theroot--2020-12-09--Speaking From The Chest: Streamer Receives Death Threats After Holding Console Makers To Account

Back in May , shortly after the murder of George Floyd , the juggernauts of the gaming industry issued statements in solidarity with Black Lives Matter while stating the need to do more to support their Black fans , creators and employees .
Xbox tweeted , “ Xbox stands together with our fans , creators , colleagues , friends , and the entire African American & Black Community against systemic racism and injustice .
We are proud to join with @ Microsoft in amplifying Black and African American voices.
” PlayStation tweeted , “ We will continue to work towards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stand with our Black creators , players , employees , family , and friends.
” On October 23rd , Natasha Zinda—better known as Zombaekillz on Twitch—tweeted at PlayStation that she “ noticed a lack of representation of WOC , [ specifically ] Black women , reviewing your console.
” Since Zinda is herself a Black woman , a streamer , and hardware reviewer , she decided to shoot her shot and offer her services in case PlayStation was having trouble finding Black reviewers for their latest console .
On November 15th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zinda and fellow Black female streamer Stephanie “ Nnesaga ” Ijoma to talk about how console makers can support people of color .
Zinda explained why she tweeted at PlayStation saying that , at the time , she felt that it was “ hollow ” that PlayStation would release a Black Lives Matter PS4 theme and promote Spider-Man : Miles Morales—a game starring a Black Latinx teenager—without also choosing Black voices to review its console .
On November 23rd , a full month after her initial tweet , a video went up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview , inciting a disgusting and persistent online campaign of violence , misogyny , and racism that included death threats , doxxing , and invitations for Zinda to commit suicice—all for the crime asking PlayStation to hold true to its pledges of support for the Black community and put its marketing where its mouth was .
Zinda , in a Discord call , described her work on Twitch as , “ big , fat , Black chaotic content .
I ’ m , big , fat , Black , and chaotic but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very intentional about this focus on radical kindness.
” Zinda hosted a charity stream for No Kid Hungry , was featured in a panel on Blackness with Ka h lief Adams of Spawn on Me , conducted a roundtable discussion featuring other Black streamers after the Breonna Taylor verdict , and even hosted an AMA detailing her own experience with incarceration .
Zinda embraced what she calls “ uncomfortable conversations ” because she wanted to incorporate her lived experiences into a world where the majority of such experiences aren ’ t reflective of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of perspectives and hot takes constantly from white people .
It ’ s overwhelmingly deafening , ” she said .
“ What I try to do is let people see us in our most human moments , and I try to be hyper transparent with people so that they can just look the world the way I look at it.
” Her brand of “ fat , Black , radical kindness , ” is working for her .
She writes reviews for Tom ’ s Hardware , was featured in Time magazine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kinda Funny show , on IGN ’ s Podcast Beyond , and has a successful Twitch stream that was made partner during Twitch ’ s online Glitchcon event—all within the last six months .
In other words , she poppin ’ .
As the next-generation Xbox rolled out of Microsoft warehouses and into the hands of streamers and influencers , Zinda noticed an interesting similarity shared by those who were receiving the hallowed console .
“ Well , around the time that console started going out , ” Zinda said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] were being sent to and what the reviewers of those consoles look like .
I noticed it was primarily white.
” Before finishing her thought , Zinda had to duck out for a quick second to tend to one of her kids .
Zinda ’ s been sick lately .
Thankfully it ’ s pneumonia and not the coronavirus but still , dealing with kids while being sick is according to her “ part of the ride ” of being a mom .
“ [ I ] pointed out that there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Everyone we were seeing who was getting the console was white , and overwhelmingly male.
” I , too , remember when the Xbox Series S/X started arriving at influencers ’ and reviewers ’ doors ahead of its worldwide launch day on November 10th , and noticing the same similarities between who got to post “ look what I got ” Tweets .
Gaming has always been an overwhelmingly white and male space , something Xbox executive Phil Spencer noted needs to change .
“ We don ’ t need more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Spencer , who is white , said in an interview with Kotaku ’ s Stephen Totilo .
“ We need a more diverse team.
” While Spencer was talking specifically about diverse leadership at Microsoft , there exists a desperate need for more diversity in the gaming industry in every area—at Spencer ’ s executive level , in my own world of journalism , and in Zinda ’ s field of streamers and influencers .
And while there is no lack of Black and Brown talent on Twitch , there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry grants access—who gets the review codes for the newest games and who gets their hands on the hot new consoles .
“ Where are people who look like me reviewing tech ?
” Zinda asked herself as she watched influencers , reviewers , and fellow streamers get Xboxes and later PlayStations .
“ Where are the Black women ?
” This conversation wasn ’ t new to Zinda .
It ’ s one she ’ s frequently had with peers over who gets access in the video game industry and why .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you guys .
You guys shouldn ’ t get them first , ’ ” she said , repeating arguments people offered in response to her questions of why the streamers chosen to review consoles are overwhelmingly white and male .
“ And I ’ m like , bigger doesn ’ t matter because I believe in impact over numbers .
It ’ s something that we believe in very much .
And how did these guys get so big ?
Having access to stuff like this does give you a competitive edge.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loop that works to keep marginalized creators shut out of the opportunities that allow them to grow .
If a console maker only chooses to support the biggest streamers with the biggest followings , who again skew white , able-bodied , cis and male—that exclusive access increases the profile of those streamers , further guaranteeing only streamers who are white , able-bodied , cis , and male will continue to recieve those opportunities .
By choosing to support marginalized creators—Black folk , queer folk , disabled folk—console makers can break the loop and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want , yet can never show progress toward whenever its time to show a diversity report .
Since she was a highly visible Black woman with the credentials and the experience to review a console , if console makers wanted to support Black creators like they keep saying they want to , why not start with her ?
She made her tweet and followed it up with an email to Sony ’ s PR department including a pitch deck with her stats and numbers—basically doing what any influencer does when courting brands for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vocal about diversity and representation this year , ” the email reads .
“ And I would love to see that paired with action and uplifting the marginalized people that consume their products .
Thank you for your time and consideration.
” There ’ s a saying in the Black community , one I personally hear in my mother ’ s voice whenever I recall a younger me expressing a desire to do anything : “ If you gon ’ talk about it , be about it.
” To be sure , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form , but this particular version seems to best describe what happened .
PlayStation talked about it , so Zinda demanded they be about it .
“ Sony came back to me and said , I got some good news .
I ’ d like to send you a console for launch.
” On November 11th the fruits of her labor paid off and she excitedly posted on social media that she had indeed received a PlayStation 5 from Sony for review .
Ironically , after her initial October 23rd tweet Zinda said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue from Xbox asking if she had heard about receiving a Series S. When she said she hadn ’ t , Microsoft apologized , citing a miscommunication and that she was on the list to review the console and would be receiving one shortly .
She got it on November 2nd .
Then people , who somehow thought she was not deserving of either , got pissed , responding with a targeted campaign of hate .
In a now removed video , Griffin Gaming made a bad faith argument essentially stating that Zinda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any work she put into developing her audience and portfolio but because she guilted Sony and Microsoft through using the race card .
The 29-minute-long video incited harassment against Zinda causing her to ask her followers to report the video and have it taken down , which prompted Griffin Gaming to preemptively remove it , but not before posting a shorter video accusing Zinda of “ false flagging ” his content .
After the “ false flagging ” incident , known vector of harassment The Quartering , and Comicsgate blog Bounding Into Comics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s when everything , by that point already intolerable , got way worse .
“ [ Trolls ] started to come after me more and more , ” she explained .
“ More videos spun off , mocking my appearance .
There were photoshopped images of me being put underneath posts I started with photos of my head on a lynched body .
I started to get photos of white guys having sex with large Black women with my face photoshopped onto them .
I started to get rape and death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a lot of hatred .
For the past nine days it ’ s been it ’ s been hell.
” There ’ s an expectation for Black women to behave a certain way .
Unlike in white women where aggressiveness is prized as a way of “ smashing the patriarchy , ” in order for Black women to be taken seriously we must be affable , humble , quiet , and ever ready to sacrifice for others .
The insidiousness of misogynoir demonizes in Black women what is expected in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , our outspokenness becomes too loud .
Zinda competently advocated for herself—a behavior often rewarded when men and white women do it , but less so when it ’ s a non-white woman .
“ I wasn ’ t saying I ’ m the biggest Black streamer .
I wasn ’ t saying , ‘ I ’ m the best , I have the most numbers.
’ I just said ‘ Hey , I ’ m kind of the most visible in the space right now .
I ’ m the hot commodity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , I acknowledged where I was , and I think that pissed people off .
To just be confident.
” When I watch those videos , my only takeaway is that these people are angry that Zinda dared to act in any way outside the prescribed boundary for Black women .
Their arguments that Zinda used race to weasel her way into free consoles certainly have no merit ; one person can not guilt a billion dollar company into doing anything that it doesn ’ t want to do .
And so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her chest who she was and demanded console makers show the barest bit of accountability for words they already said , she was punished with wave after wave of harassment , the ramifications of which still shake Zinda to this day .
“ It ’ s nonstop .
They ’ ve gone on every platform that I ’ m on and harassed me .
They ’ ve hate raided me while I did my charity fundraisers for No Kid Hungry .
They ’ ve come into every stream that I ’ ve had.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ve posted with images of her distorted face , and read the tweets inviting her to commit suicide .
But more than the fear a harassment campaign like this inspires or the psychological damage it does , Zinda described silence—of her own voice and the more sinister silence from people who have the power to condemn this kind of behavior—as the worst .
“ When people create these hate videos , what they ’ re doing is ratioing me out of the picture .
It suppresses my reach even further .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ another video it pushes my discoverability further down the line .
That hurts my ability to be discovered by people who actually want to consume my content .
It makes it so that I can ’ t monetize and earn better when they come into my streams and my Twitter chats .
They ’ re hurting my opportunities for brands and game devs who want to work with me .
They are literally cutting my legs out from underneath me.
” “ This is a problem , ” she continued .
“ Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one ’ s talking about what this really looks like .
Xbox just came out with their comment about how they think one of the worst things in the games industry right now is console wars .
Is it ?
Is console wars our worst thing , or is racism and gatekeeping Blackness out of games the worst thing in the games industry ?
I don ’ t just want to say Black people , because I see my disabled friends get bullied and harassed , so much too .
I see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the games industry .
I see a lack of a lot of otherness in our industry and we have to do better.
” I asked Zinda what “ do better ” looks like to her .
“ I want us to focus on dragging these people out of the games communities , to say ‘ you do not belong here.
’ I want us to deplatform hate and start holding these platforms accountable.
” Despite this experience , Zinda continues to stream and still thinks of the gaming industry as being a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ ‘ Gaming is for everyone , ’ I put that out as a hashtag and a lot of people retweeted it and I believe that with all my heart .
Gaming being shown through a prism of otherness is so powerful .
Politicians are starting to see the power behind gaming .
It ’ s why we see AOC over on Twitch .
We know the power that lies in our community .
We have to wield it very responsibly , and I need these big heads of the industry to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to use their shield to protect those most vulnerable in their communities .
Period.
” In other words , gaming industry , be about it .

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

Back in May, shortly after the murder of George Floyd, the juggernauts of the gaming industry issued statements in solidarity with Black Lives Matter while stating the need to do more to support their Black fans, creators and employees.
Xbox tweeted, “Xbox stands together with our fans, creators, colleagues, friends, and the entire African American & Black Community against systemic racism and injustice. We are proud to join with @Microsoft in amplifying Black and African American voices.”
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PlayStation tweeted, “We will continue to work towards a future marked by empathy and inclusion and stand with our Black creators, players, employees, family, and friends.”
On October 23rd, Natasha Zinda—better known as Zombaekillz on Twitch—tweeted at PlayStation that she “noticed a lack of representation of WOC, [specifically] Black women, reviewing your console.” Since Zinda is herself a Black woman, a streamer, and hardware reviewer, she decided to shoot her shot and offer her services in case PlayStation was having trouble finding Black reviewers for their latest console.
On November 15th, popular YouTube gaming channel Inside Gaming invited Zinda and fellow Black female streamer Stephanie “Nnesaga” Ijoma to talk about how console makers can support people of color. Zinda explained why she tweeted at PlayStation saying that, at the time, she felt that it was “hollow” that PlayStation would release a Black Lives Matter PS4 theme and promote Spider-Man: Miles Morales—a game starring a Black Latinx teenager—without also choosing Black voices to review its console.
On November 23rd, a full month after her initial tweet, a video went up on YouTube in response to that Inside Gaming interview, inciting a disgusting and persistent online campaign of violence, misogyny, and racism that included death threats, doxxing, and invitations for Zinda to commit suicice—all for the crime asking PlayStation to hold true to its pledges of support for the Black community and put its marketing where its mouth was.
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About Zombaekillz
Zombaekillz ( Twitch )
Zinda, in a Discord call, described her work on Twitch as, “big, fat, Black chaotic content. I’m, big, fat, Black, and chaotic but I have a community that is focused and very intentional about this focus on radical kindness.”
Zinda hosted a charity stream for No Kid Hungry, was featured in a panel on Blackness with Ka h lief Adams of Spawn on Me, conducted a roundtable discussion featuring other Black streamers after the Breonna Taylor verdict, and even hosted an AMA detailing her own experience with incarceration. Zinda embraced what she calls “uncomfortable conversations” because she wanted to incorporate her lived experiences into a world where the majority of such experiences aren’t reflective of her own.
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“You see a lot of perspectives and hot takes constantly from white people. It’s overwhelmingly deafening,” she said. “What I try to do is let people see us in our most human moments, and I try to be hyper transparent with people so that they can just look the world the way I look at it.”
Her brand of “fat, Black, radical kindness,” is working for her. She writes reviews for Tom’s Hardware, was featured in Time magazine, on Good Morning America, the Kinda Funny show, on IGN’s Podcast Beyond, and has a successful Twitch stream that was made partner during Twitch’s online Glitchcon event—all within the last six months.
In other words, she poppin’.
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As the next-generation Xbox rolled out of Microsoft warehouses and into the hands of streamers and influencers, Zinda noticed an interesting similarity shared by those who were receiving the hallowed console.
“Well, around the time that console started going out,” Zinda said. “I noticed a disparity in who [consoles] were being sent to and what the reviewers of those consoles look like. I noticed it was primarily white.”
Before finishing her thought, Zinda had to duck out for a quick second to tend to one of her kids. Zinda’s been sick lately. Thankfully it’s pneumonia and not the coronavirus but still, dealing with kids while being sick is according to her “part of the ride” of being a mom.
“[I] pointed out that there’s this disparity,” she continued. “Everyone we were seeing who was getting the console was white, and overwhelmingly male.”
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I, too, remember when the Xbox Series S/X started arriving at influencers’ and reviewers’ doors ahead of its worldwide launch day on November 10th, and noticing the same similarities between who got to post “look what I got” Tweets. Gaming has always been an overwhelmingly white and male space, something Xbox executive Phil Spencer noted needs to change.
“We don’t need more people like me in our organization,” Spencer, who is white, said in an interview with Kotaku’s Stephen Totilo. “We need a more diverse team.”
While Spencer was talking specifically about diverse leadership at Microsoft, there exists a desperate need for more diversity in the gaming industry in every area—at Spencer’s executive level, in my own world of journalism, and in Zinda’s field of streamers and influencers. And while there is no lack of Black and Brown talent on Twitch, there is a dearth of diversity in whom the gaming industry grants access—who gets the review codes for the newest games and who gets their hands on the hot new consoles.
Zombaekillz on the Spawn on Me podcast. ( YouTube
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“Where are people who look like me reviewing tech?” Zinda asked herself as she watched influencers, reviewers, and fellow streamers get Xboxes and later PlayStations. “Where are the Black women?”
This conversation wasn’t new to Zinda. It’s one she’s frequently had with peers over who gets access in the video game industry and why. “‘These people are bigger than you guys. You guys shouldn’t get them first,’” she said, repeating arguments people offered in response to her questions of why the streamers chosen to review consoles are overwhelmingly white and male. “And I’m like, bigger doesn’t matter because I believe in impact over numbers. It’s something that we believe in very much. And how did these guys get so big? Having access to stuff like this does give you a competitive edge.”
Zinda is describing a kind of feedback loop that works to keep marginalized creators shut out of the opportunities that allow them to grow. If a console maker only chooses to support the biggest streamers with the biggest followings, who again skew white, able-bodied, cis and male—that exclusive access increases the profile of those streamers, further guaranteeing only streamers who are white, able-bodied, cis, and male will continue to recieve those opportunities. By choosing to support marginalized creators—Black folk, queer folk, disabled folk—console makers can break the loop and affect the change they seem to desperately want, yet can never show progress toward whenever its time to show a diversity report.
Since she was a highly visible Black woman with the credentials and the experience to review a console, if console makers wanted to support Black creators like they keep saying they want to, why not start with her?
Advertisement
She made her tweet and followed it up with an email to Sony’s PR department including a pitch deck with her stats and numbers—basically doing what any influencer does when courting brands for sponsorship.
“Sony has been very vocal about diversity and representation this year,” the email reads. “And I would love to see that paired with action and uplifting the marginalized people that consume their products. Thank you for your time and consideration.”
There’s a saying in the Black community, one I personally hear in my mother’s voice whenever I recall a younger me expressing a desire to do anything: “If you gon’ talk about it, be about it.” To be sure, the phrase exists in every community in some form, but this particular version seems to best describe what happened. PlayStation talked about it, so Zinda demanded they be about it.
And it worked.
Advertisement
“Sony came back to me and said, I got some good news. I’d like to send you a console for launch.”
On November 11th the fruits of her labor paid off and she excitedly posted on social media that she had indeed received a PlayStation 5 from Sony for review.
Ironically, after her initial October 23rd tweet Zinda said she got an email out of the blue from Xbox asking if she had heard about receiving a Series S. When she said she hadn’t, Microsoft apologized, citing a miscommunication and that she was on the list to review the console and would be receiving one shortly. She got it on November 2nd.
Advertisement
Then people, who somehow thought she was not deserving of either, got pissed, responding with a targeted campaign of hate. In a now removed video, Griffin Gaming made a bad faith argument essentially stating that Zinda only received the consoles not because of any work she put into developing her audience and portfolio but because she guilted Sony and Microsoft through using the race card. The 29-minute-long video incited harassment against Zinda causing her to ask her followers to report the video and have it taken down, which prompted Griffin Gaming to preemptively remove it, but not before posting a shorter video accusing Zinda of “false flagging” his content.
After the “false flagging” incident, known vector of harassment The Quartering, and Comicsgate blog Bounding Into Comics, picked up on the issue and that’s when everything, by that point already intolerable, got way worse.
“[Trolls] started to come after me more and more,” she explained. “More videos spun off, mocking my appearance. There were photoshopped images of me being put underneath posts I started with photos of my head on a lynched body. I started to get photos of white guys having sex with large Black women with my face photoshopped onto them. I started to get rape and death threats in my emails. I started to get a lot of hatred. For the past nine days it’s been it’s been hell.”
Advertisement
There’s an expectation for Black women to behave a certain way. Unlike in white women where aggressiveness is prized as a way of “smashing the patriarchy,” in order for Black women to be taken seriously we must be affable, humble, quiet, and ever ready to sacrifice for others. The insidiousness of misogynoir demonizes in Black women what is expected in our white, female peers—our confidence becomes arrogance, our outspokenness becomes too loud. Zinda competently advocated for herself—a behavior often rewarded when men and white women do it, but less so when it’s a non-white woman.
“I wasn’t saying I’m the biggest Black streamer. I wasn’t saying, ‘I’m the best, I have the most numbers.’ I just said ‘Hey, I’m kind of the most visible in the space right now. I’m the hot commodity. And I kinda am. And so, I acknowledged where I was, and I think that pissed people off. To just be confident.”
When I watch those videos, my only takeaway is that these people are angry that Zinda dared to act in any way outside the prescribed boundary for Black women. Their arguments that Zinda used race to weasel her way into free consoles certainly have no merit; one person cannot guilt a billion dollar company into doing anything that it doesn’t want to do. And so, because a Black woman said with her chest who she was and demanded console makers show the barest bit of accountability for words they already said, she was punished with wave after wave of harassment, the ramifications of which still shake Zinda to this day.
Advertisement
“It’s nonstop. They’ve gone on every platform that I’m on and harassed me. They’ve hate raided me while I did my charity fundraisers for No Kid Hungry. They’ve come into every stream that I’ve had.”
I’ve seen the pictures they’ve posted with images of her distorted face, and read the tweets inviting her to commit suicide. But more than the fear a harassment campaign like this inspires or the psychological damage it does, Zinda described silence—of her own voice and the more sinister silence from people who have the power to condemn this kind of behavior—as the worst.
“When people create these hate videos, what they’re doing is ratioing me out of the picture. It suppresses my reach even further. [...] Every time they make another video it pushes my discoverability further down the line. That hurts my ability to be discovered by people who actually want to consume my content. It makes it so that I can’t monetize and earn better when they come into my streams and my Twitter chats. They’re hurting my opportunities for brands and game devs who want to work with me. They are literally cutting my legs out from underneath me.”
“This is a problem,” she continued. “Our industry has a racism problem. And no one’s talking about what this really looks like. Xbox just came out with their comment about how they think one of the worst things in the games industry right now is console wars. Is it? Is console wars our worst thing, or is racism and gatekeeping Blackness out of games the worst thing in the games industry? I don’t just want to say Black people, because I see my disabled friends get bullied and harassed, so much too. I see a lack of Native American people in the games industry. I see a lack of a lot of otherness in our industry and we have to do better.”
Advertisement
I asked Zinda what “do better” looks like to her. “I want us to focus on dragging these people out of the games communities, to say ‘you do not belong here.’ I want us to deplatform hate and start holding these platforms accountable.”
Despite this experience, Zinda continues to stream and still thinks of the gaming industry as being a good and transformative place for her and others.
“‘Gaming is for everyone,’ I put that out as a hashtag and a lot of people retweeted it and I believe that with all my heart. Gaming being shown through a prism of otherness is so powerful. Politicians are starting to see the power behind gaming. It’s why we see AOC over on Twitch. We know the power that lies in our community. We have to wield it very responsibly, and I need these big heads of the industry to start wielding their power responsibly for us and to use their shield to protect those most vulnerable in their communities. Period.”
In other words, gaming industry, be about it.


theroot--2020-12-09--Georgia Republicans Vow to Suppress the Vote After Twice Confirming Trump’s L in the State

Despite there being no evidence of widespread voter fraud , Georgia Republicans are vowing to craft legislation that will make voting harder in the state .
According to NBC News , Republican officials in the state announced plans on Tuesday to limit access to mail-in voting and to dismantle election laws that contributed to the state ’ s record turnout .
The legislation seems to be designed as a response to President Trump ’ s month-long temper tantrum over the validity of the election results .
“ As soon as we may constitutionally convene , we will reform our election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eliminating at-will absentee voting .
We will require photo identification for absentee voting for cause , and we will crack down on ballot harvesting by outlawing drop boxes , ” the Republican Senate majority caucus wrote in a press release .
Ballot harvesting—a practice where an organization such as a church or advocacy group delivers multiple ballots—is already outlawed in Georgia so that ’ s an imaginary problem off the jump .
There is also no evidence that drop boxes lead to fraud more than any other voting method .
Additionally , ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state election officials , so it ’ s not as though there ’ s some third-party in charge of this .
Also , it should be noted that the no-excuse absentee voting system was crafted in 2005 by former Republican Gov .
Sonny Perdue .
He ain ’ t one of those Lincoln Project types either ; Perdue currently works as Trump ’ s secretary of agriculture .
Georgia Republicans just seem mad that a system they designed was used to benefit more than just white people .
“ The Georgia Senate Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgians who have raised deep and heartfelt concerns that state law has been violated and our elections process abused in our November 3 , 2020 elections .
We will fix this , ” the lawmakers wrote .
I don ’ t know about you , but I can ’ t help but read that as “ Look , we ’ re sorry the N egroes overwhelmingly exercised their constitutional right to vote , but dammit , we ’ ll make sure it never happens again.
” It ’ s literally the only way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they ’ re unwinding a standardized signature matching system because it led to less mail-in ballots being rejected should tell you everything about why they ’ re actually doing this .
Georgia ’ s Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has repeatedly said that there is no evidence of systemic fraud and yet he ’ s in favor of more restrictive voting laws .
If you ’ ve already admitted that widespread fraud isn ’ t a pressing issue , then why be in favor of making voting harder for people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ m pretty sure we know why .

Despite there being no evidence of widespread voter fraud, Georgia Republicans are vowing to craft legislation that will make voting harder in the state.
According to NBC News, Republican officials in the state announced plans on Tuesday to limit access to mail-in voting and to dismantle election laws that contributed to the state’s record turnout. The legislation seems to be designed as a response to President Trump’s month-long temper tantrum over the validity of the election results.
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“As soon as we may constitutionally convene, we will reform our election laws to secure our electoral process by eliminating at-will absentee voting. We will require photo identification for absentee voting for cause, and we will crack down on ballot harvesting by outlawing drop boxes,” the Republican Senate majority caucus wrote in a press release.
Ballot harvesting—a practice where an organization such as a church or advocacy group delivers multiple ballots—is already outlawed in Georgia so that’s an imaginary problem off the jump. There is also no evidence that drop boxes lead to fraud more than any other voting method. Additionally, ballots in those drop boxes are collected by state election officials, so it’s not as though there’s some third-party in charge of this.
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Also, it should be noted that the no-excuse absentee voting system was crafted in 2005 by former Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue. He ain’t one of those Lincoln Project types either; Perdue currently works as Trump’s secretary of agriculture. Georgia Republicans just seem mad that a system they designed was used to benefit more than just white people.
“The Georgia Senate Republicans have heard the calls of millions of Georgians who have raised deep and heartfelt concerns that state law has been violated and our elections process abused in our November 3, 2020 elections. We will fix this,” the lawmakers wrote.
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I don’t know about you, but I can’t help but read that as “Look, we’re sorry the N egroes overwhelmingly exercised their constitutional right to vote, but dammit, we’ll make sure it never happens again.”
It’s literally the only way these moves make sense. The fact that they’re unwinding a standardized signature matching system because it led to less mail-in ballots being rejected should tell you everything about why they’re actually doing this.
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Georgia’s Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has repeatedly said that there is no evidence of systemic fraud and yet he’s in favor of more restrictive voting laws. If you’ve already admitted that widespread fraud isn’t a pressing issue, then why be in favor of making voting harder for people who are already eligible?
Well, actually, I’m pretty sure we know why.


theroot--2020-12-09--Today's Your Last Day to Save $10 on Cyberpunk 2077 When You Preorder on PlayStation 4

Whether you 're celebrating with your loved ones in person or from a distance , The Inventory staff is dedicated to spreading holiday cheer with the top gifts to ring in the season—and maybe a few good deals to snatch up for yourself .
It 's okay , your secret 's safe with us .
I know that we ’ re in a bit of a “ boy who cried wolf ” situation at this point , but Cyberpunk 2077 is actually coming out .
No , for real this time : it ’ ll be here on December 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what with all the delays that have befallen it this year , but this is a real video game that you will be able to play with your actual hands soon .
For those of you who believe me , here ’ s another fact : if you preorder the game at Amazon , you can save $ 10 and get it for $ 50 on PlayStation 4 ( sorry , Xbox owners ) .
CD Projekt Red ’ s upcoming open world game promises to be memorable at the very least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re curious and use the extra $ 10 you saved to buy John Wick on DVD or something .
This story was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio on 11/30/2020 and updated with new information on 12/9/2020 .

Giovanni Colantonio on Kinja Deals, shared by Ignacia to The Root

Cyberpunk 2077 (PS4) | $50 | Amazon
I know that we’re in a bit of a “boy who cried wolf” situation at this point, but Cyberpunk 2077 is actually coming out. No, for real this time: it’ll be here on December 10. Really, I understand your skepticism, what with all the delays that have befallen it this year, but this is a real video game that you will be able to play with your actual hands soon. For those of you who believe me, here’s another fact: if you preorder the game at Amazon, you can save $10 and get it for $50 on PlayStation 4 (sorry, Xbox owners) . CD Projekt Red’s upcoming open world game promises to be memorable at the very least, so preorder a copy if you’re curious and use the extra $10 you saved to buy John Wick on DVD or something.
This story was originally published by Giovanni Colantonio on 11/30/2020 and updated with new information on 12/9/2020.


theroot--2020-12-09--Serena Williams Keeps It 100 on the Challenges of Being a Black Woman in Tennis: 'There's a Double S

Serena Williams Keeps It 100 on the Challenges of Being a Black Woman in Tennis: 'There's a Double Standard in Everything We Do'

Being one of the greatest athletes in the history of professional sports comes with a tremendous degree of privilege .
But at the end of the day , Serena Williams is a Black woman first .
And as she explained during a recent sit down on The Kelly Clarkson Show , she hasn ’ t always felt like herself on the tennis court despite her accolades .
“ In tennis—which is a sport that no one really looks like me , at least in the beginning—you can ’ t really express yourself or it ’ s seen as bad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might say something , and you could never even use profanity at all , and they ’ ll take a game from you , which is crazy.
” Since arriving on the scene at 13 years old at the Bell Challenge in Quebec , the 23-time Grand Slam champion has endured more than her fair share of blatant mistreatment and racist onslaughts .
There was also that infamous incident during the 2018 U.S. Open in which Williams was belittled , accused of verbally abusing an umpire and fined $ 17,000 during a controversial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being a trailblazer within the sport , she ’ s also acutely aware that being branded as an “ angry Black woman ” could adversely affect other Black women and women of color who continue to follow in her footsteps .
“ There ’ s a double standard in everything that we do , ” she said .
“ And that ’ s just the society that we happen to live in and it takes generations to change.
” Despite these challenges , the 39-year-old is humbled by how the next generation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accomplishments on the court .
“ It ’ s the most amazing thing .
[ ... ] I ’ m like , ‘ OK , is this really a byproduct [ of me ] ?
’ Because I ’ m still in it , you know ?
” she said .
“ It just seemed to happen so fast , but it ’ s just so exciting to see so many people of all kinds of different backgrounds just playing and being a part of something so special.
” If you love Serena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here at The Root , check out the rest of her interview below .

Jay Connor on The Glow Up, shared by Jay Connor to The Root

Being one of the greatest athletes in the history of professional sports comes with a tremendous degree of privilege. But at the end of the day, Serena Williams is a Black woman first. And as she explained during a recent sit down on The Kelly Clarkson Show, she hasn’t always felt like herself on the tennis court despite her accolades.
“In tennis—which is a sport that no one really looks like me, at least in the beginning—you can’t really express yourself or it’s seen as bad,” she said. “Or you might say something, and you could never even use profanity at all, and they’ll take a game from you, which is crazy.”
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Since arriving on the scene at 13 years old at the Bell Challenge in Quebec, the 23-time Grand Slam champion has endured more than her fair share of blatant mistreatment and racist onslaughts.
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There was also that infamous incident during the 2018 U.S. Open in which Williams was belittled, accused of verbally abusing an umpire and fined $17,000 during a controversial loss against Naomi Osaka.
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But in being a trailblazer within the sport, she’s also acutely aware that being branded as an “angry Black woman” could adversely affect other Black women and women of color who continue to follow in her footsteps.
“There’s a double standard in everything that we do,” she said. “And that’s just the society that we happen to live in and it takes generations to change.”
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Despite these challenges, the 39-year-old is humbled by how the next generation of tennis stars has drawn inspiration from her accomplishments on the court.
“It’s the most amazing thing. [...] I’m like, ‘OK, is this really a byproduct [of me]?’ Because I’m still in it, you know?” she said. “It just seemed to happen so fast, but it’s just so exciting to see so many people of all kinds of different backgrounds just playing and being a part of something so special.”
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If you love Serena as much as the rest of us here at The Root, check out the rest of her interview below.


theroot--2020-12-09--U.S. Supreme Court Denies GOP Bid to Overturn Pennsylvania Election Results; Nevada Supreme Court Sw

U.S. Supreme Court Denies GOP Bid to Overturn Pennsylvania Election Results; Nevada Supreme Court Swipes Left, Too

The post-2020 presidential race is really starting to look like a political sequel to Groundhog Day , where you wake up every morning reading what feels like the same headline from the day before ( and the day before that , and the day before that ) .
In this case , the recurring headline is : Trump Voter Fraud Nonsense Rejected in Court .
Seriously , the grossest , most unpopular guy on Tinder hasn ’ t had people judge and swipe left on him as many times as it has happened to a GOP lawsuit challenging the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commander-in-dude-just-leave and his band of loyal , nose-up-Trump ’ s-ass Republicans have suffered yet another debilitating loss as the Supreme Court—the court y ’ all ’ s soon-to-be-ousted president pinned all his hopes , dreams and delusions on—swiftly rejected a request from Pennsylvania Republicans to overturn the state ’ s election results .
“ The application for injunctive relief presented to Justice Alito and by him referred to the Court is denied.
” That ’ s it .
That ’ s the entire contents of the Supreme Court ’ s order rejecting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ain ’ t shit when justices spend around the same amount of time explaining your denial as a Black mother spends on any explanation that includes the words , “ because I said so.
” According to the New York Times , there were “ no noted dissents ” among justices in making the ruling .
The court now has three justices appointed by Mr. Trump , including Justice Amy Coney Barrett , whose rushed confirmation in October was in large part propelled by the hope that she would vote with the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no indication that she or the other Trump appointees were inclined to embrace last-minute arguments based on legal theories that election law scholars said ranged from the merely frivolous to the truly outlandish .
Mr. Trump and his Republican allies have lost about 50 challenges to the presidential election in the past five weeks , as judges in at least eight states have repeatedly rejected a litany of unproven claims — that mail-in ballots were improperly sent out , that absentee ballots were counted wrongly , that poll observers were not given proper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign powers hacked into and manipulated voting machines .
The truth is everyone knew this last-minute bid to overturn Pennsylvania ’ s results was a long shot except Trump , his minions and the rest of his living-in-right-winger-fairytale-land cult .
According to the Washington Post , Trump appealed to his enablers ...
I mean , supporters on Tuesday afternoon , just before the court ’ s order was released .
“ Now , let ’ s see whether or not somebody has the courage—whether it ’ s a legislator or legislatures , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court , or a number of justices of the Supreme Court—let ’ s see if they have the courage to do what everybody in this country knows is right , ” Trump said , the Post reports .
So far , it appears that the courts , including that of the Supreme variety , are trending towards not bending to Trump ’ s bullshit idea of “ courage.
” The Reno Gazette-Journal reports that on the same day the Supreme Court rejected the case in Pennsylvania , Nevada Supreme Court justices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign seeking to overturn that state ’ s election results .
For someone who hates the media and hates losing , Trump sure does seem hellbent on giving media publications endless opportunities to say or write , “ Trump fucking lost again ” in their reports .
Trump ’ s people filed their lawsuit in Nevada on Monday asking the high court to reverse Judge James Todd Russell ’ s Friday finding that “ the legal team for six Republican electors failed to prove the Nov. 3 election was swayed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gazette-Journal reports .
According to the Post , the justices in Nevada gave more than a one-sentence explanation , unlike the justices in the Pennsylvania case .
In Nevada , a 40-page order was released explaining why Trump is still every bit the loser he was on Nov. 7 , when Joe Biden was projected as our next president .
“ To prevail on this appeal , appellants must demonstrate error of law , findings of fact not supported by substantial evidence or an abuse of discretion in the admission or rejection of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the order stated .
“ We are not convinced they have done so .
”

The post-2020 presidential race is really starting to look like a political sequel to Groundhog Day, where you wake up every morning reading what feels like the same headline from the day before (and the day before that, and the day before that). In this case, the recurring headline is: Trump Voter Fraud Nonsense Rejected in Court.
Seriously, the grossest, most unpopular guy on Tinder hasn’t had people judge and swipe left on him as many times as it has happened to a GOP lawsuit challenging the election results. Well on Tuesday, the commander-in-dude-just-leave and his band of loyal, nose-up-Trump’s-ass Republicans have suffered yet another debilitating loss as the Supreme Court—the court y’all’s soon-to-be-ousted president pinned all his hopes, dreams and delusions on—swiftly rejected a request from Pennsylvania Republicans to overturn the state’s election results.
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“The application for injunctive relief presented to Justice Alito and by him referred to the Court is denied.”
That’s it. That’s the entire contents of the Supreme Court’s order rejecting the GOP request. You know your case ain’t shit when justices spend around the same amount of time explaining your denial as a Black mother spends on any explanation that includes the words, “because I said so.” According to the New York Times, there were “no noted dissents” among justices in making the ruling.
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From the Times:
The court now has three justices appointed by Mr. Trump, including Justice Amy Coney Barrett, whose rushed confirmation in October was in large part propelled by the hope that she would vote with the president in election disputes. But there was no indication that she or the other Trump appointees were inclined to embrace last-minute arguments based on legal theories that election law scholars said ranged from the merely frivolous to the truly outlandish. Mr. Trump and his Republican allies have lost about 50 challenges to the presidential election in the past five weeks, as judges in at least eight states have repeatedly rejected a litany of unproven claims — that mail-in ballots were improperly sent out, that absentee ballots were counted wrongly, that poll observers were not given proper access to the vote count and that foreign powers hacked into and manipulated voting machines.
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The truth is everyone knew this last-minute bid to overturn Pennsylvania’s results was a long shot except Trump, his minions and the rest of his living-in-right-winger-fairytale-land cult.
According to the Washington Post, Trump appealed to his enablers...I mean, supporters on Tuesday afternoon, just before the court’s order was released.
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“Now, let’s see whether or not somebody has the courage—whether it’s a legislator or legislatures, or whether it’s a justice of the Supreme Court, or a number of justices of the Supreme Court—let’s see if they have the courage to do what everybody in this country knows is right,” Trump said, the Post reports.
So far, it appears that the courts, including that of the Supreme variety, are trending towards not bending to Trump’s bullshit idea of “courage.”
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The Reno Gazette-Journal reports that on the same day the Supreme Court rejected the case in Pennsylvania, Nevada Supreme Court justices also unanimously dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Trump campaign seeking to overturn that state’s election results.
For someone who hates the media and hates losing, Trump sure does seem hellbent on giving media publications endless opportunities to say or write, “Trump fucking lost again” in their reports.
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Trump’s people filed their lawsuit in Nevada on Monday asking the high court to reverse Judge James Todd Russell’s Friday finding that “the legal team for six Republican electors failed to prove the Nov. 3 election was swayed by fraudulent or illegal votes,” the Gazette-Journal reports.
According to the Post, the justices in Nevada gave more than a one-sentence explanation, unlike the justices in the Pennsylvania case. In Nevada, a 40-page order was released explaining why Trump is still every bit the loser he was on Nov. 7, when Joe Biden was projected as our next president.
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“To prevail on this appeal, appellants must demonstrate error of law, findings of fact not supported by substantial evidence or an abuse of discretion in the admission or rejection of evidence by the district court,” the order stated. “We are not convinced they have done so.”


theroot--2020-12-09--Biden Picks Marcia Fudge as HUD Secretary After Congresswoman Lobbied to Become 1st Black Woman to L

Biden Picks Marcia Fudge as HUD Secretary After Congresswoman Lobbied to Become 1st Black Woman to Lead USDA

After openly campaigning to be the first Black woman to lead the Department of Agriculture , Ohio congresswoman Marcia Fudge ( D ) will be tapped to become the next Housing and Urban Development Secretary , according to multiple outlets .
Politico reports that Fudge will take the helm at HUD , while President-elect Joe Biden is leaning toward a familiar name for Secretary of Agriculture—Tom Vilsack , former governor of Iowa and former President Barack Obama ’ s Secretary of Agriculture from 2009 to 2017 .
For weeks , however , Fudge had been lobbying to lead the USDA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus of the department , moving attention away from farming and toward hunger , including in non-rural parts of the country , reports The New York Times .
Currently , the Department of Agriculture is best known for its role in supporting farmers , but as NPR notes , the agency “ actually has a much greater impact on the country through its funding of food aid programs , including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and school meals.
” According to USDA estimates , during a typical year , one in four Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these programs .
As a congresswoman , the 68-year-old Fudge has served on the House Agriculture Committee , and her allies in Congress , particularly in the Congressional Black Caucus , had openly campaigned for her to head up the USDA .
As Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris began their transition last month , Fudge told Politico she felt Black leaders were pigeonholed into certain positions .
“ As this country becomes more and more diverse , we ’ re going to have to stop looking at only certain agencies as those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
“ You know , it ’ s always ‘ we want to put the Black person in Labor or HUD.
’ ” If Biden nominates Vilsack for agriculture , it would be a “ safe , comfortable ” choice for the president-elect , NPR writes .
Vilsack hails from a rural farming state and helmed the agency for eight years .
Notably , Vilsack forced Shirley Sherrod , a Black woman and the former Georgia State Director of Rural Development , out of her job in 2010 , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made out of context .
Vilsack later offered Sherrod her job back , and publicly accounted for the forced resignation , saying he made a “ very hasty decision which I deeply regret , ” and that he will “ have to live with that for a long , long time.
” If confirmed as HUD secretary , Fudge will command a $ 50 billion agency that will need to tackle COVID-19 issues head-on , chief among them being housing insecurity .
The country has long been in a housing crisis , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic and an ensuing recession : millions of people are behind on rent and mortgage payments , and activists have been calling for housing relief for months .
According to Politico , the Biden administration “ is expected to push for Congress to pass a relief package dedicating billions of dollars to rent relief , and HUD will likely seek additional funding to address homelessness.
” The news of Fudge ’ s nomination comes the same week more than 1,000 Black women leaders from across the United States signed an open letter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected leaders to nominate more Black women for prominent Cabinet positions .
The letter was led by the network # WinWithBlackWomen and includes more than 1,200 Black women .
It noted that Black voters , and Black women , in particular , played a crucial role in electing the Biden-Harris ticket .
“ It is long past time that the effective , accomplished leadership of Black women currently serving in areas of significant policy that impacts our nation are recognized and given full consideration for the statutory positions in your administration ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The letter also floated several Black women for open leadership posts in the incoming administration , including Mayors Mayors Keisha Lance Bottoms ( D ) of Atlanta and Muriel Bowser ( D ) of Washington , D.C. , to lead HUD ; American physicist Shirley Jackson for the Department of Energy ; and NAACP Legal Defense Fund ’ s Sherrilyn Ifill as attorney general .

After openly campaigning to be the first Black woman to lead the Department of Agriculture, Ohio congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D) will be tapped to become the next Housing and Urban Development Secretary, according to multiple outlets.
Politico reports that Fudge will take the helm at HUD, while President-elect Joe Biden is leaning toward a familiar name for Secretary of Agriculture—Tom Vilsack, former governor of Iowa and former President Barack Obama’s Secretary of Agriculture from 2009 to 2017.
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For weeks, however, Fudge had been lobbying to lead the USDA, where she hoped to change the focus of the department, moving attention away from farming and toward hunger, including in non-rural parts of the country, reports The New York Times. Currently, the Department of Agriculture is best known for its role in supporting farmers, but as NPR notes, the agency “actually has a much greater impact on the country through its funding of food aid programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and school meals.” According to USDA estimates, during a typical year, one in four Americans will get food assistance through one of these programs.
As a congresswoman, the 68-year-old Fudge has served on the House Agriculture Committee, and her allies in Congress, particularly in the Congressional Black Caucus, had openly campaigned for her to head up the USDA. As Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris began their transition last month, Fudge told Politico she felt Black leaders were pigeonholed into certain positions.
Advertisement Advertisement
“As this country becomes more and more diverse, we’re going to have to stop looking at only certain agencies as those that people like me fit in,” she said. “You know, it’s always ‘we want to put the Black person in Labor or HUD.’”
If Biden nominates Vilsack for agriculture, it would be a “safe, comfortable” choice for the president-elect, NPR writes. Vilsack hails from a rural farming state and helmed the agency for eight years. Notably, Vilsack forced Shirley Sherrod, a Black woman and the former Georgia State Director of Rural Development, out of her job in 2010, after the far-right site Breitbart posted comments Sherrod made out of context.
Advertisement
Vilsack later offered Sherrod her job back, and publicly accounted for the forced resignation, saying he made a “very hasty decision which I deeply regret,” and that he will “have to live with that for a long, long time.”
If confirmed as HUD secretary, Fudge will command a $50 billion agency that will need to tackle COVID-19 issues head-on, chief among them being housing insecurity. The country has long been in a housing crisis, which has only been aggravated by the coronavirus pandemic and an ensuing recession: millions of people are behind on rent and mortgage payments, and activists have been calling for housing relief for months.
Advertisement
According to Politico, the Biden administration “is expected to push for Congress to pass a relief package dedicating billions of dollars to rent relief, and HUD will likely seek additional funding to address homelessness.”
The news of Fudge’s nomination comes the same week more than 1,000 Black women leaders from across the United States signed an open letter to Biden and Harris, calling on the elected leaders to nominate more Black women for prominent Cabinet positions. The letter was led by the network #WinWithBlackWomen and includes more than 1,200 Black women.
Advertisement
It noted that Black voters, and Black women, in particular, played a crucial role in electing the Biden-Harris ticket.
“It is long past time that the effective, accomplished leadership of Black women currently serving in areas of significant policy that impacts our nation are recognized and given full consideration for the statutory positions in your administration’s cabinet,” the letter read.
Advertisement
The letter also floated several Black women for open leadership posts in the incoming administration, including Mayors Mayors Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) of Atlanta and Muriel Bowser (D) of Washington, D.C., to lead HUD; American physicist Shirley Jackson for the Department of Energy; and NAACP Legal Defense Fund’s Sherrilyn Ifill as attorney general.


theroot--2020-12-09--'We Have to Ensure Accountability': Anita Hill to Launch an App Identifying Serial Abusers in Entert

'We Have to Ensure Accountability': Anita Hill to Launch an App Identifying Serial Abusers in Entertainment

Prior to being portrayed by Kerry Washington in 2016 's Confirmation ( HBO ) , few people would ’ ve associated esteemed attorney and academic Anita Hill with Hollywood .
Understandably , the longtime professor of women ’ s studies and social policy and law in Brandeis University ’ s Heller School for Social Policy and Management had largely stayed out of the spotlight after reluctantly entering it in 1991 to share her story of sexual harassment with the Senate Judiciary Committee ( then infamously chaired by now-President-elect Joe Biden ) amid the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Clarence Thomas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excoriated by both the committee and in the media , it would be 25 years before Hill would once again enter the national conversation , as Washington and HBO revived the contentious hearings for the screen .
But as Hill told TheWrap ’ s Power Women Summit during her December 8 keynote address , it was another woman ’ s testimony that compelled her to publicly reengage in the fight to quell sexual predation .
“ All of the practices in the world are not going to work unless people trust them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a values-based system and , perhaps most importantly of all , we have to ensure accountability , ” Hill said on Tuesday as she opened this year ’ s virtual summit , annually presented by the WrapWomen Foundation and billed as “ the largest annual gathering of the most influential women in entertainment , media and technology.
” “ We can be better in the entertainment industry , ” Hill added .
“ But to do that we have to make changes.
” In 2021 , she will be implementing one of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to launch an app designed to identify and hold accountable serial abusers in the entertainment industry—and most importantly , to preemptively protect those who might encounter them .
More from The Wrap : “ When a complaint about the same person comes into the system , [ the complainant ] will be notified , ” Hill explained during her summit appearance .
“ That way we can offer individuals a chance to come forward with the support and knowing that someone else has experienced the same problem.
” The hope ?
That collective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put predators on notice—or potentially in jail , as individuals are emboldened and encouraged to report .
As Hill further explained , it ’ s one component of the power of representation , though far from the last that needs to be addressed in Hollywood and beyond ; a message in keeping with this year ’ s summit theme : “ Inclusion 360.
” “ We know that in order for change to be real , to be effective , it has to include everyone , ” Hill said .
“ We know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen as an add-on .
It has to be integral to every part of the way we conduct business and the way we lead.
” A full stream of the Power Women Summit is available to view online .

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

Prior to being portrayed by Kerry Washington in 2016's Confirmation (HBO), few people would’ve associated esteemed attorney and academic Anita Hill with Hollywood. Understandably, the longtime professor of women’s studies and social policy and law in Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management had largely stayed out of the spotlight after reluctantly entering it in 1991 to share her story of sexual harassment with the Senate Judiciary Committee (then infamously chaired by now-President-elect Joe Biden) amid the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Clarence Thomas, to no avail.
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After being excoriated by both the committee and in the media, it would be 25 years before Hill would once again enter the national conversation, as Washington and HBO revived the contentious hearings for the screen. But as Hill told TheWrap’s Power Women Summit during her December 8 keynote address, it was another woman’s testimony that compelled her to publicly reengage in the fight to quell sexual predation.
Per The Wrap:
The event took place after Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court, despite Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony that he had sexually assaulted her. Hill called it a “grim period” but was emboldened after hearing from many survivors during the summit.
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“All of the practices in the world are not going to work unless people trust them. So we’ve got to build a values-based system and, perhaps most importantly of all, we have to ensure accountability,” Hill said on Tuesday as she opened this year’s virtual summit, annually presented by the WrapWomen Foundation and billed as “the largest annual gathering of the most influential women in entertainment, media and technology.”
“We can be better in the entertainment industry,” Hill added. “But to do that we have to make changes.”
Advertisement
In 2021, she will be implementing one of those changes, partnering with the Hollywood Commission to launch an app designed to identify and hold accountable serial abusers in the entertainment industry—and most importantly, to preemptively protect those who might encounter them.
More from The Wrap:
The app—which was announced in September—will essentially help identify potential repeat offenders in the industry by allowing people to submit—initially anonymously—complaints of sexual harassment, abuse, or other forms of misconduct.
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“When a complaint about the same person comes into the system, [the complainant] will be notified,” Hill explained during her summit appearance. “That way we can offer individuals a chance to come forward with the support and knowing that someone else has experienced the same problem.”
The hope? That collective reporting and empathy will empower survivors and put predators on notice—or potentially in jail, as individuals are emboldened and encouraged to report. As Hill further explained, it’s one component of the power of representation, though far from the last that needs to be addressed in Hollywood and beyond; a message in keeping with this year’s summit theme: “Inclusion 360.”
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“We know that in order for change to be real, to be effective, it has to include everyone,” Hill said. “We know that diversity and inclusion cannot be seen as an add-on. It has to be integral to every part of the way we conduct business and the way we lead.”
A full stream of the Power Women Summit is available to view online.


theroot--2020-12-09--First Look: Peace of Mind With Taraji Gets Real About Personal PTSD on Facebook Watch

Earlier this year , The Root reported on a new Facebook Watch series focusing on mental health and wellness , Peace of Mind With Taraji .
Hosted by Taraji P. Henson and Tracie Jade , Henson ’ s longtime best friend and executive director of Henson ’ s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation , the pair will highlight various mental health issues , specifically as they relate to the Black community .
Through personal interviews with both celebrities , experts and everyday people , the series will show how to provide support , bring awareness and help eliminate mental health stigma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 premiere , we ’ ve got a first look at what we can expect to see from the series .
Via a sneak peek sent in a press release to The Root , episode one takes a look at Henson ’ s personal experience with PTSD , revealing a particularly traumatic incident during her childhood and how her mother ’ s strength at that moment shaped her .
“ Watching her go through that and because she didn ’ t crumble , what she didn ’ t realize is that she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared .
“ It made me a fighter.
” Peace of Mind With Taraji will air twice a week at 12 pm ET , starting next Monday .
Peep more details below : On Mondays , Taraji and Tracie will sit down for powerful and revealing discussions with celebrity guests and everyday people about the mental health issues that have impacted their lives .
On Wednesdays , Taraji and Tracie will delve deeper into the experiences of Monday ’ s guests with licensed therapists , and reveal their own stories related to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community with useful tools and techniques to help manage the specific mental health issues .
Guests this season will include actress and best-selling author Gabrielle Union on her experience with PTSD , singer and television personality Tamar Braxton on the damaging pressure of being a strong Black woman and not seeking help , Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Mary J. Blige on holiday despair and isolation , stand-up comedian and actor Jay Pharoah on police brutality and cultural competency , in addition to topics such bipolar disorder , grief after death without warning and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive produced by Taraji P. Henson , Tracie Jade , SallyAnn Salsano and Jennifer Ryan , along with Ebony McClain as co-executive producer and 495 Productions in tandem with Facebook Watch .

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

Earlier this year, The Root reported on a new Facebook Watch series focusing on mental health and wellness, Peace of Mind With Taraji. Hosted by Taraji P. Henson and Tracie Jade, Henson’s longtime best friend and executive director of Henson’s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, the pair will highlight various mental health issues , specifically as they relate to the Black community. Through personal interviews with both celebrities, experts and everyday people, the series will show how to provide support, bring awareness and help eliminate mental health stigma .
Now, ahead of its December 14 premiere, we’ve got a first look at what we can expect to see from the series. Via a sneak peek sent in a press release to The Root, episode one takes a look at Henson’s personal experience with PTSD, revealing a particularly traumatic incident during her childhood and how her mother’s strength at that moment shaped her. “Watching her go through that and because she didn’t crumble, what she didn’t realize is that she was putting fight in me,” Henson shared. “It made me a fighter.”
Peace of Mind With Taraji will air twice a week at 12 pm ET, starting next Monday. Peep more details below:
On Mondays, Taraji and Tracie will sit down for powerful and revealing discussions with celebrity guests and everyday people about the mental health issues that have impacted their lives. On Wednesdays, Taraji and Tracie will delve deeper into the experiences of Monday’s guests with licensed therapists, and reveal their own stories related to the topics in an effort to provide the community with useful tools and techniques to help manage the specific mental health issues. Guests this season will include actress and best-selling author Gabrielle Union on her experience with PTSD, singer and television personality Tamar Braxton on the damaging pressure of being a strong Black woman and not seeking help, Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Mary J. Blige on holiday despair and isolation, stand-up comedian and actor Jay Pharoah on police brutality and cultural competency, in addition to topics such bipolar disorder, grief after death without warning and more.
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Peace of Mind with Taraji is executive produced by Taraji P. Henson, Tracie Jade, SallyAnn Salsano and Jennifer Ryan, along with Ebony McClain as co-executive producer and 495 Productions in tandem with Facebook Watch.


theroot--2020-12-10--Colin Kaepernick and Ben & Jerry's Are Here to 'Change the Whirled'

In case you missed the memo , Ben & Jerry ’ s has been about that action .
Need receipts ?
Here ’ s what I wrote about them last year when the premium ice cream company partnered with the Advancement Project to release the flavor Justice Remix ’ d as part of their efforts “ to address the destructive cycle of mass incarceration in our country ” : They ’ ve also partnered with organizations like the NAACP and Color of Change , in addition to using their platform and resources to address important societal issues like racial justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And now , they ’ re honoring NFL quarterback-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick with his very own flavor , appropriately titled “ Change the Whirled.
” According to Ben & Jerry ’ s , this flavor “ celebrates Kaepernick ’ s courageous work to confront systemic oppression and to stop police violence against Black and Brown people.
” They also believe that “ Kaepernick represents the very best of us , willing to use his power and platform in the pursuit of equity and justice rooted in a commitment to love and resistance.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ben & Jerry ’ s on Change the Whirled , ” Kaepernick said in a statement provided to The Root .
“ Their commitment to challenging the anti-Black roots of policing in the United States demonstrates a material concern for the wellbeing of Black and Brown communities .
My hope is that this partnership will amplify calls to defund and abolish the police and to invest in futures that can make us safer , healthier , and truly free.
” With Kap being vegan , Change the Whirled will become one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portion of the proceeds will also be used to support the incredible work of Know Your Rights Camp , Kaepernick ’ s non-profit organization that focuses on advancing the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities .
“ Colin Kaepernick and his Know Your Rights Camp is the perfect partner for Ben & Jerry ’ s to continue to advance our work on issues of racial justice , ” Matthew McCarthy , CEO of Ben & Jerry ’ s , said in a statement provided to The Root .
“ Ben & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our flavor portfolio by honoring Kaepernick with a full-time flavor .
We deeply respect how Colin uses his voice to protest racism , white supremacy and police violence through the belief that ‘ love is at the root of our resistance .
We have tremendous hope in what we can accomplish together.
” For those wondering when you can scoop up a pint of this deliciousness , Change the Whirled will be coming to a taste bud near you in 2021 .
For more info on Ben & Jerry ’ s and Change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website .

In case you missed the memo, Ben & Jerry’s has been about that action.
Need receipts? Here’s what I wrote about them last year when the premium ice cream company partnered with the Advancement Project to release the flavor Justice Remix’d as part of their efforts “to address the destructive cycle of mass incarceration in our country”:
It’s not uncommon to find posts admonishing the criminal justice system or systemic racism on their website, and since May 2018 they’ve spent over a million dollars on Facebook ads denouncing mass incarceration, advocating for mental health funding and demanding criminal justice reform. And according to the revered ice cream manufacturer, they’re just getting started.
They’ve also partnered with organizations like the NAACP and Color of Change, in addition to using their platform and resources to address important societal issues like racial justice, corporatocracy, and LGBT equality.
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Simply put, they’re doing the work.
And now, they’re honoring NFL quarterback-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick with his very own flavor, appropriately titled “Change the Whirled.”
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According to Ben & Jerry’s, this flavor “celebrates Kaepernick’s courageous work to confront systemic oppression and to stop police violence against Black and Brown people.” They also believe that “Kaepernick represents the very best of us, willing to use his power and platform in the pursuit of equity and justice rooted in a commitment to love and resistance.”
“I’m honored to partner with Ben & Jerry’s on Change the Whirled,” Kaepernick said in a statement provided to The Root. “Their commitment to challenging the anti-Black roots of policing in the United States demonstrates a material concern for the wellbeing of Black and Brown communities. My hope is that this partnership will amplify calls to defund and abolish the police and to invest in futures that can make us safer, healthier, and truly free.”
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With Kap being vegan, Change the Whirled will become one of the company’s non-dairy offerings. A portion of the proceeds will also be used to support the incredible work of Know Your Rights Camp, Kaepernick’s non-profit organization that focuses on advancing the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities.
“Colin Kaepernick and his Know Your Rights Camp is the perfect partner for Ben & Jerry’s to continue to advance our work on issues of racial justice,” Matthew McCarthy, CEO of Ben & Jerry’s, said in a statement provided to The Root. “Ben & Jerry’s is proud to diversify our flavor portfolio by honoring Kaepernick with a full-time flavor. We deeply respect how Colin uses his voice to protest racism, white supremacy and police violence through the belief that ‘love is at the root of our resistance.’ We have tremendous hope in what we can accomplish together.”
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For those wondering when you can scoop up a pint of this deliciousness, Change the Whirled will be coming to a taste bud near you in 2021.
For more info on Ben & Jerry’s and Change the Whirled, slide over to their website.


theroot--2020-12-10--Marguerite Ray, Who Portrayed the 1st Black Regular Character on The Young and the Restless, Dead at

Marguerite Ray, Who Portrayed the 1st Black Regular Character on The Young and the Restless, Dead at 89

Marguerite Ray , most known for being the first Black actress to portray the character of Mamie Johnson on the popular soap opera The Young and the Restless , has died at the age of 89 .
Per the East Bay Times , Ray died in Los Angeles on Nov. 18 .
According to the Hollywood Reporter , Mamie Johnson was the first Black regular character on The Young and the Restless .
The Young and the Restless opening theme / YouTube “ I started getting work right away on stage and in television .
I never [ booked ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly theater and television , including Sanford and Sons [ but spent ] 10 years on a soap opera , “ The Young and the Restless ” in a new role of Mamie .
I was the first Black [ person ] to have a contract on that show .
Now half the cast is Black .
It is one of the most popular soap operas , ” Ray wrote in an essay in 2015 for her alma mater ’ s ( Oakland Technical High School ) publication , the Oakland Technical Centennial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Sanford , playing upper-class widow Evelyn Lewis in the short-lived sequel to Sanford & Sons that lasted two seasons from 1980 to 1981 , and Jane Matthews on Dynasty for three episodes in 1989 .
Ray also appeared in a host of other television shows , including Quincy M.E.
, The Rockford Files and Ironside , in a career that spanned five decades .
Her last credit was the Bill Bellamy sitcom Men , Women & Dogs in 2001 .
Outside of acting , Ray was an active board member of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation , Jenesse Center and The Actors Fund .
Ray has a host of other notable credits including , but not limited to : The Cosby Show , Bewitched , The Odd Couple , Good Times , Roots : The Next Generations and more .
Ray is survived by her sister Jacqueline ( James ) Jackson , her sister-in-law , Cynthia Ray , as well as several nieces , nephews , great-nieces and great-nephews .
The East Bay Times has confirmed that due to circumstances arising from COVID-19 and social distancing protocols , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be postponed .

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

Marguerite Ray, most known for being the first Black actress to portray the character of Mamie Johnson on the popular soap opera The Young and the Restless, has died at the age of 89.
Per the East Bay Times, Ray died in Los Angeles on Nov. 18. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Mamie Johnson was the first Black regular character on The Young and the Restless.
The Young and the Restless opening theme / YouTube
“I started getting work right away on stage and in television. I never [booked] too much work in the movies, mostly theater and television, including Sanford and Sons [but spent] 10 years on a soap opera, ‘The Young and the Restless’ in a new role of Mamie. I was the first Black [person] to have a contract on that show. Now half the cast is Black. It is one of the most popular soap operas,” Ray wrote in an essay in 2015 for her alma mater’s (Oakland Technical High School) publication, the Oakland Technical Centennial.
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On Ray’s career, THR further reports:
She also had a notable role in Sanford, playing upper-class widow Evelyn Lewis in the short-lived sequel to Sanford & Sons that lasted two seasons from 1980 to 1981, and Jane Matthews on Dynasty for three episodes in 1989. Ray also appeared in a host of other television shows, including Quincy M.E., The Rockford Files and Ironside, in a career that spanned five decades. Her last credit was the Bill Bellamy sitcom Men, Women & Dogs in 2001. Outside of acting, Ray was an active board member of a number of advocacy groups including the Kwanza Foundation, Jenesse Center and The Actors Fund.
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Ray has a host of other notable credits including, but not limited to: The Cosby Show, Bewitched, The Odd Couple, Good Times, Roots: The Next Generations and more.
Ray is survived by her sister Jacqueline (James) Jackson, her sister-in-law, Cynthia Ray, as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. The East Bay Times has confirmed that due to circumstances arising from COVID-19 and social distancing protocols, a celebration of life for Ray will be postponed.
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Rest in Power, Marguerite Ray.


theroot--2020-12-10--There's Still Plenty of Time to Get Your Christmas Tree and This One Is Just $86

I have a friend that as soon as November 1 hits her tree is up .
And this year she told me it ’ s the one thing she ’ s been looking forward to and has kind of helped her cope with not being able to see her family .
That ’ s deep .
There ’ s no shame in finding comfort in things like this and if a big ole pine tree is going to bring you joy you might as well buy one that ’ s deeply discounted .
This 7.5 ft l ighted Christmas t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good home just clip the coupon for the savings .
With the lights already on it , half the work is done .
I used to have to put a version of this tree up for my mom when would visit .
Once you figure out where all the connections are it ’ s quite a sight to behold .
There are 550 perfectly placed lights on this one .
These trees actually do feel authentic and definitely look real .
It ’ s a pretty full tree and the branch tips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can tell you it is rather easy to assemble and comes with a folding metal stand .
If you ’ re ready for the holidays to be here then hop on this sale .
This will ship for free and guaranteed to arrive well before the big for you to enjoy .

Sheilah Villari on Kinja Deals, shared by Giovanni Colantonio to The Root

7.5 ft Lighted Christmas Pine Tree | $86 | Amazon | Clip Coupon
I have a friend that as soon as November 1 hits her tree is up. And this year she told me it’s the one thing she’s been looking forward to and has kind of helped her cope with not being able to see her family. That’s deep. There’s no shame in finding comfort in things like this and if a big ole pine tree is going to bring you joy you might as well buy one that’s deeply discounted. This 7.5 ft l ighted Christmas t ree is 22 % off and needs a good home just clip the coupon for the savings.
With the lights already on it, half the work is done. I used to have to put a version of this tree up for my mom when would visit. Once you figure out where all the connections are it’s quite a sight to behold. There are 550 perfectly placed lights on this one. These trees actually do feel authentic and definitely look real. It’s a pretty full tree and the branch tips are mixed for optimum ornament hanging. I can tell you it is rather easy to assemble and comes with a folding metal stand. If you’re ready for the holidays to be here then hop on this sale.
This will ship for free and guaranteed to arrive well before the big for you to enjoy.


theroot--2020-12-11--House Rep. James Clyburn Says CDC Official's Testimony Alleges Political Interference

Testimony from an official at the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention alleges that multiple instances of political interference may have occurred in the department .
Are you shocked ?
I ’ m not shocked .
NBC News reports that Rep. James Clyburn ( D-S.C. ) , chairman of the House select subcommittee on the coronavirus pandemic , wrote a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield that demanded a response to the allegations presented by the employee .
Clyburn said that during a transcribed hearing , Charlotte Kent , chief of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report , alleged that she had been ordered to delete an email from a political official that demanded the CDC change its wording in a previously published report .
From Kent ’ s understanding , the order came from Redfield himself .
In an Aug. 8 email , political appointee Paul Alexander demanded that the CDC change their wording in a scientific report about the effect COVID-19 has on children .
“ CDC tried to report as if once kids get together , there will be spread and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Very misleading by CDC and shame on them .
Their aim is clear .
...
This is designed to hurt the president for their reasons which I am not interested in , ” the email read .
Man , it ’ s crazy how that exact thing happened .
If only someone told them .
Oh wait .
Alexander is an assistant professor of health research at McMaster University near Toronto who served as a scientific adviser to Michael Caputo , a former Trump campaign official with no medical or scientific background who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she received a call the following morning from another career official instructing her to delete the email at the request of Redfield .
She said she did not speak directly to Redfield but understood the directive came from him .
When Kent tried to find the email , she said it had already disappeared , according to committee aides who briefed reporters .
The CDC is among the key agencies responsible for communicating with the public about the Covid-19 pandemic .
Scientists have long maintained a firewall around their findings and reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Politico , that firewall has been breached during the pandemic , as politically installed communications aides such as Caputo have been allowed to review and press for changes to the wording in the CDC ’ s reports .
I mean , it just makes sense .
In the midst of a pandemic that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans and put millions out of work , the most important thing they can do is to make sure the data doesn ’ t make the president look bad .
Sure , the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions that actually help the country , but come on now , that ’ s too much like doing the job he applied for .
A spokesperson for the HHS disputed Clyburn ’ s characterization of events , calling it “ irresponsible.
” “ We urge the Subcommittee to release the transcript in full which will show that during her testimony Dr. Kent repeatedly said there was no political interference in the MMWR process , ” the spokesperson said , adding that “ despite HHS working diligently to accommodate the Select Subcommittee ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not operating in good faith.
” Clyburn is seeking an interview with Redfield over the allegation and has requested that the department produce additional requested documents by Dec.15 or face a subpoena .
Clyburn also warned that intentionally destroying certain documents is a federal crime under The Federal Records Act .
Kent also testified that the incident involving the email wasn ’ t the only instance of political interference at the CDC .
Kent also said the CDC delayed publishing a report about an outbreak of COVID-19 at a Georgia summer camp until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 31 .
During that hearing , Redfield advocated for the return of in-person learning during the fall , despite the data in the report clearly showing that might not be the best idea .
I ’ m so ready to be done with these niggas , I swear .
As for the HHS , well according to Clyburn ’ s letter they immediately canceled four transcribed interviews that were set to occur between the committee and other CDC employees .
So yeah , there ’ s totally nothing sketchy going on in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest public health crises in American history .

Testimony from an official at the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention alleges that multiple instances of political interference may have occurred in the department.
Are you shocked? I’m not shocked.
NBC News reports that Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), chairman of the House select subcommittee on the coronavirus pandemic, wrote a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield that demanded a response to the allegations presented by the employee.
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Clyburn said that during a transcribed hearing, Charlotte Kent, chief of the Scientific Publications Branch and editor-in-chief of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, alleged that she had been ordered to delete an email from a political official that demanded the CDC change its wording in a previously published report. From Kent’s understanding, the order came from Redfield himself.
In an Aug. 8 email, political appointee Paul Alexander demanded that the CDC change their wording in a scientific report about the effect COVID-19 has on children.
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“CDC tried to report as if once kids get together, there will be spread and this will impact school reopening. ... Very misleading by CDC and shame on them. Their aim is clear. ... This is designed to hurt the president for their reasons which I am not interested in,” the email read.
Man, it’s crazy how that exact thing happened. If only someone told them. Oh wait.
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From NBC News:
Alexander is an assistant professor of health research at McMaster University near Toronto who served as a scientific adviser to Michael Caputo, a former Trump campaign official with no medical or scientific background who became an HHS spokesman. Kent stated that she received a call the following morning from another career official instructing her to delete the email at the request of Redfield. She said she did not speak directly to Redfield but understood the directive came from him. When Kent tried to find the email, she said it had already disappeared, according to committee aides who briefed reporters. The CDC is among the key agencies responsible for communicating with the public about the Covid-19 pandemic. Scientists have long maintained a firewall around their findings and reports to prevent political interference.
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According to Politico, that firewall has been breached during the pandemic, as politically installed communications aides such as Caputo have been allowed to review and press for changes to the wording in the CDC’s reports.
I mean, it just makes sense.
In the midst of a pandemic that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans and put millions out of work, the most important thing they can do is to make sure the data doesn’t make the president look bad. Sure, the president could use that data to make informed decisions that actually help the country, but come on now, that’s too much like doing the job he applied for.
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A spokesperson for the HHS disputed Clyburn’s characterization of events, calling it “irresponsible.”
“We urge the Subcommittee to release the transcript in full which will show that during her testimony Dr. Kent repeatedly said there was no political interference in the MMWR process,” the spokesperson said, adding that “despite HHS working diligently to accommodate the Select Subcommittee’s many requests, the Subcommittee is not operating in good faith.”
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Clyburn is seeking an interview with Redfield over the allegation and has requested that the department produce additional requested documents by Dec.15 or face a subpoena. Clyburn also warned that intentionally destroying certain documents is a federal crime under The Federal Records Act.
Kent also testified that the incident involving the email wasn’t the only instance of political interference at the CDC. Kent also said the CDC delayed publishing a report about an outbreak of COVID-19 at a Georgia summer camp until after Redfield testified before the subcommittee on July 31. During that hearing, Redfield advocated for the return of in-person learning during the fall, despite the data in the report clearly showing that might not be the best idea.
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I’m so ready to be done with these niggas, I swear.
As for the HHS, well according to Clyburn’s letter they immediately canceled four transcribed interviews that were set to occur between the committee and other CDC employees. So yeah, there’s totally nothing sketchy going on in the organizations charged with handling one of the biggest public health crises in American history.


theroot--2020-12-11--St. Louis County Council Approves Resolution Giving Police Department and Union an Ultimatum: Police

St. Louis County Council Approves Resolution Giving Police Department and Union an Ultimatum: Police Reform or No New Contracts

The St. Louis County Council is letting it be known that it is dead serious about police reform .
So serious , in fact , that the C ouncil voted Tuesday in favor of a resolution that gives the police department and police union an ultimatum : Either they provide greater public oversight or it ’ s a wrap on collective bargaining agreements .
The council ’ s 4-3 vote on the resolution came one day after the Ethical Society of Police , an organization that represents minorities in the department , issued an ultimatum to Chief Mary Barton to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the department .
The efforts appeared to be in tandem , with the majority of the legislative body now appearing to put ESOP — a group that has been active in the county police for years but only formally recognized by the department this year — closer to an equal footing with Barton ’ s administration and the 1,000-member St. Louis County Police Association .
The resolution—of which the vote predictably fell along party lines with four Democrats voting in favor and three Republicans voting against—cites efforts from activist groups such as Forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevention Commission and the NAACP to ensure that the relationships between police officers and citizens around the city are “ rooted in mutual trust and respect , ” and claims that police unions “ have a history of using their influence to establish protections that have the impact of helping officers avoid accountability , ” the Post-Dispatch reports .
The resolution also demands that officers ’ disciplinary records be made public and that the names of officers involved in the use of deadly or excessive force be released unless there ’ s evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said officers ’ safety at risk .
It would also remove contract provisions that allow officers to get paid leave or paid desk-duty after being charged with a felony .
Finally , the resolution acknowledges that the council is “ is empowered to reject the proposal ” or to modify terms for entering into new contracts with the county ’ s police department .
According to the Associated Press , the St. Lou i s County Police Department is seeking to renew a two-year contract with about 100 sergeants .
The current contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the resolution is likely to get plenty of push back .
According to the Post-Dispatch , Joe Patterson , executive director of the police association , said in an interview that the police union doesn ’ t have a say on police discipline .
“ While we are encouraged that the County Council is taking active steps in being involved with the collective bargaining process , we also look forward to an opportunity to help educate them on the process as a whole , ” Patterson said .
“ The union has zero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We do have due-process language but no control of discipline .
That ’ s strictly and expressly a management right.
” Still , Rita Heard Days , one of the two Black council members who voted in favor of the resolution , insists that the move is necessary and important .
“ This resolution makes a statement about how we want the interaction between our law enforcement , Black officers and citizens , and the community as a whole , ” Days said .
“ We ’ ve had task forces .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ve had the consent decree .
We ’ ve had all these reports , but we do not have action .
”

The St. Louis County Council is letting it be known that it is dead serious about police reform. So serious, in fact, that the C ouncil voted Tuesday in favor of a resolution that gives the police department and police union an ultimatum: Either they provide greater public oversight or it’s a wrap on collective bargaining agreements.
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
The council’s 4-3 vote on the resolution came one day after the Ethical Society of Police, an organization that represents minorities in the department, issued an ultimatum to Chief Mary Barton to take immediate action to address racism in the department. The efforts appeared to be in tandem, with the majority of the legislative body now appearing to put ESOP — a group that has been active in the county police for years but only formally recognized by the department this year — closer to an equal footing with Barton’s administration and the 1,000-member St. Louis County Police Association.
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The resolution—of which the vote predictably fell along party lines with four Democrats voting in favor and three Republicans voting against—cites efforts from activist groups such as Forward Through Ferguson, the St. Louis Violence Prevention Commission and the NAACP to ensure that the relationships between police officers and citizens around the city are “rooted in mutual trust and respect,” and claims that police unions “have a history of using their influence to establish protections that have the impact of helping officers avoid accountability,” the Post-Dispatch reports.
The resolution also demands that officers’ disciplinary records be made public and that the names of officers involved in the use of deadly or excessive force be released unless there’s evidence that the releasing of names would put said officers’ safety at risk. It would also remove contract provisions that allow officers to get paid leave or paid desk-duty after being charged with a felony.
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Finally, the resolution acknowledges that the council is “is empowered to reject the proposal” or to modify terms for entering into new contracts with the county’s police department. According to the Associated Press, the St. Lou i s County Police Department is seeking to renew a two-year contract with about 100 sergeants. The current contract expires on Dec. 31.
Truthfully, the resolution is likely to get plenty of push back. According to the Post-Dispatch, Joe Patterson, executive director of the police association, said in an interview that the police union doesn’t have a say on police discipline.
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“While we are encouraged that the County Council is taking active steps in being involved with the collective bargaining process, we also look forward to an opportunity to help educate them on the process as a whole,” Patterson said. “The union has zero control over discipline in the police department. We do have due-process language but no control of discipline. That’s strictly and expressly a management right.”
Still, Rita Heard Days, one of the two Black council members who voted in favor of the resolution, insists that the move is necessary and important.
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“This resolution makes a statement about how we want the interaction between our law enforcement, Black officers and citizens, and the community as a whole,” Days said. “We’ve had task forces. We’ve had strategic plans. We’ve had the consent decree. We’ve had all these reports, but we do not have action.”