theroot--2020-06-04--30 Days of Iconic Music Video Blackness With VSB, Day 4: Jade, 'Don't Walk Away'

Jade ’ s video for “ Don ’ t Walk Away ” is one of those joints that you could toss into a 90s time capsule , open it 50 years from now and have a very clear , if not confused , understanding of what the early 90s in young black America looked like .
Everything about this video is awesome and remarkably of its time .
So creep with me as I transport us back to 1992 , as we revisit the clothing , the style and the total nonsensical shit that happened in music videos back then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in black pop culture and this video is basically the whole shit in 4 minutes and 27 seconds .
( As a point of note , I will be plagiarizing myself from a post I forgot I wrote in 2014 about this video .
I only discovered it after doing my googles .
The parts I will crib will be polished and freshened up and make more sense than they did way back yonder . )
0:00-0:20—This video opens with a staple of 90s group videos—some trashy section of town with lots of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once tried to hurdle one of those fences and got my shoelace caught .
I went face first into the concrete .
We will call that experience “ My First Concussion.
” And yes , it happened in the 90s .
See what I did there ?
Also , why do rebels hang out in places like this .
And this opening montage is full of people who look like rebels .
Unemployed rebels because it ’ s clearly mid-day .
But we have low-riders and motorcycles .
Low-riders were huge in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also a staple of 90s videos were the phone call-to-answering machine segments .
Now here ’ s where this shit goes way 90s .
And we ’ re only like 20 seconds in .
There ’ s a harmonized greeting , which , let me tell you something , in the 90s , every high schooler wanted their own line JUST so to create some type of dope greeting with singing and shit .
0:25—Why did the guys hi-five each other because they had to leave a message ?
I have watched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again this second time around ) and I ’ m still lost here .
Like , these two 90s fade hair-cut dudes gave themselves congratulatory hi-fives as if they were afraid they got the wrong number but they didn ’ t so even though they ain ’ t get through , they ’ re just glad they didn ’ t get FUBAR ’ d .
And no , that acronym doesn ’ t work here .
And yes , I ’ m leaving it .
Point is , why were they hi-fiving ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for no reason is 90s as fuck , by the way .
0:26—Why is there a cat in this video ?
What happen ?
Why it happen ?
But this just proves my point about random nonsense thrown into videos .
No ideas were ever turned down .
“ Hey , I have a great idea .
Let ’ s bring in Sasquatch wearing a tu-tu for a dance sequence.
” “ GREAT IDEA !
It ’ s 1991…NOBODY ELSE IS DOING THAT !
” 0:27-0:35—Another significant 90s staple—college apparel and Troop boots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they did have on combat style boots which were very popular ) .
Considering how popular college was in the 90s amongst Black people , it ’ s amazing we all know so many people who didn ’ t graduate .
Then again , niggas were hype to go just for some apparel and/or to pledge Omega Psi Phi .
Once they got there and niggas handed them books they were like hell to the nah— they kept the sweatshirts though .
By the way , the coolest people always got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is indisputable .
0:37—They walked RIGHT into a dope dance move that I still perform whenever I get the chance .
The stomp-and-arm thing .
It ’ s still applicable .
I ’ ll bet they still do that at family reunions .
0:37-0:47—We get an up-close view of a lot of styles from the 90s .
The most ubiquitous ?
The plaid too big button-up shirt with the too-big jeans and boots combo .
There ’ s definitely a skully in here somewhere .
And of course , the women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the box braids .
Nostalgia is a mug because I ’ m tearing up right now .
0:50-1:05—This 10-second stretch is important because it features a lot of dance moves that were CENTRAL to the 90s and crescendos into the verse and the most ubiquitous dance of the 90s , the world-famous , infamous , granddaddy of the two-step , the Gangster Walk .
1:22—We get a good view of what men were wearing in the 90s here as well .
Basically , the same shit women were wearing .
Oh , those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combo , wow those are atrocious .
But you put your Troops on with them joints and you automatically became as cool as Jodeci .
This is also indisputable .
I did like the overalls with the hoodie though .
I never owned these things , mind you .
That shit was not cheap .
1:50—I just realized they ’ re wearing Doc Martens .
An expensive ass 90s staple that has had a resurgence amongst the fashionable set .
Also , there was A LOT of dancing in crouched positions in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centric dances .
And y ’ all thought Megan Thee Stallion came up with titanium knees all on her own .
Unfortunately , I ’ ll bet a lot of folks who were in their 20s in the 90s are having substantial knee problems now .
I have no proof of this , but I ’ m going to go ahead and assume it to be true .
Hopefully , with modern medicine , Megan won ’ t suffer the same fate .
2:00-2:12—Honestly , if I lived in areas like this—clearly LA—as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like they just came about at random , I ’ d always think that if I got my friends together and we went to a decrepit warehouse-like area with proper lighting , plaid shirts , and at least one lowrider , that a music video would break out .
I ’ d always be disappointed if it never happened .
Too many videos looked just like this .
2:32—This dude dancing with the maroon on is giving SO much work to his shoulders .
Why he never started a dance-workout video is beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this video doing a different rendition of the same dance and it ’ s just as awesome as the first time .
We are all better because this guy existed .
Pretty much the rest of this video is the exact same as the beginning .
People dancing in place in an abandoned area with lots of plaids and big hats or braids .
There ’ s some pretty fancy and seductive rail dancing happening around the 4-minute mark as well .
Mostly because this got long I ’ m stopping .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And we ’ re all better for it .
And it ’ s an iconic 90s video .

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

Jade’s video for “Don’t Walk Away” is one of those joints that you could toss into a 90s time capsule, open it 50 years from now and have a very clear, if not confused, understanding of what the early 90s in young black America looked like. Everything about this video is awesome and remarkably of its time.
So creep with me as I transport us back to 1992, as we revisit the clothing, the style and the total nonsensical shit that happened in music videos back then. The 90s were an iconic time in black pop culture and this video is basically the whole shit in 4 minutes and 27 seconds.
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Jade, “Don’t Walk Away” (1992)
(As a point of note, I will be plagiarizing myself from a post I forgot I wrote in 2014 about this video. I only discovered it after doing my googles. The parts I will crib will be polished and freshened up and make more sense than they did way back yonder.)
Advertisement Advertisement
0:00-0:20—This video opens with a staple of 90s group videos—some trashy section of town with lots of graffiti and chain link fencing. I once tried to hurdle one of those fences and got my shoelace caught. I went face first into the concrete. We will call that experience “My First Concussion.” And yes, it happened in the 90s. See what I did there? Also, why do rebels hang out in places like this. And this opening montage is full of people who look like rebels. Unemployed rebels because it’s clearly mid-day. But we have low-riders and motorcycles. Low-riders were huge in the 90s. Now they’re pants. Also a staple of 90s videos were the phone call-to-answering machine segments.
Now here’s where this shit goes way 90s. And we’re only like 20 seconds in. There’s a harmonized greeting, which, let me tell you something, in the 90s, every high schooler wanted their own line JUST so to create some type of dope greeting with singing and shit.
Advertisement
0:25—Why did the guys hi-five each other because they had to leave a message? I have watched this video 6 times now (and again this second time around) and I’m still lost here. Like, these two 90s fade hair-cut dudes gave themselves congratulatory hi-fives as if they were afraid they got the wrong number but they didn’t so even though they ain’t get through, they’re just glad they didn’t get FUBAR’d. And no, that acronym doesn’t work here. And yes, I’m leaving it. Point is, why were they hi-fiving? Somebody call Sway. Black men hi-fiving for no reason is 90s as fuck, by the way.
0:26—Why is there a cat in this video? What happen? Why it happen? But this just proves my point about random nonsense thrown into videos. No ideas were ever turned down.
Advertisement
“Hey, I have a great idea. Let’s bring in Sasquatch wearing a tu-tu for a dance sequence.” “GREAT IDEA! It’s 1991…NOBODY ELSE IS DOING THAT!”
0:27-0:35—Another significant 90s staple—college apparel and Troop boots (they weren’t wearing Troops but they did have on combat style boots which were very popular). Considering how popular college was in the 90s amongst Black people, it’s amazing we all know so many people who didn’t graduate. Then again, niggas were hype to go just for some apparel and/or to pledge Omega Psi Phi. Once they got there and niggas handed them books they were like hell to the nah— they kept the sweatshirts though. By the way, the coolest people always got to wear the Georgetown stuff in 90s videos. This is indisputable.
Advertisement
0:37—They walked RIGHT into a dope dance move that I still perform whenever I get the chance. The stomp-and-arm thing. It’s still applicable. I’ll bet they still do that at family reunions.
0:37-0:47—We get an up-close view of a lot of styles from the 90s. The most ubiquitous? The plaid too big button-up shirt with the too-big jeans and boots combo. There’s definitely a skully in here somewhere. And of course, the women had on the crispy white tank-tops with the box braids. Nostalgia is a mug because I’m tearing up right now.
Advertisement
0:50-1:05—This 10-second stretch is important because it features a lot of dance moves that were CENTRAL to the 90s and crescendos into the verse and the most ubiquitous dance of the 90s, the world-famous , infamous, granddaddy of the two-step, the Gangster Walk.
1:22—We get a good view of what men were wearing in the 90s here as well. Basically, the same shit women were wearing. Oh, those Karl Kani outfits with the denim vest/pant combo, wow those are atrocious. But you put your Troops on with them joints and you automatically became as cool as Jodeci. This is also indisputable. I did like the overalls with the hoodie though. I never owned these things, mind you. That shit was not cheap.
Advertisement
1:50—I just realized they’re wearing Doc Martens. An expensive ass 90s staple that has had a resurgence amongst the fashionable set.
Also, there was A LOT of dancing in crouched positions in the early 90s and a lot of knee centric dances. And y’all thought Megan Thee Stallion came up with titanium knees all on her own. Unfortunately, I’ll bet a lot of folks who were in their 20s in the 90s are having substantial knee problems now. I have no proof of this, but I’m going to go ahead and assume it to be true. Hopefully, with modern medicine, Megan won’t suffer the same fate.
Advertisement
2:00-2:12—Honestly, if I lived in areas like this—clearly LA—as a youth watching these videos that look like they just came about at random, I’d always think that if I got my friends together and we went to a decrepit warehouse-like area with proper lighting, plaid shirts, and at least one lowrider, that a music video would break out. I’d always be disappointed if it never happened. Too many videos looked just like this.
2:32—This dude dancing with the maroon on is giving SO much work to his shoulders. Why he never started a dance-workout video is beyond me. He shows back up later in this video doing a different rendition of the same dance and it’s just as awesome as the first time. We are all better because this guy existed.
Advertisement
Pretty much the rest of this video is the exact same as the beginning. People dancing in place in an abandoned area with lots of plaids and big hats or braids. There’s some pretty fancy and seductive rail dancing happening around the 4-minute mark as well.
Mostly because this got long I’m stopping. But this is one 90s ass video.
And we’re all better for it. And it’s an iconic 90s video.
Don’t walk away.


theroot--2020-06-04--Gabrielle Union Files Harassment Complaint Against America's Got Talent Producers, Attorney Issues S

Gabrielle Union Files Harassment Complaint Against America's Got Talent Producers, Attorney Issues Statement

Gabrielle Union has filed a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment & Housing ( DFEH ) against the producers of America ’ s Got Talent , citing harassment , discrimination and retaliation .
Union is named as the complainant with Universal Television , LLC , Fremantle Productions North America , Inc. , Simon Cowell and Syco Entertainment Inc. are named as respondents in the DFEH complaint filed on Thursday .
“ Union , an African American woman , was a judge on America ’ s Got Talent ( “ AGT ” ) , but , in what has become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Cowell-created show after just one season , ” the complaint ’ s introduction reads .
“ Sadly , what led to Union ’ s termination was her refusal to remain silent in the face of a toxic culture at AGT that included racist jokes , racist performances , sexual orientation discrimination , and excessive focus on female judges ’ appearances , including race-related comments.
” The document goes on to cite examples of Union ’ s complaints against alleged discriminatory incidents such as a contestant performing in “ blackface hands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments and comments about Union ’ s hair being “ too wild.
” Union ’ s attorney Bryan Freedman provided the following statement to The Root : “ When Gabrielle Union informed NBC of racially offensive conduct during the taping of America ’ s Got Talent , NBC did not “ stand ” with her in “ outrage at acts of racism.
” Instead , NBC did not care enough to either promptly investigate Ms. Union ’ s complaints or even ask HR to get involved .
Rather , NBC stood against her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms. Union for whistleblowing about the racially offensive conduct she experienced while working for NBC on America ’ s Got Talent .
In sharp contrast to NBC ’ s recent statement on race , what was truly an “ outrage ” was the fact that Paul Telegdy , Chairman of NBC Entertainment , actually threatened Ms. Union in an attempt to silence her from telling the truth about racist actions that took place on the show .
There is no place for this type of racial bullying in the workplace , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tweet from NBC to demonstrate that NBC intends to create an environment free from racism.
” Freedman particularly referenced NBC posting a solidarity tweet following the Black Lives Matter protests in support of George Floyd stating , “ We stand with our black employees , colleagues , partners and creators in outrage at acts of racism .
Black Lives Matter.
” Union has continued to be a champion and supporter of Black Lives Matter via her social media pages .
You can review the full complaint here .
Update : 6/4/2020 , 6:00 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached out to representatives for NBCUniversal , Fremantle and Simon Cowell for comment on this matter .
Deadline has obtained a statement from NBCUniversal specifically addressing the claim that NBC Entertainment Chairman Paul Telegdy threatened and intimidated Union during the ongoing workplace investigation , noting : “ The allegation that anyone involved in this process threatened Ms. Union is categorically untrue.
” “ On or about February 4 , 2020 , Telegdy threatened Union through her agent and warned Union ’ s agent that Union had better cease from pursuing her claims of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 of the detailed DFEH complaint reads .
“ Union ’ s agent was shocked that the Chairman of NBC Entertainment was attempting to threaten and intimidate Union .
Union ’ s agent could not recall another instance in his career when a senior executive at a network had threatened and intimidated an employee during an ongoing workplace investigation.
” NBCUniversal ’ s statement continues : “ We took Ms. Union ‘ s concerns seriously , and engaged an outside investigator who found an overarching culture of diversity on the show .
NBCUniversal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supportive working environment where people of all backgrounds are treated with respect.
” In turn , Union ’ s counsel , Freeman has responded to NBCUniversal ’ s statement noting : “ It ’ s very telling that NBC fails to substantively address the DFEH complaint that Ms. Union filed based on racial discrimination .
Instead , NBC wants to try and play word games by saying that their Chairman , Paul Telegdy did not directly threaten Gabrielle Union .
NBC of course ignores Paragraph 5 of the DFEH complaint which specifically states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 , Telegdy threatened Union through her agent and warned Union ’ s agent that Union had better cease from pursuing her claims of racism while filming AGT.
” To hide behind the fact that Telegdy did not call her directly but her agent instead does not absolve him from his wrongful conduct .
Should Mr. Telegdy wish to see phone records or call sheets from the date of his threat , we can make those available for the world to see .
It is frankly sad but not surprising that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , NBC wants to try and avoid the systemic issues that permeate its company .
”

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

Gabrielle Union has filed a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment & Housing (DFEH) against the producers of America’s Got Talent, citing harassment, discrimination and retaliation.
Union is named as the complainant with Universal Television, LLC, Fremantle Productions North America, Inc., Simon Cowell and Syco Entertainment Inc. are named as respondents in the DFEH complaint filed on Thursday.
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“Union, an African American woman, was a judge on America’s Got Talent (“AGT”), but, in what has become a widely publicized matter, was terminated from the Cowell-created show after just one season,” the complaint’s introduction reads. “Sadly, what led to Union’s termination was her refusal to remain silent in the face of a toxic culture at AGT that included racist jokes, racist performances, sexual orientation discrimination, and excessive focus on female judges’ appearances, including race-related comments.”
The document goes on to cite examples of Union’s complaints against alleged discriminatory incidents such as a contestant performing in “blackface hands,” host Howie Mandel’s racist comments and comments about Union’s hair being “too wild.”
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Union’s attorney Bryan Freedman provided the following statement to The Root:
“When Gabrielle Union informed NBC of racially offensive conduct during the taping of America’s Got Talent, NBC did not “stand” with her in “outrage at acts of racism.” Instead, NBC did not care enough to either promptly investigate Ms. Union’s complaints or even ask HR to get involved. Rather, NBC stood against her and directed its “outrage” at Ms. Union for whistleblowing about the racially offensive conduct she experienced while working for NBC on America’s Got Talent. In sharp contrast to NBC’s recent statement on race, what was truly an “outrage” was the fact that Paul Telegdy, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, actually threatened Ms. Union in an attempt to silence her from telling the truth about racist actions that took place on the show. There is no place for this type of racial bullying in the workplace, and it is going to take more than a Tweet from NBC to demonstrate that NBC intends to create an environment free from racism.”
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Freedman particularly referenced NBC posting a solidarity tweet following the Black Lives Matter protests in support of George Floyd stating, “We stand with our black employees, colleagues, partners and creators in outrage at acts of racism. Black Lives Matter.”
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Union has continued to be a champion and supporter of Black Lives Matter via her social media pages.
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You can review the full complaint here.
This story is developing.
Update: 6/4/2020, 6:00 p.m. ET: The Root has reached out to representatives for NBCUniversal, Fremantle and Simon Cowell for comment on this matter.
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Update: 6/4/2020, 6:15 p.m. ET:
Deadline has obtained a statement from NBCUniversal specifically addressing the claim that NBC Entertainment Chairman Paul Telegdy threatened and intimidated Union during the ongoing workplace investigation, noting: “The allegation that anyone involved in this process threatened Ms. Union is categorically untrue.”
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“On or about February 4, 2020, Telegdy threatened Union through her agent and warned Union’s agent that Union had better cease from pursuing her claims of racism while filming AGT,” page 4 of the detailed DFEH complaint reads. “Union’s agent was shocked that the Chairman of NBC Entertainment was attempting to threaten and intimidate Union. Union’s agent could not recall another instance in his career when a senior executive at a network had threatened and intimidated an employee during an ongoing workplace investigation.”
NBCUniversal’s statement continues: “We took Ms. Union‘s concerns seriously, and engaged an outside investigator who found an overarching culture of diversity on the show. NBCUniversal remains committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment where people of all backgrounds are treated with respect.”
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In turn, Union’s counsel, Freeman has responded to NBCUniversal’s statement noting:


theroot--2020-06-04--The SkinStore Just Discounted Sets of Japan's Number One Selling Sheet Masks

All five variety packs of Lululun ’ s face masks are now on sale at the SkinStore .
Y ou can save $ 6 on the best selling sheet mask company in Japan , that ’ s a 24 % discount .
Lululun ’ s goal is to make products that are simple and effective .
By doing this they ’ ve been able to cut out unnecessary costs and create affordable lines for their customers .
There ’ s something for a variety of skin concerns in these sets .
Precious Red is for mature skin .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hydrate , smooth the skin , and minimize fine lines .
The Blue set is for dry skin with three times the Lipidure of other masks .
The Blue sheets provide long-lasting moisture , 130 times longer than it ’ s competitors .
For dull skin , the White set is all you .
It ’ s got lots of Vitamin C to brighten and correct discoloration .
The Pink set aims to refresh the skin by making it smoother and plumper .
And Precious White returns older skin to a younger version @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and anti-inflammatories .

Sheilah Villari on Kinja Deals, shared by Ignacia to The Root

32 Lululun Sheet Masks | $19 | SkinStore | Use Code FRIENDS
Lululun’s goal is to make products that are simple and effective. By doing this, they’ve been able to cut out unnecessary costs and create affordable lines for their customers. Right now, you can save 25% on some of my favorite sheet masks with the code FRIENDS.
There’s something for every skin concern in these sets. Precious Red is for mature skin. It’s a rice trio formula that will hydrate, smooth the skin, and minimize fine lines. The Blue set is for dry skin with three times the Lipidure of other masks. The Blue sheets provide long-lasting moisture, 130 times longer than its competitors. For dull skin, the White set is all you. It’s got lots of Vitamin C to brighten and correct discoloration. The Pink set aims to refresh the skin by making it smoother and plumper. And Precious White returns older skin to a younger version and fights redness with four vitamin components and anti-inflammatories.


theroot--2020-06-04--Police Kneeling Is Meaningless

Police Kneeling Is Meaningless

“ Powerful ” is how CBS News described a photograph of police kneeling at a protest over the weekend .
The photograph showed police from departments across Miami-Dade county kneeling at a protest held in Coral Gables , Florida .
The officers , CBS reported , kneeled in “ solidarity with protesters , ” promising that they would continue “ dialogue ” with the organizers .
The gesture was performative at best , done solely for the purpose of producing an image , one that would be reproduced and celebrated as truth , made indisputable by the documentary force of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like CBS News did just that , treating the Gables photograph as indicative of a broader sentiment that supposedly manifested everywhere from New York City to a police blockade in front of Donald Trump ’ s Washington , D.C. hotel to Ferguson , Missouri , and St. Paul , Minnesota , where police kneeled on their own after protesters refused to join them .
The images of police kneeling suggested that there are plenty of good cops invested in the sentimental project of national unity—perhaps even “ healing , ” as the rhetoric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutalized by police forces proliferated .
These photographs are , of course , fictions , framed and cropped to reaffirm some of America ’ s fundamental myths about itself , both its romanticized belief in unity and deep investment in performative humility .
Take the Gables photograph , described by local affiliate CBS4 as a “ powerful moment of unity ” that preceded another “ moving moment of hundreds praying together , united with heavy hearts and a desire for change.
” The image of police from different cities within Miami-Dade county kneeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to the “ violent ” demonstrations later that same day .
Nowhere does either CBS News or its local affiliate note that the demonstration filled with so many “ moving ” moments of unity was not black-led and had invited police to speak to the event .
Local progressive activists described the Gables event as “ anti-black.
” Hours later , in downtown Miami , thousands gathered for a protest led by Miami Dream Defenders , where they were eventually met by Miami police in full riot gear .
By then the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kneeling had spread across the internet , doing the treacly work of concealing the very reason for the ongoing nationwide protests : the murder of George Floyd and the systemic racism that defines American policing .
The promise of absolution could instead be granted in a quick tableau , a single gesture that indicted no one and absolved everyone .
It ’ s why such images are often described as “ moving ” —a hollow description of absolutely meaningless feelings .
The gesture of kneeling is stripped of its context , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performed it as an act of protest .
As police kneel in supposed solidarity , they only seek to comfort those who are already comfortable , conjuring up images of divinity and reverence while concealing the full deadly force of a police officer ’ s knee .
( This is likely why these photographs have proved popular with celebrities and politicians , including Hugh Jackman , The Strokes , and the mayor of Los Angeles . )
The inverse of these images is one of Derek Chauvin using his knee as a weapon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds—long after Floyd lost consciousness—until he died on the cracked asphalt of a Minneapolis street .
It is Thomas Lane , J. Alexander Kueng , and Tou Thao refusing to intervene , acting in solidarity with Chauvin .
Where Floyd ’ s murder demands action , photographs of police kneeling demand nothing .
The gap between the images reveals rupture between a certain image of America and its reality .
This obscene spectacle of images will likely continue—there will be more photographs of police kneeling , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They will undoubtedly be described as “ moving , ” cited as evidence of healing or even the political desires of the average American .
But the gesture is meaningless and its demand for reproduction should be ignored .
There is—even in a photograph—meaning to be found among those who protest the unendurable institution of policing .
It will include every single detail : every chant , every hastily made cardboard sign , every tear produced by pepper spray and tear gas , every bruise made by a rubber bullet , every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , every indentation on a restrained wrist , every drop of blood and every wound , seen or unseen .
These details , as John Berger has argued , carry with them broader truths about violence and its pointed , racial history even while fictions of humility work to conceal them .
“ The world is not intolerable until the possibility of transforming it exists but is denied , ” Berger wrote .
Recognize that and act accordingly .

Stassa Edwards on Jezebel, shared by Genetta M. Adams to The Root

“Powerful” is how CBS News described a photograph of police kneeling at a protest over the weekend. The photograph showed police from departments across Miami-Dade county kneeling at a protest held in Coral Gables, Florida. The officers, CBS reported, kneeled in “solidarity with protesters,” promising that they would continue “dialogue” with the organizers. The gesture was performative at best, done solely for the purpose of producing an image, one that would be reproduced and celebrated as truth, made indisputable by the documentary force of the photograph. And mainstream news organizations like CBS News did just that, treating the Gables photograph as indicative of a broader sentiment that supposedly manifested everywhere from New York City to a police blockade in front of Donald Trump’s Washington, D.C. hotel to Ferguson, Missouri, and St. Paul, Minnesota, where police kneeled on their own after protesters refused to join them. The images of police kneeling suggested that there are plenty of good cops invested in the sentimental project of national unity—perhaps even “healing,” as the rhetoric usually demands—even as images of protesters being brutalized by police forces proliferated.
Advertisement
These photographs are, of course, fictions, framed and cropped to reaffirm some of America’s fundamental myths about itself, both its romanticized belief in unity and deep investment in performative humility. Take the Gables photograph, described by local affiliate CBS4 as a “powerful moment of unity” that preceded another “moving moment of hundreds praying together, united with heavy hearts and a desire for change.” The image of police from different cities within Miami-Dade county kneeling was in stark contrast, CBS4 claimed, to the “violent” demonstrations later that same day. Nowhere does either CBS News or its local affiliate note that the demonstration filled with so many “moving” moments of unity was not black-led and had invited police to speak to the event. Local progressive activists described the Gables event as “anti-black.” Hours later, in downtown Miami, thousands gathered for a protest led by Miami Dream Defenders, where they were eventually met by Miami police in full riot gear.
The promise of absolution could instead be granted in a quick tableau, a single gesture that indicted no one and absolved everyone.
By then the photographs and the videos of the police kneeling had spread across the internet, doing the treacly work of concealing the very reason for the ongoing nationwide protests: the murder of George Floyd and the systemic racism that defines American policing. The promise of absolution could instead be granted in a quick tableau, a single gesture that indicted no one and absolved everyone. It’s why such images are often described as “moving”—a hollow description of absolutely meaningless feelings. The gesture of kneeling is stripped of its context, as well as the repercussions felt by those who performed it as an act of protest. As police kneel in supposed solidarity, they only seek to comfort those who are already comfortable, conjuring up images of divinity and reverence while concealing the full deadly force of a police officer’s knee. (This is likely why these photographs have proved popular with celebrities and politicians, including Hugh Jackman, The Strokes, and the mayor of Los Angeles.)
The inverse of these images is one of Derek Chauvin using his knee as a weapon, pressing his weight on Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds—long after Floyd lost consciousness—until he died on the cracked asphalt of a Minneapolis street. It is Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao refusing to intervene, acting in solidarity with Chauvin. Where Floyd’s murder demands action, photographs of police kneeling demand nothing. The gap between the images reveals rupture between a certain image of America and its reality.
Advertisement
This obscene spectacle of images will likely continue—there will be more photographs of police kneeling, more images that appeal to the sentimental. They will undoubtedly be described as “moving,” cited as evidence of healing or even the political desires of the average American. But the gesture is meaningless and its demand for reproduction should be ignored. There is—even in a photograph—meaning to be found among those who protest the unendurable institution of policing. It will include every single detail: every chant, every hastily made cardboard sign, every tear produced by pepper spray and tear gas, every bruise made by a rubber bullet, every scrape from being thrown to the ground, every indentation on a restrained wrist, every drop of blood and every wound, seen or unseen. These details, as John Berger has argued, carry with them broader truths about violence and its pointed, racial history even while fictions of humility work to conceal them. “The world is not intolerable until the possibility of transforming it exists but is denied,” Berger wrote. Recognize that and act accordingly.


theroot--2020-06-04--The Revolution Will Not Have a Dress Code

There ’ s an iconic scene in Spike Lee ’ s 1992 biopic Malcolm X , in which a real-life standoff with the NYPD that occurred on April 26 , 1957 , is reenacted for the screen .
Following the police beating of both a young black man and Nation of Islam member Johnson X Hinton , who ’ d attempted to intervene , lines of men belonging to the NOI ’ s Temple No .
7 assembled in military-style lines outside a hospital on 116th Street in Harlem , outfitted in suits , overcoats and fedoras .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” stands at the ready between the police and an outraged black crowd chanting “ We want justice !
” awaiting a command from their leader , at the time known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz .
Upon learning that their compatriot will live , a simple and silent gesture signals the FOI to turn in unison and march off , effectively dispersing the now-mollified crowd .
It ’ s one of the most memorable scenes in an already classic film , and arguably one that stands out in film history .
And perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100+ Black Men in Harlem and Atlanta were thinking of when they asked protesters to “ Dress to Impress ” —men in suits or shirt and tie and women in their “ Sunday ’ s Best ” —to march in tribute to George Floyd on the morning of his Minneapolis memorial service .
Granted , it ’ s appropriate attire for a funeral , albeit one none of these protesters would be attending in person .
“ We are not to be feared , we are to be respected , ” the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invite urged followers , “ Let ’ s show them another side of us.
” There ’ s only one problem : George Floyd , who was wearing a black tank top and sweatpants when he was arrested and subsequently murdered by Minneapolis police , shouldn ’ t have had to sport a suit for his life to be respected .
Not that it would ’ ve mattered ; the peaceful marchers who were attacked by Alabama State Troopers in 1965 in what would become known as “ Bloody Sunday ” were largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Sunday ’ s Best.
” At the time , it had been exactly two weeks since Malcolm X had been assassinated , also while wearing a suit and tie .
Three years later , Martin Luther King , the leader of the eventually successful march from Selma to Montgomery across the Edmund Pettus Bridge ( which remains named for a Ku Klux Klan leader to this day ) , would also be assassinated—yet again , while wearing a suit and tie .
Maybe these civil rights pioneers were the ones organizers intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dress to impress , ” but it was the respectability politics that jumped out .
Besides , history has already made it abundantly clear : They won ’ t care what we ’ re wearing when they kill us .
“ ‘ Let ’ s show them another side of us ’ as if wearing your Sunday ’ s best suddenly elevates your status as a Black man/woman .
What does that say about people who just wear t-shirts and jeans ?
That they aren ’ t refined enough to be respected ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing the invite circulated on Twitter , where it was met with understandable disdain .
“ Wanting to be in suit and ties during a protest is an indoctrination thing , ” said another .
“ Suit and ties have never saved any of those protestors back then from the horsemen smacking them across the head with batons .
And it won ’ t stop the pepper spray now.
” Others who had been engaged in recent protests , like journalist and author George M. Johnson , were enraged by the implication that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment of civil unrest .
Johnson tweeted that he felt it “ disrespectful ” to the legions “ who have shown up ” around the country .
Even the branding itself was suspect , as it relied upon images of unrelated events to promote itself .
A communications and branding strategist with the Twitter handle @ TheKorTurn recognized himself in one the marketing materials and quickly disavowed the event , tweeting that not only was the image used without his consent to promote what he considered a “ problematic protest ” but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event to distract from real protest and inclusive organizers.
” Because you know who your dress clothes likely won ’ t distract ?
The police , should they feel a need to confront , arrest or kill you .
If your sartorial style somehow does manage to save you , it ’ s only because your spit-and-shine polish satisfies the tenet of white supremacy which demands we make others feel safe before being deserving of protection ourselves .
To be fair , The Root ’ s Editor-in-Chief Danielle Belton watched the New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ en route to their 96th Street destination , reporting back that the gathering had all the elements of any other protest , save the “ suited and booted ” crowd .
It ’ s also worth noting that footage of the march shows a less-than-strict adherence to the dress code , particularly by the white people who joined the multiracial march but didn ’ t bother to respect the request to dress well .
As our EIC noted : “ It was interesting that the white people were mostly not dressed up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dressed nice-to-decent ...
I swear white people act like they don ’ t have nice clothes.
” Perhaps these white allies joined spontaneously , moved by the moment and movement .
Or maybe they didn ’ t bother to make the effort to dress up because not only is it pointless and pandering , but they know they ’ re already wearing the one thing that will likely grant them implicit respect from the police : white skin .

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

There’s an iconic scene in Spike Lee’s 1992 biopic Malcolm X, in which a real-life standoff with the NYPD that occurred on April 26, 1957, is reenacted for the screen. Following the police beating of both a young black man and Nation of Islam member Johnson X Hinton, who’d attempted to intervene, lines of men belonging to the NOI’s Temple No. 7 assembled in military-style lines outside a hospital on 116th Street in Harlem, outfitted in suits, overcoats and fedoras. In the scene, the “Fruit of Islam” stands at the ready between the police and an outraged black crowd chanting “We want justice!” awaiting a command from their leader, at the time known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.
Upon learning that their compatriot will live, a simple and silent gesture signals the FOI to turn in unison and march off, effectively dispersing the now-mollified crowd.
It’s one of the most memorable scenes in an already classic film, and arguably one that stands out in film history. And perhaps this is the scene the organizers of 100+ Black Men in Harlem and Atlanta were thinking of when they asked protesters to “Dress to Impress”—men in suits or shirt and tie and women in their “Sunday’s Best”—to march in tribute to George Floyd on the morning of his Minneapolis memorial service. Granted, it’s appropriate attire for a funeral, albeit one none of these protesters would be attending in person. “We are not to be feared, we are to be respected,” the New York invitation declared, while the Atlanta invite urged followers, “Let’s show them another side of us.”
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There’s only one problem: George Floyd, who was wearing a black tank top and sweatpants when he was arrested and subsequently murdered by Minneapolis police, shouldn’t have had to sport a suit for his life to be respected. Not that it would’ve mattered; the peaceful marchers who were attacked by Alabama State Troopers in 1965 in what would become known as “Bloody Sunday” were largely dressed in suits, ties and their “Sunday’s Best.” At the time, it had been exactly two weeks since Malcolm X had been assassinated, also while wearing a suit and tie. Three years later, Martin Luther King, the leader of the eventually successful march from Selma to Montgomery across the Edmund Pettus Bridge (which remains named for a Ku Klux Klan leader to this day), would also be assassinated—yet again, while wearing a suit and tie.
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Maybe these civil rights pioneers were the ones organizers intended to emulate with their instructions to “dress to impress,” but it was the respectability politics that jumped out. Besides, history has already made it abundantly clear: They won’t care what we’re wearing when they kill us.
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“‘Let’s show them another side of us’ as if wearing your Sunday’s best suddenly elevates your status as a Black man/woman. What does that say about people who just wear t-shirts and jeans? That they aren’t refined enough to be respected?” asked one commenter in response to seeing the invite circulated on Twitter, where it was met with understandable disdain.
“Wanting to be in suit and ties during a protest is an indoctrination thing,” said another. “Suit and ties have never saved any of those protestors back then from the horsemen smacking them across the head with batons. And it won’t stop the pepper spray now.”
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Others who had been engaged in recent protests, like journalist and author George M. Johnson, were enraged by the implication that respectability should be centered in a national moment of civil unrest. Johnson tweeted that he felt it “disrespectful” to the legions “who have shown up” around the country.
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Even the branding itself was suspect, as it relied upon images of unrelated events to promote itself. A communications and branding strategist with the Twitter handle @TheKorTurn recognized himself in one the marketing materials and quickly disavowed the event, tweeting that not only was the image used without his consent to promote what he considered a “problematic protest” but that he didn’t “want this event to distract from real protest and inclusive organizers.”
Advertisement
Because you know who your dress clothes likely won’t distract? The police, should they feel a need to confront, arrest or kill you. If your sartorial style somehow does manage to save you, it’s only because your spit-and-shine polish satisfies the tenet of white supremacy which demands we make others feel safe before being deserving of protection ourselves.
To be fair, The Root’s Editor-in-Chief Danielle Belton watched the New York City marchers pass her window this morning en route to their 96th Street destination, reporting back that the gathering had all the elements of any other protest, save the “suited and booted” crowd. It’s also worth noting that footage of the march shows a less-than-strict adherence to the dress code, particularly by the white people who joined the multiracial march but didn’t bother to respect the request to dress well . As our EIC noted: “It was interesting that the white people were mostly not dressed up, but nearly all the black people were dressed nice-to-decent...I swear white people act like they don’t have nice clothes.”
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Perhaps these white allies joined spontaneously, moved by the moment and movement. Or maybe they didn’t bother to make the effort to dress up because not only is it pointless and pandering, but they know they’re already wearing the one thing that will likely grant them implicit respect from the police: white skin.


theroot--2020-06-04--Travis McMichael Was Heard Uttering Racial Slur After Ahmaud Arbery Was Killed, Investigator Testifi

Travis McMichael Was Heard Uttering Racial Slur After Ahmaud Arbery Was Killed, Investigator Testifies

On Thursday , during preliminary hearings in the case of Ahmaud Arbery , an investigator revealed damning evidence against Travis and Greg McMichael and William Bryan , the three men charged with Arbery ’ s death .
Richard Dial , the special agent in charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation , testified that William Bryan heard Travis McMichael utter a racial slur moments after shooting Arbery , according to the New York Times .
Bryan was the man responsible for filming the graphic video of Arbery ’ s death .
Dial noted that McMichael had a history of using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a message on Instagram by saying things would be better if “ blown that N-word ’ s head off , ” CNN reports .
It ’ s not clear who McMichael was referring to in that message .
The Department of Justice has opened a hate crime investigation into the case , according to Arbery family attorney S. Lee Merritt , potentially making the revelation about the slur even more notable .
The hearings are taking place to find if probable cause exists to support the charges against the three men .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happened in the moments leading to Arbery ’ s death .
While the video released gave the impression that Arbery was on a jog before being confronted , CNN reports that the men engaged in a prolonged chase of Arbery .
Bryan has repeatedly stated that his participation in Arbery ’ s death was limited only to recording the video .
Dial ’ s testimony stands in contrast to that assessment .
William Bryan joined the chase after witnessing the McMichaels pursue Arbery in front of Bryan ’ s home .
Dial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigators about trying to block Arbery from escaping .
“ His statement was that Mr. Arbery kept jumping out of the way and moving around the bumper and actually running down into the ditch in an attempt to avoid his truck.
” Dial said .
As Travis and Greg McMichael attempted to head him off , Arbery turned and ran past the truck of William Bryan , who filmed the killing , and Bryan struck Arbery with the side of his truck , Assistant Special Agent in Charge Richard Dial said .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the rear door of Bryan ’ s truck , cotton fibers near the truck bed that “ we attribute to contact with Mr. Arbery ” and a dent below the fibers , he said .
Though Bryan ’ s attorney has contested allegations his client took part in the killing , Dial said Bryan first became involved by yelling to the McMichaels , “ Do you got him ?
” when he saw them chasing the 25-year-old jogger .
The McMichaels and Bryan have not entered pleas , but lawyers for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dial pushed back against the notion that Travis McMichael was acting in self-defense when he shot Arbery .
“ I believe Mr. Arbery was being pursued , and he ran till he couldn ’ t run anymore , and it was turn his back to a man with a shotgun or fight with his bare hands against the man with the shotgun .
He chose to fight .
...
I believe Mr. Arbery ’ s decision was to just try to get away , and when he felt like he could not escape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his testimony .
On Feb. 23 , Arbery was out for a jog in the Satilla Shores neighborhood in Brunswick , Ga. , when Travis and Greg McMichael armed themselves and gave chase after seeing Arbery .
The men believed Arbery was responsible for a series of break-ins at a nearby construction site .
Travis McMichael confronted Arbery with a gun , which resulted in Arbery being shot three times and dying on the scene .
Much controversy has surrounded the handling of the case .
The three men weren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months had passed and two prosecutors recused themselves from the case due to conflicts of interest .
Gregory and Travis McMichael face charges of felony murder and aggravated assault .
Bryan faces charges of felony murder and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment .
All three men are currently being held in Glynn County Jail .

On Thursday, during preliminary hearings in the case of Ahmaud Arbery, an investigator revealed damning evidence against Travis and Greg McMichael and William Bryan, the three men charged with Arbery’s death.
Richard Dial, the special agent in charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, testified that William Bryan heard Travis McMichael utter a racial slur moments after shooting Arbery, according to the New York Times. Bryan was the man responsible for filming the graphic video of Arbery’s death.
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Dial noted that McMichael had a history of using the slur on social media, replying to a message on Instagram by saying things would be better if “blown that N-word’s head off,” CNN reports. It’s not clear who McMichael was referring to in that message. The Department of Justice has opened a hate crime investigation into the case, according to Arbery family attorney S. Lee Merritt, potentially making the revelation about the slur even more notable. The hearings are taking place to find if probable cause exists to support the charges against the three men.
Investigators also provided a detailed timeline of what happened in the moments leading to Arbery’s death. While the video released gave the impression that Arbery was on a jog before being confronted, CNN reports that the men engaged in a prolonged chase of Arbery. Bryan has repeatedly stated that his participation in Arbery’s death was limited only to recording the video. Dial’s testimony stands in contrast to that assessment.
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William Bryan joined the chase after witnessing the McMichaels pursue Arbery in front of Bryan’s home. Dial says that Bryan made multiple statements to investigators about trying to block Arbery from escaping. “His statement was that Mr. Arbery kept jumping out of the way and moving around the bumper and actually running down into the ditch in an attempt to avoid his truck.” Dial said.
From CNN:
As Travis and Greg McMichael attempted to head him off, Arbery turned and ran past the truck of William Bryan, who filmed the killing, and Bryan struck Arbery with the side of his truck, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Richard Dial said. Investigators found a swipe from a palm print on the rear door of Bryan’s truck, cotton fibers near the truck bed that “we attribute to contact with Mr. Arbery” and a dent below the fibers, he said. Though Bryan’s attorney has contested allegations his client took part in the killing, Dial said Bryan first became involved by yelling to the McMichaels, “Do you got him?” when he saw them chasing the 25-year-old jogger. The McMichaels and Bryan have not entered pleas, but lawyers for all three men have proclaimed their innocence.
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Dial pushed back against the notion that Travis McMichael was acting in self-defense when he shot Arbery. “I believe Mr. Arbery was being pursued, and he ran till he couldn’t run anymore, and it was turn his back to a man with a shotgun or fight with his bare hands against the man with the shotgun. He chose to fight. ... I believe Mr. Arbery’s decision was to just try to get away, and when he felt like he could not escape he chose to fight.” Dial said in his testimony.
On Feb. 23, Arbery was out for a jog in the Satilla Shores neighborhood in Brunswick, Ga., when Travis and Greg McMichael armed themselves and gave chase after seeing Arbery. The men believed Arbery was responsible for a series of break-ins at a nearby construction site. Travis McMichael confronted Arbery with a gun, which resulted in Arbery being shot three times and dying on the scene.
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Much controversy has surrounded the handling of the case. The three men weren’t arrested and charged until May after three months had passed and two prosecutors recused themselves from the case due to conflicts of interest. Gregory and Travis McMichael face charges of felony murder and aggravated assault. Bryan faces charges of felony murder and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment. All three men are currently being held in Glynn County Jail.


theroot--2020-06-04--‘Richmond Is No Longer the Capital of the Confederacy’: Virginia Will Remove Robert E. Lee Statue, F

‘Richmond Is No Longer the Capital of the Confederacy’: Virginia Will Remove Robert E. Lee Statue, Four Other Confederate Monuments

A common argument made by racist-memorabilia-loving white people who still swear to white Jesus that they aren ’ t racist is that the tearing down of Confederate monuments is an attempt at erasing history .
People with the ability to think critically , on the other hand , understand that monuments are erected to honor and immortalize people and events , not simply to record them in history—that ’ s literally what history books are for .
So the “ but ... but ... but muh heritage ” crowd might be disappointed to hear that the state of Virginia is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Robert E. Lee , but for the rest of us , it ’ s a long-overdue move .
NBC News reports that Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam announced Thursday that the statue of Lee—which has stood along Richmond ’ s Monument Avenue since 1890—will be removed along with four other Confederate monuments celebrating Stonewall Jackson , Jefferson Davis , Matthew Fontaine Maury and J.E.B .
Stuart who were all prominent leaders of the Confederacy .
“ Today , we ’ re here to be honest about our past and talk about our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference .
“ I ’ m no historian , but I strongly believe we have to confront where we ’ ve been in order to get where we ’ re going .
“ When a young child looks up and sees something that big and prominent , she knows it must be important , ” he continued .
“ When it ’ s the biggest thing around , it sends a clear message : This is what we value the most .
That ’ s not true anymore.
” Listen : It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing all this in an effort to work off the shame that has followed him since last year when a college photo was unearthed showing him in blackface next to someone in full Klan attire , but that doesn ’ t change the significance of his decision .
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney joined Northam in lauding the decision and touting it as a sign of racial progress .
“ Richmond is no longer the capital of the Confederacy , ” he said .
According to NBC , Stoney previously commented that “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now : COVID-19 and racism .
One is six months old , the other is 400 years old .
Both are lethal especially for black and brown people.
” It ’ s unclear when exactly the removal of these statues will begin , but NBC reports that it will be happening in “ the coming weeks.
” The statues will be placed in storage and , according to Northam , decisions are still being made regarding what will replace them or whether they ’ ll be replaced by anything at all .

A common argument made by racist-memorabilia-loving white people who still swear to white Jesus that they aren’t racist is that the tearing down of Confederate monuments is an attempt at erasing history.
People with the ability to think critically, on the other hand, understand that monuments are erected to honor and immortalize people and events, not simply to record them in history—that’s literally what history books are for. So the “but...but...but muh heritage” crowd might be disappointed to hear that the state of Virginia is officially removing its iconic statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, but for the rest of us, it’s a long-overdue move.
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NBC News reports that Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday that the statue of Lee—which has stood along Richmond’s Monument Avenue since 1890—will be removed along with four other Confederate monuments celebrating Stonewall Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Matthew Fontaine Maury and J.E.B. Stuart who were all prominent leaders of the Confederacy.
“Today, we’re here to be honest about our past and talk about our future,” Northam said in a news conference. “I’m no historian, but I strongly believe we have to confront where we’ve been in order to get where we’re going.
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“When a young child looks up and sees something that big and prominent, she knows it must be important,” he continued. “When it’s the biggest thing around, it sends a clear message: This is what we value the most. That’s not true anymore.”
Listen: It may very well be that Northam is doing all this in an effort to work off the shame that has followed him since last year when a college photo was unearthed showing him in blackface next to someone in full Klan attire, but that doesn’t change the significance of his decision.
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From NBC:
The weight of Northam’s decision is significant: Monument Avenue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark District, it’s home to celebrations in honor of Lee’s birthday and to Confederate-themed events, and is a local attraction for tourists and history buffs.
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Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney joined Northam in lauding the decision and touting it as a sign of racial progress.
“Richmond is no longer the capital of the Confederacy,” he said.
According to NBC, Stoney previously commented that “We have two pandemics in our country right now: COVID-19 and racism. One is six months old, the other is 400 years old. Both are lethal especially for black and brown people.”
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It’s unclear when exactly the removal of these statues will begin, but NBC reports that it will be happening in “the coming weeks.” The statues will be placed in storage and, according to Northam, decisions are still being made regarding what will replace them or whether they’ll be replaced by anything at all.


theroot--2020-06-04--Why Drew Brees Is the Worst Type of White Man, Explained

Man .
Remember how long and shitty everyone said March was ?
I want to buy March an Edible Arrangement and beg it to come back .
Man .
I would serenade the shit out of March right now .
I ’ d be Keith Sweat in this joint .
“ Who can love March like me ?
( Nobody ) .
Who can sex March like me ?
( Nobody ) Who can treat March like me , my baby ?
( Nobody ) Nobody baby ( nobody ) .
” So , Drew Brees .
What did he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finance earlier this week , the future Hall-of-Famer was asked how he ’ d feel about black NFL players kneeling during the anthem when the season returns .
It can ’ t be overstated how much of a softball question this was .
He could ’ ve said : “ My teammates are my brothers , and I ’ ll support them.
” He could ’ ve added a little spice and said : “ My teammates are my brothers .
We don ’ t agree on everything , but I ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even built a nothing-burger and said : “ It ’ s a complicated issue .
I ’ m just focused on winning games.
” He could ’ ve pivoted and shared his favorite scripture , or plugged a new sponsorship with Slim Jim .
So many things he could ’ ve said .
But Drew went Full Wrangler and said “ I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country.
” And then he went further down the rabbit-hole of caucasity—perhaps he has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know—and continued with a lukewarm bowl of whiteness alphabet soup .
“ Let me just tell what I see or what I feel when the national anthem is played and when I look at the flag of the United States .
I envision my two grandfathers , who fought for this country during World War II , one in the Army and one in the Marine Corp .
Both risking their lives to protect our country and to try to make our country and this world a better place .
So every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my heart looking at that flag and singing the national anthem , that ’ s what I think about .
And in many cases , that brings me to tears , thinking about all that has been sacrificed .
Not just those in the military , but for that matter , those throughout the civil rights movements of the ‘ 60s , and all that has been endured by so many people up until this point .
And is everything right with our country right now ?
No , it is not .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ go .
But I think what you do by standing there and showing respect to the flag with your hand over your heart , is it shows unity .
It shows that we are all in this together , we can all do better and that we are all part of the solution.
” It ’ s “ patriotism ” cliché bukkake .
It ’ s also telling that , in these sort of historical reimaginings , veterans are always only white men .
Black people fought and died too , and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens of .
So this , unfortunately , is common for white people .
White men , especially .
Rich white men , specifically .
I ’ d be more surprised if he wasn ’ t this way .
But what distinguishes him so that he ’ s the worst type of white man ?
So there are a few reasons for this .
First is that you ’ d assume—well , you ’ d hope—that a 41-year-old white man whose colleagues are predominately black and has spent his entire adult life working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve made the slightest effort to empathize with them .
Just one open-minded conversation with one teammate or one fan or one stadium worker is all it would ’ ve taken to learn that Colin Kaepernick ’ s protest was not about the flag , and didn ’ t disrespect it either .
In fact , before his protest , Kaepernick asked a Green Beret what to do , and the kneeling was his recommendation .
( Also , for the record , fuck the flag anyway . )
So there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the violence of him saying a thing like that this week .
This motherfucker can read a coverage but he can ’ t read a room .
Or shit , maybe he can .
Maybe the MAGA mouthpiece thing was intentionally antagonistic and not accidentally .
He gets no benefit of the doubt here .
Fuck him .
Did I say that already ?
Okay good .
Fuck him ( again ) .
Got it .
Anything else ?
The main thing that distinguishes Drew here is actually why he was so beloved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pushed the narrative that the New Orleans Saints were “ healing ” the city .
And since he ’ s the star quarterback , he was the leader of that spiritual restoration .
The homie David Dennis expounded on this yesterday : Drew Brees owes so much of his legacy to the tragedy that was Katrina .
Brees came to New Orleans in the wake of the storm and the way he catapulted the Saints to the playoffs and the eventual Super Bowl win in 2010 made him part of the story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it is important here to note that Brees and his family have donated millions to the city beyond the revenue he brought as a singularly talented quarterback .
However , his mythology is directly attached to a disaster that is a reflection of the racial inequalities Black folks face in this country .
Ultimately , the Brees mythology was built on black pain , black death and our government ’ s apathy towards it .
Without that , he ’ s just another good quarterback with great stats .
And for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that made him an icon in New Orleans , just tells us what type of person he really is .
Former Baltimore Raven Ed Reed said it best : Wow .
I want no smoke with Ed Reed .
Man , Thanos wants no smoke with Ed Reed .
But yeah .
Fuck him .

Damon Young on Very Smart Brothas, shared by Damon Young to The Root

Tough week, huh?
Man. Remember how long and shitty everyone said March was?
Yup.
I want to buy March an Edible Arrangement and beg it to come back.
Man. I would serenade the shit out of March right now.
I’d be Keith Sweat in this joint. “Who can love March like me? (Nobody). Who can sex March like me? (Nobody) Who can treat March like me, my baby? (Nobody) Nobody baby (nobody).”
So, Drew Brees. What did he do?
During an interview with Yahoo Finance earlier this week, the future Hall-of-Famer was asked how he’d feel about black NFL players kneeling during the anthem when the season returns. It can’t be overstated how much of a softball question this was. He could’ve said: “My teammates are my brothers, and I’ll support them.” He could’ve added a little spice and said: “My teammates are my brothers. We don’t agree on everything, but I’ll support them.” He could’ve even built a nothing-burger and said: “It’s a complicated issue. I’m just focused on winning games.” He could’ve pivoted and shared his favorite scripture, or plugged a new sponsorship with Slim Jim. So many things he could’ve said.
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But?
But Drew went Full Wrangler and said “I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country.”
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And then?
And then he went further down the rabbit-hole of caucasity—perhaps he has a timeshare down there, I don’t know—and continued with a lukewarm bowl of whiteness alphabet soup.
“Let me just tell what I see or what I feel when the national anthem is played and when I look at the flag of the United States. I envision my two grandfathers, who fought for this country during World War II, one in the Army and one in the Marine Corp. Both risking their lives to protect our country and to try to make our country and this world a better place. So every time I stand with my hand over my heart looking at that flag and singing the national anthem, that’s what I think about. And in many cases, that brings me to tears, thinking about all that has been sacrificed. Not just those in the military, but for that matter, those throughout the civil rights movements of the ‘60s, and all that has been endured by so many people up until this point. And is everything right with our country right now? No, it is not. We still have a long way to go. But I think what you do by standing there and showing respect to the flag with your hand over your heart, is it shows unity. It shows that we are all in this together, we can all do better and that we are all part of the solution.”
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That was...something.
It’s “patriotism” cliché bukkake. It’s also telling that, in these sort of historical reimaginings, veterans are always only white men. Black people fought and died too, and for a country they weren’t full citizens of .
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So this, unfortunately, is common for white people. White men, especially. Rich white men, specifically. I’d be more surprised if he wasn’t this way. But what distinguishes him so that he’s the worst type of white man?
So there are a few reasons for this. First is that you’d assume—well, you’d hope—that a 41-year-old white man whose colleagues are predominately black and has spent his entire adult life working in a predominately black city, would’ve made the slightest effort to empathize with them. Just one open-minded conversation with one teammate or one fan or one stadium worker is all it would’ve taken to learn that Colin Kaepernick’s protest was not about the flag, and didn’t disrespect it either. In fact, before his protest, Kaepernick asked a Green Beret what to do, and the kneeling was his recommendation. (Also, for the record, fuck the flag anyway.)
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Agreed. Fuck the flag. Please continue.
So there’s that. There’s also the violence of him saying a thing like that this week. This motherfucker can read a coverage but he can’t read a room. Or shit, maybe he can. Maybe the MAGA mouthpiece thing was intentionally antagonistic and not accidentally. He gets no benefit of the doubt here. Fuck him. Did I say that already?
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Fuck him?
Yes.
No.
Okay good. Fuck him (again).
Got it. Anything else?
The main thing that distinguishes Drew here is actually why he was so beloved before. Post-Katrina, he latched onto and pushed the narrative that the New Orleans Saints were “healing” the city. And since he’s the star quarterback, he was the leader of that spiritual restoration.
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The homie David Dennis expounded on this yesterday:
Drew Brees owes so much of his legacy to the tragedy that was Katrina. Brees came to New Orleans in the wake of the storm and the way he catapulted the Saints to the playoffs and the eventual Super Bowl win in 2010 made him part of the story of the city’s rebuilding. And it is important here to note that Brees and his family have donated millions to the city beyond the revenue he brought as a singularly talented quarterback. However, his mythology is directly attached to a disaster that is a reflection of the racial inequalities Black folks face in this country.
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Ultimately, the Brees mythology was built on black pain, black death and our government’s apathy towards it. Without that, he’s just another good quarterback with great stats. And for him to refuse to even acknowledge the thing that made him an icon in New Orleans, just tells us what type of person he really is. Former Baltimore Raven Ed Reed said it best:
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Wow. I want no smoke with Ed Reed.
Man, Thanos wants no smoke with Ed Reed. But yeah. Fuck him.
Fuck him again?
Fuck him forever.


theroot--2020-06-04--New York Times Writers Call Paper to Account for Deranged Tom Cotton Op-Ed: 'This Puts Black NY Time

New York Times Writers Call Paper to Account for Deranged Tom Cotton Op-Ed: 'This Puts Black NY Times Staff in Danger'

On Wednesday afternoon , the New York Times opinion section published an op-ed from Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton entitled “ Send in the Military.
” It was exactly the kind of article you would expect from Cotton , who has the brains and demeanor of a white supremacist meerkat ( he notably was once held up by the New Yorker as the heir apparent to Trumpism ) .
The senator called for the U.S. military to be deployed against Americans , crushing the nationwide uprisings over police brutality and systemic racism .
Sounds like an awful , dangerous idea ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ readers , staffers , and journalists across the industry thought so , too .
In an effort spearheaded by black New York Times staffers , dozens of Times employees shared their anger and disgust by sharing variations of the same message on Twitter on Wednesday night : “ Running this puts Black @ NYTimes staff in danger.
” The text was accompanied by a screenshot of the op-ed ’ s headline .
By the end of the night , scores of their industry colleagues and readers joined in , sharing the same message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Times opinion pages , take down the piece .
( You can read his defense of the piece on Twitter here but I warn you , the only thing worthwhile about it is the ratio . )
It was a stunning display of collective action on social media , especially considering the Times ’ stringent social media policy .
A 2017 version of their policy explicitly mandates journalists “ must not express partisan opinions , promote political views , endorse candidates , make offensive comments , or do anything else that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The Newsguild of New York , a union representing the Times , followed up with a searing statement highlighting the op-ed as a labor and workplace safety issue that has specific detrimental effects on the paper ’ s black employees .
“ Cotton calls to mobilize the military to ‘ detain ’ and ‘ subdue ’ Americans protesting racism and police brutality .
His message undermines the journalistic work of our members , puts our Black staff members in danger , promotes hate , and is likely to encourage further violence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further points out that the inflammatory op-ed compromises journalists ’ ability to cover the protests , since it could inspire further use of force at the demonstrations .
“ This is a particularly vulnerable moment in American history .
Cotton ’ s Op-Ed pours gasoline on the fire , ” it continues .
“ Media organizations have a responsibility to hold power to account , not amplify voices of power without context and caution .
”

On Wednesday afternoon, the New York Times opinion section published an op-ed from Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton entitled “Send in the Military.” It was exactly the kind of article you would expect from Cotton, who has the brains and demeanor of a white supremacist meerkat (he notably was once held up by the New Yorker as the heir apparent to Trumpism). The senator called for the U.S. military to be deployed against Americans, crushing the nationwide uprisings over police brutality and systemic racism.
Sounds like an awful, dangerous idea? Turns out legions of New York Times readers, staffers, and journalists across the industry thought so, too.
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In an effort spearheaded by black New York Times staffers, dozens of Times employees shared their anger and disgust by sharing variations of the same message on Twitter on Wednesday night: “Running this puts Black @NYTimes staff in danger.” The text was accompanied by a screenshot of the op-ed’s headline.
By the end of the night, scores of their industry colleagues and readers joined in, sharing the same message and demanding James Bennet, the editor of the Times opinion pages, take down the piece. (You can read his defense of the piece on Twitter here but I warn you, the only thing worthwhile about it is the ratio.)
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It was a stunning display of collective action on social media, especially considering the Times’ stringent social media policy. A 2017 version of their policy explicitly mandates journalists “must not express partisan opinions, promote political views, endorse candidates, make offensive comments, or do anything else that undercuts The Times’s journalistic reputation.”
The Newsguild of New York, a union representing the Times, followed up with a searing statement highlighting the op-ed as a labor and workplace safety issue that has specific detrimental effects on the paper’s black employees.
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“Cotton calls to mobilize the military to ‘detain’ and ‘subdue’ Americans protesting racism and police brutality. His message undermines the journalistic work of our members, puts our Black staff members in danger, promotes hate, and is likely to encourage further violence,” the statement reads.
The Guild further points out that the inflammatory op-ed compromises journalists’ ability to cover the protests, since it could inspire further use of force at the demonstrations.
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“This is a particularly vulnerable moment in American history. Cotton’s Op-Ed pours gasoline on the fire,” it continues. “Media organizations have a responsibility to hold power to account, not amplify voices of power without context and caution.”


theroot--2020-06-04--White-on-White Violence: Piers Morgan and Rudy Giuliani Engage in the Worst Verszuz Battle Ever

I don ’ t know what started it , and truthfully , I don ’ t care .
But at some point during an interview between antifa and the Proud Boys , the mud started slinging , the wheels fell off the wagon and mayonnaise went flying everywhere .
In what can only be called white-on-white violence , Piers Morgan and Rudy Giuliani got into a heated battle to declare who is the worst steaming pile of potato hash .
Truthfully , this is the Verzuz battle I ’ ve been waiting for .
It ’ s literally like watching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for violent destruction .
I guess Piers Morgan is on a show called Good Morning Britain or some shit , who knows .
But on Thursday morning , his guest was Rudy Giuliani and his fake top teeth .
Giuliani ’ s top teeth are on full Denzel .
For those not in the know , Morgan , a hot glass of dumpster juice , “ was fired as editor of one of Britain ’ s biggest papers in 2004 after publishing fake photographs of U.K. troops urinating on Iraqi prisoners , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ axed in 2014 due to extremely bad ratings , ” the Daily Beast reports .
Giuliani , a steaming pile of dog shit , “ has been reduced from being named Time magazine ’ s Person of the Year for 2001 to screaming about Trumpist conspiracy theories on any cable news channel which is still willing to run the risk of broadcasting his wildly unpredictable stream of consciousness live on television , ” the Daily Beast explains .
Not sure who thought it was a good idea to have these two losers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person a raise !
I guess the two were talking about the George Floyd protests ( again , do you really give a shit what either of these two people thinks about the death of a black man while in Minneapolis police custody ? )
and somewhere in all of it , the interview between a failed loser and a failed loser derailed straight to Loserville .
“ I ’ m sorry , but you sound completely barking mad , do you know that ?
You ’ ve lost the plot and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morgan said , which is funny AF .
To tell someone that you ’ re interviewing that they sound like a fucking lunatic is just amazing television .
We continue .
Giuliani got all old-white-guy-huffy and shouted : “ You ’ re the one who got thrown off the television here because you had ratings that were about two ...
I know what happened to your show here Piers , and I remember the mistakes you made and I remember how you [ inaudible ] up.
” The Daily Beast notes that because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big-ass top teeth in his mouth , it was hard to decipher whether or not he said , “ fucked up.
” The hosts apologized for Giuliani ’ s language and Giuliani apologized for his teeth .
OK , fine , he didn ’ t apologize for his teeth but he should have .
H e just denied that he used a curse word .
The battle continued : “ Don ’ t give me that stuff , I know who you are , you can say anything you want about me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and helping to create violence in this country , ” Teethiani said .
Morgan , who knows how to wade in these muddy waters , calmly stated : “ When I used to interview you , you were an intelligent , reasonable man and you ’ ve gone completely mad and you sound deranged .
You ’ re abusive , and it ’ s really sad to see what ’ s happened to you.
” Boom !
It ’ s this level of caring shade that really cuts .
It ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your mental health but really it ’ s just calling someone batshit crazy .
This is nuanced shade— it takes time to cultivate and Morgan used it nicely .
“ It ’ s really sad to see the way your career imploded in the United States , Piers .
If you think I have any respect for you after this , or maybe you don ’ t care , but everyone in America knows you ’ re a failed journalist , ” Teethie G said , letting the choppa spray .
Morgan remembered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t have to put up with Teeth Sweat treating him like this .
“ You ’ ve come on here , you ’ ve been rude and abusive .
You sound unhinged , you ’ ve been using profanity and you were somebody I used to admire , ” he said , the Daily Beast reports .
“ What profanity did I use , liar ?
” John Wilkes Tooth said .
“ I didn ’ t use any profanity ... You tell me the profanity I used .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , it ’ s disgraceful , ” Teethus said about President Reesie .
And with that , Teeth-Boz was cut off and sent on his way .

I don’t know what started it, and truthfully, I don’t care. But at some point during an interview between antifa and the Proud Boys, the mud started slinging, the wheels fell off the wagon and mayonnaise went flying everywhere.
In what can only be called white-on-white violence, Piers Morgan and Rudy Giuliani got into a heated battle to declare who is the worst steaming pile of potato hash. Truthfully, this is the Verzuz battle I’ve been waiting for. It’s literally like watching a snake battle a rat and rooting for violent destruction.
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I guess Piers Morgan is on a show called Good Morning Britain or some shit, who knows. But on Thursday morning, his guest was Rudy Giuliani and his fake top teeth. Giuliani’s top teeth are on full Denzel.
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For those not in the know, Morgan, a hot glass of dumpster juice, “was fired as editor of one of Britain’s biggest papers in 2004 after publishing fake photographs of U.K. troops urinating on Iraqi prisoners, and his CNN show Piers Morgan Live was axed in 2014 due to extremely bad ratings,” the Daily Beast reports.
Giuliani, a steaming pile of dog shit, “has been reduced from being named Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2001 to screaming about Trumpist conspiracy theories on any cable news channel which is still willing to run the risk of broadcasting his wildly unpredictable stream of consciousness live on television,” the Daily Beast explains.
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Not sure who thought it was a good idea to have these two losers on the same show, but give that person a raise!
I guess the two were talking about the George Floyd protests (again, do you really give a shit what either of these two people thinks about the death of a black man while in Minneapolis police custody?) and somewhere in all of it, the interview between a failed loser and a failed loser derailed straight to Loserville.
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“I’m sorry, but you sound completely barking mad, do you know that? You’ve lost the plot and it’s sad to see,” Morgan said, which is funny AF. To tell someone that you’re interviewing that they sound like a fucking lunatic is just amazing television. We continue.
Giuliani got all old-white-guy-huffy and shouted: “You’re the one who got thrown off the television here because you had ratings that were about two...I know what happened to your show here Piers, and I remember the mistakes you made and I remember how you [inaudible] up.”
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The Daily Beast notes that because Giuliani was piping hot and had those big-ass top teeth in his mouth, it was hard to decipher whether or not he said, “fucked up.”
The hosts apologized for Giuliani’s language and Giuliani apologized for his teeth. OK, fine, he didn’t apologize for his teeth but he should have. H e just denied that he used a curse word.
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The battle continued: “Don’t give me that stuff, I know who you are, you can say anything you want about me, but you’re defaming my president and helping to create violence in this country,” Teethiani said.
Morgan, who knows how to wade in these muddy waters, calmly stated: “When I used to interview you, you were an intelligent, reasonable man and you’ve gone completely mad and you sound deranged. You’re abusive, and it’s really sad to see what’s happened to you.”
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Boom! It’s this level of caring shade that really cuts. It’s the shade that is disguised as concern for your mental health but really it’s just calling someone batshit crazy. This is nuanced shade— it takes time to cultivate and Morgan used it nicely.
“It’s really sad to see the way your career imploded in the United States, Piers. If you think I have any respect for you after this, or maybe you don’t care, but everyone in America knows you’re a failed journalist,” Teethie G said, letting the choppa spray.
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Morgan remembered that it was his show and he didn’t have to put up with Teeth Sweat treating him like this.
“You’ve come on here, you’ve been rude and abusive. You sound unhinged, you’ve been using profanity and you were somebody I used to admire,” he said, the Daily Beast reports.
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“What profanity did I use, liar?” John Wilkes Tooth said. “I didn’t use any profanity...You tell me the profanity I used. That’s exactly what you do to President Trump, it’s disgraceful,” Teethus said about President Reesie.
And with that, Teeth-Boz was cut off and sent on his way.
Watch the gloriousness below:


theroot--2020-06-04--Fed Up but Hopeful: Streams of Childish Gambino's 'This Is America' and Kendrick Lamar's 'Alright' S

Fed Up but Hopeful: Streams of Childish Gambino's 'This Is America' and Kendrick Lamar's 'Alright' Skyrocket Amid Protests

It appears the people of the United States have chosen Childish Gambino ’ s “ This Is America ” and Kendrick Lamar ’ s “ Alright ” as their protest songs of choice .
According to Forbes , Gambino ’ s song , which debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 in May 2018 , jumped from No .
97 to No .
2 on the U.S. Spotify chart this week , amassing 1.117 million streams .
K. Dot ’ s “ Alright ” off of his critically-acclaimed album , 2015 ’ s To Pimp a Butterfly , returns to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of 752,836 streams .
This should come as no surprise given the global protests spurred by the unnecessary murder of George Floyd and years of deaths like his at the hands of police .
Both songs give very different takes on being black in America : Gambino ’ s track finds him rapping about gun violence in our country while Kendrick ’ s song features lyrics pertaining to black optimism in the face of centuries of adversity .
Both songs won Grammy Awards : In 2018 , “ This Is America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Song of the Year , Best Rap/Sung Performance and Best Music Video honors , while “ Alright ” won Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 2016 ceremony .

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

It appears the people of the United States have chosen Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” as their protest songs of choice.
According to Forbes, Gambino’s song, which debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 in May 2018, jumped from No. 97 to No. 2 on the U.S. Spotify chart this week, amassing 1.117 million streams. K. Dot’s “Alright” off of his critically-acclaimed album, 2015’s To Pimp a Butterfly, returns to the chart at No. 11, with a total of 752,836 streams. This should come as no surprise given the global protests spurred by the unnecessary murder of George Floyd and years of deaths like his at the hands of police.
Both songs give very different takes on being black in America: Gambino’s track finds him rapping about gun violence in our country while Kendrick’s song features lyrics pertaining to black optimism in the face of centuries of adversity.
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Both songs won Grammy Awards: In 2018, “This Is America” nabbed the Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap/Sung Performance and Best Music Video honors, while “Alright” won Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 2016 ceremony.


theroot--2020-06-04--Cool Off With a $15 Honeywell Fan

Cool Off With a $15 Honeywell Fan

Hey , it ’ s starting to get hot outside .
Maybe you should cool off with a fan ?
@ @ @ @ @ only $ 15 , and let me tell you—it has gotten me through hot nights @ @ @ @ @ days , especially during my college days .
It has three speeds and can be @ @ @ @ @ room to room when needed .
Don ’ t suffer—cool the hell off .

Ignacia on Kinja Deals, shared by Jordan McMahon to The Root

Honeywell Fan | $15 | Amazon
Hey, it’s starting to get hot outside. Maybe you should cool off with a fan? This Honeywell personal fan is only $15, and let me tell you—it has gotten me through hot nights in bed, and hotter days, especially during my college days. It has three speeds and can be easily cleaned or transported to room to room when needed. Don’t suffer—cool the hell off.


theroot--2020-06-06--Tennessee Sheriff Uses N-Word in Phone Call But Vows to 'Apologize to All the Citizens in the County

Tennessee Sheriff Uses N-Word in Phone Call But Vows to 'Apologize to All the Citizens in the County.' Sure, Jan

At this point , the fact that the country is currently in upheaval over racist policing shouldn ’ t be lost on anyone .
Unsurprisingly , this hasn ’ t stopped police from engaging in the same behavior that has inspired nationwide protest .
WREG reports that Steve Sanders , the sheriff of Lauderdale County in Tennessee has apologized after a call leaked of him saying the n-word while discussing a case .
The audio was posted on Facebook from an unknown source .
Sanders goes through the traditional “ I ’ m not a racist ” song and dance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to apologize Friday to all the citizens in the county , because they ’ re good people .
I got a lot of black friends , I got a lot of enemies , as any sheriff would , but I apologize to all of them.
” Honestly , I would ’ ve been surprised if he didn ’ t pull out the “ I have black friends card.
” He goes on to say that he doesn ’ t consider himself a racist and the word “ just slipped out.
” I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white people and racial slurs just “ slipping out ?
” Understandably , there have been calls for Sanders to resign .
“ It ’ s heartbreaking for one , and we ’ re already dealing with this corona issue , and it ’ s like a slap in the face , ” Tiffany Driver , a Lauderdale resident told WREG .
Sanders has rebuffed those concerns saying “ normal people ” don ’ t want him to resign .
I can only guess what he means by “ normal people .
”

At this point, the fact that the country is currently in upheaval over racist policing shouldn’t be lost on anyone. Unsurprisingly, this hasn’t stopped police from engaging in the same behavior that has inspired nationwide protest.
WREG reports that Steve Sanders, the sheriff of Lauderdale County in Tennessee has apologized after a call leaked of him saying the n-word while discussing a case. The audio was posted on Facebook from an unknown source.
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Sanders goes through the traditional “I’m not a racist” song and dance, saying “I’m going to apologize Friday to all the citizens in the county, because they’re good people. I got a lot of black friends, I got a lot of enemies, as any sheriff would, but I apologize to all of them.”
Honestly, I would’ve been surprised if he didn’t pull out the “I have black friends card.” He goes on to say that he doesn’t consider himself a racist and the word “just slipped out.” I don’t understand what it is with white people and racial slurs just “slipping out? ”
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Understandably, there have been calls for Sanders to resign. “It’s heartbreaking for one, and we’re already dealing with this corona issue, and it’s like a slap in the face,” Tiffany Driver, a Lauderdale resident told WREG. Sanders has rebuffed those concerns saying “normal people” don’t want him to resign.
I can only guess what he means by “normal people.”