theroot--2020-10-15--A Love Letter to Used Books (and Tips on How to Shop for Them)

Every other month , I go to the Books for International Goodwill sale in Annapolis , Md .
It starts at 8 am and I ’ m an early riser anyway , so I drive the 40 minutes from southeast Washington , DC on a virtually trafficless highway to get there when the only other people are a few solo shoppers and the chipper tribe of senior volunteers .
For an hour , sometimes longer , I cruise the warehouse aisles , commandeering space in front of the African-American books .
My strategy : load my shopping bag with any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little interested in .
S can the fiction , religion , history and women ’ s sections for errant gems ; and , right before checkout , have a realistic self-talk about which titles I ’ m most likely to actually read and which ones are predestined to be bookshelf décor .
I purge , reshelve and buy accordingly— $ 3 for hardcovers , $ 2 for paperbacks .
( Afterward , I go get chicken and waffles at Miss Shirley ’ s .
That ’ s not pertinent to the used book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my favorite parts of the routine . )
I ’ ve made some magical purchases at this particular sale : a first-edition of Roots , an autographed copy of a Maya Angelou cookbook .
But my favorite has been a vintage hardback of Nella Larsen ’ s Passing , so old its pages tanned with age , and inside the back cover , someone who owned it a long time before I did had tucked away an Amtrak ticket and a graduation invitation with a short note of gratitude .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” they wrote in ornate , swoon-worthy cursive .
Finding a story in a story is part of the magic of previously owned books .
“ I love used books ; one , because of the discount .
But I love books that are in great condition , that have been read and well-loved .
It ’ s just like , ‘ I want to take care of this book as well , ’ ” said La ’ Nesha Frazier , who co-owns Kansas City-based bookstore Bliss Books and Wine with her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The literary entrepreneurs sell new and used books on their website , from T.D .
Jakes ’ titles to the Hunger Games series .
So , I checked in with the duo to ask : How can you find used books to read , love and expand your library ?
Here are some tips : Browse online sellers .
The in-person book-shopping experience is a literary lovers ’ delight—just walking into a store and seeing books , books everywhere , is a jolt of joy .
You miss that when you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owners , Frazier and Robinson had to pivot when the pandemic hit , just as they ’ d started shopping for a brick-and-mortar storefront .
“ We went from having pop-ups and author spotlights in-person to everything being online .
But we were able to reach a wider demographic outside the Kansas City area , ” said Frazier .
“ We were reaching people from Virginia and Texas and California .
All of those people were visiting our website to purchase.
” New book sales stayed steady , she added , but used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many sellers may have inventory to move .
And because used books are generally less expensive , you ’ re likely to be able to get two or three used books for the would-be cost of one fresh-off-the-press one .
Hit a library sale .
A used book that has lasted a life cycle in the library is extra resilient—many publishers produce “ library editions ” with sturdier bindings to withstand excessive handling by patrons , so they ’ re generally not tattered or beat up .
“ I ’ m like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ library sale , ” Frazier laughed .
“ They ’ re held all throughout the year and some libraries have them multiple times a year.
” Books are usually always hardcovers and cost a few dollars—the Baltimore County Library sale is one of my favorites because they have some 20,000 books , all less than $ 5 each—and some offer bundles or buy one , get one deals to get the surplus out the door .
Now that everyone has had time to clean out their closets , basements and junky spare bedrooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming into sellers .
Also worth checking out : yard/garage sales , thrift stores and estate sales of personal library books , generally marked “ ex-libris , ” which means “ from the library of ” in Latin .
Change your shopping approach .
Used books also give us access to literary jewels that are no longer in publication , Robinson reminds us .
“ Sometimes you can find copies that aren ’ t available anymore , something that you can ’ t just go out and get anywhere .
I like great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are some stores that specialize in hard-to-find books and first editions.
” Like thrifting ( another sport I excel in ) , shopping for used books is more like finding a jewel among other folks ’ undesirables .
If you have trouble finding a specific title or author , curate a mental list of topics that you love to read about—Harlem Renaissance fiction , civil rights-era memoirs , the post-Reconstruction South—and use that as a broader starting point for more fruitful searches and come across titles you may not have heard about @ @

Every other month, I go to the Books for International Goodwill sale in Annapolis, Md. It starts at 8 am and I’m an early riser anyway, so I drive the 40 minutes from southeast Washington, DC on a virtually trafficless highway to get there when the only other people are a few solo shoppers and the chipper tribe of senior volunteers. For an hour, sometimes longer, I cruise the warehouse aisles, commandeering space in front of the African-American books.
My strategy: load my shopping bag with any book I’m even just a little interested in. S can the fiction, religion, history and women’s sections for errant gems; and, right before checkout, have a realistic self-talk about which titles I’m most likely to actually read and which ones are predestined to be bookshelf décor. I purge, reshelve and buy accordingly—$3 for hardcovers, $2 for paperbacks. (Afterward, I go get chicken and waffles at Miss Shirley’s. That’s not pertinent to the used book shopping; it’s just one of my favorite parts of the routine.)
I’ve made some magical purchases at this particular sale: a first-edition of Roots, an autographed copy of a Maya Angelou cookbook. But my favorite has been a vintage hardback of Nella Larsen’s Passing, so old its pages tanned with age, and inside the back cover, someone who owned it a long time before I did had tucked away an Amtrak ticket and a graduation invitation with a short note of gratitude. “I’m so excited to see you,” they wrote in ornate, swoon-worthy cursive. Finding a story in a story is part of the magic of previously owned books.
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“I love used books; one, because of the discount. But I love books that are in great condition, that have been read and well-loved. It’s just like, ‘I want to take care of this book as well,’” said La’Nesha Frazier, who co-owns Kansas City-based bookstore Bliss Books and Wine with her sister, La’Nae Robinson. The literary entrepreneurs sell new and used books on their website, from T.D. Jakes’ titles to the Hunger Games series. So, I checked in with the duo to ask: How can you find used books to read, love and expand your library? Here are some tips:
Browse online sellers. The in-person book-shopping experience is a literary lovers’ delight—just walking into a store and seeing books, books everywhere, is a jolt of joy. You miss that when you’re shopping online. Like most small business owners, Frazier and Robinson had to pivot when the pandemic hit, just as they’d started shopping for a brick-and-mortar storefront.
“We went from having pop-ups and author spotlights in-person to everything being online. But we were able to reach a wider demographic outside the Kansas City area,” said Frazier. “We were reaching people from Virginia and Texas and California. All of those people were visiting our website to purchase.”
New book sales stayed steady, she added, but used book purchases slowed down, which means many sellers may have inventory to move. And because used books are generally less expensive, you’re likely to be able to get two or three used books for the would-be cost of one fresh-off-the-press one.
Hit a library sale. A used book that has lasted a life cycle in the library is extra resilient—many publishers produce “library editions” with sturdier bindings to withstand excessive handling by patrons, so they’re generally not tattered or beat up. “I’m like a kid in a candy store at a library sale,” Frazier laughed. “They’re held all throughout the year and some libraries have them multiple times a year.”
Books are usually always hardcovers and cost a few dollars—the Baltimore County Library sale is one of my favorites because they have some 20,000 books, all less than $5 each—and some offer bundles or buy one, get one deals to get the surplus out the door. Now that everyone has had time to clean out their closets, basements and junky spare bedrooms, more book used donations will be coming into sellers. Also worth checking out: yard/garage sales, thrift stores and estate sales of personal library books, generally marked “ex-libris,” which means “from the library of” in Latin.
Change your shopping approach. Used books also give us access to literary jewels that are no longer in publication, Robinson reminds us. “Sometimes you can find copies that aren’t available anymore, something that you can’t just go out and get anywhere. I like great finds that are out of circulation. There are some stores that specialize in hard-to-find books and first editions.”
Like thrifting (another sport I excel in), shopping for used books is more like finding a jewel among other folks’ undesirables. If you have trouble finding a specific title or author, curate a mental list of topics that you love to read about—Harlem Renaissance fiction, civil rights-era memoirs, the post-Reconstruction South—and use that as a broader starting point for more fruitful searches and come across titles you may not have heard about before.


theroot--2020-10-15--Obama: Trump Was a Fan Who Became a Hater

Our forever president until further notice confirmed that the president of white supremacy , Donald Trump , led the racist “ birther ” movement in 2011 for masturbatory purposes , which is , he got off on the attention it gave him .
During an interview with Pod Save America , Obama claimed that Trump was a fan of his early on in his presidency but much like the WWE and Floyd Mayweather before him , Trump learned that there is no reward for being a good guy , so he became the man that he is today : pig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is because the guy just decided he wanted attention , like , whether it was to promote Celebrity Apprentice or whatever , he looked and saw what was being said and he said , ‘ oh , if that ’ s what folks want , I can do that with even less inhibition .
I don ’ t need a dog whistle , I ’ m just gon na go ahead and say it , ’ ” Obama said on Wednesday , Talking Points Memo reports .
“ And that ’ s how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he continued .
TPM notes that before Trump became Mr. Birther , he told CNN host Larry King in April 2009 that Obama was doing a “ really good job.
” Trump also called Obama a “ champion ” and “ sort of a guy that just has a wonderful personality , a good speaker , somebody that people trust.
” Buzzfeed News also notes that in Trump ’ s book , Think Like a Champion , Trump said Obama “ proved that determination combined with opportunity and intelligence can make things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fact that he accomplished what he has—in one year and against great odds—is truly phenomenal , ” Trump wrote .
Further proving that Trump is just a chameleon who has found a place in the racist mud swamp he calls home .
And as TPM notes , after all of this glowing praise heaped on Obama that just a few years later , Trump would push the racist birther theory that Obama was an illegitimate president who was not born in the U.S. and demand that the president show his birth certificate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 but refused to take any blame for pushing this bullshit , which he ’ s now using to target Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) .
For the TL ; DR crowd : Trump was a fan of Obama but realized that hate resonates with racists , so he became an Obama hater .
Basically , it ’ s the story of Hulk Hogan becoming Hollywood Hogan .

Our forever president until further notice confirmed that the president of white supremacy, Donald Trump, led the racist “birther” movement in 2011 for masturbatory purposes, which is, he got off on the attention it gave him.
During an interview with Pod Save America, Obama claimed that Trump was a fan of his early on in his presidency but much like the WWE and Floyd Mayweather before him, Trump learned that there is no reward for being a good guy, so he became the man that he is today: pig vomit.
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“And essentially what happened is because the guy just decided he wanted attention, like, whether it was to promote Celebrity Apprentice or whatever, he looked and saw what was being said and he said, ‘oh, if that’s what folks want, I can do that with even less inhibition. I don’t need a dog whistle, I’m just gonna go ahead and say it,’” Obama said on Wednesday, Talking Points Memo reports.
“And that’s how the whole birtherism shtick came about,” he continued.
TPM notes that before Trump became Mr. Birther, he told CNN host Larry King in April 2009 that Obama was doing a “really good job.” Trump also called Obama a “champion” and “sort of a guy that just has a wonderful personality, a good speaker, somebody that people trust.”
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Buzzfeed News also notes that in Trump’s book, Think Like a Champion, Trump said Obama “proved that determination combined with opportunity and intelligence can make things happen—and in an exceptional way.”
“The fact that he accomplished what he has—in one year and against great odds—is truly phenomenal,” Trump wrote.
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Further proving that Trump is just a chameleon who has found a place in the racist mud swamp he calls home. And as TPM notes, after all of this glowing praise heaped on Obama that just a few years later, Trump would push the racist birther theory that Obama was an illegitimate president who was not born in the U.S. and demand that the president show his birth certificate. Trump would relent on these claims in 2016 but refused to take any blame for pushing this bullshit, which he’s now using to target Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).
For the TL;DR crowd: Trump was a fan of Obama but realized that hate resonates with racists, so he became an Obama hater. Basically, it’s the story of Hulk Hogan becoming Hollywood Hogan.


theroot--2020-10-15--'I Always Lead With Black': Curator Dr. Ariana A. Curtis Wants to Normalize Blackness in Latinidad

“ What I am hoping for is just a normalization of Black Latinx within the United States .
I hope for that within Latin America as well , because we are still fighting for our recognition there , but I think our rootedness in the United States has been generations deep and our experiences have contributed to this country in every single realm possible.
” — Ariana A. Curtis , Ph .
D , Curator of Latinx Studies , NMAAHC Dr. Ariana A. Curtis thinks that the world must know that Blackness exists within Latinidad .
The curator for Latinx @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American History and Culture is a proud Black Panamanian woman who describes herself as “ Black mixed with Black.
” Curtis has no qualms about referring to herself as AfroLatina .
After all , the researcher doesn ’ t want to separate her work from Latinidad .
“ I want to be clear that I am a Black person .
The personhood that I bring to my profession is rooted in Blackness .
Unequivocally , ” Curtis told The Root .
After some years in “ the game ” ( which includes a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Curtis refuses to engage with the BS of ignorant folks who don ’ t care to educate themselves upon the history of Blackness in Latin America .
“ There ’ s certain things that I just don ’ t want to entertain .
For example , ‘ Why are there Black people in Latin America ?
’ You know , that ’ s just not a question that I ’ m willing to provide an answer to , ” said Curtis .
“ For all of the same reasons that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is not something that we question , there are Black people in Latin America.
” See the entire conversation with Dr. Ariana A. Curtis above .

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Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude


theroot--2020-10-15--Make Your Bright Pearly Whites Shine for Eternity With Six Tubes of Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste for

Make Your Bright Pearly Whites Shine for Eternity With Six Tubes of Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste for $8

As I recently learned reviewing the Colgate Hum for the first time , everyon should brush their teeth twice a @ @ @ @ @ like making your bed , a routine that , once you get into it , @ @ @ @ @ without .
Colgate ’ s Cavity Protection fluoride toothpaste is a good place to start @ @ @ @ @ out of toothpaste is a concern .
Grab a six-pack for $ 8 on Amazon @ @ @ @ @ , uh , at least not for a long time .
This paste in particular @ @ @ @ @ Dental Association ( ADA ) and contains no gluten !
The mint is also sourced @ @ @ @ @ you can rest assured you ’ re supporting domestic agriculture .
Grace your mouth with @ @ @ @ @ this six-pack bundle is 47 % off .
It ’ s bound to spike back @ @ @ @ @ list price before long .

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

Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste (6-Pack) | $8 | Amazon
As I recently learned reviewing the Colgate Hum for the first time, everyon should brush their teeth twice a day. It’s like making your bed, a routine that, once you get into it, you can’t live without. Colgate’s Cavity Protection fluoride toothpaste is a good place to start if you’re running out of toothpaste is a concern. Grab a six-pack for $8 on Amazon and never run out again—err, uh, at least not for a long time. This paste in particular is accepted by the American Dental Association (ADA) and contains no gluten! The mint is also sourced from American farmers, so you can rest assured you’re supporting domestic agriculture. Grace your mouth with a good clean feeling while this six-pack bundle is 47% off. It’s bound to spike back up to the $15 list price before long.


theroot--2020-10-15--Taraji P. Henson Joins Forces With Wondery, Universal Music Group to Unveil Jacked: The Rise of New

Taraji P. Henson Joins Forces With Wondery, Universal Music Group to Unveil Jacked: The Rise of New Jack Swing

Pandemic or not , Taraji P. Henson continues to keep her foot on the gas .
Earlier this month , the The Best of Enemies actress announced Peace of Mind With Taraji , her upcoming Facebook Watch show that will focus on mental health and wellness .
And after conquering film and television , now comes the news that she ’ ll be expanding her digital empire with the unveiling of her latest venture : a new podcast .
Henson has been tapped to host Jacked : The Rise of New Jack Swing , a six-part podcast series produced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chronicle the complex relationships of a group of teenagers from Harlem that would create a sound that would forever change the face of music .
Writer and filmmaker Barry Michael Cooper , who coined the phrase “ New Jack Swing , ” will serve as a consulting producer on the podcast , which will be told through Wondery ’ s signature style of immersive , character-driven storytelling .
Jacked will also feature dozens of interviews from band members and managers , in addition to music from UMG ’ s legendary catalog .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s innovative fusion of hip-hop and R & B dominated the charts .
Even if you ’ ve never heard of New Jack Swing , you know the music : Bobby Brown ’ s “ My Prerogative , ” Bell Biv Devoe ’ s “ Poison , ” Tony Toni Tone ’ s “ Feels Good ” or Wreckx-N-Effect ’ s “ Rumpshaker ” - New Jack ’ s influence can be heard today .
In fact , many of today ’ s artists were shaped by New Jack Swing artists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of the band , Guy .
Despite the popularity of New Jack Swing during its heyday and the lasting influence of its pioneers , few people know the real story behind the music .
It ’ s a story of dashed hopes , jealousy , betrayal , drugs , hip-hop , and rivalries .
And it all comes to a head with a fatal shooting during a massive summer concert tour .
Jacked is set to premiere on Nov. 17 on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you get your fix @ @ @

Jay Connor on The Grapevine, shared by Jay Connor to The Root

Pandemic or not, Taraji P. Henson continues to keep her foot on the gas.
Earlier this month, the The Best of Enemies actress announced Peace of Mind With Taraji, her upcoming Facebook Watch show that will focus on mental health and wellness. And after conquering film and television, now comes the news that she’ll be expanding her digital empire with the unveiling of her latest venture: a new podcast.
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Henson has been tapped to host Jacked: The Rise of New Jack Swing, a six-part podcast series produced by Wondery and Universal Music Group that will chronicle the complex relationships of a group of teenagers from Harlem that would create a sound that would forever change the face of music.
Writer and filmmaker Barry Michael Cooper, who coined the phrase “New Jack Swing,” will serve as a consulting producer on the podcast, which will be told through Wondery’s signature style of immersive, character-driven storytelling. Jacked will also feature dozens of interviews from band members and managers, in addition to music from UMG’s legendary catalog.
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From Wondery and UMG:
From 1987 to 1992, New Jack Swing’s innovative fusion of hip-hop and R&B dominated the charts. Even if you’ve never heard of New Jack Swing, you know the music: Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative,” Bell Biv Devoe’s “Poison,” Tony Toni Tone’s “Feels Good” or Wreckx-N-Effect’s “Rumpshaker” - New Jack’s influence can be heard today. In fact, many of today’s artists were shaped by New Jack Swing artists and producers including Teddy Riley, who was a member of the band, Guy. Despite the popularity of New Jack Swing during its heyday and the lasting influence of its pioneers, few people know the real story behind the music. It’s a story of dashed hopes, jealousy, betrayal, drugs, hip-hop, and rivalries. And it all comes to a head with a fatal shooting during a massive summer concert tour.
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Jacked is set to premiere on Nov. 17 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your fix for podcasts.


theroot--2020-10-15--Glendale Leads California in Publicly Apologizing for Its ‘Sundown Town’ Past

Glendale , where less than 2 percent of residents identify as Black , has become the first California city–and the third in the nation—to publicly apologize for its racist history , with the city council unanimously passing a resolution this week addressing its history as a “ sundown town , ” a term applied to places that barred Black people from being in city limits after dark .
The resolution is seen among activists and council members as an important first step in addressing larger issues of systemic racism in the city .
“ [ The city ] has that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that head-on , ” Glendale City Councilman Dan Brotman said , adding that the resolution commits local officials “ to look at how we conduct affairs in Glendale and look at how racism may be playing a role.
” The resolution comes through the efforts of local Black activists , who have been working to get Glendale , once the headquarters of the American Nazi Party , to take ownership of its painful , fraught past .
Tara Peterson , an organizer for the Coalition for an Anti-Racist Glendale told NBC Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city once was , but also articulating its current values and its plan to address and redress its problems going forward .
“ It ’ s extremely empowering and makes a community feel like they can come together and now we can think about healing and reconciliation , ” said Peterson .
Tanita Harris-Ligons echoed Peterson ’ s comments in an interview with the Los Angeles Times , pointing out that when she first moved to Glendale in 2008 , locals kept asking her where she was visiting from—a subtle but clear indication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t register a Black person might actually live there .
Her experiences , as well as those of her son , prompted Harris-Ligons to start the community and advocacy group Black in Glendale , which also backed the recent resolution .
“ To me , this resolution symbolizes shifting your mindset and shifting your consciousness about inclusivity and acknowledging that there are other people in Glendale , ” she said .
As the LA Times notes , despite its reputation as a progressive vanguard for the rest of the country , California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ sundown towns ” —a name derived from signs that used to appear on city borders warning Black people to stay away once the sun set .
Though Jim Cr ow was never codified in California the way it was in the South , towns like Burbank and Pasadena also shared some of the same exclusionary practices , like segregating swimming pools and barring non-whites from housing .
In at least 50 California towns , Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans were the primary focus of sundown laws during the 1870s and 1880s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Times .
While there were never explicit “ sundown ” laws officially in Glendale ’ s books , city records show officials routinely restricted the movement of people of color in the southern California city , such as police physically escorting nonwhite people outside Glendale city limits .
With its latest resolution , Glendale joins just two other American cities—La Crosse , Wis. , and Goshen , Ind.—that have publicly acknowledged and apologized for its sundown past .
As NBC Los Angeles reports , the Glendale city council says part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analyze the city ’ s racial history and connect it to how racial bias may be impacting its current hiring practices , housing and police policies .

Glendale, where less than 2 percent of residents identify as Black, has become the first California city–and the third in the nation—to publicly apologize for its racist history, with the city council unanimously passing a resolution this week addressing its history as a “sundown town,” a term applied to places that barred Black people from being in city limits after dark.
The resolution is seen among activists and council members as an important first step in addressing larger issues of systemic racism in the city.
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“[The city] has that legacy and it makes sense to address that head-on,” Glendale City Councilman Dan Brotman said, adding that the resolution commits local officials “to look at how we conduct affairs in Glendale and look at how racism may be playing a role.”
The resolution comes through the efforts of local Black activists, who have been working to get Glendale, once the headquarters of the American Nazi Party, to take ownership of its painful, fraught past.
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Tara Peterson, an organizer for the Coalition for an Anti-Racist Glendale told NBC Los Angeles there was value to acknowledging what the city once was, but also articulating its current values and its plan to address and redress its problems going forward.
“It’s extremely empowering and makes a community feel like they can come together and now we can think about healing and reconciliation,” said Peterson.
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Tanita Harris-Ligons echoed Peterson’s comments in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, pointing out that when she first moved to Glendale in 2008, locals kept asking her where she was visiting from—a subtle but clear indication, she says, that they couldn’t register a Black person might actually live there.
Her experiences, as well as those of her son, prompted Harris-Ligons to start the community and advocacy group Black in Glendale, which also backed the recent resolution.
Advertisement
“To me, this resolution symbolizes shifting your mindset and shifting your consciousness about inclusivity and acknowledging that there are other people in Glendale,” she said.
As the LA Times notes, despite its reputation as a progressive vanguard for the rest of the country, California was historically home to at least 100 “sundown towns”—a name derived from signs that used to appear on city borders warning Black people to stay away once the sun set. Though Jim Cr ow was never codified in California the way it was in the South, towns like Burbank and Pasadena also shared some of the same exclusionary practices, like segregating swimming pools and barring non-whites from housing.
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In at least 50 California towns, Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans were the primary focus of sundown laws during the 1870s and 1880s, James Loewen, a sociologist and historian told the Times.
While there were never explicit “sundown” laws officially in Glendale’s books, city records show officials routinely restricted the movement of people of color in the southern California city, such as police physically escorting nonwhite people outside Glendale city limits.
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With its latest resolution, Glendale joins just two other American cities—La Crosse, Wis., and Goshen, Ind.—that have publicly acknowledged and apologized for its sundown past. As NBC Los Angeles reports, the Glendale city council says part of the resolution includes hiring an investigator to analyze the city’s racial history and connect it to how racial bias may be impacting its current hiring practices, housing and police policies.


theroot--2020-10-15--Have We Officially Lost All Sense of Time, or Did Halloween Hit Early at the 2020 Billboard Music Aw

Have We Officially Lost All Sense of Time, or Did Halloween Hit Early at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards?

It ’ s October , right ?
Frankly , we ’ re not entirely sure , at this point ; the days are shorter , the darkness both literally and figuratively encroaching , and it ’ s getting colder—in fact , it ’ s starting to feel eerily like it did when we first started lockdown—maybe we ’ re stuck in a time loop ?
At any rate , given that our current state of whateverthehellthisis doesn ’ t seem to be ending anytime soon , you can ’ t blame us for sitting through yet another painfully awkward socially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we should probably get used to them ) .
We ’ re bored , y ’ all—and based on some of the lewks that hit the Billboard Awards stage on Wednesday night , a whole lot of celebs and their stylists are , too ( c ’ mon , we can ’ t live on lounge sets alone ) .
Quarantine has clearly sparked some extra creativity—and , in some cases , has proven that creating in a vacuum ain ’ t necessarily a good look at all .
One of the truest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is : “ there ’ s a fine line between an outfit and a get-up .
” W ith the combined forces of a pandemic and a contentious presidential election effectively canceling Halloween this year , I couldn ’ t help but wonder if some of our faves were trying to find a way to preemptively celebrate the lost holiday .
We ’ re well accustomed to entertainers being extra ( and in a former life/career , yours truly was a repeat offender ) , but this year felt a little ... dare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBMA host Kelly Clarkson , who seemed to be paying tribute to Sunset Boulevard throughout the evening , donning a series of old-Hollywood-style gowns that looked borrowed from the closet of fictional silent screen star Norma Desmond ( and believe it or not , coming from a classic film buff like me , that ’ s not a diss ) .
Clarkson was just one of many of the night ’ s stars who appeared to be channeling someone else , entirely .
For instance : The Root ’ s Entertainment Writer Tonja @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ bayangs ” at this year ’ s ceremony , but Lil Nas X ’ s was , by far , the most dramatic , as he once again seemed to be dressing in homage to ‘ 80s-era Prince ( and the more recently deceased Little Richard before him ) , wearing a vivid and fitted snakeskin suit by Gucci and giving us a hair look that might truly make doves cry .
That said , others recognized a potentially different influence at play ... Then , there was Alicia Keys , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who recently launched a beauty line touting both .
But her own beauty was almost unrecognizable at the BBMAs , as she rocked her own blowout and bayang with a spangled skintight look ( though Keys has long loved a catsuit ) .
Nicki Minaj may be on maternity leave from the music industry , but the “ girl on fire ” seemed more than ready to strut in her stead ( or live vicariously in Nicki cosplay ? )
as she performed “ Love Looks Good on You ” —and clearly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who noticed the resemblance .
Defying the odds of “ cancel culture , ” Doja Cat remains a controversial presence , even as she continues to rise in popularity—a fact she seemed to heartily embrace on Wednesday night as she took on the role of Chicago anti-heroine Roxie Hart to perform a medley of her nascent hits .
If you were a fan of the 2002 film ( at which time Doja Cat was only 7 ) , you no doubt instantly recognized the scene , and the homage was actually pretty impressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( plus some twerks ) .
“ Vocal Bible ” Brandy was hands-down the showstopper of the night , giving us easily one of the show ’ s best performances ( honorable mention to Demi Lovato , who took on the “ Commander-in-Chief ” with her own powerful vocals ) , reminding us why we still “ Wan na Be Down ” with the now all-grown-up singer-songwriter .
For the BBMAs , Brandy was outfitted in what I might personally describe as “ Reconstruction realness , ” rocking bronzed blond Bantu knots that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trademark braids .
As for the ensemble , there was a lot of look going on : there were sneakers , trousers , a jacket with extended tails , a corsetted cumberbund , a high and ruffled-necked , Victorian-style blouse , and lace fingerless gloves and scarf .
It was all very tea-stained and slightly tortured and ...
I admittedly don ’ t really know what the message was ( or if there was one ) , so I mainly focused on the tremendous vocals and nostalgia .
However , given our recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a few inevitably had a ... different takeaway—and hey , if that was Brandy ’ s message , we ’ re down with that , too .
We honestly couldn ’ t tell if Lizzo was dressed as a couture ballot box or our collective conscience ( we hope ) , but she was clearly feeling good as hell in the all over the one-shouldered minidress Christian Siriano designed for her , touting a message we heartily endorse : VOTE .
In fact , Lizzo ’ s latest look came just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting her legendary twerking skills to work as “ Auntie Sam ” to encourage y ’ all to “ get out and vote , ” as the voice of Big Freedia commands .
It was the kickoff to the singer ’ s campaign , LIZZOBEVOTING ( which you can text to 26797 to make sure you ’ re registered to vote , confirm your polling location , and get reminders for all your elections. )
.
Lastly , there was En Vogue—who came dressed as ... En Vogue , albeit three decades later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the ladies , still rocking in their 50s , gave us the energy those of us of a certain age knew and loved from “ Free Your Mind , ” complete with thigh-high boots and leather ( we still missed Dawn ’ s epic train , though—and Dawn and Maxine , come to think of it .
No shade to “ Miss R & B ” Rhona Bennett , who definitely did her thing , but ... nostalgia ) .
It was a fitting end to an otherwise odd ceremony—in keeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , kind of killed any urge we had to celebrate Halloween in two weeks .
Hell , the world is already scary enough .

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

It’s October, right? Frankly, we’re not entirely sure, at this point; the days are shorter, the darkness both literally and figuratively encroaching, and it’s getting colder—in fact, it’s starting to feel eerily like it did when we first started lockdown—maybe we’re stuck in a time loop?
At any rate, given that our current state of whateverthehellthisis doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon, you can’t blame us for sitting through yet another painfully awkward socially distanced awards show (in fact, we should probably get used to them). We’re bored, y’all—and based on some of the lewks that hit the Billboard Awards stage on Wednesday night, a whole lot of celebs and their stylists are, too (c’mon, we can’t live on lounge sets alone). Quarantine has clearly sparked some extra creativity—and, in some cases, has proven that creating in a vacuum ain’t necessarily a good look at all.
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One of the truest quips I’ve heard about fashion is: “there’s a fine line between an outfit and a get-up. ” W ith the combined forces of a pandemic and a contentious presidential election effectively canceling Halloween this year, I couldn’t help but wonder if some of our faves were trying to find a way to preemptively celebrate the lost holiday. We’re well accustomed to entertainers being extra (and in a former life/career , yours truly was a repeat offender), but this year felt a little...dare we say, costumey?
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Take perennial BBMA host Kelly Clarkson, who seemed to be paying tribute to Sunset Boulevard throughout the evening, donning a series of old-Hollywood-style gowns that looked borrowed from the closet of fictional silent screen star Norma Desmond (and believe it or not, coming from a classic film buff like me, that’s not a diss). Clarkson was just one of many of the night’s stars who appeared to be channeling someone else, entirely.
For instance: The Root’s Entertainment Writer Tonja Stidhum already chronicled the inexplicable prevalence of “bayangs” at this year’s ceremony, but Lil Nas X’s was, by far, the most dramatic, as he once again seemed to be dressing in homage to ‘80s-era Prince (and the more recently deceased Little Richard before him), wearing a vivid and fitted snakeskin suit by Gucci and giving us a hair look that might truly make doves cry.
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That said, others recognized a potentially different influence at play...
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Then, there was Alicia Keys, she of all things organic and all-natural, who recently launched a beauty line touting both. But her own beauty was almost unrecognizable at the BBMAs, as she rocked her own blowout and bayang with a spangled skintight look (though Keys has long loved a catsuit). Nicki Minaj may be on maternity leave from the music industry, but the “girl on fire” seemed more than ready to strut in her stead (or live vicariously in Nicki cosplay?) as she performed “Love Looks Good on You”—and clearly, I wasn’t the only one who noticed the resemblance.
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Defying the odds of “cancel culture,” Doja Cat remains a controversial presence, even as she continues to rise in popularity—a fact she seemed to heartily embrace on Wednesday night as she took on the role of Chicago anti-heroine Roxie Hart to perform a medley of her nascent hits. If you were a fan of the 2002 film (at which time Doja Cat was only 7), you no doubt instantly recognized the scene, and the homage was actually pretty impressive in comparison, complete with Fosse-like choreography (plus some twerks).
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“Vocal Bible” Brandy was hands-down the showstopper of the night, giving us easily one of the show’s best performances (honorable mention to Demi Lovato, who took on the “Commander-in-Chief” with her own powerful vocals), reminding us why we still “Wanna Be Down” with the now all-grown-up singer-songwriter. For the BBMAs, Brandy was outfitted in what I might personally describe as “Reconstruction realness,” rocking bronzed blond Bantu knots that literally put a new spin on her trademark braids. As for the ensemble, there was a lot of look going on: there were sneakers, trousers, a jacket with extended tails, a corsetted cumberbund, a high and ruffled-necked, Victorian-style blouse, and lace fingerless gloves and scarf. It was all very tea-stained and slightly tortured and...I admittedly don’t really know what the message was (or if there was one), so I mainly focused on the tremendous vocals and nostalgia.
Advertisement
However, given our recent immersion into HBO’s Lovecraft Country, a few inevitably had a...different takeaway—and hey, if that was Brandy’s message, we’re down with that, too.
Advertisement
We honestly couldn’t tell if Lizzo was dressed as a couture ballot box or our collective conscience (we hope), but she was clearly feeling good as hell in the all over the one-shouldered minidress Christian Siriano designed for her, touting a message we heartily endorse: VOTE.
Advertisement
In fact, Lizzo’s latest look came just a day after she donned another costume, putting her legendary twerking skills to work as “Auntie Sam” to encourage y’all to “get out and vote,” as the voice of Big Freedia commands. It was the kickoff to the singer’s campaign, LIZZOBEVOTING (which you can text to 26797 to make sure you’re registered to vote, confirm your polling location, and get reminders for all your elections.).
Advertisement
Lastly, there was En Vogue—who came dressed as...En Vogue, albeit three decades later and a couple of members twice removed. But the ladies, still rocking in their 50s, gave us the energy those of us of a certain age knew and loved from “Free Your Mind,” complete with thigh-high boots and leather (we still missed Dawn’s epic train, though—and Dawn and Maxine, come to think of it. No shade to “Miss R&B” Rhona Bennett, who definitely did her thing, but...nostalgia).
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It was a fitting end to an otherwise odd ceremony—in keeping with the year—and after all those costumes, kind of killed any urge we had to celebrate Halloween in two weeks. Hell, the world is already scary enough.


theroot--2020-10-15--Sen. Kamala Harris Halts Campaign Travel After Staffer Tests Positive for COVID-19

I see what you are trying to do and I rebuke you in the name of our Lord and savior , Robyn Rihanna Fenty .
California Sen. Kamala Harris , Joe Biden ’ s running mate to take down the beasts from Lovecraft Country that inhabit the White House , has halted campaign travel after two people—a flight crew member and Harris ’ communications director , Liz Allen — tested positive for coronavirus .
CNN notes that Harris was not in close contact with either person but that doesn ’ t mean that she isn ’ t being cautious , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the importance of her election , but the fate of the world depends on Harris and Biden staying healthy enough to beat white nationalist Thanos .
The movie doesn ’ t work if Tony Stark gets a fever and the chills and needs to lay down and self-isolate for 14 days .
Harris was supposed to head to North Carolina on Thursday but that has been postponed , and she ’ s expected to stay off the travel trail until Monday .
“ Neither of these people have had contact with Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffers since testing positive or in the 48 hours prior to their positive test results , ” Biden campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillon said in a statement .
“ After being with Senator Harris , both individuals attended personal , non-campaign events in the past week .
Under our campaign ’ s strict health protocols , both individuals had to be tested before returning to their work with the campaign from these personal events , ” she said .
“ These protocols help protect the campaign , the staff , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; the importance of having such protocols—which include testing before resuming duties , regular testing while working in-person , isolation after time off , and masking and distancing while on campaign duties—have been illustrated once again.
” O ’ Malley Dillon also noted that since Oct. 8 , Harris has taken two PCR tests for coronavirus and has tested negative .

Not today, Satan.
I see what you are trying to do and I rebuke you in the name of our Lord and savior, Robyn Rihanna Fenty.
California Sen. Kamala Harris, Joe Biden’s running mate to take down the beasts from Lovecraft Country that inhabit the White House, has halted campaign travel after two people—a flight crew member and Harris’ communications director, Liz Allen — tested positive for coronavirus.
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CNN notes that Harris was not in close contact with either person but that doesn’t mean that she isn’t being cautious, and rightfully so. Not to overplay the importance of her election, but the fate of the world depends on Harris and Biden staying healthy enough to beat white nationalist Thanos. The movie doesn’t work if Tony Stark gets a fever and the chills and needs to lay down and self-isolate for 14 days. Harris was supposed to head to North Carolina on Thursday but that has been postponed, and she’s expected to stay off the travel trail until Monday.
“Neither of these people have had contact with Vice President Biden, Senator Harris or any other staffers since testing positive or in the 48 hours prior to their positive test results,” Biden campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon said in a statement.
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“After being with Senator Harris, both individuals attended personal, non-campaign events in the past week. Under our campaign’s strict health protocols, both individuals had to be tested before returning to their work with the campaign from these personal events,” she said. “These protocols help protect the campaign, the staff, and anyone who they may have contact with; the importance of having such protocols—which include testing before resuming duties, regular testing while working in-person, isolation after time off, and masking and distancing while on campaign duties—have been illustrated once again.”
O’Malley Dillon also noted that since Oct. 8, Harris has taken two PCR tests for coronavirus and has tested negative.


theroot--2020-10-15--Right Now Save 50% on the Bella Pro Series 6-Qt. Air Fryer

Air Fryers are such a wild trend and just when I think it ’ s time has passed a deal like this pops up and everyone goes crazy .
In all seriousness , my pals who have one love it .
If you ’ re in the hunt this Bella Pro Series model is $ 50 less today only at Best Buy .
This 6- quart touchscreen air fryer is powerful and efficient to turn all your goods crispy and evenly cooked .
The heat tech also makes sure you aren ’ t wasting energy as it preheats much fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the market .
Although it might seem small it can handle up to five pounds of food at a time , so if you ’ re thinking of making a large friend chicken the Bella Pro can take it .
There ’ s auto-shutoff after an hour so no fear about accidentally leaving it on .
This fryer is easy to clean because the pan and tray can go in the dishwasher .
It ’ s simple to program for frying , broiling , roasting , reheating , and even dehydrating with very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Plenty of new things to try once get this appliance in your kitchen .
This will ship free from Best Buy .

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

Bella Pro Series 6qt Analog Air Fryer | $40 | Best Buy
Air Fryers are such a wild trend, and just when I think their time has passed a deal like this pops up and everyone goes crazy. If you’re ready to see what air frying is all about, this Bella Pro Series model is half off today at Best Buy.
This 6-quart analog air fryer is powerful and efficient to turn all your goods crispy and evenly cooked. The heat tech also makes sure you aren’t wasting energy as it preheats much faster than other fryers and convection ovens on the market.
Although it might seem small, this analog air fryer can handle up to five pounds of food at a time, so if you’re thinking of making a large frie d chicken, the Bella Pro can take it. There’s auto-shutoff after an hour, so no fear about accidentally leaving it on. And cleanup? Have it done in a snap: T he pan and tray are both dishwasher-safe .
This will ship free from Best Buy.
This deal was originally published by Sheilah Villari on 10/15/20 and was updated with new information by Elizabeth Lanier on 7/4/21.


theroot--2020-10-16--We, the People: Converse's Marcus Garvey-Inspired Collab Is 'a Powerful Provocation to Young Black M

We, the People: Converse's Marcus Garvey-Inspired Collab Is 'a Powerful Provocation to Young Black Men and Women'

Is it just me , or is Converse having a moment ?
Just last month , we were waxing poetic about the brand ’ s back-to-back collaborations with Black-helmed retailer and artists ’ collective Union , resulting in stunning capsule collections from photographer Shaniqwa Jarvis and toile-twisting interior designer Sheila Bridges .
Only yesterday , Vogue penned a literal love letter to the kicks ( no , really , it was titled “ Converse : A Love Letter ” ) , and , in addition to her incisive political mind and biting wit , Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moniker of “ the Converse candidate ” ( h/t Elle ) .
Yes , Converse has come a long way from its origins in 1908 , but don ’ t call it a comeback ( devotee and The Root ’ s News Editor Monique Judge will kill me if I do ) .
While we ’ ve seen a recent resurgence in its popularity ( no doubt enhanced by our comfort-seeking current state of affairs ) , the footwear classic has been here for years—112 years , to date .
In keeping with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s next release , the Converse x Denim Tears Chuck 70 , is a collaboration with “ multi-disciplined storyteller ” Tremaine Emory that pays tribute to an early-20th-century hero—an immigrant and activist who believed in the collective power of the Black community , Marcus Garvey .
Converse sneakers have always been a vehicle for others to tell a story , reflect their personal identity .
With the ability for a product to deliver meaning more important now than ever before , Tremaine Emory aka Denim Tears , presents a powerful provocation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest collaboration : If the Chuck is a classic and iconic expression of American culture , how does its meaning transform when it reflects the black experience and identity ?
The African American flag , a constant symbol in Tremaine ’ s work , is an artistic evolution of Marcus Garvey ’ s red , black and green Pan-African flag first ratified in 1920 – and was intended to be not only artwork for artwork ’ s sake , but moreover a flag for a new form and a new truth .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do is help things be seen , and in modern times that may have been lost for whatever reason .
I love to take iconography , manipulate it and also reshow it to people who haven ’ t seen it , ” explains Emory to Nike News .
“ My favorite All Star is the red , white and blue one , ” he says .
“ Applying the red , black and green puts the Black gaze on that version , making something just as cool — but allowing more people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s about creating a metaphor for Black people having a part in this country that they built.
” For those previously familiar with the red , black and green rendition of the American flag ( widely known as the African American flag ) via acclaimed artist David Hammons , it ’ s worth noting that Hammons also garnered inspiration from Garvey , as noted by Korean nonprofit arts organization Public Delivery : Emory builds upon that evocative visual legacy ; first encountering the flag near his childhood home in Jamaica , Queens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flag “ for a new nation , a flag for a new insight , it is a flag for a new form and a new truth.
” In his art , which spans mediums , he “ has long advocated against injustices against the Black community around the world , with the goal of sparking conversation to drive progress.
” The creator worked with Converse for four months to translate the African American Flag to the canvas of the Chuck 70 for the first time—plus accessories , including a custom Denim Tears license @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the colors of the flag .
Additionally , the collaboration has birthed an extended platform “ that aims to increase civic education , engagement and participation among young Black creatives leading into the U.S. election this November and beyond.
” The platform ’ s awareness efforts include a further collaboration with artist collective For Freedoms resulting in an upcoming short film on civic engagement featuring Emory and For Freedoms founder and artist Hank Willis Thomas and a graphic voting series and campaign titled , “ The Future is Yours .
Vote.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Black-owned experiential retailer by James Whitner , will distribute the campaign in five states—several of which are “ battleground states ” —Florida , Georgia , North Carolina , Ohio , and Texas , with the intention of increasing “ education , awareness and encouraging the Black community to show up to the polls.
” Lastly , since this collaboration will no doubt sell out immediately , there is rightfully a financial component .
In support of Emory ’ s goals to raise civic engagement and furthering its own ongoing Vote campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20,000 people in initiating or confirming their registration status ) , Converse provided an additional ( but undisclosed ) monetary contribution to voting initiatives .
Additionally , from the point of its pre-sale on October 22 , all proceeds from the Converse x Denim Tears collaboration will be donated to “ further the missions ” of For Freedoms and Black Voters Matter .
“ It ’ s about helping people realize what they can do , ” said Emory .
“ I want to help inspire people to self-educate , and to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Converse x Denim Tears Chuck 70 will be available exclusively at DenimTears.com on October 22 and globally on Converse.com and select retailers on October 29 .
“ Tremaine Emory exemplifies the power of using your voice to create positive social change , ” Vice President of Global Footwear at Converse Brandis Russell tells Nike News .
“ We hope that the application of the African-American flag to our iconic Chuck will encourage dialogue on the Black American experience today and help ignite the change we want to see for a more equitable future @ @

Is it just me, or is Converse having a moment? Just last month, we were waxing poetic about the brand’s back-to-back collaborations with Black-helmed retailer and artists’ collective Union, resulting in stunning capsule collections from photographer Shaniqwa Jarvis and toile-twisting interior designer Sheila Bridges. Only yesterday, Vogue penned a literal love letter to the kicks (no, really, it was titled “Converse: A Love Letter”), and, in addition to her incisive political mind and biting wit, Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ affinity for the sneakers earned her the moniker of “the Converse candidate” (h/t Elle).
Advertisement
Yes, Converse has come a long way from its origins in 1908, but don’t call it a comeback (devotee and The Root’s News Editor Monique Judge will kill me if I do). While we’ve seen a recent resurgence in its popularity (no doubt enhanced by our comfort-seeking current state of affairs), the footwear classic has been here for years—112 years, to date. In keeping with the era of its origin, Converse’s next release, the Converse x Denim Tears Chuck 70, is a collaboration with “multi-disciplined storyteller” Tremaine Emory that pays tribute to an early-20th-century hero—an immigrant and activist who believed in the collective power of the Black community, Marcus Garvey.
From the brand:
Converse sneakers have always been a vehicle for others to tell a story, reflect their personal identity. With the ability for a product to deliver meaning more important now than ever before, Tremaine Emory aka Denim Tears, presents a powerful provocation to young Black men and women through his latest collaboration: If the Chuck is a classic and iconic expression of American culture, how does its meaning transform when it reflects the black experience and identity? ... The African American flag, a constant symbol in Tremaine’s work, is an artistic evolution of Marcus Garvey’s red, black and green Pan-African flag first ratified in 1920 – and was intended to be not only artwork for artwork’s sake, but moreover a flag for a new form and a new truth.
Advertisement Advertisement
“One of the best things you can do is help things be seen, and in modern times that may have been lost for whatever reason. I love to take iconography, manipulate it and also reshow it to people who haven’t seen it,” explains Emory to Nike News. “My favorite All Star is the red, white and blue one,” he says. “Applying the red, black and green puts the Black gaze on that version, making something just as cool — but allowing more people to see themselves in it. It’s about creating a metaphor for Black people having a part in this country that they built.”
Advertisement
For those previously familiar with the red, black and green rendition of the American flag (widely known as the African American flag) via acclaimed artist David Hammons, it’s worth noting that Hammons also garnered inspiration from Garvey, as noted by Korean nonprofit arts organization Public Delivery:
Hammons was inspired by two contrasting symbols: the U.S flag and the Pan-African flag adopted by the group Universal Negro Improvement Association6 (UNIA) by Marcus Garvey and African Communities League in 1920. He merged two flags to evoke a conversation about the feeble history behind the flag of the United States and the mixed messages it conveys about their history. The design of the flag also drew some inspirations from the Watts riots7 that took place in the region of Watts in Los Angeles between August 11 and 16, 1965.
Advertisement
Emory builds upon that evocative visual legacy; first encountering the flag near his childhood home in Jamaica, Queens, N.Y., he interprets it as a flag “for a new nation, a flag for a new insight, it is a flag for a new form and a new truth.” In his art, which spans mediums, he “has long advocated against injustices against the Black community around the world, with the goal of sparking conversation to drive progress.” The creator worked with Converse for four months to translate the African American Flag to the canvas of the Chuck 70 for the first time—plus accessories, including a custom Denim Tears license plate, dual-branded sockliner and additional laces in the colors of the flag.
Additionally, the collaboration has birthed an extended platform “that aims to increase civic education, engagement and participation among young Black creatives leading into the U.S. election this November and beyond.” The platform’s awareness efforts include a further collaboration with artist collective For Freedoms resulting in an upcoming short film on civic engagement featuring Emory and For Freedoms founder and artist Hank Willis Thomas and a graphic voting series and campaign titled, “The Future is Yours. Vote.” A further partnership with the Whitaker Group, a Black-owned experiential retailer by James Whitner, will distribute the campaign in five states—several of which are “battleground states”—Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas, with the intention of increasing “education, awareness and encouraging the Black community to show up to the polls.”
Advertisement
Lastly, since this collaboration will no doubt sell out immediately, there is rightfully a financial component. In support of Emory’s goals to raise civic engagement and furthering its own ongoing Vote campaign (which has thus far engaged over 20,000 people in initiating or confirming their registration status), Converse provided an additional (but undisclosed) monetary contribution to voting initiatives. Additionally, from the point of its pre-sale on October 22, all proceeds from the Converse x Denim Tears collaboration will be donated to “further the missions” of For Freedoms and Black Voters Matter.
“It’s about helping people realize what they can do,” said Emory. “I want to help inspire people to self-educate, and to keep it going after this election.”
Advertisement
The Converse x Denim Tears Chuck 70 will be available exclusively at DenimTears.com on October 22 and globally on Converse.com and select retailers on October 29.
“Tremaine Emory exemplifies the power of using your voice to create positive social change,” Vice President of Global Footwear at Converse Brandis Russell tells Nike News. “We hope that the application of the African-American flag to our iconic Chuck will encourage dialogue on the Black American experience today and help ignite the change we want to see for a more equitable future.”


theroot--2020-10-16--Tony Awards 2020: Slave Play and Tina - The Tina Turner Musical Among Top Nominations

As we recently reported , the Tony Awards will be going virtual this year ( like every other major award ceremony ) .
On Thursday , Tony Award Winner James Monroe Iglehart ( Aladdin ) hosted the nominations announcement in true dramatic flair .
Black Broadway is having a good year as Slave Play and Tina - The Tina Turner Musical were each tied in the Top 3 with 12 nominations , each .
Both shows scored the big category in their respective lanes—Jeremy O. Harris ’ Slave Play getting the Best Play nomination and Tina - The Tina Turner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The directing and writing categories have some Black representation , including Kenny Leon ( Best Direction of a Play ; A Soldier ’ s Play ) , Robert O ’ Hara ( Best Direction of a Play ; Slave Play ) and Katori Hall ( Best Book of a Musical ; Tina - The Tina Turner Musical ) .
Let ’ s get into the actors !
In the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play , we have Audra McDonald ( Frankie and Johnny in the Clair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Slave Play ) .
Adrienne Warren ( Tina - The Tina Turner Musical ) scored a nom under the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical category .
Ato Blankson-Wood ( Slave Play ) and David Alan Grier ( A Soldier ’ s Play ) land noms in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play category and Chalia La Tour ( Slave Play ) was nominated in the actress equivalent category .
As for Featured Actors / Actresses in the Musical category @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Tina - The Tina Turner Musical ) and Myra Lucretia Taylor ( Tina - The Tina Turner Musical ) for their respective noms .
Blair Underwood ( A Soldier ’ s Play ) got a nom for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play .
The category for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical only has one nominee and he ’ s white so I guess we ’ ll move on from there !
Per the Tonys press release sent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened in any of the 41 eligible Broadway theatres during the abbreviated 2019-2020 season and met all eligibility requirements were considered for Tony nominations .
The 2019/2020 eligibility season began April 26 , 2019 and ended February 19 , 2020 .
The Tony Awards will be voted in 25 competitive categories by 784 designated Tony voters within the theatre community .
The 2019-2020 Tony Award Nominating Committee consists of : Emily Altman , Bob Alwine , Becky Ann Baker , Pun Bandhu , Milly Barranger , Suzy Benzinger , Brenda Braxton , Christopher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kristoffer Diaz , Jerry Dixon , Judith Dolan , Jill BC Du Boff , John Erman , Peter Jay Fernandez , Kamilah Forbes , Scott Frankel , Maija Garcia , Mason Granger , Ann Harada , JoAnn Hunter , Branden Jacobs-Jenkins , Michael Kantor , Nina Lannan , Martyna Majok , John Mauceri , Jonathan McCrory , Sheila Nevins , Peter Parnell , Benj Pasek , Neil Patel , Rosalba Rolón , Daphne Rubin-Vega , Don Scardino , Kimberly Senior , Natasha Sinha , Randy Skinner , Niegel Smith , Michael Stotts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full list of the 74th Annual Antoinette Perry “ Tony ” Awards nominations , head to tonyawards.com .
The 2020 Tonys ceremony will take place digitally in Fall/Winter 2020 .

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

Curtain call! The 2020 Tony Awards nominations have arrived!
As we recently reported, the Tony Awards will be going virtual this year (like every other major award ceremony).
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On Thursday, Tony Award Winner James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin) hosted the nominations announcement in true dramatic flair.
74th Annual Tony Awards Nominations Announcement / YouTube
Black Broadway is having a good year as Slave Play and Tina - The Tina Turner Musical were each tied in the Top 3 with 12 nominations, each. Both shows scored the big category in their respective lanes—Jeremy O. Harris’ Slave Play getting the Best Play nomination and Tina - The Tina Turner Musical getting the Best Musical nomination.
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The directing and writing categories have some Black representation, including Kenny Leon (Best Direction of a Play; A Soldier’s Play), Robert O’Hara (Best Direction of a Play; Slave Play) and Katori Hall (Best Book of a Musical; Tina - The Tina Turner Musical).
Let’s get into the actors! In the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play, we have Audra McDonald (Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune) and Joaquina Kalukango (Slave Play). Adrienne Warren (Tina - The Tina Turner Musical) scored a nom under the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical category.
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Ato Blankson-Wood (Slave Play) and David Alan Grier (A Soldier’s Play) land noms in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play category and Chalia La Tour (Slave Play) was nominated in the actress equivalent category. As for Featured Actors / Actresses in the Musical category, you can congratulate Daniel J. Watts (Tina - The Tina Turner Musical) and Myra Lucretia Taylor (Tina - The Tina Turner Musical) for their respective noms.
Blair Underwood (A Soldier’s Play) got a nom for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play. The category for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical only has one nominee and he’s white so I guess we’ll move on from there!
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Per the Tonys press release sent to The Root:
Legitimate theatrical productions that opened in any of the 41 eligible Broadway theatres during the abbreviated 2019-2020 season and met all eligibility requirements were considered for Tony nominations. The 2019/2020 eligibility season began April 26, 2019 and ended February 19, 2020. The Tony Awards will be voted in 25 competitive categories by 784 designated Tony voters within the theatre community. The 2019-2020 Tony Award Nominating Committee consists of: Emily Altman, Bob Alwine, Becky Ann Baker, Pun Bandhu, Milly Barranger, Suzy Benzinger, Brenda Braxton, Christopher Burney, Dawn Chiang, Eisa Davis, Kristoffer Diaz, Jerry Dixon, Judith Dolan, Jill BC Du Boff, John Erman, Peter Jay Fernandez, Kamilah Forbes, Scott Frankel, Maija Garcia, Mason Granger, Ann Harada, JoAnn Hunter, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Michael Kantor, Nina Lannan, Martyna Majok, John Mauceri, Jonathan McCrory, Sheila Nevins, Peter Parnell, Benj Pasek, Neil Patel, Rosalba Rolón, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Don Scardino, Kimberly Senior, Natasha Sinha, Randy Skinner, Niegel Smith, Michael Stotts and Michael Benjamin Washington.
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For the full list of the 74th Annual Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards nominations, head to tonyawards.com. The 2020 Tonys ceremony will take place digitally in Fall/Winter 2020.


theroot--2020-10-16--Watch: Minding Our Black Business With The Heiritage's Shawna Davis and Tiffany Mickel, Who Created

Watch: Minding Our Black Business With The Heiritage's Shawna Davis and Tiffany Mickel, Who Created a Deck of Cards Full of Black Queens

Along with my colorful collection of Crown Royal bags , tennis shoes and children , there ’ s probably nothing I have more of in my house than decks of playing cards .
This is partially because of a habit I picked up in college due to rampant Spades playing : I never wanted to be caught out in the streets without a deck of cards and thus rendered unable to play an impromptu game of Spades .
Or tonk .
I have cards in my backpacks .
I keep multiple decks of cards ( plus UNO ) in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most of the decks are standard-issue decks of cars you cop from CVS , Target , etc .
Amazingly , until discovering the deck of cards covered with Black women , I ’ d never really thought of representation while running Bostons on folks who dare sit at my Spades table .
Or slamming down the Big Joker with a picture of Angela Davis on it .
But that ’ s what happens when you ’ re not paying attention—somebody creates a product that has you at “ hello.
” Some things you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until you see that they exist .
That ’ s how Black excellence works sometimes .
Such is the space and product created by two young Black women , Shawna Davis and Tiffany Mickel , graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who decided one day to create a deck of playing cards that paid homage to Black women .
They created a company called the Heiritage , and well , the rest is history .
They joined us for a discussion about why they created the deck , what that process was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most important question of all—who is the Big Joker : Angela Davis or Maya Angelou .
Check out our interview with the two entrepreneurs and then make sure you cop you some decks of cards .
And always , always ...

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


theroot--2020-10-16--Tre'vell Anderson Honors TransGriot Creator and Activist Monica Roberts

“ I ’ m glad to be sharing a spot on this list with so many other Black queer and trans folks who are doing the work and committed to our liberation.
” — Tre ’ vell Anderson , Journalist , 2020 The Root 100 Honoree Tre ’ vell Anderson is booked , busy and a bad bitch who isn ’ t afraid to let you know it .
The entertainment journalist and host of the FANTI podcast has not only come to slay but also unapologetically make their voice heard .
“ As a Black queer non-binary person of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the work that we do gets ignored or no one pays attention—or everybody just likes to benefit from it without really uplifting the folks , ” Anderson said .
Many of the 2020 The Root 100 honoree ’ s nuanced works speak to the complexities of Black and LGBTQ identity , something they acknowledge as possible due to the work of trailblazers like the late TransGriot blog creator and trans icon , Monica Roberts .
“ It ’ s important that if you believe Black Lives Matter , that she ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s someone that you uplift.
” Anderson speaks about life and shares a special message for their Black , queer , and trans kinfolk and more in the video above .


theroot--2020-10-16--Pour Yourself a Glass of Something Strong for Today's Can't-Miss Huckberry Deals

The best Huckberry deals of October 2020 are here .
Need a new button-down shirt for your Zoom meetings ?
How about a warm coat for the increasingly chipper socially-distanced morning strolls ?
Gearing up for a nature trek in the weeks ahead ?
Huckberry can help you on all of those fronts , and at a great price too .
Huckberry has all sorts of stuff on sale right now , from shirts to coats and shoes , not to mention a bidet and candle ( separately ) .
There ’ s free shipping on orders of $ 75 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returns .
Save $ 187 on this Capalbio linen blazer , an Italian-made layer that ’ s perfect whether you ’ re spending the day outdoors or having a fine meal with friends .
It ’ s lightweight and breathable , with handy pockets for your phone and other items .
Ready to take the plunge and bring a bidet toilet seat into your home ?
Tushy ’ s Spa bidet attachment only takes about 10 minutes to mount to your existing toilet , with just a smidge of plumbing and no electricity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 off right now , although note that you can ’ t return it once you open the installation hardware because … well , you know .
Need an attractive and affordable new candle for your space ?
P.F .
Candle Co ’ s Swell candle is marked down from $ 25 right now , delivering a blend of black currant , tuberose , and sea moss .
Swell is meant to represent 12pm in the day , and the 10oz candle is expected to burn for 50-60 hours .
Get nautical with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shirt , which has an almost denim-like look with a print featuring small shark and diver images all across the fabric .
It ’ s $ 34 off at Huckberry right now .
If you ’ re planning a solo jaunt away from society and its helping hands , then you ’ ll want to make sure you ’ re at least equipped to bandage yourself up and deal with any small emergencies as needed .
That ’ s where the MyMedic The Solo compact first aid kit comes in handy .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll need to patch yourself up and get yourself feeling OK again in a pinch .
It ’ s 26 % off right now at Huckberry .
These slip-on loafers are built from soft leather and have been handmade in Northern Italy by the same family for six generations now .
According to Huckberry , they ’ re “ eco-friendly , handsome as hell , and represent the best value on the market.
” They ’ re marked down $ 74 off the list right now , so that last part is especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made in Portugal , using a “ lightweight fabric [ that ] was developed centuries ago for folks in India to feel comfortable during their scorching summers.
” Sounds epic , and looks pretty comfy too .
Best of all , it ’ s half off the list price right now .
It ’ s always helpful to have an absorbent towel handy while backpacking or exploring , but quality towels often take up a heap of space .
Not Turkish Towels .
The brand ’ s Herringbone towel ( 40x70 ” ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approximate shape and size of a burrito , yet is claimed to be as absorbent as a beach towel .
It dries quickly and gets softer with each wash , too !
Save $ 15 right now from Huckberry .
Grayers ’ Paragon quilted featherweight jacket looks like a perfect jacket for the autumn ahead , thanks to its thin and lightweight design .
It ’ ll keep heat in and block the wind without being overbearing , plus you ’ ll save $ 74 off the list price from Huckberry right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this sleek and stylish Proof Elements jacket , which looks like the perfect option for cool summer nights and then autumn beyond .
The ThermoTech fabric warms up as you wear it , keeping you comfortable despite the thin build .

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

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


theroot--2020-10-16--Robin Givens Responds to Jamie Foxx's Mike Tyson Biopic: 'I Felt Like the World Was Crumbling Again'

Robin Givens remains deeply traumatized by ex-husband Mike Tyson , telling People magazine that she felt “ like the world was crumbling again ” when she heard about the upcoming biopic of the heavyweight boxer .
The film , which will star Oscar winner Jamie Foxx as Tyson , was triggering for the Riverdale star , who filed for divorce from Tyson in 1988 after eight months of marriage , saying he had physically abused her .
“ I felt this drop in the pit of my stomach and was like , ‘ Oh no , here we go again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tyson himself admitted to hitting Givens , though the man who recorded 44 career knockouts characterized the abuse as mutual— “ I have socked her before , and she socked me before , as well .
It was just that kind of relationship , ” he told Oprah Winfrey in 2009 .
But as Givens made clear to People , the pain of the relationship didn ’ t end with the dissolution of their marriage .
“ I remember my ex-husband calling up and saying , ‘ I ’ ve decided I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m going to make your life so miserable you ’ re going to slit your own throat and die , ’ ” she said .
Tyson has “ re-victimize [ d ] her ” in the years since , Givens continued , particularly in his one-man show Undisputed Truth and his memoir .
She also accused him of saying inaccurate , “ slanderous ” things about her on his podcast , “ Hotboxing With Mike Tyson.
” Among the false allegations , she said , are claims that she stole Tyson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found her in bed with former flame Brad Pitt—both of which she denies .
“ He ’ s not physically hitting me anymore , but it hurts almost as much , ” she said .
Fearful of how she might be represented in the upcoming biopic , Givens filed a cease-and-desist letter threatening legal action if the movie features “ derogatory and slanderous remarks ” about her .
A rep for Tyson told People they hadn ’ t received such a letter , but that Tyson and the filmmakers had not intended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movie .
Still , Givens is glad she stood up for herself—a departure from how she used to respond , she told People .
As for being kept out of the Tyson biopic , Givens told the celebrity news outlet , “ I ’ m more than relieved .
”

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

Robin Givens remains deeply traumatized by ex-husband Mike Tyson, telling People magazine that she felt “like the world was crumbling again” when she heard about the upcoming biopic of the heavyweight boxer.
The film, which will star Oscar winner Jamie Foxx as Tyson, was triggering for the Riverdale star, who filed for divorce from Tyson in 1988 after eight months of marriage, saying he had physically abused her.
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“I felt this drop in the pit of my stomach and was like, ‘Oh no, here we go again,’” Givens told People.
Tyson himself admitted to hitting Givens, though the man who recorded 44 career knockouts characterized the abuse as mutual—“I have socked her before, and she socked me before, as well. It was just that kind of relationship,” he told Oprah Winfrey in 2009.
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But as Givens made clear to People, the pain of the relationship didn’t end with the dissolution of their marriage.
“I remember my ex-husband calling up and saying, ‘I’ve decided I’m not going to kill you. I’m going to make your life so miserable you’re going to slit your own throat and die,’” she said.
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Tyson has “re-victimize[d] her” in the years since, Givens continued, particularly in his one-man show Undisputed Truth and his memoir. She also accused him of saying inaccurate, “slanderous” things about her on his podcast, “Hotboxing With Mike Tyson.”
Among the false allegations, she said, are claims that she stole Tyson’s money and that he once found her in bed with former flame Brad Pitt—both of which she denies.
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“He’s not physically hitting me anymore, but it hurts almost as much,” she said.
Fearful of how she might be represented in the upcoming biopic, Givens filed a cease-and-desist letter threatening legal action if the movie features “derogatory and slanderous remarks” about her. A rep for Tyson told People they hadn’t received such a letter, but that Tyson and the filmmakers had not intended to include his relationship with Givens in the movie.
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Still, Givens is glad she stood up for herself—a departure from how she used to respond, she told People. As for being kept out of the Tyson biopic, Givens told the celebrity news outlet, “I’m more than relieved.”


theroot--2020-10-16--Real Spooky Hours In This Week’s Good-Ass Games at Good-Ass Prices

It ’ s October , which means two things in my household : Blade II on repeat and scary-ass games .
I figure I should probably take a break from Blade II to put you on some spooky-ass games at some good-ass prices , because , you know , it ’ s kind of my job .
This game came out six years ago and is still capable of scaring the hell out of me .
I ’ ve been a huge fan of the Alien movies since I was an itty-bitty 12-year-old and this is easily my favorite game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Predator 2 from way back in the day .
Anyway , this game is a first-person survival horror game that places you in the boots of Amanda Ripley , daughter of Ellen Ripley , the protagonist of the original Alien movies .
A space station reports that it has found the flight recorder data for the Nostromo , the ship on which Amanda ’ s mother went missing following the events of the first film , so Ripley and her crew go to check it out .
Of course , once you get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that bitch so you have to sneak around the space station , and try not to get your face bitten off by the alien .
This game is hard , but it ’ s an incredible recreation of the aesthetics and tone of the first Alien , completely nailing that iconic blend of sci-fi and horror .
At only eight bucks , too ?
I ’ m just saying , it ’ s a Friday , folks .
You could watch Blade II , follow it up with this , and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not “ technically ” a horror game , but Sweet Tooth looked creepy as shit in this and my PS2 loving self will never pass up an opportunity to talk about some PS2 games .
Twisted Metal : Black was the last entry in the classic era of Twisted Metal games .
Black is a car combat game that allows you to select from a series of drivers who all compete in the Twisted Metal tournament .
Whoever wins the tournament gets their—usually quite fucked up—wish granted by the devious Calypso .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” horror , but the premise and execution are quite dark .
The aesthetics , which are admittedly quite dated , give the game a lurid , grimy feeling .
Whereas Twisted Metal 1-4 were essentially Hot Wheels by way of Death Race , Black just feels dirty .
It was one of those games that made me feel like I was getting away with something when I was younger .
The gameplay still holds up in my opinion , in large part because we simply don ’ t get car combat games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re in the mood for some nostalgia , why not play some Twisted Metal : Black before popping on Blade II ?
On the list of games I won ’ t shut the fuck up about , Vanquish and Bayonetta are at the top .
These are pound for pound , the greatest action games to come out in the last decade .
I already can hear y ’ all in the comments : God of War ?
Just because I have daddy issues doesn ’ t mean I think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Look , I ’ m gon na keep this simple .
You ’ re gon na go on your goddamn Xbox , rent Blade goddamn II , and buy these goddamn games , dammit !
What are they about ?
Oh .
Well , since you asked- Bayonetta is an action game that puts you in the gun-heeled shoes of its titular character , who also happens to be an umbral witch .
While the story is a little all over the place , the moment to moment action is what keeps you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more stylish take on the Devil May Cry-style of action .
Also , the witchy nature of the game definitely fits the bill for spooky season .
Vanquish , my favorite action game of all time , is a title that asks the question “ what if John Wick had a mech suit ?
” The thing about action games is that most of them tend to involve swords , or a more melee-centric approach to combat .
Vanquish takes all the style and energy of those games and somehow applies it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fast paced , run-and-gun , third-person shooter that till this day shits on all competition .
Now , I already told you what you ’ re going to do .
So if I come into your room , and I don ’ t see you either watching Blade II or playing Vanquish , we ’ re going to have some problems .
So now that I ’ m done channeling my mother with that last bit , I will bid you lovely folks adieu .
Stay safe this weekend , keep the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , play more video games .

It’s October, which means two things in my household: Blade II on repeat and scary-ass games. I figure I should probably take a break from Blade II to put you on some spooky-ass games at some good-ass prices, because, you know, it’s kind of my job.
Alien: Isolation (PS4/Xbox One), $7.99/PS4; Free w/Xbox Game Pass
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This game came out six years ago and is still capable of scaring the hell out of me. I’ve been a huge fan of the Alien movies since I was an itty-bitty 12-year-old and this is easily my favorite game in the franchise outside of Aliens versus Predator 2 from way back in the day.
Remember Aliens versus Predator 2? I miss those games.
Anyway, this game is a first-person survival horror game that places you in the boots of Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen Ripley, the protagonist of the original Alien movies. A space station reports that it has found the flight recorder data for the Nostromo, the ship on which Amanda’s mother went missing following the events of the first film, so Ripley and her crew go to check it out.
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Of course, once you get there you find a Xenomorph is up in that bitch so you have to sneak around the space station, and try not to get your face bitten off by the alien. This game is hard, but it’s an incredible recreation of the aesthetics and tone of the first Alien, completely nailing that iconic blend of sci-fi and horror.
At only eight bucks, too? I’m just saying, it’s a Friday, folks.
You could watch Blade II, follow it up with this, and have you a lean night.
Twisted Metal: Black (PS4), $4.99
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It’s not “technically” a horror game, but Sweet Tooth looked creepy as shit in this and my PS2 loving self will never pass up an opportunity to talk about some PS2 games. Twisted Metal: Black was the last entry in the classic era of Twisted Metal games.
Black is a car combat game that allows you to select from a series of drivers who all compete in the Twisted Metal tournament. Whoever wins the tournament gets their—usually quite fucked up—wish granted by the devious Calypso.
Advertisement
Like I said, not “technically” horror, but the premise and execution are quite dark. The aesthetics, which are admittedly quite dated, give the game a lurid, grimy feeling. Whereas Twisted Metal 1-4 were essentially Hot Wheels by way of Death Race, Black just feels dirty. It was one of those games that made me feel like I was getting away with something when I was younger.
The gameplay still holds up in my opinion, in large part because we simply don’t get car combat games of this nature anymore. So if you’re in the mood for some nostalgia, why not play some Twisted Metal: Black before popping on Blade II?
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Vanquish/Bayonetta Double Pack (Xbox One), $23.99
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On the list of games I won’t shut the fuck up about, Vanquish and Bayonetta are at the top. These are pound for pound, the greatest action games to come out in the last decade.
I already can hear y’all in the comments:
Devil May Cry 5? Yeah, it’s fun.
Dark Souls? I’m sorry I don’t hate myself?
God of War? Just because I have daddy issues doesn’t mean I think it’s the best, jeez .
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Look, I’m gonna keep this simple. You’re gonna go on your goddamn Xbox, rent Blade goddamn II, and buy these goddamn games, dammit!
What are they about?
Oh. Well, since you asked-
Bayonetta is an action game that puts you in the gun-heeled shoes of its titular character, who also happens to be an umbral witch. While the story is a little all over the place, the moment to moment action is what keeps you hooked, with the game somehow being a more stylish take on the Devil May Cry-style of action. Also, the witchy nature of the game definitely fits the bill for spooky season.
Advertisement
Vanquish, my favorite action game of all time, is a title that asks the question “what if John Wick had a mech suit?” The thing about action games is that most of them tend to involve swords, or a more melee-centric approach to combat. Vanquish takes all the style and energy of those games and somehow applies it to a gun. The result is a fast paced, run-and-gun, third-person shooter that till this day shits on all competition.
Now, I already told you what you’re going to do. So if I come into your room, and I don’t see you either watching Blade II or playing Vanquish, we’re going to have some problems.
Advertisement
Understood? Good.
So now that I’m done channeling my mother with that last bit, I will bid you lovely folks adieu. Stay safe this weekend, keep the vibes spooky, and, as always, play more video games.


theroot--2020-10-16--White House Warned That Rudy Giuliani Was Target of Russia Misinformation Campaign, and Trump Just J

White House Warned That Rudy Giuliani Was Target of Russia Misinformation Campaign, and Trump Just Jordan Shrugged

Turns out that America isn ’ t the only country that ’ s aware of how fucking stupid Trump ’ s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani is .
According to a scathing report in the Washington Post , Russia also knows of Rudy ’ s inability to comprehend basic addition , so he was targeted as a way to push misinformation to Trump , and he didn ’ t know because he ’ s an idiot .
Know who else is an idiot ?
The president was told of the plan to use Giuliani like a talking plush toy and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources familiar with the matter told the Post that their warnings to the White House were based on sources and intercepted communications , which reportedly showed Giuliani in communication with multiple people with ties to Russian intelligence during a trip to Ukraine in December in 2019 .
You know , the trip where he went to the Ukraine to dig up information on Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son , Hunter , and his work with Ukrainian natural-gas company , Burisma Holdings .
U.S. officials got worried when they intercepted communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big , bad-tooth parrot to spread bad information back to Trump .
According to the Post , national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien told Trump that any information coming from Giuliani could be fugazi .
One source told the Post that the message to Trump was , “ Do what you want to do , but your friend Rudy has been worked by Russian assets in Ukraine.
” The warning to Trump was especially stark because officials wanted “ to protect the president from coming out and saying something stupid , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump was facing impeachment for his efforts to force Ukraine to launch politically motivated investigations into the Bidens and Burisma .
In January , after Trump was impeached and while he and Giuliani were pushing for the investigations , hackers associated with Russia ’ s military-intelligence agency successfully breached Burisma ’ s servers .
Business Insider also notes that on Wednesday , a bogus New York Post “ story purporting to show “ smoking-gun ” emails between Hunter Biden and a top executive at Burisma communicating with a Ukrainian official about meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he was vice president .
In short , Giuliani went to Ukraine looking for information on Hunter Biden ’ s business dealings and was fed some bullshit to take back to Trump , who was totally fine with that because he has no problem spreading bullshit .
Just look at his Twitter timeline .
And all of this sounds about right for the behold , a pale White horse House-ass conspiracy theory misinformation administration .

Turns out that America isn’t the only country that’s aware of how fucking stupid Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani is.
According to a scathing report in the Washington Post, Russia also knows of Rudy’s inability to comprehend basic addition, so he was targeted as a way to push misinformation to Trump, and he didn’t know because he’s an idiot.
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Know who else is an idiot? The president was told of the plan to use Giuliani like a talking plush toy and he didn’t care.
Four different sources familiar with the matter told the Post that their warnings to the White House were based on sources and intercepted communications, which reportedly showed Giuliani in communication with multiple people with ties to Russian intelligence during a trip to Ukraine in December in 2019. You know, the trip where he went to the Ukraine to dig up information on Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, and his work with Ukrainian natural-gas company, Burisma Holdings.
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U.S. officials got worried when they intercepted communications showing Giuliani was being used as a big, bad-tooth parrot to spread bad information back to Trump. According to the Post, national security adviser Robert O’Brien told Trump that any information coming from Giuliani could be fugazi.
One source told the Post that the message to Trump was, “Do what you want to do, but your friend Rudy has been worked by Russian assets in Ukraine.”
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Trump reportedly shrugged and said: “That’s Rudy.”
From Business Insider:
The warning to Trump was especially stark because officials wanted “to protect the president from coming out and saying something stupid,” the Post said. At the time, Trump was facing impeachment for his efforts to force Ukraine to launch politically motivated investigations into the Bidens and Burisma. In January, after Trump was impeached and while he and Giuliani were pushing for the investigations, hackers associated with Russia’s military-intelligence agency successfully breached Burisma’s servers.
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Business Insider also notes that on Wednesday, a bogus New York Post “story purporting to show “smoking-gun” emails between Hunter Biden and a top executive at Burisma communicating with a Ukrainian official about meeting with his father, Joe Biden, when he was vice president.
In short, Giuliani went to Ukraine looking for information on Hunter Biden’s business dealings and was fed some bullshit to take back to Trump, who was totally fine with that because he has no problem spreading bullshit. Just look at his Twitter timeline.
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And all of this sounds about right for the behold, a pale White horse House-ass conspiracy theory misinformation administration.