theroot--2020-07-24--Civil Rights Icon John Lewis to Lie In State at the US Capitol

The civil rights legend and Georgia Rep. John Lewis , who fought the racist Trump administration right up until his final breath , will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington , D.C. on Monday and Tuesday .
Lewis , the longtime Democratic congressman from Atlanta and last living speaker from the March on Washington , died July 17 from pancreatic cancer at age 80 .
The former protege of Rev .
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will lie in his casket at the Capitol in an invitation-only arrival ceremony on Monday afternoon .
A public viewing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a joint statement on Thursday , Reuters reports .
Reuters notes that due to the coronavirus , “ the public viewing will be held outdoors on the East Front Steps of the Capitol and social distancing will be strictly enforced.
” The public viewing line will start at 6 p.m .
ET and go until 10 p.m .
ET on Monday and from 8 a.m .
ET until 10 p.m .
ET on Tuesday .
Before that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ body across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama , where he helped lead the 1965 march for voting rights .
The honor guard will also be present while Lewis ’ body lies in state in Montgomery on Sunday , Washington on Monday and Tuesday and finally Atlanta on Wednesday , his family said in a news release .
Lewis ’ family encouraged supporters to host “ John Lewis Virtual Love Events ” in their homes to watch the ceremonies instead of traveling across the country , because of the Covid-19 pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is encouraged to tie a blue or purple ribbon on their front doors or in their front yards to commemorate his life , ” the family said .
On Thursday , Robert E. Lee High School in Fairfax County , Virginia , a suburb of Washington , announced that the school name would be changed to honor Lewis .

The civil rights legend and Georgia Rep. John Lewis, who fought the racist Trump administration right up until his final breath, will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. on Monday and Tuesday.
Lewis, the longtime Democratic congressman from Atlanta and last living speaker from the March on Washington, died July 17 from pancreatic cancer at age 80.
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The former protege of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will lie in his casket at the Capitol in an invitation-only arrival ceremony on Monday afternoon. A public viewing will be held Monday evening and Tuesday, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a joint statement on Thursday, Reuters reports.
Reuters notes that due to the coronavirus, “the public viewing will be held outdoors on the East Front Steps of the Capitol and social distancing will be strictly enforced.”
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From CNN:
The public viewing line will start at 6 p.m. ET and go until 10 p.m. ET on Monday and from 8 a.m. ET until 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Before that, a military honor guard will accompany Lewis’ body across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, where he helped lead the 1965 march for voting rights. The honor guard will also be present while Lewis’ body lies in state in Montgomery on Sunday, Washington on Monday and Tuesday and finally Atlanta on Wednesday, his family said in a news release. Lewis’ family encouraged supporters to host “John Lewis Virtual Love Events” in their homes to watch the ceremonies instead of traveling across the country, because of the Covid-19 pandemic. “To fully participate, the public is encouraged to tie a blue or purple ribbon on their front doors or in their front yards to commemorate his life,” the family said.
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On Thursday, Robert E. Lee High School in Fairfax County, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, announced that the school name would be changed to honor Lewis.


theroot--2020-07-24--Citing Millions in Debt, Ebony Magazine Being Forced Into Involuntary Bankruptcy

Citing an inability for Ebony Magazine to pay off its debts , Law360 reports that the embattled company ’ s lenders have submitted a filing in Texas federal court to force the once proud-publication into Chapter 7 bankruptcy .
Per Law360 , a pair of involuntary bankruptcy petitions were filed on Wednesday by investment management company Parkview Capital Credit Inc. , photo studio Plum Studio and law firm David M. Abner & Associates .
In the filings , Ebony Media Holdings LLC is accused of “ generally not paying its debts as they become due , unless they are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to liability or amount.
” As far as Ebony ’ s unsettled debts , Parkview alleges that it ’ s owed $ 11.9 million , while David M. Abner & Associates claims it is owed $ 9,400 .
Plum Studio is allegedly owed $ 2,300 .
In a statement provided to The Root , Parkview notes that the filing “ was an attempt to re-position the company ’ s iconic assets , including the Ebony and Jet brands , for long-term success.
” “ Ebony has been the voice of the Black community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to positioning the company ’ s assets to serve the Black community for another 75 years , ” Brad Southern , president and chief investment officer for Parkview , said .
In 2016 , private equity firm Clear View Group , co-founded by Willard Jackson and Michael Gibson , acquired both Ebony and Jet Magazine from Johnson Media Group .
This acquisition was financed by Parkview through a series of loans prior to Blueprint Capital Advisors taking over as managers of Parkview in 2019 .
Wednesday ’ s involuntary bankruptcy filing is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and comes weeks after Ebony ’ s former CEO , Willard Jackson , was removed from his position amid an investigation into questionable financial transactions that occurred under his leadership .
In May , Blueprint ’ s co-founder , Jacob Walthour Jr. , was elected chairman of Ebony ’ s board of directors .
Should the publication survive this latest blow , Ebony will celebrate its 75th anniversary in November .

Citing an inability for Ebony Magazine to pay off its debts, Law360 reports that the embattled company’s lenders have submitted a filing in Texas federal court to force the once proud-publication into Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Per Law360, a pair of involuntary bankruptcy petitions were filed on Wednesday by investment management company Parkview Capital Credit Inc., photo studio Plum Studio and law firm David M. Abner & Associates. In the filings, Ebony Media Holdings LLC is accused of “generally not paying its debts as they become due, unless they are the subject of a bona fide dispute as to liability or amount.”
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As far as Ebony’s unsettled debts, Parkview alleges that it’s owed $11.9 million, while David M. Abner & Associates claims it is owed $9,400. Plum Studio is allegedly owed $2,300 .
In a statement provided to The Root, Parkview notes that the filing “was an attempt to re-position the company’s iconic assets, including the Ebony and Jet brands, for long-term success.”
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“Ebony has been the voice of the Black community for 75 years and we look forward to positioning the company’s assets to serve the Black community for another 75 years,” Brad Southern, president and chief investment officer for Parkview, said.
In 2016, private equity firm Clear View Group, co-founded by Willard Jackson and Michael Gibson, acquired both Ebony and Jet Magazine from Johnson Media Group. This acquisition was financed by Parkview through a series of loans prior to Blueprint Capital Advisors taking over as managers of Parkview in 2019.
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Wednesday’s involuntary bankruptcy filing is a result of Ebony defaulting on those loans and comes weeks after Ebony’s former CEO, Willard Jackson, was removed from his position amid an investigation into questionable financial transactions that occurred under his leadership. In May, Blueprint’s co-founder, Jacob Walthour Jr., was elected chairman of Ebony’s board of directors.
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Should the publication survive this latest blow, Ebony will celebrate its 75th anniversary in November.


theroot--2020-07-24--Wearing Masks and Canceling a Portion of the Republican National Convention—What’s Happening With th

Wearing Masks and Canceling a Portion of the Republican National Convention—What’s Happening With the Trump Administration?

For months , the Trump administration has been the leader of the coronavirus deniers movement .
They have acted like masks were akin to slavery and that the media has been pushing falsehoods about one of the most deadly viruses to ever do it .
Now , as if God had smacked the shit out of the entire administration , there has been a huge 180-degree turn to a complete about-face .
Trump and his ragtag administration are now advocating the wearing of masks and have canceled the Jacksonville , Fla. , portion of the Republican National Convention , colloquially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fat white men , ” due to the spike of the coronavirus across the state .
“ I looked at my team and I said the timing for this event is not right .
It ’ s just not right with what ’ s been happening , ” Trump said at the daily coronavirus briefing , NPR reports .
“ They said ‘ Sir , we can make this work very easily.
’ ...
I said there ’ s nothing more important in our country than keeping our people safe , whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the radical left mob.
” What happened to Trump ?
After months of people dying and getting sick and creating a toxic environment around the coronavirus , including ignoring the advice of the top scientists and Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention , now Trump gives a shit about keeping people safe ?
It ’ s almost as if Trump believes the numbers that show he doesn ’ t have a snowball ’ s chance in his White House of winning the presidency again .
Or that he ’ s finally seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aided in its spread .
Whatever has happened , Trump is now trying to be on the right side of history and it ’ s way too fucking late .
And you know something had to really happen for Trump , the most rallying president to ever disrespect the Oval Office , to cancel a rally .
He knows that his only path to re election goes through rallying and he ’ s canceled a rally to save people ?
The man who doesn ’ t give a shit that the virus has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths ?
Something ain ’ t right .
NPR notes that “ Delegates to the convention will still meet in Charlotte , N.C. , to hold small , formal business meetings as planned , but Trump ’ s keynote Jacksonville speech will no longer take place.
” Charlotte was the first site for the convention until N.C. Gov .
Roy Cooper told Trump and ’ nem that he didn ’ t want that shit happening in his state while the coronavirus was still running wild like an escaped prisoner .
“ I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is very unsafe.
’ I don ’ t want to be in that position , ” Trump said .
“ We have to be vigilant .
We have to be careful .
And we also have to set an example .
I think setting the example is very important .
It ’ s hard for us to say we ’ re going to have a lot of people packed in a room and then other people shouldn ’ t do it.
” WTF ?
Whose mans is this ?
Did Russian President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different ?
Did Satan tell him that he had to start acting like he cares ?
Who even wrote these words for Trump to recite ?
“ We ’ ll have a very nice something .
We ’ ll figure it out .
It ’ ll be online in some form .
Maybe it ’ ll be something even a little bit different .
We have time , ” he said of the event scheduled for Aug. 24-27 .
“ We appreciate President Donald Trump considering our public health and safety concerns in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joint statement by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Duval County Sheriff Mike Williams said .
“ As always , in Jacksonville , public safety is our number one priority .
President Trump has once again reaffirmed his commitment to the safety of Jacksonville , Florida , and the people of the United States of America.
” But public safety has never been the Trump administration ’ s concern .
In fact , they politicized the wearing of masks so much so that most Trump supporters have refused to wear masks and would rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maybe it had something to do with Sheriff Williams ’ statement , Monday , that noted he wasn ’ t going to be able to provide security for the event , citing poor planning and a lack of funding , or a Quinnipiac University opinion poll released Thursday that showed that 62 percent of Florida voters thought it would be unsafe to hold a convention in the state .
Whatever caused the change in the Trump administration ’ s new response to the coronavirus , it ’ s most likely too late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopefully , the Trumps are evicted in November and we can move toward some semblance of responsible parenting in the most respected office in the nation .

For months, the Trump administration has been the leader of the coronavirus deniers movement. They have acted like masks were akin to slavery and that the media has been pushing falsehoods about one of the most deadly viruses to ever do it.
Now, as if God had smacked the shit out of the entire administration, there has been a huge 180-degree turn to a complete about-face . Trump and his ragtag administration are now advocating the wearing of masks and have canceled the Jacksonville, Fla., portion of the Republican National Convention, colloquially known as “ the gathering of old, fat white men,” due to the spike of the coronavirus across the state.
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“I looked at my team and I said the timing for this event is not right. It’s just not right with what’s been happening,” Trump said at the daily coronavirus briefing, NPR reports. “ They said ‘Sir, we can make this work very easily.’ ... I said there’s nothing more important in our country than keeping our people safe, whether it’s from the China virus or the radical left mob.”
What happened to Trump? After months of people dying and getting sick and creating a toxic environment around the coronavirus, including ignoring the advice of the top scientists and Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, now Trump gives a shit about keeping people safe? It’s almost as if Trump believes the numbers that show he doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in his White House of winning the presidency again. Or that he’s finally seen that his response to the coronavirus has aided in its spread. Whatever has happened, Trump is now trying to be on the right side of history and it’s way too fucking late.
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And you know something had to really happen for Trump, the most rallying president to ever disrespect the Oval Office , to cancel a rally. He knows that his only path to re election goes through rallying and he’s canceled a rally to save people? The man who doesn’t give a shit that the virus has killed some 140,000 Americans now cares about deaths? Something ain’t right.
NPR notes that “Delegates to the convention will still meet in Charlotte, N.C., to hold small, formal business meetings as planned, but Trump’s keynote Jacksonville speech will no longer take place.”
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Charlotte was the first site for the convention until N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper told Trump and ’nem that he didn’t want that shit happening in his state while the coronavirus was still running wild like an escaped prisoner.
“I could see the media saying ‘Oh, this is very unsafe.’ I don’t want to be in that position,” Trump said.
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“We have to be vigilant. We have to be careful. And we also have to set an example. I think setting the example is very important. It’s hard for us to say we’re going to have a lot of people packed in a room and then other people shouldn’t do it.”
WTF? Whose mans is this? Did Russian President Vladimir Putin tell him to do something different? Did Satan tell him that he had to start acting like he cares? Who even wrote these words for Trump to recite?
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“We’ll have a very nice something. We’ll figure it out. It’ll be online in some form. Maybe it’ll be something even a little bit different. We have time,” he said of the event scheduled for Aug. 24-27.
“We appreciate President Donald Trump considering our public health and safety concerns in making this incredibly difficult decision, A joint statement by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Duval County Sheriff Mike Williams said.
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“As always, in Jacksonville, public safety is our number one priority. President Trump has once again reaffirmed his commitment to the safety of Jacksonville, Florida, and the people of the United States of America.”
But public safety has never been the Trump administration’s concern. In fact, they politicized the wearing of masks so much so that most Trump supporters have refused to wear masks and would rather fight underpaid Walmart managers than wear one .
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Maybe it had something to do with Sheriff Williams’ statement, Monday, that noted he wasn’t going to be able to provide security for the event, citing poor planning and a lack of funding, or a Quinnipiac University opinion poll released Thursday that showed that 62 percent of Florida voters thought it would be unsafe to hold a convention in the state.
Whatever caused the change in the Trump administration’s new response to the coronavirus, it’s most likely too late; the damage has been done. Hopefully, the Trumps are evicted in November and we can move toward some semblance of responsible parenting in the most respected office in the nation.


theroot--2020-07-24--'This Roadmap Is Just the Beginning': Michael B. Jordan and Color of Change Launch #ChangeHollywood

'This Roadmap Is Just the Beginning': Michael B. Jordan and Color of Change Launch #ChangeHollywood Initiative

Hollywood has been due for a huge change for quite some time now .
In fact , I specifically said it needs a gut rehab .
Many gatekeepers and other influential voices in Hollywood have been making moves to reimagine a better and more diverse Hollywood , including Kendrick Sampson ’ s letter to Hollywood ( which countless Black celebrities signed ) urging the industry to divest from the police .
Next up in the ongoing effort is Michael B. Jordan and Color of Change .
They recently announced they were teaming up to launch # ChangeHollywood , an initiative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for action across the industry with infrastructure that will create concrete , measurable solutions towards racial justice.
” The initiative will serve as a resource for companies , executive leadership , staff and talent that will positively affect the Black community .
From the Color of Change press release sent to The Root : “ This roadmap is just the beginning of the journey to racial justice .
We are all accomplices in the fight to transform Hollywood , and we invite content creators and industry leaders to join us in working together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
“ We look forward to including a variety of voices in doing what we do best : telling authentic stories , bringing people together , partnering with influential artists , and changing the rules of the game.
” As the CEO of Outlier Society , Jordan made waves in Hollywood when he adopted an inclusion rider for projects within his company as well as teamed up with Warner Bros. ’ initiative in the effort in 2018 .
We do know there is a lot more work to be done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of diversifying the internal teams hired by talent , as pointed out by Diverse Representation Founder Jaia Thomas in a June op-ed in The Hollywood Reporter .
Alas , there are already some changes brewing with # ChangeHollywood .
The press release adds : Outlier Society and Color Of Change have already begun conversations with companies like WME and Endeavor Content and organizations like BLD PWR about commitments to this initiative , with more details to come .
The # ChangeHollywood initiative is urging everyone in the industry to make these bold moves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black lives through honest storytelling , value-aligned financial investment and systemic change within the industry .
“ The legacy of racism in Hollywood is long and unforgivable : excluding Black talent , silencing Black voices , derailing Black careers , and using the economic power of the industry to prop up police who target and enact violence on Black communities , ” Rashad Robinson , president of Color Of Change , said .
“ We know from our advocacy that the industry won ’ t change on its own , so we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold Hollywood accountable to offer these resources and a roadmap toward enacting racial justice .
From the writers ’ rooms to the streets , we are energized and ready to help Hollywood follow through on their statements that Black lives matter.
” For more information on # ChangeHollywood , including the full roadmap , visit colorofchange.org .

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

Hollywood has been due for a huge change for quite some time now. In fact, I specifically said it needs a gut rehab.
Many gatekeepers and other influential voices in Hollywood have been making moves to reimagine a better and more diverse Hollywood, including Kendrick Sampson’s letter to Hollywood (which countless Black celebrities signed) urging the industry to divest from the police.
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Next up in the ongoing effort is Michael B. Jordan and Color of Change. They recently announced they were teaming up to launch #ChangeHollywood, an initiative that will aim to “answer calls for action across the industry with infrastructure that will create concrete, measurable solutions towards racial justice.” The initiative will serve as a resource for companies, executive leadership, staff and talent that will positively affect the Black community.
From the Color of Change press release sent to The Root:
Key aspects of the roadmap include: Investing in Anti-Racist Content & Authentic Black Stories through educational materials, resource lists and content creation support. Investing in Black Talent & Careers with advancements in recruitment, hiring practices, trainings and transparent disclosures. Shifting Investment in Police towards Investment in Black Communities including advocating for independent security, support for Black owned businesses, financial support of community-led programing and new streams of communication between the industry and Black communities.
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“This roadmap is just the beginning of the journey to racial justice. We are all accomplices in the fight to transform Hollywood, and we invite content creators and industry leaders to join us in working together to #ChangeHollywood,” Jordan said in a statement. “We look forward to including a variety of voices in doing what we do best: telling authentic stories, bringing people together, partnering with influential artists, and changing the rules of the game.”
As the CEO of Outlier Society, Jordan made waves in Hollywood when he adopted an inclusion rider for projects within his company as well as teamed up with Warner Bros.’ initiative in the effort in 2018. We do know there is a lot more work to be done across the board, including the importance of diversifying the internal teams hired by talent, as pointed out by Diverse Representation Founder Jaia Thomas in a June op-ed in The Hollywood Reporter.
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Alas, there are already some changes brewing with #ChangeHollywood. The press release adds:
Outlier Society and Color Of Change have already begun conversations with companies like WME and Endeavor Content and organizations like BLD PWR about commitments to this initiative, with more details to come. The #ChangeHollywood initiative is urging everyone in the industry to make these bold moves to affirm, defend and invest in Black lives through honest storytelling, value-aligned financial investment and systemic change within the industry.
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“The legacy of racism in Hollywood is long and unforgivable: excluding Black talent, silencing Black voices, derailing Black careers, and using the economic power of the industry to prop up police who target and enact violence on Black communities,” Rashad Robinson, president of Color Of Change, said. “We know from our advocacy that the industry won’t change on its own, so we’re building off our current work to hold Hollywood accountable to offer these resources and a roadmap toward enacting racial justice. From the writers’ rooms to the streets, we are energized and ready to help Hollywood follow through on their statements that Black lives matter.”
For more information on #ChangeHollywood, including the full roadmap, visit colorofchange.org.


theroot--2020-07-27--Star Fox 2 Almost Had A Black Female Pilot With Incredible Hair, And I. Am. Smitten.

One drip of information in the deluge coming from Nintendo ’ s latest “ Gigaleak ” was source code and unused assets for Star Fox 2 , including a never-before-seen human character .
Completed in 1995 , Nintendo shelved the game out of fear it ’ d look inferior to the next-gen graphics of the PlayStation .
( The game was subsequently released as an unlockable title on the SNES Classic in 2017 . )
But none of that matters to me .
Her hair , the easy confidence of her smirk .
THE HAIR !
!
Even one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuthbert , doesn ’ t know .
Could we have gotten a Star Fox where humans lived and loved right alongside anthropomorphized falcons , foxes , and barrel-rolling bunnies ?
( Is it passé to make a barrel roll joke in 2020 ? )
More importantly , could we have had Nintendo ’ s first B lack female character in 1995 instead of waiting for , depending on if a Game Freak game even qualifies , Lenora in Pokémon Black/White some 15 years later ?
( Am I forgetting anyone ?
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) She could have been the representation that little B lack girls playing Nintendo needed back when video games were still “ for boys and white folks.
” .
And she was a pilot .
How many more Black aviatrixes could we have had behind her ?
I don ’ t begrudge Nintendo for not including her in the final game—I understand the limitations of game development .
I also don ’ t want to think about what kind of contortions my brain would have to undergo to justify humans in a universe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I hope , as more information contained within the leak is brought to life , that we can learn more about her .

Ash Parrish on Kotaku, shared by Genetta M. Adams to The Root

One drip of information in the deluge coming from Nintendo’s latest “Gigaleak” was source code and unused assets for Star Fox 2, including a never-before-seen human character. Completed in 1995, Nintendo shelved the game out of fear it’d look inferior to the next-gen graphics of the PlayStation. (The game was subsequently released as an unlockable title on the SNES Classic in 2017.) But none of that matters to me.
LOOK AT HER!!
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Her hair, the easy confidence of her smirk. THE HAIR!!
WHO IS SHE??
Even one of the game’s creators, Dylan Cuthbert, doesn’t know.
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Could we have gotten a Star Fox where humans lived and loved right alongside anthropomorphized falcons, foxes, and barrel-rolling bunnies? (Is it passé to make a barrel roll joke in 2020?) More importantly, could we have had Nintendo’s first Black female character in 1995 instead of waiting for, depending on if a Game Freak game even qualifies, Lenora in Pokémon Black/White some 15 years later? (Am I forgetting anyone? I’d love to be corrected here.)
She could have been the representation that little Black girls playing Nintendo needed back when video games were still “for boys and white folks.”. And she was a pilot. How many more Black aviatrixes could we have had behind her?
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I don’t begrudge Nintendo for not including her in the final game—I understand the limitations of game development. I also don’t want to think about what kind of contortions my brain would have to undergo to justify humans in a universe full of upright talking frogs. Though I hope, as more information contained within the leak is brought to life, that we can learn more about her.
More Star Fox leaks:


theroot--2020-07-28--White Man Posts Cards Against Humanity Play About Gunning Down African Children With an AR-15, Gets

White Man Posts Cards Against Humanity Play About Gunning Down African Children With an AR-15, Gets Arrested. Joke's on Him?

There ’ s something about Facebook that just makes white people go , “ I ’ m gon na end my whole career today.
” In one of the most inventive instances of playing oneself , a Florida man was arrested after posting , among other things , a racist Cards Against Humanity play .
According to Insider , this was only one of many racist posts from 30- year- old Alex Bancroft .
In one of his most recent posts , Bancroft threatened to shoot Black Lives Matter protesters .
“ u can yell black power but when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sic ) .
I am going to start target practice on these mother f****** with there ( sic ) signs , ” he wrote last Friday with impeccable spelling and grammar .
When someone said they were doubtful he would keep that same energy when not behind a keyboard , he replied : “ keep ur eyes on Fla news.
” Bancroft was arrested and charged on one count of making a written threat to kill or do bodily injury , a second-degree felony in Florida .
“ The Hillsborough County Sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or kill others very seriously , and this includes threats made online on various social media platforms , ” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement .
While in custody , deputies said that Bancroft told them he made the posts out of frustration and “ wouldn ’ t actually hurt anyone.
” Not saying the earlier commenter was right , but the commenter was right .
Deputies said that Bancroft had repeatedly posted racist and threatening things on Facebook , including a picture of a particularly foul play from the game Cards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player placing a black card down that features a statement with a blank spot and the other players placing a card down that they believe is the funniest response .
Bancroft posted a picture of a card that said “ That ’ s right , I killed _____ .
“ How , you ask ?
____ ” with cards that read “ African Children , ” and “ an AR-15 Assault rifle.
” That ’ s going to be a big “ oof , ” for me , dog .
There is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jail or what his bail was set at .
For the life of me , I don ’ t understand why this many years into the game white people still feel the need to be racist on Facebook .
It always ends with someone out of a job or in jail .
I feel like we need a D.A.R.E but for white people who feel the need to be outwardly racist .
Remember grown-ass adults , when you or one of your friends feel the need to rant about how “ Black Lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just don ’ t post .
It ’ s not worth it .

There’s something about Facebook that just makes white people go, “I’m gonna end my whole career today.” In one of the most inventive instances of playing oneself, a Florida man was arrested after posting, among other things, a racist Cards Against Humanity play.
According to Insider, this was only one of many racist posts from 30- year- old Alex Bancroft. In one of his most recent posts, Bancroft threatened to shoot Black Lives Matter protesters. “u can yell black power but when I yell white power I am raciest ( sic). I am going to start target practice on these mother f****** with there (sic) signs,” he wrote last Friday with impeccable spelling and grammar. When someone said they were doubtful he would keep that same energy when not behind a keyboard, he replied: “keep ur eyes on Fla news.”
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Bancroft was arrested and charged on one count of making a written threat to kill or do bodily injury, a second-degree felony in Florida. “The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office takes all threats to injure or kill others very seriously, and this includes threats made online on various social media platforms,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement.
While in custody, deputies said that Bancroft told them he made the posts out of frustration and “wouldn’t actually hurt anyone.” Not saying the earlier commenter was right, but the commenter was right.
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Deputies said that Bancroft had repeatedly posted racist and threatening things on Facebook, including a picture of a particularly foul play from the game Cards Against Humanity. The game involves one player placing a black card down that features a statement with a blank spot and the other players placing a card down that they believe is the funniest response. Bancroft posted a picture of a card that said “That’s right, I killed _____. “How, you ask? ____” with cards that read “African Children,” and “an AR-15 Assault rifle.”
That’s going to be a big “oof,” for me, dog.
There is no word on whether Bancroft is still in jail or what his bail was set at. For the life of me, I don’t understand why this many years into the game white people still feel the need to be racist on Facebook. It always ends with someone out of a job or in jail. I feel like we need a D.A.R.E but for white people who feel the need to be outwardly racist.
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Remember grown-ass adults, when you or one of your friends feel the need to rant about how “Black Lives Matter are the real racists,” just don’t post. It’s not worth it.


theroot--2020-07-27--No Matter What You Choose to Grill, Let These Seasoning Blends Punctuate Your Next Meal

I ’ ve always been a big fan of highly flavorful , grilled meats and vegetables , but when I found The Spice House , my grilling reached new heights .
The Spice House , around since 1957 , offers fine spices , herbs , blends , and extracts that will be at home in any kitchen .
These aren ’ t your garden variety of spices either .
The Spice House spent years curating the growers and blends so you can be sure you ’ re getting world-class products .
These blends have served me well , and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One of my favorite things to grill ( besides steak , chicken wings , corn ... oh , who am I kidding , what don ’ t I like to grill ? )
is salmon .
There is just something about tender , smokey salmon that ’ s perfect for a hot summer day .
There are many great ways to season salmon , but this blend is both simple to use and mighty flavorful .
It ’ s made with pure maple sugar from my home state of Wisconsin , mixed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salt , Tellicherry pepper , garlic , onion , and green onion flakes .
The blend has a sweet and salty combination that perfectly compliments your salmon .
It also pairs with sweet potatoes , pork , and I might even try The Spice House recipe for BBQ sauce using this seasoning blend .
This smokehouse rub is the first seasoning blend I bought from The Spice House .
As a steak lover , I was tempted by the fragrant blend of salt , hickory smoke powder , Hungarian sweet paprika , garlic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and marjoram .
This is perfect to be used generously on steaks , chuck roast , burgers for the grill , and mixed veggies .
It ’ s versatile and a one and done blend .
I season the meat an hour or more before I intend to grill .
Made from Tellicherry black pepper , garlic , Kosher flake salt , sugar , red bell peppers , shallots , and parsley , the Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper rub is simple .
Classic .
It helps enhance everything from burgers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Being a classic , you can literally use it on anything you are grilling or cooking and it will work its magic .
Dressing , check .
Steak , check .
Turkey , it ’ s got that covered too .
I love that the seasoning is a course blend , not finely milled .
It ’ s a go-to that stays at the front of my spice rack and I bet if you try it , it will be at the front of yours .
When I moved to Brooklyn I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My coworkers introduced me to jerk chicken , and it quickly became a favorite .
Jerk seasoning is versatile , but it ’ s traditionally used for chicken and pork .
While I haven ’ t tried this jerk blend , I spoke to travel blogger Tomika Bryant about it .
After a friend told her about the Spice House , she was excited to visit on a trip to Chicago , and she brought this seasoning back with her .
“ As a grilling family , I immediately fell in love with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extra edge to burgers and ribs .
It ’ s one of our best-kept secrets , ” Bryant told me .
Ok , if you ’ re a pork lover , the Oaxacan Ancho Coffee rub will make your taste buds sing .
The rub is a delicious blend of ancho chili powder , cumin , Mexican oregano , garlic , coffee , cinnamon , brown sugar , thyme , and pepper .
It ’ s salt-free , so you can use it without worrying about oversalting your food .
I love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rubbing it on generously a few hours before I ’ m ready to cook .
You can also use it on pork shoulder , burgers , ribs , and even steak if you are adventurous .
The coffee helps tenderize the meat and adds an incredibly rich flavor .
The ultimate gift for someone who loves to grill ( or yourself ! )
, this pack bundles together The Spice House ’ s best-selling BBQ seasonings for your enjoyment .
It even includes many of the blends I included here so you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from The Spice House will only upgrade your grilling and dining experiences .
It ’ s an investment you can ’ t go wrong with .

Chaya M Milchtein on The Inventory, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Barbecue Essentials Bundle | $70 | The Spice House
I’ve always been a big fan of highly flavorful, grilled meats and vegetables, but when I found The Spice House, my grilling reached new heights. The Spice House, around since 1957, offers fine spices, herbs, blends, and extracts that will be at home in any kitchen. These aren’t your garden variety of spices either. The Spice House spent years curating the growers and blends so you can be sure you’re getting world-class products. These blends have served me well, and they will up your grilling game this summer.
One of my favorite things to grill (besides steak, chicken wings, corn ... oh, who am I kidding, what don’t I like to grill?) is salmon. There is just something about tender, smokey salmon that’s perfect for a hot summer day. There are many great ways to season salmon, but this blend is both simple to use and mighty flavorful. It’s made with pure maple sugar from my home state of Wisconsin, mixed with granulated brown sugar, coarse Kosher salt, Tellicherry pepper, garlic, onion, and green onion flakes. The blend has a sweet and salty combination that perfectly compliments your salmon. It also pairs with sweet potatoes, pork, and I might even try The Spice House recipe for BBQ sauce using this seasoning blend.
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This smokehouse rub is the first seasoning blend I bought from The Spice House. As a steak lover, I was tempted by the fragrant blend of salt, hickory smoke powder, Hungarian sweet paprika, garlic, Tellicherry black pepper, cardamom, and marjoram. This is perfect to be used generously on steaks, chuck roast, burgers for the grill, and mixed veggies. It’s versatile and a one and done blend. I season the meat an hour or more before I intend to grill.
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Made from Tellicherry black pepper, garlic, Kosher flake salt, sugar, red bell peppers, shallots, and parsley, the Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper rub is simple. Classic. It helps enhance everything from burgers to veggies with simple yet delicious flavors. Being a classic, you can literally use it on anything you are grilling or cooking and it will work its magic. Dressing, check. Steak, check. Turkey, it’s got that covered too. I love that the seasoning is a course blend, not finely milled. It’s a go-to that stays at the front of my spice rack and I bet if you try it, it will be at the front of yours.
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When I moved to Brooklyn I was working in a Caribbean immigrant neighborhood. My coworkers introduced me to jerk chicken, and it quickly became a favorite. Jerk seasoning is versatile, but it’s traditionally used for chicken and pork.
While I haven’t tried this jerk blend, I spoke to travel blogger Tomika Bryant about it. After a friend told her about the Spice House, she was excited to visit on a trip to Chicago, and she brought this seasoning back with her.
“As a grilling family, I immediately fell in love with the Jamaican jerk seasoning. It adds an extra edge to burgers and ribs. It’s one of our best-kept secrets,” Bryant told me.
Advertisement
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Ok, if you’re a pork lover, the Oaxacan Ancho Coffee rub will make your taste buds sing. The rub is a delicious blend of ancho chili powder, cumin, Mexican oregano, garlic, coffee, cinnamon, brown sugar, thyme, and pepper. It’s salt-free, so you can use it without worrying about oversalting your food. I love to use this blend on pork tenderloin, rubbing it on generously a few hours before I’m ready to cook. You can also use it on pork shoulder, burgers, ribs, and even steak if you are adventurous. The coffee helps tenderize the meat and adds an incredibly rich flavor.
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The ultimate gift for someone who loves to grill (or yourself!), this pack bundles together The Spice House’s best-selling BBQ seasonings for your enjoyment. It even includes many of the blends I included here so you can taste them all. Buying seasonings from The Spice House will only upgrade your grilling and dining experiences. It’s an investment you can’t go wrong with.


theroot--2020-07-27--Megan Thee Stallion Opens Up About Traumatic Shooting Incident: ‘The Worst Experience of My Life’

In an emotional Instagram Live on Monday , Megan Thee Stallion spoke at length about the July 12th shooting that landed her in the hospital , calling the incident “ the worst experience of my life.
” According to Megan , she was shot in both feet , which required surgery to get the bullets removed .
As Variety notes , initial reports about the incident said she had cut her feet on broken glass .
“ It was super scary , ” said the “ Savage ” rapper , who paused several times throughout her remarks to catch her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It was just the worst experience of my life and it ’ s not funny , it ’ s nothing to joke about and nothing for y ’ all to go and be making fake stories about .
I didn ’ t put my hands on nobody .
I didn ’ t deserve to get shot.
” The July shooting , which is still under investigation and resulted in singer Tory Lanez ’ arrest for carrying a concealed weapon , has been the subject of internet speculation and insensitive jokes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm Megan endured .
Megan didn ’ t mention Tory Lanez once during the IG Live .
Addressing why she hadn ’ t said more to police at the time of the shooting , Megan said she wasn ’ t trying to protect anybody— “ I just wasn ’ t ready to speak.
” She also pushed back on the idea that she should be an open book about an incident that was clearly profoundly traumatic for her .
“ Y ’ all take your whole life to Instagram and Twitter and make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not me , ” she said .
“ I ain ’ t never seen so many men chime in something that ain ’ t none of their motherfuckin ’ business .
What if your sister got shot ?
” But , Megan said , the shooting did help put things in perspective for her .
The 25-year-old rapper talked about having to manage her life and career without having the support of her parents , who have both passed away .
“ My momma was my best friend and I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] , so you kind of try to fill your space with a bunch of people that you think is making you happy , ” she said .
Taking some time to herself in weeks since the shooting has made her realize how to protect her energy , she says .
“ I just feel like I was moving really fast .
I was moving too fast .
I wasn ’ t taking enough time for myself , ” Megan shared .
“ I thought I was ready to give good energy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t ready to give good energy to me.
” Over the weekend , The Roots ’ drummer Questlove commented on the lack of press coverage around Meg ’ s shooting , noting that he had only recently heard the news .
“ How this whole Meg situation happened and not reaching my radar is baffling me , ” he said in an Instagram post , adding , “ I just wan na know how come this isn ’ t taken in a serious [ manner ] ( I ’ m dreading I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each word ) .
” Megan thanked fans who supported her and lifted her up in prayer as she recovered from the shooting .
By the end of her talk , her trademark confidence was on full display : “ I just want y ’ all to know a bitch is alive and well and strong as fuck , and ready to get back to my regular programming .
”

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

In an emotional Instagram Live on Monday, Megan Thee Stallion spoke at length about the July 12th shooting that landed her in the hospital, calling the incident “the worst experience of my life.”
According to Megan, she was shot in both feet, which required surgery to get the bullets removed. As Variety notes, initial reports about the incident said she had cut her feet on broken glass.
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“It was super scary,” said the “Savage” rapper, who paused several times throughout her remarks to catch her breath and fan tears from her eyes. “It was just the worst experience of my life and it’s not funny, it’s nothing to joke about and nothing for y’all to go and be making fake stories about. I didn’t put my hands on nobody. I didn’t deserve to get shot.”
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The July shooting, which is still under investigation and resulted in singer Tory Lanez’ arrest for carrying a concealed weapon, has been the subject of internet speculation and insensitive jokes, but relatively little compassion considering the real harm Megan endured.
Megan didn’t mention Tory Lanez once during the IG Live.
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Addressing why she hadn’t said more to police at the time of the shooting, Megan said she wasn’t trying to protect anybody—“I just wasn’t ready to speak.” She also pushed back on the idea that she should be an open book about an incident that was clearly profoundly traumatic for her.
“Y’all take your whole life to Instagram and Twitter and make it a diary, and that’s not me,” she said. “I ain’t never seen so many men chime in something that ain’t none of their motherfuckin’ business. What if your sister got shot?”
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But, Megan said, the shooting did help put things in perspective for her. The 25-year-old rapper talked about having to manage her life and career without having the support of her parents, who have both passed away.
“My momma was my best friend and I’m still really not over [her death], so you kind of try to fill your space with a bunch of people that you think is making you happy,” she said. Taking some time to herself in weeks since the shooting has made her realize how to protect her energy, she added.
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“I just feel like I was moving really fast. I was moving too fast. I wasn’t taking enough time for myself,” Megan shared. “I thought I was ready to give good energy to other people, and other people wasn’t ready to give good energy to me.”
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Over the weekend, The Roots’ drummer Questlove commented on the lack of press coverage around Meg’s shooting, noting that he had only recently heard the news.
“How this whole Meg situation happened and not reaching my radar is baffling me,” he said in an Instagram post, adding, “I just wanna know how come this isn’t taken in a serious [manner] (I’m dreading I already know the answer as I type each word).”
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Megan thanked fans who supported her and lifted her up in prayer as she recovered from the shooting. By the end of her talk, her trademark confidence was on full display:
“I just want y’all to know a bitch is alive and well and strong as fuck, and ready to get back to my regular programming.”


theroot--2020-07-27--Not All Heroes Wear Capes: Record Number of Black Women Running for Congress

When it comes to saving America , there is only one group that is even remotely qualified to field the call : Black women .
Not only are they the backbone of the Democratic party , but they are a voting bloc that can not be easily swayed or influenced by bullshit .
Black women are literally America ’ s moral compass and this year , some 122 Black or multiracial women filed to run for congressional seats , a number that has increased every year since 2012 , and some 60 Black women are still in the running , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more comfortable with seeing different kinds of people in Congress .
You don ’ t know what it looks like to have powerful Black women in Congress until you see powerful Black women in Congress , ” Navy veteran and attorney Pam Keith , who is running in the Democratic primary for a Florida congressional seat , told Reuters .
Black women are nearly 8 % of the U.S. population , but 4.3 % of Congress , according to a report here by the Center of Women and Politics and Higher Heights for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeks to elect more progressive Black women to elected office .
They are underrepresented in statewide executive ’ s jobs and among mayors as well , according to the report .
But Black women voters showed the highest participation rate here of any group in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections .
Historically , Black women have been more likely here to win in majority-Black districts , but many are running this cycle in majority white or mixed districts , some of which had previously voted for Republicans .
Patricia Timmons-Goodson is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina Supreme Court and she ’ s running for a seat in Congress .
“ We ’ re going to flip this seat from red to blue , ” Timmons-Goodson told Reuters .
“ We have a candidate that knows and understands the district and its people.
” Many of the Black women congressional candidates that spoke with Reuters said that they have an advantage that many of their wealthier counterparts don ’ t have : They can relate to difficult financial hardships like the one America is currently facing ever since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ muddy boots on America ’ s couch .
“ We almost lost our house a couple of times .
We ran into financial difficulties when I was first starting my business , ” Jeannine Lee Lake , a former journalist who is running for Congress from Indiana against robotic Vice President Mike Pence ’ s brother , Greg Pence , told Reuters .
Kimberly Walker , a veteran and former corrections officer from Florida running for Congress , knows what America needs : “ We need to have more people , average , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for average , everyday American citizens , ” she said .
Here is where I say the quiet part out loud : None of these women—not the ones running for the Congress or the ones that voted to keep a pedophile out of office in Alabama—are average ; they are superheroes .

When it comes to saving America, there is only one group that is even remotely qualified to field the call: Black women. Not only are they the backbone of the Democratic party, but they are a voting bloc that cannot be easily swayed or influenced by bullshit.
Black women are literally America’s moral compass and this year, some 122 Black or multiracial women filed to run for congressional seats, a number that has increased every year since 2012, and some 60 Black women are still in the running, Reuters reports.
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“People are becoming more comfortable with seeing different kinds of people in Congress. You don’t know what it looks like to have powerful Black women in Congress until you see powerful Black women in Congress,” Navy veteran and attorney Pam Keith, who is running in the Democratic primary for a Florida congressional seat, told Reuters.
From Reuters:
Black women are nearly 8% of the U.S. population, but 4.3% of Congress, according to a report here by the Center of Women and Politics and Higher Heights for America, a political action committee that seeks to elect more progressive Black women to elected office. They are underrepresented in statewide executive’s jobs and among mayors as well, according to the report. But Black women voters showed the highest participation rate here of any group in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections. Historically, Black women have been more likely here to win in majority-Black districts, but many are running this cycle in majority white or mixed districts, some of which had previously voted for Republicans.
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Patricia Timmons-Goodson is the first Black judge to serve on the North Carolina Supreme Court and she’s running for a seat in Congress.
“We’re going to flip this seat from red to blue,” Timmons-Goodson told Reuters. “We have a candidate that knows and understands the district and its people.”
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Many of the Black women congressional candidates that spoke with Reuters said that they have an advantage that many of their wealthier counterparts don’t have: They can relate to difficult financial hardships like the one America is currently facing ever since the coronavirus came through and wiped its muddy boots on America’s couch.
“We almost lost our house a couple of times. We ran into financial difficulties when I was first starting my business,” Jeannine Lee Lake, a former journalist who is running for Congress from Indiana against robotic Vice President Mike Pence’s brother, Greg Pence, told Reuters.
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Kimberly Walker, a veteran and former corrections officer from Florida running for Congress, knows what America needs: “We need to have more people, average, everyday American citizens who are there fighting for average, everyday American citizens,” she said.
Here is where I say the quiet part out loud: None of these women—not the ones running for the Congress or the ones that voted to keep a pedophile out of office in Alabama—are average; they are superheroes.


theroot--2020-07-27--Am I Getting Old or Are Next-Gen Consoles Just Not Hitting?

Last week , two things happened .
On Thursday , Xbox gave its full-throated pitch for the Xbox Series X .
On Saturday , I turned 28 .
As I move ever closer towards my impending doom and recent events make me grapple with my own mortality on a daily basis , I keep coming back to this one thought : Am I too old for the hype cycle ?
I look back to how excited I was as a 13-year-old for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 .
I remember pouring over copies of GamePro and Official Xbox Magazine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perfect Dark Zero and Burnout Revenge , my excitement mounting day by day .
After being relatively satisfied with the mushy faces and OK textures of Playstation 2 games , ya boy was amazed at how realistic everything looks .
Fast forward to 2013 : ya ’ boy is 20 -years -old watching E3 with the homies and losing , his , mind at the reveal of a new Star Wars Battlefront .
I remember being floored by the epic announce trailer for Metal Gear Solid V : The Phantom Pain .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed Final Fantasy Versus XIII was now Final Fantasy XV .
The graphics !
The gameplay !
Final Fantasy !
This console generation had everything .
Again , I was pretty impressed with what the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 could do at that point .
You can ’ t tell me that Halo 4 and The Last of Us weren ’ t the most gorgeous swan songs the generation could ’ ve asked for .
Despite that , I was still excited and hyped for what was to come .
I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age or simply my tastes changing but both the PS5 and Xbox Series X gameplay reveals have left me feeling , in the words of Robin , whelmed .
I ’ m not amazed by anything I ’ ve seen but I ’ m also not disappointed .
In June , Playstation held its conference revealing the design of the Playstation 5 and the games expected to launch with it .
It started heavy with the reveal of Spider-Man : Miles Morales but , aside from an interesting looking new game from Square-Enix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was really that memorable .
The feeling I was left with after both conferences was , “ Well , those are video games.
” Don ’ t get me wrong , Spider-Man : Miles Morales looks cool , Halo Infinite looks to be alright on a gameplay level and I ’ m curious as to what the new Fable is going to be like .
I just don ’ t see anything that ’ s wowed me .
I know I ’ m still capable of wonder ; Ghosts of Tsushima has left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solid gameplay .
There ’ s just something missing with these announcements .
I ’ ve played so much throughout my life and , at this point , I ’ m desperate for something new .
Graphics don ’ t wow me so much as unique art styles these days .
I ’ m finding it hard to be that excited for the sixth iteration of a franchise I ’ ve been playing since I was a child .
The fact that my decision to probably buy an Xbox is rooted in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to any one game makes me feel old as hell .
I don ’ t know , y ’ all .
Does this console generation just seem to be coming in with a whimper or have I just become an old head reminiscing about how gaming used to be back in the day ?

Last week, two things happened. On Thursday, Xbox gave its full-throated pitch for the Xbox Series X. On Saturday, I turned 28. As I move ever closer towards my impending doom and recent events make me grapple with my own mortality on a daily basis, I keep coming back to this one thought:
Am I too old for the hype cycle?
I look back to how excited I was as a 13-year-old for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. I remember pouring over copies of GamePro and Official Xbox Magazine to see the latest HD images of Perfect Dark Zero and Burnout Revenge, my excitement mounting day by day. After being relatively satisfied with the mushy faces and OK textures of Playstation 2 games, ya boy was amazed at how realistic everything looks.
Fast forward to 2013: ya’ boy is 20 -years -old watching E3 with the homies and losing, his, mind at the reveal of a new Star Wars Battlefront. I remember being floored by the epic announce trailer for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. I damn near broke down crying when they revealed Final Fantasy Versus XIII was now Final Fantasy XV.
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The graphics! The gameplay! Final Fantasy! This console generation had everything.
Again, I was pretty impressed with what the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 could do at that point. You can’t tell me that Halo 4 and The Last of Us weren’t the most gorgeous swan songs the generation could’ve asked for. Despite that, I was still excited and hyped for what was to come.
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I don’t know if it’s age or simply my tastes changing but both the PS5 and Xbox Series X gameplay reveals have left me feeling, in the words of Robin, whelmed. I’m not amazed by anything I’ve seen but I’m also not disappointed.
In June, Playstation held its conference revealing the design of the Playstation 5 and the games expected to launch with it. It started heavy with the reveal of Spider-Man: Miles Morales but, aside from an interesting looking new game from Square-Enix and Horizon: Forbidden West, nothing was really that memorable.
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The feeling I was left with after both conferences was, “Well, those are video games.”
Don’t get me wrong, Spider-Man: Miles Morales looks cool, Halo Infinite looks to be alright on a gameplay level and I’m curious as to what the new Fable is going to be like. I just don’t see anything that’s wowed me. I know I’m still capable of wonder; Ghosts of Tsushima has left me floored with its gorgeous landscapes and solid gameplay.
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There’s just something missing with these announcements.
I’ve played so much throughout my life and, at this point, I’m desperate for something new. Graphics don’t wow me so much as unique art styles these days. I’m finding it hard to be that excited for the sixth iteration of a franchise I’ve been playing since I was a child. The fact that my decision to probably buy an Xbox is rooted in the value proposition of Game Pass as opposed to any one game makes me feel old as hell.
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I don’t know, y’all. Does this console generation just seem to be coming in with a whimper or have I just become an old head reminiscing about how gaming used to be back in the day?


theroot--2020-07-27--Fill Up on Philips Shavers, Hue Lights, Toothbrushes, and More—for Less

It ’ s time for the best Philips deals for July 2020 .
Philips makes a whole bunch of great stuff , ranging from smart lighting solutions to electric shavers and toothbrushes ... and even 4K Smart TVs , kitchen appliances , and baby bottles .
Seriously .
And luckily , many of the company ’ s most popular products are on sale right now .
We ’ ve collected today ’ s best deals below .
Prepare for an impending infant ( or help a friend or family member get ready ) with the Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives you three smaller bottles and two larger ones , along with two additional specialized nipples , seven sealing disks , two pacifiers , and a specialized cleaning brush .
It ’ s knocked down 40 % right now .
• None Buy it now for $ 29 Big fan of soup ?
Why wouldn ’ t you be ?
If you ’ re keen on making your own soups of all sorts but want to avoid the usual mess that comes along , check out the Philips Soup Maker .
Currently $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well , it makes soup .
You ’ ll load in your ingredients , choose the settings , and then it handles the rest : blending and heating , and getting it ready to pour in as little as 18 minutes .
It ’ ll make cold soups and smoothies , too .
• None Buy it now for $ 100 Save $ 20 on this Walmart-exclusive Philips Norelco 6850 electric shaver , which comes with a pair of handy attachments : a precision trimmer and nose hair trimmer .
All told , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reliably close shave , not to mention a smooth one thanks to the 72 self-sharpening SkinProtect blades and ComfortGlide rings .
• None Buy it now for $ 110 Philips ’ TVs aren ’ t sold too widely these days , but Walmart carries ‘ em and is currently offering an excellent deal on this large and crisp 55 ” 4K HDR Smart TV .
Powered by the Android TV interface , this sizable set is currently $ 80 off the list price at Walmart .
Want to save a bit more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smart TV model for $ 248 instead .
• None Buy it now for $ 318 Save $ 55 right now on this Philips Hue Smart Flushmount light , which is designed to add a flashy accent to any ceiling or wall .
You ’ ll need a Hue hub to take advantage of the smartphone trickery to change the warmth of the light and control the light from afar , but if you have one , it ’ s compatible with the rest of your Hue home setup .
• None Buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple of handy white bulbs to your Philips Hue smart home array for $ 5 off the list price right now at Amazon .
These A19 bulbs aren ’ t the fancy color-changing ones , but Hue bulbs of all types rarely see much of a discount .
These can link into the same Hue Hub setup you already have at home , extending the voice- and app-activated illumination into more corners of your space .
• None Buy it now for $ 25 Philips ’ super-handy smart dimmer switch for its Hue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to control up to 50 bulbs around your home without using the smartphone app .
Not only can it easily mount to a wall , but the controls themselves move as a portable remote that you can bring anywhere for wireless command .
You can also choose from four favorite light recipes by pressing the On button , along with adjusting the brightness of bulbs .
• None Buy it now for $ 20 Here ’ s some serious savings on some serious cans .
Philips ’ Audio Fidelio X2HD over-ear , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although they ’ ll also work just fine with streaming music and other sources .
With 50mm drivers and memory foam earcups , these premium headphones usually cost a bundle… but right now , they ’ re more than 50 % off the usual $ 300 list price .
• None Buy it now for $ 145 If you don ’ t need the fancy color-changing bulbs and just want to get up and running with Philips ’ Hue smart lighting system , this starter kit can do the trick at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save $ 30 on this set , which has four A19 LED white smart bulbs and the Hue Bridge that connects to your wireless router , letting you control all of your home ’ s smart bulbs from an app .
• None Buy it now for $ 120 Get an epic brushing with Philips ’ Sonicare DiamondClean Classic , one of the company ’ s higher-end electric toothbrushes .
It ’ s $ 35 off the list price right now in black , with white and pink colors also available ( check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to clean your teeth up to seven times better than a manual toothbrush , with multiple brushing settings available .
It also comes with a carrying case and a glass that you can both drink from and charge the toothbrush within .
Handy !
• None Buy it now for $ 165 Philips promises a “ close , fast shave ” with the Norelco 5100 Electric Shaver Wet & Dry , which sounds pretty great to me .
Even better : it ’ s $ 15 off right now .
The 5-direction flex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done , and for the hairier individuals out there , the precision trimmer will come in handy too .
• None Buy it now for $ 75 Philips makes an indoor barbecue grill that is smoke-less , relying instead upon infrared technology to heat the cooking grid .
As a result , the drip dry remains cool underneath , further preventing smoke .
But don ’ t let infrared fool you— the grill heats up quickly to 446 degrees Fahrenheit .
And unlike a regular grill , this Philips indoor grill is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it down or toss it in the dishwasher .
Best of all , it ’ s 55 % off right now .
• None Buy it now for $ 134 You don ’ t need to spend a bundle to get a Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush .
The company ’ s entry-level rechargeable model promises a 2x improvement in clearing plaque compared to manual brushing .
However , this one ’ s much cheaper than some others—it ’ s $ 11 off right now .
Note that it uses Philips ’ screw-on heads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some higher-end models .
• None Buy it now for $ 39

Benjamin Levin and Andrew Hayward on Roundups, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Featured Deal: Philips Hue LED Starter Kit | $179
It’s time for the best Philips deals for August 2020.
You’ll find the Philips brand across a variety of products, including smart lighting, electric toothbrushes, shavers, and even baby bottles. Luckily, all of that stuff also has a strong reputation for quality, so you’re likely to get something great when you see the Philips name.
Many of Philips’ top products are on deep discount right now, and we’ve collected today’s best Philips deals below. Have a look!
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Get the ultimate in home tooth-brushing technology with the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9300 rechargeable toothbrush—and yes, there’s an app for that.
In addition to multiple intensity settings and modes, this toothbrush pairs with a mobile app that provides real-time brushing feedback. If you’ve been unsure about your brushing technique, this smart toothbrush could help make a difference. It’s $30 off the list price.
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Get a slick trim without breaking the bank thanks to this Philips Norelco Multigroom All-in-One Trimmer. It’s just $35 from Amazon right now, and comes with 17 attachments (including an ear and nose trimmer) to ensure a clean look throughout. The built-in battery will give you three hours of wireless usage, too.
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This bundle is a great way to get started in the Philips Hue system if you’re looking to bring its vibrant colors into your home. You get a trio of the color-changing Gen 3 LED bulbs, along with the latest-gen Hue Bridge and wireless dimmer switch. Hue deals don’t come very regularly, but this set is $21 off the list price at Amazon.
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Pesky nose hairs popping out and bothering you? No worries: employ the Philips Norelco Nosetrimmer 1000, which at least sounds futuristic and menacing.
In reality, though, it’s just a really basic and useful electric device that can gently clear out your nose hairs, ear hair, and eyebrows in a matter of minutes. This battery-powered trimmer is just $10 at Walmart.
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Prepare for an impending infant (or help a friend or family member get ready) with the Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle Newborn Starter Gift Set.
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This bundle gives you three smaller bottles and two larger ones, along with two additional specialized nipples, seven sealing disks, two pacifiers, and a specialized cleaning brush. It’s knocked down 40% right now.
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Big fan of soup? Why wouldn’t you be? If you’re keen on making your own soups of all sorts but want to avoid the usual mess that comes along, check out the Philips Soup Maker.
Currently $20 off list at Amazon, it… well, it makes soup. You’ll load in your ingredients, choose the settings, and then it handles the rest: blending and heating, and getting it ready to pour in as little as 18 minutes. It’ll make cold soups and smoothies, too.
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Save $20 on this Walmart-exclusive Philips Norelco 6850 electric shaver, which comes with a pair of handy attachments: a precision trimmer and nose hair trimmer.
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All told, you’ll be able to get a reliably close shave, not to mention a smooth one thanks to the 72 self-sharpening SkinProtect blades and ComfortGlide rings.
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Philips’ TVs aren’t sold too widely these days, but Walmart carries ‘em and is currently offering an excellent deal on this crisp 43” 4K HDR Smart TV. Powered by the Android TV interface, this sizable set is currently $40 off the list price at Walmart.
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Add a couple of handy white bulbs to your Philips Hue smart home array for $5 off the list price right now at Amazon.
These A19 bulbs aren’t the fancy color-changing ones, but Hue bulbs of all types rarely see much of a discount. These can link into the same Hue Hub setup you already have at home, extending the voice- and app-activated illumination into more corners of your space.
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Here’s some serious savings on some serious cans. Philips’ Audio Fidelio X2HD over-ear, open-air headphones are built for hi-res audio, although they’ll also work just fine with streaming music and other sources.
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With 50mm drivers and memory foam earcups, these premium headphones usually cost a bundle… but right now, they’re more than 50% off the usual $300 list price.
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You don’t need to spend a bundle to get a Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush. The company’s entry-level rechargeable model promises a 2x improvement in clearing plaque compared to manual brushing.
However, this one’s much cheaper than some others—it’s $9 off right now. Note that it uses Philips’ screw-on heads rather than the snap-on versions used by some higher-end models.


theroot--2020-07-27--‘Get the Hell Out the Country’: Mike Ditka’s Views on Kneeling During the Anthem Are Still Pretty Wy

‘Get the Hell Out the Country’: Mike Ditka’s Views on Kneeling During the Anthem Are Still Pretty Wypipo Basic

A lot of white people are still very much under the impression that the United States of America is their country and theirs alone .
They respond to anyone who doesn ’ t fall in line with their ideals and traditions to “ get out of my country ” or “ go back where you came from ” as if they were kicking houseguests out of their homes after said guests had worn out their welcome .
But America is not theirs to dictate who is welcome and who isn ’ t and they are not entitled to have their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka is the latest flag-humping “ patriot ” to declare publicly that anyone kneeling during the national anthem to protest systemic racism in America should “ get the hell out of the country.
” Ditka is chairman of the X League , a women ’ s football organization previously known as the Legends Football League .
In a recent interview with TMZ Sports , Ditka talked about his support of the league , but he also revealed that his progressive attitude towards women in sports doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platforms to show support for Black Lives Matter by taking a knee during the anthem .
When asked if he would support X league athletes kneeling in silent protest , Ditka responded , “ If it was up to me , I ’ d say no.
” “ If you can ’ t respect our national anthem , get the hell out of the country , ” he said .
“ That ’ s the way I feel .
Of course , I ’ m old- fashioned .
So , I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Ditka went on to commit a common act of caucasity by dictating the right and wrong methods of protesting the systemic racism that he will never experience .
He also echoed the same “ Shut up and dribble ” rhetoric that white people have used to scold Black athletes protesting racism for decades because they believe that Black ballplayers making money in America should automatically cancel any sense of duty they might have to the communities they came from .
“ I think there ’ s a way you protest , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t protest , ” Ditka said .
“ You don ’ t protest against the flag , and you don ’ t protest against this country who has given you the opportunity to make a living , playing a sport , you never thought would happen .
So , I don ’ t want to hear all the crap .
You want to try it , try it .
You don ’ t , it ’ s okay.
” Clearly the former Chicago Bears coach has learned nothing from 2017 when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world that he was in a white fragility-induced coma throughout the ’ 50s and ‘ 60s and didn ’ t know about any oppression happening in America over the last 100 years .
“ All of a sudden , it ’ s become a big deal now , about oppression , ” he said .
“ There has been no oppression in the last 100 years that I know of .
Now maybe I ’ m not watching it as carefully as other people.
” NFL agent David Mulugheta pulled Ditka ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responding to his TMZ comments .
“ This doesn ’ t surprise me at all , Mulugheta wrote .
“ Mike Dikta traded his helmet in for a white hood as soon as he retired from football .
Racism hiding behind faux patriotism is still racism .
”

A lot of white people are still very much under the impression that the United States of America is their country and theirs alone. They respond to anyone who doesn’t fall in line with their ideals and traditions to “get out of my country” or “go back where you came from” as if they were kicking houseguests out of their homes after said guests had worn out their welcome. But America is not theirs to dictate who is welcome and who isn’t and they are not entitled to have their traditional values respected or celebrated.
College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka is the latest flag-humping “patriot” to declare publicly that anyone kneeling during the national anthem to protest systemic racism in America should “get the hell out of the country.”
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Ditka is chairman of the X League, a women’s football organization previously known as the Legends Football League.
In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Ditka talked about his support of the league, but he also revealed that his progressive attitude towards women in sports doesn’t extend to athletes using their platforms to show support for Black Lives Matter by taking a knee during the anthem.
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When asked if he would support X league athletes kneeling in silent protest, Ditka responded, “If it was up to me, I’d say no.”
“If you can’t respect our national anthem, get the hell out of the country,” he said. “That’s the way I feel. Of course, I’m old- fashioned. So, I’m only going to say what I feel.”
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Ditka went on to commit a common act of caucasity by dictating the right and wrong methods of protesting the systemic racism that he will never experience. He also echoed the same “Shut up and dribble” rhetoric that white people have used to scold Black athletes protesting racism for decades because they believe that Black ballplayers making money in America should automatically cancel any sense of duty they might have to the communities they came from.
“I think there’s a way you protest, and there’s a way you don’t protest,” Ditka said. “You don’t protest against the flag, and you don’t protest against this country who has given you the opportunity to make a living, playing a sport, you never thought would happen. So, I don’t want to hear all the crap. You want to try it, try it. You don’t, it’s okay.”
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Clearly the former Chicago Bears coach has learned nothing from 2017 when he had to apologize for revealing to the world that he was in a white fragility-induced coma throughout the ’50s and ‘60s and didn’t know about any oppression happening in America over the last 100 years.
“All of a sudden, it’s become a big deal now, about oppression,” he said. “There has been no oppression in the last 100 years that I know of. Now maybe I’m not watching it as carefully as other people.”
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NFL agent David Mulugheta pulled Ditka’s white supremacy card Sunday in a tweet responding to his TMZ comments.
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“This doesn’t surprise me at all, Mulugheta wrote. “Mike Dikta traded his helmet in for a white hood as soon as he retired from football. Racism hiding behind faux patriotism is still racism.”


theroot--2020-07-27--Petty President Trump Says He Won't be Visiting the Capitol to Pay Respect to John Lewis

President Donald “ I ’ ve Always Been Good to You People ” Trump is the Miss Millie of male Karens and the Milli Vanilli of white saviors .
Sure , he can make the bold claim that he ’ s done more for Black Americans than any president since Abraham Lincoln ( while citing bare-minimum policies that have mostly proven ineffective in changing the socio-economic conditions that Black people in America live under ) , but when it comes to the Black Lives Matter movement , he ’ s been nothing but belligerent and unsupportive .
So it should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courses will not be visiting the Capitol to pay his respects to civil rights icon and 17-term Georgia House Rep. John Lewis .
Just before leaving the White House for a trip to North Carolina , Trump was asked by a reporter if he would be viewing Lewis ’ casket , which arrived at the U.S. Capitol on Monday .
Trump replied with a simple , “ I won ’ t be going , no.
” The casket will be displayed outside at the top of the steps of the Capitol later Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay their respects while maintaining distance because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The outdoor public viewing will be continued during the day Tuesday .
Trump ordered flags at the White House to fly at half-staff in honor of Lewis for part of the day following his death .
The president said that day that he was “ saddened ” to hear the news of Lewis ’ s death , calling him a civil rights hero in a tweet , but has otherwise said little about his death publicly .
Don ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuck with Trump any more than Trump fucked with him ( or non-Sunken Place Black people , in general ) .
So , we can all rest assured that Lewis wouldn ’ t be offended that Putin ’ s better half didn ’ t show the same willingness to put politics aside that other presidents have shown when a fellow elected official who they may have had a beef with has died .
I ’ d imagine no one in Lewis ’ family wants the Oompa Loompa-in-chief there anyway .

President Donald “I’ve Always Been Good to You People” Trump is the Miss Millie of male Karens and the Milli Vanilli of white saviors. Sure, he can make the bold claim that he’s done more for Black Americans than any president since Abraham Lincoln (while citing bare-minimum policies that have mostly proven ineffective in changing the socio-economic conditions that Black people in America live under), but when it comes to the Black Lives Matter movement, he’s been nothing but belligerent and unsupportive. So it should surprise absolutely no one that the commander-in-golf courses will not be visiting the Capitol to pay his respects to civil rights icon and 17-term Georgia House Rep. John Lewis.
Just before leaving the White House for a trip to North Carolina, Trump was asked by a reporter if he would be viewing Lewis’ casket, which arrived at the U.S. Capitol on Monday. Trump replied with a simple, “I won’t be going, no.”
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From The Hill:
The casket will be displayed outside at the top of the steps of the Capitol later Monday so that members of the public can pay their respects while maintaining distance because of the coronavirus pandemic. The outdoor public viewing will be continued during the day Tuesday. Trump ordered flags at the White House to fly at half-staff in honor of Lewis for part of the day following his death. The president said that day that he was “saddened” to hear the news of Lewis’s death, calling him a civil rights hero in a tweet, but has otherwise said little about his death publicly.
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Don’t get it twisted: Lewis didn’t fuck with Trump any more than Trump fucked with him (or non-Sunken Place Black people, in general). So, we can all rest assured that Lewis wouldn’t be offended that Putin’s better half didn’t show the same willingness to put politics aside that other presidents have shown when a fellow elected official who they may have had a beef with has died. I’d imagine no one in Lewis’ family wants the Oompa Loompa-in-chief there anyway.


theroot--2020-07-27--“We all belong here”: New scholarship program supports BIPOC brewers and distillers

Few booze writers have achieved the fame or recognition of Michael James Jackson , whose name appears on more than a dozen books , in 18 languages , sold all over the world .
Jackson died in 2007 , but now the newly created Michael Jackson Foundation for Brewing & Distilling is honoring his famously progressive legacy by creating two scholarships specifically designed to promote and support BIPOC brewers and distillers in the United States .
The foundation ’ s inaugural board chair is Brooklyn Brewery ’ s brewmaster , Garrett Oliver , author of The Brewmaster ’ s Table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Real Food and editor of the 2011 volume of The Oxford Companion to Beer .
In a Twitter thread announcing the formation of the foundation , Oliver , who is Black , notes that he was personally impacted by Jackson ’ s anti-racist legacy , writing , “ Michael personally championed me ; I did not get here all by myself .
When people questioned my credentials , Michael personally stood them all down .
Michael was not a person of color , and he was English , but he was also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foundation itself is named for Jackson , its two scholarships—one for brewing and one for distilling—are respectively named for Sir Godfrey “ Geoff ” Henry Oliver Palmer , a Jamaican-born author , teacher , and brewing expert who became the first Black professor in the history of Scotland , and for Nathan “ Nearest ” Green , an enslaved Black man now credited as being the first master distiller of the Jack Daniel ’ s Distillery .
The scholarships will provide financial awards to their recipients and will also pair them with “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands-on coaching on professional development and career advancement.
” Funds for the scholarships are currently being raised via GoFundMe , with the current total of $ 13,000+ accumulating in just three days .
It ’ s a worthy cause named for three historically important people , and hopefully it will help to foster greater representation and equity within the world of beer and spirits—because as Oliver notes , “ It has been estimated that 0.6 % of people working in American craft beer production are black ; if we look at all BIPOC @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Jacob Dean on The Takeout, shared by Genetta M. Adams to The Root

Few booze writers have achieved the fame or recognition of Michael James Jackson, whose name appears on more than a dozen books, in 18 languages, sold all over the world. Jackson died in 2007, but now the newly created Michael Jackson Foundation for Brewing & Distilling is honoring his famously progressive legacy by creating two scholarships specifically designed to promote and support BIPOC brewers and distillers in the United States.
The foundation’s inaugural board chair is Brooklyn Brewery’s brewmaster, Garrett Oliver, author of The Brewmaster’s Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food and editor of the 2011 volume of The Oxford Companion to Beer. In a Twitter thread announcing the formation of the foundation, Oliver, who is Black, notes that he was personally impacted by Jackson’s anti-racist legacy, writing, “Michael personally championed me; I did not get here all by myself. When people questioned my credentials, Michael personally stood them all down. Michael was not a person of color, and he was English, but he was also actively and profoundly anti-racist.”
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While the foundation itself is named for Jackson, its two scholarships—one for brewing and one for distilling—are respectively named for Sir Godfrey “Geoff” Henry Oliver Palmer, a Jamaican-born author, teacher, and brewing expert who became the first Black professor in the history of Scotland, and for Nathan “Nearest” Green, an enslaved Black man now credited as being the first master distiller of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. The scholarships will provide financial awards to their recipients and will also pair them with “an industry-specific mentor, who will provide hands-on coaching on professional development and career advancement.”
Funds for the scholarships are currently being raised via GoFundMe, with the current total of $13,000+ accumulating in just three days. It’s a worthy cause named for three historically important people, and hopefully it will help to foster greater representation and equity within the world of beer and spirits—because as Oliver notes, “It has been estimated that 0.6% of people working in American craft beer production are black; if we look at all BIPOC, the number remains tiny.”


theroot--2020-07-27--The Defense of Black Lives Must Include Disability Justice

In the fight for racial justice and true liberation , if one of us is not free , none of us are .
From fighting for justice in the LGBTQ+ community to fighting for women ’ s rights , it is important to fight for everyone if we are going to build a truly just and equitable America .
One group that is often forgotten though , is Black people with disabilities .
But on the 30-year anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act , we have decided to take center stage .
It ’ s Disability Pride Month and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice—for all Black people .
I live at a crucial intersection : I am a Black disabled woman .
I have advocated for disability rights/justice throughout my entire career .
And still , it remains clear to me that there is much more work to be done to advance and promote equity and accessibility for people with disabilities—particularly for those of us who exist at BIPOC ( Black , Indigenous , People of Color ) and disabled intersections .
Like the 1 in 4 Black adults who have a disability , I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these identifiers do not exist independently of each other .
As the movement for racial justice in America widens , It ’ s crucial that we recognize the shortcomings of our society when it comes to supporting me and other disabled members of the Black community .
Our systems have left out necessary infrastructure and resources to survive ; the median adjusted family income for disabled workers has been left at about half of the income of others and , like too many Black communities , voting rights is another frontier where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it comes to serving members of the community with disabilities .
But in this moment , most concerning are the dual epidemics of COVID-19 and police violence in Black communities .
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic , which we have all seen disproportionately devastate the Black community , Black people with disabilities are literally being left to die without any assistance .
This comes after years of people with disabilities combating attacks from the Trump administration against those of us who are most marginalized .
As a full-time wheelchair user who requires daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have lived through the fight for fair access to healthcare , as have so many millions like me across the country .
This has looked like pushing for state and federal intervention as well as media attention for my battles .
It has meant being forced to weigh living in a nursing home or living at an institution when I didn ’ t have a healthcare plan to pay for it .
And these challenges have been my reality in supposedly “ good ” times .
Now , in places like Arizona , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , and where I live , we are seeing medical rationing set to devastate disabled people .
Living at the intersection , this kind of discrimination is my and many of my friends ’ worst nightmare , with some of my community here in the state fearing they ’ ll fall down the list or be stripped of their lifesaving devices in the event they are not deemed worthy by the state .
To make matters worse , it is well documented that our nation ’ s police are not trained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with people with disabilities .
Failures here have led to unnecessary bloodshed and traumatizing episodes .
The stats are startling as half of the people killed by police across races have a disability .
Right now , it is critical that we fight for the rights of all , leaving no one behind , as we crusade in the name of Black lives .
To honor the 30th anniversary of the ADA , this past weekend , the Crip Camp impact team and Color Of Change held a special two-hour virtual celebration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward .
This conversation is just the beginning .
As Disability Pride month comes to a close , I hope you ’ ll continue the conversation started in your own city .
Andraéa LaVant is founder and president of LaVant Consulting , Inc. ( LCI ) , a social impact communications firm .
She currently serves as the impact producer for Netflix ’ s feature-length documentary , Crip Camp , where she is charged with leading the campaign ’ s efforts to promote understanding of disability as a social justice issue and build @ @ @ @ @

In the fight for racial justice and true liberation, if one of us is not free, none of us are. From fighting for justice in the LGBTQ+ community to fighting for women’s rights, it is important to fight for everyone if we are going to build a truly just and equitable America. One group that is often forgotten though, is Black people with disabilities. But on the 30-year anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we have decided to take center stage. It’s Disability Pride Month and we are proud to be fighting for justice—for all Black people.
I live at a crucial intersection: I am a Black disabled woman. I have advocated for disability rights/justice throughout my entire career. And still, it remains clear to me that there is much more work to be done to advance and promote equity and accessibility for people with disabilities—particularly for those of us who exist at BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and disabled intersections. Like the 1 in 4 Black adults who have a disability, I can’t silo my experience, as these identifiers do not exist independently of each other.
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As the movement for racial justice in America widens, It’s crucial that we recognize the shortcomings of our society when it comes to supporting me and other disabled members of the Black community. Our systems have left out necessary infrastructure and resources to survive; the median adjusted family income for disabled workers has been left at about half of the income of others and , like too many Black communities, voting rights is another frontier where we have seen little improvement over the years when it comes to serving members of the community with disabilities.
But in this moment, most concerning are the dual epidemics of COVID-19 and police violence in Black communities.
Advertisement Advertisement
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which we have all seen disproportionately devastate the Black community, Black people with disabilities are literally being left to die without any assistance. This comes after years of people with disabilities combating attacks from the Trump administration against those of us who are most marginalized. As a full-time wheelchair user who requires daily care from personal care attendants, I have lived through the fight for fair access to healthcare, as have so many millions like me across the country. This has looked like pushing for state and federal intervention as well as media attention for my battles. It has meant being forced to weigh living in a nursing home or living at an institution when I didn’t have a healthcare plan to pay for it.
And these challenges have been my reality in supposedly “good” times. Now, in places like Arizona, one of the states hit hardest by the pandemic, and where I live, we are seeing medical rationing set to devastate disabled people. Living at the intersection, this kind of discrimination is my and many of my friends’ worst nightmare, with some of my community here in the state fearing they’ll fall down the list or be stripped of their lifesaving devices in the event they are not deemed worthy by the state.
Advertisement
To make matters worse, it is well documented that our nation’s police are not trained when it comes to necessary de-escalation and working with people with disabilities. Failures here have led to unnecessary bloodshed and traumatizing episodes. The stats are startling as half of the people killed by police across races have a disability.
Right now, it is critical that we fight for the rights of all, leaving no one behind, as we crusade in the name of Black lives. To honor the 30th anniversary of the ADA, this past weekend, the Crip Camp impact team and Color Of Change held a special two-hour virtual celebration to discuss historic wins and the path forward. This conversation is just the beginning. As Disability Pride month comes to a close, I hope you’ll continue the conversation started in your own city.
Advertisement
Andraéa LaVant is founder and president of LaVant Consulting, Inc. (LCI), a social impact communications firm. She currently serves as the impact producer for Netflix’s feature-length documentary, Crip Camp, where she is charged with leading the campaign’s efforts to promote understanding of disability as a social justice issue and build across lines of difference.