theroot--2020-06-12--Starbucks Bans, Then Quickly Reverses Ban on Employees Wearing 'Black Lives Matter' Attire

Does anybody remember way back in 2015 when Starbucks launched the “ Race Together ” initiative , which recommended that their employees invite customers—and particularly customers of color—to discuss race relations in America ?
Remember when they resurrected the idea in 2018 after the chain coffee shop made headlines when an employee had two black men arrested while they waited for a friend ?
Well , fast forward two years and suddenly the company appears to be a bit squeamish over the idea of letting its baristas wear t-shirts , pins or any attire that bears the words “ Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same month that Starbucks pledged to “ stand in solidarity with our Black partners , customers and communities , ” amid nationwide protests against systemic racism and police violence , senior managers were barring employees wearing anything that explicitly shows that they “ stand in solidarity.
” According to an internal bulletin obtained by BuzzFeed News , store managers had been contacting senior leadership on behalf of employees who wanted to wear BLM-related attire as protests continued to sweep major cities and small towns across the country .
In response , management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , argued that wearing clothing and accessories highlighting Black Lives Matter could be misunderstood and potentially incite violence .
The bulletin pointed employees to a video , which has now been removed , in which its VP of inclusion and diversity explained that “ agitators who misconstrue the fundamental principles ” of the movement and could use them to “ amplify divisiveness.
” A spokesperson for Starbucks told BuzzFeed they were dedicated to fighting “ systemic racism , ” but that their dress code was necessary in order “ to create a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and staff .
“ We respect all of our partners ’ opinions and beliefs , and encourage them to bring their whole selves to work while adhering to our dress code policy , ” the spokesperson said .
So who ordered the Short , Tall , Grande or Venti order of bullshit ?
( I had to Google those drink sizes .
I uh ...
I ’ ve never been inside of a Starbucks before . )
Expecting people to believe that a company can post its support for black lives mattering to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see , create a Black Partner Network logo , and task employees with inviting customers to discuss race—all while denying them the right to wear a “ Black Lives Matter ” shirt , because that is the thing that might make your white patrons uncomfortable—is a pretty hard sell .
Starbucks employees told BuzzFeed they weren ’ t buying it either .
Many employees were not satisfied .
For some employees , the statements feel “ performative , ” “ shallow , ” and “ hypocritical.
” A barista on the east @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground , the company is still working to preserve its image with customers to not disrupt sales .
“ We have a police detail outside of the store most days anyway .
Let ’ s just call him over if a customer is offended by someone ’ s BLM pin , ” the employee said .
“ There ’ s something deeper here .
[ Starbucks CEO ] Kevin Johnson talks a big talk on Twitter , but he ’ s still the head of a multibillion-dollar company that has to keep up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees tarnish that pristine global image.
” Another worker in Colorado agreed that the decision was made to “ not cause conflict with customers ” and did not agree with the company ’ s explanation that Black Lives Matter should be defined as political .
Anyway , the company ended up reversing their ban on “ Black Lives Matter ” attire after mother fuckers dragged they asses all up and down the internet for this bullshit they had done some soul searching .
According to CNN , Starbucks announced Friday that employees will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pins “ until new branded shirts are delivered to 200,000 employees that include the phrase.
” “ This movement is a catalyst for change , and right now , it ’ s telling us a lot of things need to be addressed so we can make space to heal , ” Starbucks wrote in a letter to employees announcing the new T-shirt design , which can be viewed below .

Does anybody remember way back in 2015 when Starbucks launched the “Race Together” initiative, which recommended that their employees invite customers—and particularly customers of color—to discuss race relations in America? Remember when they resurrected the idea in 2018 after the chain coffee shop made headlines when a manager had two black men arrested while they waited for a friend?
Well, fast forward two years and suddenly the company appears to be a bit squeamish over the idea of letting its baristas wear t-shirts, pins or any attire that bears the words “Black Lives Matter.”
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BuzzFeed News reports that—in the same month that Starbucks pledged to “stand in solidarity with our Black partners, customers and communities,” amid nationwide protests against systemic racism and police violence, senior managers were barring employees wearing anything that explicitly shows that they “stand in solidarity.”
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From BuzzFeed:
According to an internal bulletin obtained by BuzzFeed News, store managers had been contacting senior leadership on behalf of employees who wanted to wear BLM-related attire as protests continued to sweep major cities and small towns across the country. In response, management, according to the memo from last week, argued that wearing clothing and accessories highlighting Black Lives Matter could be misunderstood and potentially incite violence. The bulletin pointed employees to a video, which has now been removed, in which its VP of inclusion and diversity explained that “agitators who misconstrue the fundamental principles” of the movement and could use them to “amplify divisiveness.”
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A spokesperson for Starbucks told BuzzFeed they were dedicated to fighting “systemic racism,” but that their dress code was necessary in order “to create a safe and welcoming” environment for customers and staff.
“We respect all of our partners’ opinions and beliefs, and encourage them to bring their whole selves to work while adhering to our dress code policy,” the spokesperson said.
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So who ordered the Short, Tall, Grande or Venti order of bullshit? (I had to Google those drink sizes. I uh... I’ve never been inside of a Starbucks before.)
Expecting people to believe that a company can post its support for black lives mattering to social media for millions and even billions to see, create a Black Partner Network logo, and task employees with inviting customers to discuss race—all while denying them the right to wear a “Black Lives Matter” shirt because that is the thing that might make your white patrons uncomfortable—is a pretty hard sell.
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Starbucks employees told BuzzFeed they weren’t buying it either.
Many employees were not satisfied. For some employees, the statements feel “performative,” “shallow,” and “hypocritical.” A barista on the east coast told BuzzFeed News that on the ground, the company is still working to preserve its image with customers to not disrupt sales. “We have a police detail outside of the store most days anyway. Let’s just call him over if a customer is offended by someone’s BLM pin,” the employee said. “There’s something deeper here. [Starbucks CEO] Kevin Johnson talks a big talk on Twitter, but he’s still the head of a multibillion-dollar company that has to keep up with its image. God forbid if employees tarnish that pristine global image.” Another worker in Colorado agreed that the decision was made to “not cause conflict with customers” and did not agree with the company’s explanation that Black Lives Matter should be defined as political.
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Anyway, the company ended up reversing their ban on “Black Lives Matter” attire after black folks dragged they asses all up and down the internet for this bullshit they had done some soul searching.
According to CNN, Starbucks announced Friday that employees will be allowed to wear BLM clothes and pins “until new branded shirts are delivered to 200,000 employees that include the phrase.”
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“This movement is a catalyst for change, and right now, it’s telling us a lot of things need to be addressed so we can make space to heal,” Starbucks wrote in a letter to employees announcing the new T-shirt design, which can be viewed below.


theroot--2020-06-12--The Bachelor Dips Toe Into 'Diversity,' Chooses Black Male Lead For the First Time in History

In the past few weeks , m any brands , companies , and lay white people have been falling over themselves to assure everyone that they care about black lives and now understand , in 2020 , that black lives matter .
Marvelously , some of these white people/brands /companies have even started to accept that they have power and are responsible for helping create environments where black lives are shown to matter—including in their own institutions .
This brings us to ABC ’ s long-running dating show The Bachelor .
On Friday morning , the network announced that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time in the reality show ’ s 25 seasons .
Throughout “ The Bachelor ’ s ” 18-year history , not a single bachelor chosen to lead the franchise has ever been a black man — until now .
On Friday , the show announced that 28-year-old Matt James will star as the Bachelor for the show ’ s 25th season .
James , a real estate broker , entrepreneur and community organization founder , pointed to the advocacy of Rachel Lindsay—a former B achelorette and the only black person to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s shows—for pushing the show to finally make a long-awaited move .
“ When Rachel speaks , we listen .
She has a very important voice in all this , being the first black woman , person of color , to have a lead , ” he said in an interview with ABC ’ s Good Morning America .
“ I think that we ’ re all filing suit in that conversation and this is hopefully the first of many black men to be in the position that I ’ m in right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it ’ s ever the wrong time to do the right thing , ” James added .
But the first and only black Bachelorette is wisely holding her applause for this basic ass late move , which also came after more than 85,000 fans of the show signed a petition calling for it to be more anti-racist , beyond its lead .
“ I want producers of color , ” Lindsay said in response to the announcement .
“ I ’ d like for them to cast leads that are interested in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t just getting their first-time experience—for the first time—on national TV .
I need the acknowledgment of that .
Not putting a band-aid over the situation and just saying , ‘ Here , we ’ re going to put this here .
Are you happy now ?
’ ” We can ’ t help but agree .
Especially in light of the fact that it took a global uprising against the racist killings of black people for ABC to do the absolute bare minimum and finally throw a bone to the viewers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in The Bachelor for years .

In the past few weeks, many brands, companies, and lay white people have been falling over themselves to assure everyone that they care about black lives and now understand, in 2020, that black lives matter.
Marvelously, some of these white people/brands/companies have even started to accept that they have power and are responsible for helping create environments where black lives are shown to matter—including in their own institutions.
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This brings us to ABC’s long-running dating show The Bachelor. On Friday morning, the network announced that a black man will lead the show for the first time in the reality show’s 25 seasons.
From ABC News:
Throughout “The Bachelor’s” 18-year history, not a single bachelor chosen to lead the franchise has ever been a black man — until now. On Friday, the show announced that 28-year-old Matt James will star as the Bachelor for the show’s 25th season.
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James, a real estate broker, entrepreneur and community organization founder, pointed to the advocacy of Rachel Lindsay—a former Bachelorette and the only black person to ever lead one of the franchise’s shows—for pushing the show to finally make a long-awaited move.
“When Rachel speaks, we listen. She has a very important voice in all this, being the first black woman, person of color, to have a lead,” he said in an interview with ABC’s Good Morning America. “I think that we’re all filing suit in that conversation and this is hopefully the first of many black men to be in the position that I’m in right now.”
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“I don’t think it’s ever the wrong time to do the right thing,” James added.
But the first and only black Bachelorette is wisely holding her applause for this basic ass late move, which also came after more than 85,000 fans of the show signed a petition calling for it to be more anti-racist, beyond its lead.
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“I want producers of color,” Lindsay said in response to the announcement. “I’d like for them to cast leads that are interested in dating outside of their race that aren’t just getting their first-time experience—for the first time—on national TV. I need the acknowledgment of that. Not putting a band-aid over the situation and just saying, ‘Here, we’re going to put this here. Are you happy now?’”
We can’t help but agree. Especially in light of the fact that it took a global uprising against the racist killings of black people for ABC to do the absolute bare minimum and finally throw a bone to the viewers who have been begging for more inclusion in The Bachelor for years.


theroot--2020-06-12--Another Day, Another Karen: Apartment Complex Employee Suspended for Blocking Black Residents From S

Another Day, Another Karen: Apartment Complex Employee Suspended for Blocking Black Residents From Swimming Pool

You can tell a lot of Karens don ’ t be on the internet like that because , if they were , they ’ d know that black people with camera phones are cracking down on Karen behavior like never before .
In today ’ s episode of White Women Who Don ’ t Think Black People Belong Literally Anywhere , an apartment complex in Knoxville , Tenn. , has placed one of its employees on disciplinary leave after she was caught on camera blocking a group of black residents from entering the complex ’ s swimming pool area .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ridge apartments tweeted Wednesday that the employee—who hasn ’ t been identified so we ’ ll just call her Karennosaurus Becks—was put on leave while they investigate the incident and allegations of racial profiling made by a group of black women , one of whom recorded the altercation and posted the footage to social media .
In the video , The Karenator ( I decided I didn ’ t like the first name so I changed it ) can be heard telling the woman , whose Twitter handle is @ royaal_e , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to go into the pool area because it ’ s only for residents .
The Black woman tells Becky With the Empty Spice Racks ( yeah , I ’ m just going to keep changing it because now I think it ’ s funny ) that she ’ s been paying rent since March .
She then offers up her apartment number and tells the Susanite to look up her information .
When asked by the black woman why she thinks she does n ’ t live there and why white residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Swimming Pool Sarah reached all the way to the peak of Mount Caucasity for a response and said , “ I know everybody that lives here.
” “ You don ’ t know everybody that lives here just because you live here , ” @ royaal_e responds .
“ Just because you don ’ t remember me doesn ’ t mean that I don ’ t live here .
That ’ s very rude of you to just assume that I don ’ t live here.
” Pigeon-lip Peggy responds , “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haven ’ t even come in and done your paperwork , right ?
” Side note : I had to listen to that part of the video several times to make sure I was hearing it right and this white woman actually did call the black woman a bitch .
I just couldn ’ t believe that the video didn ’ t cut off right then and there so that the black women could beat the ever-loving breaks off of Doorman Donna .
But I ’ m not the only one who heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Twitter , plenty of people chimed in to comment on how unprofessional Go-Away Gabby was being , and how this was a clear case of racial profiling .
T he next day , Knox Ridge posted an acknowledgment of the incident to its Twitter account .
“ Knox Ridge is aware of the incident that occurred [ yesterday ] involving a staff member and resident , ” the statement reads .
“ We have placed the employee on disciplinary leave while we review this matter further .
As a community , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inadvertent or otherwise .
We intend to revisit our training program for all staff , in order to do our part to prevent situations like this happening in the future .
Our top priority is ensuring our residents feel at home and welcome.
” Hopefully , consequences won ’ t end at “ disciplinary leave ” and Racist Rachel won ’ t be going back to work at all .

You can tell a lot of Karens don’t be on the internet like that because, if they were, they’d know that black people with camera phones are cracking down on Karen behavior like never before.
In today’s episode of White Women Who Don’t Think Black People Belong Literally Anywhere: an apartment complex in Knoxville, Tenn., has placed one of its employees on disciplinary leave after she was caught on camera blocking a group of black residents from entering the complex’s swimming pool area.
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ABC affiliate WATE 6 reports that Knox Ridge apartments tweeted Wednesday that the employee—who hasn’t been identified so we’ll just call her Karennosaurus Becks—was suspended while her employers investigate the incident and allegations of racial profiling made by a group of black women, one of whom recorded the altercation and posted the footage on social media.
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In the video, The Karenator (I decided I didn’t like the first name so I changed it) can be heard telling the woman, whose Twitter handle is @royaal_e, and her friends that they aren’t allowed to go into the pool area because it’s only for residents. The Black woman tells Becky With the Empty Spice Racks (yeah, I’m just going to keep changing it because now I think it’s funny) that she’s been paying rent since March. She then offers up her apartment number and tells the Susanite to look up her information.
When asked by the black woman why she thinks she doesn’t live there and why white residents are being let in without question, Swimming Pool Sarah reached all the way to the peak of Mount Caucasity for a response and said, “I know everybody that lives here.”
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“You don’t know everybody that lives here just because you live here,” @royaal_e responds. “Just because you don’t remember me doesn’t mean that I don’t live here. That’s very rude of you to just assume that I don’t live here.”
Pigeon-lip Peggy responds, “I do know everybody. Bitch, you haven’t even come in and done your paperwork, right?”
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Side note: I had to listen to that part of the video several times to make sure I was hearing it right and this white woman actually did call the black woman a bitch. I just couldn’t believe that the video didn’t cut off right then and there so that the black women could beat the ever-loving breaks off of Doorman Donna. But I’m not the only one who heard it.
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After the video was posted to Twitter, plenty of people chimed in to comment on how unprofessional Go-Away Gabby was being, and how this was a clear case of racial profiling.
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The next day, Knox Ridge posted an acknowledgment of the incident to its Twitter account.
“Knox Ridge is aware of the incident that occurred [yesterday] involving a staff member and resident,” the statement reads. “We have placed the employee on disciplinary leave while we review this matter further. As a community, we have absolutely no tolerance for discrimination – inadvertent or otherwise. We intend to revisit our training program for all staff, in order to do our part to prevent situations like this happening in the future. Our top priority is ensuring our residents feel at home and welcome.”
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Hopefully, consequences won’t end at “disciplinary leave” and Racist Rachel won’t be going back to work at all.


theroot--2020-06-12--Keke Palmer On Her Conversation With National Guardsman at L.A. Protest: "I Was Just Speaking From M

Keke Palmer On Her Conversation With National Guardsman at L.A. Protest: "I Was Just Speaking From My Heart"

Not too long ago , I wrote on Twitter that Keke Palmer is a modern-day Renaissance woman , and we need to start respecting her as such .
Last week , a video of the multi-talented entertainment superstar calmly speaking to a National Guardsman at a Los Angeles anti-racism protest made the rounds , which made my heart soar and validated my sentiments even further .
Not only is she beautiful and gifted , but she is a force , an agent for change , and a fellow 1993 baby doing the damn thing .
On Thursday , Palmer was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discuss the video , where she urged the National Guardsman to stop what he was doing and walk with her and the other protestors in solidarity .
( “ March with us , march beside us , let the revolution be televised , ” she insisted . )
The original video has been viewed over 25 million times on Twitter .
“ I didn ’ t plan on really seeing anybody like that out there , ” she reveals , adding that she merely wanted to be a part of the protest “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Guardsmen blocking protestors from walking any further , she explains that she was “ weirded out a bit ” and “ kind of confused , from a genuine naive place.
” “ They ’ re human like I ’ m human , I know they have a job to do , but I felt like why can ’ t they be marching with us ?
” she continues .
“ I felt like we had an opportunity [ at ] that moment… [ to ] come together ... what if your job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t believe in ?
I was just speaking from my heart.
” The L.A. protest was not Palmer ’ s first time at the rodeo .
She says she ’ s attended anti-racism protests in the past , including the one that took place in Ferguson , Missouri after Michael Brown was killed by police .
However , this particular protest carried a “ different energy.
” “ Especially with all of the stuff that was happening in quarantine , so just being around that many people at once , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us had been anywhere in a while , ” she says .
Palmer , who also made sure to plug her new song “ Thick , ” said that after her video went viral , she received a phone call from Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden .
However , she says that she remains unmoved about him even after their conversation .
“ It was good to talk , ” she sighs .
“ I guess he was cool , but I can ’ t say after the convo [ that ] I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sis .
Check out her entire conversation with Jimmy Kimmel below .

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

Not too long ago, I wrote on Twitter that Keke Palmer is a modern-day Renaissance woman, and we need to start respecting her as such. Last week, a video of the multi-talented entertainment superstar calmly speaking to a National Guardsman at a Los Angeles anti-racism protest made the rounds, which made my heart soar and validated my sentiments even further. Not only is she beautiful and gifted, but she is a force, an agent for change and a fellow 1993 baby doing the damn thing.
On Thursday, Palmer was interviewed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to discuss the video, where she urged the National Guardsman to stop what he was doing and walk with her and the other protestors in solidarity. (“March with us, march beside us, let the revolution be televised,” she insisted.) The original video has been viewed over 25 million times on Twitter.
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“I didn’t plan on really seeing anybody like that out there,” she reveals, adding that she merely wanted to be a part of the protest “for this cause.” After observing the National Guardsmen blocking protestors from walking any further, she explains that she was “weirded out a bit” and “kind of confused, from a genuine naive place.”
“They’re human like I’m human, I know they have a job to do, but I felt like why can’t they be marching with us?” she continues. “I felt like we had an opportunity [at] that moment…[to] come together...what if your job is telling you to do something you don’t believe in? I was just speaking from my heart.”
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The L.A. protest was not Palmer’s first time at the rodeo. She told the talk show host that she’s attended anti-racism protests in the past, including one that took place in Ferguson, Missouri after Michael Brown was killed by police. However, this particular protest carried a “different energy.”
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“Especially with all of the stuff that was happening in quarantine, so just being around that many people at once, it was a lot...because none of us had been anywhere in a while,” she said.
Palmer, who also made sure to plug her new song “Thick,” said that after her video went viral, she received a phone call from Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden. However, she says that she remains unmoved about him even after their conversation.
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“It was good to talk,” she sighs. “I guess he was cool, but I can’t say after the convo [that] I felt totally thrilled or excited.” Same, sis.
Check out her entire conversation with Jimmy Kimmel below.


theroot--2020-06-12--30 Days of Iconic Video Music Blackness With VSB, Day 12: Juvenile 'Ha'

I first saw the video for Juvenile ’ s “ Ha ” on Rap City in , maybe , October 1998 .
I was sitting on my couch in my house on the west side of Atlanta , partaking of the free cable that my cousin had temporarily procured for the entire neighborhood .
Rap City , back then , was a staple source of hip-hop consumption .
Then the video came on .
Probably no more than 30 seconds into it , I remember thinking to myself , “ What the fuck am I watching ?
” It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the television .
I ’ d never seen a video that was so “ real ” to speak .
Juvenile was somebody I was vaguely aware of—my older sister had a friend from New Orleans who used to make her tapes and a few of them were bounce tapes—but I ’ d never seen him before .
And until that point I didn ’ t even have a real sticking , reference point for New Orleans , which is odd because I ’ m from down south and we were up on Master @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different , it turned New Orleans into a compelling character .
The gutter-ness of it was like a mini-documentary .
Juvenile brought us right into the C.J .
Peete Housing Development , and forever etching the Magnolia Projects ( how they were locally known ) into hip hop consciousness .
No Limit brought us the Calliope , but Magnolia became legend .
Also , despite being put out by a label called Cash Money Records , this video looked poor as fuck .
Everybody looked poor or hood rich .
There was no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuck .
Whatever they were trying to capture with the video , they did with tremendous results .
As soon as the video ended , I remember calling one of the homies to tell him what I ’ d just seen and that I ’ d never seen anything like that before .
This video , and Cash Money created some sort of mystique out of New Orleans that really never let up .
Even watching it , I knew we were on the brink of something big , and true to form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 99 and the 2000 .
Even watching the video now , I ’ m transported back to that moment I first saw it ; I was genuinely enraptured .
The only other time I remember seeing a music video that was so compelling I needed to tell other people so they could watch it was 50 Cent ’ s “ Wanksta.
” When I first saw the Straight Outta Compton biopic , I remember thinking that the first 2 minutes of that movie were like the realest two minutes of a movie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s how I felt about this video .
And still do , and that is iconic .

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

I first saw the video for Juvenile’s “Ha” on Rap City in, maybe, October 1998. I was sitting on my couch in my house on the west side of Atlanta, partaking of the free cable that my cousin had temporarily procured for the entire neighborhood. Rap City, back then, was a staple source of hip-hop consumption. Then the video came on. Probably no more than 30 seconds into it, I remember thinking to myself, “What the fuck am I watching?” It was sooooo hood. I was fixated on the television. I’d never seen a video that was so “real” to speak. Juvenile was somebody I was vaguely aware of—my older sister had a friend from New Orleans who used to make her tapes and a few of them were bounce tapes—but I’d never seen him before. And until that point I didn’t even have a real sticking, reference point for New Orleans, which is odd because I’m from down south and we were up on Master P. But something about this video was different, it turned New Orleans into a compelling character.
Juvenile “Ha” (1998)
The gutter-ness of it was like a mini-documentary. Juvenile brought us right into the C.J. Peete Housing Development, and forever etching the Magnolia Projects (how they were locally known) into hip hop consciousness. No Limit brought us the Calliope, but Magnolia became legend.
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Also, despite being put out by a label called Cash Money Records, this video looked poor as fuck. Everybody looked poor or hood rich. There was no middle ground. Juvenile looked hot as fuck. Whatever they were trying to capture with the video, they did with tremendous results. As soon as the video ended, I remember calling one of the homies to tell him what I’d just seen and that I’d never seen anything like that before. This video, and Cash Money created some sort of mystique out of New Orleans that really never let up. Even watching it, I knew we were on the brink of something big, and true to form, Cash Money took over the for the 99 and the 2000.
Even watching the video now, I’m transported back to that moment I first saw it; I was genuinely enraptured. The only other time I remember seeing a music video that was so compelling I needed to tell other people so they could watch it was 50 Cent’s “Wanksta.”
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When I first saw the Straight Outta Compton biopic, I remember thinking that the first 2 minutes of that movie were like the realest two minutes of a movie I could remember seeing; that’s how I felt about this video. And still do, and that is iconic.


theroot--2020-06-12--Dave Chappelle Discusses Police Brutality, Candace Owens and More in Netflix Special 8:46

Dave Chappelle discusses the national protests stemming from George Floyd ’ s death and a slew of other topics in a new Netflix comedy special titled 8:46 , which was uploaded to YouTube for free on Thursday evening .
The special was filmed on June 6 in Yellow Springs , Ohio , and the attendees adhered to social distancing guidelines , wearing facemasks throughout the set .
He has performed similar gigs around Dayton , Ohio since then .
The comedian says that he truly doesn ’ t have words to describe how he feels about George Floyd ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past Memorial Day .
But he does not mince words about the cops involved in his death ; the special ’ s title references the amount of time it took Derek Michael Chauvin to kill Floyd .
Chappelle also reveals it ’ s the time he was born .
“ For some reason that I still don ’ t understand , all these fucking police had their hands in their pockets , ” he says .
“ Who are you talking to ?
What are you signifying ?
That you can kneel on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes and 46 seconds and feel like you wouldn ’ t get the wrath of God ?
... That ’ s what is happening right now .
It ’ s not for a single cop , it ’ s for all of it.
” Chappelle also shouts out young people who are protesting , leading the charge , and doing “ amazing work.
” ( “ Kids are excellent drivers , I am comfortable in the backseat of the car , so carry on , young ones.
” ) And in typical Chappelle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , places and things—such as institutions “ that lie to us , ” as well as conservative media personalities Candace Owens ( who he calls “ the most articulate idiot ” ) and Laura Ingraham ( who he says is “ a regular-ass white bitch with a platform ” ) .
“ [ The black community ] didn ’ t choose [ Floyd ] [ as a hero ] , you did , ” he says in reference to Owens pulling up George Floyd ’ s criminal record for a video .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that wasn ’ t right , so he ’ s the guy ... We ’ re not desperate for heroes in the black community .
Any nigga who survives this nightmare is my Goddamned hero.
” Elsewhere in the set , he discusses how Kobe Bryant ’ s death affected him , his connection to the Chris Dorner shooting spree of 2013 , and more .
Watch the special below .

In a new (and surprise) Netflix comedy special, Dave Chappelle is back and as usual, has his finger on the pulse of America. In the special 8:46, which was uploaded to YouTube for free on Thursday evening, the iconic comedian discusses the national protests stemming from George Floyd’s death and a slew of other pressing topics. The special was filmed on June 6 in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and the attendees adhered to social distancing guidelines, wearing facemasks throughout the set. (He has performed similar gigs around Dayton, Ohio since then.)
The comedian told the audience that he truly doesn’t have words to describe his feelings about Floyd’s murder at the hands of police this past Memorial Day. But he doesn’t mince words about the cops involved in his death and shares that not only does the special’s title reference the amount of time it took for Derek Michael Chauvin to kill Floyd, but that it’s also the time Chappelle was born.
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“For some reason that I still don’t understand, all these fucking police had their hands in their pockets,” he says. “Who are you talking to? What are you signifying? That you can kneel on a man’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds and feel like you wouldn’t get the wrath of God?...That’s what is happening right now. It’s not for a single cop, it’s for all of it.”
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Chappelle also shouts out young people who are protesting, leading the charge, and doing “amazing work.” (“Kids are excellent drivers, I am comfortable in the backseat of the car, so carry on, young ones.”) And in typical Chappelle fashion, he eviscerates a few high-profile people, places and things—such as institutions “that lie to us,” as well as conservative media personalities Candace Owens (who he calls “the most articulate idiot”) and Laura Ingraham (who he says is “a regular-ass white bitch with a platform”).
“[The black community] didn’t choose [Floyd] [as a hero], you did,” he says in reference to Owens pulling up George Floyd’s criminal record for a video. “[The cops] killed him, and that wasn’t right, so he’s the guy...We’re not desperate for heroes in the black community. Any nigga who survives this nightmare is my Goddamned hero.”
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Elsewhere in the set, he discusses how Kobe Bryant’s death affected him, his connection to the Chris Dorner shooting spree of 2013, and more. Watch the special below.


theroot--2020-06-12--Louisville Bans No-Knock Warrants With 'Breonna's Law,' But Her Killers Still Haven't Been Arrested

The Louisville Metro Council unanimously passed a law banning “ no-knock ” warrants in the city on Thursday .
The measure was named after Breonna Taylor , the 26-year-old woman who was shot and killed in March after officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department entered her home on one such warrant .
Under “ Breonna ’ s Law , ” law enforcement in Louisville will no longer be able to enter homes unannounced , as they allegedly did on the night Taylor was killed , according to the Washington Post .
Cops will also be required to wear body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cops , who shot Taylor at least eight times , were not wearing body cameras on the night she was killed , and they have yet to be arrested or even charged in her death .
Still , the passage of the law codifies a suspension of “ no-knock ” warrants that Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer had initially announced in May .
Mayor Fischer says he will immediately sign the Council ’ s measure into law and calls it a critical step to “ create a more peaceful , just , compassionate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out there , but an obvious step to justice and peace would also be to ARREST AND CHARGE BREONNA TAYLOR ’ S KILLERS .
Luckily , people in Louisville continue to take to the streets in Breonna Taylor ’ s name—even while celebrating the interim victory that is the banning of the warrant that contributed to her death : Taylor ’ s family has also welcomed the passage of the commonsense legislation , named after the young woman who worked as an EMT and aspired to be a nurse : “ All she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With this law she ’ ll get to continue to do that , so we ’ re grateful for that , ” her mother Tamika Palmer said at a press conference on Thursday .
Meanwhile , Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has introduced federal legislation that would also ban law enforcement from using insane no-knock warrants .
The Justice for Breonna Taylor Act would ban federal law enforcement agencies from using no-knock warrants , and also require any local police agency that receives money from the Justice Department to comply with the ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ notice of his or her authority and purpose ” before executing a warrant .
After officers make a declaration identifying themselves as police and announcing the warrant , they would then be allowed to forcibly enter a person ’ s home , business or other private property.

The Louisville Metro Council unanimously passed a law banning “no-knock” warrants in the city on Thursday. The measure was named after Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old woman who was shot and killed in March after officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department that entered her home with one such warrant.
Under “Breonna’s Law,” law enforcement in Louisville will no longer be able force themselves into homes unannounced, as they allegedly did on the night Taylor was killed, according to the Washington Post. Cops will also be required to wear body cameras when serving warrants.
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The three cops, who shot Taylor at least eight times, were not wearing body cameras on the night she was killed, and they have yet to be arrested or even charged with her death.
Still, the passage of the law codifies the current suspension of “no-knock” warrants that Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer had initially announced in May. Mayor Fischer says he will immediately sign the Council’s measure into law and calls it a critical step to “create a more peaceful, just, compassionate, and equitable community.”
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Just throwing it out there, but an obvious step to justice and peace would also be to ARREST AND CHARGE BREONNA TAYLOR’S KILLERS.
Luckily, people in Louisville continue to take to the streets in Taylor’s name—even while celebrating the interim victory that is the banning of the warrant that contributed to her death:
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Taylor’s family has also welcomed the passage of the commonsense legislation, named after the young woman who worked as an EMT and aspired to be a nurse:
“All she wanted to do was save lives. With this law she’ll get to continue to do that, so we’re grateful for that,” her mother Tamika Palmer said at a press conference on Thursday.
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Meanwhile, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has introduced federal legislation that would also ban law enforcement from using insane no-knock warrants.
From the Washington Post:


theroot--2020-06-12--André 3000 Discusses His New Protest T-Shirt Line and His 'Hope' For Anti-Racism Marches in Rare Int

André 3000 Discusses His New Protest T-Shirt Line and His 'Hope' For Anti-Racism Marches in Rare Interview

André 3000 has become an enigmatic figure in hip-hop , rarely giving interviews or discussing what ’ s next for his music career .
( But if you ask me , he ’ s earned a break away from the game . )
However , he has been a bit more vocal than usual given the recent events unfolding around the country regarding anti-racist protests stemming from the death of George Floyd at the hands of police .
In a new phone conversation with the newsletter Blackbird Spyplane—who describe themselves as “ [ your ] no .
1 source across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” —Three Stacks discusses his recent protest T-shirt line , how he ’ s holding up during the quarantine , and more .
Blackbird Spyplane wrote that the Outkast emcee called them , which ... what luck !
André announced on Wednesday that he ’ s created a line of shirts inspired by the jumpsuits he wore during the 2014 Outkast reunion tour .
The new line was created at L.A. ’ s Everybody World , a women-owned , women-run company , and 100 percent of the net proceeds will go to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their fight to end police brutality & racial injustice against Black people.
” He notes that the concerts where the jumpsuits were worn occurred during the same time as the Ferguson protests , and considering the way things are right now , the shirts and their slogans “ ring even Truer.
” Some of the slogans include “ the hardest time of our lives , ” “ which type of stereo are you ?
” and “ across cultures darker people suffer most .
why ?
” “ [ At the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep myself excited each night , because I didn ’ t have new verses and new songs , and it felt weird to play old songs from 1993 , so I said , ‘ Let me put these thoughts on my suits , ’ ” he says of the ideation of the original slogans .
“ Some were serious , some were silly .
Just random thoughts , like me admitting to loving fruit snacks !
But also this was summer 2014 ...
So it was fun and serious and sad and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now.
” In terms of how he feels about the nation wide protests , he explains that he “ knew ” something like this would eventually happen , but he ’ s also uneasy about the “ damage and destruction when it comes to people ’ s businesses and livelihoods.
” However , he ’ s hopeful that these protests signal the start of something new for America .
“ Honestly , I lost hope in marches—until now , ” he says .
“ I saw it working again and I said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for it to work , people have to turn out , and now it ’ s kind of the perfect storm because corona had everyone at home , and we had nothing to do but react—and people wanted to be outside .
It ’ s kind of a blessing and a curse : If everyone was at work right now , going about their business , the protest turnout wouldn ’ t be anywhere near as high .
But it ’ s been a long time coming and it came to a @ @ @ @ @

André 3000 has become an enigmatic figure in hip-hop, rarely giving interviews or discussing what’s next for his music career. (But if you ask me, he’s earned a break away from the game.) However, he has been a bit more vocal than usual given the recent events unfolding around the country regarding anti-racist protests stemming from the death of George Floyd at the hands of police.
In a new phone conversation with the newsletter Blackbird Spyplane—who describe themselves as “[your] no. 1 source across all media for recon on under-the-radar joints”—Three Stacks discusses his recent protest T-shirt line, how he’s holding up during the quarantine and more. Blackbird Spyplane wrote that the Outkast emcee called them, which...what luck!
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André announced on Wednesday that he’s created a line of shirts inspired by the jumpsuits he wore during the 2014 Outkast reunion tour. The new line was created at L.A.’s Everybody World, a women-owned, women-run company, and 100 percent of the net proceeds will go to the Movement For Black Lives “to aid in their fight to end police brutality & racial injustice against Black people.”
He notes that the concerts where the jumpsuits were worn occurred during the same time as the Ferguson protests, and considering the way things are right now, the shirts and their slogans “ring even Truer.” Some of the slogans include “the hardest time of our lives,” “which type of stereo are you?” and “across cultures, darker people suffer most. why?”
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“[At the time], I wanted to find something to keep myself excited each night, because I didn’t have new verses and new songs, and it felt weird to play old songs from 1993, so I said, ‘Let me put these thoughts on my suits,’” he says of the ideation of the original slogans. “Some were serious, some were silly. Just random thoughts, like me admitting to loving fruit snacks! But also this was summer 2014...So it was fun and serious and sad and everything. But they still make sense now.”
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In terms of how he feels about the nationwide protests, he explains that he “knew” something like this would eventually happen, but he’s also uneasy about the “damage and destruction when it comes to people’s businesses and livelihoods.” However, he’s hopeful that these protests signal the start of something new for America.
“Honestly, I lost hope in marches—until now,” he says. “I saw it working again and I said, ‘Whoa.’ The thing is that, for it to work, people have to turn out, and now it’s kind of the perfect storm because corona had everyone at home, and we had nothing to do but react—and people wanted to be outside. It’s kind of a blessing and a curse: If everyone was at work right now, going about their business, the protest turnout wouldn’t be anywhere near as high. But it’s been a long time coming and it came to a head right now.”
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Read his full interview here.


theroot--2020-06-12--Fashioning the Future: Gucci Celebrates Its 1st Class of Changemaker Scholars

If the past few weeks have taught us anything , it ’ s the difference between promises and platitudes , and actions and accountability .
Words of support are empty without effort and quantifiable results , and while multitudes of people are becoming more comfortable with phrases like “ Black Lives Matter ” all we ’ ve ever been asking is that they act like they do , too .
With that in mind , we ’ re joining Gucci in celebrating their Class of 2020 North America Changemaker Scholars ; the first since the Italian fashion house decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could potentially transform both ( predominantly black ) lives and the face of the fashion industry for decades to come .
On Friday , the first 20 recipients of Gucci ’ s $ 1.5 million scholarship program were announced , with an additional two awardees of the Gucci North America Changemakers x CFDA Scholars By Design program .
Per a statement from Gucci provided to The Glow Up : Gucci remains committed to creating positive change within the fashion industry and is honored to announce the 2020 class of Gucci North America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from diverse backgrounds and are pursuing various careers within fashion at undergraduate colleges or universities .
They will receive an academic scholarship for up to $ 20,000 in addition to mentorship and virtual internship opportunities through Gucci America ... Additionally , under the Changemakers umbrella , Gucci is honored to also announce the two recipients of the Gucci North America Changemakers x CFDA Scholars By Design program .
This program was conceived to support two diverse graduating high school seniors who plan to study fashion design at an accredited four-year undergraduate college or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per year for four years for both scholars .
Launched in March of 2019 , the Gucci North America Changemakers Scholarship program is one of several initiatives on the recently relaunched Gucci Equilibrium platform , which encompasses the company ’ s efforts toward “ positive change for people and the planet.
” Created to help meet the “ unmet financial needs ” of undergraduate students pursuing careers in the fashion industry , “ the program primarily focuses on students from diverse backgrounds who live or study in one of the 12 Gucci North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Detroit , Houston , Los Angeles , Miami , New Orleans , New York , Philadelphia , San Francisco , Toronto , and Washington DC . )
and/or plan to attend or currently attend a Historically Black College and University ( HBCU ) , ” says the label , further explaining that all students who meet the criteria are eligible to apply .
Final awardees are chosen by the North America Changemakers Council , a diverse collective comprised of community leaders , industry veterans and social change experts .
The scholarship program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , $ 1.5 million commitment “ to ensure a new generation of diverse and exceptional young people will gain new opportunities and experiences across the fashion industry.
” “ More than ever , Gucci believes in the power of investing in education and supporting diverse youth to continue the fight against racial inequality , ” the label adds .
“ As education is vital to implementing real change and ensuring diverse voices are in positions of power , it is more important than ever to foster the next generation of talent , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brand & Culture Engagement Antoine Phillips , also a 2020 honoree of The Glow Up 50 .
“ I loved learning about each inspiring applicant along with our Changemakers Council and we are excited to see what they do next and how they help transform the fashion industry .
I am proud to be part of a company that empowers this inaugural class of visionary Changemakers.
” The Gucci North America Changemakers Scholars Class of 2020 is pictured above and includes : Astrid Viera , currently a high school senior who will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Celeste Haselrig , currently a college freshman attending Parsons · Destinee Elliott , currently a college freshman attending Thomas Jefferson University · Diop Russell , currently a college sophomore attending Spelman College · Fabiola Lopez , currently a college freshman attending Azusa Pacific University · Gabrielle DeLeon , currently a college freshman attending FIT · Gideon Gomm , currently a college freshman attending Parsons · Jasmine Bacchus , currently a college junior at Brown University · Kaitlyn Gilliam , currently a college junior at Howard University · Kristian Brown , currently a college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently a high school senior who will be attending Hunter College · Marcus Williams , currently a college sophomore at University of Southern California : School of Cinematic Arts & Marshall School of Business · Marie France Mendy , currently a college sophomore at Cornell University · Maya Davis , currently a high school senior who will be attending Bowling Green State University · Miles Richards , currently a high school senior who will be attending College for Creative Studies Detroit · Nailah Barnes , currently a college sophomore at Spelman College · @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the University of Cincinnati · Sekoi Cooper , currently a college junior at Parsons · Glory Lee , currently a college freshman at Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design · Trevon Barnes , currently a college sophomore at FIT Gucci North America Changemakers x CFDA Scholars by Design winners are Ajai Kasim , currently a high school senior who will be attending Parsons ; and Kaya Ugorji , currently a high school senior who will be attending FIT .
Applications for the 2021 Gucci North America Changemakers Scholarship Program will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information about Gucci ’ s Changemakers Initiatives as well as applications and eligibility requirements , please visit their website .

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

If the past few weeks have taught us anything, it’s the difference between promises and platitudes, and actions and accountability. Words of support are empty without effort and quantifiable results, and while multitudes of people are becoming more comfortable with phrases like “Black Lives Matter” all we’ve ever been asking is that they act like they do, too.
With that in mind, we’re joining Gucci in celebrating their Class of 2020 North America Changemaker Scholars; the first since the Italian fashion house decided to redress its own racial crisis with initiatives that could potentially transform both (predominantly black) lives and the face of the fashion industry for decades to come. On Friday, the first 20 recipients of Gucci’s $1.5 million scholarship program were announced, with an additional two awardees of the Gucci North America Changemakers x CFDA Scholars By Design program.
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Per a statement from Gucci provided to The Glow Up:
Gucci remains committed to creating positive change within the fashion industry and is honored to announce the 2020 class of Gucci North America Changemakers Scholars. The 20 recipients come from diverse backgrounds and are pursuing various careers within fashion at undergraduate colleges or universities. They will receive an academic scholarship for up to $20,000 in addition to mentorship and virtual internship opportunities through Gucci America... Additionally, under the Changemakers umbrella, Gucci is honored to also announce the two recipients of the Gucci North America Changemakers x CFDA Scholars By Design program. This program was conceived to support two diverse graduating high school seniors who plan to study fashion design at an accredited four-year undergraduate college or university. This award is $20,000 per year for four years for both scholars.
Advertisement Advertisement
Launched in March of 2019, the Gucci North America Changemakers Scholarship program is one of several initiatives on the recently relaunched Gucci Equilibrium platform, which encompasses the company’s efforts toward “positive change for people and the planet.” Created to help meet the “unmet financial needs” of undergraduate students pursuing careers in the fashion industry, “the program primarily focuses on students from diverse backgrounds who live or study in one of the 12 Gucci North America Changemakers cities (Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington DC.) and/or plan to attend or currently attend a Historically Black College and University (HBCU),” says the label, further explaining that all students who meet the criteria are eligible to apply. Final awardees are chosen by the North America Changemakers Council, a diverse collective comprised of community leaders, industry veterans and social change experts.
Advertisement
The scholarship program is part of Gucci’s multiyear, $1.5 million commitment “to ensure a new generation of diverse and exceptional young people will gain new opportunities and experiences across the fashion industry.”
“More than ever, Gucci believes in the power of investing in education and supporting diverse youth to continue the fight against racial inequality,” the label adds.
Advertisement
“As education is vital to implementing real change and ensuring diverse voices are in positions of power, it is more important than ever to foster the next generation of talent,” said Gucci’s Vice President of Brand & Culture Engagement Antoine Phillips, also a 2020 honoree of The Glow Up 50. “I loved learning about each inspiring applicant along with our Changemakers Council and we are excited to see what they do next and how they help transform the fashion industry. I am proud to be part of a company that empowers this inaugural class of visionary Changemakers.”
The Gucci North America Changemakers Scholars Class of 2020 is pictured above and includes:
Astrid Viera, currently a high school senior who will be attending Mt. San Jacinto College · Celeste Haselrig, currently a college freshman attending Parsons · Destinee Elliott, currently a college freshman attending Thomas Jefferson University · Diop Russell, currently a college sophomore attending Spelman College · Fabiola Lopez, currently a college freshman attending Azusa Pacific University · Gabrielle DeLeon, currently a college freshman attending FIT · Gideon Gomm, currently a college freshman attending Parsons · Jasmine Bacchus, currently a college junior at Brown University · Kaitlyn Gilliam, currently a college junior at Howard University · Kristian Brown, currently a college sophomore at FIT · Malachi Williams, currently a high school senior who will be attending Hunter College · Marcus Williams, currently a college sophomore at University of Southern California: School of Cinematic Arts & Marshall School of Business · Marie France Mendy, currently a college sophomore at Cornell University · Maya Davis, currently a high school senior who will be attending Bowling Green State University · Miles Richards, currently a high school senior who will be attending College for Creative Studies Detroit · Nailah Barnes, currently a college sophomore at Spelman College · Nicole Scott, currently a college freshman at the University of Cincinnati · Sekoi Cooper, currently a college junior at Parsons · Glory Lee, currently a college freshman at Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design · Trevon Barnes, currently a college sophomore at FIT
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Gucci North America Changemakers x CFDA Scholars by Design winners are Ajai Kasim, currently a high school senior who will be attending Parsons; and Kaya Ugorji, currently a high school senior who will be attending FIT.
Applications for the 2021 Gucci North America Changemakers Scholarship Program will open in Fall 2020; for more information about Gucci’s Changemakers Initiatives as well as applications and eligibility requirements, please visit their website.


theroot--2020-06-13--The Root's Clapback Mailbag: The Evidence of Things Not Seen

Ninety-nine percent of the time , I already know what I ’ m going to say before I even begin to write the Clapback Mailbag .
Today is the other one percent .
As you may have heard , I was arrested last week .
My mother keeps calling me .
She left a message saying she had a secret .
She wasn ’ t at all concerned when I was arrested because , as my Uncle Nero used to tell her , “ Don ’ t worry about Mikey .
I know his secret : He won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncle Nero Benjamin was a preacher .
He had a long beard that made him look like a biblical prophet .
He had a loud booming voice and an even louder laugh .
He could recite any verse in the Bible by heart and always referred to it as “ a guidebook for life.
” From his presence alone , you could tell that he was a man of God and most people had this weird reverence for him .
In fact , everyone in the world , even his wife , called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Benjamin , boy , ” he would always reply before laughing .
Even though he pretended it annoyed him , I don ’ t think he minded it at all .
His wife loved that I regularly challenged him .
That ’ s because Uncle Nero and I argued every time we saw each other .
Every year , Uncle Nero ’ s church would hold a $ 500 oratory contest and his wife was always one of the judges .
Because it was a fundamentalist Holiness Church , most of the contestants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chapters from the Bible .
I was never a member of my uncle ’ s church , but I won so many times that I was eventually banned from competing .
Before I was born , Uncle Nero bought a few acres of land on the edge of town and raised his eight children , his grandchildren , and his great-grandchildren on that piece of land .
It was about 10 miles from where I grew up , but when I was a kid , I would wake up early in the morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to his house and spend all day with my cousins .
One day , it started raining and my Uncle Nero put my bicycle on the back of his truck , covered it with a tarp , and took it home .
On the way home , we were stopped by the police .
The cop went through a few perfunctory questions and asked my uncle to step out of the car to show him what was under the tarp .
When Uncle Nero pulled the tarp back and showed the officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncle to stand there in the driving rain .
Then , the cop went back to the car and just sat there .
I could see , in the rearview mirror , that the cop wasn ’ t doing anything .
He wasn ’ t running a license or checking the registration .
That cop was just getting a kick out of making my uncle stand in the storm , as people drove by and saw the revered Elder Benjamin being detained by the police And then he let us go .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the awkward silence by using the only tactic my 10-year-old brain knew : By making a joke : “ Your name is Nero ?
” I asked .
“ I thought your name was “ Elder.
” He laughed so loud .
I went on to inform him that that police stop was unconstitutional because there was no probable cause for the officer to search the truck .
For the rest of the ride , we argued about the Constitution versus the Bible .
He really believed in the goodness of humanity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every action .
Because he was older and wise as fuck , he won the argument .
But , as an obstinate child , I continued that argument for years .
From then on , I made it a point to never called him “ Elder.
” And every year , I would go to his church and take his money by subconsciously proving that I was right all along .
Here was my secret : My Uncle Nero died when I was in my twenties but my mother reminded me of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeps calling me .
Each of you ( and many others ) made the same point—that I should have been carrying my media credentials and none of this would have happened .
As I pointed out in the story , I had my media credentials on my phone but technically , you are correct .
It is likely that I wouldn ’ t have been arrested if my media credentials were hanging from my neck .
After all , the curfew proclamation says : “ These restrictions shall not apply to ... credentialed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radio broadcasting , and television broadcasting corporations.
” Now , if I wanted to deflect , I ’ d point out that I was standing less than 10 feet from a white man who didn ’ t have his credentials in his possession but wasn ’ t even questioned by the police .
I ’ d say they were just fucking with me because I am black .
But in my defense , I ’ d like to point out one thing : I am actually a credentialed employee of an online magazine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a print reporter who has covered every major protest in the last five years , my experience tells me that it is sometimes easier to get the story if your press credentials are not emblazoned across your chest .
Maybe I should have explained that one does not need credentials to cover an event on a public street .
Perhaps I should have explained that there is no law or rule that says how one should carry their credentials .
I probably should have told you that if the press is excluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department can ’ t even legally require me to produce credentials .
Maybe I should have told you why they can ’ t .
See , there ’ s this little document that was written when this country was founded .
It was imperfect , so the first edit to that manifesto banned the government from even creating a rule that abridges “ the freedom of speech , or of the press.
” The simple fact that I work for a news organization means I am a “ credentialed employee ” and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or local government can issue that grants me that official title .
There is no statute that says where I have to carry my credentials or that my status as a reporter even has to be written on paper .
My profession is literally written into the Constitution of the United States and there is only one thing that can override it : Likewise , that same Constitution guarantees every person on American soil , including George Floyd , the right to never “ be deprived of life , liberty , or property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there is only one thing that can override the constitutionally enshrined right to breathe : Adam , Julie , and EndofTimes , you might not hate me , but if you are arguing that I or George Floyd should comply with some arbitrary , made-up rule to escape an unjust punishment that is not inflicted on white people , then you are advocating for racism .
And I am not arguing this point because I want to avoid taking responsibility for my actions .
Honestly , I just keep hoping that my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeps calling me .
This article has been trending since the George Floyd Protests She keeps calling me , so I call her back .
She doesn ’ t answer .
When I finally get her , she says she forgot why she called because she was on a conference call praying for Macie .
I ’ ve known Macie all my life but she was really my sister ’ s friend .
She was smart as fuck , bordering on genius .
She planned on going to college but when she graduated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the local factory .
She was also the first feminist I ever knew .
Even in high school , she used to call me a “ misogynist pig.
” She believed all men were .
One night , at my cousin Metia ’ s tiny one-bedroom apartment , Macie , along with three of my cousins , were all laying across Metia ’ s king-sized bed .
I can ’ t recall how we got on the subject but Macie stated that all women have been sexually assaulted by men .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ na say that , Mikey , ” said Macie .
“ You ’ re a man .
And you ’ re a misogynist pig.
” By this time , I had looked up the definition of the word misogynist , and we began arguing .
As the argument progressed , everyone told stories about their experiences .
One of my cousins said that grown men had been molesting her since age nine .
Another said she went on a date and the guy wouldn ’ t bring her home unless she had sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories that changed everything I ever thought about how women exist in a world of men .
It turns out , Macie was right .
I was a misogynist pig .
I think about that night all the time .
It shaped how I treated women for the rest of my life .
It shaped how I respond when people call me homophobic or transphobic .
I try not to get defensive because I don ’ t want to be right ...
I want to be better .
And the first part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
There ’ s nothing wrong with being fucked up .
Even if you ’ ve been a misogynist or a homophobe or a transphobe , the first step to doing better is admitting that you fucked up .
You can blame it on the Democrats , rap music or black-on-black crime all you want , but you can ’ t lay out those excuses without mentioning white supremacy unless you think that black people are genetically stupider , more violent and predisposed to killing each other , in which case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation .
Black people are perceived as more violent because , more than any other group , America has inflicted more violence upon them .
Our justice system sees them as immoral criminals because , for 400 years , they have been victims of a criminal injustice .
And here is the important part .
From our perspective , the criminals have thrived .
The enslavers , the rapists , the pillagers , the lynchers , the abusers , the brutalizers and the overseers of all this brutality have escaped punishment and refuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lay across the bed and tell the truth about this quadruple century of evil that all white people have benefitted from , what does this country say ?
America will not get better .
And my mom keeps calling me .
Some people also didn ’ t like this article : When I went to jail , I was not broken .
My mother was not concerned .
The people at The Root assumed I would write about it the next day .
It ’ s not that they didn ’ t care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are used to this shit .
We ingest this trauma every day and keep going because that is what it means to be black .
To be clear , trauma is not a part of blackness .
But , when you are black , trauma is a part of being .
This is our fucking lives .
She tells me how Macie is doing .
I ’ ve told this story in the Mailbag before .
After high school , Macie worked hard every day .
She never had so much as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that little town , Macie met a guy from out of town who was flashy , exotic , and smart .
One day , that guy sweet-talked Macie into coming to visit him on the train .
Macie hopped on the train to go see her boo with a package he had asked for .
When she arrived at the train station , the police were there .
They found Macie ’ s package .
It was nine ounces of cocaine .
Everyone in my hometown knew Macie wasn ’ t a drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs belonged to , but no one snitched .
To be fair , most people thought Macie would probably get probation or a slap on the wrist because it was her first offense .
No one considered that Macie was black .
This was in the ‘ 90s , so one could google the statistics about black people receiving harsher prison sentences .
No one was talking about the disparities in the criminal justice system .
This was only a few months after Hillary Clinton warned the world about “ superpredators , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton mandatory minimums that fed black bodies into the mass incarceration system .
In September 1997 , a Florence County , S.C. , circuit court judge sentenced 22-year-old Mecenia Dials to 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole .
A few friends and I have been trying to get people to know about Macie ’ s story for years .
I wrote letters .
I sent money .
I begged her attorney to send me her file ( he wouldn ’ t ) .
No one cared .
I still wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mysoginist pig.
” Macie was released from prison in November 2018 after spending half of her life in jail for nine ounces of cocaine .
It is true that she may have committed a crime .
But anyone who tells you she got what she deserved is a liar .
Anyone who tells you that Macie ’ s being black didn ’ t have anything to do with it is an idiot .
Anyone who calls that “ justice ” is evil .
I miss the call again , so I call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was on the prayer line again praying for Macie .
Macie has pancreatic cancer ... Macie is in hospice .
She is not going to make it .
She knows she is going to die .
My mom still prays every day .
She says “ faith is the substance of things hoped for ; the evidence of things not seen.
” I wish I had as much faith in God as my mother or Uncle Nero .
Or black people .
Or white people .
But no one “ shares my ideology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that protests will fix white supremacy .
I don ’ t think riots work either .
Neither does the Bible .
Neither does the Constitution .
None of it is for us .
There is not a smidgen of evidence that white people will ever reconcile with the evil that this country has sown upon us .
We will never be justice so you will never have peace There is only one thing I am sure of .
Most white people do not care .
Most of them will never be allies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would never have to lift a finger to light a match or carry a protest sign .
If they did , Macie ’ s life wouldn ’ t have been stolen .
They will not concede that they are the ones who broke this shit so they are the ones who must pay for it .
If they did , they couldn ’ t fathom how anyone could watch a man kneel on a human being ’ s neck for a full 10 minutes , listen to that man plead for his life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go home .
They do not love us .
If they had a shred of love for us , this nation would be a barren wasteland of smoldering rubble by now .
If there was the slightest possibility that they did , I would probably give a small scintilla of a half of a fuck if they set this whole goddamned country on fire .

Nigga, I ain’t shit
I just know how to rhyme a lil’ bit
I’m just trying to squeeze fit my fat ass in
wherever I can fit. — Cee-Lo Green
Ninety-nine percent of the time, I already know what I’m going to say before I even begin to write the Clapback Mailbag.
Today is the other one percent.
As you may have heard, I was arrested last week.
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My mother keeps calling me. She left a message saying she had a secret.
She wasn’t at all concerned when I was arrested because, as my Uncle Nero used to tell her, “Don’t worry about Mikey. I know his secret: He won’t let anything break his faith.”
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My uncle Nero Benjamin was a preacher. He had a long beard that made him look like a biblical prophet. He had a loud booming voice and an even louder laugh. He could recite any verse in the Bible by heart and always referred to it as “a guidebook for life.” From his presence alone, you could tell that he was a man of God and most people had this weird reverence for him. In fact, everyone in the world, even his wife, called him “Elder Benjamin.”
Except me.
I called him “Uncle Nero.”
“Elder Benjamin, boy,” he would always reply before laughing. Even though he pretended it annoyed him, I don’t think he minded it at all. His wife loved that I regularly challenged him. That’s because Uncle Nero and I argued every time we saw each other.
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Every year, Uncle Nero’s church would hold a $500 oratory contest and his wife was always one of the judges. Because it was a fundamentalist Holiness Church, most of the contestants would recite bible verses or even entire chapters from the Bible. I was never a member of my uncle’s church, but I won so many times that I was eventually banned from competing.
But I had a secret.
Before I was born, Uncle Nero bought a few acres of land on the edge of town and raised his eight children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren on that piece of land. It was about 10 miles from where I grew up, but when I was a kid, I would wake up early in the morning, and ride my yellow Huffy bicycle out to his house and spend all day with my cousins. One day, it started raining and my Uncle Nero put my bicycle on the back of his truck, covered it with a tarp, and took it home.
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On the way home, we were stopped by the police.
The cop went through a few perfunctory questions and asked my uncle to step out of the car to show him what was under the tarp. When Uncle Nero pulled the tarp back and showed the officer my bicycle, the cop told my uncle to stand there in the driving rain. Then, the cop went back to the car and just sat there. I could see, in the rearview mirror, that the cop wasn’t doing anything. He wasn’t running a license or checking the registration. That cop was just getting a kick out of making my uncle stand in the storm, as people drove by and saw the revered Elder Benjamin being detained by the police
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And then he let us go.
A few minutes later I decided to break the awkward silence by using the only tactic my 10-year-old brain knew: By making a joke:
“Your name is Nero?” I asked. “I thought your name was “Elder.”
He laughed so loud. I went on to inform him that that police stop was unconstitutional because there was no probable cause for the officer to search the truck.
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“Constitution?” replied my Uncle Nero. “That ain’t for us.”
For the rest of the ride, we argued about the Constitution versus the Bible. He really believed in the goodness of humanity and that there was an ultimate reward for every action. Because he was older and wise as fuck, he won the argument.
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But, as an obstinate child, I continued that argument for years. From then on, I made it a point to never called him “Elder.” And every year, I would go to his church and take his money by subconsciously proving that I was right all along.
Here was my secret:
I never recited a single Bible verse.
I always recited the Constitution.
My Uncle Nero died when I was in my twenties but my mother reminded me of that story a few days ago.
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She keeps calling me.
From: EndofTimesAficionado
To: Michael Harriot So you were arrested for being out after curfew. We have to have a curfew because you personally have inflamed tensions in this town.
From: Adam
To: Michael Harriot This situation embodies everything you talk about. If you had just followed the rules and had your credentials, none of this would happen. If I don’t have my license, I go to jail. That’s why they give you credientials. Sure, some cops are POS but if Gregory Floyd hadn’t broken the law he would be alive. Take responsibility and stop blaming whitey.
From: Julie
To: Michael Harriot I have a piece of advice that can help you and every black person who suffers from police brutality. Follow the law. Don’t break the rules.
From: Ed S.
To: Michael Harriot Subject: Current riots Message: I think it appalling that all religious, civil and political Leading continue to brush over the fact that all though wrong je is yet another criminal blackman who failed to obey police and the blacks riot, burn and steel. This behavior will keep you out of normal, moral and polite society. What would america be if every time a white msn was killed or a woman rapped or a theft committed by a black man the whites rioted. Work harder to get you males to be proper fathers and family men. Stop your gangs from destroying every inter coty in america and join gentile society one day.
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Dear Adam, Julie, and EndofTimes,
It’s my fault.
Each of you (and many others) made the same point—that I should have been carrying my media credentials and none of this would have happened. As I pointed out in the story, I had my media credentials on my phone but technically, you are correct. It is likely that I wouldn’t have been arrested if my media credentials were hanging from my neck. After all, the curfew proclamation says: “These restrictions shall not apply to...credentialed employees of any newspaper, magazine, radio broadcasting, and television broadcasting corporations.”
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Now, if I wanted to deflect, I’d point out that I was standing less than 10 feet from a white man who didn’t have his credentials in his possession but wasn’t even questioned by the police. I’d say they were just fucking with me because I am black. But in my defense, I’d like to point out one thing:
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I am actually a credentialed employee of an online magazine.
But it’s my fault.
I should have explained that, as a print reporter who has covered every major protest in the last five years, my experience tells me that it is sometimes easier to get the story if your press credentials are not emblazoned across your chest. Maybe I should have explained that one does not need credentials to cover an event on a public street. Perhaps I should have explained that there is no law or rule that says how one should carry their credentials. I probably should have told you that if the press is excluded from the curfew, the Birmingham Police Department can’t even legally require me to produce credentials. Maybe I should have told you why they can’t.
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See, there’s this little document that was written when this country was founded. It was imperfect, so the first edit to that manifesto banned the government from even creating a rule that abridges “the freedom of speech, or of the press.”
The simple fact that I work for a news organization means I am a “credentialed employee” and there is no legal document that a city or local government can issue that grants me that official title. There is no statute that says where I have to carry my credentials or that my status as a reporter even has to be written on paper. My profession is literally written into the Constitution of the United States and there is only one thing that can override it:
Racism.
Likewise, that same Constitution guarantees every person on American soil, including George Floyd, the right to never “be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law” and there is only one thing that can override the constitutionally enshrined right to breathe:
Racism.
Adam, Julie, and EndofTimes, you might not hate me, but if you are arguing that I or George Floyd should comply with some arbitrary, made-up rule to escape an unjust punishment that is not inflicted on white people, then you are advocating for racism. And I am not arguing this point because I want to avoid taking responsibility for my actions.
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Honestly, I just keep hoping that my Uncle Nero was wrong.
And mom keeps calling me.
This article has been trending since the George Floyd Protests
From: Trinisistren
To: Michael Harriot I agree with nothing in this article. It amazes me how blacks in America address what is done to them but not by them. It IS their business because we made it so. White surburban youth are the ones buying our so called hip hop that overwhelmingly glorifies the violence so often copied in our streets while the consious artists, Talib, Def, Erykah, Jill, Lupe, Kem etc. can barely get a gold records. This music is echoed in our community when black women killed by police gets less reaction than Black men. Why? because our music treats women that way and many women internalize the standard frequently becoming the video hos to gain acceptance. Let’s keep the shit 100, all you did was ‘dumb it down’
From: Memebracidae To: Michael Harriot While you are correct that 99.989497% of black people didn’t commit any murder in that year, the problem is that the black community defends it’s trash. You go into a white neighborhood and see ole bubba getting busted for running a meth lab, the rest of his community aren’t going to give a shit about bubba going to jail, in fact most are overjoyed that that shit is out of their community. But if a black person is busted for some shit like that in a black community, you’ll find blacks coming out of the woodwork defending them, saying they dindu nuffin wrong an they was a good boy. I am not aware of any other racial group that defends it’s trash like that- not even Mexicans. Any chance you’d be willing to address this in an upcoming tweet or data breakdown?
From: Guy
To: Michael Harriot You are a raaaacist pos. Funny how your last name has riot in it. The Democrats are the party of the KKK and murderous communists. If you rub your two brain cells together long enough you may learn real history not just Regurgitate race baiting bullshit.
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I missed my mom’s call.
She keeps calling me, so I call her back. She doesn’t answer.
When I finally get her, she says she forgot why she called because she was on a conference call praying for Macie.
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I’ve known Macie all my life but she was really my sister’s friend. She was smart as fuck, bordering on genius. She planned on going to college but when she graduated from high school, she started working in the local factory. She was also the first feminist I ever knew. Even in high school, she used to call me a “misogynist pig.” She believed all men were.
One night, at my cousin Metia’s tiny one-bedroom apartment, Macie, along with three of my cousins, were all laying across Metia’s king-sized bed. I can’t recall how we got on the subject but Macie stated that all women have been sexually assaulted by men.
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“Come on,” I insisted. “Not all.”
“Of course, you’re gonna say that, Mikey,” said Macie. “You’re a man. And you’re a misogynist pig.”
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By this time, I had looked up the definition of the word misogynist, and we began arguing. As the argument progressed, everyone told stories about their experiences. One of my cousins said that grown men had been molesting her since age nine. Another said she went on a date and the guy wouldn’t bring her home unless she had sex. Every single one of them had stories that changed everything I ever thought about how women exist in a world of men.
It turns out, Macie was right. I was a misogynist pig.
I think about that night all the time. It shaped how I treated women for the rest of my life. It shaped how I respond when people call me homophobic or transphobic. I try not to get defensive because I don’t want to be right...
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I want to be better.
And the first part of being better is admitting you are fucked up. There’s nothing wrong with being fucked up. Even if you’ve been a misogynist or a homophobe or a transphobe, the first step to doing better is admitting that you fucked up.
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America is fucked up.
You can blame it on the Democrats, rap music or black-on-black crime all you want, but you can’t lay out those excuses without mentioning white supremacy unless you think that black people are genetically stupider, more violent and predisposed to killing each other, in which case, we can’t have a logical conversation.
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Here’s the other option.
Black people are perceived as more violent because, more than any other group, America has inflicted more violence upon them. Our justice system sees them as immoral criminals because, for 400 years, they have been victims of a criminal injustice.
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And here is the important part.
From our perspective, the criminals have thrived.
The enslavers, the rapists, the pillagers, the lynchers, the abusers, the brutalizers and the overseers of all this brutality have escaped punishment and refuse to take responsibility. And when we lay across the bed and tell the truth about this quadruple century of evil that all white people have benefitted from, what does this country say?
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“Come on,” America insists. “Not all.”
America will not get better.
And my mom keeps calling me.
Some people also didn’t like this article:
From: Airwolf
To: Michael Harriot Maybe just say “thanks for showing up” without sarcasm. Otherwise you’re gatekeeping someone’s personal revelation because they didn’t realize another persons reality “when they should have”. Peoples journeys are unique to them, it’s not their fault they’ve been blind to your reality.
From: Jess
To: Michael Harriot My father worked all his life for his business and it was burned down by people spreading your ideology. Instead of condemning white people, you should be condemning black people for burning down property and looting. Maybe this is why ppl think you are full of shit.
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When I went to jail, I was not broken. My mother was not concerned. The people at The Root assumed I would write about it the next day. It’s not that they didn’t care about me. It is that we are used to this shit. We ingest this trauma every day and keep going because that is what it means to be black. To be clear, trauma is not a part of blackness. But, when you are black, trauma is a part of being.
This is our fucking lives.
This time, mom remembers.
She tells me how Macie is doing.
I’ve told this story in the Mailbag before.
After high school, Macie worked hard every day. She never had so much as a traffic ticket. And, stuck in that little town, Macie met a guy from out of town who was flashy, exotic, and smart. One day, that guy sweet-talked Macie into coming to visit him on the train. Macie hopped on the train to go see her boo with a package he had asked for. When she arrived at the train station, the police were there. They found Macie’s package.
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It was nine ounces of cocaine.
Everyone in my hometown knew Macie wasn’t a drug dealer. Most people knew who the drugs belonged to, but no one snitched. To be fair, most people thought Macie would probably get probation or a slap on the wrist because it was her first offense.
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No one considered that Macie was black. This was in the ‘90s, so one could google the statistics about black people receiving harsher prison sentences. No one was talking about the disparities in the criminal justice system. This was only a few months after Hillary Clinton warned the world about “superpredators,” so no one was discussing the Bill Clinton mandatory minimums that fed black bodies into the mass incarceration system.
In September 1997, a Florence County, S.C., circuit court judge sentenced 22-year-old Mecenia Dials to 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
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A few friends and I have been trying to get people to know about Macie’s story for years. I wrote letters. I sent money. I begged her attorney to send me her file (he wouldn’t). No one cared. I still wrote her. I signed every letter “a mysoginist pig.”
Macie was released from prison in November 2018 after spending half of her life in jail for nine ounces of cocaine. It is true that she may have committed a crime. But anyone who tells you she got what she deserved is a liar. Anyone who tells you that Macie’s being black didn’t have anything to do with it is an idiot. Anyone who calls that “justice” is evil.
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My mom calls again.
I miss the call again, so I call back. She tells me that she was on the prayer line again praying for Macie. Macie has pancreatic cancer...
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And brain cancer.
Macie is in hospice. She is not going to make it. She knows she is going to die.
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My mom still prays every day. She says “faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.”
I wish I had as much faith in God as my mother or Uncle Nero. Or black people. Or white people.
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Or America.
But no one “shares my ideology” because I don’t believe that protests will fix white supremacy. I don’t think riots work either. Neither does the Bible. Neither does the Constitution. None of it is for us. There is not a smidgen of evidence that white people will ever reconcile with the evil that this country has sown upon us. We will never be justice so you will never have peace
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There is only one thing I am sure of.
Most white people do not care. Most of them will never be allies. Because if they did, black people would never have to lift a finger to light a match or carry a protest sign. If they did, Macie’s life wouldn’t have been stolen. They will not concede that they are the ones who broke this shit so they are the ones who must pay for it.
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If they did, they couldn’t fathom how anyone could watch a man kneel on a human being’s neck for a full 10 minutes, listen to that man plead for his life, kill that man, and then go home.
They do not love us.
If they had a shred of love for us, this nation would be a barren wasteland of smoldering rubble by now. If there was the slightest possibility that they did, I would probably give a small scintilla of a half of a fuck if they set this whole goddamned country on fire.
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I do not.


theroot--2020-06-12--André 3000 Discusses His New Protest T-Shirt Line and His 'Hope' for Anti-Racism Marches in Rare Int

André 3000 Discusses His New Protest T-Shirt Line and His 'Hope' for Anti-Racism Marches in Rare Interview

André 3000 has become an enigmatic figure in hip-hop , rarely giving interviews or discussing what ’ s next for his music career .
( But if you ask me , he ’ s earned a break away from the game . )
However , he has been a bit more vocal than usual given the recent events unfolding around the country regarding anti-racist protests stemming from the death of George Floyd at the hands of police .
In a new phone conversation with the newsletter Blackbird Spyplane—who describe themselves as “ [ your ] no .
1 source across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” —Three Stacks discusses his recent protest T-shirt line , how he ’ s holding up during the quarantine and more .
Blackbird Spyplane wrote that the Outkast emcee called them , which ... what luck !
André announced on Wednesday that he ’ s created a line of shirts inspired by the jumpsuits he wore during the 2014 Outkast reunion tour .
The new line was created at L.A. ’ s Everybody World , a women-owned , women-run company , and 100 percent of the net proceeds will go to the Movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their fight to end police brutality & racial injustice against Black people.
” He notes that the concerts where the jumpsuits were worn occurred during the same time as the Ferguson protests , and considering the way things are right now , the shirts and their slogans “ ring even Truer.
” Some of the slogans include “ the hardest time of our lives , ” “ which type of stereo are you ?
” and “ across cultures , darker people suffer most .
why ?
” “ [ At the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep myself excited each night , because I didn ’ t have new verses and new songs , and it felt weird to play old songs from 1993 , so I said , ‘ Let me put these thoughts on my suits , ’ ” he says of the ideation of the original slogans .
“ Some were serious , some were silly .
Just random thoughts , like me admitting to loving fruit snacks !
But also this was summer 2014 ...
So it was fun and serious and sad and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now.
” In terms of how he feels about the nationwide protests , he explains that he “ knew ” something like this would eventually happen , but he ’ s also uneasy about the “ damage and destruction when it comes to people ’ s businesses and livelihoods.
” However , he ’ s hopeful that these protests signal the start of something new for America .
“ Honestly , I lost hope in marches—until now , ” he says .
“ I saw it working again and I said , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for it to work , people have to turn out , and now it ’ s kind of the perfect storm because corona had everyone at home , and we had nothing to do but react—and people wanted to be outside .
It ’ s kind of a blessing and a curse : If everyone was at work right now , going about their business , the protest turnout wouldn ’ t be anywhere near as high .
But it ’ s been a long time coming and it came to a head @ @ @ @

J'na Jefferson on The Glow Up, shared by J'na Jefferson to The Root


theroot--2020-06-13--Police Shoot and Kill Man at a Wendy's Drive-Thru in Atlanta, Driving New Protests and an Investigat

Police Shoot and Kill Man at a Wendy's Drive-Thru in Atlanta, Driving New Protests and an Investigation

Another black man in America has been killed by police .
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation ( GBI ) says it is investigating an incident in Atlanta in which police officers shot and killed a man in the parking lot of a Wendy ’ s restaurant on Friday night .
According to statement released by the GBI on Saturday , cops were called to the restaurant on University Drive in Atlanta in response to complaints that a man was sleeping in a vehicle parked in the drive-thru area of the fast food restaurant .
The report says that officers performed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks , and attempted to place him into custody after he failed it .
“ During the arrest , the male subject resisted and a struggle ensued , ” the GBI said .
“ The officer deployed a Taser .
Witnesses report that during the struggle the male subject grabbed and was in possession of the Taser.
” Video posted on social media appears to show Brooks struggling with officers , attempting to running away , and then laying on the ground dead .
Though the GBI ’ s statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local hospital where he died after surgery , ” the investigative body said that it is also reviewing the video posted on social media .
People have already been gathering at the scene of the incident to protest against the killing , which comes as demonstrations against police killings continue across the country .
On Saturday morning , a group of protesters gathered outside the Wendy ’ s where Brooks was shot .
John Wade , the leader of the demonstration , called the Wendy ’ s parking lot “ the new ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right at this spot , ” he said .
According to AJC , this is the 48th officer-involved shooting that the GBI has had to investigate since the start of the year .

Another black man in America has been killed by police.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) says it is investigating an incident in Atlanta in which police officers shot and killed a man in the parking lot of a Wendy’s restaurant on Friday night.
According to statement released by the GBI on Saturday, cops were called to the restaurant on University Drive in Atlanta in response to complaints that a man was sleeping in a vehicle parked in the drive-thru area of the fast food restaurant.
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The report says that officers performed a field sobriety test on the man, 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks, and attempted to place him into custody after he failed it.
“During the arrest, the male subject resisted and a struggle ensued,” the GBI said. “The officer deployed a Taser. Witnesses report that during the struggle the male subject grabbed and was in possession of the Taser.”
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Video posted on social media appears to show Brooks struggling with officers, attempting to running away, and then laying on the ground dead.
Though the GBI’s statement says Brooks was transported to “a local hospital where he died after surgery,” the investigative body said that it is also reviewing the video posted on social media.
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People have already been gathering at the scene of the incident to protest against the killing, which comes as demonstrations against police killings continue across the country.
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
On Saturday morning, a group of protesters gathered outside the Wendy’s where Brooks was shot. John Wade, the leader of the demonstration, called the Wendy’s parking lot “the new ground zero.” “Another man was taken right at this spot,” he said.
According to AJC, this is the 48th officer-involved shooting that the GBI has had to investigate since the start of the year.