theroot--2020-11-16--Get Back to the Basics With the Best Pens, According to Reviewers

Many of us grab for our smartphone to jot down a quick note , and there ’ s no shortage of apps designed to help you save your bright ideas before they disappear .
However , the screen isn ’ t always the best place to let your ideas flow out and run freely , in which case a good pen and paper might be the better pick .
Any ol ’ functioning pen can get the job done , but it might not be comfortable to hold or the ink might not flow very evenly .
And if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the number of options and styles can be overwhelming .
But we have some favorites , from affordable everyday pens to fancier fare , and we can help steer you in the right direction with our picks below .
If your hands are begging you for a pen that ’ s comfier to hold , or you know you ’ d lose a nicer , more expensive pen if you had one , Uni Ball ’ s Jetstream RT ballpoint pen is tough to beat .
I ’ ve been using it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose it ” pen to jot down notes on the go for the past couple years , and it has yet to let me down .
It ’ s thicker than the slim doctor ’ s office pens you ’ re used to , and it ’ s easier to grip since it ’ s thicker and has an embossed shell that won ’ t slip around in your hands .
Unlike many comparable pens , like say the Pilot G2 , the Jetstream RT ’ s ink is quick to dry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your paper , so your notes won ’ t look too messy after a long day of scribbling .
Actually writing with it is a joy , too , as the pen offers little resistance when you glide it across the page .
Oh , and even though you buy them in packs of up to twelve , the ink ’ s replaceable , so if you end up loving it , you won ’ t have to keep buying more and piling up the waste .
Just grab a few replacement packs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for backup , just in case .
No , fountain pens haven ’ t gone the way of the dinosaur .
They ’ ve evolved , and they have quite a few fans these days .
Fountain pens let you write with a lighter touch and an even ink flow , which might be worth the considerable added investment over your average rollerball pen .
I ’ ve been using the Lamy Safari for the last month and I ’ m over the moon about it .
It takes some getting used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angle , the smooth , blotch-free output is a dream to see flow from your hand .
Lamy has several colors available , including some eye-popping candy-themed special editions , and this is an excellent starter pick for anyone dabbling in fountain pens .
Don ’ t forget a refill pack if you think you ’ ll be using it often , though .
If you ’ re prone to color-coding your notes , you might prefer a few extra options .
You could get different ink cartridges for a fountain pen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and swapping them around can be a huge pain .
Don ’ t get one of those funky multi-cartridge pens with the sliders , either ; they ’ re the worst of all worlds .
Instead , grab a pack of pens with different color inks , and see which ones work best for you .
I usually stick to black and blue ink , so I don ’ t have too much experience here , but Amazon reviewers have great things to say about the Pilot Precise V5 .
Reviews note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much resistance as you ’ re writing , the ink is quick to dry and doesn ’ t smudge , and the tips are fine enough for tiny writing if you need to scribble in the margins before your next book club Zoom .
This pack comes with five colors : black , blue , red , green , and purple , which should cover all your bases .
The shells all have colors to match , too , so you ’ ll never be surprised when you put pen to paper .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too , so if you like what these pens are putting out , you can keep the ink flowing without tossing more pens into the dump .
If you ’ d rather just have an arsenal of pens at your disposal , and not have to worry about losing every other pen you scribble with , grab a box of BIC Round Stick pens .
They don ’ t produce the best ink , and they aren ’ t exactly reliable or comfortable to grip , but they ’ re cheap to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This pack comes with 120 black ink pens and 120 blue ink pens , giving you 240 total pens for about the same price as one Lamy Safari , without committing to a single color .
You won ’ t get all the niceties of the Safari , but you also won ’ t have to worry about dropping another $ 30 on a pen every time you leave one behind at the doctor ’ s office .
With a latex-free grip for maximum comfort , this Pentel ballpoint pen is guaranteed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-lecture .
In fact , the grip is one of the features that first drew me to this pen back in college .
Manufactured with a stainless steel tip , this pen is extremely durable , made to withstand all of your heavy duty writing needs .
Featuring smooth , bold ink , the Sharpie S-Gel pens are designed for your high performance writing needs .
We ’ re talking to those purists out there who keep their technology use to a minimum and can ’ t get enough of that thrill of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affordable unit price of $ 1 per pen , this product has a sleek and modern design without ever sacrificing quality .
This article was originally written by Jordan McMahon on 09/14/2020 and updated by Juliana Clark on 11/16/2020 .

Jordan McMahon and Juliana Clark on Roundups, shared by Jordan McMahon to The Root

Top Product: BIC Gel-Ocity Quick-Dry Retractable (0.7mm) | $43 | Amazon
While many of us grab our smartphone to jot down a quick note, I’m one of the Luddites out there who still prefer putting pen to paper. Beyond making a work-related to-do list, handwriting notes can be such a meditative task.
Though any old pen can get the job done, there’s no denying that some writing utensils are better than others. Not to mention, we all have unique preferences and concerns, regardless of what we are shopping for. At Kinja Deals, we have compiled a list of some of our favorites, from affordable everyday ballpoint pens to fancier fountain pens to help steer you in the right direction.
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With a comfortable design, the VITOLER Retractable Erasable Gel Pens are erasable and retractable. They write like gel pens but read like pencils. Note that it’s recommended to wait until the ink has fully dried before erasing. These pens are guaranteed to keep your papers and books looking neat.
These inks are high-quality, non-toxic, acid-free, and non-bleeding. Take notes for homework, editing, or tackling work in the office.
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No, fountain pens haven’t gone out of style. They’ve evolved and are perfect for those of us who write with a lighter touch.
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With its new, modern design, the Pilot Varsity disp osable fountain pen comes in a 6-pack with 3 black and 3 blue pens. The advanced liquid ink system and unique real fountain pen nib are great for smooth writing that won’t stain your hands or countertops. The best part is that its transparent design allows you to see how much ink is left before the pen runs out. This feature is great for budgeting how much time you have left before you need to replenish your pen supply.
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The Zebra 701 metal pen is one of the top pens with the option for refillable ink. This tool is designed with a knurled metal grip to create stability and comfort in the user’s overall writing experience. No more straining your hand as you write notes or sign documents!
Beyond its functionality, this pen features a sleek design, so you can make a personal style statement every time you pull it out of your bag.
Plus, this pen is refillable, so you can save money and eliminate the overall waste in your life.
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The BIC Gel-Ocity Quick Dry Gel Pens come in three colors blue, black, and red. The pen delivers a controlled comfortable writing experience with a full-length grip. For $43, you get a value pack with 48 black gel pens that have 0.7 mm points creating vivid lines.
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Who doesn’t love a good ballpoint pen? The Paper Mate Profile Retractable Ballpoint Pens are a great staple for your office and school supplies. They come with a soft grip for ease while writing and a retractable tip to prevent any ink stains in your bag. Plus, if you love a medium point, this pen’s thickness is 1.0 mm, so all you pen pressers need not to worry!
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Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens delivers bold ink to liven up your writing. The 0.7 mm medium point spreads ink beautifully and dries three times as fast . Goodbye smudges! Plus, these pens are fully wrapped with a comfort grip to keep your writing experience as smooth and painless as possible. Note that o ne pack includes 10 jet Black gel pens.
This story was published by Jordan McMahon on 09/14/2020 and updated with new information by Juliana Clark on 09/08/2021.


theroot--2020-11-17--It's Getting Hot in Herre and the Situation Is Serious Because Bel Biv DeVoe and Nelly are Performin

It's Getting Hot in Herre and the Situation Is Serious Because Bel Biv DeVoe and Nelly are Performing at the 2020 AMAs

The American Music Awards are about to throw in a little country New Jack Swing this year !
On Monday night , it was announced that Bel Biv DeVoe ( BBD ) and Nelly have been added to the list of performers for the world ’ s largest fan-voted awards show .
Here ’ s what ’ s going to go down , per a press release sent to The Root : Three-time American Music Award-winning group Bell Biv DeVoe returns to the AMAs with their scorching hot back-in-the-day singles , “ Do Me , ” and “ Poison.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ronnie DeVoe made their AMA stage debut nearly 30 years ago with their 1991 hot # 1 single , “ B.B.D .
( I Thought It Was Me ? )
, ” from their debut studio album , Poison .
Megastar Nelly will take fans back to the start of the new millennium celebrating 20 years since the release of his debut diamond-certified studio album , Country Grammar , with a blazing performance of his anthems “ Country Grammar , ” “ E.I.
” and “ Ride Wit Me.
” Currently competing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Music Award winner , the hip-hop dynamo won his first AMA in 2002 for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist , followed by the Fan ’ s Choice Award in 2003 , and again in 2013 for Single of the Year with Florida Georgia Line for their hit , “ Cruise.
” “ Yooo it ’ s going DOWN DOWN BABY at this year ’ s @ AMAs to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Country Grammar !
” Nelly posted on his Instagram , following the news announcement .
Along with a montage of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posted the caption , “ Wassup y ’ all !
!
!
We are so excited to perform at this year ’ s @ amas to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Poison !
” BBD and Nelly will be joining performers Megan Thee Stallion , Bad Bunny ( with Jhay Cortez ) , Lil Baby and Shawn Mendes , Billie Eilish , BTS , Dua Lipa , Jennifer Lopez and Maluma and Katy Perry .
Taraji P. Henson will be the host of the night .
The 2020 American Music Awards airs live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m .
ET on ABC .

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

The American Music Awards are about to throw in a little country New Jack Swing this year!
On Monday night, it was announced that Bel Biv DeVoe (BBD) and Nelly have been added to the list of performers for the world’s largest fan-voted awards show.
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Here’s what’s going to go down, per a press release sent to The Root:
Three-time American Music Award-winning group Bell Biv DeVoe returns to the AMAs with their scorching hot back-in-the-day singles, “Do Me,” and “Poison.” Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe made their AMA stage debut nearly 30 years ago with their 1991 hot #1 single, “B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me?),” from their debut studio album, Poison. Megastar Nelly will take fans back to the start of the new millennium celebrating 20 years since the release of his debut diamond-certified studio album, Country Grammar, with a blazing performance of his anthems “Country Grammar,” “E.I.” and “Ride Wit Me.” Currently competing on Dancing with the Stars and a three-time American Music Award winner, the hip-hop dynamo won his first AMA in 2002 for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist, followed by the Fan’s Choice Award in 2003, and again in 2013 for Single of the Year with Florida Georgia Line for their hit, “Cruise.”
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“Yooo it’s going DOWN DOWN BABY at this year’s @AMAs to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Country Grammar!” Nelly posted on his Instagram, following the news announcement.
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Along with a montage of the members, the official BBD Instagram account posted the caption, “Wassup y’all !!! We are so excited to perform at this year’s @amas to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Poison!”
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BBD and Nelly will be joining performers Megan Thee Stallion, Bad Bunny (with Jhay Cortez), Lil Baby and Shawn Mendes, Billie Eilish, BTS, Dua Lipa, Jennifer Lopez and Maluma and Katy Perry. Taraji P. Henson will be the host of the night.
The 2020 American Music Awards airs live on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.


theroot--2020-11-19--'Act Like a White Person in a White Neighborhood,' Racist AF Karen Tells Black Family in California

'Act Like a White Person in a White Neighborhood,' Racist AF Karen Tells Black Family in California Suburbs

In today ’ s episode of Uh ... Karen , I ’ m Pretty Sure You Just Said the Quiet Part Out Loud , an altercation that occurred in Northern California ’ s Discovery Bay between a Black family and a racist AF white woman was recorded and posted to social media .
The video shows an elderly white woman—who the family identified as Adana Dean , according to ABC 7—armed with a taser and standing at the family ’ s door complaining about their dog having been loose and attacking her dog , which she was clutching under her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imagine smells like mothballs , sour milk and Matlock reruns .
A Black man—identified as Gerritt Jones—can be heard arguing with the woman , denying that their dog did anything to hers and asking her relatively nicely to get the hell on .
Because suburban white people tend to think they ’ re in charge of literally everything , the Dean of Klan College ( see what I did there ? )
threatened to call the police and then spoke to Jones like she had some kind of authority over him saying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see that dog outside.
” Jones responded by saying , “ Well I don ’ t want to see your old wrinkly , bologna-smelling-ass anywhere but under a gravestone , but we don ’ t always get what we want !
” Sorry , that ’ s not Jones , that ’ s actually how I responded in my head .
“ Well , he ’ s going to be outside , ” Jones said .
“ I have a right to have him just like every other person in here .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he ain ’ t done nothing to your dog.
” After the Dean of LNU ( Lynch a Negro University ) accused the man of “ being nasty , ” she decided to take a deep dive off the cliff of Mt .
Caucasity and said , “ You know what ?
You ’ re a Black person in a white neighborhood and you ’ re acting like one .
Why don ’ t you act like a white person in a white neighborhood ?
” First of all , you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ya dog is racist .
Third , YOU GOT A WHOLE DOG AND ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT A DOG AND YOU CAN ’ T REMEMBER TO DOG WHISTLE YOUR BLATANT RACISM ?
?
Anyway , Dean repeated the “ act like a white person ” line after Jones ’ sister , Jarielle , heard the commotion and came to the door to see what was going on .
“ You know what ?
You guys are acting like Black people and you should be acting like white people , ” she said again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give the Dean of Nazi Pride Technical College for Underachieving Bigots the benefit of the doubt and assume that by “ acting like white people ” she just means she wants more neighbors who bathe bi-weekly and bring green bean casserole and Triscuits to cookouts they weren ’ t invited to .
But her sentiments were much more racist than that .
Dean went on to tell the family—who were growing increasingly impatient , though they were still way better than me—that she was raised in Oklahoma City “ where there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whatever white nonsense-infused anecdote Dean was about to tell regarding Oklahoma City negroes and asked her to repeat her earlier comments .
Later in the video , Jones pointed out that Dean—who , by the way , has been brandishing a taser and pointing it at people the entire time she was at the family ’ s door—petted the dog she claimed attacked her dog earlier that day .
“ I didn ’ t pet the dog , I just petted the dog because I wanted to see if he was OK , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Chappelle ’ s Show denying and admitting to grinding his feet into Eddie Murphy ’ s couch .
The video cuts to earlier footage showing Dean talking to Jones and ... well ... she does appear to be petting his dog .

In today’s episode of Uh...Karen, I’m Pretty Sure You Just Said the Quiet Part Out Loud, an altercation that occurred in Northern California’s Discovery Bay between a Black family and a racist AF white woman was recorded and posted to social media.
The video shows an elderly white woman—who the family identified as Adana Dean, according to ABC 7—armed with a taser and standing at the family’s door complaining about their dog having been loose and attacking her dog, which she was clutching under her arm, and which I can only imagine smells like mothballs, sour milk and Matlock reruns. A Black man—identified as Gerritt Jones—can be heard arguing with the woman, denying that their dog did anything to hers and asking her relatively nicely to get the hell on.
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Because suburban white people tend to think they’re in charge of literally everything, the Dean of Klan College (see what I did there?) threatened to call the police and then spoke to Jones like she had some kind of authority over him saying, “I don’t want to see that dog outside.”
Jones responded by saying, “Well I don’t want to see your old wrinkly, bologna-smelling-ass anywhere but under a gravestone, but we don’t always get what we want!”
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Sorry, that’s not Jones, that’s actually how I responded in my head.
“Well, he’s going to be outside,” Jones said. “I have a right to have him just like every other person in here. He ain’t done nothing to you, he ain’t done nothing to your dog.”
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After the Dean of LNU (Lynch a Negro University) accused the man of “being nasty,” she decided to take a deep dive off the cliff of Mt. Caucasity and said, “You know what? You’re a Black person in a white neighborhood and you’re acting like one. Why don’t you act like a white person in a white neighborhood?”
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First of all, you’re racist. Second of all, ya dog is racist. Third, YOU GOT A WHOLE DOG AND ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT A DOG AND YOU CAN’T REMEMBER TO DOG WHISTLE YOUR BLATANT RACISM??
Anyway, Dean repeated the “act like a white person” line after Jones’ sister, Jarielle, heard the commotion and came to the door to see what was going on.
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“You know what? You guys are acting like Black people and you should be acting like white people,” she said again.
Listen: I’m really trying to give the Dean of Nazi Pride Technical College for Underachieving Bigots the benefit of the doubt and assume that by “acting like white people” she just means she wants more neighbors who bathe bi-weekly and bring green bean casserole and Triscuits to cookouts they weren’t invited to. But her sentiments were much more racist than that.
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Dean went on to tell the family—who were growing increasingly impatient, though they were still way better than me—that she was raised in Oklahoma City “where there were tons of Black people.”
Jarielle interrupted whatever white nonsense-infused anecdote Dean was about to tell regarding Oklahoma City negroes and asked her to repeat her earlier comments.
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“We’re acting like what?” Jarielle asked.
“You’re acting like niggers people who aren’t normal,” Dean responded.
Later in the video, Jones pointed out that Dean—who, by the way, has been brandishing a taser and pointing it at people the entire time she was at the family’s door—petted the dog she claimed attacked her dog earlier that day.
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“I didn’t pet the dog, I just petted the dog because I wanted to see if he was OK,” she responded sounding like Rick James on Chappelle’s Show denying and admitting to grinding his feet into Eddie Murphy’s couch.
The video cuts to earlier footage showing Dean talking to Jones and...well...she does appear to be petting his dog.


theroot--2020-11-19--Milwaukee Cop Who Shot 17-Year-Old Alvin Cole Earlier This Year Resigns

A Milwaukee cop responsible for fatally shooting three people over the last five years while on duty has resigned .
The Associated Press reports that Joseph Mensah has signed a separation agreement with the Wauwatosa Common Council on Tuesday night .
As a result of that agreement , Mensah ’ s last day with the department will be Nov. 30 .
Mensah , who is Black , has been on suspension since July 15 due to the aftermath of his third shooting earlier this year .
In February , Mensah shot and killed 17-year-old Alvin Cole outside of the Mayfair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police with an allegedly stolen handgun .
Cole pulled the handgun out while running from the police and accidentally shot himself in the arm .
Cole allegedly pointed the gun at Mensah when he was told to drop it and that ’ s when Mensah opened fire , killing him .
Mensah ’ s record of police violence also made national waves , with rapper Jay-Z even attempting to put up billboards in Milwaukee calling for Mensah to face charges .
In 2015 , Mensah shot 29-year-old Antonio Gonzales eight times after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gonzales ’ s blood-alcohol level was .255 , so apparently , it ’ s impossible to simply tase a drunk dude with a sword .
His next shooting happened only a year later in 2016 when he approached a parked vehicle where Jay Anderson had been sleeping .
Mensah said that when he approached the car , he saw Anderson reaching for a gun and decided to open fire .
Mensah was not found guilty of any criminal wrongdoing in either of those cases .
On Oct. 7 , Milwaukee County District Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face charges in the shooting of Cole , but an independent investigator recommended the officer be fired due to the risk of a potential fourth shooting .
Allowing Mensah to continue as a fully empowered police officer , with the authorization to potentially use deadly force for a fourth time , “ creates an extraordinary , unwarranted and unnecessary risk to the Wauwatosa Police Department and the City of Wauwatosa , ” Steven Biskupic wrote in his report .
Biskupic also found Mensah had made “ inconsistent and misleading ” public statements about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to testify in court , and violated a policy banning officers from discussing ongoing investigations of police shootings .
Those factors led Biskupic to find “ just cause , ” as defined by state law , to remove Mensah from duty as an active Wauwatosa police officer .
“ I further find that termination would serve the best interests of the Wauwatosa Police Department and the City of Wauwatosa , ” he wrote .
As a result of Cole ’ s shooting , multiple protests occurred in Milwaukee , calling for Mensah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed against the officer .
The protests intensified in the months following the death of George Floyd .
In August , a protest held outside Mensah ’ s house attracted 50-60 people and resulted in a single shotgun round being fired into his home , according to the Journal Sentinel .
Following the decision to not charge Mensah , there were more protests , schools were closed , businesses were boarded up , and a five-day curfew was established in Wauwatosa .
I just think it ’ s kinda funny how cities always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legal system failing to do its job , but it ’ s just a shrug when it comes to a pandemic .
Kimberley Motley , the attorney representing the families of those killed by Mensah , told reporters that Mensah ’ s “ resignation is long overdue .
” “ While we welcome the news , it is tragic that the Wauwatosa Police Department under Chief Weber ’ s leadership failed to address his shortcomings for years .
It is time for new leadership in the Wauwatosa Police Department , ” she @ @

A Milwaukee cop responsible for fatally shooting three people over the last five years while on duty has resigned.
The Associated Press reports that Joseph Mensah has signed a separation agreement with the Wauwatosa Common Council on Tuesday night. As a result of that agreement, Mensah’s last day with the department will be Nov. 30. Mensah, who is Black, has been on suspension since July 15 due to the aftermath of his third shooting earlier this year.
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In February, Mensah shot and killed 17-year-old Alvin Cole outside of the Mayfair Mall. Cole was running from the police with an allegedly stolen handgun. Cole pulled the handgun out while running from the police and accidentally shot himself in the arm. Cole allegedly pointed the gun at Mensah when he was told to drop it and that’s when Mensah opened fire, killing him.
Mensah’s record of police violence also made national waves, with rapper Jay-Z even attempting to put up billboards in Milwaukee calling for Mensah to face charges. In 2015, Mensah shot 29-year-old Antonio Gonzales eight times after he refused to put down a sword. Gonzales’s blood-alcohol level was .255, so apparently, it’s impossible to simply tase a drunk dude with a sword.
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His next shooting happened only a year later in 2016 when he approached a parked vehicle where Jay Anderson had been sleeping. Mensah said that when he approached the car, he saw Anderson reaching for a gun and decided to open fire.
Mensah was not found guilty of any criminal wrongdoing in either of those cases.
On Oct. 7, Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm announced that Mensah would not face charges in the shooting of Cole, but an independent investigator recommended the officer be fired due to the risk of a potential fourth shooting.
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From the Journal Sentinel:
Allowing Mensah to continue as a fully empowered police officer, with the authorization to potentially use deadly force for a fourth time, “creates an extraordinary, unwarranted and unnecessary risk to the Wauwatosa Police Department and the City of Wauwatosa,” Steven Biskupic wrote in his report. Biskupic also found Mensah had made “inconsistent and misleading” public statements about the shootings, which could compromise his ability to testify in court, and violated a policy banning officers from discussing ongoing investigations of police shootings. Those factors led Biskupic to find “just cause,” as defined by state law, to remove Mensah from duty as an active Wauwatosa police officer. “I further find that termination would serve the best interests of the Wauwatosa Police Department and the City of Wauwatosa,” he wrote.
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As a result of Cole’s shooting, multiple protests occurred in Milwaukee, calling for Mensah’s firing and charges to be filed against the officer. The protests intensified in the months following the death of George Floyd. In August, a protest held outside Mensah’s house attracted 50-60 people and resulted in a single shotgun round being fired into his home, according to the Journal Sentinel.
Following the decision to not charge Mensah, there were more protests, schools were closed, businesses were boarded up, and a five-day curfew was established in Wauwatosa.
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I just think it’s kinda funny how cities always do the most when it comes to the legal system failing to do its job, but it’s just a shrug when it comes to a pandemic.
Kimberley Motley, the attorney representing the families of those killed by Mensah, told reporters that Mensah’s “resignation is long overdue. ”
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“While we welcome the news, it is tragic that the Wauwatosa Police Department under Chief Weber’s leadership failed to address his shortcomings for years. It is time for new leadership in the Wauwatosa Police Department,” she added.


theroot--2020-11-16--This 18" LED Ring Kit Just Went on Sale for $50 so Now Is the Time to Make Those Selfies the Best Th

This 18" LED Ring Kit Just Went on Sale for $50 so Now Is the Time to Make Those Selfies the Best They Can Be

Starting today save 69 % on this 18 '' LED ring kit .
We are probably headed for another quarantine so if you didn ’ t grab one of these to improve your selfies , upgrade your TikToks , or even just to help with better lighting for makeup now is the time .
This deal will run until December 15 just use the code 69DO1N37 at checkout .
In this kit , you get the 18 '' LED ring light , a 61 '' light stand , a soft tube , a white and orange color filter , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ universal power adapter , a smartphone holder , and a carrying bag .
The stand is made from aluminum alloy , easy to position , and assemble .
The white and orange color filters will help you discover which hue and color temperatures work best .
The hot shoe adapter works with most DSLR cameras .
The smartphone holder is compatible with most phones as well .
This is a really nice deal and a great starter set for anyone wanting to give their creative endeavors a boost .
Remember the # 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all around .
This will ship for free if you are a Prime member .

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

Vivitar 12" Selfie Ring Light Kit | $39 | SideDeal
If you didn’t already grab a ring light to improve your selfies, upgrade your TikToks, or even help with better lighting for makeup, now is the time. You can save 68% on this Vivitar 12" Selfie Ring Light Kit today.
In this kit, you get the 12" LED ring light, a sixty-three-inch adjustable tripod, two phone clips, a remote control, and a selfie shutter release remote. It also has a built-in USB port for charging your phone while you use the light. With three lighting modes, color temperature levels between 2700K-6500K, and 10 brightness levels, you can find just the right setting for your content.
The phone clamp supports both vertically and horizontally shooting. It also works with a variety of smartphones. The light also works with most devices that support a USB port. The wireless controller lets you switch on the fill light directly and change modes and light levels. This is a really nice deal and a great starter set for anyone wanting to give their creative endeavors a boost. Remember, the #1 TikTok tip is well-lit videos do better all around.
If you’ve read a few of our pieces on SideDeal before and you like what you’ve seen, they offer a $5 monthly fee to get free shipping on all of your orders, no matter how many. Otherwise, it’s a flat rate of $8.
This deal was originally posted by Sheilah Villari on 11/30/2020 and updated with new information on 02/25/2021.


theroot--2020-11-19--So, Uh, The Game Awards Are Looking Kinda Mid This Year

I can ’ t lie , The Game Awards is one of my favorite events of the year .
The folks who worked mad hard to entertain us are celebrated and we get to see sneak peeks at the new hotness to come .
What ’ s not to love ?
So today The Game Awards announced their list of nominees , and it drives home a feeling I ’ ve had for the last few months : This year is kind of mid , y ’ all .
Look , it ’ s been a weird year to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re gaming now more than ever .
It ’ s just unfortunate that when we look at the big titles released this year , none of them are very inspiring .
At least , in this nerdy nigga ’ s eyes .
For example , let ’ s take a gander at this year ’ s Game of the Year nominees : • Doom Eternal ( Good but not as good as the original ) • Final Fantasy VII Remake ( I mean , like , I love it but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game ) • Hades ( I hear this is an incredibly , which , you know , tight ) • Animal Crossing : New Horizons ( A solid-ass entry in the franchise ) • The Last of Us Part II .
• The Last of Us Part II .
Is a game of the year .
Nominee .
The most expensive B-game ever made got the nom .
Now , this isn ’ t as bad as say , Green Book .
In fact , I ’ d compare it to the 1990 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghost .
Ghost isn ’ t a bad movie , but come on now .
Best picture ?
I ’ m hoping we get past the point that just because a game is expensive and “ serious ” doesn ’ t mean it ’ s a shoo-in for awards .
TLoU : Part II , a game that spends 20 hours simply to tell you “ killing is bad , mmkay ?
” got a nom for best narrative .
Shit , Doom Eternal , whose narrative is mostly beside the point , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It doesn ’ t look any better when you go into the sub-categories , with there being very few interesting or surprising choices in the mix .
Fighting games were particularly mid this year ; a look at the nominees shows that GranBlue Fantasy : Versus is the only new game of any merit on the list .
The rest is just being definitive versions of games we ’ ve been playing for the last few years and a mediocre One Punch Man game , for some reason .
The “ traditional ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t really hit the same way this year and my disappointment in this list stems from the fact that it ’ s a very traditional selection of games , in a very non-traditional year .
It ’ s sad that games like Among Us , Fall Guys , Genshin Impact , and Call of Duty : Warzone are relegated to the multiplayer/mobile section when , highest of keys , those are the games of the year .
Those are the games that brought us together , provided a way for us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when there wasn ’ t any other way too .
Maybe I ’ m just crazy , but I think the game of the year nominees should reflect the games people actually gravitated to that year .
With all that being said , Ghost of Tsushima shits on every game in the Game of the Year list , and I will throw hands about this .
Also , got ta give shouts to Black Girl Gamers founder Jay Ann Lopez for her content creator of the year nomination .
How do y ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Dig ‘ em ?
Hate ‘ em ?
Feeling similarly meh ?
Go off in the comments !
Though any Tsushima disrespect will be met with an equal/if not greater level of disrespect .
I ’ m not even playing , y ’ all .

I can’t lie, The Game Awards is one of my favorite events of the year. The folks who worked mad hard to entertain us are celebrated and we get to see sneak peeks at the new hotness to come. What’s not to love?
So today The Game Awards announced their list of nominees, and it drives home a feeling I’ve had for the last few months: This year is kind of mid, y’all.
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Look, it’s been a weird year to put it lightly, and I feel like we’re gaming now more than ever. It’s just unfortunate that when we look at the big titles released this year, none of them are very inspiring. At least, in this nerdy nigga’s eyes.
For example, let’s take a gander at this year’s Game of the Year nominees:
Doom Eternal (Good but not as good as the original)
Final Fantasy VII Remake (I mean, like, I love it but it’s technically not even a full game)
Ghost of Tsushima (A banger, I must admit)
Hades (I hear this is an incredibly horny rogue-light
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (A solid-ass entry in the franchise)
The Last of Us Part II.
The Last of Us Part II. Is a game of the year. Nominee.
The most expensive B-game ever made got the nom. Now, this isn’t as bad as say, Green Book. In fact, I’d compare it to the 1990 Academy Award Nominee for Best Picture, Ghost.
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Ghost isn’t a bad movie, but come on now. Best picture?
I’m hoping we get past the point that just because a game is expensive and “serious” doesn’t mean it’s a shoo-in for awards. TLoU: Part II, a game that spends 20 hours simply to tell you “killing is bad, mmkay?” got a nom for best narrative.
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Shit, Doom Eternal, whose narrative is mostly beside the point, got a nom for best narrative.
It doesn’t look any better when you go into the sub-categories, with there being very few interesting or surprising choices in the mix. Fighting games were particularly mid this year; a look at the nominees shows that GranBlue Fantasy: Versus is the only new game of any merit on the list. The rest is just being definitive versions of games we’ve been playing for the last few years and a mediocre One Punch Man game, for some reason.
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The “traditional” game of the year contenders just didn’t really hit the same way this year and my disappointment in this list stems from the fact that it’s a very traditional selection of games, in a very non-traditional year.
It’s sad that games like Among Us, Fall Guys, Genshin Impact, and Call of Duty: Warzone are relegated to the multiplayer/mobile section when, highest of keys, those are the games of the year.
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Those are the games that brought us together, provided a way for us to hang out with our friends and family when there wasn’t any other way too. Maybe I’m just crazy, but I think the game of the year nominees should reflect the games people actually gravitated to that year.
With all that being said, Ghost of Tsushima shits on every game in the Game of the Year list, and I will throw hands about this. Also, gotta give shouts to Black Girl Gamers founder Jay Ann Lopez for her content creator of the year nomination.
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How do y’all feel about the nominees this year? Dig ‘em? Hate ‘em? Feeling similarly meh? Go off in the comments! Though any Tsushima disrespect will be met with an equal/if not greater level of disrespect. I’m not even playing, y’all.


theroot--2020-11-19--Let’s Talk About That One Night In Miami: The Trailer for Regina Thee King’s Highly Anticipated Film

Let’s Talk About That One Night In Miami: The Trailer for Regina Thee King’s Highly Anticipated Film Is Finally Here

After much buzz and excitement , Amazon has just dropped the long-awaited trailer for the Venice Film Festival favorite , One Night In Miami .
The film , based on the Kemp Powers stage play of the same name , will serve as the directorial debut for Regina King , who ’ s been having one helluva moment .
( Looking at you , Emmy-winning Watchmen ) In a press release sent to The Root , more details on the storyline are as follows : On one incredible night in 1964 , four icons of sports , music , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest upsets in boxing history .
When underdog Cassius Clay , soon to be called Muhammad Ali , ( Eli Goree ) , defeats heavy weight champion Sonny Liston at the Miami Convention Hall , Clay memorialized the event with three of his friends : Malcolm X ( Kingsley Ben-Adir ) , Sam Cooke ( Leslie Odom Jr. ) and Jim Brown ( Aldis Hodge ) .
Based on the award-winning play of the same name , and directed by Regina King , One Night In Miami ... is a fictional account inspired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures spent together .
It looks at the struggles these men faced and the vital role they each played in the civil rights movement and cultural upheaval of the 1960s .
More than 40 years later , their conversations on racial injustice , religion , and personal responsibility still resonate .
In a virtual press conference earlier this year , King expressed her excitement and expectations for the film , saying : “ I am so grateful for our film to be a part of the festival but I really , really want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s so much talent out there—so many talented directors—so if One Night in Miami gets it done here , you ’ ll get to see a lot more of us.
” I don ’ t know about you , but the minute initial talks of this movie hit my timeline , I was ready to throw my money and run to the theaters .
But thanks to a little—okay , BIG-ASS problem called the coronavirus , that won ’ t be happening .
So instead , I ’ ll be running my behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out my coins via my Smart TV .
Regina King has the Midas touch , so don ’ t be surprised when this project goes gold—and by ‘ gold ’ I mean the Academy Award , Golden Globe-kind .
Let ’ s go , Regina !

Shanelle Genai on The Grapevine, shared by Shanelle Genai to The Root

After much buzz and excitement, Amazon has just dropped the long-awaited trailer for the Venice Film Festival favorite, One Night In Miami. The film, based on the Kemp Powers stage play of the same name, will serve as the directorial debut for Regina King, who’s been having one helluva moment. (Looking at you, Emmy-winning Watchmen) In a press release sent to The Root, more details on the storyline are as follows:
On one incredible night in 1964, four icons of sports, music, and activism gathered to celebrate one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. When underdog Cassius Clay, soon to be called Muhammad Ali, (Eli Goree), defeats heavy weight champion Sonny Liston at the Miami Convention Hall, Clay memorialized the event with three of his friends: Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.) and Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge). Based on the award-winning play of the same name, and directed by Regina King, One Night In Miami... is a fictional account inspired by the historic night these four formidable figures spent together. It looks at the struggles these men faced and the vital role they each played in the civil rights movement and cultural upheaval of the 1960s. More than 40 years later, their conversations on racial injustice, religion, and personal responsibility still resonate.
Peep the trailer here:
In a virtual press conference earlier this year, King expressed her excitement and expectations for the film, saying: “I am so grateful for our film to be a part of the festival but I really, really want it to perform well. There’s so much talent out there—so many talented directors—so if One Night in Miami gets it done here, you’ll get to see a lot more of us.”
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I don’t know about you, but the minute initial talks of this movie hit my timeline, I was ready to throw my money and run to the theaters. But thanks to a little—okay, BIG-ASS problem called the coronavirus, that won’t be happening. So instead, I’ll be running my behind to the living room couch and shelling out my coins via my Smart TV. Regina King has the Midas touch, so don’t be surprised when this project goes gold—and by ‘gold’ I mean the Academy Award, Golden Globe-kind. Let’s go, Regina!


theroot--2020-11-18--Truth Hurts: Lizzo Reminds Us 'Fashion Is So Indebted to Black Women’s Culture'

James Baldwin famously said in 1961 : “ To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a state of rage almost , almost all of the time.
” We know that to be true , but when it comes to the fashion and beauty industries , to be Black and fat is to be largely invisible .
( Trust—as a Black woman who spent two decades fighting for said visibility as a full-figured model , I know . )
Thanks to trailblazers like Lizzo , that paradigm continues to slowly but surely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) might be prone to write off the multitalented musician as a novelty , during Vogue ’ s Forces of Fashion summit this week , she once again said what so many of us are thinking : Black women—and yes , fat ones—deserve to be included in a conversation we so often inspire .
“ Fashion is so indebted to Black women ’ s culture : Bamboo earrings , baby hairs , graffiti… .
the list goes on , ” she told friend and frequent collaborator Jeremy Scott , creative director of Moschino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where she is working on her next album ( h/t Teen Vogue ) .
“ It ’ s not just about ‘ ok , we put a Black girl [ in a magazine ] .
’ It ’ s also , we put a Black girl behind the scenes too .
We ’ re giving people jobs .
We are including big [ and Black ] women in the conversation .
[ Your project ] is not going to be less chic because we are a part of it .
If anything it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expansive and more impactful.
” As we know , Lizzo actively campaigned for voter participation and the Biden-Harris ticket .
Following the election , she garnered some added inspiration from the new vice president-elect .
“ Now , more than ever , we need everybody ’ s voices to get the point across .
No one could be left out now , ” she said .
“ Putting clothes on big Black women like me is where it begins .
I loved when Kamala [ Harris ] said ‘ I am the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ definitely not going to be the last because what I represent is possibility.
’ That ’ s how I feel about being the first fat Black woman on the cover of Vogue .
I ’ m definitely not going to be the last.
” Proving why she remains both relevant and relatable , Lizzo gave insight into her always adventurous personal style—even some of her more questionable ones .
Reflecting on her teenage years , she shared the frustration of so many of us who weren ’ t built for the size ranges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already awkward phase ( thankfully , Hot Topic at least had the foresight to create its own fashion-forward spinoff , Torrid ) .
Always creative who made her own rules , Lizzo recalled , “ If it wasn ’ t made for me , I made it for me.
” Of course , now , the award-winning singer-songwriter-style icon has designers like Scott eager to help her make her next fashion statement .
“ [ T ] o have these great designers do bespoke special pieces that fit my body , my rolls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most special feeling .
I feel so included , like ‘ you belong here , ’ versus the opposite of that feeling , which I felt for a long time.
” Now , she wants the industry to recognize the rest of its customers—the big girls , the Black girls , from fast-fashion followers to luxury lovers .
And though it may seem she ’ s stating the oft-repeated obvious , it bears repeating until it bears results .
“ We are here to stay .
We are important .
We are chic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I love sample-size , blonde , blue-eyed , tall girls .
I think they are gorgeous , [ but ] I think we all could be on a fashion show ... .I want to see a me , too .
I want to see a me , strutting with legs and thick thighs .
”

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

James Baldwin famously said in 1961: “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a state of rage almost, almost all of the time.” We know that to be true, but when it comes to the fashion and beauty industries, to be Black and fat is to be largely invisible. (Trust—as a Black woman who spent two decades fighting for said visibility as a full-figured model, I know.)
Thanks to trailblazers like Lizzo, that paradigm continues to slowly but surely shift, and while some (haters) might be prone to write off the multitalented musician as a novelty, during Vogue’s Forces of Fashion summit this week, she once again said what so many of us are thinking: Black women—and yes, fat ones—deserve to be included in a conversation we so often inspire.
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“Fashion is so indebted to Black women’s culture: Bamboo earrings, baby hairs, graffiti…. the list goes on,” she told friend and frequent collaborator Jeremy Scott, creative director of Moschino, via Zoom call from Mexico, where she is working on her next album (h/t Teen Vogue). “It’s not just about ‘ok, we put a Black girl [in a magazine].’ It’s also, we put a Black girl behind the scenes too. We’re giving people jobs. We are including big [and Black] women in the conversation. [Your project] is not going to be less chic because we are a part of it. If anything it’s just going to be more expansive and more impactful.”
As we know, Lizzo actively campaigned for voter participation and the Biden-Harris ticket. Following the election, she garnered some added inspiration from the new vice president-elect. “Now, more than ever, we need everybody’s voices to get the point across. No one could be left out now,” she said. “Putting clothes on big Black women like me is where it begins. I loved when Kamala [Harris] said ‘I am the first Black female VP but I’m definitely not going to be the last because what I represent is possibility.’ That’s how I feel about being the first fat Black woman on the cover of Vogue. I’m definitely not going to be the last.”
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Proving why she remains both relevant and relatable, Lizzo gave insight into her always adventurous personal style—even some of her more questionable ones. Reflecting on her teenage years, she shared the frustration of so many of us who weren’t built for the size ranges of 5-7-9 and Contempo Casuals during that already awkward phase (thankfully, Hot Topic at least had the foresight to create its own fashion-forward spinoff, Torrid). Always creative who made her own rules, Lizzo recalled, “If it wasn’t made for me, I made it for me.”
Advertisement
Of course, now, the award-winning singer-songwriter-style icon has designers like Scott eager to help her make her next fashion statement. “[T]o have these great designers do bespoke special pieces that fit my body, my rolls, my belly… that’s the most special feeling. I feel so included, like ‘you belong here,’ versus the opposite of that feeling, which I felt for a long time.”
Now, she wants the industry to recognize the rest of its customers—the big girls, the Black girls, from fast-fashion followers to luxury lovers. And though it may seem she’s stating the oft-repeated obvious, it bears repeating until it bears results.
Advertisement
“We are here to stay. We are important. We are chic. We are beautiful,” Lizzo said. “I love sample-size, blonde, blue-eyed, tall girls. I think they are gorgeous, [but] I think we all could be on a fashion show....I want to see a me, too. I want to see a me, strutting with legs and thick thighs.”


theroot--2020-11-18--Good News: Trump's Twitter Days May Be Numbered After January 20

Hallelujah !
Trump could soon be booted off of Twitter as well as out of the White House .
At a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday , Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said that the policy exceptions allowing Trump to incite violence , proliferate racism , and promote white supremacy on his platform will end as soon Trump ’ s presidency does .
( The dawning of that glorious morn , when the inauguration of the newly elected president Joe Biden will take place , is just 63 days away .
But who ’ s counting ? )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ consistently posts ostensibly violates the social platform ’ s rules , Dorsey has maintained that Twitter has some sort of duty to help Trump broadcast all of his deranged , untrue , and dangerous thoughts into the public sphere because he is the president .
That ridiculousness is set to end after January 20 , reports the New York Times .
At Tuesday ’ s hearing , Jack Dorsey , Twitter ’ s chief executive , said the company would no longer make policy exceptions for Mr. Trump after he leaves office in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time as a world leader , Twitter allowed him to post content that violated its rules , though it began adding labels to some of the tweets starting in May to indicate that the posts were disputed or glorified violence .
“ If an account suddenly is not a world leader anymore , that particular policy goes away , ” Mr. Dorsey said .
There ’ s no question that Trump will still be addicted to pushing the same trash he ’ s gotten away with posting even after he ’ s no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being honest in saying that Twitter will no longer tolerate it .
But surprising no one , Mark Zuckerberg—chief enabler of all that is wrong with social media—would not commit at the hearing to changing how Facebook moderates Trump ’ s posts , even after he leaves office .
Democrats on the committee also took Zuckerberg to task for not banning Steve Bannon ’ s account , after the former Trump campaign strategist live-streamed himself earlier this month saying that Dr. Anthony Fauci should be beheaded .
Zuckerberg said Facebook ’ s policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those outrageous comments but his account was given a “ strike , ” according to the Times .
Meanwhile , Republican senators like Ted Cruz ( R-Texas ) used the hearing to push the clearly baseless theory that posts by conservatives are being overly moderated on Facebook and Twitter .

Hallelujah! Trump could soon be booted off of Twitter as well as out of the White House.
At a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said that the policy exceptions allowing Trump to incite violence, proliferate racism, and promote white supremacy on his platform will end as soon Trump’s presidency does.
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(The dawning of that glorious morn, when the inauguration of the newly elected president Joe Biden will take place, is just 63 days away. But who’s counting?)
Though the kind of content that Trump consistently posts ostensibly violates the social platform’s rules, Dorsey has maintained that Twitter has some sort of duty to help Trump broadcast all of his deranged, untrue, and dangerous thoughts into the public sphere because he is the president.
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That ridiculousness is set to end after January 20, reports the New York Times.
From the Times:
At Tuesday’s hearing, Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s chief executive, said the company would no longer make policy exceptions for Mr. Trump after he leaves office in January. During Mr. Trump’s time as a world leader, Twitter allowed him to post content that violated its rules, though it began adding labels to some of the tweets starting in May to indicate that the posts were disputed or glorified violence. “If an account suddenly is not a world leader anymore, that particular policy goes away,” Mr. Dorsey said.
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There’s no question that Trump will still be addicted to pushing the same trash he’s gotten away with posting even after he’s no longer president— but hopefully, Dorsey is being honest in saying that Twitter will no longer tolerate it.
But surprising no one, Mark Zuckerberg—chief enabler of all that is wrong with social media—would not commit at the hearing to changing how Facebook moderates Trump’s posts, even after he leaves office.
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Democrats on the committee also took Zuckerberg to task for not banning Steve Bannon’s account, after the former Trump campaign strategist live-streamed himself earlier this month saying that Dr. Anthony Fauci should be beheaded. Zuckerberg said Facebook’s policies do not require Bannon to be banned for those outrageous comments but his account was given a “strike,” according to the Times.
Meanwhile, Republican senators like Ted Cruz (R-Texas) used the hearing to push the clearly baseless theory that posts by conservatives are being overly moderated on Facebook and Twitter.


theroot--2020-11-18--For White Men Who Have Considered Genocide When Patriarchy and Privilege Are Not Enuf

The cacophony of celebratory sounds that rang out last week in reaction to Joe Biden ’ s win was based on a sundry of emotions—ranging from relief at ending a racist regime dominated by white men who were fanatical about protecting their own wealth and privilege to jubilance over a historic win for Kamala Harris , the first woman and African American to be elected vice president .
We were all celebrating our new white savior with a side of sister and new hopes that a brighter day was on the horizon .
That day has not come just yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and resentment of a cadre of white men who ’ ve made it their dual mission in life to be both sycophants to a man in orange and to hinder any semblance of progress in this country .
The days that followed Biden ’ s victory speech were riddled with egregious examples of toxic white masculinity .
White men tripled down by defying , denying and resisting a Democratic win , expressing the lowest form of sore loser-ism this country may have ever seen from the Republican Party .
The collective temper tantrum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s senior editor , Stephen Crockett , in his GTFOH Trump Watch column : It ’ s really been a joy to watch these grown people who believe that their voice is enough to stop a tidal wave .
It ’ s kind of like my 3-year-old son who believes if he throws himself around the house , he won ’ t have to take a bath .
I have no idea why he enjoys being dirty or why he hates all water inside the bathtub , but my job as a father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try as he might , he still takes a bath before bed .
Those are just the rules .
So as much as these powerful white people throw a temper tantrum all over America with their cries of “ Biden ain ’ t my president , ” guess what ?
You still have to take a bath .
I envy my colleagues who can analyze this president from a comedic lens .
I really do .
I ’ m not laughing yet .
My faith was truly tested and my worst fears realized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depraved and false accusations of a stolen election .
I may have even shivered a bit when I saw his obsequious coddlers legitimizing his claims , with the most sickening example coming from the secretary of state , who promised “ a smooth transition to a second Trump administration.
” This may have been a headline-grabbing antic , but I perceived it as much more , especially when more headlines came announcing the president ’ s firing of top Pentagon officials and replacing them with loyalists .
What is Trump ’ s endgame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Willful white men found an even lower rung on the bar as they stood by to support and encourage these self-righteous acts of tyranny and treason .
The message was loud and clear : These men were telling all progressives and people of color that there is no place for us in this country .
The message was no different from the Jim Crow era .
Here we are in 2020 with Jim Crow ’ s sons and grandsons still taking on the mantle of white oppression—proudly and loudly .
The tactics were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And this president made it OK. White men have taken off their proverbial and actual masks—the KKK and COVID .
Over the past four years , this alt-right regime helped white men make progress for themselves .
The fruits of this progress will affect Black and brown people for generations : extremely conservative court appointments , including three new justices on the now unbalanced Supreme Court ; overly aggressive gerrymandering and voter suppression tactics that favor Republicans ; the willful negligence during the worst pandemic in modern history , resulting in nearly 250,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , was the attempt to relax COVID restrictions when early reporting revealed that Black and Brown lives , as well as Black-owned businesses , were being disproportionately affected by the pandemic .
Was this a willful act of human and corporate genocide against people of color ?
There have been plenty of dark clouds imposed by the men in white and orange .
I ’ ve chosen , however , to cut through the white male noise and chase a few rainbows .
There were plenty of rainbows on view from this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from HBCUs .
HBCUs .
Millennial voters .
Brown voters .
Elder statesmen with character .
Arizona , Pennsylvania and a blue Georgia—oh my .
I ’ m not delusional enough to believe that all white men are evil , nor am I overly optimistic to believe Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have the elixir to cure all that ails Black and brown communities .
I do identify with the words from political pundit Van Jones , a man who I originally thought to be overly obsessed with the white male gaze .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and love are the colorful characteristics that make the rainbow enuf .

The cacophony of celebratory sounds that rang out last week in reaction to Joe Biden’s win was based on a sundry of emotions—ranging from relief at ending a racist regime dominated by white men who were fanatical about protecting their own wealth and privilege to jubilance over a historic win for Kamala Harris, the first woman and African American to be elected vice president. We were all celebrating our new white savior with a side of sister and new hopes that a brighter day was on the horizon.
That day has not come just yet.
The celebration only fueled the anger and resentment of a cadre of white men who’ve made it their dual mission in life to be both sycophants to a man in orange and to hinder any semblance of progress in this country. The days that followed Biden’s victory speech were riddled with egregious examples of toxic white masculinity. White men tripled down by defying, denying and resisting a Democratic win, expressing the lowest form of sore loser-ism this country may have ever seen from the Republican Party. The collective temper tantrum was comically described by The Root’s senior editor, Stephen Crockett, in his GTFOH Trump Watch column:
It’s really been a joy to watch these grown people who believe that their voice is enough to stop a tidal wave. It’s kind of like my 3-year-old son who believes if he throws himself around the house, he won’t have to take a bath. I have no idea why he enjoys being dirty or why he hates all water inside the bathtub, but my job as a father is to gently show him that, try as he might, he still takes a bath before bed. Those are just the rules. So as much as these powerful white people throw a temper tantrum all over America with their cries of “Biden ain’t my president,” guess what? You still have to take a bath.
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I envy my colleagues who can analyze this president from a comedic lens. I really do. I’m not laughing yet. My faith was truly tested and my worst fears realized when I saw this president’s depraved and false accusations of a stolen election. I may have even shivered a bit when I saw his obsequious coddlers legitimizing his claims, with the most sickening example coming from the secretary of state, who promised “a smooth transition to a second Trump administration.” This may have been a headline-grabbing antic, but I perceived it as much more, especially when more headlines came announcing the president’s firing of top Pentagon officials and replacing them with loyalists. What is Trump’s endgame with these attempts to dismantle democracy?
Willful white men found an even lower rung on the bar as they stood by to support and encourage these self-righteous acts of tyranny and treason. The message was loud and clear: These men were telling all progressives and people of color that there is no place for us in this country. The message was no different from the Jim Crow era. Here we are in 2020 with Jim Crow’s sons and grandsons still taking on the mantle of white oppression—proudly and loudly. The tactics were more direct, deliberate and unhinged. And this president made it OK. White men have taken off their proverbial and actual masks—the KKK and COVID.
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Over the past four years, this alt-right regime helped white men make progress for themselves. The fruits of this progress will affect Black and brown people for generations: extremely conservative court appointments, including three new justices on the now unbalanced Supreme Court; overly aggressive gerrymandering and voter suppression tactics that favor Republicans; the willful negligence during the worst pandemic in modern history, resulting in nearly 250,000 deaths. The most diabolical act, however, was the attempt to relax COVID restrictions when early reporting revealed that Black and b rown lives, as well as Black-owned businesses, were being disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Was this a willful act of human and corporate genocide against people of color?
There have been plenty of dark clouds imposed by the men in white and orange. I’ve chosen, however, to cut through the white male noise and chase a few rainbows. There were plenty of rainbows on view from this election: Black women. Black women from HBCUs. HBCUs. Millennial voters. Brown voters. Elder statesmen with character. Arizona, Pennsylvania and a blue Georgia—oh my.
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I’m not delusional enough to believe that all white men are evil, nor am I overly optimistic to believe Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have the elixir to cure all that ails Black and brown communities. I do identify with the words from political pundit Van Jones, a man who I originally thought to be overly obsessed with the white male gaze.
“Well it’s easier to be a parent this morning,” he replied. “It’s easier to be a dad this morning. It’s easier to tell your kids, character matters, being a good person matters.”
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Ultimately, character, dignity, compassion and love are the colorful characteristics that make the rainbow enuf.


theroot--2020-11-18--Penn. Judge Resigns the Day Before His Misconduct Trial Over Alleged Racist Comments Was Set to Star

Penn. Judge Resigns the Day Before His Misconduct Trial Over Alleged Racist Comments Was Set to Start

The only thing worse than a racist is a cowardly racist .
Yeah , I know : All racists are cowards .
But every once in a while we get to see a racist tuck their tail between their legs and run just before they ’ re officially confronted with their racist behavior .
Such appears to be the case for now-former Pennsylvania Judge Mark Tranquilli , who quit his job Tuesday , one day before he was to face a misconduct trial in which he ’ s accused of six counts of judicial misconduct mostly involving racist comments he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As The Root previously reported , Tranquilli ’ s problems began in February when he was placed on administrative leave after he allegedly got so salty about a “ not guilty ” verdict that he called a Black juror who was wearing a head wrap “ Aunt Jemima ” and suggested that “ when she goes home to her baby daddy , he ’ s probably slinging heroin , ” according to a district attorney and defense attorney involved in the case .
In August , a formal complaint was filed against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he was charged with judicial misconduct .
He was suspended without pay shortly after , according to CBS Pittsburgh .
According to Penn Live , Tranquilli wrote to his colleagues that he was referring to the head wrap , not the Black woman , because not only are racists cowardly , but they ’ re terrible at making up plausible excuses for their bigoted comments .
Side note : Whenever I come across a story about a Black woman being called “ Aunt Jemima ” by a white person , I like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made the long-overdue decision to remove the Aunt Jemima brand from its product line , white people got all in their feelings about it and argued vehemently that there was nothing racist about the brand logo and that we were all just being sensitive snowflakes .
Tranquilli ’ s alleged “ Aunt Jemima ” comments aren ’ t the only accusations he faced .
Here ’ s what we reported in August : This was not the only instance of Tranquilli being racist , as the complaint details a 2015 trial where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is his own three children ” and added he “ did not care ” about the children involved in the case .
While discussing communication with the parents involved in the case , he allegedly “ affected an accent and dialect described as ‘ Ebonics.
’ ” “ When I say communication , I don ’ t mean ‘ and den da bitch done dis , and den da bitch done dat , ” Tranquilli said , according to the complaint .
At one point during the same case , he described himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he could “ split [ their ] baby in half like Solomon and sleep like a baby that night.
” Somewhere in here , there ’ s a joke about Tranquilli trading in his judge robe for a Klan robe ... but I ’ m not going to make it .
Anyway , according to CBS , Tranquilli ’ s attorney , Matt Logue , confirmed Tuesday that the now-former Allegheny County judge has resigned effectively making his misconduct trial set to start Wednesday unnecessary—with his cowardly ass .

The only thing worse than a racist is a cowardly racist.
Yeah, I know: All racists are cowards. But every once in a while we get to see a racist tuck their tail between their legs and run just before they’re officially confronted with their racist behavior. Such appears to be the case for now-former Pennsylvania Judge Mark Tranquilli, who quit his job Tuesday, one day before he was to face a misconduct trial in which he’s accused of six counts of judicial misconduct mostly involving racist comments he allegedly made towards Black jurors and defendants.
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As The Root previously reported, Tranquilli’s problems began in February when he was placed on administrative leave after he allegedly got so salty about a “not guilty” verdict that he called a Black juror who was wearing a head wrap “Aunt Jemima” and suggested that “when she goes home to her baby daddy, he’s probably slinging heroin,” according to a district attorney and defense attorney involved in the case. In August, a formal complaint was filed against him by the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board and he was charged with judicial misconduct. He was suspended without pay shortly after, according to CBS Pittsburgh.
According to Penn Live, Tranquilli wrote to his colleagues that he was referring to the head wrap, not the Black woman, because not only are racists cowardly, but they’re terrible at making up plausible excuses for their bigoted comments.
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Side note: Whenever I come across a story about a Black woman being called “Aunt Jemima” by a white person, I like to remind America that when Quaker Oats made the long-overdue decision to remove the Aunt Jemima brand from its product line, white people got all in their feelings about it and argued vehemently that there was nothing racist about the brand logo and that we were all just being sensitive snowflakes.
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Tranquilli’s alleged “Aunt Jemima” comments aren’t the only accusations he faced. Here’s what we reported in August:
This was not the only instance of Tranquilli being racist, as the complaint details a 2015 trial where the judge said “that his only concern is his own three children” and added he “did not care” about the children involved in the case. While discussing communication with the parents involved in the case, he allegedly “affected an accent and dialect described as ‘Ebonics.’” “When I say communication, I don’t mean ‘and den da bitch done dis, and den da bitch done dat,” Tranquilli said, according to the complaint. At one point during the same case, he described himself as “a butcher” and that he could “split [their] baby in half like Solomon and sleep like a baby that night.”
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Somewhere in here, there’s a joke about Tranquilli trading in his judge robe for a Klan robe...but I’m not going to make it.
Anyway, according to CBS, Tranquilli’s attorney, Matt Logue, confirmed Tuesday that the now-former Allegheny County judge has resigned effectively making his misconduct trial set to start Wednesday unnecessary—with his cowardly ass.


theroot--2020-11-18--The 10 Best Deals of November 18, 2020

The 10 Best Deals of November 18, 2020

It ’ s November 18 , and we at Kinja Deals are here to bring you the top 10 deals of the day .
No vision insurance , no problem !
Order prescription frames from GlassesUSA at 65 % off .
Get on the clean beauty trend with bareMinerals ’ clean beauty advent calendar .
Score a Vava dash cam while you ’ re at it .
And if you ’ re still craving more deals , take a peek at Wednesday ’ s best deals overall .
Now that we ’ re at home all the time , slowly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial , now than ever , that we start taking our vision seriously .
I mean , without the right pair of glasses , how are you going to finally binge-watch the entirety of The Sopranos over the next few weeks—without overworking your retinas ?
How are you going to comfortably see every bright , raytraced pixel on your new PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X ?
You ’ re going to need a fresh pair of prescription frames for 65 % off , and we ’ re going to give that to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
Take a moment .
Find your next pair of glasses , look at the price , and slash that by two thirds .
Now check out and enter the promo code KINJA65 , and add blue light blocking lenses while you ’ re at it , for 50 % less with the code BLUE50 .
Whether you ’ re staring at Good Screen or Bad Screen , your eyes will thank you for the added layer of protection .
You don ’ t necessarily even need a prescription .
To further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kinja Deals readers a 20 % discount on designer brands including Gucci , Prada , Armani , and more .
Just drop the promo code PREMIUM20 in at checkout and watch the numbers shrink .
No matter your standards , you ’ re bound to find a new pair of eyes that suit you well .
If not , there ’ s a 100 % money-back guarantee on ALL GlassesUSA orders .
Before you check out with a fresh pair of frames , however , I do recommend uploading a photo of yourself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real thing you can on this website .
This deal was originally published by Gabe Carey .
Normally this would be the time of year where I ’ d buy new towels for my cousin who stays with me when she visits from England or for my old roommate who crashes on the sofa on her way up to Boston .
But alas , no towels are purchased for them this year .
No holiday guests in 2020 .
However , this Macy ’ s sale is so good I ’ m just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for me .
Sunham ’ s soft spun cotton bath towels are just $ 3 and the hand towels are $ 2 .
So you can have a set for only $ 5 .
They come in 8 colors so you ’ re sure to find the right hues to blend with your bathroom decor .
Each towel is made of cozy machine washable cotton and guaranteed to be ultra soft .
The bath towels are a standard 27 '' x 52 '' .
Act fast because these will not last .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Here ’ s my impression of a bad stand-up comedian trying to explain what a smart keyboard is : “ Hey , you ever notice how everything ’ s smart these days ?
Smart phone , smart TV , smart fridge .
All my appliances are smarter than me !
Marone !
( The comedian is Italian , I guess . )
Just the other day , I heard about this new thing : smart keyboards ?
You guys hear about this ?
It ’ s a keyboard you attach to your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to charge it , or pair it with your device , or nothing !
You just attach it and start typing .
Now I can stop pecking at my iPad screen with my big fingers .
What am I , a freakin ’ bird ?
Fuhgeddaboudit !
” Anyway , you can grab an Apple Smart Keyboard Folio from Amazon for $ 120 .
The keyboard is compatible with the 12.9 inch iPad Pro and has all of the features mentioned in the above stand-up routine .
Tip your waiter on the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Giovanni Colantonio .
The folks who are lucky enough to WFH probably have a bit of clutter going on since our homes are now even more of a safe haven .
Luckily the iRobot Roomba 981 Robot Vacuum is here to help .
Down to $ 400 because of a price drop , you ’ ll be able to clean your carpet and hardwood floors without actually picking up a broom .
I personally use mine in-between a good traditional sweep and mop to keep my living and dining room a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an app , navigates your home in complete rows , and will automatically dock to charge and undock when it is all powered up .
What are you waiting for ?
Grab it before it ’ s gone .
This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher .
Advent Calendars are all the rage , beauty boxes are on top of the pile , and clean beauty ones are on top of that .
Clean beauty is a huge market for a reason .
With more and more people wanting the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those companies it ’ s easy to understand while this is a category that is thriving .
So if you or a loved one is a clean beauty guru I ’ ve got the perfect gift .
bareMinerals has 24 wonderful items perfectly packaged in this brilliant advent calendar to countdown the days to a clean and beautiful holiday .
I won ’ t name all the items because I know some people genuinely like to be surprised by these .
This is a limited-edition calendar and has sold out on other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a great way to try new products and maybe uncover a new favorite .
I will say a whole host of lipsticks , eyeshadows , primers , and powders are in this collection .
Even my favorite Poreless Clay Cleanser will be unveiled on one of the days .
This calendar is already in a gorgeous gift box so no need to wrap and all the packaging is planet-friendly and recyclable .
This item qualifies for free shipping too .
This deal was originally posted by Sheilah Villari .
Unless you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ d know we ’ re in a pandemic , and currently entering one of the worst winters of our lives .
Cases are ticking up , and not to scare you , but you should probably stock up on good , quality N95 masks filter out 95 % of air particles and is the most effective way to block out airborne pathogens .
These masks from N95MaskCo will be able to do just that , and you ’ ll get a pack of 20 for $ 134 , which is 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the code KINJADEAL .
You can also grab the 40- and 60-packs for the same 25 % off and stock up for close family and friends .
Please stay safe out there .
Covid isn ’ t taking a break and neither should we .
This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher .
I live in a basement apartment so I thought this would be a fun experiment when I got one of these .
I also with a roommate who is an excellent cook and constantly looking for fresh herbs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the neighborhood creatures .
I was pleasantly surprised by the basic version of this bad boy and if you ’ re a foodie with a green thumb I ’ ve got a deal for you .
The AeroGarden Farm Basic Indoor Hydroponic Garden is definitely for those serious about quality indoor gardening at home .
Right now it ’ s $ 211 off which is a pretty amazing sale for such a quality product and company .
This is an exclusive bundle to Amazon so you ’ re also getting the Heirloom Salad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Farm Basic .
These seeds grow quickly too so you ’ ll be harvesting your own salad in no time .
You can grow up to 24 plants at a time and this system allows for them to thrive .
And as they are growing in water there is no messy soil to deal with or get all over your counter .
I really like that AeroGarden kind of idiot-proof in the process too .
The LED lights are timed ensuring your plant babies get all they need to maximize photosynthesis .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more water and plant food .
Again , AeroGarden is not joking at how fast these plants will grow .
I saw results within days .
It ’ s rare I ’ m completely blown away by a product .
AeroGarden is one of them .
This bundle includes 24 pre-seeded grow pods of Black Seeded Simpson ( 4 ) , Deer Tongue ( 4 ) , Parris Island ( 4 ) , Marvel of 4 Seasons ( 4 ) , Rouge D ’ iver ( 4 ) , and Red Sail ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottles of their patented all-natural Plant Nutrients .
Free shipping on this item for Prime members .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .
The saga of Cooking Mama : Cookstar ’ s bizarre release , and subsequent de-release , feels like it happened 20 years ago .
But it was only this March when the video game industry was hit with an absolute whirlwind of cooking controversy .
Recapping the story now feels like a fever dream , but here are the basics for the uninitiated : the game was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with series ’ creator Office Create threating legal action against publisher Planet Entertainment for releasing an “ unauthorized ” game .
It turned out that Office Create did not sign off on the game ’ s final release due to quality issues , so Planet Entertainment released it anyways without seeking the company ’ s final approval .
On top of all that , the game became the center of a tinfoil hat theory that it was being used as a way to mine cryptocurrency from the Switch .
All of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collector ’ s item for fans who just wanted a piece of history .
The game was impossible to come by after its failed release , but now you can add it to your Switch collection for just $ 30 .
Consider investing in a secure vault where you can keep the game safe for decades .
This deal was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio .
With the launch of Destiny 2 : Beyond Light , I ’ ve made my not-so triumphant return to the Crucible , the game ’ s PVP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone has gotten better at the game , and I ’ ve gotten much worse .
If you want to raise your K/D ratio fast , here ’ s a tip : all you have to do is log into a match that I ’ m in and wait for me to shoot hand cannon shots 20 feet above your head , giving you ample time to one shot me with just about any weapon , it seems .
If you ’ re a PlayStation owner and you want in on this easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure you have PlayStation Plus , which allows you to play games like Destiny 2 online .
You can get a full year of Sony ’ s online service for $ 30 from Eneba , saving a little extra with the code 50PERCENT at checkout .
Make sure to wave emote at me before you embarrass me into orbit .
Disclaimer : While we ’ ve heard your complaints about our use of Eneba links in the past , note the redirection to EU region-locked products has since been resolved by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This deal was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio .
I know dashcams are popular for a number of reasons but never really understood exactly how useful they are until I saw one in action .
A few months ago a biker hit my pal ’ s car head-on while he was at a stoplight .
While the footage was unpleasant it helped him and the police see exactly where the guy came from and how he cut across lanes of traffic and just didn ’ t even seen that the light was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning you can grab this Vava 1080P 3 '' Dashcam and protect you and those around you no matter where you travel .
The Vava Dashcam has a wide viewing angle with crisp quality even in high-speed driving .
The wide recording angle and LCD screen can capture the whole road with a clear definition .
The built-in battery lets the cam monitor your car 24/7 .
It ’ s got a G-senor which automatically locks , saves video upon collision , and can ’ t be overwritten .
It ’ s small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the road but powerful enough to still get a full scope .
It includes everything you need to start surveillance as soon as you open the box : 8GB SD card , charger , window mount , and prybar .
Peace of mind at 70 % off .
If you ’ ve read a few of our pieces on MorningSave before and you like what you ’ ve seen they offer a $ 5 monthly fee to get free shipping on all of your orders no matter how many .
Otherwise , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 .
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari .

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

Wednesday’s Best Deals | Kinja Deals
It’s November 18, and we at Kinja Deals are here to bring you the top 10 deals of the day. No vision insurance, no problem! Order prescription frames from GlassesUSA at 65% off. Get on the clean beauty trend with bareMinerals’ clean beauty advent calendar. Score a Vava dash cam while you’re at it.
And if you’re still craving more deals, take a peek at Wednesday’s best deals overall.
#1: Glasses USA
Now that we’re at home all the time, slowly losing our minds, it’s crucial, now than ever, that we start taking our vision seriously. I mean, without the right pair of glasses, how are you going to finally binge-watch the entirety of The Sopranos over the next few weeks—without overworking your retinas? How are you going to comfortably see every bright, raytraced pixel on your new PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X?
You’re going to need a fresh pair of prescription frames for 65% off, and we’re going to give that to you, courtesy of GlassesUSA. Right now. Take a moment. Find your next pair of glasses, look at the price, and slash that by two thirds. Now check out and enter the promo code KINJA65, and add blue light blocking lenses while you’re at it, for 50% less with the code BLUE50. Whether you’re staring at Good Screen or Bad Screen, your eyes will thank you for the added layer of protection. You don’t necessarily even need a prescription.
To further sweeten the deal, GlassesUSA is giving Kinja Deals readers a 20 % discount on designer brands including Gucci, Prada, Armani, and more. Just drop the promo code PREMIUM20 in at checkout and watch the numbers shrink. No matter your standards, you’re bound to find a new pair of eyes that suit you well. If not, there’s a 100% money-back guarantee on ALL GlassesUSA orders. Before you check out with a fresh pair of frames, however, I do recommend uploading a photo of yourself and trying them on your virtual face—a real thing you can on this website.
*Premium- and Sale-tagged frames excluded.
This deal was originally published by Gabe Carey.
#2: $3 towels
Normally this would be the time of year where I’d buy new towels for my cousin who stays with me when she visits from England or for my old roommate who crashes on the sofa on her way up to Boston. But alas, no towels are purchased for them this year. No holiday guests in 2020. However, this Macy’s sale is so good I’m just going to overhaul what I to have for me. Sunham’s soft spun cotton bath towels are just $3 and the hand towels are $2. So you can have a set for only $5.
They come in 8 colors so you’re sure to find the right hues to blend with your bathroom decor. Each towel is made of cozy machine washable cotton and guaranteed to be ultra soft. The bath towels are a standard 27" x 52". Act fast because these will not last.
Free shipping on orders over $25.
50% off Sunham Soft Spun Cotton Bath Towels 6 color options!
Add some classic style and comfort to any bathroom. Buy for $7 at Macy's Use the promo code FRIEND
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.
#3: Apple Smart keyboard folio
Here’s my impression of a bad stand-up comedian trying to explain what a smart keyboard is: “Hey, you ever notice how everything’s smart these days? Smart phone, smart TV, smart fridge. All my appliances are smarter than me! Marone! (The comedian is Italian, I guess.) Just the other day, I heard about this new thing: smart keyboards? You guys hear about this? It’s a keyboard you attach to your iPad. You don’t need to charge it, or pair it with your device, or nothing! You just attach it and start typing. Now I can stop pecking at my iPad screen with my big fingers. What am I, a freakin’ bird? Fuhgeddaboudit!”
Anyway, you can grab an Apple Smart Keyboard Folio from Amazon for $120. The keyboard is compatible with the 12.9 inch iPad Pro and has all of the features mentioned in the above stand-up routine. Tip your waiter on the way out.
This deal was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio.
#4: Roomba 981 robot vacuum
The folks who are lucky enough to WFH probably have a bit of clutter going on since our homes are now even more of a safe haven. Luckily the iRobot Roomba 981 Robot Vacuum is here to help. Down to $400 because of a price drop, you’ll be able to clean your carpet and hardwood floors without actually picking up a broom.
I personally use mine in-between a good traditional sweep and mop to keep my living and dining room a bit tidy. This Roomba can be controlled with an app, navigates your home in complete rows, and will automatically dock to charge and undock when it is all powered up. What are you waiting for? Grab it before it’s gone.
This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher.
#5: Bareminerals advent calendar
Advent Calendars are all the rage, beauty boxes are on top of the pile, and clean beauty ones are on top of that. Clean beauty is a huge market for a reason. With more and more people wanting the best for the faces and the best out of those companies it’s easy to understand while this is a category that is thriving. So if you or a loved one is a clean beauty guru I’ve got the perfect gift. bareMinerals has 24 wonderful items perfectly packaged in this brilliant advent calendar to countdown the days to a clean and beautiful holiday.
I won’t name all the items because I know some people genuinely like to be surprised by these. This is a limited-edition calendar and has sold out on other sites that carry the brand. This is a great way to try new products and maybe uncover a new favorite. I will say a whole host of lipsticks, eyeshadows, primers, and powders are in this collection. Even my favorite Poreless Clay Cleanser will be unveiled on one of the days. This calendar is already in a gorgeous gift box so no need to wrap and all the packaging is planet-friendly and recyclable.
This item qualifies for free shipping too.
This deal was originally posted by Sheilah Villari.
#6: N95 masks
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’d know we’re in a pandemic, and currently entering one of the worst winters of our lives. Cases are ticking up, and not to scare you, but you should probably stock up on good, quality N95 masks filter out 95% of air particles and is the most effective way to block out airborne pathogens. These masks from N95MaskCo will be able to do just that, and you’ll get a pack of 20 for $134, which is 25% off the original list price with the code KINJADEAL. You can also grab the 40- and 60-packs for the same 25% off and stock up for close family and friends.
Please stay safe out there. Covid isn’t taking a break and neither should we.
This deal was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher.
#7: aerogarden farm basic
I live in a basement apartment so I thought this would be a fun experiment when I got one of these. I also with a roommate who is an excellent cook and constantly looking for fresh herbs and our garden isn’t reliable with the neighborhood creatures. I was pleasantly surprised by the basic version of this bad boy and if you’re a foodie with a green thumb I’ve got a deal for you. The AeroGarden Farm Basic Indoor Hydroponic Garden is definitely for those serious about quality indoor gardening at home. Right now it’s $211 off which is a pretty amazing sale for such a quality product and company.
This is an exclusive bundle to Amazon so you’re also getting the Heirloom Salad Seed Pod Kit pack with your AeroGarden Farm Basic. These seeds grow quickly too so you’ll be harvesting your own salad in no time. You can grow up to 24 plants at a time and this system allows for them to thrive. And as they are growing in water there is no messy soil to deal with or get all over your counter. I really like that AeroGarden kind of idiot-proof in the process too. The LED lights are timed ensuring your plant babies get all they need to maximize photosynthesis. It will also tell you when they need more water and plant food. Again, AeroGarden is not joking at how fast these plants will grow. I saw results within days. It’s rare I’m completely blown away by a product. AeroGarden is one of them.
This bundle includes 24 pre-seeded grow pods of Black Seeded Simpson (4), Deer Tongue (4), Parris Island (4), Marvel of 4 Seasons (4), Rouge D’iver (4), and Red Sail (4) You will also get 4 bottles of their patented all-natural Plant Nutrients.
Free shipping on this item for Prime members.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.
#8: Cooking Mama: Cookstar
The saga of Cooking Mama: Cookstar’s bizarre release, and subsequent de-release, feels like it happened 20 years ago. But it was only this March when the video game industry was hit with an absolute whirlwind of cooking controversy. Recapping the story now feels like a fever dream, but here are the basics for the uninitiated: the game was quickly removed a day after it launched, with series’ creator Office Create threating legal action against publisher Planet Entertainment for releasing an “unauthorized” game. It turned out that Office Create did not sign off on the game’s final release due to quality issues, so Planet Entertainment released it anyways without seeking the company’s final approval. On top of all that, the game became the center of a tinfoil hat theory that it was being used as a way to mine cryptocurrency from the Switch.
All of that made Cooking Mama: Cookstar an immediate collector’s item for fans who just wanted a piece of history. The game was impossible to come by after its failed release, but now you can add it to your Switch collection for just $30. Consider investing in a secure vault where you can keep the game safe for decades.
This deal was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio.
#9: PlayStation plus
With the launch of Destiny 2: Beyond Light, I’ve made my not-so triumphant return to the Crucible, the game’s PVP mode. As it turns out, everyone has gotten better at the game, and I’ve gotten much worse. If you want to raise your K/D ratio fast, here’s a tip: all you have to do is log into a match that I’m in and wait for me to shoot hand cannon shots 20 feet above your head, giving you ample time to one shot me with just about any weapon, it seems. If you’re a PlayStation owner and you want in on this easy target practice, you’ll need to make sure you have PlayStation Plus, which allows you to play games like Destiny 2 online. You can get a full year of Sony’s online service for $30 from Eneba, saving a little extra with the code 50PERCENT at checkout. Make sure to wave emote at me before you embarrass me into orbit.
Disclaimer: While we’ve heard your complaints about our use of Eneba links in the past, note the redirection to EU region-locked products has since been resolved by our affiliate partners at Eneba and Awin.
This deal was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio.
#10: Vava dash cam
I know dashcams are popular for a number of reasons but never really understood exactly how useful they are until I saw one in action. A few months ago a biker hit my pal’s car head-on while he was at a stoplight. While the footage was unpleasant it helped him and the police see exactly where the guy came from and how he cut across lanes of traffic and just didn’t even seen that the light was red and traffic was stopped. This morning you can grab this Vava 1080P 3" Dashcam and protect you and those around you no matter where you travel.
The Vava Dashcam has a wide viewing angle with crisp quality even in high-speed driving. The wide recording angle and LCD screen can capture the whole road with a clear definition. The built-in battery lets the cam monitor your car 24/7. It’s got a G-senor which automatically locks, saves video upon collision, and can’t be overwritten. It’s small enough to not obstruct your view of the road but powerful enough to still get a full scope. It includes everything you need to start surveillance as soon as you open the box: 8GB SD card, charger, window mount, and prybar. Peace of mind at 70% off.
If you’ve read a few of our pieces on MorningSave before and you like what you’ve seen they offer a $5 monthly fee to get free shipping on all of your orders no matter how many. Otherwise, it’s a flat rate of $8.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari.


theroot--2020-11-18--'Keep Pushing Through With Black Joy': Letitia Wright on Mangrove and the British Black Power Moveme

'Keep Pushing Through With Black Joy': Letitia Wright on Mangrove and the British Black Power Movement

As a Guyanese actor who moved to the United Kingdom as a child , Letitia Wright had not heard the story of the Mangrove Nine growing up .
“ The West Indian community is very strong here in the UK , too.
” Wright continued , “ In the midst of that , growing up , I ’ d never heard of The Mangrove Nine .
And I was quite shocked that I didn ’ t know.
” The reality is , Letitia Wright is not alone .
It ’ s been said that Britain ’ s Black Power movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What is the danger of erasing this history of resistance ?
The Mangrove Nine were a group of Black British activists who congregated at the Mangrove restaurant ( a popping West Indian hangout during the era ) .
The venue provided respite for Black people during a fraught time in London ’ s history—it ’ s no surprise that the West Indians who frequented the Mangrove were targeted by white police officers with tactics of intimidation and brutality .
The Mangrove ’ s patrons protested the injustice , only to be arrested and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen adapted the story of the Mangrove Nine in the Small Axe anthology—a series of five feature-length films focusing on the struggle for Black power and liberation in the United Kingdom during the 1970s and 1980s .
In Mangrove , Wright portrays Altheia Jones-LeCointe , a Trinidadian physician , organizer and leader within the British Black Power movement .
The Black Panther actor had the opportunity to meet Jones-LeCointe—who is now 75 years old—ahead of becoming the activist on-screen .
Wright admits that even though she was a bit nervous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meeting was nothing short of “ beautiful.
” “ I feel from my experience of meeting her that her life mission and message is for the unity and organization of our people .
Fair treatment .
And for us , most importantly , to love ourselves as Black people.
” Mangrove Nine will be available Nov. 20 on Amazon Prime Video .

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