theroot--2020-08-24--Hot 97 Employee Pasquale 'Paddy Duke' Raucci Fired for Involvment in Shooting Death of Yusuf Hawkins

Pasquale “ Paddy Duke ” Raucci , the commercial programming director for New York hip-hop radio station Hot 97 , has been fired from his position after the HBO documentary , Yusuf Hawkins : Storm Over Brooklyn , showed his alleged ties to Hawkins ’ death .
The announcement of Raucci ’ s firing comes 31 years to the day that Hawkins was killed on August 23 , 1989 .
“ After watching HBO ’ s Storm over Brooklyn , HOT97 was shocked and took swift action .
Paddy Duke is no longer employed by HOT97 , ” a tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ march for social justice continues.
” The documentary , directed by Muta ’ Ali Muhammad , premiered earlier this month and detailed the shooting death of 16-year-old Brownsville , Brooklyn , native Hawkins , who was killed after an attack by a large group of white men in 1989 while visiting the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn to check out a car with three of his friends .
The white men confronted the group on suspicion that one of them was dating a white girl they knew .
Eight men were eventually charged in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was named as the gun man , was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 32 years .
Keith Mondello , who was one of the ringleaders of the mob , was acquitted of murder but was convicted on lesser charges and sentenced to 5 ⅓ to 16 years .
Raucci was cleared on murder charges but was convicted on a lesser charge .
However , he got a job with Hot 97 ’ s parent company , Emmis Communications , in 1994 and has been there ever since .
He reportedly worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producer per his now-deleted LinkedIn profile .
Hot 97 personality Ebro Darden responded to the news on Twitter , writing “ We ’ re all surprised , angry and very sad that our station had ties to this racist event 30yrs ago .
I apologize for this pain today.
” He also added , “ I feel apologies are needed even when you did not mean harm .
HOT97 has hurt people with this revelation ...
Even when you inherit some bullshit you have to take accountability and try to rectify the issue.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hosting its first-ever , virtual Root Institute , presented by Target , featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics , culture , health , community building and social impact .
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J'na Jefferson on The Grapevine, shared by J'na Jefferson to The Root

Pasquale “Paddy Duke” Raucci, the commercial programming director for New York hip-hop radio station Hot 97, has been fired from his position after the HBO documentary, Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn, showed his alleged ties to Hawkins’ death. The announcement of Raucci’s firing comes 31 years to the day that Hawkins was killed on August 23, 1989.
“After watching HBO’s Storm over Brooklyn, HOT97 was shocked and took swift action. Paddy Duke is no longer employed by HOT97,” a tweet from the station read. “The march for social justice continues.”
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The documentary, directed by Muta’Ali Muhammad, premiered earlier this month and detailed the shooting death of 16-year-old Brownsville, Brooklyn, native Hawkins, who was killed after an attack by a large group of white men in 1989 while visiting the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn to check out a car with three of his friends. The white men confronted the group on suspicion that one of them was dating a white girl they knew. Eight men were eventually charged in the case. Joseph Fama, who was named as the gun man, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 32 years. Keith Mondello, who was one of the ringleaders of the mob, was acquitted of murder but was convicted on lesser charges and sentenced to 5 ⅓ to 16 years.
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Raucci was cleared on murder charges but was convicted on a lesser charge. However, he got a job with Hot 97’s parent company, Emmis Communications, in 1994 and has been there ever since. He reportedly worked on The Angie Martinez Show as a producer per his now-deleted LinkedIn profile.
Hot 97 personality Ebro Darden responded to the news on Twitter, writing “We’re all surprised, angry and very sad that our station had ties to this racist event 30yrs ago. I apologize for this pain today.” He also added, “I feel apologies are needed even when you did not mean harm. HOT97 has hurt people with this revelation...Even when you inherit some bullshit you have to take accountability and try to rectify the issue.”
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theroot--2020-08-24--'We Still Live in Katrina': This New Orleans Resident Lived in Life-Threatening Conditions Before th

'We Still Live in Katrina': This New Orleans Resident Lived in Life-Threatening Conditions Before the Storm

It ’ s been 15 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans , b ut resident Shannon Rainey lived in a state of disaster decades before the storm ever made landfall .
“ We see Katrina every day .
So the only thing that ’ s going on with us [ is ] we just get a new year every year .
Nothing has been done , ” said the 65-year-old .
Rainey first realized something was wrong about a year and a half after she purchased her home in the Upper Ninth Ward ’ s Gordon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In my yard , we stumbled over a can that had a skeleton head on it with an ‘ X ’ on it , ” Rainey said .
“ And other families realized that they were coming up with all kinds of hazardous materials.
” Rainey says the community received no help , despite reaching out to city leaders with their fears .
Eventually , the Environmental Protection Agency got involved and formally proclaimed the area “ a Superfund site ” in 1994 .
Gordon Plaza residents later filed a class-action lawsuit against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from an area that has one of the highest cancer rates in New Orleans .
They are still fighting for the funds to relocate .
Now the elderly residents of Gordon Plaza face a new obstacle : the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ This community now is becoming a health hazard , ” Rainey said , especially considering many locals are already sick and folks with pre-existing health concerns are even more at risk of contracting the virus .
Ms. Rainey discusses how living on a toxic landfill affected her during Hurricane Katrina , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her community , where her strength comes from , and more in the video above .
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theroot--2020-08-24--Kellyanne Conway Is Leaving Trump Administration to Keep Daughter From Posting Family Business on So

Kellyanne Conway Is Leaving Trump Administration to Keep Daughter From Posting Family Business on Social Media

Look , The Root uses the same cutoff marker that amusement park rides use to determine who can get on this ride .
We don ’ t fuck with kids unless they are Matt Gaetz ’ s adopted , but not really adopted , man-boy or Trump ’ s kids not named Barron .
So we won ’ t be talking about Kellyanne and George Conway ’ s teenage daughter Claudia no matter how glorious her social media posts may be .
We actually want their family , no matter how strange their dynamic , to work out for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve gotten that out of the way , “ Bitch did you see Kellyanne Conway ’ s daughter on TikTok !
She rocked those bamas !
” I know , I know but the posts are important to the story because it is essentially what brought the Conway empire down .
First , in case you didn ’ t hear , both Kellyanne Conway and her husband George are taking a break from being political enemies to work on their family .
Kellyanne will be leaving the Trump administration , where she ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s most trusted advisers from the beginning of his presidency .
Kellyanne has been fiercely loyal to her president despite both her husband and her daughter being adamantly opposed to most , if not all , of the president ’ s policies and positions .
George is a faux-president hater .
He ’ s a Republican but not a Trump Republican , who has created a Twitter persona that makes it seem like he ’ s anti-fucked-up policy , but he ’ s not .
He ’ s just not a Trump Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 15 -year-old daughter , has put the family on blast on social media .
She ’ s not a Trump fan and she ’ s also not a fan of her parents ’ marriage .
Nevertheless , Claudia claimed that she was seeking emancipation from her parents , which is some white child shit , and that must have been the final straw from Kellyanne ’ s broom because she ’ s out and going home to work on her family .
Kellyanne isn ’ t the only one leaving a respective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Project , an anti-Trump PAC .
“ I will be transitioning from the White House at the end of this month .
George is also making changes , ” Kellyanne Conway said in a statement , CNN reports .
“ We disagree about plenty but we are united on what matters most : the kids .
Our four children are teens and ‘ tweens starting a new academic year , in middle school and high school , remotely from home for at least a few months .
As millions of parents nationwide know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ requires a level of attention and vigilance that is as unusual as these times.
” Kellyanne Conway is scheduled to speak at this week ’ s Republican National Convention , but who knows if that will happen because awkward .
There are some who have a theory that Kellyanne sees the writing on the wall and leaving a month before the election could be more about the presidential adviser knowing that Trump is going to lose and there will be no job for her .
This is a political move as much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kellyanne , much like the rest of the deplorables , is going to have to restructure her image , and one of the ways to do that is to leave before your tenure comes to an end .
She ’ s trying to get in front of this thing and there is nothing wrong with that , but there will always be a home for her at Fox News , the home where the rest of Trump ’ s castmates go to die .
Join the discussion !
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Look, The Root uses the same cutoff marker that amusement park rides use to determine who can get on this ride. We don’t fuck with kids unless they are Matt Gaetz’s adopted, but not really adopted, man-boy or Trump’s kids not named Barron. So we won’t be talking about Kellyanne and George Conway’s teenage daughter Claudia no matter how glorious her social media posts may be. We actually want their family, no matter how strange their dynamic, to work out for all parties involved.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, “Bitch did you see Kellyanne Conway’s daughter on TikTok! She rocked those bamas!” I know, I know but the posts are important to the story because it is essentially what brought the Conway empire down.
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First, in case you didn’t hear, both Kellyanne Conway and her husband George are taking a break from being political enemies to work on their family. Kellyanne will be leaving the Trump administration, where she’s worked as one of Trump’s most trusted advisers from the beginning of his presidency. Kellyanne has been fiercely loyal to her president despite both her husband and her daughter being adamantly opposed to most, if not all, of the president’s policies and positions. George is a faux-president hater. He’s a Republican but not a Trump Republican, who has created a Twitter persona that makes it seem like he’s anti-fucked-up policy, but he’s not. He’s just not a Trump Republican. And Claudia, the couple’s 15 -year-old daughter, has put the family on blast on social media. She’s not a Trump fan and she’s also not a fan of her parents’ marriage. Nevertheless, Claudia claimed that she was seeking emancipation from her parents, which is some white child shit, and that must have been the final straw from Kellyanne’s broom because she’s out and going home to work on her family. Kellyanne isn’t the only one leaving a respective job as George is leaving The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump PAC.
“I will be transitioning from the White House at the end of this month. George is also making changes,” Kellyanne Conway said in a statement, CNN reports.
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“We disagree about plenty but we are united on what matters most: the kids. Our four children are teens and ‘tweens starting a new academic year, in middle school and high school, remotely from home for at least a few months. As millions of parents nationwide know, kids ‘doing school from home’ requires a level of attention and vigilance that is as unusual as these times.”
Kellyanne Conway is scheduled to speak at this week’s Republican National Convention, but who knows if that will happen because awkward.
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There are some who have a theory that Kellyanne sees the writing on the wall and leaving a month before the election could be more about the presidential adviser knowing that Trump is going to lose and there will be no job for her.
OK, fine. It’s me. I’m “some.”
This is a political move as much as it is a personal one. Kellyanne, much like the rest of the deplorables, is going to have to restructure her image, and one of the ways to do that is to leave before your tenure comes to an end. She’s trying to get in front of this thing and there is nothing wrong with that, but there will always be a home for her at Fox News, the home where the rest of Trump’s castmates go to die.
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Join the discussion! The Root is hosting its first-ever, virtual Root Institute, presented by Target, featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics, culture, health, community building and social impact. Subscribe for updates today!


theroot--2020-08-24--Portland 'Back the Blue' Rally Erupts in Violence. Police Stand and Watch Because Fights Involved 'W

Portland 'Back the Blue' Rally Erupts in Violence. Police Stand and Watch Because Fights Involved 'Willing Participants'

Civil unrest continued in Portland on Saturday as a “ Back the Blue ” rally turned into a violent clash between white nationalists and anti-racism protesters—all while police officers stood back and watched the show .
On Saturday afternoon , a large crowd of more than 100 far-right activists , including Proud Boys and armed militia members , descended on Portland , Ore. , staging a “ Back the Blue ” rally in front of the Justice Center that houses the downtown police precinct .
Hundreds of antifa and Black Lives Matter protesters gathered to oppose the far-right crowd .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with paintball guns , metal rods , aluminum bats , fireworks , pepper spray , rifles and handguns .
Some people in the opposing left-leaning crowd brought rocks , fireworks and bottles filled with chemical solutions .
Both crowds sported shields and helmets .
The two groups sparred for more than two hours , as people exchanged blows , fired paintballs at each other and blasted chemicals indiscriminately into the crowd .
People lobbed fireworks back and forth .
At least one person was hit in the abdomen with a device that flashed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two groups reenacted the opening scene from Gangs of New York , police officers stood on the sidelines eating popcorn because they know that , due to the pandemic , this might be the last 3D movie they get to watch in a very long time—either that or they just didn ’ t feel like working that day .
“ Each skirmish appeared to involve willing participants and the events were not enduring in time , so officers were not deployed to intervene , ” the Portland Police Bureau said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is OK by police now as long as everyone involved consented to beating the shit out of each other ... got it . )
According to the Post , police officers who were at the scene responded to the unfolding violence by repeatedly announcing over a loudspeaker that citizens should “ self-monitor for criminal activity , ” and they continued issuing that order even as crowd members started beating each other with sticks and brandishing firearms .
More from the Post : Police said they did not stop the violence , although the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a riot , because too few officers were available to respond and they deemed it too dangerous to intervene .
Officers were tired from responding to a much smaller and less volatile protest that was declared a riot the night before , the bureau said in a statement , and incident commanders also had concerns that officers would be targeted by the crowd .
“ PPB members have been the focus of over 80 days of violent actions directed at the police , which is a major consideration for determining if police resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with individuals who appear to be willingly engaging in physical confrontations for short durations , ” the bureau said in a statement .
“ While the activity in the group met the definition of a riot , PPB did not declare one because there were not adequate police resources available to address such a declaration.
” So police officers said , “ nah ” to doing their jobs either because they were too tired from stopping a small , not-really-all-that-violent protest from the night before because they were afraid of being targeted for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blue ” rally ; or because it was simply too dangerous for police intervention .
What happened to all that “ cops are heroes and should be respected because they put their lives on the line every day ” energy ?
Portland police officers certainly don ’ t have the same hands-off attitude towards Black Lives Matter protests , which they essentially declare all-out war on the second the property damage begins .
It ’ s worth mentioning that exactly one week before Saturday ’ s violent clash , another far-right extremist rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after roughly two hours of the worst West Side Story reboot ever , the “ Back the Blue ” rally goers “ retreated to their cars ” and the counter-protesters “ followed them as they moved through downtown to a parking garage a few blocks away , ” after which the two groups resumed throwing rocks at each other and “ exchanged more pepper spray , ” the Post reports .
Join the discussion !
The Root is hosting its first-ever , virtual Root Institute , presented by Target , featuring several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking about politics , culture , health , community building and social impact .
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Civil unrest continued in Portland on Saturday as a “Back the Blue” rally turned into a violent clash between white nationalists and anti-racism protesters—all while police officers stood back and watched the show.
From the Washington Post:
On Saturday afternoon, a large crowd of more than 100 far-right activists, including Proud Boys and armed militia members, descended on Portland, Ore., staging a “Back the Blue” rally in front of the Justice Center that houses the downtown police precinct. Hundreds of antifa and Black Lives Matter protesters gathered to oppose the far-right crowd. People in the far-right crowd came armed with paintball guns, metal rods, aluminum bats, fireworks, pepper spray, rifles and handguns. Some people in the opposing left-leaning crowd brought rocks, fireworks and bottles filled with chemical solutions. Both crowds sported shields and helmets. The two groups sparred for more than two hours, as people exchanged blows, fired paintballs at each other and blasted chemicals indiscriminately into the crowd. People lobbed fireworks back and forth. At least one person was hit in the abdomen with a device that flashed and exploded, causing bleeding.
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While the two groups reenacted the opening scene from Gangs of New York, police officers stood on the sidelines eating popcorn because they know that, due to the pandemic, this might be the last 3D movie they get to watch in a very long time—either that or they just didn’t feel like working that day.
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“Each skirmish appeared to involve willing participants and the events were not enduring in time, so officers were not deployed to intervene,” the Portland Police Bureau said in a statement. (So violence in Portland is OK by police now as long as everyone involved consented to beating the shit out of each other...got it.)
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According to the Post, police officers who were at the scene responded to the unfolding violence by repeatedly announcing over a loudspeaker that citizens should “self-monitor for criminal activity,” and they continued issuing that order even as crowd members started beating each other with sticks and brandishing firearms.
More from the Post:
Police said they did not stop the violence, although the event met the criteria to be declared a riot, because too few officers were available to respond and they deemed it too dangerous to intervene. Officers were tired from responding to a much smaller and less volatile protest that was declared a riot the night before, the bureau said in a statement, and incident commanders also had concerns that officers would be targeted by the crowd. “PPB members have been the focus of over 80 days of violent actions directed at the police, which is a major consideration for determining if police resources are necessary to interject between two groups with individuals who appear to be willingly engaging in physical confrontations for short durations,” the bureau said in a statement. “While the activity in the group met the definition of a riot, PPB did not declare one because there were not adequate police resources available to address such a declaration.”
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So police officers said, “nah” to doing their jobs either because they were too tired from stopping a small, not-really-all-that-violent protest from the night before because they were afraid of being targeted for violence...at a “Back the Blue” rally; or because it was simply too dangerous for police intervention.
What happened to all that “cops are heroes and should be respected because they put their lives on the line every day” energy? Portland police officers certainly don’t have the same hands-off attitude towards Black Lives Matter protests, which they essentially declare all-out war on the second the property damage begins.
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It’s worth mentioning that exactly one week before Saturday’s violent clash, another far-right extremist rally in Portland ended with gunshots.
Anyway, after roughly two hours of the worst West Side Story reboot ever, the “Back the Blue” rally goers “retreated to their cars” and the counter-protesters “followed them as they moved through downtown to a parking garage a few blocks away,” after which the two groups resumed throwing rocks at each other and “exchanged more pepper spray,” the Post reports.
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theroot--2020-08-24--Save $100 on the Fluance RT81 Turntable and Play Your Vinyl Collection With the Respect It Deserves

I was so excited when I got this turntable earlier in the month .
Up until now , I ’ ve had cheap record players that would all break a year or so after purchase .
But finally , I had a quality system to actually enjoy my vinyl collection with .
My musician pal came over to help me set it up .
I unpack it all and start placing everything to plug in when he asks me where the speakers are .
I didn ’ t even realize I needed them .
I tell you this because I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had it not been for him and an extra set of speakers he had ( praise be musicians ) I would ’ ve been in real trouble .
This gorgeous Hi-Fi piece from Fluance is $ 100 off right now and it ’ s my favorite thing in my house aside from the dogs .
Setting it up was pretty easy except I have a major grip with installing the counterweight .
It could be user error but we followed the directions and still , I just couldn ’ t get it perfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close now but it took some retooling .
But outside of that , it plays beautifully with both new and old records .
The high-performance cartridge has greater precision for high definition audio no matter the age of what I ’ m playing .
The cabinet is dazzling .
It ’ s a solid wood plinth with a walnut finish .
The aluminum platter and a rubber slip mat keeps unwanted vibrations from interpreting playback which is perfect when you have an eighty-pound lab-mix bounding around the room .
The Fluance RT81 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be more taken with its warm full sound filling my house every weekend morning .
Oh , remember to buy speakers too !

Sheilah Villari on Kinja Deals, shared by Ignacia to The Root

Fluance RT81 Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable | $250 | Amazon
I was so excited when I got this turntable earlier in the month. Up until now, I’ve had cheap record players that would all break a year or so after purchase. But finally, I had a quality system to actually enjoy my vinyl collection with. My musician pal came over to help me set it up. I unpack it all and start placing everything to plug in when he asks me where the speakers are. I didn’t even realize I needed them. I tell you this because I am in love with this turntable and had it not been for him and an extra set of speakers he had (praise be musicians) I would’ve been in real trouble. This gorgeous Hi-Fi piece from Fluance is $100 off right now and it’s my favorite thing in my house aside from the dogs.
Setting it up was pretty easy except I have a major grip with installing the counterweight. It could be user error but we followed the directions and still, I just couldn’t get it perfect. It’s not pretty dang close now but it took some retooling. But outside of that, it plays beautifully with both new and old records. The high-performance cartridge has greater precision for high definition audio no matter the age of what I’m playing. The cabinet is dazzling. It’s a solid wood plinth with a walnut finish. The aluminum platter and a rubber slip mat keeps unwanted vibrations from interpreting playback which is perfect when you have an eighty-pound lab-mix bounding around the room. The Fluance RT81 is my beloved new toy and I couldn’t be more taken with its warm full sound filling my house every weekend morning. Oh, remember to buy speakers too!
Free shipping for Prime members.


theroot--2020-08-24--‘It’s Almost Like a Bullseye’: How the Pandemic Mirrors the Injustices We Saw With Hurricane Katrina

Natural disasters have a very unfortunate way of revealing who are the most vulnerable people in a society .
In the U.S. , poor people and people of color often feel the pain of these events “ first , worst , and longest , ” according to Robert Bullard , a man considered the “ father of environmental justice.
” He ’ s been making connections between race , the environment , vulnerability , and inequality for decades .
In fact , Bullard found that race is the determining factor of where things like industrial facilities sit or highways and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socioeconomic status or land values .
“ Racism trumps class when it comes to environmental protection and environmental policy .
Who gets the good stuff and who gets the bad stuff ?
It ’ s just that simple , ” said Bullard , who is a Texas Southern University professor of urban planning and environment policy .
And Black people in New Orleans absolutely received the “ bad stuff ” prior to , during , and after Hurricane Katrina .
Black folks were overly represented when we look at who lived in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flooding and vulnerable to increases in sea level prior to Katrina , and they were more likely to be displaced after the storm .
For Black residents who did stay in New Orleans , they ’ re currently facing a new wave of oppression in the form of covid-19 .
Despite Black people making up roughly a third of Louisiana ’ s total population , approximately 70 % of the state ’ s reported deaths have been a part of the Black community .
Health disparities , like increased rates of asthma and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factors are , in part , responsible for elevated infections , hospitalizations , and deaths .
Though comorbidities play a role in these elevated numbers , that ’ s not the only story .
The decades-long history of environmental racism through sighting of polluting factories and redlining , a government-sanction practice of disinvestment in Black communities , are also contributing to worsening the pandemic ’ s toll .
“ The reason why the disparity [ exists ] is because of all conditions that were created .
Not last year , but in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , ” said Bullard .
Bullard outlines how environmental justice is integral to racial justice , why he believes access to disaster stimulus dollars in New Orleans during covid-19 will likely follow the same pattern as Hurricane Katrina for Black New Orleanians , and more in the video above .

Jessica Moulite on Earther, shared by Monique Judge to The Root

The “Father of Environmental Justice” Connects Environmental Racism in New Orleans During Hurricane Katrina to Current COVID-19 Pandemic


theroot--2020-08-24--Who Invited Luka Doncic to the Cookout?

Who Invited Luka Doncic to the Cookout?

In the weeks leading up to the 2018 NBA Draft , front offices throughout the league were divided into two factions : there were those who were skeptical about how Luka Doncic ’ s skill set would translate to the NBA and those who hailed him as the second coming of The Terminator .
I mean , sure , he was terrorizing grown-ass men in the Euroleague since he was 16 years old , but heading into the draft , he was also knocked for his poor mechanics and lack of lateral quickness .
So instead of comparing him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many saw his ceiling as Toni Kukoc or Hedo Turkoglu—good players , but limited contributors who never quite ascended to the upper echelon of the NBA .
Fast forward to 2020 and after scorching the league for the past two seasons , Doncic is not primed to collect the NBA ’ s Most Improved Player award , but he ’ s putting the fear of God into the Los Angeles Clippers—the same Los Angeles Clippers who are supposed to win the NBA title this season .
[ Editor ’ s Note from News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : LMAO nigga , yeah right the Clippers will never ] Like millions of other folks , I watched in horror this weekend as the first time All-Star not only dug the 7th-seeded Mavericks out of a 21-point-deficit , but he finished with 43 points , 17 boards and 13 assists before demoralizing the Clippers in overtime with this nasty buzzer-beater from 28 feet out : With Sunday ’ s win , the Mavericks tied up the series 2-2 while Clippers coach Doc Rivers likely spent his evening in urgent care with high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doncic is only 21 years old ?
Did I mention he did all of this on a bad ankle ?
Did I mention he did this without Kristaps Porzingis ?
!
“ Throughout—and I ’ ve been saying this for three games now—we ’ re so much better than what we ’ re playing , ” Rivers said after the game .
“ But honestly , give Dallas credit .
Like could ’ ve given up down 21 , they ’ re minus Porzingis .
But they didn ’ t and they just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soaking up all the accolades , Doncic attributed the win to confidence throughout the team .
“ If you don ’ t believe , you shouldn ’ t be here , ” he said after the game .
“ But we ’ ve believed from the beginning , and now we ’ re tied 2-2.
” Playing against 7th and 8th seeds in the first round of the playoffs is supposed to be a cakewalk .
But these aren ’ t regular circumstances , so the Doncic the Clippers are playing against is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” —which basically means he ’ s playing like a third-year player instead of the sophomore wunderkind they would ’ ve gone up ag ainst had the coronavirus not put the planet in a headlock .
It also doesn ’ t help that Paul George is playing like absolute dog shit .
The absence of defensive stalwart Patrick Beverley can ’ t be understated either .
Beverley has missed the last two games with a calf strain and on Sunday , Doncic switched to Reggie Jackson incessantly—did you see who was guarding Doncic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his ass time and time and time again .
The Clippers better figure out something and quick .
A brick wall , an executive order deporting him to Guantanamo Bay , a surface-to-air missile , the Spanish Flu , a police baton ... something .
Because Luka ain ’ t letting up and he ’ s about as much of a sure thing as Arby ’ s being terrible .

In the weeks leading up to the 2018 NBA Draft, front offices throughout the league were divided into two factions: there were those who were skeptical about how Luka Doncic’s skill set would translate to the NBA and those who hailed him as the second coming of The Terminator.
I mean, sure, he was terrorizing grown-ass men in the Euroleague since he was 16 years old, but heading into the draft, he was also knocked for his poor mechanics and lack of lateral quickness. So instead of comparing him to a Steve Nash or Larry Bird, many saw his ceiling as Toni Kukoc or Hedo Turkoglu—good players, but limited contributors who never quite ascended to the upper echelon of the NBA.
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Fast forward to 2020 and after scorching the league for the past two seasons, Doncic is not primed to collect the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, but he’s putting the fear of God into the Los Angeles Clippers—the same Los Angeles Clippers who are supposed to win the NBA title this season.
[Editor’s Note from News Editor and resident Lakers stan Monique Judge: LMAO nigga, yeah right the Clippers will never]
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Like millions of other folks, I watched in horror this weekend as the first time All-Star not only dug the 7th-seeded Mavericks out of a 21-point-deficit, but he finished with 43 points, 17 boards and 13 assists before demoralizing the Clippers in overtime with this nasty buzzer-beater from 28 feet out:
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With Sunday’s win, the Mavericks tied up the series 2-2 while Clippers coach Doc Rivers likely spent his evening in urgent care with high blood pressure. But did I mention Doncic is only 21 years old? Did I mention he did all of this on a bad ankle? Did I mention he did this without Kristaps Porzingis?!
“Throughout—and I’ve been saying this for three games now—we’re so much better than what we’re playing,” Rivers said after the game. “But honestly, give Dallas credit. Like could’ve given up down 21, they’re minus Porzingis. But they didn’t and they just stayed in the game.”
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Instead of soaking up all the accolades, Doncic attributed the win to confidence throughout the team.
“If you don’t believe, you shouldn’t be here,” he said after the game. “But we’ve believed from the beginning, and now we’re tied 2-2.”
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Playing against 7th and 8th seeds in the first round of the playoffs is supposed to be a cakewalk. But these aren’t regular circumstances, so the Doncic the Clippers are playing against is coming off of a four-month “offseason”—which basically means he’s playing like a third-year player instead of the sophomore wunderkind they would’ve gone up ag ainst had the coronavirus not put the planet in a headlock.
It also doesn’t help that Paul George is playing like absolute dog shit.
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The absence of defensive stalwart Patrick Beverley can’t be understated either. Beverley has missed the last two games with a calf strain and on Sunday, Doncic switched to Reggie Jackson incessantly—did you see who was guarding Doncic on that game winner?—and barbequed his ass time and time and time again.
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The Clippers better figure out something and quick.
A brick wall, an executive order deporting him to Guantanamo Bay, a surface-to-air missile, the Spanish Flu, a police baton... something. Because Luka ain’t letting up and he’s about as much of a sure thing as Arby’s being terrible.


theroot--2020-08-24--Wisconsin Officers Shoot Black Man Multiple Times in the Back; Curfew Imposed as Police Clash With P

Wisconsin Officers Shoot Black Man Multiple Times in the Back; Curfew Imposed as Police Clash With Protesters

Protests broke out across Kenosha , Wis. , Sunday night after police officers shot a Black man at least seven times in the back earlier that evening .
Though the man , identified by Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers as Jacob Blake , survived the shooting , he remained in serious condition as of Monday morning .
The confrontation began around 5 p.m. in a residential neighborhood , reports the Kenosha News .
Witnesses told the local paper that Blake was breaking up a verbal argument between two women when officers arrived on the scene .
Police attempted to taser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A video posted online of the shooting shows Blake , wearing a white tank top , walking away from police officers toward his silver SUV .
As he approaches his driver ’ s side door , two cops follow close behind , their guns already drawn .
When Blake opens the car door , the officer nearest him lunges for his shirt , pulling it back before he unloads a series of shots at Blake ’ s back .
A second officer also appears to shoot at Blake as shouts from onlookers erupt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ben Crump said Blake had three sons sitting in the car at the time of the shooting .
While Blake was airlifted to a nearby hospital to receive emergency surgery , anger continued to bubble over on the street where he was shot .
After word spread of the shooting online and in the city , protesters converged on the scene , as did police in riot gear , reports the Washington Post .
As the night wore on , police sprayed tear gas on demonstrators , who took out their rage on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times , citing social media videos of the protests , reports that empty vehicles were set on fire .
In response to the protests , the Kenosha officials issued a citywide curfew at midnight lasting until 7 a.m. Monday morning .
The town ’ s courthouse also remains closed today due to “ damage sustained during last night ’ s civil unrest , ” writes the Times .
The officers involved in Blake ’ s shooting are now on leave , and the state ’ s Department of Justice will be responsible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do not have all of the details yet , what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country , ” Gov .
Evers said in a statement shared on Twitter on Sunday night .
“ We stand with all those who have and continue to demand justice , equity , and accountability for Black lives in our country.
” Activists and politicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as news traveled of the shooting .
“ Our lives have so little value that [ officers ] are using fatal gunshots as a shortcut to talking , negotiation , disabling vehicles , ” Sherrilyn Ifill , president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund , tw eeted in response to the shooting .
“ It ’ s shorter ; the [ officer ] doesn ’ t have to get physically involved ; and the result is guaranteed.
” Wisconsin ’ s Department of Justice said it “ aims to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the prosecutor within 30 days to determine whether charges should be filed .
The Milwaukee Freedom Fund , which raised millions of dollars in bailout money for Minneapolis protesters jailed during the uprising that followed George Floyd ’ s death earlier this year said it is working to bail out people arrested during last night ’ s uprising .

Protests broke out across Kenosha, Wis., Sunday night after police officers shot a Black man at least seven times in the back earlier that evening. Though the man, identified by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers as Jacob Blake, survived the shooting, he remained in serious condition as of Monday morning.
The confrontation began around 5 p.m. in a residential neighborhood, reports the Kenosha News. Witnesses told the local paper that Blake was breaking up a verbal argument between two women when officers arrived on the scene. Police attempted to taser Blake at first, witnesses say.
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A video posted online of the shooting shows Blake, wearing a white tank top, walking away from police officers toward his silver SUV. As he approaches his driver’s side door, two cops follow close behind, their guns already drawn. When Blake opens the car door, the officer nearest him lunges for his shirt, pulling it back before he unloads a series of shots at Blake’s back. A second officer also appears to shoot at Blake as shouts from onlookers erupt on the street.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said Blake had three sons sitting in the car at the time of the shooting.
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While Blake was airlifted to a nearby hospital to receive emergency surgery, anger continued to bubble over on the street where he was shot. After word spread of the shooting online and in the city, protesters converged on the scene, as did police in riot gear, reports the Washington Post. As the night wore on, police sprayed tear gas on demonstrators, who took out their rage on surrounding property. T he New York Times, citing social media videos of the protests, reports that empty vehicles were set on fire.
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In response to the protests, the Kenosha officials issued a citywide curfew at midnight lasting until 7 a.m. Monday morning. The town’s courthouse also remains closed today due to “damage sustained during last night’s civil unrest,” writes the Times.
The officers involved in Blake’s shooting are now on leave, and the state’s Department of Justice will be responsible for investigating the violent altercation.
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“While we do not have all of the details yet, what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country,” Gov. Evers said in a statement shared on Twitter on Sunday night. “We stand with all those who have and continue to demand justice, equity, and accountability for Black lives in our country.”
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Activists and politicians from across the country also weighed in as news traveled of the shooting.
“Our lives have so little value that [ officers] are using fatal gunshots as a shortcut to talking, negotiation, disabling vehicles,” Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, tw eeted in response to the shooting. “It’s shorter; the [officer ] doesn’t have to get physically involved; and the result is guaranteed.”
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Wisconsin’s Department of Justice said it “aims to provide” a report of the shooting to the prosecutor within 30 days to determine whether charges should be filed.
The Milwaukee Freedom Fund, which raised millions of dollars in bailout money for Minneapolis protesters jailed during the uprising that followed George Floyd’s death earlier this year said it is working to bail out people arrested during last night’s uprising.


theroot--2020-08-25--More Than a Hashtag: Tarana Burke Joins The Root Institute to Talk Movement Building, Me Too and Mai

More Than a Hashtag: Tarana Burke Joins The Root Institute to Talk Movement Building, Me Too and Maintaining Momentum Amid COVID-19

Tarana Burke knows better than most the power of a hashtag .
After all , hers— # MeToo—turned into a zeitgeist moment back in the fall of 2017 , as Hollywood actresses began using it on social media in response to the mounting allegations against Harvey Weinstein .
Black Twitter quickly rose to correct the oversight of the tag ’ s originator Burke , who then assumed her rightful place at the fore of a long-overdue mass movement focused on reckoning with sexual violence .
In the nearly three years since , Burke has traveled the globe speaking and educating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full-fledged organization , a necessity when considering how to maintain the focus of the movement ’ s mission amid so many influences and interests .
As the 2018 Root 100 honoree told me , Managing Editor of The Glow Up Maiysha Kai , during a one-on-one discussion for our first-ever Root Institute , two of the first people she consulted when she unexpectedly found herself thrust into the public eye were fellow activists and co-founders of the Black Lives Matter hashtag and movement , Alicia Garza and Patrice Cullors .
“ Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted , pointing out how social media has changed not only the way we recognize movements but movement leaders in this century .
“ Now , this idea that you can be catapulted to global fame overnight—literally—it ’ s a small kind of select club of folks , and so there ’ s not a lot of people with answers on how to deal with it.
” Garza and Cullors—along with co-founder Opal Tometi—have no doubt been experiencing some surreality of their own in recent months .
The movement they started with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic terrorist movements until very recently—has become a global rallying cry since the killing of George Floyd in May of this year .
The sea change in the perception of Black Lives Matter has been stunning , if bittersweet , and to Burke , it has also been a testament to our commitment , especially amid the concurrent threat of COVID-19 .
“ I think this moment demands a lot of things that we have not been accustomed to before , but one thing that we are accustomed to is tenacity—and resilience , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will air this afternoon .
“ Our folks figure out [ how to ] make a way , recreate , create new when we have to .
And so , I think that that ’ s what we ’ ve seen in this moment ; but it also requires us to not stop.
” Please join us for this conversation and more—Sign up today !

Maiysha Kai on Institute, shared by Maiysha Kai to The Root

Tarana Burke knows better than most the power of a hashtag. After all, hers—#MeToo—turned into a zeitgeist moment back in the fall of 2017, as Hollywood actresses began using it on social media in response to the mounting allegations against Harvey Weinstein. Black Twitter quickly rose to correct the oversight of the tag’s originator Burke, who then assumed her rightful place at the fore of a long-overdue mass movement focused on reckoning with sexual violence.
In the nearly three years since, Burke has traveled the globe speaking and educating, and has turned Me Too into a full-fledged organization, a necessity when considering how to maintain the focus of the movement’s mission amid so many influences and interests. As the 2018 Root 100 honoree told me, Managing Editor of The Glow Up Maiysha Kai, during a one-on-one discussion for our first-ever Root Institute, two of the first people she consulted when she unexpectedly found herself thrust into the public eye were fellow activists and co-founders of the Black Lives Matter hashtag and movement, Alicia Garza and Patrice Cullors.
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“Because this phenomenon is new,” she noted, pointing out how social media has changed not only the way we recognize movements but movement leaders in this century. “Now, this idea that you can be catapulted to global fame overnight—literally—it’s a small kind of select club of folks, and so there’s not a lot of people with answers on how to deal with it.”
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Garza and Cullors—along with co-founder Opal Tometi—have no doubt been experiencing some surreality of their own in recent months. The movement they started with a hashtag in 2013—which was mistakenly compared to domestic terrorist movements until very recently—has become a global rallying cry since the killing of George Floyd in May of this year. The sea change in the perception of Black Lives Matter has been stunning, if bittersweet, and to Burke, it has also been a testament to our commitment, especially amid the concurrent threat of COVID-19.
“I think this moment demands a lot of things that we have not been accustomed to before, but one thing that we are accustomed to is tenacity—and resilience,” she said during our conversation, which will air this afternoon. “Our folks figure out [how to] make a way, recreate, create new when we have to. And so, I think that that’s what we’ve seen in this moment; but it also requires us to not stop.”
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Please join us for this conversation and more—Sign up today!


theroot--2020-08-26--Fenty Skin Anointed My Face With Its Goodness

As soon as Rihanna dropped the news of Fenty Skin on Instagram I knew I had to buy and review it .
My group chat was lit the hell up and giving praise to Robyn Fenty for doing it f or the Black girls once again .
Being accustomed to the beauty space , I knew some of my beauty editor friends already received free samples .
I ’ m still waiting to get on the PR list , so I paid the full $ 75 for the Total Cleans ’ r , Fat Water Toner , and Hydra Vizor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honestly isn ’ t too bad when you compare it to other skincare lines that charge way more .
Because of everything going on right now with the USPS , my package took forever to arrive , but once it did I tested it right away .
My close friend , Jake , had already impulse-bought the trio back in July like the Aries he is , so he humored me while I excitedly texted him about the process .
First off , the cleanser .
Obviously , washing your face is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rihanna agrees .
It ’ s a 2-in-1 cleanser that also removes makeup without drying out your skin .
Besides the packaging , which is gorgeous , the cleanser itself is thick and luxurious .
After washing my face with it , my skin felt soft and especially dirt-free .
Because the cleanser is so thick , it did take a while to rinse off with water , so you know , just be aware .
The Fat Water toner was ... well ...
FAT .
It ’ s so thick and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two to spread on your whole face ( yes , I ’ m aware of the unintentional sexual innuendo ) .
It should be said that you don ’ t necessarily need a toner in your skincare routine , however , it is always nice to try things out to see how your skin responds .
Anyway , the Fat Water toner was refreshing and added extra moisture to my already clean skin .
Although I will say that the toner might be a bit better for winter since it made my T-zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was outside in the sun .
Last was the Hydra Vizor moisturizer with broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen .
Rihanna did a solid for the planet by designing a refillable cartridge , which is better for the Earth , according to our friends at Gizmodo .
At least somebody is trying to save the planet .
The sunscreen itself is almost as thick as the cleanser but given it ’ s also a moisturizer , it makes sense .
To all my lovelies with dark skin , it doesn ’ t leave a white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all been traumatized by in the past .
Those are the little details you get when a Black woman develops a skincare line ( support Black businesses , please ) .
I was a little scared when I worked it into my skin , but once I did my face was dewy AF and ready for the rest of the day .
A lot of influencers on Twitter and Instagram mentioned the addition of fragrance in the Total Cleans ’ r and Hydra Vizor moisturizer .
It ’ s true .
You do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s really light , so it won ’ t make you queasy if you ’ re sensitive to smells .
Your skin , however , might be another story , especially if you have sensitive skin .
I don ’ t have issues with sensitivity , but my face did feel a little tingly a couple of hours after I did my routine .
Jake , however , was living , and his skin is more sensitive than mine .
Another thing worth mentioning is that the cleanser actually doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Like yes , it ’ ll remove dirt and shit , but it won ’ t prevent pimples from coming in .
My battle has never been with acne since I have pretty clear skin , so that wasn ’ t an issue for me .
All in all , I think this is a great debut for Fenty Skin .
The products give your skin a good cleansing without making your skin super dry .
Personally , I ’ m loving this trend of having a fresh face , especially during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full face of makeup is at an all-time low .
I can ’ t wait for whatever else Ms. Fenty has in store .

Ignacia on The Inventory, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Fenty Skin Start’r Set | $40 | Fenty Beauty
Fenty Skin Start’rs Full-Size Bundle | $75 | Fenty Beauty
As soon as Rihanna dropped the news of Fenty Skin on Instagram I knew I had to buy and review it. My group chat was lit the hell up and giving praise to Robyn Fenty for doing it for the Black girls once again. Being accustomed to the beauty space, I knew some of my beauty editor friends already received free samples. I’m still waiting to get on the PR list, so I paid the full $75 for the Total Cleans’r, Fat Water Toner, and Hydra Vizor moisturizer with SPF 30 sunscreen, which honestly isn’t too bad when you compare it to other skincare lines that charge way more.
Because of everything going on right now with the USPS, my package took forever to arrive, but once it did I tested it right away. My close friend, Jake, had already impulse-bought the trio back in July like the Aries he is, so he humored me while I excitedly texted him about the process.
First off, the cleanser. Obviously, washing your face is the most important part of having clear skin. Rihanna agrees. It’s a 2-in-1 cleanser that also removes makeup without drying out your skin. Besides the packaging, which is gorgeous, the cleanser itself is thick and luxurious. After washing my face with it, my skin felt soft and especially dirt-free. Because the cleanser is so thick, it did take a while to rinse off with water, so you know, just be aware.
Advertisement
The Fat Water toner was ... well ... FAT. It’s so thick and you really only need a squirt or two to spread on your whole face (yes, I’m aware of the unintentional sexual innuendo). It should be said that you don’t necessarily need a toner in your skincare routine, however, it is always nice to try things out to see how your skin responds. Anyway, the Fat Water toner was refreshing and added extra moisture to my already clean skin. Although I will say that the toner might be a bit better for winter since it made my T-zone a little oily, especially when I was outside in the sun.
Last was the Hydra Vizor moisturizer with broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen. Rihanna did a solid for the environment by designing a refillable cartridge, which is better for the Earth, according to our friends at Gizmodo. At least somebody is trying to save the planet.
Advertisement Advertisement
The sunscreen itself is almost as thick as the cleanser but given it’s also a moisturizer, it makes sense. To all my lovelies with dark skin, it doesn’t leave a white cast like other sunscreens we’ve all been traumatized by in the past. Those are the little details you get when a Black woman develops a skincare line (support Black businesses, please). I was a little scared when I worked it into my skin, but once I did my face was dewy AF and ready for the rest of the day.
Advertisement
A lot of influencers on Twitter and Instagram mentioned the addition of fragrance in the Total Cleans’r and Hydra Vizor moisturizer. It’s true. You do smell a faint floral scent, but it’s really light, so it won’t make you queasy if you’re sensitive to smells. Your skin, however, might be another story, especially if you have sensitive skin. I don’t have issues with sensitivity, but my face did feel a little tingly a couple of hours after I did my routine. Jake, however, was living, and his skin is more sensitive than mine.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the cleanser actually doesn’t include any ingredients to fight acne. Like yes, it’ll remove dirt and shit, but it won’t prevent pimples from coming in. My battle has never been with acne since I have pretty clear skin, so that wasn’t an issue for me.
All in all, I think this is a great debut for Fenty Skin. The products give your skin a good cleansing without making your skin super dry. Personally, I’m loving this trend of having a fresh face, especially during a pandemic where the morale for wearing a full face of makeup is at an all-time low. I can’t wait for whatever else Ms. Fenty has in store.
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This story was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher on 08/27/2020 and updated by Gabe Carey with new information on 02/18/2021.


theroot--2020-08-27--Building at Troy University Formerly Named for KKK Leader Renamed After John Lewis

A building at Troy University in Alabama , once named after a former governor with ties to the Ku Klux Klan , has been renamed in honor of late congressman John Lewis .
CNN reports the university ’ s board of trustees voted unanimously to change the name of Bibb Graves Hall to John Robert Lewis Hall , effective immediately .
Graves was the governor of Alabama from 1927 to 1931 and served as grand cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan during that same time period .
In 1989 , the university granted Lewis an honorary doctorate and , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s literary Hall-Waters Prize for his memoir “ Walking with the Wind.
” “ We are honored that Troy University Board of Trustees and Dr. Jack Hawkins , Jr. saw it fit to rename one of its signature buildings John Robert Lewis Hall , ” the Lewis family said in a statement .
“ We are so proud of this distinction.
” Lewis was the last of the “ Big Six , ” civil rights leaders and was instrumental in organizing the 1963 March on Washington .
Since 1987 he served as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district and was often cited as the “ conscience of Congress.
” He died on July 17 at 80 , after a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer .
He was the first Black lawmaker to be laid to rest at the US Capitol Rotunda , according to CNN .
“ John Lewis is a towering figure in American history , whose leadership and advocacy for non-violent change have left a lasting legacy for us all , ” said Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. “ Although Rep. Lewis once sought admission to then Troy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sadly ignored , I am pleased to say that he became a friend to the University .
He visited our campuses several times and was a profound influence on many of us .
I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for choosing to honor this Pike County native with this name change.
” The University is currently in the planning process for a ceremony to formally dedicate John Robert Lewis Hall .

A building at Troy University in Alabama, once named after a former governor with ties to the Ku Klux Klan, has been renamed in honor of late congressman John Lewis.
CNN reports the university’s board of trustees voted unanimously to change the name of Bibb Graves Hall to John Robert Lewis Hall, effective immediately. Graves was the governor of Alabama from 1927 to 1931 and served as grand cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan during that same time period. In 1989, the university granted Lewis an honorary doctorate and, in 2006, he received the university’s literary Hall-Waters Prize for his memoir “Walking with the Wind.”
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“We are honored that Troy University Board of Trustees and Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. saw it fit to rename one of its signature buildings John Robert Lewis Hall,” the Lewis family said in a statement. “We are so proud of this distinction.”
Lewis was the last of the “Big Six,” civil rights leaders and was instrumental in organizing the 1963 March on Washington. Since 1987 he served as the representative for Georgia’s 5th congressional district and was often cited as the “conscience of Congress.” He died on July 17 at 80, after a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was the first Black lawmaker to be laid to rest at the US Capitol Rotunda, according to CNN.
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“John Lewis is a towering figure in American history, whose leadership and advocacy for non-violent change have left a lasting legacy for us all,” said Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr.
“Although Rep. Lewis once sought admission to then Troy State College as a young man and was sadly ignored, I am pleased to say that he became a friend to the University. He visited our campuses several times and was a profound influence on many of us. I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for choosing to honor this Pike County native with this name change.”
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The University is currently in the planning process for a ceremony to formally dedicate John Robert Lewis Hall.


theroot--2020-08-27--Missouri Lawmakers Advance Bill Allowing Adults to Give Children Guns Without Parental Consent

Regardless of how one feels about the subject of gun laws and regulation , a reasonable person would have to admit that certain proposed pro-Second Amendment policies are just plain reckless .
For example , Missouri lawmakers recently advanced a bill that would make it legal for an adult to give a gun to a child so long as the adult isn ’ t passing the gun off to hide a crime they committed .
The GOP-controlled Missouri House on Tuesday advanced a bill that would make it legal to give guns to children without their parents ’ permission .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parson ( R ) called lawmakers back for a special summer session on crime and asked the legislature to penalize criminals who unlawfully use firearms , then pass them off on children to avoid detection .
The legislation is the exact opposite of what Parson called for , according to The Associated Press .
It is currently a misdemeanor crime to “ recklessly ” give a child a gun without their parents ’ permission .
On Tuesday , the state House voted to toss out the existing law and only make it a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the intent is to avoid arrest or criminal investigation .
According to Republican state Rep. Dean Plocher , the change in policy is meant to ensure that “ those that are trying to help their grandson go hunting or something like that are not going to be wantonly charged with a crime.
” First of all : In the world of white people white peopleing , is it a common thing for people to give their grandchild a gun without the expressed consent of the child ’ s parents ?
Secondly : How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this weird ass scenario , but can ’ t imagine all the things that can go wrong by making it legal for adults to give children guns without parental consent ?
What if an adult hands a child a gun , not because they committed a crime they ’ re trying to get away with , but because ... oh , I don ’ t know ... AMERICANS ARE FUCKING OBSESSED WITH GUNS ?
What if some Proud Boy hands a neighborhood kid a gun just for his own amusement or because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ white people , of course ) should be carrying regardless of age because it ’ s their God-given right ?
( For some reason conservatives think the U.S. Constitution was written by God .
I never could figure that one out . )
The point is , Missouri Republicans have advanced a bill that goes out of its way to ignore all potential negative consequences with the exception of the relatively far fetched scenario where a person uses a child to stash a firearm they used in a criminal act .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scenario couldn ’ t happen , I ’ m just saying it seems like these lawmakers are cherry-picking one episode of Law & Order while pretending the rest of the series never aired .
Democratic state Rep. Peter Merideth went with more of a common-sense argument .
“ We ’ re making it easier for people to let kids play with guns without the consent of parents , ” Merideth said .
Democratic lawmakers argued that the bill generally takes control away from parents .
Merideth pushed for an amendment to the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , still make it a misdemeanor to give guns to children without permission .
That amendment was struck down by a 94-41 vote .
The lawmakers also voted to end the requirement that police in St. Louis live in the city .
The subject of police officers living in the communities they police has long been a thing Black people have argued in favor of because of the belief that cops are more likely to behave aggressively when dealing with people in communities they are strangers to—particularly in Black neighborhoods .
But Missouri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruiting efforts .
According to the Associated Press , the issue will still be on the ballot for St. Louis voters in November , but even if voters want to keep the residency law in place , their votes will be overturned by the state bill .
As for the bill allowing adults to give guns to children , it will need another vote of approval before it is sent to the state Senate for consideration , AP reports .
Join the discussion !
The Root is hosting its first-ever , virtual Root @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics , culture , health , community building and social impact .
Subscribe for updates today !

Regardless of how one feels about the subject of gun laws and regulation, a reasonable person would have to admit that certain proposed pro-Second Amendment policies are just plain reckless. For example, Missouri lawmakers recently advanced a bill that would make it legal for an adult to give a gun to a child so long as the adult isn’t passing the gun off to hide a crime they committed.
From The Hill:
The GOP-controlled Missouri House on Tuesday advanced a bill that would make it legal to give guns to children without their parents’ permission. The bill comes after Gov. Mike Parson (R) called lawmakers back for a special summer session on crime and asked the legislature to penalize criminals who unlawfully use firearms, then pass them off on children to avoid detection. The legislation is the exact opposite of what Parson called for, according to The Associated Press. It is currently a misdemeanor crime to “recklessly” give a child a gun without their parents’ permission. On Tuesday, the state House voted to toss out the existing law and only make it a felony to give firearms to minors if the intent is to avoid arrest or criminal investigation.
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According to Republican state Rep. Dean Plocher, the change in policy is meant to ensure that “those that are trying to help their grandson go hunting or something like that are not going to be wantonly charged with a crime.”
First of all: In the world of white people white peopleing, is it a common thing for people to give their grandchild a gun without the expressed consent of the child’s parents? Secondly: How is it that these lawmakers can imagine this weird ass scenario, but can’t imagine all the things that can go wrong by making it legal for adults to give children guns without parental consent?
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What if an adult hands a child a gun, not because they committed a crime they’re trying to get away with, but because...oh, I don’t know...AMERICANS ARE FUCKING OBSESSED WITH GUNS?
What if some Proud Boy hands a neighborhood kid a gun just for his own amusement or because he believes every red-blooded American (code for “white people, of course) should be carrying regardless of age because it’s their God-given right? (For some reason conservatives think the U.S. Constitution was written by God. I never could figure that one out.)
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The point is, Missouri Republicans have advanced a bill that goes out of its way to ignore all potential negative consequences with the exception of the relatively far fetched scenario where a person uses a child to stash a firearm they used in a criminal act. This isn’t to say that the scenario couldn’t happen, I’m just saying it seems like these lawmakers are cherry-picking one episode of Law & Order while pretending the rest of the series never aired.
Democratic state Rep. Peter Merideth went with more of a common-sense argument.
“We’re making it easier for people to let kids play with guns without the consent of parents,” Merideth said. Democratic lawmakers argued that the bill generally takes control away from parents.
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Merideth pushed for an amendment to the bill that would, at the very least, still make it a misdemeanor to give guns to children without permission. That amendment was struck down by a 94-41 vote.
The lawmakers also voted to end the requirement that police in St. Louis live in the city.
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The subject of police officers living in the communities they police has long been a thing Black people have argued in favor of because of the belief that cops are more likely to behave aggressively when dealing with people in communities they are strangers to—particularly in Black neighborhoods. But Missouri Republicans argued that requirement only hurts police recruiting efforts.
According to the Associated Press, the issue will still be on the ballot for St. Louis voters in November, but even if voters want to keep the residency law in place, their votes will be overturned by the state bill.
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As for the bill allowing adults to give guns to children, it will need another vote of approval before it is sent to the state Senate for consideration, AP reports.
Join the discussion! The Root is hosting its first-ever, virtual Root Institute, presented by Target, featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics, culture, health, community building and social impact. Subscribe for updates today!


theroot--2020-08-27--R. Kelly Attacked by Fellow Chicago Prisoner, per Attorney

It appears things have escalated while Robert “ R ” Kelly continues his stint in jail .
According to ABC Chicago , Kelly ’ s attorney Steve Greenberg claims a fellow inmate at Chicago Metropolitan Correctional Center attacked the 53-year-old R & B singer on Wednesday .
As such , Greenberg is continuing to request that Kelly be released on bail as he believes his client ’ s safety won ’ t be ensured under these current conditions .
At first glance , one may posit that the inmate was upset at Kelly for the alleged sexual abuse charges , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly upset about the detention facility being placed on lockdown in response to Kelly ’ s protestors outside of the jail .
Greenberg did not provide an update on Kelly ’ s status to ABC , however , TMZ ’ s sources say the singer was in stable condition and didn ’ t have any broken bones or other serious injuries .
Kelly ’ s team previously attempted to obtain approval for early release citing coronavirus concerns , but a federal judge denied the request .
Eastern District of New York Judge Ann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not established compelling reasons warranting his release .
At present , there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the MCC in Chicago.
” As further background , ABC Chicago further reports : The federal charges in Chicago accuse Kelly of filming himself having sex with underage girls and of paying off potential witnesses in his 2008 trial —at which he was acquitted—to get them to change their stories .
In December , he pleaded not guilty via a video feed to added charges in New York that he schemed to pay for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day before he married R & B singer Aaliyah , then 15 , in a secret ceremony in 1994 .
There ’ s nothing but chaos surrounding Kelly and this case , as the latest news involves three men associated with Kelly , Richard Arline Jr. , Donnell Russell and Michael Williams , who have all been charged with “ threatening and intimidating ” women who decided to come forward with allegations against the singer .
Kelly is currently in jail facing charges in Illinois , Minnesota and New York in regards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kelly denies said allegations .
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Tonja Renée Stidhum on The Grapevine, shared by Tonja Renée Stidhum to The Root

It appears things have escalated while Robert “R” Kelly continues his stint in jail.
According to ABC Chicago, Kelly’s attorney Steve Greenberg claims a fellow inmate at Chicago Metropolitan Correctional Center attacked the 53-year-old R&B singer on Wednesday. As such, Greenberg is continuing to request that Kelly be released on bail as he believes his client’s safety won’t be ensured under these current conditions.
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At first glance, one may posit that the inmate was upset at Kelly for the alleged sexual abuse charges, but per TMZ, the inmate was allegedly upset about the detention facility being placed on lockdown in response to Kelly’s protestors outside of the jail. Greenberg did not provide an update on Kelly’s status to ABC, however, TMZ’s sources say the singer was in stable condition and didn’t have any broken bones or other serious injuries.
Kelly’s team previously attempted to obtain approval for early release citing coronavirus concerns, but a federal judge denied the request. Eastern District of New York Judge Ann Donnelly had ruled that Kelly “has not established compelling reasons warranting his release. At present, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the MCC in Chicago.”
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As further background, ABC Chicago further reports:
The federal charges in Chicago accuse Kelly of filming himself having sex with underage girls and of paying off potential witnesses in his 2008 trial —at which he was acquitted—to get them to change their stories. In December, he pleaded not guilty via a video feed to added charges in New York that he schemed to pay for a fake ID for an unnamed female a day before he married R&B singer Aaliyah, then 15, in a secret ceremony in 1994.
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There’s nothing but chaos surrounding Kelly and this case, as the latest news involves three men associated with Kelly, Richard Arline Jr., Donnell Russell and Michael Williams, who have all been charged with “threatening and intimidating” women who decided to come forward with allegations against the singer.
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Kelly is currently in jail facing charges in Illinois, Minnesota and New York in regards to sexual abuse allegations involving underage girls. Kelly denies said allegations.
Join the discussion! The Root is hosting its first-ever, virtual Root Institute, presented by Target, featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics, culture, health, community building and social impact. Subscribe for updates today!


theroot--2020-08-27--Black Staff Member at Iowa State Victim of Racist Vandalism

A residence hall director at Iowa State University made an uncomfortable discovery when he found racial slurs spray painted throughout his residential storage room .
WHO13 reports that Neo Thurston Jr. , a 29-year-old Black man , entered the room and found that various forms of hate speech , including the N-word , were spray- painted on the floor , shelving unit and water heater .
“ Messages that were directed and targeted toward the Black community .
Hateful messages towards the Black community , ” Thurston told WHO13 .
On Tuesday , an investigation initiated by ISU Police found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Page admitted to the vandalism and now faces charges of criminal trespass with vandalism as well as 3rd and 4th degree criminal mischief .
The university is currently working with the county attorney to determine whether Page will receive enhanced or additional charges .
“ I certainly was not rejoicing .
I was unhappy because for me having a student arrested on any day is not my goal , ” Thurston told the news outlet .
Investigators identified Page as a suspect by tracing electronic key card access to the building .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thurston ’ s television and a shirt he was seen wearing in surveillance footage was found in the storage room .
Thurston was deeply affected by the vandalism and is struggling with finding forgiveness for Page .
“ Forgiveness is the ethic of care and is a tenet that I would love to espouse , but at this time I am still processing that and how that would look with this individual , ” he said .
Ultimately , Thurston hopes this will be a learning experience for Page and will inspire others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice .
“ As a Black person in America these instances aren ’ t only singled to me or to the community I live in , but we all experience these incidents so it is important we all get in the fight , ” Thurston said .

A residence hall director at Iowa State University made an uncomfortable discovery when he found racial slurs spray painted throughout his residential storage room.
WHO13 reports that Neo Thurston Jr. , a 29-year-old Black man, entered the room and found that various forms of hate speech, including the N-word, were spray- painted on the floor, shelving unit and water heater. “Messages that were directed and targeted toward the Black community. Hateful messages towards the Black community,” Thurston told WHO13.
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On Tuesday, an investigation initiated by ISU Police found 18-year-old Nathan Page responsible for the crime. Page admitted to the vandalism and now faces charges of criminal trespass with vandalism as well as 3rd and 4th degree criminal mischief. The university is currently working with the county attorney to determine whether Page will receive enhanced or additional charges.
“I certainly was not rejoicing. I was unhappy because for me having a student arrested on any day is not my goal,” Thurston told the news outlet.
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Investigators identified Page as a suspect by tracing electronic key card access to the building. Additionally, Page carved his initials into Thurston’s television and a shirt he was seen wearing in surveillance footage was found in the storage room.
Basically, Page snitched on himself.
Thurston was deeply affected by the vandalism and is struggling with finding forgiveness for Page. “Forgiveness is the ethic of care and is a tenet that I would love to espouse, but at this time I am still processing that and how that would look with this individual,” he said.
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Ultimately, Thurston hopes this will be a learning experience for Page and will inspire others to take up the fight for social justice.
“As a Black person in America these instances aren’t only singled to me or to the community I live in, but we all experience these incidents so it is important we all get in the fight,” Thurston said.


theroot--2020-08-27--Los Angeles Teacher Forced to Flee Home After Wypipo Lost It Over Her 'I Can't Breathe' T-Shirt

Earlier this month , a Los Angeles charter school teacher did a simple thing to show solidarity with the movement against systemic racism in policing—she wore a T -shirt that reads “ I can ’ t breathe.
” The result ?
White people lost their damn minds .
For the mere acknowledgment that Black lives do in fact matter , this educator said she was forced to endure so much harassment and so many death threats , that she felt the need to flee her home and the school where she had been teaching for more than 10 years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ English teacher at El Camino Real Charter High School—who hasn ’ t been named due to safety concerns—was wearing the shirt because she had just attended a workshop at her school about how to create an anti-racist curriculum as part of a national program called Black Lives Matter at School .
She wore it in front of her online class of ninth-graders on the first day of classes .
Unfortunately , a parent of one of her students saw the shirt and got the undergarments that match his favorite Klan robe ( I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bunch .
But one parent thought his daughter ’ s teacher had gone too far .
He just wanted his daughter to “ go to English class and learn about English , ” he told KCBS-TV Channel 2 .
He shared a screenshot of the teacher on social media — unleashing nearly two weeks of turmoil as a national divide over race and policing infiltrated the high school in suburban Woodland Hills .
After a conservative media personality reposted the father ’ s screenshot , a torrent of threats poured in on social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she fled her home with her daughter and sought restraining orders against the parent and the media commentator .
Imagine getting this deep inside your little colonizer feelings over a T -shirt .
This is white fragility on steroids .
“ Haven ’ t felt safe enough to go home since 8/18/20 , ” the teacher wrote in her filing for a restraining order Monday .
She also noted that she “ can ’ t work , ” that she suffers from “ mental anguish ” and is in fear for her child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times .
Before going to court , she wrote an email to her students requesting that they “ Please let other students know that the school has abandoned me , ironically after we had a whole day of professional development on how and why to create an anti-racist curriculum.
” In response , around 100 students gathered on the school ’ s campus Wednesday in support of her and “ to end racial injustices and silence within our school systems , ” according to an Instagram post promoting the protest .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles Unified School District wore Black Lives Matter shirts in support of the educator .
“ What happened at El Camino is a travesty , ” United Teachers Los Angeles President Cecily Myart-Cruz said , the Times reports .
“ No one should have to endure those kinds of attacks , and surely the school should be doing a much better job in addressing the attacks as well as shielding the educators that work at the school site.
” Myart-Cruz also sent a letter to the school ’ s executive director , David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be able to teach about racial and social injustice without threats , harassment , bullying , or scare-tactics , ” she wrote .
“ UTLA believes Black Lives Matter , has provided resources , and emphasizes that simply saying Black Lives Matter is not enough : educators and administrators must actively show it in their work in creating and promoting anti-racist curriculum.
” In response to Myart-Cruz ’ s letter , Hussey sent an email to the school ’ s student body and faculty saying that the school “ believes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voices should be heard , valued and included .
We also recognize the need to end systemic racism that disproportionately harms , disciplines , and fails our Black students .
Therefore , ECR is dedicated to racial justice within our education.
” Join the discussion !
The Root is hosting its first-ever , virtual Root Institute , presented by Target , featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics , culture , health , community building and social impact .
Subscribe for updates today !

Earlier this month, a Los Angeles charter school teacher did a simple thing to show solidarity with the movement against systemic racism in policing—she wore a T -shirt that reads “I can’t breathe.” The result? White people lost their damn minds. For the mere acknowledgment that Black lives do in fact matter, this educator said she was forced to endure so much harassment and so many death threats, that she felt the need to flee her home and the school where she had been teaching for more than 10 years.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the English teacher at El Camino Real Charter High School—who hasn’t been named due to safety concerns—was wearing the shirt because she had just attended a workshop at her school about how to create an anti-racist curriculum as part of a national program called Black Lives Matter at School. She wore it in front of her online class of ninth-graders on the first day of classes. Unfortunately, a parent of one of her students saw the shirt and got the undergarments that match his favorite Klan robe (I’m guessing) all in a bunch.
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From the Times:
But one parent thought his daughter’s teacher had gone too far. He just wanted his daughter to “go to English class and learn about English,” he told KCBS-TV Channel 2. He shared a screenshot of the teacher on social media — unleashing nearly two weeks of turmoil as a national divide over race and policing infiltrated the high school in suburban Woodland Hills. After a conservative media personality reposted the father’s screenshot, a torrent of threats poured in on social media, frightening the teacher enough that she fled her home with her daughter and sought restraining orders against the parent and the media commentator.
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Imagine getting this deep inside your little colonizer feelings over a T -shirt. This is white fragility on steroids.
“Haven’t felt safe enough to go home since 8/18/20,” the teacher wrote in her filing for a restraining order Monday. She also noted that she “can’t work,” that she suffers from “mental anguish” and is in fear for her child’s safety, according to the Times.
Advertisement
Before going to court, she wrote an email to her students requesting that they “Please let other students know that the school has abandoned me, ironically after we had a whole day of professional development on how and why to create an anti-racist curriculum.”
In response, around 100 students gathered on the school’s campus Wednesday in support of her and “to end racial injustices and silence within our school systems,” according to an Instagram post promoting the protest. In addition, hundreds of teachers across the Los Angeles Unified School District wore Black Lives Matter shirts in support of the educator.
Advertisement
“What happened at El Camino is a travesty,” United Teachers Los Angeles President Cecily Myart-Cruz said, the Times reports. “No one should have to endure those kinds of attacks, and surely the school should be doing a much better job in addressing the attacks as well as shielding the educators that work at the school site.”
Myart-Cruz also sent a letter to the school’s executive director, David Hussey, on Monday.
Advertisement
“Educators need to be able to teach about racial and social injustice without threats, harassment, bullying, or scare-tactics,” she wrote. “UTLA believes Black Lives Matter, has provided resources, and emphasizes that simply saying Black Lives Matter is not enough: educators and administrators must actively show it in their work in creating and promoting anti-racist curriculum.”
In response to Myart-Cruz’s letter, Hussey sent an email to the school’s student body and faculty saying that the school “believes that all people are equal and that all voices should be heard, valued and included. We also recognize the need to end systemic racism that disproportionately harms, disciplines, and fails our Black students. Therefore, ECR is dedicated to racial justice within our education.”
Advertisement
Join the discussion! The Root is hosting its first-ever, virtual Root Institute, presented by Target, featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics, culture, health, community building and social impact. Subscribe for updates today!


theroot--2020-08-27--Marches, Movies and Megan Thee Stallion: Virtual Events to Keep You Busy This Weekend

August is over on Monday , Labor Day is around the corner , and the official end of summer is in just a few weeks .
I think I speak for everyone when I say ... what the hell was this summer ?
Nevertheless , it ’ s important to look for the joy in order to make it seem like we did something amidst the daily chaos our country seems to endure .
If you don ’ t have any plans to keep yourself occupied this weekend , The Root is here with some options to cover the entertainment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some of them are even outdoors and CDC-regulated and approved !
Check out a few events happening this weekend if you ’ re looking for a little something to do .
Also , make sure to take a walk !
The final day of the March on Washington Film Festival takes place today .
Throughout the weeklong fest , films such as You Asked for the Facts ( Dir .
Mary Blessey ) , The Czar of Black Hollywood ( Dir .
Bayer Mack ) and Brother Outsider ( Dir .
Bennett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the last day for the fest , those who are interested in attending can opt for a “ pay what you can pass , ” which offers access to “ tickets for more than 20 films , ” and the ability to “ join curated conversations with film directors , scholars and activists on the frontlines of the Movement , past and present , ” per the website .
More info is here .
The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute ( CCCADI ) continues its virtual programming with a screening of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honor of the film ’ s 10-year anniversary .
The screening will also come complete with a Q & A featuring filmmaker and writer dream hampton , activist Monifa Bandele , and writer Desire Thompson .
Click here for more .
The 2020 March on Washington will take place on the 57th anniversary of the 1963 march , where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “ I Have A Dream ” speech .
While the event is virtual , thousands are expected to gather at Washington D.C. ’ s Lincoln Memorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent racially-charged incidents our country has experienced , we encourage those who plan on attending to be safe , to wear their masks , and to bring plenty of water .
Per CNN , “ The main program starts at 11 a.m .
ET .
and attendees will hear from civil rights leaders , the impacted families and community organizers.
” The march itself will start at 1 p.m .
ET from the Lincoln Memorial and will conclude around 3 p.m .
ET at the MLK memorial .
Megan Thee Stallion is teaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produce her first virtual concert .
The event will take place at 6 p.m .
ET , and those who are ready to get down with the chart-topping emcee can purchase tickets here .
Femme It Forward is presenting the Parking Lot Concert Series , an event to encourage a good time while practicing proper social distancing .
Previous performers during the series include Rick Ross and Young Dro , and attendees are asked to stay in or near their cars to enjoy the show .
This weekend , K. Michelle is set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center Arena .
Those who are interested are able to purchase tickets here .
Amanda Seales will host a conversation about the forthcoming Mr .
Soul !
documentary film , which chronicles the rise and fall of the pioneering PBS series SOUL !
.
The conversation will be held at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m .
ET will feature panelists such as the film ’ s director Melissa Haizlip ( niece of the show ’ s late host Ellis Haizlip ) , executive producer Blair Underwood , legendary director and producer Stan Lathan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which debuted at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival , will open to over 60 virtual and drive-in cinemas across the country on August 28 .
More info can be found here .
Join the discussion !
The Root is hosting its first-ever , virtual Root Institute , presented by Target , featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics , culture , health , community building and social impact .
Subscribe for updates today !

August is over on Monday, Labor Day is around the corner, and the official end of summer is in just a few weeks. I think I speak for everyone when I say...what the hell was this summer? Nevertheless, it’s important to look for the joy in order to make it seem like we did something amidst the daily chaos our country seems to endure.
If you don’t have any plans to keep yourself occupied this weekend, The Root is here with some options to cover the entertainment aspect we desperately need during these times. Some of them are even outdoors and CDC-regulated and approved!
Advertisement
Check out a few events happening this weekend if you’re looking for a little something to do. Also, make sure to take a walk!
AUGUST 27
Films
Heads up—The March on Washington Film Festival takes place Sept. 20-27. Throughout the weeklong fest, films such as You Asked for the Facts (Dir. Mary Blessey), The Czar of Black Hollywood (Dir. Bayer Mack) and Brother Outsider (Dir. Bennett Singer) were shown.
Advertisement Advertisement
While today is the last day for the fest, those who are interested in attending can opt for a “pay what you can pass,” which offers access to “tickets for more than 20 films,” and the ability to “join curated conversations with film directors, scholars and activists on the frontlines of the Movement, past and present,” per the website.
More info is here.
Advertisement
The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) continues its virtual programming with a screening of the Black August hip-hop documentary, in honor of the film’s 10-year anniversary. The screening will also come complete with a Q&A featuring filmmaker and writer dream hampton, activist Monifa Bandele, and writer Desire Thompson.
Click here for more.
AUGUST 28
Demonstrations
The 2020 March on Washington will take place on the 57th anniversary of the 1963 march, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. While the event is virtual, thousands are expected to gather at Washington D.C.’s Lincoln Memorial to commemorate the occasion. Given the recent racially-charged incidents our country has experienced, we encourage those who plan on attending to be safe, to wear their masks, and to bring plenty of water.
Advertisement
Per CNN, “The main program starts at 11 a.m. ET. and attendees will hear from civil rights leaders, the impacted families and community organizers.” The march itself will start at 1 p.m. ET from the Lincoln Memorial and will conclude around 3 p.m. ET at the MLK memorial.
Advertisement
AUGUST 29
Concerts
Megan Thee Stallion is teaming up with Live Nation in order to produce her first virtual concert. The event will take place at 6 p.m. ET, and those who are ready to get down with the chart-topping emcee can purchase tickets here.
Advertisement
Femme It Forward is presenting the Parking Lot Concert Series, an event to encourage a good time while practicing proper social distancing. Previous performers during the series include Rick Ross and Young Dro, and attendees are asked to stay in or near their cars to enjoy the show. This weekend, K. Michelle is set to perform at Atlanta’s Gateway Center Arena. Those who are interested are able to purchase tickets here.
Advertisement
AUGUST 30
Conversations
Amanda Seales will host a conversation about the forthcoming Mr. Soul! documentary , which chronicles the rise and fall of the pioneering PBS series SOUL!. The conversation will be held at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET will feature panelists such as the film’s director Melissa Haizlip (niece of the show’s late host Ellis Haizlip), executive producer Blair Underwood, legendary director and producer Stan Lathan, and many more.
Advertisement
The film itself, which debuted at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival, will open to over 60 virtual and drive-in cinemas across the country on August 28. More info can be found here.
Correction: 8/31/2020, 5:25 p.m. ET: A previous version of this article stated that The March on Washington Film Festival ended on Aug. 27. However, the festival will actually run Sept. 20-27. We have updated the above to reflect the correct dates.
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Join the discussion! The Root is hosting its first-ever, virtual Root Institute, presented by Target, featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics, culture, health, community building and social impact. Subscribe for updates today!