site because the color of the shoes was described as—I shit you not—“nigger brown.”
By the way: That incident actually marks at least the second time a company has found itself under fire for selling products from vendors that describe dark brown color patterns on merchandise as “nigger brown.”
Advertisement
I guess the moral of this story is: Racism is a global phenomenon that you won’t even be able to escape while getting your holiday shopping done because Amazon and other companies desperately need to get their shit together.


theroot--2020-12-08--Odell Beckham Jr. Has Big Plans to Power Your Dreams With Xbox Sneaker, Controller Collab

Since tearing his ACL in October , superstar NFL receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has a lot of damn time on his hands—much more than he already did considering we ’ re in the middle of a whole-ass global pandemic .
So in his efforts to perhaps help pass the time , the three-time Pro Bowler has embraced video game culture by becoming a professional streamer—joining the likes of popular gamers like Dr. Disrespect in doing so—and sharing his Call of Duty exploits via YouTube .
He ’ s also collaborating with Xbox .
And because you ’ ll have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s career than you ever will finding an Xbox Series X right now , why not settle on the next best thing ?
A pair of customized Air Force 1 sneakers or customized wireless Xbox controller created by the All-Pro receiver himself .
For their collaboration , “ Made From Dreams , ” Beckham drew inspiration from a dream he had in which he controlled big , shimmering stars in outer space with a single movement of his hand that transported him to a world where anything is possible .
( I typically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your life , OBJ . )
As such , you ’ ll notice the controller he designed shares a similar motif .
Soooooooo , how in the hell can you get your hands on either of the above ?
All you got ta do to have a chance to win a pair of OBJ ’ s custom Nike AF1s or custom Xbox wireless controller is retweet the sweepstakes tweet from Xbox ’ s official account starting Friday , from Dec. 11 through Dec. 24 .
To learn more about Xbox ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content series , “ Made From Dreams , ” visit their website .
You ’ re welcome in advance .

Since tearing his ACL in October, superstar NFL receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has a lot of damn time on his hands—much more than he already did considering we’re in the middle of a whole-ass global pandemic.
Advertisement
So in his efforts to perhaps help pass the time, the three-time Pro Bowler has embraced video game culture by becoming a professional streamer—joining the likes of popular gamers like Dr. Disrespect in doing so—and sharing his Call of Duty exploits via YouTube.
He’s also collaborating with Xbox. And because you’ll have a better chance of resurrecting Ja Rule’s career than you ever will finding an Xbox Series X right now, why not settle on the next best thing? A pair of customized Air Force 1 sneakers or customized wireless Xbox controller created by the All-Pro receiver himself.
Advertisement Advertisement
For their collaboration, “Made From Dreams,” Beckham drew inspiration from a dream he had in which he controlled big, shimmering stars in outer space with a single movement of his hand that transported him to a world where anything is possible. (I typically dream of crab legs, but live your life, OBJ.) As such, you’ll notice the controller he designed shares a similar motif.
Advertisement
Soooooooo, how in the hell can you get your hands on either of the above?
I’m glad you asked.
All you gotta do to have a chance to win a pair of OBJ’s custom Nike AF1s or custom Xbox wireless controller is retweet the sweepstakes tweet from Xbox’s official account starting Friday, from Dec. 11 through Dec. 24.
Advertisement
That’s it.
Advertisement
To learn more about Xbox’s “Power Your Dreams” campaign and their content series, “Made From Dreams,” visit their website. You’re welcome in advance.


theroot--2020-12-07--Why Was 'Childbirth' Trending on Twitter? Because It’s Kind of a Big Deal

If you ’ re reading this , at some point you were born—and whether naturally , with an epidural or via cesarean section , it was indisputably a major physical event for the woman who carried you , no matter how much she may have wanted to welcome you into the world .
In fact , it may have been so traumatic she simply chose to block it from her mind and focus on mothering rather than relive it by rehashing it again and again , so if you were greeted Monday morning by “ Childbirth ” trending on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you may not have been prepared for the onslaught of horror stories that ensued .
It all started with a question posed by someone who , by the looks of their avatar , has presumably never been pregnant or given birth , an innocently asked : “ What ’ s the most physically painful thing you ’ ve ever experienced ?
” While maladies like frozen shoulder ( which I ’ m currently experiencing and can confirm is excruciating ) made the list , the greatest percentage of responses by far were from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly graphic story that managed to give a firsthand account of several potential postpartum horrors in the space of a single minute .
“ The more I watch things like this , the more I wonder why this is hardly ever spoken about as childbirth is usually made to seem like this fairytale where all the pain disappears when you set your eyes on the baby , ” wrote one commenter in response to the video above .
And we ’ ve all heard it ( at least , most of us potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , my mother regularly and rather glibly refers to fleeting memories as being “ like the pain of childbirth.
” As the replies and threads indicate , my mother ( who also endured 36 hours of labor from the time her water broke ) was one of the lucky ones .
So , this is the part where we once again remind you that childbirth is , in fact , a big deal ; one made even more risk-filled by the onset of the global pandemic .
While the United States was already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed world for a woman to give birth pre-pandemic—and over 3 times as dangerous for Black expectant mothers—as we have previously reported , the coronavirus has exponentially raised the stakes ( as it has for pretty much every other aspect of our lives ) .
In July , it was reported that 7 out of 10 COVID cases occurring in pregnant mothers in Illinois were Black and Latinx Women .
But even prior , Neel Shah , a Harvard Medical School assistant professor of obstetrics , gynecology and reproductive biology , expressed concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compelled by the coronavirus upon Black and Brown expectant mothers , telling Roll Call in May : Jamarah Amani , a Florida-based midwife and executive director of the Southern Birth Justice Network , agreed , noting in the same article : “ If we are talking about Black women who are already at higher risk for complications and not being able to be seen in person for several weeks , there is a higher likelihood that something would be missed.
” Yet , perhaps because most of us somehow arrive here safely and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the most natural thing in the world ” —the dangers of giving birth , an inherently labor-intensive process ( pun intended ) that can result in death or permanent injury ( uterine prolapse followed by a hysterectomy , anyone ? )
, often are missed .
Or rather , dismissed , often by those who will never do it .
Tellingly , there were also concerns expressed during Monday morning ’ s discussion that having these conversations openly might deter women from wanting to give birth—which , no .
Women—all types of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt to have them by the most available means .
As for those who don ’ t , we ’ d also like to remind you that ’ s an entirely valid choice that no one should have to explain or justify or be made to feel inadequate for .
But for those who do opt to procreate and are able to , these are exactly the conversations we should be having publicly—because arguably , one of the best ways to mitigate risk and advocate for oneself is to be aware of the @ @ @ @ @ @

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

If you’re reading this, at some point you were born—and whether naturally, with an epidural or via cesarean section, it was indisputably a major physical event for the woman who carried you, no matter how much she may have wanted to welcome you into the world. In fact, it may have been so traumatic she simply chose to block it from her mind and focus on mothering rather than relive it by rehashing it again and again, so if you were greeted Monday morning by “Childbirth” trending on Twitter and were brave enough to click, you may not have been prepared for the onslaught of horror stories that ensued.
It all started with a question posed by someone who, by the looks of their avatar, has presumably never been pregnant or given birth, an innocently asked: “What’s the most physically painful thing you’ve ever experienced?”
Advertisement
While maladies like frozen shoulder (which I’m currently experiencing and can confirm is excruciating) made the list, the greatest percentage of responses by far were from women who’ve given birth—including one particularly graphic story that managed to give a firsthand account of several potential postpartum horrors in the space of a single minute.
Advertisement Advertisement
“The more I watch things like this, the more I wonder why this is hardly ever spoken about as childbirth is usually made to seem like this fairytale where all the pain disappears when you set your eyes on the baby,” wrote one commenter in response to the video above. And we’ve all heard it (at least, most of us potential child-bearers likely have); in fact, my mother regularly and rather glibly refers to fleeting memories as being “like the pain of childbirth.”
Advertisement
As the replies and threads indicate, my mother (who also endured 36 hours of labor from the time her water broke) was one of the lucky ones.
So, this is the part where we once again remind you that childbirth is, in fact, a big deal; one made even more risk-filled by the onset of the global pandemic. While the United States was already the most dangerous place in the so-called developed world for a woman to give birth pre-pandemic—and over 3 times as dangerous for Black expectant mothers—as we have previously reported, the coronavirus has exponentially raised the stakes (as it has for pretty much every other aspect of our lives). In July, it was reported that 7 out of 10 COVID cases occurring in pregnant mothers in Illinois were Black and Latinx Women. But even prior, Neel Shah, a Harvard Medical School assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology, expressed concerns about the disproportionate impact of the protocols compelled by the coronavirus upon Black and Brown expectant mothers, telling Roll Call in May:
“Isolating everyone takes all of the existing inequities in society and it throws them into a pressure cooker. We’re seeing the impact on pregnant people prenatally, as they’re in labor, and as they’re at home caring for their infants without very much support...People who are being disproportionately impacted by this virus are the very people that our health system has failed to adequately care for historically.”
Advertisement
Jamarah Amani, a Florida-based midwife and executive director of the Southern Birth Justice Network, agreed, noting in the same article: “If we are talking about Black women who are already at higher risk for complications and not being able to be seen in person for several weeks, there is a higher likelihood that something would be missed.”
Advertisement
Yet, perhaps because most of us somehow arrive here safely and childbirth has great PR—being widely touted as “the most natural thing in the world”—the dangers of giving birth, an inherently labor-intensive process (pun intended) that can result in death or permanent injury (uterine prolapse followed by a hysterectomy, anyone?), often are missed. Or rather, dismissed, often by those who will never do it.
Advertisement
Tellingly, there were also concerns expressed during Monday morning’s discussion that having these conversations openly might deter women from wanting to give birth—which, no. Women—all types of women—who genuinely want children are going to attempt to have them by the most available means. As for those who don’t, we’d also like to remind you that’s an entirely valid choice that no one should have to explain or justify or be made to feel inadequate for. But for those who do opt to procreate and are able to, these are exactly the conversations we should be having publicly—because arguably, one of the best ways to mitigate risk and advocate for oneself is to be aware of the risks in the first place.


theroot--2020-12-07--Black-Owned Gym in California Vandalized With a Noose and N-Word Carved Into a Door

A Black gym owner in California found a hanging noose and a racial slur carved into the door of his establishment over the weekend .
According to the Fresno Bee , Sam Akoidu , owner of Iron Bird Fitness in Fresno ’ s Tower District , initially didn ’ t notice anything when he went to the gym early Saturday morning .
A trainer who arrived later in the morning noticed that a toy skeleton had been tied to the door with a noose and the words “ Hey nigger , ” had been etched into the door .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what happened .
“ I ’ ve been through a lot in my life , and I just thought that ’ s what cowards do , ” Akoidu told The Bee .
“ If that ’ s how you feel , you should say it directly .
But to go out and buy a toy ( skeleton ) and scratch something in the door when no one ’ s looking , that ’ s cowardly.
” Understandably , both patrons and employees were upset upon hearing what had been found on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Central Valley Urban Institute and frequenter of the gym , tweeted that when he arrived that morning to work out many of the patrons were visibly upset , with one Black woman particularly triggered by the incident who began crying “ for her son.
” For Akiodu , this was particularly upsetting as he and his staff have worked to make Iron Bird Fitness an inclusive and safe space for its patrons .
“ There are women who come in there , people of color , all kinds of people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Bee .
“ We pride ourselves on being able to reach people who normally wouldn ’ t go to places like gyms.
” While Akoidu said Fresno police arrived at the scene quickly , there isn ’ t a description of what the potential assailant looked like .
Akoidu was surprised this happened in an area that he considers to be very diverse .
“ But then again , maybe not because this is the day and age that we live in , ” he told the Bee .
“ People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send messages through ghost accounts , and everything else.
” Unfortunately , he ’ s right .
It ’ s not like incidents like this are incredibly uncommon .
I mean shit , this is the year that saw parents go full tilt Klan over the mention of Black Lives Matter and a woman who wasn ’ t even Black get called the N-word by a racist white lady .
Do you know how racist you have to be to just call any brown person the N-word ?
The whites have perpetually been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look like they ’ re stopping any time soon .
While the incident was upsetting , Akoidu is determined to bounce back from this , telling the Bee that he had plans to paint a mural on the front of the gym to send the message to whoever vandalized his business that he ’ s “ not going anywhere.
” “ For me , as a Black business owner , I don ’ t bow down to things like that , ” he told the Bee .
“ If anything , it makes @ @ @ @ @

A Black gym owner in California found a hanging noose and a racial slur carved into the door of his establishment over the weekend.
According to the Fresno Bee, Sam Akoidu, owner of Iron Bird Fitness in Fresno’s Tower District, initially didn’t notice anything when he went to the gym early Saturday morning. A trainer who arrived later in the morning noticed that a toy skeleton had been tied to the door with a noose and the words “Hey nigger,” had been etched into the door. The trainer immediately informed Akoidu via text message of what happened.
Advertisement
“I’ve been through a lot in my life, and I just thought that’s what cowards do,” Akoidu told The Bee. “If that’s how you feel, you should say it directly. But to go out and buy a toy (skeleton) and scratch something in the door when no one’s looking, that’s cowardly.”
Understandably, both patrons and employees were upset upon hearing what had been found on the door. Eric Payne, executive director of the Central Valley Urban Institute and frequenter of the gym, tweeted that when he arrived that morning to work out many of the patrons were visibly upset, with one Black woman particularly triggered by the incident who began crying “for her son.”
Advertisement Advertisement
For Akiodu, this was particularly upsetting as he and his staff have worked to make Iron Bird Fitness an inclusive and safe space for its patrons.
Advertisement
“There are women who come in there, people of color, all kinds of people who come into our space,” Akoidu told the Bee. “We pride ourselves on being able to reach people who normally wouldn’t go to places like gyms.”
While Akoidu said Fresno police arrived at the scene quickly, there isn’t a description of what the potential assailant looked like. Akoidu was surprised this happened in an area that he considers to be very diverse. “But then again, maybe not because this is the day and age that we live in,” he told the Bee. “People talk behind people’s backs, send messages through ghost accounts, and everything else.”
Advertisement
Unfortunately, he’s right. It’s not like incidents like this are incredibly uncommon. I mean shit, this is the year that saw parents go full tilt Klan over the mention of Black Lives Matter and a woman who wasn’t even Black get called the N-word by a racist white lady.
Do you know how racist you have to be to just call any brown person the N-word? The whites have perpetually been at it and it doesn’t look like they’re stopping any time soon.
Advertisement
While the incident was upsetting, Akoidu is determined to bounce back from this, telling the Bee that he had plans to paint a mural on the front of the gym to send the message to whoever vandalized his business that he’s “not going anywhere.”
“For me, as a Black business owner, I don’t bow down to things like that,” he told the Bee. “If anything, it makes me go harder.”


theroot--2020-12-07--What Are the Best Noise-Canceling Headphones?

“ Work from home ” has become the new normal as lockdowns continue across the world .
For some , that ’ s a welcome and more comfortable change of pace from office life .
The transition is tougher for others who find themselves easily distracted at home .
Finding a way to focus can be hard , but here ’ s one tip : noise cancelling headphones .
A big pair of cans can help block out distractions and allow you to focus on work .
Today , we ’ re curious about what kind of headphones our readers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so we ’ re asking you : what are the best noise cancelling headphones ?
When considering what to buy , both quality and comfort come into play .
A good set of headphones needs to do both .
You ’ ll want something that really effectively blocks out all outside noise while giving you crisp sound quality .
If you ’ re working all day , you ’ re also going to want something that doesn ’ t crush your skull or irritate your ears .
For those who want something a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are some noise cancelling earbuds out there , so that ’ s an option to consider as well .
We ’ re not just talking about something you can use for Zoom calls either .
If you have headphones you swear by for gaming or listening to music , we want to hear all about it .
I have some personal investment in this question .
I just got a cat and I ’ m easily distracted everytime I hear her scratching at something in the other room ( this is taking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my upstairs neighbors appear to have gotten some kind of bird ?
Very unclear what animal is up there , but it ’ s loud .
Challenges like that are exactly why noise cancelling headphones are necessary in a home office environment .
So share what you ’ re rocking and we ’ ll round up the best answers .
In the meantime , here ’ s some rules for first time Co-op responders : 1 ) Your nomination should contain the name of a specific countertop dishwasher—additive or standalone—why you think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where it can be purchased , and an image .
2 ) You can nominate multiple products , but please put each one in a separate comment .

Giovanni Colantonio on Co-op, shared by Jordan McMahon to The Root

“Work from home” has become the new normal as lockdowns continue across the world. For some, that’s a welcome and more comfortable change of pace from office life. The transition is tougher for others who find themselves easily distracted at home. Finding a way to focus can be hard, but here’s one tip: noise cancelling headphones. A big pair of cans can help block out distractions and allow you to focus on work. Today, we’re curious about what kind of headphones our readers swear by in their daily lives, so we’re asking you: what are the best noise cancelling headphones?
When considering what to buy, both quality and comfort come into play. A good set of headphones needs to do both. You’ll want something that really effectively blocks out all outside noise while giving you crisp sound quality. If you’re working all day, you’re also going to want something that doesn’t crush your skull or irritate your ears. For those who want something a little more portable than cans, there are some noise cancelling earbuds out there, so that’s an option to consider as well. We’re not just talking about something you can use for Zoom calls either. If you have headphones you swear by for gaming or listening to music, we want to hear all about it.
I have some personal investment in this question. I just got a cat and I’m easily distracted everytime I hear her scratching at something in the other room (this is taking a while to write). Meanwhile, my upstairs neighbors appear to have gotten some kind of bird? Very unclear what animal is up there, but it’s loud. Challenges like that are exactly why noise cancelling headphones are necessary in a home office environment. So share what you’re rocking and we’ll round up the best answers. In the meantime, here’s some rules for first time Co-op responders:
1) Your nomination should contain the name of a specific pair of noise cancelling headphones, why you think it’s the best, a link where it can be purchased, and an image. 2) You can nominate multiple products, but please put each one in a separate comment. 3) Vote by starring someone else’s nomination.


theroot--2020-12-07--Aurora, Colorado Officials, Police Officers and Medics File Motions to Dismiss Elijah McClain Lawsui

Aurora, Colorado Officials, Police Officers and Medics File Motions to Dismiss Elijah McClain Lawsuit

Attorneys for Aurora , Colo. , police officers and medics involved in the death of Elijah McClain filed several motions with the U.S. District Court of Colorado last week to dismiss a lawsuit brought by McClain ’ s family in August .
The lawsuit alleges that discriminatory practices are what caused officers to put a Black man in a chokehold and paramedics to “ recklessly ” administer medication that contributed to the 23-year-old ’ s death .
The Associated Press reports that one of the motions filed late last Monday by attorneys for the three officers who confronted McClain last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit failed to prove that officers handled McClain any differently than they would have if he were white .
It often seems like no matter how many studies show that officers are far more likely to use force against Black suspects—and , in this case , a Black man who reportedly was just walking home from the store—than they are against our white counterparts , authorities will still pivot to saying , “ race had nothing to do with it.
” “ The death of Elijah McClain is a tragedy , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ However , this tragedy was not caused by deliberate and discriminatory acts or omissions of the APD ( Aurora Police Department ) Defendants.
” The department said the same thing in a statement last month adding that “ APD Defendants deny that they used excessive force on Mr. McClain in violation of the Fourth Amendment , that they denied him equal protection of the law under the Fourteenth Amendment and that they caused his death by battery or neglect.
” According to the Denver Post , the city of Aurora also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In that motion , attorneys argued against the suit ’ s claim that the city ’ s policies led to officers with the police department—as well as Aurora Fire Rescue paramedics—violating McClain ’ s constitutional rights and causing his death .
The city ’ s motion argues that the suit “ makes only conclusory allegations regarding the alleged failure to train , ” but doesn ’ t specify issues with “ overall training.
” Instead , the defendants claim the suit alleges facts that merely suggest “ shortcomings in individual officers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mari Newman , an attorney representing the McClain family , released a statement calling the motions “ desperate ” and saying she expects that the court will be on her clients ’ side .
“ We anticipate that the court will see these motions for what they are : a desperate attempt to avoid accountability for murdering an innocent young Black man , and to prevent Elijah ’ s family and community from achieving justice , ” she said .

Attorneys for Aurora, Colo., police officers and medics involved in the death of Elijah McClain filed several motions with the U.S. District Court of Colorado last week to dismiss a lawsuit brought by McClain’s family in August. The lawsuit alleges that discriminatory practices are what caused officers to put a Black man in a chokehold and paramedics to “recklessly” administer medication that contributed to the 23-year-old’s death.
Advertisement
The Associated Press reports that one of the motions filed late last Monday by attorneys for the three officers who confronted McClain last year, claimed the plaintiffs in the lawsuit failed to prove that officers handled McClain any differently than they would have if he were white.
It often seems like no matter how many studies show that officers are far more likely to use force against Black suspects—and, in this case, a Black man who reportedly was just walking home from the store—than they are against our white counterparts, authorities will still pivot to saying, “race had nothing to do with it.”
Advertisement Advertisement
“The death of Elijah McClain is a tragedy,” the motion said, Channel 9 News reports. “However, this tragedy was not caused by deliberate and discriminatory acts or omissions of the APD (Aurora Police Department) Defendants.”
The department said the same thing in a statement last month adding that “APD Defendants deny that they used excessive force on Mr. McClain in violation of the Fourth Amendment, that they denied him equal protection of the law under the Fourteenth Amendment and that they caused his death by battery or neglect.”
Advertisement
According to the Denver Post, the city of Aurora also filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. In that motion, attorneys argued against the suit’s claim that the city’s policies led to officers with the police department—as well as Aurora Fire Rescue paramedics—violating McClain’s constitutional rights and causing his death. The city’s motion argues that the suit “makes only conclusory allegations regarding the alleged failure to train,” but doesn’t specify issues with “overall training.” Instead, the defendants claim the suit alleges facts that merely suggest “shortcomings in individual officers’ training and supervision.”
According to AP, Mari Newman, an attorney representing the McClain family, released a statement calling the motions “desperate” and saying she expects that the court will be on her clients’ side.
Advertisement
“We anticipate that the court will see these motions for what they are: a desperate attempt to avoid accountability for murdering an innocent young Black man, and to prevent Elijah’s family and community from achieving justice,” she said.


theroot--2020-12-07--COVID-19 Exposed the Health Dangers of Air Pollution. Trump's EPA Still Refuses to Budge on Soot Reg

COVID-19 Exposed the Health Dangers of Air Pollution. Trump's EPA Still Refuses to Budge on Soot Regulation

Public health experts and environmental justice advocates have been calling for years for the Environmental Protection Agency to tighten its standards on soot , a deadly air pollutant that has been associated with higher COVID-19 death rates .
But the Trump administration kept its brand strong on Monday , rejecting the tougher regulations , which will keep thresholds for fine particle pollution at the same level for the next five years , reports The Washington Post : Dominique Browning , co-founder and the head of the advocacy group Moms Clean Air Force , told the Post the EPA decision “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and good public health .
It is outrageous.
” While the regulations are in line with the threshold set during the Obama administration , soot—the most widespread of America ’ s deadly air pollutants—can still cause illness and death at levels below federal air quality standards , reports The Scientific American .
A number of studies released since 2012 have also underscored the negative health impacts of air pollution , chronicling the disproportionate harm soot poses to nonwhite communities , in particular .
Soot is emitted a number of ways , from industrial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonwhite communities are more likely to be situated .
Models from the Union of Concerned Scientists found that Asian Americans were , on average , more likely to be exposed to soot particulate matter concentrations from vehicle tailpipes , at a rate 34 percent higher than the average rate for all Americans , reports the Scientific American .
Black Americans and Latinx were also more likely to be exposed to soot than the “ average ” American , at 24 percent and 23 percent .
This racialized pattern can be seen in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis found that Black people were three times more likely to die from soot exposure than other Americans , while a 2019 study found that Black and Latinx people were more likely to be exposed to air pollution , despite white people being the most likely to consume the goods and services responsible for driving that pollution .
Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to a number of serious health issues , especially when people who are exposed have other underlying health conditions , like diabetes or asthma .
Most recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year found a clear relationship between areas that had high rates of particulate matter ( also known as PM 2.5 ) and higher COVID-19 death rates .
These facts of American life—that Black Americans are more likely to live in “ fenceline ” communities with higher exposure rates to air pollution , and that the health impacts from such environments make them more vulnerable to a variety of illnesses—are why public health experts agree that higher rates of COVID death among African Americans are rooted in systemic racism , not lapses in personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you inhale fine particulate matter , they penetrate very deep into your lungs , and they can actually get into your bloodstream , and they initiate a form of inflammation that can cause pneumonia and cardiovascular disease , ” said Francesca Dominici , a professor of biostatistics at the Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health , according to the Scientific American .
“ If you ’ re living in a county and you ’ re breathing polluted air for a very long time , even absent COVID , we know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ After you contract COVID , your ability to respond to the inflammatory nature of COVID is severely compromised because your lungs already have inflammation.
” While COVID has increased the urgency to tackle soot and other air pollutants more aggressively , it ’ s clear that long-term exposure has been wearing on the health of America ’ s most vulnerable for generations , with people of color bearing the brunt of that pain .

Public health experts and environmental justice advocates have been calling for years for the Environmental Protection Agency to tighten its standards on soot, a deadly air pollutant that has been associated with higher COVID-19 death rates.
But the Trump administration kept its brand strong on Monday, rejecting the tougher regulations, which will keep thresholds for fine particle pollution at the same level for the next five years, reports The Washington Post:
The agency retained the current thresholds for fine particle pollution for another five years, despite mounting evidence linking air pollution with illness and death. In its decision, the EPA maintained that the Obama-era levels, set in 2012, are adequately protective of human health. Agency scientists had recommended lowering the annual particulate matter standard to between 8 and 10 micrograms per cubic meter in a draft report last year, citing estimates that reducing the limit to 9 could save between 9,050 and 34,600 lives a year.
Advertisement
Dominique Browning, co-founder and the head of the advocacy group Moms Clean Air Force, told the Post the EPA decision “flies in the face of good science and good public health. It is outrageous.”
While the regulations are in line with the threshold set during the Obama administration, soot—the most widespread of America’s deadly air pollutants—can still cause illness and death at levels below federal air quality standards, reports The Scientific American. A number of studies released since 2012 have also underscored the negative health impacts of air pollution, chronicling the disproportionate harm soot poses to nonwhite communities, in particular.
Advertisement Advertisement
Soot is emitted a number of ways, from industrial facilities and incinerators to highways, where nonwhite communities are more likely to be situated.
Models from the Union of Concerned Scientists found that Asian Americans were, on average, more likely to be exposed to soot particulate matter concentrations from vehicle tailpipes, at a rate 34 percent higher than the average rate for all Americans, reports the Scientific American. Black Americans and Latinx were also more likely to be exposed to soot than the “average” American, at 24 percent and 23 percent.
Advertisement
This racialized pattern can be seen in a number of other studies.
A 2017 analysis found that Black people were three times more likely to die from soot exposure than other Americans, while a 2019 study found that Black and Latinx people were more likely to be exposed to air pollution, despite white people being the most likely to consume the goods and services responsible for driving that pollution.
Advertisement
Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to a number of serious health issues, especially when people who are exposed have other underlying health conditions, like diabetes or asthma. Most recently, a nationwide study conducted earlier this year found a clear relationship between areas that had high rates of particulate matter (also known as PM 2.5) and higher COVID-19 death rates.
These facts of American life—that Black Americans are more likely to live in “fenceline” communities with higher exposure rates to air pollution, and that the health impacts from such environments make them more vulnerable to a variety of illnesses—are why public health experts agree that higher rates of COVID death among African Americans are rooted in systemic racism, not lapses in personal responsibility.
Advertisement
“We know that when you inhale fine particulate matter, they penetrate very deep into your lungs, and they can actually get into your bloodstream, and they initiate a form of inflammation that can cause pneumonia and cardiovascular disease,” said Francesca Dominici, a professor of biostatistics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, according to the Scientific American.
“If you’re living in a county and you’re breathing polluted air for a very long time, even absent COVID, we know that your lungs are inflamed,” Dominici said. “After you contract COVID, your ability to respond to the inflammatory nature of COVID is severely compromised because your lungs already have inflammation.”
Advertisement
While COVID has increased the urgency to tackle soot and other air pollutants more aggressively, it’s clear that long-term exposure has been wearing on the health of America’s most vulnerable for generations, with people of color bearing the brunt of that pain.


theroot--2020-12-07--Republicans Invite Vaccine Skeptic to Senate Committee Hearing, Signaling Potential Partisan Showdow

Republicans Invite Vaccine Skeptic to Senate Committee Hearing, Signaling Potential Partisan Showdown Over COVID-19 Treatment

As we get closer to the rollout of a number of vaccines developed to protect against COVID-19 , the next political and cultural battle around how to best respond to the disease is also shaping up .
Republicans have invited a doctor who is a vaccine skeptic and hydroxychloroquine advocate to speak before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday about COVID-19 treatment , reports the New York Times .
Dr. Jane M. Orient is expected to testify against distribution of the coronavirus vaccines that have been recently finalized by Pfizer and Moderna and push for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FDA has warned can cause serious safety issues including heart damage and liver failure .
From the New York Times : “ It seems to me reckless to be pushing people to take risks when you don ’ t know what the risks are , ” Dr. Orient said , adding : “ People ’ s rights should be respected .
Where is ‘ my body , my choice ’ when it comes to this ?
” Her selection as a witness as federal health officials are trying to promote a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has killed more than 281,000 Americans prompted harsh criticism from Senator Chuck Schumer , Democrat of New York and the minority leader .
“ At such a crucial time , giving a platform to conspiracy theorists to spread myths and falsehoods about Covid vaccines is downright dangerous and one of the last things Senate Republicans should be doing right now , ” Mr. Schumer said in a statement on Sunday .
It ’ s a strange move from Republicans , since the Trump administration has seemingly abandoned its own zealotry around hydroxychloroquine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ championing its role in supporting the development of vaccines for the coronavirus that are over 90 percent effective under Operation Warp Speed .
Dr. Orient heads an association of physicians and surgeons opposed to government involvement in healthcare , though the group has ironically sued the federal government to release its national stockpile of hydroxychloroquine so doctors can prescribe it to members of the public for COVID-19 treatment .
Highlighting Dr. Orient ’ s opposition to vaccines could be a sign of the battles the incoming Biden administration will have to face from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new president ’ s plans for governance , including through muddying the already messy conversation about the safety of the coming vaccines .
To be clear : T here has been no indication from the government that COVID-19 vaccine treatment will be mandated .
President-elect Biden said last week that his focus will be to “ encourage people to do the right thing .
”

As we get closer to the rollout of a number of vaccines developed to protect against COVID-19, the next political and cultural battle around how to best respond to the disease is also shaping up.
Republicans have invited a doctor who is a vaccine skeptic and hydroxychloroquine advocate to speak before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday about COVID-19 treatment, reports the New York Times.
Advertisement
Dr. Jane M. Orient is expected to testify against distribution of the coronavirus vaccines that have been recently finalized by Pfizer and Moderna and push for more widespread use of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine—which the FDA has warned can cause serious safety issues including heart damage and liver failure.
From the New York Times:
“It seems to me reckless to be pushing people to take risks when you don’t know what the risks are,” Dr. Orient said, adding: “People’s rights should be respected. Where is ‘my body, my choice’ when it comes to this?” Her selection as a witness as federal health officials are trying to promote a vaccine as a way to end a pandemic that has killed more than 281,000 Americans prompted harsh criticism from Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the minority leader. “At such a crucial time, giving a platform to conspiracy theorists to spread myths and falsehoods about Covid vaccines is downright dangerous and one of the last things Senate Republicans should be doing right now,” Mr. Schumer said in a statement on Sunday.
Advertisement Advertisement
It’s a strange move from Republicans, since the Trump administration has seemingly abandoned its own zealotry around hydroxychloroquine and has spent the past few weeks championing its role in supporting the development of vaccines for the coronavirus that are over 90 percent effective under Operation Warp Speed.
Dr. Orient heads an association of physicians and surgeons opposed to government involvement in healthcare, though the group has ironically sued the federal government to release its national stockpile of hydroxychloroquine so doctors can prescribe it to members of the public for COVID-19 treatment.
Advertisement
Highlighting Dr. Orient’s opposition to vaccines could be a sign of the battles the incoming Biden administration will have to face from a Republican P arty set on disrupting the new president’s plans for governance, including through muddying the already messy conversation about the safety of the coming vaccines.
To be clear: T here has been no indication from the government that COVID-19 vaccine treatment will be mandated. President-elect Biden said last week that his focus will be to “encourage people to do the right thing.”


theroot--2020-12-07--The 10 Best Deals of December 7, 2020

The 10 Best Deals of December 7, 2020

It ’ s December 7 , and we at Kinja Deals are here to bring you the top 10 deals of the day .
Get that dewy e-girl look with the Mario Badescu face spray .
Maximize your computer ’ s capabilities with the Vava ’ s 8-in-1 USB-C hub .
Clean and Zoom simultaneously with the eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S .
And if you ’ re still craving more deals , take a peek at Monday ’ s best deals overall .
Air Fryers are such a wild trend and just when I think it ’ s time has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and everyone goes crazy .
In all seriousness , my pals who have one love it .
If you ’ re in the hunt this Magic Chef Quart Digital Air Fryer is 55 % off today only at SideDeal .
This 1.6-quart air fryer is powerful and efficient to turn all your goods crispy and evenly cooked .
It ’ s easy to use with just 2 controls so all you need to do is set the timer to get cooking .
The built-in temp is 400 degrees to make sure your treats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might seem small it can handle quite a bit of food at one time , so if you ’ re thinking of making a ton of french fries the Magic Chef can take it .
There ’ s auto-shutoff so no fear about accidentally leaving it on .
This fryer is easy to clean because the pan and tray can go in the dishwasher .
It ’ s simple to use for frying , broiling , roasting , reheating , and even dehydrating with very little oil .
Literally savings all around .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get this appliance in your kitchen .
If you ’ ve read a few of our pieces on SideDeal 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 .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .
Ready ?
Set ?
Go !
Mario Kart Live : Home Circuit is back on sale at Amazon .
The AR racing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since it launched , so anyone who ’ s been curious might want to hit the gas on this deal .
The creative Switch game comes with a physical kart , which you can use to drive around courses in your actual house .
The camera on the kart peripheral transmits to your Switch , turning your living room into a full-on track .
It ’ s the perfect gift for kids this holiday season or adults who just want an excuse to play with RC cars again ( read , me ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t be shipping orders until January , so it won ’ t be here quite inn time for the holidays , but there ’ s always Valentine ’ s Day !
This deal was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio .
Sometimes we need a refresher .
Well , for a low $ 6 you can try Mario Badescu Face Spray .
Made with aloe , herbs , and rosewater , it ’ s a great midday skincare pick-me-up , especially if your skin is on the dry side .
It moisturizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a toner , and it ’ s super affordable .
It honestly sells itself .
This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher .
With the winter weather blasting fridged air in your face or just dealing with cool temps can do a number on your skin , especially your face .
Protecting it as best you can is key and this Hydration Set from Clinique can certainly help .
Use the code FRIEND and take a total of 40 % off .
This set is made to put moisture back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all skin types who want to protect and give a boost of hydration .
When your skin is perfectly hydrated it looks refreshed , glowing , and plump .
This set contains a Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate , a Moisture Surge Overnight Mask , and a Moisture Surge Eye Hydro-Filler Concentrate .
Each of these is designed to infuse your skin with hours of hydration while nourishing it with antioxidants .
Tighten , brighten , and get that dewy rejuvenated look in just a few days of use .
No harmful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fragrance in these .
Nothing harsh to keep your face happy and healthy .
This item will ship for free .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .
If you ’ re still working from home and need an all-inclusive hub for all of your computer attachments , checkout Vava ’ s 8-in-1 USB-C hub .
It ’ s only $ 29 with promo code KJF9AH26 and a clipped coupon on the page .
It has an HDMI adapter , an ethernet port , two USB-3.0 ports , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before it ’ s gone !
This deal was originally posted by Ignacia Fulcher .
Now that we ’ re at home all the time , slowly losing our minds , it ’ s crucial , now than ever , that we start taking our vision seriously .
I mean , without the right pair of glasses , how are you going to finally binge-watch the entirety of The Sopranos over the next few weeks—without overworking your retinas ?
How are you going to comfortably see every bright , raytraced pixel on your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
You ’ re going to need a fresh pair of prescription frames for 65 % off , and we ’ re going to give that to you , courtesy of GlassesUSA .
Right now .
Take a moment .
Find your next pair of glasses , look at the price , and slash that by two thirds .
Now check out and enter the promo code KINJA65 , and add blue light blocking lenses while you ’ re at it , for 50 % less with the code BLUE50 .
Whether you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bad Screen , your eyes will thank you for the added layer of protection .
You don ’ t necessarily even need a prescription .
To further sweeten the deal , GlassesUSA is giving Kinja Deals readers a 20 % discount on designer brands including Gucci , Prada , Armani , and more .
Just drop the promo code PREMIUM20 in at checkout and watch the numbers shrink .
No matter your standards , you ’ re bound to find a new pair of eyes that suit you well .
If not , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarantee on ALL GlassesUSA orders .
Before you check out with a fresh pair of frames , however , I do recommend uploading a photo of yourself and trying them on your virtual face—a real thing you can on this website .
This deal was originally published by Gabe Carey .
If diamonds are a girl ’ s best friend you should let these ones be your new BFF because they are 82 % off .
These Diamond Halo Cluster Stud Earrings are just $ 50 and an amazing treat for yourself .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you deserve something pretty .
And what ’ s the prettiest ?
Diamonds .
These aren ’ t too flashy that you can ’ t just wear them all the time .
They ’ ll add just a little elegance to each day .
These are 1/10 carat diamond earrings set in sterling silver with a post back closure .
The diamond color rating is between I and J and the clarity is I3 .
These come in a beautiful Macy ’ s gift box so even if you buy them for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shipping on all orders over $ 25 .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .
Sonic the Hedgehog might be the last film you saw in a movie theater .
Think about it .
The movie came out in February , weeks before lockdowns started going into effect around the world .
The last memory that you might have of sitting in a theater is watching Sonic talk about Olive Garden or watching James Marsden look at apartments on Zillow .
Want to relive those precious moments forever ?
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a digital download ) of the film at Best Buy today .
It comes with a fancy steelbook case , so you can really go all out on Sonic fandom here .
Here ’ s hoping that movie theaters can reopen just in time for the sequel , which starts filming next year .
This deal was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio .
You ’ ve already cleaned your home three times over with all the free time you ’ ve gained , I ’ m sure , and if you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been rage cleaning , just because .
At this point , any further efforts to clean can only be seen as a desperate , cryptic cry for some sort of help .
After you ’ ve resolved your internal conflict and made a full return to normalcy , let someone else do the job .
It could be your kids , but not all of us have them , and barring expensive nanny care , a eufy RoboVac just might be the next best thing .
The BoostIQ RoboVac 11S packs a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 120 .
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer .
Dyson vacuums dominate recommendations for dirt-sucking dust devils , but they ’ re often pricey .
Today ’ s deal , though , removes that barrier .
The Dyson Ball Total Clean Upright vacuum in refurbished condition is down to $ 130 ( 28 % off ) today on Newegg .
This is about as low of a price you can hope to find on a Dyson , since they hold their value pretty well !
But take advantage of the savings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good for today .
This deal was originally published by Tercius .

Juliana Clark on Kinja Deals, shared by Ignacia to The Root

Monday’s Best Deals | Kinja Deals
It’s December 7, and we at Kinja Deals are here to bring you the top 10 deals of the day. Get that dewy e-girl look with the Mario Badescu face spray. Maximize your computer’s capabilities with the Vava’s 8-in-1 USB-C hub. Clean and Zoom simultaneously with the eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S.
And if you’re still craving more deals, take a peek at Monday’s best deals overall.
#1: Magic Chef air fryer
Air Fryers are such a wild trend and just when I think it’s time has passed a deal like this pops up and everyone goes crazy. In all seriousness, my pals who have one love it. If you’re in the hunt this Magic Chef Quart Digital Air Fryer is 55% off today only at SideDeal.
This 1.6-quart air fryer is powerful and efficient to turn all your goods crispy and evenly cooked. It’s easy to use with just 2 controls so all you need to do is set the timer to get cooking. The built-in temp is 400 degrees to make sure your treats be to ultimate crispness. Although it might seem small it can handle quite a bit of food at one time, so if you’re thinking of making a ton of french fries the Magic Chef can take it. There’s auto-shutoff so no fear about accidentally leaving it on. This fryer is easy to clean because the pan and tray can go in the dishwasher. It’s simple to use for frying, broiling, roasting, reheating, and even dehydrating with very little oil. Literally savings all around. Plenty of new things to try once get this appliance in your kitchen.
If you’ve read a few of our pieces on SideDeal 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.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.
#2: Mario kart live
Ready? Set? Go! Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is back on sale at Amazon. The AR racing game has been hard to come by since it launched, so anyone who’s been curious might want to hit the gas on this deal. The creative Switch game comes with a physical kart, which you can use to drive around courses in your actual house. The camera on the kart peripheral transmits to your Switch, turning your living room into a full-on track. It’s the perfect gift for kids this holiday season or adults who just want an excuse to play with RC cars again (read, me). The only catch is that Amazon won’t be shipping orders until January, so it won’t be here quite inn time for the holidays, but there’s always Valentine’s Day!
This deal was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio.
#3: Mario Badescu
Sometimes we need a refresher. Well, for a low $6 you can try Mario Badescu Face Spray. Made with aloe, herbs, and rosewater, it’s a great midday skincare pick-me-up, especially if your skin is on the dry side. It moisturizes your face while also cutting excess oil like a toner, and it’s super affordable. It honestly sells itself.
This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher.
#4: 3-Pc. clinique hydration set
With the winter weather blasting fridged air in your face or just dealing with cool temps can do a number on your skin, especially your face. Protecting it as best you can is key and this Hydration Set from Clinique can certainly help. Use the code FRIEND and take a total of 40% off.
This set is made to put moisture back in and keep it there. This works for all skin types who want to protect and give a boost of hydration. When your skin is perfectly hydrated it looks refreshed, glowing, and plump. This set contains a Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate, a Moisture Surge Overnight Mask, and a Moisture Surge Eye Hydro-Filler Concentrate. Each of these is designed to infuse your skin with hours of hydration while nourishing it with antioxidants. Tighten, brighten, and get that dewy rejuvenated look in just a few days of use. No harmful elements like parabens, phthalates, or fragrance in these. Nothing harsh to keep your face happy and healthy.
This item will ship for free.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.
#5: Vava 8-in-1 usb-c hub
If you’re still working from home and need an all-inclusive hub for all of your computer attachments, checkout Vava’s 8-in-1 USB-C hub. It’s only $29 with promo code KJF9AH26 and a clipped coupon on the page. It has an HDMI adapter, an ethernet port, two USB-3.0 ports, as well as an SD/TF card reader. Grab it before it’s gone!
This deal was originally posted by Ignacia Fulcher.
#6: Glasses usa
Now that we’re at home all the time, slowly losing our minds, it’s crucial, now than ever, that we start taking our vision seriously. I mean, without the right pair of glasses, how are you going to finally binge-watch the entirety of The Sopranos over the next few weeks—without overworking your retinas? How are you going to comfortably see every bright, raytraced pixel on your new PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X?
You’re going to need a fresh pair of prescription frames for 65% off, and we’re going to give that to you, courtesy of GlassesUSA. Right now. Take a moment. Find your next pair of glasses, look at the price, and slash that by two thirds. Now check out and enter the promo code KINJA65, and add blue light blocking lenses while you’re at it, for 50% less with the code BLUE50. Whether you’re staring at Good Screen or Bad Screen, your eyes will thank you for the added layer of protection. You don’t necessarily even need a prescription.
To further sweeten the deal, GlassesUSA is giving Kinja Deals readers a 20% discount on designer brands including Gucci, Prada, Armani, and more. Just drop the promo code PREMIUM20 in at checkout and watch the numbers shrink. No matter your standards, you’re bound to find a new pair of eyes that suit you well. If not, there’s a 100% money-back guarantee on ALL GlassesUSA orders. Before you check out with a fresh pair of frames, however, I do recommend uploading a photo of yourself and trying them on your virtual face—a real thing you can on this website.
*Premium- and Sale-tagged frames excluded.
This deal was originally published by Gabe Carey.
#7: Diamond Halo earrings
If diamonds are a girl’s best friend you should let these ones be your new BFF because they are 82% off. These Diamond Halo Cluster Stud Earrings are just $50 and an amazing treat for yourself. It’s been an awful year and you deserve something pretty. And what’s the prettiest? Diamonds.
These aren’t too flashy that you can’t just wear them all the time. They’ll add just a little elegance to each day. These are 1/10 carat diamond earrings set in sterling silver with a post back closure. The diamond color rating is between I and J and the clarity is I3. These come in a beautiful Macy’s gift box so even if you buy them for yourself it will feel special.
Free shipping on all orders over $25.
69% off Diamond Halo Cluster Stud Earrings All-day elegance with these lovely diamond halo cluster stud earrings.
The diamond color rating is between I and J, and the clarity is I3. Buy for $63 at Macy's Use the promo code FRIEND
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.
#8: Sonic the Hedgehog Blu-ray
Sonic the Hedgehog might be the last film you saw in a movie theater. Think about it. The movie came out in February, weeks before lockdowns started going into effect around the world. The last memory that you might have of sitting in a theater is watching Sonic talk about Olive Garden or watching James Marsden look at apartments on Zillow. Want to relive those precious moments forever? You can grab a blu-ray copy (which includes a digital download) of the film at Best Buy today. It comes with a fancy steelbook case, so you can really go all out on Sonic fandom here. Here’s hoping that movie theaters can reopen just in time for the sequel, which starts filming next year.
This deal was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio.
#9: Eufy robovac 11s
You’ve already cleaned your home three times over with all the free time you’ve gained, I’m sure, and if you’re anything like Jolie, you’ve also been rage cleaning, just because. At this point, any further efforts to clean can only be seen as a desperate, cryptic cry for some sort of help. After you’ve resolved your internal conflict and made a full return to normalcy, let someone else do the job. It could be your kids, but not all of us have them, and barring expensive nanny care, a eufy RoboVac just might be the next best thing. The BoostIQ RoboVac 11S packs a lot of suction power for just $120.
This deal was originally published by Quentyn Kennemer.
#10: Dyson Ball
Dyson vacuums dominate recommendations for dirt-sucking dust devils, but they’re often pricey. Today’s deal, though, removes that barrier. The Dyson Ball Total Clean Upright vacuum in refurbished condition is down to $130 (28% off) today on Newegg. This is about as low of a price you can hope to find on a Dyson, since they hold their value pretty well! But take advantage of the savings while you can— this deal is only good for today.
This deal was originally published by Tercius.