theroot--2020-05-06--Birthdays, Books and...Breast Milk Facials? How These Celebrity Moms Are Staying Busy During Stay-at

Birthdays, Books and...Breast Milk Facials? How These Celebrity Moms Are Staying Busy During Stay-at-Home

If your days , weeks , and now , months have all become a blur at this point , you may have forgotten that this Sunday is Mother ’ s Day ( although we keep reminding you—focus , man ! )
.
No doubt this is especially true for mothers themselves since “ stay-at-home-mom ” takes on new meaning when you ’ re sheltering-in-place with your kids for weeks on end .
Just ask Halle Berry , who managed to find time to join a whole gang of other badass mamas ( including Zoë Saldana , Rosario Dawson and Thandie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ Boss Bitch Cha llenge ” ( which you should totally go watch—right after you read this ) .
And we won ’ t even start with the added obligation of homeschooling that many moms ( and dads , etc . )
have taken on as of late , except to remind you that this is also Teacher Appreciation Week , so , there ’ s that .
While we celebrate black mamas year-round , we think they deserve special kudos them this week , because we know y ’ all love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and would do pretty much anything to ensure that we live happy , healthy lives—and we appreciate you more than words could ever express .
We also know we get on your last nerve .
With that in mind , we decided to check in on a few of our favorite celebrity black moms to see what they ’ ve been up to during the quarantine—and frankly , a few of them are putting our productivity to shame .
Take , for instance , Gabrielle Union , who is not only raising four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but this week managed to release Welcome to the Party , a book that celebrates the arrival of new life—based on the welcoming of 17-month-old Kaavia James into Union ’ s own wonderfully blended family .
Union ’ s message ?
Families come together in all kinds of ways .
“ No matter how you family , we welcome you and we love you .
Sweet baby , Welcome to the Party , ” writes Union , with illustrations by Ashley Evans .
Jodie Turner-Smith is a brand-new mom , giving birth to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jackson last month .
But the Queen & Slim star known for her seemingly flawless , always gleaming brown skin has found an ingenious—and incredibly organic—way to treat postpartum acne as her hormones readjust .
“ I ’ ve been getting so many spots lately ( hormones ? )
, ” the 33-year-old British beauty captioned a makeup-free Instagram Story ( h/t Page Six ) .
“ But I put breast milk on them last night and today my skin looks much better.
” I mean ... whatever you got ta do to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And yes , we do recall clowning the Mowry twins about their love of breast milk last year , and we stand by it : Why drink your sister ’ s breast milk , when you can apply it straight to your face ?
Speaking of the Mowrys , the youngest of Tia Mowry ’ s two children with husband Cory Hardrict , daughter Cairo , turned two yesterday , and her proud mommy celebrated with an adorable retrospective .
Meanwhile , twin sister Tamera and husband Adam Housley , also parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooking lessons and parenting forums on Instagram to promote their channel—including a pretty delicious-looking Cinco de Mayo turn-up .
Another little beauty celebrating a birthday in quarantine ( other than me ? )
, Ciara and Russell Wilson ’ s daughter Sienna Princess , who celebrated the big 3 last week with a cake that would make any Disney princess swoon .
With another little Wilson on the way ( this time , another prince to join big brother Future Zahir ) , Sienna is no doubt loving her last few weeks as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re never too old to celebrate a birthday , and never too old to be your mommy ’ s baby , as evidenced by Viola Davis ’ sweet birthday tribute to her mom on Instagram earlier this week .
“ Happy birthday to my love .
My heart .
The reason I ’ m here , ” she wrote .
“ My beautiful mommy !
!
!
Love , love , love you !
!
!
Can ’ t wait to hug you after all this.
” Westworld may have reached the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentioned above , Thandie Newton kept the action going in Zoë Bell ’ s Boss Bitch Challenge ( seriously , go watch it and come back ) , which the help of a very special stunt partner .
Newton and her 6-year-old son Booker Jombe Parker donned matching tiger outfits to bring extra ferocity to their tag team knockout .
Seriously , we can not contain our delight when we see Serena Williams and daughter-bestie Alexis Olympia Ohanian together—their mommy-daughter dynamic is pure magic .
Case in point : Check out the performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ I Have a Dream ” from Disney ’ s Tangled .
Could they be any more adorable ?
May has likely become a major month for Meghan , Duchess of Sussex .
Aside from Mother ’ s Day , her wedding anniversary falls mid-month , and today , May 6 marks a major milestone for her young family , as it ’ s son Archie Mountbatten Windsor ’ s first birthday !
Ever the philanthropists , the Sussexes gifted us—with a video shot by father Prince Harry of Meghan reading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their baby boy .
As reported by the @ Meghan_Harry_News account on Instagram , the moment was captured for a joint campaign between Save the Children UK , Save the Children , and Save With Stories “ to bring food and learning resources to children impacted by the pandemic.
” Additionally , the young royal inspired a much-needed gift to our planet ; the all-female-founded Sussex Great Forest Campaign , announced on World Children ’ s Day in November 2019 , met and surpassed their goal of planting 10,000 trees by Archie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him and his parents , Prince Harry and Meghan , Duke and Duchess of Sussex .
In fact , the campaign was so successful , the goal was met 11 times over , as “ people in nearly 50 countries and six continents , donated to tree planting charities or planted their own trees , ” the campaign tells The Glow Up .
“ We ’ re wrapping up after a wild and exhilarating ride , but we ’ re not stopping our care for the planet , and our support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Busiswa Gibson , who is remarkably also an emergency care physician in New York City .
“ We know that it will take a long-term commitment to change the environment and secure the future for Archie ’ s generation .
We hope those who have been inspired by this campaign will continue to try and make a difference in the world , ” she added .
Moms , you all make a difference in our worlds .
Happy Mother ’ s Day !

If your days, weeks, and now, months have all become a blur at this point, you may have forgotten that this Sunday is Mother’s Day (although we keep reminding you—focus, man!). No doubt this is especially true for mothers themselves since “stay-at-home-mom” takes on new meaning when you’re sheltering-in-place with your kids for weeks on end. Just ask Halle Berry, who managed to find time to join a whole gang of other badass mamas (including Zoë Saldana, Rosario Dawson and Thandie Newton) in stuntwoman Zoë Bell’s “Boss Bitch Challenge” (which you should totally go watch—right after you read this).
Advertisement
And we won’t even start with the added obligation of homeschooling that many moms (and dads, etc.) have taken on as of late, except to remind you that this is also Teacher Appreciation Week, so, there’s that. While we celebrate black mamas year-round, we think they deserve special kudos this week, because we know y’all love us to the ends of the earth and would do pretty much anything to ensure that we live happy, healthy lives—and we appreciate you more than words could ever express.
We also know we get on your last nerve.
With that in mind, we decided to check in on a few of our favorite celebrity black moms to see what they’ve been up to during the quarantine—and frankly, a few of them are putting our productivity to shame.
Advertisement Advertisement
Gabrielle Union
Take, for instance, Gabrielle Union, who is not only raising four kids with Dwyane Wade during quarantine, but this week managed to release Welcome to the Party, a book that celebrates the arrival of new life—based on the welcoming of 17-month-old Kaavia James into Union’s own wonderfully blended family. Union’s message? Families come together in all kinds of ways.
Advertisement
“No matter how you family, we welcome you and we love you. Sweet baby, Welcome to the Party,” writes Union, with illustrations by Ashley Evans.
Advertisement
Jodie Turner-Smith
Jodie Turner-Smith is a brand-new mom, giving birth to her first daughter with fellow actor Joshua Jackson last month. But the Queen & Slim star known for her seemingly flawless, always gleaming brown skin has found an ingenious—and incredibly organic—way to treat postpartum acne as her hormones readjust.
Advertisement
“I’ve been getting so many spots lately (hormones?),” the 33-year-old British beauty captioned a makeup-free Instagram Story (h/t Page Six). “But I put breast milk on them last night and today my skin looks much better.”
I mean...whatever you gotta do to keep that closeup-ready glow going, Girl. And yes, we do recall clowning the Mowry twins about their love of breast milk last year, and we stand by it: Why drink your sister’s breast milk, when you can apply it straight to your face?
Advertisement
Tia & Tamera Mowry
Speaking of the Mowrys, the youngest of Tia Mowry’s two children with husband Cory Hardrict, daughter Cairo, turned two yesterday, and her proud mommy celebrated with an adorable retrospective.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, twin sister Tamera and husband Adam Housley, also parents of two, have been hosting quarantine cooking lessons and parenting forums on Instagram to promote their channel—including a pretty delicious-looking Cinco de Mayo turn-up.
Advertisement
Ciara
Another little beauty celebrating a birthday in quarantine (other than me?), Ciara and Russell Wilson’s daughter Sienna Princess, who celebrated the big 3 last week with a cake that would make any Disney princess swoon. With another little Wilson on the way (this time, another prince to join big brother Future Zahir), Sienna is no doubt loving her last few weeks as the baby of the family.
Advertisement
Viola Davis
You’re never too old to celebrate a birthday, and never too old to be your mommy’s baby, as evidenced by Viola Davis’ sweet birthday tribute to her mom on Instagram earlier this week.
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“Happy birthday to my love. My heart. The reason I’m here,” she wrote. “My beautiful mommy!!! Love, love, love you!!! Can’t wait to hug you after all this.”
We’re not crying, you’re crying!
Advertisement
Thandie Newton
Westworld may have reached the end of its season, but as mentioned above, Thandie Newton kept the action going in Zoë Bell’s Boss Bitch Challenge (seriously, go watch it and come back), which the help of a very special stunt partner. Newton and her 6-year-old son Booker Jombe Parker donned matching tiger outfits to bring extra ferocity to their tag team knockout.
Advertisement
Serena Williams
Seriously, we cannot contain our delight when we see Serena Williams and daughter-bestie Alexis Olympia Ohanian together—their mommy-daughter dynamic is pure magic. Case in point: Check out the performance by the tennis star and her two-year-old to “I Have a Dream” from Disney’s Tangled.
Advertisement
Could they be any more adorable?
Advertisement
Meghan Markle
May has likely become a major month for Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Aside from Mother’s Day, her wedding anniversary falls mid-month, and today, May 6 marks a major milestone for her young family, as it’s son Archie Mountbatten Windsor’s first birthday!
Advertisement
Ever the philanthropists, the Sussexes gifted us—with a video shot by father Prince Harry of Meghan reading the book “Duck! Rabbit!” to their baby boy. As reported by the @Meghan_Harry_News account on Instagram, the moment was captured for a joint campaign between Save the Children UK, Save the Children, and Save With Stories “to bring food and learning resources to children impacted by the pandemic.”
Advertisement
Additionally, the young royal inspired a much-needed gift to our planet; the all-female-founded Sussex Great Forest Campaign, announced on World Children’s Day in November 2019, met and surpassed their goal of planting 10,000 trees by Archie’s first birthday to show support for him and his parents, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex. In fact, the campaign was so successful, the goal was met 11 times over, as “people in nearly 50 countries and six continents, donated to tree planting charities or planted their own trees,” the campaign tells The Glow Up.
“We’re wrapping up after a wild and exhilarating ride, but we’re not stopping our care for the planet, and our support of the Sussexes,” said co-founder Dr. Busiswa Gibson, who is remarkably also an emergency care physician in New York City. “We know that it will take a long-term commitment to change the environment and secure the future for Archie’s generation.
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We hope those who have been inspired by this campaign will continue to try and make a difference in the world,” she added.
Moms, you all make a difference in our worlds. Happy Mother’s Day!


theroot--2020-05-06--Karen Jailed for 7 Days for Refusing to Close Hair Salon During Quarantine

White people are having a really hard time with being told no .
If it ’ s not inexplicable efforts to protest a quarantine order to keep people safe from the virus , it ’ s people like Shelley Luther who won ’ t let a pandemic stop them from going full Karen .
Luther was sentenced to a week in jail on Tuesday after refusing to close her Dallas , Texas , salon during quarantine according to Buzzfeed News .
She re-opened her salon on April 24 , almost a month into the stay-at-home order issued by the county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her actions were selfish .
“ The society can not function when one ’ s own belief in a concept of liberty permits you to flaunt your disdain for the rulings of duly elected officials , ” Moyé said .
He told her that it was her decision to go to jail .
All she had to do was express remorse and close the salon .
It was here Luther played whatever is the Karen equivalent of M.O.P ’ s “ Ante Up , ” and tried to boss up .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when you say I ’ m selfish , because feeding my kids is not selfish .
I have hairstylists that are going hungry because they ’ d rather feed their kids .
So , sir , if you think the law is more important than kids being fed , then go ahead with your decision , because I ’ m not going to shut the salon.
” Luther said .
After that , Luther was taken into custody .
In addition to the week in jail , the salon was ordered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , $ 500 for every day the salon was open during quarantine .
There will be additional $ 500 fines for every day the salon remains open .
She should have no problem paying the fines as a GoFundMe opened by her supporters has already raised $ 22,000 .
They have predictably labeled her “ an American Hero that has decided to resist tyranny , ” because white people keep conflating selfishness with heroism .
As of Wednesday , Texas has 34,422 confirmed coronavirus cases with 4,623 being in Dallas County .

Joe Jurado on The Glow Up, shared by Joe Jurado to The Root

White people are having a really hard time with being told no. If it’s not inexplicable efforts to protest a quarantine order to keep people safe from the virus, it’s people like Shelley Luther who won’t let a pandemic stop them from going full Karen.
Luther was sentenced to a week in jail on Tuesday after refusing to close her Dallas, Texas, salon during quarantine according to Buzzfeed News. She re-opened her salon on April 24, almost a month into the stay-at-home order issued by the county. Judge Eric Moyé told Luther that her actions were selfish.
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“The society cannot function when one’s own belief in a concept of liberty permits you to flaunt your disdain for the rulings of duly elected officials,” Moyé said. He told her that it was her decision to go to jail. All she had to do was express remorse and close the salon.
It was here Luther played whatever is the Karen equivalent of M.O.P’s “Ante Up,” and tried to boss up.
Advertisement Advertisement
“I have to disagree with you, sir, when you say I’m selfish, because feeding my kids is not selfish. I have hairstylists that are going hungry because they’d rather feed their kids. So, sir, if you think the law is more important than kids being fed, then go ahead with your decision, because I’m not going to shut the salon.” Luther said. After that, Luther was taken into custody.
In addition to the week in jail, the salon was ordered to pay $3,500 within the next 30 days, $500 for every day the salon was open during quarantine. There will be additional $500 fines for every day the salon remains open. She should have no problem paying the fines as a GoFundMe opened by her supporters has already raised $22,000. They have predictably labeled her “an American Hero that has decided to resist tyranny,” because white people keep conflating selfishness with heroism.
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As of Wednesday, Texas has 34,422 confirmed coronavirus cases with 4,623 being in Dallas County.


The A.V.

The Upshaws Are Back & So Is Tracy Morgan On The Stand Up Mic: TV Picks Of The Week
Friday 1:34PM


theroot--2020-05-06--'My Boy Lollipop' Singer Millie Small Dead at 72

Millie Small , the Jamaican singer best known for recording the chart-topping smash “ My Boy Lollipop ” as a teenager in 1964 , died yesterday after suffering a stroke .
She was 72 .
Billboard and BBC News report that her death was confirmed by Island Records .
T he label remembers her as “ a sweet person ... really special ” and “ a true original , a wonderful human being [ who ] will be dearly missed by everyone.
” Born in Clarendon , Jamaica , Small spent her childhood on a sugar plantation before eventually moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ music after winning the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour talent show at 12 years old .
Island Records founder Chris Blackwell would then become her legal guardian and manager , bring Small to London in 1963 and produce her interpretation of “ My Boy Lollipop , ” which would take the world by storm and go on to become one of the best-selling ska songs of all-time .
“ I would say she ’ s the person who took ska international because it was her first hit record , ” Blackwell told the Jamaica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty much everywhere in the world .
I went with her around the world because each of the territories wanted her to turn up and do TV shows and such , and it was just incredible how she handled it.
” With the success of “ My Boy Lollipop , ” Small expanded her career to include a role in the musical The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown before continuing to tour and record new music throughout the years .
Though despite her success , she would eventually fall on hard times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she had been homeless for a period of time .
“ I saw how the other half live , ” she said at the time .
“ It ’ s something I chose to do.
” In 2011 , her contributions to the Jamaican music industry earned her an Order of Distinction from Jamaica ’ s Governor-General .
Small is survived by her daughter , Jaelee .

Jay Connor on The Grapevine, shared by Jay Connor to The Root

Millie Small, the Jamaican singer best known for recording the chart-topping smash “My Boy Lollipop” as a teenager in 1964, died yesterday after suffering a stroke. She was 72.
Billboard and BBC News report that her death was confirmed by Island Records. T he label remembers her as “a sweet person... really special” and “a true original, a wonderful human being [who] will be dearly missed by everyone.”
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Born in Clarendon, Jamaica, Small spent her childhood on a sugar plantation before eventually moving to Kingston to pursue a career in music after winning the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour talent show at 12 years old. Island Records founder Chris Blackwell would then become her legal guardian and manager, bring Small to London in 1963 and produce her interpretation of “My Boy Lollipop,” which would take the world by storm and go on to become one of the best-selling ska songs of all-time.
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“I would say she’s the person who took ska international because it was her first hit record,” Blackwell told the Jamaica Observer. “It became a hit pretty much everywhere in the world. I went with her around the world because each of the territories wanted her to turn up and do TV shows and such, and it was just incredible how she handled it.”
With the success of “My Boy Lollipop,” Small expanded her career to include a role in the musical The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown before continuing to tour and record new music throughout the years. Though despite her success, she would eventually fall on hard times, admitting in a rare 1987 interview that she had been homeless for a period of time.
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“I saw how the other half live,” she said at the time. “It’s something I chose to do.”
In 2011, her contributions to the Jamaican music industry earned her an Order of Distinction from Jamaica’s Governor-General.
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Small is survived by her daughter, Jaelee.


theroot--2020-05-06--Time to Prep for International Masturbation Day (May 28th) with 20% off at Bellesa Boutique

I ’ ve heard a lot of good things about Bellesa Boutique over the past few months specifically their own @ @ @ @ @ m asturbation month ( Yes , M ay is masturbation month ) the fine folks @ @ @ @ @ you to 20 % off anything and free priority shipping with code QUARANTINE .
Not @ @ @ @ @ their own vibes but they have a really nice range of gear , erotica under @ @ @ @ @ and cute tees .
With International Masturbation Day on its way , priority shipping will @ @ @ @ @ time .
As always please remember to clean your toys .

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

20% off & Free Shipping | Bellesa Boutique | Use code QUARANTINE
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Bellesa Boutique over the past few months specifically their own line of toys. For masturbation month (Yes, May is masturbation month) the fine folks at BBoutique want to treat you to 20% off anything and free priority shipping with code QUARANTINE.
Not only does this company design their own vibes but they have a really nice range of gear, erotica under their own imprint, and cute tees. With International Masturbation Day on its way, priority shipping will ensure you both arrive on time.
As always please remember to clean your toys.
This deal ends May 17.


theroot--2020-05-06--Pennsylvania County Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic has fully illuminated the effect that decades of ingrained , systemic racism has had on the black community .
The pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on black people on the economic front , in the severity of the virus ’ s symptoms , and in the racial disparity of its treatment .
In Pittsburgh , an effort is underway to address that disparity .
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Allegheny County , Pa. has passed a motion 12-3 to label racism a public health crisis .
The motion was drafted in light of a 2019 report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality of life for black people than in any other comparable city .
In Pittsburgh , the rate of infant mortality among black children is 94 percent higher than the other cities in the study .
Research also found that black men face higher rates of cancer diagnoses and cardiovascular disease .
Black women ’ s poverty in Pittsburgh is higher than in 85 % of other comparable cities ; more black children grow up in poverty here than in 85 % of other cities , according to the report .
Inequality based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their school years , the report shows .
Using middle school algebra as an indicator , overall Pittsburgh ’ s students are less likely to be enrolled , but the gap is pronounced for the city ’ s girls .
And when it comes to discipline in schools , “ Pittsburgh refers more black girls to the police than 99 % of similar cities , ” the report states .
“ This is not just a black issue ; this is a humanity issue as we heard in the many statements that came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Councilwoman Olivia Bennett , ( D-Northview Heights ) .
Bennett is the prime sponsor of the measure .
The move comes a year after Milwaukee County in Wisconsin became one of the first to declare racism a public health crisis .
As evidenced by the three votes against it , not everyone was on board with this effort .
“ I do have a problem with the language .
It seems that they ’ re calling out whites as a collective and claiming that whites are responsible for this ... racial classification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m sorry , that language , I just can ’ t support it .
To the folks on the right , we believe that white privilege is something that ’ s just something created by the left to try to create division.
” Sam DeMarco , the Republican at-large member of the council , said .
The “ facts don ’ t care about your feelings , ” crowd really hate when the facts disagree with how they feel .
You hate to see it .

The COVID-19 pandemic has fully illuminated the effect that decades of ingrained, systemic racism has had on the black community. The pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on black people on the economic front, in the severity of the virus’s symptoms, and in the racial disparity of its treatment. In Pittsburgh, an effort is underway to address that disparity.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Allegheny County, Pa. has passed a motion 12-3 to label racism a public health crisis. The motion was drafted in light of a 2019 report that revealed that Pittsburgh has the worst quality of life for black people than in any other comparable city. In Pittsburgh, the rate of infant mortality among black children is 94 percent higher than the other cities in the study. Research also found that black men face higher rates of cancer diagnoses and cardiovascular disease.
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From The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Black women’s poverty in Pittsburgh is higher than in 85% of other comparable cities; more black children grow up in poverty here than in 85% of other cities, according to the report. Inequality based on race and gender follows kids throughout their school years, the report shows. Using middle school algebra as an indicator, overall Pittsburgh’s students are less likely to be enrolled, but the gap is pronounced for the city’s girls. And when it comes to discipline in schools, “Pittsburgh refers more black girls to the police than 99% of similar cities,” the report states.
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“This is not just a black issue; this is a humanity issue as we heard in the many statements that came before [the meeting],” said Councilwoman Olivia Bennett, (D-Northview Heights). Bennett is the prime sponsor of the measure. The move comes a year after Milwaukee County in Wisconsin became one of the first to declare racism a public health crisis.
As evidenced by the three votes against it, not everyone was on board with this effort.
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“I do have a problem with the language. It seems that they’re calling out whites as a collective and claiming that whites are responsible for this ... racial classification scheme and things like that. And I’m sorry, that language, I just can’t support it. To the folks on the right, we believe that white privilege is something that’s just something created by the left to try to create division.” Sam DeMarco, the Republican at-large member of the council, said.
The “facts don’t care about your feelings,” crowd really hate when the facts disagree with how they feel. You hate to see it.