theroot--2020-08-27--Help Yourself to Trendy Casual Fashion for No More Than $50 at Uniqlo

The best Uniqlo sales for August 2020 are here .
Uniqlo is known for its killer collaborations and amazingly designed t-shirts .
This Japanese casual wear designer has been around since 1949 and opened it ’ s first US store in 2005 right in Edison , New Jersey .
But the Manhattan store that opened a year later attached innovative designers to boost the company ’ s profile and breathe new fashion concepts into conquering the American market .
It worked .
Last year the company penned a deal to open its first North American distribution center ensuring its wares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Weighing price to the quality you just can ’ t compete with Uniqlo .
Fashion-forward comfort all at affordable prices is the dream , and here are all of the best pieces they currently have to offer .
My best friend swore by Uniqlo ’ s lined leggings when she lived in London , but they stopped making them a few years back .
But enter these HeatTech upgrades .
Most people I know swear by this line especially if you live in a location where it ’ ll be cool in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are comfy , warm , and the brushed lining is smooth .
They come in five colors , can be washed in the machine , and they ’ re a Rayon/Polyester blend .
This is another item a pal of mine said was his favorite thing he ’ s ever gotten from Uniqlo .
These stylish and pretty mod looking silk ties can definitely dress-up or down any ensemble .
Being wrinkle-free means they travel well and keep you looking chic no matter where you toss them .
Navy and this blue/white combo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t deny it .
They are an easy way to be relaxed and still kind of put together .
I ’ d say they are a little more dressed up than your sweatpants for Zoom calls .
I ’ ve loved many jeggings over the years and these have impressive stretch and DRY tech to keep them in your cycle for multiple wears .
They come in two blue denim washes and are flattering to a multitude of sizes and shapes .
We don ’ t want the guys to feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from many of my bro friends that Uniqlo jeans are a great price to quality value .
These comfy Ezy Jeans are sleek denim on the outside but soft material in the inside .
Ezy ’ s were designed with actual tech for ultimate comfort .
They come in four denim washes and have a drawstring waist to keep you relaxed all day .
I ’ m a big fan of oversized shirts and sweaters for every season , but especially in winter .
So dudes and dudettes , this is a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winter wardrobe .
This v-neck shirt is perfect to throw over a button-down or tank .
As before , the HeatTech line keeps you extra toasty and any of their basics items are just what you need pre-frosty months in four different colors .
I ’ m always told you need a good in-between coat ( I still really don ’ t know what that means ) , one of the most stylish gents I know owns this one .
It ’ s lightweight and easy to throw over your shoulder or keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parka isn ’ t a bad option to have as a just in case it rains coat too .
Durable to protect against water and sun plus it comes in eight brilliant colors .
The Marimekko collaboration is among one of Uniqlo ’ s best selling and best-reviewed .
The Finnish designer is known for big bold prints in eye-catching colors .
This beautiful boxy t-shirt is exactly that in soft jersey cotton .
It is the line ’ s number-one seller and the absolute antithesis of the company ’ s philosophy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re still in work from home mode , being cozy and professional is a must .
This Rayon Skipper Collar Blouse fits the bill .
This wrinkle-free , classy , yet causal top will take you from boardroom skype to Sunday brunch .
Easy to care for it come in five basic colors and will go with anything .
Everyone is in the reusable mask game these days and as of a few days ago so is Uniqlo .
AIRism has three different color packs of three multiple layer masks in three sizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comfort , coolness , and breathability .
It wicks away moisture , protects against UV rays , and has a washable built-in filter .
No outfit is truly complete without a killer accessory .
A classic pair of sunnies ups your chic-ness by a billion percent .
Now , what if your sunglasses were not only fashionable but fashion-forward ?
You can fold these bad boys right up to fit in your pocket .
Made from polycarbonate they ’ re lightweight , durable , and these frames look cool on anyone .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in three color combos .
Register for free shipping on your first order .
Otherwise , there ’ s free standard shipping on orders over $ 99 .
Also , you can save by downloading the Uniqlo app where new members get $ 3 off their next purchase .

Sheilah Villari on Roundups, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Featured Deal: Men Ultra Light Printed Jacket | $40
The best Uniqlo sales for September 2021 are here.
With a name that blends the words ‘unique’ and ‘clothing,’ Uniqlo has lived up to its legacy. The brand is known for its killer collaborations and amazingly designed t-shirts, even capturing the attention of international designer Jil Sanders who eventually joined its staff.
The Japanese casual wear brand was founded in 1949 and opened its first US store in 2005 right in Edison, New Jersey. The Manhattan store opened a year later, attaching innovative new designers to boost the company’s profile and breathe new fashion concepts into conquering the American market. Suffice to say, it worked.
Last year, the company penned a deal to open its first North American distribution center ensuring its wares aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Weighing the price to the quality you just can’t compete with Uniqlo. Fashion-forward comfort all at affordable prices is the dream, and here are all of the best pieces they currently have to offer.
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Personally, I love a good crop top. One of the main reasons is because I also love wearing high-waisted pants. If this sounds at all like you, then it’s time to snag the Women Cotton Ribbed Crew Neck Long-Sleeve Crop Top. With options available in olive, off-white, black, and light purple, this shirt offers plenty of stretch and comes in a beautiful crew neck design.
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Regardless of your gender, everyone needs a comfy flannel shirt like this Men Flannel Checked Long-Sleeve Shirt. Available in navy and beige, this garment is made from 100% premium cotton and is brushed on both sides for a super soft texture. Note that it is roomy around the shoulders for easy movement.
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The stylish silhouette of the Women Linen Cotton Tapered Pants has a breezy feel. These casual pants have a natural look and color that complements the material. The tapered cut can be paired with any top.
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Getting dressed up during the summer months can be a real chore, especially as temperatures rise. This Men Ultra Light Printed Jacket is light and easy to move around without getting musty. This jacket also features a quick-drying feature that helps with both sweat and even machine washing.
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Made from luxurious 100% cashmere, this sweater adds warmth and softness to your everyday look. The Men Cashmere Crew Neck Long-Sleeve Sweater has a great neckline that is neither too deep nor too shallow. The shoulders are designed to provide stress-free comfort.
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There’s a reason that Andy Warhol, Basquiat, and Keith Haring are iconic artists of the 20th century. And why not celebrate your appreciation for them with a stylish t-shirt? This option features a design from one of Warhol’s well-known masterpieces.
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Loungewear is truly underrated. With the right design, you can easily look effortless but feel totally comfortable and relaxed. The perfect example is this Jil Sander and Uniqlo collaboration, the Men +J Wide-Fit Relaxed Tapered Pants. It even features contrast fabric at the waist for a little style accent.
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Wool sweaters are one of the best items to layer during the fall and winter months. Uniqlo has a beautiful Women Extra Fine Merino V-Neck Sweater, which comes in eight colors, including green, blue, pink, and off-white . This piece is timeless and features an ultra-flattering cut.
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Sweatshirts are so comfy, and they’re the best thing to wear for a lazy day spent at home. Uniqlo is giving this classic a modern update and even made it more wrinkle-resistant. Plus, it comes in eight different colors, so that you’re sure to find one that works for your wardrobe.
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Don’t you hate when your bra straps show when you’re wearing a camisole? Uniqlo has the perfect fix for this problem. The Women AIRism Bra Camisole comes with soft cups that won’t show from your outerwear and will give you a clean, flattering neckline. This shirt features AIRism’s signature DRY technology and Cool Touch, which provide odor control and moisture-wicking.
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Looking for a basic, soft bodysuit for your little one? Try the Newborn Crew Neck Long-Sleeve Bodysuit. It’s made from 100% cotton ribbed knit, so it’s super gentle on your baby’s skin. The flat seams reduce friction and the color-coded snaps, prevent mismatches.
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No outfit is truly complete without a killer accessory. A classic pair of sunnies ups your chic-ness by an infinite percentage. Now, picking a pair of sunglasses that are not only fashionable but fashion-forward? That can be tricky. These bad boys make that all significantly easier and at a discounted price. Made from polycarbonate they’re lightweight, durable, and these frames look cool on anyone. The lenses have UV400 protection and they come in three color combos.
This pair also folds easily so you can put them in your pocket without the extra bulk of a carrying case.
Register for free shipping on your first order. Otherwise, there’s free standard shipping on orders over $99. Also, you can save by downloading the Uniqlo app where new members get $3 off their next purchase.
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This story was originally published by Sheilah Villari on 08/23/2020 and updated with new information by Juliana Clark on 09/10/2021.


theroot--2020-08-27--'Trust, Consistency, and Accountability' : Darnell Moore, David Johns, and Steven Pargett Discuss Bl

'Trust, Consistency, and Accountability' : Darnell Moore, David Johns, and Steven Pargett Discuss Black Liberation, Movement Work, and Love at The Root Institute

But how can we , as a society and Black community , actually unconditionally support , respect and protect all @ @ @ @ @ just one of the timely questions posed during a very moving panel for The Root @ @ @ @ @ , Black men , examining privilege and enacting change .
Moderated by Blackbird ’ s @ @ @ @ @ , Black Men Build ’ s creative director Steven Pargett alongside author and activist Darnell @ @ @ @ @ Justice Coalition executive director David Johns have a powerful , direct , and necessary conversation @ @ @ @ @ by Black folks who are gender oppressed , the importance of Black men holding one @ @ @ @ @ get free as Black people , and more in the video above .
You can @ @ @ @ @ The Root Institute hosted this month on topics ranging from mental health to the current @ @ @ @ @ .

Published August 27, 2020 Comments ( 1 )
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theroot--2020-08-27--'Our Activism Has to Have Legs': Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Monique Judge and Chloë Cheyenne Say

'Our Activism Has to Have Legs': Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Monique Judge and Chloë Cheyenne Say That Movement Building Must Go Beyond Social Media

The 2020 uprisings have proven that “ the revolution ” has gone far beyond being televised .
This moment of racial reckoning has taken the world by storm—the “ revolution ” is broadcasted on television , in the streets , on our phones and online .
No doubt social media has impacted movement work .
Activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham reminds us that while the advent of social media might be new , the movement work began with the ancestors .
“ We are in the latest chapter of a long , protracted , generational freedom struggle in this country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been led by people of color , Black people in particular , ” Packnett Cunningham said .
“ We are always creative and innovative with whatever tools we have at our disposal.
” While social media offers speed and democratization , social networking sites aren ’ t built by people who face systemic oppression .
Chloë Cheyenne , founder and CEO of Communityx , says that the myriad social media platforms are helpful tools , but there exists intrinsic limitations of using social media for social justice .
“ All of the major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very privileged men who have no idea of what activism really is , ” says Cheyenne .
As we are seeing activism online complement activism in the streets , The Root ’ s News Editor Monique Judge , a vocal figure on social media , is often asked to use her platform to further someone else ’ s cause .
But making the decision to retweet isn ’ t always so simple .
“ There ’ s a certain amount of pressure there to feel useful and helpful to people.
” See the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s social media editor , Corey Townsend , above .


theroot--2020-08-27--Who Cares About AirPods Pro When You Can Get Regular AirPods for $20 Off?

So the AirPods Pro are cool , they are , but who can argue with the second-gen originals , the @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re only $ 140 at Best Buy and can do everything the Pros @ @ @ @ @ not save some money and enjoy the sleek freedom of an Apple product ?

Ignacia on Kinja Deals, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Apple AirPods | $140 | Best Buy
So the AirPods Pro are cool, they are, but who can argue with the second-gen originals, the blueprint as you say? They’re only $140 at Best Buy and can do everything the Pros can do, so why not save some money and enjoy the sleek freedom of an Apple product?


theroot--2020-08-27--With New Shows Coming and a Big Announcement from Joe Budden, It's Quite the Day for Black Podcasts

Podcasts offer listeners something to satisfy their desire for stimulating conversations—and Black podcasts are proving powerful enough to create empires for both their hosts and the companies heading them .
However , from time to time , disconnects between the two occur , and unfortunately , supporters of The Joe Budden Podcast are in for a bit of sour news .
The media mogul and rapper announced that he will not be renewing his two-year exclusive run with Spotify after his contract ends this month .
He ’ s said he ’ s not entirely sure what comes next for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed in the latest episode of his popular podcast that he ’ s embroiled in a “ bum-ass deal ” with the streaming giant , and after September 23 , the show will no longer be a Spotify exclusive .
“ Spotify never cared about this podcast individually , ” Budden said during the show .
“ Spotify only cared about our contribution to the platform.
” He also claims that the show has been “ undermined and undervalued , ” that Spotify has been “ pillaging the audience.
” However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a statement to Variety , a spokesperson for Spotify said that they “ respect [ Budden ’ s ] wishes ” to find a new home for his show , although they attempted to provide the best deal they could .
While the future of the Joe Budden Podcast is currently up in the air , there are two new podcasts and talk shows on the horizon in order to satiate your needs .
According to Billboard , Audiomack has announced its new audio series “ Own The Label , ” which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ label owners and their time working with some of the biggest names in hip-hop .
Hosted by Billboard hip-hop editor Carl Lamarre , the first episode airs today , August 27 , via Twitch at 4 p.m .
ET .
This episode features Lamarre in conversation with South Coast Music Group ’ s CEO Arnold Taylor , the label home of acts such as chart-topper DaBaby , as well as budding stars Black Zak and TiaCorine .
“ In this current climate , we wanted to highlight Black record label owners who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them a platform to tell their stories , ” says Audiomack ’ s Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy Jason Johnson .
That ’ s not all—social media sensations Rickey Thompson and Denzel Dion are partnering with Spotify to present a new , currently unnamed podcast .
Per a press release obtained by The Root , the podcast is set to premiere later this year , and will feature the two best friends sharing “ personal stories from their week , [ dishing ] on pop culture , fashion & music and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them advice.
” Thompson and Dion , who gained fame through the now-defunct social media app Vine , said in separate statements that they are thrilled to take part in this new endeavor .
“ My friend Denzel and I have always dreamed of having a podcast , and the fact it ’ s with Spotify is the cherry on top , ” Thompson said .
Join the discussion !
The Root is hosting its first-ever , virtual Root Institute , presented by Target , featuring several of the leading minds in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health , community building and social impact .
Subscribe for updates today !

J'na Jefferson on The Grapevine, shared by J'na Jefferson to The Root

Podcasts offer listeners something to satisfy their desire for stimulating conversations—and Black podcasts are proving powerful enough to create empires for both their hosts and the companies heading them. However, from time to time, disconnects between the two occur, and unfortunately, supporters of The Joe Budden Podcast are in for a bit of sour news.
The media mogul and rapper announced that he will not be renewing his two-year exclusive run with Spotify after his contract ends this month. He’s said he’s not entirely sure what comes next for the show. Per Variety, Budden discussed in the latest episode of his popular podcast that he’s embroiled in a “bum-ass deal” with the streaming giant, and after September 23, the show will no longer be a Spotify exclusive.
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“Spotify never cared about this podcast individually,” Budden said during the show. “Spotify only cared about our contribution to the platform.” He also claims that the show has been “undermined and undervalued,” that Spotify has been “pillaging the audience.” However, the underlying issue is “wage disparity.”
In a statement to Variety, a spokesperson for Spotify said that they “respect [Budden’s] wishes” to find a new home for his show, although they attempted to provide the best deal they could.
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While the future of the Joe Budden Podcast is currently up in the air, there are two new podcasts and talk shows on the horizon in order to satiate your needs. According to Billboard, Audiomack has announced its new audio series “Own The Label,” which focuses on the stories of Black music label owners and their time working with some of the biggest names in hip-hop. Hosted by Billboard hip-hop editor Carl Lamarre, the first episode airs today, August 27, via Twitch at 4 p.m. ET. This episode features Lamarre in conversation with South Coast Music Group’s CEO Arnold Taylor, the label home of acts such as chart-topper DaBaby, as well as budding stars Black Zak and TiaCorine.
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“In this current climate, we wanted to highlight Black record label owners who are currently impacting the culture globally and providing them a platform to tell their stories,” says Audiomack’s Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy Jason Johnson.
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That’s not all—social media sensations Rickey Thompson and Denzel Dion are partnering with Spotify to present a new, currently unnamed podcast. Per a press release obtained by The Root, the podcast is set to premiere later this year, and will feature the two best friends sharing “personal stories from their week, [dishing] on pop culture, fashion & music and [engaging] with fans by giving them advice.”
Thompson and Dion, who gained fame through the now-defunct social media app Vine, said in separate statements that they are thrilled to take part in this new endeavor. “My friend Denzel and I have always dreamed of having a podcast, and the fact it’s with Spotify is the cherry on top,” Thompson said.
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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--2020-08-27--After Bringing the Sports World to a Standstill, NBA Players Agree to Resume Playoffs

After refusing to play , and forcing the entire world to focus its attention on Sunday ’ s police shooting of Jacob Blake instead , NBA players have reversed course and now agree to resume the NBA playoffs .
On Wednesday , The Root reported that something unprecedented occurred : fed up with the mistreatment of Black people in America , the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the court against the Orlando Magic in their Game 5 series of the NBA playoffs .
This jumpstarted a trickle-down effect , in which players from the remaining teams scheduled to play on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams in various other leagues , such as the WNBA , MLB and MLS , opting to do the same .
However , ESPN reports that nearly 24 hours removed from such an unprecedented decision , NBA players will now reverse course and proceed with the NBA playoffs .
Thursday ’ s three playoff games will remain postponed , but the league is expected to resume play on Saturday .
“ There is a video conference call meeting scheduled later this afternoon between a group of NBA players and team governors representing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representatives from the National Basketball Players Association and the league office and NBA Labor Relations Committee Chairman Michael Jordan , to discuss next steps , ” NBA executive vice president Mike Bass said in a statement .
Per ESPN , those next steps will entail “ formulating action plans to address racial injustice issues and iron out details of restarting the playoffs.
” In the coming days , it will be interesting to learn why the players decided to resume play so quickly , but in the interval , I ’ m proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against systemic oppression , police brutality and racialized violence .

After refusing to play, and forcing the entire world to focus its attention on Sunday’s police shooting of Jacob Blake instead, NBA players have reversed course and now agree to resume the NBA playoffs.
On Wednesday, The Root reported that something unprecedented occurred: fed up with the mistreatment of Black people in America, the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the court against the Orlando Magic in their Game 5 series of the NBA playoffs.
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This jumpstarted a trickle-down effect, in which players from the remaining teams scheduled to play on Wednesday followed suit in solidarity, with teams in various other leagues, such as the WNBA, MLB and MLS, opting to do the same.
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However, ESPN reports that nearly 24 hours removed from such an unprecedented decision, NBA players will now reverse course and proceed with the NBA playoffs. Thursday’s three playoff games will remain postponed, but the league is expected to resume play on Saturday.
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“There is a video conference call meeting scheduled later this afternoon between a group of NBA players and team governors representing the 13 teams in Orlando, along with representatives from the National Basketball Players Association and the league office and NBA Labor Relations Committee Chairman Michael Jordan, to discuss next steps,” NBA executive vice president Mike Bass said in a statement.
Per ESPN, those next steps will entail “formulating action plans to address racial injustice issues and iron out details of restarting the playoffs.”
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In the coming days, it will be interesting to learn why the players decided to resume play so quickly, but in the interval, I’m proud of these men for taking a stand against systemic oppression, police brutality and racialized violence.


theroot--2020-08-27--With a Major Statement for Black Lives and Dual Covers, Naomi Osaka Comes Into Her Own, Off-Court

The sports world took a historic and deeply significant timeout on Wednesday in support of Black lives and in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha , Wis .
Among the number of elite athletes and teams staging spontaneous strikes was tennis star Naomi Osaka , who canceled her Thursday semifinals match at the 2020 Western & Southern Open , compelling the tournament to subsequently pause play for the day .
“ [ B ] efore I am an athlete , I am a black woman , ” tweeted Osaka , who is of Japanese-Haitian descent .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention , rather than watching me play tennis .
“ I don ’ t expect anything drastic to happen with me not playing , but if I can get a conversation started in a majority white sport I consider that a step in the right direction , ” she continued , adding hashtags .
“ Watching the continued genocide of Black people at the hand of the police is honestly making me sick to my stomach .
I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up every few days and I ’ m extremely tired of having this same conversation over and over again .
When will it ever be enough ?
” On Thursday afternoon , the Guardian reported that Osaka has since agreed to play a rescheduled semifinal on Friday , issuing a statement to the outlet which read : As you know , I pulled out of the tournament yesterday in support of racial injustice and continued police violence .
I was ( and am ) ready and prepared to concede the match to my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lengthy consultation with the WTA and USTA , I have agreed at their request to play on Friday .
They offered to postpone all matches until Friday and in my mind that brings more attention to the movement .
I want to thank the WTA and the Tournament for their support .
The triumph may seem minor , but it nonetheless demonstrates that at 22 , the 2018 and 2019 Grand Slam champion has emerged as not only a formidable force in the tennis world ( and currently the world ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sponsorships , including Nike ) but is exercising her power in speaking freely on issues of social justice .
Osaka even attended the protests for George Floyd in May , joining rapper boyfriend Cordae on the streets of Minneapolis .
She recently recounted the trip for Wall Street Journal Magazine ( WSJ ) as the star of their latest cover story while also making an appearance on the cover of HighSnobiety ’ s digital magazine this month , where she models her new Nike Blazer collaboration with Japanese-founded luxury brand Comme des Garçons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests on TV , and I never had the chance to go because I was always playing tennis , ” she said , later adding : “ Everyone was so passionate ...
I thought it was really powerful.
” “ Just going there and seeing how the whole city was at that moment…it was definitely something surreal for me , ” she told High Snobiety .
“ And I just started thinking , ‘ Even if one person cares about what I say , then maybe that person will show another person.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicize her participation in the protests , she began posting content in support of Black Lives Matter .
Predictably , there were those who presumed to tell the young athlete she should stick to sports , prompting her to tweet ( h/t WSJ ) : “ I hate when random people say athletes shouldn ’ t get involved with politics and just entertain .
Firstly , this is a human rights issue .
Secondly , what gives you more right to speak than me ?
By that logic if you work at IKEA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ‘ GRÖNLID ?
’ ” Doubling down , Osaka penned a poignant essay for Esquire this July in which she discussed the impact of her Minneapolis visit and backed defunding the police , writing ( in part ) : In the past few months , I ’ ve re-evaluated what ’ s actually important in my life .
It ’ s a reset that perhaps I greatly needed .
I asked myself , “ If I couldn ’ t play tennis , what could I be doing to make a difference ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak up ... for every George , there is a Brianna , a Michael , a Rayshard .
The sad list goes on .
That ’ s just the tragedies captured on camera .
I remember watching the outrage at Michael Brown ’ s case in 2014 , and nothing has really changed since .
Black people have been fighting this oppression alone for so many years and progress has been fleeting at best .
Being “ not racist ” is not enough .
We have to be anti-racist .
Osaka is clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one she was only beginning to become accustomed to when The Glow Up interviewed her in early 2019 in celebration of her becoming a Barbie “ Shero.
” “ I think when I was younger , I used to try to brush away the responsibility , ” a seemingly shy Osaka told us at the time .
“ But now , there ’ s been incidents [ where ] people come up to me and they start crying , and I realize how important it is to be a role model ...
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honor , and I ’ m grateful that I have that responsibility.
” “ She is starting to figure out what she cares about in the public eye—she is learning herself while we are learning about her , ” LeBron James ’ longtime business partner Maverick Carter told WSJ , which reports he and James , are currently executive producing a documentary series on Osaka for Netflix .
The facts of Osaka ’ s stature already speak for themselves ; she is the first Asian or Haitian tennis player to be ranked No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman and only Japanese player ever to win a Grand Slam .
But as Serena Williams , Osaka ’ s hero and opponent in a very memorable 2018 Women ’ s U.S. Open finals , told WSJ , this moment demands more .
“ If you are an athlete and you don ’ t say something , there ’ s a problem , ” she said .
Osaka , who has faced her share of discrimination and derision as a Black woman representing Japan , clearly agrees .
“ There ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk about things .
Like , you can ’ t just keep shoving it under the rug , ” she told HighSnobiety .
“ For me , what I want is people being more aware.
” “ I ’ ve been figuring out my voice more , ” she explained to WSJ .
“ I definitely think it ’ s time to start gaining confidence and taking on what you feel.
” 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 .
Subscribe for updates today !

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

The sports world took a historic and deeply significant timeout on Wednesday in support of Black lives and in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis. Among the number of elite athletes and teams staging spontaneous strikes was tennis star Naomi Osaka, who canceled her Thursday semifinals match at the 2020 Western & Southern Open, compelling the tournament to subsequently pause play for the day.
“[B]efore I am an athlete, I am a black woman,” tweeted Osaka, who is of Japanese-Haitian descent. “And as a Black woman I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis.
Advertisement
“I don’t expect anything drastic to happen with me not playing, but if I can get a conversation started in a majority white sport I consider that a step in the right direction,” she continued, adding hashtags. “Watching the continued genocide of Black people at the hand of the police is honestly making me sick to my stomach. I’m exhausted of having a new hashtag pop up every few days and I’m extremely tired of having this same conversation over and over again. When will it ever be enough?”
Advertisement Advertisement
On Thursday afternoon, the Guardian reported that Osaka has since agreed to play a rescheduled semifinal on Friday, issuing a statement to the outlet which read:
As you know, I pulled out of the tournament yesterday in support of racial injustice and continued police violence. I was (and am) ready and prepared to concede the match to my opponent. However, after my announcement and lengthy consultation with the WTA and USTA, I have agreed at their request to play on Friday. They offered to postpone all matches until Friday and in my mind that brings more attention to the movement. I want to thank the WTA and the Tournament for their support.
Advertisement
The triumph may seem minor, but it nonetheless demonstrates that at 22, the 2018 and 2019 Grand Slam champion has emerged as not only a formidable force in the tennis world (and currently the world’s highest-paid female athlete, thanks to numerous sponsorships, including Nike) but is exercising her power in speaking freely on issues of social justice. Osaka even attended the protests for George Floyd in May, joining rapper boyfriend Cordae on the streets of Minneapolis. She recently recounted the trip for Wall Street Journal Magazine (WSJ) as the star of their latest cover story while also making an appearance on the cover of HighSnobiety’s digital magazine this month, where she models her new Nike Blazer collaboration with Japanese-founded luxury brand Comme des Garçons.
Advertisement
“I’ve always watched protests on TV, and I never had the chance to go because I was always playing tennis,” she said, later adding: “Everyone was so passionate...I thought it was really powerful.”
“Just going there and seeing how the whole city was at that moment…it was definitely something surreal for me,” she told High Snobiety. “And I just started thinking, ‘Even if one person cares about what I say, then maybe that person will show another person.’”
Advertisement
While Osaka didn’t widely publicize her participation in the protests, she began posting content in support of Black Lives Matter. P redictably, there were those who presumed to tell the young athlete she should stick to sports, prompting her to tweet (h/t WSJ):
“I hate when random people say athletes shouldn’t get involved with politics and just entertain. Firstly, this is a human rights issue. Secondly, what gives you more right to speak than me? By that logic if you work at IKEA you are only allowed to talk about the ‘GRÖNLID?’”
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Doubling down, Osaka penned a poignant essay for Esquire this July in which she discussed the impact of her Minneapolis visit and backed defunding the police, writing (in part):
In the past few months, I’ve re-evaluated what’s actually important in my life. It’s a reset that perhaps I greatly needed. I asked myself, “If I couldn’t play tennis, what could I be doing to make a difference?” I decided it was time to speak up...for every George, there is a Brianna, a Michael, a Rayshard. The sad list goes on. That’s just the tragedies captured on camera. I remember watching the outrage at Michael Brown’s case in 2014, and nothing has really changed since. Black people have been fighting this oppression alone for so many years and progress has been fleeting at best. Being “not racist” is not enough. We have to be anti-racist.
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Osaka is clearly growing into her activism and platform, one she was only beginning to become accustomed to when The Glow Up interviewed her in early 2019 in celebration of her becoming a Barbie “Shero.”
“I think when I was younger, I used to try to brush away the responsibility,” a seemingly shy Osaka told us at the time. “But now, there’s been incidents [where] people come up to me and they start crying, and I realize how important it is to be a role model...I think that’s a really big honor, and I’m grateful that I have that responsibility.”
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“She is starting to figure out what she cares about in the public eye—she is learning herself while we are learning about her,” LeBron James’ longtime business partner Maverick Carter told WSJ, which reports he and James, are currently executive producing a documentary series on Osaka for Netflix.
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The facts of Osaka’s stature already speak for themselves; she is the first Asian or Haitian tennis player to be ranked No. 1 and only the fifth Black woman and only Japanese player ever to win a Grand Slam. But as Serena Williams, Osaka’s hero and opponent in a very memorable 2018 Women’s U.S. Open finals, told WSJ, this moment demands more.
“If you are an athlete and you don’t say something, there’s a problem,” she said. Osaka, who has faced her share of discrimination and derision as a Black woman representing Japan, clearly agrees.
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“There’s a time when you kind of have to talk about things. Like, you can’t just keep shoving it under the rug,” she told HighSnobiety. “For me, what I want is people being more aware.”
“I’ve been figuring out my voice more,” she explained to WSJ. “I definitely think it’s time to start gaining confidence and taking on what you feel.”
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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--2020-08-27--So Maybe It's Time to Defund Sports, Too

If you ever find yourself walking around downtown Pittsburgh on a Friday afternoon in the early fall—when the weather is still nice enough to be jacket-less—you ’ d encounter many of the amenities that consistently place it on America ’ s Most Livable Cities lists .
The world-renowned Cultural District .
Restaurants helmed by Beard-nominated chefs .
Architectural and topographical marvels unseen anywhere else in the world .
And , of course , thousands of people .
Accountants and baristas .
Lawyers and florists .
Students and sales clerks .
Writers and engineers .
All doing the things that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d never been to the ‘ Burgh before , you ’ d also be perplexed .
Maybe amused .
Maybe horrified .
If lucky , God might respond .
“ Because it ’ s Friday , and the Steelers play Sunday.
” And then you , still so bewildered by the jerseys that you ’ re not even shook by the fact that you ’ re literally having a conversation with God , respond : “ OK .
And ?
?
?
” I know Pittsburgh ain ’ t unique in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team that would compel a 46-year-old man to drape a Troy Polamalu jersey over a tailored suit and then leave the house and go to work looking like that .
But the dependency on sports that normalizes this behavior is uniquely American .
No other country has as much invested in the idea , the action , and the economy of sports as we do .
And as I watched the reverberations of the NBA ’ s bubble bursting Wednesday last night , I wondered if we might be better off without it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multi-billion dollar amateur and professional sports industry .
To begin to grasp just how thoroughly sports interknits with , well , everything American , I just need a mirror .
I ( probably ) would not be sitting here , writing this , if not for the tangible impact sports has had on my life .
I was a full scholarship D-1 basketball player .
Which means , among other things , that I ’ ve never had student loans .
Which means that paying off said loans was never a factor when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t start writing full-time until a decade after I ’ d graduated from college .
The things that have happened since then—including the creation and building of VSB , the acquisition of VSB by what was then Gizmodo Media Group , the salary I now receive to write , and the two-book deal at a major publishing house—don ’ t happen without the freedom to tinker and fail and find my own way that I was provided by being good enough at a sport at 18 that someone would pay for my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spun , by defenders of sports culture , as one of its most positive attributes .
Sports enables kids who are poor and Black like I was to attend schools we ’ d never be able to afford , to visit cities and states ( and countries ) we ’ d never be able to see or make personal connections that would ’ ve remained out of our grasps .
But the stray lifeline that sports provide for kids like me obscures both the pathological dependency on unpaid athletic labor that makes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ educational ) disparities that make sports-inspired philanthropy necessary .
And this is just me .
This is just my life .
There are also , today , the thousands of lives that are being risked because high school and college administrators , and city and state and federal politicians , are desperate to field high school and college sports teams during a pandemic .
Sports have become so vital to the economies and the sensibilities of these schools and communities and cities that they literally can not function without them .
So they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their students—and the lives of the people in those students ’ lives—because they , we , can ’ t live without the ( free ) labor of those student-athletes .
And then there are the ( usually Black ) communities razed and lives destroyed to build sports venues , like Pittsburgh ’ s Lower Hill was in the 1950s to build the Civic Arena .
And then there are the owners of popular professional sports teams who extort cities into paying for bigger and better venues .
And then there are the myriad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lucrative sport—which also happens to be our most-watched television show—destroys the brains and bodies of those who participate .
And then , again , there ’ s me , last night , watching these young men and women decide to wield the power that sports has provided them , and being moved to tears by their actions .
And then also being annoyed and disappointed that I ’ d have no games to watch .
I am so addicted to watching sports—and also to reading about and talking about and watching people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my instinctual initial response to a strike intended to save Black lives was ambivalence .
And not ambivalence about whether they ’ re doing the right thing ; but that this very right thing is slightly disrupting my evening television viewing plans .
There are national conversations happening now—about racism , about law enforcement , about capitalism , and about public health—at levels I ’ m still astounded by .
What has been the status quo for my entire lifetime , and for lifetimes before mine , is facing a reckoning today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all still give me whiplash .
And maybe it ’ s time for sports , and our—and my—pathological dependency on them , to get in the fray , too .
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 !

Damon Young on Very Smart Brothas, shared by Damon Young to The Root

If you ever find yourself walking around downtown Pittsburgh on a Friday afternoon in the early fall—when the weather is still nice enough to be jacket-less—you’d encounter many of the amenities that consistently place it on America’s Most Livable Cities lists. The world-renowned Cultural District. Restaurants helmed by Beard-nominated chefs. Architectural and topographical marvels unseen anywhere else in the world. And, of course, thousands of people. Accountants and baristas. Lawyers and florists. Students and sales clerks. Writers and engineers. All doing the things that people in cities do.
But if you’d never been to the ‘Burgh before, you’d also be perplexed. Maybe amused. Maybe horrified.
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“Why,” you’d ask God “is EVERYONE wearing Pittsburgh Steeler jerseys?”
If lucky, God might respond. “Because it’s Friday, and the Steelers play Sunday.”
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And then you, still so bewildered by the jerseys that you’re not even shook by the fact that you’re literally having a conversation with God, respond: “OK. And???”
I know Pittsburgh ain’t unique in the sort of maniacal devotion to a sports team that would compel a 46-year-old man to drape a Troy Polamalu jersey over a tailored suit and then leave the house and go to work looking like that. But the dependency on sports that normalizes this behavior is uniquely American. No other country has as much invested in the idea, the action, and the economy of sports as we do. And as I watched the reverberations of the NBA’s bubble bursting Wednesday last night, I wondered if we might be better off without it. Not the NBA. But the multi-billion dollar amateur and professional sports industry.
Advertisement
To begin to grasp just how thoroughly sports interknits with, well, everything American, I just need a mirror. I (probably) would not be sitting here, writing this, if not for the tangible impact sports has had on my life. I was a full scholarship D-1 basketball player. Which means, among other things, that I’ve never had student loans. Which means that paying off said loans was never a factor when determining my occupational path. I didn’t start writing full-time until a decade after I’d graduated from college. The things that have happened since then—including the creation and building of VSB, the acquisition of VSB by what was then Gizmodo Media Group, the salary I now receive to write, and the two-book deal at a major publishing house—don’t happen without the freedom to tinker and fail and find my own way that I was provided by being good enough at a sport at 18 that someone would pay for my college education.
Situations like mine are spun, by defenders of sports culture, as one of its most positive attributes. Sports enables kids who are poor and Black like I was to attend schools we’d never be able to afford, to visit cities and states (and countries) we’d never be able to see or make personal connections that would’ve remained out of our grasps. But the stray lifeline that sports provide for kids like me obscures both the pathological dependency on unpaid athletic labor that makes it possible and the pervasive economic (and educational) disparities that make sports-inspired philanthropy necessary.
Advertisement
And this is just me. This is just my life. There are also, today, the thousands of lives that are being risked because high school and college administrators, and city and state and federal politicians, are desperate to field high school and college sports teams during a pandemic. Sports have become so vital to the economies and the sensibilities of these schools and communities and cities that they literally cannot function without them. So they are willing to risk the lives of their students—and the lives of the people in those students’ lives—because they, we, can’t live without the (free) labor of those student-athletes.
And then there are the (usually Black) communities razed and lives destroyed to build sports venues, like Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill was in the 1950s to build the Civic Arena. And then there are the owners of popular professional sports teams who extort cities into paying for bigger and better venues. And then there are the myriad ways that America’s most popular and lucrative sport—which also happens to be our most-watched television show—destroys the brains and bodies of those who participate. And then, again, there’s me, last night, watching these young men and women decide to wield the power that sports has provided them, and being moved to tears by their actions. And then also being annoyed and disappointed that I’d have no games to watch. I am so addicted to watching sports—and also to reading about and talking about and watching people talk about the sports that I watch—that my instinctual initial response to a strike intended to save Black lives was ambivalence. And not ambivalence about whether they’re doing the right thing; but that this very right thing is slightly disrupting my evening television viewing plans.
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And that’s scary. That’s crazy. That’s sick. That’s American.
There are national conversations happening now—about racism, about law enforcement, about capitalism, and about public health—at levels I’m still astounded by. What has been the status quo for my entire lifetime, and for lifetimes before mine, is facing a reckoning today, and the immediacy and urgency of it all still give me whiplash. And maybe it’s time for sports, and our—and my—pathological dependency on them, to get in the fray, too.
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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--2020-08-27--Jermaine Dupri, Bakari Sellers Strive to Engage Black Male Voters With Shop Talk

It ’ s a simple equation that becomes more and more urgent by the day : Black women notoriously hold it down in elections , but if Joe Biden is going to emerge triumphant in November , he ’ s gon na need Black men to show up and show out at the polls—the same way we did for Barak Obama in 2008 and 2012 , and didn ’ t for Hilary Clinton in 2016 .
A great place to start would be to stop saying ridiculous ass shit about Black folks almost every time he opens his mouth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a handful of prominent Black men to engage in weekly roundtable discussions that focus on issues that impact us directly .
Enter Shop Talk , which debuts on Thursday and seeks to do exactly that , with contributions from familiar names like political commentator Bakari Sellers ; music mogul Jermaine Dupri ; actor and host Terrence J ; campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond ; Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes and AllHipHop.com CEO Chuck Creekmur .
Hosted by Gaulien “ Gee ” Smith , a small business owner in Wisconsin , Shop Talk aspires to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for the issues they care about the most , ” according to a press release provided to The Root .
As one of the new Biden-Harris programs specifically created for Black men , each conversation will be anchored by the challenges that impact a specific state .
And on the heels of the police shooting of Jacob Blake on Sunday , it comes as no surprise that Wisconsin will be the first state up to bat .
In an exclusive interview with The Root , Sellers and Dupri explained their involvement with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Black men to become more politically engaged .
“ I ’ m lending my voice to something that needs it , ” Dupri said .
“ This is by far one of the most important , attention-grabbing elections that I ’ ve ever seen since I ’ ve been alive .
I ’ m just trying to do my part.
” As one of several entertainers participating , Dupri ’ s value lies in what he describes as a “ non-political ” perspective—especially coming from a region as Black and prosperous as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should pay attention to life in Atlanta .
I ’ ve been telling you this for the longest , ” he said .
“ I notice the difference in my city and I notice the way that Black people are treated .
When people bring up issues about racism and different things , my perspective is a lot different.
” There ’ s also the issue of accountability .
Can a platform that ’ s an extension of Biden ’ s own campaign be entrusted to hold his feet to the fire ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are behind ] this , I ’ m 100 percent sure that he ’ s going to hear about this depending upon how loud we are , ” Dupri said .
“ But we ’ ve got to make sure that we ’ re loud enough that not just Biden hears about this , but Donald Trump hears about it and is like , ‘ Damn .
Wait a minute .
I shouldn ’ t do this.
’ We can ’ t shuck and jive with this election .
We ’ ve got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also pointed to the NBA ’ s recent strike in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake as an example of what he feels is wrong in the Black community .
“ We saw the back and forth between other basketball players telling them prior to going to the bubble , ‘ Y ’ all don ’ t need to be doing this .
Y ’ all are taking the focus off of what ’ s happening.
’ I feel like that ’ s a problem we have in the Black community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stick to the decisions [ that have ] made at the top of the game as opposed to waiting until we see something happen to somebody then start doing it .
We as Black people have to start paying attention to what ’ s going on and really be effective.
” Dupri also made it clear that while he believes that Biden deserves the Black vote , he also insisted that Biden and Harris both have much to answer and atone for .
“ I feel like Biden and Kamala have a couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have to speak to before they get all the votes , ” he said .
“ They have to address it even if they don ’ t want to.
” Sellers expressed his own excitement to participate in Shop Talk and represent a key demographic in the upcoming election .
“ I believe truly that Black male voters are central in this election , almost even swing voters , ” he said .
“ For far too long , Democrats haven ’ t listened to Black male voters .
I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of the complaints , criticisms , problems , suggestions and optimism of Black men not just in Wisconsin , but around the country.
” He hopes to inject his prior experience as an elected official into the conversation and , much like Dupri , believes Biden is deserving of our vote .
“ I wholeheartedly believe Joe Biden deserves our vote , and I think that every day Joe Biden has to continue to earn that vote , ” Sellers said .
“ With his equity plan , with his Black agenda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
and you know you ’ re getting a Supreme Court justice .
Those things are important.
” And should intersectional topics arise on Shop Talk , Sellers believes that the panel is capable of addressing those issues adequately .
“ Black men have the ability to be intersectional , ” he said .
“ At the end of the day , this is about supporting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris .
We ’ re gon na have a real conversation about that .
And you know , this is wild to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is African-American female mortality .
“ My wife almost died when she gave birth to my two children and I can ’ t imagine living in this world without her .
But I also know that Black women are three-to-four times more likely to die during childbirth than white women .
That ’ s my number one issue .
I plan on bringing my full self , including these issues , to the conversation.
” Shop Talk premieres Thursday night .
For more information on how to watch or participate in this virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @

It’s a simple equation that becomes more and more urgent by the day: Black women notoriously hold it down in elections, but if Joe Biden is going to emerge triumphant in November, he’s gonna need Black men to show up and show out at the polls—the same way we did for Barak Obama in 2008 and 2012, and didn’t for Hilary Clinton in 2016.
A great place to start would be to stop saying ridiculous ass shit about Black folks almost every time he opens his mouth, but another ploy would be to recruit a handful of prominent Black men to engage in weekly roundtable discussions that focus on issues that impact us directly.
Advertisement
Enter Shop Talk, which debuts on Thursday and seeks to do exactly that, with contributions from familiar names like political commentator Bakari Sellers; music mogul Jermaine Dupri; actor and host Terrence J; campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond; Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes and AllHipHop.com CEO Chuck Creekmur.
Hosted by Gaulien “Gee” Smith, a small business owner in Wisconsin, Shop Talk aspires to “bring like minds together to stand up for the issues they care about the most,” according to a press release provided to The Root. As one of the new Biden-Harris programs specifically created for Black men, each conversation will be anchored by the challenges that impact a specific state. And on the heels of the police shooting of Jacob Blake on Sunday, it comes as no surprise that Wisconsin will be the first state up to bat.
Advertisement Advertisement
In an exclusive interview with The Root, Sellers and Dupri explained their involvement with Shop Talk and how important it is for Black men to become more politically engaged.
Advertisement
“I’m lending my voice to something that needs it,” Dupri said. “This is by far one of the most important, attention-grabbing elections that I’ve ever seen since I’ve been alive. I’m just trying to do my part.”
As one of several entertainers participating, Dupri’s value lies in what he describes as a “non-political” perspective—especially coming from a region as Black and prosperous as Atlanta.
Advertisement
“All B lack people should pay attention to life in Atlanta. I’ve been telling you this for the longest,” he said. “I notice the difference in my city and I notice the way that Black people are treated. When people bring up issues about racism and different things, my perspective is a lot different.”
There’s also the issue of accountability. Can a platform that’s an extension of Biden’s own campaign be entrusted to hold his feet to the fire?
Advertisement
“If people on his campaign [are behind] this, I’m 100 percent sure that he’s going to hear about this depending upon how loud we are,” Dupri said. “But we’ve got to make sure that we’re loud enough that not just Biden hears about this, but Donald Trump hears about it and is like, ‘Damn. Wait a minute. I shouldn’t do this.’ We can’t shuck and jive with this election. We’ve got to be blunt, man.”
Dupri also pointed to the NBA’s recent strike in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake as an example of what he feels is wrong in the Black community.
Advertisement
“We saw the back and forth between other basketball players telling them prior to going to the bubble, ‘Y’all don’t need to be doing this. Y’all are taking the focus off of what’s happening.’ I feel like that’s a problem we have in the Black community. We got to make decisions and stick to the decisions [ that have] made at the top of the game as opposed to waiting until we see something happen to somebody then start doing it. We as Black people have to start paying attention to what’s going on and really be effective.”
Dupri also made it clear that while he believes that Biden deserves the Black vote, he also insisted that Biden and Harris both have much to answer and atone for.
Advertisement
“I feel like Biden and Kamala have a couple of things that are ground swelling that they have to speak to before they get all the votes,” he said. “They have to address it even if they don’t want to.”
Sellers expressed his own excitement to participate in Shop Talk and represent a key demographic in the upcoming election.
Advertisement
“I believe truly that Black male voters are central in this election, almost even swing voters,” he said. “For far too long, Democrats haven’t listened to Black male voters. I’m actually looking forward to listening to a lot of the complaints, criticisms, problems, suggestions and optimism of Black men not just in Wisconsin, but around the country.”
He hopes to inject his prior experience as an elected official into the conversation and, much like Dupri, believes Biden is deserving of our vote.
Advertisement
“I wholeheartedly believe Joe Biden deserves our vote, and I think that every day Joe Biden has to continue to earn that vote,” Sellers said. “With his equity plan, with his Black agenda, with having Kamala Harris as V.P. and you know you’re getting a Supreme Court justice. Those things are important.”
And should intersectional topics arise on Shop Talk, Sellers believes that the panel is capable of addressing those issues adequately.
Advertisement
“Black men have the ability to be intersectional,” he said. “At the end of the day, this is about supporting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. We’re gonna have a real conversation about that. And you know, this is wild to say, but my number one political issue is African-American female mortality.
“My wife almost died when she gave birth to my two children and I can’t imagine living in this world without her. But I also know that Black women are three-to-four times more likely to die during childbirth than white women. That’s my number one issue. I plan on bringing my full self, including these issues, to the conversation.”
Advertisement
Shop Talk premieres Thursday night. For more information on how to watch or participate in this virtual event, visit their website here.


theroot--2020-08-27--Upgrade Your Back-to-School Kicks for 25% Less in Keen Footwear's Labor Day Sale

25 % off ( Just About ) Everything | Keen Footwear Shoes !
Oh my god , shoes ... Where do I begin ?
Keen Footwear is kicking off its Labor Day sale with an offer extending to “ just about ” everything .
Get 25 % off men ’ s highland sneakers , kids ’ hybrids , back-to-campus styles , and more .
From K-12 to postgrad , no matter what level of education you ’ re trying to pursue , Keen will spare your feet the pain of doing such on inferior insoles .
And if you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always wear Newport sandals AS LONG AS you ’ re not also wearing socks .
Please and thank you .
If you ’ re going for a bold hippie look , ladies , the Elsa IV sneakers are bound to be a source of envy on the cheap , now $ 68 .
Gents , keep it classy and thereby classic , with the lowkey sporty $ 98 highland sneak .
And for the kids , you can ’ t go wrong with blue on black , or even pink on blue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ waterproof and perfect for hiking .
Keep up with mom and dad , or pass by them in stride with a $ 53 shoe your kid will absolutely crush it with .

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

25% off (Just About) Everything | Keen Footwear
Shoes! Oh my god, shoes ... Where do I begin? Keen Footwear is kicking off its Labor Day sale with an offer extending to “just about” everything. Get 25% off men’s highland sneakers, kids’ hybrids, back-to-campus styles, and more. From K-12 to postgrad, no matter what level of education you’re trying to pursue, Keen will spare your feet the pain of doing such on inferior insoles. And if you want to be that person, you can always wear Newport sandals AS LONG AS you’re not also wearing socks. Please and thank you.
If you’re going for a bold hippie look, ladies, the Elsa IV sneakers are bound to be a source of envy on the cheap, now $68. Gents, keep it classy and thereby classic, with the lowkey sporty $98 highland sneak. And for the kids, you can’t go wrong with blue on black, or even pink on blue. The children’s Terradora II is waterproof and perfect for hiking. Keep up with mom and dad, or pass by them in stride with a $53 shoe your kid will absolutely crush it with.


theroot--2020-08-27--Trump Wants Biden to Take Drug Test Before First Debate

I don ’ t think we ever discussed the similarities between President Trump and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr .
Both men are at the top of their game : one a pugilist and the other a racist .
Both men have trouble reading big words .
Both men have more money than me , and both men have requested that their opponents be tested for drugs .
Yep , you read that last part right .
The president of the meth voting bloc is requesting that he and former Vice President Joe Biden both be drug tested before their first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington Examiner ( I know , I know ) , on Wednesday , during an Oval Office interview , the president of people who believe that the pizza parlor is really a secret pedophile lair , questioned Biden ’ s vast improvement during the Democratic primary and believes that the former vice president could have only gotten his shit together with drugs .
Of course , the president of people who watch animal porn offered nothing even remotely looking like evidence to support his accusation .
“ Nobody thought that he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Examiner .
“ Because his debate performances were so bad .
Frankly , his best performance was against Bernie .
We ’ re going to call for a drug test , by the way , because his best performance was against Bernie .
It wasn ’ t that he was Winston Churchill because he wasn ’ t , but it was a normal , boring debate .
You know , nothing amazing happened .
And we are going to call for a drug test because there ’ s no way—you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes that Biden “ took part in 11 debates during the primary season .
Most were against a crowded field of candidates , but the final debate , on March 15 , was just Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders .
The president claimed to see a big difference between the last debate and those that came before .
Q : “ What do you think was going on ?
” “ I don ’ t know how he could have been so incompetent in his debate performances and then all of a sudden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answered .
“ My point is , if you go back and watch some of those numerous debates , he was so bad .
He wasn ’ t even coherent .
And against Bernie , he was .
And we ’ re calling for a drug test.
” Q : “ Is this like a prizefight , where beforehand you have a test ?
” “ Well , it is a prizefight , ” Trump answered .
“ It ’ s no different from the gladiators , except we have to use our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body to stand .
I want all standing ; they want to sit down.
” Biden ’ s alleged drug use was based solely on the president ’ s observations .
“ All I can tell you is that I ’ m pretty good at this stuff , ” Trump said .
“ I look .
I watched him in the debates with all of the different people .
He was close to incompetent , if not incompetent , and against Bernie , he was normal ... and I say , ‘ How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said that he ’ s “ pretty good at this stuff , ” is Trump talking about drugs ?
Is Trump good at drugs ?
Is Trump a drug addict ?
Since we are spitballing here and basing our wildly unsupported claims merely on observations then I would like to enter into the record that Trump ’ s sniffles , slurring of words and overall assholishness are a lot like one of my uncles on my mother ’ s side .
( Looking at you , uncle “ fucked up Thanksgiving that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running in and out of the house.
” ) The Examiner notes that the first debate is almost a month away and there has been no indication if Trump has told Biden ’ s camp to submit to a drug test and whether or not Biden has threatened to take him behind the Hot Shoppes for some fisticuffs .
“ I think it ’ s appropriate , ” Trump said .
“ I don ’ t know that they ’ ll let me do it , but I think that they should do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his performances in some of those debates , ” Trump continued .
“ He didn ’ t know where he was .
And all of a sudden , he was not good , he was normal , and I don ’ t understand how .
I don ’ t know if there is or not , but somebody said to me , ‘ He must be on drugs.
’ I don ’ t know if that ’ s true or not , but I ’ m asking for a drug test .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take an aspirin a day.
” Apparently Trump made the same request of Hillary Clinton in 2016 after their second debate in October when Clinton mopped the floor with the orange sandbag .
“ I think we should take a drug test prior to the debate , ” Trump said then .
“ We should take a drug test prior because I don ’ t know what ’ s going on with her.
” There were no drug tests .
I like the idea of drug testing before debates , but only if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 !

I don’t think we ever discussed the similarities between President Trump and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Both men are at the top of their game: one a pugilist and the other a racist. Both men have trouble reading big words. Both men have more money than me, and both men have requested that their opponents be tested for drugs.
Advertisement
Yep, you read that last part right. The president of the meth voting bloc is requesting that he and former Vice President Joe Biden both be drug tested before their first debate on Sept. 29.
According to the Washington Examiner (I know, I know), on Wednesday, during an Oval Office interview, the president of people who believe that the pizza parlor is really a secret pedophile lair, questioned Biden’s vast improvement during the Democratic primary and believes that the former vice president could have only gotten his shit together with drugs.
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Of course, the president of people who watch animal porn offered nothing even remotely looking like evidence to support his accusation.
“Nobody thought that he was even going to win,” Trump told the Examiner. “Because his debate performances were so bad. Frankly, his best performance was against Bernie. We’re going to call for a drug test, by the way, because his best performance was against Bernie. It wasn’t that he was Winston Churchill because he wasn’t, but it was a normal, boring debate. You know, nothing amazing happened. And we are going to call for a drug test because there’s no way—you can’t do that.”
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The Examiner notes that Biden “took part in 11 debates during the primary season. Most were against a crowded field of candidates, but the final debate, on March 15, was just Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders. The president claimed to see a big difference between the last debate and those that came before.
From the Examiner:
Q: “What do you think was going on?” “I don’t know how he could have been so incompetent in his debate performances and then all of a sudden be OK against Bernie,” Trump answered. “My point is, if you go back and watch some of those numerous debates, he was so bad. He wasn’t even coherent. And against Bernie, he was. And we’re calling for a drug test.” Q: “Is this like a prizefight, where beforehand you have a test?” “Well, it is a prizefight,” Trump answered. “It’s no different from the gladiators, except we have to use our brain and our mouth. And our body to stand. I want all standing; they want to sit down.”
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Biden’s alleged drug use was based solely on the president’s observations.
“All I can tell you is that I’m pretty good at this stuff,” Trump said. “I look. I watched him in the debates with all of the different people. He was close to incompetent, if not incompetent, and against Bernie, he was normal ... and I say, ‘How does that happen?’”
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When Trump said that he’s “pretty good at this stuff,” is Trump talking about drugs? Is Trump good at drugs? Is Trump a drug addict? Since we are spitballing here and basing our wildly unsupported claims merely on observations then I would like to enter into the record that Trump’s sniffles, slurring of words and overall assholishness are a lot like one of my uncles on my mother’s side. (Looking at you, uncle “fucked up Thanksgiving that one year when the dope boys kept running in and out of the house.”)
The Examiner notes that the first debate is almost a month away and there has been no indication if Trump has told Biden’s camp to submit to a drug test and whether or not Biden has threatened to take him behind the Hot Shoppes for some fisticuffs.
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“I think it’s appropriate,” Trump said. “I don’t know that they’ll let me do it, but I think that they should do it.”
“Go back and watch his performances in some of those debates,” Trump continued. “He didn’t know where he was. And all of a sudden, he was not good, he was normal, and I don’t understand how. I don’t know if there is or not, but somebody said to me, ‘He must be on drugs.’ I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I’m asking for a drug test. Both candidates. Me, too. I take an aspirin a day.”
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Apparently Trump made the same request of Hillary Clinton in 2016 after their second debate in October when Clinton mopped the floor with the orange sandbag.
“I think we should take a drug test prior to the debate,” Trump said then. “We should take a drug test prior because I don’t know what’s going on with her.” There were no drug tests.
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I like the idea of drug testing before debates, but only if the tests test for Adderall.
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theroot--2020-08-27--September's NYFW Announces Its Virtual Schedule—Which Will Kick Off With Harlem's Fashion Row

The prolonged threat of COVID-19 has disrupted many of our regularly scheduled events this year , but fashion waits for no one—and New York Fashion Week ( NYFW ) will be going on as planned this September 13-16 , albeit virtually ( which should hopefully make it more accessible to fashion lovers everywhere ) .
The Council of Fashion Designers of America released the Spring Fashion Week schedule on Thursday morning , and while NYFW may seem one of our more frivolous pursuits—especially given an unprecedented amount of chaos currently in our midst—it might be just the happy distraction we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s schedule all the more meaningful is the news that NYFW will launch with designers of color .
Specifically , designer Jason Wu ( a longtime favorite of Michelle Obama ) and several Black designers sponsored by Harlem ’ s Fashion Row will present on CFDA ’ s Runway 360 virtual platform , which “ supports 360-degree capabilities , live video-streams , e-commerce extensions , consumer shopping features , and social media integrations , ” according to a release sent to The Glow Up , which also read : The virtual event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ICON 360 recipient ; an encore presentation will be available to the public following the closing night of NYFW on Saturday , September 19 , 2020 , during which HFR will host a Q & A with the presenting designers , provide networking opportunities , and present an open discussion with HFR Founder and CEO , Brandice Daniel .
“ The mission is to continue the work for BIPOC designers to gain opportunities in fashion , despite a global pandemic , ” reads the release .
“ This award season , HFR has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hopes of providing an opportunity to BIPOC designers into reality.
” This news follows the spring announcement of the launch of HFR ’ s nonprofit ICON 360 , which was created to financially assist BIPOC designers during the global crisis .
CFDA/Vogue ’ s A Common Thread subsequently donated $ 1 million to the initiative ; the top winning designers of the first ICON 360/VOGUE Common Thread award will be announced during the virtual fashion event .
Building on their continued advocacy , mentorship and promotion of BIPOC design talents , HFR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a partnership with RAISEFashion , “ an organization that connects black-owned brands and individuals directly to fashion industry professionals and creatives.
” This is in addition to their partnership with their title sponsor , children ’ s brand Janie and Jack , with which three HFR designers have also created the HFR x Janie and Jack collection , which will be teased during NYFW .
“ After meeting Brandice , Harlem ’ s Fashion Row ’ s Founder , and learning more about their impactful mission to connect brands with emerging multicultural designers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perfect partner for us , ” said Shelly Walsh , SVP and general manager of Janie and Jack .
“ We are committed to highlighting people of color who inspire us , and are honored to work with three of HFR ’ s talented designers to create a collection that perfectly blends their unique designs with our modern-classic aesthetic .
It truly is unlike anything we ’ ve debuted before , and we ’ re excited to preview a few looks at HFR ’ s Style Awards & Fashion Show before our official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Gap Inc. are also longtime HFR partners in their ongoing efforts to support fashion designers of color , making possible this season ’ s virtual event .
It will be the third for the organization since the COVID pandemic ; a remarkable accomplishment as many other organizations and brands are still scrambling to adapt to our new normal .
“ We ’ re honored to partner with Harlem Fashion Row and support the work they ’ re doing for Black creatives , ” says Cara Sabin , CEO of SheaMoisture .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an organization that shares our commitment of reinvesting in the communities we serve and is paving the way for them to succeed , ”

The prolonged threat of COVID-19 has disrupted many of our regularly scheduled events this year, but fashion waits for no one—and New York Fashion Week (NYFW) will be going on as planned this September 13-16, albeit virtually (which should hopefully make it more accessible to fashion lovers everywhere). The Council of Fashion Designers of America released the Spring Fashion Week schedule on Thursday morning, and while NYFW may seem one of our more frivolous pursuits—especially given an unprecedented amount of chaos currently in our midst—it might be just the happy distraction we need right now.
Making this season’s schedule all the more meaningful is the news that NYFW will launch with designers of color. Specifically, designer Jason Wu (a longtime favorite of Michelle Obama) and several Black designers sponsored by Harlem’s Fashion Row will present on CFDA’s Runway 360 virtual platform, which “supports 360-degree capabilities, live video-streams, e-commerce extensions, consumer shopping features, and social media integrations,” according to a release sent to The Glow Up, which also read:
On Sunday, September 13th, 2020, Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR) will celebrate their 13th annual Style Awards & Fashion Show experience in partnership with children’s fashion brand, Janie and Jack. In the truest HFR form, the event with celebratory roots will honor Editors in Chief Edward Enninful of British Vogue, Lindsey Peoples Wagner of Teen VOGUE, Designer Kerby Jean Raymond (actress Tracee Ellis Ross will be presenting his award), and Publicist Nate Hinton. The collections of Kimberly Goldson, Rich Fresh, and Kristian Lorén will be presented.
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The virtual event will also honor HFR’s surprise ICON 360 recipient; an encore presentation will be available to the public following the closing night of NYFW on Saturday, September 19, 2020, during which HFR will host a Q&A with the presenting designers, provide networking opportunities, and present an open discussion with HFR Founder and CEO, Brandice Daniel.
“The mission is to continue the work for BIPOC designers to gain opportunities in fashion, despite a global pandemic,” reads the release. “This award season, HFR has garnered the support and resources to turn the hopes of providing an opportunity to BIPOC designers into reality.”
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This news follows the spring announcement of the launch of HFR’s nonprofit ICON 360, which was created to financially assist BIPOC designers during the global crisis. CFDA/Vogue’s A Common Thread subsequently donated $1 million to the initiative; the top winning designers of the first ICON 360/VOGUE Common Thread award will be announced during the virtual fashion event.
Building on their continued advocacy, mentorship and promotion of BIPOC design talents, HFR tells us they have also recently formed a partnership with RAISEFashion, “an organization that connects black-owned brands and individuals directly to fashion industry professionals and creatives.” This is in addition to their partnership with their title sponsor, children’s brand Janie and Jack, with which three HFR designers have also created the HFR x Janie and Jack collection, which will be teased during NYFW.
Advertisement
“After meeting Brandice, Harlem’s Fashion Row’s Founder, and learning more about their impactful mission to connect brands with emerging multicultural designers, I knew they would make the perfect partner for us,” said Shelly Walsh, SVP and general manager of Janie and Jack. “We are committed to highlighting people of color who inspire us, and are honored to work with three of HFR’s talented designers to create a collection that perfectly blends their unique designs with our modern-classic aesthetic. It truly is unlike anything we’ve debuted before, and we’re excited to preview a few looks at HFR’s Style Awards & Fashion Show before our official October launch.”
Advertisement
Shea Moisture, Nike and Gap Inc. are also longtime HFR partners in their ongoing efforts to support fashion designers of color, making possible this season’s virtual event. It will be the third for the organization since the COVID pandemic; a remarkable accomplishment as many other organizations and brands are still scrambling to adapt to our new normal.
“We’re honored to partner with Harlem Fashion Row and support the work they’re doing for Black creatives,” says Cara Sabin, CEO of SheaMoisture. “It’s inspiring to work alongside an organization that shares our commitment of reinvesting in the communities we serve and is paving the way for them to succeed,”


theroot--2020-08-27--Kenosha Police Release Incomplete Report of Jacob Blake Shooting, Claims He Had a Knife in the Car;

Kenosha Police Release Incomplete Report of Jacob Blake Shooting, Claims He Had a Knife in the Car; FBI to Investigate

Three days after Kenosha police shot Jacob Blake multiple times in the back in front of his three children , the department finally has its version of events ( or , as CNN aptly put it , “ their first version ” ) of the police shooting .
Released late Wednesday , the official police report says officers were responding to a domestic dispute on Sunday afternoon .
The call was made by someone saying they were Blake ’ s girlfriend and complaining that Blake was not supposed to be on the premises and took her keys .
Police went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and video taken from bystanders shows an initial struggle between Blake and the officers .
At one point , police used a t aser in an attempt to stop him from leaving .
Blake walked around to the front of the SUV , trailed by officer Rusten Sheskey and another cop .
Between the initial report and the dispatcher receiving reports of shots fired , only five minutes elapsed .
The Kenosha police say Sheskey , who has been with the force for seven years , was the only one who fired his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots at Blake ’ s back .
In the car were Blake ’ s three sons , one of whom was celebrating his 8th birthday that day .
The report also notes that Blake had a knife in the car , recovered from the driver ’ s side floorboard of his SUV .
The agency says Blake admitted he had a knife in his possession .
As CNN notes , the release of the report marks the first time Kenosha police have given their side of the story , but there are still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only the outlines of an explanation.
” The agency does not say why its officers were trying to arrest Blake or whether Blake had ever threatened to use the knife ( it is near impossible to imagine Sheskey spotting a knife on the floorboard from his position behind Blake ) .
Nor does the report state why Sheskey believed it appropriate to shoot Blake seven times as he was facing away from the officer or mention that there were children present .
Sheskey and the officer seen on video following closely behind him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on administrative leave .
Blake is currently partially paralyzed as a result of the shooting , sustaining damage to his kidney , liver and spinal cord .
On Thursday , the Justice Department announced that the FBI would lead a civil rights probe into the shooting , the second such case of the year , reports the New York Times ( George Floyd is the other open case the DOJ is investigating ) .
Sources from the Department of Justice ’ s Civil Rights Division , as well as civil rights advocates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to release its findings before the November election .
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 !

Three days after Kenosha police shot Jacob Blake multiple times in the back in front of his three children, the department finally has its version of events (or, as CNN aptly put it, “their first version”) of the police shooting.
Released late Wednesday, the official police report says officers were responding to a domestic dispute on Sunday afternoon. The call was made by someone saying they were Blake’s girlfriend and complaining that Blake was not supposed to be on the premises and took her keys.
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Police went to the scene to arrest Blake, and video taken from bystanders shows an initial struggle between Blake and the officers. At one point, police used a t aser in an attempt to stop him from leaving. Blake walked around to the front of the SUV, trailed by officer Rusten Sheskey and another cop.
Between the initial report and the dispatcher receiving reports of shots fired, only five minutes elapsed.
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The Kenosha police say Sheskey, who has been with the force for seven years, was the only one who fired his weapon that afternoon. He fired seven shots at Blake’s back.
In the car were Blake’s three sons, one of whom was celebrating his 8th birthday that day. The report also notes that Blake had a knife in the car, recovered from the driver’s side floorboard of his SUV. The agency says Blake admitted he had a knife in his possession.
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As CNN notes, the release of the report marks the first time Kenosha police have given their side of the story, but there are still “gaping holes in its timeline and only the outlines of an explanation.”
The agency does not say why its officers were trying to arrest Blake or whether Blake had ever threatened to use the knife (it is near impossible to imagine Sheskey spotting a knife on the floorboard from his position behind Blake). Nor does the report state why Sheskey believed it appropriate to shoot Blake seven times as he was facing away from the officer or mention that there were children present.
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Sheskey and the officer seen on video following closely behind him as he shot at Blake are both on administrative leave. Blake is currently partially paralyzed as a result of the shooting, sustaining damage to his kidney, liver and spinal cord.
On Thursday, the Justice Department announced that the FBI would lead a civil rights probe into the shooting, the second such case of the year, reports the New York Times (George Floyd is the other open case the DOJ is investigating). Sources from the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, as well as civil rights advocates, said they did not expect the agency to release its findings before the November election.
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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!