theroot--2020-08-11--Committee Considers Removing Name of KKK Leader From Atlanta School

You know how I know America is inherently racist ?
There are multiple schools named after Confederate generals and KKK leaders , and it took the deaths of multiple Black people and months of protests for school boards to finally go , “ Y ou know , we might have a problem here.
” According to AJC , Jason Esteves , the Atlanta school board chairman , has appointed a committee to discuss renaming Forrest Hill Academy .
The school is named after Confederate general and KKK leader Nathan Bedford Forrest .
“ The board of education is engaged in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure that our schools are named after people who capture the values and reflect the diversity and the ambitions of our students ( and ) their families , ” Esteves said at a board meeting last week .
Forrest Hill is the third Atlanta school to have a committee formed to re- evaluate its name .
Last month , Esteves formed committees to review the names of Henry W. Grady High School and Joseph Emerson Brown Middle School .
Grady was an Atlanta journalist who advocated for the “ New South , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise of Jim Crow laws and “ separate but equal ” policies , and Emerson was the governor of secessionist Georgia and fought against the abolition of slavery .
The committee to rename Forrest Hill Academy will be led by the board ’ s vice-chairwoman , Eshe Collins .
Atlanta City Council member Joyce Sheperd , who represents the district the school is located , has been appointed to the committee as well .
Students , parents and members of the neighborhood make up the rest of the representatives on the committee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ systemic racism and police brutality have been held nationwide ( white ) folks have finally begun re-evaluating the widespread prevalence of monuments to white supremacy .
For reference on how out of hand the shit is , in my home state of Arizona there are five Confederate monuments , despite Arizona never being a part of the Confederacy .
Matter of fact , Arizona wasn ’ t even a state during the Civil War but , uh , it ’ s about “ celebrating our history , ” I guess ?
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also begun the process of renaming schools with Confederate connections .
In Virginia , a high school named after Confederate General Robert E. Lee was renamed after late congressman and legendary civil rights activist John Lewis .
This move came as part of a larger effort in the state to remove Confederate names from schools .

You know how I know America is inherently racist? There are multiple schools named after Confederate generals and KKK leaders, and it took the deaths of multiple Black people and months of protests for school boards to finally go, “Y ou know, we might have a problem here.”
According to AJC, Jason Esteves, the Atlanta school board chairman, has appointed a committee to discuss renaming Forrest Hill Academy. The school is named after Confederate general and KKK leader Nathan Bedford Forrest. “The board of education is engaged in reviewing the names of school buildings to ensure that our schools are named after people who capture the values and reflect the diversity and the ambitions of our students (and) their families,” Esteves said at a board meeting last week.
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Forrest Hill is the third Atlanta school to have a committee formed to re- evaluate its name. Last month, Esteves formed committees to review the names of Henry W. Grady High School and Joseph Emerson Brown Middle School. Grady was an Atlanta journalist who advocated for the “New South,” a post-Civil War movement that saw the rise of Jim Crow laws and “separate but equal” policies, and Emerson was the governor of secessionist Georgia and fought against the abolition of slavery.
The committee to rename Forrest Hill Academy will be led by the board’s vice-chairwoman, Eshe Collins. Atlanta City Council member Joyce Sheperd, who represents the district the school is located, has been appointed to the committee as well. Students, parents and members of the neighborhood make up the rest of the representatives on the committee.
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Throughout the summer, as protests against systemic racism and police brutality have been held nationwide (white) folks have finally begun re-evaluating the widespread prevalence of monuments to white supremacy. For reference on how out of hand the shit is, in my home state of Arizona there are five Confederate monuments, despite Arizona never being a part of the Confederacy.
Matter of fact, Arizona wasn’t even a state during the Civil War but, uh, it’s about “celebrating our history,” I guess?
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In addition to removing these monuments, some states have also begun the process of renaming schools with Confederate connections. In Virginia, a high school named after Confederate General Robert E. Lee was renamed after late congressman and legendary civil rights activist John Lewis. This move came as part of a larger effort in the state to remove Confederate names from schools.


theroot--2020-08-11--Def Jam Teases a New Fighting Game on Twitter

If I have made anything clear throughout my relatively short time at The Root it ’ s this : Def Jam : Fight for NY is one of the greatest fighting games in the history of anything ever .
Period .
So you can imagine both the delight and apprehension fans like me felt when Def Jam recently teased a new game on Twitter .
Hip Hop DX reports that over the weekend Def Jam sent out two tweets teasing a new game .
The first tweet , sent on Sunday , featured a screenshot of Def Jam Vendetta with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need a new Def Jam game.
” Def Jam has teased a new game in the past so I typically don ’ t give these things much credence .
It ’ s the follow up tweet that got me cautiously optimistic .
On Monday , they added “ Once our Twitter hits 1M , we have a special announcement for y ’ all !
*controller emoji* ” Sorry , I had to get that out of the system .
When Def Jam initially issued the tweet they had 991,500 followers but it looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rallied because as of Tuesday the account has already hit one million .
As of this writing the account hasn ’ t tweeted out the special announcement so there is still only speculation as to what it could be .
Honestly y ’ all , even if it ’ s just remastered ports of the first two games for current and next- gen consoles , I ’ ll be happy .
I can not express how badly I miss stomping the shit out of my friends as Ghostface Killah or throwing Fat Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrespect to Fat Joe ) .
While much has been made about the strides NetherRealm Studios has taken with the cinematic stories of recent Mortal Kombat and Injustice games , Def Jam : Fight for NY kind of did it first .
It had an all- star voice cast with some of the hottest rappers at the time , high production values , a compelling story and most importantly , a banger of a combat system that holds up to this day .
While a new game in the long dormant franchise would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to revisit the classics would be just as great .
My biggest fear is that the announcement is going to be for some mid-as-fuck , free-to-play mobile game .
Quite frankly , I would probably retreat to my room and cry into my totally-not-hacked PS Vita while playing the PSP port of Fight for NY .
I ’ m praying that won ’ t be the case and that hopefully , we ’ ll have a clearer idea of what the future holds for the Def Jam franchise by the end of the @ @

If I have made anything clear throughout my relatively short time at The Root it’s this: Def Jam: Fight for NY is one of the greatest fighting games in the history of anything ever. Period. So you can imagine both the delight and apprehension fans like me felt when Def Jam recently teased a new game on Twitter.
Hip Hop DX reports that over the weekend Def Jam sent out two tweets teasing a new game. The first tweet, sent on Sunday, featured a screenshot of Def Jam Vendetta with the caption “The streets saying we need a new Def Jam game.” Def Jam has teased a new game in the past so I typically don’t give these things much credence. It’s the follow up tweet that got me cautiously optimistic. On Monday, they added “Once our Twitter hits 1M, we have a special announcement for y’all ! *controller emoji* ”
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Ahem.
LET’S FUCKING GO!
Sorry, I had to get that out of the system.
When Def Jam initially issued the tweet they had 991,500 followers but it looks like the Fight for New York fans rallied because as of Tuesday the account has already hit one million. As of this writing the account hasn’t tweeted out the special announcement so there is still only speculation as to what it could be.
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Honestly y’all, even if it’s just remastered ports of the first two games for current and next- gen consoles, I’ll be happy. I cannot express how badly I miss stomping the shit out of my friends as Ghostface Killah or throwing Fat Joe in front of a subway (no disrespect to Fat Joe).
While much has been made about the strides NetherRealm Studios has taken with the cinematic stories of recent Mortal Kombat and Injustice games, Def Jam: Fight for NY kind of did it first. It had an all- star voice cast with some of the hottest rappers at the time, high production values, a compelling story and most importantly, a banger of a combat system that holds up to this day. While a new game in the long dormant franchise would be more than appreciated, the opportunity to revisit the classics would be just as great.
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My biggest fear is that the announcement is going to be for some mid-as-fuck, free-to-play mobile game. Quite frankly, I would probably retreat to my room and cry into my totally-not-hacked PS Vita while playing the PSP port of Fight for NY. I’m praying that won’t be the case and that hopefully, we’ll have a clearer idea of what the future holds for the Def Jam franchise by the end of the week.


theroot--2020-08-11--Mari Kondo Your Life With 15% off Yamazaki's Minimalist Home Furnishings at Huckberry

Though it only recently gained recognition in the U.S. after Mari Kondo ’ s The Life Changing Magic of Tidying @ @ @ @ @ Times bestsellers list for 86 consecutive weeks , Yamazaki is nearly as ubiquitous as IKEA @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re running a sale here in the states , it ’ s no @ @ @ @ @ as is the case in this week ’ s Huckberry sale .
For a limited @ @ @ @ @ 15 % on Yamazaki ’ s clutter-free furniture including a contemporary rectangular side table , @ @ @ @ @ key rack , and a set of ceramic upward-standing pet bowls for your fur babies @ @ @ @ @ the value of an organized household , especially as we ’ re spending more time @ @ @ @ @ the rest of our lives at home .
Out with the old , in with @ @ @ @ @ home once more , while supplies last .
This sale ends August 17 .

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

15% off Yamazaki Home Goods | Huckberry
Though it only recently gained recognition in the U.S. after Mari Kondo’s The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up made the New York Times bestsellers list for 86 consecutive weeks, Yamazaki is nearly as ubiquitous as IKEA in Japan. So whenever they’re running a sale here in the states, it’s no surprise it makes headlines, as is the case in this week’s Huckberry sale. For a limited time, you can save 15% on Yamazaki’s clutter-free furniture including a contemporary rectangular side table, a headphone stand, a key rack, and a set of c eramic upward-standing pet bowls for your fur babies.
Although it’s no longer listed at Huckberry, I’ve personally been using the compact under-couch side table from Yamazaki for about a month now, and I’m not being hyperbolic when I say that’s been an unexpected game changer. Being able to sit my food and drinks on a surface that takes up no space and warrants no physical lift on my end is exactly what I never knew I needed. My wife loves it, too, and has been clamoring for more Yamazaki decor ever since. With her birthday coming up, perhaps now is my chance to start shopping. If you’ve a loved one in your life (or just need an excuse to spend your hard-earned stimulus/tax refund on new furniture), it could also be yours.
Don’t underestimate the value of an organized household, especially as we’re spending more time either working from or living the rest of our lives at home. Out with the old, in with the new—spark joy in your home once more, while supplies last. This sale ends March 30.
This story was originally published by Gabe Carey on 08/11/2020 and updated by Sheilah Villari with new information on 03/29/2021.


theroot--2020-08-11--Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best Resigning After City Council Approves Cutting Budget and Reducing W

Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best Resigning After City Council Approves Cutting Budget and Reducing Workforce

Seattle Chief of Police Carmen Best announced Monday that she would be resigning at the start of September , after the city council voted to trim the budget of the police department and reduce the workforce by up to 100 officers .
According to CBS News , Best sent an email to the department saying her resignation will be effective on Sept. 2 and Deputy Chief Adrian Diaz has been appointed as interim chief .
Best , a military veteran , has been with the department since 1992 and was the city ’ s first Black police chief .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a patrolwoman , media relations officer , and deputy chief .
In July 2018 , she was appointed chief of police by Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan .
Both Durkan and Best opposed the decision to reduce the police department ’ s budget .
A series of measures were voted on last week that would reduce the $ 400 million annual police budget by less than $ 4 million .
Of the 1,400 police officers in the city , up to 100 are expected to be fired through layoffs and attrition .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Best and other top level police officials in the city .
Only one city council member , Kshama Sawant , voted against the measures , believing they didn ’ t go far enough in defunding the police .
“ I am confident the department will make it through these difficult times , ” Best said in the email .
“ You truly are the best police department in the country , and please trust me when I say , the vast majority of people in Seattle support you and appreciate you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this department moves forward through the process of re-envisioning public safety .
I relish the work that will be done by all of you.
” In an email to police sent shortly after Best ’ s message , also obtained by KIRO , Durkan said she accepted Best ’ s decision “ with a very heavy heart.
” “ I regret deeply that she concluded that the best way to serve the city and help the department was a change in leadership , in the hope that would change the dynamics to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Durkan wrote .
Best and Durkan believed the council should have held off on the measures , feeling they should ’ ve been discussed as part of the 2021 budget for the city .
They noted that layoffs would disproportionately affect new officers who typically come from Black and brown communities and could potentially lead to lawsuits .
Durkan has previously proposed a $ 20 million reduction in the police budget due to decreased revenue from COVID-19 and last month , she drafted a proposal that would reduce the police budget by $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removing various areas including parking enforcement and the 911 call center away from the police department .
“ It is unfortunate Council has refused to engage in a collaborative process to work with the mayor , Chief Best , and community members to develop a budget and policies that respond to community needs while accounting for—not just acknowledging—the significant labor and legal implications involved in transforming the Seattle Police Department , ” Durkan said in a statement regarding the vote .

Seattle Chief of Police Carmen Best announced Monday that she would be resigning at the start of September, after the city council voted to trim the budget of the police department and reduce the workforce by up to 100 officers.
According to CBS News, Best sent an email to the department saying her resignation will be effective on Sept. 2 and Deputy Chief Adrian Diaz has been appointed as interim chief.
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Best, a military veteran, has been with the department since 1992 and was the city’s first Black police chief. During her time with the department she worked as a patrolwoman, media relations officer, and deputy chief. In July 2018, she was appointed chief of police by Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. Both Durkan and Best opposed the decision to reduce the police department’s budget.
A series of measures were voted on last week that would reduce the $400 million annual police budget by less than $4 million. Of the 1,400 police officers in the city, up to 100 are expected to be fired through layoffs and attrition. The cuts also saw a reduction in salary for Best and other top level police officials in the city. Only one city council member, Kshama Sawant, voted against the measures, believing they didn’t go far enough in defunding the police.
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From CBS News:
“I am confident the department will make it through these difficult times,” Best said in the email. “You truly are the best police department in the country, and please trust me when I say, the vast majority of people in Seattle support you and appreciate you. ... I look forward to seeing how this department moves forward through the process of re-envisioning public safety. I relish the work that will be done by all of you.” In an email to police sent shortly after Best’s message, also obtained by KIRO, Durkan said she accepted Best’s decision “with a very heavy heart.” “I regret deeply that she concluded that the best way to serve the city and help the department was a change in leadership, in the hope that would change the dynamics to move forward with the City Council,” Durkan wrote.
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Best and Durkan believed the council should have held off on the measures, feeling they should’ve been discussed as part of the 2021 budget for the city. They noted that layoffs would disproportionately affect new officers who typically come from Black and brown communities and could potentially lead to lawsuits. Durkan has previously proposed a $20 million reduction in the police budget due to decreased revenue from COVID-19 and last month, she drafted a proposal that would reduce the police budget by $75 million over the next year by removing various areas including parking enforcement and the 911 call center away from the police department.
“It is unfortunate Council has refused to engage in a collaborative process to work with the mayor, Chief Best, and community members to develop a budget and policies that respond to community needs while accounting for—not just acknowledging—the significant labor and legal implications involved in transforming the Seattle Police Department,” Durkan said in a statement regarding the vote.


theroot--2020-08-11--Voter Registration Surged During Height of Black Lives Matter Protests, Study Finds

2020 has been a wild rollercoaster of a year .
The largest race reckoning America has seen in a generation is happening in the midst of a global pandemic that is showing no signs of g o ing away and all the while , a man sits in the White House who just can ’ t seem to go a da y without making an embarrassing spectacle of himself .
With all this going on , the American people appear to be showing more interest in the upcoming presidential race than they have in some time .
In fact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surged this summer during nationwide Black Lives Matter protests .
NBC News reports that a new study conducted by Democratic political data firm TargetSmart found a sharp increase in voter registration , especially among Democrats and independents during the month of June .
In March , it was reported that the coronavirus pandemic had caused voter registration to plummet .
But that changed after the death of George Floyd resulted in a wave of anti-racist demonstrations that got a lot of people out of the house and back on the street .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so did voter interest .
In the first half of June , 1.1 million voters registered .
By comparison , 1.5 million voters registered in the entire month of June 2016 .
Not all states have reported the entire month of June ’ s registration data , hence the partial national data .
Some of June ’ s registration surge likely happened at the protests : Local reports from Los Angeles , California , to Kalamazoo , Michigan , detail voter registration efforts .
Some activists posted QR codes on protest signs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and begin the registration process on their phones .
In Minnesota , the heart of the demonstrations , there was a large spike that appears to have continued into July .
“ Voter registration for Democrats nearly doubled in June from 17,000 in 2016 to 32,000 in 2020 .
Meanwhile , Republican registration essentially flat-lined at 17,000 , ” TargetSmart wrote .
TargetSmart CEO Tom Bonier told NBC that part of the reason for the increase in voter registration is likely due to growing dissatisfaction over how President Donald Trump has handled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of intensity , people are feeling like this situation is being very much mishandled , ” Bonier said .
“ And if they have the opportunity to go and cast a ballot and put different people in charge , I think we ’ re seeing that in the voter registrations.
” According to ABC News , a poll conducted in July found that 64 percent of Americans distrust anything Trump says about the pandemic and 60 percent disapprove of how his administration is handling it .

2020 has been a wild rollercoaster of a year . The largest race reckoning America has seen in a generation is happening in the midst of a global pandemic that is showing no signs of g o ing away and all the while, a man sits in the White House who just can’t seem to go a da y without making an embarrassing spectacle of himself. With all this going on, the American people appear to be showing more interest in the upcoming presidential race than they have in some time. In fact, a new study finds that voter registration surged this summer during nationwide Black Lives Matter protests.
NBC News reports that a new study conducted by Democratic political data firm TargetSmart found a sharp increase in voter registration, especially among Democrats and independents during the month of June.
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In March, it was reported that the coronavirus pandemic had caused voter registration to plummet. But that changed after the death of George Floyd resulted in a wave of anti-racist demonstrations that got a lot of people out of the house and back on the street. The study found that while protests surged nationwide, so did voter interest.
From NBC:
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TargetSmart CEO Tom Bonier told NBC that part of the reason for the increase in voter registration is likely due to growing dissatisfaction over how President Donald Trump has handled the pandemic.
“There’s this level of intensity, people are feeling like this situation is being very much mishandled,” Bonier said. “And if they have the opportunity to go and cast a ballot and put different people in charge, I think we’re seeing that in the voter registrations.”
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According to ABC News, a poll conducted in July found that 64 percent of Americans distrust anything Trump says about the pandemic and 60 percent disapprove of how his administration is handling it.


theroot--2020-08-11--Whitest Man on Earth Performs 'WAP' Despite Hating WAP

I was today years old when I discovered that Tucker Carlson is not Ben Shapiro ’ s father .
All this time I had been assuming Tucker had impregnated Laura Ingraham ( or perhaps Marge Schott ) during a passionate , lust-inspiring moment like a Ronald Reagan speech or a recording of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing “ The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
” You know—something raunchy .
If you don ’ t know who Ben Shapiro is , first you should immediately thank God , Morgan Freeman or whichever divine being you serve .
Now , as for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dasani water bottle had a baby with the Koch Brothers ( Conservatives like threesomes , too ! )
, who gave the baby up for adoption to Joe Rogan , who hired Tomi Lahren as the baby ’ s nanny .
Shapiro touts himself as a babyface conservative libertarian , which essentially means he is a Republican , but he doesn ’ t like to wear ties .
He is also Jewish , which , according to people in my inbox , means he can ’ t be a white supremacist even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ western civilization is superior ; being transgender is a mental illness ; Black people are prone to violence and that he ’ s perfectly fine with killing innocent Muslims .
Shapiro is the Archie Bunker of Alex P. Keatons .
His schtick is that traditional ( people in Mississippi pronounce it as “ why-itt ” ) moral values are important and , therefore , feminists , progressives and Black people who are not Terry Crews will eventually lead to the decline of American exceptionalism .
As a leading pseudo-intellectual , he hammers home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facts that his lowbrow audience eats up instead of reading books .
But on Monday , Shapiro found a new target : Kittens who have been left out in the rain ( That ’ s what Cardi B ’ s duet with Megan the Stallion is about , right ? )
.
For some reason , Shapiro has no problem with white people music that promotes sex culture .
For instance , there ’ s a song by conservative icon Ted Nugent that is literally titled “ Jailbait.
” There ’ s that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” where Liz Phair talks about a 12-year-old having sex .
Or how about that hit Madonna wrote called ( insert the name of any Madonna song here ) .
But none of those songs bothered baby-faced Ben like Cardi-B ’ s song that warns pet owners not to leave their cats out when it ’ s storming ( Again , I ’ m sure that ’ s the premise of the song ) .
And to prove his distaste for the negro Jezebels , Ben decided to give an impromptu performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It might interest you to know that Shapiro claims he never had sex until he was married at 28 years old .
Due to his lack of experience with black people , cats or self-lubricating sexual organs , I ’ m sure Ben had to go on Urban Dictionary to find out what the lyrics meant : Also , I love the fact that Shapiro ’ s wife was like : “ Nah , baby , there ’ s no such thing as a wet-ass pussy .
As a doctor , let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed to be dry like that , baby .
Yep , every time .
It ’ s a medical fact .
Don ’ t worry sweetie , you ’ re not doing anything wrong.
” Not only has he been cursed with a “ weak-ass pullout game ” and a lifetime of dehydrated vajayjays , but he will never enjoy the awesome pleasure of frolicking with a freshly showered kitten .
( That ’ s what the song is about , dummy . )
I bet he sees those sheathens mocking him with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closes his eyes .
It ’ s un-American , really .
Everyone knows this is what ’ s ruining the country .
Not income inequality , the unjust criminal justice system , education disparities or police shooting Black people in the face .
If this great empire falls , it will be brought to its knees by orgasms and the belief in the conspiracy theory about the existence of the mythical “ clitoris.
” ( I put it in quotation marks because Ben Shapiro ’ s wife told him there ’ s no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if we truly loved Black women , we would aspire to have sex the way God intended .
Apparently , Shapiro believes we should only have sex like Thomas Jefferson and the other Founding Fathers did .
Oh wait , they raped their Black women .
I ’ m sure Ben Shapiro has that song on his playlist .

I was today years old when I discovered that Tucker Carlson is not Ben Shapiro’s father.
All this time I had been assuming Tucker had impregnated Laura Ingraham (or perhaps Marge Schott) during a passionate, lust-inspiring moment like a Ronald Reagan speech or a recording of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” You know—something raunchy.
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If you don’t know who Ben Shapiro is, first you should immediately thank God, Morgan Freeman or whichever divine being you serve. Now, as for Ben Shapiro, imagine if a discarded Dasani water bottle had a baby with the Koch Brothers (Conservatives like threesomes, too!), who gave the baby up for adoption to Joe Rogan, who hired Tomi Lahren as the baby’s nanny.
Shapiro touts himself as a babyface conservative libertarian, which essentially means he is a Republican, but he doesn’t like to wear ties. He is also Jewish, which, according to people in my inbox, means he can’t be a white supremacist even though he is white and believes that the western civilization is superior; being transgender is a mental illness; Black people are prone to violence and that he’s perfectly fine with killing innocent Muslims.
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Shapiro is the Archie Bunker of Alex P. Keatons. His schtick is that traditional (people in Mississippi pronounce it as “why-itt”) moral values are important and, therefore, feminists, progressives and Black people who are not Terry Crews will eventually lead to the decline of American exceptionalism. As a leading pseudo-intellectual, he hammers home his beliefs with faulty logic and bullshit facts that his lowbrow audience eats up instead of reading books.
He’s basically a white Dr. Umar Johnson.
But on Monday, Shapiro found a new target: Kittens who have been left out in the rain (That’s what Cardi B’s duet with Megan Thee Stallion is about, right?).
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For some reason, Shapiro has no problem with white people music that promotes sex culture. For instance, there’s a song by conservative icon Ted Nugent that is literally titled “Jailbait.” There’s that romantic ditty called “Fuck and Run,” where Liz Phair talks about a 12-year-old having sex. Or how about that hit Madonna wrote called (insert the name of any Madonna song here)?
But none of those songs bothered baby faced Ben like Cardi B’s song that warns pet owners not to leave their cats out when it’s storming (Again, I’m sure that’s the premise of the song). And to prove his distaste for the negro Jezebels, Ben decided to give an impromptu performance of the hip-hip classic about bathing felines.
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It might interest you to know that Shapiro claims he never had sex until he was married at 28 years old.
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Due to his lack of experience with black people, cats or self-lubricating sexual organs, I’m sure Ben had to go on Urban Dictionary to find out what the lyrics meant:
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Also, I love the fact that Shapiro’s wife was like:
“Nah, baby, there’s no such thing as a wet-ass pussy. As a doctor, let me assure you that it’s supposed to be dry like that, baby. Yep, every time. It’s a medical fact. Don’t worry sweetie, you’re not doing anything wrong.”
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Poor Ben Shapiro.
Not only has he been cursed with a “weak-ass pullout game” and a lifetime of dehydrated vajayjays, but he will never enjoy the awesome pleasure of frolicking with a freshly showered kitten. (That’s what the song is about, dummy.)
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I bet he sees those sheathens mocking him with their satanic jiggling badonkadonks every time he closes his eyes. It’s un-American, really.
Everyone knows this is what’s ruining the country. Not income inequality, the unjust criminal justice system, education disparities or police shooting Black people in the face. If this great empire falls, it will be brought to its knees by orgasms and the belief in the conspiracy theory about the existence of the mythical “clitoris.” (I put it in quotation marks because Ben Shapiro’s wife told him there’s no such thing.)
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Ben Shapiro hates Black women.
To be fair, if we truly loved Black women, we would aspire to have sex the way God intended. Apparently, Shapiro believes we should only have sex like Thomas Jefferson and the other Founding Fathers did.
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Oh wait, they raped their Black women.
I’m sure Ben Shapiro has that song on his playlist.


theroot--2020-08-11--'Billie Holiday Is Probably One of Our First Civil Rights Leaders': Lee Daniels Discusses His Upcomi

'Billie Holiday Is Probably One of Our First Civil Rights Leaders': Lee Daniels Discusses His Upcoming Biopic at The Root Institute

It ’ s been nearly 50 years since the debut of Lady Sings the Blues , which was a huge inspiration for writer-director-producer Lee Daniels—s o much so , that he is now directing his own biographical drama about the iconic Billie Holiday , The United States vs. Billie Holiday .
Through her art—especially her stirring song , “ Strange Fruit ” —Holiday became pivotal in the Civil Rights Movement .
In fact , the song became known as the first protest song of the movement .
Once Daniels learned that part of her story , he had to tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Daniels revealed .
“ I thought she was just a drug addict and a singer .
I didn ’ t know that she was a civil rights leader , that ’ s she ’ s probably one of our first civil rights leaders .
She sang ‘ Strange Fruit ’ and the government didn ’ t want her to sing [ that song . ]
Nobody else was singing that song .
It ’ s a fascinating story about a woman who happened to be addicted to and struggled with drugs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that just because you ’ re a drug addict , you can ’ t be a hero , too .
If I were her , I would ’ ve tripped too if the government wouldn ’ t let me sing a song.
” We also talked about how he uses his platform and privilege to make a difference and he opened up about his life as a creator during the global pandemic .
This week at The Root Institute , we are diving into the entertainment industry and how creators intersect art @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation with Lee Daniels above .

Tonja Renée Stidhum on Institute, shared by Tonja Renée Stidhum to The Root

Published August 11, 2020 Comments ( 14 )
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theroot--2020-08-11--Joe Biden Picks Sen. Kamala Harris as His Vice President

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was competing only with Rihanna for forcing Black America to hold its collective breath with anticipation .
Unlike Rihanna , it wasn ’ t as if Biden couldn ’ t put out a new album because he was busy shutting the makeup and beauty world down with a product line called “ Robinette , ” which is AAVE for the daughter of Robin .
But now Biden has named his vice presidential pick and it is who we all thought it should be : California Sen. Kamala Harris .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision , “ which comes more than a year after Harris , who was also a 2020 Democratic candidate , clashed with Biden over racial issues during the first primary debate .
If elected , she would be the nation ’ s first female , first Black and first Asian American vice president.
” Which basically means , if elected , Biden is killing three diversity birds with one Howard University grad .
Harris , who is 55 , but doesn ’ t look a day over 37 because Black , is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one is hyped about Biden , 77 , but they will be about Harris .
The announcement caps off weeks of me saying “ that if anyone is going to make the right decision , it ’ s Admiral Joe Biden !
” Me : I know but it sounds more distinguished .
GA : And you ’ ve said for weeks that he was going to fuck this up .
In fact , I think you have headlines that read , “ Joe Biden is Going to Mess This Up ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air and runs out of room ) .
The announcement ends weeks of speculation—especially from me because I totally thought he was going to fuck this up—and pairs the hoe-hum Biden with a Black woman who will bring her sister friends ( also know as the backbone of the Democratic Party ) to the polls .
“ You make a lot of important decisions as president .
But the first one is who you select to be your Vice President .
I ’ ve decided that Kamala Harris is the best person to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and Mike Pence and then to lead this nation starting in January 2021 , ” Biden wrote in an email from his campaign to supporters .
Harris , the only Black woman in the U.S. Senate , was first elected in 2016 after serving as California ’ s Attorney General and , before that , San Francisco District Attorney .
A native of Oakland , California , and the child of Jamaican and Indian immigrants , Harris has said she was inspired to attend law school after joining civil rights protests with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a fighter and a principled leader and I know because I ’ ve seen her up close and I ’ ve seen her in the trenches , ” Biden said of Harris at a virtual fundraiser in June .
As attorney general , Harris worked closely with Biden ’ s late son , Beau Biden , when he was Delaware ’ s attorney general , particularly in challenging big banks in the wake of the housing crisis .
In her book , “ The Truths We Hold : An American Journey , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every day , sometimes multiple times a day.
” Before Biden ’ s announcement , a lot has been made about Harris ’ “ attack ” on Biden during the first Democratic primary debate— for his record on busing and working with segregationists .
First , it wasn ’ t a fucking attack , it was a serious inquiry by a Black woman who was fighting to be president .
Secondly , grow up snowflakes and stop it with the “ She hurt Joe ’ s feelings ” bullshit .
Harris was trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I checked , all is fair in politics .
Apparently Biden and his wife , Jill , who called the debate moment a “ punch to the gut ” were able to get over themselves , especially considering that once Harris dropped out of the race , she threw her full support behind Biden .
“ Both Biden and Harris allies have acknowledged that , in the months after she left the race , Harris has given her full support to the Biden campaign .
She has often campaigned virtually for Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roundtables around issues like the racial disparities in coronavirus cases and protecting the Affordable Care Act .
In a June virtual fundraiser , she raised $ 3.5 million for the campaign , ” NBC News reports .
That didn ’ t stop the naysayers ( aka Biden allies ) from trying to discredit Harris , calling her debate tactics “ too ambitious , ” which is basically a bullshit statement reserved for professional women who would never be used if a man did the same thing .
The funny thing is they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she dismantles Mike “ Robot ” Pence on Oct. 7 live on Pay-Per-View .
GA : First , it won ’ t be on PPV .
Secondly , what is up with this nickname ?
Phony Kamala ?
That ’ s it ?
No alliteration ?
No rhyme ?
I ’ m not excited .
Harris is above said bullshit .
“ There will be resistance to your ambition , ” Harris said during a virtual conference with Black Girls Rock earlier this month .
“ There will be people who say to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lane .
But don ’ t let that burden you.
” And now Harris is poised to take the second seat in the highest office in the land , assuming , of course , that the Biden ticket can join forces to beat Trump or as his friends call him , the Thanos of white supremacy .
Join the discussion !
The Root is hosting its first-ever , virtual Root Institute , presented by Target , featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics , culture , health , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for updates today !

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was competing only with Rihanna for forcing Black America to hold its collective breath with anticipation. Unlike Rihanna, it wasn’t as if Biden couldn’t put out a new album because he was busy shutting the makeup and beauty world down with a product line called “Robinette,” which is AAVE for the daughter of Robin. But now Biden has named his vice presidential pick and it is who we all thought it should be: California Sen. Kamala Harris.
According to NBC News, Biden finally made his decision, “which comes more than a year after Harris, who was also a 2020 Democratic candidate, clashed with Biden over racial issues during the first primary debate. If elected, she would be the nation’s first female, first Black and first Asian American vice president.”
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Which basically means, if elected, Biden is killing three diversity birds with one Howard University grad. Harris, who is 55, but doesn’t look a day over 37 because Black, is expected to energize Biden’s ticket because no one is hyped about Biden, 77, but they will be about Harris.
The announcement caps off weeks of me saying “that if anyone is going to make the right decision, it’s Admiral Joe Biden!”
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Managing Editor Genetta Adams: first, Biden isn’t an admiral...
Me: I know but it sounds more distinguished.
GA: And you’ve said for weeks that he was going to fuck this up. In fact, I think you have headlines that read, “Joe Biden is Going to Mess This Up”
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Me: (throws papers in the air and runs out of room).
The announcement ends weeks of speculation—especially from me because I totally thought he was going to fuck this up—and pairs the hoe-hum Biden with a Black woman who will bring her sister friends (also know as the backbone of the Democratic Party) to the polls.
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“You make a lot of important decisions as president. But the first one is who you select to be your Vice President. I’ve decided that Kamala Harris is the best person to help me take this fight to Donald Trump and Mike Pence and then to lead this nation starting in January 2021,” Biden wrote in an email from his campaign to supporters.
From NBC News:
Harris, the only Black woman in the U.S. Senate, was first elected in 2016 after serving as California’s Attorney General and, before that, San Francisco District Attorney. A native of Oakland, California, and the child of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, Harris has said she was inspired to attend law school after joining civil rights protests with her parents. “She’s been a fighter and a principled leader and I know because I’ve seen her up close and I’ve seen her in the trenches,” Biden said of Harris at a virtual fundraiser in June. As attorney general, Harris worked closely with Biden’s late son, Beau Biden, when he was Delaware’s attorney general, particularly in challenging big banks in the wake of the housing crisis. In her book, “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey,” Harris says the pair “talked every day, sometimes multiple times a day.”
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Before Biden’s announcement, a lot has been made about Harris’ “attack” on Biden during the first Democratic primary debate— for his record on busing and working with segregationists. First, it wasn’t a fucking attack, it was a serious inquiry by a Black woman who was fighting to be president. Secondly, grow up snowflakes and stop it with the “She hurt Joe’s feelings” bullshit. Harris was trying to win, and the last time I checked, all is fair in politics.
Apparently Biden and his wife, Jill, who called the debate moment a “punch to the gut” were able to get over themselves, especially considering that once Harris dropped out of the race, she threw her full support behind Biden.
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“Both Biden and Harris allies have acknowledged that, in the months after she left the race, Harris has given her full support to the Biden campaign. She has often campaigned virtually for Biden, holding joint fundraisers with the candidate and roundtables around issues like the racial disparities in coronavirus cases and protecting the Affordable Care Act. In a June virtual fundraiser, she raised $3.5 million for the campaign,” NBC News reports.
That didn’t stop the naysayers (aka Biden allies) from trying to discredit Harris, calling her debate tactics “too ambitious,” which is basically a bullshit statement reserved for professional women who would never be used if a man did the same thing.
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The funny thing is they are going to love Harris’ ambition when she dismantles Mike “Robot” Pence on Oct. 7 live on Pay-Per-View.
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GA: First, it won’t be on PPV. Secondly, what is up with this nickname? Phony Kamala? That’s it? No alliteration? No rhyme? I’m not excited.
Harris is above said bullshit.
“There will be resistance to your ambition,” Harris said during a virtual conference with Black Girls Rock earlier this month. “There will be people who say to you, you are out of your lane. But don’t let that burden you.”
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And now Harris is poised to take the second seat in the highest office in the land, assuming, of course, that the Biden ticket can join forces to beat Trump or as his friends call him, the Thanos of white supremacy.
Join the discussion! The Root is hosting its first-ever, virtual Root Institute, presented by Target, featuring several of the leading minds in our community talking about politics, culture, health, community building and social impact. Subscribe for updates today!