theroot--2020-05-28--Pour Yourself a Glass of Something Strong for These Can't-Miss Huckberry Deals

The best Huckberry deals of May 2020 are here .
Stock up for summer with Huckberry ’ s most scintillating online deals , including huge savings on men ’ s apparel , backpacks , accessories , and other fun things you ’ ll want around your home .
Huckberry offers free shipping for orders of $ 75 or more , along with free returns .
Have a browse below and then hit the Huckberry website for additional deals .
Be prepared for your next outdoors adventure by snagging the Mystery Ranch Mission Duffel 40L while it ’ s 30 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is made from a “ waxed wood textile ” for durability , with lots of pockets and plenty of room for a weekend worth of gear .
• None Buy it now for $ 105 If you ’ re getting dressed for a summer day , then you probably don ’ t want half-day shorts , right ?
No , you want all-day shorts , and that ’ s where Faherty Brand can help .
These comfy-looking shorts are perfect for a day out or in , and available in Navy , Olive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re $ 30 off right now , too .
• None Buy it now for $ 68 This lightweight hoodie is ideal for summer nights .
Made from French terry cotton , this grey-and-white pullover gives you a soft layer whether on the beach or on a stroll around the neighborhood .
Save $ 39 right now .
• None Buy it now for $ 119 If you have sticker shock from seeing that price tag above , we don ’ t blame you .
But consider this : the regular price for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,900 .
So yes , it ’ s actually a pretty great deal !
This Swiss timepiece has a lume coating that lasts for up to 25 years , while the titanium casing and black leather strap convey the premium allure .
• None Buy it now for $ 815 This lightweight coat is perfect for year-round adventuring and ideal for layering , with water and wind-resistant materials .
It has button-snaps , zippers , and drawstrings to keep you as bundled up and enclosed from the elements as you please , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the regular price .
• None Buy it now for $ 119 Looking for a versatile , lightweight flannel that ’ s well suited for both work and play ?
The Lisboa Braga Flannel is a steal right now , discounted heavily from its original $ 128 price .
At this price , you might want to grab two - and you ’ ve got options with Charcoal Plaid , Grey and Blue Plaid , and Grey and Brown Plaid ( price varies depending on style ) .
• None Buy it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kicks are more sustainable than most , using a variety of recycled materials to put together sneakers with an eco-friendly hook .
The Mindo , available in three styles , seems to find the ideal balance of comfort and durability , making these shoes you can wear whether out running errands or out on a long walk .
They ’ re down 20 % from the list price .
• None Buy it now for $ 88 There ’ s nothing quite like a good , comfortable flannel shirt - and if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one , the Flint and Tinder American Made Flannel should do the trick .
It ’ s marked down significantly from the original $ 98 price point , with a few color options still in stock .
Mix , match , and layer to your heart ’ s content .
• None Buy it now for $ 41 Whether you need something warm for wandering your local surroundings or just want a cozy hoodie to social distance in , the Wellen Waffle Raglan Pullover looks to fit the bill .
The waffle weave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front pocket will warm your hands during spring strolls , plus it ’ s $ 31 off the normal price right now .
• None Buy it now for $ 57 Rhodes ’ s Huxley is a sleek-looking Chelsea Boot that can go both casual or formal , with calf leather uppers paired with twin elastic gores for easy on-off .
Available in five colors ranging from $ 110 to $ 176 , these boots are handcrafted in Portugal and currently up to 50 % off of the normal price .
• None @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your extra time at home has you seeing some of your surroundings in a new light ... and maybe not always a positive one ... then it might be time to make some strategic upgrades .
Here ’ s an easy one : towels .
The Nutrl Classic Bath Set gives you a full set of “ insanely soft ” towels to upgrade your current selection .
• None Buy it now for $ 93 Huckberry is replete with deals on pieces everyone needs in their wardrobe .
A structured jacket like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six color options in all neutrals , there ’ s no way it won ’ t fit in with what you already have .
And if it doesn ’ t , you could just buy all the new ones on sale here too .
• None Buy it now for $ 179 Look , you might not scale the real Mt .
Everest anytime soon , but a fine glass of whiskey ?
Yeah , that ’ s doable .
Whiskey Peaks ’ Mt .
Everest glasses have an imprint of Earth ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost like a reward for finishing your drink .
What an adventure it ’ ll be .
Germany ’ s Richard Hoffman tannery provides the fine leather for the Flint and Tinder ’ s Full-Grain Leather Dopp Kit , giving you a distinctive pack for storing your toiletries while on the go .
If your upcoming travel calendar is as empty as mine , then this might not be an urgent consideration right now .
But given the discounted price , why wait ?
• None Buy it now for $ 47

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

Featured Deal: Alba Optics Solo | $174
Huckberry’s best deals of September 2021 are here!
After spending the better part of the calendar year in a pandemic, I bet that your co-workers have probably seen every shirt you own on your Zoom meetings. If I’m right, then there’s no better excuse to spice up your virtual workwear by cashing in on Huckberry’s best deals.
From apparel to footwear, Huckberry has everything you can think of on sale.
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Made from hemp and organic cotton, the Wellen Hemp Polo provides long-lasting wear with sustainable materials that you can wear guilt-free. It is an easy-going , ultra-flattering design that will give you plenty of room without being baggy.
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The Flint and Tinder 365 Shorts - 9" is a performance short chino that was carefully constructed from a blended fabric to create a soft, year-round garment. It’s pre-shrunk for the ideal fit right out of the box. Note that it was expertly made from a sustainable factory in Indonesia.
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I don’t know about you, but I love tie-dye. Available in mustard, navy, and tide, the Wellen Shibori Stripe Tee features a beautiful pattern, made from the shibori dyeing process which is all done by hand.
Made from 100% organic cotton, these t-shirts also have the signature Wellen softness and are environmentally friendly.
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Having a solid set of whiskey glasses is key to kicking off the summer right! When you raise a glass to toast at the next outdoor party, do it in style!
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Huckberry is selling some beautiful Whiskey Peaks glasses, including American Mountains, Grand Tetons, and International Mountains. These glasses are made from 100% lead-free handblown glass, which is lighter than leaded glass and equally durable.
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As part of the summer sale, Huckberry is offering an up to 25% discount on hybrid shorts, which can be worn either in the water or on land. Plus, the hydrophobic fabrics dry super quickly, so you’re ready to hit your local bar.
The Beardedgoat Ridgeline Short is versatile and durable. It provides a four-way stretch for maximum mobility. Made from nylon ripstop fabric, this product is lightweight, yet durable. Plus, it comes with two side hand pockets, two rear pockets, and a hidden stash pocket for valuables.
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Handmade in Northern Italy, Astorflex can guarantee quality shoes that are stylish and eco-friendly. Plus, their soles are 100% made from natural rubber to ensure that you’re walking on a cloud. For Memorial Day weekend, Huckberry is offering deals on products from this brand at up to 35% off.
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The line-up includes styles and designs that will satisfy even the pickiest of shoe shoppers. One example is the highly flexible Astorflex Patnoflex Travel, the ideal summer shoe for those on the move. Another is the Astroflex Rolflex, a great shoe to transition from one season to another.
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Linen shirts are super stylish and functional for the summertime. However, my biggest pet peeve is how easily they wrinkle. Well, no more! Introducing the Wills Wrinkle-Free Linen Shirt (Bright Navy).
This breathable, lightweight garment pairs well with chinos, slacks, and even shorts. Note that it comes with a single pocket at the left chest, which is a great place to store a handy pen.
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With temperatures rising, everyone needs to have a beach towel in their arsenal. And why not cash in on one at a discounted price? At up to 45% off, Turkish Towels are a steal this Memorial Day weekend. They are super soft and plush, regardless if you are sitting by the pool, the lake, or the ocean.
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Named after the 45 RPM, Forty Five makes classic, vintage t-shirts to pay homage to the ‘60s and ‘70s. The brand’s shirts are made from 100% USA-grown Supima cotton in Los Angeles’ Fashion District. They’ve been designed at the perfect length for tucking and untucking and with a timeless sleeve length. They’re also been garment-dyed for added softness and preshrunk to ensure that you get the perfect fit.
This weekend, buy three t-shirts at the bundled price of $95.
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Looking for a new pair of glasses? Try the Alba Optics Solo, which features stunning lenses to choose from. They are designed to withstand the rigors of hiking and provides blue light and UV protection. Its color equalizer gives beautiful clarity and temple tips are telescopic to provide a custom fit. Note that these are made it Italy, so you’re getting the best of the best fashion-wise .
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Marine Layer Banks Pullover Hoodie is a great garment for a casual outing. As a brand, Marine Layer is known for providing the ultimate comfort and quality. This fabric has a heathered look to give a vintage impression. It also has a kangaroo pouch for storage. And it has a functional drawstring hoodie to ward off a cold breeze.
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Every guy needs a smart pair of trousers to take them from the office to the cornerstore without missing a beat. Available in 10 vibrant colors, the Flint and Tinder 365 pants are now on sale at two for $175. You can put that extra $21 on a summer date night. They’re super lightweight and dyed to comfortable straight out of the box. They even come with a fifth front pocket to securely carry all of your belongings.
This story was originally written by Sheilah Villari on 03/31/2020 and updated with new information by Juliana Clark on 09/09/2021.


theroot--2020-05-28--Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Postponed to 2021 Amid COVID-19 Concerns

As if the coronavirus hasn ’ t already ruined enough of our lives , now comes the news that another sports-related event has been postponed until 2021 .
Jerry Colangelo , the chairman of the board of governors for the Hall , told ESPN on Wednesday that enshrinement ceremonies for the Class of 2020 — one of the most star-studded lineups ever , including Tim Duncan , Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant — will be moved to spring 2021 .
Colangelo said the original dates of enshrinement weekend , Aug. 28-30 , and the proposed alternate dates , Oct. 10-12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in light of the pandemic that has killed more than 100,000 people in the U.S. and has rendered large gatherings taboo .
The board of governors will convene on June 10 , he said , to explore spring dates .
Being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is something NBA players wait their entire lives for , but this is obviously the best move in order to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance .
“ We ’ re definitely canceling , ” Colangelo told ESPN .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first quarter of next year .
We ’ ll meet in a couple of weeks and look at the options of how and when and where.
” The 2020 class is no joke and boasts one of the most talented lineups in the history of ever .
Just look at this list , courtesy of NBA.com .
I hate that Kobe isn ’ t alive to receive his due , but I look forward to catching this in the spring .

As if the coronavirus hasn’t already ruined enough of our lives, now comes the news that another sports-related event has been postponed until 2021.
From ESPN:
Jerry Colangelo, the chairman of the board of governors for the Hall, told ESPN on Wednesday that enshrinement ceremonies for the Class of 2020 — one of the most star-studded lineups ever, including Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant — will be moved to spring 2021. Colangelo said the original dates of enshrinement weekend, Aug. 28-30, and the proposed alternate dates, Oct. 10-12, are “just not feasible” in light of the pandemic that has killed more than 100,000 people in the U.S. and has rendered large gatherings taboo. The board of governors will convene on June 10, he said, to explore spring dates.
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Being enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is something NBA players wait their entire lives for, but this is obviously the best move in order to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.
“We’re definitely canceling,” Colangelo told ESPN. “It’s going to have to be the first quarter of next year. We’ll meet in a couple of weeks and look at the options of how and when and where.”
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The 2020 class is no joke and boasts one of the most talented lineups in the history of ever. Just look at this list, courtesy of NBA.com.
The Class of 2020 includes: 18-time NBA All-Star and five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant, 15-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA Finals MVP Tim Duncan, 15-time NBA All-Star and nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection Kevin Garnett, four-time National Coach of the Year Eddie Sutton, two-time NBA Champion coach Rudy Tomjanovich, 10-time WNBA All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings, three-time NCAA National Championship Coach of Baylor Kim Mulkey, five-time Division II National Coach of the Year Barbara Stevens and longtime FIBA executive Patrick Baumann.
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I hate that Kobe isn’t alive to receive his due, but I look forward to catching this in the spring.


theroot--2020-05-28--Federal Government Partners With HBCU Meharry Medical College to Test COVID-19 Antiviral Treatment

As cases of COVID-19 continue to increase around the world , there has been much discussion surrounding a potential vaccine .
While a vaccine would help prevent the spread of the disease , it wouldn ’ t do much for a person who has already caught it .
Scientists at a historically black college in Tennessee have been working towards finding a treatment .
An assist from the federal government may help expedite the process .
NBC News reports that the National Institutes of Health have partnered with Meharry Medical College to test an antiviral drug developed by the school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reagent that works to prevent some of the more damaging effects of the virus according to Dr. Donald Alcindor , an associate professor at Meharry and one of the scientists working on the treatment .
The drug has been synthesized and is ready to begin the trial process .
“ I ’ m thinking this may be something special .
What can you take if you test positive for the virus ?
This is our option.
” Alcindor told NBC News .
MRCV-19 is primarily intended for those infected with the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It would sit in the body for up to five days and attack the RNA—ribonucleic acid , a nucleic acid present in all living cells— before it would have a chance to wreak havoc on the lungs , COVID-19 ’ s modus operandi .
“ It would defeat the purpose of the virus , ” he said .
“ Inflammation and the disease itself would be reduced.
” It will be tested at the NIH in human lung cells in the “ near term , ” an NIH official said .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s initial efforts to develop an antiviral drug .
Alcindor was one of the scientists who helped develop the successful antiviral treatment for the Zika virus .
Despite this , HBCUs still aren ’ t provided with the same level of resources and investment as some other institutions .
Meharry president Dr. James E.K Hildreth has said the partnership with NIH has helped relieve some of that burden .
“ Meharry is one of many institutions taking advantage of the technology at NIH to accelerate its research on a potential therapeutic drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilitates our research and lowers the overall cost of the research as well.
” Hildreth told NBC News .
Black people have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 in both contracting the disease and developing severe , if not fatal complications from it .
“ It ’ s extremely important when there is a disease or condition that disproportionately impacts African Americans that they trust the people who are looking for the cures.
” Former Meharry president Dr. John Maupin told NBC News .
Dr. Patrice Harris , president of the American Medical Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributions in learning more about this disease have been essential .
“ Like with any other crisis , we need the data and the science to drive decisions of treatment .
So it ’ s exciting to have Meharry doing this work .
And I ’ m very excited to know of the partnership with an HBCU and the NIH exists because of the disproportionate number of African Americans COVID-19 is impacting.
” Meharry ’ s efforts towards battling COVID-19 have showcased the essential yet often overlooked contributions of black scientists in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a spotlight on their talent .
It puts a spotlight on their purpose and it puts a spotlight on the continued re-investment in these institutions .
Their work in COVID-19 is demonstrating again you must continue to put the investment in these institutions because they have some answers that will not only be helpful to the African American community , but to all Americans.
” Maupin told NBC News .

As cases of COVID-19 continue to increase around the world, there has been much discussion surrounding a potential vaccine. While a vaccine would help prevent the spread of the disease, it wouldn’t do much for a person who has already caught it. Scientists at a historically black college in Tennessee have been working towards finding a treatment. An assist from the federal government may help expedite the process.
NBC News reports that the National Institutes of Health have partnered with Meharry Medical College to test an antiviral drug developed by the school. The school has created MRCV-19, a reagent that works to prevent some of the more damaging effects of the virus according to Dr. Donald Alcindor, an associate professor at Meharry and one of the scientists working on the treatment. The drug has been synthesized and is ready to begin the trial process. “I’m thinking this may be something special. What can you take if you test positive for the virus? This is our option.” Alcindor told NBC News.
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From NBC News:
MRCV-19 is primarily intended for those infected with the coronavirus before it causes damage, Alcendor said. It would sit in the body for up to five days and attack the RNA—ribonucleic acid, a nucleic acid present in all living cells— before it would have a chance to wreak havoc on the lungs, COVID-19’s modus operandi. “It would defeat the purpose of the virus,” he said. “Inflammation and the disease itself would be reduced.” It will be tested at the NIH in human lung cells in the “near term,” an NIH official said.
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Last month, The Root reported on Meharry’s initial efforts to develop an antiviral drug. Alcindor was one of the scientists who helped develop the successful antiviral treatment for the Zika virus. Despite this, HBCUs still aren’t provided with the same level of resources and investment as some other institutions. Meharry president Dr. James E.K Hildreth has said the partnership with NIH has helped relieve some of that burden. “Meharry is one of many institutions taking advantage of the technology at NIH to accelerate its research on a potential therapeutic drug against COVID-19 virus. Doing so greatly facilitates our research and lowers the overall cost of the research as well.” Hildreth told NBC News.
Black people have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 in both contracting the disease and developing severe, if not fatal complications from it. “It’s extremely important when there is a disease or condition that disproportionately impacts African Americans that they trust the people who are looking for the cures.” Former Meharry president Dr. John Maupin told NBC News.
Advertisement
Dr. Patrice Harris, president of the American Medical Association, has said that Meharry’s contributions in learning more about this disease have been essential. “Like with any other crisis, we need the data and the science to drive decisions of treatment. So it’s exciting to have Meharry doing this work. And I’m very excited to know of the partnership with an HBCU and the NIH exists because of the disproportionate number of African Americans COVID-19 is impacting.”
Meharry’s efforts towards battling COVID-19 have showcased the essential yet often overlooked contributions of black scientists in the medical field. “Their work puts a spotlight on their talent. It puts a spotlight on their purpose and it puts a spotlight on the continued re-investment in these institutions. Their work in COVID-19 is demonstrating again you must continue to put the investment in these institutions because they have some answers that will not only be helpful to the African American community, but to all Americans.” Maupin told NBC News.


theroot--2020-05-28--This Is What You Get

This Is What You Get

In August 2016 , a small riot broke out following the death of Sylville K. Smith , a black man shot and killed by Milwaukee police .
An auto parts store was aflame while a CBS reporter interviewed the victim ’ s brother .
“ We losing loved ones every day to the people that ’ s sworn in to protect us , ” he said .
“ It ’ s not us , it ’ s the police .
This is the madness that they spark up .
This is what they encourage .
This is what they provoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Almost four years later , pockets of Minneapolis , Minnesota , are smoldering after two nights of protest against the city ’ s police .
Many stores are a mess of glass and buildings were set ablaze .
But a family is enjoying a new Instant Pot , a child gets to play with a new set of toys , and a household has a new vacuum cleaner thanks to an afternoon spent “ looting ” a local Target store , a scenario which , for some , which is far more horrifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first place : The death of a black man at the hands of a white police officer .
On Monday , George Floyd died after Officer Derek Chauvin held him down , kneeling on his neck for nine minutes .
A viral video caught the incident , as well as Floyd ’ s cries that he couldn ’ t breathe , a haunting mirror to Eric Garner , who died when a police officer held him in a chokehold , ignoring his choked refrain : “ I can ’ t breathe.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident—Chauvin , Thomas Lane , Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng—have been fired , and both Chauvin and Thao have been investigated—but never disciplined—for excessive force in the past .
But there are calls for arrests by Floyd ’ s family , the Mayor of Minneapolis , and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar , none believing a pink slip is sufficient punishment .
And in the absence of justice—which carceral punishment can not fully alleviate—protests emerged .
Hundreds took to the streets , creating a multiracial , multigenerational sea of righteous rage .
The pattern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officer is alleged to have killed an unarmed black person , a viral video emerges , protesters assemble , and the police respond to peaceful protest with suffocating tear gas and rubber bullets .
By then , all bets are off , and so begin the fires and so-called “ looting ” while America ’ s moral arbiters play judge and jury .
While these critics include timid liberals who worry about optics of the protest above all else , the loudest naysayers have been right-wing scourges like Tucker Carlson , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police brutality , and Charlie Kirk , who tweeted , “ If you loot riot and destroy you lose all moral credibility , in my eyes , to protest injustice.
” ( Of course , Kirk was silent about Floyd ’ s death prior to the protests ; it ’ s the destruction of property that inspired him to tweet , not Floyd ’ s untimely death . )
Property is inanimate .
It doesn ’ t breathe , it doesn ’ t have hopes , dreams , or mouths to feed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our places of worship , buildings of historical and cultural significance .
A Target is not one of these places , and neither is an Arby ’ s , a Wendy ’ s , an Aldi , an Autozone , or an empty construction site .
It ’ s safe to say that the aforementioned establishments are better insured than many Americans .
But just as a destroyed CVS became a symbol of the unruliness of protesters in following the 2015 death of Freddie Gray , so too is the Minneapolis Target store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catharsis in the face of an uncaring police force , an uncaring society .
For far too many Americans , it is easier to mourn the destruction of a series of chain stores , owned and operated by millionaires , than the death of a Black American .
A stolen lamp is worthy of a kind of empathy that a black person could only dream of .
Since 2015 , Minnesota police have been responsible for a series of high-profile killings of black men : Marcus Golden , Jamar Clark , Philando Castile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of the most racially inequitable states in the nation and responsible for serious acts of injustice against its black residents .
None of the above has resulted in riots until now , a feat of extreme restraint considering the history of racist violence and execution by state forces .
Because as Martin Luther King , Jr. said , a riot is the “ language of the unheard.
” And as Langston Hughes opined in his poem , “ Warning ” : “ Negroes/Sweet and docile/Meek , humble and kind/Beware the day/They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed their minds that day , and instead of asking why this happened , how it got to this point , some people are fretting about a Dollar Tree ’ s broken windows .
In “ The Black Riot , ” Raven Rakia argues that the racialization of property spurs this handwringing , noting that during slavery a black person ’ s freedom threatened white claims to property , and that this prioritization of the property was laid bare when Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by George Zimmerman , who was concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property of his white neighborhood .
“ When the same system that refuses to protect black children comes out to protect windows , what is valued over black people in America becomes very clear , ” Rakia wrote .
“ One can not discuss the immorality of damaging property without devaluing the rage that brought protesters to this point.
” Rakia also noted that “ Nothing gets the attention of the elite like taking away or destroying what they value above all else : property.
” The result of the elites ’ enraptured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the essay “ In Defence of Looting , ” Vicky Osterweil makes a fair point : “ If protesters hadn ’ t looted and burnt down that QuikTrip on the second day of protests , would Ferguson be a point of worldwide attention ?
It ’ s impossible to know , but all the non-violent protests against police killings across the country that go unreported seem to indicate the answer is no.
” One can argue that few material improvements have been born out of the riots that captured America in the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protest , the United States Justice Department announced that they will investigate George Floyd ’ s death .
And the idea that looting is opportunistic folly negating the fight for justice is patently absurd .
Improving one ’ s life with some creature comforts in the face of state violence—in the face of state forces that can make living comfortably a challenge—is an act of political resistance .
But those fretting in bad faith over loss of employment or the destruction of neighborhood ’ s character should , perhaps , listen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually on the ground , instead of indulging fanfic about the benevolence of corporations .
A protester told media outlet Unicorn Riot that while he believed the looting does little to bring about justice , it ’ s minor compared to what was already lost .
“ All this is replaceable , all this is replaceable , ” he said , gesturing toward the burning buildings around him .
“ But life ?
When you take lives ... you can ’ t replace it , you know what I ’ m sayin ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Freedom Fund , an organization that helps bail incarcerated people out of jail , here .
Correction : An earlier version of this piece suggested Philando Castile was killed by a Minneapolis , Minnesota police officer .
A St. Anthony , Minnesota police officer killed Castile .

Ashley Reese on Jezebel, shared by Danielle C. Belton to The Root

In August 2016, a small riot broke out following the death of Sylville K. Smith, a black man shot and killed by Milwaukee police. An auto parts store was aflame while a CBS reporter interviewed the victim’s brother. “We losing loved ones every day to the people that’s sworn in to protect us,” he said. “It’s not us, it’s the police. This is the madness that they spark up. This is what they encourage. This is what they provoke. This is what you get.”
Almost four years later, pockets of Minneapolis, Minnesota, are smoldering after two nights of protest against the city’s police. Many stores are a mess of glass and buildings were set ablaze. But a family is enjoying a new Instant Pot, a child gets to play with a new set of toys, and a household has a new vacuum cleaner thanks to an afternoon spent “looting” a local Target store, a scenario which, for some, is far more horrifying than the event that sparked this chaos in the first place: The death of a black man at the hands of a white police officer.
Advertisement
On Monday, George Floyd died after Officer Derek Chauvin held him down, kneeling on his neck for nine minutes. A viral video caught the incident, as well as Floyd’s cries that he couldn’t breathe, a haunting mirror to Eric Garner, who died when a police officer held him in a chokehold, ignoring his choked refrain: “I can’t breathe.”
Four officers involved in the Floyd incident—Chauvin, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng—have been fired, and both Chauvin and Thao have been investigated—but never disciplined—for excessive force in the past. But there are calls for arrests by Floyd’s family, the Mayor of Minneapolis, and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, none believing a pink slip is sufficient punishment. And in the absence of justice—which carceral punishment cannot fully alleviate—protests emerged. Hundreds took to the streets, creating a multiracial, multigenerational sea of righteous rage.
The pattern is easy enough to follow: A police officer is alleged to have killed an unarmed black person, a viral video emerges, protesters assemble, and the police respond to peaceful protest with suffocating tear gas and rubber bullets. By then, all bets are off, and so begin the fires and so-called “looting” while America’s moral arbiters play judge and jury.
While these critics include timid liberals who worry about optics of the protest above all else, the loudest naysayers have been right-wing scourges like Tucker Carlson, who said that the riots are worse than police brutality, and Charlie Kirk, who tweeted, “If you loot riot and destroy you lose all moral credibility, in my eyes, to protest injustice.” (Of course, Kirk was silent about Floyd’s death prior to the protests; it’s the destruction of property that inspired him to tweet, not Floyd’s untimely death.)
Advertisement
Property is inanimate. It doesn’t breathe, it doesn’t have hopes, dreams, or mouths to feed. There are properties we cherish—our homes, our places of worship, buildings of historical and cultural significance. A Target is not one of these places, and neither is an Arby’s, a Wendy’s, an Aldi, an Autozone, or an empty construction site. It’s safe to say that the aforementioned establishments are better insured than many Americans. But just as a destroyed CVS became a symbol of the unruliness of protesters in following the 2015 death of Freddie Gray, so too is the Minneapolis Target store that provided protesters with a sliver of catharsis in the face of an uncaring police force, an uncaring society.
For far too many Americans, it is easier to mourn the destruction of a series of chain stores, owned and operated by millionaires, than the death of a Black American. A stolen lamp is worthy of a kind of empathy that a black person could only dream of.
This outburst didn’t happen in a vacuum.
Since 2015, Minnesota police have been responsible for a series of high-profile killings of black men: Marcus Golden, Jamar Clark, Philando Castile, and now George Floyd. Minnesota is one of the most racially inequitable states in the nation and responsible for serious acts of injustice against its black residents. None of the above has resulted in riots until now, a feat of extreme restraint considering the history of racist violence and execution by state forces. Because as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, a riot is the “language of the unheard.” And as Langston Hughes opined in his poem, “Warning”: “Negroes/Sweet and docile/Meek, humble and kind/Beware the day/They change their mind!”
Advertisement
The protesters changed their minds that day, and instead of asking why this happened, how it got to this point, some people are fretting about a Dollar Tree’s broken windows.
In “The Black Riot,” Raven Rakia argues that the racialization of property spurs this handwringing, noting that during slavery a black person’s freedom threatened white claims to property, and that this prioritization of the property was laid bare when Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by George Zimmerman, who was concerned that Martin was a threat to the property of his white neighborhood.
“When the same system that refuses to protect black children comes out to protect windows, what is valued over black people in America becomes very clear,” Rakia wrote. “One cannot discuss the immorality of damaging property without devaluing the rage that brought protesters to this point.”
Rakia also noted that “Nothing gets the attention of the elite like taking away or destroying what they value above all else: property.” The result of the elites’ enraptured attention, however, varies. In the essay “In Defence of Looting,” Vicky Osterweil makes a fair point: “If protesters hadn’t looted and burnt down that QuikTrip on the second day of protests, would Ferguson be a point of worldwide attention? It’s impossible to know, but all the non-violent protests against police killings across the country that go unreported seem to indicate the answer is no.”
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One can argue that few material improvements have been born out of the riots that captured America in the last few decades, but after two days of protest, the United States Justice Department announced that they will investigate George Floyd’s death. And the idea that looting is opportunistic folly negating the fight for justice is patently absurd. Improving one’s life with some creature comforts in the face of state violence—in the face of state forces that can make living comfortably a challenge—is an act of political resistance. But those fretting in bad faith over loss of employment or the destruction of neighborhood’s character should, perhaps, listen to some of the black people who are actually on the ground, instead of indulging fanfic about the benevolence of corporations.
A protester told media outlet Unicorn Riot that while he believed the looting does little to bring about justice, it’s minor compared to what was already lost.
“All this is replaceable, all this is replaceable,” he said, gesturing toward the burning buildings around him. “But life? When you take lives... you can’t replace it, you know what I’m sayin?”
You can donate to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, an organization that helps bail incarcerated people out of jail, here.
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Correction: An earlier version of this piece suggested Philando Castile was killed by a Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer. A St. Anthony, Minnesota police officer killed Castile.


theroot--2020-05-28--Stacey Abrams' Fair Fight Organization to Monitor Absentee Ballot Issues in Georgia

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic , Georgia has had to drastically alter the way they carry out their elections .
These changes have been poorly implemented in the lead-up to its June 9 primary election , an election that has already been postponed twice .
CBS News reports that Stacey Abrams ’ Fair Fight PAC is launching a campaign on social media to keep track of voters who have faced issues receiving their absentee ballots .
As a result of the ongoing pandemic , the state decided to send absentee ballots to all 6.9 currently registered voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary of state ’ s office had to resend 323,000 absentee ballot request forms due to some of them being sent to the wrong address and others having incorrect instructions on them .
Liz Conrad , the voter protection director at Fair Fight , said the primary “ has been marred by postponed elections and absentee ballot request forms riddled with errors , causing voter confusion , ” in a statement sent to CBS News .
Fair Fight launched its initiative on Thursday and is asking voters who have yet to receive their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to share their stories .
Fulton County is the most populous county in the state and multiple residents have already spoken out on the issues they have faced in receiving their ballots .
Freelance writer Anjali Enjeti , a Fulton County voter and former Abrams campaign volunteer , told CBS News that she and her husband both submitted their absentee ballot request forms on April 16th to an email address listed on the top of her ballot request form , but over a month later , neither she nor her husband had received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Georgia Democratic Party voter protection team on Saturday , May 23rd.
” Enjeti said .
“ They told me to re-send my application to a different email address at Fulton County.
” After sending her application to the different address , she was able to get her absentee ballot issued .
Enjeti is not alone .
Other Fulton County voters are facing lengthy waits in receiving their ballots , and they ’ re taking their concerns to social media .
Kaleb McMichen , communications director for Georgia state House Speaker David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Been waiting on my ballot to arrive since April 8 .
47 days and counting… ” McMichen told CBS News he , too , is a Fulton County voter .
According to the state elections office , his ballot application was processed on Monday .
The county has a population of over 1 million people , 44 percent of whom are black .
Fulton County Registration and Elections Director Richard Barron told reporters on Wednesday that the 25,000 applications in the county ’ s backlog had been processed .
He attributed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and office closures resulting from one employee dying of COVID-19 and another being put on leave after being diagnosed with the disease .
Gabriel Sterling , the statewide voting implementation manager for the secretary of state ’ s office , offered a different assessment , calling out the system by which they decided to process the requests .
“ They made a decision that they were going to process all the mail-in paper applications first and then go back and do the email ones .
So , you ’ re talking about tens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requested their ballots back at the beginning of April , who just got processed this weekend , ” Sterling told CBS News .
Regardless of whose fault it is , Fair Fight has remained committed to ensuring all Georgia voters “ have their voices heard and their votes counted , ” Conrad said .
Fair Fight currently has a lawsuit against the state of Georgia that alleges that the large scale issues faced by voters during the 2018 election resulted in thousands of voters , especially those of color , being disenfranchised .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way to combat attempts at voter suppression .

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia has had to drastically alter the way they carry out their elections. These changes have been poorly implemented in the lead-up to its June 9 primary election, an election that has already been postponed twice.
CBS News reports that Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight PAC is launching a campaign on social media to keep track of voters who have faced issues receiving their absentee ballots. As a result of the ongoing pandemic, the state decided to send absentee ballots to all 6.9 currently registered voters. The process has not gone smoothly— the secretary of state’s office had to resend 323,000 absentee ballot request forms due to some of them being sent to the wrong address and others having incorrect instructions on them. Liz Conrad, the voter protection director at Fair Fight, said the primary “has been marred by postponed elections and absentee ballot request forms riddled with errors, causing voter confusion,” in a statement sent to CBS News.
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Fair Fight launched its initiative on Thursday and is asking voters who have yet to receive their ballots to reach out to the group to share their stories. Fulton County is the most populous county in the state and multiple residents have already spoken out on the issues they have faced in receiving their ballots.
From CBS News:
Freelance writer Anjali Enjeti, a Fulton County voter and former Abrams campaign volunteer, told CBS News that she and her husband both submitted their absentee ballot request forms on April 16th to an email address listed on the top of her ballot request form, but over a month later, neither she nor her husband had received their ballots. “I reached out to the Georgia Democratic Party voter protection team on Saturday, May 23rd.” Enjeti said. “They told me to re-send my application to a different email address at Fulton County.” After sending her application to the different address, she was able to get her absentee ballot issued. Enjeti is not alone. Other Fulton County voters are facing lengthy waits in receiving their ballots, and they’re taking their concerns to social media. Kaleb McMichen, communications director for Georgia state House Speaker David Ralston, tweeted on May 25th, “Been waiting on my ballot to arrive since April 8. 47 days and counting…” McMichen told CBS News he, too, is a Fulton County voter. According to the state elections office, his ballot application was processed on Monday.
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The county has a population of over 1 million people, 44 percent of whom are black. Fulton County Registration and Elections Director Richard Barron told reporters on Wednesday that the 25,000 applications in the county’s backlog had been processed. He attributed the delays to servers being overloaded with requests and office closures resulting from one employee dying of COVID-19 and another being put on leave after being diagnosed with the disease.
Gabriel Sterling, the statewide voting implementation manager for the secretary of state’s office, offered a different assessment, calling out the system by which they decided to process the requests. “They made a decision that they were going to process all the mail-in paper applications first and then go back and do the email ones. So, you’re talking about tens of thousands of people who might have requested their ballots back at the beginning of April, who just got processed this weekend,” Sterling told CBS News.
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Regardless of whose fault it is, Fair Fight has remained committed to ensuring all Georgia voters “have their voices heard and their votes counted,” Conrad said. Fair Fight currently has a lawsuit against the state of Georgia that alleges that the large scale issues faced by voters during the 2018 election resulted in thousands of voters, especially those of color, being disenfranchised. The organization was formed last year as a way to combat attempts at voter suppression.


theroot--2020-05-28--Just Don't Forget That Black Pain Isn't All We Have

I don ’ t know exactly when I decided to stop writing about whiteness and focus purely on blackness .
What I do know is that for the past few years I specifically made a decision to write about the celebration of blackness and black culture and whatever comes with it .
No more writing about black trauma and pain , the white gaze or white supremacy .
At some point , I just ... couldn ’ t do it .
I want to say it was an intentional decision but that ’ s probably not true .
I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind couldn ’ t take it anymore .
Obviously whiteness is all around—a perpetual winter that we all wade through hoping for spring .
But I found myself to be significantly happier when I celebrated black culture—when I celebrated us .
This wasn ’ t always the case , obviously .
I distinctly remember actually waiting ( it sounds insane to say this ) to get the news that Troy Davis had been executed in Georgia in 2011 because I knew that we at VSB would have to write something about it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometime after 11 p.m. on September 21 , 2011 , we got the news that he ’ d been executed by the state .
At midnight , September 22 , 2011 , I hit publish on a piece about the lack of justice in the case because we needed a place to talk about it and cry on our keyboards and spill our emotions .
I ’ d never do that now .
I can ’ t .
Rereading that piece took me back to the emotions I experienced then and I remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is painful .
It hurts .
Sitting with—and in it—is hard and then writing about it to ensure that the history is recorded , while necessary , is an additional level of pain .
I did the same thing with Sandra Bland and was so infuriated that I remember being mad the rest of the day .
Black pain as a business model is unsustainable for my soul .
I watched the video of the police officer with his knee on George Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes .
I didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do so .
I watched what I felt was a countdown on his life in video form .
He didn ’ t know , the child filming it didn ’ t know , and the indifferent police officers didn ’ t know , but they were all a part of the winding down of his life .
But by the time I saw the video , that ’ s how I viewed it .
I wanted to scream at the police officer to get off of him .
And not just for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person alive who will go through another round of having to remove people in their lives who find new ways to blame a dead man or woman for their own murder .
It ’ s frustrating .
The same goes for Ahmaud Arbery .
And Breonna Taylor .
And countless others .
Coupled with the video of Amy Cooper threatening Christian Cooper with the color of his skin—clearly knowing full well that he could end up being George Floyd— and somehow wanting the world to feel some level of empathy for her after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the air .
I hate her .
I hate the police officers involved in the killing of Floyd .
A black man can ’ t do something as innocuous as watch birds without going through mental machinations .
On the checklist I run through every day of all the ways I might die once I leave the house , I can honestly say , watching birds would never have made the list .
Now I ’ ll never forget to remember that .
I ’ m tired .
I ’ m sick and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s such an old black saying but it might be the aptest expression blackness has ever proffered .
James Baldwin ’ s infamous quote always resurfaces around this time too : “ To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.
” I hate how true that statement is .
Somewhere riding through all of this exhaustion , I look for the things that bring me some level of peace and joy because I can ’ t share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My job is to write and express and opine and black pain is just not something I can do over and over .
It comes with a trade-off , though , as it turns out , people generally want to read more about black pain than they want to celebrate black culture .
This is a fact .
And that goes for black and white people .
Understandably , when something happens , we seek out as much information as possible , somewhat masochistically , hoping to read the one thing that provides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about .
We never find it .
In my personal life , as a black man , a husband to a black woman and as a parent to black children who will grow up to be black adults , inshallah , when my kids go back and read what their father wrote about , I want them to see the happiness and celebration of who they are and what the world has gained from our existence .
It is substantial and it is heroic .
But the reality is , even if I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exhaustion never goes away .
The frustration never goes away .
The anger never goes away .
Even the celebration of blackness feels hollow at times , almost forced .
Every time something happens that reinforces white supremacy , I dig deep into my bag and think about what I would want to write and all I can ever come up with is , “ I hate it here , ” with here being the metaphorical America that condones and encourages oppression .
Meanwhile , my black is beautiful .
Your black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the good fight and keep on keepin ’ on until we see the changes we need in this country .
Don ’ t forget that blackness isn ’ t a pathology , and just because they don ’ t see that fact doesn ’ t mean it isn ’ t there .
Don ’ t forget to breathe .
Our black pain isn ’ t all we have , just don ’ t forget that .

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

I don’t know exactly when I decided to stop writing about whiteness and focus purely on blackness. What I do know is that for the past few years I specifically made a decision to write about the celebration of blackness and black culture and whatever comes with it. No more writing about black trauma and pain, the white gaze or white supremacy. At some point, I just...couldn’t do it. I want to say it was an intentional decision but that’s probably not true. I think that over time, my heart and mind couldn’t take it anymore. Obviously whiteness is all around—a perpetual winter that we all wade through hoping for spring. But I found myself to be significantly happier when I celebrated black culture—when I celebrated us.
This wasn’t always the case, obviously. I distinctly remember actually waiting (it sounds insane to say this) to get the news that Troy Davis had been executed in Georgia in 2011 because I knew that we at VSB would have to write something about it. I watched the news and Twitter and sometime after 11 p.m. on September 21, 2011, we got the news that he’d been executed by the state. At midnight, September 22, 2011, I hit publish on a piece about the lack of justice in the case because we needed a place to talk about it and cry on our keyboards and spill our emotions. I’d never do that now. I can’t. Rereading that piece took me back to the emotions I experienced then and I remember how sad I was. Black death is painful. It hurts. Sitting with—and in it—is hard and then writing about it to ensure that the history is recorded, while necessary, is an additional level of pain. I did the same thing with Sandra Bland and was so infuriated that I remember being mad the rest of the day.
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Black pain as a business model is unsustainable for my soul.
I watched the video of the police officer with his knee on George Floyd’s neck for several minutes. I didn’t want to but I was compelled to do so. I watched what I felt was a countdown on his life in video form. He didn’t know, the child filming it didn’t know, and the indifferent police officers didn’t know, but they were all a part of the winding down of his life. But by the time I saw the video, that’s how I viewed it. I wanted to scream at the police officer to get off of him. And not just for his life, but for every black person alive who will go through another round of having to remove people in their lives who find new ways to blame a dead man or woman for their own murder. It’s frustrating. The same goes for Ahmaud Arbery. And Breonna Taylor. And countless others. Coupled with the video of Amy Cooper threatening Christian Cooper with the color of his skin—clearly knowing full well that he could end up being George Floyd— and somehow wanting the world to feel some level of empathy for her after the fact made me want to fight the air. I hate her. I hate the police officers involved in the killing of Floyd. A black man can’t do something as innocuous as watch birds without going through mental machinations. On the checklist I run through every day of all the ways I might die once I leave the house, I can honestly say, watching birds would never have made the list. Now I’ll never forget to remember that.
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I’m tired. I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. That’s such an old black saying but it might be the aptest expression blackness has ever proffered. James Baldwin’s infamous quote always resurfaces around this time too: “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.” I hate how true that statement is.
Somewhere riding through all of this exhaustion, I look for the things that bring me some level of peace and joy because I can’t share my pain the same way anymore. My job is to write and express and opine and black pain is just not something I can do over and over. It comes with a trade-off, though, as it turns out, people generally want to read more about black pain than they want to celebrate black culture. This is a fact. And that goes for black and white people. Understandably, when something happens, we seek out as much information as possible, somewhat masochistically, hoping to read the one thing that provides hope for the change Sam Cooke sang about. We never find it. In my personal life, as a black man, a husband to a black woman and as a parent to black children who will grow up to be black adults, inshallah, when my kids go back and read what their father wrote about, I want them to see the happiness and celebration of who they are and what the world has gained from our existence. It is substantial and it is heroic.
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But the reality is, even if I don’t write about it, the exhaustion never goes away. The frustration never goes away. The anger never goes away. Even the celebration of blackness feels hollow at times, almost forced. Every time something happens that reinforces white supremacy, I dig deep into my bag and think about what I would want to write and all I can ever come up with is, “I hate it here,” with here being the metaphorical America that condones and encourages oppression.
Meanwhile, my black is beautiful. Your black is beautiful. We need to fight the good fight and keep on keepin’ on until we see the changes we need in this country. Don’t forget that blackness isn’t a pathology, and just because they don’t see that fact doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Don’t forget to breathe.
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Our black pain isn’t all we have, just don’t forget that.


theroot--2020-05-28--Take an Additional 25% off Select Kenneth Cole Home Styles for the Rest of May

Additional 25 % off on Home Styles | Kenneth Cole | Use Code KCHOME25 For the rest of May , @ @ @ @ @ an additional 25 % off some already discounted pieces in their home styles section .
@ @ @ @ @ the items savings over 50 % off the original price .
Use the code KCHOME25 @ @ @ @ @ includes duvet sets , sheets , blankets , pillows , and towel sets .
Everything @ @ @ @ @ and neutral which makes it easy to mix and match with whatever you already have @ @ @ @ @ just like each of the lines in the company .
Deal runs until May 31 @ @ @ @ @ orders over $ 75 .

Sheilah Villari on Kinja Deals, shared by Jordan McMahon to The Root

Additional 25% off on Home Styles | Kenneth Cole | Use Code KCHOME25
For the rest of May, Kenneth Cole is giving you an additional 25% off some already discounted pieces in their home styles section . This will bring most of the items savings over 50% off the original price. Use the code KCHOME25 at check out.
This includes duvet sets , sheets, blankets, pillows, and towel sets. Everything in this collection is classic and neutral which makes it easy to mix and match with whatever you already have. All traditional American styles just like each of the lines in the company.
Deal runs until May 31. Free shipping on all orders over $75.


theroot--2020-05-28--Jerry Falwell Jr. Reveals Blackface Mask Mocking Virginia’s Face Mask Requirement

The man who has appeared to be opposed to social distancing guidelines and public health measures since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic thought it was a good idea to express his opposition to Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s order requiring Virginia citizens to wear face masks by revealing a mask of his own design—one with an image of Northam in blackface next to a man in a Ku Klux Klan robe .
“ I was adamantly opposed to the mandate from @ GovernorVA requiring citizens to wear face masks until I decided to design my own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask , I will reluctantly comply , but only if this picture of Governor Blackface himself is on it !
” he tweeted Wednesday .
First of all : Can we just acknowledge that the conservative resistance to wearing face masks makes no sense ?
This isn ’ t like the push to reopen the economy because , for all of that campaign ’ s faults , it ’ s at least about getting people back to work .
The anti-face mask thing , on the other hand , just seems like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s just odd that all of these Republican officials , including y ’ all ’ s president , seem so hellbent on dying on that particular hill .
( Editor ’ s note : Perhaps literally .
COVID-19 is not a game . )
Falwell—the man who once had arrest warrants issued for journalists because they were covering his widely criticized decision to reopen Liberty U ’ s campus despite the dangers of the COVID-19 outbreak—took things a step further by randomly invoking racism to make his point .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Northam caught black people ’ s collective side-eye last year when a photo from Eastern Virginia Medical School ’ s 1984 yearbook was unearthed , showing him in blackface next to someone in KKK attire .
Northam initially apologized for the photo then later denied it was him in the photo at all .
This was certainly a drag-worthy offense , but Falwell is still way out of his lane here .
On its face ( pun intended ) , Falwell ’ s tweet just makes it seem like he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klan member and a white guy in blackface on it .
It just looks like him being racist as hell , which is probably why he needed to clarify things in a separate tweet .
“ Just so folks outside Virginia unfamiliar with the pic on the mask understand : it is from the personal page of the medical school yearbook of @ GovernorVA , ” he tweeted .
“ Just a way to shine a spotlight on the fact that Democrats are and always have been the real racists in this country.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most black people who see that mask will likely miss the context and only see the display of blatant racism .
That ’ s how you know Falwell ’ s post isn ’ t actually about addressing racism—it ’ s just about sticking it to Democrats .
According to The Hill , Northam addressed his new face mask policy at a Tuesday press conference saying , “ Everything we do affects someone else .
I ’ m asking us all to remember the golden rule : that we should treat each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treat us .
”

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr. is an entire moron.
The man who has appeared to be opposed to social distancing guidelines and public health measures since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic thought it was a good idea to express his opposition to Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam’s order requiring Virginia citizens to wear face masks by revealing a mask of his own design—one with an image of Northam in blackface next to a man in a Ku Klux Klan robe.
“I was adamantly opposed to the mandate from @GovernorVA requiring citizens to wear face masks until I decided to design my own. If I am ordered to wear a mask, I will reluctantly comply, but only if this picture of Governor Blackface himself is on it!” he tweeted Wednesday.
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First of all: Can we just acknowledge that the conservative resistance to wearing face masks makes no sense? This isn’t like the push to reopen the economy because, for all of that campaign’s faults, it’s at least about getting people back to work. The anti-face mask thing, on the other hand, just seems like arbitrary defiance for the sake of defiance. It’s just odd that all of these Republican officials, including y’all’s president, seem so hellbent on dying on that particular hill. (Editor’s note: Perhaps literally. COVID-19 is not a game.)
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Falwell—the man who once had arrest warrants issued for journalists because they were covering his widely criticized decision to reopen Liberty U’s campus despite the dangers of the COVID-19 outbreak—took things a step further by randomly invoking racism to make his point.
For those who are unfamiliar with the story, Northam caught black people’s collective side-eye last year when a photo from Eastern Virginia Medical School’s 1984 yearbook was unearthed, showing him in blackface next to someone in KKK attire. Northam initially apologized for the photo then later denied it was him in the photo at all. This was certainly a drag-worthy offense, but Falwell is still way out of his lane here.
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On its face (pun intended), Falwell’s tweet just makes it seem like he’s planning to wear a mask with a Klan member and a white guy in blackface on it. It just looks like him being racist as hell, which is probably why he needed to clarify things in a separate tweet.
“Just so folks outside Virginia unfamiliar with the pic on the mask understand: it is from the personal page of the medical school yearbook of @GovernorVA,” he tweeted. “Just a way to shine a spotlight on the fact that Democrats are and always have been the real racists in this country.”
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At the end of the day, most black people who see that mask will likely miss the context and only see the display of blatant racism. That’s how you know Falwell’s post isn’t actually about addressing racism—it’s just about sticking it to Democrats.
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According to The Hill, Northam addressed his new face mask policy at a Tuesday press conference saying, “Everything we do affects someone else. I’m asking us all to remember the golden rule: that we should treat each other the way that we want people to treat us.”


theroot--2020-05-28--Penn. Democrats Livid After Learning Republicans Hid Member’s Positive Coronavirus Test Fearing Emba

Penn. Democrats Livid After Learning Republicans Hid Member’s Positive Coronavirus Test Fearing Embarrassment

Democrats in Pennsylvania ’ s House of Representatives are fighting mad after learning that a Republican lawmaker tested positive for the coronavirus and hid the results from other state House members to avoid political embarrassment .
According to the New York Times , “ Republican House member , Andrew Lewis , confirmed on Wednesday that he received a positive test on May 20 and went into self-isolation .
Mr. Lewis said that every lawmaker or staff member he was in contact with who “ met the criteria for exposure ” was notified.
” But Democrats are claiming that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lewis went into self-isolation but that wasn ’ t until almost a week after learning he was positive for COVID-19 .
They believe that Lewis and other Republican members kept the positive test a secret “ to protect their public talking points against science and facts , ” the Times reports .
Pennsylvania Republicans have been at the forefront of the “ fuck these masks ” movement .
In fact , Republican representative Russ Diamond , whom the Times notes was notified about the risk of possible exposure , spoke at “ an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and had boasted on social media of not wearing a mask while shopping.
” Representative Brian K. Sims , a Democrat from Philadelphia , posted an emotional Facebook video in which he wondered what kind of animals these assholes are .
Sims noted that Diamond has “ apparently been quarantining himself for weeks ” but “ didn ’ t explain that to any of us when he was in committee , talking with us or walking up and down the aisles or bumping into us or letting us hold the door open for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our lives at risk ?
” Sims said , noting that he had recently donated a kidney .
“ How dare you put our families at risk ?
” Lewis told the Times that he kept his positive diagnosis private “ out of respect for my family , and those who I may have exposed ” because he doesn ’ t understand how any of this works .
You are supposed to tell everyone that you ’ ve got the coronavirus so that everyone knows to stay the fuck away from you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t inform the Democratic caucus is deeply reckless and immoral , ” Representative Kevin J. Boyle , the Democratic chair of the state government committee , told the Times , adding that he sat near Lewis without any idea that he ’ d tested positive .
Boyle went on to speculate why Republicans didn ’ t inform Democrats of Lewis ’ positive test .
“ The optics are terrible ” for Republicans , he said , the Times reports .
“ Lewis and Diamond have been high-profile members of the anti-shutdown movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone we ’ ve overreacted with shutdown orders and Covid-19 is not the danger it is.
” A spokesman for House Republicans , Mike Straub , claims that nothing was amiss as they followed all state and federal guidelines concerning whom to notify of his positive test .
“ Rep .
Lewis was only in the Capitol for a short period of time within that window—so tracing who he was in contact with was easily verified , ” Straub said in a statement to the Times .
“ We have footage of him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test , Bizzarro said .
“ The thing that was just infuriating about this whole situation is that we found out the Republican caucus leadership knew about this and tried to bury it.
” In his video , Sims called House Speaker Mike Turzai a “ scoundrel ” “ and demanded that the state attorney general open an investigation , ” the Times reports .

Democrats in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives are fighting mad after learning that a Republican lawmaker tested positive for the coronavirus and hid the results from other state House members to avoid political embarrassment.
According to the New York Times, “Republican House member, Andrew Lewis, confirmed on Wednesday that he received a positive test on May 20 and went into self-isolation. Mr. Lewis said that every lawmaker or staff member he was in contact with who “met the criteria for exposure” was notified.”
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But Democrats are claiming that’s bullshit. Yes, they say that Lewis went into self-isolation but that wasn’t until almost a week after learning he was positive for COVID-19. They believe that Lewis and other Republican members kept the positive test a secret “to protect their public talking points against science and facts,” the Times reports.
Pennsylvania Republicans have been at the forefront of the “fuck these masks” movement. In fact, Republican representative Russ Diamond, whom the Times notes was notified about the risk of possible exposure, spoke at “an anti-shutdown protest outside the Capitol last month and had boasted on social media of not wearing a mask while shopping.”
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Representative Brian K. Sims, a Democrat from Philadelphia, posted an emotional Facebook video in which he wondered what kind of animals these assholes are.
Sims noted that Diamond has “apparently been quarantining himself for weeks” but “didn’t explain that to any of us when he was in committee, talking with us or walking up and down the aisles or bumping into us or letting us hold the door open for him.”
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“How dare you put our lives at risk?” Sims said, noting that he had recently donated a kidney. “How dare you put our families at risk?”
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Lewis told the Times that he kept his positive diagnosis private “out of respect for my family, and those who I may have exposed” because he doesn’t understand how any of this works. You are supposed to tell everyone that you’ve got the coronavirus so that everyone knows to stay the fuck away from you.
“The fact the Republican caucus didn’t inform the Democratic caucus is deeply reckless and immoral,” Representative Kevin J. Boyle, the Democratic chair of the state government committee, told the Times, adding that he sat near Lewis without any idea that he’d tested positive.
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Boyle went on to speculate why Republicans didn’t inform Democrats of Lewis’ positive test.
“The optics are terrible” for Republicans, he said, the Times reports. “Lewis and Diamond have been high-profile members of the anti-shutdown movement. They’ve been consistently telling everyone we’ve overreacted with shutdown orders and Covid-19 is not the danger it is.”
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A spokesman for House Republicans, Mike Straub, claims that nothing was amiss as they followed all state and federal guidelines concerning whom to notify of his positive test.
“Rep. Lewis was only in the Capitol for a short period of time within that window—so tracing who he was in contact with was easily verified,” Straub said in a statement to the Times.
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Representative Ryan Bizzarro, a Democrat, called bullshit.
“We have footage of him being here,” after the positive test, Bizzarro said. “The thing that was just infuriating about this whole situation is that we found out the Republican caucus leadership knew about this and tried to bury it.”
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In his video, Sims called House Speaker Mike Turzai a “scoundrel” “and demanded that the state attorney general open an investigation,” the Times reports.


theroot--2020-05-28--Trump Shares Video Claiming ‘the Only Good Democrat Is a Dead Democrat’

Look , this isn ’ t Trump ’ s fault .
In truth , he saw white men in cowboy hats and how was he supposed to know that they were promoting killing Democrats ?
I mean , sure , he could ’ ve played the video and listened to it but why would he do that ?
I mean , sure , he wouldn ’ t let a yokel in a cowboy hat within ten feet of his Trump establishments but the president is selling an image and cowboys align with all his other “ I love America ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people who deep-fry desserts retweeted from his official Twitter account was titled “ Cowboys for Trump , ” and a goofy guy in the cowboy hat literally starts by saying “ The only good Democrat is a dead Democrat.
” I ’ m not sure if this is a repurposed phrase but the original and only phrase like this that I know is : “ the only good nigger is a dead nigga.
” Please correct me in the comments if I ’ m wrong .
Around midnight , just a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his toddler bed and turned out the light , Trump tweeted the video with the message : “ Thank you Cowboys .
See you in New Mexico !
” Yeah , so that ’ s it , that the story .
The president doesn ’ t watch the videos he retweets—or does he ?
Wait—if he watched it then that would mean that the president agrees that “ the only good Democrat is a dead Democrat ” ?
Clearly , that ’ s what the grown man in the cowboy hat said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to be taken seriously , kill it with the cowboy hats .
Cowboy hats should only be worn by children imitating cowboys and lions riding motorcycles .
There is nothing tough about a white guy with a beer gut and a cowboy hat .
Not .
One .
Thing .
The speaker , who we will call Fetus for brevity and clarity , immediately clarifies that he doesn ’ t mean killing people but merely killing of the democratic agenda .
Fuck Fetus and his rationale .
Fuck Fetus and his president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And fuck this story and this president .

Look, this isn’t Trump’s fault. In truth, he saw white men in cowboy hats and how was he supposed to know that they were promoting killing Democrats? I mean, sure, he could’ve played the video and listened to it but why would he do that? I mean, sure, he wouldn’t let a yokel in a cowboy hat within ten feet of his Trump establishments but the president is selling an image and cowboys align with all his other “I love America” bullshit.
The video that the president of people who deep-fry desserts retweeted from his official Twitter account was titled “Cowboys for Trump,” and a goofy guy in the cowboy hat literally starts by saying “The only good Democrat is a dead Democrat.”
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I’m not sure if this is a repurposed phrase but the original and only phrase like this that I know is: “the only good nigger is a dead nigga.” Please correct me in the comments if I’m wrong.
Around midnight, just a little after he put Sen. Lindsey Graham into his toddler bed and turned out the light, Trump tweeted the video with the message: “Thank you Cowboys. See you in New Mexico!”
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Yeah, so that’s it, that the story. The president doesn’t watch the videos he retweets—or does he? Wait—if he watched it then that would mean that the president agrees that “the only good Democrat is a dead Democrat”? Clearly, that’s what the grown man in the cowboy hat said. Sidenote: White America, if you want to be taken seriously, kill it with the cowboy hats. Cowboy hats should only be worn by children imitating cowboys and lions riding motorcycles. There is nothing tough about a white guy with a beer gut and a cowboy hat. Not. One. Thing.
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The speaker, who we will call Fetus for brevity and clarity, immediately clarifies that he doesn’t mean killing people but merely killing of the democratic agenda. Fuck Fetus and his rationale. Fuck Fetus and his president. Fuck Fetus and his cowboy hat. And fuck this story and this president.


theroot--2020-05-28--Social Studies: The Language of the Unheard

Of course , I don ’ t like it when people die .
I take the loss of life very seriously .
But I like being around black people in their finest clothes .
I love pound cake .
I love sitting next to cousins who crack jokes while I attempt to stifle giggles .
I like church choirs and ushers and auntie hugs and loud preachers and “ look how much Darius has grown !
” and remembering and loving and releasing unabashed blackness into the safety of a black void that no one will ever judge or condemn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like seeing black people being bulletproof — even in death .
And that ’ s why I like black people on social media .
Because — even with the outrage and sadness over a black life loss , we will discover a way to make ourselves happy .
Our superpower is our resilience and our resilience is a divining rod that will unbury a piece of song for us to dance to , even if the rhythm is provided by a death knell .
And no , I ’ m not here to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and protest in a civil manner .
Oh , now you wan na enforce the rule of law ?
If you ’ re in Minneapolis , pretend you ’ re a cop in a black community .
And stunt on them hoes .
Right-wing provocateur Andy Ngo tweeted about this poor old lady .
But it turns out , she ’ s just an undercover Karen .
So of course , Black Twitter went in on her : *The views expressed in this tweet are not the views of Michael Harriot , The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clark Kent , DC Comics ( or maybe Marvel , I ’ m not sure ) .
In entertainment news , I am not in favor of calling the police on black people but someone should report Wanda Sykes for dragging Scott Baio : Also , the Swiftboaters are now upset with Burger King about this tweet : And why wouldn ’ t they be upset ?
I ’ m sure there ’ s nothing else going on in the world that would make white people upset , which is why I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ ve been boycotting nutella for over 40 years but this is the final straw .
I ’ m also boycotting the Yeezy slides that I ’ m pretty sure you can get in Wal Mart for $ 13.98 .
I ’ m also boycotting this play that I just heard about ( I bought tickets for the meet & greet , though ) : There ’ s got ta be a better way to explain this feeling :

I like funerals.
Of course, I don’t like it when people die. I take the loss of life very seriously. But I like being around black people in their finest clothes. I love pound cake. I love sitting next to cousins who crack jokes while I attempt to stifle giggles. I like church choirs and ushers and auntie hugs and loud preachers and “look how much Darius has grown!” and remembering and loving and releasing unabashed blackness into the safety of a black void that no one will ever judge or condemn and, most of all, I like seeing black people being bulletproof — even in death.
And that’s why I like black people on social media. Because — even with the outrage and sadness over a black life loss, we will discover a way to make ourselves happy. Our superpower is our resilience and our resilience is a divining rod that will unbury a piece of song for us to dance to, even if the rhythm is provided by a death knell.
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I also like riots.
And no, I’m not here to plead with black people to calm down and protest in a civil manner. Oh, now you wanna enforce the rule of law?
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Fuck that.
If you’re in Minneapolis, pretend you’re a cop in a black community.
And stunt on them hoes.
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Right-wing provocateur Andy Ngo tweeted about this poor old lady.
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But it turns out, she’s just an undercover Karen.
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So of course, Black Twitter went in on her:
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Here’s a social justice joke:
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*The views expressed in this tweet are not the views of Michael Harriot, The Root, G-O Media, Superman, Clark Kent, DC Comics (or maybe Marvel, I’m not sure).
In entertainment news, I am not in favor of calling the police on black people but someone should report Wanda Sykes for dragging Scott Baio:
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Also, the Swiftboaters are now upset with Burger King about this tweet:
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And why wouldn’t they be upset?
I’m sure there’s nothing else going on in the world that would make white people upset, which is why I’m boycotting nutella.
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To be fair, I’ve been boycotting nutella for over 40 years but this is the final straw. I’m also boycotting the Yeezy slides that I’m pretty sure you can get in Wal Mart for $13.98.
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I’m also boycotting this play that I just heard about (I bought tickets for the meet & greet, though):
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There’s gotta be a better way to explain this feeling:


theroot--2020-05-28--John David Washington's Youth Football Team Wasn't 'Led Astray'—Denzel Inspired Them With a Malcolm

John David Washington's Youth Football Team Wasn't 'Led Astray'—Denzel Inspired Them With a Malcolm X Speech

By now , if you ’ re a fan of John David Washington , you know the story of how a severe football injury ( it was his Achilles ) ended his sports career , leading to his foray into acting .
It was a dream he previously had playing in the background of his mind , but as we look at performances such as BlacKkKlansman , it seems like Hollywood was always his destiny .
Esquire Magazine sat down with the Tenet star to talk about the upcoming Christopher Nolan film , his previous football career and also featured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While John ’ s story is not simply defined by being the son of Black Hollywood ’ s elite couple Denzel and Pauletta Washington , it ’ s inevitable that his father comes up in an interview .
I mean , how can we get it out of our head when his voice is an eerie replica of his father ’ s ?
!
As we imagined , he had one particularly fun story involving Daddy Denzel coaching his childhood football team .
When he began playing football at the end of elementary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the competition and the attention .
Football felt like his own domain , though his father coached his teams , sometimes borrowing , at least in Washington ’ s mind , from his most famous monologues for inspiration .
It was Washington ’ s second year of tackle football , in seventh grade , when he started to hesitate before contact .
His dad took him into the backyard of the house and had him hit a punching bag again and again .
It felt like all night , even if it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was like a scene straight out of He Got Game , in which his dad played the father of a star basketball prospect .
And when it came time to play , and his dad gathered the team around on the sidelines to give them an impassioned speech to take them through the end of the game , the words sounded familiar .
This is from the Malcolm X speech , right ?
Washington thought .
However , John ’ s connection to the iconic film goes beyond inspirational football speeches .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landed his first major role , John appeared in the highly memorable “ I Am Malcolm X !
” sequence at the end of the film—he was the first kid to stand up and utter the powerful phrase .
I hope Denzel had each football player reenact that very scene following his speech , too .
Imagine !
In the same good-natured spirit , Denzel was also recently seen assisting a homeless man in distress , updating police officers once they arrived and remaining until he was sure the man was okay and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the greatest in terms of acting , but he ’ s also a pretty damn decent guy , too .

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

By now, if you’re a fan of John David Washington, you know the story of how a severe football injury (it was his Achilles) ended his sports career, leading to his foray into acting. It was a dream he previously had playing in the background of his mind, but as we look at performances such as BlacKkKlansman, it seems like Hollywood was always his destiny.
Esquire Magazine sat down with the Tenet star to talk about the upcoming Christopher Nolan film, his previous football career and also featured anecdotes from those closest to him. While John’s story is not simply defined by being the son of Black Hollywood’s elite couple Denzel and Pauletta Washington, it’s inevitable that his father comes up in an interview.
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I mean, how can we get it out of our head when his voice is an eerie replica of his father’s?! As we imagined, he had one particularly fun story involving Daddy Denzel coaching his childhood football team.
As Esquire’s Kate Storey wrote:
When he began playing football at the end of elementary school, he fell in love with the competition and the attention. Football felt like his own domain, though his father coached his teams, sometimes borrowing, at least in Washington’s mind, from his most famous monologues for inspiration. It was Washington’s second year of tackle football, in seventh grade, when he started to hesitate before contact. His dad took him into the backyard of the house and had him hit a punching bag again and again. It felt like all night, even if it was probably only a few minutes. It was like a scene straight out of He Got Game, in which his dad played the father of a star basketball prospect. And when it came time to play, and his dad gathered the team around on the sidelines to give them an impassioned speech to take them through the end of the game, the words sounded familiar. This is from the Malcolm X speech, right? Washington thought.
However, John’s connection to the iconic film goes beyond inspirational football speeches. As we mentioned back in 2015 when he landed his first major role, John appeared in the highly memorable “I Am Malcolm X!” sequence at the end of the film—he was the first kid to stand up and utter the powerful phrase. I hope Denzel had each football player reenact that very scene following his speech, too. Imagine!
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In the same good-natured spirit, Denzel was also recently seen assisting a homeless man in distress, updating police officers once they arrived and remaining until he was sure the man was okay and subsequently released.
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Denzel is one of the greatest in terms of acting, but he’s also a pretty damn decent guy, too.


theroot--2020-05-28--This Marshall Speaker Can Help You Quell Your Concert Nostalgia, and It’s $70 off Right Now on Amazo

This Marshall Speaker Can Help You Quell Your Concert Nostalgia, and It’s $70 off Right Now on Amazon

It ’ s gon na be a while before we start going to any concerts again , and even when @ @ @ @ @ re probably gon na look a little different .
Even so , there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ in a space filled with music , and humming along to your favorite tunes .
@ @ @ @ @ concert replacement , but the Marshall Stanmore II offers impressive sound quality for a Bluetooth @ @ @ @ @ s down to $ 280 on Amazon right now , saving you $ 70 , @ @ @ @ @ away for a rainy day .

Jordan McMahon on Kinja Deals, shared by Ignacia to The Root

Marshall Stanmore II | $250 | Best Buy
It’s gonna be a while before we start going to any concerts again, and even when we do, they’re probably gonna look a little different. Even so, there’s a particular delight in being in a space filled with music, and humming along to your favorite tunes. This isn’t a concert replacement, but the Marshall Stanmore II offers impressive sound quality for a Bluetooth speaker, and it’s down to $250 at Best Buy right now, saving you over $100, so tuck that extra cash away for a rainy day.


theroot--2020-05-28--Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Is Trying to Steal Pandemic Aid From Public Schools to Give to Priva

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Is Trying to Steal Pandemic Aid From Public Schools to Give to Private Institutions

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos continues to be the world ’ s most ruthless criminal disguised as a caravan mom .
DeVos , a member of the notorious South Central rap group P.T.A.
, is now calling for public institutions to share funding from the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act , or CARES Act , with private and religious schools that she loves .
“ The CARES Act is a special , pandemic-related appropriation to benefit all American students , teachers and families , ” DeVos wrote in a Friday letter to the Council of Chief State School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill .
“ There is nothing in the act suggesting Congress intended to discriminate between children based on public or nonpublic school attendance , as you seem to do .
The virus affects everyone.
” DeVos is full of shit .
Many Democrats have already noted that DeVos is merely trying to take cash allotted for low-income schools that have been ravished by the coronavirus to prop up wealthy schools that she champions that don ’ t even need the cash .
“ A range of education officials say Ms. DeVos ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disadvantaged students and force districts starved of tax revenues during an economic crisis to support even the wealthiest private schools , ” the New York Times reports .
Here is what DeVos is really trying to do : First , the original legislation asks “ states to divide the funding among public schools based on the number and share of low-income students they teach , ” according to the Star Tribune .
The way that it has gone before , public schools would use a portion of their Title I money to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend local private schools .
“ On April 30 , however , DeVos issued new guidance telling public schools to divide the coronavirus aid based on the total number of students at local private schools , not just low-income ones , ” the Star Tribune reports .
The federal education law states that the funding was intended to be used “ for their poorest students to provide ‘ equitable services , ’ such as transportation and tutoring , according to the Times .
DeVos argues that the money is not limited to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her white womanness , should be allowed to be allocated to the schools she likes .
And like the Karens before her , DeVos has threatened to change the law to make her wishes come true .
“ DeVos reportedly accused state education leaders of having a ‘ reflex to share as little as possible with students and teachers outside of their control , ’ and said she would draft a rule that would make her guidance mandatory and “ resolve any issues in plenty of time for the next school year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last week , Democrats on the Senate and House education committees said DeVos ’ s interpretation was incorrect .
“ This interpretation expands the amount of funding that [ local educational agencies ] must dedicate to providing equitable services to private school students , reduces public school students ’ share of funds , defies Congressional intent , and conflicts with the statutory requirements of the CARES Act , ” the lawmakers wrote .
They did not add but should ’ ve that Betsy DeVos is a goddamn idiot who will do anything in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rich keep winning .

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos continues to be the world’s most ruthless criminal disguised as a caravan mom. DeVos, a member of the notorious South Central rap group P.T.A., is now calling for public institutions to share funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, with private and religious schools that she loves.
“The CARES Act is a special, pandemic-related appropriation to benefit all American students, teachers and families,” DeVos wrote in a Friday letter to the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) obtained by The Hill. “There is nothing in the act suggesting Congress intended to discriminate between children based on public or nonpublic school attendance, as you seem to do. The virus affects everyone.”
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DeVos is full of shit. Many Democrats have already noted that DeVos is merely trying to take cash allotted for low-income schools that have been ravished by the coronavirus to prop up wealthy schools that she champions that don’t even need the cash.
“A range of education officials say Ms. DeVos’s guidance would divert millions of dollars from disadvantaged students and force districts starved of tax revenues during an economic crisis to support even the wealthiest private schools,” the New York Times reports.
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Here is what DeVos is really trying to do: First, the original legislation asks “states to divide the funding among public schools based on the number and share of low-income students they teach,” according to the Star Tribune. The way that it has gone before, public schools would use a portion of their Title I money to provide for low-income students in the area that attend local private schools.
“On April 30, however, DeVos issued new guidance telling public schools to divide the coronavirus aid based on the total number of students at local private schools, not just low-income ones,” the Star Tribune reports.
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The federal education law states that the funding was intended to be used “for their poorest students to provide ‘equitable services,’ such as transportation and tutoring, according to the Times. DeVos argues that the money is not limited to that and therefore, by the powers invested in her white womanness, should be allowed to be allocated to the schools she likes. And like the Karens before her, DeVos has threatened to change the law to make her wishes come true.
“DeVos reportedly accused state education leaders of having a ‘reflex to share as little as possible with students and teachers outside of their control,’ and said she would draft a rule that would make her guidance mandatory and “resolve any issues in plenty of time for the next school year,’” the Times reports.
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Last week, Democrats on the Senate and House education committees said DeVos’s interpretation was incorrect.
“This interpretation expands the amount of funding that [local educational agencies] must dedicate to providing equitable services to private school students, reduces public school students’ share of funds, defies Congressional intent, and conflicts with the statutory requirements of the CARES Act,” the lawmakers wrote.
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They did not add but should’ve that Betsy DeVos is a goddamn idiot who will do anything in her power to make sure that the rich keep winning.


theroot--2020-05-28--White People Nationwide Mourn the Senseless Murder of a Minneapolis Target Store

“ I ’ m still in shock .
It was just there yesterday.
” said 31-year-old Minneapolis resident Josh Hanks as he battled tears while standing in front of the Lake Street Target store ’ s remains .
“ I have so many memories of the Home and Patio section .
So many laughs .
So many smiles .
And now it ’ s gone forever.
” For the Lake Street Target store , yesterday began like most other days .
It sat there , on Lake Street , as people walked past it , just as it had for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some entered it to shop ; others to work .
It had no idea that , within hours , its automatic doors would open for the last time .
We ’ re still gathering information at the moment , but according to the Minneapolis Police Department , the first ransacking began at approximately 6:15 pm .
This continued for hours until it was left with nothing but a mangled chair from a Disney ’ s Frozen kiddie kitchen set .
“ Let It Go , ” indeed .
“ It fought hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said MPD chief Susan Schumer , during a press conference this morning .
“ And we will not rest until we find the animals who did this.
” White people nationwide took to the streets to protest this brutal act of terror .
In Charlotte , N.C. , police were called after a Target Lives Matter demonstration turned violent .
Hundreds of whites gathered to perform what ’ s known in white activist circles as a “ Buy-In , ” where they congregated at a Target and then just bought things there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and when the police arrived , several of the officers joined the protest .
“ I needed some socks and some steak sauce , ” said Charlotte patrolman John Livingstone .
“ Where else can you get both at once ?
” Los Angeles , Chicago , Seattle and Pittsburgh are among the cities where thousands showed up for candlelight vigils .
White people hugged and cried and laughed as they wore t-shirts with bullseyes on them and shared their favorite Target store memories .
In Boston , at a vigil that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New England Patriots ’ staff—a sign read “ You Will Always Be The Target In The Center Of Our Hearts.
” On Twitter this morning , President Trump vowed to “ devote EVERY National resource To FIND These MONSTERS !
” Rachel Lisson , executive director of the National Center for Target Store Crimes , warns that the act was a result of long-building tensions , and we might see more Target Store murders soon .
“ It ’ s supposed to be a hot summer , and each Target Store has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is a volatile mixture.
” Still , Lisson is confident we can prevent more Target store deaths .
“ If we act now , we could get ahead of this.
” Back in Minneapolis though , those words are of little comfort to the neighboring Auto Zone , which had grown close to the Target store .
When pressed for comment , the Auto Zone declined to speak on camera—mostly likely because it is not a human being and it can ’ t talk .

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

“I’m still in shock. It was just there yesterday.” said 31-year-old Minneapolis resident Josh Hanks as he battled tears while standing in front of the Lake Street Target store’s remains. “I have so many memories of the Home and Patio section. So many laughs. So many smiles. And now it’s gone forever.”
For the Lake Street Target store, yesterday began like most other days. It sat there, on Lake Street, as people walked past it, just as it had for the first 19 years of its life. Some entered it to shop; others to work. It had no idea that, within hours, its automatic doors would open for the last time.
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We’re still gathering information at the moment, but according to the Minneapolis Police Department, the first ransacking began at approximately 6:15 pm. This continued for hours until it was left with nothing but a mangled chair from a Disney’s Frozen kiddie kitchen set. “Let It Go,” indeed.
“It fought hard. It...fought hard, ” said MPD chief Susan Schumer, during a press conference this morning. “And we will not rest until we find the animals who did this.”
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White people nationwide took to the streets to protest this brutal act of terror. In Charlotte, N.C., police were called after a Target Lives Matter demonstration turned violent. Hundreds of whites gathered to perform what’s known in white activist circles as a “Buy-In,” where they congregated at a Target and then just bought things there. Fights broke out in the ensuing chaos, and when the police arrived, several of the officers joined the protest. “I needed some socks and some steak sauce,” said Charlotte patrolman John Livingstone. “Where else can you get both at once?”
Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle and Pittsburgh are among the cities where thousands showed up for candlelight vigils. White people hugged and cried and laughed as they wore t-shirts with bullseyes on them and shared their favorite Target store memories. In Boston, at a vigil that attracted 300,000 people—including each white member of the New England Patriots’ staff—a sign read “You Will Always Be The Target In The Center Of Our Hearts.” On Twitter this morning, President Trump vowed to “devote EVERY National resource To FIND These MONSTERS!”
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Rachel Lisson, executive director of the National Center for Target Store Crimes, warns that the act was a result of long-building tensions, and we might see more Target Store murders soon. “It’s supposed to be a hot summer, and each Target Store has air conditioning. Our data shows that it is a volatile mixture.” Still, Lisson is confident we can prevent more Target store deaths. “If we act now, we could get ahead of this.”
Back in Minneapolis though, those words are of little comfort to the neighboring Auto Zone, which had grown close to the Target store. When pressed for comment, the Auto Zone declined to speak on camera—mostly likely because it is not a human being and it can’t talk.