theroot--2020-09-10--'When We All Vote,' We Can 'Believe in Better': Political Merch Takes a Very Stylish Turn This Seaso

'When We All Vote,' We Can 'Believe in Better': Political Merch Takes a Very Stylish Turn This Season

“ Vote.
” That was the simple message on the necklace worn by Michelle Obama during the Democratic National Convention—and the equally simple message our all-time favorite first lady has been promoting via her nonprofit , nonpartisan When We All Vote initiative .
It was an inspiring sartorial invective that stood in stark contrast to the seemingly callous indifference of Obama ’ s successor , and as Vogue notes , the necklace , by Black jewelry designer Chari Cuthbert ’ s label ByChari , had been in high demand in the weeks since .
We can only hope that enthusiasm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come November , but for now , that political fashion moment is one of many offered in When We All Vote ’ s first collection of merch : “ Vote 4EVER Merch ” Via a press release provided to The Glow Up , “ Vote 4EVER Merch includes apparel , accessories , jewelry , homeware and a beauty product from diverse brands across the country , including Black-owned and woman-owned businesses.
” The first collection dropped on Wednesday—much of which immediately sold out ( especially items modeled by Mrs. Obama ) —while a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prices range between $ 10 and $ 150 , with between 50 percent and 100 percent of sale proceeds split between When We All Vote and the featured brands .
And because the real goal is to drive the vote , products cleverly feature QR codes to help purchasers find voting registration sites .
Black-owned Brooklyn design studio Danzy ; DC-based Black and Asian artist duo No Kings Collective , Durham-based company Bright Black ; Detroit-based Black female-helmed cosmetics line The Lip Bar ; women-owned ceramics company Franca NYC ; a branded mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We All Vote Co-Chair Megan Rapinoe ’ s line re-inc. “ We are living in one of the most expressive times in our nation ’ s history as thousands of Americans have taken to the streets during peaceful protests to stand up for what they believe in , ” When We All Vote ’ s Vice President of Communications , Culture and Media Partnerships , Crystal Carson , told Vogue .
“ When people feel as if their voices aren ’ t being heard , culture steps in to be the voice of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catalyst for change—whether that ’ s through music , content , or fashion .
“ What makes this different from other merch drops you ’ ve seen is that our team worked to find small , minority and women-owned businesses , rather than taking the traditional approach of going with well known or large scale brands , ” she added .
“ We want everything we do to reflect the beautiful diversity of this country from the designers to the price range.
” Joe Biden ’ s campaign is also taking a fashionable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 diverse luxury designers—including Carly Cushnie , Aurora James , Vera Wang , Joseph Altuzarra , Victor Glemaud , Prabal Gurung , Tory Burch , Thom Browne , and longtime Michelle Obama favorite Jason Wu—to create campaign apparel as part of the “ Believe in Better ” collection .
“ We are thrilled to announce this collection of affordable merchandise designed by a diverse group of talented American fashion designers and which was made in America , ” Rufus Gifford , Biden ’ s deputy campaign manager , told Vogue .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soul of our nation , and we ’ re seeing Americans across the country come together in a variety of ways to support Joe Biden and Kamala Harris because they are leaders we need to heal and unite the country .
I thank these designers for volunteering their time and talents to help win this election and the hardworking men and women who brought these designs to life.
” As Vogue notes , many of the designs have historical reverence ; a particular standout is a sweatshirt ( $ 60 ) from Brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the creator of the 15 Percent Pledge ) , that specifically shouts out the influence of Black women in the electoral process , reading “ We Make The Difference .
Black Women For Biden/Harris 2020.
” “ This shirt is unapologetically for us , ” James wrote on Instagram , adding , “ and make no mistake Black women are about to make history this year.
” “ The design nods to election merch from the ’ 60s , ’ 70s , and ’ 80s , including Shirley Chisholm and Jesse Jackson ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and as James told the magazine : “ This is the fight of our lives and we need to do everything we can to energize people to vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and I ’ m incredibly proud to have made this ...
I really wanted to make something that specifically addressed Black women ’ s impact in this election and how important we are to this election.
” We can ’ t think of a more accurate statement—or a more fashionable way to support our chosen ticket this election .

“Vote.” That was the simple message on the necklace worn by Michelle Obama during the Democratic National Convention—and the equally simple message our all-time favorite first lady has been promoting via her nonprofit, nonpartisan When We All Vote initiative. It was an inspiring sartorial invective that stood in stark contrast to the seemingly callous indifference of Obama’s successor, and as Vogue notes, the necklace, by Black jewelry designer Chari Cuthbert’s label ByChari, had been in high demand in the weeks since.
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We can only hope that enthusiasm will be matched at the polls, come November, but for now, that political fashion moment is one of many offered in When We All Vote’s first collection of merch: “Vote 4EVER Merch”
Via a press release provided to The Glow Up, “Vote 4EVER Merch includes apparel, accessories, jewelry, homeware and a beauty product from diverse brands across the country, including Black-owned and woman-owned businesses.” The first collection dropped on Wednesday—much of which immediately sold out (especially items modeled by Mrs. Obama)—while a second release is planned for October. Prices range between $10 and $150, with between 50 percent and 100 percent of sale proceeds split between When We All Vote and the featured brands. And because the real goal is to drive the vote, products cleverly feature QR codes to help purchasers find voting registration sites.
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Designers in the inaugural drop include:
Black-owned Brooklyn design studio Danzy; DC-based Black and Asian artist duo No Kings Collective, Durham-based company Bright Black; Detroit-based Black female-helmed cosmetics line The Lip Bar; women-owned ceramics company Franca NYC; a branded mask by woman-founded label Modiste; and When We All Vote Co-Chair Megan Rapinoe’s line re-inc.
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“We are living in one of the most expressive times in our nation’s history as thousands of Americans have taken to the streets during peaceful protests to stand up for what they believe in,” When We All Vote’s Vice President of Communications, Culture and Media Partnerships, Crystal Carson, told Vogue. “When people feel as if their voices aren’t being heard, culture steps in to be the voice of the people, a constructive outlet and catalyst for change—whether that’s through music, content, or fashion.
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“What makes this different from other merch drops you’ve seen is that our team worked to find small, minority and women-owned businesses, rather than taking the traditional approach of going with well known or large scale brands,” she added. “We want everything we do to reflect the beautiful diversity of this country from the designers to the price range.”
Joe Biden’s campaign is also taking a fashionable approach to this election season, recruiting 19 diverse luxury designers—including Carly Cushnie, Aurora James, Vera Wang, Joseph Altuzarra, Victor Glemaud, Prabal Gurung, Tory Burch, Thom Browne, and longtime Michelle Obama favorite Jason Wu—to create campaign apparel as part of the “Believe in Better” collection.
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“We are thrilled to announce this collection of affordable merchandise designed by a diverse group of talented American fashion designers and which was made in America,” Rufus Gifford, Biden’s deputy campaign manager, told Vogue. “We are in a battle to restore the soul of our nation, and we’re seeing Americans across the country come together in a variety of ways to support Joe Biden and Kamala Harris because they are leaders we need to heal and unite the country. I thank these designers for volunteering their time and talents to help win this election and the hardworking men and women who brought these designs to life.”
As Vogue notes, many of the designs have historical reverence; a particular standout is a sweatshirt ($60) from Brother Vellies’ designer Aurora James (also the creator of the 15 Percent Pledge), that specifically shouts out the influence of Black women in the electoral process, reading “We Make The Difference. Black Women For Biden/Harris 2020.”
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“This shirt is unapologetically for us,” James wrote on Instagram, adding, “and make no mistake Black women are about to make history this year.”
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“The design nods to election merch from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, including Shirley Chisholm and Jesse Jackson’s campaigns,” Vogue reports, and as James told the magazine:
“This is the fight of our lives and we need to do everything we can to energize people to vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and I’m incredibly proud to have made this...I really wanted to make something that specifically addressed Black women’s impact in this election and how important we are to this election.”
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We can’t think of a more accurate statement—or a more fashionable way to support our chosen ticket this election.


theroot--2020-09-10--Block Out Distractions With $100 off Sony's Noise Cancelling Headphones

Nothing disrupts a good rhythm at work like the clanging of construction work outside , or the chatter of your @ @ @ @ @ thin walls .
You can ’ t put a stop to all the noisiness of @ @ @ @ @ you can block some of it out with a good pair of noise cancelling headphones @ @ @ @ @ wireless headphones are down from $ 200 to just $ 98 on Amazon , and @ @ @ @ @ hours of battery life , so you ’ ll have plenty of charge to get @ @ @ @ @ .

Jordan McMahon on Kinja Deals, shared by Quentyn Kennemer to The Root

Sony WHCH710N Noise Cancelling Headphones | $98 | Amazon
Nothing disrupts a good rhythm at work like the clanging of construction work outside, or the chatter of your neighbors echoing through your frustratingly thin walls. You can’t put a stop to all the noisiness of the outside world, but you can block some of it out with a good pair of noise cancelling headphones. Sony’s WHCH710N wireless headphones are down from $200 to just $98 on Amazon, and Sony claims up to 35 hours of battery life, so you’ll have plenty of charge to get you through the work day.


theroot--2020-09-10--Trump: This Is All Bob Woodward’s Fault

Trump: This Is All Bob Woodward’s Fault

On Wednesday , excerpts from Washington Post associate editor Bob Woodward ’ s new book , Rage , began popping up online .
From those snippets , we learned that President Trump not only knew that the coronavirus was deadly but he was literally told this pandemic would be the worst moment of his presidency by one of his advisers .
The president then proceeded to walk out onto a national stage and lie about the impact of the coronavirus over and over again .
Bodies kept dropping , and when the president wasn ’ t playing golf , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would become a global pandemic .
On Thursday , the president had the opportunity to address claims ( and audio ) that he knew and “ downplayed ” the threat level of the coronavirus , and you know what he did ?
Well , first he noted that his boo North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un was in good health : Yep , that ’ s right .
This is all Woodward ’ s fault .
Raise your hand if you voted for Bob Woodward for anything ?
The level of pass-the-buck-ness in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t even believe that anyone in the Trump administration actually believes this shit , so I won ’ t even waste my time breaking down how this was/is a president ’ s responsibility .
Just know that there have been two types of people in this country since Trump took office : those of us who believe that Trump is Satan ’ s best slave hand and those who believe that Trump is God .
So tell me , what difference it would have made if a journalist with ties to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and his cronies have discredited as “ fake news , ” would have come out and said the quiet part out loud ?
We all knew that Trump was out of his depth and that he was lying to try and save his floundering president , but yes , let ’ s act like it was all Woodward ’ s fault .
On Feb. 7 , in an on-the-record interview with Woodward—one of 18 fucking interviews that Trump gave—the president admitted that the coronavirus was “ more deadly than even your strenuous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , claiming that the coronavirus was like a seasonal flu and that the cases would soon be “ close to zero , ” the Hill reports .
Some folks have claimed that Woodward should ’ ve come forward for the public good .
But to those folks I say , Woodward is a white man and when have white men given a shit about the public good ?
Think about this : Woodward ’ s life work was bringing down the Nixon administration on information given to him by a man known only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years Woodward and the Post kept the man ’ s identity a secret .
Then Vanity Fair got word that W. Mark Felt was Deep Throat and they moved on the story .
That story would catch the Post completely off guard .
“ It really landed on us , ” Benjamin C. Bradlee , the Post ’ s executive editor during the Watergate era , told the New York Times .
“ I had no idea it was coming.
” But , there was one person who did : Woodward .
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming , he was quoted in it .
Because the secrecy of Deep Throat ’ s identity added to the mystique surrounding Woodward ’ s personal narrative as the journalist who brought down a president using intel from some ghostly figure , he didn ’ t want the identity to be leaked .
But he didn ’ t even bother to mention to the Post that Vanity Fair was not only on to them , but they ’ d interviewed him about it .
In short , if he ’ d fucked over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ d give a fuck about the rest of us ?
Woodward would later defend his decision not to tell the world what he knew about the coronavirus to the Associated Press .
“ He tells me this , and I ’ m thinking , ‘ Wow , that ’ s interesting , but is it true ?
’ Trump says things that don ’ t check out , right ?
” Woodward said , adding that he was trying to find out : “ What did he know and when did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sounds like bullshit to me .
This about the greed of white men : One too selfish to give a shit about the lives of Americans he ’ s been elected to lead and another willing to hold it all in as long as he can profit in the end .
But let me be clear : This all falls on one man ’ s slumped shoulders .
As it stands “ the coronavirus has infected over 6.3 million Americans in total and resulted in more than 190,000 U.S. deaths , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solely on one man ’ s orange stained hands .

On Wednesday, excerpts from Washington Post associate editor Bob Woodward’s new book, Rage, began popping up online. From those snippets, we learned that President Trump not only knew that the coronavirus was deadly but he was literally told this pandemic would be the worst moment of his presidency by one of his advisers. The president then proceeded to walk out onto a national stage and lie about the impact of the coronavirus over and over again. Bodies kept dropping, and when the president wasn’t playing golf, he was lying about the seriousness of what would become a global pandemic.
On Thursday, the president had the opportunity to address claims (and audio) that he knew and “downplayed” the threat level of the coronavirus, and you know what he did? Well, first he noted that his boo North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un was in good health:
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Then, he blamed...Bob Woodward:
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Yep, that’s right. This is all Woodward’s fault. Raise your hand if you voted for Bob Woodward for anything? The level of pass-the-buck-ness in this administration is literally breathtaking. I don’t even believe that anyone in the Trump administration actually believes this shit, so I won’t even waste my time breaking down how this was/is a president’s responsibility.
Just know that there have been two types of people in this country since Trump took office: those of us who believe that Trump is Satan’s best slave hand and those who believe that Trump is God. So tell me, what difference it would have made if a journalist with ties to the Washington Post, an organization that Trump and his cronies have discredited as “fake news,” would have come out and said the quiet part out loud? We all knew that Trump was out of his depth and that he was lying to try and save his floundering president, but yes, let’s act like it was all Woodward’s fault.
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On Feb. 7, in an on-the-record interview with Woodward—one of 18 fucking interviews that Trump gave—the president admitted that the coronavirus was “more deadly than even your strenuous flu” but publicly he kept lying, claiming that the coronavirus was like a seasonal flu and that the cases would soon be “close to zero,” the Hill reports.
Some folks have claimed that Woodward should’ve come forward for the public good. But to those folks I say, Woodward is a white man and when have white men given a shit about the public good? Think about this: Woodward’s life work was bringing down the Nixon administration on information given to him by a man known only as “Deep Throat.” For 30 years Woodward and the Post kept the man’s identity a secret. Then Vanity Fair got word that W. Mark Felt was Deep Throat and they moved on the story. That story would catch the Post completely off guard.
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“It really landed on us,” Benjamin C. Bradlee, the Post’s executive editor during the Watergate era, told the New York Times. “I had no idea it was coming.”
But, there was one person who did: Woodward.
Not only did he know the story was coming, he was quoted in it. Because the secrecy of Deep Throat’s identity added to the mystique surrounding Woodward’s personal narrative as the journalist who brought down a president using intel from some ghostly figure, he didn’t want the identity to be leaked. But he didn’t even bother to mention to the Post that Vanity Fair was not only on to them, but they’d interviewed him about it. In short, if he’d fucked over the Post, what makes you think he’d give a fuck about the rest of us?
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Woodward would later defend his decision not to tell the world what he knew about the coronavirus to the Associated Press.
“He tells me this, and I’m thinking, ‘Wow, that’s interesting, but is it true?’ Trump says things that don’t check out, right?” Woodward said, adding that he was trying to find out: “What did he know and when did he know it?”
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Which all sounds like bullshit to me. This about the greed of white men: One too selfish to give a shit about the lives of Americans he’s been elected to lead and another willing to hold it all in as long as he can profit in the end.
But let me be clear: This all falls on one man’s slumped shoulders.
As it stands “the coronavirus has infected over 6.3 million Americans in total and resulted in more than 190,000 U.S. deaths,” the Hill reports. And that blood is solely on one man’s orange stained hands.


theroot--2020-09-11--The Jezebel X Bijoux Indiscrets Vibrator Team-Up Is the Perfect Intersection of Inviting Interests

It ’ s finally happened and it couldn ’ t be with a cooler company .
Our sister site Jezebel has teamed up Bijoux Indiscrets to bring you two tantalizing vibrators to fulfill all your needs .
Because diamonds are a girl ’ s best friend now this vibrating one is too .
As side from being just beautiful , I ’ m a sucker so pretty looking vibes , this sparkly sexy aid will make you feel like a millionaire .
Nicknamed the Twenty One , this external vibrator is for your lady bean .
This Diamond ( $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double-click you into boss babe paradise with its seven patterns and three vibration intensities .
Eight out of ten clit havers need it stimulates for orgasms and what pretty way to do that .
Gorgeously packaged , it arrives with a satin pouch , USB charger , and user manual .
We are going to stay local with the next vibe too .
The Better Than Your Ex Vibrator ( $ 17 ) is the perfect travel toy .
It can be used by you or your partner .
I actually was gifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This bullet ring fits snuggly on the finger to give an extra boost to the zig-zags .
This is your new cheat code .
There are ten vibe settings and the silicone is very soft .
It comes with batteries so no worries .
But if you need more the LR44 type is pretty easy to find .
You know what else is easy to find now , your clit .
Everyone is a winner here .
For good measure , because I also got this in my birthday goodie box I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Balm ( $ 12 ) .
This clitoral balm warms you up for rubbing it out .
It ’ s tingling , titillating , and just notches everything up .
Safe with toys and hands .
Plus you save 20 % when you buy it with the Better Than vibe .

Sheilah Villari on News, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Jezebel x Bijoux Indiscrets Vibrator | $60 | Bijoux
It’s finally happened and it couldn’t be with a cooler company. Our sister site Jezebel has teamed up Bijoux Indiscrets to bring you two tantalizing vibrators to fulfill all your needs.
Because diamonds are a girl’s best friend, now this vibrating toy is too. As side from being just beautiful, I’m a sucker so pretty looking vibes, this sparkly sexy aid will make you feel like a millionaire. Nicknamed the Twenty One, this external vibrator is for your lady bean. This Diamond ($60) is the ideal shape to double-click you into boss babe paradise with its seven patterns and three vibration intensities. Eight out of ten clit havers need it stimulates for orgasms and what pretty way to do that. Gorgeously packaged, it arrives with a satin pouch, USB charger, and user manual.
We are going to stay local with the next vibe too. The Better Than Your Ex Vibrator ($17) is the perfect travel toy. It can be used by you or your partner. I actually was gifted this for my bday and can vouch. This bullet ring fits snuggly on the finger to give an extra boost to the zig-zags. This is your new cheat code. There are ten vibe settings and the silicone is very soft. It comes with batteries so no worries. But if you need more the LR44 type is pretty easy to find. You know what else is easy to find now, your clit. Everyone is a winner here.
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For good measure, because I also got this in my birthday goodie box I’m a fan of the Sexting Balm ($12). This clitoral balm warms you up for rubbing it out. It’s tingling, titillating, and just notches everything up. Safe with toys and hands. Plus you save 20% when you buy it with the Better Than vibe.
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Free shipping on orders over $80.


theroot--2020-09-11--Michigan Family Target of Alleged Hate Crime After Shots Fired at Their Home, Rock Thrown Through Wi

Michigan Family Target of Alleged Hate Crime After Shots Fired at Their Home, Rock Thrown Through Window

In Michigan , a reward has been put out for information regarding a series of alleged hate crimes perpetrated against a Black family .
The Detroit Free Press reports that there have been three incidents in total at the Warren home of 55-year-old Candace Hall and 52-year old Eddie Hall .
On both Monday and Thursday nights , shots were fired at the home , damaging it .
On Wednesday , a rock was thrown through the front window of the home and the tires were slashed on three cars , with offensive writing being found on one of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during any of the incidents .
The police have issued a $ 3,000 reward for information on who may be responsible for the attacks .
“ It ’ s obvious it ’ s the same person , ” Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer told reporters at a press conference .
The family has a Black Lives Matter sign in front of their home and Lt. John Barnes told reporters that “ for whatever reason , the person that may have done this , they believe , may have taken exception to that sign.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 52-year old Eddie Hall said a large rock was thrown through their kitchen window .
Their 18-year-old son was also home at the time .
“ I hit the floor , and I thought it was bullets , you know ?
” Candace Hall said .
“ So , I ’ m crawling on hands and knees to see if my son is OK and then my husband runs outside to see if he could catch whoever was doing this.
” Photos on Facebook show “ terrorist , ” “ black lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out ” and “ not welcome ” with a swastika written on their pickup truck .
The family understandably feels like the incidents have been a violation of their home .
“ Your home is your sanctuary .
I can not sit on my couch .
A bullet is in the back of my couch .
I can ’ t sleep in my bed because I don ’ t know if this gentleman is going to shoot into my house again , ” Hall told the Free Press .
“ We don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t feel safe in my own home .
I can ’ t go to my house and feel comforted.
” Eddie and Candace Hall are both veterans who met during their time in the army .
They live in their home with their son and teenage daughter who is currently a senior in high school .
Their daughter was home at the time when the first shots were fired Despite these horrific incidents , the family has no intention of taking down the Black Lives Matter sign from their home .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident the family wrote : “ This will not take us out !
!
!
!
!
!
We are more than conquerors .
WE ARE TITHE PAYING , SAVED CHILDREN OF GOD .
This too will pass .
I am yet praying for those individuals who walk in hate , I walk by faith and I trust God .
# StillBLM # stillblessedbeyondmeasure ” .
During a news conference on Thursday , Warren Mayor Jim Fouts labeled the incident a racially motivated “ terrorist attack.
” “ This is completely unacceptable and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Fouts said .
The Warren City Council issued a statement on Thursday , condemning the perpetrators actions .
“ We are truly distressed such behavior would be perpetrated against any member of our community , ” the statement partially read .

In Michigan, a reward has been put out for information regarding a series of alleged hate crimes perpetrated against a Black family.
The Detroit Free Press reports that there have been three incidents in total at the Warren home of 55-year-old Candace Hall and 52-year old Eddie Hall. On both Monday and Thursday nights, shots were fired at the home, damaging it. On Wednesday, a rock was thrown through the front window of the home and the tires were slashed on three cars, with offensive writing being found on one of them. Luckily, no one was injured during any of the incidents. The police have issued a $3,000 reward for information on who may be responsible for the attacks.
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“It’s obvious it’s the same person,” Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer told reporters at a press conference. The family has a Black Lives Matter sign in front of their home and Lt. John Barnes told reporters that “for whatever reason, the person that may have done this, they believe, may have taken exception to that sign.”
From the Free Press:
On Wednesday, 55-year-old Candace Hall and 52-year old Eddie Hall said a large rock was thrown through their kitchen window. Their 18-year-old son was also home at the time. “I hit the floor, and I thought it was bullets, you know?” Candace Hall said. “So, I’m crawling on hands and knees to see if my son is OK and then my husband runs outside to see if he could catch whoever was doing this.” Photos on Facebook show “terrorist,” “black lives matter,” “get the f—- out” and “not welcome” with a swastika written on their pickup truck.
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The family understandably feels like the incidents have been a violation of their home. “Your home is your sanctuary. I cannot sit on my couch. A bullet is in the back of my couch. I can’t sleep in my bed because I don’t know if this gentleman is going to shoot into my house again,” Hall told the Free Press. “We don’t feel safe. I don’t feel safe in my own home. I can’t go to my house and feel comforted.”
Eddie and Candace Hall are both veterans who met during their time in the army. They live in their home with their son and teenage daughter who is currently a senior in high school. Their daughter was home at the time when the first shots were fired
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Despite these horrific incidents, the family has no intention of taking down the Black Lives Matter sign from their home. In a Facebook post that included pictures of the incident the family wrote: “This will not take us out!!!!!! We are more than conquerors. WE ARE TITHE PAYING, SAVED CHILDREN OF GOD. This too will pass. I am yet praying for those individuals who walk in hate, I walk by faith and I trust God. #StillBLM #stillblessedbeyondmeasure”.
During a news conference on Thursday, Warren Mayor Jim Fouts labeled the incident a racially motivated “terrorist attack.”
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“This is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our city,” Fouts said. The Warren City Council issued a statement on Thursday, condemning the perpetrators actions. “We are truly distressed such behavior would be perpetrated against any member of our community,” the statement partially read.


theroot--2020-09-11--South African Stores Toss TRESemmé Hair Products After Racist Ad Causes Massive Protest Campaign

South African shops are pulling TRESemmé products off their shelves after widespread protests over an online ad denigrating Black hair .
The ad , which was shown on the chain pharmacy Clicks ’ website , showed four separate images of hair .
The first two featured Black women , labeling their hair “ frizzy and dull ” and “ dry and damaged.
” The images were juxtaposed against two images showing white hair , one was labeled “ fine and flat ” and the other , “ normal.
” As the BBC reports , the ad triggered protests led by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , who called the ad “ racist ” and “ dehumanizing.
” South Africa has a long history of hair discrimination on account of apartheid .
Government officials would classify South Africans as Black or mixed race using what was then called the “ pencil rule , ” named for the process of running a pencil through one ’ s hair and seeing how easily it would pull through .
As Botlhale Tshetlo , the founder of natural hair salon Hairtural Studio in Johannesburg told CNN : “ if it got stuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall , the person was classified as Black.
” “ The implications of this are that Black identity exists as inferior to the identity of white people .
It is an assertion that white standards of beauty are to be aspired to and features of Black represent damage , decay and abnormality , ” the EFF said in a statement earlier this week .
As a result of the protests , which were held at Clicks stores around the country , the pharmacy chain , along with Pick N Pay , Woolworths , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all TRESemmé branded products from their shelves .
Unilever , which owns the TRESemmé brand , acknowledged that the ad played into racist stereotypes about Black hair .
In the fallout from the ad , the director of the campaign has left the company , Unilever said on Thursday , in a joint statement with the EFF .
The multinational corporation also promised an internal investigation that could result in more disciplinary action .
“ Unilever expresses its remorse to all South Africans , Black women in particular , for the racist TRESemmé @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to CNN , Unilever will take all TRESemmé SA products from stores for 10 days to show “ its remorse for the offensive and racist image.
” It also pledged a donation of 10,000 sanitary pads and sanitizers to informal settlements .
The conglomerate has come under increased scrutiny and criticism In the wake of worldwide protests addressing systemic racism .
In June , the company renamed its “ Fair & Lovely ” brand , which promised consumers lighter skin tones .
The brand was especially prevalent in African and Asian markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a long and complex history .
The EFF campaign against Clicks was short but intense , lasting five days and targeting 425 out of 720 stores .
Some videos on social media showed protesters dressed in red throwing shelves in stores .
Clicks wasn ’ t able to resume normal operations until the protests ended .
But the controversy over the TRESemmé was about more than racist hair stereotypes .
Protesters also decried the fact that in South Africa , Western brands take up an abundance of shelf space , leaving little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mark .
In a statement with the EFF , Clicks said it would replace the TRESemmé brand with locally sourced hair care brands .
“ Stocking local brands that are better formulated for the South African consumer is an important decision , long overdue , ” Tshetlo told CNN .

Anne Branigin on The Glow Up, shared by Anne Branigin to The Root

South African shops are pulling TRESemmé products off their shelves after widespread protests over an online ad denigrating Black hair.
The ad, which was shown on the chain pharmacy Clicks’ website, showed four separate images of hair. The first two featured Black women, labeling their hair “frizzy and dull” and “dry and damaged.” The images were juxtaposed against two images showing white hair, one was labeled “fine and flat” and the other, “normal.”
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As the BBC reports, the ad triggered protests led by opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who called the ad “racist” and “dehumanizing.”
South Africa has a long history of hair discrimination on account of apartheid. Government officials would classify South Africans as Black or mixed race using what was then called the “pencil rule,” named for the process of running a pencil through one’s hair and seeing how easily it would pull through.
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As Botlhale Tshetlo, the founder of natural hair salon Hairtural Studio in Johannesburg told CNN: “if it got stuck in the hair and didn’t fall, the person was classified as Black.”
“The implications of this are that Black identity exists as inferior to the identity of white people. It is an assertion that white standards of beauty are to be aspired to and features of Black represent damage, decay and abnormality,” the EFF said in a statement earlier this week.
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As a result of the protests, which were held at Clicks stores around the country, the pharmacy chain, along with Pick N Pay, Woolworths, and Dischem, said they have removed all TRESemmé branded products from their shelves.
Unilever, which owns the TRESemmé brand, acknowledged that the ad played into racist stereotypes about Black hair.
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In the fallout from the ad, the director of the campaign has left the company, Unilever said on Thursday, in a joint statement with the EFF. The multinational corporation also promised an internal investigation that could result in more disciplinary action.
“Unilever expresses its remorse to all South Africans, Black women in particular, for the racist TRESemmé SA image,” it added.
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According to CNN, Unilever will take all TRESemmé SA products from stores for 10 days to show “its remorse for the offensive and racist image.” It also pledged a donation of 10,000 sanitary pads and sanitizers to informal settlements.
The conglomerate has come under increased scrutiny and criticism In the wake of worldwide protests addressing systemic racism. In June, the company renamed its “Fair & Lovely” brand, which promised consumers lighter skin tones. The brand was especially prevalent in African and Asian markets, where skin bleaching and lightening products have a long and complex history.
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The EFF campaign against Clicks was short but intense, lasting five days and targeting 425 out of 720 stores. Some videos on social media showed protesters dressed in red throwing shelves in stores. Clicks wasn’t able to resume normal operations until the protests ended.
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But the controversy over the TRESemmé was about more than racist hair stereotypes. Protesters also decried the fact that in South Africa, Western brands take up an abundance of shelf space, leaving little room for local companies to make their mark.
In a statement with the EFF, Clicks said it would replace the TRESemmé brand with locally sourced hair care brands.
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“Stocking local brands that are better formulated for the South African consumer is an important decision, long overdue,” Tshetlo told CNN.


theroot--2020-09-11--Save 35% on CBD and Charcoal-Infused Memory Foam Pillows at Huckberry

The best Huckberry deals of September 2020 are here .
Right now , Huckberry is taking 35 % off the price of its premium Malouf memory foam pillows , which are available infused with either charcoal or CBD .
You ’ ll see major savings on either option right now , and both are available in sizes fit for a queen or king ( bed ) .
We ’ ve added one of each to our list of Huckberry ’ s best bargains below , along with other top items such as swim trunks , shirts , coats , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders of $ 75 or more , too , along with free shipping .
Save 35 % off of this innovative memory foam pillow , which is infused with charcoal to help regulate temperature , humidity , and odors .
This mid-loft pillow has a soft zone at the middle to cushion your head while providing a firm zone around the border to support your neck .
The savings will show up at checkout if you don ’ t spot them sooner .
The green color isn ’ t the only difference with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infused with CBD oil , which Malouf claims can help you calm down and rest easier at night .
It also has a CBD spray that you can spritz onto your pillowcase , and this one is also 35 % off right now ( savings show at checkout ) .
Flint and Tinder ’ s vintage-style , California-made boardshorts are perfect for those out-and-about days this summer , whether you ’ re having fun outdoors or just getting things done .
They ’ re $ 15 off the list price right now and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this writing .
Many swim trunks aim to recreate the natural sights of summer , whether it ’ s flowers , palm trees , sunshine , or waves—but this is something different .
The Weekends at Spectral Slate Breezier trunks have a distinctive rainbow pattern on black that almost looks like a passing glance at a series of RGB gaming keyboards in a dark room .
That ’ s different .
If you ’ re not into the busy patterns seen on many swim trunks , why not keep it simple ?
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a tailored look , and right now they ’ re a whopping $ 90 off the list price .
This light blue Safari Sky color is currently available in all sizes as of this writing , while Deep Navy and Deep Sage have more limited availability .
These slip-on loafers are built from soft leather and have been handmade in Northern Italy by the same family for six generations now .
According to Huckberry , they ’ re “ eco-friendly , handsome as hell , and represent the best value on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 50 off the list right now , so that last part is especially true .
This handsome checkerboard button-up is made in Portugal , using a “ lightweight fabric [ that ] was developed centuries ago for folks in India to feel comfortable during their scorching summers.
” Sounds epic , and looks pretty comfy too .
Best of all , it ’ s half off the list price right now .
It ’ s always helpful to have an absorbent towel handy while backpacking or exploring , but quality towels often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not Turkish Towels .
The brand ’ s Herringbone towel ( 40x70 ” ) is thin enough to roll into the approximate shape and size of a burrito , yet is claimed to be as absorbent as a beach towel .
It dries quickly and gets softer with each wash , too !
Save $ 15 right now from Huckberry .
Save $ 17 on this handsome cotton-linen short sleeve shirt from Wellen , which is lightweight and breathable—perfect for summer days and nights alike .
Huckberry says it ’ s “ lighter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as comfortable as hammock on a sunny day , ” which sounds pretty darn great to us .
This navy and green blanket stripe version is the cheapest of the bunch , with a salmon pinstripe version also available for a few bucks more .
Whether intended for cool summer nights or the autumn ahead , Grayers ’ Paragon quilted featherweight jacket is a thin and lightweight way to retain heat .
This nylon zip jacket is built to resist the wind without bulking you up , and right now it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Save $ 67 right now on this sleek and stylish Proof Elements jacket , which looks like the perfect option for cool summer nights and then autumn beyond .
The ThermoTech fabric warms up as you wear it , keeping you comfortable despite the thin build .

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

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


theroot--2020-09-11--Kind of a Big Deal: Luxury Conglomerate Kering Invests in Kerby Jean-Raymond's 'Community-Focused Pl

Kind of a Big Deal: Luxury Conglomerate Kering Invests in Kerby Jean-Raymond's 'Community-Focused Platform'

If the fashion industry ’ s wide variety of responses to our current—and very crucial—racial conversation have revealed nothing else , it ’ s that some folks were woefully unprepared to engage in this much-needed dialogue .
In some cases , watching companies scramble to find the appropriate response or redress has been nothing more than been clear confirmation that there was never any intention of including a diverse scope of voices ; there had to be a bottom line-based imperative to compel consideration and action .
But luxury label juggernaut Kering ( which owns Balenciaga , Yves Saint Laurent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) may have been well ahead of the curve of our current racial crisis , perhaps taking a cue from one of its holdings , Gucci , which has been reckoning with its diversity issues since early 2019 .
As W magazine reports , in 2019 , Kering set its sights on a partnership with one of the rising and most conscious stars of the fashion world , Pyer Moss founder and creative director Kerby Jean-Raymond .
According to the magazine , the two entities will partner on a new , “ incubator-esque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
[ It ] was this Thursday that Kering ’ s CEO and Chairman François-Henri Arnault announced his unequivocal support for Raymond and his latest fashion foray , Your Friends in New York .
There isn ’ t much in the way of specifics just yet , but Raymond is clearly stepping into a different world from Pyer Moss .
Your Friends in New York describes itself as a “ community-focused platform ” aimed at addressing the rapid evolutions of the fashion and retail industries , incorporating music , wellness , philanthropy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to explain that the format of Your Friends in New York ( a moniker which coincidentally currently adorns the postcard-like hangtags on Pyer Moss apparel ) is intended “ to create an ‘ ecosystem of creativity that reimagines how consumers discover and interact with brands.
” It will also encourage emerging designers to do the same , “ to empower the next generation of innovators , ” reads its sole post on Instagram .
Whatever that means , we ’ re here for it .
Unsurprising to those familiar with Jean-Raymond ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by us ” Black designer tradition , there will also be a community component , which aims at initiatives “ like providing mental health services to children and public housing residents , ” writes W. So far , Your Friends in New York sound like good friends to have .

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

If the fashion industry’s wide variety of responses to our current—and very crucial—racial conversation have revealed nothing else, it’s that some folks were woefully unprepared to engage in this much-needed dialogue. In some cases, watching companies scramble to find the appropriate response or redress has been nothing more than been clear confirmation that there was never any intention of including a diverse scope of voices; there had to be a bottom line-based imperative to compel consideration and action.
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But luxury label juggernaut Kering (which owns Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, and Bottega Veneta, among others) may have been well ahead of the curve of our current racial crisis, perhaps taking a cue from one of its holdings, Gucci, which has been reckoning with its diversity issues since early 2019. As W magazine reports, in 2019, Kering set its sights on a partnership with one of the rising and most conscious stars of the fashion world, Pyer Moss founder and creative director Kerby Jean-Raymond. According to the magazine, the two entities will partner on a new, “incubator-esque program” set to launch in 2021.
Via W:
[It] was this Thursday that Kering’s CEO and Chairman François-Henri Arnault announced his unequivocal support for Raymond and his latest fashion foray, Your Friends in New York. There isn’t much in the way of specifics just yet, but Raymond is clearly stepping into a different world from Pyer Moss. Your Friends in New York describes itself as a “community-focused platform” aimed at addressing the rapid evolutions of the fashion and retail industries, incorporating music, wellness, philanthropy, and art.
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The magazine goes on to explain that the format of Your Friends in New York (a moniker which coincidentally currently adorns the postcard-like hangtags on Pyer Moss apparel) is intended “to create an ‘ecosystem of creativity that reimagines how consumers discover and interact with brands.” It will also encourage emerging designers to do the same, “to empower the next generation of innovators,” reads its sole post on Instagram.
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Whatever that means, we’re here for it. Unsurprising to those familiar with Jean-Raymond’s proud place in the “for us, by us” Black designer tradition, there will also be a community component, which aims at initiatives “like providing mental health services to children and public housing residents,” writes W.
So far, Your Friends in New York sound like good friends to have.


theroot--2020-09-11--The Root's Clapback Mailbag: A Learning Experience

Today ’ s mailbag is dedicated to the people who inform Black people on how to overcome racism .
That ’ s why we ’ re all here , right ?
I can ’ t speak for anyone else but I ’ m here to learn about how to appreciate this great country .
I ’ m here to soak up the knowledge about how to move forward and forget the past .
I ’ m here because no one can whitesplain away whiteness like the white people who manufacture , distribute and profit from white supremacy .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white people .
Teach me , a humble negro servant , how to get past it all .
After reading several of your articles it ’ s my opinion that you truly are a racist .
As a person of Cherokee descendants that ’ s been identified as white at birth by my mother I have been on the receiving end of much discrimination due to my being born into a life of poverty not race .
My mother was a drunken whore .
The school that I attended as a young child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was kicked out of school the first time in the sixth grade for not being able to maintain a haircut that was acceptable to school officials .
Then I was kicked out again for the offense of smelling offensive to the teacher .
I was raised ghetto poor and was never given the opportunity to take SAT tests during my high school years at Hoquiam High School .
This type of discrimination wasn ’ t due to my race .
It was due to the economic situation I was born into .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right in front of school teachers who turned a blind eye to it every time .
The only reason I attended was in order to get a free lunch every day .
For you to insinuate that I was born into a advantageous life over that of Black Americans is a false narrative .
Otherwise known as fake news .
Now through many years of hard work in the timber industry I have risen to the position of supervisor at a whole log chipping facility .
I ’ m not a supervisor because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s because of my many years of hard work and dedication to my employer .
If anyone has received racial preference it would be African Americans who were allowed to enter college with lower SAT scores than their presumed white counterparts .
Discrimination in America follows economic lines more closely than it follows racial lines .
After reading several of your words , it is my opinion that you are truly a person named Harvey .
But instead of insulting you , let me explain how white privilege works .
First of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scintilla of evidence to support your belief that “ discrimination in America follows economic lines more closely than it follows racial lines.
” It is a fact that Black males whose parents have the same income and grew up in the same neighborhoods as white families still suffer from higher incarceration rates and wage inequality—even if they grew up on the same block .
It is a fact that a child born to wealthy Black parents is more likely to end up poor than the child of white parents who are already poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men receive longer prison sentences than similarly situated white men .
It is a fact that majority-Black schools receive fewer funds than majority white school districts .
It is a fact that Black women are paid less than any other group in America , even when wages are adjusted to account for education and experience .
Now that we know you are wrong , allow me to explain the concept of white privilege using a theoretical example that has absolutely nothing to do with you .
Let ’ s say there was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was poor and uneducated .
Being poor is bad ; no one would argue with that .
And I would never say it is impossible for Black children to succeed in America .
But let ’ s look at the facts .
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , last month , the Black unemployment rate was 13 percent , nearly twice the white unemployment rate of 7.3 percent .
The racial wage gap is 26.5 percent , according to the Economic Policy Institute .
The Sentencing Project notes that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white incarceration rate .
Therefore , we can safely assume these economic and social disparities are not due to race but because Black people are lazy , uneducated criminals who don ’ t want to work .
According to the American Council on Education , the Black high school graduation rate ( 89.1 percent ) isn ’ t twice as low as the white rate ( 94.1 percent ) .
The percentage of Black people with Associate ’ s or Bachelor ’ s degrees doesn ’ t explain the pay gap .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ searched and investigated more often than whites , we aren ’ t arrested at five times the rate of whites .
We aren ’ t even convicted at the levels that we are arrested .
Criminality still doesn ’ t explain the incarceration rate .
Racial crime rates don ’ t explain the disproportionate police killings .
White privilege doesn ’ t mean that white people don ’ t work hard , aren ’ t smart or aren ’ t poor .
It simply means that smart , hardworking , poor white people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with the additional burden of white supremacy .
Being white may not have catapulted you to chief tree-chipper but you had the privilege of avoiding those previously mentioned pitfalls .
What I ’ m trying to explain to you is that Black people are discriminated against because of these disparities .
And these disparities persist because people discriminate against Black people .
And despite your insistence on the “ economic ” explanation , there has never ever been a single person on the face of God ’ s green Earth who could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shootings , pay , wealth , education or criminal justice with logic , sociological differences or economic data .
And God knows , white people have tried .
Actual economists guffaw when dumb white people bring up Thomas Sowells ’ name because we know he is a Piggly Wiggly bag filled with cherry-picked assumptive nonsense .
Roland Fryer ’ s own school debunked his so-called “ study.
” Tucker Carlson ’ s opinions are routinely exposed as lies .
Charles Murray ’ s research is based on the premise that society is racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when people say inequality in America is due to “ economic ” or “ class-based , ” all I ask is that you prove it .
Here is something from an actual Jason Whitlock defender : Just last night , a bunch of journalists and I were out shooting white people in the face with our words when I was approached by Jason Whitlock .
As you know , Jason is a pretty big guy , so I quickly unholstered my Bic pen , jumped on my pedestal and asked him if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like you ’ re causing trouble for the white man , ” he replied from beneath the edges of his lopsided shapeup .
“ All lives matter !
” Fearing for my life , I released a barrage of multisyllabic metaphors straight into Whitlock ’ s distended belly .
He dropped to the ground immediately , looked up at me with a quizzical look in his eyes and whispered : “ Why ?
” But before I could answer , there were Whitlock protesters everywhere , screaming “ Whitlock Matters !
Whitlock Matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s union and they sent me a lawyer who delayed my interrogation while I got my story straight .
I eventually opted for a jury trial and laid out the evidence before a jury of my peers and testified on my own behalf .
Under oath , I explained that Whitlock deserved my verbal assassination because I was only protecting the public after Whitlock said LeBron was “ dangerous ” and called him a “ liar.
” “ If he said that about LeBron , what would he say about me or other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I used an equal and appropriate amount of force .
But I had to kill him because I feared for the safety of everyone involved.
” “ Objection !
” screamed the cross-examining attorney .
“ There is no evidence that Whitlock ’ s words would have hurt anyone !
He didn ’ t have on his writercam .
Move to strike from the record.
” The judge turned to me and said : “ Can you prove that Whitlock ’ s words presented a threat to anyone ?
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if everyone was waiting for me to provide something , anything that could prove that what I did to Jason Whitlock was warranted .
How could I show that he presented an existential threat to the nation ?
That ’ s when I pulled out your letter .
So Tony , thank you for reminding me how “ words affect people ” and that dangerous journalists like Whitlock “ are a bigger issues than police in this country.
” Because of you , I ’ m a free man .
Finally , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history .
Let ’ s “ get over ” history together .
First , you rewrite the Constitution .
Then you should randomly assign Black people homes in white neighborhoods to erase the history of redlining .
Then you got ta give back the money ( plus interest ) to the generations of people whose ancestors ’ work was stolen without pay .
Then you got ta refund the cash taken from Black people whose tax dollars were siphoned away from their communities to build Black schools .
You also have to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the people who were lynched and killed .
Then , we want the stolen property stolen from Native Americans .
You can deposit the GI Bill money stolen from Black soldiers .
You have to let us tell your daughters they were ugly and allow us to criminalize your sons .
You have to agree to keep quiet while we inflict generations of trauma on all white people and pay us to build statues that remind you of it .
And finally , when all of this is done , you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it lest you be accused of playing the victim or “ wallowing in self-pity.
” And then I ’ ll delete my tweet .
You go first .

Today’s mailbag is dedicated to the people who inform Black people on how to overcome racism. That’s why we’re all here, right?
I can’t speak for anyone else but I’m here to learn about how to appreciate this great country. I’m here to soak up the knowledge about how to move forward and forget the past. I’m here because no one can whitesplain away whiteness like the white people who manufacture, distribute and profit from white supremacy.
Advertisement
I’m here to learn about racism from white people.
Teach me, a humble negro servant, how to get past it all.
Teach me.
From: Harvey M.
To: Michael Harriot After reading several of your articles it’s my opinion that you truly are a racist. As a person of Cherokee descendants that’s been identified as white at birth by my mother I have been on the receiving end of much discrimination due to my being born into a life of poverty not race. My mother was a drunken whore. The school that I attended as a young child never let me forget it. I was kicked out of school the first time in the sixth grade for not being able to maintain a haircut that was acceptable to school officials. Then I was kicked out again for the offense of smelling offensive to the teacher. I was raised ghetto poor and was never given the opportunity to take SAT tests during my high school years at Hoquiam High School. This type of discrimination wasn’t due to my race. It was due to the economic situation I was born into. I was regularly beat up and bullied. Right in front of school teachers who turned a blind eye to it every time. The only reason I attended was in order to get a free lunch every day. For you to insinuate that I was born into a advantageous life over that of Black Americans is a false narrative. Otherwise known as fake news. Now through many years of hard work in the timber industry I have risen to the position of supervisor at a whole log chipping facility. I’m not a supervisor because I’m presumed white. It’s because of my many years of hard work and dedication to my employer. If anyone has received racial preference it would be African Americans who were allowed to enter college with lower SAT scores than their presumed white counterparts. Discrimination in America follows economic lines more closely than it follows racial lines. Sincerely Harvey M.
Dear Harvey,
After reading several of your words, it is my opinion that you are truly a person named Harvey. But instead of insulting you, let me explain how white privilege works.
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First of all, there isn’t a scintilla of evidence to support your belief that “discrimination in America follows economic lines more closely than it follows racial lines.” It is a fact that Black males whose parents have the same income and grew up in the same neighborhoods as white families still suffer from higher incarceration rates and wage inequality—even if they grew up on the same block. It is a fact that a child born to wealthy Black parents is more likely to end up poor than the child of white parents who are already poor. It is a fact that Black men receive longer prison sentences than similarly situated white men. It is a fact that majority-Black schools receive fewer funds than majority white school districts. It is a fact that Black women are paid less than any other group in America, even when wages are adjusted to account for education and experience.
Now that we know you are wrong, allow me to explain the concept of white privilege using a theoretical example that has absolutely nothing to do with you.
Advertisement
Let’s say there was a poor little white boy who suffered because he was poor and uneducated. Being poor is bad; no one would argue with that. And I would never say it is impossible for Black children to succeed in America. But let’s look at the facts.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, last month, the Black unemployment rate was 13 percent, nearly twice the white unemployment rate of 7.3 percent. The racial wage gap is 26.5 percent, according to the Economic Policy Institute. The Sentencing Project notes that the Black incarceration rate is five times the white incarceration rate. Therefore, we can safely assume these economic and social disparities are not due to race but because Black people are lazy, uneducated criminals who don’t want to work.
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But wait…
According to the American Council on Education, the Black high school graduation rate (89.1 percent) isn’t twice as low as the white rate (94.1 percent). The percentage of Black people with Associate’s or Bachelor’s degrees doesn’t explain the pay gap. And even though Black people are stopped, searched and investigated more often than whites, we aren’t arrested at five times the rate of whites. We aren’t even convicted at the levels that we are arrested. Criminality still doesn’t explain the incarceration rate. Racial crime rates don’t explain the disproportionate police killings.
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White privilege doesn’t mean that white people don’t work hard, aren’t smart or aren’t poor. It simply means that smart, hardworking, poor white people can overcome their circumstances without having to deal with the additional burden of white supremacy. Being white may not have catapulted you to chief tree-chipper but you had the privilege of avoiding those previously mentioned pitfalls.
What I’m trying to explain to you is that Black people are discriminated against because of these disparities. And these disparities persist because people discriminate against Black people.
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And despite your insistence on the “economic” explanation, there has never ever been a single person on the face of God’s green Earth who could explain away the racial disparities in police shootings, pay, wealth, education or criminal justice with logic, sociological differences or economic data.
And God knows, white people have tried.
Actual economists guffaw when dumb white people bring up Thomas Sowells’ name because we know he is a Piggly Wiggly bag filled with cherry-picked assumptive nonsense. Roland Fryer’s own school debunked his so-called “study.” Tucker Carlson’s opinions are routinely exposed as lies. Charles Murray’s research is based on the premise that society is racist with cause.
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So Mr. Timberland, when people say inequality in America is due to “economic” or “class-based,” all I ask is that you prove it.
I’ll wait.
Here is something from an actual Jason Whitlock defender:
From: Tony
To: Michael Harriot So when a black persons disagrees with your agenda, he is not black! What an asshole! And you wonder why we have racial issues in this country? Writers and journalists are a bigger issues than police in this country! Words affect people way more than 99% of the good cops Just to follow up that you are obviously the one with race issues judging from your timeline. Can it count the times black is used but yet you always want equality! No, you don’t, you want to be put on a pedestal
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Dear Tony,
You’re right.
Just last night, a bunch of journalists and I were out shooting white people in the face with our words when I was approached by Jason Whitlock. As you know, Jason is a pretty big guy, so I quickly unholstered my Bic pen, jumped on my pedestal and asked him if he had a problem.
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“You look like you’re causing trouble for the white man,” he replied from beneath the edges of his lopsided shapeup. “All lives matter!”
Fearing for my life, I released a barrage of multisyllabic metaphors straight into Whitlock’s distended belly. He dropped to the ground immediately, looked up at me with a quizzical look in his eyes and whispered: “Why?”
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But before I could answer, there were Whitlock protesters everywhere, screaming “Whitlock Matters! Whitlock Matters!” I called the writer’s union and they sent me a lawyer who delayed my interrogation while I got my story straight.
I eventually opted for a jury trial and laid out the evidence before a jury of my peers and testified on my own behalf. Under oath, I explained that Whitlock deserved my verbal assassination because I was only protecting the public after Whitlock said LeBron was “dangerous” and called him a “liar.”
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“If he said that about LeBron, what would he say about me or other innocent Black men?” I argued. “I used an equal and appropriate amount of force. But I had to kill him because I feared for the safety of everyone involved.”
“Objection!” screamed the cross-examining attorney. “There is no evidence that Whitlock’s words would have hurt anyone! He didn’t have on his writercam. Move to strike from the record.”
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The judge turned to me and said: “Can you prove that Whitlock’s words presented a threat to anyone?”
The courtroom fell silent. It felt as if everyone was waiting for me to provide something, anything that could prove that what I did to Jason Whitlock was warranted. How could I show that he presented an existential threat to the nation?
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“Well, your honor,” I said slowly. “There’s this.”
That’s when I pulled out your letter.
So Tony, thank you for reminding me how “words affect people” and that dangerous journalists like Whitlock “are a bigger issues than police in this country.”
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Because of you, I’m a free man.
Finally, a DM from someone who was angry at history.
From: Carson
To: Michael Harriot I’m tired of hearing snowflakes talk about statues and people who lived 100 years ago. Why do you wallow in the self pity of history? When will you ever get over it?
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Dear Carson,
You’re right.
Let’s “get over” history together. First, you rewrite the Constitution. Then you should randomly assign Black people homes in white neighborhoods to erase the history of redlining. Then you gotta give back the money (plus interest) to the generations of people whose ancestors’ work was stolen without pay. Then you gotta refund the cash taken from Black people whose tax dollars were siphoned away from their communities to build Black schools.
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You also have to find a way to pay back the families of the people who were lynched and killed. Then, we want the stolen property stolen from Native Americans. You can deposit the GI Bill money stolen from Black soldiers.
You have to let us tell your daughters they were ugly and allow us to criminalize your sons. You have to agree to keep quiet while we inflict generations of trauma on all white people and pay us to build statues that remind you of it. And finally, when all of this is done, you can’t say a goddamned word about it lest you be accused of playing the victim or “wallowing in self-pity.”
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And then I’ll delete my tweet.
You go first.


theroot--2020-09-11--Simone Oliver Named New Editor-in-Chief of Refinery29

It ’ s no secret that amid the racial uprisings that began in earnest this spring were parallel reckonings happening across industries , including entertainment , retail , tech and media .
In fact , in June , we reported on the complaints raised against several well-known media imprints as current and former employees bravely called out incidences of discrimination , sidelining , pay inequity , and not-so-microaggressions by almost exclusively white leadership across a variety of mastheads Among them was style site Refinery29 , which faced unprecedented upheaval as its co-founder and editor-in-chief Christine Barberich resigned amid accusations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toxic company culture ” where “ white women ’ s egos ruled , ” according to former employee Ashley C. Ford ( via Twitter ) .
Yet another writer , Ashley Alese Edwards , called out the company ’ s performative online presence on Blackout Tuesday , writing : As we reported in June : In response , Barberich stepped down on Monday , June 8 , announcing the immediate search for her replacement in a statement via Instagram that read , in part : I ’ ve read and taken in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women of color regarding their experiences inside our company at Refinery29 .
And , what ’ s clear from these experiences , is that R29 has to change .
We have to do better , and that starts with making room .
And , so I will be stepping aside in my role at R29 to help diversify our leadership in editorial and ensure this brand and the people it touches can spark a new defining chapter .
A chapter that demands a new voice—both for our team and our audience—one that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have the real power to shift and disrupt our culture , helping to eliminate institutional barriers that separate us and hold our society back .
...
It ’ s time for a new generation of leadership that ’ s truly reflective of the diversity of our audience with divergent points of view , one that builds and expands on our original mission to amplify and celebrate a wide range of voices , perspectives , and stories ... stories that need and deserve to be told .
After a no doubt exhaustive search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past two months , on Wednesday , the New York Times reported that Refinery29 's new editor-in-chief will be New York Times and Condé Nast veteran Simone Oliver , who has most recently led Facebook and Instagram ’ s partnerships with magazines and lifestyle brands , and “ will oversee Refinery29 's articles , videos , audience engagement efforts and partnerships with clothing companies and other brands , ” when she begins her new role on Sept. 30 , writes the Times , which also reports : As the Times notes , Oliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have come in the wake of a media industry disruption many feel has been long overdue .
In late August , publishing exec Dawn Davis was hired to replace embattled editor-in-chief of Bon Appetit , Adam Rapoport , while Elle Decor announced Wednesday that its next editor-in-chief will be Asad Syrkett .
Refinery29 , acquired last year by Vice Media ( which has faced its own top leadership resignations amid accusations of toxicity and harassment ) will now be in Oliver ’ s hands—and as she told the Times , she ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site a more progressive and inclusive one .
“ We can push even more on giving new and diverse voices—and not just race and gender—a seat at the table , ” she said .

It’s no secret that amid the racial uprisings that began in earnest this spring were parallel reckonings happening across industries, including entertainment, retail, tech and media. In fact, in June, we reported on the complaints raised against several well-known media imprints as current and former employees bravely called out incidences of discrimination, sidelining, pay inequity, and not-so-microaggressions by almost exclusively white leadership across a variety of mastheads
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Among them was style site Refinery29, which faced unprecedented upheaval as its co-founder and editor-in-chief Christine Barberich resigned amid accusations of creating and perpetuating a discriminatory and “toxic company culture” where “white women’s egos ruled, ”according to former employee Ashley C. Ford (via Twitter). Yet another writer, Ashley Alese Edwards, called out the company’s performative online presence on Blackout Tuesday, writing:
cool blacked out homepage! But you know what real allyship looks like? Paying your Black employees fairly, having Black women in top leadership positions & addressing the [microaggressions] your Black employees deal with from management on a daily basis.
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As we reported in June:
Edwards doubled down, calling on other current and former Refinery29 employees to share their stories of “discrimination and microaggressions [they’ve] experienced from management.” Her request garnered multiple responses, including an anecdote from writer Sesali Bowen about being confused for a caterer by a superior and recollection from writer Channing Hargrove of being asked to write “an apology piece to white women” after a piece she’d written about cultural appropriation went viral.
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In response, Barberich stepped down on Monday, June 8, announcing the immediate search for her replacement in a statement via Instagram that read, in part:
I’ve read and taken in the raw and personal accounts of Black women and women of color regarding their experiences inside our company at Refinery29. And, what’s clear from these experiences, is that R29 has to change. We have to do better, and that starts with making room. And, so I will be stepping aside in my role at R29 to help diversify our leadership in editorial and ensure this brand and the people it touches can spark a new defining chapter. A chapter that demands a new voice—both for our team and our audience—one that can shape and guide the critical stories that have the real power to shift and disrupt our culture, helping to eliminate institutional barriers that separate us and hold our society back. ... It’s time for a new generation of leadership that’s truly reflective of the diversity of our audience with divergent points of view, one that builds and expands on our original mission to amplify and celebrate a wide range of voices, perspectives, and stories...stories that need and deserve to be told.
Advertisement
After a no doubt exhaustive search for Barberich’s replacement over the past two months, on Wednesday, the New York Times reported that Refinery29's new editor-in-chief will be New York Times and Condé Nast veteran Simone Oliver, who has most recently led Facebook and Instagram’s partnerships with magazines and lifestyle brands, and “will oversee Refinery29's articles, videos, audience engagement efforts and partnerships with clothing companies and other brands,” when she begins her new role on Sept. 30, writes the Times, which also reports:
Ms. Oliver, who is Black, was the digital director of the Condé Nast beauty magazine Allure before her three-year stint at Facebook and its sibling site Instagram. At The Times, she was an editor and producer who led several early digital initiatives. In 2011, as the digital editor of Styles, she started @newyorktimesfashion, the paper’s first Instagram account.
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As the Times notes, Oliver is among a wave of new hires that have come in the wake of a media industry disruption many feel has been long overdue. In late August, publishing exec Dawn Davis was hired to replace embattled editor-in-chief of Bon Appetit, Adam Rapoport, while Elle Decor announced Wednesday that its next editor-in-chief will be Asad Syrkett. Refinery29, acquired last year by Vice Media (which has faced its own top leadership resignations amid accusations of toxicity and harassment) will now be in Oliver’s hands—and as she told the Times, she’s more than ready to make the site a more progressive and inclusive one.
“We can push even more on giving new and diverse voices—and not just race and gender—a seat at the table,” she said.


theroot--2020-09-11--NBA Players Robert Covington, Luol Deng Partner With Entrepreneur David Gross, NBPA to Revitalize So

NBA Players Robert Covington, Luol Deng Partner With Entrepreneur David Gross, NBPA to Revitalize South Side Chicago

More than ever before , professional athletes have committed themselves to serving as catalysts for change .
And while we ’ ve seen superstars like LeBron James launch voting initiatives , or rookies like Grant Williams create a mentorship program for Black and Brown youth , Houston Rockets forward Robert Covington and former NBA star Luol Deng are looking to do their part by partnering with entrepreneur David Gross to revitalize neighborhoods in Chicago .
Own Our Own , an inner-city focused real estate fund , today announces its first Chicago-based project in partnership with Houston Rockets forward Robert Covington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luol Deng .
Former players Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Matt Barnes are also investor-partners .
The impact investment project aims to transform a South Side of Chicago neighborhood through an affordable housing and community development initiative that will improve quality of life through increased public safety and access to critical social services .
According to the NBPA , this multi-phase project will enhance safety measures , build community gardens , renovate spaces for community resources and provide other improvements for a 143-unit multifamily property in the West Pullman neighborhood on the South Side of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community library , a dedicated STEM facility and space for residents to tend to their health and wellness .
“ We understand the challenges that long-term underinvestment in many black communities and cities has created : intergenerational poverty and trauma , violence , and health and educational gaps .
And we ’ re not afraid of them , ” David Gross , Own Our Own founder and CEO , said in a statement .
“ We want to help define a new normal of concentrated , sustained investment in inner-city communities , led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Own Our Own is the real estate investment arm of Our Opportunity , which prides itself on empowering Black communities with sustainable economic growth .
By investing in undervalued inner-city neighborhoods and providing access to safe and affordable housing to local residents , Own Our Own works in concert with Our Opportunity to “ support the broader ecosystem of critical services needed to build and sustain healthy communities.
” In contributing to this project , the NBPA Foundation will provide funding for sports initiatives that focus on fitness and mentorship opportunities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its renowned education programming .
“ As a union representing arguably the greatest concentration of Black male wealth and cultural influence , it ’ s both heartening and timely to see our players proactively invest in community impact , and have an opportunity to directly support their endeavors , ” Sherrie Deans , Executive Director of the NBPA Foundation and Acting COO of the NBPA , said in a statement .
“ Through Own Our Own , our players are investing in integrated solutions to community building that will seek to foster thriving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a part of the effort.
” To learn more about Own Our Own , you can visit their website here .

More than ever before, professional athletes have committed themselves to serving as catalysts for change. And while we’ve seen superstars like LeBron James launch voting initiatives, or rookies like Grant Williams create a mentorship program for Black and Brown youth, Houston Rockets forward Robert Covington and former NBA star Luol Deng are looking to do their part by partnering with entrepreneur David Gross to revitalize neighborhoods in Chicago.
From the National Basketball Players Association:
Own Our Own, an inner-city focused real estate fund, today announces its first Chicago-based project in partnership with Houston Rockets forward Robert Covington and former Chicago Bull and 2-time All-Star Luol Deng. Former players Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Matt Barnes are also investor-partners. The impact investment project aims to transform a South Side of Chicago neighborhood through an affordable housing and community development initiative that will improve quality of life through increased public safety and access to critical social services.
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According to the NBPA, this multi-phase project will enhance safety measures, build community gardens, renovate spaces for community resources and provide other improvements for a 143-unit multifamily property in the West Pullman neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. This will also include a community library, a dedicated STEM facility and space for residents to tend to their health and wellness.
“We understand the challenges that long-term underinvestment in many black communities and cities has created: intergenerational poverty and trauma, violence, and health and educational gaps. And we’re not afraid of them,” David Gross, Own Our Own founder and CEO, said in a statement. “We want to help define a new normal of concentrated, sustained investment in inner-city communities, led by people who care deeply about them.”
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Own Our Own is the real estate investment arm of Our Opportunity, which prides itself on empowering Black communities with sustainable economic growth. By investing in undervalued inner-city neighborhoods and providing access to safe and affordable housing to local residents, Own Our Own works in concert with Our Opportunity to “support the broader ecosystem of critical services needed to build and sustain healthy communities.”
In contributing to this project, the NBPA Foundation will provide funding for sports initiatives that focus on fitness and mentorship opportunities, while the Chicago Urban League will provide its renowned education programming.
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“As a union representing arguably the greatest concentration of Black male wealth and cultural influence, it’s both heartening and timely to see our players proactively invest in community impact, and have an opportunity to directly support their endeavors,” Sherrie Deans, Executive Director of the NBPA Foundation and Acting COO of the NBPA, said in a statement. “Through Own Our Own, our players are investing in integrated solutions to community building that will seek to foster thriving and holistic communities. We are excited to be a part of the effort.”
To learn more about Own Our Own, you can visit their website here.


theroot--2020-09-11--Family of Black Woman Who Died Attending a Slumber Party in Georgia Speaks Publicly for the First Ti

Family of Black Woman Who Died Attending a Slumber Party in Georgia Speaks Publicly for the First Time: ‘None of This Makes Sense’

The family of Tamla Horsford , a 40-year-old mother of five , is speaking out for the first time about her mysterious death at a 2018 slumber party in Forsyth County , Ga. Horsford , who was the only Black attendee of the slumber party , was found the next day face down in the backyard of the home .
Police ruled her death an accident , stating that , under the influence of alcohol , Xanax and marijuana , she must have fallen from a second-story deck of the house .
But that story never made sense to Horsford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play early on in the investigation due to the nature of her injuries .
“ We need answers that make sense .
None of this makes sense .
None of it , ” Horsford ’ s sister , Summer St .
Jour Jones told CNN in a recent interview ( h/t WABE ) .
A Rolling Stone article from July details how investigators treated the case and what has happened in the years since .
Horsford attended the adult slumber party in November 2018 to celebrate the birthday of her friend , Jeanne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was concerned about guests drinking and driving , so she invited guests to stay the night .
In total , 12 people ended up attending the party , including Meyers ’ boyfriend , Jose Barrerra , and the husband of another guest .
Eight people , including Horsford , planned to spend the night .
Horsford went to Meyers ’ home after making dinner for her family , bringing an overnight bag and a bottle of tequila .
She was known among friends as being the life of the party , Rolling Stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next day was shown to be quite high : .238 , almost three times the legal limit to drive in the state of Georgia .
But according to people attending the party—as well as photos and videos taken from that night—Horsford didn ’ t appear incoherent or sick at any point in that night .
So how , her family and friends say , did she manage to fall over a four-foot railing to her death , as police claim she did ?
“ Never ever ever have I seen my sister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt that she would pick a sleep-over with people she was just getting to know to start behaving that way , ” Jones said .
Ralph Fernandez , an attorney for Horsford ’ s family , has repeatedly pointed to inconsistencies in her injuries that make a second-story fall being the cause of death implausible .
According to the autopsy from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations , Horsford showed blunt force trauma to her head , neck , torso , and extremities , including abrasions of the face , four types of hemorrhages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the right wrist , and cuts on her arms and legs .
Additionally , she suffered a broken neck and laceration of the right ventricle of the heart .
According to the incident report written by lead investigator Mike Christian , Horsford ’ s body position was also examined at the scene .
“ Most notable , when Tamla was turned over was the fact she had come to rest face down , ” Christian writes .
“ Her head had not been canted to one side or the other.
” Horsford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her , with both feet pointing to the right , and her right arm close to her body .
Her left arm was found extended and bent at the elbow .
Fernandez recently noted to WABE the cuts on her hands and wrists are particularly suspicious , and could be “ defensive wound ” from fending off an attack .
He also questioned why security cameras at Meyers ’ homes just happened to be off the night Horsford died ( Barrerra , who made the call to 911 the next morning , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battery and stopped recording ) .
The attorney also says the police compromised the investigation into Horsford ’ s death in a way that will make it difficult to get answers .
No fingerprints were taken at the scene , and Barrerra admitted to moving Horsford ’ s body in order to check if she was alive .
He also moved an unlit cigarette and lighter on the deck before moving Horsford .
The scene of her death was never secured , and no sexual assault kit or fingernail clippings were collected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fernandez also pointed to the “ unheard of ” lack of autopsy photos , which he says must have been done at someone ’ s direction .
Barrerra , who worked as a pretrial officer , was later fired for using his position to access an incident report about Horsford ’ s death .
According to the Forsyth County News , Barrerra also leaked information about a close friend of Horsford , Michelle Graves , who has accused the attendees of the party—known as the Forsyth 12—of being responsible for Horsford ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from start to finish , ” Fernandez told WABE .
“ I am not saying that somebody killed her .
I am saying the overwhelming probability is that this was foul play and it was mishandled.
” He also expressed doubt that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation would adequately investigate the reopened case .
Spurred by this summer ’ s Black Lives Matter protests and renewed interest in the case , the GBI decided to reinvestigate Horsford ’ s death in June .
Jones , Horsford ’ s sister , is frustrated it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her family ’ s concerns seriously .
“ It ’ s unfortunate that it has to take other people ’ s heartbreak and other people ’ s loss for the proper attention to be given this case involving my sister .
”

The family of Tamla Horsford, a 40-year-old mother of five, is speaking out for the first time about her mysterious death at a 2018 slumber party in Forsyth County, Ga.
Horsford, who was the only Black attendee of the slumber party, was found the next day face down in the backyard of the home. Police ruled her death an accident, stating that, under the influence of alcohol, Xanax and marijuana, she must have fallen from a second-story deck of the house.
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But that story never made sense to Horsford’s family, who speculated foul play early on in the investigation due to the nature of her injuries.
“We need answers that make sense. None of this makes sense. None of it,” Horsford’s sister, Summer St. Jour Jones told CNN in a recent interview (h/t WABE).
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A Rolling Stone article from July details how investigators treated the case and what has happened in the years since.
Horsford attended the adult slumber party in November 2018 to celebrate the birthday of her friend, Jeanne Meyers, at her home. Meyers was concerned about guests drinking and driving, so she invited guests to stay the night. In total, 12 people ended up attending the party, including Meyers’ boyfriend, Jose Barrerra, and the husband of another guest. Eight people, including Horsford, planned to spend the night.
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Horsford went to Meyers’ home after making dinner for her family, bringing an overnight bag and a bottle of tequila. She was known among friends as being the life of the party, Rolling Stone reports, and her blood alcohol content the next day was shown to be quite high: .238, almost three times the legal limit to drive in the state of Georgia.
But according to people attending the party—as well as photos and videos taken from that night—Horsford didn’t appear incoherent or sick at any point in that night.
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So how, her family and friends say, did she manage to fall over a four-foot railing to her death, as police claim she did?
“Never ever ever have I seen my sister sloppy drunk and incoherent. So I doubt that she would pick a sleep-over with people she was just getting to know to start behaving that way,” Jones said.
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Ralph Fernandez, an attorney for Horsford’s family, has repeatedly pointed to inconsistencies in her injuries that make a second-story fall being the cause of death implausible.
From Rolling Stone:
According to the autopsy from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Horsford showed blunt force trauma to her head, neck, torso, and extremities, including abrasions of the face, four types of hemorrhages in the skull and brain, dislocation of the right wrist, and cuts on her arms and legs. Additionally, she suffered a broken neck and laceration of the right ventricle of the heart. According to the incident report written by lead investigator Mike Christian, Horsford’s body position was also examined at the scene. “Most notable, when Tamla was turned over was the fact she had come to rest face down,” Christian writes. “Her head had not been canted to one side or the other.” Horsford’s legs were found extended behind her, with both feet pointing to the right, and her right arm close to her body. Her left arm was found extended and bent at the elbow.
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Fernandez recently noted to WABE the cuts on her hands and wrists are particularly suspicious, and could be “defensive wound” from fending off an attack. He also questioned why security cameras at Meyers’ homes just happened to be off the night Horsford died (Barrerra, who made the call to 911 the next morning, told investigators the cameras had run out of battery and stopped recording).
The attorney also says the police compromised the investigation into Horsford’s death in a way that will make it difficult to get answers. No fingerprints were taken at the scene, and Barrerra admitted to moving Horsford’s body in order to check if she was alive. He also moved an unlit cigarette and lighter on the deck before moving Horsford. The scene of her death was never secured, and no sexual assault kit or fingernail clippings were collected. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Fernandez also pointed to the “unheard of” lack of autopsy photos, which he says must have been done at someone’s direction.
Advertisement
Barrerra, who worked as a pretrial officer, was later fired for using his position to access an incident report about Horsford’s death. According to the Forsyth County News, Barrerra also leaked information about a close friend of Horsford, Michelle Graves, who has accused the attendees of the party—known as the Forsyth 12—of being responsible for Horsford’s death.
“The case is compromised from start to finish,” Fernandez told WABE. “I am not saying that somebody killed her. I am saying the overwhelming probability is that this was foul play and it was mishandled.” He also expressed doubt that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation would adequately investigate the reopened case.
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Spurred by this summer’s Black Lives Matter protests and renewed interest in the case, the GBI decided to reinvestigate Horsford’s death in June.
Jones, Horsford’s sister, is frustrated it took so long for authorities to take her family’s concerns seriously.
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“It’s unfortunate that it has to take other people’s heartbreak and other people’s loss for the proper attention to be given this case involving my sister.”