theroot--2020-05-08--God, Are You Listening? Senate Democrats Are Proposing $2,000 Monthly Payments

Kamala Harris may very well be the next vice president of America and she ’ s starting her silent bid to win the nomination off by winning the heart of Bernie Bros far and wide .
On Friday , Sen. Harris ( D-Calif. ) along with Sens .
Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) and Ed Markey ( D-Mass ) “ will release their Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act .
It would dramatically expand upon the $ 1,200 sent to Americans as part of March ’ s gargantuan coronavirus response bill , ” Politico reports .
Please God , let this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the things .
Politico notes that if approved , the bill would allow for people who make less than $ 120,000 to get a check for $ 2,000 .
Married couples who file jointly would get $ 4,000 and would allow an additional $ 2,000 for each child up to three children .
Harris told Politico that the one-time stimulus payment wasn ’ t “ nearly enough to meet the needs of this historic crisis ” and Markey called the push “ the most direct and efficient mechanism for delivering economic relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a responsibility to make sure that every working-class household in America receives a $ 2,000 emergency payment a month for each family member , ” Sanders said , Politico reports .
The payments would be retroactive to March and last until three months after the Health and Human Services Department has declared the public health emergency over .
The legislation would also bar debt collectors from taking the payments , and would deliver them regardless of whether people have a Social Security number or filed taxes last year .
The effort from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represents one of the biggest , and likely most expensive , ideas being put forward for the next round of coronavirus relief .
Other House and Senate Democrats have proposed federal guarantees for workers ’ salaries , and Sen. Josh Hawley ( R-Mo . )
is pitching having the government subsidize employers ’ payrolls to avoid mass layoffs .
If this happens , I will start eating my Raisin Flakes ( bootleg Raisin Bran ) with cashew milk and will start making my ramen noodles with Evian because I deserve to eat what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all do .

Kamala Harris may very well be the next vice president of America and she’s starting her silent bid to win the nomination off by winning the heart of Bernie Bros far and wide.
On Friday, Sen. Harris (D-Calif.) along with Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass) “will release their Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act. It would dramatically expand upon the $1,200 sent to Americans as part of March’s gargantuan coronavirus response bill,” Politico reports.
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Please God, let this be a thing. Let this be all the things. Politico notes that if approved, the bill would allow for people who make less than $120,000 to get a check for $2,000. Married couples who file jointly would get $4,000 and would allow an additional $2,000 for each child up to three children. Harris told Politico that the one-time stimulus payment wasn’t “nearly enough to meet the needs of this historic crisis” and Markey called the push “the most direct and efficient mechanism for delivering economic relief to those most vulnerable.”
“Congress has a responsibility to make sure that every working-class household in America receives a $2,000 emergency payment a month for each family member,” Sanders said, Politico reports.
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From Politico:
The payments would be retroactive to March and last until three months after the Health and Human Services Department has declared the public health emergency over. The legislation would also bar debt collectors from taking the payments, and would deliver them regardless of whether people have a Social Security number or filed taxes last year. The effort from the two former presidential rivals and Markey represents one of the biggest, and likely most expensive, ideas being put forward for the next round of coronavirus relief. Other House and Senate Democrats have proposed federal guarantees for workers’ salaries, and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is pitching having the government subsidize employers’ payrolls to avoid mass layoffs.
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If this happens, I will start eating my Raisin Flakes (bootleg Raisin Bran) with cashew milk and will start making my ramen noodles with Evian because I deserve to eat what the rich eat, too. We all do.


theroot--2020-05-08--Boost Beauty Confidence and Save $5 on Your First GlossyBox

I find beauty subscription boxes are hit or miss with what you pay and what you get .
But with @ @ @ @ @ to 6 products whose value usually equates to $ 100 .
This month they are @ @ @ @ @ boxes for just $ 16 with code WILD16 .
There is also an option for @ @ @ @ @ subscription with code WILD10 .
You already save a bit when you choose to pay @ @ @ @ @ total savings are 24 % .
It ’ s a great gift option but I @ @ @ @ @ what a box is like before you commit .
And $ 16 is a lot @ @ @ @ @ can tell you there is an eyeshadow palette from Steve Laurant and the Elemis Pro-Collagen @ @ @ @ @ s box .
It ’ s being called the “ W ild B ox ” @ @ @ @ @ iger or zebra print packaging .
This deal runs until May 17 .

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

24% off May’s Box | $16 | Glossybox | Use code WILD16
I find beauty subscription boxes are hit or miss with what you pay and what you get. But with GlossyBo x you get 5 to 6 products whose value usually equates to $100. This month they are offering tw o specially curated boxes for just $16 with code WILD16.
There is also an option for $10 off a 3-month subscription with code WILD10. You already save a bit when you choose to pay more upfront but here your total savings are 24%. It’s a great gift option but I totally understand wanting to see what a box is like before you commit. And $16 is a lot more palatable upfront .
I can tell you there is an eyeshadow palette from Steve Laurant and the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm in May’s box . It’s being called the “W ild B ox” and is coming in t iger or zebra print packaging .
This deal runs until May 17.


theroot--2020-05-08--In His Own Words: Unpublished Jerry Krause Memoir Reveals He Might Not Be The Villain We Thought He

In His Own Words: Unpublished Jerry Krause Memoir Reveals He Might Not Be The Villain We Thought He Was

ESPN ’ s The Last Dance has been hailed by critics and sports fans alike for its thorough examination of one of the greatest dynasties in the history of professional sports : Michael Jordan ’ s Chicago Bulls .
But it ’ s also been criticized for its unfavorable depiction of former general manager Jerry Krause , who died in 2017 and is unable to defend himself against the onslaught of personal attacks and accusations found in the film .
Thankfully , prior to his death , Krause was able to reflect on his tenure with the Bulls in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBC Sports Chicago ’ s K.C .
Johnson , don ’ t disappoint .
If anything , they provide a deeper understanding of his relationship with one of the greatest teams ever assembled .
“ Personally , despite our problems off the court , he was great to deal with on the court , where it counts .
He wanted to win as much as I did , and we both were driven by winning again and again , looking for any edge to keep it going .
Despite his quote about “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career , he knew deep down that no individual was good enough to win in this game without being on a team that could win .
“ ...
Were we good for one another ?
I think we turned out to be a great match .
We were both stubborn , strong-willed competitors , proud of our ability and wanting to carve out our own niche in the game ’ s hierarchy.
” Despite how ugly it all ended , it ’ s hard to argue with the results .
Can you name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight years ?
I ’ ll wait .
Jordan ’ s recollection of how his broken foot was handled in 1985 is also a point of dispute .
In The Last Dance , His Airness points to the injury and how he was treated as the beginning of the end of his relationship with Krause , but Krause maintains that Jordan isn ’ t exactly telling the truth .
“ Now comes the disputed statement .
I remember saying , ‘ Michael , you are a player , not a medical doctor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ right for the team and as a result I ’ m not going to let you play.
’ Michael has told people who were not at the meeting that I told him he was an employee of the franchise and as a result would do what the franchise told him to do or else .
He says he knew that moment that loyalty in the NBA between teams and players was non-existent and it changed his outlook on the game and on me .
“ Now do you think I ’ m dumb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and within the ears of prominent medical people from all over the nation , to tell a young star that he was an ‘ employee ?
’ I don ’ t think so.
” Jordan would use the situation as fuel , return later that season on a minutes restriction and take the Bulls to the playoffs for the first time .
Krause also had some thoughts on Dennis Rodman , the eccentric rebounder who burned bridge after bridge in the NBA , but who took the Bulls to another level after joining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave me the ability to construct the perfect rebounder , I ’ d want quick feet on a tall , wide-shouldered frame , strong-legged , good hands , quick jumper and a mean streak that never shut down ...
In other words , I ’ d want Dennis Rodman , the best rebounder I ’ ve ever seen .
Sure , I ’ d look at Paul Silas first and then Charles Oakley .
But eventually I ’ d settle on Rodman and then put him on the floor for 45 minutes a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enjoy .
If you ’ re a skeptic , you ’ ll say , ‘ Rodman was nuts , a showman , not a player , a disgrace to the game , a non-scorer who only could rebound , a player who habitually wore out his welcome and moved on.
’ If you ’ re an optimist , you ’ ll say , ‘ He was a little goofy but in a positive way , a master at a skill that ’ s crucial to winning games , a guy who learned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on to praise Rodman ’ s ability to defend all five positions and note that he was a “ kind , giving person ” who was misunderstood and “ never hurt anybody but himself.
” Dennis is basically a simple person , with few real wishes and desires .
Give him love and affection , be honest with him , provide him with some security and give him enough room to roam and he ’ ll go to war for you .
Hurt him by not showing him you care and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animal , trying not to hurt you but to get away from you and go off someplace and heal his wounds ...
The tattoos and the hair color and the cross-dressing stunts are not the real Dennis I know .
They were just a way for him to separate from the pack .
To me , he was simply one of the most fundamentally sound players I ’ ve ever been around .
Unlike , Pippen and Jordan , Rodman never butted heads with Krause because he steered clear of any involvement with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always cordial , which Rodman reiterated during a recent interview on ESPN ’ s First Take .
“ Jerry Krause , it ’ s a difficult thing .
I never got involved with the front office at all , ” Rodman said .
“ I never really got into the politics of it , I never asked Michael or Scottie , ‘ What is the reason you guys are so bitter towards management ?
’ I never asked those guys that , but after a couple of years , I figured out where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ For me , I was just more there for the ride , pretty much .
I wanted to win championships with these guys .
I would go to war for these guys any time of the day ...
It was just sad that we could have come back and won a fourth championship very easily.
” Considering Krause ’ s memoir was unfinished at the time of his death in 2017 , it ’ s unclear if there are plans for it to ever see an official release .
But with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I wouldn ’ t be surprised at all if the world finally gets to hear Krause ’ s side of the story .

ESPN’s The Last Dance has been hailed by critics and sports fans alike for its thorough examination of one of the greatest dynasties in the history of professional sports: Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. But it’s also been criticized for its unfavorable depiction of former general manager Jerry Krause, who died in 2017 and is unable to defend himself against the onslaught of personal attacks and accusations found in the film.
Thankfully, prior to his death, Krause was able to reflect on his tenure with the Bulls in an unpublished memoir—and the excerpts, courtesy of NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson, don’t disappoint. If anything, they provide a deeper understanding of his relationship with one of the greatest teams ever assembled.
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On Michael Jordan, per Bleacher Report:
“Personally, despite our problems off the court, he was great to deal with on the court, where it counts. He wanted to win as much as I did, and we both were driven by winning again and again, looking for any edge to keep it going. Despite his quote about “my supporting cast” early in his career, he knew deep down that no individual was good enough to win in this game without being on a team that could win. “ ... Were we good for one another? I think we turned out to be a great match. We were both stubborn, strong-willed competitors, proud of our ability and wanting to carve out our own niche in the game’s hierarchy.”
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Despite how ugly it all ended, it’s hard to argue with the results. Can you name another team that won six championships in eight years? I’ll wait.
Jordan’s recollection of how his broken foot was handled in 1985 is also a point of dispute. In The Last Dance, His Airness points to the injury and how he was treated as the beginning of the end of his relationship with Krause, but Krause maintains that Jordan isn’t exactly telling the truth.
“Now comes the disputed statement. I remember saying, ‘Michael, you are a player, not a medical doctor. I have to do what’s right for the team and as a result I’m not going to let you play.’ Michael has told people who were not at the meeting that I told him he was an employee of the franchise and as a result would do what the franchise told him to do or else. He says he knew that moment that loyalty in the NBA between teams and players was non-existent and it changed his outlook on the game and on me. “Now do you think I’m dumb enough, in front of the owner and within the ears of prominent medical people from all over the nation, to tell a young star that he was an ‘employee?’ I don’t think so.”
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Jordan would use the situation as fuel, return later that season on a minutes restriction and take the Bulls to the playoffs for the first time.
Krause also had some thoughts on Dennis Rodman, the eccentric rebounder who burned bridge after bridge in the NBA, but who took the Bulls to another level after joining the team in 1995.
Advertisement
From CBS Sports:
If God gave me the ability to construct the perfect rebounder, I’d want quick feet on a tall, wide-shouldered frame, strong-legged, good hands, quick jumper and a mean streak that never shut down...In other words, I’d want Dennis Rodman, the best rebounder I’ve ever seen. Sure, I’d look at Paul Silas first and then Charles Oakley. But eventually I’d settle on Rodman and then put him on the floor for 45 minutes a game for a bunch of years and enjoy. If you’re a skeptic, you’ll say, ‘Rodman was nuts, a showman, not a player, a disgrace to the game, a non-scorer who only could rebound, a player who habitually wore out his welcome and moved on.’ If you’re an optimist, you’ll say, ‘He was a little goofy but in a positive way, a master at a skill that’s crucial to winning games, a guy who learned to play the team game.’
Advertisement
Krause then went on to praise Rodman’s ability to defend all five positions and note that he was a “kind, giving person” who was misunderstood and “never hurt anybody but himself.”
Dennis is basically a simple person, with few real wishes and desires. Give him love and affection, be honest with him, provide him with some security and give him enough room to roam and he’ll go to war for you. Hurt him by not showing him you care and he’ll rear back like a cornered animal, trying not to hurt you but to get away from you and go off someplace and heal his wounds...The tattoos and the hair color and the cross-dressing stunts are not the real Dennis I know. They were just a way for him to separate from the pack. To me, he was simply one of the most fundamentally sound players I’ve ever been around.
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Unlike, Pippen and Jordan, Rodman never butted heads with Krause because he steered clear of any involvement with the front office. Their relationship was always cordial, which Rodman reiterated during a recent interview on ESPN’s First Take.
“Jerry Krause, it’s a difficult thing. I never got involved with the front office at all,” Rodman said. “I never really got into the politics of it, I never asked Michael or Scottie, ‘What is the reason you guys are so bitter towards management?’ I never asked those guys that, but after a couple of years, I figured out where it all came from.”
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He continued, “For me, I was just more there for the ride, pretty much. I wanted to win championships with these guys. I would go to war for these guys any time of the day...It was just sad that we could have come back and won a fourth championship very easily.”
Considering Krause’s memoir was unfinished at the time of his death in 2017, it’s unclear if there are plans for it to ever see an official release. But with the immense popularity of The Last Dance, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the world finally gets to hear Krause’s side of the story.


theroot--2020-05-08--The Root Jams Weekly Playlist (5/8/2020): 'Bring Me Peace'

May is Mental Health Awareness Month , and in honor of that fact , the playlists this month will all @ @ @ @ @ Our first one , titled “ Bring Me Peace , ” is a list of @ @ @ @ @ that are used to bring a peaceful mental state .
Rags to Rufus feat .
@ @ @ @ @ in the Sun ”

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

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in honor of that fact, the playlists this month will all be dedicated to it. Our first one, titled “Bring Me Peace,” is a list of songs from staffers of TheRoot.com that are used to bring a peaceful mental state.
“Bring Me Peace” (5/8/2020)
Panama Jackson
Maxwell “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)”
Dixie Chicks “Landslide”
Hem “Half Acre”
Chante Cann featuring Snarky Puppy “Da da’n Da”
Gretchen Parlato “Holding Back the Years”
Stephen Crockett
Jadakiss “We Gonna Make It”
John Gibson “God Will Find Ya”
J. Cole “Love Yourz”
Danielle Belton
Fleetwood Mac “Dreams”
Jason Mraz “Life Is Wonderful”
Jay Connor
The Winans “Paradise”
Ashley Velez
Jamila Woods “Holy”
Des’ree “You Gotta Be”
Sounds of Blackness “Optimistic”
Stacy Barthe “Hey You There”
Tonja Stidhum
Joni Mitchell “Both Sides Now”
Chloe x Halle “If God Spoke”
James Vincent McMorrow “Red Dust”
Genetta Adams
Solange “F.U.B.U.”
The Internet “Under Control”
Lizzo “Scuse Me”
Maiysha Kai
Lenny Kravitz “It Ain’t Over ’Til It’s Over”
Rags to Rufus feat. Chaka Khan “Walkin’ in the Sun”
Prince and The Revolution “Mountains”
The Commodores “Easy”
Michael Harriot
Jay-Z featuring Scarface, Beanie Sigel “This Can’t Be Life”
Gnarls Barkley “Crazy”
Lupe Fiasco “He Say, She Say”
J’Na Jefferson
Anna Nalick “Breathe (2AM)“
H.E.R. featuring Daniel Caeser “Best Part”
Frank Ocean “Pink + White”


theroot--2020-05-08--Wait a Minute...Princess Love Filed for Divorce From Ray J

Apparently , Princess Love hit it first…as in , she hit up the court to file the divorce papers , that is .
According to TMZ , after nearly 4 years of marriage with the “ One Wish ” singer , Princess filed for divorce at Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday .
The couple reportedly got into a fight in Vegas back in November , which had a significant impact on their marriage .
Princess claimed Ray J “ stranded ” her and their daughter Melody while she was pregnant with their son , Epik , who she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TMZ also posted a clip from Princess ’ Instagram Live session where she recounted what happened right after the Vegas incident , noting that once she expressed she wanted to go ahead with a separation , Ray J exclaimed , “ not before I file first !
” In another clip obtained by TMZ , Ray J denied the claim that he left Princess and Melody stranded , pointing to the room they had at Skylofts in Las Vegas .
“ The devil ’ s working , but he isn ’ t working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work hard enough , ” Ray J said at the time .
Ray J and Princess have a reputation for their volatile relationship—I mean , he threw her in a pool on national television during an argument when they were dating .
The couple has reportedly been living separately since February , and recently debuted the first episode of their Zeus Network show , The Conversation : Ray J & Princess Love on April 25 .
Will this result in yet another Love & Hip Hop spinoff show in the dramatic franchise—perhaps , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edition ?
Will Ray J hop on the remix to Brandy ’ s “ Baby Mama ?
” The possibilities are endless .
The Root has reached out to Ray J ’ s team for comment .

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

Apparently, Princess Love hit it first…as in, she hit up the court to file the divorce papers, that is.
According to TMZ, after nearly 4 years of marriage with the “One Wish” singer, Princess filed for divorce at Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday.
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The couple reportedly got into a fight in Vegas back in November, which had a significant impact on their marriage. Princess claimed Ray J “stranded” her and their daughter Melody while she was pregnant with their son, Epik, who she gave birth to that following January.
TMZ continued with the scoop:
Princess stopped wearing her wedding ring after the Vegas incident—Ray J briefly stopped wearing his—and she threatened divorce...but nothing came of it until this week when she finally pulled the trigger.
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TMZ also posted a clip from Princess’ Instagram Live session where she recounted what happened right after the Vegas incident, noting that once she expressed she wanted to go ahead with a separation, Ray J exclaimed, “not before I file first!”
In another clip obtained by TMZ, Ray J denied the claim that he left Princess and Melody stranded, pointing to the room they had at Skylofts in Las Vegas.
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“The devil’s working, but he isn’t working hard enough and he’ll never work hard enough,” Ray J said at the time.
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Ray J and Princess have a reputation for their volatile relationship—I mean, he threw her in a pool on national television during an argument when they were dating. The couple has reportedly been living separately since February, and recently debuted the first episode of their Zeus Network show, The Conversation: Ray J & Princess Love on April 25.
The Conversation: Ray J & Princess Love / The Zeus Network (YouTube)
Will this result in yet another Love & Hip Hop spinoff show in the dramatic franchise—perhaps, Love & Hip Hop: Marriage Counseling edition? Will Ray J hop on the remix to Brandy’s “Baby Mama?” The possibilities are endless.
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The Root has reached out to Ray J’s team for comment.


theroot--2020-05-08--There Are Just Two Days Left to Get 20% off P.volve's Fitness Classes and Equipment

With gyms still closed in most places and no real plans for opening just yet most of us are still @ @ @ @ @ P.v olve brings a trainer digitally right to your starting at about $ 20 a @ @ @ @ @ two days get 20 % off any order of $ 75 or more and build @ @ @ @ @ all the gear your need to burn your quarantine snacks off .
The 20 % @ @ @ @ @ the six month and yearly subscription with $ 20- $ 35 in savings .
The @ @ @ @ @ qualify unless you grab the equipment you might need too like a mat , bands @ @ @ @ @ is a 14-day free trial to see if P.volve is for you but this sale @ @ @ @

Sheilah Villari on Kinja Deals, shared by Quentyn Kennemer to The Root

20% off $75 Orders | P.volve
With gyms still closed in most places and no real plans for opening just yet most of us are still working out at home. P.v olve brings a trainer digitally right to your starting at about $20 a month. For the next two days get 20% off any order of $75 or more and build out a kit and get all the gear your need to burn your quarantine snacks off.
The 20% discount can be applied to the six month and yearly subscription with $20-$35 in savings. The month to month does not qualify unless you grab the equipment you might need too like a mat, bands, or weights.
There is a 14-day free trial to see if P.volve is for you but this sale ends May 10.


theroot--2020-05-09--Off-Duty Cop Among Mob in North Carolina That Forced Into Black Woman's Home

A group of white people armed with weapons demanded entry into the home of a black woman and her son in Pender County , North Carolina , late last Sunday night and refused to leave .
Reportedly leading the group was a member of the New Hanover Sheriff ’ s Office , Deputy Jordan Kita , who was armed and in uniform during the incident in question despite being off-duty and employed in a different county .
The mob claimed they were on the lookout for someone named Josiah in connection with the disappearance of a young girl , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representing the family .
They wouldn ’ t take no for an answer when Monica Shepard and her son Dameon , a high school senior , told them repeatedly that no one by that name lived at that resident .
When Dameon attempted to shut the door after telling the group who he was , Lea says the New Hanover County deputy stuck his foot in the door and demanded to come inside .
Shepard woke up during this commotion and also tried to get the group to leave her property , indicating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not live there .
Once again , according to Lea , the group continued to question the Shepards , demanding to come inside .
The deputy also blocked Shepard from closing her door .
Lea says at some point the group realized they were at the wrong residence and started disbanding , but by that time the Pender County Sheriff ’ s Office was called to the disturbance .
You won ’ t be surprised to hear that the members of the mob were allowed to leave the scene unscathed by the Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk with the Shepards .
Lea notes the group of people , including those who were armed , returned and followed the deputies to the Shepards ’ property .
According to Lea , the deputies took no names of those in the group and didn ’ t investigate the situation .
A captain who arrived on scene also did not take any action .
Lea says the same captain returned to the Shepards ’ property the next day on his own , indicated it would be complicated to arrest anyone , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it.
”  Kita was finally charged with forcible trespass , breaking and entering , and willful failure to discharge duties on Friday—almost a week to the break-in , and only after the family ’ s lawyer wrote to the District Attorney ’ s Office and asked them to investigate the terrorizing incident .
He has also been fired , according to WECT .
A second person , Robert Austin Wood , will be charged with going armed to the terror of the public , District Attorney Ben David said .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is patting itself on the back for doing absolutely nothing on the night in question .
Sheriff Cutler admitted at the news conference Friday they may have had enough evidence to make an arrest on the night of the incident , but said he was proud his deputies diffused the situation that night and they wanted to make an informed decision on this situation .
The other members of the group remain at large .

A group of white people armed with weapons demanded entry into the home of a black woman and her son in Pender County, N. C. , late last Sunday night and refused to leave.
Reportedly leading the group was a member of the New Hanover Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Jordan Kita, who was armed and in uniform during the incident in question despite being off-duty and employed in a different county.
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The mob claimed they were on the lookout for someone named Josiah in connection with the disappearance of a young girl, according to James Lea, an attorney now representing the family. They wouldn’t take no for an answer when Monica Shepard and her son, Dameon, a high school senior, told them repeatedly that no one by that name lived at that residence.
From WECT:
When Dameon attempted to shut the door after telling the group who he was, Lea says the New Hanover County deputy stuck his foot in the door and demanded to come inside. Shepard woke up during this commotion and also tried to get the group to leave her property, indicating the person they were looking for did not live there. Once again, according to Lea, the group continued to question the Shepards, demanding to come inside. The deputy also blocked Shepard from closing her door. Lea says at some point the group realized they were at the wrong residence and started disbanding, but by that time the Pender County Sheriff’s Office was called to the disturbance.
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You won’t be surprised to hear that the members of the mob were allowed to leave the scene unscathed by the Sheriff’s Office.
From CBS17:
Two deputies arrived to talk with the Shepards. Lea notes the group of people, including those who were armed, returned and followed the deputies to the Shepards’ property. According to Lea, the deputies took no names of those in the group and didn’t investigate the situation. A captain who arrived on scene also did not take any action. Lea says the same captain returned to the Shepards’ property the next day on his own, indicated it would be complicated to arrest anyone, but said he’d “look into it.”
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Kita was finally charged with forcible trespass, breaking and entering and willful failure to discharge duties on Friday—almost a week to the break-in, and only after the family’s lawyer wrote to the District Attorney’s Office and asked them to investigate the terrorizing incident. He has also been fired, according to WECT.
A second person, Robert Austin Wood, will be charged with going armed to the terror of the public, District Attorney Ben David said.
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Meanwhile, the Pender County Sheriff’s D epartment is patting itself on the back for doing absolutely nothing on the night in question.
From WECT:
Sheriff Cutler admitted at the news conference Friday they may have had enough evidence to make an arrest on the night of the incident, but said he was proud his deputies diffused the situation that night and they wanted to make an informed decision on this situation.
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The other members of the group remain at large.


theroot--2020-05-04--Sephora Has Some Deals to Keep You Looking Glamorous, Even While You're Stuck at Home

The best Sephora deals and promo codes for May 2020 are here .
The stores are closed , but Sephora ’ s online shop keeps pumping out the deals .
Whether you need fresh products to continue your skincare routine or makeup and accessories for video chats , Sephora has a large number of items on sale right now .
Use promo code FREESHIP at checkout for free shipping with no minimum and load up while on these deals while supplies last .
I did not expect to be writing about Who Framed Roger Rabbit ?
merch in 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but here we are .
Toontown ’ s leading lady is the star of this face and body highlighter , which also comes with a themed plush for application .
Snag it for $ 16 off the list price .
• None Buy it now for $ 20 Want to give your curls the softness and bounce they deserve ?
DevaCurl ’ s Redefine Super Curly kit has an 8oz milk cleanser , an 8oz milk conditioner , 3oz coconut curl styler , and a 0.16oz high-shine multi-benefit oil that work together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Score this set , a $ 62 value , for just $ 32 right now .
• None Buy it now for $ 32 Go for the bold look with the Fenty Beauty Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlight Palette , which has seven metallic shades including Subzero , Heart Burn , and Scandal ’ ice .
This fire-and-ice themed set is marked down significantly from its usual $ 54 price point , so go wild .
• None Buy it now for $ 23 CBD has a number of beneficial health uses , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can help soothe pain and irritation .
Lord Jones ’ High CBD Formula Body Lotion provides a cooling sensation too , making it seem like a particularly pleasant thing to rub on your body .
It ’ s down from $ 60 right now .
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Whether on vacation or perhaps dealing with a small bathroom , this fold-up hair dryer still gets the job done .
It ’ s $ 30 off the list price right now if you ’ re looking for a versatile dryer that can go anywhere .
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I ’ ve always liked this line but have to wait for a sale to truly enjoy .
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Perfect to use at morning or at night and truly livens dull skin on the face and neck .
Glamglow is another amazing skin care company that is pricey but produces major results .
This sale is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now for $ 38 It ’ s easy to let things slide when you ’ re not leaving the house much ( if at all ) , but you can do a few small things to continue to take care of yourself .
Sephora ’ s Mask Stick is an easy , affordable way to keep your face feeling fresh , and they ’ re half-off at just $ 4 apiece .
Watermelon , Bamboo , and Spirulina varieties are still available as of this writing .
• None Buy it now for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ KVD Vegan Beauty released this enticing Alchemist Holographic Palette , which features four shades for your eyes , lips , and face that glisten with “ double dimension technology.
” The larger set gives you Emerald ( green ) , Saphyre ( blue ) , Amethyst ( ultra-violet ) , and Opal ( pink ) , while a separate single $ 7 item has Aquamarine ( teal ) .
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• None Buy it now for $ 70 Nothing warms the heart or raises the spirits like a delightful scent , and this exclusive set from Clean Reserve should do the trick .
Plus , you ’ re helping saving bees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This also mean the packaging is sustainable and all the ingredients are farm sourced in eco-concious packaging .
They live up to the Clean name in every way .
Smell wonderful with these 5 fragrances and save the planet .
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Pro Tip : Warm Cotton is where it is at .
• None Buy it now for $ 48

Sheilah Villari and Andrew Hayward on Roundups, shared by Elizabeth Henges to The Root

Featured Deal: Give Me Some Shine Lip Gloss + Plumper Set | $24
The best Sephora deals and promo codes for December 2021 are here.
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Note that you have 8 different options of shades, all at the same 50% off discount.
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If you’re looking for the best in skincare Shiseido is for you. This three-piece bundle includes the company’s best sellers. The Urban Environment SPF 42 is oil-free and ideal for fun in the sun. It’s lightweight and works perfectly even under makeup. The Ultimune Serum protects against daily damage and premature aging, leaving your skin hydrated and smooth. The Benefiance Wrinkle Eye Cream completes the routine by significantly reducing wrinkles after a few uses. This kit is great for all skin types.
Save $5 Shiseido Bestsellers Urban SPF Set Defends against visible daily damage and premature aging.
The Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream visibly minimizes wrinkles in as little as one week. Buy for $43 at Sephora
This story was originally published by Sheilah Villari on 03/19/2020 and updated with new information on 12/20/2021.


theroot--2020-05-09--Meet Magnolia, Gerber's New Spokesbaby

Meet Magnolia, Gerber's New Spokesbaby

Magnolia Earl has a lot to celebrate : she is the winner of Gerber ’ s 2020 Photo Search contest and also turns one-year-old today .
We ’ re not surprised that the baby food brand was won over by this cherubic cutie pie ’ s adorably gummy smile and fabulous head wrap game .
Magnolia was chosen out of 327,000 entrants , Gerber announced in a press release Friday , saying she “ captured the hearts of the judging panel with her joyful expression , playful smile and warm , engaging gaze.
” She is the first adopted baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in its tenth year and was inspired by the company ’ s iconic logo .
“ At a time when we are yearning for connection and unity , Magnolia and her family remind us of the many things that bring us together : our desire to love and be loved , our need to find belonging , and our recognition that family goes way beyond biology , ” said Gerber .
You can expect to see Magnolia featured on Gerber ’ s social media channels and marketing campaigns over the next year—something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggle through the dumpster fire that 2020 seems determined to be .
Magnolia ’ s family was also awarded $ 25,000 cash and other prizes for her winning picture .

Ishena Robinson on The Glow Up, shared by Ishena Robinson to The Root

Magnolia Earl has a lot to celebrate: S he is the winner of Gerber’s 2020 Photo Search contest and also turns 1 year old today.
We’re not surprised that the baby- food brand was won over by this cherubic cutie pie’s adorably gummy smile and fabulous head wrap game.
Advertisement
Magnolia was chosen out of 327,000 entrants, Gerber announced in a press release Friday, saying she “captured the hearts of the judging panel with her joyful expression, playful smile and warm, engaging gaze.”
She is the first adopted baby to win the photo contest, which is in its 10 th year and was inspired by the company’s iconic logo.
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“At a time when we are yearning for connection and unity, Magnolia and her family remind us of the many things that bring us together: our desire to love and be loved, our need to find belonging, and our recognition that family goes way beyond biology,” said Gerber.
You can expect to see Magnolia featured on Gerber’s social media channels and marketing campaigns over the next year—something beautiful to look forward to as we struggle through the dumpster fire that 2020 seems determined to be.
Advertisement
Magnolia’s family was also awarded $25,000 cash and other prizes for her winning picture.


theroot--2020-05-09--Uptown Records Founder Andre Harrell Has Died at 59

The man behind Uptown Records , the New York City based label that launched the careers of acts like Diddy , Jodeci , Mary J. Blige , and Heavy D has died at 59 years old .
Billboard News confirmed the sad news of Andre Harrell ’ s death after DJ D-Nice first announced it on Instagram Live Friday night .
The cause of death has not been revealed .
Harrell was a titan music executive whose pioneering Uptown Records label was integral to the development of numerous hip hop and R & B in the late ‘ 80s and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stint as president and CEO of Motown Records .
Stylish , sophisticated and fashion-forward , the label played a key role in the development of the New Jack Swing style of R & B , courtesy of acts like Guy ( featuring the hugely influential producer-performer Teddy Riley ) , Al B .
Sure and Jodeci , as well as crossover hip-hop via Heavy D and the Boyz and Father MC .
Harrell also signed the teenage Mary J. Blige in the late ’ 80s .
A few months ago , Harrell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scripted miniseries of the story behind Uptown Records that would air this year .
Harrell was also involved in film and television production and was widely known for mentoring another black music mogul , Diddy .
Sean “ Puff Daddy ” Combs , later to be known as Diddy , started off as Uptown as an intern of Harrell ’ s , and eventually worked there full-time as a talent director , where he helped develop ‘ 90s R & B megastars like Mary J. Blige and Jodeci , even producing the popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 1992 hit “ Come and Talk to Me.
” ( Harrell fired him from Uptown in 1993 , leading to Combs starting the epochal Bad Boy label with friend The Notorious B.I.G .
as his marquee artist , but the relationship remained amicable. Harrell held the role of vice chairman in Diddy ’ s multi-platform music network Revolt .
An immeasurable loss for the culture , Harrell ’ s passing is hitting hard for those who worked with him and knew him personally .

The man behind Uptown Records, the New York City- based label that launched the careers of acts like Diddy, Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, and Heavy D has died at 59 years old.
Billboard News confirmed the sad news of Andre Harrell’s death after DJ D-Nice first announced it on Instagram Live Friday night. The cause of death has not been revealed.
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Harrell was a titan music executive whose pioneering Uptown Records label was integral to the development of numerous hip- hop and R&B in the late ’ 80s and the ’ 90s. He also served a stint as president and CEO of Motown Records.
From Variety:
Stylish, sophisticated and fashion-forward, the label played a key role in the development of the New Jack Swing style of R&B, courtesy of acts like Guy (featuring the hugely influential producer-performer Teddy Riley), Al B. Sure and Jodeci, as well as crossover hip-hop via Heavy D and the Boyz and Father MC. Harrell also signed the teenage Mary J. Blige in the late ’80s.
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A few months ago, Harrell announced that BET would be producing a scripted miniseries of the story behind Uptown Records that would air this year.
Harrell was also involved in film and television production and was widely known for mentoring another black music mogul, Diddy.
Advertisement
From Billboard:
Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, later to be known as Diddy, started off as Uptown as an intern of Harrell’s, and eventually worked there full-time as a talent director, where he helped develop ‘90s R&B megastars like Mary J. Blige and Jodeci, even producing the popular “Hip-Hop Remix” of the latter’s 1992 hit “Come and Talk to Me.” (Harrell fired him from Uptown in 1993, leading to Combs starting the epochal Bad Boy label with friend The Notorious B.I.G. as his marquee artist, but the relationship remained amicable.
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Harrell held the role of vice chairman in Diddy’s multi platform music network Revolt.
An immeasurable loss for the culture, Harrell’s passing is hitting hard for those who worked with him and knew him personally.
Advertisement
Rest in Power, Andre Harrell.


theroot--2020-05-09--Little Richard, a Founder of Rock 'n' Roll, Has Died at 87

“ I should be better recognized today for sure , ” Little Richard said in an August 2010 interview with the Wall Street Journal .
“ I am the beginning .
I am the originator.
” And indeed , the outrageous performer with the wild falsetto and pounding keyboards ushered in a new sound in the 1950s that combined rock ‘ n ’ roll with gospel and rhythm and blues .
He also influenced artists through many decades and several genres , from David Bowie to Prince .
Richard , the ultimate showman and self-promoter , died Saturday at age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Danny Penniman , confirmed the legendary musician ’ s death to Rolling Stone , but the cause of death was unknown .
Born Dec. 5 , 1932 , in an impoverished Macon , Ga. , Richard Wayne Penniman was one of 12 children .
His father , Charles “ Bud ” Penniman , was both a Seventh-day Adventist minister and a bootlegger .
Religion played a central role in the family : Richard ’ s grandfather was also a preacher , his father ’ s family went to an AME church in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother were Baptists .
Richard liked the Pentecostal churches because he enjoyed dancing and speaking in tongues with the congregants .
Richard built his musical foundation in the church .
As a young boy , he sang with gospel groups the Penniman Singers and Tiny Tots Quartet .
His family called him War Hawk for his loud singing voice .
At age 10 he became known as a faith healer , singing gospel tunes and touching people who would later testify that they had been healed .
His mother actively encouraged Richard ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ healing ” his effeminate nature .
“ The boys would want to fight me because I didn ’ t like to be with them , ” he said in the 1984 biography The Life and Times of Little Richard , by Charles White .
“ I wanted to play with the girls .
See , I felt like a girl.
” By his early teens , Richard was straying from the church , and his “ flamboyant ” mannerisms angered his father , who kicked Richard out of the house .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ninth grade and soon hit the road , traveling around the state and performing with vaudeville and other groups , including B .
Brown and His Orchestra .
“ Brown made up my stage name without telling me , ” Richard told the Journal .
“ When I first saw it on a sign , I didn ’ t realize it was me.
” Richard ’ s vocal style was heavily influenced by gospel artists , including legends such as Sister Rosetta Tharpe , Marion Williams of the Clara Ward Singers , Mahalia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picked up much of his boogie-woogie piano playing on the road .
Blues singer Bill Wright , whom Richard met in 1952 , had perhaps the greatest influence on Richard ’ s personal style .
Wright was known for his pomade hair , flashy clothes , eyeliner and face powder—all of which caught Richard ’ s eye .
Richard got a recording contract with RCA Victor after winning a local contest , but his first records faltered .
In 1953 he signed a contract with Peacock Records , but once again , none @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his tunes , however , “ Little Richard ’ s Boogie , ” with the Johnny Otis Band , hinted at the style that was about to be unleashed on the music scene .
In late 1955 , Richard , now recording on Specialty Records , landed on Billboard ’ s R & B charts with “ Tutti Frutti , ” a song he ’ d been performing for years , although with racier lyrics—and after that , the hits wouldn ’ t stop .
By 1957 , 16 of his recordings—including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Lucille ” and “ Keep a Knockin ’ “ —had made the Billboard Top 100 .
He also appeared in several rock ‘ n ’ roll movies : Don ’ t Knock the Rock and the comedy The Girl Can ’ t Help It , both from 1956 , and Mister Rock and Roll ( 1957 ) .
As noted by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame , Richard “ blew the lid off the ‘ 50s.
” In each of his performances , Little Richard showcased his outrageous outfits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he later said , was to make himself more palatable to white America .
“ I wore makeup and wild outfits to keep white people from focusing on me as some kind of a sexual threat , ” he told the Wall Street Journal .
Richard ’ s onstage performance couldn ’ t match his offstage antics , however , which included wild parties and orgies that he talked about freely in The Life and Times biography .
At the height of his success , Richard abruptly decided to leave the music industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preacher .
He formed the Little Richard Evangelistic Team , traveling nationwide preaching and helping people on skid row .
From 1957 to 1962 , he also went back to his roots musically and recorded gospel music for several labels .
Richard also got married , in 1959 , to Ernestine Campbell and adopted a 1-year-old boy , Danny , in 1962 .
The marriage ended in 1963 .
Financial pressures led Richard to return to rock ‘ n ’ roll .
He was a headliner in Europe in the early 1960s with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stones , who idolized him .
“ I heard so much about the audience reaction , I thought there must be some exaggeration .
But it was all true , ” Mick Jagger would recount in the Richard biography .
“ He drove the whole house into a complete frenzy ...
I couldn ’ t believe the power of Little Richard onstage.
” In the 1970s , Richard battled an addiction to a variety of drugs , as well as his inner conflict over his sexuality , which has been described in many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Richard in 2000 when he reportedly told the Los Angeles Times , “ I was what you called back in that day a freak .
I was flamboyant in every direction.
” By the end of the decade he was embracing the church and rejecting sex , drugs and rock ‘ n ’ roll once again , although Richard continued to be torn between the sacred and the secular , musically and otherwise , for much of his life .
He never settled down into a quiet retirement , making numerous appearances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sang backup on the 1988 U2-B.B .
King number “ When Love Comes to Town ” and performed at President Bill Clinton ’ s inaugural ball in 1993 .
As a reverend , he performed weddings for a number of celebrities , including Cyndi Lauper , Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty .
He also continued to tour into the 21st century .
In 2013 he talked to Cee Lo Green about his heart attack : “ I was coughing , and my right arm was aching .
I told my son , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ So he turned the air conditioning on , and I took a baby aspirin .
The doctor told me that saved my life .
Jesus had something for me .
He brought me through.
” Richard landed numerous awards and honors during his career , including being one of the first recording artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame , in 1986 .
In 1990 he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame , and in 1993 he received an Honorary Lifetime Achievement Grammy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
8 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004 and No .
12 on its list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time .
In 2006 he was inducted into the Apollo Theater Legends Hall of Fame .
Monée Fields-White is a freelance writer and editor based in Los Angeles .

“I should be better recognized today for sure,” Little Richard said in an August 2010 interview with the Wall Street Journal. “I am the beginning. I am the originator.”
And indeed, the outrageous performer with the wild falsetto and pounding keyboards ushered in a new sound in the 1950s that combined rock ‘n’ roll with gospel and rhythm and blues. He also influenced artists through many decades and several genres, from David Bowie to Prince. Richard, the ultimate showman and self-promoter, died Saturday at age 87. Little Richard’s son, Danny Penniman, confirmed the legendary musician’s death to Rolling Stone, but the cause of death was unknown.
Advertisement
Born Dec. 5, 1932, in an impoverished Macon, Ga., Richard Wayne Penniman was one of 12 children. His father, Charles “Bud” Penniman, was both a Seventh-day Adventist minister and a bootlegger. Religion played a central role in the family: Richard’s grandfather was also a preacher, his father’s family went to an AME church in Macon, and his maternal grandmother and mother were Baptists. Richard liked the Pentecostal churches because he enjoyed dancing and speaking in tongues with the congregants.
Richard built his musical foundation in the church. As a young boy, he sang with gospel groups the Penniman Singers and Tiny Tots Quartet. His family called him War Hawk for his loud singing voice. At age 10 he became known as a faith healer, singing gospel tunes and touching people who would later testify that they had been healed.
Advertisement Advertisement
His mother actively encouraged Richard’s involvement in the church in hopes of “healing” his effeminate nature. “The boys would want to fight me because I didn’t like to be with them,” he said in the 1984 biography The Life and Times of Little Richard, by Charles White. “I wanted to play with the girls. See, I felt like a girl.”
By his early teens, Richard was straying from the church, and his “flamboyant” mannerisms angered his father, who kicked Richard out of the house. Richard dropped out of school in the ninth grade and soon hit the road, traveling around the state and performing with vaudeville and other groups, including B. Brown and His Orchestra. “Brown made up my stage name without telling me,” Richard told the Journal. “When I first saw it on a sign, I didn’t realize it was me.”
Advertisement
Richard’s vocal style was heavily influenced by gospel artists, including legends such as Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Marion Williams of the Clara Ward Singers, Mahalia Jackson and Brother Joe May. He picked up much of his boogie-woogie piano playing on the road. Blues singer Bill Wright, whom Richard met in 1952, had perhaps the greatest influence on Richard’s personal style. Wright was known for his pomade hair, flashy clothes, eyeliner and face powder—all of which caught Richard’s eye.
Richard got a recording contract with RCA Victor after winning a local contest, but his first records faltered. In 1953 he signed a contract with Peacock Records, but once again, none of his recordings took off. One of his tunes, however, “Little Richard’s Boogie,” with the Johnny Otis Band, hinted at the style that was about to be unleashed on the music scene.
Advertisement
In late 1955, Richard, now recording on Specialty Records, landed on Billboard’s R&B charts with “Tutti Frutti,” a song he’d been performing for years, although with racier lyrics—and after that, the hits wouldn’t stop. By 1957, 16 of his recordings—including “Good Golly Miss Molly,” “Lucille” and “Keep a Knockin’ “—had made the Billboard Top 100. He also appeared in several rock ‘n’ roll movies: Don’t Knock the Rock and the comedy The Girl Can’t Help It, both from 1956, and Mister Rock and Roll (1957). As noted by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Richard “blew the lid off the ‘50s.”
In each of his performances, Little Richard showcased his outrageous outfits, heavy makeup and wigs—all of which, he later said, was to make himself more palatable to white America. “I wore makeup and wild outfits to keep white people from focusing on me as some kind of a sexual threat,” he told the Wall Street Journal.
Advertisement
Richard’s onstage performance couldn’t match his offstage antics, however, which included wild parties and orgies that he talked about freely in The Life and Times biography. At the height of his success, Richard abruptly decided to leave the music industry in 1957 to become a Seventh-day Adventist preacher. He formed the Little Richard Evangelistic Team, traveling nationwide preaching and helping people on skid row. From 1957 to 1962, he also went back to his roots musically and recorded gospel music for several labels. Richard also got married, in 1959, to Ernestine Campbell and adopted a 1-year-old boy, Danny, in 1962. The marriage ended in 1963.
Financial pressures led Richard to return to rock ‘n’ roll. He was a headliner in Europe in the early 1960s with opening acts like the Beatles and Rolling Stones, who idolized him. “I heard so much about the audience reaction, I thought there must be some exaggeration. But it was all true,” Mick Jagger would recount in the Richard biography. “He drove the whole house into a complete frenzy ... I couldn’t believe the power of Little Richard onstage.”
Advertisement
In the 1970s, Richard battled an addiction to a variety of drugs, as well as his inner conflict over his sexuality, which has been described in many ways but was probably best summed up by Richard in 2000 when he reportedly told the Los Angeles Times, “I was what you called back in that day a freak. I was flamboyant in every direction.” By the end of the decade he was embracing the church and rejecting sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll once again, although Richard continued to be torn between the sacred and the secular, musically and otherwise, for much of his life.
He never settled down into a quiet retirement, making numerous appearances in film and on TV. He sang backup on the 1988 U2-B.B. King number “When Love Comes to Town” and performed at President Bill Clinton’s inaugural ball in 1993. As a reverend, he performed weddings for a number of celebrities, including Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty. He also continued to tour into the 21st century.
Advertisement
In 2013 he talked to Cee Lo Green about his heart attack: “I was coughing, and my right arm was aching. I told my son, ‘Make the room as cold as ice.’ So he turned the air conditioning on, and I took a baby aspirin. The doctor told me that saved my life. Jesus had something for me. He brought me through.”
Richard landed numerous awards and honors during his career, including being one of the first recording artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1986. In 1990 he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 1993 he received an Honorary Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award. Rolling Stone ranked Richard No. 8 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004 and No. 12 on its list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. In 2006 he was inducted into the Apollo Theater Legends Hall of Fame.
Advertisement
Monée Fields-White is a freelance writer and editor based in Los Angeles.


theroot--2020-05-10--Barack Obama Calls Trump Admin's COVID-19 Response an 'Absolute Chaotic Disaster'

Former President Barack Obama derided the Trump administration ’ s handling of the COVID-19 crisis in a recent phone call with alumni from his own administration , according to a report from Yahoo News , which obtained the audio .
Obama pointed to a mindset of selfishness that has become “ operationalized in our government , ” to explain why he believes it is important to support former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s bid for the oval office .
“ This election that ’ s coming up on every level is so important because what we ’ re going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular individual or a political party .
What we ’ re fighting against is these long-term trends in which being selfish , being tribal , being divided , and seeing others as an enemy — that has become a stronger impulse in American life .
And by the way , we ’ re seeing that internationally as well .
It ’ s part of the reason why the response to this global crisis has been so anemic and spotty .
It would have been bad even with the best of governments .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that mindset — of ‘ what ’ s in it for me ’ and ‘ to heck with everybody else ’ — when that mindset is operationalized in our government .
Though the death toll from coronavirus in the United States is climbing above 80,000 , the current president got on Twitter on Sunday to say his government ’ s handling of the public health crisis is getting “ great marks.
” The U.S. recorded about 12,500 deaths from the swine flu between April 2009 and April 2010 , according to CDC estimates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for that matter—in the face of the Trump administration ’ s commitment to not acknowledging reality ?
When asked for a response to the statements made by Obama on the leaked phone call White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said , “ President Trump ’ s coronavirus response has been unprecedented and saved American lives , ” reported CNN .
In the phone call with his former White House staffers , Obama also referenced the recent dropped charges against former national security advise r Michael Flynn , who had pled guilty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the risks currently facing America .

Former President Barack Obama derided the Trump administration’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis in a recent phone call with alumni from his own administration, according to a report from Yahoo News, which obtained the audio.
Obama pointed to a mindset of selfishness that has become “operationalized in our government,” to explain why he believes it is important to support former Vice President Joe Biden’s bid for the oval office.
Advertisement
From Yahoo:
“This election that’s coming up on every level is so important because what we’re going to be battling is not just a particular individual or a political party. What we’re fighting against is these long-term trends in which being selfish, being tribal, being divided, and seeing others as an enemy — that has become a stronger impulse in American life. And by the way, we’re seeing that internationally as well. It’s part of the reason why the response to this global crisis has been so anemic and spotty. It would have been bad even with the best of governments. It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset — of ‘what’s in it for me’ and ‘to heck with everybody else’ — when that mindset is operationalized in our government.
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Though the death toll from coronavirus in the United States is climbing above 80,000, the current president got on Twitter on Sunday to say his government’s handling of the public health crisis is getting “great marks.”
Advertisement
The U.S. recorded about 12,500 deaths from the swine flu between April 2009 and April 2010, according to CDC estimates. But what are facts—or dead bodies, for that matter—in the face of the Trump administration’s commitment to not acknowledging reality?
When asked for a response to the statements made by Obama on the leaked phone call White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said, “President Trump’s coronavirus response has been unprecedented and saved American lives,” reported CNN.
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In the phone call with his former White House staffers, Obama also referenced the recent dropped charges against former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who had pled guilty to lying to the FBI, as evidence of the risks currently facing America.


theroot--2020-05-10--We've Lost Another Icon: No Pain (No Gain) Singer Betty Wright Has Died at 66

Betty Wright , the R & B and soul singer known for classics like “ Clean Up Woman ” and “ Tonight is the Night , ” has died at 66 years old .
Her family confirmed the news to Essence on Sunday .
The cause of death has not yet been revealed , though Chaka Khan put out a call on Twitter earlier in the week asking for people to pray for the singer and songwriter who inspired generations of listeners and artists .
Wright—who won a Grammy in 1974 for “ Where is the Love ?
” —was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black love and womanhood .
Throughout the late 70s and early 80s , the singer-songwriter would continue releasing music and her 1988 hit “ No Pain , ( No Gain ) ” would be Wright ’ s last significant song on the charts in a career spanning five decades .
But this did not stop Wright , who would continue performing , writing and producing , as well as being an active member of The Recording Academy .
A newer generation knew her from the Making the Band reality series , where she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 , she partnered with The Roots for Betty Wright : The Movie .
This weekend has been tragically punctuated by the loss of stalwarts in black music , including rock ‘ n ’ roll architect Little Richard and veteran music executive Andre Harrell .

Betty Wright, the R&B and soul singer known for classics like “Clean Up Woman” and “Tonight is the Night,” has died at 66 years old.
Her family confirmed the news to Essence on Sunday. The cause of death has not yet been revealed, though Chaka Khan put out a call on Twitter earlier in the week asking for people to pray for the singer and songwriter, who inspired generations of listeners and artists.
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Wright—who won a Grammy in 1974 for “Where is the Love?”—was known for songs that told stories of black love and womanhood.
From Essence:
Throughout the late 70s and early 80s, the singer-songwriter would continue releasing music and her 1988 hit “No Pain, (No Gain)” would be Wright’s last significant song on the charts in a career spanning five decades. But this did not stop Wright, who would continue performing, writing and producing, as well as being an active member of The Recording Academy. A newer generation knew her from the Making the Band reality series, where she appeared as a vocal coach. In 2011, she partnered with The Roots for Betty Wright: The Movie.
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This weekend has been tragically punctuated by the loss of stalwarts in black music, including rock ‘n’ roll architect Little Richard and veteran music executive Andre Harrell.


theroot--2020-05-10--Erykah Badu and Jill Scott Brought the Healing Vibes We Needed in Their Verzuz Battle

Incense was burning , Crown Royal was ready for the sipping , and even our forever First Lady Michelle Obama was tuning in for the Verzuz battle between Neo Soul queens Erykah Badu and Jill Scott last night on Instagram Live .
During the “ battle ” —which felt more like a celebration of blackness and sisterhood than anything—the two artists delved into their iconic catalogues and played joints like “ You Got Me , ” ( a record which was written by Scott and performed by Badu alongside The Roots ) .
The story of how that came to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire Verzuz session , which was brimming with mutual love and respect between the black women : Around 700,000 viewers and the entirety of Black Twitter tuned in to enjoy the vibe that was communal , spiritual , and at times a little bit sexual ( particularly when Scott pulled for “ Crown Royal.
” ) It was a reminder of the healing power of black music and black people gathering in community , and felt like exactly what we needed .
In short : If you missed the live battle , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Erykah Badu and Jill Scott playlist on Spotify .

Incense was burning, Crown Royal was ready for the sipping, and even our forever f irst l ady Michelle Obama was tuning in for the Verzuz battle between Neo Soul queens Erykah Badu and Jill Scott last night on Instagram Live.
During the “battle”—which felt more like a celebration of blackness and sisterhood than anything—the two artists delved into their iconic catalogues and played joints like “You Got Me,” (a record which was written by Scott and performed by Badu alongside The Roots).
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The story of how that came to be song mirrored the tone for the entire Verzuz session, which was brimming with mutual love and respect between the black women:
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Around 700,000 viewers and the entirety of Black Twitter tuned in to enjoy the vibe that was communal, spiritual, and at times a little bit sexual (particularly when Scott pulled for “Crown Royal.”)
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It was a reminder of the healing power of black music and black people gathering in community and felt like exactly what we needed. In short:
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If you missed the live battle, you can still listen to the official Verzuz: Erykah Badu and Jill Scott playlist on Spotify.


theroot--2020-05-10--Black Mothers Shouldn't be in Prison on Mother’s Day

America has always dismissed and treated black women like we ’ re disposable , so I ’ ve dedicated my life to being one of the few people who will say yes to black mothers , no matter their circumstances .
During this year ’ s coronavirus pandemic , that means bailing mothers out so they can be safe and providing for their children on Mother ’ s Day .
In 2018 , someone called the police for a sound complaint during an argument I had with my roommate .
I was arrested and given a $ 10,000 bond .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t a threat to the public , but because I couldn ’ t afford to pay bail , I was put in jail , leaving my five children without their mother in the middle of the school year .
After a week in jail , a coalition of black prison abolitionists called National Bail Out bailed me out for Mother ’ s Day .
They helped me get back on my feet and gave me a fellowship when it was hard to find work .
Now I ’ m passing on the powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East St. Louis , who are facing some of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in the world .
I hope you will help me free these essential members of our community .
Nearly 500,000 people are imprisoned in the U.S. each day because they can ’ t afford to pay bail .
For anyone with a preexisting condition , jail can be a death sentence during the coronavirus pandemic when imprisoned people are unable to socially distance and often refused basic sanitary products like soap and hand sanitizer .
I learned the hard way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper can be considered contraband in jail .
For me , having two toilet paper rolls in my cell meant I was put on lockdown for 24 hours .
For women in jail today , things like hand sanitizer is also considered contraband .
The toll this takes on a mother is twofold .
There ’ s the personal toll and then there ’ s the toll on our children .
To say a mother is essential to her children is an understatement .
We work hard every day to provide for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jail I continued to mother my five kids and relied on my own mother to handle the in personal aspects of being a parent .
I called every day to make sure they had their clothes ready for school , didn ’ t eat too much junk food and did their homework .
I relayed all the complex details of parenting to my mom : how to keep the bills paid , how to pick the kids up from school , how to handle the questions about where mom was .
This work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a money bail system that helps bail companies make a profit .
I had worked hard in my 20s and 30s to set a good example for my children .
I graduated from college , volunteered in our community , paid the bills , got them into good schools and in the end I was still treated as disposable .
So when America started calling nurses , janitors and delivery drivers “ essential workers , ” my experiences told me these heroes could expect to be worked hard and similarly dismissed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perform their jobs and help our country thrive .
This is the story of black women throughout our history .
It ’ s not right .
When people work hard to take care of their families and their society , someone has to be there to say yes .
Yes , you can be free to support your family .
Yes , you can have the resources you need to survive .
Yes , your community will support you .
We need to say “ yes , you matter ” with our actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mother ’ s Day I hope you will help me and the National Bail Out Collective say yes to Black mamas and caregivers who are separated from their families simply because they can ’ t pay bail .
This Mother ’ s Day , I hope you will help me and Color Of Change say yes to black mothers by taking action to tangibly support them during the Coronavirus pandemic .
Together we have the power to set an example and to demand better treatment for all kinds of essential workers during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # BlackMamasBailOut and help us reunited families this Mother ’ s Day .
Sign the petition to demand Safeway allow mothers to use their SNAP benefits to make online purchases during the pandemic .
Tiara Moore is pretrial justice community organizer .
Each week Color Of Change , the nation ’ s largest online racial justice organization will bring you frontline stories from # TheBlackResponse to COVID-19 , highlighting the ways black people are taking action and demanding progress during the pandemic and and beyond .

Tiara Moore on The Glow Up, shared by Color Of Change to The Root

America has always dismissed and treated black women like we’re disposable, so I’ve dedicated my life to being one of the few people who will say yes to black mothers, no matter their circumstances. During this year’s coronavirus pandemic, that means bailing mothers out so they can be safe and providing for their children on Mother’s Day.
In 2018, someone called the police for a sound complaint during an argument I had with my roommate. I was arrested and given a $10,000 bond. A judge ruled that I wasn’t a threat to the public, but because I couldn’t afford to pay bail, I was put in jail, leaving my five children without their mother in the middle of the school year. After a week in jail, a coalition of black prison abolitionists called National Bail Out bailed me out for Mother’s Day. They helped me get back on my feet and gave me a fellowship when it was hard to find work. Now I’m passing on the powerful favor and fighting to #FreeBlackMamas in East St. Louis, who are facing some of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in the world. I hope you will help me free these essential members of our community.
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Nearly 500,000 people are imprisoned in the U.S. each day because they can’t afford to pay bail. For anyone with a preexisting condition, jail can be a death sentence during the coronavirus pandemic when imprisoned people are unable to socially distance and often refused basic sanitary products like soap and hand sanitizer. I learned the hard way that even something as simple as toilet paper can be considered contraband in jail. For me, having two toilet paper rolls in my cell meant I was put on lockdown for 24 hours. For women in jail today, things like hand sanitizer is also considered contraband. The toll this takes on a mother is twofold. There’s the personal toll and then there’s the toll on our children.
Advertisement Advertisement
To say a mother is essential to her children is an understatement. We work hard every day to provide for their every need. When I was in jail I continued to mother my five kids and relied on my own mother to handle the in personal aspects of being a parent. I called every day to make sure they had their clothes ready for school, didn’t eat too much junk food and did their homework. I relayed all the complex details of parenting to my mom: how to keep the bills paid, how to pick the kids up from school, how to handle the questions about where mom was. This work was ignored by the courts in favor of a money bail system that helps bail companies make a profit.
Advertisement
I had worked hard in my 20s and 30s to set a good example for my children. I graduated from college, volunteered in our community, paid the bills, got them into good schools and in the end I was still treated as disposable.
So when America started calling nurses, janitors and delivery drivers “essential workers,” my experiences told me these heroes could expect to be worked hard and similarly dismissed, without the real support they need to perform their jobs and help our country thrive. This is the story of black women throughout our history. It’s not right.
Advertisement
When people work hard to take care of their families and their society, someone has to be there to say yes. Yes, you can be free to support your family. Yes, you can have the resources you need to survive. Yes, your community will support you. We need to say “yes, you matter” with our actions, not only our words.
This Mother’s Day I hope you will help me and the National Bail Out Collective say yes to Black mamas and caregivers who are separated from their families simply because they can’t pay bail.
Advertisement
This Mother’s Day, I hope you will help me and Color Of Change say yes to black mothers by taking action to tangibly support them during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Together we have the power to set an example and to demand better treatment for all kinds of essential workers during the pandemic.
Advertisement
Donate to or Join the #BlackMamasBailOut and help us reunited families this Mother’s Day.
Sign the petition to demand Safeway allow mothers to use their SNAP benefits to make online purchases during the pandemic.
Advertisement
Help families stay connected during COVID-19 prison outbreaks.
Tiara Moore is pretrial justice community organizer. Each week Color Of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization will bring you frontline stories from #TheBlackResponse to COVID-19, highlighting the ways black people are taking action and demanding progress during the pandemic and and beyond.


theroot--2020-05-08--Vava's 4K Dash Cam Helped Me Capture the Lawless, Empty Streets of NYC

Back in January , I first met with Vava as a media attendee at CES 2020 in Las Vegas , Nevada .
There I was introduced to their 4K dash cam , the company ’ s first to sport the Vava moniker , as opposed to TaoTronics , another brand in the same family of products you ’ ll find plastered across Amazon search results .
Whether you know Vava for their cheap but surprisingly high quality headphones ( TaoTronics ) OR their cheap but surprisingly high quality battery packs ( RAVPower ) , chances are you ’ ve encountered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online shopping career .
The Vava 4K dash cam in particular is a unique product in a category full of indistinguishable clones .
That ’ s not to say dash cams aren ’ t important ; having one allows you to conveniently store , on a microSD card , hard evidence of any unfortunate automotive collision that comes crashing your way .
But what if your dash cam also served as a lens into the unequivocal joys of driving .
Whether you ’ re cruising around aimlessly or road tripping to a far-off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to capture , and later share , the picturesque views along the way ?
I thought that ’ s what I ’ d be doing when Vava sent me their 4K dash cam earlier this year .
Little did I know the road trips I used to take—say from NYC to Burlington , Vermont or down south to Asheville , North Carolina—would be shelved until the end of a global pandemic .
But then I realized , while using my car to make essential grocery runs and take short hiking trips upstate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city that never sleeps , and the drivers are reckless .
Many of the parking garages are now closed on weekends , leaving car owners to fend for themselves on the side of the street .
Never has there been a more critical time to keep a dash cam in your car , to insure it against other drivers on the road and the careless pedestrians roaming the streets .
If ultra hi-def quality is a must , the Vava 4K dash cam is a solid option .
Its companion app ( iOS/Android @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and practical .
With it , you can view your library of loops , or automatically recorded clips , emergency videos , and my personal favorite , “ snapshots ” taken with the included IR remote of the same name .
While I haven ’ t found a way to extend these videos beyond the default 20-second limit ( even if I was able to increase the cap for automatic loops to a whole 3 minutes ) , the bite-size footage I did capture turned out to be the perfect length for social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is central to the Vava 4K dash cam ’ s identity .
Beyond the impressive capabilities of its Sony night vision sensors , the camera is the perfect vessel for drivers to share their experiences online , complete with an extensive selection of filters for the car influencer in the making .
Moreover , you can view travel logs in the Vava Dash app , with snapshots , loops , and emergencies tied to each location .
It ’ s sort of like how the Photos app is curated on my phone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ images and videos in reverse chronological order or by location in the Travel Log menu .
These travel logs can then be used to create driving journals containing the log , a title under 40 words , and an associated picture to remind you why you saved it .
One thing worth noting about the Vava 4K dash cam is that it doesn ’ t come with a memory card .
After a relatively painless install process , save for replacing the shoddy adhesive strips with a more reliable cable management workaround , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a spare microSD card lying around , then I bought one and discovered I didn ’ t own the right CLASS of microSD card .
Save yourself the trouble and pick up the U3-class 128GB Samsung EVO Select before you make the same mistake I did .
Trust me , you ’ ll need the extra space shooting at 4K .
Although the minutiae of the Vava 4K dash cam ’ s features continue to elude me , overall I ’ m impressed .
The snapshot remote , its killer app so to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my friends and family back home for the wild west that is NYC traffic amid shelter-in-place .
On weekends , a 320mAh battery keeps it alive to ensure days of uninterrupted street parking surveillance .
And someday , I hope , I ’ ll be able to use it as originally intended—for taking Instagram-worthy shots documenting scenic drives through rural and urban America and everything in between .

Gabe Carey on The Inventory, shared by Jordan McMahon to The Root

Vava 4K Dash Cam | $180 | Amazon
Back in January, I first met with Vava as a media attendee at CES 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There I was introduced to their 4K dash cam, the company’s first to sport the Vava moniker, as opposed to TaoTronics, another brand in the same family of products you’ll find plastered across Amazon search results. Whether you know Vava for their cheap but surprisingly high quality headphones (TaoTronics) OR their cheap but surprisingly high quality battery packs (RAVPower), chances are you’ve encountered the brand at some point in your online shopping career.
The Vava 4K dash cam in particular is a unique product in a category full of indistinguishable clones. That’s not to say dash cams aren’t important; having one allows you to conveniently store, on a microSD card, hard evidence of any unfortunate automotive collision that comes crashing your way. But what if your dash cam also served as a lens into the unequivocal joys of driving. Whether you’re cruising around aimlessly or road tripping to a far-off destination, haven’t you ever wanted to capture, and later share, the picturesque views along the way?
Advertisement
I thought that’s what I’d be doing when Vava sent me their 4K dash cam earlier this year. Little did I know the road trips I used to take—say from NYC to Burlington, Vermont or down south to Asheville, North Carolina—would be shelved until the end of a global pandemic. But then I realized, while using my car to make essential grocery runs and take short hiking trips upstate, the roads are barren in the city that never sleeps, and the drivers are reckless. Many of the parking garages are now closed on weekends, leaving car owners to fend for themselves on the side of the street.
Never has there been a more critical time to keep a dash cam in your car, to insure it against other drivers on the road and the careless pedestrians roaming the streets. If ultra hi-def quality is a must, the Vava 4K dash cam is a solid option. Its companion app (iOS/Android), though limited, is intuitive and practical. With it, you can view your library of loops, or automatically recorded clips, emergency videos, and my personal favorite, “snapshots” taken with the included IR remote of the same name.
Advertisement Advertisement
While I haven’t found a way to extend these videos beyond the default 20-second limit (even if I was able to increase the cap for automatic loops to a whole 3 minutes), the bite-size footage I did capture turned out to be the perfect length for social media sharing, which it turns out is central to the Vava 4K dash cam’s identity. Beyond the impressive capabilities of its Sony night vision sensors, the camera is the perfect vessel for drivers to share their experiences online, complete with an extensive selection of filters for the car influencer in the making.
Moreover, you can view travel logs in the Vava Dash app, with snapshots, loops, and emergencies tied to each location. It’s sort of like how the Photos app is curated on my phone. You have the choice to either sort images and videos in reverse chronological order or by location in the Travel Log menu. These travel logs can then be used to create driving journals containing the log, a title under 40 words, and an associated picture to remind you why you saved it.
Advertisement
One thing worth noting about the Vava 4K dash cam is that it doesn’t come with a memory card. After a relatively painless install process, save for replacing the shoddy adhesive strips with a more reliable cable management workaround, I realized I didn’t have a spare microSD card lying around, then I bought one and discovered I didn’t own the right CLASS of microSD card. Save yourself the trouble and pick up the U3-class 128GB Samsung EVO Select before you make the same mistake I did. Trust me, you’ll need the extra space shooting at 4K.
Although the minutiae of the Vava 4K dash cam’s features continue to elude me, overall I’m impressed. The snapshot remote, its killer app so to speak, provides a visual reference to my friends and family back home for the wild west that is NYC traffic amid shelter-in-place. On weekends, a 320mAh battery keeps it alive to ensure days of uninterrupted street parking surveillance. And someday, I hope, I’ll be able to use it as originally intended—for taking Instagram-worthy shots documenting scenic drives through rural and urban America and everything in between.


theroot--2020-05-11--Jay-Z and Meek Mill Donate 10 Million Additional Masks to Prisons

The American prison system is , in a word , trash .
prisoners are often faced with inhumane conditions and treatment , and the cramped living spaces make it one of the worst places to be in the midst of a pandemic .
Luckily , there are folks out there who believe in treating prisoners with the basic dignity and respect they deserve .
CBS News reports that Jay-Z and Meek Mill ’ s criminal justice organization , REFORM Alliance , will donate 10 million surgical masks to prisons and jails across the country .
The donation was made possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey through his Smart Relief fund .
“ This is 2.3 million Americans that don ’ t usually have the loudest voice .
That ’ s why we ’ re doing this , to give that population a voice and answer their call to be treated like humans.
” Bob Pilon , president of the REFORM Alliance , told CBS News .
REFORM Alliance had previously donated 100,000 masks last month .
Jails and prisons have been particularly hard hit by COVID-19 , with many of the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a federal prison in Fort Worth , Texas , reported 423 new cases of COVID-19 .
“ It ’ s really important that we look at the solutions to ending this holistically .
Prisons are eight of the top 10 hotspots , so people need to care about them.
” Pilon told CBS News .
The Prison Policy Initiative estimates roughly one-third of U.S. jails have cut their populations by 25 % since the pandemic began .
In the nation ’ s epicenter of the crisis , New York City ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its lowest level in decades .
A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed the difficulties prisons and jails are facing when combating the disease , including the critical need for broad-based testing of both inmates and staff .
Correctional facilities with widespread testing show the highest number of positive cases , suggesting the true number of overall cases behind bars is likely significantly underreported , according to an analysis by the UCLA School of Law COVID-19 Behind Bars Data Project .
REFORM Alliance intends to utilize a tracker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the masks are going .
They ’ ve recently launched a digital campaign named # AnswerTheCall that puts a spotlight on mass incarceration by letting those incarcerated tell their stories .

The American prison system is, in a word, trash. prisoners are often faced with inhumane conditions and treatment, and the cramped living spaces make it one of the worst places to be in the midst of a pandemic. Luckily, there are folks out there who believe in treating prisoners with the basic dignity and respect they deserve.
CBS News reports that Jay-Z and Meek Mill’s criminal justice organization, REFORM Alliance, will donate 10 million surgical masks to prisons and jails across the country. The donation was made possible by a $10 million contribution from Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey through his Smart Relief fund. “This is 2.3 million Americans that don’t usually have the loudest voice. That’s why we’re doing this, to give that population a voice and answer their call to be treated like humans.” Bob Pilon, president of the REFORM Alliance, told CBS News. REFORM Alliance had previously donated 100,000 masks last month.
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Jails and prisons have been particularly hard hit by COVID-19, with many of the nation’s hot spots being prisons. On Sunday, a federal prison in Fort Worth, Texas, reported 423 new cases of COVID-19. “It’s really important that we look at the solutions to ending this holistically. Prisons are eight of the top 10 hotspots, so people need to care about them.” Pilon told CBS News.
From CBS News:
The Prison Policy Initiative estimates roughly one-third of U.S. jails have cut their populations by 25% since the pandemic began. In the nation’s epicenter of the crisis, New York City’s jail population now hovers below 4,000, its lowest level in decades. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed the difficulties prisons and jails are facing when combating the disease, including the critical need for broad-based testing of both inmates and staff. Correctional facilities with widespread testing show the highest number of positive cases, suggesting the true number of overall cases behind bars is likely significantly underreported, according to an analysis by the UCLA School of Law COVID-19 Behind Bars Data Project.
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REFORM Alliance intends to utilize a tracker in an effort to be transparent about where the masks are going. They’ve recently launched a digital campaign named #AnswerTheCall that puts a spotlight on mass incarceration by letting those incarcerated tell their stories.