theroot--2020-09-17--Big Ten Bows to Trump's Temper Tantrums, Will Resume Play This Fall After All

He throws himself on the floor , kicking and screaming until America can ’ t take it anymore and his administration shuts him the fuck up by doing something reprehensible .
This is the story of America since January 20 , 2017 .
Because of this , Trump has come to realize that if he bitches and moans enough , he ’ ll eventually get what he wants because nobody wants to deal with a screaming toddler in the middle of Target .
So in August , when he learned that college football could become the latest casualty of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insufferable infant would do : cry for his binky and throw a temper tantrum on Twitter .
As previously reported in The Root : On Monday , he tweeted , “ Play College Football !
” after insisting that college players have “ worked too hard for their season to be canceled.
” But it was on Tuesday that his Twitter fingers took a breather long enough for him to get some bold-faced lies off on national radio .
According to USA Today , during a spirited discussion with Clay Travis on Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted that players will have no problem battling COVID-19 due to being in “ extraordinary shape , ” that it “ just attacks old people , especially old people with bad hearts , diabetes , or some kind of physical problem , ” and that it would be a “ tragic mistake ” if there wasn ’ t any college football this fall .
Sadly , Trump ’ s childish antics didn ’ t work , and several conferences—most notably the Big Ten and Pac-12—pulled the plug on their seasons this fall citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their student-athletes.
” But undeterred , Trump kicked and screamed even louder ; even going as far as to get Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren on the phone and wail at the top of his lungs about how he wants ice cream for dinner .
Warren held his ground and said , “ You better take your ass to bed before I really give you something to cry about.
” But a funny thing happened along the way .
Advancements in rapid testing and cardiac MRI screenings for myocarditis opened the door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sooner than later , and as ESPN reports , Trump ’ s incessant whining finally worked : the Big Ten has reversed its decision and will resume play in October .
Also of interest , instead of the usual 12 game season , each team will attempt to play eight games in eight weeks with the Big Ten championship game scheduled to take place on December 19 .
If this sounds like a terrible idea , it is , because it leaves zero wiggle room to reschedule games in the event of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this point .
The conference is working on allowing the families of players and staff to attend both home and away games , but fans will not be allowed to attend any football games this season .
Part of the reason the Big Ten feels so confident in moving forward with its season is that its coronavirus testing is currently so refined that they ’ re able to detect players who have contracted the virus prior to them even being contagious .
“ Everyone associated with the Big Ten should be very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now being taken to better protect the health and safety of the student-athletes and surrounding communities , ” Dr. Jim Borchers , head team physician at Ohio State and co-chair of the return to competition task force ’ s medical subcommittee , said in a statement .
“ The data we are going to collect from testing and the cardiac registry will provide major contributions for all 14 Big Ten institutions as they study COVID-19 and attempt to mitigate the spread of the disease among wider communities.
” As to be expected , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter and will presumably take credit for the Big Ten ’ s return—much like he did when he tripped and stumbled upon something that we had never heard of before until he took office : Juneteenth .
“ I want to congratulate Big Ten football .
It ’ s back , ” the Commander-in-Tweet said during a press conference on Wednesday .
“ I want to , in particular , I ’ ve been dealing with them , thank commissioner Kevin Warren for the great job he did .
We ’ ve been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... ] I called the commissioner a couple of weeks ago , and we started really putting a lot of pressure on , frankly , because there was no reason for it not to come back .
And Kevin went in and worked very hard .
I want to thank the players , the coaches for working along .
And they wanted it very badly .
The players and coaches , in particular , the parents also.
” I ’ m shocked and amazed he forgot to thank himself .
Oh , wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Big Ten will , in fact , resume play this fall and all eyes are on the Pac-12 to see if they ’ ll reverse course as well—which at this point appears to be imminent .
“ I want to recommend that the Pac-12 also get going because there ’ s no reason why Pac-12 shouldn ’ t be playing now , ” Trump tweeted on Wednesday .
“ Pac-12 , you ’ re the only one now .
Open up .
Open up , Pac-12 .
Get going.
” Get going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the floor again , I suppose .

In case you haven’t noticed, Donald Trump whines a lot.
He throws himself on the floor, kicking and screaming until America can’t take it anymore and his administration shuts him the fuck up by doing something reprehensible.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
This is the story of America since January 20, 2017.
Because of this, Trump has come to realize that if he bitches and moans enough, he’ll eventually get what he wants because nobody wants to deal with a screaming toddler in the middle of Target. So in August, when he learned that college football could become the latest casualty of the coronavirus, he did what every other insufferable infant would do: cry for his binky and throw a temper tantrum on Twitter.
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As previously reported in The Root:
On Monday, he tweeted, “Play College Football!” after insisting that college players have “worked too hard for their season to be canceled.” But it was on Tuesday that his Twitter fingers took a breather long enough for him to get some bold-faced lies off on national radio. According to USA Today, during a spirited discussion with Clay Travis on Fox Sports Radio, Satan’s understudy insisted that players will have no problem battling COVID-19 due to being in “extraordinary shape,” that it “just attacks old people, especially old people with bad hearts, diabetes, or some kind of physical problem,” and that it would be a “tragic mistake” if there wasn’t any college football this fall.
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Sadly, Trump’s childish antics didn’t work, and several conferences—most notably the Big Ten and Pac-12—pulled the plug on their seasons this fall citing “the health, safety and well-being of their student-athletes.” But undeterred, Trump kicked and screamed even louder; even going as far as to get Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren on the phone and wail at the top of his lungs about how he wants ice cream for dinner.
Warren held his ground and said, “You better take your ass to bed before I really give you something to cry about.”
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But a funny thing happened along the way. Advancements in rapid testing and cardiac MRI screenings for myocarditis opened the door for the Big Ten’s return sooner than later, and as ESPN reports, Trump’s incessant whining finally worked: the Big Ten has reversed its decision and will resume play in October.
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From ESPN:
The Big Ten will kick off its football season the weekend of Oct. 24 after the league’s presidents and chancellors unanimously voted to resume competition, citing daily testing capabilities and a stronger confidence in the latest medical information, the conference announced Wednesday morning.
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Also of interest, instead of the usual 12 game season, each team will attempt to play eight games in eight weeks with the Big Ten championship game scheduled to take place on December 19. If this sounds like a terrible idea, it is, because it leaves zero wiggle room to reschedule games in the event of a coronavirus outbreak—which is pretty much a guarantee at this point.
The conference is working on allowing the families of players and staff to attend both home and away games, but fans will not be allowed to attend any football games this season.
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Part of the reason the Big Ten feels so confident in moving forward with its season is that its coronavirus testing is currently so refined that they’re able to detect players who have contracted the virus prior to them even being contagious.
“Everyone associated with the Big Ten should be very proud of the groundbreaking steps that are now being taken to better protect the health and safety of the student-athletes and surrounding communities,” Dr. Jim Borchers, head team physician at Ohio State and co-chair of the return to competition task force’s medical subcommittee, said in a statement. “The data we are going to collect from testing and the cardiac registry will provide major contributions for all 14 Big Ten institutions as they study COVID-19 and attempt to mitigate the spread of the disease among wider communities.”
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As to be expected, Trump had plenty to say on the matter and will presumably take credit for the Big Ten’s return—much like he did when he tripped and stumbled upon something that we had never heard of before until he took office: Juneteenth.
“I want to congratulate Big Ten football. It’s back,” the Commander-in-Tweet said during a press conference on Wednesday. “I want to, in particular, I’ve been dealing with them, thank commissioner Kevin Warren for the great job he did. We’ve been working with him for a while [...] I called the commissioner a couple of weeks ago, and we started really putting a lot of pressure on, frankly, because there was no reason for it not to come back. And Kevin went in and worked very hard. I want to thank the players, the coaches for working along. And they wanted it very badly. The players and coaches, in particular, the parents also.”
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I’m shocked and amazed he forgot to thank himself.
Oh, wait. He did:
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So yes, the Big Ten will, in fact, resume play this fall and all eyes are on the Pac-12 to see if they’ll reverse course as well—which at this point appears to be imminent.
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“I want to recommend that the Pac-12 also get going because there’s no reason why Pac-12 shouldn’t be playing now,” Trump tweeted on Wednesday. “Pac-12, you’re the only one now. Open up. Open up, Pac-12. Get going.”
Get going or he’ll throw himself on the floor again, I suppose.


theroot--2020-09-17--8 Things I Learned From an 18-Word Tweet From Rick Fox About Kanye West

1 .
Rick Fox considers Kanye West to be his friend .
2 .
Kanye West considers Rick Fox to be his friend , so much so that Kanye asked Rick Fox to send a message TO THE WORLD for him .
I ’ ve met Rick Fox , this makes sense .
If I could have any one person send a message for me that would simultaneously let you know that they ’ re my friend , Rick Fox is about as good as it gets .
3 .
Rick Fox is a trooper .
During a time when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he still decided to deliver this message on behalf of The College Dropout , whose album , now that I think about it should have been called , Let ’ s Be Real , I Wasn ’ t Gon na Get This Degree Anyway .
4 .
Kanye was kicked off Twitter for 12 hours .
Probably should have been more ; considering Kanye was out here leaking privileged and confidential LEGAL documents , he probably needed more time .
5 .
Twitter kicks folks off for 12 hours ?
News to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been kicked off of Twitter have been suspended for days or altogether , # hiTalib .
6 .
Back to Rick Fox , the fact that he opened up this tweet with “ My friend @ kanyewest , ” lets me know that come hell or high water , RICK FOX is by your side .
I ’ m telling you , I ’ m buying high on Rick Fox stock .
7 .
Out of all the people in the world to relay this message , the only person that made sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unreasonable people on the planet ( at this juncture ) , was Rick Fox .
Now that might be hyperbole ; perhaps Rick Fox called Kanye to tell him to stop putting all his business in the streets and Kanye was like , “ well they kicked me off for 12 hours , ” and Rick Fox was like , “ that ’ s messed up.
” Kanye was like , “ Rick Fox , can you let the world know that they kicked me off for 12 hours ?
!
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more I write here the more it feels like a South Park episode .
Somebody will kill Kenny shortly .
8 .
Kanye West felt that Rick Fox could properly relay this message .
Even if you knew this message was coming , what are the chances that Rick Fox would be in the top 100 of your picks to be the messenger ?
Less than .01 percent ?
Less than that ?
And yet , here we are .
Kanye West is still trying to show you how good of a judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know what the big message is here ?
Immigrants , THEY GET THE JOB DONE !
!
Landed that Hamilton reference like a boss .
( For those who are confused , Rick Fox is Canadian . )
Because Kanye is odd , I can see him literally making this decision BECAUSE he heard that quote ; I ’ d bet good money that he watches Hamilton .

Panama Jackson on Very Smart Brothas, shared by Panama Jackson to The Root

1. Rick Fox considers Kanye West to be his friend.
2. Kanye West considers Rick Fox to be his friend, so much so that Kanye asked Rick Fox to send a message TO THE WORLD for him. I’ve met Rick Fox, this makes sense. If I could have any one person send a message for me that would simultaneously let you know that they’re my friend, Rick Fox is about as good as it gets.
#hiRickFox
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3. Rick Fox is a trooper. During a time when folks are very up-and-down on Kanye, he still decided to deliver this message on behalf of The College Dropout, whose album, now that I think about it should have been called, Let’s Be Real, I Wasn’t Gonna Get This Degree Anyway.
4. Kanye was kicked off Twitter for 12 hours. Probably should have been more; considering Kanye was out here leaking privileged and confidential LEGAL documents, he probably needed more time.
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5. Twitter kicks folks off for 12 hours? News to me. Most folks I know who have been kicked off of Twitter have been suspended for days or altogether, #hiTalib.
6. Back to Rick Fox, the fact that he opened up this tweet with “My friend @kanyewest,” lets me know that come hell or high water, RICK FOX is by your side. I’m telling you, I’m buying high on Rick Fox stock.
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7. Out of all the people in the world to relay this message, the only person that made sense to Kanye, one of the more unreasonable people on the planet (at this juncture), was Rick Fox. Now that might be hyperbole; perhaps Rick Fox called Kanye to tell him to stop putting all his business in the streets and Kanye was like, “well they kicked me off for 12 hours,” and Rick Fox was like, “that’s messed up.” Kanye was like, “Rick Fox, can you let the world know that they kicked me off for 12 hours?! It’s more slavery bro!” The more I write here the more it feels like a South Park episode. Somebody will kill Kenny shortly.
8. Kanye West felt that Rick Fox could properly relay this message. Even if you knew this message was coming, what are the chances that Rick Fox would be in the top 100 of your picks to be the messenger? Less than .01 percent? Less than that? And yet, here we are. Kanye West is still trying to show you how good of a judge of talent he is. And do you know what the big message is here?
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Immigrants, THEY GET THE JOB DONE!! Landed that Hamilton reference like a boss. (For those who are confused, Rick Fox is Canadian.) Because Kanye is odd, I can see him literally making this decision BECAUSE he heard that quote; I’d bet good money that he watches Hamilton.


theroot--2020-09-18--Nike’s Black Lives Matter Double Standard Is Most Clear With U.S. Olympian Gwen Berry

Protesting for racial injustice is now widely accepted across many sports leagues , but many of the same owners , franchises and corporate sponsors who are supporting players ’ protests today are still weaponizing their power to silence Black athletes who protested racial injustice in the past .
There ’ s no better example of this corporate double standard than Nike .
U.S. Olympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry is a world-renowned track and field athlete .
This Black woman has worked her whole life to become one of the top athletes in her field and holds the world record in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when she raised her fist at the medal podium at the 2019 Pan American Games , the praise and sponsorships she had amassed for her record breaking athleticism were quickly ripped away by spineless corporations that were swift to impose repercussions for taking a public stand against racial injustice .
The International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee ( USOPC ) put Berry on probation , and corporate sponsors like Nike abandoned her , leaving her in complete financial freefall .
Now , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial status and professional career remain fragile as she trains for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic games .
It ’ s well known that Nike supports former NFL quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick , even after he was blacklisted by the NFL for kneeling in protest , and it consistently uses Black bodies in its ads to market its “ brand.
” Yet , the company is still standing by the decision to desert and punish Berry for similar advocacy and protest Nike has given us a clear example of how major corporations commodify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for justice while picking and choosing when to take meaningful action to increase a bottom line .
To do our part and lead by example , Color Of Change is sponsoring Berry for the 2021 calendar year , but it ’ s not enough .
We ’ re tired of corporations only supporting Black people when it ’ s convenient or profitable .
Athletes who stand up for racial justice should be rewarded , not punished , for their protests .
While leagues like the NBA , WNBA and NFL have finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s still a long way for corporations to go .
So we ’ re working with our seven million members to demand corporate Olympic sponsors , including Nike , Kellogg ’ s , Hershey ’ s , United Airlines , Ralph Lauren , Toyota , and Samsung , support Gwen .
And we hope you ’ ll join us .
As an organization that has lifted up Black collegiate and professional athletes for years , Color Of Change is proud to sponsor Berry—but it shouldn ’ t be up to civil rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet the moment .
We need Nike to put its money where its mouth is— and immediately renew its sponsorship of Gwen Berry .
Berry rose her fist before it was safe to do so—before thousands of corporations issued Black Lives Matter statements in response to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor as well as the violent police shooting of Jacob Blake .
By supporting Black athletes like Berry , we send a clear message that we will continue to protect athletes as they put their jobs on the line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide not to our movement again .
And this push for companies to go # BeyondTheStatement in support of Black people is wide ranging .
We want them to pay their Black employees a living wage , provide health insurance and other benefits , and prove they value their majority Black workforce the same way they claim they value Black people who protest .
Again , Nike is a poster child for this Black Lives Matter contradiction .
Nike continuously hides behind hollow words while exploiting Black workers , athletes and racial justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its products .
This inability to commit to equitable pay within its company highlights how its own business practices perpetuate financial injustice and harm .
It ’ s evident that Nike does not live up to its values when it comes to their employees—or the athletes it supports .
As we finish off the NBA playoffs and watch the NFL season begin , committing to racial justice has to be more than just releasing a Black Lives Matter statement or tweet .
Black athletes are making it clear that business will not continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Nike will no doubt continue to brand itself as thee company standing in solidarity with the Black community .
Now it ’ s up to us to hold them to their word .

Protesting for racial injustice is now widely accepted across many sports leagues, but many of the same owners, franchises and corporate sponsors who are supporting players’ protests today are still weaponizing their power to silence Black athletes who protested racial injustice in the past. There’s no better example of this corporate double standard than Nike.
U.S. Olympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry is a world-renowned track and field athlete. This Black woman has worked her whole life to become one of the top athletes in her field and holds the world record in the weight throw for the hammer competition.But, when she raised her fist at the medal podium at the 2019 Pan American Games, the praise and sponsorships she had amassed for her record breaking athleticism were quickly ripped away by spineless corporations that were swift to impose repercussions for taking a public stand against racial injustice. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) put Berry on probation, and corporate sponsors like Nike abandoned her, leaving her in complete financial freefall. Now, more than a year later, Berry’s financial status and professional career remain fragile as she trains for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic games.
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It’s well known that Nike supports former NFL quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick, even after he was blacklisted by the NFL for kneeling in protest, and it consistently uses Black bodies in its ads to market its “brand.” Yet, the company is still standing by the decision to desert and punish Berry for similar advocacy and protest
Nike has given us a clear example of how major corporations commodify Blackness for profit, disguising it as support for justice while picking and choosing when to take meaningful action to increase a bottom line.
Advertisement Advertisement
To do our part and lead by example, Color Of Change is sponsoring Berry for the 2021 calendar year, but it’s not enough. We’re tired of corporations only supporting Black people when it’s convenient or profitable. Athletes who stand up for racial justice should be rewarded, not punished, for their protests. While leagues like the NBA, WNBA and NFL have finally started to embrace athlete activism, there’s still a long way for corporations to go. So we’re working with our seven million members to demand corporate Olympic sponsors, including Nike, Kellogg’s, Hershey’s, United Airlines, Ralph Lauren, Toyota, and Samsung, support Gwen. And we hope you’ll join us.
As an organization that has lifted up Black collegiate and professional athletes for years, Color Of Change is proud to sponsor Berry—but it shouldn’t be up to civil rights groups to step in when corporations fail to meet the moment. We need Nike to put its money where its mouth is— and immediately renew its sponsorship of Gwen Berry.
Advertisement
Berry rose her fist before it was safe to do so—before thousands of corporations issued Black Lives Matter statements in response to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor as well as the violent police shooting of Jacob Blake.
By supporting Black athletes like Berry, we send a clear message that we will continue to protect athletes as they put their jobs on the line to demand justice, even if corporations decide not to our movement again. And this push for companies to go #BeyondTheStatement in support of Black people is wide ranging. We want them to pay their Black employees a living wage, provide health insurance and other benefits, and prove they value their majority Black workforce the same way they claim they value Black people who protest.
Advertisement
Again, Nike is a poster child for this Black Lives Matter contradiction. Nike continuously hides behind hollow words while exploiting Black workers, athletes and racial justice as a public relations campaign to sell its products. This inability to commit to equitable pay within its company highlights how its own business practices perpetuate financial injustice and harm. It’s evident that Nike does not live up to its values when it comes to their employees—or the athletes it supports.
As we finish off the NBA playoffs and watch the NFL season begin, committing to racial justice has to be more than just releasing a Black Lives Matter statement or tweet. Black athletes are making it clear that business will not continue as usual. And, as usual, Nike will no doubt continue to brand itself as thee company standing in solidarity with the Black community. Now it’s up to us to hold them to their word.


theroot--2020-09-18--Seeing Myself: Learning to Celebrate Blackness With Photography

Editor ’ s Note : This story was produced by Consumer Reports , an independent , nonprofit member organization that works to create a fair and just marketplace .
Sign up for CR ’ s free newsletters .
In a recent conversation on Facebook , a friend of mine , who is white , noted that he did not see his racial identity as part of himself when growing up .
His parents were careful to encourage a “ colorblind ” point of view .
I ’ ve heard this often—the phrase “ I don ’ t see color ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It wasn ’ t until I read my friend ’ s message that I was taken aback by my own self-reflection : I don ’ t remember a time where I wasn ’ t hyper-aware of my Blackness .
The experience of being colorblind in the context of race is a privilege and one that I can likely never know .
My Blackness is omnipresent .
It is with me while casually browsing in a store , while navigating the New York City dating scene ( a rollercoaster we do not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or reading a classic novel .
Paradoxically , though omnipresent , my Blackness can still feel undervalued , with its particularities not fully seen—even to myself .
The desire to understand that paradox is part of what led me to pick up a second-hand digital camera in my early teens .
With it , I began to ask : Where did my identity fit among the spectrum of human experiences ?
Where was my hue among the rainbow that tethers the Black Diaspora together ?
And once discovered , how can I use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Any camera , from a smartphone to an SLR , can be a powerful tool of internal and external exploration .
Whether taking a selfie or photographing a friend , they present all of us with the possibility of illuminating a story that affirms and articulates .
Yet who is telling that story , what story they ’ re telling , and how they ’ re telling it has a complex and sometimes painful history , especially for people of color .
Portrayals that may be considered stereotypical , racist , or unflattering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of color can cull from .
This topic gained renewed attention recently with the August 2020 cover of Vogue featuring Olympic gymnast Simone Biles , photographed by Annie Leibovitz .
Commenters on social media expressed disappointment with the ways the photographs for the issue were lit and edited .
( I participated in that discussion myself by sharing how I may have approached editing the cover . )
In 2002 , another Vogue cover featuring basketball player LeBron James , again by Leibovitz , was criticized by some for its apparent reference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And in 2018 , National Geographic publicly acknowledged the racist ways it depicted people of color throughout its history .
Luckily , the past can teach and inspire greater levels of thoughtfulness and intention when photographing individuals of color in the present—opening our eyes to not just better represent various skin tones , but to respect and celebrate them .
To that end , I spoke with three Black , professional photographers with expertise in portraiture to gather tips and techniques anyone can use to strengthen their creative muscles behind the camera , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color .
Before You Photograph , Listen With Intention Do you know that feeling when someone is genuinely , deeply listening to you ?
Such active listening is helpful when photographing anyone , no matter what race or ethnicity , because it can make space for authentic captures that reflect your subject ’ s uniqueness .
For the photographs above , portrait photographer Delwin Kamara invited this kind of authenticity from his models .
“ It ’ s just letting them know that they can just be themselves and they can play around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he shares .
Portrait photography is , in a sense , a dialog between photographer and subject .
As with any good conversation , sometimes you can learn a lot more if you listen before speaking .
“ I will give instructions but I ’ m really taking their lead .
Whatever they feel is right I ’ m going to capture it , ” says Kamara , whose work has appeared in Interview and Wonderland Magazine .
Unfortunately , “ for too long , ” notes portrait photographer Aundre Larrow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times , People magazine , and others , “ people haven ’ t been listening to people of color.
” The end results in the realm of photography can be tone-deaf , inaccurate , and disparaging images that prioritize a photographer ’ s opinion of a person over who that person may actually be .
For thoughtful , evocative portraits , first get to know your subjects if you can .
How are they feeling ?
What are they insecure about ?
What can you gather about their personality ?
Digging deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can reveal unique subtleties that may subvert internal bias .
It can expand creative possibilities , too , helping to inspire the props , location , and styling that will bring your portrait to life .
My friend Carami , for instance , is an opera singer and ukulele player ( an awesome combination , right ?
! )
.
When capturing photos of her earlier this year , we aimed to ensure those unique qualities took center stage .
Not doing a planned photoshoot ?
If there isn ’ t an opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subtleties of your subjects can lend itself well to evocative , multilayered captures .
This unobtrusive style of listening , where the photographer follows the movements of their subject while providing minimal direct input , is a primary focus of photographer Noemie Tshinanga , who has worked with brands like Spotify , Refinery29 , and Fast Company .
Whether photographing celebrities , people in the neighborhood , or friends at an event like the photograph above , close observation “ introduces the narrative of the nuances in our life and our lifestyle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hair to simply laughing with friends , a powerful story can be told in everyday activities .
“ We as Black people , our existence and what we do is interesting and fascinating and dope enough to be captured.
” While You Photograph , Experiment With Light Complementing the uniqueness of your subject are the nuances of light and shadow , which will dance differently across varied skin tones and hair colors .
When shooting , Larrow suggests walking around your subject and seeing how the light hits them at different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reveal particularly beautiful angles worth capturing , as well as areas where the light may be too bright or where details like the textures in hair are lost .
Another technique he notes , which he attributes to professional photographer Ray Spear , is to stick out your hand and rotate it in the light ( this works especially well in natural light ) while paying attention to where the light is most reflective ( i.e .
the highlights ) .
“ That ’ s the kind of detail that you want.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sun or from an artificial light source like a lamp , Tshinanga encourages placing the light in front of your subject , not behind , for optimal portraiture .
“ Lighting is your best friend , ” Tshinanga notes .
When shooting outside , though , consider times of day where the sun is most flattering for a variety of skin tones .
That ’ s typically early in the morning or when the sun is setting , says Kamara .
Tshinanga ’ s self-portrait above , for instance , was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hour and PhotoPills can help you determine exactly what times of day in your area align with that recommendation .
Conversely , extreme sunlight , which causes deep shadows , can be most prominent in the middle of the afternoon and not as flattering for portraits .
If you ’ re photographing at an event like a graduation or baby shower during that time of day , Larrow uses a shaded area like an awning or garage to photograph .
“ Everything behind them has the light of the garage , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he notes .
This keeps extremes of deep shadows and super-bright highlights to a minimum .
Still , for individuals with features like dark , textured hair , this technique may introduce a diminishment of detail , particularly if you ’ re aiming to photograph the subject directly facing the camera .
In response , try adjusting the visual story : Larrow suggests turning your subject at an angle .
Pay attention to where the light begins to illuminate aspects of the hair and face that you can then capture in your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broader shadow areas , the more ambitious photographer may want to consider having a bounce card on hand , which can be as simple as a white poster board .
This will bounce light from one light source and introduce more of it in darker areas .
While photographing , remember to move yourself , and encourage the person you ’ re photographing to move around , too .
Experiment with a variety of angles and poses to see how the dynamism of light works across your subject and their hue .
Try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off-center within the photo frame , and compose thoughtfully , thinking of how the person ’ s story can inform your photo-taking experience .
“ Make sure everything in the frame makes sense , ” says Kamara .
In addition to light , capturing a wide range of poses and moods to curate from later is one of the best strategies for a successful creative outcome—and a low-cost one in the age of digital photography .
One note about digital filters : Modern smartphones and digital cameras often have a variety of in-camera @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change the look of photos that you take .
Apple iPhones , for instance , have filters such as Vivid and Dramatic Warm , while Samsung Galaxy phones ’ My Filters feature allows you to create filters from existing photos .
For greater accuracy in representation , consider shooting without them .
These filters can alter your subject ’ s skin tone and may be difficult to correct when editing later .
Plus , you can always add filters later if artistic inclinations and your subject ’ s story call for them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Details in Mind Photo selection and editing can be just as important as the original shot .
Indeed , the click of your camera or tap on your phone to capture the perfect pose is just one part of the photographic experience .
After shooting , take stock of what you shot .
Do the images connect to the original intent and your subject ’ s story ?
Is there a single image or are there a few that are particularly poignant ?
Much of the impact in a great portrait can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not be as visible as desired .
Are you missing any of those critical details in your subject ’ s hair and face ?
Desktop and mobile apps specifically for photo editing can help retrieve some missing details .
They vary in cost , but many of them , like Instagram , Microsoft Photo Editor , and GIMP are free and offer the ability to crop , rotate , and adjust the brightness , saturation , and hues within your image .
VSCO is another editing tool that offers a robust selection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a paid membership that , for $ 19.99 a year , includes add-ons like educational content .
The Creative Cloud Photography plan from Adobe starts at $ 9.99 per month and includes Photoshop and Photoshop Lightroom , both of which are popular among dedicated photographers for their wide range of granular editing options .
If you can , I recommend photographing in a RAW file format if you ’ re using a digital camera , instead of the common JPG or PNG formats .
RAW files give you the highest quality capture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editing flexibility than other file formats .
However , this file format does require significant space on your camera ’ s memory card , which may mean spending extra for more or larger cards .
It also may mean using a file converter before you ’ re able to edit your image , depending on which editing app you choose .
As a beginning step in editing , Larrow suggests looking for the tool that adjusts contrast in your editing program and turn it down a bit .
At first glance , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than preferred , but it can help you prioritize the colors that may need more saturation than others .
Skin tones typically fall within a spectrum of oranges and reds , notes Tshinanga .
While reviewing and editing your photos , look closely at your subject ’ s skin tone .
Is there a tint or color cast that may not be accurate , leaving a hue that is perhaps too yellow or too green ?
For my own self-portrait above ( that ’ s me in front of the bike ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Camera RAW to bring more yellow and magenta into the picture .
Then I applied Color Balance , Hue/Saturation , Vibrance , Levels and Curves layers in Adobe Photoshop to emphasize the warm reds in my skin tone .
Some apps allow you to adjust colors individually .
Larrow ’ s favorite feature in the Lightroom App is called Color Mix .
Color Mix allows you to change three things : The hue , the saturation and the luminance , he notes .
Think of hue as the tone of a particular color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ green to yellowish green , ” Larrow notes ) , while saturation is the deepness of that color , and luminance impacts the brightness or darkness of that color .
For the photo below , he used Color Mix to reduce the saturation of greens in the image and increase more blue in their hue .
Focusing your eye on your subject ’ s skin tone while adjusting the colors of your overall image within a tool like Color Mix can help ensure accuracy in representation .
Similar tools worth exploring include Saturation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in VSCO ; and Shadows , Contrast , Saturation , and Tint in the iOS Photos app .
Willing to step up to even more sophisticated tools ?
Photo-editing pros use hardware such as Wacom tablets .
With an accompanying stylus , Wacom tablets allow you to draw in edits on a specific part of your photograph .
For instance , if you photographed your subject beside a window , it could help to brighten up shadows on the side of your subject ’ s face that is not directly facing the window @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with editing techniques like masking in Photoshop , which allows for greater specificity when editing details without affecting other portions of the photograph ( increasing the saturation of red in someone ’ s skin tone among a field of roses , for instance , without impacting the roses ) .
Though familiarizing yourself with these kinds of tools and techniques offers increased options for a photographer to experiment with , don ’ t feel overwhelmed by them .
Listening intently to your subject , photographing thoughtfully , and making color adjustments using tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go a long way in simplifying the editing process : “ The goal , hopefully ” notes Tshinanga , “ is that you can minimize how much you need to edit ... when you take your photos so you don ’ t have to edit as much [ later ] .
” The roads I continue traveling through photography have helped reshape how I see the world and my place in it .
With my camera , I ’ ve found beauty nestled in the hidden and overlooked , and in plain view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Intentionally expanding my sphere of influence is a fulfilling practice , too .
To capture diversity , studying the work of diverse photographers past and present is essential .
It helps challenge the ways history has restricted marginalized voices .
As Tshinanga notes , “ I need more of just how roundabout we are and just how much of life that we live outside of this limited vision that the textbooks and society tries to put on us.
” In addition to the work of Larrow , Tshinanga , and Kamara , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too , which include Spear , Joshua Kissi , Malick Sidibé , Samuel Fosso and Black Archives .
Explore the nuances of experiences that color our world , hue by hue .
You may be surprised by what you ’ ve been missing all along .
Snapping on the Go ?
Remember These Quick Portrait Tips • If in harsh sunlight that ’ s casting dark shadows , find shade like a tree or awning for more even lighting .
• Make sure any light source like a window or lamp is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject .
• Pay attention to the background .
Some backgrounds like a field of flowers can complement , while others like another person ’ s arm unintentionally in the frame can take away from your photo ’ s intent .
Is there anything that could distract from your subject and the story you ’ re co-creating with them ?
If so , see if your subject can block it or if you can turn to remove it from what you ’ re capturing .
Some portrait modes on newer smartphone models may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the background in your frame and make your subject stand out in a portrait .
• If photographing with the Camera app in iOS , tap on the screen to focus on your subject ’ s face , then slide your finger up or down to adjust the exposure ( the overall brightness or darkness ) of your image .
If you want to try different poses and angles while keeping the same exposure level , newer models of iOS allow tap and hold to engage a feature called AF/AE Lock .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjust exposure settings .
For instance , in the Samsung Galaxy S10 , you can tap on the subject in the Camera app and then adjust the exposure using a sliding bar that pops up .
• Pay particular attention to exposure when photographing a group with varied skin tones .
Try to ensure individuals with darker skin tones are not underexposed .
If by a window or lamp , consider placing individuals with darker skin nearest the light source .
• Hold your phone or camera with both hands to minimize camera @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later .
Avoid in-camera filters that may alter your subject ’ s skin tone .
You can add them later , if needed .
David Leon Morgan is social media program manager for Consumer Reports by day ; photographer , crocheter and jigsaw puzzle lover by night .
Follow him on Instagram .
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with any advertiser on this site .

Editor’s Note: This story was produced by Consumer Reports, an independent, nonprofit member organization that works to create a fair and just marketplace. Sign up for CR’s free newsletters.
In a recent conversation on Facebook, a friend of mine, who is white, noted that he did not see his racial identity as part of himself when growing up. His parents were careful to encourage a “colorblind” point of view. I’ve heard this often—the phrase “I don’t see color” is articulated as a source of pride. It wasn’t until I read my friend’s message that I was taken aback by my own self-reflection: I don’t remember a time where I wasn’t hyper-aware of my Blackness. The experience of being colorblind in the context of race is a privilege and one that I can likely never know. My Blackness is omnipresent. It is with me while casually browsing in a store, while navigating the New York City dating scene (a rollercoaster we do not have time to go on here), or reading a classic novel.
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Paradoxically, though omnipresent, my Blackness can still feel undervalued, with its particularities not fully seen—even to myself. The desire to understand that paradox is part of what led me to pick up a second-hand digital camera in my early teens. With it, I began to ask: Where did my identity fit among the spectrum of human experiences? Where was my hue among the rainbow that tethers the Black Diaspora together? And once discovered, how can I use the camera to honor them both?
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Any camera, from a smartphone to an SLR, can be a powerful tool of internal and external exploration. Whether taking a selfie or photographing a friend, they present all of us with the possibility of illuminating a story that affirms and articulates. Yet who is telling that story, what story they’re telling, and how they’re telling it has a complex and sometimes painful history, especially for people of color. Portrayals that may be considered stereotypical, racist, or unflattering mar visual references that I and other people of color can cull from. This topic gained renewed attention recently with the August 2020 cover of Vogue featuring Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, photographed by Annie Leibovitz. Commenters on social media expressed disappointment with the ways the photographs for the issue were lit and edited. (I participated in that discussion myself by sharing how I may have approached editing the cover.) In 2002, another Vogue cover featuring basketball player LeBron James, again by Leibovitz, was criticized by some for its apparent reference to the fictional character King Kong. And in 2018, National Geographic publicly acknowledged the racist ways it depicted people of color throughout its history.
Luckily, the past can teach and inspire greater levels of thoughtfulness and intention when photographing individuals of color in the present—opening our eyes to not just better represent various skin tones, but to respect and celebrate them. To that end, I spoke with three Black, professional photographers with expertise in portraiture to gather tips and techniques anyone can use to strengthen their creative muscles behind the camera, especially when photographing portraits of individuals of color.
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Before You Photograph, Listen With Intention
Do you know that feeling when someone is genuinely, deeply listening to you? Such active listening is helpful when photographing anyone, no matter what race or ethnicity, because it can make space for authentic captures that reflect your subject’s uniqueness. For the photographs above, portrait photographer Delwin Kamara invited this kind of authenticity from his models. “It’s just letting them know that they can just be themselves and they can play around, and they can be expressive,” he shares. Portrait photography is, in a sense, a dialog between photographer and subject. As with any good conversation, sometimes you can learn a lot more if you listen before speaking. “I will give instructions but I’m really taking their lead. Whatever they feel is right I’m going to capture it,” says Kamara, whose work has appeared in Interview and Wonderland Magazine.
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Unfortunately, “for too long,” notes portrait photographer Aundre Larrow, whose work has appeared in The New York Times, People magazine, and others, “people haven’t been listening to people of color.” The end results in the realm of photography can be tone-deaf, inaccurate, and disparaging images that prioritize a photographer’s opinion of a person over who that person may actually be.
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For thoughtful, evocative portraits, first get to know your subjects if you can. How are they feeling? What are they insecure about? What can you gather about their personality? Digging deep, even for a few moments, can reveal unique subtleties that may subvert internal bias. It can expand creative possibilities, too, helping to inspire the props, location, and styling that will bring your portrait to life. My friend Carami, for instance, is an opera singer and ukulele player (an awesome combination, right?!). When capturing photos of her earlier this year, we aimed to ensure those unique qualities took center stage.
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Not doing a planned photoshoot? If there isn’t an opportunity for one-on-one dialogue, respectfully observing the subtleties of your subjects can lend itself well to evocative, multilayered captures. This unobtrusive style of listening, where the photographer follows the movements of their subject while providing minimal direct input, is a primary focus of photographer Noemie Tshinanga, who has worked with brands like Spotify, Refinery29, and Fast Company. Whether photographing celebrities, people in the neighborhood, or friends at an event like the photograph above, close observation “introduces the narrative of the nuances in our life and our lifestyle,” she shares. From styling one’s hair to simply laughing with friends, a powerful story can be told in everyday activities. “We as Black people, our existence and what we do is interesting and fascinating and dope enough to be captured.”
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While You Photograph, Experiment With Light
Complementing the uniqueness of your subject are the nuances of light and shadow, which will dance differently across varied skin tones and hair colors. When shooting, Larrow suggests walking around your subject and seeing how the light hits them at different points on their face. This may reveal particularly beautiful angles worth capturing, as well as areas where the light may be too bright or where details like the textures in hair are lost. Another technique he notes, which he attributes to professional photographer Ray Spear, is to stick out your hand and rotate it in the light (this works especially well in natural light) while paying attention to where the light is most reflective (i.e. the highlights). “That’s the kind of detail that you want.”
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Whether you’re using light from the sun or from an artificial light source like a lamp, Tshinanga encourages placing the light in front of your subject, not behind, for optimal portraiture. “Lighting is your best friend,” Tshinanga notes. When shooting outside, though, consider times of day where the sun is most flattering for a variety of skin tones. That’s typically early in the morning or when the sun is setting, says Kamara. Tshinanga’s self-portrait above, for instance, was taken at dusk. Apps such as Magic Hour and PhotoPills can help you determine exactly what times of day in your area align with that recommendation.
Conversely, extreme sunlight, which causes deep shadows, can be most prominent in the middle of the afternoon and not as flattering for portraits. If you’re photographing at an event like a graduation or baby shower during that time of day, Larrow uses a shaded area like an awning or garage to photograph. “Everything behind them has the light of the garage, which is less than the light of outside,” he notes. This keeps extremes of deep shadows and super-bright highlights to a minimum.
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Still, for individuals with features like dark, textured hair, this technique may introduce a diminishment of detail, particularly if you’re aiming to photograph the subject directly facing the camera. In response, try adjusting the visual story: Larrow suggests turning your subject at an angle. Pay attention to where the light begins to illuminate aspects of the hair and face that you can then capture in your frame. To introduce more light into broader shadow areas, the more ambitious photographer may want to consider having a bounce card on hand, which can be as simple as a white poster board. This will bounce light from one light source and introduce more of it in darker areas.
While photographing, remember to move yourself, and encourage the person you’re photographing to move around, too. Experiment with a variety of angles and poses to see how the dynamism of light works across your subject and their hue. Try establishing visual interest with poses that are off-center within the photo frame, and compose thoughtfully, thinking of how the person’s story can inform your photo-taking experience. “Make sure everything in the frame makes sense,” says Kamara. In addition to light, capturing a wide range of poses and moods to curate from later is one of the best strategies for a successful creative outcome—and a low-cost one in the age of digital photography.
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One note about digital filters: Modern smartphones and digital cameras often have a variety of in-camera digital effects and filters that allow you to change the look of photos that you take. Apple iPhones, for instance, have filters such as Vivid and Dramatic Warm, while Samsung Galaxy phones’ My Filters feature allows you to create filters from existing photos. For greater accuracy in representation, consider shooting without them. These filters can alter your subject’s skin tone and may be difficult to correct when editing later. Plus, you can always add filters later if artistic inclinations and your subject’s story call for them.
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After You Photograph, Edit With Details in Mind
Photo selection and editing can be just as important as the original shot. Indeed, the click of your camera or tap on your phone to capture the perfect pose is just one part of the photographic experience.
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After shooting, take stock of what you shot. Do the images connect to the original intent and your subject’s story? Is there a single image or are there a few that are particularly poignant? Much of the impact in a great portrait can be in the details, but sometimes those may not be as visible as desired. Are you missing any of those critical details in your subject’s hair and face?
Desktop and mobile apps specifically for photo editing can help retrieve some missing details. They vary in cost, but many of them, like Instagram, Microsoft Photo Editor, and GIMP are free and offer the ability to crop, rotate, and adjust the brightness, saturation, and hues within your image. VSCO is another editing tool that offers a robust selection of free editing options, in addition to a paid membership that, for $19.99 a year, includes add-ons like educational content. The Creative Cloud Photography plan from Adobe starts at $9.99 per month and includes Photoshop and Photoshop Lightroom, both of which are popular among dedicated photographers for their wide range of granular editing options.
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If you can, I recommend photographing in a RAW file format if you’re using a digital camera, instead of the common JPG or PNG formats. RAW files give you the highest quality capture of an image, which offers greater editing flexibility than other file formats. However, this file format does require significant space on your camera’s memory card, which may mean spending extra for more or larger cards. It also may mean using a file converter before you’re able to edit your image, depending on which editing app you choose.
As a beginning step in editing, Larrow suggests looking for the tool that adjusts contrast in your editing program and turn it down a bit. At first glance, it may make your image appear more unsaturated than preferred, but it can help you prioritize the colors that may need more saturation than others.
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Skin tones typically fall within a spectrum of oranges and reds, notes Tshinanga. While reviewing and editing your photos, look closely at your subject’s skin tone. Is there a tint or color cast that may not be accurate, leaving a hue that is perhaps too yellow or too green?
For my own self-portrait above (that’s me in front of the bike), I adjusted the white balance in Adobe Camera RAW to bring more yellow and magenta into the picture. Then I applied Color Balance, Hue/Saturation, Vibrance, Levels and Curves layers in Adobe Photoshop to emphasize the warm reds in my skin tone.
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Some apps allow you to adjust colors individually. Larrow’s favorite feature in the Lightroom App is called Color Mix. Color Mix allows you to change three things: The hue, the saturation and the luminance, he notes. Think of hue as the tone of a particular color (“Green can get more bluish green to yellowish green,” Larrow notes), while saturation is the deepness of that color, and luminance impacts the brightness or darkness of that color. For the photo below, he used Color Mix to reduce the saturation of greens in the image and increase more blue in their hue.
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Focusing your eye on your subject’s skin tone while adjusting the colors of your overall image within a tool like Color Mix can help ensure accuracy in representation. Similar tools worth exploring include Saturation and Color in Instagram; Skin Tone in VSCO; and Shadows, Contrast, Saturation, and Tint in the iOS Photos app.
Willing to step up to even more sophisticated tools? Photo-editing pros use hardware such as Wacom tablets. With an accompanying stylus, Wacom tablets allow you to draw in edits on a specific part of your photograph. For instance, if you photographed your subject beside a window, it could help to brighten up shadows on the side of your subject’s face that is not directly facing the window. This tool is most often coupled with editing techniques like masking in Photoshop, which allows for greater specificity when editing details without affecting other portions of the photograph (increasing the saturation of red in someone’s skin tone among a field of roses, for instance, without impacting the roses).
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Though familiarizing yourself with these kinds of tools and techniques offers increased options for a photographer to experiment with, don’t feel overwhelmed by them. Listening intently to your subject, photographing thoughtfully, and making color adjustments using tools you may already have on hand can go a long way in simplifying the editing process: “The goal, hopefully” notes Tshinanga, “is that you can minimize how much you need to edit...when you take your photos so you don’t have to edit as much [later].”
Uncover a Diversity of Influences
The roads I continue traveling through photography have helped reshape how I see the world and my place in it. With my camera, I’ve found beauty nestled in the hidden and overlooked, and in plain view among what may be otherwise considered banal. Intentionally expanding my sphere of influence is a fulfilling practice, too. To capture diversity, studying the work of diverse photographers past and present is essential. It helps challenge the ways history has restricted marginalized voices. As Tshinanga notes, “I need more of just how roundabout we are and just how much of life that we live outside of this limited vision that the textbooks and society tries to put on us.”
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In addition to the work of Larrow, Tshinanga, and Kamara, dive into some of their inspirations, too, which include Spear, Joshua Kissi, Malick Sidibé, Samuel Fosso and Black Archives. Explore the nuances of experiences that color our world, hue by hue. You may be surprised by what you’ve been missing all along.
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Snapping on the Go? Remember These Quick Portrait Tips
If in harsh sunlight that’s casting dark shadows, find shade like a tree or awning for more even lighting.
Make sure any light source like a window or lamp is in front or beside and level with your subject.
Pay attention to the background. Some backgrounds like a field of flowers can complement, while others like another person’s arm unintentionally in the frame can take away from your photo’s intent. Is there anything that could distract from your subject and the story you’re co-creating with them? If so, see if your subject can block it or if you can turn to remove it from what you’re capturing. Some portrait modes on newer smartphone models may also offer a convenient way to blur the background in your frame and make your subject stand out in a portrait.
If photographing with the Camera app in iOS, tap on the screen to focus on your subject’s face, then slide your finger up or down to adjust the exposure (the overall brightness or darkness) of your image. If you want to try different poses and angles while keeping the same exposure level, newer models of iOS allow tap and hold to engage a feature called AF/AE Lock. Some Android devices have similar controls to manually adjust exposure settings. For instance, in the Samsung Galaxy S10, you can tap on the subject in the Camera app and then adjust the exposure using a sliding bar that pops up.
Pay particular attention to exposure when photographing a group with varied skin tones. Try to ensure individuals with darker skin tones are not underexposed. If by a window or lamp, consider placing individuals with darker skin nearest the light source.
Hold your phone or camera with both hands to minimize camera shake.
Shoot first, edit later. Avoid in-camera filters that may alter your subject’s skin tone. You can add them later, if needed.
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David Leon Morgan is social media program manager for Consumer Reports by day; photographer, crocheter and jigsaw puzzle lover by night. Follow him on Instagram.
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with any advertiser on this site.


theroot--2020-09-17--Urbanworld 2020’s Virtual Festival Packs Cinematic Treats—and Some Scares—in Must-Watch Lineup

Urbanworld Film Festival will be virtual this year—much like everything else—but it won ’ t lack for sizzle or star power .
The film festival announced its much-anticipated 2020 lineup on Thursday , starting with African British actor David Oyelowo ’ s feature directorial debut , The Water Man .
The fantasy-adventure film will open the festival , now in its 24th year , on Wednesday , September 23 .
The movie chronicles the journey of a boy on a quest to save his sick mother by seeking out a mythical figure believed to have magical healing powers .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panel conversation moderated by Ava DuVernay , featuring Oyelowo and the film ’ s stars , Rosario Dawson , Lonnie Chavis and Amiah Miller .
Singer Alice Smith will also deliver a musical performance .
Compelling conversations run throughout the rest of the festival , which will run through Sunday , September 27 .
On Thursday , Sept. 24 , Hulu ’ s Bad Hair , a horror satire about a young Black woman who unknowingly acquires a weave with a mind of its own , will screen .
Afterward , the film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alongside Lena Waithe , Ella Lorraine and Kelly Rowland to discuss the movie .
Festival attendees can also expect to get a sneak peek at Candyman , the remake of the iconic horror film starring everyone ’ s imaginary fiancé , Yahyah Abdul-Mateen .
Director/co-writer Nia DaCosta and actors Teyonah Parris and Vanessa Williams will chat about the 1992 cult classic , and what audiences can expect from the new version , which is slated to hit theaters next year .
“ In an unimaginable year of change , we remain inspired by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevail in this brave new virtual world , ” said Gabrielle Glore , Festival Director and Head of Programming for Urbanworld Film Festival .
“ Powerful storytelling is now more important than ever and Urbanworld is proud to be a consistent platform that brings Black , Indigenous and people of color storytellers and audiences together from across the globe.
” Provocative dramas dominate as the festival continues on Saturday afternoon .
Peacock ’ s upcoming Noughts and Crosses series , based off a series of popular British young adult novels , will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ universe in which Africa colonized Europe , and journalist Isha Sesay will moderate a discussion about the controversial series with stars Masali Baduza and Paterson Joseph .
AMC will also highlight its marquee fall television series : Gangs of London , Soulmates , and The Walking Dead : World Beyond .
The Root ’ s Editor-in-chief Danielle Belton will moderate a conversation starring the series ’ cast and filmmakers , including Paapa Essiedu ( Gangs of London , I May Destroy You ) , Kingsley Ben-Adir ( Soulmates , High Fidelity ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Beyond , Major Crimes ) .
Saturday night brings a screening of HBO Max ’ s Charm City Kings , a coming-of-age story around Baltimore ’ s renowned dirt bike community .
Multi-hyphenate talent Radha Blank will also discuss her Netflix film , The Forty-Year-Old Version , in which the NYC-based playwright reinvents herself as a rapper , with writer/director Robert Townsend .
The festival will welcome two familiar faces back on Sunday , its final day .
Filmmaker David E. Talbert , who won Best Dramatic Feature for A Woman Like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discuss his upcoming film , Jingle Jangle : A Christmas Journey with entertainment journalist Tre ’ vell Anderson .
Oyelowo also returns on Sunday afternoon with Come Away , a feature that imagines a world before Peter became Peter Pan , and before Alice tumbled into Wonderland .
The film stars Oyelowo and Angelina Jolie .
Alice actress Kiera Chansa will join Oyelowo in a conversation after the screening .
The Root is a media partner for Urbanworld Film Festival 2020 .
Visit urbanworld.org for more details .

Anne Branigin on The Grapevine, shared by Anne Branigin to The Root

Urbanworld Film Festival will be virtual this year—much like everything else—but it won’t lack for sizzle or star power. The film festival announced its much-anticipated 2020 lineup on Thursday, starting with African British actor David Oyelowo’s feature directorial debut, The Water Man.
The fantasy-adventure film will open the festival, now in its 24th year, on Wednesday, September 23. The movie chronicles the journey of a boy on a quest to save his sick mother by seeking out a mythical figure believed to have magical healing powers. The virtual screening will be followed by a panel conversation moderated by Ava DuVernay, featuring Oyelowo and the film’s stars, Rosario Dawson, Lonnie Chavis and Amiah Miller. Singer Alice Smith will also deliver a musical performance.
Advertisement
Compelling conversations run throughout the rest of the festival, which will run through Sunday, September 27. On Thursday, Sept. 24, Hulu’s Bad Hair, a horror satire about a young Black woman who unknowingly acquires a weave with a mind of its own, will screen. Afterward, the film’s writer/director Justin Simien will sit alongside Lena Waithe, Ella Lorraine and Kelly Rowland to discuss the movie.
Festival attendees can also expect to get a sneak peek at Candyman, the remake of the iconic horror film starring everyone’s imaginary fiancé, Yahyah Abdul-Mateen. Director/co-writer Nia DaCosta and actors Teyonah Parris and Vanessa Williams will chat about the 1992 cult classic, and what audiences can expect from the new version, which is slated to hit theaters next year.
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“In an unimaginable year of change, we remain inspired by the creativity, culture and community that prevail in this brave new virtual world,” said Gabrielle Glore, Festival Director and Head of Programming for Urbanworld Film Festival. “Powerful storytelling is now more important than ever and Urbanworld is proud to be a consistent platform that brings Black, Indigenous and people of color storytellers and audiences together from across the globe.”
Advertisement
Provocative dramas dominate as the festival continues on Saturday afternoon. Peacock’s upcoming Noughts and Crosses series, based off a series of popular British young adult novels, will be spotlighted. The show imagines an alternate universe in which Africa colonized Europe, and journalist Isha Sesay will moderate a discussion about the controversial series with stars Masali Baduza and Paterson Joseph.
AMC will also highlight its marquee fall television series: Gangs of London, Soulmates, and The Walking Dead: World Beyond. The Root’s Editor-in-chief Danielle Belton will moderate a conversation starring the series’ cast and filmmakers, including Paapa Essiedu (Gangs of London, I May Destroy You), Kingsley Ben-Adir (Soulmates, High Fidelity) and Aliyah Royale (The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Major Crimes).
Advertisement
Saturday night brings a screening of HBO Max’s Charm City Kings, a coming-of-age story around Baltimore’s renowned dirt bike community. Multi-hyphenate talent Radha Blank will also discuss her Netflix film, The Forty-Year-Old Version, in which the NYC-based playwright reinvents herself as a rapper, with writer/director Robert Townsend.
The festival will welcome two familiar faces back on Sunday, its final day. Filmmaker David E. Talbert, who won Best Dramatic Feature for A Woman Like That at Urbanworld in 1997, will discuss his upcoming film, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey with entertainment journalist Tre’vell Anderson.
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Oyelowo also returns on Sunday afternoon with Come Away, a feature that imagines a world before Peter became Peter Pan, and before Alice tumbled into Wonderland. The film stars Oyelowo and Angelina Jolie. Alice actress Kiera Chansa will join Oyelowo in a conversation after the screening.
The Root is a media partner for Urbanworld Film Festival 2020. Visit urbanworld.org for more details.


theroot--2020-09-19--Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dead at 87

Ruth Bader Ginsburg , the champion for women ’ s rights , died on Friday evening from “ complications of metastatic pancreas cancer , ” according to a statement from the Supreme Court of the United States .
Known to many as “ the Notorious RBG , ” Ginsburg , 87 , served more than 27 years on America ’ s highest court after being nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1993 , making her the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court .
Born Joan Ruth Bader on March 15 , 1933 , in Brooklyn , N.Y. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to friends and family during her youth—received her bachelor of arts degree from Cornell University , studied at Harvard Law School and earned her LL.B .
from Columbia Law School .
In 1971 , she was instrumental in launching the Women ’ s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union and served as the ACLU ’ s general counsel before being appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals ’ D.C .
Circuit in 1980 , long thought to be a training ground for future Supreme Court justices .
When Barack Obama signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2009 as his first legislative act as president , he credited Justice Ginsburg for inspiring the law .
She had battled cancer for more than a year before passing away at her Washington , D.C. , home surrounded by family .
Ginsburg gave her last statement to her granddaughter Clara Spera : “ My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.
” In 2016 , after the death of Justice Anthony Scalia , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked Obama ’ s SCOTUS nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate , explaining that the presidential election season was no time to rush such an important decision .
This time will probably be different .
Updated , 9/18/20 , 8:58 p.m .
ET : The story has been updated to include Ginsburg ’ s last statement .

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the champion for women’s rights, died on Friday evening from “complications of metastatic pancreas cancer,” according to a statement from the Supreme Court of the United States.
Known to many as “the Notorious RBG,” Ginsburg, 87, served more than 27 years on America’s highest court after being nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1993, making her the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
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Born Joan Ruth Bader on March 15, 1933, in Brooklyn, N.Y., “Kiki”—as she was known to friends and family during her youth—received her bachelor of arts degree from Cornell University, studied at Harvard Law School and earned her LL.B. from Columbia Law School. In 1971, she was instrumental in launching the Women’s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union and served as the ACLU’s general counsel before being appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals’ D.C. Circuit in 1980, long thought to be a training ground for future Supreme Court justices. When Barack Obama signed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 as his first legislative act as president, he credited Justice Ginsburg for inspiring the law.
She had battled cancer for more than a year before passing away at her Washington, D.C., home surrounded by family.
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Ginsburg gave her last statement to her granddaughter Clara Spera: “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.”
In 2016, after the death of Justice Anthony Scalia, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked Obama’s SCOTUS nominee Merrick Garland from being confirmed by the Senate, explaining that the presidential election season was no time to rush such an important decision.
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This time will probably be different.
Updated, 9/18/20, 8:58 p.m. ET: The story has been updated to include Ginsburg’s last statement.


theroot--2020-09-18--Pucker up for the Best Tinted Lip Balms, According To Reviewers

Not to sound like Jon Snow ( aka my short king ) , but fall and winter are rapidly approaching , and one of the first things to chap is your lips .
Sure , matte lipstick is stunning , but that doesn ’ t help with dry lips , and traditional lip balm just isn ’ t exciting .
So what did the beauty gods do ?
Make tinted lip balm .
That way it ’ ll give you the excitement of color without the dryness of traditional lipstick .
Ingenius , really .
So , I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balms to keep your lips hydrated and kissable from October on 💋 .
From its 3,200 reviews , the average person can understand why Glosser ’ s The Balm Dotcom lip balm is a cult favorite .
Made with moisturizing castor oil , beeswax , and lanolin , it ’ ll prevent your lips from being chapped while acting as a cute base layer from all the elements .
You can choose between eight different flavors and four tints that will be subtle , but fashionable .
Who can argue with that ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t love Burt ’ s Bees ?
They always come through with the moisture , but the tinted version really elevates itself .
It swapped out the peppermint for shea butter that ’ ll lock in moisture , as well as botanical wax and coconut oil that ’ ll glide smoothly without all the stickiness you may be used to with lip glosses .
Not to mention it tastes good .
It graces your muzzle with the right amount of color , that you can see , but won ’ t ever get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you wanted anyway , right ?
Yes , this lip balm is pretty pricey , but with 9K reviews on Sephora , and 6700 of them being overwhelmingly positive , I ’ d say it ’ s worth the $ 24 .
Made literally with sugar to help with moisture , along with meadowfoam , black currant seed oil , and grapeseed oil to smooth and soften , your lips will be hydrated all day long .
Plus it comes in 14 shades to choose from and has added SPF 15 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your lips from the sun .
E.l.f Cosmetics is that girl for giving us beauty on a budget consistently .
Infused with jojoba oil and vegan collagen , its Ride or Die lip balm repairs dry lips and adds a sheer amount of color that makes it look like you tried when you really , really didn ’ t .
With 400 glowing reviews , Ilia tinted lip conditioner could be the tinted lip balm you were waiting on all your life .
It has sesame seed , shea butter , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lips nice and juicy all day .
Plus the eight shades are sultry .
Grown woman vibes are worth the $ 28 .
I ’ m such a stan for Glow Recipe , specifically their watermelon sleeping mask , so it ’ s no surprise reviewers love their lip balm .
It ’ s a three-in-one scrub , moisturizer , and lip tint that has watermelon extract to hydrate , coconut flakes to lightly exfoliate and remove dead skin , and coconut oil for some more moisture , as well as flower AHAs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This tint specifically colors your lips according to your own special pH balance , so no one ’ s gon na walk around with the same shade as you .
Love to see a K-Beauty brand thrive like this .
So ok , this one is a lipstick , but it ’ s super sheer , which is why it deserved a mention in this little roundup of mine .
Fenty Beauty never misses .
Ever .
Their Slip Shine Sheer lipstick , while $ 22 , has raving reviews on their website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s formulated with castor oil to keep lips moisturized all day , and they look good on any shade—a plus when beauty is overseen by a Black woman !
Also also , this product is cruelty-free !
With over 2k reviews , Laneige Lip Glowy Balm has tons of fans .
It ’ s got five cute shades named after different fruits and is super lightweight , as it ’ s infused with shea butter for extra hydration .
It ’ s also free of sulfates or any other bad things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vibes here .
And if this is just as good as their lip- and water sleeping masks , you ’ ll definitely be satisfied .

Ignacia on Roundups, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

I think we all can agree that nothing looks or feels worse than the sting of cracked lips on your way to catch the subway. Yes, matte lipstick is stunning, but that isn’t going to moisturize chapped lips. Though I can’t deny the benefits of traditional lip balm, there isn’t the same excitement without having the option to dress up your lip shade. So what did the beauty gods do? They made tinted lip balm. It’s a perfect way to dress up your outfit with a pop of color but without drying out your lips. Ingenious, really. So, I’ve rounded up some highly reviewed tinted lip balms to keep your lips hydrated and kissable 💋
Since 1937, Physicians Formula has produced makeup and skincare products that are both hypoallergenic and great for sensitive skin. One of their bestsellers is their Organic Wear Tinted Lip Treatment, which is available in five different nude colors. It hydrated and conditions lips while adding a pop of color. As a bonus, all of its key ingredients are organic, including shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil.
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Who doesn’t love a good bargain find? At $3, this e.l.f. Cosmetics Essential Lip Kiss Balm is an absolute steal. Formulated with Vitamin A &E, grape seed oil, and jojoba oil, this balm will protect and nourish your lips as the heat turns up this spring. This product is vegan and comes with a minty flavor so your lips continue to look and feel fresh.
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FLOWER BEAUTY Petal Pout Lip Mask hydrates and repairs lips, improving their texture and helping them look as healthy as ever. Infused with mango and cocoa butter, this lip treatment glides on super glossy, creating a luxurious look at a drugstore price. As a bonus, FLOWER BEAUTY is cruelty-free and vegan, to ensure that your beauty doesn’t cause harm to others.
Use the code FREESHIP for free shipping
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Yes, this lip balm is a bit pricier than Burt’s Bees, but with 9K reviews on Sephora, and 6700 of them being overwhelmingly positive, I’d say it’s worth the $24. Made with literal sugar to help with moisture, along with meadowfoam, black currant seed oil, and grapeseed oil to smooth and soften, your lips will be hydrated all day long.
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Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Tinted Lip Balm enhances your natural lip by adding a pinch of color. With a couple of swipes, this lip balm will leave your lips smooth and nourished for up to eight hours at a time. It also softens dry lips with shea butter and botanical waxes. Plus, this product is made with 100% all-natural ingredients, free of parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, or SLS to ensure shoppers stay protected.
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Looking to enhance your lips but also give them an extra layer of protection? Get your SPF on with the COOLA’s Mineral Liplux Organic Tinted Lip Balm. It gives you a subtle hint of color while improving your skin’s creamy and smooth qualities. This balm is also formulated with mongongo oil, which is rich in nutrients and has anti-aging properties.
Free gift with purchase
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Infused with beauty favorite hyaluronic acid, BECCA Cosmetics Hydra-Light Plumping Lip Balm is guaranteed to keep your lips feeling hydrated ALL. DAY. LONG. The peptide complex will plump your lips and smooth the appearance of lines. With buildable color and the mango flavor, this lip balm is a great addition to your cosmetics collection.
Use the code FREESHIP for free shipping
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Restore your lips’ natural shine with INC.redible’s juicy lacquer lip tint. Vegan and cruelty-free, this product makes your lips look impossibly plump and full of gorgeous colors. The applicator is designed to glide on easily and give you that cute look in-between lip gloss and lipstick.
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With over 2k reviews, Laneige Lip Glowy Balm has tons of fans. It’s got five cute shades named after different fruits and is super lightweight, as it’s infused with shea butter for extra hydration. It’s also free of sulfates or any other bad things for your skin, just moisture, and vibes here. And if this is just as good as their lip- and water sleeping masks, you’ll definitely be satisfied.
This story was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher on 09/18/2020 and updated with new information by Juliana Clark on 06/01/2021.


theroot--2020-09-18--Gala Goes Virtual: Beyoncé, Solange, Jay-Z, Megan Thee Stallion and More to Appear at WACO Theater C

Gala Goes Virtual: Beyoncé, Solange, Jay-Z, Megan Thee Stallion and More to Appear at WACO Theater Center's Virtual Celebration

Did you miss the stylish spectacle of the Wearable Art Gala this year ?
Are you quietly a fan of “ Ms .
Tina ’ s Corny Jokes ” ?
Want to see how much Blue Ivy ’ s art allowance increased this year ?
If you answered yes to any of the above , you ’ ll want to tune into the WACO Theater Center ’ s Virtual Celebration and art auction this Saturday , September 19 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT , which “ will celebrate various forms of art that uplift the community , empower entrepreneurship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” according to a release sent to The Root .
Sponsored by Shea Moisture , the event will be hosted by WACO ( Where Art Can Occur ) founders and Co-Artistic Directors Richard Lawson and Tina Knowles Lawson as the annual fundraiser for their state-of-the-art cultural center in Los Angeles .
The release promises the evening “ will be filled with surprises , including highlights from the Wearable Art Gala and a special celebrity version of ‘ Ms .
Tina ’ s Corny Jokes.
’ ” On that note , a bevy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including : Honorary Chairpersons Beyoncé Knowles Carter , Solange Knowles , Bianca Lawson , Kelly Rowland , and Michelle Williams ; Jay-Z ; Samuel L. Jackson ; Octavia Spencer ; Tiffany Haddish ; Angela Bassett ; Lynn Whitfield ; Issa Rae ; Yara Shahidi ; Megan Thee Stallion ; Vanessa Bell Calloway ; Lena Waithe ; Cynthia Erivo ; and Lil Rel Howery with music provided by DJ Millie .
The 2020 Virtual Celebration Host Committee also includes notables like Lela Rochon Fuqua and Holly Robinson-Peete , while actor Glynn Turman is among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ WACO was created to stand at the intersection of Black culture and art .
For the past three years , we have worked to create a safe space for students to be nourished , grow , and learn , ” said Tina Knowles Lawson .
“ This year , our gathering will feel and look different , but the mission unequivocally remains the same , ” adds Richard Lawson .
“ We are looking forward to continuing the tradition of celebrating art and Black culture to create meaningful change for our children.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and open-to-the-public benefit intended to raise funds for its programs and families impacted by COVID-19 ; it will stream on WACO ’ s Facebook and YouTube channels this Saturday .
The event ’ s virtual art auction can be previewed by texting WACO2020 to 243-725 ; additionally , an online art gallery featuring works from Kehinde Wiley , Lauren Halsey , Barnette , Bethany Collins , Genevieve Gagnaird , Eduardo Sarbia , and Radcliffe Bailey will be available for viewing until Sunday , September 27 .
More details , per the release : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an online virtual silent auction .
The preview began August 25th , and features fine art works by artists such as Robert Pruitt , ‘ The Pretty Artist ’ Tiffanie Anderson , Chaz Guest , Ron Bass , Samuel Levi Jones , Harry Adams , Tyler Clark , Quiana Parks , Toni Scott , Gherdai Hassell , Charis Kelley , A. Nichel , Erica Puckett and designer Lorraine Schwartz among others .
The auction will raise money for WACO Theater Center programs which consist of enrichment and leadership initiatives that empower inner-city students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aspects of art and life that they would otherwise not have the opportunity to experience .
Money raised will also help families affected by COVID-19 .
And in case you ’ re seriously missing WACO ’ s usual annual fundraising event , the Wearable Art Gala , never fear : The Lawsons plan for the Gala will return to the Barker Hangar next year on Saturday , June 5 , 2021 .

Did you miss the stylish spectacle of the Wearable Art Gala this year? Are you quietly a fan of “Ms. Tina’s Corny Jokes”? Want to see how much Blue Ivy’s art allowance increased this year? If you answered yes to any of the above, you’ll want to tune into the WACO Theater Center’s Virtual Celebration and art auction this Saturday, September 19 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, which “will celebrate various forms of art that uplift the community, empower entrepreneurship, and sow back into local programs,” according to a release sent to The Root.
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Sponsored by Shea Moisture, the event will be hosted by WACO (Where Art Can Occur) founders and Co-Artistic Directors Richard Lawson and Tina Knowles Lawson as the annual fundraiser for their state-of-the-art cultural center in Los Angeles. The release promises the evening “will be filled with surprises, including highlights from the Wearable Art Gala and a special celebrity version of ‘Ms. Tina’s Corny Jokes.’”
On that note, a bevy of celebrity guests have been confirmed, including: Honorary Chairpersons Beyoncé Knowles Carter, Solange Knowles, Bianca Lawson, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams; Jay-Z; Samuel L. Jackson; Octavia Spencer; Tiffany Haddish; Angela Bassett; Lynn Whitfield; Issa Rae; Yara Shahidi; Megan Thee Stallion; Vanessa Bell Calloway; Lena Waithe; Cynthia Erivo; and Lil Rel Howery with music provided by DJ Millie. The 2020 Virtual Celebration Host Committee also includes notables like Lela Rochon Fuqua and Holly Robinson-Peete, while actor Glynn Turman is among WACO’s Board of Directors.
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“WACO was created to stand at the intersection of Black culture and art. For the past three years, we have worked to create a safe space for students to be nourished, grow, and learn,” said Tina Knowles Lawson. “This year, our gathering will feel and look different, but the mission unequivocally remains the same,” adds Richard Lawson. “We are looking forward to continuing the tradition of celebrating art and Black culture to create meaningful change for our children.”
The Virtual Celebration is a free and open-to-the-public benefit intended to raise funds for its programs and families impacted by COVID-19; it will stream on WACO’s Facebook and YouTube channels this Saturday. The event’s virtual art auction can be previewed by texting WACO2020 to 243-725; additionally, an online art gallery featuring works from Kehinde Wiley, Lauren Halsey, Barnette, Bethany Collins, Genevieve Gagnaird, Eduardo Sarbia, and Radcliffe Bailey will be available for viewing until Sunday, September 27.
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More details, per the release:
WACO’s Virtual Celebration will include an online virtual silent auction. The preview began August 25th, and features fine art works by artists such as Robert Pruitt, ‘The Pretty Artist’ Tiffanie Anderson, Chaz Guest, Ron Bass, Samuel Levi Jones, Harry Adams,Tyler Clark, Quiana Parks, Toni Scott, Gherdai Hassell, Charis Kelley, A. Nichel, Erica Puckett and designer Lorraine Schwartz among others. The auction will raise money for WACO Theater Center programs which consist of enrichment and leadership initiatives that empower inner-city students ages 12-14, exposing children to all aspects of art and life that they would otherwise not have the opportunity to experience. Money raised will also help families affected by COVID-19.
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And in case you’re seriously missing WACO’s usual annual fundraising event, the Wearable Art Gala, never fear: The Lawsons plan for the Gala will return to the Barker Hangar next year on Saturday, June 5, 2021.


theroot--2020-09-18--CDC Finds COVID-19 Kills Young Black, Latinx and Indigenous People at Far Higher Rates Than Others

One of the patterns we ’ ve seen as the coronavirus pandemic has gripped the world is that children are , fortunately , not likely to experience the worst effects of the virus .
But that doesn ’ t mean they can ’ t get extremely sick , and in some cases , die .
A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that when children and young adults do die from COVID-19 , they are overwhelmingly children of color .
As USA Today reports , researchers found “ staggering racial disparity ” among children and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and 121 deaths among people under the age of 21 , the study found that young Hispanic , Black and Native Americans made up 78 percent of all recorded deaths between Feb 12 and July 31 .
The pattern mirrors the way the coronavirus has moved through the United States at large .
Previous research found that , for all Americans under the age of 65 , the rate of COVID-19 deaths for people of color was twice as high as it was for white people .
To put the latest study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Native Americans comprise 41 percent of all people under 21 in the U.S.—a substantial proportion , but by no means a majority .
Researchers also speculated the reasons for the higher rates were likely the same as they were for adults .
The CDC report found that 3 out of 4 children who died from COVID-19 had at least one underlying condition , like asthma , obesity and cardiac issues .
But it ’ s also important to note that those conditions disproportionately affect children of color not for personal reasons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes that “ crowded living conditions , food and housing insecurity , wealth and educational gaps , and racial discrimination ” likely factored into the deep racial divide in COVID-19 deaths .
Researchers also pointed to the fact that nonwhite adults are more likely to be classified as essential workers , who are at higher risk of being exposed to the novel virus .
Disparities in child healthcare access—such as lack of insurance , childcare , transportation , or paid sick leave—also likely play a role in the higher death rates .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of how the virus has affected Americans across the country over the last six months .
But—particularly as young people across the country return to school , and in some places , in-person instruction—it ’ s important to emphasize that children still have an extremely low risk of dying from COVID-19 .
As USA Today writes , young people can certainly carry and pass on the virus , but Americans under the age of 21 comprise “ just 0.08 percent of the more than 190,000 deaths reported across the country.
” Still , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ note that children—especially Native , Latinx and Black American kids—are not immune to COVID-19 .
That the racial divide persists across age groups makes clear that the coronavirus is both a racial justice and a public health issue .
“ This is the strongest evidence yet that there are deep racial disparities in children just like there are in adults , ” John Williams , chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UPMC Children ’ s Hospital of Pittsburgh told the Washington Post .
“ What that should mean for people is steps like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting your family and yourself .
It is about racial equity .
”

One of the patterns we’ve seen as the coronavirus pandemic has gripped the world is that children are, fortunately, not likely to experience the worst effects of the virus. But that doesn’t mean they can’t get extremely sick, and in some cases, die. A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that when children and young adults do die from COVID-19, they are overwhelmingly children of color.
As USA Today reports, researchers found “staggering racial disparity” among children and teens. Surveying more than 390,000 coronavirus cases and 121 deaths among people under the age of 21, the study found that young Hispanic, Black and Native Americans made up 78 percent of all recorded deaths between Feb 12 and July 31.
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The pattern mirrors the way the coronavirus has moved through the United States at large. Previous research found that, for all Americans under the age of 65, the rate of COVID-19 deaths for people of color was twice as high as it was for white people.
To put the latest study in perspective, young Hispanic, Black and Native Americans comprise 41 percent of all people under 21 in the U.S.—a substantial proportion, but by no means a majority.
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Researchers also speculated the reasons for the higher rates were likely the same as they were for adults. The CDC report found that 3 out of 4 children who died from COVID-19 had at least one underlying condition, like asthma, obesity and cardiac issues.
But it’s also important to note that those conditions disproportionately affect children of color not for personal reasons, but systemic ones.
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The CDC report notes that “crowded living conditions, food and housing insecurity, wealth and educational gaps, and racial discrimination” likely factored into the deep racial divide in COVID-19 deaths. Researchers also pointed to the fact that nonwhite adults are more likely to be classified as essential workers, who are at higher risk of being exposed to the novel virus. Disparities in child healthcare access—such as lack of insurance, childcare, transportation, or paid sick leave—also likely play a role in the higher death rates.
The stark racial disparities are alarming and indicative of how the virus has affected Americans across the country over the last six months. But—particularly as young people across the country return to school, and in some places, in-person instruction—it’s important to emphasize that children still have an extremely low risk of dying from COVID-19. As USA Today writes, young people can certainly carry and pass on the virus, but Americans under the age of 21 comprise “just 0.08 percent of the more than 190,000 deaths reported across the country.”
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Still, families across the United States should take note that children—especially Native, Latinx and Black American kids—are not immune to COVID-19. That the racial divide persists across age groups makes clear that the coronavirus is both a racial justice and a public health issue.
“This is the strongest evidence yet that there are deep racial disparities in children just like there are in adults,” John Williams, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh told the Washington Post. “What that should mean for people is steps like wearing a mask are not just about protecting your family and yourself. It is about racial equity.”