A YouTube Employee Was Filmed Calling Police On A Black Man Waiting For A Friend
A YouTube employee was filmed calling police on a black man visiting a friend at a San Francisco condo building last week, after the employee suspected the man of trespassing. As the employee made the call his young son cried and urged him to stop.
In video posted to Facebook on July 4 by Wesly Michel, the man in the footage, identified as Christopher Cukor, is seen asking Michel to dial his friend on the callbox outside a residential building on Van Ness Avenue. When Michel refuses, Cukor takes out his phone and calls 911 as his son says, "Daddy, don't, don't, don't."
Michel, who works as a software engineer at Dictionary.com, according to his LinkedIn profile, tells Cukor in the video he's "going to be the next person on TV," a reference to a series of recent incidents in which white people have called the police on people of color for going about their lives.
"You don't need to threaten me you just need to get out of the building," Cukor replies to Michel.
As Cukor talks to dispatchers, his son pleads with him to stop.
"I don't like this. I don't like this," the child says as he begins to cry. "Daddy, I don't like this let's go."
Read more at Buzz Feed
In video posted to Facebook on July 4 by Wesly Michel, the man in the footage, identified as Christopher Cukor, is seen asking Michel to dial his friend on the callbox outside a residential building on Van Ness Avenue. When Michel refuses, Cukor takes out his phone and calls 911 as his son says, "Daddy, don't, don't, don't."
Michel, who works as a software engineer at Dictionary.com, according to his LinkedIn profile, tells Cukor in the video he's "going to be the next person on TV," a reference to a series of recent incidents in which white people have called the police on people of color for going about their lives.
"You don't need to threaten me you just need to get out of the building," Cukor replies to Michel.
As Cukor talks to dispatchers, his son pleads with him to stop.
"I don't like this. I don't like this," the child says as he begins to cry. "Daddy, I don't like this let's go."
Read more at Buzz Feed
Outrage over killing of black teen over rap music complaint
PHOENIX (AP) — Hundreds of people including a presidential candidate spoke out on Twitter this week after a 17-year-old black youth was killed at suburban convenience store, allegedly by a white man charged Tuesday with first-degree murder who has said he felt threatened by the boy's rap music.
Family members have told local media that Elijah Al-Amin would have turned 18 in two weeks and was looking forward to his last year in high school.
Friends and family hugged Monday at the Islamic Community Center in Tempe, where prayers for the teen were held before burial in Maricopa County.
A modest makeshift memorial outside the convenience store where Al-Amin was stabbed was still erected on Tuesday, with a pair of white porcelain angels, fresh flowers and burning calendars — including one dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Catholic patron saint of Mexico.
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office said it filed a direct complaint Tuesday charging Michael Adams, 27, in the Thursday morning killing. First-degree murder carries a sentence of life behind bars or death.
Adams is next scheduled to appear in court July 15.
The Twitter hashtag #JusticeForElijah began trending over the Independence Day weekend after police in the suburban Phoenix city of Peoria arrested Adams. He had been released from state prison two days before.
Read more at Yahoo.
Family members have told local media that Elijah Al-Amin would have turned 18 in two weeks and was looking forward to his last year in high school.
Friends and family hugged Monday at the Islamic Community Center in Tempe, where prayers for the teen were held before burial in Maricopa County.
A modest makeshift memorial outside the convenience store where Al-Amin was stabbed was still erected on Tuesday, with a pair of white porcelain angels, fresh flowers and burning calendars — including one dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Catholic patron saint of Mexico.
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office said it filed a direct complaint Tuesday charging Michael Adams, 27, in the Thursday morning killing. First-degree murder carries a sentence of life behind bars or death.
Adams is next scheduled to appear in court July 15.
The Twitter hashtag #JusticeForElijah began trending over the Independence Day weekend after police in the suburban Phoenix city of Peoria arrested Adams. He had been released from state prison two days before.
Read more at Yahoo.
Sen. Kamala Harris, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Introduce Bill To Help People With Criminal Records Get Housing
It is too often the case that people with criminal records, who have already paid their dues to society, face continued punishment through the system, such as being routinely denied access to education, jobs, and yes, housing.However, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) are looking to fix at least the housing aspect of these issues with their Fair Chance at Housing Act of 2019, introduced on Wednesday.
According to a press release, the legislation seeks to break down the barriers around securing federal housing assistance for people who have criminal records and for their families.
Among a list of initiatives, the bill plans to ban policies which allow tenants to be evicted for any singular incident of criminal activity, regardless of how minuscule the alleged crime, favoring a more holistic view.
The bill also wants to pan “no-fault” policies which permit for entire families to be evicted for the criminal activity of a guest of a tenant, even though no one in the household had any knowledge of the activity.
The Fair Chance at Housing Act of 2019 also calls for tenants who do get evicted due to criminal activity—and applicants who are denied housing due to criminal activity—be given proper written notice of that decision, and the opportunity to appeal it.
Read more at Essence
According to a press release, the legislation seeks to break down the barriers around securing federal housing assistance for people who have criminal records and for their families.
Among a list of initiatives, the bill plans to ban policies which allow tenants to be evicted for any singular incident of criminal activity, regardless of how minuscule the alleged crime, favoring a more holistic view.
The bill also wants to pan “no-fault” policies which permit for entire families to be evicted for the criminal activity of a guest of a tenant, even though no one in the household had any knowledge of the activity.
The Fair Chance at Housing Act of 2019 also calls for tenants who do get evicted due to criminal activity—and applicants who are denied housing due to criminal activity—be given proper written notice of that decision, and the opportunity to appeal it.
Read more at Essence
White Man Attacks And Violently Restrains 13-Year-Old Black Boy At Pittsburgh Playground
A viral video recorded at a children’s playground in Pittsburgh shows an adult white man physically restraining a Black 13-year-old boy and refusing to let him leave.
According to WPXI, the man, who was identified as Thomas D’Andrea, told police he believed the boy was vandalizing the playground and a nearby abandoned truck. However, both the boy and his mother refuted the story.
Shalaya Hasbrouck, who goes by Shalayla McGovern on Facebook, posted two videos on her Facebook page from the incident. In the caption, she explained her 13-year-old son had gone to a park to retrieve his sister’s phone charger when D’Andrea accused the boy of vandalizing a truck.
Hasbrouck said D’Andrea hit her son, which provoked her son to hit him back.
“He got upset because my son hit him back. He thought that because he was an adult he could put his hands on someone and the child wasn’t gonna do anything. The next thing you know, they’re on top of the slide. He pins my son down, threatens my daughter,” Hasbrouck told The Root. “Thankfully my daughter had enough sense to record it.”
In the video, Hasbrouck’s daughter can be heard emotionally begging D’Andrea to get off of her brother. However, the grown man says he is going to restrain the boy until the police arrive.
The boy’s mother and father did not arrive on the scene until after the police arrived. Investigators questioned the child, who said he never vandalized any property and that D’Andrea began attacking him unprovoked.
Read more at BET
According to WPXI, the man, who was identified as Thomas D’Andrea, told police he believed the boy was vandalizing the playground and a nearby abandoned truck. However, both the boy and his mother refuted the story.
Shalaya Hasbrouck, who goes by Shalayla McGovern on Facebook, posted two videos on her Facebook page from the incident. In the caption, she explained her 13-year-old son had gone to a park to retrieve his sister’s phone charger when D’Andrea accused the boy of vandalizing a truck.
Hasbrouck said D’Andrea hit her son, which provoked her son to hit him back.
“He got upset because my son hit him back. He thought that because he was an adult he could put his hands on someone and the child wasn’t gonna do anything. The next thing you know, they’re on top of the slide. He pins my son down, threatens my daughter,” Hasbrouck told The Root. “Thankfully my daughter had enough sense to record it.”
In the video, Hasbrouck’s daughter can be heard emotionally begging D’Andrea to get off of her brother. However, the grown man says he is going to restrain the boy until the police arrive.
The boy’s mother and father did not arrive on the scene until after the police arrived. Investigators questioned the child, who said he never vandalized any property and that D’Andrea began attacking him unprovoked.
Read more at BET
Feeling frustrated and betrayed in Flint
About 100 people filed into UAW Local 659 hall in Flint, Mich., to get a formal update and explanation as to why the new team of prosecutors dropped all criminal charges against city and state officials who had a hand in creating the worst ecological disasters to affect Black people in this country in recent memory.
The officials showed up on a Friday, June 28, to talk to Flint residents who have been without clean and safe drinking water for more than five years, and it’s been three years since those responsible were hit with criminal charges for the decision. But in mid-June, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, led by the newly-elected Dana Nessell, dismissed all criminal charges against those who played a role in the water crisis. A total of 15 state and local officials had been charged with crimes as serious as involuntary manslaughter, with eight still awaiting trial before the legal maneuver was made. Seven others have already taken plea deals.
Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud and Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy stood in front of the audience and tried to justify their controversial decision.
“We know that you have concerns. We know that you have questions. And quite frankly we know that you’re angry,” Mrs. Hammoud told the crowd. “We know that there are many deaths out there, yet to be investigated. And it is our obligation—when we accepted this position, when we take an oath to represent the people of the state of Michigan—to investigate those deaths. Those families deserve it.”
Ms. Hammoud said that within a month’s time, their own investigation team uncovered approximately 20 million documents the previous prosecutorial team seemed to have been unable to find in the three years they worked on the case. She blamed Andy Arena, the former director of the FBI’s Detroit office, for failing to properly handle all searches related to critical documents. “We have received information that is absolutely relevant to our investigation that we have never had before ... . There were some phone dumps we never had. And the first thing we said, ‘If we don’t have this, what else don’t we have?’ ” asked Ms. Hammoud.
Representatives of the Michigan Attorney General’s office showed the audience a number of heavily redacted, critical documents related to the case that were uncovered during their review of the previous file. Kym Worthy, who was brought in by Attorney General Nessel to help with jumpstarting the new investigation, told the audience about the newly-discovered documents. “I’ve never seen anything like it. That causes questions. Was this a real investigation?” she asked.
As much as $31 million of taxpayer money has already been spent on the previous investigation and legal proceedings. News of the dropped charges was not only a blow to the people of Flint, but added to a strong feeling of distrust of both city and state political leaders, and a feeling of despair that after their 62-month-long, ongoing struggle, justice may never be served.
Read more at Final Call
The officials showed up on a Friday, June 28, to talk to Flint residents who have been without clean and safe drinking water for more than five years, and it’s been three years since those responsible were hit with criminal charges for the decision. But in mid-June, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, led by the newly-elected Dana Nessell, dismissed all criminal charges against those who played a role in the water crisis. A total of 15 state and local officials had been charged with crimes as serious as involuntary manslaughter, with eight still awaiting trial before the legal maneuver was made. Seven others have already taken plea deals.
Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud and Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy stood in front of the audience and tried to justify their controversial decision.
“We know that you have concerns. We know that you have questions. And quite frankly we know that you’re angry,” Mrs. Hammoud told the crowd. “We know that there are many deaths out there, yet to be investigated. And it is our obligation—when we accepted this position, when we take an oath to represent the people of the state of Michigan—to investigate those deaths. Those families deserve it.”
Ms. Hammoud said that within a month’s time, their own investigation team uncovered approximately 20 million documents the previous prosecutorial team seemed to have been unable to find in the three years they worked on the case. She blamed Andy Arena, the former director of the FBI’s Detroit office, for failing to properly handle all searches related to critical documents. “We have received information that is absolutely relevant to our investigation that we have never had before ... . There were some phone dumps we never had. And the first thing we said, ‘If we don’t have this, what else don’t we have?’ ” asked Ms. Hammoud.
Representatives of the Michigan Attorney General’s office showed the audience a number of heavily redacted, critical documents related to the case that were uncovered during their review of the previous file. Kym Worthy, who was brought in by Attorney General Nessel to help with jumpstarting the new investigation, told the audience about the newly-discovered documents. “I’ve never seen anything like it. That causes questions. Was this a real investigation?” she asked.
As much as $31 million of taxpayer money has already been spent on the previous investigation and legal proceedings. News of the dropped charges was not only a blow to the people of Flint, but added to a strong feeling of distrust of both city and state political leaders, and a feeling of despair that after their 62-month-long, ongoing struggle, justice may never be served.
Read more at Final Call
Rapper Nipsey Hussle and accused killer talked about snitching before shooting: media
(Reuters) - Rapper Nipsey Hussle and the man accused of killing him talked about "snitching" before the rap star was shot dead, according to court documents released Thursday, media reports said.
The more than 500 pages of grand jury testimony released by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge contain the first chronology of the March 31 attack in which Hussle, 33, was shot multiple times and two others were wounded by gunfire.
Eric Ronald Holder, 29, pleaded not guilty on April 4 to charges of killing the Grammy Award-nominated rapper, whose real name was Ermias Asghedom, and was ordered held on $5 million bail.
After the talk about snitching, Hussle's accused shooter left in a car then returned a half-hour later and shot Hussle outside of his clothing store in south Los Angeles, the court papers said, according to media accounts.
"You got me," Hussle reportedly said after he fell. The gunman then kicked him twice in the head before fleeing.
The Los Angeles Times argued in court for public access to the transcripts while Holder's public defender argued against their disclosure, saying it could jeopardize his client's right to a fair trial, media reported.
According to the papers, Hussle spent part of the afternoon signing autographs and taking photos with fans outside of his store, the Times and other media reported, including taking a selfie with the woman who drove Holder to the parking lot.
Deputy District Attorney John McKinney told a grand jury that Holder approached Hussle and the two had a short conversation, according to media accounts of the documents.
"Apparently, the conversation had something to do with [Hussle] telling Mr. Holder that word on the street was that Mr. Holder was snitching," McKinney said in the court transcripts, adding that snitching was a serious offense among gang members.
Read more at Yahoo.
The more than 500 pages of grand jury testimony released by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge contain the first chronology of the March 31 attack in which Hussle, 33, was shot multiple times and two others were wounded by gunfire.
Eric Ronald Holder, 29, pleaded not guilty on April 4 to charges of killing the Grammy Award-nominated rapper, whose real name was Ermias Asghedom, and was ordered held on $5 million bail.
After the talk about snitching, Hussle's accused shooter left in a car then returned a half-hour later and shot Hussle outside of his clothing store in south Los Angeles, the court papers said, according to media accounts.
"You got me," Hussle reportedly said after he fell. The gunman then kicked him twice in the head before fleeing.
The Los Angeles Times argued in court for public access to the transcripts while Holder's public defender argued against their disclosure, saying it could jeopardize his client's right to a fair trial, media reported.
According to the papers, Hussle spent part of the afternoon signing autographs and taking photos with fans outside of his store, the Times and other media reported, including taking a selfie with the woman who drove Holder to the parking lot.
Deputy District Attorney John McKinney told a grand jury that Holder approached Hussle and the two had a short conversation, according to media accounts of the documents.
"Apparently, the conversation had something to do with [Hussle] telling Mr. Holder that word on the street was that Mr. Holder was snitching," McKinney said in the court transcripts, adding that snitching was a serious offense among gang members.
Read more at Yahoo.
Suicide rates are rising significantly among African American teens
A large-scale study from The University of Toledo of young African Americans who have attempted or died by suicide suggests there is a greater need for mental health services in urban school districts, and that we need to do a better job in convincing parents and caregivers to safely secure firearms and ammunition in the home. Taking those measures, Dr. James Price said, could save lives.
Price, UToledo professor emeritus of health education and public health at UToledo, recently authored the largest study to date that examines suicidal behaviors of African American adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19.
The study, which was published in the Journal of Community Health, found the rate of suicide deaths among young black males increased by 60 percent from 2001 through 2017. Researchers documented a 182 percent increase in the rate of suicide deaths of young black females during that same time period.
Georgia had the highest rate in the nation, at 5.8 per 100,000 people, between 2015 and 2017. Following that was Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Ohio.
"There are far more African American adolescents attempting suicide than has been recognized in the past, and their attempts are starting to be much more lethal," Price said.
Read more at Eurekalert
Price, UToledo professor emeritus of health education and public health at UToledo, recently authored the largest study to date that examines suicidal behaviors of African American adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19.
The study, which was published in the Journal of Community Health, found the rate of suicide deaths among young black males increased by 60 percent from 2001 through 2017. Researchers documented a 182 percent increase in the rate of suicide deaths of young black females during that same time period.
Georgia had the highest rate in the nation, at 5.8 per 100,000 people, between 2015 and 2017. Following that was Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Ohio.
"There are far more African American adolescents attempting suicide than has been recognized in the past, and their attempts are starting to be much more lethal," Price said.
Read more at Eurekalert
Police: Maryland Mom Slapped 13-Year-Old Daughter For Reporting Sex Abuse And Told Her ‘Shut Up’
Recently released court documents reveal the tragic story of a 13-year-old Maryland girl who confided in her mother about sexual abuse involving a family friend.
According to WJLA 7, the teen told social workers in January that in 2016 Mahlik “Moon” Kone would frequently stay in the family’s apartment where he would allegedly sneak into the girl’s bedroom and initiate unwanted touching.
The girl, who remains unnamed because she’s a minor, also told social workers Kone, who was allegedly known to carry a firearm, would threaten her with violence if she reported the abuse.
The girl says she eventually informed her mother about the molestation to seek support, but was slapped and told to “shut up.” The mom, who has since died, also reportedly told Kone what her daughter had confided in her and it reportedly set him off.
"[The victim] advised the next night after she told her mother, Kone threw her against the wall, slapped her and threatened to do something to her if she ever said anything again," an officer with Montgomery County's Special Victims Investigations Division relayed in court documents, obtained by WJLA 7.
Read more at BET.
According to WJLA 7, the teen told social workers in January that in 2016 Mahlik “Moon” Kone would frequently stay in the family’s apartment where he would allegedly sneak into the girl’s bedroom and initiate unwanted touching.
The girl, who remains unnamed because she’s a minor, also told social workers Kone, who was allegedly known to carry a firearm, would threaten her with violence if she reported the abuse.
The girl says she eventually informed her mother about the molestation to seek support, but was slapped and told to “shut up.” The mom, who has since died, also reportedly told Kone what her daughter had confided in her and it reportedly set him off.
"[The victim] advised the next night after she told her mother, Kone threw her against the wall, slapped her and threatened to do something to her if she ever said anything again," an officer with Montgomery County's Special Victims Investigations Division relayed in court documents, obtained by WJLA 7.
Read more at BET.
Oprah Explains Why She Doesn't Want To Be Called 'Auntie'
PSA: You might want to think the next time you decide to add the 5-letter moniker "Auntie" before your favorite celebrities’ name!
In the Black community, it’s not uncommon for someone to earn the label “Auntie” after displaying some serious #BlackGirlMagic and sharing major words of wisdom, but it beckons the question: Is it received as a term of endearment or considered an insult?
The question is raised after When They See Us director Ava DuVernay admitted on Van Lathan's podcast, The Red Pill, that she doesn’t love being called “Auntie Ava" on Twitter.
"Auntie Ava? Why? Am I that old?!" the 46-year-old asked. "Because I don’t feel that old! And it’s not a respect thing…Auntie Ava, like…Aunt Jemima?"
Sparking the debate as to whether calling someone older than you “Auntie” is ageist, OprahMag.com spoke with Ava’s friends Oprah and Gayle King to get their opinion.
Turns out, the media moguls do not like the term either.
"I cringe being called Auntie or Mama by anybody other than my nieces or godchildren," Oprah said. "Except if I’m in Africa, where it’s the custom for everybody to refer to anyone older as 'Sister,' or 'Auntie,' depending on the age difference. And there, no one refers to anyone older by their first name, out of respect."
Read more at BET
In the Black community, it’s not uncommon for someone to earn the label “Auntie” after displaying some serious #BlackGirlMagic and sharing major words of wisdom, but it beckons the question: Is it received as a term of endearment or considered an insult?
The question is raised after When They See Us director Ava DuVernay admitted on Van Lathan's podcast, The Red Pill, that she doesn’t love being called “Auntie Ava" on Twitter.
"Auntie Ava? Why? Am I that old?!" the 46-year-old asked. "Because I don’t feel that old! And it’s not a respect thing…Auntie Ava, like…Aunt Jemima?"
Sparking the debate as to whether calling someone older than you “Auntie” is ageist, OprahMag.com spoke with Ava’s friends Oprah and Gayle King to get their opinion.
Turns out, the media moguls do not like the term either.
"I cringe being called Auntie or Mama by anybody other than my nieces or godchildren," Oprah said. "Except if I’m in Africa, where it’s the custom for everybody to refer to anyone older as 'Sister,' or 'Auntie,' depending on the age difference. And there, no one refers to anyone older by their first name, out of respect."
Read more at BET
'Empire' actor Bryshere Gray, who plays Jussie Smollett's brother, arrested on traffic offense
CHICAGO (AP) — Another “Empire” actor has been arrested in Chicago, but this time on a traffic-related offense.
Police spokeswoman Karie James said Monday that Bryshere Gray, who plays a younger brother of Jussie Smollett’s character on the Chicago-based Fox TV show, was pulled over Thursday because a temporary license plate didn’t match the 2014 Rolls Royce he was driving.
She says he was arrested on a misdemeanor registration charge and ticketed for driving an uninsured vehicle and failure to carry a driver’s license.
James says the 25-year-old Gray isn’t in custody, but it wasn’t immediately clear when he was released.
Smollett was arrested earlier this year on charges alleging that he had lied to police when he claimed he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in January. Prosecutors later dropped the charges.
Police spokeswoman Karie James said Monday that Bryshere Gray, who plays a younger brother of Jussie Smollett’s character on the Chicago-based Fox TV show, was pulled over Thursday because a temporary license plate didn’t match the 2014 Rolls Royce he was driving.
She says he was arrested on a misdemeanor registration charge and ticketed for driving an uninsured vehicle and failure to carry a driver’s license.
James says the 25-year-old Gray isn’t in custody, but it wasn’t immediately clear when he was released.
Smollett was arrested earlier this year on charges alleging that he had lied to police when he claimed he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in January. Prosecutors later dropped the charges.
News Parkland Shooting Survivor Kyle Kashuv Loses His Place at Harvard After Racist Text Messages Surface
Sometimes, life comes at you fast. And Kyle Kashuv, the pro-gun teen who was among the survivors of the mass shooting at Parkland, Fla.’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, seems to be learning that lesson the hard way.
On Monday, Kashuv shared his astonishment that Harvard had rescinded his admission because of his use of racial slurs in texts he sent two years ago, HuffPost reports.
The texts included repeated use of the word “nigger,” including the uhm, observation: “like im really good at typing nigger ok like practice uhhhhhh makes perfect son??!!”
HuffPost reported last month on the existence of the racist messages, for which Kashuv, now 18, apologized, saying: “We were 16-year-olds making idiotic comments, using callous and inflammatory language in an effort to be as extreme and shocking as possible.”
But in a case where actions seem to have had consequences, Harvard apparently decided to nix Kashuv’s acceptance into the Class of 2023.
Read more at The Root.
On Monday, Kashuv shared his astonishment that Harvard had rescinded his admission because of his use of racial slurs in texts he sent two years ago, HuffPost reports.
The texts included repeated use of the word “nigger,” including the uhm, observation: “like im really good at typing nigger ok like practice uhhhhhh makes perfect son??!!”
HuffPost reported last month on the existence of the racist messages, for which Kashuv, now 18, apologized, saying: “We were 16-year-olds making idiotic comments, using callous and inflammatory language in an effort to be as extreme and shocking as possible.”
But in a case where actions seem to have had consequences, Harvard apparently decided to nix Kashuv’s acceptance into the Class of 2023.
Read more at The Root.
Mom outraged police questioned son, 10, who brought fake money to school: 'My nightmare has come true'
After a 10-year-old boy was confronted by law enforcement for having fake money, his mother is saying her “nightmare has come true.”
Tiffany Kelly’s son has ADHD, non-verbal learning disorder; he may also have autism spectrum disorder. When he expressed excitement about learning to count cash, the 43-year-old mom bought him play money to use from Amazon.
While the bank note looks similar to a U.S. $100 bill, it has bright red Chinese characters near Benjamin Franklin and dark black dashes through the numerals to distinguish it as a phony currency. “I didn’t think it would be a huge problem because there are marks that distinguish it from being real,” Kelly tells Yahoo Lifestyle.
But on the morning of May 14, Kelly’s son boarded the bus to his elementary school with his fake bills. And, as Kelly explained in a Change.org petition, passed out the money to his peers “in an attempt for socialization.”
The bus driver later found one of the faux bank notes at the bus depot. Believing the money to be counterfeit, the driver and the bus supervisor called in local authorities. After reviewing surveillance footage showing the bill belonged to Kelly’s kid, a police officer went to the child’s elementary school to interrogate the fourth-grader.
Read more at Yahoo.com
Tiffany Kelly’s son has ADHD, non-verbal learning disorder; he may also have autism spectrum disorder. When he expressed excitement about learning to count cash, the 43-year-old mom bought him play money to use from Amazon.
While the bank note looks similar to a U.S. $100 bill, it has bright red Chinese characters near Benjamin Franklin and dark black dashes through the numerals to distinguish it as a phony currency. “I didn’t think it would be a huge problem because there are marks that distinguish it from being real,” Kelly tells Yahoo Lifestyle.
But on the morning of May 14, Kelly’s son boarded the bus to his elementary school with his fake bills. And, as Kelly explained in a Change.org petition, passed out the money to his peers “in an attempt for socialization.”
The bus driver later found one of the faux bank notes at the bus depot. Believing the money to be counterfeit, the driver and the bus supervisor called in local authorities. After reviewing surveillance footage showing the bill belonged to Kelly’s kid, a police officer went to the child’s elementary school to interrogate the fourth-grader.
Read more at Yahoo.com
Black Student Protest Leads to Prosecutor in the Central Park 5 Case Quitting Her Columbia Law School Job
Another day, another example of karma coming for folks in the fallout over the wrongful prosecutions of the Central Park Five.
Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Lederer has quit her part-time gig as a professor at Columbia Law School after renewed calls for her ouster by the Black Law Students Association, the New York Daily News reports.
Three decades ago, Lederer, along with Linda Fairstein, led the wrongful prosecution of a group of five black and brown boys in the rape and beating of a white jogger in New York’s iconic Central Park.
Ava DuVernay’s recently released Netflix docudrama about what happened to those boys-turned-men, When They See Us, has renewed interest in the legal travesty, and a backlash has ensued against some of the key players in the case.
On Wednesday, it was apparently Lederer’s turn.
In a statement, Lederer referenced the docudrama in explaining her decision to resign her position as a part-time lecturer at Columbia Law, the Washington Post reports.
“[...] given the nature of the recent publicity generated by the Netflix portrayal of the Central Park case, it is best for me not to renew my teaching application,” Lederer said, according to the Post.
Read more at the Root.
Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Lederer has quit her part-time gig as a professor at Columbia Law School after renewed calls for her ouster by the Black Law Students Association, the New York Daily News reports.
Three decades ago, Lederer, along with Linda Fairstein, led the wrongful prosecution of a group of five black and brown boys in the rape and beating of a white jogger in New York’s iconic Central Park.
Ava DuVernay’s recently released Netflix docudrama about what happened to those boys-turned-men, When They See Us, has renewed interest in the legal travesty, and a backlash has ensued against some of the key players in the case.
On Wednesday, it was apparently Lederer’s turn.
In a statement, Lederer referenced the docudrama in explaining her decision to resign her position as a part-time lecturer at Columbia Law, the Washington Post reports.
“[...] given the nature of the recent publicity generated by the Netflix portrayal of the Central Park case, it is best for me not to renew my teaching application,” Lederer said, according to the Post.
Read more at the Root.
FBI Joins Probe Into Mysterious Deaths Of Americans At Dominican Republic Resorts
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is helping to investigate the mysterious deaths of at least three American tourists who died suddenly while staying at the same resort in the Dominican Republic.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo, officials in the Dominican Republic asked the FBI to assist in conducting toxicology analysis on the bodies and the resorts run by the Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts.
"The safety of U.S. citizens that live in, work in, and visit the Dominican Republic remains our highest priority," Robin Bernstein, the U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, said in a statement to ABC News. "These incidents are tragic and we offer our deepest condolences to those personally impacted."
FBI officials also said toxicology reports may take up to 30 days.
"We ask everyone to be patient while these investigations run their course," the statement reads.
The FBI's probe began after an engaged Maryland couple and a Pennsylvania woman died in neighboring Grand Bahia Principe resorts within a five-day span in May.
The relatives of Edward Nathaniel Holmes, 63, and Cynthia Ann Day, 49, want independent autopsies performed on the couple, who Dominican authorities say they died of respiratory failure and pulmonary edema.
Read more at BET
According to the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo, officials in the Dominican Republic asked the FBI to assist in conducting toxicology analysis on the bodies and the resorts run by the Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts.
"The safety of U.S. citizens that live in, work in, and visit the Dominican Republic remains our highest priority," Robin Bernstein, the U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, said in a statement to ABC News. "These incidents are tragic and we offer our deepest condolences to those personally impacted."
FBI officials also said toxicology reports may take up to 30 days.
"We ask everyone to be patient while these investigations run their course," the statement reads.
The FBI's probe began after an engaged Maryland couple and a Pennsylvania woman died in neighboring Grand Bahia Principe resorts within a five-day span in May.
The relatives of Edward Nathaniel Holmes, 63, and Cynthia Ann Day, 49, want independent autopsies performed on the couple, who Dominican authorities say they died of respiratory failure and pulmonary edema.
Read more at BET
Oregon Senate passes bill punishing racist 911 callers
Almost a year after Oregon state Rep. Janelle Bynum’s story of being questioned by police after a 911 call on her as she campaigned in her district went viral and sparked the hashtag #CampaigningWhileBlack, Oregon state senators have passed a bill that would allow the victims of frivolous, discriminatory 911 calls to sue the callers.
On Monday, the Oregon state Senate passed House bill 3216, a measure introduced by the state’s three black Democratic legislators, including Bynum. The bill allows victims of these calls to sue a 911 caller for as much as $250 if the victim can prove that the 911 call was racially motivated and that the caller intended to discriminate or harm the reputation of the victim.
The legislation was overwhelmingly supported by state lawmakers of both parties, but it was deeply personal for Bynum, the only black legislator in the Oregon House (the other two black legislators serve in the state Senate.)
”When someone gets the police called on them for just existing in public, it sends a message that you don’t belong here,” Bynum told the Associated Press on Monday. “This creates a legal pathway to justice.”
The bill, which passed the Oregon House in April, will return to that chamber to resolve a minor discrepancy. If the new version of the bill is approved, the measure will be sent to the desk of Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat.
The bill comes as legislators in several cities and states are debating how to best respond to unnecessary 911 calls on black residents after a number of high-profile “Living While Black” incidents have gone viral.
Read more at Vox
On Monday, the Oregon state Senate passed House bill 3216, a measure introduced by the state’s three black Democratic legislators, including Bynum. The bill allows victims of these calls to sue a 911 caller for as much as $250 if the victim can prove that the 911 call was racially motivated and that the caller intended to discriminate or harm the reputation of the victim.
The legislation was overwhelmingly supported by state lawmakers of both parties, but it was deeply personal for Bynum, the only black legislator in the Oregon House (the other two black legislators serve in the state Senate.)
”When someone gets the police called on them for just existing in public, it sends a message that you don’t belong here,” Bynum told the Associated Press on Monday. “This creates a legal pathway to justice.”
The bill, which passed the Oregon House in April, will return to that chamber to resolve a minor discrepancy. If the new version of the bill is approved, the measure will be sent to the desk of Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat.
The bill comes as legislators in several cities and states are debating how to best respond to unnecessary 911 calls on black residents after a number of high-profile “Living While Black” incidents have gone viral.
Read more at Vox
Campground Worker Who Pulled Gun On Black Couple Charged With A Crime Ruby Howell of Starkville, Mississippi, was charged with a single misdemeano
A Mississippi woman has been charged with a crime after she pulled a gun on a black couple having a picnic at the campground where she worked.
Ruby Howell, 70, turned herself in to the Oktibbeha County Jail on Tuesday on a single misdemeanor charge of threatening exhibition of a weapon, The Starkville Daily News reported.
Jessica Richardson and her husband, Franklin Richardson, say they were picnicking by Oktibbeha County Lake on May 26 when Howell, who is white, approached them with a gun, identified herself as the property manager of Kampgrounds of America Starkville and ordered them to leave.
“This lady literally just pulled a gun because we out here and didn’t have reservations for a lake that we didn’t even know we had to have reservation for,” Jessica said in the video.
Kampgrounds of America fired Howell after video of the incident, captured by Jessica on her cellphone and posted to her Facebook page, went viral.
“RACISM IS ALIVE AND WELL!!” Jessica posted on her Facebook page with video of the incident from earlier that day.
Read more at HuffPost
Ruby Howell, 70, turned herself in to the Oktibbeha County Jail on Tuesday on a single misdemeanor charge of threatening exhibition of a weapon, The Starkville Daily News reported.
Jessica Richardson and her husband, Franklin Richardson, say they were picnicking by Oktibbeha County Lake on May 26 when Howell, who is white, approached them with a gun, identified herself as the property manager of Kampgrounds of America Starkville and ordered them to leave.
“This lady literally just pulled a gun because we out here and didn’t have reservations for a lake that we didn’t even know we had to have reservation for,” Jessica said in the video.
Kampgrounds of America fired Howell after video of the incident, captured by Jessica on her cellphone and posted to her Facebook page, went viral.
“RACISM IS ALIVE AND WELL!!” Jessica posted on her Facebook page with video of the incident from earlier that day.
Read more at HuffPost
‘Empire’ Star Terrence Howard Under Criminal Investigation for Tax Evasion
“Empire” star Terrence Howard is currently being investigated by the federal government for criminal tax evasion.
According to court documents obtained by The Blast, the feds are interested in possible financial crimes committed by Howard, his third wife Mira Howard (they got divorced but got re-engaged last December) and Universal Bridges Inc. (a company owned by Mira).
The case stems out of the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and is still ongoing.
We’ve learned that the actor has hired a high profile white collar criminal attorney to defend him in the investigation. Our sources say within the last few weeks, federal investigators have already had initial discussions with Howard.
Terrence Howard and his fiancée became aware they were under investigation on May 20, 2019.
The actor has had his share of tax issues over the years. As The Blast first reported, he was hit with a tax lien in April by the State of California Franchise Tax Board for a total $143,538.61. The lien stems from taxes Howard reportedly owes from 2010.
Read more at Yahoo.
According to court documents obtained by The Blast, the feds are interested in possible financial crimes committed by Howard, his third wife Mira Howard (they got divorced but got re-engaged last December) and Universal Bridges Inc. (a company owned by Mira).
The case stems out of the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and is still ongoing.
We’ve learned that the actor has hired a high profile white collar criminal attorney to defend him in the investigation. Our sources say within the last few weeks, federal investigators have already had initial discussions with Howard.
Terrence Howard and his fiancée became aware they were under investigation on May 20, 2019.
The actor has had his share of tax issues over the years. As The Blast first reported, he was hit with a tax lien in April by the State of California Franchise Tax Board for a total $143,538.61. The lien stems from taxes Howard reportedly owes from 2010.
Read more at Yahoo.
Tiffany Haddish Shares Offensive Comments She Recorded in Auditions
Tiffany Haddish revealed the sneaky way she would get real feedback about her auditions during The Hollywood Reporter‘s annual Comedy Actress Roundtable, which was released on Wednesday.
“You know what I’d do? I’d put my phone on voice memo and put it in my bag. I’d do the audition, walk out the room and leave my bag,” Haddish told the group, which included Regina Hall, Maya Rudolph, Jane Fonda, Alex Borstein, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Natasha Lyonne.
“Then I’d come back and be like, ‘Oh, I forgot my purse in there,'” she said.
The Girls Trip star recalled racially biased comments casting directors said when they thought she was out of earshot. She heard things including, “‘She is not as urban as I thought she’d be,’ or ‘She is so ghetto.’ ‘Her boobs aren’t big enough.’ ‘I really think we should just go with a White girl.'”
Haddish left her phone in “a lot” of rooms as a way to grow in her career and to get material for her jokes.
Read more at Ebony.
“You know what I’d do? I’d put my phone on voice memo and put it in my bag. I’d do the audition, walk out the room and leave my bag,” Haddish told the group, which included Regina Hall, Maya Rudolph, Jane Fonda, Alex Borstein, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Natasha Lyonne.
“Then I’d come back and be like, ‘Oh, I forgot my purse in there,'” she said.
The Girls Trip star recalled racially biased comments casting directors said when they thought she was out of earshot. She heard things including, “‘She is not as urban as I thought she’d be,’ or ‘She is so ghetto.’ ‘Her boobs aren’t big enough.’ ‘I really think we should just go with a White girl.'”
Haddish left her phone in “a lot” of rooms as a way to grow in her career and to get material for her jokes.
Read more at Ebony.
Michael K. Williams Speaks Out on Wilding Attack, Guilt Feelings in ‘When They See Us': ‘I’m Sick of the Anger’
Michael K. Williams has complicated emotions about playing the father of Antron McCray, one of five teenagers unjustly accused of the 1989 brutal attack of a woman jogging in Central Park, in Ava DuVernay’s Netflix series, “When They See Us.”
Williams remembers well when the attack and arrests occurred. He remembers feeling like something was off, despite the supposed confessions of the teenagers. And he acutely remembers the panic in New York at the time around “wilding,” packs of young men on the prowl to do violence — because he himself was a victim of this new urban scourge.
“I got wilded on,” said Williams, a 52-year-old distinguished character actor with credits in “The Wire” and “Boardwalk Empire,” who plays Bobby McCray in the new Netflix series. It was a freak attack one night in New York, he recalled in an emotional conversation with WaxWord.
“I got jumped by a group of African American and Hispanic guys on my 25thbirthday,” he said. “I went out drinking with friends. I had liquid courage in me, I entertained a conversation that I (normally) would have run away from. Guys looking for trouble. I got tired of being picked on. I got jumped viciously.”
He paused, then remembered the violence of that night. “I know what it is to be violated. My life was on the line.”
Read more at Yahoo.
Williams remembers well when the attack and arrests occurred. He remembers feeling like something was off, despite the supposed confessions of the teenagers. And he acutely remembers the panic in New York at the time around “wilding,” packs of young men on the prowl to do violence — because he himself was a victim of this new urban scourge.
“I got wilded on,” said Williams, a 52-year-old distinguished character actor with credits in “The Wire” and “Boardwalk Empire,” who plays Bobby McCray in the new Netflix series. It was a freak attack one night in New York, he recalled in an emotional conversation with WaxWord.
“I got jumped by a group of African American and Hispanic guys on my 25thbirthday,” he said. “I went out drinking with friends. I had liquid courage in me, I entertained a conversation that I (normally) would have run away from. Guys looking for trouble. I got tired of being picked on. I got jumped viciously.”
He paused, then remembered the violence of that night. “I know what it is to be violated. My life was on the line.”
Read more at Yahoo.
Kahlil Greene Is Yale's 1st Black Student Body President
It’s 2019, but there are still a few ceilings for Black people to shatter and Kahlil Greene, a Maryland native, did just that when he was elected as the first Black student body president at Yale University.
Greene, who is currently getting ready for his junior year at the prestigious school, told Fox5DC that he decided to run to “amplify the voices of the under-served communities on campus, especially students of color.”
“So being the first Black president, I feel like I’m in a position where I can really do that,” he added.
His election, he added “symbolizes the progress the university has made over the years,” but also adds that there’s still much to be done.
“I think that we can be a more diverse and inclusive campus and I’m grateful for the role that I’ll have in making that happen,” Greene added.
Read more at Essence.
Greene, who is currently getting ready for his junior year at the prestigious school, told Fox5DC that he decided to run to “amplify the voices of the under-served communities on campus, especially students of color.”
“So being the first Black president, I feel like I’m in a position where I can really do that,” he added.
His election, he added “symbolizes the progress the university has made over the years,” but also adds that there’s still much to be done.
“I think that we can be a more diverse and inclusive campus and I’m grateful for the role that I’ll have in making that happen,” Greene added.
Read more at Essence.
The Smithsonian Institution has elected Lonnie G. Bunch III as its new secretary, the organization announced in a statement on Tuesday.
Bunch, the founding director of the Smithsonian’s widely lauded National Museum of African American History and Culture, will be the first black leader in the institution’s 173-year history. He is also set to become the first historian elected to the secretary’s post and the first museum director to assume the role in more than 70 years.
“I have such a profound love of the Smithsonian,” Bunch told The Washington Post, adding that he was “a tad stunned” by his appointment. “I want to help the world see the Smithsonian as I do, as a place that matters, with gifted people who just want to serve their country,” he said.
Bunch, who has worked in the museum field for more than 35 years, joined the Smithsonian in 2005 as the director of the African American history facility, which was then in the planning stages. He helped guide the museum from its inception to its grand opening in 2016, helping compile a collection of some 40,000 objects and raising hundreds of millions of dollars from both federal funds and private donations.
Bunch, 66, will now be responsible for overseeing the Smithsonian’s 19 museums ― with nearly 155 million items in their collections ― along with 21 libraries and Washington’s National Zoo.
As secretary, he will report to the institution’s 17-person board headed by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
Reas more at Huff Post
Bunch, the founding director of the Smithsonian’s widely lauded National Museum of African American History and Culture, will be the first black leader in the institution’s 173-year history. He is also set to become the first historian elected to the secretary’s post and the first museum director to assume the role in more than 70 years.
“I have such a profound love of the Smithsonian,” Bunch told The Washington Post, adding that he was “a tad stunned” by his appointment. “I want to help the world see the Smithsonian as I do, as a place that matters, with gifted people who just want to serve their country,” he said.
Bunch, who has worked in the museum field for more than 35 years, joined the Smithsonian in 2005 as the director of the African American history facility, which was then in the planning stages. He helped guide the museum from its inception to its grand opening in 2016, helping compile a collection of some 40,000 objects and raising hundreds of millions of dollars from both federal funds and private donations.
Bunch, 66, will now be responsible for overseeing the Smithsonian’s 19 museums ― with nearly 155 million items in their collections ― along with 21 libraries and Washington’s National Zoo.
As secretary, he will report to the institution’s 17-person board headed by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
Reas more at Huff Post
Cop Shooting of Mentally Ill Black Woman An Unjustifiable Execution Say Family, Activists
HOUSTON—“To the city of Baytown, shame on you!” said Tracy Frazier, older sister of Pamela Turner, the 44-year-old Black woman whose last moments of life were captured on video as a Baytown police officer, Juan Delacruz, fatally shot her, in a city about 45 miles east of Houston, Texas.
The mother of two and grandmother of three was walking home when she was approached by Officer Delacruz in her apartment complex, where he also lived. According to authorities, Mr. Delacruz, who was aware of Ms. Turner’s mental illness, attempted to arrest her because he reportedly recognized her as having outstanding warrants, which the family denies.
The May 13 confrontation quickly escalated to Mr. Delacruz using his taser to subdue Ms. Turner, who can be heard on cellphone recorded video, yelling, “I’m pregnant.” When that didn’t work, Mr. Delacruz claimed that Ms. Turner got hold of his taser and tased him which led to him using deadly force. Although Mr. Delacruz shot at Ms. Turner five times while she was on the ground, it was unclear, by Final Call press time, the number of times she was shot.
Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who is representing the Turner family says he and many people across America, not just Black people, but all people who have any sense of morals, decency and respect for human life should be outraged. “He literally assaulted and battered an unarmed Black woman for no articulable purpose. When she tried to protect herself from being tased, she told him that she was pregnant. Whether she was pregnant or not, she told him she was pregnant and he still tased her in the stomach area, which means he had no respect for her life or the life that may have been inside her stomach,” he told The Final Call. A second independent autopsy will be conducted, he said.
“He never gave her any verbal commands. There’s nothing on that video that shows that she was a threat to him in any way where he had to use unnecessary, unjustifiable, unimaginable, excessive force like he did in that video when he shot her five times at point blank range while she laid on the ground,” Atty. Crump added. “It is just the most horrific murder that we’ve ever seen by one of these police officers killing an unarmed Black person, much less, an unarmed Black woman, which makes it all the more reprehensible.”
Read more at Final Call
The mother of two and grandmother of three was walking home when she was approached by Officer Delacruz in her apartment complex, where he also lived. According to authorities, Mr. Delacruz, who was aware of Ms. Turner’s mental illness, attempted to arrest her because he reportedly recognized her as having outstanding warrants, which the family denies.
The May 13 confrontation quickly escalated to Mr. Delacruz using his taser to subdue Ms. Turner, who can be heard on cellphone recorded video, yelling, “I’m pregnant.” When that didn’t work, Mr. Delacruz claimed that Ms. Turner got hold of his taser and tased him which led to him using deadly force. Although Mr. Delacruz shot at Ms. Turner five times while she was on the ground, it was unclear, by Final Call press time, the number of times she was shot.
Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who is representing the Turner family says he and many people across America, not just Black people, but all people who have any sense of morals, decency and respect for human life should be outraged. “He literally assaulted and battered an unarmed Black woman for no articulable purpose. When she tried to protect herself from being tased, she told him that she was pregnant. Whether she was pregnant or not, she told him she was pregnant and he still tased her in the stomach area, which means he had no respect for her life or the life that may have been inside her stomach,” he told The Final Call. A second independent autopsy will be conducted, he said.
“He never gave her any verbal commands. There’s nothing on that video that shows that she was a threat to him in any way where he had to use unnecessary, unjustifiable, unimaginable, excessive force like he did in that video when he shot her five times at point blank range while she laid on the ground,” Atty. Crump added. “It is just the most horrific murder that we’ve ever seen by one of these police officers killing an unarmed Black person, much less, an unarmed Black woman, which makes it all the more reprehensible.”
Read more at Final Call
Against All Odds: High School Student Named Valedictorian While Homeless, Gets $3 Million In Scholarships
A Tennessee teen is showing that anything is possible, even in the most difficult of circumstances, after getting accepted into more than 40 schools and racking up some $3 million in scholarships—something that he accomplished while being homeless.
“Never let your current situation, whatever circumstances you’re going through, be a mountain that you can’t climb,” Tupac Mosley told Fox13Memphis.
Mosley, who was named valedictorian of Raleigh Egypt High School’s graduating class maintained a 4.3 GPA all while moving from home to home, often not knowing where he would go, or how he would manage to get to school.
“After my father passed, we fell behind on bills and we ended up getting evicted from our home February 21 of this year,” he explained.
Read more at Essence.
“Never let your current situation, whatever circumstances you’re going through, be a mountain that you can’t climb,” Tupac Mosley told Fox13Memphis.
Mosley, who was named valedictorian of Raleigh Egypt High School’s graduating class maintained a 4.3 GPA all while moving from home to home, often not knowing where he would go, or how he would manage to get to school.
“After my father passed, we fell behind on bills and we ended up getting evicted from our home February 21 of this year,” he explained.
Read more at Essence.
Despite dreams of prosperity, many African Americans not financially ready to retire
The nation’s leading public interest group providing seniors and others with information that empowers them to choose how they live, AARP, regularly publishes a retirement calculator that individuals and families can use to provide a personalized snapshot of what their financial future might look like.
One simply has to answer a few questions about household status, salary and retirement savings (such as an IRA or 401(k)), include information about supplemental retirement income (such as a pension or Social Security), and consider how long they intend to work to generate information that will inform their expected lifestyle as a retiree.
The tool is designed to help potential retirees determine the amount of money they’ll need to retire “when – and how – they want.”
Unfortunately for most African Americans, even the most sophisticated planning tools lead to the same result: retirement has fast become a pie-in-the-sky dream.
“As a whole, Americans are bad savers. But, I believe it’s worse for African American communities because they don’t have access to the right educational opportunities,” said Cory Chapman, the Managing Partner and CEO of EFC Wealth Management.
“Being raised by a single mom with three kids, I understand the struggle of just trying to pay the bills and get food on the table. Growing up, saving money was an afterthought and never discussed,” Chapman said.
A report published earlier this month demonstrated how African Americans, Latinos and other minorities will have a more difficult time calling it quits than white Americans.
The report, published on the financial website The Motley Fool, revealed that the troubling disparity in retirement readiness between white Americans and minoritiescan be explained largely by income and wealth disparities that persist throughout our lives.
“Caucasians didn’t lose as much wealth during the Great Recession and have recovered more of it, so white households now hold close to six times the wealth of African American or Hispanic households,” the report’s authors said.
Median earnings for white households recovered from the recession by 2016, but earning levels for both black and Hispanic households remained below 2007 levels.
Caucasians now earn close to twice as much as minority households do, according to The Motley Fool.
Read more at Atlanta Voice
One simply has to answer a few questions about household status, salary and retirement savings (such as an IRA or 401(k)), include information about supplemental retirement income (such as a pension or Social Security), and consider how long they intend to work to generate information that will inform their expected lifestyle as a retiree.
The tool is designed to help potential retirees determine the amount of money they’ll need to retire “when – and how – they want.”
Unfortunately for most African Americans, even the most sophisticated planning tools lead to the same result: retirement has fast become a pie-in-the-sky dream.
“As a whole, Americans are bad savers. But, I believe it’s worse for African American communities because they don’t have access to the right educational opportunities,” said Cory Chapman, the Managing Partner and CEO of EFC Wealth Management.
“Being raised by a single mom with three kids, I understand the struggle of just trying to pay the bills and get food on the table. Growing up, saving money was an afterthought and never discussed,” Chapman said.
A report published earlier this month demonstrated how African Americans, Latinos and other minorities will have a more difficult time calling it quits than white Americans.
The report, published on the financial website The Motley Fool, revealed that the troubling disparity in retirement readiness between white Americans and minoritiescan be explained largely by income and wealth disparities that persist throughout our lives.
“Caucasians didn’t lose as much wealth during the Great Recession and have recovered more of it, so white households now hold close to six times the wealth of African American or Hispanic households,” the report’s authors said.
Median earnings for white households recovered from the recession by 2016, but earning levels for both black and Hispanic households remained below 2007 levels.
Caucasians now earn close to twice as much as minority households do, according to The Motley Fool.
Read more at Atlanta Voice
Study finds disproportionate number of black people arrested in D.C.
A disproportionate number of black people in the District are arrested for minor violations that include smoking marijuana in public, driving without a license and gambling, a study from two watchdog groups found.
Advocacy groups have reached similar conclusions in past years in Washington and in other cities. But this report’s authors said the new data, covering the years 2013 through 2017, shows the disparities are spread across the entire District and not limited to wards with high crime rates.
The study was done by the D.C. office of the American Civil Liberties Union and a consortium of groups advocating transparency, called Open the Government. It is based on five years of arrest statistics provided by D.C. police after a Freedom of Information Act request.
Disparate arrests “are happening throughout the entire city, which raises serious questions about how this department is policing,” said Michael Perloff, a lawyer with the District’s office of the ACLU.
Perloff said Mayor Muriel E. Bowser’s plan to expand the police force should be postponed “until she determines why officers are policing the way they are.” He said the report raises the possibility of whether some arrests “could arise from discriminatory decisions by officers.”
Kevin Donahue, the deputy mayor for public safety and justice, said the District is addressing some issues, such as directing officers to issue citations instead of arrests for more crimes. That includes smoking marijuana in public, illegal even after possession of small amounts of the drug was decriminalized in February 2015.
“That the vast law enforcement and justice system touches the lives of communities of color more than others is not unique to D.C.,” said Donahue, who spoke on behalf of the Democratic mayor’s administration and the police department. He noted that one question is whether there are laws “that no longer reflect our D.C. values that the District should change.”
Read more at BET
Advocacy groups have reached similar conclusions in past years in Washington and in other cities. But this report’s authors said the new data, covering the years 2013 through 2017, shows the disparities are spread across the entire District and not limited to wards with high crime rates.
The study was done by the D.C. office of the American Civil Liberties Union and a consortium of groups advocating transparency, called Open the Government. It is based on five years of arrest statistics provided by D.C. police after a Freedom of Information Act request.
Disparate arrests “are happening throughout the entire city, which raises serious questions about how this department is policing,” said Michael Perloff, a lawyer with the District’s office of the ACLU.
Perloff said Mayor Muriel E. Bowser’s plan to expand the police force should be postponed “until she determines why officers are policing the way they are.” He said the report raises the possibility of whether some arrests “could arise from discriminatory decisions by officers.”
Kevin Donahue, the deputy mayor for public safety and justice, said the District is addressing some issues, such as directing officers to issue citations instead of arrests for more crimes. That includes smoking marijuana in public, illegal even after possession of small amounts of the drug was decriminalized in February 2015.
“That the vast law enforcement and justice system touches the lives of communities of color more than others is not unique to D.C.,” said Donahue, who spoke on behalf of the Democratic mayor’s administration and the police department. He noted that one question is whether there are laws “that no longer reflect our D.C. values that the District should change.”
Read more at BET
Family Says Baytown Texas Police Officer Knew Pamela Turner Had Mental Health Issues
The family of 44-year-old Pamela Turner claims Baytown Texas police knew she was schizophrenic. They also say she had “several bad experiences” with the police officer.
When a CBS News reporter asked Turner's stepdaughter whether the officer knew if her stepmother had schizophrenia, she replied "yeah."
However, the police are blaming Turner for the officer firing five shots. They claim Turner grabbed an officer’s taser on Monday (May 13) and used it on him as she was being arrested. The officer then opened fire. The incident was captured on cell phone video and investigators are urging the person who shot the video to contact them.
In a press conference, Baytown Police Lt. Steve Dorris said an unnamed officer on patrol saw a 44-year-old woman who he knew had outstanding warrants.
“The officer approached the woman and she resisted arrest,” Dorris said.
A struggle between the two ensued and the officer pulled out his Taser to control the woman. This is when, according to Dorris, the woman allegedly grabbed the officer’s Taser and used it on him.
Read more at BET
When a CBS News reporter asked Turner's stepdaughter whether the officer knew if her stepmother had schizophrenia, she replied "yeah."
However, the police are blaming Turner for the officer firing five shots. They claim Turner grabbed an officer’s taser on Monday (May 13) and used it on him as she was being arrested. The officer then opened fire. The incident was captured on cell phone video and investigators are urging the person who shot the video to contact them.
In a press conference, Baytown Police Lt. Steve Dorris said an unnamed officer on patrol saw a 44-year-old woman who he knew had outstanding warrants.
“The officer approached the woman and she resisted arrest,” Dorris said.
A struggle between the two ensued and the officer pulled out his Taser to control the woman. This is when, according to Dorris, the woman allegedly grabbed the officer’s Taser and used it on him.
Read more at BET
Texas police officer shot and killed a woman during arrest attempt
(CNN)A shaky cell phone video captured the moments before a Texas police officer shot and killed a woman who claimed she was pregnant.
Now people on social media are divided over whether the shooting was justified.
The officer was patrolling an apartment complex in the Houston suburb of Baytown late Monday when he saw a woman he knew from previous encounters, Baytown police said.
A family member identified the woman as Pamela Shantay Turner. In a text message Tuesday, police Lt. Steve Dorris said Turner was not pregnant.The officer knew the 45-year-old woman had outstanding warrants and started trying to arrest her, police said.
Police say the officer shot the woman after she grabbed his Taser and fired it at him.
A witness' cell phone video showed the woman yelling at the officer:
"I'm walking! I'm actually walking to my house!" the woman screams at him. She later says the officer is "harassing" her.
The video shows the officer apparently trying to handcuff the woman, but she breaks free. The officer then fires his Taser stun gun, and the woman slowly drops to the ground.
A scuffle ensues. The woman keeps yelling "Why?" but the officer isn't heard answering.
As the officer keeps trying to arrest the woman, she flails her arms and yells, "I'm pregnant!"
The struggle continued, and according to Baytown police, the woman "was able to gain control of the Taser and used it on the officer."
In the video, the woman appears to reach for the officer, who stands back and fires five shots toward her.
Read more at CNN
Now people on social media are divided over whether the shooting was justified.
The officer was patrolling an apartment complex in the Houston suburb of Baytown late Monday when he saw a woman he knew from previous encounters, Baytown police said.
A family member identified the woman as Pamela Shantay Turner. In a text message Tuesday, police Lt. Steve Dorris said Turner was not pregnant.The officer knew the 45-year-old woman had outstanding warrants and started trying to arrest her, police said.
Police say the officer shot the woman after she grabbed his Taser and fired it at him.
A witness' cell phone video showed the woman yelling at the officer:
"I'm walking! I'm actually walking to my house!" the woman screams at him. She later says the officer is "harassing" her.
The video shows the officer apparently trying to handcuff the woman, but she breaks free. The officer then fires his Taser stun gun, and the woman slowly drops to the ground.
A scuffle ensues. The woman keeps yelling "Why?" but the officer isn't heard answering.
As the officer keeps trying to arrest the woman, she flails her arms and yells, "I'm pregnant!"
The struggle continued, and according to Baytown police, the woman "was able to gain control of the Taser and used it on the officer."
In the video, the woman appears to reach for the officer, who stands back and fires five shots toward her.
Read more at CNN
Ayesha Curry Reminds Naysayers About The Power Of Being ‘Vulnerable’ Amid Backlash
Ayesha Curry has responded to criticism she received over her comments touching on insecurities during a recent appearance on “Red Table Talk.”
The CoverGirl spokesperson shared a lengthy message in an Instagram post on Wednesday, saying why she finds it important to share her “feelings and emotions” with the public.
“It brings me pure joy to speak my mind, be vulnerable at times and to know myself inside and out,” she wrote. “Seeing as how it’s mental health awareness month I really want to take the time to encourage everyone to speak their truth regardless of perception, fitting into a mold or offending someone, because it’s YOUR truth.”
Curry, who’s married to NBA star Stephen Curry, appeared on Monday’s episode of Jada Pinkett Smith’s Facebook Watch series “Red Table Talk,” alongside her mother-in-law Sonya Curry, sister-in-law Sydel Curry and brother-in-law Seth Curry’s fiancée, Callie Rivers.
All of the women at the red table, including Pinkett Smith’s co-hosts ― her mother Adrienne Banfield-Jones and her daughter Willow Smith ― spoke honestly and openly about times they have dealt with anxiety, insecurity and struggles in their relationships.
The group’s transparency in the segment was similar in nature to a number of other “Red Table Talk” episodes, where the multigenerational family trio has often aimed to create a safe space for their guests to have emotionally healing conversations.
But Curry was mocked and criticized on social media this week when she admitted on the show that she at times feels insecure that her husband frequently gets attention from other women, while she said she doesn’t have “any of that” from other men.
“Something that really bothers me, and, honestly, has given me a sense of a little bit of an insecurity, is the fact that yeah there are all these women throwing themselves, but me ― for the past 10 years ― I don’t have any of that,” she said. “Like I have zero, this sounds weird, male attention. So then I begin to internalize it, like, ‘Is something wrong with me?’”
Read more at HuffPost
The CoverGirl spokesperson shared a lengthy message in an Instagram post on Wednesday, saying why she finds it important to share her “feelings and emotions” with the public.
“It brings me pure joy to speak my mind, be vulnerable at times and to know myself inside and out,” she wrote. “Seeing as how it’s mental health awareness month I really want to take the time to encourage everyone to speak their truth regardless of perception, fitting into a mold or offending someone, because it’s YOUR truth.”
Curry, who’s married to NBA star Stephen Curry, appeared on Monday’s episode of Jada Pinkett Smith’s Facebook Watch series “Red Table Talk,” alongside her mother-in-law Sonya Curry, sister-in-law Sydel Curry and brother-in-law Seth Curry’s fiancée, Callie Rivers.
All of the women at the red table, including Pinkett Smith’s co-hosts ― her mother Adrienne Banfield-Jones and her daughter Willow Smith ― spoke honestly and openly about times they have dealt with anxiety, insecurity and struggles in their relationships.
The group’s transparency in the segment was similar in nature to a number of other “Red Table Talk” episodes, where the multigenerational family trio has often aimed to create a safe space for their guests to have emotionally healing conversations.
But Curry was mocked and criticized on social media this week when she admitted on the show that she at times feels insecure that her husband frequently gets attention from other women, while she said she doesn’t have “any of that” from other men.
“Something that really bothers me, and, honestly, has given me a sense of a little bit of an insecurity, is the fact that yeah there are all these women throwing themselves, but me ― for the past 10 years ― I don’t have any of that,” she said. “Like I have zero, this sounds weird, male attention. So then I begin to internalize it, like, ‘Is something wrong with me?’”
Read more at HuffPost
White Patients 35 Times More Likely To Receive Addiction Medication Than African-American Ones
White people who are addicted to heroin or other opioids are 35 times more likely to receive treatment with a medication called buprenorphine than are African Americans or other people of color, according to a new study.
For every outpatient appointment where a person of color received a prescription for buprenorphine, also known by the brand name Suboxone, white patients had thirty-five appointments, said researchers from the University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System who analyzed national data from 2012-2015.
The findings on the disparity of treatment are especially interesting because research revealed earlier this year showed a spike in the number of African American deaths tied to fentanyl, the ultra powerful opioid that's being cut into heroin, cocaine and other drugs.
While it's true that white people are still most likely to die from a fentanyl overdose, the rate of African American deaths is growing fastest. Between 2011 and 2016, the African American death rate increased 140% each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If that trend continues, African Americans will become most likely to die from fentanyl overdoses.
On top of that, there's a shortage of doctors available to prescribe buprenorphine. Nationally, 96% of the states have more opioid abuse than available treatment options.
Read more at Detroit Free Press
For every outpatient appointment where a person of color received a prescription for buprenorphine, also known by the brand name Suboxone, white patients had thirty-five appointments, said researchers from the University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System who analyzed national data from 2012-2015.
The findings on the disparity of treatment are especially interesting because research revealed earlier this year showed a spike in the number of African American deaths tied to fentanyl, the ultra powerful opioid that's being cut into heroin, cocaine and other drugs.
While it's true that white people are still most likely to die from a fentanyl overdose, the rate of African American deaths is growing fastest. Between 2011 and 2016, the African American death rate increased 140% each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If that trend continues, African Americans will become most likely to die from fentanyl overdoses.
On top of that, there's a shortage of doctors available to prescribe buprenorphine. Nationally, 96% of the states have more opioid abuse than available treatment options.
Read more at Detroit Free Press
Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Ice Cube, Tina Knowles and More Attend John Singleton's Funeral
John Singleton‘s funeral was attended by his family and many of his closest friends in Hollywood.
The late director’s funeral was held in Los Angeles on Monday and attended by Tyrese Gibson, who worked with Singleton on the 2003 film 2 Fast 2 Furious.
Gibson, 40, attended the funeral wearing a black suit. Also in attendance was Tina Knowles and her husband Richard Lawson, U.S. Representative Maxine Waters, Ice Cube and Ludacris.
Actress Nia Lon, who starred in his 1991 film Boyz n the Hood, also attended.
A larger memorial service for Singleton will be held in the coming weeks, a rep for the late director said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE last week.
Singleton died on April 29 after he was taken off of life support following a stroke. He was 51.
He suffered a “major stroke” after arriving back in the U.S. from a trip to Costa Rica. On April 29, his family announced that they were taking the director off of life support and he died that same day.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton passed away today due to complications from a stroke he suffered last Wednesday,” his family wrote in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
Read more at Yahoo.
The late director’s funeral was held in Los Angeles on Monday and attended by Tyrese Gibson, who worked with Singleton on the 2003 film 2 Fast 2 Furious.
Gibson, 40, attended the funeral wearing a black suit. Also in attendance was Tina Knowles and her husband Richard Lawson, U.S. Representative Maxine Waters, Ice Cube and Ludacris.
Actress Nia Lon, who starred in his 1991 film Boyz n the Hood, also attended.
A larger memorial service for Singleton will be held in the coming weeks, a rep for the late director said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE last week.
Singleton died on April 29 after he was taken off of life support following a stroke. He was 51.
He suffered a “major stroke” after arriving back in the U.S. from a trip to Costa Rica. On April 29, his family announced that they were taking the director off of life support and he died that same day.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton passed away today due to complications from a stroke he suffered last Wednesday,” his family wrote in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
Read more at Yahoo.
Give African Americans equal chance to prosper in marijuana industry
It’s a bitter irony: the black community paid the highest price when the government was waging its misguided war on drugs.
But now that cannabis legalization looks likely, guess who’s in danger of being frozen out of this new opportunity?
That’s right: the black community.
OPINION
Thankfully, we can take some simple steps to correct this injustice and undo some of the damage that’s been done.
Before I get into that, a quick refresher: it goes without saying that the war on drugs was catastrophic for black people. Nearly 80 percent of people in federal prison for drug offenses — and almost 60 percent of people in state prison — are black or Latino, according to the Drug Policy Alliance. A black person was nearly four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white person, the ACLU found. And so on.
You might be tempted to say, “Oh, but that’s old news. Things changed when we realized cannabis wasn’t so dangerous.”
Sorry, the facts say otherwise. Between 2013 and 2016, 89 percent of the people convicted in Chicago on marijuana charges were African-Americans, noted the Chicago Sun-Times.
And now, everyone is talking about the legalization of cannabis and what a boon it could be for our cash-strapped state. And that’s great. I fully support it.
This time, though, it’s imperative that we fix some of our past mistakes and make sure communities of color are involved. Instead of harming us, cannabis could help us — as long as we do it the right way:
Read more at Chicago Sun Times
But now that cannabis legalization looks likely, guess who’s in danger of being frozen out of this new opportunity?
That’s right: the black community.
OPINION
Thankfully, we can take some simple steps to correct this injustice and undo some of the damage that’s been done.
Before I get into that, a quick refresher: it goes without saying that the war on drugs was catastrophic for black people. Nearly 80 percent of people in federal prison for drug offenses — and almost 60 percent of people in state prison — are black or Latino, according to the Drug Policy Alliance. A black person was nearly four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white person, the ACLU found. And so on.
You might be tempted to say, “Oh, but that’s old news. Things changed when we realized cannabis wasn’t so dangerous.”
Sorry, the facts say otherwise. Between 2013 and 2016, 89 percent of the people convicted in Chicago on marijuana charges were African-Americans, noted the Chicago Sun-Times.
And now, everyone is talking about the legalization of cannabis and what a boon it could be for our cash-strapped state. And that’s great. I fully support it.
This time, though, it’s imperative that we fix some of our past mistakes and make sure communities of color are involved. Instead of harming us, cannabis could help us — as long as we do it the right way:
- For starters, we should expunge convictions for the cannabis-related offenses that may soon be legal. In a great first step, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announced plans to expunge past convictions for possession of small amounts of cannabis.
- Also, at the state level, the legislature is currently considering HB 2039 (also known as the Restoring Justice Act), which would lessen the sentencing for a past conviction when the state decriminalizes or lessens the penalty for that same offense.
- On an enterprise level, we need to make sure that African Americans have an equal opportunity to purchase licenses for cannabis businesses.
Read more at Chicago Sun Times
Adrienne Jones elected Maryland's first African-American, female House speaker
Washington (CNN)A Maryland lawmaker made history on Wednesday when she became the first woman and first African-American elected as the state's House speaker.
Del. Adrienne Jones was unanimously voted as speaker after the two Democratic candidates who were vying for the job stepped aside to nominate her.
"Wow, I didn't think I would be here this time when I left out my house this morning," Jones said after she was sworn in, according to video from CNN affiliate WBAL-TV.
Jones, who was the speaker pro tem, had campaigned to replace the late Speaker Michael Busch, but dropped out of the race last week.
Then on Wednesday, during a special session, Democratic Dels. Dereck Davis and Maggie McIntosh both failed to garner the more than 71 votes needed to win the nomination. McIntosh won a vote among the Democratic caucus, 58-40, but Davis had the support of the minority Republican caucus.
After nearly five hours of deliberation among the Democratic caucus in a closed-door meeting, Davis and McIntosh emerged to support Jones for the speakership.
In nominating Jones on Wednesday, McIntosh said that the walls of the House chamber "will never be the same," referring to the portraits of the past House speakers who were all white men, WBAL reported.
Jones thanked Davis and McIntosh, who she said "saw the importance of us as a caucus coming together."
The Republican caucus moved to support Jones for speaker, and said it was proud "to have been a critical piece in this historic election."
Read more at CNN
Del. Adrienne Jones was unanimously voted as speaker after the two Democratic candidates who were vying for the job stepped aside to nominate her.
"Wow, I didn't think I would be here this time when I left out my house this morning," Jones said after she was sworn in, according to video from CNN affiliate WBAL-TV.
Jones, who was the speaker pro tem, had campaigned to replace the late Speaker Michael Busch, but dropped out of the race last week.
Then on Wednesday, during a special session, Democratic Dels. Dereck Davis and Maggie McIntosh both failed to garner the more than 71 votes needed to win the nomination. McIntosh won a vote among the Democratic caucus, 58-40, but Davis had the support of the minority Republican caucus.
After nearly five hours of deliberation among the Democratic caucus in a closed-door meeting, Davis and McIntosh emerged to support Jones for the speakership.
In nominating Jones on Wednesday, McIntosh said that the walls of the House chamber "will never be the same," referring to the portraits of the past House speakers who were all white men, WBAL reported.
Jones thanked Davis and McIntosh, who she said "saw the importance of us as a caucus coming together."
The Republican caucus moved to support Jones for speaker, and said it was proud "to have been a critical piece in this historic election."
Read more at CNN
NYC Reveals Design For Shirley Chisholm Monument
New York City released the renderings of the monument that will honor the life and legacy of Shirley Chisholm.
Chisholm made history when she became the first Black woman ever elected to Congress in 1968, where she served from 1969 to 1983. In 1972, she launched a groundbreaking presidential campaign.
Designed by artists Amanda Williams and Olalekan Jeyifous, the 40-foot tall structure fuses a depiction of Chisholm’s iconic portrait with a silhouette of the United States Capitol building, New York City’s Department of Cultural Affairs announced this week.
The monument will also include an amphitheater-style seating area.
“This becomes something that’s occupiable,” Williams told The New York Times. “It allows you to be enveloped in a conversation about interacting and bringing others along. This approach to a monument is that it’s an invitation to participate.”
Read more at Essence
Chisholm made history when she became the first Black woman ever elected to Congress in 1968, where she served from 1969 to 1983. In 1972, she launched a groundbreaking presidential campaign.
Designed by artists Amanda Williams and Olalekan Jeyifous, the 40-foot tall structure fuses a depiction of Chisholm’s iconic portrait with a silhouette of the United States Capitol building, New York City’s Department of Cultural Affairs announced this week.
The monument will also include an amphitheater-style seating area.
“This becomes something that’s occupiable,” Williams told The New York Times. “It allows you to be enveloped in a conversation about interacting and bringing others along. This approach to a monument is that it’s an invitation to participate.”
Read more at Essence
Top Chicago prosecutor Kim Foxx subpoenaed over Jussie Smollett case
Chicago’s top prosecutor, Kim Foxx, has been subpoenaed to appear at a hearing over her handling of the Jussie Smollett case, according to a new report.
The Cook County state’s attorney was slapped with the subpoena by a retired judge who’s pushing for the appointment of a special prosecutor to look into how Foxx dealt with the controversial case, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Ex-appellate Judge Sheila O’Brien also subpoenaed Foxx’s top deputy Joseph Magats, and filed a document requesting that Smollett appear at the hearing, the report said.
Foxx came under fire when her office suddenly dropped 16 felony disorderly conduct charges against the “Empire” TV actor. Smollett, who is black and gay, was accused of staging a hate-crime attack on himself for personal gain and lying to cops about it.
O’Brien charged that Foxx’s handling of the case was “plagued with irregularity.
“Foxx’s conflict in this matter is beyond dispute,” O’Brien wrote, adding that Foxx should have sought appointment of a special prosecutor. “Instead, Foxx misled the public into believing that Smollett’s case was handled like any other prosecution and without influence.”
The former judge asked that Foxx and Magats produce all the original documents in the case to prove “that they have not been altered or destroyed and will not be destroyed throughout this case.”
Read more at Page 6
The Cook County state’s attorney was slapped with the subpoena by a retired judge who’s pushing for the appointment of a special prosecutor to look into how Foxx dealt with the controversial case, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Ex-appellate Judge Sheila O’Brien also subpoenaed Foxx’s top deputy Joseph Magats, and filed a document requesting that Smollett appear at the hearing, the report said.
Foxx came under fire when her office suddenly dropped 16 felony disorderly conduct charges against the “Empire” TV actor. Smollett, who is black and gay, was accused of staging a hate-crime attack on himself for personal gain and lying to cops about it.
O’Brien charged that Foxx’s handling of the case was “plagued with irregularity.
“Foxx’s conflict in this matter is beyond dispute,” O’Brien wrote, adding that Foxx should have sought appointment of a special prosecutor. “Instead, Foxx misled the public into believing that Smollett’s case was handled like any other prosecution and without influence.”
The former judge asked that Foxx and Magats produce all the original documents in the case to prove “that they have not been altered or destroyed and will not be destroyed throughout this case.”
Read more at Page 6
Famed 'Boyz n the Hood' director John Singleton to be taken off life support, family says
Famed 'Boyz n the Hood' director John Singleton to be taken off life support, family says originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
Academy Award-nominated director John Singleton will be taken off life support later today, his family confirmed to ABC News.
The "Boyz n the Hood" director suffered a stroke and has been hospitalized for over a week.
"It is with heavy hearts we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton will be taken off of life support today," the family said. "This was an agonizing decision, one that our family made, over a number of days, with the careful counsel of John’s doctors."
(MORE: John Singleton, legendary director and screenwriter, suffers a stroke, in the ICU)
"It is, for us, heartbreaking," the family added. "We are grateful to his fans, friends and colleagues for the outpouring of love and prayers during this incredibly difficult time."
Singleton struggled with hypertension, according to his family.
Read more at Yahoo
Academy Award-nominated director John Singleton will be taken off life support later today, his family confirmed to ABC News.
The "Boyz n the Hood" director suffered a stroke and has been hospitalized for over a week.
"It is with heavy hearts we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton will be taken off of life support today," the family said. "This was an agonizing decision, one that our family made, over a number of days, with the careful counsel of John’s doctors."
(MORE: John Singleton, legendary director and screenwriter, suffers a stroke, in the ICU)
"It is, for us, heartbreaking," the family added. "We are grateful to his fans, friends and colleagues for the outpouring of love and prayers during this incredibly difficult time."
Singleton struggled with hypertension, according to his family.
Read more at Yahoo
Teen Suspended For Punching A Student Who Repeatedly Called Him The N-Word
A mother from Missouri is bringing the story of her son’s suspension to the media since the teenager’s school doesn’t seem to be listening.
Margo Boyd’s son Kanye attends West County Middle School in Leadwood, Missouri with his brother. Since transferring to the school in February, the two have been the targets of bullying, which is reportedly 98 percent white and under one percent African American.
“They were being called racial slurs and it’s been ongoing at the school,” Boyd told 5 On Your Side last week. “Nothing but racial slurs and I take it to the principal each and every time but nothing has been done,”
Apparently, the bullying had gone on for months and in an attempt to help end it, Boyd sent an email to Principal Kevin Coffman. “A boy called Kanye a n****r and all this little boys friends heard it,” Boyd wrote about an incident that occurred earlier in the week. “This stuff needs to be taken seriously! This is something that shouldn’t be allowed at the school. Kanye won’t take this much longer. He will defend himself against this.”
Not taking it much longer is what happened. On the following day, the boy ended up getting physical with an unnamed student after Boyd says she didn’t receive an email back from the principal.
“He followed my son into the bathroom and in the bathroom, it was both of them in there, and he continued to throw racial slurs at my son,” Boyd told the local news station. “My son asked him to please stop steadily calling me the N-word. Stop. The boy refused to stop so my son asked him, ‘Where do you want it in the face or chest?’ The boy said, ‘In my chest,’ so my son punched him one time in the chest.”
Read more at BET
Margo Boyd’s son Kanye attends West County Middle School in Leadwood, Missouri with his brother. Since transferring to the school in February, the two have been the targets of bullying, which is reportedly 98 percent white and under one percent African American.
“They were being called racial slurs and it’s been ongoing at the school,” Boyd told 5 On Your Side last week. “Nothing but racial slurs and I take it to the principal each and every time but nothing has been done,”
Apparently, the bullying had gone on for months and in an attempt to help end it, Boyd sent an email to Principal Kevin Coffman. “A boy called Kanye a n****r and all this little boys friends heard it,” Boyd wrote about an incident that occurred earlier in the week. “This stuff needs to be taken seriously! This is something that shouldn’t be allowed at the school. Kanye won’t take this much longer. He will defend himself against this.”
Not taking it much longer is what happened. On the following day, the boy ended up getting physical with an unnamed student after Boyd says she didn’t receive an email back from the principal.
“He followed my son into the bathroom and in the bathroom, it was both of them in there, and he continued to throw racial slurs at my son,” Boyd told the local news station. “My son asked him to please stop steadily calling me the N-word. Stop. The boy refused to stop so my son asked him, ‘Where do you want it in the face or chest?’ The boy said, ‘In my chest,’ so my son punched him one time in the chest.”
Read more at BET
Assistant principal made student use a marker to fill in shaved hairstyle that violated dress code: ‘Unbelievably unacceptable’
A school administrator who told a junior high student to fill in his shaved hairstyle — which violated the school district’s dress code — with a black marker has been placed on leave and could face further repercussions, the Houston Chronicle reports.
The student, identified as “Juelz” in a social media post expressing outrage over the April 17 incident, had an “M” shaved into his hair the day before.
When he arrived for class at Berry Miller Junior High in Pearland, Texas, an assistant principal called him out for violating the dress code, which bans “extreme hairstyles” and “carvings.” The administrator reportedly told the boy he could call his mom, or get in-school suspension (ISS) for the infraction. There was also a third option: Use a black marker to fill in the offending “M.”
As a photo shared online shows, “Juelz” chose the marker option. Traces of the ink could still be seen the next day.
The incident prompted outcry from Angela Washington, who appears to be the boy’s mother.
Her post has sparked outrage.
“Sue the lunch off that school AND the district,” one Facebook commenter wrote.
“This is awful,” agreed another commenter. “Lawyer up.”
“I would’ve put my hands on that principal if that was my kid,” read another response.
Read more at Yahoo.
The student, identified as “Juelz” in a social media post expressing outrage over the April 17 incident, had an “M” shaved into his hair the day before.
When he arrived for class at Berry Miller Junior High in Pearland, Texas, an assistant principal called him out for violating the dress code, which bans “extreme hairstyles” and “carvings.” The administrator reportedly told the boy he could call his mom, or get in-school suspension (ISS) for the infraction. There was also a third option: Use a black marker to fill in the offending “M.”
As a photo shared online shows, “Juelz” chose the marker option. Traces of the ink could still be seen the next day.
The incident prompted outcry from Angela Washington, who appears to be the boy’s mother.
Her post has sparked outrage.
“Sue the lunch off that school AND the district,” one Facebook commenter wrote.
“This is awful,” agreed another commenter. “Lawyer up.”
“I would’ve put my hands on that principal if that was my kid,” read another response.
Read more at Yahoo.
Chicago Activists Say Serial Killer Has Been Targeting Black Women For 20 Years; Demand Action From Cops
After facing increased amounts of pressure from local activists, the Chicago Police Department started a probe into the unsolved killings of 51 women to determine if a serial killer is to blame.
According to a report by the Murder Accountability Project, a Virginia-based nonprofit group that analyzes data from national homicides, all of the 51 women were strangled or asphyxiated and “have characteristics of serial murder.”
In early April 2019, Gregg Greer of Freedom First International spoke at a Police Board meeting about the killings, saying, “We believe that there is a serial killer in Chicago that is on the loose.”
Although Police Supt. Eddie Johnson responded by saying there’s no evidence to suggest a serial killer is responsible for any of the 51 murders, which started in 2011, he did confirm his detectives have opened a new review into the cases, reported the Chicago Sun-Times.
The officials with the Murder Accountability Project who finalized the report have been in communication with Chicago detectives. They are now performing an inventory of the evidence collected in the 51 killings, Anthony Guglielmi, chief spokesman for the Chicago police department, told the Sun-Times.
When the cases were first under investigation, police collected 21 separate DNA profiles of unidentified people on the victims. However, of the 21 DNA profiles, there were no matches or indications that there was a serial killer involved, Guglielmi said.
Guglielmi said the multiple DNA profiles could have occurred because some of the women were sex workers.
Read more at BET
According to a report by the Murder Accountability Project, a Virginia-based nonprofit group that analyzes data from national homicides, all of the 51 women were strangled or asphyxiated and “have characteristics of serial murder.”
In early April 2019, Gregg Greer of Freedom First International spoke at a Police Board meeting about the killings, saying, “We believe that there is a serial killer in Chicago that is on the loose.”
Although Police Supt. Eddie Johnson responded by saying there’s no evidence to suggest a serial killer is responsible for any of the 51 murders, which started in 2011, he did confirm his detectives have opened a new review into the cases, reported the Chicago Sun-Times.
The officials with the Murder Accountability Project who finalized the report have been in communication with Chicago detectives. They are now performing an inventory of the evidence collected in the 51 killings, Anthony Guglielmi, chief spokesman for the Chicago police department, told the Sun-Times.
When the cases were first under investigation, police collected 21 separate DNA profiles of unidentified people on the victims. However, of the 21 DNA profiles, there were no matches or indications that there was a serial killer involved, Guglielmi said.
Guglielmi said the multiple DNA profiles could have occurred because some of the women were sex workers.
Read more at BET
Famed Attorney, Alan Dershowitz Hit With Accusations Tied To A Conviction And Sex Trafficking Ring
MIAMI—A new action was taken in the case of Jeffrey Epstein, a rich financier from West Palm Beach, Fla., who’s been accused of sexually assaulting over 30 under-age girls over a decade ago. But this time, it has to do with his longtime friend, attorney, and Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz.
One of Mr. Epstein’s accusers filed a defamation lawsuit against Mr. Dershowitz, accusing him of lying when he was previously accused of having sex with her. The suit alleges that Mr. Dershowitz was Mr. Epstein’s co-conspirator, and that he “was also a participant in sex trafficking, including as one of the men to whom Epstein lent out Plaintiff for sex.”
The accuser and plaintiff is Virginia Roberts Giuffre. She previously said in a federal court affidavit in 2015 that Mr. Epstein forced her to have sex with Mr. Dershowitz when she was 16 years old. It was around the same time when Sarah Ransome, another of Mr. Epstein’s accusers, said that she was recruited and trafficked for sex by Mr. Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, in 2006 and 2007. She also alleged that she was directed to have sex with Alan Dershowitz.
Ms. Giuffre’s claims are partially bolstered by an affidavit that was filed by Maria Farmer, which alleges that she was sexually assaulted by Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell in 1996. Ms. Farmer said she reported her assault to New York police and the FBI but said nothing came of it.
The Miami Herald reported that FBI documents released on April 1 indicate that Ms. Farmer was interviewed in 2006 or 2007. But no action was taken against her accusers.
Read more at Final Call
One of Mr. Epstein’s accusers filed a defamation lawsuit against Mr. Dershowitz, accusing him of lying when he was previously accused of having sex with her. The suit alleges that Mr. Dershowitz was Mr. Epstein’s co-conspirator, and that he “was also a participant in sex trafficking, including as one of the men to whom Epstein lent out Plaintiff for sex.”
The accuser and plaintiff is Virginia Roberts Giuffre. She previously said in a federal court affidavit in 2015 that Mr. Epstein forced her to have sex with Mr. Dershowitz when she was 16 years old. It was around the same time when Sarah Ransome, another of Mr. Epstein’s accusers, said that she was recruited and trafficked for sex by Mr. Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, in 2006 and 2007. She also alleged that she was directed to have sex with Alan Dershowitz.
Ms. Giuffre’s claims are partially bolstered by an affidavit that was filed by Maria Farmer, which alleges that she was sexually assaulted by Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell in 1996. Ms. Farmer said she reported her assault to New York police and the FBI but said nothing came of it.
The Miami Herald reported that FBI documents released on April 1 indicate that Ms. Farmer was interviewed in 2006 or 2007. But no action was taken against her accusers.
Read more at Final Call
Prosecutors Say South Carolina 5th Grader Died Of Natural Causes, Not From Fight
In March, 10-year-old Raniya Wright died two days after getting into a fight at school, which her mother said was an ongoing bullying situation. But on Friday, South Carolina prosecutor Duffie Stone ruled that Raniya died of natural causes, and there was no evidence that the fight contributed to her death.
According to CNN, Stone stated, “There was no evidence of trauma on or inside her body … that would indicate that any fight (of) any magnitude contributed to her death,” Stone said.”There will be no criminal charges brought”.
Raniya’s death sparked outrage in her community and many wondered why the staff at Forest Hills Elementary School didn’t intervene when they received complaints of bullying.
Ashley Wright, Raniya’s mother, spoke to Good Morning America recently and wanted answers.
“I’m very upset with the school system, starting out, only because of the fact that I’ve been complaining about the person that she fought numerous times to them,” Wright said. “That’s what really breaks me down and makes me question to myself why nothing was never done up until now with this happening.”
After the fight in March, Raniya arrived at a local hospital unconscious and was then airlifted to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. She died two days later.
Read more.
According to CNN, Stone stated, “There was no evidence of trauma on or inside her body … that would indicate that any fight (of) any magnitude contributed to her death,” Stone said.”There will be no criminal charges brought”.
Raniya’s death sparked outrage in her community and many wondered why the staff at Forest Hills Elementary School didn’t intervene when they received complaints of bullying.
Ashley Wright, Raniya’s mother, spoke to Good Morning America recently and wanted answers.
“I’m very upset with the school system, starting out, only because of the fact that I’ve been complaining about the person that she fought numerous times to them,” Wright said. “That’s what really breaks me down and makes me question to myself why nothing was never done up until now with this happening.”
After the fight in March, Raniya arrived at a local hospital unconscious and was then airlifted to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. She died two days later.
Read more.
Pioneering Hip-Hop Journalist Dee Barnes, Now Homeless, Gets a Hand-Up From Wendy Williams
Life has admittedly not been easy for hip-hop media pioneer Dee Barnes, but perhaps things will start to get a little brighter with the help of talk show host Wendy Williams.
Barnes appeared Thursday on Wendy: The Wendy Williams Show, where the talk show host offered to publish the book Barnes has in the works on Williams’ Hunter Publishing imprint. Williams also said she would produce a movie based on the book.
“I would like to publish your book,” Williams told a visibly thrilled Barnes and handing Barnes numbers to call after the show. “I would also like to produce the movie of the book.”
Barnes hosted the influential hip-hop show Pump It Up during the ‘90s and was brutally beaten by Dr. Dre after he took offense about a segment that aired on her show. On Thursday, Barnes revealed that she and her younger daughter were now homeless, staying with friends or at short-term Airbnb rentals and that times had been tough.
Read more at The Root.
Barnes appeared Thursday on Wendy: The Wendy Williams Show, where the talk show host offered to publish the book Barnes has in the works on Williams’ Hunter Publishing imprint. Williams also said she would produce a movie based on the book.
“I would like to publish your book,” Williams told a visibly thrilled Barnes and handing Barnes numbers to call after the show. “I would also like to produce the movie of the book.”
Barnes hosted the influential hip-hop show Pump It Up during the ‘90s and was brutally beaten by Dr. Dre after he took offense about a segment that aired on her show. On Thursday, Barnes revealed that she and her younger daughter were now homeless, staying with friends or at short-term Airbnb rentals and that times had been tough.
Read more at The Root.
A Black Former College Student Faces 12 Years In Prison For ‘Raping’ Girl He Never Had Sex With
A former student at the University of Kansas has been sentenced to 12 years in prison and a lifetime of probation for a September 2016 incident involving another underage student.
Albert N. Wilson attended a bar with a friend and met a girl who was visiting a family member who attended KU. The two were both under 21 at the time and intoxicated when they left the bar to go back to Wilson’s apartment.
According to the Lawrence Journal-World, Wilson was 20 years old and the woman was 17. Both parties agree they met at the popular college spot Jayhawk Cafe while heading to the dance floor. Wilson allegedly lifted up the girl’s skirt and touched her while they kissed. Subsequently, Wilson invited the girl back to his place, which was near the bar. Neither party reportedly asked each other their ages.
The victim claimed Wilson took her back to his place where he raped her. While he admits in engaging in other sexual acts, Wilson claims the two never had sexual intercourse.
Kansas Bureau of Investigation scientists testified that Wilson’s DNA was found on the girl’s chest via Wilson’s saliva when he kissed her, but no DNA from seminal fluid was found. Swabs were collected from the girl the day after the incident from a nurse at a local hospital.
During the trial, Wilson, who is Black, initially said he didn’t remember all of the details of the night, but implied that police were against him from the get go because of his race.
“I don’t know how to explain this, but I come from a different background than you, ma’am,” said Wilson to Judge Sally Pokorny, who is white. “… I just felt like the police [were] against me at that point.”
Read more at BET
Albert N. Wilson attended a bar with a friend and met a girl who was visiting a family member who attended KU. The two were both under 21 at the time and intoxicated when they left the bar to go back to Wilson’s apartment.
According to the Lawrence Journal-World, Wilson was 20 years old and the woman was 17. Both parties agree they met at the popular college spot Jayhawk Cafe while heading to the dance floor. Wilson allegedly lifted up the girl’s skirt and touched her while they kissed. Subsequently, Wilson invited the girl back to his place, which was near the bar. Neither party reportedly asked each other their ages.
The victim claimed Wilson took her back to his place where he raped her. While he admits in engaging in other sexual acts, Wilson claims the two never had sexual intercourse.
Kansas Bureau of Investigation scientists testified that Wilson’s DNA was found on the girl’s chest via Wilson’s saliva when he kissed her, but no DNA from seminal fluid was found. Swabs were collected from the girl the day after the incident from a nurse at a local hospital.
During the trial, Wilson, who is Black, initially said he didn’t remember all of the details of the night, but implied that police were against him from the get go because of his race.
“I don’t know how to explain this, but I come from a different background than you, ma’am,” said Wilson to Judge Sally Pokorny, who is white. “… I just felt like the police [were] against me at that point.”
Read more at BET
Nipsey Hussle’s Gang Protecting the Streets from Counterfeit Merchandise
Nipsey Hussle‘s legacy will long be cherished and protected for years to come, but his image and likeness will also need some protecting, so his old street gang has stepped up.
Sources tell The Blast, many members of the Crips have been keeping an eye out for anybody looking to make a buck off their fallen friend by hawking knockoff merchandise.
Unfortunately when someone dies, many counterfeiters get to work on producing cheap shirts and memorabilia with the late star’s image in order to pass it off like official swag.
Law enforcement sources tell us there’s nothing that can really be done, unless the celebrity has their actual face trademarked. We’re told the reason police are able to crack down on people selling bogus merchandise during sporting events, like the Super Bowl, is because team names are usually trademarked and protected.
Since cops aren’t able to stop the product from hitting the streets, we’re told Nipsey’s friends have taken it upon themselves to shut down anyone trying to exploit the hip-hop star’s image.
During the public memorial, videos were actually made by members of the Crips as a warning to anyone who tried to sell unauthorized merch.
Luckily, there are many of Nipsey’s famous friends, like Meek Mill and The Game, also stepping up and spending big money at his clothing store in the wake of his tragic death.
Read more at Yahoo.com
Sources tell The Blast, many members of the Crips have been keeping an eye out for anybody looking to make a buck off their fallen friend by hawking knockoff merchandise.
Unfortunately when someone dies, many counterfeiters get to work on producing cheap shirts and memorabilia with the late star’s image in order to pass it off like official swag.
Law enforcement sources tell us there’s nothing that can really be done, unless the celebrity has their actual face trademarked. We’re told the reason police are able to crack down on people selling bogus merchandise during sporting events, like the Super Bowl, is because team names are usually trademarked and protected.
Since cops aren’t able to stop the product from hitting the streets, we’re told Nipsey’s friends have taken it upon themselves to shut down anyone trying to exploit the hip-hop star’s image.
During the public memorial, videos were actually made by members of the Crips as a warning to anyone who tried to sell unauthorized merch.
Luckily, there are many of Nipsey’s famous friends, like Meek Mill and The Game, also stepping up and spending big money at his clothing store in the wake of his tragic death.
Read more at Yahoo.com
Suspect in custody in three Louisiana church fires, federal prosecutor says
A suspect in custody in connection with fires at three historically black churches in Louisiana was identified Thursday morning as Holden Matthews, 21, the son of a local sheriff's deputy, a source briefed on the investigation told NBC News.
Federal prosecutors confirmed the arrest Wednesday night and said the suspect was in state custody, but did not name him.
The fires have broken out at the three historically African American churches in St. Landry Parish since late March.
"The U.S. Attorney’s Office, ATF, and FBI are working with state and local law enforcement and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the victims and those St. Landry Parish residents affected by these despicable acts," U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana David C. Joseph said in a statement.
The statement does not indicate a suspected motive.
ABC station KATC of Lafayette first reported that a suspect was in custody, citing law enforcement sources.
There have been no injuries in the blazes, which were reported at the St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre on March 26, the Greater Union Baptist Church in Opelousas on April 2, and the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas on April 4, officials have said.
Port Barre is around 11 miles east of Opelousas.
Read more at NBC
Federal prosecutors confirmed the arrest Wednesday night and said the suspect was in state custody, but did not name him.
The fires have broken out at the three historically African American churches in St. Landry Parish since late March.
"The U.S. Attorney’s Office, ATF, and FBI are working with state and local law enforcement and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the victims and those St. Landry Parish residents affected by these despicable acts," U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana David C. Joseph said in a statement.
The statement does not indicate a suspected motive.
ABC station KATC of Lafayette first reported that a suspect was in custody, citing law enforcement sources.
There have been no injuries in the blazes, which were reported at the St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre on March 26, the Greater Union Baptist Church in Opelousas on April 2, and the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas on April 4, officials have said.
Port Barre is around 11 miles east of Opelousas.
Read more at NBC
Rebuilding and Buying the Block
The entertainment world, and the Black community at large, collectively felt the loss and pain of the tragic and untimely passing of 33-year-old West Coast hip hop artist Ermias Asghedom, known professionally as Nipsey Hussle.
“Neighborhood Nip,” as he was commonly referred to, was gunned down, shot multiple times on March 31 in the parking lot outside of his clothing store, The Marathon, located in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles.
Nipsey Hussle owned the plaza where the business was located, which is situated near the intersection of Slauson Ave. and Crenshaw Blvd., one of the busiest in Los Angeles.
In the 1980’s Crenshaw was one of the most violent sections of L.A. due to the influx of drugs and gangs, most notably the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips.
The shooting occurred at approximately 3:20 p.m. PDT, a little more than 30 minutes after Nipsey sent an eerily cryptic tweet that read, “Having strong enemies is a blessing.”
Born in 1985 in Los Angeles to an Eritrean father and a Black mother, Nipsey Hussle rose to prominence in the world of hip-hop in 2005 with his debut mixtape, “Slauson Boy Volume 1.” From there, Nipsey went on to release a bevy of underground mixtapes that quickly established him as next up in a long line of MCs from the Los Angeles area. Nipsey reached the pinnacle of his music career with the release of his “Victory Lap” album which was nominated for a Grammy in 2019. However, in the process of rising up the ranks of hip hop, Nipsey seemed to find a bigger purpose that moved beyond just making music, and that purpose was giving back to the community that raised him and the people who helped shape him.
Nipsey was widely seen as an authentic and relatable person and was true to his stage name.
He was a hustler in every sense of the word. And given the conditions of the Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw section of Los Angeles, he had to be in order to survive.
Crenshaw has a population of almost 31,00 people, 72 percent of them are Black, and seven out of every 10 people living in the area, are renters. In Crenshaw, the unemployment rate is double the national unemployment at 6.7 percent.
After leaving home at age 14 to begin living on his own, Nipsey learned to turn negatives into positives—and cold hard cash. Some stories are legendary.
In 2013, he made $100,000 selling 1,000 copies of his “Crenshaw” mixtape for $100, something that was unheard of, especially in an era where artists gave mixtapes away for free on the internet. Crenshaw sold out in less than 24 hours, with Jay Z, another rapper who made a name for himself in hip hop as a legendary hustler, buying 100 copies of the tape as a way to show his support.
Read more at Final Call
“Neighborhood Nip,” as he was commonly referred to, was gunned down, shot multiple times on March 31 in the parking lot outside of his clothing store, The Marathon, located in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles.
Nipsey Hussle owned the plaza where the business was located, which is situated near the intersection of Slauson Ave. and Crenshaw Blvd., one of the busiest in Los Angeles.
In the 1980’s Crenshaw was one of the most violent sections of L.A. due to the influx of drugs and gangs, most notably the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips.
The shooting occurred at approximately 3:20 p.m. PDT, a little more than 30 minutes after Nipsey sent an eerily cryptic tweet that read, “Having strong enemies is a blessing.”
Born in 1985 in Los Angeles to an Eritrean father and a Black mother, Nipsey Hussle rose to prominence in the world of hip-hop in 2005 with his debut mixtape, “Slauson Boy Volume 1.” From there, Nipsey went on to release a bevy of underground mixtapes that quickly established him as next up in a long line of MCs from the Los Angeles area. Nipsey reached the pinnacle of his music career with the release of his “Victory Lap” album which was nominated for a Grammy in 2019. However, in the process of rising up the ranks of hip hop, Nipsey seemed to find a bigger purpose that moved beyond just making music, and that purpose was giving back to the community that raised him and the people who helped shape him.
Nipsey was widely seen as an authentic and relatable person and was true to his stage name.
He was a hustler in every sense of the word. And given the conditions of the Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw section of Los Angeles, he had to be in order to survive.
Crenshaw has a population of almost 31,00 people, 72 percent of them are Black, and seven out of every 10 people living in the area, are renters. In Crenshaw, the unemployment rate is double the national unemployment at 6.7 percent.
After leaving home at age 14 to begin living on his own, Nipsey learned to turn negatives into positives—and cold hard cash. Some stories are legendary.
In 2013, he made $100,000 selling 1,000 copies of his “Crenshaw” mixtape for $100, something that was unheard of, especially in an era where artists gave mixtapes away for free on the internet. Crenshaw sold out in less than 24 hours, with Jay Z, another rapper who made a name for himself in hip hop as a legendary hustler, buying 100 copies of the tape as a way to show his support.
Read more at Final Call
3 dead, 2 police officers injured after day-long hostage standoff in Georgia
Three people are dead, including an alleged hostage taker, after a day-long standoff in Georgia. A pregnant woman and her teenage son were killed, according to Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB.
Two police officers were also injured in the incident, authorities said.
The standoff, which began just before 11 a.m. in Henry County, a southeast suburb of Atlanta, crawled on for 15 hours before police entered the home and found three people dead inside, WSB reported.
The two police officers were shot when they responded to the home Thursday morning. Both are in stable condition at Grady Memorial Hospital. One officer was shot in the hand and another was struck in the hip, police said.
Authorities had been hopeful the suspect, who had taken a teenager hostage inside the home, would release him. The sister of the pregnant woman told WSB she had found her dead and called police, triggering the standoff.
"We're hoping he was going release the 16-year-old. He said he would, and we're just standing by waiting," Henry County Police Capt. Joey Smith told WSB while the standoff continued Thursday night.
Police believe the suspect shot himself.
At about 11 p.m., police said the suspect was continuing to surrender and "refused to provide proof of the well-being of a female and 16 year old inside [the] residence." Authorities decided to fire several gas canisters into the home, at which point the suspect fired back at SWAT officers outside the home.
No officers were injured in the evening's events, Smith said.
Two police officers were also injured in the incident, authorities said.
The standoff, which began just before 11 a.m. in Henry County, a southeast suburb of Atlanta, crawled on for 15 hours before police entered the home and found three people dead inside, WSB reported.
The two police officers were shot when they responded to the home Thursday morning. Both are in stable condition at Grady Memorial Hospital. One officer was shot in the hand and another was struck in the hip, police said.
Authorities had been hopeful the suspect, who had taken a teenager hostage inside the home, would release him. The sister of the pregnant woman told WSB she had found her dead and called police, triggering the standoff.
"We're hoping he was going release the 16-year-old. He said he would, and we're just standing by waiting," Henry County Police Capt. Joey Smith told WSB while the standoff continued Thursday night.
Police believe the suspect shot himself.
At about 11 p.m., police said the suspect was continuing to surrender and "refused to provide proof of the well-being of a female and 16 year old inside [the] residence." Authorities decided to fire several gas canisters into the home, at which point the suspect fired back at SWAT officers outside the home.
No officers were injured in the evening's events, Smith said.
Los Angeles police have identified a suspect in the killing of Nipsey Hussle
(CNN)Nipsey Hussle was among four people standing by a car when gunfire erupted outside the rapper's The Marathon Clothing store in Los Angeles, video from a surveillance camera trained on the parking lot shows.
It is not clear which one is Nipsey, but the people appear to be talking. Others are milling about in front of the store. A figure dressed in dark clothing appears to approach the four and then everyone scatters.
Two of the people standing by the car don't get far, however. They fall to the ground. One of them, wearing a white hat and shirt, appears to try to get back up but promptly collapses.
A suspect has been named in Nipsey's shooting death, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Monday night after a memorial to the rapper ended in a stampede that injured multiple people, two critically.
Eric Holder, 29, is wanted for homicide, the LAPD announced early Tuesday.
Read more at CNN
It is not clear which one is Nipsey, but the people appear to be talking. Others are milling about in front of the store. A figure dressed in dark clothing appears to approach the four and then everyone scatters.
Two of the people standing by the car don't get far, however. They fall to the ground. One of them, wearing a white hat and shirt, appears to try to get back up but promptly collapses.
A suspect has been named in Nipsey's shooting death, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Monday night after a memorial to the rapper ended in a stampede that injured multiple people, two critically.
Eric Holder, 29, is wanted for homicide, the LAPD announced early Tuesday.
Read more at CNN
Congresswoman Maxine Waters Says She’s Not Backing Down From Her Goal To Have Trump Impeached
If you thought Congresswoman Maxine Waters had given up her fight to impeach Donald Trump — think again. On Saturday the Democrat from California was honored with the Chairman’s Award during the NAACP Image Awards, and she used the opportunity to make it clear where she stands on the matter.
“I haven’t forgotten about ’45.’ He’s appointed an attorney general who thinks he can hold the special council’s report from the American people,” Waters told attendees at Hollywood, California’s Dolby Theatre. “I still think he needs to be impeached.”
In recent weeks, top Dems have tried to shift the focus off of impeachment, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying “he’s just not worth it.” But Waters is steadfast, and has no issue breaking with leadership, even if it means becoming a target for white supremacists. On Saturday she had a message for them too.
While addressing the detractors who she says have threatened her and her family, Waters expressed to the audience that she is not at all scared by “ultra-right wing white supremacists” and “haters who have threatened to kill me and my family and my staff.” She went on to say that she’s even gotten four of them convicted. “If you come for me, I’m coming for you,” Waters declared to an eruption of applause.
Read more at Essence.
“I haven’t forgotten about ’45.’ He’s appointed an attorney general who thinks he can hold the special council’s report from the American people,” Waters told attendees at Hollywood, California’s Dolby Theatre. “I still think he needs to be impeached.”
In recent weeks, top Dems have tried to shift the focus off of impeachment, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying “he’s just not worth it.” But Waters is steadfast, and has no issue breaking with leadership, even if it means becoming a target for white supremacists. On Saturday she had a message for them too.
While addressing the detractors who she says have threatened her and her family, Waters expressed to the audience that she is not at all scared by “ultra-right wing white supremacists” and “haters who have threatened to kill me and my family and my staff.” She went on to say that she’s even gotten four of them convicted. “If you come for me, I’m coming for you,” Waters declared to an eruption of applause.
Read more at Essence.
African Americans more likely to be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia, Rutgers study finds
African Americans with severe depression are more likely to be misdiagnosed as having schizophrenia than white patients, a new study from Rutgers University found.
The finding builds on years of evidence that clinicians’ racial biases — whether conscious or unconscious — affect the types of mental-health diagnoses African American patients receive. From teens being underdiagnosed for depression to adults being overdiagnosed for schizophrenia, research has demonstrated a persistent trend of misdiagnosis for this community.
“This is rampant and widespread,” said Alfiee Breland-Noble, a professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical Center who researches depression in African Americans but who was not associated with the Rutgers study. “It is a pervasive problem in the health-care system.”
In the study, which was published in the journal Psychiatric Services, researchers examined the medical records of more than 1,600 people at a community behavioral clinic. About 600 were African American and about 1,000 were non-Latino whites.
The review was done retroactively based on data that are routinely gathered at the clinic, so researchers would not influence clinicians or patients.
They found about 20 percent of African Americans diagnosed with schizophrenia also screened positive for major depression — nearly six times the percentage of white patients with schizophrenia who screened positive for major depression.
That suggests some of the African American patients may have been misdiagnosed, said Michael Gara, coauthor of the study and a professor of psychiatry at Rutgers’ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Schizophrenia is a diagnosis of exclusion, he explained. Clinicians must rule out other potential causes of symptoms first, such as mood disorders, before the diagnosis of schizophrenia is given.
Read more at Philly.com
The finding builds on years of evidence that clinicians’ racial biases — whether conscious or unconscious — affect the types of mental-health diagnoses African American patients receive. From teens being underdiagnosed for depression to adults being overdiagnosed for schizophrenia, research has demonstrated a persistent trend of misdiagnosis for this community.
“This is rampant and widespread,” said Alfiee Breland-Noble, a professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical Center who researches depression in African Americans but who was not associated with the Rutgers study. “It is a pervasive problem in the health-care system.”
In the study, which was published in the journal Psychiatric Services, researchers examined the medical records of more than 1,600 people at a community behavioral clinic. About 600 were African American and about 1,000 were non-Latino whites.
The review was done retroactively based on data that are routinely gathered at the clinic, so researchers would not influence clinicians or patients.
They found about 20 percent of African Americans diagnosed with schizophrenia also screened positive for major depression — nearly six times the percentage of white patients with schizophrenia who screened positive for major depression.
That suggests some of the African American patients may have been misdiagnosed, said Michael Gara, coauthor of the study and a professor of psychiatry at Rutgers’ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Schizophrenia is a diagnosis of exclusion, he explained. Clinicians must rule out other potential causes of symptoms first, such as mood disorders, before the diagnosis of schizophrenia is given.
Read more at Philly.com
10-year-old girl dies after classroom fight.
A 10-year-old girl has died two days after she was injured in a fight with a fellow pupil at her primary school.
RaNiya Wright was found unresponsive by staff at the Forest Hills Elementary School in the South Carolina of Walterboro, after she got into an altercation with another Year 5 student on Monday.
They called the emergency services and RaNiya was taken to hospital where she remained alive, until she passed away on Wednesday.
The other student involved in the fight, who has not been identified, has been suspended from the school, according to NBC News.
“Because this is an ongoing investigation, we ask that the community understands that the information we can share is limited,” district officials said in a statement.
Ash Wright, the 10-year-old’s mother, posted a photograph of the RaNiya in hospital on her Facebook page.
“This is what bullying causes,” she wrote.
She later confirmed her daughter had died. "My baby girl has gained her wings,” she wrote.
Read more at Yahoo.com
RaNiya Wright was found unresponsive by staff at the Forest Hills Elementary School in the South Carolina of Walterboro, after she got into an altercation with another Year 5 student on Monday.
They called the emergency services and RaNiya was taken to hospital where she remained alive, until she passed away on Wednesday.
The other student involved in the fight, who has not been identified, has been suspended from the school, according to NBC News.
“Because this is an ongoing investigation, we ask that the community understands that the information we can share is limited,” district officials said in a statement.
Ash Wright, the 10-year-old’s mother, posted a photograph of the RaNiya in hospital on her Facebook page.
“This is what bullying causes,” she wrote.
She later confirmed her daughter had died. "My baby girl has gained her wings,” she wrote.
Read more at Yahoo.com
Hip-Hop Figure Dee Barnes Reveals She’s Homeless, Turns to GoFundMe
Dee Barnes has always been adamant in speaking her truth, as unpretty as that has often been. On March 15, the hip-hop journalist tweeted a link to a current GoFundMe page titled “Help Dee Barnes,” revealing she is facing homelessness.
Barnes tweeted, “Thank you to everyone for your prayers, your support, your messages, phone calls and positive vibrations, I am profoundly grateful to you all.”
The hip-hop community did not hesitate to pitch in and contribute, with her combined total — up to $28,000, currently — more than five times the initial goal of $5,000. The GoFundMe description begins with the statement: “Standing in our own truth, not the definitions or the expectations, is powerful, and this is my TRUTH.”
The former “Pump It Up!” host made history becoming the first female rap journalist to have a broadcast television show, but things took a left turn when Dr. Dre assaulted her. In 1991, Barnes had wrapped an interview with Ice Cube, who had said negative things about N.W.A at the time.
Read more at Variety
Barnes tweeted, “Thank you to everyone for your prayers, your support, your messages, phone calls and positive vibrations, I am profoundly grateful to you all.”
The hip-hop community did not hesitate to pitch in and contribute, with her combined total — up to $28,000, currently — more than five times the initial goal of $5,000. The GoFundMe description begins with the statement: “Standing in our own truth, not the definitions or the expectations, is powerful, and this is my TRUTH.”
The former “Pump It Up!” host made history becoming the first female rap journalist to have a broadcast television show, but things took a left turn when Dr. Dre assaulted her. In 1991, Barnes had wrapped an interview with Ice Cube, who had said negative things about N.W.A at the time.
Read more at Variety
Charges dropped against 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett
CHICAGO – Prosecutors dropped all charges Tuesday against “Empire” star Jussie Smollett, just weeks after he was indicted on 16 counts of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report about being the victim of an alleged hate crime attack.
"After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case," according to a statement from the office of the Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, sent to USA TODAY by her spokeswoman, Tandra Simonton.
Following a surprise hearing, Smollett and his legal team addressed a crowd of reporters in a courthouse hallway.
“I have been truthful and consistent on every single level since Day 1,” Smollett said. “It’s been an incredibly difficult time. One of the worst of my entire life.... Now I would like nothing more than to just to get back to work and get on with my life.”
Patricia Brown Holmes, one of his lawyers, said her message to Chicago police was simple: Don’t try their cases in the press. She said she doesn't know why police and prosecutors charged Smollett.
"I have nothing to say to police except to investigate and don't try their cases in the press," Brown Holmes told reporters. "Don't jump ahead and utilize the press and convict people before they're tried in a court of law."
Police had charged that Smollett paid two brothers $3,500 to carry out the attack in order to raise his profile and TV salary. But Brown Holmes said Smollett has long claimed the check was for nutritional supplements and training.
"That check was for exactly what Jussie said – they were his trainers," Brown Holmes said.
Read more at USA Today
"After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case," according to a statement from the office of the Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, sent to USA TODAY by her spokeswoman, Tandra Simonton.
Following a surprise hearing, Smollett and his legal team addressed a crowd of reporters in a courthouse hallway.
“I have been truthful and consistent on every single level since Day 1,” Smollett said. “It’s been an incredibly difficult time. One of the worst of my entire life.... Now I would like nothing more than to just to get back to work and get on with my life.”
Patricia Brown Holmes, one of his lawyers, said her message to Chicago police was simple: Don’t try their cases in the press. She said she doesn't know why police and prosecutors charged Smollett.
"I have nothing to say to police except to investigate and don't try their cases in the press," Brown Holmes told reporters. "Don't jump ahead and utilize the press and convict people before they're tried in a court of law."
Police had charged that Smollett paid two brothers $3,500 to carry out the attack in order to raise his profile and TV salary. But Brown Holmes said Smollett has long claimed the check was for nutritional supplements and training.
"That check was for exactly what Jussie said – they were his trainers," Brown Holmes said.
Read more at USA Today
Black women and the ugly reality of domestic violence
Last Thanksgiving was a particularly bad holiday for the families of six Black females who died at a time often used to focus on reasons to be grateful.
But advocates say domestic violence and assaults against Black women still draw too little attention, outrage and protest.The five women and one teenager who died in a deadly week last November lost their lives at the hands of their husbands, ex-husbands, or boyfriends in different parts of the country.
“We are in a crisis and the crisis we often talk about is the external—people outside of our community who seek to do us harm—and that is a real danger. But the silent killing of Black women is at the hands of those within our community,” said Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis, a licensed psychologist and ordained minister. She has worked nationally and internationally to provide relief and empowerment to marginalized people, including women. She is an associate professor at Pepperdine University and a past president of the Society for the Psychology of Women.
For Black women, like other women, threats come most often from people who know, claim to love or claim to have loved them
Dr. Bryant Davis feels silence about domestic abuse toward Black females is multiplied as the media decides which victims deserve to be written or talked about. “Often those are not Black women, but even within our communities when the offender, the perpetrator, the murderer is someone from within our community, then we also are silent about it and so the silence is killing us both outside and inside,” she said.
On November 17, 2018, firefighters found sisters Uniek Atkins, 27, and Sierra Brown, 16, dead with gunshot wounds after extinguishing flames in their Westchester apartment, about 20 miles southwest of Los Angeles. Two days later, police arrested a 17 year old, a boyfriend of one of the victims, on suspicion of murder and another minor as an accessory.
Across the country in Shaker Heights, Ohio, 45-year-old Aisha Fraser Mason’s ex-husband allegedly stabbed her to death in front of their two children, 8 and 11, and her sister. She was a beloved elementary school teacher for 16 years. Her killer, Lance Mason, was a former Cuyahoga County, Ohio judge. He tried to flee when her sister called 911 and was arrested after crashing into a police cruiser. He has pleaded not guilty to her murder.
Read more at Final Call
But advocates say domestic violence and assaults against Black women still draw too little attention, outrage and protest.The five women and one teenager who died in a deadly week last November lost their lives at the hands of their husbands, ex-husbands, or boyfriends in different parts of the country.
“We are in a crisis and the crisis we often talk about is the external—people outside of our community who seek to do us harm—and that is a real danger. But the silent killing of Black women is at the hands of those within our community,” said Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis, a licensed psychologist and ordained minister. She has worked nationally and internationally to provide relief and empowerment to marginalized people, including women. She is an associate professor at Pepperdine University and a past president of the Society for the Psychology of Women.
For Black women, like other women, threats come most often from people who know, claim to love or claim to have loved them
Dr. Bryant Davis feels silence about domestic abuse toward Black females is multiplied as the media decides which victims deserve to be written or talked about. “Often those are not Black women, but even within our communities when the offender, the perpetrator, the murderer is someone from within our community, then we also are silent about it and so the silence is killing us both outside and inside,” she said.
On November 17, 2018, firefighters found sisters Uniek Atkins, 27, and Sierra Brown, 16, dead with gunshot wounds after extinguishing flames in their Westchester apartment, about 20 miles southwest of Los Angeles. Two days later, police arrested a 17 year old, a boyfriend of one of the victims, on suspicion of murder and another minor as an accessory.
Across the country in Shaker Heights, Ohio, 45-year-old Aisha Fraser Mason’s ex-husband allegedly stabbed her to death in front of their two children, 8 and 11, and her sister. She was a beloved elementary school teacher for 16 years. Her killer, Lance Mason, was a former Cuyahoga County, Ohio judge. He tried to flee when her sister called 911 and was arrested after crashing into a police cruiser. He has pleaded not guilty to her murder.
Read more at Final Call
Horrific Video Shows White Dallas Bartender Holding A Gun Brutally Attack Black Woman Over Parking Dispute
A Texas bartender was arrested after he was seen on-camera viciously attacking a woman over a parking lot dispute.
On Wednesday night, witnesses saw the bartender, who was identified as 30-year-old Austin Shuffield, confront a 24-year-old woman who was blocking the exit to a parking lot, reported CBS 11.
According to the unidentified victim, she was driving in the wrong direction when she decided to pull into a parking lot, blocking Shuffield as he tried to leave. He then got out of his truck and told her to move out of his way.
In a video from the incident, Shuffield and the victim argue until Shuffield eventually pulls out what appears to be a gun and holds it behind his back. As the dispute escalates, Shuffield smacks the woman’s cell phone out of her hand when she tried to call 911.
The victim retaliated by slapping Shuffield in the face.
Shuffield then took a fighting stance and punched the victim in the face. He then hit her repeatedly in the face and upper body at least four more times. The woman then bent over as Shuffield kicked her phone to the ground.
Police were called to the scene, where they arrested Shuffield for aggravated assault causing injury, interference with an emergency call and public intoxication.
Read more at BET
On Wednesday night, witnesses saw the bartender, who was identified as 30-year-old Austin Shuffield, confront a 24-year-old woman who was blocking the exit to a parking lot, reported CBS 11.
According to the unidentified victim, she was driving in the wrong direction when she decided to pull into a parking lot, blocking Shuffield as he tried to leave. He then got out of his truck and told her to move out of his way.
In a video from the incident, Shuffield and the victim argue until Shuffield eventually pulls out what appears to be a gun and holds it behind his back. As the dispute escalates, Shuffield smacks the woman’s cell phone out of her hand when she tried to call 911.
The victim retaliated by slapping Shuffield in the face.
Shuffield then took a fighting stance and punched the victim in the face. He then hit her repeatedly in the face and upper body at least four more times. The woman then bent over as Shuffield kicked her phone to the ground.
Police were called to the scene, where they arrested Shuffield for aggravated assault causing injury, interference with an emergency call and public intoxication.
Read more at BET
Homeless 8-year-old refugee wins New York State chess championship, inspiring viral fundraiser
Tanitoluwa Adewumi just said checkmate.
Despite learning the game a little over a year ago, the 8-year-old boy — homeless refugee from Nigeria — was crowned the New York State Primary Chess Champion in the kindergarten-to-third-grade bracket of the 52nd New York State Scholastic Championships. The elementary school student, better known as “Tani,” went undefeated at the championships, where he outsmarted opponents from top private schools with pricey chess tutors.
“I want to be the youngest grandmaster,” Tani told the New York Times.
Tani is well on his way to achieving that goal, as the third-grader has already established an unwavering dedication to improving his chess prowess. His mother, Oluwatoyin Adewumi, reportedly takes him to free three-hour practice sessions in Harlem every Saturday, while his father, Kayode, allows him to play chess online on his laptop each evening.
“He is so driven,” his school chess teacher, Shawn Martinez told the New York Times. “He does 10 times more chess puzzles than the average kid. He just wants to be better.” Martinez estimates that the youngster could achieve the chess master title in one to two years. The youngest chess grandmaster to-date earned the prestigious title at the age of 12.
In the brief year since Tani was first introduced to the game, the chess whiz has already collected seven trophies, and is one of the top players in the country for his age group.
Read more at Yahoo
Despite learning the game a little over a year ago, the 8-year-old boy — homeless refugee from Nigeria — was crowned the New York State Primary Chess Champion in the kindergarten-to-third-grade bracket of the 52nd New York State Scholastic Championships. The elementary school student, better known as “Tani,” went undefeated at the championships, where he outsmarted opponents from top private schools with pricey chess tutors.
“I want to be the youngest grandmaster,” Tani told the New York Times.
Tani is well on his way to achieving that goal, as the third-grader has already established an unwavering dedication to improving his chess prowess. His mother, Oluwatoyin Adewumi, reportedly takes him to free three-hour practice sessions in Harlem every Saturday, while his father, Kayode, allows him to play chess online on his laptop each evening.
“He is so driven,” his school chess teacher, Shawn Martinez told the New York Times. “He does 10 times more chess puzzles than the average kid. He just wants to be better.” Martinez estimates that the youngster could achieve the chess master title in one to two years. The youngest chess grandmaster to-date earned the prestigious title at the age of 12.
In the brief year since Tani was first introduced to the game, the chess whiz has already collected seven trophies, and is one of the top players in the country for his age group.
Read more at Yahoo
Cops called on man accused of sneaking into AMC movie theater: 'Do you know how embarrassing this is?'
Black Lives Matter Arizona will protest outside an AMC movie theater for the “racial profiling, harassment, and mistreatment” of a man incorrectly accused of sneaking into a Captain Marvel screening.
On Friday night, Larry Shelton, 40, a mortgage banker in Ahwatukee, Ariz., was watching the movie at an AMC theater in Phoenix when he got up to use the restroom and re-fill his beverage. “I’m walking back to my seat with my cup when a manager runs up and said I entered the building through an exit door,” Shelton tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “He was very nasty with me and told me to leave.”
Shelton told the employee he was wrong and that he should verify his suspicion on a security camera. He continued to his seat and as he ate popcorn wearing his 3D glasses, a security guard told him to leave. Shelton refused, filming the argument for Facebook.
Shelton recorded another video in the theater lobby, where police officers were standing. “These guys said you didn’t have a ticket,” said an officer, indicating the manager who said, “Sir, you walked in an exit door and my staff warned me they did not sell you a ticket…I am sure. Nobody scanned your ticket.”
Shelton presented his movie ticket and the manager said, “Oh yes, this is a ticket that does look like it was purchased…but you should have shown me the ticket…you walked in [from] the exit door.”
“Do you know how embarrassing this is?” said Shelton. He asked for a refund and the manager said, “You’re not getting a refund. You violated our code of conduct by turning a flashlight on in the theater.”
Read more at Yahoo.
On Friday night, Larry Shelton, 40, a mortgage banker in Ahwatukee, Ariz., was watching the movie at an AMC theater in Phoenix when he got up to use the restroom and re-fill his beverage. “I’m walking back to my seat with my cup when a manager runs up and said I entered the building through an exit door,” Shelton tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “He was very nasty with me and told me to leave.”
Shelton told the employee he was wrong and that he should verify his suspicion on a security camera. He continued to his seat and as he ate popcorn wearing his 3D glasses, a security guard told him to leave. Shelton refused, filming the argument for Facebook.
Shelton recorded another video in the theater lobby, where police officers were standing. “These guys said you didn’t have a ticket,” said an officer, indicating the manager who said, “Sir, you walked in an exit door and my staff warned me they did not sell you a ticket…I am sure. Nobody scanned your ticket.”
Shelton presented his movie ticket and the manager said, “Oh yes, this is a ticket that does look like it was purchased…but you should have shown me the ticket…you walked in [from] the exit door.”
“Do you know how embarrassing this is?” said Shelton. He asked for a refund and the manager said, “You’re not getting a refund. You violated our code of conduct by turning a flashlight on in the theater.”
Read more at Yahoo.
Two Black Women Are Killing It In An Ice Sport You’ve Probably Never Thought About Watching
Morning is just welcoming the light when Auria Moore and Porsche Stephenson step onto the unblemished surface at Skatetown Ice Arena in Roseville, California. The rink has been polished into a clean slate there’s no noise, and no kids underfoot to create distractions. It is a competitor’s utopia.
Moore, 33, and Stephenson, 27, observe a religious dedication to these early practices.
They’re an outgrowth of the shared love the childhood friends turned teammates have for the sport of curling, followed closely by a mutually competitive nature that intensifies just about everything they do as individuals and homegirls. It’s especially important to them in a game that still requires a quick Google search for many folks to recognize, even more especially for two Black women who became fast accustomed to almost always being the only representation of color whenever they’re on the ice.
They discovered curling and their talent for it in June 2015 in what seemed like a coincidence at the time. Moore was recovering from an injury and wanted to find something to do that would help her stay in shape without overexerting her healing body. “I’d seen curling in a Beatles movie—I’m a big Beatles fan—and just on a fluke, I said to Porsche, ‘hey, I wonder if that’s something they do here in the States.’ She Googled it and we saw a Learn to Curl class nearby,” remembers Moore who, like Stephenson, is a native Californian.
Coach Bruce Johnson welcomed the newbies to their first experience in the sport and noticed almost immediately that they were both naturally gifted players. The members of Wine Country Curling Club in Roseville picked up on it too. “They all said, “Oh my God, you have to play this. People take years to even get to this skill level and you two are at the Learn to Curl doing it,” said Stephenson. They threw themselves into the learning process and what started as something new to try for fun has become a consuming passion. Behold, two more brilliant examples of Black girls can do anything.
Read more at Essence
Moore, 33, and Stephenson, 27, observe a religious dedication to these early practices.
They’re an outgrowth of the shared love the childhood friends turned teammates have for the sport of curling, followed closely by a mutually competitive nature that intensifies just about everything they do as individuals and homegirls. It’s especially important to them in a game that still requires a quick Google search for many folks to recognize, even more especially for two Black women who became fast accustomed to almost always being the only representation of color whenever they’re on the ice.
They discovered curling and their talent for it in June 2015 in what seemed like a coincidence at the time. Moore was recovering from an injury and wanted to find something to do that would help her stay in shape without overexerting her healing body. “I’d seen curling in a Beatles movie—I’m a big Beatles fan—and just on a fluke, I said to Porsche, ‘hey, I wonder if that’s something they do here in the States.’ She Googled it and we saw a Learn to Curl class nearby,” remembers Moore who, like Stephenson, is a native Californian.
Coach Bruce Johnson welcomed the newbies to their first experience in the sport and noticed almost immediately that they were both naturally gifted players. The members of Wine Country Curling Club in Roseville picked up on it too. “They all said, “Oh my God, you have to play this. People take years to even get to this skill level and you two are at the Learn to Curl doing it,” said Stephenson. They threw themselves into the learning process and what started as something new to try for fun has become a consuming passion. Behold, two more brilliant examples of Black girls can do anything.
Read more at Essence
Restaurant owner resigns after calling employee the N-word in text message: 'I will never use that word again'
The owner of a Vietnamese restaurant has resigned after calling an employee the N-word in a text message. “I will never use that word again,” Danh Le tells Yahoo Lifestyle.
Domo Schneckenburg, formerly a Pho Shack general manager at locations in Katy and Sugar Land, Texas, posted Facebook screenshots of a group text between co-owner Le, his associate, and herself right after she quit her job of two and a half years on Friday.
“Domo just called and say she quit,” wrote Le. “I said ok. Thank you. Her last day will be Thursday. Ima call her later and tell her her last day will be today. F*** the [N-word]. Don’t like that b**** attitude anyways.”
“Lmaooooooo,” wrote Domo.
Le wrote back, “Leave the key with Wilber for me. If u want your last check. Close tonight out correctly and professionally.”
“The [N-word] says f*** you,” wrote Schneckenburg.
The 26-year-old wrote on Facebook, “I won’t lie and say I wasn’t surprised by [Le]’s reaction because I was. It was a rude awakening that the stereotypes between black and Asians are still true, New generation or not. Regardless of how long you have known them, how hard you have worked, how trustworthy you have been, whether or not the family knows you, etc. You’re still a [N-word] in their eyes. I guess my first sign should have been when the owners would casually say ‘[N-word]’ until I told them it made me uncomfortable…”
Read more at Yahoo
Domo Schneckenburg, formerly a Pho Shack general manager at locations in Katy and Sugar Land, Texas, posted Facebook screenshots of a group text between co-owner Le, his associate, and herself right after she quit her job of two and a half years on Friday.
“Domo just called and say she quit,” wrote Le. “I said ok. Thank you. Her last day will be Thursday. Ima call her later and tell her her last day will be today. F*** the [N-word]. Don’t like that b**** attitude anyways.”
“Lmaooooooo,” wrote Domo.
Le wrote back, “Leave the key with Wilber for me. If u want your last check. Close tonight out correctly and professionally.”
“The [N-word] says f*** you,” wrote Schneckenburg.
The 26-year-old wrote on Facebook, “I won’t lie and say I wasn’t surprised by [Le]’s reaction because I was. It was a rude awakening that the stereotypes between black and Asians are still true, New generation or not. Regardless of how long you have known them, how hard you have worked, how trustworthy you have been, whether or not the family knows you, etc. You’re still a [N-word] in their eyes. I guess my first sign should have been when the owners would casually say ‘[N-word]’ until I told them it made me uncomfortable…”
Read more at Yahoo
Girl Found Dead In Duffle Bag On Hacienda Heights Trail Identified As 9-Year-Old Trinity Love Jones
The young Black girl whose dead body was discovered in a duffel bag at the bottom of a trail in Hacienda Heights last week has been identified by her family.
The 9-year-old victim has been identified as Trinity Love Jones, a Los Angeles resident, her father, Anthony Jones, told KTLA.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, two people have been detained in connection with Jones’ case.
"Investigators have detained two persons of interest in this case and they are actively continuing their investigation," Deputy Tracey Koerner of the Sheriff's Information Bureau said in a written statement.
Police have not yet determined the girl’s cause of the death but they are treating her case as a homicide.
"Although the Coroner’s Office determined the death to be a homicide, the cause of death is being withheld," Koerner said.
"As additional facts are established and verified, investigators anticipate that additional information will be available for release during a press conference later in the week," Koerner added.
Last week, county maintenance workers found Jones, whose body was found partially inside of a duffel bag. Upon first examination of the body, there were no obvious signs of trauma, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Along the trail where the girl’s body was found, family and community members erected a memorial of candles, flowers, balloons, stuffed animals and photos of Jones.
Read more at BET
The 9-year-old victim has been identified as Trinity Love Jones, a Los Angeles resident, her father, Anthony Jones, told KTLA.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, two people have been detained in connection with Jones’ case.
"Investigators have detained two persons of interest in this case and they are actively continuing their investigation," Deputy Tracey Koerner of the Sheriff's Information Bureau said in a written statement.
Police have not yet determined the girl’s cause of the death but they are treating her case as a homicide.
"Although the Coroner’s Office determined the death to be a homicide, the cause of death is being withheld," Koerner said.
"As additional facts are established and verified, investigators anticipate that additional information will be available for release during a press conference later in the week," Koerner added.
Last week, county maintenance workers found Jones, whose body was found partially inside of a duffel bag. Upon first examination of the body, there were no obvious signs of trauma, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Along the trail where the girl’s body was found, family and community members erected a memorial of candles, flowers, balloons, stuffed animals and photos of Jones.
Read more at BET
'Pursuit of justice': Sacramento mall shut down as protests continue over Stephon Clark decision
A small group of protesters staged a sit-in that led to the closure of Sacramento’s largest mall Sunday, marking the second day of demonstrations in California’s capital after prosecutors said no charges would be filed in the Stephon Clark killing.
District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert announced the decision Saturday, saying an investigation revealed the two police officers who gunned down Clark, 22, in his grandparents’ backyard last March had reason to believe their lives were at risk.
Clark did not have a weapon, but the officers -- Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet -- said he was advancing toward them and they mistook the cellphone in his hand for a gun.
“We must recognize that they are often forced to make split-second decisions, and we must recognize that they are under tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving circumstances,” Schubert said.
Several dozen people protested Saturday in Sacramento over the latest police killing of an unarmed black man, and the smaller group gathered at the Arden Fair Mall and held up signs of protest Sunday morning.
Mall officials told the Sacramento Bee they closed down the shopping center out of concern the demonstration could turn into a confrontation. There was “high potential for crowds that the interior of the mall couldn’t accommodate safely,’’ spokesman Nathan Spradlin said.
The leader of the group, Berry Accius, told news reporters forcing the mall to be closed “was the only way for folks to realize what’s going on,” adding that mall visitors will be “inconvenienced, like we are every day having black skin.”
More: Cops who fatally shot Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man, last year will not face criminal charges, Sacramento AG says
Clark’s family called an afternoon news conference with members of the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network to press their “pursuit of justice.’’
Attorney Ben Crump, who represents the family, said Sunday on Sharpton’s MSNBC show that California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is expected to release the results of his own investigation later this month. Crump said his clients are hoping for a different conclusion than the one reached by local prosecutors.
Read more at Yahoo
District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert announced the decision Saturday, saying an investigation revealed the two police officers who gunned down Clark, 22, in his grandparents’ backyard last March had reason to believe their lives were at risk.
Clark did not have a weapon, but the officers -- Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet -- said he was advancing toward them and they mistook the cellphone in his hand for a gun.
“We must recognize that they are often forced to make split-second decisions, and we must recognize that they are under tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving circumstances,” Schubert said.
Several dozen people protested Saturday in Sacramento over the latest police killing of an unarmed black man, and the smaller group gathered at the Arden Fair Mall and held up signs of protest Sunday morning.
Mall officials told the Sacramento Bee they closed down the shopping center out of concern the demonstration could turn into a confrontation. There was “high potential for crowds that the interior of the mall couldn’t accommodate safely,’’ spokesman Nathan Spradlin said.
The leader of the group, Berry Accius, told news reporters forcing the mall to be closed “was the only way for folks to realize what’s going on,” adding that mall visitors will be “inconvenienced, like we are every day having black skin.”
More: Cops who fatally shot Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man, last year will not face criminal charges, Sacramento AG says
Clark’s family called an afternoon news conference with members of the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network to press their “pursuit of justice.’’
Attorney Ben Crump, who represents the family, said Sunday on Sharpton’s MSNBC show that California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is expected to release the results of his own investigation later this month. Crump said his clients are hoping for a different conclusion than the one reached by local prosecutors.
Read more at Yahoo
The Brothers Who Allegedly Helped Stage the Attack on Jussie Smollett Issue Apology
The brothers, who Jussie Smollett allegedly paid to stage a “bogus” hate crime attack against him, have issued a public apology.Abimbola “Abel” and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo’s attorney released a statement to CBS Chicago Thursday, saying that the two men felt “tremendous regret” for being involved with the situation.
They also apologized for the negative impact it may have had on people across the country, particularly for those who were victims of hate crimes.
“My clients have tremendous regret over their involvement in this situation, and they understand how it has impacted people across the nation, particularly minority communities and especially those who have been victims of hate crimes themselves,” the statement read.
In the initial report about the alleged hate attack, Smollett claimed to police that he’d been physically attacked on the street in his downtown Chicago neighborhood around 2 a.m. local time on Jan. 29 by two black-clad, masked men who used racist and homophobic slurs, doused him with an “unknown chemical substance” and left him with a rope around his neck.
Abel and Ola — who were seen on surveillance footage the night of the incident and later questioned by police — were arrested two weeks ago but were eventually released after telling them about the alleged hoax.
Read more at Yahoo.
They also apologized for the negative impact it may have had on people across the country, particularly for those who were victims of hate crimes.
“My clients have tremendous regret over their involvement in this situation, and they understand how it has impacted people across the nation, particularly minority communities and especially those who have been victims of hate crimes themselves,” the statement read.
In the initial report about the alleged hate attack, Smollett claimed to police that he’d been physically attacked on the street in his downtown Chicago neighborhood around 2 a.m. local time on Jan. 29 by two black-clad, masked men who used racist and homophobic slurs, doused him with an “unknown chemical substance” and left him with a rope around his neck.
Abel and Ola — who were seen on surveillance footage the night of the incident and later questioned by police — were arrested two weeks ago but were eventually released after telling them about the alleged hoax.
Read more at Yahoo.
Parents Furious After Seeing Video Of Fifth Graders Picking Cotton And Singing 'Slave Song' On School Trip
A group of South Carolina parents were outraged after seeing a video of their fifth-grade students picking cotton and singing a “slave song” during school field trip.
During a Rock Hill School District approved trip to a historical schoolhouse called the Carroll School, which is surrounded by cotton fields, the students learned about how the Great Depression effected the African-American community.
In the video, students can be seen picking cotton while singing: "I like it when you pick like that. I like it when you fill your sack. "I like it when you don't talk back. Make money for me."
Also in the video was an adult who drummed a rhythm while another adult yelled, "I can't hear y'all.”
Erica Poplus, whose daughter attended the field trip in September, said her "jaw dropped” when she saw the clip, reported ABC News.
According to Poplus, her 11-year-old daughter and her classmates spent roughly five to 10 minutes picking cotton. While on the trip, the kids were put in competition to see who could fill up their sack with the most cotton, an incentive that was actually used during slavery.
The Rock Hill School District released a statement saying the point of the trip was to be educational and informative.
Read more at BET
Spike Lee dismisses Trump's 'racist hit' tweet
Spike Lee has responded to President Trump’s calling his acceptance speech at the Academy Awards a “racist hit.”
“Well, it’s okee-doke, you know,” Lee told Entertainment Weekly on Monday night. “They change the narrative.
“They did the same thing with the African-American players who were kneeling, trying to make it into an anti-American thing, an anti-patriotic thing, and an anti-military thing,” Lee continued. “But no one’s going for that.”
On Sunday, Lee took the stage to accept his first competitive Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for “BlacKkKlansman” with several pages of prepared remarks. He honored Black History Month and thanked his grandmother — who he said saved up 50 years of Social Security checks to help put him through film school — before turning to politics and the upcoming presidential election.
“The 2020 presidential election is around the corner,” Lee said. “Let’s all mobilize, let’s all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let’s do the right thing!”
Trump responded to Lee in a Monday morning tweet, saying it would “be nice if Spike Lee could read his notes, or better yet not have to use notes at all, when doing his racist hit on your President, who has done more for African Americans (Criminal Justice Reform, Lowest Unemployment numbers in History, Tax Cuts,etc.) than almost any other Pres!”
Lee did not specifically reference the president or the administration. But he has long been critical of Trump, whom he often refers to as “Agent Orange.”
Read more at Yahoo
“Well, it’s okee-doke, you know,” Lee told Entertainment Weekly on Monday night. “They change the narrative.
“They did the same thing with the African-American players who were kneeling, trying to make it into an anti-American thing, an anti-patriotic thing, and an anti-military thing,” Lee continued. “But no one’s going for that.”
On Sunday, Lee took the stage to accept his first competitive Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for “BlacKkKlansman” with several pages of prepared remarks. He honored Black History Month and thanked his grandmother — who he said saved up 50 years of Social Security checks to help put him through film school — before turning to politics and the upcoming presidential election.
“The 2020 presidential election is around the corner,” Lee said. “Let’s all mobilize, let’s all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let’s do the right thing!”
Trump responded to Lee in a Monday morning tweet, saying it would “be nice if Spike Lee could read his notes, or better yet not have to use notes at all, when doing his racist hit on your President, who has done more for African Americans (Criminal Justice Reform, Lowest Unemployment numbers in History, Tax Cuts,etc.) than almost any other Pres!”
Lee did not specifically reference the president or the administration. But he has long been critical of Trump, whom he often refers to as “Agent Orange.”
Read more at Yahoo
Kelly has been indicted, sources say
Chicago (CNN)Musician R. Kelly, who has been associated with accusations of abusing young women for more than two decades, has been indicted, two sources with knowledge of the development tell CNN.
Cook County, Illinois, State's Attorney Kim Foxx will announce charges against Kelly at a news conference at 2 p.m. CT (3 p.m. ET), according to a release from her office. CNN is working to obtain the indictment.
A grand jury was convened in Cook County earlier this month in connection with new allegations against Kelly, two sources close to the case told CNN.
That came on the heels of attorney Michael Avenatti announcing he had handed over to the State's Attorney's Office a videotape that he said showed Kelly having sex with an underage girl.
Steve Greenberg, an attorney for Kelly, told CNN earlier this month he had not been notified of a grand jury. After being asked about the new tape, he said separately he and his colleagues were unaware of any new information involving Kelly.
CNN has seen the VHS tape that appears to show Kelly having sex with a girl who refers to her body parts as 14 years old.
The newly unearthed footage, which lasts 42 minutes and 45 seconds, is clear and explicit.
What is on the video mirrors some of the alleged acts for which Kelly was arrested in a child pornography case in 2002 when he was 35 and then acquitted six years later.
Kelly has been associated with accusations of abuse, manipulation and inappropriate encounters with girls and young women for more than two decades.
Read more at CNN
Cook County, Illinois, State's Attorney Kim Foxx will announce charges against Kelly at a news conference at 2 p.m. CT (3 p.m. ET), according to a release from her office. CNN is working to obtain the indictment.
A grand jury was convened in Cook County earlier this month in connection with new allegations against Kelly, two sources close to the case told CNN.
That came on the heels of attorney Michael Avenatti announcing he had handed over to the State's Attorney's Office a videotape that he said showed Kelly having sex with an underage girl.
Steve Greenberg, an attorney for Kelly, told CNN earlier this month he had not been notified of a grand jury. After being asked about the new tape, he said separately he and his colleagues were unaware of any new information involving Kelly.
CNN has seen the VHS tape that appears to show Kelly having sex with a girl who refers to her body parts as 14 years old.
The newly unearthed footage, which lasts 42 minutes and 45 seconds, is clear and explicit.
What is on the video mirrors some of the alleged acts for which Kelly was arrested in a child pornography case in 2002 when he was 35 and then acquitted six years later.
Kelly has been associated with accusations of abuse, manipulation and inappropriate encounters with girls and young women for more than two decades.
Read more at CNN
Jussie Smollett arrested for allegedly making up hate-crime attack
"Empire" actor Jussie Smollett has been arrested for allegedly filing a false police report claiming he was the victim of a hate-crime attack in Chicago, a police spokesman said early Thursday.
Smollett was charged Wednesday with felony disorderly conduct for the allegedly false report he made with Chicago police on Jan. 29, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. In it he claimed he was assaulted by two masked men who hurled racist and homophobic slurs.
The actor, 36, who is black and gay, also said his attackers poured what he believed was bleach over him and put a noose around his neck.
Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Smollett was in the custody of detectives, who had earlier contacted Smollett's legal team "to negotiate a reasonable surrender for his arrest." He could face probation or up to three years in prison if convicted, a Cook County State’s Attorney office spokeswoman told NBC Chicago.
The actor is due in court for a bond hearing at 1:30 p.m. CT Thursday.
The announcement of charges on Wednesday night came after Smollett's attorneys talked with prosecutors in the morning, according to police.
Read more at NBC
Smollett was charged Wednesday with felony disorderly conduct for the allegedly false report he made with Chicago police on Jan. 29, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. In it he claimed he was assaulted by two masked men who hurled racist and homophobic slurs.
The actor, 36, who is black and gay, also said his attackers poured what he believed was bleach over him and put a noose around his neck.
Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Smollett was in the custody of detectives, who had earlier contacted Smollett's legal team "to negotiate a reasonable surrender for his arrest." He could face probation or up to three years in prison if convicted, a Cook County State’s Attorney office spokeswoman told NBC Chicago.
The actor is due in court for a bond hearing at 1:30 p.m. CT Thursday.
The announcement of charges on Wednesday night came after Smollett's attorneys talked with prosecutors in the morning, according to police.
Read more at NBC
6 California Officers Shot At Willie McCoy As He Woke In His Locked Car At Taco Bell
According to a statement released by the police department, the six officers shot "multiple rounds" at the driver, who was identified by his family as Willie McCoy, also known as Willie Bo. All of the rounds were fired in a matter of seconds.
"It seems like an execution," David Harrison, McCoy's cousin and manager, told NBC News Wednesday. "It looks like my baby cousin was executed by a firing squad."
In the past, the Vallejo Police Department has been accused of using excessive force and has been at the center of several civil rights complaints.
The shooting occurred on Saturday when employees called police to report a driver slumped over in his car at the drive-thru. Two patrol cars arrived at the scene around 10:30 p.m.
When the officers examined the car, they reportedly saw a handgun in the driver’s lap and immediately called for backup.
"The two officers decided to hold their position and did not attempt to wake the driver," police said in a statement.
Although the officers discussed attempting to remove the gun from the driver, they realized the doors were locked and the car was in drive. Eventually, another patrol car arrived on the scene and was positioned in front of McCoy’s car "to prevent forward or erratic movement," police said.
When another car arrived to block the rear of McCoy’s vehicle, he woke up.
Police claim McCoy was given "several commands" to put his hands up, but he allegedly did not comply and "quickly" moved his hands down to the gun.
Six police officers in Vallejo, California, opened fired on a local 20-year-old rapper who was caught sleeping in his car at a Taco Bell.
Read more at BET
"It seems like an execution," David Harrison, McCoy's cousin and manager, told NBC News Wednesday. "It looks like my baby cousin was executed by a firing squad."
In the past, the Vallejo Police Department has been accused of using excessive force and has been at the center of several civil rights complaints.
The shooting occurred on Saturday when employees called police to report a driver slumped over in his car at the drive-thru. Two patrol cars arrived at the scene around 10:30 p.m.
When the officers examined the car, they reportedly saw a handgun in the driver’s lap and immediately called for backup.
"The two officers decided to hold their position and did not attempt to wake the driver," police said in a statement.
Although the officers discussed attempting to remove the gun from the driver, they realized the doors were locked and the car was in drive. Eventually, another patrol car arrived on the scene and was positioned in front of McCoy’s car "to prevent forward or erratic movement," police said.
When another car arrived to block the rear of McCoy’s vehicle, he woke up.
Police claim McCoy was given "several commands" to put his hands up, but he allegedly did not comply and "quickly" moved his hands down to the gun.
Six police officers in Vallejo, California, opened fired on a local 20-year-old rapper who was caught sleeping in his car at a Taco Bell.
Read more at BET
Discriminating Against Someone Based On Their Hair Is Now Illegal In NYC
New York City has issued new guidance banning discrimination based on hairstyle.
BuzzFeed News reports the guidance clarifies the existing New York City Human Rights Law, explicitly spelling out New Yorkers have the right to style their hair in ways consistent with their identities.
The ban also contains language meant to help protect Black citizens, noting Black New Yorkers have the right to wear their hair in "locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, fades, Afros and/or the right to keep hair in an uncut or untrimmed state."
Employers, educators and gatekeepers of public spaces can now no longer exclude or fire people based on the appearance of their hair.
The only exception to the ban applies to those who must tie up their hair for sanitation and safety purposes, such as chefs and surgeons. The guidance makes it clear employers requiring the restraining of hair for health and safety reasons must demand it of all employees of all ethnicities.
New York City’s first lady, Chirlane McCray, celebrated the policy Monday, saying it was much-needed because “bias against the curly textured hair of people of African descent is as old as this country and a form of race-based discrimination.”
New York City Human Rights Commissioner and Chair Carmelyn Malalis echoed McCray’s thoughts, telling BuzzFeed News, “We want to make the bold statement that these prohibitions on hairstyles that are closely associated with Black people are a form of race discrimination. They really fail to consider the toll these bans take on Black identity."
Read more at Blavity
Detectives Seeking Follow-Up Interview With Jussie Smollett After Releasing Two Former Suspects
Sources said the brothers are now cooperating with police
Smollett has said two men attacked him while he was walking home around 2 a.m. on Jan. 29. He claimed they yelled racial and homophobic slurs at him, beat him, poured a chemical on him, and put a rope around his neck.
Sources told CBS 2 News that Smollett paid the two men $3,500 to stage the attack in Streeterville. The brothers, seen on surveillance video near the scene of the alleged attack, told investigators Smollett directed them to buy the rope used in the incident, and paid for the purchase at Crafty Beaver Hardware Store in Ravenswood days before the incident.
The brothers, who were questioned by police last week before being released, were paid $3,500 before leaving for Nigeria and were promised an additional $500 upon their return.
They left for Nigeria later in the day on Jan. 29, after the attack.
Sources said one of the brothers held the rope and poured bleach while the other wore a plain red hat and yelled slurs at Smollett.
The sources say the red hat was bought at an Uptown beauty supply store and that the attack was supposed to happen before Jan. 29. The brothers told detectives the three men rehearsed the attack days prior to it happening.
All three men rehearsed their plan just days before everything played out.
Read more at CBS
Smollett has said two men attacked him while he was walking home around 2 a.m. on Jan. 29. He claimed they yelled racial and homophobic slurs at him, beat him, poured a chemical on him, and put a rope around his neck.
Sources told CBS 2 News that Smollett paid the two men $3,500 to stage the attack in Streeterville. The brothers, seen on surveillance video near the scene of the alleged attack, told investigators Smollett directed them to buy the rope used in the incident, and paid for the purchase at Crafty Beaver Hardware Store in Ravenswood days before the incident.
The brothers, who were questioned by police last week before being released, were paid $3,500 before leaving for Nigeria and were promised an additional $500 upon their return.
They left for Nigeria later in the day on Jan. 29, after the attack.
Sources said one of the brothers held the rope and poured bleach while the other wore a plain red hat and yelled slurs at Smollett.
The sources say the red hat was bought at an Uptown beauty supply store and that the attack was supposed to happen before Jan. 29. The brothers told detectives the three men rehearsed the attack days prior to it happening.
All three men rehearsed their plan just days before everything played out.
Read more at CBS
California Officers Shoot And Kill Local Rapper Who Fell Asleep In Car
Police in Vallejo, California fatally shot a local rapper, Willie Bo (legally known as Willie McCoy) who reportedly fell asleep in a car while in a Taco Bell drive-thru lane on Saturday.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, McCoy’s family is now demanding answers after the shooting, which occurred around 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
Saturday night, an employee at the Taco Bell called the police to report a driver slumped over the driver’s seat of a silver Mercedes. When officers arrived, they found McCoy unresponsive with a handgun in his lap. As they continued to observe the situation, McCoy reportedly suddenly moved, and that’s when he was shot and killed.
“The officers told the driver to keep his hands visible, however, the driver quickly reached for the handgun on his lap,” police said in a statement. “In fear for their own safety, the officers discharged their weapons at the driver.”
McCoy, 20, died at the scene.
Vallejo police claimed that McCoy’s handgun was allegedly stolen in Oregon and was functional when officers seized it. It is not clear how McCoy acquired the weapon.
Nonetheless, his family wants to know why he was killed in the first place.
Read more at Essence
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, McCoy’s family is now demanding answers after the shooting, which occurred around 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
Saturday night, an employee at the Taco Bell called the police to report a driver slumped over the driver’s seat of a silver Mercedes. When officers arrived, they found McCoy unresponsive with a handgun in his lap. As they continued to observe the situation, McCoy reportedly suddenly moved, and that’s when he was shot and killed.
“The officers told the driver to keep his hands visible, however, the driver quickly reached for the handgun on his lap,” police said in a statement. “In fear for their own safety, the officers discharged their weapons at the driver.”
McCoy, 20, died at the scene.
Vallejo police claimed that McCoy’s handgun was allegedly stolen in Oregon and was functional when officers seized it. It is not clear how McCoy acquired the weapon.
Nonetheless, his family wants to know why he was killed in the first place.
Read more at Essence
Mom says teacher hit 5-year-old daughter in the eye with a ruler
The mother of a 5-year-old in Memphis, Tenn., says that her daughter was hit by a kindergarten teacher back in January. The mom noticed after arriving to pick the student up from school and finding the little girl with a bruise around her eye.
Ciara Morgan, 23, is both angered and confused over the way that Shelby County Schools has handled the incident, telling Yahoo Lifestyle that administrators at Cummings Elementary School had lied to her about what happened to her daughter, Hailey Turner.
According to Morgan, it was Hailey’s aunt who was initially called by the school and notified that the kindergartner was “having an allergic reaction.” When Morgan arrived at the school to pick her daughter up, however, Hailey told her mom that that wasn’t the case.
“Hailey said her teacher had hit her with a ruler and told her not to tell anyone,” Morgan said. “She said that her teacher said she will bring her a ‘LOL Doll’ if she doesn’t tell anyone what happened.”
Hailey explained to her mother that the incident was sparked when she told on another student for being on a computer after the teacher, Tierra Lewis, told students to stop using them.
“She said the teacher reached into her desk, pulled out a ruler, walked over to her and told her ‘no tattletaling’ and popped her,” Morgan told FOX 13 Memphis.
However, Morgan clarified that the school hasn’t verified any of these claims. In fact, she hadn’t heard anything about Lewis’s status with the school since the day of the incident, until her daughter returned home from school on Thursday to say that her teacher was back after being temporarily removed.
Read more at Yahoo
Ciara Morgan, 23, is both angered and confused over the way that Shelby County Schools has handled the incident, telling Yahoo Lifestyle that administrators at Cummings Elementary School had lied to her about what happened to her daughter, Hailey Turner.
According to Morgan, it was Hailey’s aunt who was initially called by the school and notified that the kindergartner was “having an allergic reaction.” When Morgan arrived at the school to pick her daughter up, however, Hailey told her mom that that wasn’t the case.
“Hailey said her teacher had hit her with a ruler and told her not to tell anyone,” Morgan said. “She said that her teacher said she will bring her a ‘LOL Doll’ if she doesn’t tell anyone what happened.”
Hailey explained to her mother that the incident was sparked when she told on another student for being on a computer after the teacher, Tierra Lewis, told students to stop using them.
“She said the teacher reached into her desk, pulled out a ruler, walked over to her and told her ‘no tattletaling’ and popped her,” Morgan told FOX 13 Memphis.
However, Morgan clarified that the school hasn’t verified any of these claims. In fact, she hadn’t heard anything about Lewis’s status with the school since the day of the incident, until her daughter returned home from school on Thursday to say that her teacher was back after being temporarily removed.
Read more at Yahoo
We Built This: Glory Edim Is Building An Empire With Books By Black Women
Glory Edim began building her empire of knowledge at an early age.
The founder of Well-Read Black Girl and author debuted her literary kingdom in the form of a digital book club that ensures black women who love reading, writing or both have a space to connect. With monthly reading selections and Twitter chats based on books by black women authors, the Nigerian-American has not only helped fill a huge void, but nourished a demographic often forgotten or erased by the literary world.
Since its 2015 launch, Edim has developed Well-Read Black Girl into an annual book festival in Brooklyn and an anthology, both of the same name.
Edim’s work empowers black women to feel seen and to start a revolution with their words. Between and beyond the pages, she is an author, a nerd, an advocate and a force. And she has no intention of slowing down.
As a part of HuffPost’s “We Built This” series for Black History Month, Edim talked to us about her passion for literacy, her vision for Well-Read Black Girl and the urgency of protecting black women.
What started your love for reading?
My love of reading started with my mom. She was my biggest champion — and still is — and she read to me as a child. She took me to the library constantly and she really planted the seed of literacy in my mind. I always wanted to emulate her. When I saw her reading the newspaper or reading a book in bed, I was drawn to that experience. We read together constantly, and it’s still something we share. And as I grew older, I wanted to know more about not just reading and the practice of it, but how you could find yourself within a book and how you began to self define.
Read more at HuffPost
The founder of Well-Read Black Girl and author debuted her literary kingdom in the form of a digital book club that ensures black women who love reading, writing or both have a space to connect. With monthly reading selections and Twitter chats based on books by black women authors, the Nigerian-American has not only helped fill a huge void, but nourished a demographic often forgotten or erased by the literary world.
Since its 2015 launch, Edim has developed Well-Read Black Girl into an annual book festival in Brooklyn and an anthology, both of the same name.
Edim’s work empowers black women to feel seen and to start a revolution with their words. Between and beyond the pages, she is an author, a nerd, an advocate and a force. And she has no intention of slowing down.
As a part of HuffPost’s “We Built This” series for Black History Month, Edim talked to us about her passion for literacy, her vision for Well-Read Black Girl and the urgency of protecting black women.
What started your love for reading?
My love of reading started with my mom. She was my biggest champion — and still is — and she read to me as a child. She took me to the library constantly and she really planted the seed of literacy in my mind. I always wanted to emulate her. When I saw her reading the newspaper or reading a book in bed, I was drawn to that experience. We read together constantly, and it’s still something we share. And as I grew older, I wanted to know more about not just reading and the practice of it, but how you could find yourself within a book and how you began to self define.
Read more at HuffPost
The painful problem of Black girls and suicide
It is unthinkable, but happening. Little Black girls are killing themselves.
The causes include disproportionate exposure to violence and traumatic stress, aggressive school discipline, and depression, according to researchers and mental health experts.
Counselors and child advocates believe the disturbing trend can be reversed with love, commitment, and support services.
According to a 2015 study of trends by the Journal of the American Medical Association, children’s suicide rates have significantly doubled for Black children in the last two decades, and decreased for White children.
For Black youth (ages 10-19), the rate of male suicides (5.59 per 100,000) was three times higher than that of young Black females (1.87 per 100,000), according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“We’ve been seeing it over the last number of decades within our communities, because there was a time when it really was rare for African American youth, but unfortunately, it’s becoming more and more common,” said Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis, a clinical psychologist and associate professor at Pepperdine University.
“I’m Just Tired. My Life Pointless. I Don’t Wanna Do This Anymore,” blared Nakia Venant’s Facebook page in January. The 14 year old allegedly broadcast her death on Facebook Live.
ccording to the Miami Herald, she was a survivor of physical and sexual abuse, and was in and out of foster care since 2009. Attorneys for her mother, Gina Alexis, said Nakia had “hopscotched among 10 different homes and shelters, including a hotel and a child welfare office building,” according to the Herald. Nakia hanged herself in the bathroom of a Miami Gardens foster home.
Read more at Final Call
The causes include disproportionate exposure to violence and traumatic stress, aggressive school discipline, and depression, according to researchers and mental health experts.
Counselors and child advocates believe the disturbing trend can be reversed with love, commitment, and support services.
According to a 2015 study of trends by the Journal of the American Medical Association, children’s suicide rates have significantly doubled for Black children in the last two decades, and decreased for White children.
For Black youth (ages 10-19), the rate of male suicides (5.59 per 100,000) was three times higher than that of young Black females (1.87 per 100,000), according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“We’ve been seeing it over the last number of decades within our communities, because there was a time when it really was rare for African American youth, but unfortunately, it’s becoming more and more common,” said Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis, a clinical psychologist and associate professor at Pepperdine University.
“I’m Just Tired. My Life Pointless. I Don’t Wanna Do This Anymore,” blared Nakia Venant’s Facebook page in January. The 14 year old allegedly broadcast her death on Facebook Live.
ccording to the Miami Herald, she was a survivor of physical and sexual abuse, and was in and out of foster care since 2009. Attorneys for her mother, Gina Alexis, said Nakia had “hopscotched among 10 different homes and shelters, including a hotel and a child welfare office building,” according to the Herald. Nakia hanged herself in the bathroom of a Miami Gardens foster home.
Read more at Final Call
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s Classmate, A Colorado Doctor, Appeared In Blackface In The Same Yearbook
In the same yearbook that Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam allegedly appeared in blackface, a Colorado doctor was also pictured in blackface while dressed as a member of the Supremes.
According to Fox News, Dr. Steven Nafziger, an administrator at Parkview Medical Center, attended the same Virginia medical school as Northam and was pictured with darkened skin on his senior yearbook page, which was directly next to the Virginia governor's.
Since the photo went viral, Northam has faced calls to resign. While he first apologized for the photo, now he’s saying he does not recall appearing in the image.
Dr. Nafziger, who has worked at the Parkview Medical Center for the last three decades, appeared in photos that were taken at the medical school’s Halloween party, reported The Pueblo Chieftain.
Read more at BET
According to Fox News, Dr. Steven Nafziger, an administrator at Parkview Medical Center, attended the same Virginia medical school as Northam and was pictured with darkened skin on his senior yearbook page, which was directly next to the Virginia governor's.
Since the photo went viral, Northam has faced calls to resign. While he first apologized for the photo, now he’s saying he does not recall appearing in the image.
Dr. Nafziger, who has worked at the Parkview Medical Center for the last three decades, appeared in photos that were taken at the medical school’s Halloween party, reported The Pueblo Chieftain.
Read more at BET
‘Young and the Restless’ Actor Kristoff St. John Dies at 52
Young and the Restless star Kristoff St. John was found dead in his California home on Sunday, according to TMZ. He was 52.
Friends of St. John went to his San Fernando Valley home to check on him and found his body, according to law enforcement. A source told TMZ there were no signs of foul play but alcohol may have been involved.
St. John’s ex-wife, boxer Mia St. John, hinted that his death may be related to the death of their son Julian in 2014. Julian died by suicide while being treated at a mental health facility, according to TMZ. The St. Johns sued the facility for negligence and eventually reached a settlement.
“THAT HOSPITAL KILLED OUR SON @TheArtofJulian THEN MY HUSBAND @kristoffstjohn1 THATS WHAT HAPPENED! THEY KILLED MY FAMILY,” Mia tweeted and then deleted on Monday.
Read more at Ebony.
Friends of St. John went to his San Fernando Valley home to check on him and found his body, according to law enforcement. A source told TMZ there were no signs of foul play but alcohol may have been involved.
St. John’s ex-wife, boxer Mia St. John, hinted that his death may be related to the death of their son Julian in 2014. Julian died by suicide while being treated at a mental health facility, according to TMZ. The St. Johns sued the facility for negligence and eventually reached a settlement.
“THAT HOSPITAL KILLED OUR SON @TheArtofJulian THEN MY HUSBAND @kristoffstjohn1 THATS WHAT HAPPENED! THEY KILLED MY FAMILY,” Mia tweeted and then deleted on Monday.
Read more at Ebony.
School apologizes after teacher wore blackface during African history lesson
A school superintendent’s “poor judgment” allowed a teacher to wear blackface during an African history lesson, offending families in the community.
John Huffman, superintendent of the Victory Christian School system in Sacramento, Calif., explained to Yahoo Lifestyle in an email: “Last Thursday our elementary chapel speaker dressed up as a Central African native woman in order to tell the life story of missionary David Livingston and his work in Africa in the late 1800s. In an effort to bring authenticity to her role, she wore a typical native dress and headdress. She also used makeup to darken her skin tone on her arms, shoulders and face.
“I was wrong to allow the use of makeup no matter how innocent the intentions as it has offended some of my students and parents,” he wrote. “I should have anticipated that this could be offensive, and I apologized to my students and parents asking to be forgiven for hurting them.”
On Jan. 24, the teacher visited the district’s lower school to teach about missionary David Livingston, who visited Africa in the late 19th century, and she darkened her skin for the lesson, according to Sacramento news station Fox 40.
Yahoo Lifestyle contacted the teacher in question, but she did not respond.
“I recognize the woman who wore blackface — she is oblivious,” a 19-year-old former student who wants her name kept private, told Yahoo Lifestyle. “It was very upsetting, especially because the kids in that class are so young.”
Read more at Yahoo
John Huffman, superintendent of the Victory Christian School system in Sacramento, Calif., explained to Yahoo Lifestyle in an email: “Last Thursday our elementary chapel speaker dressed up as a Central African native woman in order to tell the life story of missionary David Livingston and his work in Africa in the late 1800s. In an effort to bring authenticity to her role, she wore a typical native dress and headdress. She also used makeup to darken her skin tone on her arms, shoulders and face.
“I was wrong to allow the use of makeup no matter how innocent the intentions as it has offended some of my students and parents,” he wrote. “I should have anticipated that this could be offensive, and I apologized to my students and parents asking to be forgiven for hurting them.”
On Jan. 24, the teacher visited the district’s lower school to teach about missionary David Livingston, who visited Africa in the late 19th century, and she darkened her skin for the lesson, according to Sacramento news station Fox 40.
Yahoo Lifestyle contacted the teacher in question, but she did not respond.
“I recognize the woman who wore blackface — she is oblivious,” a 19-year-old former student who wants her name kept private, told Yahoo Lifestyle. “It was very upsetting, especially because the kids in that class are so young.”
Read more at Yahoo
'Empire' star Jussie Smollett attacked in possible hate crime
(CNN)"Empire" actor Jussie Smollett was attacked in the early morning hours on Tuesday in what Chicago police are calling a possible hate crime.
Smollett was attacked by two people "yelling out racial and homophobic slurs" and "poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim," police said.
According to police, one of Smollett's alleged attackers also put a rope around his neck. Both fled the scene.
Smollett took himself to Northwestern Hospital and "is in good condition," police told CNN.
Later Tuesday, CNN's Don Lemon spoke to Smollett and a mutual friend who was at the hospital with the actor. Smollett confirmed the incident took place.
He was shaken and angry that an attack like this could happen. Smollett told CNN he fought back at the attackers.
"Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime," the police statement said.
Smollett has starred on Fox's "Empire" since 2015. He plays Jamal, a successful singer in the musical Lyon family. Like his character, Smollett identifies as gay.
Read more at CNN
Smollett was attacked by two people "yelling out racial and homophobic slurs" and "poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim," police said.
According to police, one of Smollett's alleged attackers also put a rope around his neck. Both fled the scene.
Smollett took himself to Northwestern Hospital and "is in good condition," police told CNN.
Later Tuesday, CNN's Don Lemon spoke to Smollett and a mutual friend who was at the hospital with the actor. Smollett confirmed the incident took place.
He was shaken and angry that an attack like this could happen. Smollett told CNN he fought back at the attackers.
"Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime," the police statement said.
Smollett has starred on Fox's "Empire" since 2015. He plays Jamal, a successful singer in the musical Lyon family. Like his character, Smollett identifies as gay.
Read more at CNN
Black High School Student Told Her Skin Was 'Too Dark' To Perform With The Dance Team
A Black student in Kansas is suing her former school district after her ex high school dance coaches told her she couldn’t perform with the rest of the team because her skin was “too dark,” according to a lawsuit.
Camille Sturdivant filed the suit against the Blue Valley School District, alleging she experienced racial discrimination as a student at Blue Valley Northwest High School, the Kansas City Star reported.
Sturdivant, who graduated from the school in May 2018, said she was one of two Black students on the dance team. During her time on the team, Sturdivant says, she was ostracized from team events after reporting the incidents of racism.
The suit alleges the team’s choreographer, Kevin Murakami, told Sturdivant her dark skin would be a distraction during the performance and “the audience would look at her and not the other dancers.”
“Murakami also told Sturdivant that her skin color clashed with the color of the costumes,” the suit said.
Before she graduated, Sturdivant was using former coach Carley Fine’s phone to play music when she discovered alarming messages about her between the two coaches.
In the alleged text messages, Fine and Murakami said they were in disbelief that Sturdivant was offered a spot on the University of Missouri dance team.
“THAT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE. I’m so mad,” Murakami wrote, according to the suit.
Read more at BET
Camille Sturdivant filed the suit against the Blue Valley School District, alleging she experienced racial discrimination as a student at Blue Valley Northwest High School, the Kansas City Star reported.
Sturdivant, who graduated from the school in May 2018, said she was one of two Black students on the dance team. During her time on the team, Sturdivant says, she was ostracized from team events after reporting the incidents of racism.
The suit alleges the team’s choreographer, Kevin Murakami, told Sturdivant her dark skin would be a distraction during the performance and “the audience would look at her and not the other dancers.”
“Murakami also told Sturdivant that her skin color clashed with the color of the costumes,” the suit said.
Before she graduated, Sturdivant was using former coach Carley Fine’s phone to play music when she discovered alarming messages about her between the two coaches.
In the alleged text messages, Fine and Murakami said they were in disbelief that Sturdivant was offered a spot on the University of Missouri dance team.
“THAT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE. I’m so mad,” Murakami wrote, according to the suit.
Read more at BET
Boy left on school bus for 7 hours
A second grader in Panama City, Fla., who never showed up for class was later discovered sleeping on the school bus, where he had apparently been left alone for hours. Now, the driver who found him — and overlooked him in the first place — has been suspended with pay.
The driver noticed the slumbering student when he boarded the school bus for his late shift at about 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the Panama City News Herald. He had dropped off all of the other passengers at school that morning but apparently didn’t notice the he’d left one behind. According to the protocol of Bay District Schools, drivers must conduct a seat-by-seat check of the bus at the end of every route to prevent situations like this.
But apparently the child never got off the bus, and it’s unknown whether the check was even performed. Now, the Department of Children and Families and law enforcement officials are conducting a full investigation.
“Words cannot express how sorry I am that something like this happened,” Bay District Schools Superintendent Bill Husfelt told the News Herald. “I simply cannot imagine how this little boy’s mom felt when she got that call, and I just can’t excuse something like this. What I can tell you is that this is an isolated incident, which doesn’t make it any less awful, and I can tell you that our bus drivers work very hard each day to take care of our children, but this is simply inexcusable.”
Despite the scare, the child is safe at home with family now. The school is waiting on the results of the investigation before taking disciplinary action, but according to the News Herald, the unidentified driver could be terminated.
Read more at Yahoo
The driver noticed the slumbering student when he boarded the school bus for his late shift at about 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the Panama City News Herald. He had dropped off all of the other passengers at school that morning but apparently didn’t notice the he’d left one behind. According to the protocol of Bay District Schools, drivers must conduct a seat-by-seat check of the bus at the end of every route to prevent situations like this.
But apparently the child never got off the bus, and it’s unknown whether the check was even performed. Now, the Department of Children and Families and law enforcement officials are conducting a full investigation.
“Words cannot express how sorry I am that something like this happened,” Bay District Schools Superintendent Bill Husfelt told the News Herald. “I simply cannot imagine how this little boy’s mom felt when she got that call, and I just can’t excuse something like this. What I can tell you is that this is an isolated incident, which doesn’t make it any less awful, and I can tell you that our bus drivers work very hard each day to take care of our children, but this is simply inexcusable.”
Despite the scare, the child is safe at home with family now. The school is waiting on the results of the investigation before taking disciplinary action, but according to the News Herald, the unidentified driver could be terminated.
Read more at Yahoo
Chris Brown Plans To Sue Rape Accuser For Slander
Singer Chris Brown, who was detained Monday by police in Paris after a woman accused him of rape, is planning to sue the woman, according to his attorney Raphael Chiche.
Shortly after Brown, 29, was released Tuesday night without charges from the prosecutor’s office, Chiche announced that he was preparing to sue the woman for making the claims against the singer.
“Chris Brown is free. No lawsuits were filed against him,” Chiche tweeted. “He vigorously challenges the charges against him. A complaint for slanderous denunciation will be filed tomorrow with the public prosecutor of Paris.”
Brown and two others were placed in police custody on Monday on suspicion of aggravated rape and a drug offense after a woman filed a complaint with Parisian police accusing the group of raping her at the singer’s hotel, according to The New York Times.
The Paris prosecutor’s office told The Associated Press that Brown and his group were released from custody and authorized to leave the country while the investigation was ongoing.
Read more at Huff Post
Shortly after Brown, 29, was released Tuesday night without charges from the prosecutor’s office, Chiche announced that he was preparing to sue the woman for making the claims against the singer.
“Chris Brown is free. No lawsuits were filed against him,” Chiche tweeted. “He vigorously challenges the charges against him. A complaint for slanderous denunciation will be filed tomorrow with the public prosecutor of Paris.”
Brown and two others were placed in police custody on Monday on suspicion of aggravated rape and a drug offense after a woman filed a complaint with Parisian police accusing the group of raping her at the singer’s hotel, according to The New York Times.
The Paris prosecutor’s office told The Associated Press that Brown and his group were released from custody and authorized to leave the country while the investigation was ongoing.
Read more at Huff Post
Comic Kevin Barnett, Co-creator of ‘Rel,’ Dies at 32
Kevin Barnett, stand-up comic and co-creator of Fox series Rel, has suddenly passed away at the age of 32, according to a statement from Fox Entertainment.
“Our hearts are broken, as are those of everyone at Rel, at the news of Kevin Barnett’s passing,” the entertainment company said. “He was an incredibly funny, wildly talented man who had so much more to do and so many more stories to tell. We send our thoughts and prayers to his friends and family during this difficult time.”
His cause of death has yet to be determined.
Friends and fans of Barnett have taken to social media in remembrance of the comic. Rel co-creator Lil Rel Howery had this to say about his collaborator:
“I can’t stop crying on this plane it’s really starting to hit me that he is actually gone… At 32 he accomplished so much in this business and was respected by many… Rest In Peace my brother and my friend… Thank you for the last 6 years of helping make my dreams come true man… #FOTP4Life.”
Read more at Ebony
“Our hearts are broken, as are those of everyone at Rel, at the news of Kevin Barnett’s passing,” the entertainment company said. “He was an incredibly funny, wildly talented man who had so much more to do and so many more stories to tell. We send our thoughts and prayers to his friends and family during this difficult time.”
His cause of death has yet to be determined.
Friends and fans of Barnett have taken to social media in remembrance of the comic. Rel co-creator Lil Rel Howery had this to say about his collaborator:
“I can’t stop crying on this plane it’s really starting to hit me that he is actually gone… At 32 he accomplished so much in this business and was respected by many… Rest In Peace my brother and my friend… Thank you for the last 6 years of helping make my dreams come true man… #FOTP4Life.”
Read more at Ebony
Texas Daycare Worker Fired After Video Showed Her Pulling Child’s Hair
Two daycare workers in Lubbock, Texas have been fired after a viral video showed the mistreatment of a 3-year-old girl at the facility.
In the video recorded by one employee at My Little Playhouse Learning Center, another employee is seen yanking the girl up by her hair and forcing her to stand while she eats. Although the video went viral Thursday, 3-year-old Amyra Wilson’s mother says the incident occurred weeks ago.
Police are now investigating the incident.
Officials with My Little Playhouse Learning Center released the following statement:
The owners and Directors of My Little Playhouse Learning Center LLC were made aware of video footage posted on social media at approximately 11:45 a.m. Staff involved were fired immediately. Local authorities (LPD) has been notified and are investigating accordingly. Texas Department of Childcare Licensing has also been notified.
The grandmother of the child in the video said she saw the video about 20 minutes before she showed up at the daycare to pick up the child on Thursday.
“I was furious. My initial reaction was to come and snatch her head off her body,” Shanna Walker, the grandmother of the child, told KCBD. “It’s very frightening." She says the employees there are “supposed to be people that are taking care of [the kids] that has their well being at heart. “But when you come to find out something like this is happening... I know that everyone thinks that their grandchildren are the best. But this little girl, she is the sweetest little girl that you could ever know.
Read more at BET
In the video recorded by one employee at My Little Playhouse Learning Center, another employee is seen yanking the girl up by her hair and forcing her to stand while she eats. Although the video went viral Thursday, 3-year-old Amyra Wilson’s mother says the incident occurred weeks ago.
Police are now investigating the incident.
Officials with My Little Playhouse Learning Center released the following statement:
The owners and Directors of My Little Playhouse Learning Center LLC were made aware of video footage posted on social media at approximately 11:45 a.m. Staff involved were fired immediately. Local authorities (LPD) has been notified and are investigating accordingly. Texas Department of Childcare Licensing has also been notified.
The grandmother of the child in the video said she saw the video about 20 minutes before she showed up at the daycare to pick up the child on Thursday.
“I was furious. My initial reaction was to come and snatch her head off her body,” Shanna Walker, the grandmother of the child, told KCBD. “It’s very frightening." She says the employees there are “supposed to be people that are taking care of [the kids] that has their well being at heart. “But when you come to find out something like this is happening... I know that everyone thinks that their grandchildren are the best. But this little girl, she is the sweetest little girl that you could ever know.
Read more at BET
Man convicted in the brutal death of Morgan Freeman's granddaughter sentenced
The boyfriend of Morgan Freeman's late granddaughter has been sentenced to 20 years in state prison for her death.
Lamar Davenport, 33, was sentenced Thursday for fatally stabbing E’Dena Hines 25 times outside her New York apartment in August 2015, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. announced in a press release. Prosecutors say Davenport was "under the influence of alcohol (and) drugs" during the crime.
Hines, who is the granddaughter of Freeman's first wife, was 33 at the time of her death.
"Ambitious and driven, E’Dena Hines was deeply loved by family and friends before her life was brought to a horrific and tragic end by her boyfriend, Lamar Davenport," Vance said. He described her slaying as an "extraordinarily violent crime."
On Aug.16, 2015, authorities responded to a 911 call at about 3 a.m. They found Hines lying in the street in front of her apartment on West 162nd Street.
Hines had dozens of stab wounds to the chest and was later pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital.
Read more at Yahoo
Lamar Davenport, 33, was sentenced Thursday for fatally stabbing E’Dena Hines 25 times outside her New York apartment in August 2015, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. announced in a press release. Prosecutors say Davenport was "under the influence of alcohol (and) drugs" during the crime.
Hines, who is the granddaughter of Freeman's first wife, was 33 at the time of her death.
"Ambitious and driven, E’Dena Hines was deeply loved by family and friends before her life was brought to a horrific and tragic end by her boyfriend, Lamar Davenport," Vance said. He described her slaying as an "extraordinarily violent crime."
On Aug.16, 2015, authorities responded to a 911 call at about 3 a.m. They found Hines lying in the street in front of her apartment on West 162nd Street.
Hines had dozens of stab wounds to the chest and was later pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital.
Read more at Yahoo
Restaurant owner meets man who robbed him instead of calling the cops: 'Forgiveness is better'
The owner of a Columbia, S.C., seafood restaurant sent a powerful message about forgiveness this week when he decided not to press charges against the man who broke into his restaurant.
A Facebook post explained that the Mr. Seafood restaurant “got hit” over the weekend and had to close on Sunday. But after neighbors helped identify the man seen stealing from the business in a surveillance video, the owner, Kevin Scott, decided to talk to him before calling the police.
“God inspired me,” Scott told Birmingham, Ala.’s WBRC Fox 6 News. “I talked to the guy, and he said he did it to feed his family, and his story didn’t seem dishonest to me. He apologized and offered to work to pay off what he stole, but I don’t want that. I just don’t want him committing crimes.”
A few days after the break-in, Scott met the man at the restaurant and later posted a photo of them on Facebook. “Forgiveness is better,” he wrote.
Read more at Yahoo.
A Facebook post explained that the Mr. Seafood restaurant “got hit” over the weekend and had to close on Sunday. But after neighbors helped identify the man seen stealing from the business in a surveillance video, the owner, Kevin Scott, decided to talk to him before calling the police.
“God inspired me,” Scott told Birmingham, Ala.’s WBRC Fox 6 News. “I talked to the guy, and he said he did it to feed his family, and his story didn’t seem dishonest to me. He apologized and offered to work to pay off what he stole, but I don’t want that. I just don’t want him committing crimes.”
A few days after the break-in, Scott met the man at the restaurant and later posted a photo of them on Facebook. “Forgiveness is better,” he wrote.
Read more at Yahoo.
Fired black TV news anchor alleges her boss banned her natural hair and pressured her to look like 'a beauty queen'
A fired black television news anchor alleges she was harassed for her “unprofessional” natural hair, pressured to look like “a beauty queen” and told she was a difficult employee.
Brittany Noble-Jones, a former co-anchor for WJTV This Morning in Mississippi, says she was unfairly terminated for filing complaints about her allegedly abusive bosses, in a Monday post on Medium.
After Noble-Jones was named the 2015 Emerging Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) for her interview that aired on KMOV-TV, a CBS affiliate in St. Louis, with the mother of police shooting victim Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., she was hired at WJTV to co-host the morning news.
“In the beginning, it was a normal work environment,” Noble-Jones, originally from St. Louis tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “But after I volunteered to appear in a company-wide promo in March 2017, my boss told me, ‘People here think you’re into yourself’ but he wouldn’t give me specific examples.”
The 32-year-old was newly pregnant but after the negative review, she felt uncomfortable telling her boss. She tried harder at work but noticed she was being treated differently than her colleagues. Many of her news pitches — timely stories about race relations in Mississippi — were passed over, allegedly because they “are not for all people.”
“Much later, I pitched a story about a former NFL player who became a doctor and saw on internal company notes that it was for an ‘African-American audience,'” Noble-Jones tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “It was just a sports story.”
Noble-Jones says her boss didn’t allow her to attend a breast cancer awareness event to which she was personally invited and became concerned that her “personal brand” on social media was a distraction.
Read more at Yahoo.
Brittany Noble-Jones, a former co-anchor for WJTV This Morning in Mississippi, says she was unfairly terminated for filing complaints about her allegedly abusive bosses, in a Monday post on Medium.
After Noble-Jones was named the 2015 Emerging Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) for her interview that aired on KMOV-TV, a CBS affiliate in St. Louis, with the mother of police shooting victim Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., she was hired at WJTV to co-host the morning news.
“In the beginning, it was a normal work environment,” Noble-Jones, originally from St. Louis tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “But after I volunteered to appear in a company-wide promo in March 2017, my boss told me, ‘People here think you’re into yourself’ but he wouldn’t give me specific examples.”
The 32-year-old was newly pregnant but after the negative review, she felt uncomfortable telling her boss. She tried harder at work but noticed she was being treated differently than her colleagues. Many of her news pitches — timely stories about race relations in Mississippi — were passed over, allegedly because they “are not for all people.”
“Much later, I pitched a story about a former NFL player who became a doctor and saw on internal company notes that it was for an ‘African-American audience,'” Noble-Jones tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “It was just a sports story.”
Noble-Jones says her boss didn’t allow her to attend a breast cancer awareness event to which she was personally invited and became concerned that her “personal brand” on social media was a distraction.
Read more at Yahoo.
Houston, Miami airports close some security checkpoints after TSA officers call out sick in government shutdown
Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport said it shut down one of its security checkpoints on Sunday because of staffing shortfalls in the partial government shutdown, airport staff told travelers.
The airport's decision to close terminal B's security checkpoint and ticketing counters follows a similar measure at Miami International Airport, which shut one of its terminals early over the weekend as more Transportation Security Administration officers call out sick after they missed their first paycheck since the shutdown began on Dec. 22. Houston airport officials said the terminal's checkpoint remained closed on Monday morning.
The TSA workers are among the some 420,000 federal employees deemed essential who are working without pay. Amid the shutdown, which began on Dec. 22 and is now the longest ever, TSA officers missed their first paycheck on Friday.
The shifts show how the impact from the shutdown, the result of an impasse between President Donald Trump and lawmakers over funding for a barrier along the southern U.S. border, are impacting aviation. The shutdown has stalled the required federal approvals for new jets and routes, as well as certifications for new mechanics and other industry employees.
The agency acknowledged that unscheduled absences of the 51,000 TSA officers have been on the rise, but said "security standards remain uncompromised at our nation's airports." About 5.6 percent of officers called out sick on Saturday, up from 3.3 percent a year ago, spokesman Michael Bilello said Saturday.
Airports "may begin exercising consolidation option during peak periods, and these decisions will be made at the local level," TSA said in a statement.
Read more at CNBC
The airport's decision to close terminal B's security checkpoint and ticketing counters follows a similar measure at Miami International Airport, which shut one of its terminals early over the weekend as more Transportation Security Administration officers call out sick after they missed their first paycheck since the shutdown began on Dec. 22. Houston airport officials said the terminal's checkpoint remained closed on Monday morning.
The TSA workers are among the some 420,000 federal employees deemed essential who are working without pay. Amid the shutdown, which began on Dec. 22 and is now the longest ever, TSA officers missed their first paycheck on Friday.
The shifts show how the impact from the shutdown, the result of an impasse between President Donald Trump and lawmakers over funding for a barrier along the southern U.S. border, are impacting aviation. The shutdown has stalled the required federal approvals for new jets and routes, as well as certifications for new mechanics and other industry employees.
The agency acknowledged that unscheduled absences of the 51,000 TSA officers have been on the rise, but said "security standards remain uncompromised at our nation's airports." About 5.6 percent of officers called out sick on Saturday, up from 3.3 percent a year ago, spokesman Michael Bilello said Saturday.
Airports "may begin exercising consolidation option during peak periods, and these decisions will be made at the local level," TSA said in a statement.
Read more at CNBC
Young Black woman attacked by White man fights back
MIAMI—After footage of a young, Black woman being attacked by a White male customer in a St. Petersburg, Fla., McDonald’s went viral, the fast food chain is receiving backlash and action is being taken.
Daniel Taylor, 40, reportedly attacked Yasmine James, 20, because of the restaurant’s policy of only providing straws to customers upon request. The policy came as a result of the city’s new law that limits the use of plastic straws. The law came into effect Jan. 1.
Cell phone video shows Mr. Taylor shouting at Ms. James on New Year’s Eve before reaching across the counter to strike her. Ms. James, who told news outlets that she comes from a boxing family, can be seen defending herself against Mr. Taylor throwing several blows.
Ms. James has been placed on leave. Mr. Taylor was charged with two counts of simple battery—one count for assaulting Ms. Taylor and another for reportedly kicking another employee on his way out of the restaurant. He’s being held in Pinellas County Jail with a $1,000 bail, reported the Tampa Bay Times.
Social media users voiced their frustration with the attack on Ms. James. “Anyone else upset that her Manager assisted this man after he assaulted her instead of escorting him out and calling the police? It’s 2019, the Customer is not “always right” anymore,” posted Twitter user Amber Nicole.
The Bay Area Dream Defenders posted a link to an article about the incident on their Facebook page. “Not only does McDonald’s refuse to pay its mostly Black, Brown, and poor white workers a living wage, they refuse to protect them from violence?! … It is unconscionable that McDonald’s cares so little about the safety of its workers,” the activist group posted.
“How will you handle this @ McDonalds? Will you fire the manager who did nothing and continued to engage racist customer Daniel Taylor? Have you reached out to the victim, Yasmine James? Your response will determine if I ever patronize your stores again. #JusticeForYasmineJames,” posted Twitter user Raquel Liggon Horn.
The staff at the McDonald’s location is unable to comment on the situation and directed inquries to the corporate office. The fast food chain released a statement saying, “Our highest priority is always the safety and well-being of our employees and customers at our restaurants. We have been in contact with the police department and are fully cooperating with their investigation.”
Read more at Final Call
Daniel Taylor, 40, reportedly attacked Yasmine James, 20, because of the restaurant’s policy of only providing straws to customers upon request. The policy came as a result of the city’s new law that limits the use of plastic straws. The law came into effect Jan. 1.
Cell phone video shows Mr. Taylor shouting at Ms. James on New Year’s Eve before reaching across the counter to strike her. Ms. James, who told news outlets that she comes from a boxing family, can be seen defending herself against Mr. Taylor throwing several blows.
Ms. James has been placed on leave. Mr. Taylor was charged with two counts of simple battery—one count for assaulting Ms. Taylor and another for reportedly kicking another employee on his way out of the restaurant. He’s being held in Pinellas County Jail with a $1,000 bail, reported the Tampa Bay Times.
Social media users voiced their frustration with the attack on Ms. James. “Anyone else upset that her Manager assisted this man after he assaulted her instead of escorting him out and calling the police? It’s 2019, the Customer is not “always right” anymore,” posted Twitter user Amber Nicole.
The Bay Area Dream Defenders posted a link to an article about the incident on their Facebook page. “Not only does McDonald’s refuse to pay its mostly Black, Brown, and poor white workers a living wage, they refuse to protect them from violence?! … It is unconscionable that McDonald’s cares so little about the safety of its workers,” the activist group posted.
“How will you handle this @ McDonalds? Will you fire the manager who did nothing and continued to engage racist customer Daniel Taylor? Have you reached out to the victim, Yasmine James? Your response will determine if I ever patronize your stores again. #JusticeForYasmineJames,” posted Twitter user Raquel Liggon Horn.
The staff at the McDonald’s location is unable to comment on the situation and directed inquries to the corporate office. The fast food chain released a statement saying, “Our highest priority is always the safety and well-being of our employees and customers at our restaurants. We have been in contact with the police department and are fully cooperating with their investigation.”
Read more at Final Call
Police officers under investigation after man who was denied water in precinct dies of mysterious injuries within 48 hours
1/9/2019 UPDATE: Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes told Yahoo Lifestyle in a statement that a preliminary investigation revealed that Jameek Lowery had called 911 at approximately 2:45 a.m. on Saturday and stated that he had taken ecstasy and was paranoid. Paterson Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services responded and transported Lowery to “a local area hospital,” but he left “after becoming erratic.” He called 911 again, according to the statement, before entering the Paterson Police Headquarters.
After calling EMS workers, “police used physical force and compliance holds to secure Mr. Lowery in the ambulance.” The statement indicates, “Hospital records indicate no acute trauma” and claims the ride to the hospital took “five to twelve minutes.” The prosecutor’s office claims Lowery entered the hospital unresponsive and “was pronounced dead at the local area hospital in the early morning hours of January 7, 2019.” The State of New Jersey Regional Medical Examiner’s Office is still determining the cause and manner of Lowery’s death. ————————————————————————————————————--
A father of three in Paterson, N.J., was captured on video early Saturday morning entering police headquarters hysterical, paranoid and asking for water. Within 48 hours, he had died of injuries from a severe beating. Police officers deny touching him, but several are now under investigation.
Read more at Yahoo.
After calling EMS workers, “police used physical force and compliance holds to secure Mr. Lowery in the ambulance.” The statement indicates, “Hospital records indicate no acute trauma” and claims the ride to the hospital took “five to twelve minutes.” The prosecutor’s office claims Lowery entered the hospital unresponsive and “was pronounced dead at the local area hospital in the early morning hours of January 7, 2019.” The State of New Jersey Regional Medical Examiner’s Office is still determining the cause and manner of Lowery’s death. ————————————————————————————————————--
A father of three in Paterson, N.J., was captured on video early Saturday morning entering police headquarters hysterical, paranoid and asking for water. Within 48 hours, he had died of injuries from a severe beating. Police officers deny touching him, but several are now under investigation.
Read more at Yahoo.
Entrepreneur Aims To Open Only Black-Owned Bookstore In Orlando
n entrepreneur is aiming to create a hub for Black literature in Orlando, Florida. Trenessa L. Williams has plans on expanding her online bookstore Kizzy’s Books & More into a brick-and-mortar store which would make it the only Black-owned bookstore in Orlando, Black News reported.
Williams initially started the online store as an avenue to promote literacy in the Black community, the news outlet writes. She wanted to create a space that sold literature where African Americans could see themselves reflected in the material that they read. Kizzy’s Books & More also sells different products that capture the essence of Black culture. The store’s moniker was inspired by the character Kizzy from Alex Haley’s Roots.
Williams wants the brick-and-mortar store to be built in the historically Black neighborhood of Parramore. The neighborhood—which was hugely impacted by racism that stemmed from the Jim Crow era—is currently being revitalized. Williams believes that it’s essential to have a store like Kizzy’s Books & More in the neighborhood because there is a lack of accessibility to Black literature. She has launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds to bring her vision to fruition.
Read more at New One
Williams initially started the online store as an avenue to promote literacy in the Black community, the news outlet writes. She wanted to create a space that sold literature where African Americans could see themselves reflected in the material that they read. Kizzy’s Books & More also sells different products that capture the essence of Black culture. The store’s moniker was inspired by the character Kizzy from Alex Haley’s Roots.
Williams wants the brick-and-mortar store to be built in the historically Black neighborhood of Parramore. The neighborhood—which was hugely impacted by racism that stemmed from the Jim Crow era—is currently being revitalized. Williams believes that it’s essential to have a store like Kizzy’s Books & More in the neighborhood because there is a lack of accessibility to Black literature. She has launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds to bring her vision to fruition.
Read more at New One
Cyntoia Brown Granted Clemency By Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam
In one of his last acts as Tennessee governor, Bill Haslam on Monday granted executive clemency to Cyntoia Brown, commuting her life sentence for murder and making her eligible for release on Aug. 7.
Brown, a victim of child sex trafficking, was sentenced to life for the killing of 43-year-old Johnny Allen in 2004. She was 16 at the time and living with her 24-year-old boyfriend, a pimp known as “Kut Throat” who forced her into prostitution and raped her. Allen solicited her for sex, and she shot him dead at his home, saying she thought he was reaching for his gun to kill her, according to court documents.
“Cyntoia Brown committed, by her own admission, a horrific crime at the age of 16,” Haslam said in a statement on Monday, according to the Tennessean. “Yet, imposing a life sentence on a juvenile that would require her to serve at least 51 years before even being eligible for parole consideration is too harsh, especially in light of the extraordinary steps Ms. Brown has taken to rebuild her life.
“Transformation should be accompanied by hope. So, I am commuting Ms. Brown’s sentence, subject to certain conditions.”
Brown was tried as an adult and convicted of first-degree murder, among other charges. She was sentenced to life in 2006.
In December, Tennessee’s Supreme Court ruled that Brown must remain in prison for at least 51 years before she was eligible for release. A lawsuit was filed on her behalf arguing that mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles was unconstitutional. The court rejected that contention, leading the Women’s March to announce nationwide protests for Brown and other sex-trafficking victims on Jan. 19.
Read more at Huff Post
Brown, a victim of child sex trafficking, was sentenced to life for the killing of 43-year-old Johnny Allen in 2004. She was 16 at the time and living with her 24-year-old boyfriend, a pimp known as “Kut Throat” who forced her into prostitution and raped her. Allen solicited her for sex, and she shot him dead at his home, saying she thought he was reaching for his gun to kill her, according to court documents.
“Cyntoia Brown committed, by her own admission, a horrific crime at the age of 16,” Haslam said in a statement on Monday, according to the Tennessean. “Yet, imposing a life sentence on a juvenile that would require her to serve at least 51 years before even being eligible for parole consideration is too harsh, especially in light of the extraordinary steps Ms. Brown has taken to rebuild her life.
“Transformation should be accompanied by hope. So, I am commuting Ms. Brown’s sentence, subject to certain conditions.”
Brown was tried as an adult and convicted of first-degree murder, among other charges. She was sentenced to life in 2006.
In December, Tennessee’s Supreme Court ruled that Brown must remain in prison for at least 51 years before she was eligible for release. A lawsuit was filed on her behalf arguing that mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles was unconstitutional. The court rejected that contention, leading the Women’s March to announce nationwide protests for Brown and other sex-trafficking victims on Jan. 19.
Read more at Huff Post
Florida Teen Accused Of Cheating After Improving Her SAT Score By 330 Points
Last March, high school senior Kamilah Campbell, who dreams of attending Florida State University, scored a 900 on her first attempt at the SAT. Knowing that the highest score possible is 1600, Campbell decided to retake the exam.
With the help of a tutor, online classes and a copy of a The Princeton Review prep book, Campbell retook the test in October. When she finally got a letter from the testing company, Campbell was shocked to see that instead of revealing her test score, she was accused of cheating, reported CNN.
"We are writing to you because based on a preliminary review, there appears to be substantial evidence that your scores ... are invalid," the letter read. "Our preliminary concerns are based on substantial agreement between your answers on one or more scored sections of the test and those of other test takers. The anomalies noted above raise concerns about the validity of your scores."
Campbell then called the Educational Testing Service, which administered the exam, and was told by a representative that she scored a 1230.
However, the new score has not been released and accepted as valid, meaning Campbell could not use it on her Florida State application, which stopped taking test scores on Jan. 1.
"I did not cheat. I studied, and I focused to achieve my dream," she told reporters Wednesday. "I worked so hard and did everything I could do."
A spokesman for The College Board, the company that creates the SAT, said scored are not usually flagged after improvement.
Read more at Yahoo
With the help of a tutor, online classes and a copy of a The Princeton Review prep book, Campbell retook the test in October. When she finally got a letter from the testing company, Campbell was shocked to see that instead of revealing her test score, she was accused of cheating, reported CNN.
"We are writing to you because based on a preliminary review, there appears to be substantial evidence that your scores ... are invalid," the letter read. "Our preliminary concerns are based on substantial agreement between your answers on one or more scored sections of the test and those of other test takers. The anomalies noted above raise concerns about the validity of your scores."
Campbell then called the Educational Testing Service, which administered the exam, and was told by a representative that she scored a 1230.
However, the new score has not been released and accepted as valid, meaning Campbell could not use it on her Florida State application, which stopped taking test scores on Jan. 1.
"I did not cheat. I studied, and I focused to achieve my dream," she told reporters Wednesday. "I worked so hard and did everything I could do."
A spokesman for The College Board, the company that creates the SAT, said scored are not usually flagged after improvement.
Read more at Yahoo
Mississippi Jail Is Coming Up Crickets On Pregnant Inmate’s Death
Just days before the Christmas holiday, and after several complaints of abdominal pain, a pregnant Lanekia Michelle Brown was found unconscious in her Madison County, Mississippi cell. Now, Brown’s family has hired Attorney Carlos Moore to investigate her death.
In an exclusive interview with WJTV 12, Moore said the “suspicious” death is likely a result of discrimination and has urged Black people to “be on high alert” in Madison County.
In the days leading up to Brown’s death, jail witnesses say the 37-year-old Black woman complained of severe stomach pains and was taken to see the jail nurse on more than one occasion. Brown was never taken outside of the jail to the hospital. A white woman in a similar situation was able to seek outside medical attention.
Read more at Essence
In an exclusive interview with WJTV 12, Moore said the “suspicious” death is likely a result of discrimination and has urged Black people to “be on high alert” in Madison County.
In the days leading up to Brown’s death, jail witnesses say the 37-year-old Black woman complained of severe stomach pains and was taken to see the jail nurse on more than one occasion. Brown was never taken outside of the jail to the hospital. A white woman in a similar situation was able to seek outside medical attention.
Read more at Essence
White Woman Goes On Racist Rant During U.S. Virgin Islands Vacation
A North Dakota woman is coming under fire after she was caught on camera yelling a slew of racist slurs at locals while on vacation in the Virgin Islands.
Last week, Djama Esprit posted three videos of the woman, who was later identified as Mickey Tronson, to a St. Thomas Facebook group page.
“So this happened last week Thursday afternoon water Island dock, thank goodness they left the territory the following day,” Esprit said on Facebook. “I patiently tolerated her to spew her inner anger which made her calm down after she realized no one paid her any attention shortly after she was allowed to board the ferry.”
In the clips, the woman repeatedly used the n-word, while praising Donald Trump and calling President Obama “a motherf–king n—–r.”
Once she realized Esprit was filming her, Tronson levied her attacks against him.
“Are you recording it you mother-f–king n—-r? You’re recording it? Put it all over Facebook,” she snarled. “F–k these motherf–king n—-rs. I hate them. I hate n—-rs.
Read more at Essence
Last week, Djama Esprit posted three videos of the woman, who was later identified as Mickey Tronson, to a St. Thomas Facebook group page.
“So this happened last week Thursday afternoon water Island dock, thank goodness they left the territory the following day,” Esprit said on Facebook. “I patiently tolerated her to spew her inner anger which made her calm down after she realized no one paid her any attention shortly after she was allowed to board the ferry.”
In the clips, the woman repeatedly used the n-word, while praising Donald Trump and calling President Obama “a motherf–king n—–r.”
Once she realized Esprit was filming her, Tronson levied her attacks against him.
“Are you recording it you mother-f–king n—-r? You’re recording it? Put it all over Facebook,” she snarled. “F–k these motherf–king n—-rs. I hate them. I hate n—-rs.
Read more at Essence
African American senators push first federal lynching bill through U.S. Senate
On December 19th, the U.S. Senate finally passed the first anti-lynching bill in history.
The bill, entitled the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act of 2018, was passed by a voice vote. Should it become law it would federally criminalize lynching, attempts to lynch and lynching conspiracies.
The legislation was introduced in June 2018 by the three African American members of the U.S. Senate: Senators Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Tim Scott (R-SC) and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
Murder by mob rule and with no due process, typically by hanging, was at its height in America in the late 1800s after the end of the Civil War. The end of slavery in America with the signing by President Abraham Lincoln of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865, was met with a backlash that sought to enforce white supremacy and intimidate newly freed blacks by way of racial terrorism.
Victims of lynching were often African Americans murdered at the hands of white mobs who would gather and photograph the proceedings and often create postcards of the victims.
There is no count of the number of murders by lynching in the U.S. The Tuskegee Institute has recorded 3,446 blacks and 1,297 whites being lynched between 1882 and 1968. “A five-year study published in 2015 by the Equal Justice Initiative found that nearly 3,959 black men, women, and children were lynched in the twelve Southern states between 1877 and 1950,” according to Wikipedia.
In 2000, a visually jarring book of photography collected by James Allen entitled, “Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America,” documented lynching in the U.S. with 145 photographs. The disturbing book noted that, “between 1882 and 1968, some 4,743 lynchings were recorded throughout the United States.”
Read more at Amsterdam News
The bill, entitled the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act of 2018, was passed by a voice vote. Should it become law it would federally criminalize lynching, attempts to lynch and lynching conspiracies.
The legislation was introduced in June 2018 by the three African American members of the U.S. Senate: Senators Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Tim Scott (R-SC) and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
Murder by mob rule and with no due process, typically by hanging, was at its height in America in the late 1800s after the end of the Civil War. The end of slavery in America with the signing by President Abraham Lincoln of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865, was met with a backlash that sought to enforce white supremacy and intimidate newly freed blacks by way of racial terrorism.
Victims of lynching were often African Americans murdered at the hands of white mobs who would gather and photograph the proceedings and often create postcards of the victims.
There is no count of the number of murders by lynching in the U.S. The Tuskegee Institute has recorded 3,446 blacks and 1,297 whites being lynched between 1882 and 1968. “A five-year study published in 2015 by the Equal Justice Initiative found that nearly 3,959 black men, women, and children were lynched in the twelve Southern states between 1877 and 1950,” according to Wikipedia.
In 2000, a visually jarring book of photography collected by James Allen entitled, “Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America,” documented lynching in the U.S. with 145 photographs. The disturbing book noted that, “between 1882 and 1968, some 4,743 lynchings were recorded throughout the United States.”
Read more at Amsterdam News
White Man ‘Hallway Harry’ Harasses Black Neighbor In Upper East Side Building
When Black man who works as a producer was waiting for a Lyft in the lobby of his New York City apartment building, he was approached by a white man he’d never met. Instead of engaging in a friendly conversation between neighbors, the white man accused him of not living in the Upper East Side complex.
“What are you doing in my building?” the white man, nicknamed “Hallway Harry,” asked Chika Okafor, 29.
“You don’t live here,” he continued.
Okafor, who is a producer for Bleacher Report, was waiting in the lobby with a friend, who is also Black, until his Lyft arrived to take him to a company holiday party. While standing in the lobby, Okafor was harassed by the unidentified white man, reported the New York Times.
“I’ve never seen you before,” Okafor’s white neighbor said. “I’ve lived here 27 years.”
Although Okafor has not lived in the East 74th street building for decades, he has been a resident since last year. During the interaction, Okafor pulled out his camera and began recording. He then posted the video to social media, where it went viral, much the like the past videos of “Permit Patty” and “BBQ Becky.”
Read more at BET
“What are you doing in my building?” the white man, nicknamed “Hallway Harry,” asked Chika Okafor, 29.
“You don’t live here,” he continued.
Okafor, who is a producer for Bleacher Report, was waiting in the lobby with a friend, who is also Black, until his Lyft arrived to take him to a company holiday party. While standing in the lobby, Okafor was harassed by the unidentified white man, reported the New York Times.
“I’ve never seen you before,” Okafor’s white neighbor said. “I’ve lived here 27 years.”
Although Okafor has not lived in the East 74th street building for decades, he has been a resident since last year. During the interaction, Okafor pulled out his camera and began recording. He then posted the video to social media, where it went viral, much the like the past videos of “Permit Patty” and “BBQ Becky.”
Read more at BET
The Quiet Crisis Killing Black Women
DALLAS ― Before she died, Delashon Jefferson tacked a certificate to her bedroom wall.
The piece of paper, edged in gold like a diploma, was proof that her boyfriend had completed an anger management program. For Delashon, 20, it was more than that. It was a promise that her boyfriend was getting better.
Lagarius Rainey, 24, wasn’t going to hurt her anymore.
The young Dallas couple were expecting their second child, a sister for their toddler son, whom they called Rayray. A white crib was set up in the corner of the bedroom, ready for the baby. Delashon never got a chance to meet her.
Earlier this fall, police say, Rainey shot Delashon inside her bedroom when she was eight months pregnant. She was killed in front of her son.
Doctors at Baylor University Medical Center performed an emergency cesarean section and rushed her baby to the neonatal intensive care unit. Rainey was arrested and charged with Delashon’s murder.
In death, Delashon became one of the three women killed by their boyfriends, husbands and lovers every day in the United States. Domestic violence does not discriminate, and victims span all races, ages, ethnicities and religions.
The suffering, though, is not equally distributed.
In the U.S., black women face higher rates of domestic violence than do women of all other races, except Native women. In Dallas County, the most likely type of person to be killed by a romantic partner is a black woman, age 20 to 29, just like Delashon. Black women are four times more likely than their white peers to be murdered by a boyfriend or girlfriend, and twice as likely to be killed by a spouse. And they are seven times more likely to be slain while pregnant than white women.
Read more at HuffPost
The piece of paper, edged in gold like a diploma, was proof that her boyfriend had completed an anger management program. For Delashon, 20, it was more than that. It was a promise that her boyfriend was getting better.
Lagarius Rainey, 24, wasn’t going to hurt her anymore.
The young Dallas couple were expecting their second child, a sister for their toddler son, whom they called Rayray. A white crib was set up in the corner of the bedroom, ready for the baby. Delashon never got a chance to meet her.
Earlier this fall, police say, Rainey shot Delashon inside her bedroom when she was eight months pregnant. She was killed in front of her son.
Doctors at Baylor University Medical Center performed an emergency cesarean section and rushed her baby to the neonatal intensive care unit. Rainey was arrested and charged with Delashon’s murder.
In death, Delashon became one of the three women killed by their boyfriends, husbands and lovers every day in the United States. Domestic violence does not discriminate, and victims span all races, ages, ethnicities and religions.
The suffering, though, is not equally distributed.
In the U.S., black women face higher rates of domestic violence than do women of all other races, except Native women. In Dallas County, the most likely type of person to be killed by a romantic partner is a black woman, age 20 to 29, just like Delashon. Black women are four times more likely than their white peers to be murdered by a boyfriend or girlfriend, and twice as likely to be killed by a spouse. And they are seven times more likely to be slain while pregnant than white women.
Read more at HuffPost
Temple University students rally in support of Marc Lamont Hill
PHILADELPHIA—Organized by Temple Students For Justice in Palestine, 17 grassroots organizations participated in a student rally and march held in support of embattled adjunct professor Marc Lamont Hill at Temple University on Dec. 6.
Dr. Hill a former commentator for CNN lost his job following a speech given at the UN in late November where he condemned the 50-year military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, and the systematic disenfranchisement of Palestinian citizens of Israel through apartheid laws.
He called for a continued effort for global support for Palestinian resistance in their struggle for fundamental human rights. He ended his speech with a call for Palestine to be free from “the river to the sea.” The aftermath of his remarks drew immediate condemnation. His detractors jumped on the esteemed professor like a pack of crazed dogs calling not only for his termination at CNN but also cessation at his day job at Temple University where he is a professor of media studies and urban education in the Klein College of Media and Communication. Jewish groups such as the Anti-Defamation League and Zionist Organization of America condemned the 39-year-old activist, author, entrepreneur and professor.
“Mark Lamont Hill is a dangerous Farrakhan-loving, Israel-hating, racist propagandist who calls for Israel’s destruction to be supplanted by a Hamas-Iran terror state,” Zionist Organization of America national president Mort Klein told JNS,” reported breakingisraelnews.com.
“From the river to the sea” is often used by supporters of Palestinian causes to refer to the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, the location of Israel and areas it occupies. Critics call the phrase coded language used by so-called terror groups as a call for the dismantling of the State of Israel. Supporters of Dr. Hill included Jews and non-Jews, and many stated his words were misconstrued as anti-Semitic.
Read more at Final Call
Dr. Hill a former commentator for CNN lost his job following a speech given at the UN in late November where he condemned the 50-year military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, and the systematic disenfranchisement of Palestinian citizens of Israel through apartheid laws.
He called for a continued effort for global support for Palestinian resistance in their struggle for fundamental human rights. He ended his speech with a call for Palestine to be free from “the river to the sea.” The aftermath of his remarks drew immediate condemnation. His detractors jumped on the esteemed professor like a pack of crazed dogs calling not only for his termination at CNN but also cessation at his day job at Temple University where he is a professor of media studies and urban education in the Klein College of Media and Communication. Jewish groups such as the Anti-Defamation League and Zionist Organization of America condemned the 39-year-old activist, author, entrepreneur and professor.
“Mark Lamont Hill is a dangerous Farrakhan-loving, Israel-hating, racist propagandist who calls for Israel’s destruction to be supplanted by a Hamas-Iran terror state,” Zionist Organization of America national president Mort Klein told JNS,” reported breakingisraelnews.com.
“From the river to the sea” is often used by supporters of Palestinian causes to refer to the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, the location of Israel and areas it occupies. Critics call the phrase coded language used by so-called terror groups as a call for the dismantling of the State of Israel. Supporters of Dr. Hill included Jews and non-Jews, and many stated his words were misconstrued as anti-Semitic.
Read more at Final Call
Russians Took Aim at Black Voters to Boost Trump, Reports to Senate Find
WASHINGTON—A Russian influence campaign ahead of the 2016 election used a range of social-media platforms to suppress African-American voter turnout and boost Donald Trump’s presidential bid, while relying more on Instagram than previously known, according to two independent studies released on Monday.
The reports, commissioned by the Senate Intelligence Committee, are the first to draw from a trove of data provided by Facebook Inc., Twitter Inc., Google’s YouTube and other platforms exploited by Russian trolls during the 2016 campaign.
The new research offers granular detail of efforts by Russian actors, including the Internet Research Agency, a troll farm based in St. Petersburg that is funded by a Kremlin-connected oligarch, to pose as Americans on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest and other platforms and inject divisive content into America’s political discourse.
Among other findings, the research highlighted efforts to liken Mr. Trump to Jesus in social-media posts and vilify his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, as demonic. It found efforts to energize conservative voters over immigration and gun rights and to sow distrust in the electoral process to damp enthusiasm among demographic groups like African-Americans that tend to vote Democratic.
Instagram’s use as a favored tool by the Russians to spread disinformation is likely underappreciated, one of the reports concluded, assessing that the Facebook-owned photo-sharing site became more popular in 2017 as public scrutiny focused largely on other platforms.
Russia-linked content was found to have a higher rate of specific mentions of Mr. Trump or Mrs. Clinton on Instagram than Facebook or Twitter and outperformed other sites in terms of overall engagement. There were 187 million interactions with deceptive content on Instagram compared with 76.5 million on Facebook, the research from New Knowledge, a Texas-based cybersecurity firm, found. That suggested Instagram may be more susceptible to viral influence operations than other social-media services, the researchers said.
While U.S. officials say Russian trolls and hackers seem mostly to have sat on the sidelines during this year’s midterm elections, the researchers say the effort to meddle in U.S. politics continues.
Read more at the Wall Street Journal
The reports, commissioned by the Senate Intelligence Committee, are the first to draw from a trove of data provided by Facebook Inc., Twitter Inc., Google’s YouTube and other platforms exploited by Russian trolls during the 2016 campaign.
The new research offers granular detail of efforts by Russian actors, including the Internet Research Agency, a troll farm based in St. Petersburg that is funded by a Kremlin-connected oligarch, to pose as Americans on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest and other platforms and inject divisive content into America’s political discourse.
Among other findings, the research highlighted efforts to liken Mr. Trump to Jesus in social-media posts and vilify his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, as demonic. It found efforts to energize conservative voters over immigration and gun rights and to sow distrust in the electoral process to damp enthusiasm among demographic groups like African-Americans that tend to vote Democratic.
Instagram’s use as a favored tool by the Russians to spread disinformation is likely underappreciated, one of the reports concluded, assessing that the Facebook-owned photo-sharing site became more popular in 2017 as public scrutiny focused largely on other platforms.
Russia-linked content was found to have a higher rate of specific mentions of Mr. Trump or Mrs. Clinton on Instagram than Facebook or Twitter and outperformed other sites in terms of overall engagement. There were 187 million interactions with deceptive content on Instagram compared with 76.5 million on Facebook, the research from New Knowledge, a Texas-based cybersecurity firm, found. That suggested Instagram may be more susceptible to viral influence operations than other social-media services, the researchers said.
While U.S. officials say Russian trolls and hackers seem mostly to have sat on the sidelines during this year’s midterm elections, the researchers say the effort to meddle in U.S. politics continues.
Read more at the Wall Street Journal
NY woman whose baby was ripped from her arms by officers to be released from jail
A mother who had her 1-year-old child snatched from her arms by officers at a Brooklyn social services office will not face charges stemming from that incident and will be released from Rikers Island, where she was being held on an unrelated warrant.
Jazmine Headley, 23, faced possible charges of resisting arrest, acting in a manner injurious to a child, criminal trespass and obstructing governmental administration after peace officers were called to the Human Resources Administration in Brooklyn for a report of Headley "obstructing the hallway" and causing a disturbance.
Video filmed by an onlooker and posted Friday showed Headley on the floor on her back with several officers surrounding her as one tried to rip her child from her arms.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement that he was "horrified by the violence depicted in the video" and was dropping the case against Headley.
"The consequences this young and desperate mother has already suffered as a result of this arrest far outweigh any conduct that may have led to it," the district attorney said in a statement. "Continuing to pursue this case will not serve any purpose and I therefore moved today to dismiss it immediately in the interest of justice."
Later on Tuesday, a judge ordered for Headley to be released, according to a tweet by Brooklyn Defender Services, a nonprofit that provides public defense for Brooklyn residents experiencing financial hardship and which had filed an application requesting that the court release Headley.
She is expected to return home Tuesday night, and has to appear in a Mercer County, New Jersey, court Wednesday morning on an unrelated case.
Read more at NBC
Jazmine Headley, 23, faced possible charges of resisting arrest, acting in a manner injurious to a child, criminal trespass and obstructing governmental administration after peace officers were called to the Human Resources Administration in Brooklyn for a report of Headley "obstructing the hallway" and causing a disturbance.
Video filmed by an onlooker and posted Friday showed Headley on the floor on her back with several officers surrounding her as one tried to rip her child from her arms.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement that he was "horrified by the violence depicted in the video" and was dropping the case against Headley.
"The consequences this young and desperate mother has already suffered as a result of this arrest far outweigh any conduct that may have led to it," the district attorney said in a statement. "Continuing to pursue this case will not serve any purpose and I therefore moved today to dismiss it immediately in the interest of justice."
Later on Tuesday, a judge ordered for Headley to be released, according to a tweet by Brooklyn Defender Services, a nonprofit that provides public defense for Brooklyn residents experiencing financial hardship and which had filed an application requesting that the court release Headley.
She is expected to return home Tuesday night, and has to appear in a Mercer County, New Jersey, court Wednesday morning on an unrelated case.
Read more at NBC
Michael Cohen sentenced to three years in prison
(CNN)President Donald Trump's former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison after saying he took "full responsibility" for his actions while at the same time blaming the President.
His sentence will be the longest thus far for anyone involved with the President or stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
"I take full responsibility for each act that I pled guilty to: The personal ones to me and those involving the President of the United States of America," Cohen said.
But he also said he was living in a "personal and mental" prison since he started working for Trump.
"Recently the President tweeted a statement calling me weak and it was correct but for a much different reason than he was implying. It was because time and time again I felt it was my duty to cover up his dirty deeds," Cohen said.
"This may seem hard to believe, but today is one of the most meaningful days of my life," Cohen added later. "I have been living in a personal and mental incarceration ever since the day that I accepted the offer to work for a real estate mogul whose business acumen that I deeply admired."
Inside the courtroom, Cohen's family was visibly emotional. Cohen did not speak to reporters upon leaving the courthouse.
He previously pleaded guilty to eight criminal counts brought by federal prosecutors in New York, and received 36 months for those crimes. Cohen also pleaded guilty to one count of lying to Congress from Mueller's team, for which he was sentenced to two months.
Cohen will serve the sentences concurrently.
Read more at CNN
His sentence will be the longest thus far for anyone involved with the President or stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
"I take full responsibility for each act that I pled guilty to: The personal ones to me and those involving the President of the United States of America," Cohen said.
But he also said he was living in a "personal and mental" prison since he started working for Trump.
"Recently the President tweeted a statement calling me weak and it was correct but for a much different reason than he was implying. It was because time and time again I felt it was my duty to cover up his dirty deeds," Cohen said.
"This may seem hard to believe, but today is one of the most meaningful days of my life," Cohen added later. "I have been living in a personal and mental incarceration ever since the day that I accepted the offer to work for a real estate mogul whose business acumen that I deeply admired."
Inside the courtroom, Cohen's family was visibly emotional. Cohen did not speak to reporters upon leaving the courthouse.
He previously pleaded guilty to eight criminal counts brought by federal prosecutors in New York, and received 36 months for those crimes. Cohen also pleaded guilty to one count of lying to Congress from Mueller's team, for which he was sentenced to two months.
Cohen will serve the sentences concurrently.
Read more at CNN
Man Saved His Baby Over His Wife And Now People Want To Know Why He Had To Choose At All
When it comes to complications related to childbirth, Black women are three times more likely than white women to die as a result. After a recent story about a Black woman who died when her husband had to choose between her or her baby went viral, many are wondering why Black women are not being saved in the delivery room.
Keyvonne Connie was supposed to deliver her baby girl in the middle of January; however, when she began hemorrhaging on Nov. 30, the health of her and her unborn baby was at risk. In the end, her husband had to choose between having her deliver the baby before she went into surgery, which would save the baby, or have surgery first, which could have killed her and her baby.
He chose to save the baby, thinking this is what his wife would have wanted.
Now, Keyvonne's story has inspired many BET readers to share their own childbirth stories and debate why Black women keep dying when they give birth.
"That had happened to me. I went to the doctor on Monday with my unborn they said every thing is fine and then that night I went to pee and I lost so much blood that my toilet was full with blood and blood was every where.
Read more at BET
Keyvonne Connie was supposed to deliver her baby girl in the middle of January; however, when she began hemorrhaging on Nov. 30, the health of her and her unborn baby was at risk. In the end, her husband had to choose between having her deliver the baby before she went into surgery, which would save the baby, or have surgery first, which could have killed her and her baby.
He chose to save the baby, thinking this is what his wife would have wanted.
Now, Keyvonne's story has inspired many BET readers to share their own childbirth stories and debate why Black women keep dying when they give birth.
"That had happened to me. I went to the doctor on Monday with my unborn they said every thing is fine and then that night I went to pee and I lost so much blood that my toilet was full with blood and blood was every where.
Read more at BET
Cyntoia Brown Will Serve 51-Year Sentence For Killing Her Alleged Assailant
Cyntoia Brown was 16 and a victim of sex trafficking when she was arrested for killing the man who allegedly solicited her for sex, Johnny Allen. In her defense, she says she believed he was reaching for his gun to kill her. However, Tennessee’s Supreme Court clarified an earlier ruling that she must remain in prison for 51 years before she is eligible for release.
The state Supreme Court’s response comes after a lawsuit was filed claiming Brown’s life sentence is unconstitutional based on a previous Supreme Court ruling that said sentencing a minor to a mandatory life sentence was against the Constitution. Only 20 states and the District of Columbia have banned life without parole for minors. Tennessee is not one of those states; there, people convicted of first-degree murder can only be released from prison after serving at least 51 years of their 60-year sentence. A U.S. District Court in Tennessee noted that her sentence was different because she received a “life sentence, not a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.”
The Women’s March, Kim Kardashian West, Rihanna, and LeBron James have all publicly supported Brown’s release, funded legal support, and used her case to shed light on a larger need for prison reform and the systematic racism ingrained in our justice system. “The system has failed. It’s heartbreaking to see a young girl sex trafficked then when she has the courage to fight back is jailed for life! We have to do better & do what’s right. I’ve called my attorneys yesterday to see what can be done to fix this,” Kardashian tweeted.
Read more at Yahoo
The state Supreme Court’s response comes after a lawsuit was filed claiming Brown’s life sentence is unconstitutional based on a previous Supreme Court ruling that said sentencing a minor to a mandatory life sentence was against the Constitution. Only 20 states and the District of Columbia have banned life without parole for minors. Tennessee is not one of those states; there, people convicted of first-degree murder can only be released from prison after serving at least 51 years of their 60-year sentence. A U.S. District Court in Tennessee noted that her sentence was different because she received a “life sentence, not a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.”
The Women’s March, Kim Kardashian West, Rihanna, and LeBron James have all publicly supported Brown’s release, funded legal support, and used her case to shed light on a larger need for prison reform and the systematic racism ingrained in our justice system. “The system has failed. It’s heartbreaking to see a young girl sex trafficked then when she has the courage to fight back is jailed for life! We have to do better & do what’s right. I’ve called my attorneys yesterday to see what can be done to fix this,” Kardashian tweeted.
Read more at Yahoo
New Hampshire Students Sing About Killing Blacks in KKK-Themed Jingle
Two high school students in New Hampshire were recorded singing a racist rendition of “Jingle Bells,” which promoted the Ku Klux Klan and encouraged killing “all the Blacks.”
According to The Washington Post, the school district is under investigation for the incident, which reportedly took place at Dover High School during a history class on Friday.
Video of the pair singing “KKK, KKK, let’s kill all the Blacks, burn a cross in their front yard and hope they don’t come back,” was partially uploaded to Snapchat before being reposted on YouTube.
Several students can be heard laughing at the inappropriate lyrics. It was reported that the teacher, who has been placed on paid leave, did not stop the performance.
The racist incident follows recent reports of a Black student punching a White student known to wear Nazi uniforms and a group of students in Wisconsin allegedly mimicking the Nazi salute in a prom photo.
District Superintendent William Harbron explained that the class assignment required students to create a jingle inspired by America’s Reconstruction era following the Civil War.
In a letter to the community, Harbron said the school district is “deeply concerned” about the jingle, calling it “an incident of extreme racial insensitivity.”
“What we are much more concerned about is making sure that we use this opportunity to really learn from it and make sure business is done differently, and that all students are respected and regarded — regardless of their background, their race,” Harbron told The Washington Post. “I think that’s more of a concern for us right now.”
Read more at Ebony
According to The Washington Post, the school district is under investigation for the incident, which reportedly took place at Dover High School during a history class on Friday.
Video of the pair singing “KKK, KKK, let’s kill all the Blacks, burn a cross in their front yard and hope they don’t come back,” was partially uploaded to Snapchat before being reposted on YouTube.
Several students can be heard laughing at the inappropriate lyrics. It was reported that the teacher, who has been placed on paid leave, did not stop the performance.
The racist incident follows recent reports of a Black student punching a White student known to wear Nazi uniforms and a group of students in Wisconsin allegedly mimicking the Nazi salute in a prom photo.
District Superintendent William Harbron explained that the class assignment required students to create a jingle inspired by America’s Reconstruction era following the Civil War.
In a letter to the community, Harbron said the school district is “deeply concerned” about the jingle, calling it “an incident of extreme racial insensitivity.”
“What we are much more concerned about is making sure that we use this opportunity to really learn from it and make sure business is done differently, and that all students are respected and regarded — regardless of their background, their race,” Harbron told The Washington Post. “I think that’s more of a concern for us right now.”
Read more at Ebony
Fifteen migrants die in boat off Libya, Egyptian survivor says
MISRATA, Libya (Reuters) - Fifteen migrants have died in a boat off the Libyan coast after spending 12 days at sea without food or water, an Egyptian survivor said on Tuesday.
Only 10 migrants from the capsized boat survived, all of whom were suffering from severe dehydration, Othman Belbeisi, head of the U.N. migration agency IOM in Libya, said on Twitter.
The owner of a beach chalet found the migrants washing up on the shore near the city of Misrata and called authorities, who brought them to the Red Crescent relief service and hospitals, residents said.
"We were 25 migrants on a boat ... We set off from (the western Libyan town of) Sabratah and we were at sea for 12 days without food and water," the survivor said. "Fifteen have died."
The survivors had been brought to a detention center and doctors and emergency teams are on the way, Belbeisi said.
No more details from authorities were immediately available.
Read more at Yahoo
Only 10 migrants from the capsized boat survived, all of whom were suffering from severe dehydration, Othman Belbeisi, head of the U.N. migration agency IOM in Libya, said on Twitter.
The owner of a beach chalet found the migrants washing up on the shore near the city of Misrata and called authorities, who brought them to the Red Crescent relief service and hospitals, residents said.
"We were 25 migrants on a boat ... We set off from (the western Libyan town of) Sabratah and we were at sea for 12 days without food and water," the survivor said. "Fifteen have died."
The survivors had been brought to a detention center and doctors and emergency teams are on the way, Belbeisi said.
No more details from authorities were immediately available.
Read more at Yahoo
CNN Slammed For Firing Marc Lamont Hill Over Palestine Comment But Allowing Racists On Air
CNN came under fire for terminating commentator Marc Lamont Hill on Thursday after he criticized Israel in a speech delivered at the United Nations.
“Marc Lamont Hill is no longer under contract with CNN,” a network spokesperson said in an email.
While delivering a pro-Palestine address at the U.N. on Wednesday, Hill called for a “free Palestine."
“We have an opportunity to not just offer solidarity in words but to commit to political action, grass-roots action, local action and international action that will give us what justice requires and that is a free Palestine from the river to the sea,” Hill said in the speech.
The statement “from the river to the sea” has often been associated with the the militant group Hamas and refers to extending Palestine’s borders from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. Some claimed the comment was as advocating for violence against the Jewish state.
“Those calling for ‘from the river to the sea’ are calling for an end to the State of Israel,” Sharon Nazarian, the Anti-Defamation League’s senior vice president for international affairs, told the Jewish Journal.
Read more at BET
“Marc Lamont Hill is no longer under contract with CNN,” a network spokesperson said in an email.
While delivering a pro-Palestine address at the U.N. on Wednesday, Hill called for a “free Palestine."
“We have an opportunity to not just offer solidarity in words but to commit to political action, grass-roots action, local action and international action that will give us what justice requires and that is a free Palestine from the river to the sea,” Hill said in the speech.
The statement “from the river to the sea” has often been associated with the the militant group Hamas and refers to extending Palestine’s borders from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. Some claimed the comment was as advocating for violence against the Jewish state.
“Those calling for ‘from the river to the sea’ are calling for an end to the State of Israel,” Sharon Nazarian, the Anti-Defamation League’s senior vice president for international affairs, told the Jewish Journal.
Read more at BET
Dad takes legal action against school that banned son's dreadlocks
“My son just got told he cannot attend school with his hair,” Stanley said in a cell phone video he shot outside the classroom. “If that’s not bias, I don’t know what is.” The dad asked administrators if he could braid CJ’s hair as an alternative and was told, “I don’t think so. It’s in our handbook, it has to be above the ear.”
The family’s video got millions of views on social media, with “absolutely infuriating” and “discriminatory” among the comments.
Stanley tells Yahoo Lifestyle that the school policy appears to target students of color. “What are they saying about kids with dreadlocks — that they’re not capable of learning or are unintelligent? It seems to say, ‘We don’t want black people in our school.'”
A father is taking legal action against a school for banning his 6-year-old son for his hairstyle.
Clinton Stanley of Apopka, Fla., filed a complaint against A Book’s Christian Academy for illegal racial discrimination “on behalf of my son and other Black children in my community,” he wrote in a Thursday blog post for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida.
In August, Stanley walked his 6-year-old son CJ to his first day at the private Christian school, the boy proudly wearing a tie and sporting dreadlocks which he had painstakingly grown for the previous two years. But when the family arrived, they were not allowed inside, because of the school dress code on hairstyles, which states, “All boys hair must be a tapered cut, off the collar and ears. There are to be no dreads, Mohawks, designs, unnatural color, or unnatural designs.”
“My son just got told he cannot attend school with his hair,” Stanley said in a cell phone video he shot outside the classroom. “If that’s not bias, I don’t know what is.” The dad asked administrators if he could braid CJ’s hair as an alternative and was told, “I don’t think so. It’s in our handbook, it has to be above the ear.”
The family’s video got millions of views on social media, with “absolutely infuriating” and “discriminatory” among the comments.Stanley tells Yahoo Lifestyle that the school policy appears to target students of color. “What are they saying about kids with dreadlocks — that they’re not capable of learning or are unintelligent? It seems to say, ‘We don’t want black people in our school.'”
Read more at Yahoo
Marvin Gaye, Gregory Hines to Appear on Postage Stamps in 2019
Legendary soul singer Marvin Gaye and iconic dancer, actor and singer Gregory Hines will be immortalized on Forever stamps by the U.S. Postal Service, according to The Philadelphia Tribune.
The stamps, which will be released in 2019, are part of the Postal Service’s entertainment, historical and cultural figures series.
Gaye is featured as the “Prince of Soul” in the Music Icon series. His picture was designed by art director Derry Noyes, who was inspired by historic photographs of the crooner.
Ron Brewington, executive director for the Los Angeles chapter of the Motown Alumni Association, launched a global campaign for a commemorative stamp, according to BlackAmericaWeb.
“Brewington has been spearheading a worldwide campaign (‘A Stamp For Marvin’) since June 2003 to get a commemorative U.S. postage stamp for singer Marvin Gaye,” according to the site. “He also conducted a concurrent campaign of celebrities along with the unanimous support of a resolution by the Los Angeles City Council, former Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to get this unique and special honor for the deceased singer.”
According to the Postal Service, the “stamp pane is designed to resemble a vintage 45 rpm record sleeve. One side of the pane includes the stamps, brief text about Gaye’s legacy, and the image of a sliver of a record seeming to peek out the top of the sleeve. Another portrait of Gaye appears on the reverse along with the Music Icons series logo.”
Read more at Ebony
The stamps, which will be released in 2019, are part of the Postal Service’s entertainment, historical and cultural figures series.
Gaye is featured as the “Prince of Soul” in the Music Icon series. His picture was designed by art director Derry Noyes, who was inspired by historic photographs of the crooner.
Ron Brewington, executive director for the Los Angeles chapter of the Motown Alumni Association, launched a global campaign for a commemorative stamp, according to BlackAmericaWeb.
“Brewington has been spearheading a worldwide campaign (‘A Stamp For Marvin’) since June 2003 to get a commemorative U.S. postage stamp for singer Marvin Gaye,” according to the site. “He also conducted a concurrent campaign of celebrities along with the unanimous support of a resolution by the Los Angeles City Council, former Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to get this unique and special honor for the deceased singer.”
According to the Postal Service, the “stamp pane is designed to resemble a vintage 45 rpm record sleeve. One side of the pane includes the stamps, brief text about Gaye’s legacy, and the image of a sliver of a record seeming to peek out the top of the sleeve. Another portrait of Gaye appears on the reverse along with the Music Icons series logo.”
Read more at Ebony
Prayers Up: 13-Year-Old Girl Fatally Shot In Her Bedroom Wrote Award Winning Essay On Gun Violence
A young girl was killed in Milwaukee after a stray bullet hit her in her bedroom.
13-year-old Sandra Parks died last Thursday night (November 15). According to Pix 11, she wrote an award-winning essay about gun violence in her hometown just two years ago.
“We shall overcome has been lost in lies of who we are. Who we have become,” she wrote in that essay, in part. “We need to rewrite our story so that faith and hope for a better tomorrow is not only within us. But we believe it and we put it into action.”
At the time of the essay, Parks was just 11 and the main focus of it was about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It took third place in her school district and called for more empathy and less negativity. It also stressed the importance of education and using it to make the world a better place.
On Friday night, family and friends came together to remember bright young girl. Bernice Parks, her mother, told the news station just how special her daughter was.
Read more at BET
13-year-old Sandra Parks died last Thursday night (November 15). According to Pix 11, she wrote an award-winning essay about gun violence in her hometown just two years ago.
“We shall overcome has been lost in lies of who we are. Who we have become,” she wrote in that essay, in part. “We need to rewrite our story so that faith and hope for a better tomorrow is not only within us. But we believe it and we put it into action.”
At the time of the essay, Parks was just 11 and the main focus of it was about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It took third place in her school district and called for more empathy and less negativity. It also stressed the importance of education and using it to make the world a better place.
On Friday night, family and friends came together to remember bright young girl. Bernice Parks, her mother, told the news station just how special her daughter was.
Read more at BET
Chipotle Manager Fired After Viral Video Shows Her Telling Black Men To Pay Before Ordering
Video recorded in a Minnesota Chipotle location showed one of the company’s managers refusing to serve a group of Black men unless they agreed to pay up front. After the video went viral, the manager was fired by the chain restaurant; however, now the company is having second thoughts.
In the video, the unidentified female manager of a Chipotle restaurant in St. Paul, Minnesota, smile while telling the young men, “You gotta pay because you never have money when you come in here.”
Another worker in the video later tells the group, “We’re not gonna make food unless you guys actually have money.”
The five Black men began telling other workers they were being “stereotyped.”
Masud Ali, the customer who posted a series of videos of the incident to his Twitter account, accused the manager of racism.
“It sounded really racist — the way she said it was racist,” Ali, 21, told The Star Tribune. . “She asked for proof of income as if I’m getting a loan.”
Chipotle quickly released a statement saying the manager was terminated.
“Regarding what happened at the St. Paul restaurant, the manager thought these gentlemen were the same customers from Tuesday night who weren’t able to pay for their meal,” the chain said in a statement. “Regardless, this is not how we treat our customers and as a result, the manager has been terminated and the restaurant has been retrained to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.”
After the manager was fired, other people on Twitter began re-posting past tweets from Ali’s wherein he talked about “dining and dashing” or ordering food at a restaurant and leaving before paying.
The revelation apparently prompted Chipotle to reconsider its hasty firing of the manager.
Read more at BET
In the video, the unidentified female manager of a Chipotle restaurant in St. Paul, Minnesota, smile while telling the young men, “You gotta pay because you never have money when you come in here.”
Another worker in the video later tells the group, “We’re not gonna make food unless you guys actually have money.”
The five Black men began telling other workers they were being “stereotyped.”
Masud Ali, the customer who posted a series of videos of the incident to his Twitter account, accused the manager of racism.
“It sounded really racist — the way she said it was racist,” Ali, 21, told The Star Tribune. . “She asked for proof of income as if I’m getting a loan.”
Chipotle quickly released a statement saying the manager was terminated.
“Regarding what happened at the St. Paul restaurant, the manager thought these gentlemen were the same customers from Tuesday night who weren’t able to pay for their meal,” the chain said in a statement. “Regardless, this is not how we treat our customers and as a result, the manager has been terminated and the restaurant has been retrained to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.”
After the manager was fired, other people on Twitter began re-posting past tweets from Ali’s wherein he talked about “dining and dashing” or ordering food at a restaurant and leaving before paying.
The revelation apparently prompted Chipotle to reconsider its hasty firing of the manager.
Read more at BET
Diddy Shares Memorial for Kim Porter & Promises to 'Raise Our Family Just Like You Taught Me'
Sean “Diddy” Combs is working through his grief after the death of his ex-girlfriend Kim Porter.
Porter, who raised four children with Combs, was found dead on Thursday at age 47.
After breaking his silence with a video of the former couple dancing and canoodling for the camera while the model was pregnant, Combs shared a peek at a private memorial he held for Porter on Sunday afternoon. A source tells PEOPLE mourners included Pharrell Williams and Kourtney Kardashian, while TMZ reports Mary J. Blige and French Montana were also in attendance.
In the Instagram story videos, Combs surveyed six glamorous photos of Porter set up on easels outside a home. On the ground, candles burned.
He added three more Instagram posts, including a slideshow of pictures of time he spent with Porter and their brood. “I’ll raise our family just like you taught me to. Love you forever!!!!” he said. “I CANT BELIEVE THIS S—!!!!!! F—!!!!!! Smfh.”
“Words can’t explain,” he captioned a stylish photo of Porter in a beaded gold dress. “FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER!!! Infinity and BEYOND!!!!”
Read more at Yahoo.
Porter, who raised four children with Combs, was found dead on Thursday at age 47.
After breaking his silence with a video of the former couple dancing and canoodling for the camera while the model was pregnant, Combs shared a peek at a private memorial he held for Porter on Sunday afternoon. A source tells PEOPLE mourners included Pharrell Williams and Kourtney Kardashian, while TMZ reports Mary J. Blige and French Montana were also in attendance.
In the Instagram story videos, Combs surveyed six glamorous photos of Porter set up on easels outside a home. On the ground, candles burned.
He added three more Instagram posts, including a slideshow of pictures of time he spent with Porter and their brood. “I’ll raise our family just like you taught me to. Love you forever!!!!” he said. “I CANT BELIEVE THIS S—!!!!!! F—!!!!!! Smfh.”
“Words can’t explain,” he captioned a stylish photo of Porter in a beaded gold dress. “FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER!!! Infinity and BEYOND!!!!”
Read more at Yahoo.
Georgia Legislator, Arrested At Work, Says She Was ‘Singled Out As A Black Female Senator'
Georgia state Sen. Nikema Williams (D-Atlanta) was arrested along with more than a dozen other protesters at the Georgia State Capitol on Tuesday afternoon at a demonstration asking the state to “count every vote” from last week’s gubernatorial election. Protesters shouted “Let her go!” as Williams was handcuffed while the General Assembly was in session.
Williams, a civil rights advocate who organized domestic workers for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, was charged with misdemeanor obstruction of justice and spent about six hours at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta.
“There are countless Georgians who cast their ballots and still don’t feel like their voices are heard,” she said in a statement after being released. “I joined them down on the floor, and I was singled out as a Black female senator standing in the rotunda with constituents.”
One of Williams’ white male colleagues, state Rep. David Dreyer (D-Atlanta), went to the same protest with Williams for the same reason and was not arrested. He stood outside the jail after her arrest and spoke out about Williams’ unfair treatment by Capitol police.
Dreyer said he went down to the Capitol about the same time as Williams, “but for some reason, Sen. Williams was treated differently than I was treated.”
Dreyer noted the statistic that one in three black men and one in 18 black women will be incarcerated at some time in their lives.
“Because of our system, because of the bias and the way that our laws are enforced, just like I went down with Sen. Williams to try to de-escalate the situation, Sen. Williams was taken away,” he said. “We understand she’s been left in a van for a very long time on a cold and rainy day.”
Dreyer added: “For some reason, I saw Capitol police lined up three abreast, row after row after row, looking like they were trying to stop a riot, when we were standing up for people’s right to vote. So this is not democracy; this looks a lot more like an authoritarian government. And it seems like that’s happening a lot these days, doesn’t it?”
Read more at HuffPost
Williams, a civil rights advocate who organized domestic workers for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, was charged with misdemeanor obstruction of justice and spent about six hours at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta.
“There are countless Georgians who cast their ballots and still don’t feel like their voices are heard,” she said in a statement after being released. “I joined them down on the floor, and I was singled out as a Black female senator standing in the rotunda with constituents.”
One of Williams’ white male colleagues, state Rep. David Dreyer (D-Atlanta), went to the same protest with Williams for the same reason and was not arrested. He stood outside the jail after her arrest and spoke out about Williams’ unfair treatment by Capitol police.
Dreyer said he went down to the Capitol about the same time as Williams, “but for some reason, Sen. Williams was treated differently than I was treated.”
Dreyer noted the statistic that one in three black men and one in 18 black women will be incarcerated at some time in their lives.
“Because of our system, because of the bias and the way that our laws are enforced, just like I went down with Sen. Williams to try to de-escalate the situation, Sen. Williams was taken away,” he said. “We understand she’s been left in a van for a very long time on a cold and rainy day.”
Dreyer added: “For some reason, I saw Capitol police lined up three abreast, row after row after row, looking like they were trying to stop a riot, when we were standing up for people’s right to vote. So this is not democracy; this looks a lot more like an authoritarian government. And it seems like that’s happening a lot these days, doesn’t it?”
Read more at HuffPost
A Black Security Guard Was Killed By Police As He Tried To Stop A Shooting
A black security guard was shot dead by a police officer as he held down a suspect in a shooting at the bar where he worked.
Jemel Roberson, 26, was working early Sunday at Manny’s Blue Room ― a bar in the predominantly black Chicago suburb of Robbins, Illinois ― when a patron who was part of a drunken group that had been kicked out returned with a gun at 4 a.m. and opened fire, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Several people were shot.
Roberson, who was armed at the time, grabbed one of the men, held him down and waited for police, according to witnesses.
“He had somebody on the ground with his knee in back, with his gun in his back like, ‘Don’t move,’” Adam Harris told WGN-TV.
But witnesses said Roberson became the victim as soon as police arrived. A responding officer with the Midlothian Police Department immediately shot Roberson, who later died at a hospital.
Harris said the officer shot an innocent man and that people on the scene tried to warn police that Roberson was a security guard.
“Everybody was screaming out, ‘Security!’ He was a security guard ... and they still did their job, and saw a black man with a gun, and basically killed him,” Harris said.
Midlothian Police Chief Dan Delaney confirmed the shooting, telling reporters, “A Midlothian officer encountered a subject with a gun and was involved in an officer-involved shooting.” The department said the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force would investigate the shooting in order to “ensure transparency and maintain public trust.”
Roberson was known as a musician at local churches who had dreams of becoming a police officer, people who knew him told ABC-7 and WGN-TV.
“How in the world does the security guard get shot by police?” asked Walter Turner, the pastor at New Spiritual Light Baptist Church, where Roberson played the organ. “A young man that was literally doing his job and now he’s gone.”
Read more at HuffPost
Jemel Roberson, 26, was working early Sunday at Manny’s Blue Room ― a bar in the predominantly black Chicago suburb of Robbins, Illinois ― when a patron who was part of a drunken group that had been kicked out returned with a gun at 4 a.m. and opened fire, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Several people were shot.
Roberson, who was armed at the time, grabbed one of the men, held him down and waited for police, according to witnesses.
“He had somebody on the ground with his knee in back, with his gun in his back like, ‘Don’t move,’” Adam Harris told WGN-TV.
But witnesses said Roberson became the victim as soon as police arrived. A responding officer with the Midlothian Police Department immediately shot Roberson, who later died at a hospital.
Harris said the officer shot an innocent man and that people on the scene tried to warn police that Roberson was a security guard.
“Everybody was screaming out, ‘Security!’ He was a security guard ... and they still did their job, and saw a black man with a gun, and basically killed him,” Harris said.
Midlothian Police Chief Dan Delaney confirmed the shooting, telling reporters, “A Midlothian officer encountered a subject with a gun and was involved in an officer-involved shooting.” The department said the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force would investigate the shooting in order to “ensure transparency and maintain public trust.”
Roberson was known as a musician at local churches who had dreams of becoming a police officer, people who knew him told ABC-7 and WGN-TV.
“How in the world does the security guard get shot by police?” asked Walter Turner, the pastor at New Spiritual Light Baptist Church, where Roberson played the organ. “A young man that was literally doing his job and now he’s gone.”
Read more at HuffPost
Ferguson activist wants the truth about the death of her son and vows to get it
SPANISH LAKE, Mo.—Two weeks after the troubling death of 24-year-old Danye Dion Jones, his family and friends were seeking answers to questions about what actually happened to him.
Mr. Jones was found hung in the backyard of his mother’s home in the north county community of Spanish Lake, Missouri, just five miles away from Ferguson where 18-year-old Michael Brown was killed in 2014. The St. Louis County Police Department is investigating the death as a suicide and say a 911 call about a “suicide” was made by a family member, who used that specific word, according to reports.
But Melissa McKinnies, Mr. Jones’ mother, and other family members aren’t convinced and lack confidence in police handling of the death and subsequent investigation.
“I don’t know who said my son committed suicide,” Ms. McKinnies told The Final Call. “Of course, when you first see someone hanging, your first thought is that. But I know my son and none of us said he killed himself. The police were standing there, and I said to both of them, ‘this needs to be investigated, do you hear me?’ I know my son and none of this adds up, not at all.”
St. Louis County police spokesman Shawn McGuire, during a press conference, said there were no signs of struggle or trauma to the body.
Ms. McKinnies found her son hanging by a bed sheet early Wednesday, Oct. 17, at approximately 5:45 a.m. As photos of Mr. Jones’ lifeless body circulated online many people expressed their suspicions via social media. Some questioned whether someone else could have been involved in causing the young man’s death.
“The knots that were used in the sheets he was hung with, everybody I talked to that’s been in the military, know about these knots. My nephew was not in the military, militia or boy scouts,” said Daniel (Kashif) Muhammad, Danye Jones’ maternal uncle.
Photos showed an arm chair that Mr. Jones allegedly used to stand on, lying approximately three feet away from where he was hanging. The family believes this was staged to make it appear like he hanged himself. How did he get up there and tie a military-type noose around the branch of the tree and his neck? they asked.
Mr. Jones was about 6 feet and 1 inch tall. His feet were eight inches from the ground, his pants were rolled down to his ankles and both of his fists were clenched. He had abrasions on his face and blood on his shirt.
“He was too happy with his life and the possibilities of being successful. He had just written in his notebook the night before, about his plans with his new real estate business. So why would he take his life? He wouldn’t, and we will find out who did this to him,” vowed his mother.
Mr. Jones was found hung in the backyard of his mother’s home in the north county community of Spanish Lake, Missouri, just five miles away from Ferguson where 18-year-old Michael Brown was killed in 2014. The St. Louis County Police Department is investigating the death as a suicide and say a 911 call about a “suicide” was made by a family member, who used that specific word, according to reports.
But Melissa McKinnies, Mr. Jones’ mother, and other family members aren’t convinced and lack confidence in police handling of the death and subsequent investigation.
“I don’t know who said my son committed suicide,” Ms. McKinnies told The Final Call. “Of course, when you first see someone hanging, your first thought is that. But I know my son and none of us said he killed himself. The police were standing there, and I said to both of them, ‘this needs to be investigated, do you hear me?’ I know my son and none of this adds up, not at all.”
St. Louis County police spokesman Shawn McGuire, during a press conference, said there were no signs of struggle or trauma to the body.
Ms. McKinnies found her son hanging by a bed sheet early Wednesday, Oct. 17, at approximately 5:45 a.m. As photos of Mr. Jones’ lifeless body circulated online many people expressed their suspicions via social media. Some questioned whether someone else could have been involved in causing the young man’s death.
“The knots that were used in the sheets he was hung with, everybody I talked to that’s been in the military, know about these knots. My nephew was not in the military, militia or boy scouts,” said Daniel (Kashif) Muhammad, Danye Jones’ maternal uncle.
Photos showed an arm chair that Mr. Jones allegedly used to stand on, lying approximately three feet away from where he was hanging. The family believes this was staged to make it appear like he hanged himself. How did he get up there and tie a military-type noose around the branch of the tree and his neck? they asked.
Mr. Jones was about 6 feet and 1 inch tall. His feet were eight inches from the ground, his pants were rolled down to his ankles and both of his fists were clenched. He had abrasions on his face and blood on his shirt.
“He was too happy with his life and the possibilities of being successful. He had just written in his notebook the night before, about his plans with his new real estate business. So why would he take his life? He wouldn’t, and we will find out who did this to him,” vowed his mother.
The Latest: Abrams campaign says it will fight on
ATLANTA (AP) — The Latest on the race for Georgia governor (all times local):
12:25 p.m.
Stacey Abrams' campaign says it will continue to fight to get all outstanding votes counted in the Georgia governor's race and won't accept former Secretary of State Brian Kemp's declaration of victory.
At a news conference Thursday, Abrams' campaign manager Allegra Lawrence-Hardy said that the campaign demands that the secretary of state's office "release all the data, all the numbers, and they need to count every single vote."
The announcement came shortly after Kemp announced he was stepping down as secretary of state and moving forward with the transition to become the state's next governor.
___
10:30 a.m.
Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate and Secretary of State Brian Kemp says only about 20,000 provisional ballots remain uncounted in the race.
He says even if his opponent Democrat Stacey Abrams "got 100 percent of those votes, we still win."
Kemp's statement came at a news conference Thursday with outgoing Republican Gov. Nathan Deal. Kemp also announced that he was stepping down as secretary of state as of 11:59 a.m. An interim secretary will oversee the rest of the vote counting.
That announcement came as a federal court hearing was being held on a lawsuit from five Georgia residents who asked a judge to block Kemp from having any further role in overseeing the election.
Read more at Yahoo.
12:25 p.m.
Stacey Abrams' campaign says it will continue to fight to get all outstanding votes counted in the Georgia governor's race and won't accept former Secretary of State Brian Kemp's declaration of victory.
At a news conference Thursday, Abrams' campaign manager Allegra Lawrence-Hardy said that the campaign demands that the secretary of state's office "release all the data, all the numbers, and they need to count every single vote."
The announcement came shortly after Kemp announced he was stepping down as secretary of state and moving forward with the transition to become the state's next governor.
___
10:30 a.m.
Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate and Secretary of State Brian Kemp says only about 20,000 provisional ballots remain uncounted in the race.
He says even if his opponent Democrat Stacey Abrams "got 100 percent of those votes, we still win."
Kemp's statement came at a news conference Thursday with outgoing Republican Gov. Nathan Deal. Kemp also announced that he was stepping down as secretary of state as of 11:59 a.m. An interim secretary will oversee the rest of the vote counting.
That announcement came as a federal court hearing was being held on a lawsuit from five Georgia residents who asked a judge to block Kemp from having any further role in overseeing the election.
Read more at Yahoo.
Tamera Mowry-Housley’s Niece Among Victims of Thousand Oaks Shooting
The niece of actress Tamera Mowry-Housley and former baseball player and Fox News correspondent Adam Housley was among the victims of the shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks.
“Our hearts are broken. We just learned that our niece Alaina was one of the victims of last night’s shooting at Borderline bar in Thousand Oaks. Alaina was an incredible young woman with so much life ahead of her and we are devastated that her life was cut short in this manner. We thank everyone for your prayers and ask for privacy at this time,” the couple said in a statement via their representatives.
Earlier on Thursday, Mowry-Housley and Housley were searching for their niece, who was at the time missing. Mowry-Housley was in communication with a young woman named Ashley, who identifies herself as a suite mate to Mowry-Housley’s niece Alaina. Ashley had posted several images on Twitter saying that Alaina was still missing. The “Sister, Sister” star Mowry-Housley had exchanged several messages with Ashley asking for updates.
Read more at The Wrap
“Our hearts are broken. We just learned that our niece Alaina was one of the victims of last night’s shooting at Borderline bar in Thousand Oaks. Alaina was an incredible young woman with so much life ahead of her and we are devastated that her life was cut short in this manner. We thank everyone for your prayers and ask for privacy at this time,” the couple said in a statement via their representatives.
Earlier on Thursday, Mowry-Housley and Housley were searching for their niece, who was at the time missing. Mowry-Housley was in communication with a young woman named Ashley, who identifies herself as a suite mate to Mowry-Housley’s niece Alaina. Ashley had posted several images on Twitter saying that Alaina was still missing. The “Sister, Sister” star Mowry-Housley had exchanged several messages with Ashley asking for updates.
Read more at The Wrap
Georgia Domestic Workers Mobilize For Stacey Abrams In The Birthplace Of Their Movement
ATLANTA ― Gwinnett County, Georgia, is one of the most diverse counties in the country, but you wouldn’t know it from the houses on this particular block. Aside from a couple of political signs and the occasional overzealous Halloween decorator, this street in the city of Duluth is a stretch of similar two-story cream-and-brick homes, all facing similarly well-manicured lawns.
On a Thursday in October, six black women wearing bright orange T-shirts and jeans pull into this squeaky-clean north Atlanta suburb just before sundown, after what should have been a half-hour drive from the city took more than twice as long in traffic. They are domestic workers by day ― nannies, housekeepers and home care workers ― but they spend their evenings knocking on doors for Stacey Abrams, who would be the first black female governor in the history of the nation.
The plan is to skip over the houses inhabited by white people and target the voters of color. The women have a canvassing app, MiniVAN, that helps them to know which are which. Just over half of this immigrant-heavy county is non-white, but they are rare and sporadic voters ― so turning out the vote here could be crucial to Abrams’ election in what is now a razor-thin race against Republican Brian Kemp.
The work can be dangerous, so the women always keep each other in eye-shot while canvassing. Occasionally their app fails them, and they encounter a house with a Confederate flag or some other white supremacist symbol. Sometimes there’s a run-in with their fellow Georgians — an older white couple, for instance, backing their white Ford pickup out of their driveway and pulling up next to the women I’ve accompanied today. A Kemp sign pokes out of the couple’s yard in the distance, and a large German shepherd pants in the backseat. The wife rolls down her window and asks the women what they’re doing there, while the husband snaps pictures of one of them and the license plate of their car.
Read more at HuffPost
On a Thursday in October, six black women wearing bright orange T-shirts and jeans pull into this squeaky-clean north Atlanta suburb just before sundown, after what should have been a half-hour drive from the city took more than twice as long in traffic. They are domestic workers by day ― nannies, housekeepers and home care workers ― but they spend their evenings knocking on doors for Stacey Abrams, who would be the first black female governor in the history of the nation.
The plan is to skip over the houses inhabited by white people and target the voters of color. The women have a canvassing app, MiniVAN, that helps them to know which are which. Just over half of this immigrant-heavy county is non-white, but they are rare and sporadic voters ― so turning out the vote here could be crucial to Abrams’ election in what is now a razor-thin race against Republican Brian Kemp.
The work can be dangerous, so the women always keep each other in eye-shot while canvassing. Occasionally their app fails them, and they encounter a house with a Confederate flag or some other white supremacist symbol. Sometimes there’s a run-in with their fellow Georgians — an older white couple, for instance, backing their white Ford pickup out of their driveway and pulling up next to the women I’ve accompanied today. A Kemp sign pokes out of the couple’s yard in the distance, and a large German shepherd pants in the backseat. The wife rolls down her window and asks the women what they’re doing there, while the husband snaps pictures of one of them and the license plate of their car.
Read more at HuffPost
24-Year-Old Danye Jones’ Activist Mom Says He Was Lynched After Finding His Body Hanging From Tree
Two weeks ago, a Ferguson protester found her son hanging from a tree in the backyard of their home. Although police have said the death appears to be the result of a suicide, his mother insists there was foul play.
After finder her son, 24-year-old Danye Jones, Melissa McKinnies, who actively demonstrated after the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in 2014, posted a message to Facebook which read, "They lynched my baby."
Although the message has since been removed, many people are demanding answers from the police about the death of Jones.
In a message posted early Tuesday, McKinnies says she is "sick with grief but ready to get up and fight for my baby."
Jones’ body was found on October 17 in Spanish Lake, in St. Louis County, reports CBS St. Louis affiliate KMOV-TV.
In a police report, “suicide” was listed as the cause of death and they noted a chair was close to his body.
McKinnies’ post showed pictures of Jones hanging from what appeared to be bed sheets. She also said her son had bruises on his face.
Read more at bet.com
After finder her son, 24-year-old Danye Jones, Melissa McKinnies, who actively demonstrated after the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in 2014, posted a message to Facebook which read, "They lynched my baby."
Although the message has since been removed, many people are demanding answers from the police about the death of Jones.
In a message posted early Tuesday, McKinnies says she is "sick with grief but ready to get up and fight for my baby."
Jones’ body was found on October 17 in Spanish Lake, in St. Louis County, reports CBS St. Louis affiliate KMOV-TV.
In a police report, “suicide” was listed as the cause of death and they noted a chair was close to his body.
McKinnies’ post showed pictures of Jones hanging from what appeared to be bed sheets. She also said her son had bruises on his face.
Read more at bet.com
Troubling rise in Black children pushed into adult court
Mass incarceration could be likened to a disease that has fractured, ravaged and weakened Black communities for decades. Critics of the criminal justice system point to the 1.5 million Black men who have been locked up, the increasing number of women being jailed, the long-term and lasting effects on those who are incarcerated, their families and the wider community, as well as the decimation of Black communities nationwide.
Studies show that the children of incarcerated parents face pro-found and complex threats to their emotional, physical, educational, and financial well-being. Because of imprisonment, families are torn apart, children grow up without their fathers and mothers; children generally fall behind in school, experience anxiety, and according to a number of studies, exhibit other problems, such as depression, shame, guilt, withdrawal and hypervigilance.
Yet another part of the problem affecting Blacks is the overwhelming number of Black children who are sent to adult prisons and jails.
A new report, “The Color of Youth Transferred to the Adult Criminal Justice System: Policy and Practice Recommendations,” discusses “how the egregious practice of prosecuting and incarcerating Black youth as adults— which is rooted in our nation’s past and ongoing racism—has had a devastating impact on Black children and young adults and the Black community.”
Jeree Thomas, co-author of the report with Mel Wilson, said she continues to be troubled by the fact that while juvenile arrest rates have fallen sharply in recent years, Black youth are disproportionately sent to adult court by judges at some of the highest percentages seen in 30 years.
“We’re seeing it in the numbers. The disproportionality has gone up, the percentage of Black kids has gone up,” said Ms. Thomas, policy director of the Campaign for Youth Justice. “Looking at 30 years’ worth of data, the percentage of those being transferred who are Black has gone up. It is compounded by more Black children being arrested by law enforcement and being treated as adults.”
Read more at The Final Call
Studies show that the children of incarcerated parents face pro-found and complex threats to their emotional, physical, educational, and financial well-being. Because of imprisonment, families are torn apart, children grow up without their fathers and mothers; children generally fall behind in school, experience anxiety, and according to a number of studies, exhibit other problems, such as depression, shame, guilt, withdrawal and hypervigilance.
Yet another part of the problem affecting Blacks is the overwhelming number of Black children who are sent to adult prisons and jails.
A new report, “The Color of Youth Transferred to the Adult Criminal Justice System: Policy and Practice Recommendations,” discusses “how the egregious practice of prosecuting and incarcerating Black youth as adults— which is rooted in our nation’s past and ongoing racism—has had a devastating impact on Black children and young adults and the Black community.”
Jeree Thomas, co-author of the report with Mel Wilson, said she continues to be troubled by the fact that while juvenile arrest rates have fallen sharply in recent years, Black youth are disproportionately sent to adult court by judges at some of the highest percentages seen in 30 years.
“We’re seeing it in the numbers. The disproportionality has gone up, the percentage of Black kids has gone up,” said Ms. Thomas, policy director of the Campaign for Youth Justice. “Looking at 30 years’ worth of data, the percentage of those being transferred who are Black has gone up. It is compounded by more Black children being arrested by law enforcement and being treated as adults.”
Read more at The Final Call
All About the White Man Who Shot and Killed Two Black People at a Kentucky Kroger
On Wednesday, October 24, a 51-year-old man drove to a Kroger in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, where he shot and killed two black people whom police believe he did not know: Maurice E. Stallard and Vickie Lee Jones. The suspect, a white man named Gregory Bush, is facing multiple counts of murder and wanton endangerment for his crime; police say they are still investigating his motive. After the shooting, he reportedly told a white bystander, “Whites don’t kill whites.”
On Thursday, police said that Bush had stopped somewhere just minutes before the supermarket: a nearby, predominantly black church. Bush yanked on the church’s front doors, as captured by surveillance video, but the secured entrances remained locked, and Bush gave up after ten minutes. Then, he drove to Kroger.
Police are still investigating the shooting. Here’s what we know so far.
On Wednesday, 51-year-old Gregory Bush of Louisville, Kentucky, traveled to Jeffersontown, which is about a 25-minute drive. In the afternoon, sometime before 3 p.m., police say he tried to enter First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown during a midweek service. According to the church administrator, Billy Williams, somewhere between eight and ten people were inside the church when Bush started pulling on the front doors, which alarmed a church member who was in the parking lot. After ten minutes, Bush got back in his car and headed to Kroger, where police say he fired multiple rounds at Maurice E. Stallard, and later struck Vickie Lee Jones multiple times in the parking lot.
According to court records, Bush has been convicted of domestic assault, and has a history of making racist remarks, such as speaking about “black death” and calling his wife the N-word.
Readmore at Yahoo.
On Thursday, police said that Bush had stopped somewhere just minutes before the supermarket: a nearby, predominantly black church. Bush yanked on the church’s front doors, as captured by surveillance video, but the secured entrances remained locked, and Bush gave up after ten minutes. Then, he drove to Kroger.
Police are still investigating the shooting. Here’s what we know so far.
On Wednesday, 51-year-old Gregory Bush of Louisville, Kentucky, traveled to Jeffersontown, which is about a 25-minute drive. In the afternoon, sometime before 3 p.m., police say he tried to enter First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown during a midweek service. According to the church administrator, Billy Williams, somewhere between eight and ten people were inside the church when Bush started pulling on the front doors, which alarmed a church member who was in the parking lot. After ten minutes, Bush got back in his car and headed to Kroger, where police say he fired multiple rounds at Maurice E. Stallard, and later struck Vickie Lee Jones multiple times in the parking lot.
According to court records, Bush has been convicted of domestic assault, and has a history of making racist remarks, such as speaking about “black death” and calling his wife the N-word.
Readmore at Yahoo.
Suspect arrested after explosive devices sent to Trump critics and CNN
When mail bomb suspect Cesar Altieri Sayoc had his electricity turned off in 2002, he grew frustrated with his efforts to convince the power company to turn it back on, his longtime attorney recalled Friday.
“I bet if I threatened to blow up your office you’d turn it back on quickly,” Sayoc’s then-attorney, Ronald S. Lowy, quoted him as saying.
Lowy, who represented Sayoc in the case in Miami, Florida, told CNN his client never intended to make good on the threat. He said he was sentenced to a year’s probation “and allowed to continue with his life.”
Lowy said he represented Sayoc in several subsequent matters, but nothing involving violence or threats of violence.
He described Sayoc, 56, as someone who had “trouble conforming” and “didn’t fit in.”
Lowy said he was not surprised that the devices he is suspected of assembling and mailing to past and current politicians and the Manhattan offices of CNN did not explode. He questioned his former client’s ability to successfully devise and execute such a scheme.
He described Sayoc as a man involved in petty offenses spread out over time.
In one case, Lowy said, Sayoc altered his driver’s license to make himself appear younger because he remained single and thought his age may be hurting him on the dating scene.
“He was embarrassed about his age,” the lawyer said.
Lowy said he recalled Sayoc frequenting the gym and working as a personal trainer at one point.
Lowy said he was in consultation with Sayoc’s family and discussing the possibility of representing him in connection with Friday’s arrest.
Read more at CNN
“I bet if I threatened to blow up your office you’d turn it back on quickly,” Sayoc’s then-attorney, Ronald S. Lowy, quoted him as saying.
Lowy, who represented Sayoc in the case in Miami, Florida, told CNN his client never intended to make good on the threat. He said he was sentenced to a year’s probation “and allowed to continue with his life.”
Lowy said he represented Sayoc in several subsequent matters, but nothing involving violence or threats of violence.
He described Sayoc, 56, as someone who had “trouble conforming” and “didn’t fit in.”
Lowy said he was not surprised that the devices he is suspected of assembling and mailing to past and current politicians and the Manhattan offices of CNN did not explode. He questioned his former client’s ability to successfully devise and execute such a scheme.
He described Sayoc as a man involved in petty offenses spread out over time.
In one case, Lowy said, Sayoc altered his driver’s license to make himself appear younger because he remained single and thought his age may be hurting him on the dating scene.
“He was embarrassed about his age,” the lawyer said.
Lowy said he recalled Sayoc frequenting the gym and working as a personal trainer at one point.
Lowy said he was in consultation with Sayoc’s family and discussing the possibility of representing him in connection with Friday’s arrest.
Read more at CNN
Shocking video shows savage Florida cop repeatedly punching 14-year-old girl and pinning her to the ground with his knee after she 'back talked him'
This is the horrific moment a Florida cop repeatedly punches a teenage girl sprawled on the ground as he tries to arrest her.
The shocking video was posted on Instagram and shows a 14-year-old black girl being punched by a Coral Springs officer in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday afternoon.
The cops allegedly told the girl and her friends to leave Coral Square Mall where they were hanging out after receiving a call about 30 unruly teenagers.
She reportedly 'back talked him' leading to the physical confrontation and arrest.
A friend recorded the terrifying moment two Coral Springs officers bring the girl to the ground and one pummels her with punches.
The nine-second clip starts with the victim lying on the grass with her face to the ground as the two officers hold her down. A male Coral Springs cop pins her down with his knee on her upper back.
Then he throws three punches into her rib cage.
The girl's legs are seen slightly kicking upon the impact as passerby shout horrified with the blows.
After the punches are thrown the girl behind the camera screams: 'Why are you hitting her? She can't do it. She can't do that. Her head's underneath her. The f*** you hitting her for?'
Read More at Daily Mail
The shocking video was posted on Instagram and shows a 14-year-old black girl being punched by a Coral Springs officer in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday afternoon.
The cops allegedly told the girl and her friends to leave Coral Square Mall where they were hanging out after receiving a call about 30 unruly teenagers.
She reportedly 'back talked him' leading to the physical confrontation and arrest.
A friend recorded the terrifying moment two Coral Springs officers bring the girl to the ground and one pummels her with punches.
The nine-second clip starts with the victim lying on the grass with her face to the ground as the two officers hold her down. A male Coral Springs cop pins her down with his knee on her upper back.
Then he throws three punches into her rib cage.
The girl's legs are seen slightly kicking upon the impact as passerby shout horrified with the blows.
After the punches are thrown the girl behind the camera screams: 'Why are you hitting her? She can't do it. She can't do that. Her head's underneath her. The f*** you hitting her for?'
Read More at Daily Mail
'Potential explosive devices' sent to Obama, Clinton homes; CNN building evacuated
The U.S. Secret Service said on Wednesday that it had intercepted a pair of suspicious packages addressed to former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
A third suspicious package found in the mailroom of Time Warner Center in New York City forced the evacuation of the building, which houses CNN’s New York bureau.
The package addressed to Bill and Hillary Clinton’s home in Chappaqua, N.Y., was recovered late Tuesday, the Secret Service said in a statement to Yahoo News. A second package addressed to Obama was intercepted by Secret Service personnel in Washington, D.C., early Wednesday. The Secret Service screens all mail addressed to its protectees; the Clintons and Obamas have had Secret Service detail since serving in the White House.
“The packages were immediately identified during routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such,” the statement read. “The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them.”
Read more at Yahoo
A third suspicious package found in the mailroom of Time Warner Center in New York City forced the evacuation of the building, which houses CNN’s New York bureau.
The package addressed to Bill and Hillary Clinton’s home in Chappaqua, N.Y., was recovered late Tuesday, the Secret Service said in a statement to Yahoo News. A second package addressed to Obama was intercepted by Secret Service personnel in Washington, D.C., early Wednesday. The Secret Service screens all mail addressed to its protectees; the Clintons and Obamas have had Secret Service detail since serving in the White House.
“The packages were immediately identified during routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such,” the statement read. “The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them.”
Read more at Yahoo
School suspends, calls police on black student who stood up for herself after classmate allegedly called her the N-word
A teen who was reportedly called the N-word repeatedly at school was suspended and had the police called on her after standing up for herself.
On Wednesday, Chanese Knox, a junior at Greendale High School in Wisconsin, led her friends in protest, alleging that her suspension in September was the result of a racially charged environment on campus that the school has failed to address.
Knox and her friends were walking to class on Sept. 12 when a white female classmate referred to the group using the N-word. “My daughter was upset, particularly because the girl said it loudly and none of her peers intervened,” Knox’s mother, Diannia Merriett, 43, tells Yahoo Lifestyle.
The 16-year-old reported the incident to the school guidance counselor, and Merriett met with the principal the following day. But the conversation went nowhere, the mom says.
Walking to class with friends the following day, the same student again called Knox the N-word. “This time, my daughter responded by saying, ‘Why are you walking away?’ — and there were profanities,” Merriett says. “There was no physical contact.”
Read more at Yahoo.
On Wednesday, Chanese Knox, a junior at Greendale High School in Wisconsin, led her friends in protest, alleging that her suspension in September was the result of a racially charged environment on campus that the school has failed to address.
Knox and her friends were walking to class on Sept. 12 when a white female classmate referred to the group using the N-word. “My daughter was upset, particularly because the girl said it loudly and none of her peers intervened,” Knox’s mother, Diannia Merriett, 43, tells Yahoo Lifestyle.
The 16-year-old reported the incident to the school guidance counselor, and Merriett met with the principal the following day. But the conversation went nowhere, the mom says.
Walking to class with friends the following day, the same student again called Knox the N-word. “This time, my daughter responded by saying, ‘Why are you walking away?’ — and there were profanities,” Merriett says. “There was no physical contact.”
Read more at Yahoo.
Facebook takes down ads mentioning African-Americans and Hispanics, calling them political
SAN FRANCISCO – A Facebook advertisement celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from a health insurance company. A professional women's club showcasing black dolls so children can see "beautiful reflections of themselves." Prostate cancer screenings for African-American men in Colorado and cervical cancer screenings for Hispanic women in Ohio. A pledge in Spanish for fast loan pre-approval from a mortgage company.
Dozens of advertisements removed from Facebook for being political ahead of the November midterm elections did not appear to express any political view, a USA TODAY analysis showed. The Facebook ads from businesses, universities, nonprofits and other organizations did seem to have something in common: They mentioned "African-American," "Latino," "Hispanic," "Mexican," "women," "LGBT" or were written in Spanish.
Even offers of free delivery from Chipotle Mexican Grill were mislabeled as political until an inquiry from USA TODAY. Laurie Schalow, the restaurant chain's chief communications officer, said Facebook "corrected the error" after being alerted.
Facing a flood of criticism over its failure to stop foreign interference during the 2016 presidential election, Facebook this year adopted stricter advertising disclosures for political campaigns and for contentious national issues. In addition to deploying artificial intelligence to sift through ads, Facebook said it would add thousands more moderators to manually review the text, images and targeting of ads and it would create an online archive of political ads.
Read more at USA Today
Dozens of advertisements removed from Facebook for being political ahead of the November midterm elections did not appear to express any political view, a USA TODAY analysis showed. The Facebook ads from businesses, universities, nonprofits and other organizations did seem to have something in common: They mentioned "African-American," "Latino," "Hispanic," "Mexican," "women," "LGBT" or were written in Spanish.
Even offers of free delivery from Chipotle Mexican Grill were mislabeled as political until an inquiry from USA TODAY. Laurie Schalow, the restaurant chain's chief communications officer, said Facebook "corrected the error" after being alerted.
Facing a flood of criticism over its failure to stop foreign interference during the 2016 presidential election, Facebook this year adopted stricter advertising disclosures for political campaigns and for contentious national issues. In addition to deploying artificial intelligence to sift through ads, Facebook said it would add thousands more moderators to manually review the text, images and targeting of ads and it would create an online archive of political ads.
Read more at USA Today
New York Post Calls Black Rhodes Scholar And Harvard Law Grad ‘Rapping Dem’
The New York Post appeared to steal a page from state Republicans’ playbooks with a story this week headlined: “Rapping Dem raised $3.8M for campaign against Republican.”
Briefly, the “rapping Dem” is Antonio Delgado, who is running as a Democrat to represent New York state’s 19th district in Congress. He received a prestigious Rhodes scholarship to attend the University of Oxford in England, where he earned a master’s degree in philosophy and political science after completing undergraduate studies at New York’s Colgate University. Then he went to Harvard Law School, where he met his wife.
The $3.8 million his campaign raised was “eye-popping,” as the Post put it, considering that his opponent, incumbent Republican Rep. John Faso, only collected around $1 million in the same period.
Also eye-popping, though, was the Post’s headline, which narrowed in on perhaps the least consequential aspect of Delgado’s resume: That time he tried to make it as a rapper.
The headline is oddly in line with messaging from New York Republicans, who have exhibited a mild obsession with the lyrics that Delgado, who is black, wrote in the mid-aughts.
Read more at HuffPost
Briefly, the “rapping Dem” is Antonio Delgado, who is running as a Democrat to represent New York state’s 19th district in Congress. He received a prestigious Rhodes scholarship to attend the University of Oxford in England, where he earned a master’s degree in philosophy and political science after completing undergraduate studies at New York’s Colgate University. Then he went to Harvard Law School, where he met his wife.
The $3.8 million his campaign raised was “eye-popping,” as the Post put it, considering that his opponent, incumbent Republican Rep. John Faso, only collected around $1 million in the same period.
Also eye-popping, though, was the Post’s headline, which narrowed in on perhaps the least consequential aspect of Delgado’s resume: That time he tried to make it as a rapper.
The headline is oddly in line with messaging from New York Republicans, who have exhibited a mild obsession with the lyrics that Delgado, who is black, wrote in the mid-aughts.
Read more at HuffPost
The Kanye West controversy
Kanye West’s recent visit to the White House ignited a predictable firestorm of outrage, exasperation and in some corners, support.
Mr. West was invited, along with NFL great Jim Brown by President Donald Trump, ostensibly to discuss criminal justice reform. It’s unclear if anything will develop beyond rhetoric, but Mr. West used his stage to embark on what has been described by the media as a 20-minute rant, incoherent and disjointed and a “stream of consciousness” soliloquy.
Some Blacks were repulsed at his supportive expressions of the president, and disgusted that Mr. West has tied his fortunes so closely to a man deemed a racist and overt supporter of White nationalists, as someone who has been assailed from Black Americans for his bigotry, his crassness and his need to belittle all around him.
Others called for looking a little deeper into what the singer, producer and hip hop entrepreneur said and the issues he raised and whether they had merit, instead of rejecting any and all engagement with a president widely seen as an enemy of Black people.
During the Oct. 10 press availability, Mr. West expressed admiration for his friend President Trump, referred to him as a father figure of sorts and shared pushback he’s gotten from friends and foes for associating with the proponent of Make America Great Again.
He called Mr. Trump and American entrepreneurs, not politicians, his inspiration for business success. In his four-dimensional way of self-expression, Mr. West started by talking about the incarceration of Larry Hoover, legendary founder of the Gangster Disciple street organization in Chicago, and the need for his release. Mr. Hoover, who was trying to move and move others in a positive direction, is jailed but could help turn lives around and has a curriculum to change young lives, said Mr. West. Mr. Hoover is a nonconventional leader in the Black community and his incarceration and the jailing of others is tied to the lack of opportunity in inner cities, he said. America needs reinvestment with companies like Adidas coming back to the cities to build factories and create jobs, he said.
“Really the reason why they imprisoned (Mr. Hoover) is because he was doing positive for the community. He started showing that he actually had power, that he wasn’t just one of a monolithic voice, but he could wrap people around,” said Mr. West.
“And I have to go and get him free because he was doing positive [things] inside of Chicago, just like how I’m moving back to Chicago and it’s not just about, you know, getting on stage and being an entertainer and having a monolithic voice that’s forced to be a specific party,” he said.
Read more at Final Call
Mr. West was invited, along with NFL great Jim Brown by President Donald Trump, ostensibly to discuss criminal justice reform. It’s unclear if anything will develop beyond rhetoric, but Mr. West used his stage to embark on what has been described by the media as a 20-minute rant, incoherent and disjointed and a “stream of consciousness” soliloquy.
Some Blacks were repulsed at his supportive expressions of the president, and disgusted that Mr. West has tied his fortunes so closely to a man deemed a racist and overt supporter of White nationalists, as someone who has been assailed from Black Americans for his bigotry, his crassness and his need to belittle all around him.
Others called for looking a little deeper into what the singer, producer and hip hop entrepreneur said and the issues he raised and whether they had merit, instead of rejecting any and all engagement with a president widely seen as an enemy of Black people.
During the Oct. 10 press availability, Mr. West expressed admiration for his friend President Trump, referred to him as a father figure of sorts and shared pushback he’s gotten from friends and foes for associating with the proponent of Make America Great Again.
He called Mr. Trump and American entrepreneurs, not politicians, his inspiration for business success. In his four-dimensional way of self-expression, Mr. West started by talking about the incarceration of Larry Hoover, legendary founder of the Gangster Disciple street organization in Chicago, and the need for his release. Mr. Hoover, who was trying to move and move others in a positive direction, is jailed but could help turn lives around and has a curriculum to change young lives, said Mr. West. Mr. Hoover is a nonconventional leader in the Black community and his incarceration and the jailing of others is tied to the lack of opportunity in inner cities, he said. America needs reinvestment with companies like Adidas coming back to the cities to build factories and create jobs, he said.
“Really the reason why they imprisoned (Mr. Hoover) is because he was doing positive for the community. He started showing that he actually had power, that he wasn’t just one of a monolithic voice, but he could wrap people around,” said Mr. West.
“And I have to go and get him free because he was doing positive [things] inside of Chicago, just like how I’m moving back to Chicago and it’s not just about, you know, getting on stage and being an entertainer and having a monolithic voice that’s forced to be a specific party,” he said.
Read more at Final Call
Woman fired after video shows her stopping black man from entering apartment building
A Missouri woman was dismissed from her job Sunday, just days after video surfaced showing her trying to stop a black man from entering the apartment building where he lives.
The company that fired her, Tribeca Luxury Apartments, said in a statement to KMOV4, a local CBS affiliate, that the incident was "disturbing" and that it will not stand for "racism or racial profiling at our company."
“The Tribeca-STL family is a minority-owned company that consists of employees and residents from many racial backgrounds,” the company said. “We are proud of this fact and do not and never will stand for racism or racial profiling at our company. After a review of the matter the employee has been terminated and is no longer with our company.”
The statement stemmed from an encounter between D’Arreion Toles and the woman, Hilary Brooke Mueller, on Friday night as he tried to enter his apartment complex in St. Louis.
The woman can be seen standing in the doorway of the apartment complex in video that Toles taped on his cellphone. She repeatedly asks Toles what unit he lives in as Toles asks her to move out of his way.
"To Be A Black man in America, & Come home," Toles wrote in a Facebook post that was accompanied by video of the interaction.
Read more at The Hill
The company that fired her, Tribeca Luxury Apartments, said in a statement to KMOV4, a local CBS affiliate, that the incident was "disturbing" and that it will not stand for "racism or racial profiling at our company."
“The Tribeca-STL family is a minority-owned company that consists of employees and residents from many racial backgrounds,” the company said. “We are proud of this fact and do not and never will stand for racism or racial profiling at our company. After a review of the matter the employee has been terminated and is no longer with our company.”
The statement stemmed from an encounter between D’Arreion Toles and the woman, Hilary Brooke Mueller, on Friday night as he tried to enter his apartment complex in St. Louis.
The woman can be seen standing in the doorway of the apartment complex in video that Toles taped on his cellphone. She repeatedly asks Toles what unit he lives in as Toles asks her to move out of his way.
"To Be A Black man in America, & Come home," Toles wrote in a Facebook post that was accompanied by video of the interaction.
Read more at The Hill
'Babysitting while black': Woman calls police on male babysitter with white children
A black babysitter says a woman called the police on him while two white children were in his care.
On Sunday, while babysitting for the 10-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son of his friends Dana Mango and David Parker, Corey Lewis of Marietta, Ga., treated the kids to lunch at a Subway inside Walmart. Afterward, the 27-year-old, who runs the youth mentoring program Inspired by Lewis, was standing with the kids outside his car while the boy finished eating when he noticed a white woman sitting in her car, staring.
“She pulled up alongside us and asked, ‘Are the kids OK?'” Lewis tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “I answered, ‘Why wouldn’t they be?’ She just smirked and drove off.”
The woman circled the parking lot and returned to Lewis’s car, saying, “Can I ask the little girl if she knows who you are?” and Lewis answered, “No, you cannot.” The woman then said, “OK, I will take down your license plate,” and left.
“I asked a few white witnesses if it looked suspicious that I was caring for two white children, and they said ‘Kind of,'” says Lewis. “But the kids were goofing around and eating, and there was no sign of danger.”
Lewis headed to a service station, and while he was pumping gas, he noticed the woman’s car again. Concerned about the children’s safety, he drove to his house, and when he arrived, so did the woman — and a police car.
On Sunday, while babysitting for the 10-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son of his friends Dana Mango and David Parker, Corey Lewis of Marietta, Ga., treated the kids to lunch at a Subway inside Walmart. Afterward, the 27-year-old, who runs the youth mentoring program Inspired by Lewis, was standing with the kids outside his car while the boy finished eating when he noticed a white woman sitting in her car, staring.
“She pulled up alongside us and asked, ‘Are the kids OK?'” Lewis tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “I answered, ‘Why wouldn’t they be?’ She just smirked and drove off.”
The woman circled the parking lot and returned to Lewis’s car, saying, “Can I ask the little girl if she knows who you are?” and Lewis answered, “No, you cannot.” The woman then said, “OK, I will take down your license plate,” and left.
“I asked a few white witnesses if it looked suspicious that I was caring for two white children, and they said ‘Kind of,'” says Lewis. “But the kids were goofing around and eating, and there was no sign of danger.”
Lewis headed to a service station, and while he was pumping gas, he noticed the woman’s car again. Concerned about the children’s safety, he drove to his house, and when he arrived, so did the woman — and a police car.
Alvin Kamara wears 'Make Africa Home Again' hat, Colin Kaepernick jersey in Saints locker room
Monday night in the NFL was all about Drew Brees‘ record-setting statement on the field.
In the victorious locker room, running back Alvin Kamara had his own powerful message.
Alvin Kamara takes on Trump, props up Kaepernick
The New Orleans Saints running back stepped out for interviews after a win over the Washington Redskins wearing a San Francisco 49ers jersey and a hat reading “Make Africa Home Again,” posing for an image shared by The New Orleans Times Picayune’s Josh Katzenstein.
Why the 49ers jersey? It was a Colin Kaepernick jersey, of course.
In a season where sideline protests of social injustice during the national anthem have been fewer alongside dampened controversy over the subject, Kamara’s is one of the most powerful statements yet.
Kamara’s statement follows Eric Reid’s
It comes on the same week that Eric Reid returned to the NFL with the Carolina Panthers and took a knee during the anthem. Reid was a teammate of Kaepernick’s in San Francisco and the first player to join his quarterback in kneeling during the anthem.
A 26-year-old safety who started 69 of his 70 career games with the 49ers, Reid had trouble finding a job in the wake of the anthem controversy.
About that hat
Kamara’s bright red hat obviously wasn’t just to match his jersey, but to take on the “Make America Great Again” hats popular among supporters of President Donald Trump.
Trump has bullied protesting players and pressured owners to punish those who kneel, famously urging owners to “get that son of a bitch off the field.”
Read more at Yahoo.
In the victorious locker room, running back Alvin Kamara had his own powerful message.
Alvin Kamara takes on Trump, props up Kaepernick
The New Orleans Saints running back stepped out for interviews after a win over the Washington Redskins wearing a San Francisco 49ers jersey and a hat reading “Make Africa Home Again,” posing for an image shared by The New Orleans Times Picayune’s Josh Katzenstein.
Why the 49ers jersey? It was a Colin Kaepernick jersey, of course.
In a season where sideline protests of social injustice during the national anthem have been fewer alongside dampened controversy over the subject, Kamara’s is one of the most powerful statements yet.
Kamara’s statement follows Eric Reid’s
It comes on the same week that Eric Reid returned to the NFL with the Carolina Panthers and took a knee during the anthem. Reid was a teammate of Kaepernick’s in San Francisco and the first player to join his quarterback in kneeling during the anthem.
A 26-year-old safety who started 69 of his 70 career games with the 49ers, Reid had trouble finding a job in the wake of the anthem controversy.
About that hat
Kamara’s bright red hat obviously wasn’t just to match his jersey, but to take on the “Make America Great Again” hats popular among supporters of President Donald Trump.
Trump has bullied protesting players and pressured owners to punish those who kneel, famously urging owners to “get that son of a bitch off the field.”
Read more at Yahoo.
Nikki Haley To Step Down As United Nations Ambassador
Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has offered her resignation to President Donald Trump.
Haley will step down at the end of the year, Trump said during a Tuesday morning meeting with the ambassador in the Oval Office. She had told him six months ago that she wanted to leave after serving two years in the role, the president said.
“Nikki Haley, ambassador to the United Nations, has been very special to me,” Trump told reporters Tuesday. “She’s a fantastic person, very importantly, but she is also somebody who gets it.”
Trump said Tuesday that Haley has “done an incredible job” as ambassador, adding that he would be happy to have her back in any capacity.
Haley was confirmed as U.N. ambassador in January 2017. Previously, she was the governor of South Carolina. Haley had been an early critic of Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign, calling him “everything a governor doesn’t want in a president” in February 2016. Trump had publicly fired back at her jabs, tweeting in March 2016 that “the people of South Carolina are embarrassed” by her.
Read more at HuffPost
Haley will step down at the end of the year, Trump said during a Tuesday morning meeting with the ambassador in the Oval Office. She had told him six months ago that she wanted to leave after serving two years in the role, the president said.
“Nikki Haley, ambassador to the United Nations, has been very special to me,” Trump told reporters Tuesday. “She’s a fantastic person, very importantly, but she is also somebody who gets it.”
Trump said Tuesday that Haley has “done an incredible job” as ambassador, adding that he would be happy to have her back in any capacity.
Haley was confirmed as U.N. ambassador in January 2017. Previously, she was the governor of South Carolina. Haley had been an early critic of Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign, calling him “everything a governor doesn’t want in a president” in February 2016. Trump had publicly fired back at her jabs, tweeting in March 2016 that “the people of South Carolina are embarrassed” by her.
Read more at HuffPost
Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke found guilty of second-degree murder in Laquan McDonald killing
(CNN)Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke was found guilty Friday of second-degree murder in the 2014 fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.
Van Dyke, who was also found guilty of 16 counts of aggravated battery, sat impassively in a dark suit -- his shoulders slumped -- as the verdicts were read in the high-profile case. At one point, he sipped water from a bottle. He was found not guilty of official misconduct.
His bond was revoked and sentencing was scheduled for October 31. Van Dyke was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
Though he was originally charged with first -degree murder, jurors were instructed Thursday that they also could consider second-degree murder.
The panel of eight women and four men -- seven white, one black, three Hispanic and one Asian -- began deliberations Thursday afternoon.
Van Dyke was the first Chicago police officer to be charged with first-degree murder since 1980.
Video of the shooting led to protests, a Justice Department civil rights investigation, criticism of the city's mayor and eventually the ouster of the police superintendent.
The prosecution said Van Dyke fired unnecessarily within six seconds after arriving at the scene, striking McDonald 16 times.
Read more at CNN
Van Dyke, who was also found guilty of 16 counts of aggravated battery, sat impassively in a dark suit -- his shoulders slumped -- as the verdicts were read in the high-profile case. At one point, he sipped water from a bottle. He was found not guilty of official misconduct.
His bond was revoked and sentencing was scheduled for October 31. Van Dyke was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
Though he was originally charged with first -degree murder, jurors were instructed Thursday that they also could consider second-degree murder.
The panel of eight women and four men -- seven white, one black, three Hispanic and one Asian -- began deliberations Thursday afternoon.
Van Dyke was the first Chicago police officer to be charged with first-degree murder since 1980.
Video of the shooting led to protests, a Justice Department civil rights investigation, criticism of the city's mayor and eventually the ouster of the police superintendent.
The prosecution said Van Dyke fired unnecessarily within six seconds after arriving at the scene, striking McDonald 16 times.
Read more at CNN
Suge Knight Claims Dr. Dre Is the Reason He's Behind Bars
Suge Knight was sentenced on Thursday to 28 years in prison for the manslaughter of a man on the Straight Outta Compton set after striking a plea deal in his 2015 murder case last week. But in a conversation with The Blast, the controversial legend claimed Dr. Dre is the only reason he’s behind bars.
The beef between the two is legendary and dates back to their falling out in the 90s. The Death Row exec says the current trouble stems from his attempt to collect 30 percent of Dre’s $3 billion deal with Apple, which he claims is subject to the “deal a lifetime” he made with Dre decades ago. Because of this, Knight believes Dre put a hit out on him, something he also claimed a year ago.
Suge says this purported hit was supposed to go down on the same day (January 29, 2015) that he ran over and killed a man in a Tam's Burgers parking lot. He also says this murder attempt followed a previous attempt in 2014 at a nightclub.
“They also got the paper trail with all the checks and proof of when they talked to the witnesses saying that Dre came to them first and asked the two guys how much it cost to get rid of me,” Knight told The Blast. “And they said, ‘What you mean by get rid of?’ And they said, ‘Kill him.'”
Knight also explained to The Blast why he decided to take the plea deal instead of fighting his case. “So when they gave me an attorney,” Suge said, “he seen me two times in eight months and told me he went to the court and said he needed help and other attorneys. And they told him no. He said no way he can do my trial because he really don’t know the case and he won’t win.”
Read more at Yahoo
The beef between the two is legendary and dates back to their falling out in the 90s. The Death Row exec says the current trouble stems from his attempt to collect 30 percent of Dre’s $3 billion deal with Apple, which he claims is subject to the “deal a lifetime” he made with Dre decades ago. Because of this, Knight believes Dre put a hit out on him, something he also claimed a year ago.
Suge says this purported hit was supposed to go down on the same day (January 29, 2015) that he ran over and killed a man in a Tam's Burgers parking lot. He also says this murder attempt followed a previous attempt in 2014 at a nightclub.
“They also got the paper trail with all the checks and proof of when they talked to the witnesses saying that Dre came to them first and asked the two guys how much it cost to get rid of me,” Knight told The Blast. “And they said, ‘What you mean by get rid of?’ And they said, ‘Kill him.'”
Knight also explained to The Blast why he decided to take the plea deal instead of fighting his case. “So when they gave me an attorney,” Suge said, “he seen me two times in eight months and told me he went to the court and said he needed help and other attorneys. And they told him no. He said no way he can do my trial because he really don’t know the case and he won’t win.”
Read more at Yahoo
H&M Slammed After Humiliated Black Woman Was Accused Of Stealing Earrings She Just Purchased
H&M is in hot water after a security officer falsely accused a Black woman shoplifting from a Miami location.
Daniela Taylor visited an H&M store at Pembroke Lakes Mall on Tuesday to return a pair of earrings. While she was at the store, she decided to buy another pair; however, when she exited the store, she was immediately approached by two loss prevention officers, reported CBS News.
“It was a Black thing. Period. I wasn’t the only person in there. Why me?” Taylor told CBS News.
Daniela said the officer accused her of stealing in front of everyone.
“He’s like, ‘That’s it. You’re going to jail.’ I’m like, ‘but for what?’” asked Daniela.
Daniela, who was very upset by the allegation, says she was most upset that one of the officers was also Black.
“I’m cursing because obviously I have already told him I didn’t do anything. I said, ‘You should understand where I’m coming from. If you were on the other end of the table, you should understand how they do us these days.’ He said, ‘Don’t pull the race card on me,’” said Taylor.
Eventually, the loss prevention officers watched the security footage and determined Daniela had not stolen anything.
Read more at BET
Daniela Taylor visited an H&M store at Pembroke Lakes Mall on Tuesday to return a pair of earrings. While she was at the store, she decided to buy another pair; however, when she exited the store, she was immediately approached by two loss prevention officers, reported CBS News.
“It was a Black thing. Period. I wasn’t the only person in there. Why me?” Taylor told CBS News.
Daniela said the officer accused her of stealing in front of everyone.
“He’s like, ‘That’s it. You’re going to jail.’ I’m like, ‘but for what?’” asked Daniela.
Daniela, who was very upset by the allegation, says she was most upset that one of the officers was also Black.
“I’m cursing because obviously I have already told him I didn’t do anything. I said, ‘You should understand where I’m coming from. If you were on the other end of the table, you should understand how they do us these days.’ He said, ‘Don’t pull the race card on me,’” said Taylor.
Eventually, the loss prevention officers watched the security footage and determined Daniela had not stolen anything.
Read more at BET
Man Accused of Throwing Four-Year-Old Brother Off Roof of Brooklyn Building, Killing Him
Months before he allegedly threw his 4-year-old brother off a Brooklyn roof to his death, Shawn Smith was showing signs of trouble.
Smith, 20, was planning to immigrate to New York with his family last December but mental health issues forced him to stay at a hospital in his native Guyana before he was able to join the rest of his family, relatives said Sunday.
And months after arriving in New York, Smith broke down a heavy door in his family’s Flatlands apartment, prompting his frightened mother to call 911. He landed in Kings County Hospital for more psychiatric treatment.
But other relatives could tell something remained seriously wrong.
“You could see in his eyes, he was deteriorating,” said Robin Frith, who is married to Smith’s grandfather. “He was a sick person — you could see it!”
On Saturday, Smith finally snapped.
He flagged down cops around 3:30 a.m. near his family’s home and led them to little Shimron Smith’s broken body in the courtyard of their seven-story building on Nostrand Ave. near Avenue K.
Authorities say he calmly told the cops he had tossed his brother from the roof about 45 minutes earlier. He confessed to the shocking crime a second time while in police custody, according to police sources.
Smith, 20, was planning to immigrate to New York with his family last December but mental health issues forced him to stay at a hospital in his native Guyana before he was able to join the rest of his family, relatives said Sunday.
And months after arriving in New York, Smith broke down a heavy door in his family’s Flatlands apartment, prompting his frightened mother to call 911. He landed in Kings County Hospital for more psychiatric treatment.
But other relatives could tell something remained seriously wrong.
“You could see in his eyes, he was deteriorating,” said Robin Frith, who is married to Smith’s grandfather. “He was a sick person — you could see it!”
On Saturday, Smith finally snapped.
He flagged down cops around 3:30 a.m. near his family’s home and led them to little Shimron Smith’s broken body in the courtyard of their seven-story building on Nostrand Ave. near Avenue K.
Authorities say he calmly told the cops he had tossed his brother from the roof about 45 minutes earlier. He confessed to the shocking crime a second time while in police custody, according to police sources.
Panthers sign S Eric Reid, who protested with Colin Kaepernick
The Carolina Panthers announced Thursday that they have signed safety Eric Reid, the second player to kneel during the national anthem after Colin Kaepernick, to a one-year contract.
Reid, 26, became a free agent this offseason after five years with the San Francisco 49ers. He was the first player to protest during the national anthem alongside Kaepernick in 2016 — demonstrations that they and others have described as a means of protesting police brutality and racial inequality.
"Eric has been a starting safety in the NFL and has played at a high level throughout his career," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said in a statement. "After we put (safety) Da’Norris Searcy on injured reserve, Ron (Rivera) and I discussed our options, and Eric was at the top of our list. He is a physical safety with good ball skills and play-making ability."
Reid, like Kaepernick, has previously filed a grievance against the NFL, alleging that league owners had colluded to keep him out of the NFL in the wake of his decision to protest.
Read more at USA Today
Reid, 26, became a free agent this offseason after five years with the San Francisco 49ers. He was the first player to protest during the national anthem alongside Kaepernick in 2016 — demonstrations that they and others have described as a means of protesting police brutality and racial inequality.
"Eric has been a starting safety in the NFL and has played at a high level throughout his career," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said in a statement. "After we put (safety) Da’Norris Searcy on injured reserve, Ron (Rivera) and I discussed our options, and Eric was at the top of our list. He is a physical safety with good ball skills and play-making ability."
Reid, like Kaepernick, has previously filed a grievance against the NFL, alleging that league owners had colluded to keep him out of the NFL in the wake of his decision to protest.
Read more at USA Today
White Detroit Cop Fired After Posting ‘Another Night To Rangel Up These Zoo Animals’ On Snapchat
A Detroit police officer who only recently graduated from the academy was terminated after posting an offensive Snapchat post about “zoo animals.”
Rookie Sean Bostwick, 27, posted a photo of himself to Snapchat on Saturday with a caption that read, “another night to Rangel [sic] up these zoo animals,” the Detroit News reports.
During a news conference, Detroit Police Chief James Craig told reporters Bostwick is no longer with the department.
“This is his last day on our payroll,” Chief Craig said. “Tomorrow, he will no longer be a Detroit police officer. He is clear on that.”
Craig also emphasized that the officer’s comment is “not reflective” of the department.
“We expect a high level of professionalism when we’re serving the public,” Craig added.
According to Craig, Bostwick immediately admitted to making the post and said he was apologetic.
“He took responsibility for it,” Craig said. “He admitted that he did this. He said he didn’t mean it the way it came off.”
Bostwick had been out of the police academy for just two months, despite being on the force for roughly 18 months. He spent the bulk of his time in the academy due to low test scores, Craig said.
Although Bostwick showed remorse, Craig said the viral post sealed his fate.
Read more at BET
Rookie Sean Bostwick, 27, posted a photo of himself to Snapchat on Saturday with a caption that read, “another night to Rangel [sic] up these zoo animals,” the Detroit News reports.
During a news conference, Detroit Police Chief James Craig told reporters Bostwick is no longer with the department.
“This is his last day on our payroll,” Chief Craig said. “Tomorrow, he will no longer be a Detroit police officer. He is clear on that.”
Craig also emphasized that the officer’s comment is “not reflective” of the department.
“We expect a high level of professionalism when we’re serving the public,” Craig added.
According to Craig, Bostwick immediately admitted to making the post and said he was apologetic.
“He took responsibility for it,” Craig said. “He admitted that he did this. He said he didn’t mean it the way it came off.”
Bostwick had been out of the police academy for just two months, despite being on the force for roughly 18 months. He spent the bulk of his time in the academy due to low test scores, Craig said.
Although Bostwick showed remorse, Craig said the viral post sealed his fate.
Read more at BET
Chicago police ‘torture commander’ leaves legacy of pain and abuse
CHICAGO—It seems the dark cloud hovering over the Chicago Police Department in the midst of the murder trial of Officer Jason Van Dyke just keeps getting darker. On September 19—the third day of the Van Dyke trial— the police union announced that 70-year-old Jon Burge, a former commander with the CPD who was tried, convicted and served more than four years in prison for torturing approximately 120 people—the majority of whom were Black—and coercing them into admitting guilt for crimes, died in Apollo Beach, Florida.
While Mr. Burge was never officially charged with torturing anyone—he was only prosecuted for lying about what he and his men did, not for the actions themselves. He repeatedly denied the allegations.
The tactics he introduced to the department and oversaw being carried out on victims during a reign of terror included: suffocation, electric shock, Russian roulette and brutal beatings, occurred for the better part of two decades and were a thing of legend on Chicago’s South and West sides. All told, the city paid out more than $120 million to settle lawsuits filed against the Chicago Police Department due to Burge’s actions.
Mr. Burge himself served less than his sentence at a federal prison in North Carolina before being transferred to a halfway house in Florida, the state where he spent the remainder of his life while still collecting a police pension.
In 2003, then Governor George Ryan, pardoned four death row inmates whose sentences were handed down due to them being forced to admit guilt as a result of Burge’s torture tactics and issued a moratorium on all executions in Illinois. Gov. Ryan, a Republican, commuted the sentences for all of the state’s prisoners sentenced to death. In 2015, a reparations fund was established in the amount of $5.5 million for other victims who had not received any money as a result of those settlements.
Read more at Final Call
While Mr. Burge was never officially charged with torturing anyone—he was only prosecuted for lying about what he and his men did, not for the actions themselves. He repeatedly denied the allegations.
The tactics he introduced to the department and oversaw being carried out on victims during a reign of terror included: suffocation, electric shock, Russian roulette and brutal beatings, occurred for the better part of two decades and were a thing of legend on Chicago’s South and West sides. All told, the city paid out more than $120 million to settle lawsuits filed against the Chicago Police Department due to Burge’s actions.
Mr. Burge himself served less than his sentence at a federal prison in North Carolina before being transferred to a halfway house in Florida, the state where he spent the remainder of his life while still collecting a police pension.
In 2003, then Governor George Ryan, pardoned four death row inmates whose sentences were handed down due to them being forced to admit guilt as a result of Burge’s torture tactics and issued a moratorium on all executions in Illinois. Gov. Ryan, a Republican, commuted the sentences for all of the state’s prisoners sentenced to death. In 2015, a reparations fund was established in the amount of $5.5 million for other victims who had not received any money as a result of those settlements.
Read more at Final Call
Bill Cosby sentenced to 3 to 10 years in prison for sexual assault conviction
Bill Cosby on Tuesday was sentenced to three to 10 years in state prison for his conviction on charges of drugging and sexually assaulting former Temple University women's basketball administrator Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia mansion in 2004. He was declared a "sexually violent predator," and will appear as such on a sex-offender registry for the rest of his life, reports The Associated Press.
The former comedian's defense lawyer argued that Cosby was no longer a threat to the public due to his age, 81, and the fact that he is legally blind. Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill decided that prosecutors had presented "clear and convincing" proof otherwise.
Constand submitted a victim impact statement in support of a strong sentence for Cosby. "Bill Cosby took my beautiful, healthy young spirit and crushed it," she wrote. "He robbed me of my health and vitality, my open nature, and my trust in myself and others." Cosby opted not to make a statement when the judge gave him a chance to speak in court Tuesday.
Read more at The Week
The former comedian's defense lawyer argued that Cosby was no longer a threat to the public due to his age, 81, and the fact that he is legally blind. Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill decided that prosecutors had presented "clear and convincing" proof otherwise.
Constand submitted a victim impact statement in support of a strong sentence for Cosby. "Bill Cosby took my beautiful, healthy young spirit and crushed it," she wrote. "He robbed me of my health and vitality, my open nature, and my trust in myself and others." Cosby opted not to make a statement when the judge gave him a chance to speak in court Tuesday.
Read more at The Week
LeBron James Says He Wouldn’t Be Where He Is Today Without His Wife
We all know superstar NBA player LeBron James loves his wife, Savannah.
He regularly calls her “his queen” on social media, and he continually gives his better half props for being an awesome wife and mother. But in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, James admitted he wouldn’t be the man he is today without Savannah.
“We have been down since high school,” he said at Harlem’s Fashion Row gala earlier this month. “I listen to a lot of rap music, and a good friend of mine said, ‘You wasn’t with me shooting in the gym. But in all actuality, Savannah was with me shooting in the gym when I [had] absolutely nothing.”
While some saw James’ comments as a sly jab at Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa — the subject of the original Drake line — James told The Hollywood Reporter he merely wanted to explain that Savannah has had his back since the beginning.
“I do know that when [Drake] said it, it was about Kobe Bryant, but Kobe Bryant wasn’t even in my thoughts,” James explained. “[Savannah] was down when I was at my high school, no cameras, no lights.”
Read more at Essence
He regularly calls her “his queen” on social media, and he continually gives his better half props for being an awesome wife and mother. But in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, James admitted he wouldn’t be the man he is today without Savannah.
“We have been down since high school,” he said at Harlem’s Fashion Row gala earlier this month. “I listen to a lot of rap music, and a good friend of mine said, ‘You wasn’t with me shooting in the gym. But in all actuality, Savannah was with me shooting in the gym when I [had] absolutely nothing.”
While some saw James’ comments as a sly jab at Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa — the subject of the original Drake line — James told The Hollywood Reporter he merely wanted to explain that Savannah has had his back since the beginning.
“I do know that when [Drake] said it, it was about Kobe Bryant, but Kobe Bryant wasn’t even in my thoughts,” James explained. “[Savannah] was down when I was at my high school, no cameras, no lights.”
Read more at Essence
4 Dead In Shooting At Maryland Rite Aid Facility
Three people were killed and three others wounded when a 26-year-old woman opened fire at the Rite Aid distribution center in Harford County, Maryland, where she worked Thursday morning, authorities confirmed.
The three injured people are expected to survive, police said.
The shooter was taken to an area hospital with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to her head, Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said during a press conference. She died after arriving at the hospital in critical condition.
No shots were fired by any law enforcement officials, the sheriff said.
The shooter was a temporary employee at the facility and reported to work as usual Thursday morning, carrying a 9mm Glock handgun registered in her name and “multiple” magazines, according to Gahler. She opened fire both inside and outside the facility shortly after 9 a.m. Eastern time.
The shooter’s motivation is not yet known, but Gahler noted that there was no additional threat to the community. She was believed to be a resident of Baltimore County. Her identity has not yet been released.
Authorities responded at 9:09 a.m. Eastern Time to the intersection of Spesutia and Perryman Roads in Perryman, Maryland, a semirural spot in a small town around 30 miles northeast of Baltimore.
The shooting took place on a three-building campus where Rite Aid employs around 1,300 people, Harford County spokeswoman Cindy Mumby told HuffPost. Mumby did not know how many employees were present at the time of the shooting.
Four injured people were transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore with gunshot wounds needing urgent attention. Trauma director Raymond Fang could not comment on their identities.
Read more at HuffPost
The three injured people are expected to survive, police said.
The shooter was taken to an area hospital with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to her head, Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said during a press conference. She died after arriving at the hospital in critical condition.
No shots were fired by any law enforcement officials, the sheriff said.
The shooter was a temporary employee at the facility and reported to work as usual Thursday morning, carrying a 9mm Glock handgun registered in her name and “multiple” magazines, according to Gahler. She opened fire both inside and outside the facility shortly after 9 a.m. Eastern time.
The shooter’s motivation is not yet known, but Gahler noted that there was no additional threat to the community. She was believed to be a resident of Baltimore County. Her identity has not yet been released.
Authorities responded at 9:09 a.m. Eastern Time to the intersection of Spesutia and Perryman Roads in Perryman, Maryland, a semirural spot in a small town around 30 miles northeast of Baltimore.
The shooting took place on a three-building campus where Rite Aid employs around 1,300 people, Harford County spokeswoman Cindy Mumby told HuffPost. Mumby did not know how many employees were present at the time of the shooting.
Four injured people were transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore with gunshot wounds needing urgent attention. Trauma director Raymond Fang could not comment on their identities.
Read more at HuffPost
Mother Turns In Teen Son After Seeing Him On TV As A Carjacking Suspect Sparking Debate On Loyalty
A teenage boy in Georgia was arrested in connection with a carjacking that resulted in the death of a 24-year-old father. The suspect was turned into authorities after his mother recognized him on the news and called police.
East Point Detective Ebony Johnson said the unnamed 15-year-old male surrendered just 24 hours after Channel 2 Action News played a surveillance video of three suspects accused of the carjacking.
Police say two men were in a car at an apartment complex when three men approached the car with guns. Terrick Matthews, 24, was asleep in the passenger seat when the suspects approached the car. Although Matthews woke up and tried to comply with the suspects, one of the men shot him in the neck. He later died from his injuries. The car's owner survived.
"It wasn't necessary for them to take his life," Johnson said. "They were in compliance. They were getting out of the vehicle at that point."
The suspects then drove to a nearby gas station where they filled a soda bottle with gasoline. Afterwards, they drove to a parking lot and torched the car. The three suspects were caught on the Exxon's surveillance cameras. All three suspects will face murder charges, police said.
Read more at BET
East Point Detective Ebony Johnson said the unnamed 15-year-old male surrendered just 24 hours after Channel 2 Action News played a surveillance video of three suspects accused of the carjacking.
Police say two men were in a car at an apartment complex when three men approached the car with guns. Terrick Matthews, 24, was asleep in the passenger seat when the suspects approached the car. Although Matthews woke up and tried to comply with the suspects, one of the men shot him in the neck. He later died from his injuries. The car's owner survived.
"It wasn't necessary for them to take his life," Johnson said. "They were in compliance. They were getting out of the vehicle at that point."
The suspects then drove to a nearby gas station where they filled a soda bottle with gasoline. Afterwards, they drove to a parking lot and torched the car. The three suspects were caught on the Exxon's surveillance cameras. All three suspects will face murder charges, police said.
Read more at BET
Not Your Brother - Black Christians challenge the racism, hypocrisy of White Christian evangelicals
WASHINGTON—Twenty-four years ago, Horatio Fenton and his wife Jackie joined a non-denominational church in southern New Jersey that became their spiritual home. Mr. Fenton, who serves as an elder at the church, said over the years, the couple forged a deep spiritual connection and developed friendships with fellow congregants.
Everything appeared to be fine, he said, until Donald Trump became president.
“Trump has caused division in every institution and in families everywhere in the U.S.,” Mr. Fenton said soberly. “He has caused division across the board, across all spectrums. My stance is that I go to church to worship and fellowship. What has happened is that the fellowship is now tainted with regards to people’s political views, which has caused a divide. Personal relationships have been broken. We’re just not as close. In one instance, people sent out text messages about welfare claiming that the majority of those on welfare is Black, which happens to be a lie. It was circulated by people who should know better.”
“The church is no place for that type of material. I spoke to the person who sent it and he apologized. I didn’t know this person held such a view. Before there was a Trump, they (White parishioners) were more cautious in their speech. They were more covert but they have become emboldened and have revealed their true selves. I can’t associate or fellowship with such people.”
Mr. Fenton said he wonders how White Christians and evangelicals who profess to follow Jesus Christ and the tenets of the Bible are so comfortable supporting a man who is open and unashamed about his support of White nationalists and an agenda that promotes racism and discrimination and xenophobia.
“Trump has used the n-word. How come they don’t condemn him? How come there’s silence on this? How can they support a person who supports White supremacy? Racism has no room in Christianity. That’s not what Christianity looks like,” Mr. Fenton said.
Read more at Final Call
Everything appeared to be fine, he said, until Donald Trump became president.
“Trump has caused division in every institution and in families everywhere in the U.S.,” Mr. Fenton said soberly. “He has caused division across the board, across all spectrums. My stance is that I go to church to worship and fellowship. What has happened is that the fellowship is now tainted with regards to people’s political views, which has caused a divide. Personal relationships have been broken. We’re just not as close. In one instance, people sent out text messages about welfare claiming that the majority of those on welfare is Black, which happens to be a lie. It was circulated by people who should know better.”
“The church is no place for that type of material. I spoke to the person who sent it and he apologized. I didn’t know this person held such a view. Before there was a Trump, they (White parishioners) were more cautious in their speech. They were more covert but they have become emboldened and have revealed their true selves. I can’t associate or fellowship with such people.”
Mr. Fenton said he wonders how White Christians and evangelicals who profess to follow Jesus Christ and the tenets of the Bible are so comfortable supporting a man who is open and unashamed about his support of White nationalists and an agenda that promotes racism and discrimination and xenophobia.
“Trump has used the n-word. How come they don’t condemn him? How come there’s silence on this? How can they support a person who supports White supremacy? Racism has no room in Christianity. That’s not what Christianity looks like,” Mr. Fenton said.
Read more at Final Call
Nike stock closes at all-time high in aftermath of Colin Kaepernick ad campaign
It appears Nike is doing just fine in the wake of one of the most predictably divisive marketing campaigns in recent memory.
Ten days after Nike announced that Colin Kaepernick would be the face of its “Just Do It” 30th anniversary ad campaign, the sports apparel behemoth’s stock price closed at an all-time high on Thursday at $83.47, according to a report from Bloomberg.
Nike had previously faced a noticeable dip in its stock price in the immediate aftermath of its Kaepernick announcement, dropping nearly 3 percent in the next day of trading at the New York Stock Exchange. That fall has since been made up and more, with the current price slightly besting the company’s previous high of $83.00 from Wednesday and an earlier peak of $82.95 on Aug. 21, 2018.
LeBron James, who signed a lifetime contract with Nike a few years ago, happily greeted the news.
The ad made its television debut on Sep. 5 during the NFL’s Thursday night opener and immediately faced both very loud applause and a very loud backlash.
How Nike and Kaepernick’s big move has been received
Nike likely knew what it was getting into with its decision to feature what is probably the most politically divisive athlete in the world today as one of the faces of the company, and the result hasn’t disappointed.
Boycotts were planned, people burned their Nike gear even though Nike already had their money and one mayor of a Louisiana town even tried to ban the gear from being sold at public facilties before pulling back.
Read more at Yahoo
Ten days after Nike announced that Colin Kaepernick would be the face of its “Just Do It” 30th anniversary ad campaign, the sports apparel behemoth’s stock price closed at an all-time high on Thursday at $83.47, according to a report from Bloomberg.
Nike had previously faced a noticeable dip in its stock price in the immediate aftermath of its Kaepernick announcement, dropping nearly 3 percent in the next day of trading at the New York Stock Exchange. That fall has since been made up and more, with the current price slightly besting the company’s previous high of $83.00 from Wednesday and an earlier peak of $82.95 on Aug. 21, 2018.
LeBron James, who signed a lifetime contract with Nike a few years ago, happily greeted the news.
The ad made its television debut on Sep. 5 during the NFL’s Thursday night opener and immediately faced both very loud applause and a very loud backlash.
How Nike and Kaepernick’s big move has been received
Nike likely knew what it was getting into with its decision to feature what is probably the most politically divisive athlete in the world today as one of the faces of the company, and the result hasn’t disappointed.
Boycotts were planned, people burned their Nike gear even though Nike already had their money and one mayor of a Louisiana town even tried to ban the gear from being sold at public facilties before pulling back.
Read more at Yahoo
Racist Driver To Asian Woman: ‘You’re Illegals Crossing The Border’
A racist encounter in Portland, Oregon, has left people on social media outraged.
Facebook user Selina Cairel, who’s Asian-American, shared a video she took of a driver who shouted several racist insults at her earlier this week. Cariel alleges that the woman spoke to her in a mock Asian accent saying “She’s Asian, she can’t see ― that’s why she can’t drive” before launching into the tirade that Cariel recorded.
“Before you say anything you might wanna make sure you’re actual legals,” the woman can be heard saying in the clip that was posted to Facebook on Wednesday. “And then call the cops and let them know.”
“About what?” Cairel responds.
“That you’re illegals crossing the border and your parents probably had to work for fuckin’ dirt just to get here,” the woman responds.
The video has since racked up more than 1.3 million views on Facebook with thousands of shares. According to local outlet KOIN 6, social media users identified the driver, however, the outlet has not published her name. The driver’s mother had reached out to the station and said her daughter is “sorry” and had “made a mistake.”
Cairel said in a Facebook post that she’d just left the popular Voodoo Doughnut shop and was parked next to the other driver who she claims had instigated the argument. The woman had allegedly pulled out her phone first, saying “this should go on instagram,” before Cairel returned the favor.
Read more and see the video at HuffPost
Facebook user Selina Cairel, who’s Asian-American, shared a video she took of a driver who shouted several racist insults at her earlier this week. Cariel alleges that the woman spoke to her in a mock Asian accent saying “She’s Asian, she can’t see ― that’s why she can’t drive” before launching into the tirade that Cariel recorded.
“Before you say anything you might wanna make sure you’re actual legals,” the woman can be heard saying in the clip that was posted to Facebook on Wednesday. “And then call the cops and let them know.”
“About what?” Cairel responds.
“That you’re illegals crossing the border and your parents probably had to work for fuckin’ dirt just to get here,” the woman responds.
The video has since racked up more than 1.3 million views on Facebook with thousands of shares. According to local outlet KOIN 6, social media users identified the driver, however, the outlet has not published her name. The driver’s mother had reached out to the station and said her daughter is “sorry” and had “made a mistake.”
Cairel said in a Facebook post that she’d just left the popular Voodoo Doughnut shop and was parked next to the other driver who she claims had instigated the argument. The woman had allegedly pulled out her phone first, saying “this should go on instagram,” before Cairel returned the favor.
Read more and see the video at HuffPost
Claims by Dallas Officer Who Killed Man in His Own Home Raise New Questions
An off-duty Dallas police officer who fatally shot her neighbor in his apartment, claiming she mistook the unit for her own, told the authorities that the door was already ajar when she entered and that she shot him after he ignored verbal commands, according to court records released on Monday.
The officer, Amber R. Guyger, 30, who has been charged with manslaughter, could face additional charges in a case that has led to accusations that the officer received preferential treatment and debate about whether race may have played a role in the deadly encounter between a white police officer and a black man in his home.
On Monday, the Dallas County district attorney, Faith Johnson, insisted that the investigation into the death of the neighbor, Botham Shem Jean, 26, had not ended and that her office could seek charges “including anything from murder to manslaughter.”
“We’ll present a thorough case to the grand jury so that a right decision can be made,” Ms. Johnson said at a news conference.
Dallas has been gripped by rising tensions since Thursday night, when, the police said, Officer Guyger returned to her apartment complex after a shift in full uniform at about 10 p.m. and shot Mr. Jean in his home.
Officer Guyger, who lives in a unit directly underneath Mr. Jean’s, parked her car on the wrong floor of the parking garage and walked to what she thought was her apartment, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. She inserted her electronic key into the door, which was already ajar, according to the affidavit. Inside the dark apartment, she saw a “large silhouette” that she believed to be a burglar, the affidavit said.
Read more at NY Times
The officer, Amber R. Guyger, 30, who has been charged with manslaughter, could face additional charges in a case that has led to accusations that the officer received preferential treatment and debate about whether race may have played a role in the deadly encounter between a white police officer and a black man in his home.
On Monday, the Dallas County district attorney, Faith Johnson, insisted that the investigation into the death of the neighbor, Botham Shem Jean, 26, had not ended and that her office could seek charges “including anything from murder to manslaughter.”
“We’ll present a thorough case to the grand jury so that a right decision can be made,” Ms. Johnson said at a news conference.
Dallas has been gripped by rising tensions since Thursday night, when, the police said, Officer Guyger returned to her apartment complex after a shift in full uniform at about 10 p.m. and shot Mr. Jean in his home.
Officer Guyger, who lives in a unit directly underneath Mr. Jean’s, parked her car on the wrong floor of the parking garage and walked to what she thought was her apartment, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. She inserted her electronic key into the door, which was already ajar, according to the affidavit. Inside the dark apartment, she saw a “large silhouette” that she believed to be a burglar, the affidavit said.
Read more at NY Times
Nike’s online sales jumped 31% after company unveiled Kaepernick campaign, data show
Talk of Nike Inc. sales taking a hit from the company’s decision to put ex–NFL player Colin Kaepernick at the center of its latest “Just Do It” campaign is looking overblown, based on data from a Silicon Valley digital commerce research company.
After an initial dip immediately after the news broke, Nike’s NKE, +0.62% online sales actually grew 31% from the Sunday of Labor Day weekend through Tuesday, as compared with a 17% gain recorded for the same period of 2017, according to San Francisco–based Edison Trends.
“There was speculation that the Nike/Kaepernick campaign would lead to a drop in sales, but our data over the last week does not support that theory,” said Hetal Pandya, co-founder of Edison Trends.
Don’t miss: Here’s what Twitter data say about the Nike boycott
Nike’s stock has also held up after its initial slump. The stock rallied 2.2% on Monday and has retraced 93% of the decline to a three-week low that it suffered on Sept. 4, immediately after the campaign was revealed. It has gained 31% in 2018, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, +0.41% , which since 2013 has counted Nike as a member, has gained 5%, as the S&P 500 index SPX, +0.36% has risen about 8%.
The news generated plenty of online buzz, with social engagement around Nike and Kaepernick rising sharply this week, according to 4C Insights, a marketing technology company. Mentions of and comments about Nike on social-media platforms rose 1,678% on Sunday and Monday, according to 4C data. Mentions of Kaepernick spiked 362,280%, the data showed.
Read more at Marketwatch
After an initial dip immediately after the news broke, Nike’s NKE, +0.62% online sales actually grew 31% from the Sunday of Labor Day weekend through Tuesday, as compared with a 17% gain recorded for the same period of 2017, according to San Francisco–based Edison Trends.
“There was speculation that the Nike/Kaepernick campaign would lead to a drop in sales, but our data over the last week does not support that theory,” said Hetal Pandya, co-founder of Edison Trends.
Don’t miss: Here’s what Twitter data say about the Nike boycott
Nike’s stock has also held up after its initial slump. The stock rallied 2.2% on Monday and has retraced 93% of the decline to a three-week low that it suffered on Sept. 4, immediately after the campaign was revealed. It has gained 31% in 2018, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, +0.41% , which since 2013 has counted Nike as a member, has gained 5%, as the S&P 500 index SPX, +0.36% has risen about 8%.
The news generated plenty of online buzz, with social engagement around Nike and Kaepernick rising sharply this week, according to 4C Insights, a marketing technology company. Mentions of and comments about Nike on social-media platforms rose 1,678% on Sunday and Monday, according to 4C data. Mentions of Kaepernick spiked 362,280%, the data showed.
Read more at Marketwatch
Here's How Geoffrey Owens Feels About Tyler Perry's Job Offer
Former Cosby Show star Geoffrey Owens has been receiving a slew of praise and support from his thespian peers, one of whom is famed director and producer Tyler Perry.
Most recently, Perry took to Twitter to personally offer the veteran actor a job on one of his dramas on the OWN network, and now, Owens is sharing what he thinks of the noble gesture.
As many may already know, Owens was unfairly scrutinized for working as a Trader Joe's crew member after a photo of him working at the establishment was posted online. Fox News ran a story disparaging his honest job, which led to the public overwhelmingly rallying behind him.
Since then, Perry took to Twitter to offer him a gig, writing, "#GeoffreyOwens I'm about to start shooting OWN's number one drama next week! Come join us!!! I have so much respect for people who hustle between gigs. The measure of a true artist."
After the accomplished Hollywood heavyweight's comment gained significant traction across social media, Owens shared his thoughts during an appearance on Entertainment Tonight.
Read more at BET
Most recently, Perry took to Twitter to personally offer the veteran actor a job on one of his dramas on the OWN network, and now, Owens is sharing what he thinks of the noble gesture.
As many may already know, Owens was unfairly scrutinized for working as a Trader Joe's crew member after a photo of him working at the establishment was posted online. Fox News ran a story disparaging his honest job, which led to the public overwhelmingly rallying behind him.
Since then, Perry took to Twitter to offer him a gig, writing, "#GeoffreyOwens I'm about to start shooting OWN's number one drama next week! Come join us!!! I have so much respect for people who hustle between gigs. The measure of a true artist."
After the accomplished Hollywood heavyweight's comment gained significant traction across social media, Owens shared his thoughts during an appearance on Entertainment Tonight.
Read more at BET
LeBron James pledges support for Colin Kaepernick campaign: 'I stand with Nike'
In his closing remarks at the New York fashion show where he revealed his latest shoe, NBA superstar LeBron James said in reference to the 30th anniversary “Just Do It” ad campaign built around ex-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, “I stand with Nike, all day, every day,” according to the Associated Press.
“I stand with anyone who believes in change,” James added on Tuesday night, via the Hollywood Reporter, after receiving the Icon360 award from Harlem’s Fashion Row in New York City and unveiling his Nike shoe line’s first ever female-oriented basketball sneaker, the HFR x LeBron Nike 16.
James previously pledged his support for Kaepernick in an Instagram post on Tuesday:
“Believe in something,” the Nike advertisement read. “Even if it means sacrificing everything.”
In making Kaepernick the face of the campaign, Nike drew a clear line in the sand on where it stood on the controversy surrounding the former San Francisco 49ers QB. Some people, from country singers to UFC fighters and shoe-burning football fans, took issue with Nike’s stance, believing Nike does not respect the American flag or the U.S. military because Kaepernick elected to kneel during the national anthem in protest of social injustice and racial inequality. Others, from a former CIA director to tennis star Serena Williams and shoe-buying football fans, pledged their support for Nike and Kaepernick.
Read more at Yahoo
“I stand with anyone who believes in change,” James added on Tuesday night, via the Hollywood Reporter, after receiving the Icon360 award from Harlem’s Fashion Row in New York City and unveiling his Nike shoe line’s first ever female-oriented basketball sneaker, the HFR x LeBron Nike 16.
James previously pledged his support for Kaepernick in an Instagram post on Tuesday:
“Believe in something,” the Nike advertisement read. “Even if it means sacrificing everything.”
In making Kaepernick the face of the campaign, Nike drew a clear line in the sand on where it stood on the controversy surrounding the former San Francisco 49ers QB. Some people, from country singers to UFC fighters and shoe-burning football fans, took issue with Nike’s stance, believing Nike does not respect the American flag or the U.S. military because Kaepernick elected to kneel during the national anthem in protest of social injustice and racial inequality. Others, from a former CIA director to tennis star Serena Williams and shoe-buying football fans, pledged their support for Nike and Kaepernick.
Read more at Yahoo
Ayanna Pressley Upsets Capuano in Massachusetts House Race
BOSTON — Ayanna Pressley upended the Massachusetts political order on Tuesday, scoring a stunning upset of 10-term Representative Michael Capuano and positioning herself to become the first African-American woman to represent the state in Congress.
Ms. Pressley’s triumph was in sync with a restless political climate that has fueled victories for underdogs, women and minorities elsewhere this election season, and it delivered another stark message to the Democratic establishment that newcomers on the insurgent left were unwilling to wait their turn. Ms. Pressley propelled her candidacy with urgency, arguing that in the age of Trump, “change can’t wait.”
Her victory carried echoes of the surprise win in June by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who trounced a longtime House incumbent, Joseph Crowley, in New York. Ms. Pressley is also among several African-American progressives who beat expectations, and in some cases performed far better than polling projections; they include Stacey Abrams of Georgia, Andrew Gillum of Florida and Ben Jealous of Maryland, who each won the Democratic Party’s nominations for governor.
There is no Republican on the November ballot in this storied Boston-based district, which was once represented by John F. Kennedy and is one of the most left leaning in the country.
Read more at NY Times
Ex-Texas police officer sentenced to 15 years for murder of unarmed black teen Jordan Edwards
Ex-Texas police officer sentenced to 15 years for murder of unarmed black teen Jordan Edwards originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A former Texas police officer on Wednesday was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the 2017 shooting death of an unarmed black teenager -- and the victim's family said the punishment was too light.
Ex-Balch Springs Police Officer Roy Oliver, who is white, also was fined $10,000, a day after a jury convicted him of murdering 15-year-old Jordan Edwards.
Speaking with reporters at a press conference late Wednesday, the teen’s stepmother, Charmaine Edwards, said she had hoped for a sentence of "25 to 30 [years] or more."
"We're thankful for the verdict that we received, although we wanted more years," she said. "This is a start for us, and we can get some kind of closure. So we're thankful. He actually can see life again after 15 years. And that's not enough because Jordan can't see life again."
She said Jordan was a bright kid and a football player at Mesquite High School in Balch Springs, about 15 miles southeast of Dallas.
A Dallas County jury deliberated for nearly five hours before recommending the sentence on Wednesday evening, ending a long and emotional trial over the honor student's death.
Oliver, who joined the force in 2011, will be eligible for parole after seven-and-a-half years in prison.
Daryl Washington, an attorney representing the Edwards family, celebrated the conviction and said he hoped it would bring on a sense of closure.
Read more at Yahoo
A former Texas police officer on Wednesday was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the 2017 shooting death of an unarmed black teenager -- and the victim's family said the punishment was too light.
Ex-Balch Springs Police Officer Roy Oliver, who is white, also was fined $10,000, a day after a jury convicted him of murdering 15-year-old Jordan Edwards.
Speaking with reporters at a press conference late Wednesday, the teen’s stepmother, Charmaine Edwards, said she had hoped for a sentence of "25 to 30 [years] or more."
"We're thankful for the verdict that we received, although we wanted more years," she said. "This is a start for us, and we can get some kind of closure. So we're thankful. He actually can see life again after 15 years. And that's not enough because Jordan can't see life again."
She said Jordan was a bright kid and a football player at Mesquite High School in Balch Springs, about 15 miles southeast of Dallas.
A Dallas County jury deliberated for nearly five hours before recommending the sentence on Wednesday evening, ending a long and emotional trial over the honor student's death.
Oliver, who joined the force in 2011, will be eligible for parole after seven-and-a-half years in prison.
Daryl Washington, an attorney representing the Edwards family, celebrated the conviction and said he hoped it would bring on a sense of closure.
Read more at Yahoo
Andrew Gillum is smart not to take Ron DeSantis' 'monkey this up' bait
(CNN)White people linking black people to monkeys has been a racist trope for centuries.
That's why when Florida Rep. Ron DeSantis, the Republican nominee for governor, used the phrase "monkey this up" when talking about the handling of the economy by his black Democratic opponent, it was hard to believe that the word choice was an accident.
Andrew Gillum, the youngest person ever elected to the Tallahassee City Commission, and the current mayor of the city, would be the state's first black governor if elected. Every Sunshine State voter knows this. So why would DeSantis -- a Yale and Harvard graduate -- make such a well-documented, racially-charged remark on the opening day of the gubernatorial competition?
One school of thought is that it's a dog whistle to rally white nationalists to the polls. Clearly this is what Dems believe, as illustrated by the party's swift response to DeSantis' remarks.
"It's disgusting that Ron DeSantis is launching his general election campaign with racist dog whistles," Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Terrie Rizzo said in a statement. The sentiment was echoed by David Turner, the Democratic Governors Association deputy communications director, who said that "resorting to dog-whistle politics within hours of winning the GOP nomination shows a desperate candidate who will stoop to new lows in order to court and give voice to fringe elements of society."
To Gillum's credit, he didn't spend a great deal of time chatting about the racial implications of DeSantis' remark, saying, "I'm not going to get down in the gutter with DeSantis and Trump. There's enough of that going on."
Read more at CNN
That's why when Florida Rep. Ron DeSantis, the Republican nominee for governor, used the phrase "monkey this up" when talking about the handling of the economy by his black Democratic opponent, it was hard to believe that the word choice was an accident.
Andrew Gillum, the youngest person ever elected to the Tallahassee City Commission, and the current mayor of the city, would be the state's first black governor if elected. Every Sunshine State voter knows this. So why would DeSantis -- a Yale and Harvard graduate -- make such a well-documented, racially-charged remark on the opening day of the gubernatorial competition?
One school of thought is that it's a dog whistle to rally white nationalists to the polls. Clearly this is what Dems believe, as illustrated by the party's swift response to DeSantis' remarks.
"It's disgusting that Ron DeSantis is launching his general election campaign with racist dog whistles," Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Terrie Rizzo said in a statement. The sentiment was echoed by David Turner, the Democratic Governors Association deputy communications director, who said that "resorting to dog-whistle politics within hours of winning the GOP nomination shows a desperate candidate who will stoop to new lows in order to court and give voice to fringe elements of society."
To Gillum's credit, he didn't spend a great deal of time chatting about the racial implications of DeSantis' remark, saying, "I'm not going to get down in the gutter with DeSantis and Trump. There's enough of that going on."
Read more at CNN
Body left to rot in funeral home 3 years leads to charges
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Two South Carolina funeral home workers have been indicted after authorities say they left a body to rot in an unrefrigerated room surrounded by air-fresheners for nearly three years because the woman's family owed them money.
Lawrence Robert Meadows and Roderick Mitchell Cummings, both 40, were charged Friday by a state grand jury with desecration of human remains. A conviction on the charge carries a sentence of one to 10 years in prison.
They were supposed to cremate 63-year-old Mary Alice Pitts Moore after her funeral in Greenwood in March 2015, but instead left her remains in a locked room under blankets and "surrounded by fragrant items," and even moved her body from one funeral home to another 65 miles (105 kilometers) away, according to a lawsuit filed by Moore's family.
Moore's remains were so badly decomposed when found in February at First Family Funeral Home in Spartanburg it took two weeks of reviewing medical records to confirm her identity, Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger said.
Cummings and Meadows kept the body because Moore's family didn't pay their entire bill, according to arrest warrants from the State Law Enforcement Division.
The state Board of Funeral Service revoked the license of First Family Funeral Home earlier this month after complaints from Moore's family and others.
Meadows lost his funeral director's license in April 2015 in an unrelated matter after he forged the signature and other information on a life insurance document when the person with control of the policy refused to use it to pay for funeral services, according to state records.
Read more at FoxNews
Lawrence Robert Meadows and Roderick Mitchell Cummings, both 40, were charged Friday by a state grand jury with desecration of human remains. A conviction on the charge carries a sentence of one to 10 years in prison.
They were supposed to cremate 63-year-old Mary Alice Pitts Moore after her funeral in Greenwood in March 2015, but instead left her remains in a locked room under blankets and "surrounded by fragrant items," and even moved her body from one funeral home to another 65 miles (105 kilometers) away, according to a lawsuit filed by Moore's family.
Moore's remains were so badly decomposed when found in February at First Family Funeral Home in Spartanburg it took two weeks of reviewing medical records to confirm her identity, Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger said.
Cummings and Meadows kept the body because Moore's family didn't pay their entire bill, according to arrest warrants from the State Law Enforcement Division.
The state Board of Funeral Service revoked the license of First Family Funeral Home earlier this month after complaints from Moore's family and others.
Meadows lost his funeral director's license in April 2015 in an unrelated matter after he forged the signature and other information on a life insurance document when the person with control of the policy refused to use it to pay for funeral services, according to state records.
Read more at FoxNews
Andrew Gillum could be Florida’s first black Governor — but he needs people to vote today
Andrew Gillum is on the verge of making history. Gillum, 39, is the mayor of Tallahassee, a husband, a father of three, a FAMU grad– and he’s vying to be the Democratic candidate in Florida’s gubernatorial race.
If he wins the general election, he’d be the first Black Governor in the state’s history.
For the son of a construction worker and a school bus driver, it’s a classic tale of the American dream, and a new chapter in Gillum’s ambitious political career (he became the youngest person elected to Tallahassee’s City Commission when he was just 23-years-old).
Gillum is also endorsed by The Collective PAC, a Black political action committee, which has succeeded in helping other Black candidates win their elections.
But Gillum’s journey in politics hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing. An FBI investigation connected to one of Gillum’s associates, affected his fundraising efforts early on, as some donors tried to avoid controversy at all costs. Nevertheless, Gillum has gained momentum in a new poll in the final days leading up to the race, and earned the endorsement of former Democratic Presidential contender, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
Gillum spoke with theGrio about taking on the Stand Your Ground law, being a non-traditional Democratic candidate (which includes bumping the latest Migos track for inspiration) and why getting Black people out to the polls is an urgent civil rights issue.
Read more at The Grio
If he wins the general election, he’d be the first Black Governor in the state’s history.
For the son of a construction worker and a school bus driver, it’s a classic tale of the American dream, and a new chapter in Gillum’s ambitious political career (he became the youngest person elected to Tallahassee’s City Commission when he was just 23-years-old).
Gillum is also endorsed by The Collective PAC, a Black political action committee, which has succeeded in helping other Black candidates win their elections.
But Gillum’s journey in politics hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing. An FBI investigation connected to one of Gillum’s associates, affected his fundraising efforts early on, as some donors tried to avoid controversy at all costs. Nevertheless, Gillum has gained momentum in a new poll in the final days leading up to the race, and earned the endorsement of former Democratic Presidential contender, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
Gillum spoke with theGrio about taking on the Stand Your Ground law, being a non-traditional Democratic candidate (which includes bumping the latest Migos track for inspiration) and why getting Black people out to the polls is an urgent civil rights issue.
Read more at The Grio
John McCain Requested Barack Obama Speak At His Funeral And Didn’t Even Send Trump An Invite
Whether or not you agreed with the policies of John McCain, there’s no doubt that the late senator was well-respected across the aisle. During his battle with brain cancer over the last year, McCain, who died Saturday at the age of 81, spent a considerable amount of time planning his own funeral—a luxury few are awarded—and as part of his arrangements, the Arizona Republican requested former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama speak at his ceremony. As for Donald Trump, his invite was never sent.
According to CBS News, Obama and Bush will deliver their remarks during a service at the National Cathedral. McCain will also have a service in Arizona, where former Vice President Joe Biden will speak. Biden, who lost his son Beau to the same form of cancer, was a longtime friend of the McCain’s.
When it comes to the sitting president, "Mr. McCain quietly declared before his death that he did not want Mr. Trump to take part in his funeral," reported the New York Times. Vice President Mike Pence is likely to attend in place of the president.
Read more at BET
According to CBS News, Obama and Bush will deliver their remarks during a service at the National Cathedral. McCain will also have a service in Arizona, where former Vice President Joe Biden will speak. Biden, who lost his son Beau to the same form of cancer, was a longtime friend of the McCain’s.
When it comes to the sitting president, "Mr. McCain quietly declared before his death that he did not want Mr. Trump to take part in his funeral," reported the New York Times. Vice President Mike Pence is likely to attend in place of the president.
Read more at BET
Muslim Woman Says TSA Forced Her To Show Her Bloody Pad During Private Body Search
A Muslim woman, who has a lengthy history of being stopped and searched by the Transportation Security Administration, said she was forced to show her bloody pad during a recent search at a Boston airport.
Zainab Merchant, 27, is a graduate student at Harvard University. She was recently flying from Boston to D.C. for a speaking engagement when she was singled out by a TSA agent, reported HuffPost.
During the pat down, an officer began to touch Merchant’s genital area, and felt something that required they take a “deeper look.” Merchant, who wanted to keep the search in public to avoid an unnecessary cavity searching, attempted to explain that she was menstruating and was wearing a pad.
Although she wanted to stay in the view of witnesses, Merchant was allegedly coerced into going into following two TSA officers to a private office. In this location, Merchant was allegedly asked to pull down her pants and underwear.
She obliged and revealed her bloodied pad to the officers, whom declined to give her their names and badge numbers. According to Merchant, the TSA officials left the room while covering their badges with their hands.
Read more at BET.COM
Zainab Merchant, 27, is a graduate student at Harvard University. She was recently flying from Boston to D.C. for a speaking engagement when she was singled out by a TSA agent, reported HuffPost.
During the pat down, an officer began to touch Merchant’s genital area, and felt something that required they take a “deeper look.” Merchant, who wanted to keep the search in public to avoid an unnecessary cavity searching, attempted to explain that she was menstruating and was wearing a pad.
Although she wanted to stay in the view of witnesses, Merchant was allegedly coerced into going into following two TSA officers to a private office. In this location, Merchant was allegedly asked to pull down her pants and underwear.
She obliged and revealed her bloodied pad to the officers, whom declined to give her their names and badge numbers. According to Merchant, the TSA officials left the room while covering their badges with their hands.
Read more at BET.COM
Georgia Superintendent Caught on Tape Using N-Word
Buford City Schools Superintendent Geye Hamby is at the center of a federal racial discrimination lawsuit filed by Mary Ingram. The paraprofessional of the school district was allegedly fired without cause last year and cited prejudices and audio of Hamby using the n-word in her case.
According to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, two audio recordings were included in the court filing as evidence of Hamby’s alleged racism. On one tape a person, who is believed to be the school official said, “Can you get me a, show me our general conditions how many of these deadbeat n*****s we employ?” The person continued, “Have you got more of these big n***ers than the ones from the temp service?”
The second recording Hamby allegedly expressed his frustration with the Black works by stating he would shoot or kill them. “F*** that n******! I will kill these g**damned – shoot that motherf****** if they let me,” he said. “All right. Well, check out what’s going on with all the n****** down here.”
Read more at Ebony
According to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, two audio recordings were included in the court filing as evidence of Hamby’s alleged racism. On one tape a person, who is believed to be the school official said, “Can you get me a, show me our general conditions how many of these deadbeat n*****s we employ?” The person continued, “Have you got more of these big n***ers than the ones from the temp service?”
The second recording Hamby allegedly expressed his frustration with the Black works by stating he would shoot or kill them. “F*** that n******! I will kill these g**damned – shoot that motherf****** if they let me,” he said. “All right. Well, check out what’s going on with all the n****** down here.”
Read more at Ebony
The Whistleblower Cops Exposing Corruption and Racial Profiling in the NYPD
Since 2010, police quotas for arrests and summonses have been illegal in New York. And yet, recent years have seen a series of rank and file cops—mostly black and Latino—come forward to share stories of prejudice within their departments for low numbers.
It was these accounts that inspired Stephen Maing, the director of the cogent new documentary Crime + Punishment, to embark on a years-long study of the crooked policing practices plaguing New York City and the torment they have inflicted upon minority officers, civilians, and communities. The crime here is not occurring on the streets of New York but within the walls of those who purport to enforce the peace. And the punishment is reserved for the brave dissenters who know that peace can only come after serious reform.
As it was for Dostoevsky, the crime is unforgivable; the punishment profound and psychological. But how do you fix something that’s broken when the criminals are not the punished but the punishers?
For Maing, the answer required collectivity and big-picture thinking. Swinging between various officers, investigators, and civilians, Maing pieces together a portrait of the justice system that blends and builds, eliciting compassion and adrenaline in equal measure. If a divide exists between community and police—especially when it comes to race—it will take more than just one story to bridge it. With the film, Maing amplifies a faction of voices who, when speaking in chorus, are as robust and resilient as a marching battalion.
Read more at the Daily Beast
It was these accounts that inspired Stephen Maing, the director of the cogent new documentary Crime + Punishment, to embark on a years-long study of the crooked policing practices plaguing New York City and the torment they have inflicted upon minority officers, civilians, and communities. The crime here is not occurring on the streets of New York but within the walls of those who purport to enforce the peace. And the punishment is reserved for the brave dissenters who know that peace can only come after serious reform.
As it was for Dostoevsky, the crime is unforgivable; the punishment profound and psychological. But how do you fix something that’s broken when the criminals are not the punished but the punishers?
For Maing, the answer required collectivity and big-picture thinking. Swinging between various officers, investigators, and civilians, Maing pieces together a portrait of the justice system that blends and builds, eliciting compassion and adrenaline in equal measure. If a divide exists between community and police—especially when it comes to race—it will take more than just one story to bridge it. With the film, Maing amplifies a faction of voices who, when speaking in chorus, are as robust and resilient as a marching battalion.
Read more at the Daily Beast
Murder trial opens: Dallas cop killed Black youth in car driving from scene
"What we desire only second to having our beloved Jordan back, is JUSTICE FOR JORDAN," said his in a statement issued a year, after the fatal police shooting of Black teenager Jordan Edwards.
They are hoping the day for justice has arrived with the Aug. 16 opening of the murder trial of a former Balch Springs, Texas cop who fired bullets into the car of Black teens that included 15-year-old Jordan.
Ex-officer Roy Oliver killed Jordan April 29, 2017 while the teen, his two brothers and a friend were leaving a house party the cop and his partner were breaking up.
Mr. Oliver shot the teen with a rifle and the death-dealing bullet flew through the passenger's side window. The medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide.
During the 15 months leading up to the trial, police accounts of what happened changed, including a public recanting of the original story by Balch Springs police chief Johnathan Haber. Initially Mr. Oliver claimed the car was driving toward him and refused the commands to stop. After reviewing bodycam footage, Chief Haber said that was a lie, and the car was moving away from the cop.
Last summer, along with murder Mr. Oliver was charged with four counts of assault for each of the other persons in the vehicle. The shooting occurred in a Dallas suburb.
Read more at Final Call
They are hoping the day for justice has arrived with the Aug. 16 opening of the murder trial of a former Balch Springs, Texas cop who fired bullets into the car of Black teens that included 15-year-old Jordan.
Ex-officer Roy Oliver killed Jordan April 29, 2017 while the teen, his two brothers and a friend were leaving a house party the cop and his partner were breaking up.
Mr. Oliver shot the teen with a rifle and the death-dealing bullet flew through the passenger's side window. The medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide.
During the 15 months leading up to the trial, police accounts of what happened changed, including a public recanting of the original story by Balch Springs police chief Johnathan Haber. Initially Mr. Oliver claimed the car was driving toward him and refused the commands to stop. After reviewing bodycam footage, Chief Haber said that was a lie, and the car was moving away from the cop.
Last summer, along with murder Mr. Oliver was charged with four counts of assault for each of the other persons in the vehicle. The shooting occurred in a Dallas suburb.
Read more at Final Call
Man sentenced to 148 years in prison for forcing motel couples to have sex at gunpoint
ELIZABETH, N.J. — A woman stood and stared straight at the man who tainted her world and made it dark when he terrorized, robbed and sexually assaulted her and her male companion while at a motel six years ago and suggested his sentence should be execution.
"I hope you don't have the option to see daylight again," she said, adding she hopes his sentence would make him cry as much as his victims have.
The woman, one of eight victims, four women and four men, called Rasheed Powell a "monster" as she spoke in the crowded courtroom where Powell was sentenced to 148 years in state prison during the nearly two-hour proceeding.
The woman was one of four victims who spoke at the sentencing for Powell who was convicted in March of 60 counts, including 24 counts of aggravated sexual assault, in connection with forcing his way into motel rooms and forcing the couples to have sex at gunpoint, then locking the men in bathrooms and sexually assaulting the women.
The woman who addressed the court said the attack has made her a fearful person, robbing her of the young, social butterfly she once was.
"I'm afraid of people and what they are doing. I focus on work, family and I go straight home," said the woman, who was attacked March 2012 at the Swan Motel in Linden, New Jersey.
Another woman sent a letter read by the judge explaining how the brutal assault on Easter Sunday 2012 changed her life forever by taking away her dignity and self-worth. She became suicidal and suffers from panic attacks, self mutilation and nightmares. She said Powell threatened to kill her and go after her family if she told anyone. She asked the judge to sentence Powell to life in prison.
Read more at USA Today
"I hope you don't have the option to see daylight again," she said, adding she hopes his sentence would make him cry as much as his victims have.
The woman, one of eight victims, four women and four men, called Rasheed Powell a "monster" as she spoke in the crowded courtroom where Powell was sentenced to 148 years in state prison during the nearly two-hour proceeding.
The woman was one of four victims who spoke at the sentencing for Powell who was convicted in March of 60 counts, including 24 counts of aggravated sexual assault, in connection with forcing his way into motel rooms and forcing the couples to have sex at gunpoint, then locking the men in bathrooms and sexually assaulting the women.
The woman who addressed the court said the attack has made her a fearful person, robbing her of the young, social butterfly she once was.
"I'm afraid of people and what they are doing. I focus on work, family and I go straight home," said the woman, who was attacked March 2012 at the Swan Motel in Linden, New Jersey.
Another woman sent a letter read by the judge explaining how the brutal assault on Easter Sunday 2012 changed her life forever by taking away her dignity and self-worth. She became suicidal and suffers from panic attacks, self mutilation and nightmares. She said Powell threatened to kill her and go after her family if she told anyone. She asked the judge to sentence Powell to life in prison.
Read more at USA Today
Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin dead at age 76
NEW YORK (AP) — Aretha Franklin, the undisputed "Queen of Soul" who sang with matchless style on such classics as "Think," ''I Say a Little Prayer" and her signature song, "Respect," and stood as a cultural icon around the globe, has died at age 76 from pancreatic cancer.
Publicist Gwendolyn Quinn tells The Associated Press through a family statement that Franklin died Thursday at 9:50 a.m. at her home in Detroit. The statement said "Franklin's official cause of death was due to advanced pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type, which was confirmed by Franklin's oncologist, Dr. Philip Phillips of Karmanos Cancer Institute" in Detroit.
The family added: "In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds."
The statement continued:
"We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love and support we have received from close friends, supporters and fans all around the world. Thank you for your compassion and prayers. We have felt your love for Aretha and it brings us comfort to know that her legacy will live on. As we grieve, we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time."
Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.
Read more at the Missoulian
Publicist Gwendolyn Quinn tells The Associated Press through a family statement that Franklin died Thursday at 9:50 a.m. at her home in Detroit. The statement said "Franklin's official cause of death was due to advanced pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type, which was confirmed by Franklin's oncologist, Dr. Philip Phillips of Karmanos Cancer Institute" in Detroit.
The family added: "In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds."
The statement continued:
"We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love and support we have received from close friends, supporters and fans all around the world. Thank you for your compassion and prayers. We have felt your love for Aretha and it brings us comfort to know that her legacy will live on. As we grieve, we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time."
Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.
Read more at the Missoulian
Florida man threatened people 3 different times before shooting man in 'stand your ground' case
(CNN)The man charged with manslaughter after shooting another man in a Clearwater, Florida, convenience store parking lot has a history of threatening drivers, according to documents from the Pinellas County Circuit Court.
Michael Drejka, 47, fatally shot Markeis McGlockton in July after McGlockton shoved him to the ground during a dispute over a handicapped-accessible spot. Drejka claimed he feared for his life and said he fired in self-defense. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri previously said Florida's "stand your ground" laws prevented him from arresting Drejka.
Drejka was ultimately charged and will make his first appearance in court Tuesday afternoon. CNN has tried contacting Drejka multiple times, but has not heard back and it was not clear whether he has an attorney.
Court documents show that the July incident wasn't the first time Drejka aggressively confronted drivers over parking spots or what he perceived to be traffic infractions. In one incident, he caused a traffic accident by "brake checking" a car behind him, according to reports.
About three months ago, Richard Kelly told a Pinellas County Sheriff's Office detective he was confronted by Drejka at Circle A Food Store, the same store where he shot McGlockton. Drejka, documents said, was upset because Kelly parked in a handicapped-accessible spot. The exchange between the two became very loud and Kelly said at some point during the argument Drejka told him he was going to shoot him, documents said.
Read more at CNN
Donald Trump Sparks Outrage After Calling Omarosa A ‘Dog’
President Donald Trump faced backlash Tuesday morning after he called his former aide Omarosa Manigault Newman “that dog” on Twitter.
Trump was seemingly responding to Newman’s release of conversations that she secretly recorded during her time in the White House when he posted this tweet:
@realDonaldTrump
When you give a crazed, crying lowlife a break, and give her a job at the White House, I guess it just didn’t work out. Good work by General Kelly for quickly firing that dog!
Trump didn’t specifically name Newman in the post, but he praised the White House chief of staff for “quickly firing” her, indicating it was about the former aide.
Newman released another new tape to CBS News on Tuesday morning.
Newman is currently on a media tour promoting Unhinged, her new tell-all book about her time working for the Trump administration. She has faced accusations of hypocrisy and cashing in, given that she didn’t speak out against Trump while working for him.
Many Twitter users felt Trump’s insulting language in his latest rant ― particularly the sexist and racist term “dog” ― went a step too far:
Read more at HuffPost
Police confronted over alleged 'bait truck' of Nike shoes left in black Chicago community
Community members confronted a circle of police in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood over a "bait truck" allegedly filled with Nike shoes and left open by police aiming to lure potential thieves and make arrests.
"Y'all dirty, man," a man tells officers in an online video of the incident published Thursday. "Y'all see kids playing ball and you pull a f----- Nike truck into the ghetto."
Charles McKenzie, an anti-crime activist who put the video on Facebook, told Vox that the truck appeared next to a basketball court frequented by young people in the largely black neighborhood in the South Side of Chicago.
And while both local and federal agencies conduct such "bait" operations, the site reported, neither Chicago police nor the FBI offered comment on the truck.
Authorities use everything from fake drugs and modified cars to GPS-affixed packages and bikes to weed out thieves nationwide. Theft of in-transit property, known as cargo theft, caused nearly $27 million in losses in 2016, according to FBI data.
But some community members perceived an alleged bait truck, left in an impoverished neighborhood near a basketball court, as an obvious attempt to target black youth as racially lopsided arrests unfold nationwide.
"The police parked a truck with boxes of Nike shoes in front of kids, lifted up," McKenzie, the activist, said on Facebook, "and when people hop in the truck, the police hopping out on them."
Read more at USA Today
"Y'all dirty, man," a man tells officers in an online video of the incident published Thursday. "Y'all see kids playing ball and you pull a f----- Nike truck into the ghetto."
Charles McKenzie, an anti-crime activist who put the video on Facebook, told Vox that the truck appeared next to a basketball court frequented by young people in the largely black neighborhood in the South Side of Chicago.
And while both local and federal agencies conduct such "bait" operations, the site reported, neither Chicago police nor the FBI offered comment on the truck.
Authorities use everything from fake drugs and modified cars to GPS-affixed packages and bikes to weed out thieves nationwide. Theft of in-transit property, known as cargo theft, caused nearly $27 million in losses in 2016, according to FBI data.
But some community members perceived an alleged bait truck, left in an impoverished neighborhood near a basketball court, as an obvious attempt to target black youth as racially lopsided arrests unfold nationwide.
"The police parked a truck with boxes of Nike shoes in front of kids, lifted up," McKenzie, the activist, said on Facebook, "and when people hop in the truck, the police hopping out on them."
Read more at USA Today
Woman Tells Cop She Shouldn’t Be Arrested For DUI Because She’s A ‘Clean Thoroughbred White Girl’
A drunk South Carolina woman was pulled over last Saturday for speeding past a stop sign at 60 mph. When she faced possible arrest from officers, she told them she shouldn’t be taken in because she’s a “very clean, thoroughbred, white girl,” according to a police report.
Lauren Elizabeth Cutshaw was pulled over around 1:45 a.m. after a Bluffton police officer saw her drive through a four way stop sign. When Cutshaw was questioned by officers, she told them she just had two glasses of wine, according to the police report obtained by the Island Packet.
“I mean I was celebrating my birthday,” Cutshaw told the cops, according to the report.
According to the New York Post, Cutshaw’s excuses didn’t stop her from being charged with speeding, disregarding a stop sign, simple possession of marijuana, driving under the influence and possession of drug paraphernalia.
When it became clear that her arrest was imminent, Cutshaw gave the officers other excuses including: she had perfect grades in school, was a cheerleader and a member of a sorority, and her partner is a cop.
“I’m a white, clean girl,” Cutshaw said.
When the officers asked what she meant she replied, “You’re a cop, you should know what that means.”
The police officer believe Cutshaw’s remarks made it even clearer how under the influence she was.
Read more at BET
Lauren Elizabeth Cutshaw was pulled over around 1:45 a.m. after a Bluffton police officer saw her drive through a four way stop sign. When Cutshaw was questioned by officers, she told them she just had two glasses of wine, according to the police report obtained by the Island Packet.
“I mean I was celebrating my birthday,” Cutshaw told the cops, according to the report.
According to the New York Post, Cutshaw’s excuses didn’t stop her from being charged with speeding, disregarding a stop sign, simple possession of marijuana, driving under the influence and possession of drug paraphernalia.
When it became clear that her arrest was imminent, Cutshaw gave the officers other excuses including: she had perfect grades in school, was a cheerleader and a member of a sorority, and her partner is a cop.
“I’m a white, clean girl,” Cutshaw said.
When the officers asked what she meant she replied, “You’re a cop, you should know what that means.”
The police officer believe Cutshaw’s remarks made it even clearer how under the influence she was.
Read more at BET
LeBron James Trolls Fox News’ Laura Ingraham With New Docu-Series Title
Fox News’ Laura Ingraham took some heat last February for instructing NBA superstar LeBron James to just “shut up and dribble” after he called out President Donald Trump for not giving “a fuck about the people.”
The “Ingraham Angle” host also said that James should “keep the political commentary to yourself.” Ingraham’s words are now coming back to haunt her, with the announcement that James is producing a new Showtime docu-series that looks at “the changing role of athletes in our fraught cultural and political environment, through the lens of the NBA.”
The program’s title? “Shut Up And Dribble.”
“If being a star athlete is inherently a political experience, ‘Shup Up And Dribble’ tells that complex and dramatic story from the past to the present and from the inside out,” Showtime CEO David Nevins said in a press release.
The news, which was released after Trump used Twitter to attack both James and CNN anchor Don Lemon on Friday, excited fans on the social media platform:
Read more at HuffPost
The “Ingraham Angle” host also said that James should “keep the political commentary to yourself.” Ingraham’s words are now coming back to haunt her, with the announcement that James is producing a new Showtime docu-series that looks at “the changing role of athletes in our fraught cultural and political environment, through the lens of the NBA.”
The program’s title? “Shut Up And Dribble.”
“If being a star athlete is inherently a political experience, ‘Shup Up And Dribble’ tells that complex and dramatic story from the past to the present and from the inside out,” Showtime CEO David Nevins said in a press release.
The news, which was released after Trump used Twitter to attack both James and CNN anchor Don Lemon on Friday, excited fans on the social media platform:
Read more at HuffPost
Eric Benét on Ignorant Rappers & White Supremacy: You’re Being Used to Destroy Us!
R&B crooner Eric Benét is the latest celeb to call out the more ignorant of hip hop artists for promoting negativity within the Black community and inadvertently supporting White supremacy.
The soul singer took to Instagram to share a scathing critique of MCs who rap about certain subjects, including murder, drug abuse, degrading Black women and materialism. According to the meme, these aren’t artists, but “a Blackface for White Supremacy.”
It goes on, “You are being USED to help destroy your own people.”
Benet didn’t create the meme, but confirmed his agreement with the caption, “Inconvenient truth to some of the rich and famous.”
Although the meme didn’t call out all rappers, certain wordsmiths still took exception with its message. Young Money rapper Jae Millz responded with a jab at the “Spend My Life With You” singer’s past relationship with ex-wife, Halle Berry, according to Rolling Out.
“Eric Benét giving me rap advice is like me giving him advice on how he could’ve saved his marriage. And I’m not married. #payattentionitsfree.”
Read more at Ebony
The soul singer took to Instagram to share a scathing critique of MCs who rap about certain subjects, including murder, drug abuse, degrading Black women and materialism. According to the meme, these aren’t artists, but “a Blackface for White Supremacy.”
It goes on, “You are being USED to help destroy your own people.”
Benet didn’t create the meme, but confirmed his agreement with the caption, “Inconvenient truth to some of the rich and famous.”
Although the meme didn’t call out all rappers, certain wordsmiths still took exception with its message. Young Money rapper Jae Millz responded with a jab at the “Spend My Life With You” singer’s past relationship with ex-wife, Halle Berry, according to Rolling Out.
“Eric Benét giving me rap advice is like me giving him advice on how he could’ve saved his marriage. And I’m not married. #payattentionitsfree.”
Read more at Ebony
Black man wears 'Caucasian' shirt to expose the hypocrisy of white privilege
A man who launched a social experiment by wearing a T-shirt with a “Caucasian” logo to mimic that of the Washington Redskins says the effort has revealed racial bias.
Frederick Joseph is the 29-year-old founder of the New York City-based marketing agency We Have Stories, which represents marginalized groups. Earlier this year, the activist went viral for creating the #BlackPantherChallenge, which raised more than $950,000 to purchase Black Panther movie tickets for members of the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem. The project received support from Chelsea Clinton, Snoop Dogg, and Ellen DeGeneres, and in June, Joseph received a humanitarian award from Comic-Con for his work.
Joseph’s newest endeavor was more low-key. On Tuesday, he tweeted a photo of himself wearing a red T-shirt emblazoned with the word “Caucasian.” The shirt mimics the logo for the NFL’s Washington Redskins, whose name and emblem of a Native American character has been called “racist” and “offensive” by both players and fans.
Read more at Yahoo
Frederick Joseph is the 29-year-old founder of the New York City-based marketing agency We Have Stories, which represents marginalized groups. Earlier this year, the activist went viral for creating the #BlackPantherChallenge, which raised more than $950,000 to purchase Black Panther movie tickets for members of the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem. The project received support from Chelsea Clinton, Snoop Dogg, and Ellen DeGeneres, and in June, Joseph received a humanitarian award from Comic-Con for his work.
Joseph’s newest endeavor was more low-key. On Tuesday, he tweeted a photo of himself wearing a red T-shirt emblazoned with the word “Caucasian.” The shirt mimics the logo for the NFL’s Washington Redskins, whose name and emblem of a Native American character has been called “racist” and “offensive” by both players and fans.
Read more at Yahoo
Murder charges reduced in deadly Center City stabbing
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- It was a packed courtroom Wednesday morning for the preliminary hearing of the 21-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing a real estate developer in Center City.
At the hearing, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner withdrew the First Degree Murder charge against Michael White.
White now faces 3rd Degree Murder and Voluntary Manslaughter charges in connection with the death of 37-year-old Sean Schellenger.
The downgraded charges mean White, who had been imprisoned since turning himself in, could now be released on $15,000 bail and placed on house arrest.
White is accused of fatally stabbing 37-year-old Sean Schellenger in the chest during an altercation near Rittenhouse Square on July 12th.
White was delivering food on his bicycle before the fatal stabbing. He surrendered to police days later.
Read more at Channel 6
At the hearing, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner withdrew the First Degree Murder charge against Michael White.
White now faces 3rd Degree Murder and Voluntary Manslaughter charges in connection with the death of 37-year-old Sean Schellenger.
The downgraded charges mean White, who had been imprisoned since turning himself in, could now be released on $15,000 bail and placed on house arrest.
White is accused of fatally stabbing 37-year-old Sean Schellenger in the chest during an altercation near Rittenhouse Square on July 12th.
White was delivering food on his bicycle before the fatal stabbing. He surrendered to police days later.
Read more at Channel 6
George Zimmerman Charged With Stalking Private Investigator Of Jay-Z's Trayvon Martin Doc
The Trayvon Martin documentary that is headed by the collaboration of Jay-Z and the Paramount Channel has George Zimmerman feeling some type of way. The Blast reports the killer of Trayvon recently stalked the private investigator who contacted victims that participated in the documentary and now the victims are fearful of a retaliation.
George Zimmerman was charged with stalking private investigator Dennis Warren who had contact with alleged victims of the shooter. Zimmerman was attempting to find out who the investigator spoke to, as expected the investigator would not provide details on who the participants were. Warren is also legally bound by a non-disclosure agreement while working on the show.
Zimmerman pled not guilty to the charges but court reports state he sent over 60 texts, nearly 30 emails and numerous other methods of attempting to contact Warren over a nine-day period.
Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story premieres on July 30.
Story via Source
George Zimmerman was charged with stalking private investigator Dennis Warren who had contact with alleged victims of the shooter. Zimmerman was attempting to find out who the investigator spoke to, as expected the investigator would not provide details on who the participants were. Warren is also legally bound by a non-disclosure agreement while working on the show.
Zimmerman pled not guilty to the charges but court reports state he sent over 60 texts, nearly 30 emails and numerous other methods of attempting to contact Warren over a nine-day period.
Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story premieres on July 30.
Story via Source
'Mission: Impossible' actor Ving Rhames says police pulled a gun on him in his own home
“Mission: Impossible - Fallout” actor Ving Rhames says California police officers pulled their guns on him inside his own home after a neighbor reported a “large black man” breaking in.
Rhames, 59, recalled the harrowing experience at his Santa Monica home on The Clay Cane Show on Sirius XM Friday when asked about racism.
“I open the door … there’s a red dot pointed at my face from a 9 mm, and they say, ‘Put up your hands!’ ” the actor said during the interview.
The incident, which occurred on July 29, 2016, started when his neighbor called 911, thinking a burglary was taking place, the Santa Monica Police Department confirmed.
The actor was home watching ESPN in nothing but basketball shorts before he came face to face with a gun, he said.
Rhames followed police instructions and opened his front door with one hand as they pointed a firearm at him. The actor, who kept his hands in the air, was escorted outside and surrounded by two additional police officers, the captain of police and a police dog.
The standoff ended after one of the officers recognized Rhames – not for his Golden Globe Award-winning work, but because their sons played basketball against each other in high school.
Rhames said the officers apologized, but he still had unanswered questions on why this happened.
"Santa Monica Public Safety Dispatch received several calls from residents of a possible residential burglary," Santa Monica police said Saturday in a statement. "The reporting parties indicated a black male was seen entering a residence and did not live there."
Rhames went across the street with police to confront the neighbor, who denied it, he said.
Read more at USA Today
Rhames, 59, recalled the harrowing experience at his Santa Monica home on The Clay Cane Show on Sirius XM Friday when asked about racism.
“I open the door … there’s a red dot pointed at my face from a 9 mm, and they say, ‘Put up your hands!’ ” the actor said during the interview.
The incident, which occurred on July 29, 2016, started when his neighbor called 911, thinking a burglary was taking place, the Santa Monica Police Department confirmed.
The actor was home watching ESPN in nothing but basketball shorts before he came face to face with a gun, he said.
Rhames followed police instructions and opened his front door with one hand as they pointed a firearm at him. The actor, who kept his hands in the air, was escorted outside and surrounded by two additional police officers, the captain of police and a police dog.
The standoff ended after one of the officers recognized Rhames – not for his Golden Globe Award-winning work, but because their sons played basketball against each other in high school.
Rhames said the officers apologized, but he still had unanswered questions on why this happened.
"Santa Monica Public Safety Dispatch received several calls from residents of a possible residential burglary," Santa Monica police said Saturday in a statement. "The reporting parties indicated a black male was seen entering a residence and did not live there."
Rhames went across the street with police to confront the neighbor, who denied it, he said.
Read more at USA Today
Kanye West’s Dad Allegedly Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer
Kanye West’s father, Ray West, has reportedly been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is being treated in Los Angeles, according to TMZ.
On July 29, the tabloid news site debunked rumors that Ray West was battling stomach cancer. Sources close to the rap star’s father claim he is responding well to treatment.
Kanye is said to have dropped everything to help his dad since learning of the diagnosis. He and his wife, Kim Kardashian, and their children live in a Calabasas home just an hour outside of Los Angeles. In June, Ray West was seen sitting next to his son during the entertainer’s birthday celebration.
Although Kanye’s career is often credited to the influence of his late mother, Donda West, the rapper has spoken about his dad’s career. During a 2013 interview with Zane Lowe, he spoke about his father being a Black Panther and photojournalist.
“My father was a Black Panther. My father was a journalist, a paparazzi, a photojournalist. He was a paparazzi. We had a dark room in our house. Like seven years ago, he lived in a homeless shelter,” Ye told Lowe. “Not because he was homeless, because he wanted to help the ex-drug addicts. He wanted to get that close. He started a foundation called Good Water, and moved to the Dominican Republic to help right there, to help with the prostitution, to help with the extortion, to help right there; he stays in the Dominican Republic right now.”
Read more at Ebony
On July 29, the tabloid news site debunked rumors that Ray West was battling stomach cancer. Sources close to the rap star’s father claim he is responding well to treatment.
Kanye is said to have dropped everything to help his dad since learning of the diagnosis. He and his wife, Kim Kardashian, and their children live in a Calabasas home just an hour outside of Los Angeles. In June, Ray West was seen sitting next to his son during the entertainer’s birthday celebration.
Although Kanye’s career is often credited to the influence of his late mother, Donda West, the rapper has spoken about his dad’s career. During a 2013 interview with Zane Lowe, he spoke about his father being a Black Panther and photojournalist.
“My father was a Black Panther. My father was a journalist, a paparazzi, a photojournalist. He was a paparazzi. We had a dark room in our house. Like seven years ago, he lived in a homeless shelter,” Ye told Lowe. “Not because he was homeless, because he wanted to help the ex-drug addicts. He wanted to get that close. He started a foundation called Good Water, and moved to the Dominican Republic to help right there, to help with the prostitution, to help with the extortion, to help right there; he stays in the Dominican Republic right now.”
Read more at Ebony
Anne Hathaway calls out white privilege in passionate post about 'unspeakable' murder of Nia Wilson
Outraged by the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Nia Wilson by a white man, the Oscar-winning actress dedicated an Instagram post to honoring the young black woman. Wilson and her sister, who survived the attack, were stabbed at the BART MacArthur Station in Oakland, Calif., on July 22.
But Hathaway’s post was more than a passive tribute to Wilson — it was a call to arms and condemnation of those who hide behind their “white privilege” and fail to take action in the face of violence and racism.
Describing Wilson’s murder as “unspeakable,” the Ocean’s 8 star acknowledged her own privilege while calling for white people to step up.
“White people — including me, including you — must take into the marrow of our privileged bones the truth that ALL black people fear for their lives DAILY in America and have done so for GENERATIONS,” she wrote. “White people DO NOT have equivalence for this fear of violence. Given those givens, we must ask our (white) selves — how ‘decent’ are we really? Not in our intent, but in our actions? In our lack of action?”
She ended the message with the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag, as well as #AntiRacist, #NoExcuse,
#SayHerName, and #EarnTheRightToSayHerName.
Hathaway shut off the comments for the post, but that hasn’t stopped fans from responding. Many are now praising her as an ally.
Read more at Yahoo
But Hathaway’s post was more than a passive tribute to Wilson — it was a call to arms and condemnation of those who hide behind their “white privilege” and fail to take action in the face of violence and racism.
Describing Wilson’s murder as “unspeakable,” the Ocean’s 8 star acknowledged her own privilege while calling for white people to step up.
“White people — including me, including you — must take into the marrow of our privileged bones the truth that ALL black people fear for their lives DAILY in America and have done so for GENERATIONS,” she wrote. “White people DO NOT have equivalence for this fear of violence. Given those givens, we must ask our (white) selves — how ‘decent’ are we really? Not in our intent, but in our actions? In our lack of action?”
She ended the message with the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag, as well as #AntiRacist, #NoExcuse,
#SayHerName, and #EarnTheRightToSayHerName.
Hathaway shut off the comments for the post, but that hasn’t stopped fans from responding. Many are now praising her as an ally.
Read more at Yahoo
President Trump's Hollywood Walk of Fame star was smashed to pieces
Los Angeles (CNN)President Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was destroyed by a man with a pickax early Wednesday, according to Los Angeles police Officer Ray Brown.
Hollywood division officers responded to a call at 3:33 a.m. (6:33 a.m. ET) to the tourist area.
Patricia Cox, a witness, told CNN affiliate KCAL/KCBS that she saw a man "going to town" on the ground "like it was his business just to be tearing up the ground," she said. "I thought it was work going on over here."
Police later arrested Austin Clay, 24, on suspicion of felony vandalism. Brown said Clay did not reveal a motive for the alleged vandalism, and the investigation continues. He's being held on $20,000 bail.
Video from KCAL/KCBS shows tourists taking photos of the defaced star in front of the Hollywood & Highland center, a major tourist spot in Hollywood.
Leron Gubler, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement that the Walk of Fame is "an institution celebrating the positive contributions of the inductees.
"When people are unhappy with one of our honorees, we would hope that they would project their anger in more positive ways than to vandalize a California State landmark," Gubler said. "Our democracy is based on respect for the law. People can make a difference by voting and not destroying public property."
Read more at CNN
Hollywood division officers responded to a call at 3:33 a.m. (6:33 a.m. ET) to the tourist area.
Patricia Cox, a witness, told CNN affiliate KCAL/KCBS that she saw a man "going to town" on the ground "like it was his business just to be tearing up the ground," she said. "I thought it was work going on over here."
Police later arrested Austin Clay, 24, on suspicion of felony vandalism. Brown said Clay did not reveal a motive for the alleged vandalism, and the investigation continues. He's being held on $20,000 bail.
Video from KCAL/KCBS shows tourists taking photos of the defaced star in front of the Hollywood & Highland center, a major tourist spot in Hollywood.
Leron Gubler, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement that the Walk of Fame is "an institution celebrating the positive contributions of the inductees.
"When people are unhappy with one of our honorees, we would hope that they would project their anger in more positive ways than to vandalize a California State landmark," Gubler said. "Our democracy is based on respect for the law. People can make a difference by voting and not destroying public property."
Read more at CNN
Man won’t face charges after shooting father in Florida parking lot because of 'stand your ground' law
CLEARWATER, Fla.— A recent decision not to charge a man who shot and killed another man in a convenience store parking lot because of Florida’s “stand your ground” law prompted protest Sunday night.
Protesters gathered at the Circle A store on Sunset Point in Clearwater — the scene of the shooting — to express their frustration on how the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office handled the case.
It all started when Markeis McGlockton's girlfriend drove into a parking spot while he walked into the Circle A store.
During a press conference Friday, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri mentioned that a regular customer of the convenience store was frustrated when he saw McGlockton's girlfriend illegally parked in the handicapped spot.
The customer and the girlfriend started yelling at each other after the customer complained to her about parking there, according to deputies.
Another customer went inside to tell the manager about a disturbance outside. McGlockton walked outside and shoved the customer to the ground.
Read more at USA Today.
Protesters gathered at the Circle A store on Sunset Point in Clearwater — the scene of the shooting — to express their frustration on how the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office handled the case.
It all started when Markeis McGlockton's girlfriend drove into a parking spot while he walked into the Circle A store.
During a press conference Friday, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri mentioned that a regular customer of the convenience store was frustrated when he saw McGlockton's girlfriend illegally parked in the handicapped spot.
The customer and the girlfriend started yelling at each other after the customer complained to her about parking there, according to deputies.
Another customer went inside to tell the manager about a disturbance outside. McGlockton walked outside and shoved the customer to the ground.
Read more at USA Today.
Survivor who lost nine relatives in duck boat sinking recalls final words
“Grab the baby!”
Those were the last words Tia Coleman recalls her sister-in-law yelling before the tourist boat they were on sank into a Missouri lake, killing 17 people, including nine of Coleman’s family members.
A huge wave hit, scattering passengers on the vessel, known as a duck boat, into Table Rock Lake near Branson, Coleman said, recounting the ordeal from a hospital bed.
When the Indianapolis woman came up for air, she was alone, Coleman told television station KOLR on Saturday.
She spotted a rescue boat and swam as fast as she could.
Coleman’s husband and three children, ages nine, seven and one; her 45-year-old sister-in-law and two-year-old nephew; her mother-in-law and father-in-law and her husband’s uncle all died on Thursday night in the deadliest accident of its kind in nearly two decades.
Read more at Yahoo.
Those were the last words Tia Coleman recalls her sister-in-law yelling before the tourist boat they were on sank into a Missouri lake, killing 17 people, including nine of Coleman’s family members.
A huge wave hit, scattering passengers on the vessel, known as a duck boat, into Table Rock Lake near Branson, Coleman said, recounting the ordeal from a hospital bed.
When the Indianapolis woman came up for air, she was alone, Coleman told television station KOLR on Saturday.
She spotted a rescue boat and swam as fast as she could.
Coleman’s husband and three children, ages nine, seven and one; her 45-year-old sister-in-law and two-year-old nephew; her mother-in-law and father-in-law and her husband’s uncle all died on Thursday night in the deadliest accident of its kind in nearly two decades.
Read more at Yahoo.
McCoy Saga Continues: Police Release Call He Made Last Summer
BUFFALO (WBEN) - Last week, Milton Police released the 9-1-1 call made by Delicia Cordon after an apparent home invasion at LeSean McCoy's house. This week, police released a separate 9-1-1 call, made by McCoy in July of 2017. "I have a young lady that, she's stealing stuff out of my home, she won't leave," started McCoy. "We were together for a little bit - like five or six months - I let her go like two weeks ago. I'm just trying to be cordial with her...she's trying to pick a fight...I don't want no fights." It was reported that Cordon officially moved out of McCoy's house on Monday, which came more than a full year after this call. Last Tuesday, Cordon was attacked by an intruder during a home invasion, and in her 911 call, said she believed McCoy had something to do with it, even though he was in Florida at the time of the incident.
Read more at Yahoo
Read more at Yahoo
Aramis Ayala, Florida’s first elected African-American state attorney, endorses Andrew Gillum for governor
Aramis Ayala, the state's first elected African-American state attorney who unsuccessfully sued Gov. Rick Scott last year over her stance to not seek the death penalty, endorsed Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum for governor at a campaign stop in Orlando Tuesday afternoon.
Though the Orlando-based prosecutor's stance at the time conflicted with Gillum's — he has said he is not opposed to the death penalty but would use it sparingly — she praised his progressive record in Tallahassee and said she planned to campaign with him ahead of the Aug. 28 primary.
"He's shown true courage in this race — from speaking truth to power, to standing up for our most important values of inclusion and decency," said Ayala in a statement.
Ayala made headlines just months after she took office last year when she said she would not seek the death penalty in any case — including that of Markeith Loyd, who had been accused of murdering an Orlando police officer and his pregnant ex-girlfriend. Though she did not explicitly campaign against the death penalty, Ayala, a Democrat, asserted it was within her prosecutorial discretion to decide how to pursue punishment for cases in her purview.
Scott disagreed and signed an executive order later that day, taking her off the Loyd case and assigning it to Brad King, state attorney for Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter counties. Ayala sued King and Scott — who ultimately reassigned away more than two dozen additional cases — in a dispute that reached the state Supreme Court.
Read more at TampaBay.com
Though the Orlando-based prosecutor's stance at the time conflicted with Gillum's — he has said he is not opposed to the death penalty but would use it sparingly — she praised his progressive record in Tallahassee and said she planned to campaign with him ahead of the Aug. 28 primary.
"He's shown true courage in this race — from speaking truth to power, to standing up for our most important values of inclusion and decency," said Ayala in a statement.
Ayala made headlines just months after she took office last year when she said she would not seek the death penalty in any case — including that of Markeith Loyd, who had been accused of murdering an Orlando police officer and his pregnant ex-girlfriend. Though she did not explicitly campaign against the death penalty, Ayala, a Democrat, asserted it was within her prosecutorial discretion to decide how to pursue punishment for cases in her purview.
Scott disagreed and signed an executive order later that day, taking her off the Loyd case and assigning it to Brad King, state attorney for Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter counties. Ayala sued King and Scott — who ultimately reassigned away more than two dozen additional cases — in a dispute that reached the state Supreme Court.
Read more at TampaBay.com
Barack Obama Breaks His Silence
Less than 24 hours after an astonishing joint news conference between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, in which Trump sided with Putin over his own intelligence agencies, former President Barack Obama finally did what his supporters have waited for him to do since he left the Oval Office.
He spoke up, forcefully, with a dire warning about the direction of global politics. “I am not being alarmist, I’m simply stating the facts,” Obama said in a closely watched speech in South Africa.
“Look around,” he said. “Strongman politics are ascendant, suddenly, whereby elections and some pretense of democracy are maintained, the form of it, where those in power seek to undermine every institution or norm that gives democracy meaning.”
“The free press is under attack,” he added. “Censorship and state control of media is on the rise. Social media, once seen as a mechanism to promote knowledge and understanding and solidarity, has proved to be just as effective promoting hatred and paranoia and propaganda and conspiracy theories.”
The occasion for Obama’s remarks was the 16th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, and though he did not mention his successor by name, President Trump loomed large in the speech. Trump, in contrast to Obama, has rebuked America’s Western allies while offering kind words to the world’s strongmen—from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who is perhaps a category unto himself. But Trump’s warmest words have been reserved for Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader.
Read more at the Atlantic
He spoke up, forcefully, with a dire warning about the direction of global politics. “I am not being alarmist, I’m simply stating the facts,” Obama said in a closely watched speech in South Africa.
“Look around,” he said. “Strongman politics are ascendant, suddenly, whereby elections and some pretense of democracy are maintained, the form of it, where those in power seek to undermine every institution or norm that gives democracy meaning.”
“The free press is under attack,” he added. “Censorship and state control of media is on the rise. Social media, once seen as a mechanism to promote knowledge and understanding and solidarity, has proved to be just as effective promoting hatred and paranoia and propaganda and conspiracy theories.”
The occasion for Obama’s remarks was the 16th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, and though he did not mention his successor by name, President Trump loomed large in the speech. Trump, in contrast to Obama, has rebuked America’s Western allies while offering kind words to the world’s strongmen—from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who is perhaps a category unto himself. But Trump’s warmest words have been reserved for Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader.
Read more at the Atlantic
Kellen Winslow Jr. faces additional charge of raping unconscious 17-year-old in 2003
Kellen Winslow Jr. is charged with a new count of rape in San Diego in addition to the two counts of rape, two counts of kidnapping with intent to commit rape and one count of forcible sodomy he was already facing.
The 34-year-old former NFL tight end was arraigned for the new charge Thursday afternoon in a Vista, California courtroom, accused of forcibly raping an unconscious 17-year-old girl in 2003 when he was 19 years old, USA Today reports.
Winslow Jr. facing three rape charges spanning 15 years
Winslow was already facing trial for the alleged rape of two women ages 54 and 58 in the San Diego suburb of Encinitas between March and June of this year. Police arrested Winslow twice in June, with the second arrest on the rape charges.
Winslow also faces a pair of misdemeanor trespassing charges for entering the homes of women he intended to rape, the prosecution alleges. Winslow’s first arrest occurred after he allegedly entered a woman’s home in an Encinitas trailer park, prompting a neighbor to call the police.
The 58-year-old accuser, a homeless woman, testified in court Thursday morning that Winslow picked her up in his car and offered to take her for coffee when he allegedly took her to a secluded area, raped her and threatened to kill her, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Read more at Yahoo.com
The 34-year-old former NFL tight end was arraigned for the new charge Thursday afternoon in a Vista, California courtroom, accused of forcibly raping an unconscious 17-year-old girl in 2003 when he was 19 years old, USA Today reports.
Winslow Jr. facing three rape charges spanning 15 years
Winslow was already facing trial for the alleged rape of two women ages 54 and 58 in the San Diego suburb of Encinitas between March and June of this year. Police arrested Winslow twice in June, with the second arrest on the rape charges.
Winslow also faces a pair of misdemeanor trespassing charges for entering the homes of women he intended to rape, the prosecution alleges. Winslow’s first arrest occurred after he allegedly entered a woman’s home in an Encinitas trailer park, prompting a neighbor to call the police.
The 58-year-old accuser, a homeless woman, testified in court Thursday morning that Winslow picked her up in his car and offered to take her for coffee when he allegedly took her to a secluded area, raped her and threatened to kill her, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Read more at Yahoo.com
Study Finds That Black Women Graduate With The Most Student Loan Debt
A new study has found that Black women are the demographic burdened the most by the student loan debt crisis in the United States — taking on the biggest debt load for the longest amount of time.
While Black women are the most educated demographic in America, this acclaim comes with a major its own set of consequences. The new “Deeper in Debt: Women and Student Loans” study shows that Black women have by far the most outstanding student debt after college graduation compared with both white men and white women.
The report by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) found that African-American women amass an average of $30,400 of debt by college graduation, compared with $22,000 held against white women and $19,500 held against white men.
The reports also found that women overall owe almost double the country’s student loan debt at $890 billion, compared to $490 billion owed by men. Women, who account for 56 percent of enrolled college students, are far more likely than men to graduate owing money at 71 percent for female graduates and 66 percent for male graduates, CBS News reports.
“Student debt levels have reached an all-time high, with women carrying a bigger burden of debt than men,” said Kim Churches, the chief executive officer of AAUW. “This debt is an albatross for many women as they embark on careers and work to support their households and families. And, it only gets worse over time when coupled with the gender pay gap.”
The problem is further compounded by the nation’s gender and racial pay gap. Indeed, for every dollar a white man makes, a Black woman makes 63 cents, forcing Black women to take years longer to pay off their student loan debt.
Read more at Essence
While Black women are the most educated demographic in America, this acclaim comes with a major its own set of consequences. The new “Deeper in Debt: Women and Student Loans” study shows that Black women have by far the most outstanding student debt after college graduation compared with both white men and white women.
The report by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) found that African-American women amass an average of $30,400 of debt by college graduation, compared with $22,000 held against white women and $19,500 held against white men.
The reports also found that women overall owe almost double the country’s student loan debt at $890 billion, compared to $490 billion owed by men. Women, who account for 56 percent of enrolled college students, are far more likely than men to graduate owing money at 71 percent for female graduates and 66 percent for male graduates, CBS News reports.
“Student debt levels have reached an all-time high, with women carrying a bigger burden of debt than men,” said Kim Churches, the chief executive officer of AAUW. “This debt is an albatross for many women as they embark on careers and work to support their households and families. And, it only gets worse over time when coupled with the gender pay gap.”
The problem is further compounded by the nation’s gender and racial pay gap. Indeed, for every dollar a white man makes, a Black woman makes 63 cents, forcing Black women to take years longer to pay off their student loan debt.
Read more at Essence
Woman on oxygen machine dies after power company cuts off electricity
A New Jersey woman who relied on an electric-powered oxygen tank to breathe died just hours after her utility company cut service to her home because she hadn’t paid her bills.
Linda Daniels, 68, died of heart failure Thursday, the same day PSE&G cut the electricity to her Newark home, according to her daughter, Desiree Washington, the Associated Press reported.
PSE&G said in a statement that it turned off the power due to outstanding payments over the course of several months.
“While there will be a complete investigation of this matter, our records indicate that this account was severely in arrears and we made at least 15 attempts to notify the customer since January 2018, including two visits to the residence prior to the disconnection,” PSE&G said.
Washington said her mom paid $500 to the electric company just two days before her death and that her family had notified the electric company of her mother’s medical issues, according to the AP.
But PSE&G claims that it had no knowledge of Daniels’ medical condition.
“We have reviewed our records dating back to 2016 and there is no indication by the customer of a medical condition in the home prior to disconnection,” the company said, adding: “When notified of a medical situation, PSE&G carefully follows all procedures and regulations to ensure the safety of the customer. We never would have disconnected service had we been informed of the circumstances.”
“When we were contacted after service had been disconnected and were notified that the customer had medical issues, we began the process to restore service,” said PSE&G.
Read more at NY Post
Linda Daniels, 68, died of heart failure Thursday, the same day PSE&G cut the electricity to her Newark home, according to her daughter, Desiree Washington, the Associated Press reported.
PSE&G said in a statement that it turned off the power due to outstanding payments over the course of several months.
“While there will be a complete investigation of this matter, our records indicate that this account was severely in arrears and we made at least 15 attempts to notify the customer since January 2018, including two visits to the residence prior to the disconnection,” PSE&G said.
Washington said her mom paid $500 to the electric company just two days before her death and that her family had notified the electric company of her mother’s medical issues, according to the AP.
But PSE&G claims that it had no knowledge of Daniels’ medical condition.
“We have reviewed our records dating back to 2016 and there is no indication by the customer of a medical condition in the home prior to disconnection,” the company said, adding: “When notified of a medical situation, PSE&G carefully follows all procedures and regulations to ensure the safety of the customer. We never would have disconnected service had we been informed of the circumstances.”
“When we were contacted after service had been disconnected and were notified that the customer had medical issues, we began the process to restore service,” said PSE&G.
Read more at NY Post
African-American family finds racist note in hotel room, businessman says
An African-American millionaire and his Manhattan consultant son were victims of a July 4th hate crime in their hotel room during a Florida vacation.
A racist creep apparently snuck into Frank and Michael Davis’ room at the upscale Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota and left a 2-by-5 post-it note reading, “You’re a N—-R.”
After returning to their sixth-floor room from breakfast, the Davises found the sickening message placed on a globe-shaped bedside lamp.
“I was stone cold for 30 to 40 seconds when I read the note,” Michael Davis, 27, a consultant for a financial firm, told The Post.
“My first thought was, what did we do to deserve this? We tipped well, we were beyond nice to all the staff.”
Fearing for their lives, Michael and his parents called the police and the front desk. The Sarasota Police Department responded, but no suspects have been named.
Read more at Fox News
A racist creep apparently snuck into Frank and Michael Davis’ room at the upscale Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota and left a 2-by-5 post-it note reading, “You’re a N—-R.”
After returning to their sixth-floor room from breakfast, the Davises found the sickening message placed on a globe-shaped bedside lamp.
“I was stone cold for 30 to 40 seconds when I read the note,” Michael Davis, 27, a consultant for a financial firm, told The Post.
“My first thought was, what did we do to deserve this? We tipped well, we were beyond nice to all the staff.”
Fearing for their lives, Michael and his parents called the police and the front desk. The Sarasota Police Department responded, but no suspects have been named.
Read more at Fox News
Gangbangers arrested for killing teen getting protection in jail
The eight gangbangers accused of butchering innocent teen Lesandro “Junior Guzman-Feliz” are getting special treatment in jail, according to law enforcement sources. The men — all variously charged with murder in the 15-year-old’s grisly mistaken-identity slaying — have been moved out of the general population at Rikers Island because they are getting threats, sources said. Each time one of them is moved, all other inmate transfers are put on hold — and the suspects are accompanied by several correction officers and a captain who film the transfer, the source said. It was not immediately clear where the suspects are being held.
Two of the accused were arrested in the Bronx, while six others were Two of the accused were arrested in the Bronx, while six others were busted during a raid of a New Jersey flophouse.
All eight have pleaded not guilty.
NY POST
Two of the accused were arrested in the Bronx, while six others were Two of the accused were arrested in the Bronx, while six others were busted during a raid of a New Jersey flophouse.
All eight have pleaded not guilty.
NY POST
The Gag Is! White Lady Calls 911 On Black Boy For Mowing Lawns But Now His Business Is Booming
12-year-old Reginald Fields is known in his Ohio neighborhood as the owner of Mr. Reggie’s Lawn Cutting Service. One day when Reggie was mowing the lawn of a women in the neighborhood, a white neighbor called the police for cutting grass on their property line. After a video of the incident went viral, Reggie’s business has doubled and the white couple have been called out for their intolerance.
At the end of June, Lucille Holt-Colden posted a video to Facebook titled “This is RIDICULOUS!!!” In the video, a police vehicle can be seen in the background after a neighbor called to complain that Reggie had cut the grass on his side of the property line.
Holt-Colden told the New York Times Reggie and his siblings had only been working for about 30 minutes when the police showed up.
“I thought they were going to punish me for cutting the grass,” Reggie told the Times.
Read more at BET
At the end of June, Lucille Holt-Colden posted a video to Facebook titled “This is RIDICULOUS!!!” In the video, a police vehicle can be seen in the background after a neighbor called to complain that Reggie had cut the grass on his side of the property line.
Holt-Colden told the New York Times Reggie and his siblings had only been working for about 30 minutes when the police showed up.
“I thought they were going to punish me for cutting the grass,” Reggie told the Times.
Read more at BET
Woman On Trial For Fatally Starving And Burning 10-Year-Old Stepdaughter Says She’s Relying On God
A Georgia woman on trial for allegedly starving her stepdaughter to death and burning the body in a trashcan has decided to go without the help of a lawyer and represent herself.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Tiffany Moss, who is accused of starving 10-year-old Emani Moss to death and then burning her body in 2013. When Emani’s body was found in a dumpster outside the apartment where she lived with her father and Tiffany, she weighed only 32 pounds, reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Although nearly everyone associated with the case has advised Tiffany Moss to use an attorney, she has insisted it's God’s will for her to proceed alone. As a result, Gwinnett County judge hearing the case decided to delay the trial until the state’s highest court can review his decision to allow Moss to be her own lawyer.
Instead of preparing legal documents, filing motions, and reviewing evidence, Moss has decided to prepare for her case “in a more spiritual way than, you know, a physical way,” according to the AJC.
An example of Moss’ lack of preparation was witnessed when the state sought to admit hearsay testimony from Moss’s son at trial. During the hearing, Moss asked Superior Court Judge George Hutchinson III not to allow the testimony. When the judge asked her to give him a legal basis for her objection, Moss responded: “Legal basis, I don’t know.”
Read more at BET
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Tiffany Moss, who is accused of starving 10-year-old Emani Moss to death and then burning her body in 2013. When Emani’s body was found in a dumpster outside the apartment where she lived with her father and Tiffany, she weighed only 32 pounds, reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Although nearly everyone associated with the case has advised Tiffany Moss to use an attorney, she has insisted it's God’s will for her to proceed alone. As a result, Gwinnett County judge hearing the case decided to delay the trial until the state’s highest court can review his decision to allow Moss to be her own lawyer.
Instead of preparing legal documents, filing motions, and reviewing evidence, Moss has decided to prepare for her case “in a more spiritual way than, you know, a physical way,” according to the AJC.
An example of Moss’ lack of preparation was witnessed when the state sought to admit hearsay testimony from Moss’s son at trial. During the hearing, Moss asked Superior Court Judge George Hutchinson III not to allow the testimony. When the judge asked her to give him a legal basis for her objection, Moss responded: “Legal basis, I don’t know.”
Read more at BET
Joe Jackson, Michael and Janet Jackson's father, dead at 89
Joe Jackson, the father of late Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson and the mastermind behind The Jackson 5, has died at age 89. Carlos Keyes, representative for Jackson's son, Tito Jackson, confirmed Joe Jackson's death. The legendary stage parent and music manager was reportedly battling terminal cancer.
A Jackson family source told "Entertainment Tonight" that the family's patriarch was hospitalized with terminal cancer Friday in Las Vegas. The source also said that he had been battling cancer for some time, with doctors telling the family that he had a limited amount of time left to live, and that the illness was untreatable.
His Twitter account posted a cryptic tweet Sunday that said, "I have seen more sunsets than I have left to see. The sun rises when the time comes and whether you like it or not the sun sets when the time comes."
However, Paris Jackson later tweeted that her grandfather did not post the tweet, saying, "My grandfather did not tweet this. I'm not sure if he's ever used this account."
Joe Jackson had been struggling with his health for the past several years. He was hospitalized in 2016 after a high fever, and in 2015, he was hospitalized after suffering a stroke.
Jackson engineered the careers of The Jackson 5 and then the solo careers of Michael and Janet Jackson. Though his children accused their controversial father of abuse, he was quoted as saying of Michael's accusations, "I never beat him. I whipped him with a stick and a belt. I never beat him. You beat someone with a stick." Jackson had a difficult relationship with his troubled son. People who knew Michael said that the two became closer after Michael became a father of three, but when the King of Pop died, he cut his father out of his will.
Read more at CBS
A Jackson family source told "Entertainment Tonight" that the family's patriarch was hospitalized with terminal cancer Friday in Las Vegas. The source also said that he had been battling cancer for some time, with doctors telling the family that he had a limited amount of time left to live, and that the illness was untreatable.
His Twitter account posted a cryptic tweet Sunday that said, "I have seen more sunsets than I have left to see. The sun rises when the time comes and whether you like it or not the sun sets when the time comes."
However, Paris Jackson later tweeted that her grandfather did not post the tweet, saying, "My grandfather did not tweet this. I'm not sure if he's ever used this account."
Joe Jackson had been struggling with his health for the past several years. He was hospitalized in 2016 after a high fever, and in 2015, he was hospitalized after suffering a stroke.
Jackson engineered the careers of The Jackson 5 and then the solo careers of Michael and Janet Jackson. Though his children accused their controversial father of abuse, he was quoted as saying of Michael's accusations, "I never beat him. I whipped him with a stick and a belt. I never beat him. You beat someone with a stick." Jackson had a difficult relationship with his troubled son. People who knew Michael said that the two became closer after Michael became a father of three, but when the King of Pop died, he cut his father out of his will.
Read more at CBS
Rapper Meek Mill's petition for retrial after 2008 conviction denied by judge
A Philadelphia judge has denied rapper Meek Mill a new trial stemming from the decade-old gun and drug charges against him — despite new information that shows credibility issues with the arresting officer.
Common Pleas Court Judge Genece Brinley said in a 47-page opinion released Monday that Mill's attorneys "failed to meet his burden of proof" to have his conviction overturned, and questioned the thoroughness of Philadelphia prosecutors reviewing allegations of corruption against the officer.
The decision — the latest in a case that has put a spotlight on the justice system and sentencing — was blasted by the defense.
"We are not at all surprised by Judge Brinkley's decision today. Despite the agreement of the District Attorney's office on the need for a new trial, and the granting of new trials to other identically situated defendants, Judge Brinkley made clear during the hearing on June 18th that she had already decided the matter," Mill's lawyer, Joe Tacopina, said in a statement.
Read more at NBC
Common Pleas Court Judge Genece Brinley said in a 47-page opinion released Monday that Mill's attorneys "failed to meet his burden of proof" to have his conviction overturned, and questioned the thoroughness of Philadelphia prosecutors reviewing allegations of corruption against the officer.
The decision — the latest in a case that has put a spotlight on the justice system and sentencing — was blasted by the defense.
"We are not at all surprised by Judge Brinkley's decision today. Despite the agreement of the District Attorney's office on the need for a new trial, and the granting of new trials to other identically situated defendants, Judge Brinkley made clear during the hearing on June 18th that she had already decided the matter," Mill's lawyer, Joe Tacopina, said in a statement.
Read more at NBC
Permit Patty: Woman 'calls police' on eight-year-old for selling water
People have been using the hashtag #PermitPatty after a video was shared showing a woman reporting a child to police in East Oakland, California, for selling water outside her home.
Eight-year-old Jordan Austin was selling water without an official licence.
Alison Ettel contacted the authorities to report Jordan's actions.
A video of the incident was shared on Instagram by Jordan's mum Erin, and was also shared on Twitter by her cousin Raje Lee - both using the #PermitPatty hashtag.
"[Jordan] was selling water bottles when [Alison] just rudely approached her, like: 'I need to see your permit'," Raje told The Huffington Post.
"Erin stepped in and told her to leave her kid alone. That's when the lady proceeded to call the police."
Raje's video has been viewed nearly 7 million times in just two days on Twitter. Another 1.1 million have watched Erin's video on Instagram.
Alison is reportedly the CEO of a medicinal marijuana company and at least one organisation in the state, where the drug is legal, say they will no longer sell her products.
Some Twitter users said that the situation highlighted a lack of equality in America between black and white individuals.
Read more at BBC
Eight-year-old Jordan Austin was selling water without an official licence.
Alison Ettel contacted the authorities to report Jordan's actions.
A video of the incident was shared on Instagram by Jordan's mum Erin, and was also shared on Twitter by her cousin Raje Lee - both using the #PermitPatty hashtag.
"[Jordan] was selling water bottles when [Alison] just rudely approached her, like: 'I need to see your permit'," Raje told The Huffington Post.
"Erin stepped in and told her to leave her kid alone. That's when the lady proceeded to call the police."
Raje's video has been viewed nearly 7 million times in just two days on Twitter. Another 1.1 million have watched Erin's video on Instagram.
Alison is reportedly the CEO of a medicinal marijuana company and at least one organisation in the state, where the drug is legal, say they will no longer sell her products.
Some Twitter users said that the situation highlighted a lack of equality in America between black and white individuals.
Read more at BBC
Trump Dragged After Disgusting Border Patrol Video Shows Immigrant Children Living In Cages
Amid accusations of improperly detaining children who crossed the border with undocumented adults, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released a video on Monday which seems to prove the rumors were true.
Government released footage of an immigration detention center in McAllen, Texas, showed children, who have been separated from their parents as part of the Trump administration's zero tolerance policy, corralled in cages and sleeping on the floor.
The footage was released a day after several reporters and Democratic lawmakers given a tour of the processing facility near the U.S.-Mexico border, reported the Associated Press.
See more at BET
Government released footage of an immigration detention center in McAllen, Texas, showed children, who have been separated from their parents as part of the Trump administration's zero tolerance policy, corralled in cages and sleeping on the floor.
The footage was released a day after several reporters and Democratic lawmakers given a tour of the processing facility near the U.S.-Mexico border, reported the Associated Press.
See more at BET
Kirk Franklin Mourns His Sister’s 30 Year Prison Sentence
Gospel artist Kirk Franklin is facing difficult times this week when he announced that his sister was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
He revealed the news in an Instagram post saying “I now feel the weight of wondering if I could’ve done more…”
It’s not clear what caused his sister’s long sentence.
However, Kirk has been pretty public about the struggles she’s faced, including an addiction to crack-cocaine. In a 2015 interview, Kirk said, “For over ten years, my younger sister was incarcerated in a facility here in Texas. She was in love with a young man who was drug dealer. He introduced her to not only selling drugs, but using as well. When he was arrested for drug trafficking, she was arrested along with him. After she served her time, she was brought before the review board who determined she was ready to be released and brought back into society. The documents were signed and she was set free… but only on paper.”
Kirk continued, “After a few months back into the free world, it became obvious to me rather quickly that my sister was still in prison. It’s what they call being institutionalized. She quickly started using again, becoming very reckless with her body, which turned into her using it as a means to pay for her habit.”
Read more at Global Grind
He revealed the news in an Instagram post saying “I now feel the weight of wondering if I could’ve done more…”
It’s not clear what caused his sister’s long sentence.
However, Kirk has been pretty public about the struggles she’s faced, including an addiction to crack-cocaine. In a 2015 interview, Kirk said, “For over ten years, my younger sister was incarcerated in a facility here in Texas. She was in love with a young man who was drug dealer. He introduced her to not only selling drugs, but using as well. When he was arrested for drug trafficking, she was arrested along with him. After she served her time, she was brought before the review board who determined she was ready to be released and brought back into society. The documents were signed and she was set free… but only on paper.”
Kirk continued, “After a few months back into the free world, it became obvious to me rather quickly that my sister was still in prison. It’s what they call being institutionalized. She quickly started using again, becoming very reckless with her body, which turned into her using it as a means to pay for her habit.”
Read more at Global Grind
Akon Is Jumping Into Cryptocurrency With ‘Akoin’
Akon is continuing to help the continent of Africa by launching a new cryptocurrency called Akoin, which will go on sale in two weeks, according to Page Six. The Senegal born star made the announcement during the 2018 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity on June 19.
Akoin will be used to support the singer’s Lighting Africa initiative, a project with a mission to improve Africa’s living conditions through the use of renewable energy.
“I think that blockchain and crypto could be the savior for Africa in many ways because it brings the power back to the people and brings the security back into the currency system and also allows the people to utilize it in ways where they can advance themselves and not allow government to do those things that are keeping them down,” the “I’m So Paid” singer said during a panel.
The digital currency’s website, icoimpact.co/akoin, states an “Akon Crypto City” is currently being developed on 2,000 acres of land that was “gifted to Akon from the President of Senegal.” The smart city will reportedly function with 100 percent of the transactions occurring through the use of the Akoin.
Read more at Ebony
Akoin will be used to support the singer’s Lighting Africa initiative, a project with a mission to improve Africa’s living conditions through the use of renewable energy.
“I think that blockchain and crypto could be the savior for Africa in many ways because it brings the power back to the people and brings the security back into the currency system and also allows the people to utilize it in ways where they can advance themselves and not allow government to do those things that are keeping them down,” the “I’m So Paid” singer said during a panel.
The digital currency’s website, icoimpact.co/akoin, states an “Akon Crypto City” is currently being developed on 2,000 acres of land that was “gifted to Akon from the President of Senegal.” The smart city will reportedly function with 100 percent of the transactions occurring through the use of the Akoin.
Read more at Ebony
African-American teachers push messages of affirmation, success at Philadelphia school
PHILADELPHIA — "You're great!" That's what every student hears from teacher Herman Douglas when they enter his seventh-grade class at Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School in a neighborhood of North Philadelphia plagued with crime, violence and poverty.
"I'm great," each student responds.
Douglas’ strong positive message is meant to counter the negativity so many students pass by in the streets on their way to school. He also bestows titles on his students, referring them as “king” and “queen" as reminders that they're descendants of African royalty.
In addition to Douglas, 12 other African-American male educators work at this school — that's nearly 30 percent of the staff at a school where the students are primarily black and Hispanic. That number stands in contrast to the rest of the nation, where only 2 percent of teachers are African-American men.
For the past few years, this school has been trying to change the face of teaching to address what’s seen as a fundamental problem facing students in this part of Philadelphia.
"We have a lot of children where they have mom at home, they have grandma, but they don’t have dad, uncle’s not around," said principal Jamina Clay-Dingle, who has made it a point to recruit black men to her classrooms. "It was a deliberate decision that we wanted to put representation in front of our students who looked like them."
Studies show that minority children perform better in school when their teachers are diverse. If a black boy has even just one black teacher in grade school, recent research predicts he has a significantly improved chance to graduate high school and consider college. Many minority educators also believe teaching students of various ethnic backgrounds breaks down stereotypes and generates tolerance.
As the school year winds down at Bethune, educators say students face higher expectations, attendance is up, and they expect test scores and graduate rates to soon follow.
Read more at NBC News
"I'm great," each student responds.
Douglas’ strong positive message is meant to counter the negativity so many students pass by in the streets on their way to school. He also bestows titles on his students, referring them as “king” and “queen" as reminders that they're descendants of African royalty.
In addition to Douglas, 12 other African-American male educators work at this school — that's nearly 30 percent of the staff at a school where the students are primarily black and Hispanic. That number stands in contrast to the rest of the nation, where only 2 percent of teachers are African-American men.
For the past few years, this school has been trying to change the face of teaching to address what’s seen as a fundamental problem facing students in this part of Philadelphia.
"We have a lot of children where they have mom at home, they have grandma, but they don’t have dad, uncle’s not around," said principal Jamina Clay-Dingle, who has made it a point to recruit black men to her classrooms. "It was a deliberate decision that we wanted to put representation in front of our students who looked like them."
Studies show that minority children perform better in school when their teachers are diverse. If a black boy has even just one black teacher in grade school, recent research predicts he has a significantly improved chance to graduate high school and consider college. Many minority educators also believe teaching students of various ethnic backgrounds breaks down stereotypes and generates tolerance.
As the school year winds down at Bethune, educators say students face higher expectations, attendance is up, and they expect test scores and graduate rates to soon follow.
Read more at NBC News
For The Kids: Killer Mike Is Offering Free Back-To-School Haircuts In Atlanta
Killer Mike has long been known as a man who loves him some charitable deeds, and his latest is going to be a huge blessing for a lot of children as they make their way back to school this fall.
The Atlanta emcee, in collaboration with The Atlanta Hawks, Volcom and his Run The Jewels counterpart El-P, will open his own chain of Atlanta barbershops to students to provice free back-to-school haircuts at the end of the summer. Named The S.W.A.G. Shop, barbers will be compensated for both cuts and shaves given to children between the ages of 5-17 during the two-day span of the event.
Mike posted the announcement on Instagram, tagging his wife Shay, who co-owns the shops with him saying, “Me and @shaybigga making sure we doing our part. Thank u to all our customers, staff and the community’s we serve!”
The first special will be held at the barbershop on Edgewood Avenue on Saturday, July 28, while the event on Roosevelt Highway is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 4. Both will start at 10:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m.
ATLiens, bring your kids on over to The S.W.A.G. Shops as summer wraps up for a free cut before school. Salute to Killer Mike for the good deed.
Read more at Global Grind
The Atlanta emcee, in collaboration with The Atlanta Hawks, Volcom and his Run The Jewels counterpart El-P, will open his own chain of Atlanta barbershops to students to provice free back-to-school haircuts at the end of the summer. Named The S.W.A.G. Shop, barbers will be compensated for both cuts and shaves given to children between the ages of 5-17 during the two-day span of the event.
Mike posted the announcement on Instagram, tagging his wife Shay, who co-owns the shops with him saying, “Me and @shaybigga making sure we doing our part. Thank u to all our customers, staff and the community’s we serve!”
The first special will be held at the barbershop on Edgewood Avenue on Saturday, July 28, while the event on Roosevelt Highway is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 4. Both will start at 10:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m.
ATLiens, bring your kids on over to The S.W.A.G. Shops as summer wraps up for a free cut before school. Salute to Killer Mike for the good deed.
Read more at Global Grind
Life-changing text alert puts Penn State student on path to success
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Brian Davis found out that he was accepted to Penn State while practicing parallel parking in his hometown of Philadelphia.
“I received an alert on my phone and it said, ‘Congratulations, you’ve been accepted at Penn State University Park,’ and I started crying — it was a dream come true,” said Davis.
“At 13, I told my friends that no matter how I did in high school, my grades, my SAT scores, I’m going to Penn State. I didn’t even look at any other schools; it was Penn State or I wasn’t going to college,” he said, laughing.
Now 21, Davis, a soft-spoken, confident young man with a sparkle in his eye, is ready for the next step: He graduated this spring from the University with a bachelor's degree in African-American studies, with minors in international studies, civic and community engagement, and sociology. He’s ready for his new job as an elementary school teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area through Teach for America.
He’s ready for anything, he said, because of his experiences at Penn State.
“Penn State has impacted my life in so many ways,” said Davis. “Where I come from in Philadelphia, there was a lot of violence while I was growing up. I don’t like to say I made it out, but I feel like — this is what happens when a person is put in the right place at the right time, with the right resources.
“I feel very powerful, and Penn State has helped me find that confidence in myself,” he added. “To take advantage of opportunities for myself, but also to create opportunities for others.”
Starting the journey
The beginning of his college journey wasn’t a smooth one, however. Although he excelled in high school, he nearly failed most of his freshman courses. He was overwhelmed and had trouble identifying the resources that would have helped him to adjust. At the end of his first semester he was thinking about leaving the University he had so longed to attend.
“I didn’t know where to start. I’d never been in a place with so many resources before, and it was actually an obstacle because I had trouble navigating a path. I was eager and excited, but had poor studying and writing skills in spite of earning straight As in high school,” he said. “It made me reflect on my experiences in inner-city Philadelphia and how it prepared me for college.”
Read more at News.psu.edu
“I received an alert on my phone and it said, ‘Congratulations, you’ve been accepted at Penn State University Park,’ and I started crying — it was a dream come true,” said Davis.
“At 13, I told my friends that no matter how I did in high school, my grades, my SAT scores, I’m going to Penn State. I didn’t even look at any other schools; it was Penn State or I wasn’t going to college,” he said, laughing.
Now 21, Davis, a soft-spoken, confident young man with a sparkle in his eye, is ready for the next step: He graduated this spring from the University with a bachelor's degree in African-American studies, with minors in international studies, civic and community engagement, and sociology. He’s ready for his new job as an elementary school teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area through Teach for America.
He’s ready for anything, he said, because of his experiences at Penn State.
“Penn State has impacted my life in so many ways,” said Davis. “Where I come from in Philadelphia, there was a lot of violence while I was growing up. I don’t like to say I made it out, but I feel like — this is what happens when a person is put in the right place at the right time, with the right resources.
“I feel very powerful, and Penn State has helped me find that confidence in myself,” he added. “To take advantage of opportunities for myself, but also to create opportunities for others.”
Starting the journey
The beginning of his college journey wasn’t a smooth one, however. Although he excelled in high school, he nearly failed most of his freshman courses. He was overwhelmed and had trouble identifying the resources that would have helped him to adjust. At the end of his first semester he was thinking about leaving the University he had so longed to attend.
“I didn’t know where to start. I’d never been in a place with so many resources before, and it was actually an obstacle because I had trouble navigating a path. I was eager and excited, but had poor studying and writing skills in spite of earning straight As in high school,” he said. “It made me reflect on my experiences in inner-city Philadelphia and how it prepared me for college.”
Read more at News.psu.edu
Barack Obama pays emotional tribute to Anthony Bourdain with photo of celebrated Hanoi lunch.
Barack Obama has paid his own, personal tribute to Anthony Bourdain, recalling their celebrated lunch in a Hanoi eatery, and praising the chef and boulevardier’s ability to “bring us together”.
In the spring of 2016, the then president ate a $6 lunch with Bourdain at Bun Cha Huong Lien, a traditional roadside joint where most local people had little idea who either man was. Bourdain was filming for Parts Unknown season 8 while Mr Obama was negotiating a deal with Vietnam that ended a ban on selling military equipment to the single-party nation.
“Low plastic stool, cheap but delicious noodles, cold Hanoi beer,” wrote the former president following the death of Bourdain, 61, in Kaysersberg, France.
“This is how I’ll remember Tony. He taught us about food — but more importantly, about its ability to bring us together. To make us a little less afraid of the unknown. We’ll miss him.”
Current President Donald Trump called Bourdain's death - which French prosecutors are treating as a suicide - as “very shocking.”
“I enjoyed his show, he was quite a character,” Mr Trump told reporters at the White House.
Bourdain worked his way up to become executive chef at a top New York restaurant, and would later talk extensively about his use of drugs and addiction to heroin earlier in his life.
Read more at Yahoo
In the spring of 2016, the then president ate a $6 lunch with Bourdain at Bun Cha Huong Lien, a traditional roadside joint where most local people had little idea who either man was. Bourdain was filming for Parts Unknown season 8 while Mr Obama was negotiating a deal with Vietnam that ended a ban on selling military equipment to the single-party nation.
“Low plastic stool, cheap but delicious noodles, cold Hanoi beer,” wrote the former president following the death of Bourdain, 61, in Kaysersberg, France.
“This is how I’ll remember Tony. He taught us about food — but more importantly, about its ability to bring us together. To make us a little less afraid of the unknown. We’ll miss him.”
Current President Donald Trump called Bourdain's death - which French prosecutors are treating as a suicide - as “very shocking.”
“I enjoyed his show, he was quite a character,” Mr Trump told reporters at the White House.
Bourdain worked his way up to become executive chef at a top New York restaurant, and would later talk extensively about his use of drugs and addiction to heroin earlier in his life.
Read more at Yahoo
Chicago Police Superintendent Defends Cops Who Handcuffed 10-Year-Old Boy In Case Of Mistaken Identity
A terrified 10-year-old Chicago boy was handcuffed outside of his grandmother’s house by a Chicago police officer on Friday (June 1). The police mistakenly identified Michael Thomas Jr. of being a juvenile runaway with a gun, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
On Wednesday, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said that police “followed all of the rules and protocols” during the arrest and cuffed Thomas “for safety reasons.”
“Keep in mind, this is difficult for an officer to tell right off the bat if you’re 10 years old, 12 years old [or] 14,” Johnson said. “So they handcuffed the kid for safety reasons because he did match that description. They followed all the rules and protocols that we have in place. So I’m not concerned about that at all.”
A viral video that surfaced online shows that while the unidentified officers detained Thomas, who had wet his pants, bystanders swiftly came to the scared boy’s defense and claimed him as a child of their community. “That’s our kid,” one person can be heard saying in the clip.
The cops justified their actions by saying that Thomas ran when they tried to arrest him. “Listen, we got a call about a person who broke out of juvenile hall in blue,” one cop said. “We get out the car; that’s when he starts running, that’s why he’s in handcuffs.”
Read more at Essence
On Wednesday, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said that police “followed all of the rules and protocols” during the arrest and cuffed Thomas “for safety reasons.”
“Keep in mind, this is difficult for an officer to tell right off the bat if you’re 10 years old, 12 years old [or] 14,” Johnson said. “So they handcuffed the kid for safety reasons because he did match that description. They followed all the rules and protocols that we have in place. So I’m not concerned about that at all.”
A viral video that surfaced online shows that while the unidentified officers detained Thomas, who had wet his pants, bystanders swiftly came to the scared boy’s defense and claimed him as a child of their community. “That’s our kid,” one person can be heard saying in the clip.
The cops justified their actions by saying that Thomas ran when they tried to arrest him. “Listen, we got a call about a person who broke out of juvenile hall in blue,” one cop said. “We get out the car; that’s when he starts running, that’s why he’s in handcuffs.”
Read more at Essence
The Last Surviving Witness To The Tulsa Race Riot Of 1921 Shares Her Story: 'It Was A Horrifying Thing'
A black female centenarian from Oklahoma may now be the last surviving witness of the deadly Tulsa Race Riot of 1921.
Olivia Hooker was only six years old on May 31, 1921, when a white mob entered her black middle-class neighborhood of Greenwood in Tulsa and terrorized the community for the next 24 hours.
Hooker's mother hid her and her three siblings under the dining room table when a group of white men entered her home, she told Radio Diaries in a new radio series called “Last Witness", which features portraits of the last surviving witnesses to major historical events.
“It was a horrifying thing for a little girl who's only six years old,” she said. “Trying to remember to keep quiet, so they wouldn't know we were there.”
The root of the unrest was the arrest of Dick Rowland, a young black man accused of assaulting a young white woman in an elevator. News quickly spread that a white mob was rising up and coming to lynch him. The mob was met by an armed group of African-American men, many of whom were World War I veterans.
According to NPR, an armed standoff ensued, and “the white mobs destroyed more than 1,000 homes and businesses. They set fire to schools, churches, libraries, and movie theaters, leveling entire city blocks.” Up to an estimated 300 people were killed, though the exact death toll is unknown.
For Hooker, she witnessed them tear down items in her home, as well as the complete destruction of her father’s clothing business. Her family picked up soon after and moved to Topeka, Kan. as their once thriving neighborhood was now lost.
Read moreat Essence
Olivia Hooker was only six years old on May 31, 1921, when a white mob entered her black middle-class neighborhood of Greenwood in Tulsa and terrorized the community for the next 24 hours.
Hooker's mother hid her and her three siblings under the dining room table when a group of white men entered her home, she told Radio Diaries in a new radio series called “Last Witness", which features portraits of the last surviving witnesses to major historical events.
“It was a horrifying thing for a little girl who's only six years old,” she said. “Trying to remember to keep quiet, so they wouldn't know we were there.”
The root of the unrest was the arrest of Dick Rowland, a young black man accused of assaulting a young white woman in an elevator. News quickly spread that a white mob was rising up and coming to lynch him. The mob was met by an armed group of African-American men, many of whom were World War I veterans.
According to NPR, an armed standoff ensued, and “the white mobs destroyed more than 1,000 homes and businesses. They set fire to schools, churches, libraries, and movie theaters, leveling entire city blocks.” Up to an estimated 300 people were killed, though the exact death toll is unknown.
For Hooker, she witnessed them tear down items in her home, as well as the complete destruction of her father’s clothing business. Her family picked up soon after and moved to Topeka, Kan. as their once thriving neighborhood was now lost.
Read moreat Essence
Kentucky Crowd Cheers Trump Quote, Then Finds Out It’s Actually From Obama
A valedictorian graduating from high school in Kentucky got the audience to cheer an “inspirational quote” from President Donald Trump.
As it turned out, the audience at Bell County High School ― a county where Trump won 79.9 percent of the vote in 2016 ― unwittingly cheered a line from President Barack Obama.
“Don’t just get involved,” Ben Bowling said in the footage posted online by the Louisville Courier Journal. “Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table.”
He cited Trump as the source, and the crowd cheered.
“I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” Bowling said, interrupting the cheers. “That was Barack Obama.”
Many of the cheers stopped. Some laughed, some clapped, and least one loud “boo” could be heard.
Bowling told the Courier Journal he was trying to be funny when he cited the line from Obama’s 2012 commencement speech at Barnard College.
“I just thought it was a really good quote,” Bowling said. “Most people wouldn’t like it if I used it, so thought I’d use Donald Trump’s name. It is southeastern Kentucky after all.”
The newspaper said he graduated with a 4.216 grade point average and will attend University of Kentucky, and hopes to pursue a degree in medicine.
Read more at Huff Post
As it turned out, the audience at Bell County High School ― a county where Trump won 79.9 percent of the vote in 2016 ― unwittingly cheered a line from President Barack Obama.
“Don’t just get involved,” Ben Bowling said in the footage posted online by the Louisville Courier Journal. “Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table.”
He cited Trump as the source, and the crowd cheered.
“I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” Bowling said, interrupting the cheers. “That was Barack Obama.”
Many of the cheers stopped. Some laughed, some clapped, and least one loud “boo” could be heard.
Bowling told the Courier Journal he was trying to be funny when he cited the line from Obama’s 2012 commencement speech at Barnard College.
“I just thought it was a really good quote,” Bowling said. “Most people wouldn’t like it if I used it, so thought I’d use Donald Trump’s name. It is southeastern Kentucky after all.”
The newspaper said he graduated with a 4.216 grade point average and will attend University of Kentucky, and hopes to pursue a degree in medicine.
Read more at Huff Post
Pro-Incest White Supremacist Congressional Candidate Admits to Being a Pedophile and Raping Ex-Wife
In the era of Trump, it seems that nothing is bad enough to disqualify someone from running for office, not even openly admitting to being a white supremacist, pedophile, rapist.
Nathan Larson has not only advocated for all of the above offenses, but he’s also a convicted felon who spent time in prison for threatening to kill the president. Despite all of this, the 37-year-old accountant from Charlottesville is running for Congress.
Larson is running as an independent in Virginia's 10th congressional district, which also has six Democrats hoping to take on Republican Incumbent Rep. Barbara Comstock. IN the primaries, Comstock is challenged by Republican financial planner Shak Hill
In addition to eliminating all regulations on firearms purchases, Larson’s platform includes drug legalization and "putting an end to U.S. involvement in foreign wars arising from our country's alliance with Israel,” according to USA Today.
In 2008, Larson sent a letter to the Secret Service in which he threatened to kill the president — either George W. Bush or Barack Obama — and in 2009 he pleaded guilty, resulting in a 16-month federal prison stay, reported The Washington Post.
In his "campaign manifesto," Larson admitted to being an admirer of Adolf Hitler and said he wants to restore "benevolent white supremacy," rebuild the patriarchy, eliminate child labor laws.
He also wants to legalize early marriage, incest and child pornography.
When the HuffPost asked Larson on Thursday if he is a pedophile or just wrote about pedophiliac sex fantasies, he responded, "It’s a mix of both.”
Read more at BET
Nathan Larson has not only advocated for all of the above offenses, but he’s also a convicted felon who spent time in prison for threatening to kill the president. Despite all of this, the 37-year-old accountant from Charlottesville is running for Congress.
Larson is running as an independent in Virginia's 10th congressional district, which also has six Democrats hoping to take on Republican Incumbent Rep. Barbara Comstock. IN the primaries, Comstock is challenged by Republican financial planner Shak Hill
In addition to eliminating all regulations on firearms purchases, Larson’s platform includes drug legalization and "putting an end to U.S. involvement in foreign wars arising from our country's alliance with Israel,” according to USA Today.
In 2008, Larson sent a letter to the Secret Service in which he threatened to kill the president — either George W. Bush or Barack Obama — and in 2009 he pleaded guilty, resulting in a 16-month federal prison stay, reported The Washington Post.
In his "campaign manifesto," Larson admitted to being an admirer of Adolf Hitler and said he wants to restore "benevolent white supremacy," rebuild the patriarchy, eliminate child labor laws.
He also wants to legalize early marriage, incest and child pornography.
When the HuffPost asked Larson on Thursday if he is a pedophile or just wrote about pedophiliac sex fantasies, he responded, "It’s a mix of both.”
Read more at BET
Here's what happened when Starbucks closed all of its US stores for racial bias training
Coffee behemoth Starbucks (SBUX) closed all of its 8,000-plus U.S. stores for four hours on Tuesday afternoon so its 175,000 employees could participate in company-wide racial-bias training.
“I don’t know of another company in the history of American business that’s done anything remotely like this,” executive chairman Howard Schultz said.
Closing all U.S. stores comes at a price. Bloomberg estimates it could result in $16.7 million in lost sales, which compares to $22.4 billion in revenues the company had in fiscal 2017. Starbucks will also be paying all employees participating in the training.
“[It’s] quite expensive,” Schultz said. “We’re a public company and we’ve had certain shareholders call and say, ‘How much is this going to cost and how do you justify this?’… My answer to them was, ‘We don’t view it as on an expense. We view it as an investment in our people and the longterm culture and values of Starbucks.’”
Some customers took to Twitter to share their frustration at not having access to their afternoon caffeine fix, while others watched in amusement as people attempted to enter the closed locations.
The training comes in the aftermath of the arrest of two black men, Donte Robinson and Rashon Nelson, in a Philadelphia store in early April. They were waiting for a friend without purchasing anything when a manager called the police resulting in their arrests.
Right away, Starbucks’s leadership went on an apology tour and called the situation “reprehensible.”
The manager whose phone call resulted in the arrests has since left the company. Starbucks settled with Robinson and Nelson for an undisclosed sum.
Following the Philadelphia incident, Starbucks also announced that it would close its stores for racial-bias training. The company also altered its bathroom policy, opening the stores to nonpaying customers.
Read more at Yahoo
Wanda Sykes quits 'Roseanne' before ABC cancels show
Comedian Wanda Sykes says she won't be working on the second season of ABC's "Roseanne," a decision she made public after the show's outspoken star went on a racist rant Tuesday morning on Twitter.
"I will not be returning to @RoseanneOnABC," Sykes wrote in a tweet.
Sykes had been a consulting producer on the most recent season of the revived ABC comedy starring Roseanne Barr.
On Tuesday, Barr ruffled feathers when she made racist comments about Valerie Jarrett, a former aide to president Obama.
She later apologized and claimed to be "leaving Twitter."
In describing her work on "Roseanne" to Metro Boston last month, Sykes said she typically helped the show's full-time writers "punch up stories and jokes" twice a week, a job she took on because she was "a fan of the show."
"Extreme anything is nuts. Extreme left is just as nuts as the extreme right," she said. "The only way that we're going to patch things up in this country is the people in the middle got to start talking to each other instead of just battling it out on Twitter."
Read more at CNN
"I will not be returning to @RoseanneOnABC," Sykes wrote in a tweet.
Sykes had been a consulting producer on the most recent season of the revived ABC comedy starring Roseanne Barr.
On Tuesday, Barr ruffled feathers when she made racist comments about Valerie Jarrett, a former aide to president Obama.
She later apologized and claimed to be "leaving Twitter."
In describing her work on "Roseanne" to Metro Boston last month, Sykes said she typically helped the show's full-time writers "punch up stories and jokes" twice a week, a job she took on because she was "a fan of the show."
"Extreme anything is nuts. Extreme left is just as nuts as the extreme right," she said. "The only way that we're going to patch things up in this country is the people in the middle got to start talking to each other instead of just battling it out on Twitter."
Read more at CNN
Video of police using a stun gun on Bucks' Sterling Brown 'concerns' Milwaukee's mayor
The video of the January arrest of Sterling Brown, guard for the Milwaukee Bucks, could be released as early as Wednesday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on Tuesday.
Brown was tased during the arrest, which did not lead to any charges, but resulted in an internal investigation at the Milwaukee Police Department.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has seen the video, and he told the Journal Sentinel that he’s concerned about police officers’ actions during the interaction.
WISN 12 News and the Journal Sentinel each reported that Brown planned on filing a lawsuit.
Why was Brown arrested?
The incident happened in the early morning hours of Jan. 26. Officers were doing a business check at a Walgreens, and spotted Brown’s car parked across two handicapped spots. The officers went to investigate and spoke with Brown, but what happened after that isn’t clear, and the statement from the police was vague.
It read: “Officers spoke with a 22-year-old male and during the incident an electronic control device was deployed and the man was arrested.”
Brown was arrested for resisting or obstructing an officer, but after the police department conducted an internal review and looked at body camera footage from the arrest, he was not charged.
Why is the mayor worried about the video?
The video of Brown’s arrest hasn’t been released publicly yet, but the Journal Sentinel spoke to several sources who had seen it. According to them, Brown wasn’t threatening, provocative or combative during the interaction, yet it ended with him being tased and arrested.
During a news conference, Mayor Tom Barrett expressed his concerns about the video and the incident that led to Brown’s arrest.
“I’m going to let the release of that speak for itself, but yes, I definitely have concerns after watching that video.”
Barrett also said that police chief Alfonso Morales shares his concerns about the video.
Read more at Yahoo
Brown was tased during the arrest, which did not lead to any charges, but resulted in an internal investigation at the Milwaukee Police Department.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has seen the video, and he told the Journal Sentinel that he’s concerned about police officers’ actions during the interaction.
WISN 12 News and the Journal Sentinel each reported that Brown planned on filing a lawsuit.
Why was Brown arrested?
The incident happened in the early morning hours of Jan. 26. Officers were doing a business check at a Walgreens, and spotted Brown’s car parked across two handicapped spots. The officers went to investigate and spoke with Brown, but what happened after that isn’t clear, and the statement from the police was vague.
It read: “Officers spoke with a 22-year-old male and during the incident an electronic control device was deployed and the man was arrested.”
Brown was arrested for resisting or obstructing an officer, but after the police department conducted an internal review and looked at body camera footage from the arrest, he was not charged.
Why is the mayor worried about the video?
The video of Brown’s arrest hasn’t been released publicly yet, but the Journal Sentinel spoke to several sources who had seen it. According to them, Brown wasn’t threatening, provocative or combative during the interaction, yet it ended with him being tased and arrested.
During a news conference, Mayor Tom Barrett expressed his concerns about the video and the incident that led to Brown’s arrest.
“I’m going to let the release of that speak for itself, but yes, I definitely have concerns after watching that video.”
Barrett also said that police chief Alfonso Morales shares his concerns about the video.
Read more at Yahoo
10 killed in shooting at Texas' Santa Fe High School, official says
(CNN)[Breaking news update, published at 2:07 p.m. ET]
A second person, 18, in police custody, is believed to be a possible accomplice in Friday's shooting, a law enforcement official says.
[Original story, published at 1:40 p.m. ET]
Ten people were killed and several others injured in a shooting Friday morning at a high school in the southeastern Texas city of Santa Fe, a law enforcement official said on condition of anonymity.
Gunfire erupted at Santa Fe High School, about 20 miles outside Galveston, not long after classes began around 7:30 a.m. CT, officials said. Authorities later found explosive devices -- including pipe bombs and pressure cookers -- in and near the school, the law enforcement official said.
A male suspect, believed to be a student, has been arrested in the shooting, and a second person -- also believed to be a student -- has been detained as well, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.
Live updates on the school shooting
Two law enforcement officers are among the injured, according to the source who spoke anonymously.
One man is in critical condition with a gunshot wound in one of his arms, said David Marshall, chief nursing officer for University of Texas Medical Branch hospital.
Read more at CNN
A second person, 18, in police custody, is believed to be a possible accomplice in Friday's shooting, a law enforcement official says.
[Original story, published at 1:40 p.m. ET]
Ten people were killed and several others injured in a shooting Friday morning at a high school in the southeastern Texas city of Santa Fe, a law enforcement official said on condition of anonymity.
Gunfire erupted at Santa Fe High School, about 20 miles outside Galveston, not long after classes began around 7:30 a.m. CT, officials said. Authorities later found explosive devices -- including pipe bombs and pressure cookers -- in and near the school, the law enforcement official said.
A male suspect, believed to be a student, has been arrested in the shooting, and a second person -- also believed to be a student -- has been detained as well, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.
Live updates on the school shooting
Two law enforcement officers are among the injured, according to the source who spoke anonymously.
One man is in critical condition with a gunshot wound in one of his arms, said David Marshall, chief nursing officer for University of Texas Medical Branch hospital.
Read more at CNN
Racist lawyer ripped by colleagues a day after meltdown
The Midtown lawyer caught yelling racist comments at Spanish-speaking restaurant workers in a viral video was treated like a pariah by fellow attorneys at a Queens court Thursday, lawyers there told The Post.
“I noticed him because of that clip online,” one attorney at the Supreme Court in Long Island City said of Aaron Schlossberg.
“I was taken aback that he would have the balls to come to court in front of all of his colleagues after his crazy outburst.”
Another legal eagle added: “Why would he do that? His reputation will be shot. What a dope!”
Schlossberg was there representing Queens medical center Aimes Enterprises Inc. — a day after footage emerged of the lawyer threatening to have workers at a Manhattan eatery “kicked out of my country.”
Aimes Enterprises chief Tom Major later told The Post he was totally unaware of Schlossberg’s viral rant — and had never heard the attorney say anything racist.
“This is the first time I’m aware of something like this,” he said.
Schlossberg has at least four other cases pending in the state civil court system, records show — three of them for film producer and real estate investor Todd Courtney.
Courtney, who is listed as an executive producer for 2015’s “Beasts of No Nation,” said Thursday morning he was also unaware of Schlossberg’s outburst and didn’t have any immediate comment on whether he will continue using his services.
Read more at NY Post
“I noticed him because of that clip online,” one attorney at the Supreme Court in Long Island City said of Aaron Schlossberg.
“I was taken aback that he would have the balls to come to court in front of all of his colleagues after his crazy outburst.”
Another legal eagle added: “Why would he do that? His reputation will be shot. What a dope!”
Schlossberg was there representing Queens medical center Aimes Enterprises Inc. — a day after footage emerged of the lawyer threatening to have workers at a Manhattan eatery “kicked out of my country.”
Aimes Enterprises chief Tom Major later told The Post he was totally unaware of Schlossberg’s viral rant — and had never heard the attorney say anything racist.
“This is the first time I’m aware of something like this,” he said.
Schlossberg has at least four other cases pending in the state civil court system, records show — three of them for film producer and real estate investor Todd Courtney.
Courtney, who is listed as an executive producer for 2015’s “Beasts of No Nation,” said Thursday morning he was also unaware of Schlossberg’s outburst and didn’t have any immediate comment on whether he will continue using his services.
Read more at NY Post
Yara Shahidi Calls for Prison Reform in the U.S., Urges Young People to Vote
Actress and activist Yara Shahidi is no stranger to using her platform to educate others and bring attention to major issues.
In a new video for NowThisNews, the grown-ish actress talks about the prison industrial complex and criminal reform.
“America has the largest prison population in the world,” she says. “They call America ‘the land of opportunity.’ They talk about ‘the American dream.’ But for the 2.3 million people behind bars, it doesn’t feel that way.”
Shahidi partnered with Eighteen x18, an initiative that helps get the current generation active in political issues and out to vote.
“Your vote sends the clearest message. You can change the system if you support the people who believe what you believe, who believe in change,” she says. “If you think your tax money is better spent on prevention, treatment, and rehab programs rather than locking up non-violent drug offenders, your vote can say that.”
The 18-year-old calls for people to vote in local elections if they want issues such as the school-to-prison pipeline or the recidivism rates addressed. She also mentions that people of color make up 67 percent of the prison population, despite making up 37 percent of the country’s population.
Check out the video on Ebony
In a new video for NowThisNews, the grown-ish actress talks about the prison industrial complex and criminal reform.
“America has the largest prison population in the world,” she says. “They call America ‘the land of opportunity.’ They talk about ‘the American dream.’ But for the 2.3 million people behind bars, it doesn’t feel that way.”
Shahidi partnered with Eighteen x18, an initiative that helps get the current generation active in political issues and out to vote.
“Your vote sends the clearest message. You can change the system if you support the people who believe what you believe, who believe in change,” she says. “If you think your tax money is better spent on prevention, treatment, and rehab programs rather than locking up non-violent drug offenders, your vote can say that.”
The 18-year-old calls for people to vote in local elections if they want issues such as the school-to-prison pipeline or the recidivism rates addressed. She also mentions that people of color make up 67 percent of the prison population, despite making up 37 percent of the country’s population.
Check out the video on Ebony
Police officer chokes young black man who took his sister to prom outside Waffle House
Police in North Carolina are under fire after a video emerged of an officer choking and slamming an African-American man.
In a video posted to Facebook, an officer in a tactical vest can be seen pushing a young African-American man in formal attire against a wall, choking him and then hurling him on the ground in front of a Waffle House.
“Get your hands off me”, the man repeatedly shouts.
The town of Warsaw, North Carolina’s chief of police told the Raleigh News & Observerthat his department was investigating the incident, as was district attorney Ernie Lee.
“We are currently investigating the whole incident, interviewing witnesses and gathering additional video”, police chief Eric Southerland said in a statement.
Anthony Wall had taken his 16-year-old sister out for food after she attended prom and got into an argument with Waffle House employees, the 22-year-old Mr Wall told ABC11. When the police arrived, he said, things turned violent.
“I was pretty much trying to scream for air and trying to breathe because he was holding my throat and that's when I got aggressive with him because you are choking me”, Mr Wall said.
He was charged with resisting arrest and with disorderly conduct relating to his altercation with the restaurant staff.
See more at Yahoo
In a video posted to Facebook, an officer in a tactical vest can be seen pushing a young African-American man in formal attire against a wall, choking him and then hurling him on the ground in front of a Waffle House.
“Get your hands off me”, the man repeatedly shouts.
The town of Warsaw, North Carolina’s chief of police told the Raleigh News & Observerthat his department was investigating the incident, as was district attorney Ernie Lee.
“We are currently investigating the whole incident, interviewing witnesses and gathering additional video”, police chief Eric Southerland said in a statement.
Anthony Wall had taken his 16-year-old sister out for food after she attended prom and got into an argument with Waffle House employees, the 22-year-old Mr Wall told ABC11. When the police arrived, he said, things turned violent.
“I was pretty much trying to scream for air and trying to breathe because he was holding my throat and that's when I got aggressive with him because you are choking me”, Mr Wall said.
He was charged with resisting arrest and with disorderly conduct relating to his altercation with the restaurant staff.
See more at Yahoo
Disturbing Dash Cam Catches Cops Dragging A 65-Year-Old Black Woman From Her Car
Rose Campbell was pulled over by Alpharetta police on May 4. During the traffic stop, the situation escalated to multiple officers pulling on Campbell and one officer screaming expletives at her, reported WSB-TV.
"I just panicked. I felt like my heart exploded," Rose Campbell told WSB. "I didn't expect that in America. I didn't expect that in Atlanta. I didn't expect that, especially in Alpharetta."
In the 17-minute long video, Campbell is berated by an officer named James Legg, who yells, "You're not in charge! Shut the f**k up and get out of the car!"
When Campbell asked the officer his name, he violently grabs her arm, prompting the grandmother to scream.
The police department shared the full dashcam video to their YouTube page.
The video begins with a message from Public Safety Chief John Robison:
"There are aspects of this video that you're likely about to watch that simply do not represent who we are as an organization," Robison said. "Once a detailed investigation is completed, I can assure that there will be a decisive and appropriate outcome."
Campbell was pulled over after she allegedly swerved into an officer's lane. Once he pulled her over, the officer issues a citation and ordered Campbell to sign.
See more at BET
"I just panicked. I felt like my heart exploded," Rose Campbell told WSB. "I didn't expect that in America. I didn't expect that in Atlanta. I didn't expect that, especially in Alpharetta."
In the 17-minute long video, Campbell is berated by an officer named James Legg, who yells, "You're not in charge! Shut the f**k up and get out of the car!"
When Campbell asked the officer his name, he violently grabs her arm, prompting the grandmother to scream.
The police department shared the full dashcam video to their YouTube page.
The video begins with a message from Public Safety Chief John Robison:
"There are aspects of this video that you're likely about to watch that simply do not represent who we are as an organization," Robison said. "Once a detailed investigation is completed, I can assure that there will be a decisive and appropriate outcome."
Campbell was pulled over after she allegedly swerved into an officer's lane. Once he pulled her over, the officer issues a citation and ordered Campbell to sign.
See more at BET
Jada Pinkett Smith regrets dating Will Smith while he was still married: 'I probably should have fell back'
Jada Pinkett Smith just debuted her brand-new Facebook talk show, Red Table Talk, with a frank and emotional interview with her husband Will Smith’s ex-wife, Sheree Fletcher.
Pinkett Smith started dating Will Smith when he was still technically married to Fletcher and openly told her that she regrets this.
“Because I did not understand marriage, I did not understand divorce,” said Pinkett Smith. “I probably should have fell back.” Fletcher quipped in return, “You think?”
But if that comes across as snarky or potentially awkward, the two women chatted jovially throughout the discussion, even during prickly moments from their past.
Will Smith and Fletcher share a son, Trey Smith, and Fletcher talked about one time when she tried to call Trey. Unfortunately for her, Pinkett Smith picked up, said she didn’t like the tone of her voice, and hung up.
“I called back and I happened to say, ‘Bitch, you’re living in a house I picked out,’” said Fletcher. “You said, ‘It’s my house now.’”
At that point, Pinkett Smith reacted with the appropriate “oh s***!” and both women rocked back in their chairs with laughter.
Read more at Yahoo.
Pinkett Smith started dating Will Smith when he was still technically married to Fletcher and openly told her that she regrets this.
“Because I did not understand marriage, I did not understand divorce,” said Pinkett Smith. “I probably should have fell back.” Fletcher quipped in return, “You think?”
But if that comes across as snarky or potentially awkward, the two women chatted jovially throughout the discussion, even during prickly moments from their past.
Will Smith and Fletcher share a son, Trey Smith, and Fletcher talked about one time when she tried to call Trey. Unfortunately for her, Pinkett Smith picked up, said she didn’t like the tone of her voice, and hung up.
“I called back and I happened to say, ‘Bitch, you’re living in a house I picked out,’” said Fletcher. “You said, ‘It’s my house now.’”
At that point, Pinkett Smith reacted with the appropriate “oh s***!” and both women rocked back in their chairs with laughter.
Read more at Yahoo.
Zimmerman charged with stalking Trayvon film investigator
SANFORD, Fla. (AP) -- Authorities say George Zimmerman threatened a private investigator working for a documentary filmmaker.
Court records show Zimmerman was issued a summons for a May 30 arraignment on a charge of misdemeanor stalking.
A sheriff's report says the investigator contacted Zimmerman in September on behalf of Michael Gasparro, who is making a documentary on Trayvon Martin. The series is being produced by rapper Jay-Z.
Court records show the private investigator received 55 phone calls, 67 text messages, 36 voicemails and 27 emails from Zimmerman in December.
The records don't list an attorney for Zimmerman.
Zimmerman identifies himself as Hispanic. The former neighborhood watch volunteer fatally shot the 17-year-old Martin in 2012 in the central Florida city of Sanford. He was acquitted of all charges. Martin was black.
Yahoo.
Court records show Zimmerman was issued a summons for a May 30 arraignment on a charge of misdemeanor stalking.
A sheriff's report says the investigator contacted Zimmerman in September on behalf of Michael Gasparro, who is making a documentary on Trayvon Martin. The series is being produced by rapper Jay-Z.
Court records show the private investigator received 55 phone calls, 67 text messages, 36 voicemails and 27 emails from Zimmerman in December.
The records don't list an attorney for Zimmerman.
Zimmerman identifies himself as Hispanic. The former neighborhood watch volunteer fatally shot the 17-year-old Martin in 2012 in the central Florida city of Sanford. He was acquitted of all charges. Martin was black.
Yahoo.
Black coffee shops pulling in the green
CHICAGO—The situation involving Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson, two Black men arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks for behaving like any other coffee shop patron would, outraged many in the Black community already fed up with the racial bias presently faced in daily life.
The question of what caused a White employee to call the police on the men who were in the establishment waiting to take a business meeting, and then detained, although not yet charged, for trespassing, has never been answered.
However, some good has come out of this situation, primarily the promotion of and continued push to support Black-owned businesses, especially coffee shops.
“In this day and age, I saw what happened as a series of teachable moments. One is, you never know who’s watching and you never know who you’re messing with,” Trez Pugh, Black entrepreneur and owner of Sip & Savor coffee shop in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, told The Final Call. “As a business owner I looked at it as an opportunity for people to see that there’s other options out there. I never want to rise off someone else’s demise—and I don’t think Starbucks is going to fall off because of this. But when that door cracked, I wanted to kick it open and let people know there’s alternatives, and good ones available. We base everything off of what I call the five Cs: Crisp, clean, classy, consistent customer service. We, as Black people, deserve the best of everything.”
The sign outside of Sip & Savor reads, “Great Coffee. Great Conversation. Great Community.” Three ideals the establishment openly promotes to create a positive work environment for employees, a warm, cozy feel for patrons and, according to Mr. Pugh, serves as an incubator for other Black entrepreneurs who oftentimes conduct informal meetings there.
“I used to work at Starbucks for years, but the people who come in seem to enjoy the feel of it,” Venus, manager of Sip & Savor, told The Final Call. “They like that it’s community based. From what I’ve seen, a lot of the people who come in here know each other, and they love the ambiance, the art on the walls, and of course the fact that it’s Black-owned.”
Read more at Final Call
The question of what caused a White employee to call the police on the men who were in the establishment waiting to take a business meeting, and then detained, although not yet charged, for trespassing, has never been answered.
However, some good has come out of this situation, primarily the promotion of and continued push to support Black-owned businesses, especially coffee shops.
“In this day and age, I saw what happened as a series of teachable moments. One is, you never know who’s watching and you never know who you’re messing with,” Trez Pugh, Black entrepreneur and owner of Sip & Savor coffee shop in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, told The Final Call. “As a business owner I looked at it as an opportunity for people to see that there’s other options out there. I never want to rise off someone else’s demise—and I don’t think Starbucks is going to fall off because of this. But when that door cracked, I wanted to kick it open and let people know there’s alternatives, and good ones available. We base everything off of what I call the five Cs: Crisp, clean, classy, consistent customer service. We, as Black people, deserve the best of everything.”
The sign outside of Sip & Savor reads, “Great Coffee. Great Conversation. Great Community.” Three ideals the establishment openly promotes to create a positive work environment for employees, a warm, cozy feel for patrons and, according to Mr. Pugh, serves as an incubator for other Black entrepreneurs who oftentimes conduct informal meetings there.
“I used to work at Starbucks for years, but the people who come in seem to enjoy the feel of it,” Venus, manager of Sip & Savor, told The Final Call. “They like that it’s community based. From what I’ve seen, a lot of the people who come in here know each other, and they love the ambiance, the art on the walls, and of course the fact that it’s Black-owned.”
Read more at Final Call
Black Men Arrested in Philly Starbucks Settle With City for $1 and City Pledge of $200,000 for Young Entrepreneurs
The two black men arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks while they were simply waiting on a friend to arrive have settled with the city, the AP reports.
The award? Just $1 and a pledge from the city of Philadelphia that it would set up a $200,000 program for young entrepreneurs.
For perspective, the mayor’s proposed city budget for 2019 is $4.69 billion. Of that amount, $709 million will go to policing and $256 million to prisons.
The high-profile arrest occurred last month as Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson, both real estate agents, waited for a friend to join them to go over a potential deal at the popular coffee chain. A Starbucks store manager called police, presumably because the men hadn’t purchased anything yet. Customers who witnessed the arrest questioned the police as they came to cuff the men, protesting that the men hadn’t done anything and hadn’t been waiting long.
Read more at The Root
The award? Just $1 and a pledge from the city of Philadelphia that it would set up a $200,000 program for young entrepreneurs.
For perspective, the mayor’s proposed city budget for 2019 is $4.69 billion. Of that amount, $709 million will go to policing and $256 million to prisons.
The high-profile arrest occurred last month as Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson, both real estate agents, waited for a friend to join them to go over a potential deal at the popular coffee chain. A Starbucks store manager called police, presumably because the men hadn’t purchased anything yet. Customers who witnessed the arrest questioned the police as they came to cuff the men, protesting that the men hadn’t done anything and hadn’t been waiting long.
Read more at The Root
Police called on former Obama staffer for 'moving while black'
A former White House staffer who served under President Obama was swarmed by six police officers while moving into his New York apartment after a neighbor reported a “burglary in progress.”
Darren Martin, who works for the city’s Department of Social Services, tweeted the entire ordeal on Friday night, along with a video of his interaction with the officers. “Can’t go nowhere without the cops following me. You know how it is,” Martin says in the footage. At one point, a 911 dispatcher is heard over the radio saying that “Somebody was trying to break in the door” with a “possible weapon.”
Martin described the moment of “pre-arrest when your fate is not in your hands” and how the “lingering pit in my stomach came from how my neighbors viewed me. How they officially welcomed me into the building. Call the police on this Black man who DEFINITELY doesn’t live here. The man who worked for President Obama and now serves his fellow New Yorkers.”
On Tuesday, the incident trended on Twitter and inspired the hashtag #MovingWhileBlack.
Martin did not return Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for comment.
On Thursday, Amber Phillips, a black woman, was questioned by police after her seatmate on an American Airlines flight from North Carolina to Washington, D.C., reported her for assault because their arms touched during the flight
Read more at Yahoo
Darren Martin, who works for the city’s Department of Social Services, tweeted the entire ordeal on Friday night, along with a video of his interaction with the officers. “Can’t go nowhere without the cops following me. You know how it is,” Martin says in the footage. At one point, a 911 dispatcher is heard over the radio saying that “Somebody was trying to break in the door” with a “possible weapon.”
Martin described the moment of “pre-arrest when your fate is not in your hands” and how the “lingering pit in my stomach came from how my neighbors viewed me. How they officially welcomed me into the building. Call the police on this Black man who DEFINITELY doesn’t live here. The man who worked for President Obama and now serves his fellow New Yorkers.”
On Tuesday, the incident trended on Twitter and inspired the hashtag #MovingWhileBlack.
Martin did not return Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for comment.
On Thursday, Amber Phillips, a black woman, was questioned by police after her seatmate on an American Airlines flight from North Carolina to Washington, D.C., reported her for assault because their arms touched during the flight
Read more at Yahoo
Bill Cosby guilty on all three counts in indecent assault trial
Norristown, Pennsylvania (CNN)The jury in Bill Cosby's retrial found the TV icon guilty of all three counts of aggravated indecent assault on Thursday for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his home in a Philadelphia suburb in 2004.
The 80-year-old comedian faces up to 10 years in prison on each count, but is likely to serve them concurrently. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled, and he remains out on bail.
Cosby did not have an audible reaction to his conviction, but erupted shortly afterward. Minutes after the verdict, prosecutors asked the judge to revoke Cosby's bail because they say he is a flight risk and has a private plane.
Cosby, who did not testify in the trial and has sat quietly throughout the proceedings, then stood up and yelled in a loud, booming voice: "He doesn't have a plane, you asshole."
Judge Steven O'Neill ruled that Cosby should not leave his Pennsylvania home, and that he would need to be fitted with a GPS tracking device.
The case was the first celebrity sexual assault trial since the #MeToo movement began last fall, and as such, represented a test of how the cultural movement translates into a courtroom arena.
Read more at CNN
The 80-year-old comedian faces up to 10 years in prison on each count, but is likely to serve them concurrently. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled, and he remains out on bail.
Cosby did not have an audible reaction to his conviction, but erupted shortly afterward. Minutes after the verdict, prosecutors asked the judge to revoke Cosby's bail because they say he is a flight risk and has a private plane.
Cosby, who did not testify in the trial and has sat quietly throughout the proceedings, then stood up and yelled in a loud, booming voice: "He doesn't have a plane, you asshole."
Judge Steven O'Neill ruled that Cosby should not leave his Pennsylvania home, and that he would need to be fitted with a GPS tracking device.
The case was the first celebrity sexual assault trial since the #MeToo movement began last fall, and as such, represented a test of how the cultural movement translates into a courtroom arena.
Read more at CNN
Paramount Teases Coming to America 2 at CinemaCon 2018
Paramount teased their upcoming movie slate at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, and one of those movies will stand out to fans of comedy classics: Coming to America 2. The reality of a sequel to the 1988 film was first mentioned by Eddie Murphy himself last March, and moved forward last Fall with a script written by Blackish creator Kenya Barris.
Now, it looks like we could be seeing the movie sooner rather than later, as it was the first amongst several upcoming films teased by Paramount with a series of images, including Clifford the Big Red Dog, Sonic the Hedgehog, the Pet Sematary remake (they still haven’t corrected the spelling error, sadly), and sequels to Top Gun and World War Z.
Bleeding Cool Ace Reporter Kaitlyn Booth is on the scene at the Paramount presentation at Cinemacon, sending us breaking stories, and you can follow along with our live blog here.
Now, it looks like we could be seeing the movie sooner rather than later, as it was the first amongst several upcoming films teased by Paramount with a series of images, including Clifford the Big Red Dog, Sonic the Hedgehog, the Pet Sematary remake (they still haven’t corrected the spelling error, sadly), and sequels to Top Gun and World War Z.
Bleeding Cool Ace Reporter Kaitlyn Booth is on the scene at the Paramount presentation at Cinemacon, sending us breaking stories, and you can follow along with our live blog here.
Who Will Stand Up for Chikesia Clemons?
While watching the video of 25-year-old Chikesia Clemons at a Waffle House in Saraland, Alabama, I realized Chikesia could have easily been me, my friends, or my cousins.
The clip, which circulated on social media yesterday, shows Chikesia sitting in a chair clutching her purse, while three white male police officers surround her, yelling and leaning over her before she’s wrestled to the ground with her breasts exposed. Throughout the incident, she repeatedly asks what she did wrong. “You’re not going to grab on me like that, no,” Chikesia says to one officer. “What are you doing?” Chikesia asks another. “I’ll break your arm, that’s what I’m about to do,” one responds. The other patrons of the Waffle House, mostly white, continue to quietly eat their food.
According to Chikesia’s mother, who spoke with Alabama Local, her daughter and her friend Canita Adams — who filmed the incident — had requested plastic flatware for their to-go meals. They were reportedly told it would cost them an additional 50 cents, and requested the number for their corporate offices to complain. Then, the police were called.
Just like Chikesia and Canita were trying to, I’ve enjoyed many a late night at the Waffle House near my childhood home, just a few miles from Ferguson, MO. Heading to the Waffle House after a long night is practically a tradition in the South and Midwest. Black women I know would drive miles to taste the famous diner’s breakfast meals after a long night of dancing. Waffle House is a gathering place for many people of color, who long for a taste of southern home cooking in the hustle and bustle of life.
Read more at The Cut
The clip, which circulated on social media yesterday, shows Chikesia sitting in a chair clutching her purse, while three white male police officers surround her, yelling and leaning over her before she’s wrestled to the ground with her breasts exposed. Throughout the incident, she repeatedly asks what she did wrong. “You’re not going to grab on me like that, no,” Chikesia says to one officer. “What are you doing?” Chikesia asks another. “I’ll break your arm, that’s what I’m about to do,” one responds. The other patrons of the Waffle House, mostly white, continue to quietly eat their food.
According to Chikesia’s mother, who spoke with Alabama Local, her daughter and her friend Canita Adams — who filmed the incident — had requested plastic flatware for their to-go meals. They were reportedly told it would cost them an additional 50 cents, and requested the number for their corporate offices to complain. Then, the police were called.
Just like Chikesia and Canita were trying to, I’ve enjoyed many a late night at the Waffle House near my childhood home, just a few miles from Ferguson, MO. Heading to the Waffle House after a long night is practically a tradition in the South and Midwest. Black women I know would drive miles to taste the famous diner’s breakfast meals after a long night of dancing. Waffle House is a gathering place for many people of color, who long for a taste of southern home cooking in the hustle and bustle of life.
Read more at The Cut
Meek Mill Has Been Released From Prison
After being incarcerated since November 2017 for violating his probation, the Supreme Court has granted Meek Mill bail.
In a statement to Billboard, Meek said the following: “I’d like to thank God, my family, my friends, my attorneys, my team at Roc Nation including JAY-Z, Desiree Perez, my good friend Michael Rubin, my fans, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court and all my public advocates for their love, support and encouragement during this difficult time," began Meek.
"While the past five months have been a nightmare, the prayers, visits, calls, letters and rallies have helped me stay positive. To the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, I’m grateful for your commitment to justice -- not only for my case, but for others that have been wrongfully jailed due to police misconduct," he continued.
"Although I’m blessed to have the resources to fight this unjust situation, I understand that many people of color across the country don’t have that luxury and I plan to use my platform to shine a light on those issues. In the meantime, I plan to work closely with my legal team to overturn this unwarranted conviction and look forward to reuniting with my family and resuming my music career.”
Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin posted a picture on Instagram celebrating Meek's release from prison. "@meekmill is FREE!!! Just left visiting Meek with @kevinhart4real and I’m on the way back to pick him up as we speak! #MeekisFree #GoSixers," he wrote.
In a statement to Billboard, Meek said the following: “I’d like to thank God, my family, my friends, my attorneys, my team at Roc Nation including JAY-Z, Desiree Perez, my good friend Michael Rubin, my fans, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court and all my public advocates for their love, support and encouragement during this difficult time," began Meek.
"While the past five months have been a nightmare, the prayers, visits, calls, letters and rallies have helped me stay positive. To the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, I’m grateful for your commitment to justice -- not only for my case, but for others that have been wrongfully jailed due to police misconduct," he continued.
"Although I’m blessed to have the resources to fight this unjust situation, I understand that many people of color across the country don’t have that luxury and I plan to use my platform to shine a light on those issues. In the meantime, I plan to work closely with my legal team to overturn this unwarranted conviction and look forward to reuniting with my family and resuming my music career.”
Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin posted a picture on Instagram celebrating Meek's release from prison. "@meekmill is FREE!!! Just left visiting Meek with @kevinhart4real and I’m on the way back to pick him up as we speak! #MeekisFree #GoSixers," he wrote.
Men say they were arrested within minutes after arriving at Philadelphia Starbucks
The two black men arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks last week say they were handcuffed within minutes of entering the store.
Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Thursday and described their arrest. They said they went to Starbucks for a business meeting that they believed would change their lives.
Nelson said he asked to use the restroom shortly after walking in and was told it was only for paying customers. The two men were waiting for a third person when a white store employee called 911 minutes later.
"I was thinking, they can't be here for us," Robinson said of the police. "It didn't really hit me what was going on, that it was real, till I was being double-locked with my hands behind my back."
Nelson and Robinson were arrested for trespassing. No charges were filed. Video of the incident went viral and ignited protests and calls for boycotts.
Nelson said they had been working on the meeting for months. "We're days away from changing our whole entire situation, our lives, and you about to sit here telling me I can't do that? You're not doing that."
"I understand that rules are rules, but what's right is right and what's wrong is wrong," Robinson said.
On Monday, the two men met with Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson, who apologized.
"I want to make sure that this situation doesn't happen again," Robinson said. "What I want is for a young man, young men, to not be traumatized by this and instead motivated, inspired."
Read more at Money CNN
Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Thursday and described their arrest. They said they went to Starbucks for a business meeting that they believed would change their lives.
Nelson said he asked to use the restroom shortly after walking in and was told it was only for paying customers. The two men were waiting for a third person when a white store employee called 911 minutes later.
"I was thinking, they can't be here for us," Robinson said of the police. "It didn't really hit me what was going on, that it was real, till I was being double-locked with my hands behind my back."
Nelson and Robinson were arrested for trespassing. No charges were filed. Video of the incident went viral and ignited protests and calls for boycotts.
Nelson said they had been working on the meeting for months. "We're days away from changing our whole entire situation, our lives, and you about to sit here telling me I can't do that? You're not doing that."
"I understand that rules are rules, but what's right is right and what's wrong is wrong," Robinson said.
On Monday, the two men met with Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson, who apologized.
"I want to make sure that this situation doesn't happen again," Robinson said. "What I want is for a young man, young men, to not be traumatized by this and instead motivated, inspired."
Read more at Money CNN
Chadwick Boseman to Give Commencement Speech At Howard University
Howard University alum Chadwick Boseman will soon return to his alma mater to recognize the class of 2018, as the Black Panther star is scheduled to deliver the commencement speech during their upcoming graduation ceremony.
Howard University President, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick shared the good news Wednesday in a official statement.
“It is an incredible honor and privilege for the Howard University community to welcome back home one of its native sons, Chadwick Boseman, to deliver the 2018 commencement address. He has played some of the most iconic African Americans that have transformed history, including Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Howard’s own Thurgood Marshall. His recent role in the blockbuster film “Black Panther” reminds us of the excellence found in the African diaspora and how Howard continues to be a gem that produces the next generation of artist-scholars, humanitarians, scientists, engineers, and doctors. Mr. Boseman exemplifies the monumental heights and levels Howard graduates can achieve by using the skills and knowledge they acquired at the university.”
Read more at Ebony
Howard University President, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick shared the good news Wednesday in a official statement.
“It is an incredible honor and privilege for the Howard University community to welcome back home one of its native sons, Chadwick Boseman, to deliver the 2018 commencement address. He has played some of the most iconic African Americans that have transformed history, including Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Howard’s own Thurgood Marshall. His recent role in the blockbuster film “Black Panther” reminds us of the excellence found in the African diaspora and how Howard continues to be a gem that produces the next generation of artist-scholars, humanitarians, scientists, engineers, and doctors. Mr. Boseman exemplifies the monumental heights and levels Howard graduates can achieve by using the skills and knowledge they acquired at the university.”
Read more at Ebony
Bill Cosby defense hammers at witness who claims he raped her in 1982
Bill Cosby's lawyers sought to raise doubts Thursday about the allegations of a woman who testified that the 80-year-old comedian knocked her out with pills and raped her during a 1982 encounter in Nevada.
Janice Baker-Kinney returned to the witness stand after punctuating the first two hours of her testimony at Cosby's sexual assault retrial in suburban Philadelphia with a firm declaration: "I was raped." Baker-Kinney was a 24-year-old casino bartender in Reno when she says Cosby gave her pills she suspected to be quaaludes and had sex with her in 1982.
During cross examination, Cosby lawyer Tom Mesereau suggested that Baker-Kinney was motivated to distort the facts of a fun evening when she heard about a possible $100-million windfall from Cosby. She came forward in April 2015, a few months after lawyer Gloria Allred proposed that Cosby set aside a chunk of his fortune to compensate accusers. Cosby never agreed to that.
Baker-Kinney told the jury she was motivated by a desire to help other accusers, and that she's only relied on Allred as a media advisor and point of contact "to make sure I didn't get tripped up." She said she's never paid Allred, hasn't been paid by the lawyer and hasn't been involved litigation against Cosby.
Read more at LA Times
Janice Baker-Kinney returned to the witness stand after punctuating the first two hours of her testimony at Cosby's sexual assault retrial in suburban Philadelphia with a firm declaration: "I was raped." Baker-Kinney was a 24-year-old casino bartender in Reno when she says Cosby gave her pills she suspected to be quaaludes and had sex with her in 1982.
During cross examination, Cosby lawyer Tom Mesereau suggested that Baker-Kinney was motivated to distort the facts of a fun evening when she heard about a possible $100-million windfall from Cosby. She came forward in April 2015, a few months after lawyer Gloria Allred proposed that Cosby set aside a chunk of his fortune to compensate accusers. Cosby never agreed to that.
Baker-Kinney told the jury she was motivated by a desire to help other accusers, and that she's only relied on Allred as a media advisor and point of contact "to make sure I didn't get tripped up." She said she's never paid Allred, hasn't been paid by the lawyer and hasn't been involved litigation against Cosby.
Read more at LA Times
White Neighbor Who Called Police Before Stephon Clark Shooting Says He Never Wants To Call 911 Again
The white neighbor who made the call to Sacramento police which resulted in the fatal shooting of Stephon Clark said he wishes he never called and is hesitant to dial 911 in the future.
According to the Sacramento Bee, Dave Reiling was watching TV when he heard the windows to his two trucks get broken. When he looked outside, he saw a man with a hoodie standing near the vehicles.
Reiling then did what any person whose property is being destroyed would do and he called 911.
However, when his phone call turned into a deadly attack, leaving a young father of two dead in his backyard, Reiling re-evaluated the efficiency of the police in his community.
“It worries me to call 911 because you may get another cop out here and shoot somebody else. They got to get more training in,” Reiling told the Bee.
“It makes me never want to call 911 again,” he added. “They shot an innocent person.”
Although Reiling didn’t know Clark personally, he knew of his family.
Read more at BET
According to the Sacramento Bee, Dave Reiling was watching TV when he heard the windows to his two trucks get broken. When he looked outside, he saw a man with a hoodie standing near the vehicles.
Reiling then did what any person whose property is being destroyed would do and he called 911.
However, when his phone call turned into a deadly attack, leaving a young father of two dead in his backyard, Reiling re-evaluated the efficiency of the police in his community.
“It worries me to call 911 because you may get another cop out here and shoot somebody else. They got to get more training in,” Reiling told the Bee.
“It makes me never want to call 911 again,” he added. “They shot an innocent person.”
Although Reiling didn’t know Clark personally, he knew of his family.
Read more at BET
Uber Is Adding A Panic Button, 3 Years After Rolling One Out In India
If your Uber ride lands you in an emergency situation, you’ll soon be able to alert 911 from within the app.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi announced the addition in a blog Thursday morning as part of what the company is calling a “safety center” that will live on the home screen during rides.
Critically, the 911 feature will display the car’s real-time location so riders can pass the information along to dispatchers. Uber will eventually provide that information directly to 911 dispatchers automatically, but for now, the ability only exists in Denver, where it’s being beta tested.
In addition to calling the cops, the safety center will let riders share their location and trip data with up to five contacts. Uber will share the company’s process for driver background checks and insurance information in that part of the app, as well as the community guidelines ― Uber’s list of actions that will result in riders getting banned.
Uber customers in India have had access to a similar panic button since 2015 after an Uber driver raped a woman in New Delhi. At the time, Uber said it had no intention of bringing the feature in the U.S.
Read more at HuffPost
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi announced the addition in a blog Thursday morning as part of what the company is calling a “safety center” that will live on the home screen during rides.
Critically, the 911 feature will display the car’s real-time location so riders can pass the information along to dispatchers. Uber will eventually provide that information directly to 911 dispatchers automatically, but for now, the ability only exists in Denver, where it’s being beta tested.
In addition to calling the cops, the safety center will let riders share their location and trip data with up to five contacts. Uber will share the company’s process for driver background checks and insurance information in that part of the app, as well as the community guidelines ― Uber’s list of actions that will result in riders getting banned.
Uber customers in India have had access to a similar panic button since 2015 after an Uber driver raped a woman in New Delhi. At the time, Uber said it had no intention of bringing the feature in the U.S.
Read more at HuffPost
Black Parkland Students Want Peers To 'Share The Mic'
Black students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are calling out the March for Our Lives movement ― at once commending the teens leading it for their efforts to be inclusive and pushing them to go a step further by sharing the spotlight with their own black peers.
“We’re saying you don’t see much of us at the forefront,” 17-year-old junior Mei-Ling Ho-Shing, who is black, told HuffPost earlier this week.
Ho-Shing’s classmates at the front of the student-led anti-gun violence movement, like David Hogg and Emma González, have been rightfully celebrated for their moves toward inclusivity. They’ve met with young activists of color from communities where gun violence is more pervasive, featured a diverse array of speakers at their rally in D.C., and used their massive Twitter platforms to highlight issues like black communities being disproportionately affected by gun violence. In many ways, they mark a new generation of activists aiming to be fiercely intersectional.
Still, some black students at the school in Parkland, Florida, where a gunman killed 17 people in February, contend that the student activists haven’t quite practiced this inclusivity in their own backyards, and have not gone far enough to include black teens from their own school, and nearby areas where gun violence is more prevalent, at the center of their movement.
“It hurts, because they went all the way to Chicago to hear these voices when we’re right here,” Ho-Shing said, referring to a gathering last month where March for Our Lives leaders met with teens of color from a Chicago school to discuss gun violence. “We go to school with you every day.”
Read more at Yahoo.
“We’re saying you don’t see much of us at the forefront,” 17-year-old junior Mei-Ling Ho-Shing, who is black, told HuffPost earlier this week.
Ho-Shing’s classmates at the front of the student-led anti-gun violence movement, like David Hogg and Emma González, have been rightfully celebrated for their moves toward inclusivity. They’ve met with young activists of color from communities where gun violence is more pervasive, featured a diverse array of speakers at their rally in D.C., and used their massive Twitter platforms to highlight issues like black communities being disproportionately affected by gun violence. In many ways, they mark a new generation of activists aiming to be fiercely intersectional.
Still, some black students at the school in Parkland, Florida, where a gunman killed 17 people in February, contend that the student activists haven’t quite practiced this inclusivity in their own backyards, and have not gone far enough to include black teens from their own school, and nearby areas where gun violence is more prevalent, at the center of their movement.
“It hurts, because they went all the way to Chicago to hear these voices when we’re right here,” Ho-Shing said, referring to a gathering last month where March for Our Lives leaders met with teens of color from a Chicago school to discuss gun violence. “We go to school with you every day.”
Read more at Yahoo.
New York Attorney General Launches Investigation Into Police Killing Of Black Man
The New York attorney general’s office is opening an investigation into the police killing of a black man in Brooklyn that occurred Wednesday afternoon.
Four New York City Police Department officers confronted the man, 34-year-old Saheed Vassell, after receiving 911 calls about a man possibly holding a gun. It was later found he was holding only a pipe.
After officers arrived, “the suspect then took a two-handed shooting stance and pointed an object at the approaching officers,” Police Chief Terence A. Monahan said in a news briefing Wednesday.
Ten rounds were fired from the four officers, striking Vassell, who died on his way to Kings County Hospital Center.
Read more at Huff Post
Four New York City Police Department officers confronted the man, 34-year-old Saheed Vassell, after receiving 911 calls about a man possibly holding a gun. It was later found he was holding only a pipe.
After officers arrived, “the suspect then took a two-handed shooting stance and pointed an object at the approaching officers,” Police Chief Terence A. Monahan said in a news briefing Wednesday.
Ten rounds were fired from the four officers, striking Vassell, who died on his way to Kings County Hospital Center.
Read more at Huff Post
Atlanta Teacher Tells Students That Their Ancestors Killed ‘Millions Upon Millions’
A middle school teacher in Georgia is under fire after telling her students that their ancestors came to the country and killed millions in an apparent rebuke to President Donald Trump’s immigration policy.
In February, sixth-grader Josie Orihuela, a former student at Hampton Middle School, recorded her teacher Johnetta Benton’s rant during a lesson on Black History Month, the Atlanta Black Star reports.
Orihuela told Fox News that Benton criticized Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan and recorded the teacher’s rant.
“He must be talking about when it was great for Europeans… Because when it comes to minorities, America has never been great for minorities,” the teacher can be heard saying on the recording. “Cuz when I examine history, I can’t remember a time when it was great for anybody other than Europeans.”
Orihuela said that she and other students pushed back at the teacher’s claims before she said that they’re the descendants of people who killed millions.
“Before you talk about somebody else look at yourself in the mirror, look at your ancestry in the mirror before you start saying, ‘You’re bad, and you’re bad and you’re bad, so you can’t come ’cause you happened to have killed a few people. Well, guess what? My people have killed millions, not a few. Millions upon millions upon millions – babies and children,” she said.
Orihuela said her mom was shocked over the incident but was glad her daughter and other’s stood up to Benton. She was eventually pulled out of the school by her mother, according to the article.
Read more at Ebony
In February, sixth-grader Josie Orihuela, a former student at Hampton Middle School, recorded her teacher Johnetta Benton’s rant during a lesson on Black History Month, the Atlanta Black Star reports.
Orihuela told Fox News that Benton criticized Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan and recorded the teacher’s rant.
“He must be talking about when it was great for Europeans… Because when it comes to minorities, America has never been great for minorities,” the teacher can be heard saying on the recording. “Cuz when I examine history, I can’t remember a time when it was great for anybody other than Europeans.”
Orihuela said that she and other students pushed back at the teacher’s claims before she said that they’re the descendants of people who killed millions.
“Before you talk about somebody else look at yourself in the mirror, look at your ancestry in the mirror before you start saying, ‘You’re bad, and you’re bad and you’re bad, so you can’t come ’cause you happened to have killed a few people. Well, guess what? My people have killed millions, not a few. Millions upon millions upon millions – babies and children,” she said.
Orihuela said her mom was shocked over the incident but was glad her daughter and other’s stood up to Benton. She was eventually pulled out of the school by her mother, according to the article.
Read more at Ebony
Nevest Coleman, wrongfully jailed for 23 years, gets old job back with White Sox
Nevest Coleman officially started as a Chicago White Sox groundskeeper Monday after spending more than two decades behind bars for crimes he didn't commit. Coleman, 49, reflected on returning to his old job, reuniting with his family and his championship hopes for the White Sox.
"I was proud to come back here," Coleman told CBS News in phone interview. "I love the atmosphere."
Coleman's day began with power-washing the entrance to Guaranteed Rate Field where the team's 2005 World Series commemoration plaza and sculpture are located, CBS Chicago reports.
His situation now is vastly different than it was over the last 23 years, when he was sitting in jail as an innocent man. He kept out of trouble, spent most of his time reading books, such as those in the popular series "Game of Thrones" and "Harry Potter," and tried to avoid the "routine" of television.
When asked what kept him going, he replied, "My family."
"I know I didn't do it," he said. "My family was always behind me. My goal was to see everybody."
In November, Coleman was released from prison after DNA evidence led prosecutors to vacate his conviction in a 1994 rape and murder. A county judge granted him a certificate of innocence this month.
Read more at CBS
"I was proud to come back here," Coleman told CBS News in phone interview. "I love the atmosphere."
Coleman's day began with power-washing the entrance to Guaranteed Rate Field where the team's 2005 World Series commemoration plaza and sculpture are located, CBS Chicago reports.
His situation now is vastly different than it was over the last 23 years, when he was sitting in jail as an innocent man. He kept out of trouble, spent most of his time reading books, such as those in the popular series "Game of Thrones" and "Harry Potter," and tried to avoid the "routine" of television.
When asked what kept him going, he replied, "My family."
"I know I didn't do it," he said. "My family was always behind me. My goal was to see everybody."
In November, Coleman was released from prison after DNA evidence led prosecutors to vacate his conviction in a 1994 rape and murder. A county judge granted him a certificate of innocence this month.
Read more at CBS
Family’s S.U.V. Plunges Off Cliff, and Death Toll Is Feared to Be 8
They were the portrait of a modern family: a married female couple and their six adopted children. And in 2014, they were thrust in front of the world for all to see.
One of those children — Devonte Hart, who is black — was photographed hugging a white police sergeant in Portland, Ore., during a 2014 demonstration to protest police violence. In the photograph, Devonte clung to the officer, a mix of fear and anguish in his eyes.
But the intense news media coverage that followed may have been the reason the Hart family decided to flee to Washington State, the authorities said on Wednesday.
Then, the unthinkable: The family’s sport utility vehicle plunged off a 100-foot cliff in Northern California and was discovered on Monday — upside down, engulfed by the waves of the Pacific Ocean.
Both parents were found dead inside the S.U.V.; three of their children were discovered dead outside it; and the three other children, including Devonte, were still missing on Wednesday evening and feared dead, law enforcement officials said.
“We have every indication to believe that all six children were in there, however only three bodies have been recovered,” said Sheriff Tom Allman of Mendocino County. “We have no evidence and no reason to believe this was an intentional act. Certainly people are wondering what caused this.”
Read more at NY Post
One of those children — Devonte Hart, who is black — was photographed hugging a white police sergeant in Portland, Ore., during a 2014 demonstration to protest police violence. In the photograph, Devonte clung to the officer, a mix of fear and anguish in his eyes.
But the intense news media coverage that followed may have been the reason the Hart family decided to flee to Washington State, the authorities said on Wednesday.
Then, the unthinkable: The family’s sport utility vehicle plunged off a 100-foot cliff in Northern California and was discovered on Monday — upside down, engulfed by the waves of the Pacific Ocean.
Both parents were found dead inside the S.U.V.; three of their children were discovered dead outside it; and the three other children, including Devonte, were still missing on Wednesday evening and feared dead, law enforcement officials said.
“We have every indication to believe that all six children were in there, however only three bodies have been recovered,” said Sheriff Tom Allman of Mendocino County. “We have no evidence and no reason to believe this was an intentional act. Certainly people are wondering what caused this.”
Read more at NY Post
No charges to be filed against officers in Alton Sterling death, Louisiana attorney general says
(CNN)No charges will be filed against two Baton Rouge police officers in the 2016 shooting death of Alton Sterling after an investigation determined the officers acted in a "reasonable and justifiable manner," Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said Tuesday.
Police shootings: Trials, convictions are rare for officers
Landry's announcement in Baton Rouge -- coming 10 months after federal prosecutors determined they wouldn't file civil rights charges against the officers -- was made moments after he met Tuesday morning with Sterling's relatives to tell them of his decision.
Members of Sterling's family were visibly upset after meeting with Landry. Sterling's aunt Veda Washington-Abusaleh wiped tears from her face as she left.
"They're not going to bring charges on anybody. Why would they do that? This is white America," Washington-Abusaleh said.
Attorneys for Sterling's family slammed what they called a biased decision -- and urged the public to hold Landry accountable.
"It takes courage ... to fight for justice; we didn't see that in this situation," Sterling family attorney Chris Stewart said.
"But that's fine, because ... we know what the repercussion is: Getting you out of office."
Outrage over Sterling's death and two cell phone videos that showed the shooting led to renewed "Black Lives Matter" protests across the nation.
Sterling, 37, was shot and killed by one of two police officers who confronted him outside a convenience store in July 2016. Cell phone video showed Sterling, a black man, pinned to the ground by the white Baton Rouge police officers before he was shot; police said Sterling was shot because he was reaching for a gun.
Read more at CNN
Police shootings: Trials, convictions are rare for officers
Landry's announcement in Baton Rouge -- coming 10 months after federal prosecutors determined they wouldn't file civil rights charges against the officers -- was made moments after he met Tuesday morning with Sterling's relatives to tell them of his decision.
Members of Sterling's family were visibly upset after meeting with Landry. Sterling's aunt Veda Washington-Abusaleh wiped tears from her face as she left.
"They're not going to bring charges on anybody. Why would they do that? This is white America," Washington-Abusaleh said.
Attorneys for Sterling's family slammed what they called a biased decision -- and urged the public to hold Landry accountable.
"It takes courage ... to fight for justice; we didn't see that in this situation," Sterling family attorney Chris Stewart said.
"But that's fine, because ... we know what the repercussion is: Getting you out of office."
Outrage over Sterling's death and two cell phone videos that showed the shooting led to renewed "Black Lives Matter" protests across the nation.
Sterling, 37, was shot and killed by one of two police officers who confronted him outside a convenience store in July 2016. Cell phone video showed Sterling, a black man, pinned to the ground by the white Baton Rouge police officers before he was shot; police said Sterling was shot because he was reaching for a gun.
Read more at CNN
Unarmed black man fatally shot at 20 times by police
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Relatives, activists and Sacramento officials are questioning why police shot at an unarmed black man 20 times, killing him, when he turned out to be holding only a cellphone in his grandparents’ back yard.
Relatives have identified the man as Stephan Alonzo Clark, 22, according to the Sacramento Bee. His fiancee, Salena Manni, the mother of his sons, ages 1 and 3, said his first name was Stephon.
“We’re mourning right now and so we need our time to mourn,” she said Wednesday as the family gathered in his grandparents’ home.
Police say the man was spotted breaking at least three vehicle windows Sunday night. Sheriff’s deputies in a helicopter say they saw him break a neighbor’s sliding glass door.
Two arriving officers chased him into the back yard of his grandparents’ home, where he was staying. The department says he refused orders to stop and show his hands. He advanced toward the officers holding an object extended in front of him, the department said. The officers thought he was pointing a handgun and opened fire, fearing for their safety, the department said.
No gun was found and only the cellphone was found near his body when more officers arrived and approached him about five minutes after the shooting, the department said.
“He was at the wrong place at the wrong time in his own back yard?” Clark’s grandmother, Sequita Thompson, told the Sacramento Bee. “C’mon now, they didn’t have to do that.”
Read more at NY Post
Relatives have identified the man as Stephan Alonzo Clark, 22, according to the Sacramento Bee. His fiancee, Salena Manni, the mother of his sons, ages 1 and 3, said his first name was Stephon.
“We’re mourning right now and so we need our time to mourn,” she said Wednesday as the family gathered in his grandparents’ home.
Police say the man was spotted breaking at least three vehicle windows Sunday night. Sheriff’s deputies in a helicopter say they saw him break a neighbor’s sliding glass door.
Two arriving officers chased him into the back yard of his grandparents’ home, where he was staying. The department says he refused orders to stop and show his hands. He advanced toward the officers holding an object extended in front of him, the department said. The officers thought he was pointing a handgun and opened fire, fearing for their safety, the department said.
No gun was found and only the cellphone was found near his body when more officers arrived and approached him about five minutes after the shooting, the department said.
“He was at the wrong place at the wrong time in his own back yard?” Clark’s grandmother, Sequita Thompson, told the Sacramento Bee. “C’mon now, they didn’t have to do that.”
Read more at NY Post
Austin bomber kills himself with explosive device
(CNN)A suspect in a wave of bombing attacks in Austin killed himself inside his car with an explosive device early Wednesday as authorities closed in, police said.
Read more at CNN
- Since the bombings started on March 2, investigators frantically searched for clues, calling the attacks the work of a"serial bomber" who increasingly changed tactics. The bombings killed two people and left the Texas capital terrorized with fear for 19 days.
- Latest developments...
- In the past 36 hours, law enforcement received information directing them to a person of interest, who ultimately became a suspect.
- Surveillance teams tracked the suspect's vehicle to a hotel in Round Rock, north of Austin. As police waited on tactical units, the vehicle left the hotel.
- SWAT approached the vehicle and the suspect detonated a bomb, killing himself and knocking back and injuring a SWAT member.
- A SWAT officer fired his weapon at the suspect. It's unclear whether the officer shot the suspect.
- The suspect is a 24-year-old white man, and authorities don't know whether he acted alone or what his motive was.
- He is responsible for all the incidents in Austin, Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said.
- "This is the culmination of three very long weeks in our community," Manley said.
- He urged residents to be vigilant, saying they don't know where the bomber has been for the past 24 hours and if he sent additional packages.
- "Austin bombing suspect is dead. Great job by law enforcement and all concerned!," President Donald Trump tweeted.
Read more at CNN
Mom Of Black And White Twin Babies Faces Ignorant Criticism On Facebook For Calling Them Identical
A pair of twins in Spring, Texas, is turning heads when they’re introduced to strangers because although they have the same parents, one is white and the other is Black.
Amy Keller, 36, says her son Holden inherited her light complexion and blonde hair while his brother, Hayden, takes after his African-American father with a darker complexion and dark brown hair, reported the Daily Mail.
According to Keller, the 15-month-old boys’ father is no longer in the picture, and she is raising them on her own. In addition to being the sole provider, Keller is the only one experiencing bouts of cyber bullying and criticism from strangers.
“In public people sometimes stop us and completely avoid the fact that they look so different. Others are amazed by it,” she told the Daily Mail. “Some people ask me really rude questions like ‘Are you sure they have the same dad?’ I've had some abuse in Facebook mum groups.”
Keller said she has received hurtful comments from people in Facebook groups when she has posted pictures of Holden and Hayden.
“I once posted a photo in one of them of the boys with the caption ‘Their features are starting to look identical,’ and people started commenting, ‘They're not identical,’ ‘How can you say they're identical?’ ‘Are they even twins?’”
Read more at BET
Amy Keller, 36, says her son Holden inherited her light complexion and blonde hair while his brother, Hayden, takes after his African-American father with a darker complexion and dark brown hair, reported the Daily Mail.
According to Keller, the 15-month-old boys’ father is no longer in the picture, and she is raising them on her own. In addition to being the sole provider, Keller is the only one experiencing bouts of cyber bullying and criticism from strangers.
“In public people sometimes stop us and completely avoid the fact that they look so different. Others are amazed by it,” she told the Daily Mail. “Some people ask me really rude questions like ‘Are you sure they have the same dad?’ I've had some abuse in Facebook mum groups.”
Keller said she has received hurtful comments from people in Facebook groups when she has posted pictures of Holden and Hayden.
“I once posted a photo in one of them of the boys with the caption ‘Their features are starting to look identical,’ and people started commenting, ‘They're not identical,’ ‘How can you say they're identical?’ ‘Are they even twins?’”
Read more at BET
Package Bombs Are Killing People in Texas but Donald Trump Hasn’t Said a Thing. There’s a Reason for That.
I’VE WRITTEN THIS story before – many times, in fact. It’s a story of white privilege and black pain. It’s a story of Islamophobia and bigotry. It’s a story about the United States of America.
On Monday, bombs went off in Austin, Texas.
That’s a big deal, right? Bombs – actual improvised explosive devices – going off in the middle of a major American city is a big fucking deal.
They weren’t found by a bomb squad and safely disposed of by a brave crew or a high-tech robot. Nah, they were left on the doorsteps of people’s homes all over Austin. Made to look like mail, the packages were then picked up by a mix of everyday people – black and Latino, young and old – who were then torn to bits by explosive shrapnel.
A report from ABC News outlined the level of sophistication of the explosives: The bombs had been designed by a “highly skilled” bomb maker – or makers —who used pieces of metal to generate shrapnel and set triggers that detonated the bombs with motion.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s a huge deal. Strangely, though, Donald Trump, the president of the United States, who campaigned on being tough on crime and terrorism, hasn’t said a word. He hasn’t tweeted concerns or condolences. Instead, he’s tweeting pictures of himself surveying border wall prototypes. Hours after the bombs were detonated in Austin on Monday, Trump was terminating his secretary of state on Twitter.
A full 10 days before most of the nation heard about the deadly bombs that were set off this past Monday, one tore through Anthony Stephan House, a 39-year-old African-American project manager, ripping his body to shreds.
“It didn’t sound like an explosion or what I think of an explosion. It sounded like a metal dumpster getting hit by a truck,” said a neighbor who rushed outside and found House with shrapnel embedded in his body. “His clothes were torn up and his face was torn up.”
House was pronounced dead an hour later.
What happened next is hard to process. Police initially called the death a homicide, but then changed that because they said House could have killed himself with a package bomb on the doorstep of his own home. According to the cops, the death was simply “suspicious” and “an isolated incident and that there is no continuing threat to the community.”
Then, this past Monday, a full 10 days after House was apparently murdered, virtually the same thing that happened to House happened at two additional homes in Austin.
One of the exploding packages was brought into a family home and exploded in the kitchen, killing 17-year-old Draylen Mason and critically wounding his mother. Mason, we have since learned, was a brilliant, African-American musician and young scholar who had been accepted into prestigious music programs across the country.
Read more at The Intercept
On Monday, bombs went off in Austin, Texas.
That’s a big deal, right? Bombs – actual improvised explosive devices – going off in the middle of a major American city is a big fucking deal.
They weren’t found by a bomb squad and safely disposed of by a brave crew or a high-tech robot. Nah, they were left on the doorsteps of people’s homes all over Austin. Made to look like mail, the packages were then picked up by a mix of everyday people – black and Latino, young and old – who were then torn to bits by explosive shrapnel.
A report from ABC News outlined the level of sophistication of the explosives: The bombs had been designed by a “highly skilled” bomb maker – or makers —who used pieces of metal to generate shrapnel and set triggers that detonated the bombs with motion.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s a huge deal. Strangely, though, Donald Trump, the president of the United States, who campaigned on being tough on crime and terrorism, hasn’t said a word. He hasn’t tweeted concerns or condolences. Instead, he’s tweeting pictures of himself surveying border wall prototypes. Hours after the bombs were detonated in Austin on Monday, Trump was terminating his secretary of state on Twitter.
A full 10 days before most of the nation heard about the deadly bombs that were set off this past Monday, one tore through Anthony Stephan House, a 39-year-old African-American project manager, ripping his body to shreds.
“It didn’t sound like an explosion or what I think of an explosion. It sounded like a metal dumpster getting hit by a truck,” said a neighbor who rushed outside and found House with shrapnel embedded in his body. “His clothes were torn up and his face was torn up.”
House was pronounced dead an hour later.
What happened next is hard to process. Police initially called the death a homicide, but then changed that because they said House could have killed himself with a package bomb on the doorstep of his own home. According to the cops, the death was simply “suspicious” and “an isolated incident and that there is no continuing threat to the community.”
Then, this past Monday, a full 10 days after House was apparently murdered, virtually the same thing that happened to House happened at two additional homes in Austin.
One of the exploding packages was brought into a family home and exploded in the kitchen, killing 17-year-old Draylen Mason and critically wounding his mother. Mason, we have since learned, was a brilliant, African-American musician and young scholar who had been accepted into prestigious music programs across the country.
Read more at The Intercept
College Student Who Smeared Bodily Fluids on Black Roommate’s Belongings Receives Special Probation to Avoid Criminal Record. How Not Shocking
Brianna Brochu will not be facing any real punishment for smearing her bodily fluids all over, and tampering with, her black roommate’s belongings.
In fact, quite the opposite. Brochu, who was expelled from the University of Hartford in Connecticut following the incident, was granted a special type of probation on Monday that would allow her to avoid a criminal record altogether ... as if systematically contaminating another person’s living space were no big deal.
According to the Hartford Courant, the victim in this scenario, Brochu’s former roommate Chennell “Jazzy” Rowe—who attended the hearing—did not oppose the request for accelerated rehabilitation. So now Brochu will have to perform a cushy 200 hours of community service, with 50 of those hours at a literacy organization in Greater Hartford and another 50 at a social services group.
If Brochu manages to not be disgusting stay out of trouble and complete those requirements, the charges she faced—breach of peace and criminal mischief—will be tossed out after two years.
Brochu will be forbidden from having contact with Rowe and will have to submit to a mental health evaluation.
Brochu, you might remember, was arrested after boasting about rubbing her used tampons on her roommate’s bag, as well as contaminating her eating utensils, toothbrush and other beauty products.
“Finally did it yo girl got rid of her roommate!! After 1 1/2 month of spitting in her coconut oil, putting moldy clam dip in her lotions, rubbing used tampons [on] her backpack, putting her toothbrush places where the sun doesn’t shine and so much more I can finally say goodbye Jamaican Barbie,” Brochu wrote in the caption for photos posted on Instagram.
Read more at The Root
In fact, quite the opposite. Brochu, who was expelled from the University of Hartford in Connecticut following the incident, was granted a special type of probation on Monday that would allow her to avoid a criminal record altogether ... as if systematically contaminating another person’s living space were no big deal.
According to the Hartford Courant, the victim in this scenario, Brochu’s former roommate Chennell “Jazzy” Rowe—who attended the hearing—did not oppose the request for accelerated rehabilitation. So now Brochu will have to perform a cushy 200 hours of community service, with 50 of those hours at a literacy organization in Greater Hartford and another 50 at a social services group.
If Brochu manages to not be disgusting stay out of trouble and complete those requirements, the charges she faced—breach of peace and criminal mischief—will be tossed out after two years.
Brochu will be forbidden from having contact with Rowe and will have to submit to a mental health evaluation.
Brochu, you might remember, was arrested after boasting about rubbing her used tampons on her roommate’s bag, as well as contaminating her eating utensils, toothbrush and other beauty products.
“Finally did it yo girl got rid of her roommate!! After 1 1/2 month of spitting in her coconut oil, putting moldy clam dip in her lotions, rubbing used tampons [on] her backpack, putting her toothbrush places where the sun doesn’t shine and so much more I can finally say goodbye Jamaican Barbie,” Brochu wrote in the caption for photos posted on Instagram.
Read more at The Root
Craig Mack, New York rapper on Diddy's Bad Boy label, dead at 46
Craig Mack, the Long Island rapper who found fame on Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records in the mid-1990s, has died at age 46, his producer confirmed to the Daily News.
Mack — who launched to hip-hop acclaim with the platinum hit “Flava in Ya Ear” in 1994 before being overshadowed by fellow artists such as the Notorious B.I.G. — died of heart failure at a hospital near his Walterboro, S.C., home Monday.
“God bless my friend. He was a good friend of mine,” said Alvin Toney, who produced Mack’s debut album “Project: Funk Da World” and his "Get Down Remix."
Toney saw his dear friend a final time last week.
He visited the former emcee at the Overcomer Ministry church he attends in Walterboro to film a documentary about Mack, and his decision to pass on fame for a life of deep religious conviction.
“Nobody got to understand his story,” Toney said. “I wanted the world to know the talent he had. It was something I wanted people to enjoy, but it was cut short because he was very religious and wanted to go to church.”
Tony said Mack told him during his visit that he had been ill for some time and knew he wouldn’t live long.
Read more at NY Daily News
Mack — who launched to hip-hop acclaim with the platinum hit “Flava in Ya Ear” in 1994 before being overshadowed by fellow artists such as the Notorious B.I.G. — died of heart failure at a hospital near his Walterboro, S.C., home Monday.
“God bless my friend. He was a good friend of mine,” said Alvin Toney, who produced Mack’s debut album “Project: Funk Da World” and his "Get Down Remix."
Toney saw his dear friend a final time last week.
He visited the former emcee at the Overcomer Ministry church he attends in Walterboro to film a documentary about Mack, and his decision to pass on fame for a life of deep religious conviction.
“Nobody got to understand his story,” Toney said. “I wanted the world to know the talent he had. It was something I wanted people to enjoy, but it was cut short because he was very religious and wanted to go to church.”
Tony said Mack told him during his visit that he had been ill for some time and knew he wouldn’t live long.
Read more at NY Daily News
Meek Mill’s Key To Freedom Is Inside Philadelphia’s Public 'Secret Corrupt Cops' List
Since his sentencing rocked social media back in November, many fans have climbed off of Meek Mill’s roller-coaster ride of a court case––one that threatens to lock him away in an eight-by-nine prison cell until 2021.
Developments spinning both in and out of his favor are plenty: several articles of presiding judge Genece Brinkley’s dirty laundry have been aired out, revealing a stench of personal biases against Meek. Less than a month later, fingers were crossed tightly for a bail request on his behalf. Judge Brinkley turned him away, citing Meek as a “flight risk” and “danger” to the very community that rallied by the hundreds and turned up over 300,000 signatures demanding his release.
More lawlessness from the courts was unveiled when Wanda Chavarria, Brinkley’s appointed court clerk, was dismissed from duty after slipping the Philly rap star a note pleading that he pay her son’s tuition. After more protests, petitions and pressure on the entire Philadelphia Common Court of Common Pleas, there is still no promise of freedom nor justice for 30-year-old Robert Rihmeek Williams. But, the latest discovery by lawyer Joe Tacopina and the rest of Meek’s defense team places faith back within reach: a “secret corrupt cops list,” featuring the name of Meek’s 2008 arresting and testifying officer Reginald Graham.
Read more at BET
Developments spinning both in and out of his favor are plenty: several articles of presiding judge Genece Brinkley’s dirty laundry have been aired out, revealing a stench of personal biases against Meek. Less than a month later, fingers were crossed tightly for a bail request on his behalf. Judge Brinkley turned him away, citing Meek as a “flight risk” and “danger” to the very community that rallied by the hundreds and turned up over 300,000 signatures demanding his release.
More lawlessness from the courts was unveiled when Wanda Chavarria, Brinkley’s appointed court clerk, was dismissed from duty after slipping the Philly rap star a note pleading that he pay her son’s tuition. After more protests, petitions and pressure on the entire Philadelphia Common Court of Common Pleas, there is still no promise of freedom nor justice for 30-year-old Robert Rihmeek Williams. But, the latest discovery by lawyer Joe Tacopina and the rest of Meek’s defense team places faith back within reach: a “secret corrupt cops list,” featuring the name of Meek’s 2008 arresting and testifying officer Reginald Graham.
Read more at BET
'F**k the blacks': Investigation launched into students' 'racist chant in halls of residence'
Two men have been arrested after a video of racist chants in a university’s halls circulated online.
On Wednesday Nottingham Trent University student Rufaro Chisango tweeted a video of male voices chanting ‘we hate blacks’ and ‘oh, ah, f**k the blacks’ outside her room, which she says was recorded on Monday night.
The video shows Ms Chisango, who says she is the only black student in her corridor, being subjected to a barrage of racial slurs before a second woman can be heard telling the men to ‘leave her alone.’
Despite saying she reported the incident to accommodation managers on Tuesday morning, Ms Chisango said she had not heard from university authorities by 7pm the following day.
Two 18-year-old men have been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences.
Nottingham Trent responded to the video on Thursday morning, stating they had opened an investigation into the incident and that the suspected offenders had been suspended immediately.
When contacted by Yahoo News UK, the university said it didn’t know how many students had been suspended.
A tweet from its official account read: ‘We are shocked and appalled to see the video of racist chanting posted yesterday evening. This kind of vile behaviour will not be tolerated at NTU. Those suspected perpetrators have been suspended immediately pending a full investigation.’
Read more at Yahoo
On Wednesday Nottingham Trent University student Rufaro Chisango tweeted a video of male voices chanting ‘we hate blacks’ and ‘oh, ah, f**k the blacks’ outside her room, which she says was recorded on Monday night.
The video shows Ms Chisango, who says she is the only black student in her corridor, being subjected to a barrage of racial slurs before a second woman can be heard telling the men to ‘leave her alone.’
Despite saying she reported the incident to accommodation managers on Tuesday morning, Ms Chisango said she had not heard from university authorities by 7pm the following day.
Two 18-year-old men have been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences.
Nottingham Trent responded to the video on Thursday morning, stating they had opened an investigation into the incident and that the suspected offenders had been suspended immediately.
When contacted by Yahoo News UK, the university said it didn’t know how many students had been suspended.
A tweet from its official account read: ‘We are shocked and appalled to see the video of racist chanting posted yesterday evening. This kind of vile behaviour will not be tolerated at NTU. Those suspected perpetrators have been suspended immediately pending a full investigation.’
Read more at Yahoo
Oprah Says She Would Run For President Under One Condition
Oprah Winfrey has already shot down talk of running for president in 2020, but now she’s revealing the one thing that could make her reconsider.
After the media mogul’s powerful speech at the Golden Globes in January, rumors swirled that she would run for office.
“I had people ― wealthy, billionaires ― calling me up and saying, ‘I can get you a billion dollars. I can run your campaign,”’ she said in a new interview with People magazine. “That many people saying something made me think, ‘Am I at least supposed to look at the question?’”
Oprah said she “went into prayer.”
″‘God, if you think I’m supposed to run, you gotta tell me, and it has to be so clear that not even I can miss it.’ And I haven’t gotten that,” she told the magazine.
As Oprah has already said, running for president is something she’s just not interested in doing.
“I’ve always felt very secure and confident with myself in knowing what I could do and what I could not,” Oprah said in an interview with InStyle, conducted three weeks before her Globes speech. “And so it’s not something that interests me. I don’t have the DNA for it. ... That’s not for me.”
Even Oprah’s best friend, CBS co-host Gayle King, knows a 2020 campaign isn’t the right move.
Read more at Yahoo.
After the media mogul’s powerful speech at the Golden Globes in January, rumors swirled that she would run for office.
“I had people ― wealthy, billionaires ― calling me up and saying, ‘I can get you a billion dollars. I can run your campaign,”’ she said in a new interview with People magazine. “That many people saying something made me think, ‘Am I at least supposed to look at the question?’”
Oprah said she “went into prayer.”
″‘God, if you think I’m supposed to run, you gotta tell me, and it has to be so clear that not even I can miss it.’ And I haven’t gotten that,” she told the magazine.
As Oprah has already said, running for president is something she’s just not interested in doing.
“I’ve always felt very secure and confident with myself in knowing what I could do and what I could not,” Oprah said in an interview with InStyle, conducted three weeks before her Globes speech. “And so it’s not something that interests me. I don’t have the DNA for it. ... That’s not for me.”
Even Oprah’s best friend, CBS co-host Gayle King, knows a 2020 campaign isn’t the right move.
Read more at Yahoo.
91-Year-Old Actress Caught Her Big Break in ‘Black Panther’
.Ninety-one-year-old Dorothy Steel is living proof that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
When she was 88, Steel decided to pursue her interest in acting. Last year, the Atlanta resident caught her big break when she was cast as the Merchant Tribal Elder in the Black Panther film.
“If anyone would have told me I would be an actor, I would’ve said you got to be out of your mind,” Steel told WSB-TV.
She received a callback just an hour after sending in her audition tape for the Marvel film.
“We sent it in and an hour later they said, “Who is that old lady? We want her,'” she recalled.
While filming the movie, Steele gained the affections of one actor in particular.
“Chadwick [Boseman] the King. Every day, he would make sure if I was on the set he would come by and make sure he gave me a big ol’ hug and kiss,” she said.
Just like the rest of us.
Read more at Ebony
When she was 88, Steel decided to pursue her interest in acting. Last year, the Atlanta resident caught her big break when she was cast as the Merchant Tribal Elder in the Black Panther film.
“If anyone would have told me I would be an actor, I would’ve said you got to be out of your mind,” Steel told WSB-TV.
She received a callback just an hour after sending in her audition tape for the Marvel film.
“We sent it in and an hour later they said, “Who is that old lady? We want her,'” she recalled.
While filming the movie, Steele gained the affections of one actor in particular.
“Chadwick [Boseman] the King. Every day, he would make sure if I was on the set he would come by and make sure he gave me a big ol’ hug and kiss,” she said.
Just like the rest of us.
Read more at Ebony
Ensa Cosby, daughter of Bill Cosby, dies at 44
Bill Cosby's daughter Ensa has died from renal disease, Cosby spokesman Andrew Wyatt told CNN.
She was 44.
"The Cosby Family thanks many people for their prayers for their beloved and beautiful Ensa," read a statement from the family obtained by CNN.Renal disease is a condition that impairs kidney function.
Ensa Cosby voiced strong support for her father after he was accused of sexual assault, saying she believed he was innocent.
Last May, Ensa and her sister Erinn released audio statements in support of their famous father.
"I believe that racism has played a big role in all aspects of this scandal," Ensa Cosby wrote.
"My father has been publicly lynched in the media," she said. "My family, my young daughter, my young niece and nephew have had to stand helplessly by and watch the double standards of pretending to protect the rights of some, but ignoring the rights of others and exposing innocent children to such appalling accusations about someone they love dearly and who has been so loving and kind to them is beyond cruel."
Read more at CNN
She was 44.
"The Cosby Family thanks many people for their prayers for their beloved and beautiful Ensa," read a statement from the family obtained by CNN.Renal disease is a condition that impairs kidney function.
Ensa Cosby voiced strong support for her father after he was accused of sexual assault, saying she believed he was innocent.
Last May, Ensa and her sister Erinn released audio statements in support of their famous father.
"I believe that racism has played a big role in all aspects of this scandal," Ensa Cosby wrote.
"My father has been publicly lynched in the media," she said. "My family, my young daughter, my young niece and nephew have had to stand helplessly by and watch the double standards of pretending to protect the rights of some, but ignoring the rights of others and exposing innocent children to such appalling accusations about someone they love dearly and who has been so loving and kind to them is beyond cruel."
Read more at CNN
Former Trump campaign aide Rick Gates will plead to conspiracy, lying
WASHINGTON — Former campaign aide Rick Gates has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy and making a false statement, becoming the third associate of President Donald Trump to make a deal with special counsel Robert Mueller.
Gates, who was indicted with former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort in October on conspiracy and other charges related to their lobbying work in Ukraine, arrived at federal court in Washington Friday afternoon for a 2 p.m. plea hearing.
A criminal information filed ahead of the plea hearing says that between 2006 and 2007, gates and others "conspired to defraud the United States by impeding impairing, obstructing, and defeating the lawful governmental functions of a government agency, namely the Department of Justice and the Department of the Treasury."
In addition, it says he lied about a March 19, 2013, meeting attended by Manafort, an unidentified lobbyist, and a member of Congress, and that he falsely denied that Ukraine was discussed and that he was preparing a report for Ukraine’s leadership.
The development comes a day after Mueller filed a new 32-count indictment against Gates and Manafort, hitting them with new charges of tax and bank fraud, and a day after Gates changed lawyers. It also follows a guilty plea by a Russia-linked lawyer who admitted he lied to investigators about his contacts with Gates.
Both pleaded not guilty, but in recent weeks there were signs that Gates had flipped and agreed to provide evidence to the investigation.
Read more at NBC News.
Gates, who was indicted with former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort in October on conspiracy and other charges related to their lobbying work in Ukraine, arrived at federal court in Washington Friday afternoon for a 2 p.m. plea hearing.
A criminal information filed ahead of the plea hearing says that between 2006 and 2007, gates and others "conspired to defraud the United States by impeding impairing, obstructing, and defeating the lawful governmental functions of a government agency, namely the Department of Justice and the Department of the Treasury."
In addition, it says he lied about a March 19, 2013, meeting attended by Manafort, an unidentified lobbyist, and a member of Congress, and that he falsely denied that Ukraine was discussed and that he was preparing a report for Ukraine’s leadership.
The development comes a day after Mueller filed a new 32-count indictment against Gates and Manafort, hitting them with new charges of tax and bank fraud, and a day after Gates changed lawyers. It also follows a guilty plea by a Russia-linked lawyer who admitted he lied to investigators about his contacts with Gates.
Both pleaded not guilty, but in recent weeks there were signs that Gates had flipped and agreed to provide evidence to the investigation.
Read more at NBC News.
BP Employee Fired After Reportedly Telling Black Woman 'We Usually Charge N****rs More' And Trying To Overcharge Her Brother
A resident of Prince George's County, MD, and other members of the community are pushing for a boycott of a BP gas station after an employee used a racial slur.
Last Thursday, Rachel Sherman was at a BP service station in Largo questioning an employee about the cost of vehicle inspections. Sherman said the employee was trying to overcharge her brother, reported WJLA.
“My brother called me and said well the guy is telling me it’s 100 dollars and it’s cash only I said that didn’t sound right," Sherman told the news station.
The cost of inspection is normally $30.
“And as I turned to walk away, his exact words to me were ‘And we usually charge n****rs more,'" Sherman added.
Right after the racial slur was hurled, Sherman discussed her experience in a video that she shared on Facebook. The viral video has been viewed more than half a million times, and Sherman is gaining support from her community.
"And to see the entire community come behind me and say we are not going to let this happen to you or anybody else, it empowered me," Sherman said.
The day after the incident, the employee was fired.
Now Sherman and local activists such as LaTasha Ward have called for a boycott of this business.
Read more at BET
Last Thursday, Rachel Sherman was at a BP service station in Largo questioning an employee about the cost of vehicle inspections. Sherman said the employee was trying to overcharge her brother, reported WJLA.
“My brother called me and said well the guy is telling me it’s 100 dollars and it’s cash only I said that didn’t sound right," Sherman told the news station.
The cost of inspection is normally $30.
“And as I turned to walk away, his exact words to me were ‘And we usually charge n****rs more,'" Sherman added.
Right after the racial slur was hurled, Sherman discussed her experience in a video that she shared on Facebook. The viral video has been viewed more than half a million times, and Sherman is gaining support from her community.
"And to see the entire community come behind me and say we are not going to let this happen to you or anybody else, it empowered me," Sherman said.
The day after the incident, the employee was fired.
Now Sherman and local activists such as LaTasha Ward have called for a boycott of this business.
Read more at BET
Fla. school officer waited outside building for 4 minutes as killings happened, sheriff says
A Marjory Stoneman Douglas school resource officer has been suspended without pay after Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said video shows him taking up a defensive position during the shooting but never entering the school.
Israel announced Thursday that the decision to suspend Deputy Scot Peterson was made after reviewing video from the shooting and taking statements from witnesses and Peterson himself, Israel said.
“He should have went in, addressed the killer, killed the killer,” Israel said.
Peterson was armed and on campus during the shooting, Israel said. Since he met the requirements for retirement, Peterson opted to resign after he was told he was being suspended, Israel said.
Israel said that the video shows Peterson arrived at the west side of Building 12, where most of the killing happened. He then took up a position but "never went in."
The video shows that Peterson remained outside the building for upward of four minutes during the shooting, which lasted about six minutes, Israel said. Aside from getting "on his radio," Peterson did "nothing" while standing outside the building, Israel said.
Read more at Yahoo!
Israel announced Thursday that the decision to suspend Deputy Scot Peterson was made after reviewing video from the shooting and taking statements from witnesses and Peterson himself, Israel said.
“He should have went in, addressed the killer, killed the killer,” Israel said.
Peterson was armed and on campus during the shooting, Israel said. Since he met the requirements for retirement, Peterson opted to resign after he was told he was being suspended, Israel said.
Israel said that the video shows Peterson arrived at the west side of Building 12, where most of the killing happened. He then took up a position but "never went in."
The video shows that Peterson remained outside the building for upward of four minutes during the shooting, which lasted about six minutes, Israel said. Aside from getting "on his radio," Peterson did "nothing" while standing outside the building, Israel said.
Read more at Yahoo!
‘Black Panther’ Smashes Box Office Records and Hollywood Myths
LOS ANGELES — Hail, King T’Challa.
The Disney-Marvel movie “Black Panther,” which finds the superheroic T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returning to his remote African kingdom to assume the throne, roared into theaters over the weekend as a full-blown cultural event, breaking box office records and shattering a myth about the overseas viability of movies rooted in black culture. Global ticket sales by Monday will total an estimated $387 million, according to comScore.
“Black Panther” instantly became the top-grossing film in history by a black director (Ryan Coogler) and featuring a largely black cast. The previous record-holder was “Straight Outta Compton,” which collected $214 million worldwide in 2015 — over its entire run — after adjusting for inflation.
[ Did you see “Black Panther” this weekend? Talk about spoilers here. ]
Disney, which supported “Black Panther” with a lavish nine-month marketing campaign, said on Sunday that ticket sales for the film in North America will total roughly $218 million between Friday and Monday. Theaters scrambled to add show times to accommodate crowds; AMC Southlake 24 in suburban Atlanta squeezed in 84 show times on Friday alone. In many cities, moviegoers arrived in outfits inspired by the film.
Analysts had expected “Black Panther” to arrive to about $165 million in North American ticket sales, which would itself have been an astounding result for a release outside the holiday and summer corridors. The previous domestic record-holder for a February release was “Deadpool,” which collected an adjusted $159 million over Presidents’ Day weekend in 2016.
North American audiences appeared to love “Black Panther” as much as critics, signaling a strong run ahead. The euphorically reviewed film received a rare A-plus grade from ticket buyers in CinemaScore exit polls. Black viewers made up about 37 percent of the domestic turnout, according to PostTrak, fueled by large numbers of church and school groups, not to mention pent-up demand for a superhero film led by black actors.
Read more at NY Post
The Disney-Marvel movie “Black Panther,” which finds the superheroic T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returning to his remote African kingdom to assume the throne, roared into theaters over the weekend as a full-blown cultural event, breaking box office records and shattering a myth about the overseas viability of movies rooted in black culture. Global ticket sales by Monday will total an estimated $387 million, according to comScore.
“Black Panther” instantly became the top-grossing film in history by a black director (Ryan Coogler) and featuring a largely black cast. The previous record-holder was “Straight Outta Compton,” which collected $214 million worldwide in 2015 — over its entire run — after adjusting for inflation.
[ Did you see “Black Panther” this weekend? Talk about spoilers here. ]
Disney, which supported “Black Panther” with a lavish nine-month marketing campaign, said on Sunday that ticket sales for the film in North America will total roughly $218 million between Friday and Monday. Theaters scrambled to add show times to accommodate crowds; AMC Southlake 24 in suburban Atlanta squeezed in 84 show times on Friday alone. In many cities, moviegoers arrived in outfits inspired by the film.
Analysts had expected “Black Panther” to arrive to about $165 million in North American ticket sales, which would itself have been an astounding result for a release outside the holiday and summer corridors. The previous domestic record-holder for a February release was “Deadpool,” which collected an adjusted $159 million over Presidents’ Day weekend in 2016.
North American audiences appeared to love “Black Panther” as much as critics, signaling a strong run ahead. The euphorically reviewed film received a rare A-plus grade from ticket buyers in CinemaScore exit polls. Black viewers made up about 37 percent of the domestic turnout, according to PostTrak, fueled by large numbers of church and school groups, not to mention pent-up demand for a superhero film led by black actors.
Read more at NY Post
Jury In Korryn Gaines Civil Trial Awards Her Family $37M In Damages
BALTIMORE (WJZ)– A jury in the wrongful death civil trial of Korryn Gaines has awarded her family $37 million.
The jury found Friday that the first shot Baltimore County Cpl. Royce Ruby fired at Gaines was not objectively reasonable.
Gaines was killed during an hours-long standoff in 2016 at her Randallstown apartment after pointing a shotgun at officers trying to serve an arrest warrant stemming from a traffic stop that included disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Attorneys for Gaines’ family claimed officers used excessive force when they fatally shot her and injured her 5-year-old son, Kodi Gaines. They also say Baltimore County police were reckless, irresponsible and violated her rights by illegally entering her apartment.
Gaines’ son will receive $32 million of the $37 million.
Read more at CBS Baltimore
The jury found Friday that the first shot Baltimore County Cpl. Royce Ruby fired at Gaines was not objectively reasonable.
Gaines was killed during an hours-long standoff in 2016 at her Randallstown apartment after pointing a shotgun at officers trying to serve an arrest warrant stemming from a traffic stop that included disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Attorneys for Gaines’ family claimed officers used excessive force when they fatally shot her and injured her 5-year-old son, Kodi Gaines. They also say Baltimore County police were reckless, irresponsible and violated her rights by illegally entering her apartment.
Gaines’ son will receive $32 million of the $37 million.
Read more at CBS Baltimore
Black Lives Matter Activist Who Snatched Confederate Flag Killed In New Orleans
A Black Lives Matter activist who made headlines last year when he leaped through police tape to grab a Confederate flag away from a protester was fatally shot in New Orleans early Tuesday morning.
Muhiyidin Moye, also known as Muhiyidin d’Baha, was riding his bike in New Orleans when he was shot in the leg by an unknown assailant around 1 a.m., WCSC reports.
Moye’s niece, Camille Weaver, told the station that her 32-year-old uncle rode more than five blocks after being shot to get medical help.
“He was transported to a hospital and subsequently died of his wounds,” New Orleans Police spokesman Beau Tidwell said in a statement to WCSC. “The incident is the subject of an active and ongoing investigation.”
Moye was a leader of the Black Lives Matter movement in Charleston, South Carolina, and close to the family of Walter Scott, an unarmed black man who was shot and killed by then-officer Michael Slager in 2015.
“I thank God for placing him here to be the soldier that he is, that he was,” Walter Scott’s brother, Anthony Scott, said to the station about Moye.
In February of last year, as a WCSC reporter was broadcasting, Moye took an impressive running leap through police tape to snatch a Confederate flag in Charleston. He was charged with disorderly conduct for his actions, but was hailed as a hero online.
His death has been ruled a homicide.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Muhiyidin Moye, also known as Muhiyidin d’Baha, was riding his bike in New Orleans when he was shot in the leg by an unknown assailant around 1 a.m., WCSC reports.
Moye’s niece, Camille Weaver, told the station that her 32-year-old uncle rode more than five blocks after being shot to get medical help.
“He was transported to a hospital and subsequently died of his wounds,” New Orleans Police spokesman Beau Tidwell said in a statement to WCSC. “The incident is the subject of an active and ongoing investigation.”
Moye was a leader of the Black Lives Matter movement in Charleston, South Carolina, and close to the family of Walter Scott, an unarmed black man who was shot and killed by then-officer Michael Slager in 2015.
“I thank God for placing him here to be the soldier that he is, that he was,” Walter Scott’s brother, Anthony Scott, said to the station about Moye.
In February of last year, as a WCSC reporter was broadcasting, Moye took an impressive running leap through police tape to snatch a Confederate flag in Charleston. He was charged with disorderly conduct for his actions, but was hailed as a hero online.
His death has been ruled a homicide.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
High School Casts White Girl As Esmeralda For "Hunchback of Notre Dame" And Student Backlash Results In Musical Getting Canceled
A spring production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame was axed after students at Ithaca High School, in the state of New York, pushed back against the lack of diversity in the casting of the female lead.
During the casting of the production, which was announced last fall, a white student was cast in the role of Esmeralda, a Romani gypsy. This decision inspired Maddi Carroll, a Black 17-year-old senior, to leave her role as an ensemble member of the production, reported the Ithaca Journal.
Members of Student United Ithaca penned a letter demanding changes be made to the casting or a new show be chosen for the spring musical
“Esmeralda is accurately depicted in the Disney musical, and is written for, a young woman of color. Esmeralda is a Roma, part of an oppressed class of people,” they wrote in the letter.
“The young woman who was cast in this role has hazel eyes, blonde hair, and is the epitome of whiteness. This is an unfair position to put her in. At best, this is cultural appropriation. At worst, it is whitewashing, a racist casting practice which has its roots in minstrelsy. It also reinforces the damaging narrative that only white power structures can save oppressed people, rather than people of color having the fortitude to do so themselves,” the letter stated.
On Wednesday, the school canceled the spring production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Read more at BET
During the casting of the production, which was announced last fall, a white student was cast in the role of Esmeralda, a Romani gypsy. This decision inspired Maddi Carroll, a Black 17-year-old senior, to leave her role as an ensemble member of the production, reported the Ithaca Journal.
Members of Student United Ithaca penned a letter demanding changes be made to the casting or a new show be chosen for the spring musical
“Esmeralda is accurately depicted in the Disney musical, and is written for, a young woman of color. Esmeralda is a Roma, part of an oppressed class of people,” they wrote in the letter.
“The young woman who was cast in this role has hazel eyes, blonde hair, and is the epitome of whiteness. This is an unfair position to put her in. At best, this is cultural appropriation. At worst, it is whitewashing, a racist casting practice which has its roots in minstrelsy. It also reinforces the damaging narrative that only white power structures can save oppressed people, rather than people of color having the fortitude to do so themselves,” the letter stated.
On Wednesday, the school canceled the spring production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Read more at BET
A Protest Divided
Forty-niners safety Eric Reid's instincts were buzzing as if he were anticipating a screen pass. Increasingly, they were telling him to expect the worst. For weeks during the fall of 2017, tension had been brewing within the Players Coalition, a collection of NFL players committed to addressing issues of social justice. Under scrutiny from fans, owners and even the president of the United States over recent protests during the singing of the national anthem, the players found themselves fluctuating between solidarity and fracture as they struggled to unify their message and leverage their position for change.
On Nov. 29, Reid received a text from one of the leaders of the coalition, Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, about Jenkins' discussions with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and the league's player liaison, Troy Vincent. At issue was how the players could partner with owners on initiatives within the African-American community. The two sides had discussed the league making a huge donation to social justice causes. Jenkins' text to the group concluded with: "If they were to agree to this, do you think you'd be more comfortable with ending the demonstrations?" Reid believed that Jenkins -- without consent of the group -- had volunteered to end their protest in exchange for a financial commitment from the NFL.
"My head was ready to explode," Reid recalls. "I was already drifting from the coalition, and this confirmed why."
To Jenkins, financial commitment from the owners was a positive step, a pathway to putting real resources toward fighting the injustice that fueled their demonstrations. But to Reid, who had been kneeling during the national anthem since the protests began in September 2016, alongside former teammate Colin Kaepernick, the deal felt like a payoff to stop kneeling -- the final betrayal in what had been a tense season. Not long after receiving Jenkins' text, feeling sold out, Reid released a statement that he was quitting the coalition.
A few days later, the NFL said it would pledge $89 million over seven years to grassroots social justice groups, to be matched by the players. Jenkins said the NFL's money did not preclude other players from protesting if they chose, but he would no longer be demonstrating during the anthem. Yet while former player Anquan Boldin, a key member of the coalition, told the New York Daily News that "I think the NFL got it right," the deal served as a breaking point for others.
Dolphins safety Michael Thomas, who had continued to kneel during the anthem, followed Reid out of the group. Chargers lineman Russell Okung called the deal a "farce."
For Reid and other defecting players, the coalition had become the NFL's hand-picked safe alternative to Kaepernick and the kneeling players; the league had lured them with promises of social commitment and big money to cover for the real purpose of sabotaging their movement and ending the protests. The coalition, meanwhile, was insulted by the idea it had sold out, and there was heavy sentiment within the coalition and the union that Kaepernick had squandered his opportunity. They also believed that his allies, while admirable in their idealism, were impractical about how to get things done. "It's unrealistic to think everyone was going to see eye to eye, but I am encouraged the coalition is alive and well," Jenkins says. "We have a ton of players that are super interested and excited to get to work to highlight the work they've already been doing."
With the season now nearly over, a group of socially committed players remains at odds -- with Kaepernick as the dividing line. Interviews over four months with multiple players, representatives and league insiders show how the cause Kaepernick started has been slowly fractured by frustrations, unreconciled resentments and missed opportunities to fight for real change -- a potentially unifying movement that fell apart for reasons that to some observers seem inevitable in retrospect.
"The players had real leverage," an NFL owner says. "But we knew we could sit back and watch them implode."
Read more at ESPN
On Nov. 29, Reid received a text from one of the leaders of the coalition, Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, about Jenkins' discussions with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and the league's player liaison, Troy Vincent. At issue was how the players could partner with owners on initiatives within the African-American community. The two sides had discussed the league making a huge donation to social justice causes. Jenkins' text to the group concluded with: "If they were to agree to this, do you think you'd be more comfortable with ending the demonstrations?" Reid believed that Jenkins -- without consent of the group -- had volunteered to end their protest in exchange for a financial commitment from the NFL.
"My head was ready to explode," Reid recalls. "I was already drifting from the coalition, and this confirmed why."
To Jenkins, financial commitment from the owners was a positive step, a pathway to putting real resources toward fighting the injustice that fueled their demonstrations. But to Reid, who had been kneeling during the national anthem since the protests began in September 2016, alongside former teammate Colin Kaepernick, the deal felt like a payoff to stop kneeling -- the final betrayal in what had been a tense season. Not long after receiving Jenkins' text, feeling sold out, Reid released a statement that he was quitting the coalition.
A few days later, the NFL said it would pledge $89 million over seven years to grassroots social justice groups, to be matched by the players. Jenkins said the NFL's money did not preclude other players from protesting if they chose, but he would no longer be demonstrating during the anthem. Yet while former player Anquan Boldin, a key member of the coalition, told the New York Daily News that "I think the NFL got it right," the deal served as a breaking point for others.
Dolphins safety Michael Thomas, who had continued to kneel during the anthem, followed Reid out of the group. Chargers lineman Russell Okung called the deal a "farce."
For Reid and other defecting players, the coalition had become the NFL's hand-picked safe alternative to Kaepernick and the kneeling players; the league had lured them with promises of social commitment and big money to cover for the real purpose of sabotaging their movement and ending the protests. The coalition, meanwhile, was insulted by the idea it had sold out, and there was heavy sentiment within the coalition and the union that Kaepernick had squandered his opportunity. They also believed that his allies, while admirable in their idealism, were impractical about how to get things done. "It's unrealistic to think everyone was going to see eye to eye, but I am encouraged the coalition is alive and well," Jenkins says. "We have a ton of players that are super interested and excited to get to work to highlight the work they've already been doing."
With the season now nearly over, a group of socially committed players remains at odds -- with Kaepernick as the dividing line. Interviews over four months with multiple players, representatives and league insiders show how the cause Kaepernick started has been slowly fractured by frustrations, unreconciled resentments and missed opportunities to fight for real change -- a potentially unifying movement that fell apart for reasons that to some observers seem inevitable in retrospect.
"The players had real leverage," an NFL owner says. "But we knew we could sit back and watch them implode."
Read more at ESPN
Baltimore Cops Kept Toy Guns to Plant Just in Case They Shot an Unarmed Person
In April 2016, a 13-year-old boy was shot by officers of the Baltimore Police Department. The boy ran when faced with the police, so they gave chase. During the chase, the police spotted the boy holding a gun, and when he turned, they shot the teenager. The youngster wasn’t critically injured, and it seemed like an open-and-shut case of a justifiable use of force.
Now people are wondering.
The Baltimore Police Department is currently in court over one of the biggest scandals in the history of American law enforcement. The corruption case is replete with intrigue as police reveal secrets that sound like something out of an urban-fiction novel or a lost season of The Wire. It has revealed how one of America’s largest cities just happened to be filled with crooked cops, but no one seems to be talking about it outside of Baltimore.
According to the Baltimore Sun, it started when a 19-year-old woman from New Jersey overdosed in 2011 and authorities began tracing the origin of the drugs. It led them to a Baltimore drug crew and the discovery that a Baltimore police officer was involved. By the time they finished investigating, eight members of the elite Gun Trace Task Force had been charged with crimes ranging from racketeering to robbery.
You want robbery? How about the story of the corrupt squad stopping a drug dealer during a traffic stop and robbing him of $6,500, then going to the man’s home without a warrant and taking another $100,000 out of a safe? Sgt. Wayne Jenkins would ask suspected drug dealers, “If you could put together a crew of guys and rob the biggest drug dealer in town, who would it be?”
Read more at The Root
Now people are wondering.
The Baltimore Police Department is currently in court over one of the biggest scandals in the history of American law enforcement. The corruption case is replete with intrigue as police reveal secrets that sound like something out of an urban-fiction novel or a lost season of The Wire. It has revealed how one of America’s largest cities just happened to be filled with crooked cops, but no one seems to be talking about it outside of Baltimore.
According to the Baltimore Sun, it started when a 19-year-old woman from New Jersey overdosed in 2011 and authorities began tracing the origin of the drugs. It led them to a Baltimore drug crew and the discovery that a Baltimore police officer was involved. By the time they finished investigating, eight members of the elite Gun Trace Task Force had been charged with crimes ranging from racketeering to robbery.
You want robbery? How about the story of the corrupt squad stopping a drug dealer during a traffic stop and robbing him of $6,500, then going to the man’s home without a warrant and taking another $100,000 out of a safe? Sgt. Wayne Jenkins would ask suspected drug dealers, “If you could put together a crew of guys and rob the biggest drug dealer in town, who would it be?”
Read more at The Root
'Black Panther' premiere has fans super excited
(CNN)Welcome to Wakanda.
"Black Panther" held its star-studded world premiere Monday night in Los Angeles, and based on social media, it was all fans hoped it would be.
Directed by Ryan Coogler, the Marvel movie starring Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o and Michael B. Jordan is one of this year's most eagerly awaited films and an expected blockbuster.
Boseman plays T'Challa, a prince of the fictitious African nation of Wakanda and a superhero known as Black Panther.
The action in the film takes place after the story in "Captain America: Civil War."
In "Black Panther," T'Challa must return to his homeland to take the throne following the death of his father.
Photos from the red carpet (which in this case was purple, the color of royalty) quickly spread on Twitter and Instagram.
Early reviews indicate "Black Panther" is both political and a worth entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, dubbed MCU.
Erik Davis, managing editor of Fandango, tweeted that it's "the James Bond of the MCU. "
"You've seen nothing like this in a superhero movie - it's bold, beautiful & intense, but there's a depth & spiritualness that is unlike anything Marvel has ever done," he wrote. "It's 100% African & it is dope ..
Read more at CNN
"Black Panther" held its star-studded world premiere Monday night in Los Angeles, and based on social media, it was all fans hoped it would be.
Directed by Ryan Coogler, the Marvel movie starring Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o and Michael B. Jordan is one of this year's most eagerly awaited films and an expected blockbuster.
Boseman plays T'Challa, a prince of the fictitious African nation of Wakanda and a superhero known as Black Panther.
The action in the film takes place after the story in "Captain America: Civil War."
In "Black Panther," T'Challa must return to his homeland to take the throne following the death of his father.
Photos from the red carpet (which in this case was purple, the color of royalty) quickly spread on Twitter and Instagram.
Early reviews indicate "Black Panther" is both political and a worth entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, dubbed MCU.
Erik Davis, managing editor of Fandango, tweeted that it's "the James Bond of the MCU. "
"You've seen nothing like this in a superhero movie - it's bold, beautiful & intense, but there's a depth & spiritualness that is unlike anything Marvel has ever done," he wrote. "It's 100% African & it is dope ..
Read more at CNN
Martin Lawrence's Fiancee Says 'Martin' Reboot Might Be in the Works
Martin Lawrence's 90's sitcom Martin was a classic. It assisted in launching the comedian's professional acting career and propelled him into leading roles in movies such as Bad Boys, Blue Streak, A Thin Line Between Love & Hate, and Life.
The show starred Tisha Campbell as Gina, who co-starred alongside Martin in the 1990 coming-of-age comedy House Party. The show also co-starred Carl Anthony Payne II as Cole, Tichina Arnold as Pam, and Thomas Mikal Ford as Tommy, who died on October 12, 2016, after an aneurysm in his abdomen burst open.
Lawerence's fiance, Roberta Moradfar, announced via social media that her husband-to-be might be returning as the titular character. A second run of the show could revamp Martin's career after several years of relative obscurity.
Read more at Vlad TV
The show starred Tisha Campbell as Gina, who co-starred alongside Martin in the 1990 coming-of-age comedy House Party. The show also co-starred Carl Anthony Payne II as Cole, Tichina Arnold as Pam, and Thomas Mikal Ford as Tommy, who died on October 12, 2016, after an aneurysm in his abdomen burst open.
Lawerence's fiance, Roberta Moradfar, announced via social media that her husband-to-be might be returning as the titular character. A second run of the show could revamp Martin's career after several years of relative obscurity.
Read more at Vlad TV
Teacher Tells Students Playing Tupac Song to ‘Turn the N**ger Tunes Off’
Students in Teddie Butcher’s nutrition and food class are typically allowed to play music while doing their work. But AL.com reports when Tupac’s “Dear Mama” began emitting from a student’s device, she instructed the high school senior to “turn the n**ger tunes off.”
Several students captured the video on Snapchat but students said the school’s assistant principal told them to delete the videos. A number of students relayed the incident to their parents, discussed the matter at a school board meeting.
“After meeting with [Butcher], it’s just baffling to me how someone does not understand the severity of the weight of that word,” Shenita Morrow, the mother of the student who played the song, told AL.com.
Butcher confirmed she made the statement and apologized to students on Monday. The teacher has been placed on administrative leave.
see more at EBONY
Several students captured the video on Snapchat but students said the school’s assistant principal told them to delete the videos. A number of students relayed the incident to their parents, discussed the matter at a school board meeting.
“After meeting with [Butcher], it’s just baffling to me how someone does not understand the severity of the weight of that word,” Shenita Morrow, the mother of the student who played the song, told AL.com.
Butcher confirmed she made the statement and apologized to students on Monday. The teacher has been placed on administrative leave.
see more at EBONY
Cop Instructed Recruit to Shoot Black Minors Caught Smoking Weed
Directions given to a Kentucky police recruit from a former assistant police chief have been making headlines for its astounding levels of maniacal bigotry.
WDRB reports former assistant police chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department Todd Shaw instructed a police recruit to kill Black minors caught smoking marijuana during a 2016 Facebook exchange.
The recruit reportedly reached out to Shaw for assistance with an essay prompt which asked recruits to share what they believe would be the “right thing to do” upon seeing three juveniles smoking weed.
“F**k the right thing,” Shaw, a police veteran of over two decades, allegedly wrote. “If black shoot them.”
He then expanded on his response with guidance as to how to “handle the juvenile’s parents.”
“…if mom is hot then f**k her,” the former assistant police chief reportedly wrote. “…if dad is hot then handcuff him and make him s**k my d**k…Unless daddy is black…Then shoot him…”
Read more at EBONY
WDRB reports former assistant police chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department Todd Shaw instructed a police recruit to kill Black minors caught smoking marijuana during a 2016 Facebook exchange.
The recruit reportedly reached out to Shaw for assistance with an essay prompt which asked recruits to share what they believe would be the “right thing to do” upon seeing three juveniles smoking weed.
“F**k the right thing,” Shaw, a police veteran of over two decades, allegedly wrote. “If black shoot them.”
He then expanded on his response with guidance as to how to “handle the juvenile’s parents.”
“…if mom is hot then f**k her,” the former assistant police chief reportedly wrote. “…if dad is hot then handcuff him and make him s**k my d**k…Unless daddy is black…Then shoot him…”
Read more at EBONY
Black unemployment is at a record low. But there's a lot more to the story.
The unemployment rate for African American workers has never been lower — another sign of the strength of the economy.
Still, at 6.8%, black unemployment remains well above the rate for white people, at 3.7%. That disparity is deeply rooted and a continuing cause of concern for economists and advocates.
Take Columbia, Missouri. It has long had one of the lowest overall unemployment rates in the country. It's now down to 2.5%, but black unemployment is far higher. In 2016, the last year for which such Census Bureau data is available, African American unemployment locally stood at 8%.
Mike Matthes, the city manager in Columbia, is acutely aware of the problem. African Americans make up 10% of Columbia's population.
"We create the jobs, but never worry about how to get them to the people who need them the most," Matthes said.
To try to narrow the gap, Columbia has worked to connect unemployed individuals with jobs. The city sends cops out on the beat with an app on their phones that can put struggling families into an employer database. Matthes has asked employers expanding in the area, like Aurora Organic Dairy, to make sure its new workforce fits the diversity of the city.
"They didn't blink an eye," Matthes said. An Aurora spokeswoman says the company "will plan to do our best to hire qualified employees who mirror the Columbia community, which would include both gender and racial diversity."
Columbia's projects reflect the larger challenge of making sure people of color, who suffered disproportionately through the Great Recession, share equally in an economy that appears to be picking up steam.
Read more at Money CNN
Still, at 6.8%, black unemployment remains well above the rate for white people, at 3.7%. That disparity is deeply rooted and a continuing cause of concern for economists and advocates.
Take Columbia, Missouri. It has long had one of the lowest overall unemployment rates in the country. It's now down to 2.5%, but black unemployment is far higher. In 2016, the last year for which such Census Bureau data is available, African American unemployment locally stood at 8%.
Mike Matthes, the city manager in Columbia, is acutely aware of the problem. African Americans make up 10% of Columbia's population.
"We create the jobs, but never worry about how to get them to the people who need them the most," Matthes said.
To try to narrow the gap, Columbia has worked to connect unemployed individuals with jobs. The city sends cops out on the beat with an app on their phones that can put struggling families into an employer database. Matthes has asked employers expanding in the area, like Aurora Organic Dairy, to make sure its new workforce fits the diversity of the city.
"They didn't blink an eye," Matthes said. An Aurora spokeswoman says the company "will plan to do our best to hire qualified employees who mirror the Columbia community, which would include both gender and racial diversity."
Columbia's projects reflect the larger challenge of making sure people of color, who suffered disproportionately through the Great Recession, share equally in an economy that appears to be picking up steam.
Read more at Money CNN
13 Siblings, Some Shackled to Beds, Were Held Captive by Parents, Police in California Say
A 17-year-old girl who said she was being held captive by her parents in her home about two hours southeast of Los Angeles escaped on Sunday and alerted the authorities, who then rescued her 12 siblings — several of whom were found shackled to their beds and malnourished — the authorities said on Monday.
The 17-year-old used a cellphone she found in the home to call the police with her startling claim about her siblings being held against their will, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said. Officers found the girl’s 12 siblings — who range in age from 2 to 29 — in the foul-smelling house in Perris, Calif., living in the dark without access to adequate food or water, the department said.
Some of the children were restrained with chains and padlocks. “The parents were unable to immediately provide a logical reason why their children were restrained in that manner,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
The officers did not immediately recognize that seven of the 13 siblings were adults because they were emaciated. The sheriff’s office said that the 17-year-old girl who called 911 looked to be 10 years old.
Their parents, David Allen Turpin, 57, and Louise Anna Turpin, 49, were both arrested on nine counts each of torture and child endangerment. They were being held in jail with bail set at $9 million each, the authorities said.
Read more at NY Times
The 17-year-old used a cellphone she found in the home to call the police with her startling claim about her siblings being held against their will, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said. Officers found the girl’s 12 siblings — who range in age from 2 to 29 — in the foul-smelling house in Perris, Calif., living in the dark without access to adequate food or water, the department said.
Some of the children were restrained with chains and padlocks. “The parents were unable to immediately provide a logical reason why their children were restrained in that manner,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
The officers did not immediately recognize that seven of the 13 siblings were adults because they were emaciated. The sheriff’s office said that the 17-year-old girl who called 911 looked to be 10 years old.
Their parents, David Allen Turpin, 57, and Louise Anna Turpin, 49, were both arrested on nine counts each of torture and child endangerment. They were being held in jail with bail set at $9 million each, the authorities said.
Read more at NY Times
Booker slams DHS secretary's 'amnesia' on Trump's reported 'shithole' comment
(CNN)Sen. Cory Booker slammed the homeland security secretary in a speech Tuesday morning for claiming ignorance to the President's slander of African countries.
The impassioned remarks came toward the end of an often testy oversight hearing in which Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen denied hearing President Donald Trump say the words "shithole" or "shithouse" in a White House meeting on immigration last week.
Evoking the words of Martin Luther King and the "greatest heroes in this country who spoke out about people who have convenient amnesia or who are bystanders," Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, said Nielsen was complicit in the damage done by Trump's reported insult.
"The commander in chief in an Oval Office meeting referring to people from African countries and Haitians with the most vile and vulgar language, that language festers. When ignorance and bigotry is allied with power it is a dangerous force in our country. Your silence and your amnesia is complicity," Booker said.
At times visibly upset, Booker said he was "seething with anger" and recalled the "tears of rage" he shed when he first learned of the quote attributed to the President.
"For you not to feel that hurt and that pain and to dismiss some of the questions of my colleagues, saying, 'I've already answered that line of questions,' when tens of millions of Americans are hurting right now because of what they're worried about happened in the White House, that's unacceptable to me," Booker said.
The impassioned remarks came toward the end of an often testy oversight hearing in which Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen denied hearing President Donald Trump say the words "shithole" or "shithouse" in a White House meeting on immigration last week.
Evoking the words of Martin Luther King and the "greatest heroes in this country who spoke out about people who have convenient amnesia or who are bystanders," Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, said Nielsen was complicit in the damage done by Trump's reported insult.
"The commander in chief in an Oval Office meeting referring to people from African countries and Haitians with the most vile and vulgar language, that language festers. When ignorance and bigotry is allied with power it is a dangerous force in our country. Your silence and your amnesia is complicity," Booker said.
At times visibly upset, Booker said he was "seething with anger" and recalled the "tears of rage" he shed when he first learned of the quote attributed to the President.
"For you not to feel that hurt and that pain and to dismiss some of the questions of my colleagues, saying, 'I've already answered that line of questions,' when tens of millions of Americans are hurting right now because of what they're worried about happened in the White House, that's unacceptable to me," Booker said.
NYU Alum Raises Over $25,000 For Kids In Harlem To Go See 'Black Panther'
Mother of black child in H&M ad reportedly says critics are 'crying wolf'
The mother of a black child featured in a photo shoot slammed as racist has said that those outraged by the image of her son are “crying wolf,” according to reports.
Swedish clothing giant H&M was forced to issue repeated apologies after the page for a hoodie available in Europe featured an image of the boy with the words “coolest monkey in the jungle” on his chest.
Social media users took note that a white child in a similar hoodie was a “survival expert” and decried the company as insensitive to the history of “monkey” being used as a slur against black people.
“Stop crying wolf all the time, unnecessary issue here ......... get over it,” a woman who said she was the mother of the boy claimed in Facebook messages published on social media.
H&M slammed for racism over ‘coolest monkey in the jungle’ hoodie
She said that she was at the shoot and that everyone is entitled to have an opinion about it, but that outrage was “not my way of thinking.”
The comments were reported by multiple news outlets, though the woman connected to the account, who lives in Sweden, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily News.
Read more at NY Daily News
Swedish clothing giant H&M was forced to issue repeated apologies after the page for a hoodie available in Europe featured an image of the boy with the words “coolest monkey in the jungle” on his chest.
Social media users took note that a white child in a similar hoodie was a “survival expert” and decried the company as insensitive to the history of “monkey” being used as a slur against black people.
“Stop crying wolf all the time, unnecessary issue here ......... get over it,” a woman who said she was the mother of the boy claimed in Facebook messages published on social media.
H&M slammed for racism over ‘coolest monkey in the jungle’ hoodie
She said that she was at the shoot and that everyone is entitled to have an opinion about it, but that outrage was “not my way of thinking.”
The comments were reported by multiple news outlets, though the woman connected to the account, who lives in Sweden, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily News.
Read more at NY Daily News
Take A Look At David Letterman’s New Netflix Show, With Barack Obama As First Guest
He’s back!
Legendary talk show host David Letterman’s new Netflix show, “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction,” debuts Jan. 12, and former President Barack Obama is slated to be the first guest.
The streaming service said the interview will mark Obama’s “first television talk show appearance since leaving office.”
Netflix shared a sneak peek at the six-part series on Thursday:
“I had a show for a long time and then I didn’t have a show for a long time, and I can’t tell you how great it is to be out of the damn house,” Letterman jokes in the trailer.
The host is set to interview Hollywood stars George Clooney and Tina Fey, Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, hip-hop mogul Jay-Z and radio host Howard Stern in subsequent episodes that will be released on a monthly basis.
Read more at HuffPost
Legendary talk show host David Letterman’s new Netflix show, “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction,” debuts Jan. 12, and former President Barack Obama is slated to be the first guest.
The streaming service said the interview will mark Obama’s “first television talk show appearance since leaving office.”
Netflix shared a sneak peek at the six-part series on Thursday:
“I had a show for a long time and then I didn’t have a show for a long time, and I can’t tell you how great it is to be out of the damn house,” Letterman jokes in the trailer.
The host is set to interview Hollywood stars George Clooney and Tina Fey, Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, hip-hop mogul Jay-Z and radio host Howard Stern in subsequent episodes that will be released on a monthly basis.
Read more at HuffPost
African-American unemployment hits record low
WASHINGTON -- Years of steady hiring and economic growth have delivered a cumulative benefit for at least one group that hasn't always shared in America's prosperity. The unemployment rate for African-Americans fell to 6.8 percent in December, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data in 1972.
The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from.
"The African American unemployment rate fell to 6.8 percent, the lowest rate in 45 years. I am so happy about this News!" President Donald Trump said in a tweet Saturday.
Still, the rate for black workers remains well above those for whites and some other groups, something experts attribute in large part to decades of discrimination and disadvantages.
Robust job creation has lowered unemployment for all Americans. U.S. employers added nearly 2.1 million jobs in 2017 -- the seventh straight year that hiring has topped 2 million. The U.S. economy gained a hefty 5.7 million jobs in 2014 and 2015 alone.
Read more at CBS
The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from.
"The African American unemployment rate fell to 6.8 percent, the lowest rate in 45 years. I am so happy about this News!" President Donald Trump said in a tweet Saturday.
Still, the rate for black workers remains well above those for whites and some other groups, something experts attribute in large part to decades of discrimination and disadvantages.
Robust job creation has lowered unemployment for all Americans. U.S. employers added nearly 2.1 million jobs in 2017 -- the seventh straight year that hiring has topped 2 million. The U.S. economy gained a hefty 5.7 million jobs in 2014 and 2015 alone.
Read more at CBS
Aaron Maybin Stands Up for Baltimore Students on the Brink
Former Penn State standout Aaron Maybin had to play in the frigid temperatures of Buffalo during his time in the NFL. Now, as a Baltimore-area schoolteacher, he’s raising awareness for the cold temperatures that his elementary school students have to learn in.
Maybin, a Baltimore native, is looking to raise awareness and money for the Baltimore City Public Schools that are without heat and light. On Wednesday, Maybin posted a series of tweets describing the tough conditions that he and his kids were facing in their classroom at Matthew A. Henson Elementary School.
One tweet included a video of him having a discussion with his students about the extreme conditions in the classroom. In the video, in which some of the kids are seen wearing winter coats, Maybin asks his students how their day has been. One student responded, “Very, very, very, very, very, very cold.” Along with the video, Maybin wrote “This is unacceptable.”
Read more at Onward State
Maybin, a Baltimore native, is looking to raise awareness and money for the Baltimore City Public Schools that are without heat and light. On Wednesday, Maybin posted a series of tweets describing the tough conditions that he and his kids were facing in their classroom at Matthew A. Henson Elementary School.
One tweet included a video of him having a discussion with his students about the extreme conditions in the classroom. In the video, in which some of the kids are seen wearing winter coats, Maybin asks his students how their day has been. One student responded, “Very, very, very, very, very, very cold.” Along with the video, Maybin wrote “This is unacceptable.”
Read more at Onward State
Alabama officials dismiss Moore claims of voter fraud; Jones certified as winner
Alabama’s secretary of state laughed off the assertion by Roy Moore campaign spokeswoman Janet Porter that there is an incredibly high probability there was voter fraud in the state’s special U.S. Senate election this month.
“People are entitled to their own opinion, but they are not entitled to their own facts,” Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said on CNN.
Merrill was responding to Porter’s comments in an earlier CNN interview in which she defended the Republican candidate’s 11th-hour attempt to block certification of Moore’s historic loss to Democrat Doug Jones in the traditionally deep-red state.
“Whether you’re a Republican or whether you’re a Democrat; whether you like Roy Moore or whether you like Doug Jones, you ought to care about the fact that the people of Alabama should be making that choice,” Porter said. “The chances that this was not fraud? One in 15 billion.”
Read more at Yahoo
“People are entitled to their own opinion, but they are not entitled to their own facts,” Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said on CNN.
Merrill was responding to Porter’s comments in an earlier CNN interview in which she defended the Republican candidate’s 11th-hour attempt to block certification of Moore’s historic loss to Democrat Doug Jones in the traditionally deep-red state.
“Whether you’re a Republican or whether you’re a Democrat; whether you like Roy Moore or whether you like Doug Jones, you ought to care about the fact that the people of Alabama should be making that choice,” Porter said. “The chances that this was not fraud? One in 15 billion.”
Read more at Yahoo
This Is What James Harden Had To Say About Visiting Meek Mill In Prison
Colin Kaepernick said he spoke with Meek Mill last month and commented that the imprisoned rapper was "humbled" by the outpouring of his support. Philadelphia 76ers' star center Joel Embiid and the team's owner, Michael Rubin, visited Meek in prison last month as well.
And you can add James Harden to the list of Meek's supporters.
The Houston Rockets' All-Star shooting guard took to his Snapchat yesterday and revealed that he visited Meek in prison and that the rapper's "spirit is high," while hoping that he could be released "by February."
And Harden isn't stopping there.
According to Sports Illustrated, Harden will rock these special "Free Meek" Adidas tomorrow night when his Rockets visit the Boston Celtics in a nationally televised game on TNT.
And you can add James Harden to the list of Meek's supporters.
The Houston Rockets' All-Star shooting guard took to his Snapchat yesterday and revealed that he visited Meek in prison and that the rapper's "spirit is high," while hoping that he could be released "by February."
And Harden isn't stopping there.
According to Sports Illustrated, Harden will rock these special "Free Meek" Adidas tomorrow night when his Rockets visit the Boston Celtics in a nationally televised game on TNT.
Damage Control! News Anchor Apologizes For Dismissing Diddy's Interest In Buying An NFL Team
On Sunday, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, announced that he would be putting the team up for sale. The announcement came late in the evening amid allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior by Richardson.
As reported by Sports Illustrated, in addition to sexual misconduct, Richardson was accused of using a racial slur that led to a settlement with a scout, making a comment about Black players' appearances and threatening to discipline players who addressed social issues.
Soon after his announcement Sean "P. Diddy" Combs — the music and media mogul who's worth $820 million according to Forbes— tweeted that he'd be interested in buying the team.
Read more at Essence
As reported by Sports Illustrated, in addition to sexual misconduct, Richardson was accused of using a racial slur that led to a settlement with a scout, making a comment about Black players' appearances and threatening to discipline players who addressed social issues.
Soon after his announcement Sean "P. Diddy" Combs — the music and media mogul who's worth $820 million according to Forbes— tweeted that he'd be interested in buying the team.
Read more at Essence
Boy, 5, calls 911 to report Grinch stealing Christmas, police make arrest
(UPI) -- A 5-year-old Mississippi boy called police to prevent the Grinch from stealing Christmas -- and police made an arrest. TyLon Pittman saw a video clip of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and decided to call his local police department in Byram, Miss. on Saturday to report the green Dr. Seuss character's intentions. A 911 dispatcher eventually got TyLon's father on the phone, who scolded his son. "Boy, you better stop watching so many cartoons!" he said as the dispatcher laughed. But instead of blowing off the call as a prank, police showed up to TyLon's house to let him know that his Christmas won't be stolen. "I can NOT make this up!!! My 5 year old brother called the police and said that the Grinch is stealing people Christmas and he don't want him to steal his so they really came to our house!" TeDera Dwayne Graves II wrote in a post on Facebook.
Read more at UPI
Read more at UPI
Officer's Wife Investigated Over 'Filthy N*****s' 'Send Them Back To Africa' Facebook Post On Viral Video Of Toddler Caught In A Mall Fight
After a shocking video showing a large brawl at the Edison Mall in Fort Myers, Florida, went viral, the wife of a lieutenant came under fire for allegedly posting a racist comment.
The video shows a group of people engaging in a fight at the mall and at one point, a girl comes up with a baby stroller, kicks a woman to the ground, then leaves the stroller off to the side to keep fighting.
The Florida Department of Children and Families said they have opened an investigation into what happened at Edison Mall, reported WBBH-TV.
When the video was posted to Facebook, Linda Deverso-Pakulis, the wife of Lt. Chip Pakulis, allegedly commented “filthy n*****s" and "send them back to Africa."
Deverso-Pakulis later posted that her account was "compromised" and someone else was responsible for posting the comments, reported NBC New York 4.
"I am appalled about the comments that were made, neither I nor my family share these beliefs," she wrote before deleting her account.
LCSO officials say they will conduct an internal investigation; however, they don't believe the wife of Lt. Pakulis was involved in posting the message, according to NBC New York 4.
When it comes to the mall fight, two victims involved in the fight were identified as 20-year-old Marlesha Williams and 18-year-old Verdasia Eleaby, according to a police report.
The two women allege they were punched, kicked, spit on and had their hair pulled during the fight. Williams and Eleaby both sustained injuries as a result and wish to press charges.
Read more at BET.
The video shows a group of people engaging in a fight at the mall and at one point, a girl comes up with a baby stroller, kicks a woman to the ground, then leaves the stroller off to the side to keep fighting.
The Florida Department of Children and Families said they have opened an investigation into what happened at Edison Mall, reported WBBH-TV.
When the video was posted to Facebook, Linda Deverso-Pakulis, the wife of Lt. Chip Pakulis, allegedly commented “filthy n*****s" and "send them back to Africa."
Deverso-Pakulis later posted that her account was "compromised" and someone else was responsible for posting the comments, reported NBC New York 4.
"I am appalled about the comments that were made, neither I nor my family share these beliefs," she wrote before deleting her account.
LCSO officials say they will conduct an internal investigation; however, they don't believe the wife of Lt. Pakulis was involved in posting the message, according to NBC New York 4.
When it comes to the mall fight, two victims involved in the fight were identified as 20-year-old Marlesha Williams and 18-year-old Verdasia Eleaby, according to a police report.
The two women allege they were punched, kicked, spit on and had their hair pulled during the fight. Williams and Eleaby both sustained injuries as a result and wish to press charges.
Read more at BET.
Let’s Keep It 100: If Keaton Jones Was A Bullied Black Kid, America Wouldn’t Care
As America ran rampant over the viral video of an emotional young white boy named Keaton Jones, it felt like déjà vu all over again. Jones, a teary-eyed middle schooler from Tennessee, became the instant face of a conversation on bullying after his mother taped his personal account on social media over the weekend. In only a few short days, Jones has received countless celebrity shout-outs and invitations to red carpet movie premieres, free gifts and a GoFundMe account that has raised thousands of dollars for him.
Now there is speculation that his mother might actually be a proud Confederate flag waving racist, but that still hasn’t stopped the outpour of support and love many have had for him online.
As some began to question why haven’t other children of color who have been bullied over the years not been elevated to the extent of Jones. I made it plain for them on Twitter:
That’s right: If Jones was Black, America wouldn’t give a damn.
A long history of the school-to-prison pipeline could easily dispel any notions that all children in America are treated equally. Young Black boys and girls in public schools are suspended and disciplined at exponential rates that are higher than their white peers. Culturally, when many of them are bullied, they aren’t given declarations of empathy, but told to “get over it,” which often belittles their sentiments and escalates more fatal ways of dealing with trauma.
Read more at BET.com
Now there is speculation that his mother might actually be a proud Confederate flag waving racist, but that still hasn’t stopped the outpour of support and love many have had for him online.
As some began to question why haven’t other children of color who have been bullied over the years not been elevated to the extent of Jones. I made it plain for them on Twitter:
That’s right: If Jones was Black, America wouldn’t give a damn.
A long history of the school-to-prison pipeline could easily dispel any notions that all children in America are treated equally. Young Black boys and girls in public schools are suspended and disciplined at exponential rates that are higher than their white peers. Culturally, when many of them are bullied, they aren’t given declarations of empathy, but told to “get over it,” which often belittles their sentiments and escalates more fatal ways of dealing with trauma.
Read more at BET.com
Doug Jones counting on Alabama's African American voters
Alabama's Democratic Senate candidate Doug Jones arrived to greet diners at Martha’s Place Buffet and Catering around lunch time on the eve of election day and found the largely African-American crowd at the Montgomery restaurant pleased he had stopped by.
“I think it was really nice for him to come in, he didn’t look over nobody,” she told ABC News Monday.
Wingard said she was voting for Jones the first chance she had and would take a “boatload” of people with her.
“We are going to do this. We are going to win this,” Wingard said, predicting a Jones victory. “We are going to make history. It is time for a change.”
Jones has been working hard over the last few months to rally Alabama's African-American voters like Wingard, who tend to vote Democratic. He has enjoyed support on the ground from African American leaders such as former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.
Former President Barack Obama recorded a robocall for Jones that the campaign put to work in the final days.
"Doug Jones is a fighter for equality, for progress," Obama says in the robocall, as first reported by CNN. "Doug will be our champion for justice. So get out and vote, Alabama."
Read more at ABC News
“I think it was really nice for him to come in, he didn’t look over nobody,” she told ABC News Monday.
Wingard said she was voting for Jones the first chance she had and would take a “boatload” of people with her.
“We are going to do this. We are going to win this,” Wingard said, predicting a Jones victory. “We are going to make history. It is time for a change.”
Jones has been working hard over the last few months to rally Alabama's African-American voters like Wingard, who tend to vote Democratic. He has enjoyed support on the ground from African American leaders such as former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.
Former President Barack Obama recorded a robocall for Jones that the campaign put to work in the final days.
"Doug Jones is a fighter for equality, for progress," Obama says in the robocall, as first reported by CNN. "Doug will be our champion for justice. So get out and vote, Alabama."
Read more at ABC News
Jada Pinkett Smith is Not Here for ‘Girls Trip’s Golden Globes Snub
The nominees for the 2018 Golden Globes comes as no surprise though it did not deter folks from sharing their grievances.
The conservative “seats at the table” overruled Get Out‘s expected nominations, leaving them with a limited few and people were not happy. But Jordan Peele’s breakout film wasn’t the only snub of Monday’s (December 11) reveal.
Girls Trip, the comedy smash of 2017, didn’t pick up any nominations –at all–including Tiffany Haddish, who’s on-screen performance received astounding reviews. Jada Pinkett Smith, Haddish’s Co-star, took to Twitter to share her thoughts on the Hollywood Foreign Press’ (who vote for Golden Globes nominees and winners) total disregard for the film. She shared that the committee refused to watch Girls Trip and also noted the deep-seated issues of racism in Hollywood and how the system “must learn to expand its concepts of race, gender equality, and inclusion in regard to its perceptions of art across the board.”
Read more at EBONY
The conservative “seats at the table” overruled Get Out‘s expected nominations, leaving them with a limited few and people were not happy. But Jordan Peele’s breakout film wasn’t the only snub of Monday’s (December 11) reveal.
Girls Trip, the comedy smash of 2017, didn’t pick up any nominations –at all–including Tiffany Haddish, who’s on-screen performance received astounding reviews. Jada Pinkett Smith, Haddish’s Co-star, took to Twitter to share her thoughts on the Hollywood Foreign Press’ (who vote for Golden Globes nominees and winners) total disregard for the film. She shared that the committee refused to watch Girls Trip and also noted the deep-seated issues of racism in Hollywood and how the system “must learn to expand its concepts of race, gender equality, and inclusion in regard to its perceptions of art across the board.”
Read more at EBONY
White ex-cop gets 20 years for Walter Scott slaying
One by one, relatives of the late Walter Scott urged a judge to mete out a significant punishment for Michael Slager, the white former police officer who fatally shot Scott, an unarmed black man, in the back after a 2015 traffic stop.
Through tears, Scott's family told Slager they felt sorrow for him and the loss his young children would feel in his absence. In the end, a judge sentenced Slager to 20 years in prison, giving the Scott family the justice they had sought ever since a stranger came to them with the shocking video of Scott being killed.
"I forgive Michael Slager. I forgive you," Scott's mother, Judy, said as she turned toward her son's killer. "I pray for you, that you would repent and let Jesus come in your life."
Sitting just a few feet away, Slager wiped tears from his eyes and mouthed: "I'm sorry."
The punishment wrapped up a case that became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement. Slager, 36, is one of only a few police officers to go to prison for a fatal shooting, and his sentence is by far the stiffest since the shootings came under extra scrutiny in recent years.
Attorneys for the former North Charleston officer said he shot the 50-year-old Scott in self-defense after the two fought and Scott grabbed Slager's stun gun. They said race didn't play a role in the shooting and Slager never had any "racial animus" toward minorities.
Still, Slager pleaded guilty in federal court to violating Scott's civil rights. As part of a plea agreement reached in May, prosecutors dropped state murder charges.
Read more at ABC
Through tears, Scott's family told Slager they felt sorrow for him and the loss his young children would feel in his absence. In the end, a judge sentenced Slager to 20 years in prison, giving the Scott family the justice they had sought ever since a stranger came to them with the shocking video of Scott being killed.
"I forgive Michael Slager. I forgive you," Scott's mother, Judy, said as she turned toward her son's killer. "I pray for you, that you would repent and let Jesus come in your life."
Sitting just a few feet away, Slager wiped tears from his eyes and mouthed: "I'm sorry."
The punishment wrapped up a case that became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement. Slager, 36, is one of only a few police officers to go to prison for a fatal shooting, and his sentence is by far the stiffest since the shootings came under extra scrutiny in recent years.
Attorneys for the former North Charleston officer said he shot the 50-year-old Scott in self-defense after the two fought and Scott grabbed Slager's stun gun. They said race didn't play a role in the shooting and Slager never had any "racial animus" toward minorities.
Still, Slager pleaded guilty in federal court to violating Scott's civil rights. As part of a plea agreement reached in May, prosecutors dropped state murder charges.
Read more at ABC
Michael Flynn Pleads Guilty to Lying to the F.B.I.
WASHINGTON — President Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, pleaded guilty on Friday to lying to the F.B.I. about conversations with the Russian ambassador last December during the presidential transition, bringing the special counsel’s investigation into the president’s inner circle.
Mr. Flynn, who appeared in federal court in Washington, acknowledged that he was cooperating with the investigation by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, into Russian interference in the 2016 election. His plea agreement suggests that Mr. Flynn provided information to prosecutors, which may help advance the inquiry.
The development came at a particularly sensitive moment for the White House, just as Mr. Trump and Republican congressional leaders are toiling to hold together a tenuous coalition to push through a large tax cut plan. It marked an unwelcome headline at a time when the president’s team is hoping to focus public attention on what they argue is an impressive list of accomplishments in his first year.
Read more at NY Times
Mr. Flynn, who appeared in federal court in Washington, acknowledged that he was cooperating with the investigation by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, into Russian interference in the 2016 election. His plea agreement suggests that Mr. Flynn provided information to prosecutors, which may help advance the inquiry.
The development came at a particularly sensitive moment for the White House, just as Mr. Trump and Republican congressional leaders are toiling to hold together a tenuous coalition to push through a large tax cut plan. It marked an unwelcome headline at a time when the president’s team is hoping to focus public attention on what they argue is an impressive list of accomplishments in his first year.
Read more at NY Times
African refugees bought, sold and murdered in Libya
Hundreds of African refugees are being bought and sold in "slave markets" across Libya every week, a human trafficker has told Al Jazeera, with many of them held for ransom or forced into prostitution and sexual exploitation to pay their captors and smugglers.
Many of them ended up being murdered by their smugglers in the open desert or die from thirst or car accidents in the vast Libyan desert, said Salman*, the human trafficker.
A morgue in the southern city of Sabha - an entry point for many refugees coming from Africa - is overflowing with corpses, with faulty refrigerator making the situation worse, according to a Libyan health official.
The official in Sabha, 650km south of the capital Tripoli, described horrendous scenes of bodies dumped in threes, fives or more at the gates of the Sebha health facility by smugglers.
The refugees who died are never identified and many ended being buried without names or proper graves, he said.
The health official, who declined to give his name for security reasons, said Sabha's morgue has only one dysfunctional refrigerator that can hold bodies for up to three days but end up keeping them for months and on.
"Bodies end up being decomposed inside the refrigerator and often give off foul stench.
Read more at Al Jazeera
Many of them ended up being murdered by their smugglers in the open desert or die from thirst or car accidents in the vast Libyan desert, said Salman*, the human trafficker.
A morgue in the southern city of Sabha - an entry point for many refugees coming from Africa - is overflowing with corpses, with faulty refrigerator making the situation worse, according to a Libyan health official.
The official in Sabha, 650km south of the capital Tripoli, described horrendous scenes of bodies dumped in threes, fives or more at the gates of the Sebha health facility by smugglers.
The refugees who died are never identified and many ended being buried without names or proper graves, he said.
The health official, who declined to give his name for security reasons, said Sabha's morgue has only one dysfunctional refrigerator that can hold bodies for up to three days but end up keeping them for months and on.
"Bodies end up being decomposed inside the refrigerator and often give off foul stench.
Read more at Al Jazeera
'Buying Black' during the holidays is a community investment
As consumers invest hours and hours of searching for the best deals on holiday gifts for their loved ones, black business owners are asking consumers to invest that same time and money with them.
'Buying black,' said black business owners, is an investment not just for the businesses, but the entire black community.
“Black business owners have their ear to the street. They pour into the communities in which they reside,” Eldredge E. Washington, co-founder of Spendefy, told NBC News. “They play a role in building the communities in which they reside. By supporting them the way we do, we help to empower them.”
Washington and his friend Antwon Davis, created Spendefy two years ago to help small black businesses achieve success by providing them with resources needed to be successful.
A lack of resources, said Washington, is at the core of what plagues most communities today, especially the black community.
“Nationwide there are more than 2.6 million black-owned businesses,” Davis told NBC News. “But eight out of 10 fail within the first year and a half because of a lack of exposure, a lack of capital, and a lack of business acumen.”
Read more at NBCNews
'Buying black,' said black business owners, is an investment not just for the businesses, but the entire black community.
“Black business owners have their ear to the street. They pour into the communities in which they reside,” Eldredge E. Washington, co-founder of Spendefy, told NBC News. “They play a role in building the communities in which they reside. By supporting them the way we do, we help to empower them.”
Washington and his friend Antwon Davis, created Spendefy two years ago to help small black businesses achieve success by providing them with resources needed to be successful.
A lack of resources, said Washington, is at the core of what plagues most communities today, especially the black community.
“Nationwide there are more than 2.6 million black-owned businesses,” Davis told NBC News. “But eight out of 10 fail within the first year and a half because of a lack of exposure, a lack of capital, and a lack of business acumen.”
Read more at NBCNews
Ikea recalls dresser again after death of 8th child
Ikea is recalling again a number of its dressers after an eighth child was killed by one of them.
The latest victim was a 2-year-old California boy who was crushed by a Malm dresser after being put down for a nap in his bedroom in May.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said today that Ikea has received 186 reports of incidents with Malm style chests and dressers. More than 90 children have been injured from them, the CPSC said.
Ikea is recalling Malm three-drawer, four-drawer, five-drawer and six-drawer models, as well as some non-Malm dressers.
Ikea said last month in a statement that "the initial investigation indicates that the chest involved in this incident had not been properly attached to the wall." It has recalled Malm chests and dressers "due to serious tip-over hazard."
The Swedish furniture brand first issued a recall in June 2016, which reportedly included roughly 29 million chests and dressers.
Read more at Yahoo
The latest victim was a 2-year-old California boy who was crushed by a Malm dresser after being put down for a nap in his bedroom in May.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said today that Ikea has received 186 reports of incidents with Malm style chests and dressers. More than 90 children have been injured from them, the CPSC said.
Ikea is recalling Malm three-drawer, four-drawer, five-drawer and six-drawer models, as well as some non-Malm dressers.
Ikea said last month in a statement that "the initial investigation indicates that the chest involved in this incident had not been properly attached to the wall." It has recalled Malm chests and dressers "due to serious tip-over hazard."
The Swedish furniture brand first issued a recall in June 2016, which reportedly included roughly 29 million chests and dressers.
Read more at Yahoo
African Americans Disproportionately Arrested For Pot Possession In Buffalo: Study
A new study has found that African Americans in Buffalo, New York are disproportionately arrested for low-level cannabis possession offences.
The research by advocacy group Partnership for the Public Good adds to the breadth of recent studies identifying racial disparities in cannabis possession arrests.
In this most recent study, researchers analyzed cannabis arrest data for Erie County, New York for the years 2012 to 2016. Across the county, African Americans made up 71 percent of all low-level cannabis offenders, despite making up only 13.5 percent of the population.
Within the city of Buffalo, 86 percent of those arrested for minor cannabis possession were either African American (80 percent) or Hispanic (six percent.) These two demographics represent fewer than 50 percent of the city’s population.
“Legalizing marijuana would reduce low-level drug arrests by ten percent, and help reduce racial disparities in overall arrest numbers.”
Read more at Civilized Life
The research by advocacy group Partnership for the Public Good adds to the breadth of recent studies identifying racial disparities in cannabis possession arrests.
In this most recent study, researchers analyzed cannabis arrest data for Erie County, New York for the years 2012 to 2016. Across the county, African Americans made up 71 percent of all low-level cannabis offenders, despite making up only 13.5 percent of the population.
Within the city of Buffalo, 86 percent of those arrested for minor cannabis possession were either African American (80 percent) or Hispanic (six percent.) These two demographics represent fewer than 50 percent of the city’s population.
“Legalizing marijuana would reduce low-level drug arrests by ten percent, and help reduce racial disparities in overall arrest numbers.”
Read more at Civilized Life
'Abusive' Father Accused Of Shooting His Son To Death As The Teen Protected His Mother, Who Was Also Killed
Early Saturday morning, Renita Wells and 15-year-old Jaishaun Williams, of Henrico Country, were killed inside their home. Family members of the victims believe William was attempting to protect Wells from his historically abusive father, Derrell Williams, reported WTVR.
"I just told her the other day to get a restraining order on him because she was afraid," Renita's mother Rachelle Wells told WTVR.
Less than an hour after the shooting, Derrell, who was also married to Wells, was arrested on charges not related to the murders.
Derrell, 33, was arraigned on charges including felony eluding police, possession of drugs and gun charges. While he is not charged with the homicides, police confirmed they were not looking for any suspects at this time.
Read more at BET
"I just told her the other day to get a restraining order on him because she was afraid," Renita's mother Rachelle Wells told WTVR.
Less than an hour after the shooting, Derrell, who was also married to Wells, was arrested on charges not related to the murders.
Derrell, 33, was arraigned on charges including felony eluding police, possession of drugs and gun charges. While he is not charged with the homicides, police confirmed they were not looking for any suspects at this time.
Read more at BET
Half of US adults have high blood pressure in new guidelines
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — New guidelines lower the threshold for high blood pressure, adding 30 million Americans to those who have the condition, which now plagues nearly half of U.S. adults.
High pressure, which for decades has been a top reading of at least 140 or a bottom one of 90, drops to 130 over 80 in advice announced Monday by a dozen medical groups.
The change means an additional 14 percent of U.S. adults have the problem, but only 2 percent of these newly added people need medication right away; the rest should try healthier lifestyles, which get much stronger emphasis in the new advice. Poor diets, lack of exercise and other bad habits cause 90 percent of high blood pressure.
"I have no doubt there will be controversy. I'm sure there will be people saying 'We have a hard enough time getting to 140,'" said Dr. Paul Whelton, a Tulane University physician who led the guidelines panel.
But the risk for heart disease, stroke and other problems drops as blood pressure improves, and the new advice "is more honest" about how many people have a problem, he said.
Currently, only half of Americans with high blood pressure have it under control.
Read more at Yahoo
Colin Kaepernick Calls Out The ‘Radicalized Injustice’ Surrounding Meek Mill’s Harsh Prison Sentence
News of Meek Mill receiving a 2-4 year prison sentence for violating his 2009 probation order took the entertainment industry by storm. The circumstances surrounding his sentence drew the support of many of Meek’s peers, including NFL star-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick, who believed he was issued an unfair judgement.
Kaepernick took to Twitter in Meek’s defense writing, “Sadly there are Black folks going through the same radicalized injustice(s) within the justice system that Meek Mill has experienced for over a decade EVERY SINGLE DAY.”
Offering what he believes to be a solution, Kaepernick concluded, “This requires more than just gradual reform in laws —It requires a swift overhaul.”
Colin Kaepernick’s comments days after a judge ruled that Meek’s involvement in a St. Louis airport fight and being arrested for reckless driving in New York violated the terms of his 2009 probation order despite both cases being dropped.
Read more at BET
Kaepernick took to Twitter in Meek’s defense writing, “Sadly there are Black folks going through the same radicalized injustice(s) within the justice system that Meek Mill has experienced for over a decade EVERY SINGLE DAY.”
Offering what he believes to be a solution, Kaepernick concluded, “This requires more than just gradual reform in laws —It requires a swift overhaul.”
Colin Kaepernick’s comments days after a judge ruled that Meek’s involvement in a St. Louis airport fight and being arrested for reckless driving in New York violated the terms of his 2009 probation order despite both cases being dropped.
Read more at BET
Before Maxine Waters (D-CA) ever went viral for reclaiming her time at a congressional hearing this summer, she was advocating for constituents domestically and globally.
That’s what makes her rise to popularity within social media feel familiar — she’s been about this life, battling injustice, inequality and systematic silencing for over 40 years. So when she delivered the now-famous line in a House Financial Services committee hearing in August after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin attempted to filibuster her, it was business as usual.
“It’s [the] regular order of business,” she told political commentator Angela Rye in ESSENCE’s Dec/Jan issue. “I think it was important for me to let him know that he couldn’t get away with that.”
For millennials — who affectionately call the California Congresswoman “Auntie” — that kind of no-nonsense advocacy has inspired memes and movements that position Waters’ words as bible for those looking to stand their ground, organize and activate. Recently, “Reclaiming Our Time” became the theme for the Women’s March Convention in Detroit.
For those who remember when Waters took on apartheid in South Africa through divestment in the 1980s, or who are familiar with her creation of the Minority AIDS Initiative in 1998, it’s clear that she has no plans to slow down or to give up on the communities she represents.
Read more at Essence.
That’s what makes her rise to popularity within social media feel familiar — she’s been about this life, battling injustice, inequality and systematic silencing for over 40 years. So when she delivered the now-famous line in a House Financial Services committee hearing in August after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin attempted to filibuster her, it was business as usual.
“It’s [the] regular order of business,” she told political commentator Angela Rye in ESSENCE’s Dec/Jan issue. “I think it was important for me to let him know that he couldn’t get away with that.”
For millennials — who affectionately call the California Congresswoman “Auntie” — that kind of no-nonsense advocacy has inspired memes and movements that position Waters’ words as bible for those looking to stand their ground, organize and activate. Recently, “Reclaiming Our Time” became the theme for the Women’s March Convention in Detroit.
For those who remember when Waters took on apartheid in South Africa through divestment in the 1980s, or who are familiar with her creation of the Minority AIDS Initiative in 1998, it’s clear that she has no plans to slow down or to give up on the communities she represents.
Read more at Essence.
Meek Mill sentenced to 2 to 4 years in state prison
A Philadelphia judge on Monday sentenced the rapper Meek Mill to two to four years in prison for again violating his probation from a 2008 drug and gun case, putting his career on hold for at least the next two years.
The 30-year-old, Philadelphia-born Mill seemed stunned at the sentence from Common Pleas Court Judge Genece E. Brinkley, as were the dozen or so supporters who gasped at her decision.
“I gave you break after break, and you basically just thumbed your nose at this court,” Brinkley told Mill. She said Mill’s sentence would be served in state prison, where he would be eligible for state parole supervision after two years.
“Then I’ll be done with you,” Brinkley added.
The judge ordered Mill immediately taken into custody, and he quickly started removing his gold watch and other personal items and handing them to his lawyer, Brian J. McMonagle, before sheriff’s deputies escorted him from the courtroom.
McMonagle, who earlier this year represented Bill Cosby in his sexual assault trial, declined to comment on the hearing or Brinkley’s decision. When asked whether he would appeal the sentence, he shot back: “You’re godd—ed right I am.”
Before he was sentenced, Mill addressed the judge for 40 minutes, pleading for mercy and insisting that his “technical probation violations” were mistakes and not disrespect.
Read more at Philly.com
Father Kills 14 Year-Old Son: 'He Would Rather Have a Dead Son Than a Gay Son'
A Nevada father shot and killed his 14-year-old son because he couldn’t accept his son's sexual orientation, according to the son's former foster mom.
On Thursday afternoon, 53-year-old Wendell Melton shot his son, Giovanni Melton, in the apartment where Giovanni lived alone. According to Sonja Jones, Giovanni’s former foster mom, Wendell caught Giovanni with his boyfriend before he pulled out a gun.
According to the Henderson Police Department, Giovanni was initially transported to St. Rose Dominican Hospital—Siena Campus in critical condition.
“As a result of their investigation, Henderson Police detectives determined that Melton discharged a firearm that fatally struck his son,” the police department said in a statement on Facebook. He was arrested at the scene on felony charges of open murder, child abuse, firearms possession and other various charges, and was booked into the Henderson Detention Center.
"Giovanni was abused physically and mentally and spiritually for many, many years," Jones told News 3 Las Vegas.
Jones said other family members told her the argument that led to Giovanni's death was over Giovanni’s sexual orientation. She said Wendell had threatened Giovanni before.
Read more at Yahoo
On Thursday afternoon, 53-year-old Wendell Melton shot his son, Giovanni Melton, in the apartment where Giovanni lived alone. According to Sonja Jones, Giovanni’s former foster mom, Wendell caught Giovanni with his boyfriend before he pulled out a gun.
According to the Henderson Police Department, Giovanni was initially transported to St. Rose Dominican Hospital—Siena Campus in critical condition.
“As a result of their investigation, Henderson Police detectives determined that Melton discharged a firearm that fatally struck his son,” the police department said in a statement on Facebook. He was arrested at the scene on felony charges of open murder, child abuse, firearms possession and other various charges, and was booked into the Henderson Detention Center.
"Giovanni was abused physically and mentally and spiritually for many, many years," Jones told News 3 Las Vegas.
Jones said other family members told her the argument that led to Giovanni's death was over Giovanni’s sexual orientation. She said Wendell had threatened Giovanni before.
Read more at Yahoo
Mueller’s First Indictments Send a Message to Trump
WASHINGTON — Shortly after his former campaign chairman marched into an F.B.I. office to face criminal charges on Monday, President Trump took to Twitter to dismiss their relevance: “There is NO COLLUSION!”
Yet even as his message went out to more than 41 million followers, news emerged that the authorities were unsealing another case that described how a young foreign policy adviser spent months seeking to connect Mr. Trump’s campaign with Russians offering “dirt” on Hillary Clinton.
The first charges filed by Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel, did not implicate Mr. Trump but collectively amounted to a political body blow to a president who has spent months insisting that Mr. Mueller’s investigation was nothing more than a “witch hunt” based on a “hoax” invented by Democrats and the news media.
The indictment of Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chairman, suggested that the president’s top lieutenant for part of last year was a highly paid agent for pro-Russian foreign interests. And the guilty plea extracted from George Papadopoulos, the foreign policy adviser, confirmed the second known attempt by Mr. Trump’s team to tap Moscow for damaging information on Mrs. Clinton, coming months before his son Donald Trump Jr. met with a Russian lawyer for the same purpose.
Read more at the Washington Post
Yet even as his message went out to more than 41 million followers, news emerged that the authorities were unsealing another case that described how a young foreign policy adviser spent months seeking to connect Mr. Trump’s campaign with Russians offering “dirt” on Hillary Clinton.
The first charges filed by Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel, did not implicate Mr. Trump but collectively amounted to a political body blow to a president who has spent months insisting that Mr. Mueller’s investigation was nothing more than a “witch hunt” based on a “hoax” invented by Democrats and the news media.
The indictment of Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chairman, suggested that the president’s top lieutenant for part of last year was a highly paid agent for pro-Russian foreign interests. And the guilty plea extracted from George Papadopoulos, the foreign policy adviser, confirmed the second known attempt by Mr. Trump’s team to tap Moscow for damaging information on Mrs. Clinton, coming months before his son Donald Trump Jr. met with a Russian lawyer for the same purpose.
Read more at the Washington Post
Police Officer's 'Racist' Colin Kaepernick Costume Did Not Go Over Well
A police officer at the University of Nevada, Reno, came under fire this week for a costume some described as racist.
The officer dressed as Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback ― and UNR grad ― who helped to ignite the NFL’s “take a knee” protests during the national anthem.
Adam Garcia, assistant vice president and director of police services at the school, offered “sincere apologies” for the officer’s costume.
“Members of our profession are held to a higher standard and denigrating another ― on- or off-duty ― is insensitive for its lack of respect and lack of understanding on how others may negatively view their actions and may be impacted,” Garcia said in a statement.
“At a time when officers should be heightened in their attentiveness to perception by our community, this act seems extremely out of touch with those sentiments and reflects poorly on all of us,” Garcia continued.
Despite the apology, the officer will not face discipline.
Read more at Yahoo.
The officer dressed as Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback ― and UNR grad ― who helped to ignite the NFL’s “take a knee” protests during the national anthem.
Adam Garcia, assistant vice president and director of police services at the school, offered “sincere apologies” for the officer’s costume.
“Members of our profession are held to a higher standard and denigrating another ― on- or off-duty ― is insensitive for its lack of respect and lack of understanding on how others may negatively view their actions and may be impacted,” Garcia said in a statement.
“At a time when officers should be heightened in their attentiveness to perception by our community, this act seems extremely out of touch with those sentiments and reflects poorly on all of us,” Garcia continued.
Despite the apology, the officer will not face discipline.
Read more at Yahoo.
Mother Jailed Up to 5 Years for Brutally Beating Daughter Who Incorrectly Recited Bible Verses
A Pennsylvania mother who made headlines after allegations arose that she brutally beat her young daughter who incorrectly recited Bible verses will serve time in prison.
Rhonda Shoffner was sentenced last week to between two and a half and five years in prison after pleading guilty to charges including aggravated assault of her daughter, who was younger than 13.
Watch: Cops Find Gun Stashed Inside Hollowed-Out Bible
She will reportedly also serve five years of probation after she's released from prison.
Cops say Shoffner, 41, was drunk when she ordered her daughter to get on her knees in the bathroom and recite verses.
Shoffner allegedly slammed her daughter's head into the wall each time she made a mistake.
Shoffner choked her daughter, cutting off her airway and biting her forearm before digging her teeth into the girl’s left shoulder, police told PennLive.com.
All the while, the girl fought back and begged her mother to stop, she said.
Read more at Yahoo.
Rhonda Shoffner was sentenced last week to between two and a half and five years in prison after pleading guilty to charges including aggravated assault of her daughter, who was younger than 13.
Watch: Cops Find Gun Stashed Inside Hollowed-Out Bible
She will reportedly also serve five years of probation after she's released from prison.
Cops say Shoffner, 41, was drunk when she ordered her daughter to get on her knees in the bathroom and recite verses.
Shoffner allegedly slammed her daughter's head into the wall each time she made a mistake.
Shoffner choked her daughter, cutting off her airway and biting her forearm before digging her teeth into the girl’s left shoulder, police told PennLive.com.
All the while, the girl fought back and begged her mother to stop, she said.
Read more at Yahoo.
Kellogg’s Promises to Remove ‘Racist’ Corn Pops Cereal Box Packaging
Cereal giant Kellogg's has promised to immediately remove artwork from its Corn Pops cereal boxes after receiving a complaint on Twitter about a racially insensitive game on its packaging.
Writer and graphic novelist Saladin Ahmed noticed the offending cartoon on a Corn Pops box and tweeted a complaint to Kellogg's. The cartoon game asked kids to find corn pops engaged in various activities in a crowded mall, with characters taking a selfie, jumping rope or sunbathing.
Related: FBI Allows Informant to Testify in Russia Bribery Probe Into Clintons—and Democrats Are Starting to Sound Scared
Trending: Trump and Kim Jong Un Are Both Sucking Up to China's Xi Jinping Amid Nuclear Tensions
But Ahmed discovered the only brown-skinned Corn Pop in the image—and he was the mall’s janitor.
“Hey @KelloggsUS why is literally the only brown corn pop on the whole cereal box the janitor?” Ahmed asked. “This is teaching kids racism” he added.
Read more at Yahoo.
Writer and graphic novelist Saladin Ahmed noticed the offending cartoon on a Corn Pops box and tweeted a complaint to Kellogg's. The cartoon game asked kids to find corn pops engaged in various activities in a crowded mall, with characters taking a selfie, jumping rope or sunbathing.
Related: FBI Allows Informant to Testify in Russia Bribery Probe Into Clintons—and Democrats Are Starting to Sound Scared
Trending: Trump and Kim Jong Un Are Both Sucking Up to China's Xi Jinping Amid Nuclear Tensions
But Ahmed discovered the only brown-skinned Corn Pop in the image—and he was the mall’s janitor.
“Hey @KelloggsUS why is literally the only brown corn pop on the whole cereal box the janitor?” Ahmed asked. “This is teaching kids racism” he added.
Read more at Yahoo.
Mother of Cop Killed During Vegas Shooting Dies After Son’s Funeral
The mother of a Las Vegas police officer killed during the Oct .1 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival has passed away according to Fox 5 Vegas. The funeral for officer and U.S. Army veteran Charleston Hatsfield was held on Friday. Just hours after the ceremony, his mother Sheryl Stiles suffered a heart attack and died on Sunday. The family suspects Stiles died of a broken heart.
“I talked to the chaplain of Metro,” Stiles’ cousin Cecil Ralston told Fox 5 Vegas while discussing her relative. “He told me she kept saying, ‘Oh I want to stay, I want to be with Charleston,’ that she wanted to die.”
Stiles was on an elevator when she experienced the heart attack and fell off once the doors opened. She sustained brain injuries from the fall and was taken off of life support by family members on Sunday.
“No one expected anything like this to happen,” she continued. “It’s kind of devastating.”
Read more at EBONY
“I talked to the chaplain of Metro,” Stiles’ cousin Cecil Ralston told Fox 5 Vegas while discussing her relative. “He told me she kept saying, ‘Oh I want to stay, I want to be with Charleston,’ that she wanted to die.”
Stiles was on an elevator when she experienced the heart attack and fell off once the doors opened. She sustained brain injuries from the fall and was taken off of life support by family members on Sunday.
“No one expected anything like this to happen,” she continued. “It’s kind of devastating.”
Read more at EBONY
NAACP Issues Travel Advisory For American Airlines; Company Agrees To Meeting
The NAACP, the nation's oldest civil rights organization, has issued an advisory warning black travelers to be cautious about flying on American Airlines. The airline's chairman, in response, says the company does not "and will not tolerate discrimination of any kind."
The advisory was issued on Tuesday, and American Airlines responded on Wednesday.
The NAACP described "a pattern of disturbing incidents reported by African-American passengers, specific to American Airlines." They cited four incidents in particular as examples that "suggest a corporate culture of racial insensitivity and possible racial bias on the part of American Airlines."
"An African-American man was required to relinquish his purchased seats aboard a flight from Washington, D.C. to Raleigh-Durham, merely because he responded to disrespectful and discriminatory comments directed toward him by two unruly white passengers," the NAACP said of one incident.
In another case, a black woman with first-class tickets was switched to coach while her white companion remained in first class; two other incidents involved black women removed from flights after making routine complaints or requests.
The advisory was issued on Tuesday, and American Airlines responded on Wednesday.
The NAACP described "a pattern of disturbing incidents reported by African-American passengers, specific to American Airlines." They cited four incidents in particular as examples that "suggest a corporate culture of racial insensitivity and possible racial bias on the part of American Airlines."
"An African-American man was required to relinquish his purchased seats aboard a flight from Washington, D.C. to Raleigh-Durham, merely because he responded to disrespectful and discriminatory comments directed toward him by two unruly white passengers," the NAACP said of one incident.
In another case, a black woman with first-class tickets was switched to coach while her white companion remained in first class; two other incidents involved black women removed from flights after making routine complaints or requests.
Wannabe Tulsa, Okla., Cop Who Killed Unarmed Black Man Released From Prison After Serving Less Than Half His 4-Year Sentence
Well, if you wanted evidence as to how little this country values black lives, look no further than Tulsa, Okla., where a white former reserve deputy (aka a wannabe cop) walked out of prison, scot-free, after serving less than half of his already meager four-year sentence for killing an unarmed black man.
Robert Bates, 76, was released from North Fork Correction Center in Sayre, Okla., Thursday morning after serving 497 days, that’s a little more than 16 months, for killing Eric Harris. Bates is expected to serve probation for the remainder of his sentence, according to the Associated Press.
Oklahoma Department of Corrections spokesperson Matt Elliot said that Bates earned earlier release through good behavior, not because his case was given precedence over others.
“He’s still serving his entire sentence because he’s going on probation supervision, and he’ll have to check in just like any other released inmate,” Elliott said.
Read more at The Root
Robert Bates, 76, was released from North Fork Correction Center in Sayre, Okla., Thursday morning after serving 497 days, that’s a little more than 16 months, for killing Eric Harris. Bates is expected to serve probation for the remainder of his sentence, according to the Associated Press.
Oklahoma Department of Corrections spokesperson Matt Elliot said that Bates earned earlier release through good behavior, not because his case was given precedence over others.
“He’s still serving his entire sentence because he’s going on probation supervision, and he’ll have to check in just like any other released inmate,” Elliott said.
Read more at The Root
Trump's border wall models take shape in San Diego
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The last two of eight prototypes for President Donald Trump's proposed border wall took shape Thursday at a construction site in San Diego.
The prototypes form a tightly packed row of imposing concrete and metal panels, including one with sharp metal edges on top. Another has a surface resembling an expensive brick driveway.
Companies have until Oct. 26 to finish the models but Border Patrol spokesman Theron Francisco said the last two came into profile, with crews installing a corrugated metal surface on the eighth model on a dirt lot just a few steps from homes in Tijuana, Mexico.
As the crews worked, three men and two women from Nepal, ages 19 to 30, jumped a short rusted fence from Tijuana into the construction site and were immediately stopped by agents on horseback.
Francisco said there have been four or five other illegal crossing attempts at the site since work began Sept. 26.
The models, which cost the government up to $500,000 each, were spaced 30 feet (9.1 meters) apart. Slopes, thickness and curves vary. One has two shades of blue with white trim. The others are gray, tan or brown — in sync with the desert.
Read more at Yahoo.
The prototypes form a tightly packed row of imposing concrete and metal panels, including one with sharp metal edges on top. Another has a surface resembling an expensive brick driveway.
Companies have until Oct. 26 to finish the models but Border Patrol spokesman Theron Francisco said the last two came into profile, with crews installing a corrugated metal surface on the eighth model on a dirt lot just a few steps from homes in Tijuana, Mexico.
As the crews worked, three men and two women from Nepal, ages 19 to 30, jumped a short rusted fence from Tijuana into the construction site and were immediately stopped by agents on horseback.
Francisco said there have been four or five other illegal crossing attempts at the site since work began Sept. 26.
The models, which cost the government up to $500,000 each, were spaced 30 feet (9.1 meters) apart. Slopes, thickness and curves vary. One has two shades of blue with white trim. The others are gray, tan or brown — in sync with the desert.
Read more at Yahoo.
School District Issues Apology For Photoshopping Black Homecoming Queen's Hair To Look Brown Instead Of Purple
A school district in the Houston area recently issued an apology after an altered photo of a high school homecoming queen published to the website received much backlash.
Ebony Smith of North Shore Senior High School was crowned homecoming queen last month. However, her photo was only placed on the Galena Park ISD website last week. When Ebony saw the photo of herself, homecoming king Kasson Abdullah and Principal Joe Coleman, she noticed her hair color had been Photoshopped, reported KHOU-TV.
Ebony had purple hair for the photograph. In the image posted to the site, the teen appeared with brown hair.
"It's embarrassing," Ebony told KHOU-TV. "It wasn't even Photoshopped correctly. You can still see purple outlining. It's just very embarrassing."
According to the district’s handbook, the purple hair is unacceptable for the classroom. However, Ebony planned to dye her hair brown immediately after homecoming.
Read more at BET
Ebony Smith of North Shore Senior High School was crowned homecoming queen last month. However, her photo was only placed on the Galena Park ISD website last week. When Ebony saw the photo of herself, homecoming king Kasson Abdullah and Principal Joe Coleman, she noticed her hair color had been Photoshopped, reported KHOU-TV.
Ebony had purple hair for the photograph. In the image posted to the site, the teen appeared with brown hair.
"It's embarrassing," Ebony told KHOU-TV. "It wasn't even Photoshopped correctly. You can still see purple outlining. It's just very embarrassing."
According to the district’s handbook, the purple hair is unacceptable for the classroom. However, Ebony planned to dye her hair brown immediately after homecoming.
Read more at BET
QB Colin Kaepernick files grievance for collusion against NFL owners
Free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick has filed a grievance under the latest collective bargaining agreement against NFL owners for collusion, according to his attorney, Mark Geragos.
Kaepernick is not going through the NFL Players Association but has instead hired Geragos, who has represented several high-profile clients, including Michael Jackson, former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield and musician Chris Brown.
The filing, which demands an arbitration hearing on the matter, says the NFL and its owners "have colluded to deprive Mr. Kaepernick of employment rights in retaliation for Mr. Kaepernick's leadership and advocacy for equality and social justice and his bringing awareness to peculiar institutions still undermining racial equality in the United States."
Kaepernick's attorney sent a copy of the complaint to the NFLPA, as well as the NFL and all 32 teams. He tweeted out a statement Sunday saying he filed the grievance "only after pursuing every possible avenue with all NFL teams and their executives.''
"If the NFL (as well as all professional sports teams) is to remain a meritocracy, then principled and peaceful protest -- which the owners themselves made great theater imitating weeks ago -- should not be punished and athletes should not be denied employment based on partisan political provocation by the Executive Branch of our government," Geragos said in a statement. "Such a precedent threatens all patriotic Americans and harkens back to our darkest days as a nation. Protecting all athletes from such collusive conduct is what compelled Mr. Kaepernick to file his grievance.
Read more at ESPN
Kaepernick is not going through the NFL Players Association but has instead hired Geragos, who has represented several high-profile clients, including Michael Jackson, former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield and musician Chris Brown.
The filing, which demands an arbitration hearing on the matter, says the NFL and its owners "have colluded to deprive Mr. Kaepernick of employment rights in retaliation for Mr. Kaepernick's leadership and advocacy for equality and social justice and his bringing awareness to peculiar institutions still undermining racial equality in the United States."
Kaepernick's attorney sent a copy of the complaint to the NFLPA, as well as the NFL and all 32 teams. He tweeted out a statement Sunday saying he filed the grievance "only after pursuing every possible avenue with all NFL teams and their executives.''
"If the NFL (as well as all professional sports teams) is to remain a meritocracy, then principled and peaceful protest -- which the owners themselves made great theater imitating weeks ago -- should not be punished and athletes should not be denied employment based on partisan political provocation by the Executive Branch of our government," Geragos said in a statement. "Such a precedent threatens all patriotic Americans and harkens back to our darkest days as a nation. Protecting all athletes from such collusive conduct is what compelled Mr. Kaepernick to file his grievance.
Read more at ESPN
Nelly Rape Accuser Refuses To Testify, Halts Charges
TMZ reports:
Nelly’s attorney Scott Rosenblum tells us …the accuser’s “reckless accusation, once investigated thoroughly, was exposed for what it was-a fabrication. A fabrication that has caused Nelly and his family to suffer emotionally and financially.”
He’s not satisfied though, and says he wants a public apology from the woman, and will recommend Nelly consider taking legal action against her.
The woman’s attorney, Karen Koehler, says her client has told the Auburn PD in Washington State, and the King County D.A. to “put a halt to the criminal investigation of [Nelly]. She will not testify further in a criminal proceeding against him.”
Koehler says the young woman feels the system has failed her and she can’t stand up to a celebrity. “Who will believe her. People are saying horrible things already. She cannot handle this. She is about to break.”
Nelly’s attorney Scott Rosenblum tells us …the accuser’s “reckless accusation, once investigated thoroughly, was exposed for what it was-a fabrication. A fabrication that has caused Nelly and his family to suffer emotionally and financially.”
He’s not satisfied though, and says he wants a public apology from the woman, and will recommend Nelly consider taking legal action against her.
The woman’s attorney, Karen Koehler, says her client has told the Auburn PD in Washington State, and the King County D.A. to “put a halt to the criminal investigation of [Nelly]. She will not testify further in a criminal proceeding against him.”
Koehler says the young woman feels the system has failed her and she can’t stand up to a celebrity. “Who will believe her. People are saying horrible things already. She cannot handle this. She is about to break.”
Attorney Says This Video Is Proof DeAndre Harris Did Not Strike White Supremacist
After a Virginia magistrate issued an arrest warrant for DeAndre Harris on Monday, his attorney spoke out against the charges and provided video disputing the report.
Harris was charged with unlawful wounding in connection to the assault of white “Southern nationalist” Harold Ray Crews at the “Unite The Right” rally in Charlottesville, reported The Root. Although Crews claims he was injured by Harris, attorney, S. Lee Merritt, said his client had nothing to do with Crews injuries.
Merritt also said Harris was in the hospital receiving treatment for his own injuries during the time of the attack.
“[Crews] was struck in the head with what seemed to be a metal pipe, and he fell to the ground. He did receive those injuries, but it appeared to be from a separate attack that occurred while Deandre was in the hospital,” Merritt told The Root.
Merritt also posted video and photos which show Crews being struck in the back of his head by what appears to be a white, male, anti-fascist member who has on a disguise.
Read more and see the video at BET
Harris was charged with unlawful wounding in connection to the assault of white “Southern nationalist” Harold Ray Crews at the “Unite The Right” rally in Charlottesville, reported The Root. Although Crews claims he was injured by Harris, attorney, S. Lee Merritt, said his client had nothing to do with Crews injuries.
Merritt also said Harris was in the hospital receiving treatment for his own injuries during the time of the attack.
“[Crews] was struck in the head with what seemed to be a metal pipe, and he fell to the ground. He did receive those injuries, but it appeared to be from a separate attack that occurred while Deandre was in the hospital,” Merritt told The Root.
Merritt also posted video and photos which show Crews being struck in the back of his head by what appears to be a white, male, anti-fascist member who has on a disguise.
Read more and see the video at BET
African-American Unemployment Rate Falls to 17-year Low
The unemployment rate for African-Americans fell to a 17-year low in September, and the rates for all other major racial and ethnic groups also dropped.
The jobless rate for people in their prime working years — defined as ages 25 through 54 — fell to 3.6 percent, the lowest level since June 2007, a few months before the Great Recession began. And for Americans with only a high school diploma, unemployment fell to a 10-year low of 4.3 percent.
All told, the unemployment rate fell to 4.2 percent in September, from 4.4 percent in August. Employers shed 33,000 jobs, a decline driven by the damage inflicted on Texas and Florida by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Economists expect hiring should rebound in the coming months.
The data for demographic groups came from a survey of households that is part of the Labor Department's monthly jobs report.
Read more here
The jobless rate for people in their prime working years — defined as ages 25 through 54 — fell to 3.6 percent, the lowest level since June 2007, a few months before the Great Recession began. And for Americans with only a high school diploma, unemployment fell to a 10-year low of 4.3 percent.
All told, the unemployment rate fell to 4.2 percent in September, from 4.4 percent in August. Employers shed 33,000 jobs, a decline driven by the damage inflicted on Texas and Florida by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Economists expect hiring should rebound in the coming months.
The data for demographic groups came from a survey of households that is part of the Labor Department's monthly jobs report.
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Trump's Exorbitant Travel Costs Could Pay to Send Puerto Rico 128 Cargo Ships With Aid
Donald Trump complained to Puerto Rican hurricane victims this week that their suffering is throwing his budget "out of whack," but for the same cost as the first family's exorbitant travel, the government could have sent nearly 130 cargo ships to the island, a new analysis shows.
The president and first family have reportedly spent an unprecedented $32 million on trips to Mar-a-Lago and other exclusive Trump properties across the country — so much, in fact, that the online document company FormSwift decided to convert the extravagent budget into its equivalent in humanitarian aide.
Estimating the cost of fuel and the length of the trip, the numbers-crunchers discovered that the president's estimated travel bills would equal 128 cargo ship trips from Florida to Puerto Rico. When FormSwift included the entire first family's travels, the amount of aid ships increased to 130.
Trending: White Man Used 4chan to Threaten Black Students at Howard University in 2015: DOJ
The company says it was motivated to examine the travel expenditures because of how Trump responded to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
"Trump's statement on the 'very large ocean' between the US and Puerto Rico made us interested in seeing just how difficult it is to get cargo ships of supplies to these victims," FormSwift CEO Vik Tantry told Newsweek.
A trip on a fully loaded U.S. cargo ship from Florida's ports to Puerto Rico's would cost an estimated $249,899 in fuel to make the 1,149-mile trip, according to the study.
Read more at Yahoo
The president and first family have reportedly spent an unprecedented $32 million on trips to Mar-a-Lago and other exclusive Trump properties across the country — so much, in fact, that the online document company FormSwift decided to convert the extravagent budget into its equivalent in humanitarian aide.
Estimating the cost of fuel and the length of the trip, the numbers-crunchers discovered that the president's estimated travel bills would equal 128 cargo ship trips from Florida to Puerto Rico. When FormSwift included the entire first family's travels, the amount of aid ships increased to 130.
Trending: White Man Used 4chan to Threaten Black Students at Howard University in 2015: DOJ
The company says it was motivated to examine the travel expenditures because of how Trump responded to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
"Trump's statement on the 'very large ocean' between the US and Puerto Rico made us interested in seeing just how difficult it is to get cargo ships of supplies to these victims," FormSwift CEO Vik Tantry told Newsweek.
A trip on a fully loaded U.S. cargo ship from Florida's ports to Puerto Rico's would cost an estimated $249,899 in fuel to make the 1,149-mile trip, according to the study.
Read more at Yahoo
Cam Newton apologizes for sexist remark made to female reporter
(CNN)Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton said the "joke is on me" as he apologized for a sexist remark he made to a female reporter.
The 28-year-old has lost a sponsor, been condemned by the NFL and attracted intense criticism from around the world for the comments he made at a news conference Wednesday when a reporter, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer, asked the player about the passing routes of receiver Devin Funchess.
"It's funny to hear a female talk about routes," was Newton reply, laughing and smiling before repeating that it was "funny."
Rodrigue said later on Twitter: "I don't think it's 'funny' to be a female and talk about routes. I think it's my job."
One of Newton's sponsors Oikos yogurt said Thursday in a statement that it was "shocked and disheartened" by the quarterback's behavior and would no longer be working with him, while the NFL said Newton's comments were "plain wrong and disrespectful."
In a video posted on his Twitter account, Newton -- the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 400 yards on his debut -- addressed his comments, describing his choice of words as "extremely degrading and disrespectful."
"I'm a man who tries to be a positive role model to my community and tries to use my platform to inspire others. I take ownership everything that comes with that," said Newton, who in 2015 signed a contract extension worth more than $100 million with the Panthers.
"What I did was extremely unacceptable. I'm a father to two beautiful daughters and, at their age, I try to instil in them that they can do an be anything that they want to be.
Read more at CNN
The 28-year-old has lost a sponsor, been condemned by the NFL and attracted intense criticism from around the world for the comments he made at a news conference Wednesday when a reporter, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer, asked the player about the passing routes of receiver Devin Funchess.
"It's funny to hear a female talk about routes," was Newton reply, laughing and smiling before repeating that it was "funny."
Rodrigue said later on Twitter: "I don't think it's 'funny' to be a female and talk about routes. I think it's my job."
One of Newton's sponsors Oikos yogurt said Thursday in a statement that it was "shocked and disheartened" by the quarterback's behavior and would no longer be working with him, while the NFL said Newton's comments were "plain wrong and disrespectful."
In a video posted on his Twitter account, Newton -- the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 400 yards on his debut -- addressed his comments, describing his choice of words as "extremely degrading and disrespectful."
"I'm a man who tries to be a positive role model to my community and tries to use my platform to inspire others. I take ownership everything that comes with that," said Newton, who in 2015 signed a contract extension worth more than $100 million with the Panthers.
"What I did was extremely unacceptable. I'm a father to two beautiful daughters and, at their age, I try to instil in them that they can do an be anything that they want to be.
Read more at CNN
‘Rush Hour 4’ On The Way, Under One Condition!
It’s been over 10 years since Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker joined forces for the hit Rush Hour franchise, and according to Chan, the pair may be reuniting for a fourth installment.
The martial arts pro said scripts for both Karate Kid and Rush Hour sequels were lacking, but the latter’s latest draft has everyone excited.
“There was supposed to be a Karate Kid 2, but the script isn’t right. Several years later, they want to do it and I say, ‘You still want to do Karate Kid? No, Karate Men.‘ They’re taller than me now,” he shared on Power 106.
He added, “Rush Hour you can do any time … Next year! For the last seven years, we’ve been turning down the script, turning down the script. Yesterday, we just agreed. The script, probably at the end of this month, will have a second draft and next year, [we’ll] probably start.”
Read more at Ebony
The martial arts pro said scripts for both Karate Kid and Rush Hour sequels were lacking, but the latter’s latest draft has everyone excited.
“There was supposed to be a Karate Kid 2, but the script isn’t right. Several years later, they want to do it and I say, ‘You still want to do Karate Kid? No, Karate Men.‘ They’re taller than me now,” he shared on Power 106.
He added, “Rush Hour you can do any time … Next year! For the last seven years, we’ve been turning down the script, turning down the script. Yesterday, we just agreed. The script, probably at the end of this month, will have a second draft and next year, [we’ll] probably start.”
Read more at Ebony
Las Vegas Shooting: 50 Killed and 406 Hurt Near Mandalay Bay
A lone gunman released a rapid-fire barrage of bullets from a 32nd-floor Las Vegas hotel room late Sunday, killing at least 50 people and injuring more than 400 others at an outdoor country music festival, police said.
It was the worst mass shooting in modern American history.
The shooter, who was identified by law enforcement officials as Stephen Craig Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada, fired shot after shot from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino down on the crowd of about 22,000, sending terrified concertgoers running for their lives.
“We heard what sounded like firecrackers going off. Then all of a sudden we heard what sounded like a machine gun. People started screaming that they were hit," witness Meghan Kearney told MSNBC. "When we started running out, there were probably a couple hundred [people] on the ground.
She added: "People kept dropping and dropping … People were getting shot one foot away from us. People were trying to save their friends. There were gunshots everywhere. Helping them would’ve meant that we got shot, too.”
Police responded to reports of the shooting just after 10 p.m. (1 a.m. ET). Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Sheriff Joseph Lombardo told reporters Monday morning that authorities believe Paddock killed himself before police entered his room.
Earlier, officials had said police fatally shot Paddock.
The suspect is believed to have checked into the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Sept. 28, Lombardo said, and had an "excess of ten rifles" in his hotel room.
Read more at MSNBC
It was the worst mass shooting in modern American history.
The shooter, who was identified by law enforcement officials as Stephen Craig Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada, fired shot after shot from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino down on the crowd of about 22,000, sending terrified concertgoers running for their lives.
“We heard what sounded like firecrackers going off. Then all of a sudden we heard what sounded like a machine gun. People started screaming that they were hit," witness Meghan Kearney told MSNBC. "When we started running out, there were probably a couple hundred [people] on the ground.
She added: "People kept dropping and dropping … People were getting shot one foot away from us. People were trying to save their friends. There were gunshots everywhere. Helping them would’ve meant that we got shot, too.”
Police responded to reports of the shooting just after 10 p.m. (1 a.m. ET). Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Sheriff Joseph Lombardo told reporters Monday morning that authorities believe Paddock killed himself before police entered his room.
Earlier, officials had said police fatally shot Paddock.
The suspect is believed to have checked into the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Sept. 28, Lombardo said, and had an "excess of ten rifles" in his hotel room.
Read more at MSNBC
Now even money is running out in hurricane-hit Puerto Rico
The aftermath of the powerful storm has resulted in a near-total shutdown of the U.S. territory's economy that could last for weeks and has many people running seriously low on cash and worrying that it will become even harder to survive on this storm-ravaged island.
There are long lines at the banks that are open with reduced hours or the scattered ATMs that are operational amid an islandwide power outage and near total loss of telecommunications. Many people are unable to work or run their businesses because diesel to run generators is in short supply or they can't spend all day waiting for gas to fill their car.
Engineer Octavio Cortes predicts it will only get worse because so many of the problems are inter-connected and cannot be easily resolved.
"I don't know how much worse it's going to get," Cortes said as he joined other motorists stopping on a bridge over a river in northern Puerto Rico to catch a faint cellphone signal. "Right now it's manageable, but I don't know about next week or after that."
The father of six typically works from home or travels around the world for his job, but neither approach is possible now because the power is still out for nearly all 3.4 million people in Puerto Rico and flights off the island are down to only a few each day.
While Cortes is OK for the moment, others don't have nearly the same resources.
Read more at Yahoo.
There are long lines at the banks that are open with reduced hours or the scattered ATMs that are operational amid an islandwide power outage and near total loss of telecommunications. Many people are unable to work or run their businesses because diesel to run generators is in short supply or they can't spend all day waiting for gas to fill their car.
Engineer Octavio Cortes predicts it will only get worse because so many of the problems are inter-connected and cannot be easily resolved.
"I don't know how much worse it's going to get," Cortes said as he joined other motorists stopping on a bridge over a river in northern Puerto Rico to catch a faint cellphone signal. "Right now it's manageable, but I don't know about next week or after that."
The father of six typically works from home or travels around the world for his job, but neither approach is possible now because the power is still out for nearly all 3.4 million people in Puerto Rico and flights off the island are down to only a few each day.
While Cortes is OK for the moment, others don't have nearly the same resources.
Read more at Yahoo.
Missouri bar owner creates offensive doormat using Marshawn Lynch, Colin Kaepernick jerseys
A Missouri bar owner taped two NFL jerseys side-by-side on the ground for his customers to use as a doormat outside his establishment's front door.
The jerseys' side-by-side display -- Marshawn Lynch's Oakland Raiders jersey and Colin Kaepernick's San Francisco 49ers jersey -- together read "Lynch" "Kaepernick."
Jason Burle, owner of the Lake of the Ozarks S.N.A.F.U. Bar, told KOMU-TV that "it's not a race thing." He later rearranged the jerseys so that Kaepernick's was placed before Lynch's.
A call to Burle by USA TODAY Sports went unanswered.
Burle, who said he is an Air Force veteran, told the TV station he ordered both jerseys to be used as doormats after NFL players started kneeling during the national anthem.
“I commend (NFL players) for what they’re doing, as far as the right (to protest) goes," Burle said. "I fought for that right. The same thing that gives them that right gives me the right to place these (jersey-concocted doormats) out here.”
Read more at USA Today
The jerseys' side-by-side display -- Marshawn Lynch's Oakland Raiders jersey and Colin Kaepernick's San Francisco 49ers jersey -- together read "Lynch" "Kaepernick."
Jason Burle, owner of the Lake of the Ozarks S.N.A.F.U. Bar, told KOMU-TV that "it's not a race thing." He later rearranged the jerseys so that Kaepernick's was placed before Lynch's.
A call to Burle by USA TODAY Sports went unanswered.
Burle, who said he is an Air Force veteran, told the TV station he ordered both jerseys to be used as doormats after NFL players started kneeling during the national anthem.
“I commend (NFL players) for what they’re doing, as far as the right (to protest) goes," Burle said. "I fought for that right. The same thing that gives them that right gives me the right to place these (jersey-concocted doormats) out here.”
Read more at USA Today
O.J. Simpson Could Be Released On Parole As Early As Monday
The "Juice" is about to be loose. A little over two months since the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners voted to grant O.J. Simpson parole, the Associated Press is reporting that he will tentatively be released as early as Monday.
According to the AP, there's a plan for Simpson, 70, to be released from a facility near Las Vegas as early as Monday, although a Nevada Department of Corrections spokesperson, Brooke Keast, told the news organization yesterday that documents haven't been finalized for his release just yet.
Simpson is still at Lovelock Correctional Center in Nevada, but Keast told the AP that he would be transferred to High Desert State Prison near Vegas for purposes of his release.
When Simpson was granted parole in July, Nevada's parole board set October 1 as his eligible parole date. Since that falls on a Sunday, Monday would be the first business day in which Simpson could be released, according to the AP.
Read more at BET
Video: Cornell Student ‘Bloodied Up’ in alleged Racially Motivated Attack
Cornell University’s campus has been tense lately. A little less than two weeks ago, someone took to the grounds near the school’s Latino Living Center to chant, “Build a wall, build a wall.”
Now, the university’s student population is reeling after a White student was arrested in connection with an assault of a Black student in front of his residence.
According to the Huffington Post, hundreds of students recently gathered in protest of the racial climate, prompting the university’s president to establish an anti-bigotry task force.
“I will not tell you this is not who we are, as the events of the past few weeks belie that,” Cornell President Martha Pollack wrote in a statement earlier this week. “But it is absolutely not who we want to be.”
John Greenwood, 19, was arrested Friday in connection with the assault and was charged with misdemeanor third-degree assault in the off-campus beating of the African-American student.
Read more at EBONY
Now, the university’s student population is reeling after a White student was arrested in connection with an assault of a Black student in front of his residence.
According to the Huffington Post, hundreds of students recently gathered in protest of the racial climate, prompting the university’s president to establish an anti-bigotry task force.
“I will not tell you this is not who we are, as the events of the past few weeks belie that,” Cornell President Martha Pollack wrote in a statement earlier this week. “But it is absolutely not who we want to be.”
John Greenwood, 19, was arrested Friday in connection with the assault and was charged with misdemeanor third-degree assault in the off-campus beating of the African-American student.
Read more at EBONY
13 dead, hundreds rescued after Hurricane Maria pummels Puerto Rico
San Juan (AFP) - Puerto Rico was on Friday battling dangerous flooding after Hurricane Maria ravaged the island, as the death toll there jumped to 13 and authorities rescued nearly 700 people from high waters.
Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello called Maria the most devastating storm in a century after it destroyed the US territory's electricity and telecommunications infrastructure.
"Part of the island is lacking communications so what we have are some preliminary assessments about 13 deaths at this juncture," he told CNN early Friday.
"We're 24 hours post-hurricane warning and right now our efforts are to make sure we have everybody safe, that we can rescue people. Our efforts have already produced almost 700 rescues so we're clearly focused on that."
The National Hurricane Center said some areas in Puerto Rico could see 40 inches (more than a meter) of rain from Maria, and Rossello warned of dangerous mudslides brought on by the deluge.
"We have a lot of flooding, we have reports of complete devastation of vulnerable housing. Of course it's still raining over here."
Maria was blamed for at least 33 deaths, including 15 in Dominica, three in Haiti and two in Guadeloupe.
"Puerto Rico is absolutely obliterated," US President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday after declaring the territory of 3.4 million people a disaster area, a move that will free up emergency relief funding.
"Puerto Rico is in a very, very, very tough shape," he said.
- 'Worst night of our lives' -
Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello called Maria the most devastating storm in a century after it destroyed the US territory's electricity and telecommunications infrastructure.
"Part of the island is lacking communications so what we have are some preliminary assessments about 13 deaths at this juncture," he told CNN early Friday.
"We're 24 hours post-hurricane warning and right now our efforts are to make sure we have everybody safe, that we can rescue people. Our efforts have already produced almost 700 rescues so we're clearly focused on that."
The National Hurricane Center said some areas in Puerto Rico could see 40 inches (more than a meter) of rain from Maria, and Rossello warned of dangerous mudslides brought on by the deluge.
"We have a lot of flooding, we have reports of complete devastation of vulnerable housing. Of course it's still raining over here."
Maria was blamed for at least 33 deaths, including 15 in Dominica, three in Haiti and two in Guadeloupe.
"Puerto Rico is absolutely obliterated," US President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday after declaring the territory of 3.4 million people a disaster area, a move that will free up emergency relief funding.
"Puerto Rico is in a very, very, very tough shape," he said.
- 'Worst night of our lives' -
Suge Knight Thinks Tupac Shakur May Be Alive
Fox is hitting everyone with its new Who Shot Biggie and Tupac? special this Sunday. The two-hour event, which promises a closer look at the unsolved murders of two of music's most influential artists, is hosted by Ice-T and Soledad O'Brien and will most assuredly set the timeline on fire. Ahead of this weekend's premiere, TMZ dropped an exclusive clip Thursday featuring Suge Knight and some pretty outlandish claims.
"When Pac died, if he really did, you know?" Knight, calling in from jail in L.A. county, tells the hosts in the brief clip. "I mean, when I left that hospital, me and Pac was laughing and joking. So I don't see how somebody can turn from doing well to doing bad." Asked by O'Brien if he was saying he seriously thought 2Pac might still be alive, Knight claimed that was somehow a possibility. "I'm gonna tell you that, with Pac, you never know," he says.
These comments, of course, are a direct contradiction to Knight's previous claims of knowing who killed 2Pac. Back in April, a signed affidavit from attorney Thaddeus Culpepper revealed that Knight thought his ex-wife Sharitha and former Death Row security boss Reggie Wright, Jr. were behind the 1996 killing, adding that they were actually hoping to take down Knight, not 2Pac.
Read more at Yahoo
"When Pac died, if he really did, you know?" Knight, calling in from jail in L.A. county, tells the hosts in the brief clip. "I mean, when I left that hospital, me and Pac was laughing and joking. So I don't see how somebody can turn from doing well to doing bad." Asked by O'Brien if he was saying he seriously thought 2Pac might still be alive, Knight claimed that was somehow a possibility. "I'm gonna tell you that, with Pac, you never know," he says.
These comments, of course, are a direct contradiction to Knight's previous claims of knowing who killed 2Pac. Back in April, a signed affidavit from attorney Thaddeus Culpepper revealed that Knight thought his ex-wife Sharitha and former Death Row security boss Reggie Wright, Jr. were behind the 1996 killing, adding that they were actually hoping to take down Knight, not 2Pac.
Read more at Yahoo
123 arrested in St. Louis in 3rd night of protests over ex-cop's acquittal
As St. Louis braces for a fourth night of demonstrations, the final arrest total in the city from the protest that began on Sunday night over last week’s acquittal of a former police officer involved in a 2011 shooting of a black motorist rose to 123 people, the city’s police said Monday evening.
After three nights of protests, more than 160 people have now been now arrested, as police have been aggressively arresting more people to curb property destruction and police assaults.
The protests began peacefully on Friday after St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson found Jason Stockley, 36, not guilty of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. On Dec. 20, 2011, the then-police officer shot 24-year-old Lamar Smith five times after a high-speed chase and crash.
Police said the demonstrations were “no longer peaceful” as of late Saturday night, and five weapons were confiscated, according to the St. Louis Police Department. At least 32 people were arrested earlier in the weekend as demonstrators blocked highways, damaged property and threw rocks at the mayor's house and bricks at police officers, police said.
“People setting out do damage are being arrested and these criminals we've arrested should be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” St. Louis Interim Police Chief Lawrence O’Toole said in a early-morning briefing on Monday.
“We're in control. This is our city and we're going to protect it,” he added.
Read more at Yahoo
After three nights of protests, more than 160 people have now been now arrested, as police have been aggressively arresting more people to curb property destruction and police assaults.
The protests began peacefully on Friday after St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson found Jason Stockley, 36, not guilty of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. On Dec. 20, 2011, the then-police officer shot 24-year-old Lamar Smith five times after a high-speed chase and crash.
Police said the demonstrations were “no longer peaceful” as of late Saturday night, and five weapons were confiscated, according to the St. Louis Police Department. At least 32 people were arrested earlier in the weekend as demonstrators blocked highways, damaged property and threw rocks at the mayor's house and bricks at police officers, police said.
“People setting out do damage are being arrested and these criminals we've arrested should be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” St. Louis Interim Police Chief Lawrence O’Toole said in a early-morning briefing on Monday.
“We're in control. This is our city and we're going to protect it,” he added.
Read more at Yahoo
Whites Have Huge Wealth Edge Over Blacks (but Don’t Know It)
Psychologists at Yale recently asked hundreds of Americans these two questions:
For every $100 earned by an average white family, how much do you think is earned by an average black family?
For every $100 in wealth accumulated by an average white family, how much wealth has the average black family accumulated?
The Yale researchers suspected that many people would not get the answers right.
“I’m a person who studies inequality, who should really know how inequality looks,” said one of the psychologists, Michael Kraus, who researches the behaviors and beliefs that help perpetuate inequality. “And I look at the black-white gap, and I’m shocked at the magnitude.”
Black families in America earn just $57.30 for every $100 in income earned by white families, according to the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey. For every $100 in white family wealth, black families hold just $5.04.
If Mr. Kraus, of all people, is taken aback by these numbers, what are the odds that most Americans have a good understanding of them? The answer, he and his colleagues fear, has broad implications for how we understand our society and what we’re willing to do to make it fairer.
Americans, and higher-income whites in particular, vastly overestimate progress toward economic equality between blacks and whites, the psychologists reported Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Americans believe that blacks and whites are more equal today than they truly are on measures of income, wealth, wages and health benefits. And they believe more historical progress has occurred than is the case, suggesting “a profound misperception of and unfounded optimism” regarding racial equality.
Read more at NY Times
For every $100 earned by an average white family, how much do you think is earned by an average black family?
For every $100 in wealth accumulated by an average white family, how much wealth has the average black family accumulated?
The Yale researchers suspected that many people would not get the answers right.
“I’m a person who studies inequality, who should really know how inequality looks,” said one of the psychologists, Michael Kraus, who researches the behaviors and beliefs that help perpetuate inequality. “And I look at the black-white gap, and I’m shocked at the magnitude.”
Black families in America earn just $57.30 for every $100 in income earned by white families, according to the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey. For every $100 in white family wealth, black families hold just $5.04.
If Mr. Kraus, of all people, is taken aback by these numbers, what are the odds that most Americans have a good understanding of them? The answer, he and his colleagues fear, has broad implications for how we understand our society and what we’re willing to do to make it fairer.
Americans, and higher-income whites in particular, vastly overestimate progress toward economic equality between blacks and whites, the psychologists reported Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Americans believe that blacks and whites are more equal today than they truly are on measures of income, wealth, wages and health benefits. And they believe more historical progress has occurred than is the case, suggesting “a profound misperception of and unfounded optimism” regarding racial equality.
Read more at NY Times
White House Calls Jemele Hill's Trump Comment A "Fireable Offense'
Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Hill's remarks were "outrageous."
According to The Washington Post, Sanders told reporters, "That's one of the more outrageous comments that anyone could make and certainly something that I think is a fireable offense by ESPN."
On Monday, Hill issued a series of tweets in which she stated, "Donald Trump is a white supremacist who has largely surrounded himself w/ other white supremacists."
The network quickly came under fire with many believing ESPN had decided to take a conservative approach to Trump's presidency.
Read more at Essence
According to The Washington Post, Sanders told reporters, "That's one of the more outrageous comments that anyone could make and certainly something that I think is a fireable offense by ESPN."
On Monday, Hill issued a series of tweets in which she stated, "Donald Trump is a white supremacist who has largely surrounded himself w/ other white supremacists."
The network quickly came under fire with many believing ESPN had decided to take a conservative approach to Trump's presidency.
Read more at Essence
Police: 12 people "involved in some way" in death of Kenneka Jenkins
CHICAGO -- Police investigating the death of a teen whose body was found in a hotel freezer say they have interviewed 12 people who were "involved in some way."
Kenneka Jenkins, 19, was found dead in a walk-in freezer at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center in Rosemont, Illinois, at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday. She had been reported missing by family members about 24 hours before.
After mounting public pressure, police on Wednesday released a statement on the status of their investigation. The Rosemont Public Safety Department said police are conducting "an active death investigation" and detectives have been in daily contact with Tereasa Martin, Jenkins' mother.
Dozens of protesters demanded police provide more information about Jenkins' death on Wednesday, CBS Chicago reports.
Police are analyzing video from 47 hotel cameras as well as "certain videos related to this investigation." On Wednesday, the Chicago Tribune reported that police are examining a Facebook Live video that appeared to show Jenkins sitting on a hotel bed with other people in a 9th-floor room.
Police have "located and interviewed" 12 people as part of the investigation, the department said, eight of whom were at the hotel Friday night or early Saturday morning. Police are trying to locate and interview four others who were present that night.
Read more at CBS
Kenneka Jenkins, 19, was found dead in a walk-in freezer at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center in Rosemont, Illinois, at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday. She had been reported missing by family members about 24 hours before.
After mounting public pressure, police on Wednesday released a statement on the status of their investigation. The Rosemont Public Safety Department said police are conducting "an active death investigation" and detectives have been in daily contact with Tereasa Martin, Jenkins' mother.
Dozens of protesters demanded police provide more information about Jenkins' death on Wednesday, CBS Chicago reports.
Police are analyzing video from 47 hotel cameras as well as "certain videos related to this investigation." On Wednesday, the Chicago Tribune reported that police are examining a Facebook Live video that appeared to show Jenkins sitting on a hotel bed with other people in a 9th-floor room.
Police have "located and interviewed" 12 people as part of the investigation, the department said, eight of whom were at the hotel Friday night or early Saturday morning. Police are trying to locate and interview four others who were present that night.
Read more at CBS
Irate Mother Stabs Boyfriend 6 Times After Finding Him Naked On Top Of Her 12-Year-Old Daughter
Police in Cleveland are investigating a possible rape case after a woman repeatedly stabbed her boyfriend when she found him naked on top of her 12-year-old daughter, according to police records.
According to Cleveland.com, neither the woman nor man has yet been charged in connection with the incident.
Police were called to the home of the woman around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday. When police arrived, she the unidentified woman came outside and said that "her boyfriend tried touching her daughter and she stabbed him."
The 31-year-old unidentified man was stabbed five times in his chest and once in the back of his head, according to a police report. He was treated at MetroHealth.
While talking with police, the man said his girlfriend may have attacked him because she thought her unnamed daughter had feelings for him. However, both the woman and her daughter told police an entirely different story.
The woman told police that she was headed to bed when she spotted the man naked on top of the girl, the report says.
"In a fit of rage, [she] grabbed her pocket knife and attacked him," the police report says.
Read more at BET
According to Cleveland.com, neither the woman nor man has yet been charged in connection with the incident.
Police were called to the home of the woman around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday. When police arrived, she the unidentified woman came outside and said that "her boyfriend tried touching her daughter and she stabbed him."
The 31-year-old unidentified man was stabbed five times in his chest and once in the back of his head, according to a police report. He was treated at MetroHealth.
While talking with police, the man said his girlfriend may have attacked him because she thought her unnamed daughter had feelings for him. However, both the woman and her daughter told police an entirely different story.
The woman told police that she was headed to bed when she spotted the man naked on top of the girl, the report says.
"In a fit of rage, [she] grabbed her pocket knife and attacked him," the police report says.
Read more at BET
Detroits Lions Ban Racist Fan From Stadium
A Lions fan who recently posted a Snapchat video of two black fans who sat for the national anthem during the Lions’ home opener with the caption “ignorant niggers” has relinquished his season tickets, per the Detroit News.
The Lions began an investigation into the incident after an image from the video went viral, and after identifying the fan, banned him from games at Ford Field. Realistically, stadium bans are unenforceable, but ostensibly this means he will not be able to purchase tickets directly from the Lions under his real name.
When asked about the Lions’ handling of the incident, head coach Jim Caldwell told the Detroit News:
We do have a fan behavior standard, a code of standards, and I think, without question, our organization followed up, found out who the individual was and he no longer has season tickets in our stadium. I think it was handled appropriately, and those things happen sometimes.
Read more at Deadspin
The Lions began an investigation into the incident after an image from the video went viral, and after identifying the fan, banned him from games at Ford Field. Realistically, stadium bans are unenforceable, but ostensibly this means he will not be able to purchase tickets directly from the Lions under his real name.
When asked about the Lions’ handling of the incident, head coach Jim Caldwell told the Detroit News:
We do have a fan behavior standard, a code of standards, and I think, without question, our organization followed up, found out who the individual was and he no longer has season tickets in our stadium. I think it was handled appropriately, and those things happen sometimes.
Read more at Deadspin
Michael Bennett Sr. Speaks Out After His Son's Detainment: "This Is Why You're Kneeling"
The phone at the Bennett residence rang at 4:30 on the morning of Sunday Aug. 27, resounding through the house like an alarm bell. Michael Bennett Sr. had been asleep beside his wife, Pennie, when he was jarred out of his dreams and into a nightmare. He knows that when the phone rings in the middle of the night, something bad has happened.
“You don’t want to answer the phone because you don’t want to find out [what happened], but you know you got to,” Michael Sr. says. “So I answered it. And it was Michael.”
A few hours earlier, Michael Sr. and Pennie were watching the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor at a friend’s house near their home in Katy, Texas. Their son, Michael Jr., a defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks, was in Las Vegas, watching the fight ringside. His parents’ biggest worry at the time was whether or not they would be able to drive back to their house that night—parts of Houston were already under water as a result of the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. But they made it home, and a few hours later received a phone call.
“Dad,” Michael said, his voice audibly shaking through the phone’s speaker. “I need to tell you what just happened…”
Michael Jr. would go on to tell his father what he would tell the public a week and a half later, in a tweet he sent at 10:01 a.m. on Wednesday morning. How, as he was leaving the fight in Las Vegas, he heard what sounded like gunshots and, like dozens of people around him, fled the area. How a group of police officers pointed their guns at him “for doing nothing more than simply being a black man in the wrong place at the wrong time.” How they ordered him to the ground, how he complied with their commands to not move, how one officer put a gun near his head and told him he’d “blow his f***ing head off,” and how another jammed a knee into his back. How they cinched handcuffs on him so tight his fingers went numb. How all he could think about was his kids and his wife, and how he thought he was going to die for no other reason than for being black.
Read more at Yahoo.
“You don’t want to answer the phone because you don’t want to find out [what happened], but you know you got to,” Michael Sr. says. “So I answered it. And it was Michael.”
A few hours earlier, Michael Sr. and Pennie were watching the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor at a friend’s house near their home in Katy, Texas. Their son, Michael Jr., a defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks, was in Las Vegas, watching the fight ringside. His parents’ biggest worry at the time was whether or not they would be able to drive back to their house that night—parts of Houston were already under water as a result of the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. But they made it home, and a few hours later received a phone call.
“Dad,” Michael said, his voice audibly shaking through the phone’s speaker. “I need to tell you what just happened…”
Michael Jr. would go on to tell his father what he would tell the public a week and a half later, in a tweet he sent at 10:01 a.m. on Wednesday morning. How, as he was leaving the fight in Las Vegas, he heard what sounded like gunshots and, like dozens of people around him, fled the area. How a group of police officers pointed their guns at him “for doing nothing more than simply being a black man in the wrong place at the wrong time.” How they ordered him to the ground, how he complied with their commands to not move, how one officer put a gun near his head and told him he’d “blow his f***ing head off,” and how another jammed a knee into his back. How they cinched handcuffs on him so tight his fingers went numb. How all he could think about was his kids and his wife, and how he thought he was going to die for no other reason than for being black.
Read more at Yahoo.
Boardroom Power: Blacks on the Board of Directors
This year we’ve expanded the universe of companies from the top 300 companies listed on the Standard & Poor’s 500 to the full S&P 500 to gain a more complete picture of corporate America’s performance when it to comes to diversity at the highest level.
So why should you or the average person care about the 292 blacks sitting on the board of directors of 303 companies? Or about the 197 companies who have boards without a single black director?
The answer is simple: The decisions made in these boardrooms affect us all. Based on the guidance these directors provide to CEOs and senior management, the entire black community stands to gain—or lose.
The power of the board of directors
The role of the corporate director is ensuring the creation of shareholder value, and their impact—specifically when it comes to diversity—has traditionally focused on three areas: people, procurement, and philanthropy.
People is about employees and managers; boards have a say in the policies that determine which people companies choose to hire, train, promote, and fire.
Procurement is focused on suppliers; boards have oversight of corporate expenditures which includes guidelines that determine which businesses will provide services ranging from major construction projects to asset management.
And philanthropy is about corporate giving; boards have a large say in what causes companies support.
So if you care about jobs for African Americans, contracting opportunities for black-owned businesses, or the allocation of dollars to support nonprofit organizations in our communities, then you must care about diversity on the board of directors.
“Companies in the Fortune 500 spend trillions of dollars buying goods and services. What we want to do is influence those companies to spend those dollars with black-owned companies,” explains Bruce Gordon, who joined the board of directors of CBS Corp. in 2006.
“Companies also spend billions of dollars in communities around a whole range of philanthropic issues. Think of our arts institutions. Think of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture—one of the most important cultural projects in the history of our country. I know for a fact that directors across the country, particularly African American directors, were influential in getting their companies to support the construction of that institution.”
“Having an African American at the table means they can influence policy. If we use our voices appropriately, then our communities are the beneficiaries of what we do,” Gordon continues. “People need to understand how important this is. Our people in our community should care about that.”
Read more at Black Enterprise
So why should you or the average person care about the 292 blacks sitting on the board of directors of 303 companies? Or about the 197 companies who have boards without a single black director?
The answer is simple: The decisions made in these boardrooms affect us all. Based on the guidance these directors provide to CEOs and senior management, the entire black community stands to gain—or lose.
The power of the board of directors
The role of the corporate director is ensuring the creation of shareholder value, and their impact—specifically when it comes to diversity—has traditionally focused on three areas: people, procurement, and philanthropy.
People is about employees and managers; boards have a say in the policies that determine which people companies choose to hire, train, promote, and fire.
Procurement is focused on suppliers; boards have oversight of corporate expenditures which includes guidelines that determine which businesses will provide services ranging from major construction projects to asset management.
And philanthropy is about corporate giving; boards have a large say in what causes companies support.
So if you care about jobs for African Americans, contracting opportunities for black-owned businesses, or the allocation of dollars to support nonprofit organizations in our communities, then you must care about diversity on the board of directors.
“Companies in the Fortune 500 spend trillions of dollars buying goods and services. What we want to do is influence those companies to spend those dollars with black-owned companies,” explains Bruce Gordon, who joined the board of directors of CBS Corp. in 2006.
“Companies also spend billions of dollars in communities around a whole range of philanthropic issues. Think of our arts institutions. Think of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture—one of the most important cultural projects in the history of our country. I know for a fact that directors across the country, particularly African American directors, were influential in getting their companies to support the construction of that institution.”
“Having an African American at the table means they can influence policy. If we use our voices appropriately, then our communities are the beneficiaries of what we do,” Gordon continues. “People need to understand how important this is. Our people in our community should care about that.”
Read more at Black Enterprise
Hurricane Harvey: What Happened and What’s Next
Overwhelmed by the news from Texas since Hurricane Harvey made landfall? Here is an overview of coverage by The New York Times that will be updated as events continue.
The latest can be found in Tuesday’s live storm briefing.
What’s happening on the ground
At least 13 people are dead, with many more injured, as parts of the Houston area were inundated with more than 40 inches of rain, according to forecasters. They say totals could reach 50 inches as rainfall continues through Wednesday.
Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, calling the storm “one of the largest disasters America has ever faced,” said the region would not recover anytime soon.
Some residents struggled with whether to stay in their homes, after Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner made the difficult decision not to issue a mandatory evacuation order.
Houston’s hospitals struggled to treat victims and the upheaval closed schools across Texas. The brutal storm also put the brakes on the area’s recent economic upswing.
Here is a map showing how long it took for 50 inches of rain to fall in your area and here are some of the most powerful photos of the devastation. If you can do so safely, please share your own photos and videos here, or leave us a voicemail message. Listen to Tuesday’s episode of “The Daily” podcast to hear from some people who fled the storm.
Read more at NY Times
The latest can be found in Tuesday’s live storm briefing.
What’s happening on the ground
At least 13 people are dead, with many more injured, as parts of the Houston area were inundated with more than 40 inches of rain, according to forecasters. They say totals could reach 50 inches as rainfall continues through Wednesday.
Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, calling the storm “one of the largest disasters America has ever faced,” said the region would not recover anytime soon.
Some residents struggled with whether to stay in their homes, after Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner made the difficult decision not to issue a mandatory evacuation order.
Houston’s hospitals struggled to treat victims and the upheaval closed schools across Texas. The brutal storm also put the brakes on the area’s recent economic upswing.
Here is a map showing how long it took for 50 inches of rain to fall in your area and here are some of the most powerful photos of the devastation. If you can do so safely, please share your own photos and videos here, or leave us a voicemail message. Listen to Tuesday’s episode of “The Daily” podcast to hear from some people who fled the storm.
Read more at NY Times
Chicago Cop Found Guilty Of Shooting Two Black Teens In 16-Bullet Barrage
(Hip Hop Wired) Marco Proano, an officer with the Chicago Police Department, was found guilty of using excessive force in a 2013 shooting where he shot his service weapon 16 times and wounded two Black teenagers. Proano maintained that he was doing his job in trying to curtail a car theft in the city’s notorious South Side neighborhood but jurors saw a police officer using his authority in a criminal manner.
Chicago Tribune reports:
In an unprecedented verdict, the jury deliberated about four hours before convicting Proano of two felony counts of using excessive force in violating the victims’ civil rights. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison on each count but likely will get far less because he has no prior criminal history.
Dressed in a dark gray suit and glasses, the 11-year veteran kept his hands clasped in front of him on the defense table and showed no emotion as the verdict was announced in U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman’s hushed courtroom.
Feinerman scheduled sentencing for Nov. 20. But federal prosecutors indicated they will seek next week to detain Proano as a danger to the community.
Proano is the first Chicago cop in memory to be convicted in federal court of criminal charges stemming from an on-duty shooting. He also was the first officer to go to trial in any shooting case since the court-ordered release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video in November 2015 sparked heated protests, political turmoil and promises of systemic change from Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Proano, 42, might also lose his job if the Chicago Police Department has their way.
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Photo: CPD screen capture
Chicago Tribune reports:
In an unprecedented verdict, the jury deliberated about four hours before convicting Proano of two felony counts of using excessive force in violating the victims’ civil rights. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison on each count but likely will get far less because he has no prior criminal history.
Dressed in a dark gray suit and glasses, the 11-year veteran kept his hands clasped in front of him on the defense table and showed no emotion as the verdict was announced in U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman’s hushed courtroom.
Feinerman scheduled sentencing for Nov. 20. But federal prosecutors indicated they will seek next week to detain Proano as a danger to the community.
Proano is the first Chicago cop in memory to be convicted in federal court of criminal charges stemming from an on-duty shooting. He also was the first officer to go to trial in any shooting case since the court-ordered release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video in November 2015 sparked heated protests, political turmoil and promises of systemic change from Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Proano, 42, might also lose his job if the Chicago Police Department has their way.
--
Photo: CPD screen capture
Next rally for Colin Kaepernick plans to deliver message to NFL's doorstep
NEW YORK – On Wednesday, the NFL will come face to face with the storyline that has come to define it over the past six months. The “United We Stand” rally for Colin Kaepernick – organized by nearly two dozen activists and organizations in New York – will occur right on Roger Goodell’s doorstep, and the unemployed quarterback’s message will be front and center at NFL headquarters in Midtown Manhattan.
The rally comes on the heels of an event this past weekend, where dozens of current and retired NYPD officers gathered across the East River in Brooklyn to show support for Kaepernick, whose silent protest of the “Star-Spangled Banner” became a topic of national discussion last season.
“I think [Kaepernick’s message is] important for this nation,” New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams told Yahoo Sports. “Kaepernick was trying to bring this to everyone’s attention and now you can’t ignore it. If folks had done this before, we’d be in a different position.”
Williams, who donned a Kaepernick jersey at Saturday’s event and hopes to be in attendance at Wednesday’s rally, joined the former 49ers quarterback’s protest last September when he sat for the Pledge of Allegiance during a city council meeting.
Read more at Yahoo
The rally comes on the heels of an event this past weekend, where dozens of current and retired NYPD officers gathered across the East River in Brooklyn to show support for Kaepernick, whose silent protest of the “Star-Spangled Banner” became a topic of national discussion last season.
“I think [Kaepernick’s message is] important for this nation,” New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams told Yahoo Sports. “Kaepernick was trying to bring this to everyone’s attention and now you can’t ignore it. If folks had done this before, we’d be in a different position.”
Williams, who donned a Kaepernick jersey at Saturday’s event and hopes to be in attendance at Wednesday’s rally, joined the former 49ers quarterback’s protest last September when he sat for the Pledge of Allegiance during a city council meeting.
Read more at Yahoo
Charlottesville was painful. But it wasn’t a surprise to black people.
Last Friday, portraits of angry white men, their faces glowing in the light of a fiery mob, began circulating on Twitter. These images, taken in Charlottesville, Va., were promptly followed by a steady stream of white people making jokes about the fact that the torches in question were of the standard home-and-garden store variety.
A lot of us, frankly, didn’t see the humor. These images were disturbingly similar to photos from Ku Klux Klan rallies in the Confederate States of America, down south, during the civil rights movement. Amongst those not laughing were many black, brown and Jewish people, who deal with white supremacy every single day. As a black woman, I rely on social media for memes, GIFs and junk news, fodder to survive the treachery that is our current political climate.
However, when a race-related event such as this happens, thanks to Facebook’s algorithm, I’m suddenly thrust into an endless stream of violent photographs and horrifying news, with little to no warning. Sprinkled in between these images is usually commentary from marginalized groups who are justifiably saddened, triggered, exhausted or flat out angry. But right next to them are “shocked” — and often oblivious — white allies.
As an act of self-preservation, many black people are increasingly becoming numb to these hate crimes. Brittany Mobley is among those who wasn’t shocked by the news out of Charlottesville. Although she graduated from Howard Law School, she attended the University of Virginia as an undergrad.
“I wish it were more surprising,” said Mobley, who graduated in 2008 and no longer lives in Charlottesville.
Read more at The Lilly
A lot of us, frankly, didn’t see the humor. These images were disturbingly similar to photos from Ku Klux Klan rallies in the Confederate States of America, down south, during the civil rights movement. Amongst those not laughing were many black, brown and Jewish people, who deal with white supremacy every single day. As a black woman, I rely on social media for memes, GIFs and junk news, fodder to survive the treachery that is our current political climate.
However, when a race-related event such as this happens, thanks to Facebook’s algorithm, I’m suddenly thrust into an endless stream of violent photographs and horrifying news, with little to no warning. Sprinkled in between these images is usually commentary from marginalized groups who are justifiably saddened, triggered, exhausted or flat out angry. But right next to them are “shocked” — and often oblivious — white allies.
As an act of self-preservation, many black people are increasingly becoming numb to these hate crimes. Brittany Mobley is among those who wasn’t shocked by the news out of Charlottesville. Although she graduated from Howard Law School, she attended the University of Virginia as an undergrad.
“I wish it were more surprising,” said Mobley, who graduated in 2008 and no longer lives in Charlottesville.
Read more at The Lilly
Virginia Police Have Issued Four Arrest Warrants Against 'Nazi Crybaby' Christopher Cantwell
Four arrest warrants have been issued by the Albemarle County (Virginia) Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for neo-Nazi Christopher Cantwell. Cantwell was featured in Vice’s infamous documentary about the events in Charlottesville, Virginia.
According to the New York Times, the now-dubbed “Nazi Crybaby” faces four felony warrants related to the “illegal use of gases, and injury by caustic agent or explosive.” It stems from a photo captured of him spraying pepper spray in a man’s face.
“I thought that spraying that guy was the least damaging thing I could do,” he told the newspaper. “In my left hand I had a flashlight. My other option, other than the pepper spray, was to break this guy’s teeth. OK? And I didn’t want to do that. I just wanted him to not hurt me.”
You didn’t want to get hurt, so you pepper sprayed someone? Interesting.
Anyway, Cantwell went on to reiterate that he didn’t do anything wrong and that he’s not scared of anyone trying to attack him even though we saw that video of him crying like a little snowflake.
Read more at BET
According to the New York Times, the now-dubbed “Nazi Crybaby” faces four felony warrants related to the “illegal use of gases, and injury by caustic agent or explosive.” It stems from a photo captured of him spraying pepper spray in a man’s face.
“I thought that spraying that guy was the least damaging thing I could do,” he told the newspaper. “In my left hand I had a flashlight. My other option, other than the pepper spray, was to break this guy’s teeth. OK? And I didn’t want to do that. I just wanted him to not hurt me.”
You didn’t want to get hurt, so you pepper sprayed someone? Interesting.
Anyway, Cantwell went on to reiterate that he didn’t do anything wrong and that he’s not scared of anyone trying to attack him even though we saw that video of him crying like a little snowflake.
Read more at BET
Heather Heyer, Charlottesville Victim, Is Recalled as ‘a Strong Woman’
Heather D. Heyer died standing up for what she believed in.
Friends described her as a passionate advocate for the disenfranchised who was often moved to tears by the world’s injustices. That sense of conviction led her to join demonstrators protesting a rally of white nationalists in Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday.
“We were just marching around, spreading love — and then the accident happened,” a friend, Marissa Blair, said. “In a split second you see a car, and you see bodies flying.”
The authorities said Ms. Heyer, 32, was killed when a car driven by a man from Ohio plowed into the crowd.
“Heather was such a sweet soul, and she did not deserve to die,” Ms. Blair said on Sunday.
Others said Ms. Heyer, who lived in Charlottesville, spoke out against inequality and urged co-workers to be active in their community.
“Heather was a very strong woman,” said Alfred A. Wilson, manager of the bankruptcy division at the Miller Law Group in Charlottesville, where Ms. Heyer worked as a paralegal. She stood up against “any type of discrimination,” he said. “That’s just how she’s always been.”
Read more at NY Times
Friends described her as a passionate advocate for the disenfranchised who was often moved to tears by the world’s injustices. That sense of conviction led her to join demonstrators protesting a rally of white nationalists in Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday.
“We were just marching around, spreading love — and then the accident happened,” a friend, Marissa Blair, said. “In a split second you see a car, and you see bodies flying.”
The authorities said Ms. Heyer, 32, was killed when a car driven by a man from Ohio plowed into the crowd.
“Heather was such a sweet soul, and she did not deserve to die,” Ms. Blair said on Sunday.
Others said Ms. Heyer, who lived in Charlottesville, spoke out against inequality and urged co-workers to be active in their community.
“Heather was a very strong woman,” said Alfred A. Wilson, manager of the bankruptcy division at the Miller Law Group in Charlottesville, where Ms. Heyer worked as a paralegal. She stood up against “any type of discrimination,” he said. “That’s just how she’s always been.”
Read more at NY Times
Obama's Former Photographer Reminds Trump What It Looks Like to Respect Women
Pete Souza is known for his skillful art of criticizing President Trump with pictures, and his latest move is receiving attention for all the right reasons. Following Trump's verbal attacks on MSNBC's Morning Joe host Mika Brzezinski — in which he called her "dumb as a rock" and tweeted about her appearance — the former White House photographer decided to remind Trump what it looks like when a president treats women as equals. Souza uploaded a series of photos on his Instagram page, captioned "respect for women," that will remind you that Trump's bullying and sexism are not normal behavior from a president. Read on to relive all the times Barack Obama showed women the respect they deserve.
See the photos at PopSugar
See the photos at PopSugar
Bruno Mars Donates $1M To Flint Water Crisis
Over the weekend, Grammy Award-winning musician, Bruno Mars, performed in Auburn Hills, Michigan. During his performance, the “24K Magic”singer announced plans to donate $1 million to aid the victims of the Flint water crisis.
Mars, along with Live Nation reportedly redirected proceeds from the night’s performance to benefit The Community Foundation of Greater Flint.
“Ongoing challenges remain years later for Flint residents, and it’s important that we don’t forget our brothers and sisters affected by this disaster,” he said in a statement sent to Pitchfork. “As people, especially as Americans, we need to stand together to make sure something like this never happens in any community ever again.”
Read more at Jet Mag
Mars, along with Live Nation reportedly redirected proceeds from the night’s performance to benefit The Community Foundation of Greater Flint.
“Ongoing challenges remain years later for Flint residents, and it’s important that we don’t forget our brothers and sisters affected by this disaster,” he said in a statement sent to Pitchfork. “As people, especially as Americans, we need to stand together to make sure something like this never happens in any community ever again.”
Read more at Jet Mag
Charlotte man hopes to cash in his chips for a $1 million prize
Charles Wesley Pope Sr. was a quiet man, but when he was out in his Macon, Ga., backyard it was a different story.
“He wasn’t a man of many words, but once he was showing us his garden, he would really open up,” said his grandson, Greg Pope of Charlotte.
The younger Pope spent a lot of time in that plot of vegetables when he visited his grandparents’ home in Macon.
Granddad, who had worked for the Bibb County school system, grew tomatoes, okra and collards that were taller than some of the kids.
“I just remember as a kid going into the backyard and looking at the things in the garden,” Pope said Thursday while visiting his grandmother, Lillian. “My grandparents never wanted us to leave the house without taking something.”
Pope’s father, also known as Greg, often would bring home a sack of green tomatoes and fry them up on the stove.
“I’d take ’em, wash ’em up real good and slice ’em to a nice size, and I mix up batter and fry ’em up real golden brown crispy,” the elder Greg Pope said.
His namesake son is savoring those family feasts as he competes for a million dollar prize in the Lay’s potato chip “Do us a Flavor” contest.
Mouth-watering memories led Greg Pope to submit his entry for fried green tomato flavored potato chips.
Read more at the Charlotte Observer
“He wasn’t a man of many words, but once he was showing us his garden, he would really open up,” said his grandson, Greg Pope of Charlotte.
The younger Pope spent a lot of time in that plot of vegetables when he visited his grandparents’ home in Macon.
Granddad, who had worked for the Bibb County school system, grew tomatoes, okra and collards that were taller than some of the kids.
“I just remember as a kid going into the backyard and looking at the things in the garden,” Pope said Thursday while visiting his grandmother, Lillian. “My grandparents never wanted us to leave the house without taking something.”
Pope’s father, also known as Greg, often would bring home a sack of green tomatoes and fry them up on the stove.
“I’d take ’em, wash ’em up real good and slice ’em to a nice size, and I mix up batter and fry ’em up real golden brown crispy,” the elder Greg Pope said.
His namesake son is savoring those family feasts as he competes for a million dollar prize in the Lay’s potato chip “Do us a Flavor” contest.
Mouth-watering memories led Greg Pope to submit his entry for fried green tomato flavored potato chips.
Read more at the Charlotte Observer
Family of Eric Garner to Receive Nearly $4 Million From New York City
Eric Garner’s family is reportedly slated to receive almost $4 million in payments from the city of New York, according to the Garner family's lawyer's new claims from the case.
The family was previously approved a $5.9 million settlement in July 2015, and the New York Post is reporting that those payments are starting to be distributed to some of Garner’s closest family members.
Garner's widow, Esaw Snipes, is set to get $1.4 million, while Garner’s 3-year-old daughter, Legacy Jayleen Garner-Miller, will be awarded next to $1.3 million. The payment made out to Garner’s daughter reportedly had the family’s attorneys pleased.
"I'm very happy that Legacy is going to be getting an increase in funds from that was originally proposed," Lorraine Coyle, the lawyer representing Garner-Miller, said recently. "The big issue is what the attorneys' fees are."
Read more at BET
The family was previously approved a $5.9 million settlement in July 2015, and the New York Post is reporting that those payments are starting to be distributed to some of Garner’s closest family members.
Garner's widow, Esaw Snipes, is set to get $1.4 million, while Garner’s 3-year-old daughter, Legacy Jayleen Garner-Miller, will be awarded next to $1.3 million. The payment made out to Garner’s daughter reportedly had the family’s attorneys pleased.
"I'm very happy that Legacy is going to be getting an increase in funds from that was originally proposed," Lorraine Coyle, the lawyer representing Garner-Miller, said recently. "The big issue is what the attorneys' fees are."
Read more at BET
Study Finds Black Women In The U.S. Killed At Higher Rate Than That Of Other Races.
A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that Black and indigenous women are murdered at a rate higher than that of any other race. The report by the Center For Disease Control and Prevention found that across 18 states Black women were murdered at drastically higher rates than women of other races.
According to the CDC study, which was conducted from 2003 to 2014, Black women are killed at a rate of 4.4 per 100,000 people and indigenous women at a rate of 4.3. Other races are killed at a rate of 1 or 2 per 100,000 people. A 2007 Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that Black women are four times more likely than White women to be killed as a result of domestic violence. Although Black women constitute only 13% of the U.S. population, they comprise half of the homicides against women in America.
Police findings from Dallas, Texas provide accurate micro-level representations of these findings. In August 2012, of the 12 incidents of domestic violence were reported in the city, half of the victims were Black women. More recently, in April, a domestic violence case involving a Black school teacher made national headlines when Karen Elaine Smith was fatally shot 10 times by her abusive husband while she was teaching a class. Smith had plans of divorcing him.
Read more at EBONY
According to the CDC study, which was conducted from 2003 to 2014, Black women are killed at a rate of 4.4 per 100,000 people and indigenous women at a rate of 4.3. Other races are killed at a rate of 1 or 2 per 100,000 people. A 2007 Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that Black women are four times more likely than White women to be killed as a result of domestic violence. Although Black women constitute only 13% of the U.S. population, they comprise half of the homicides against women in America.
Police findings from Dallas, Texas provide accurate micro-level representations of these findings. In August 2012, of the 12 incidents of domestic violence were reported in the city, half of the victims were Black women. More recently, in April, a domestic violence case involving a Black school teacher made national headlines when Karen Elaine Smith was fatally shot 10 times by her abusive husband while she was teaching a class. Smith had plans of divorcing him.
Read more at EBONY
Atlanta Hawks Security Faces Lawsuit For Allegedly Treating Black Celebs Like Criminals
Black artists are under heavy surveillance at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, according to a former security manager. Home to the Atlanta Hawks, the Philips Arena draws many celebrities and musicians to perform. However, while some stars are able to bypass security, others are not, and race might play a big part.
Sam Hayes was the security manager for the Atlanta Hawks and he ran event security at Philips Arena. Now, he’s suing the team for wrongfully firing him after he brought up claims of discrimination against Black celebrities at the arena. Hayes says that since he started working for the Hawks, who runs the arena, he’s noticed Black celebs go through more rigorous security checks than White celebs.
On August 26, Drake and Future performed at Philips Arena and asked to bypass metal detectors, but they were denied. A week later, rock band AC/DC made the same request when they were entering the venue. Their request was granted. The pattern continued with folks like Kanye West, Migos, 2 Chainz, Cedric the Entertainer, Eddie Griffen, and Tyler Perry having to go through metal detectors. On the other hand, folks like Bon Jovi, Amy Schumer, Ariana Grande and the WWE Live Tour were able to bypass the metal detectors.
Read more at Global Grind
Sam Hayes was the security manager for the Atlanta Hawks and he ran event security at Philips Arena. Now, he’s suing the team for wrongfully firing him after he brought up claims of discrimination against Black celebrities at the arena. Hayes says that since he started working for the Hawks, who runs the arena, he’s noticed Black celebs go through more rigorous security checks than White celebs.
On August 26, Drake and Future performed at Philips Arena and asked to bypass metal detectors, but they were denied. A week later, rock band AC/DC made the same request when they were entering the venue. Their request was granted. The pattern continued with folks like Kanye West, Migos, 2 Chainz, Cedric the Entertainer, Eddie Griffen, and Tyler Perry having to go through metal detectors. On the other hand, folks like Bon Jovi, Amy Schumer, Ariana Grande and the WWE Live Tour were able to bypass the metal detectors.
Read more at Global Grind
50 Cent Threatens to Take ‘Power’ Away From Starz in Heated Instagram Post
50 Cent lashed out on Instagram Monday over what he claims is inadequate treatment by Starz, following Sunday night’s explosive new episode. The rapper, who executive produces the series and stars as Kanan, said he feels “a little different about ‘Power'” and threatened to leave the show, which is one of Starz’s highest-rated series and is currently in its fourth season. Sunday’s episode, which saw the deaths of two major characters played by Anika Noni Rose and J.R. Ramirez, was originally planned to be a two-parter to include some additional storylines. However, according to showrunner Courtney Kemp, Starz didn’t agree to extend the episode order, resulting in just one packed episode.
Read more at Variety
Read more at Variety
International African American Museum receives $500k donation from Michelin
When last we spoke with International African American Museum president Michael Moore earlier this month, he promised a few six- and seven-figure donations would soon be announced. And the man tasked with raising $25 million in private funding for the museum wasn’t lying.
On Monday, the museum announced a $500,000 corporate investment from the Michelin Corporate Foundation. According to a statement released by the museum, there now remains $12.5 million in private fundraising left to go before they reach their goal.
“Michelin has long exercised its leadership in South Carolina since opening its first plant here more than four decades ago,” said Moore. “This generous gift fortifies and expands Michelin’s commitment to our state and further demonstrates its value for diversity.”
Set for construction at Gadsden’s Wharf, the $75 million museum has already cleared Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review. In July, Moore announced the launch of the museum’s Center for Family History, which will be dedicated to the study of African-American ancestry, providing genealogy education, original research, archiving efforts, as well as DNA testing.
Tentatively scheduled to open in 2020, Charleston County and the city have already pledged $25 million to the museum. Previous state budgets have set aside a total of $14 million for the museum, but funding was pulled from this year’s budget, with state lawmakers holding off on contributing any more money until the $25 million in private funding is secured.
Read more at Charleston City Paper
On Monday, the museum announced a $500,000 corporate investment from the Michelin Corporate Foundation. According to a statement released by the museum, there now remains $12.5 million in private fundraising left to go before they reach their goal.
“Michelin has long exercised its leadership in South Carolina since opening its first plant here more than four decades ago,” said Moore. “This generous gift fortifies and expands Michelin’s commitment to our state and further demonstrates its value for diversity.”
Set for construction at Gadsden’s Wharf, the $75 million museum has already cleared Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review. In July, Moore announced the launch of the museum’s Center for Family History, which will be dedicated to the study of African-American ancestry, providing genealogy education, original research, archiving efforts, as well as DNA testing.
Tentatively scheduled to open in 2020, Charleston County and the city have already pledged $25 million to the museum. Previous state budgets have set aside a total of $14 million for the museum, but funding was pulled from this year’s budget, with state lawmakers holding off on contributing any more money until the $25 million in private funding is secured.
Read more at Charleston City Paper
Legally Blind Black Woman Forced to Sit in the Back of Church Because of Service Dog Even After She Got Permission to Bring Him
A Black woman who is legally blind says she was discriminated against while visiting a new church in Georgia.
Although Cynthia Coleman, 58, has not named the church involved, she has detailed her reaction to being told she and her service dog would have to move to the back of the church.
“They just left me no choice. It was like, either you move to that back pew or you leave their church,” she told WLTX.
In addition, Coleman says she received permission from the church to bring her dog prior to her arrival. Coleman is legally blind with no vision in her right eye and no peripheral vision in her left eye, meaning she must sit in the very front of the church to see the pastor. When she called the church and explained the situation, she was told it would be OK.
However, after she and her dog, Hook, took their seats at the front, she started to feel very unwelcomed.
“Sitting down for about five or 10 minutes and about four or five deacons approached me in a way that made me feel very uncomfortable. Somewhat aggressive,” she told WLTX. “I explained to them that if I sat in the back pew then it was just really not an option because I wouldn't be able to see. I could only hear.”
Yet the church did not allow Coleman to stay at the front because they did not want Hook to become agitated and disrupt the service. Although their complaint is fair, Coleman believes they should have handled it with a completely different approach.
Read more at BET
Michelle Obama Addresses Racist Attacks She Endured As First Lady
Michelle Obama has opened up in front of a crowd of about 8,500 at the Women’s Foundation of Colorado’s 30th anniversary event in Denver about her experience as America’s first black first lady.
Obama spoke about smashing the glass ceiling as she was interviewed Tuesday by WFCO President and CEO Lauren Casteel at the Pepsi Center ― the same venue where she addressed thousands at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Casteel asked which of the falling glass shards cut the deepest, according to the Denver Post.
“The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut,” Obama said. “Knowing that after eight years of working really hard for this country, there are still people who won’t see me for what I am because of my skin color.”
Obama referenced racist attacks she endured, including being called an ape and disparaging references made about her body.
The former first lady faced an onslaught of racist insults while her husband, former President Barack Obama, was in office. Even after the 2016 presidential election, two West Virginia officials lost their jobs for referring to Obama as an “ape in heels” in a Facebook post celebrating President Donald Trump’s victory.
Throughout Obama’s two terms, she shared during commencement addresses and in some interviews how she coped with the racist attacks she had to face.
“When they go low, I go high,” Obama told graduates of the historically black Jackson State University in April 2016. “That’s the choice Barack and I have made. That’s what’s kept us sane over the years.”
Read more at Yahoo.
Obama spoke about smashing the glass ceiling as she was interviewed Tuesday by WFCO President and CEO Lauren Casteel at the Pepsi Center ― the same venue where she addressed thousands at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Casteel asked which of the falling glass shards cut the deepest, according to the Denver Post.
“The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut,” Obama said. “Knowing that after eight years of working really hard for this country, there are still people who won’t see me for what I am because of my skin color.”
Obama referenced racist attacks she endured, including being called an ape and disparaging references made about her body.
The former first lady faced an onslaught of racist insults while her husband, former President Barack Obama, was in office. Even after the 2016 presidential election, two West Virginia officials lost their jobs for referring to Obama as an “ape in heels” in a Facebook post celebrating President Donald Trump’s victory.
Throughout Obama’s two terms, she shared during commencement addresses and in some interviews how she coped with the racist attacks she had to face.
“When they go low, I go high,” Obama told graduates of the historically black Jackson State University in April 2016. “That’s the choice Barack and I have made. That’s what’s kept us sane over the years.”
Read more at Yahoo.
New transplant rules help more African Americans get kidneys
As an African American physician specializing in kidney diseases, Jerry McCauley is keenly aware of racial gaps that have plagued his field. Compared with white people, blacks are far more likely to develop kidney disease and wind up on dialysis, yet are less likely to be evaluated and listed for a lifesaving transplant.
McCauley is proud to report, however, that a longstanding disparity in actual kidney transplants has been eliminated. Thanks to improvements in allocation policies that he helped to bring about — and an increase in African American organ donors — blacks on the waiting list now get their fair share of kidneys from deceased donors. So do whites, Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians.
“It’s been clear for many years that African Americans don’t get transplanted as often as everyone else,” said McCauley, director of the nephrology division at Thomas Jefferson University. “I’m happy to say that is no longer true.”
The achievement is heartening, given that racial disparities in health care are a well-documented and persistent problem in Philadelphia and across the United States. In general, minorities face inequities in getting insurance, accessing care, and sustaining that care during chronic illness.
Read more at Philly.com
McCauley is proud to report, however, that a longstanding disparity in actual kidney transplants has been eliminated. Thanks to improvements in allocation policies that he helped to bring about — and an increase in African American organ donors — blacks on the waiting list now get their fair share of kidneys from deceased donors. So do whites, Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians.
“It’s been clear for many years that African Americans don’t get transplanted as often as everyone else,” said McCauley, director of the nephrology division at Thomas Jefferson University. “I’m happy to say that is no longer true.”
The achievement is heartening, given that racial disparities in health care are a well-documented and persistent problem in Philadelphia and across the United States. In general, minorities face inequities in getting insurance, accessing care, and sustaining that care during chronic illness.
Read more at Philly.com
OJ Simpson granted early release.
OJ Simpson who has been incarcerated since 2008 for an armed robbery, was unanimously granted parole today. The now 70 year old Simpson could be seen with a large smile as the decision was made. He has been a model citizen since being an inmate at Lovelock Correctional Center. He has coached a few of the sports teams at the correction center, as well as given advice on Fantasy Football. Although the decision was made today to release him, the realistic release date is probably around October. His daughter Arnelle Simpson, as well as one of the victims in the robbery spoke on behalf of OJ. Stating that 9 years is "too much time" for this type of crime. Hopefully he can enjoy the later days of his life.
Why are African Americans more likely to develop Alzheimer's?
Researchers know that African Americans are at a much higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than white Americans. But a new series of studies explores the reasons behind this, analyzing socioeconomic and psychological factors that may play a role.
At the moment, Alzheimer's disease ranks as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, with 1 in 3 seniors dying with this condition or another form of dementia.
In total, the illness is estimated to affect more than 5 million U.S. adults, but African Americans are thought to be twice as likely to develop the condition than their white counterparts.
Until now, it was not known whether these disparities continue over the age of 90. The reasons for these discrepancies in incidence rates have also not been sufficiently explored.
Now, four new studies - presented at the 2017 Alzheimer's Association International Conference, held in London, United Kingdom - confirm that these racial disparities do persist into old age. They also shed light on some previously under-investigated risk factors for the illness.
Researchers jointly led by Rachel Whitmer, Ph.D., from the Kaiser Permanente of Northern California (KPNC) health center, and Dr. Maria M. Corrada, of the University of California, Irvine, set out to examine whether there are any racial differences in the incidence and risk of Alzheimer's disease among the so-called oldest-old.
Read more at Medical News Today
At the moment, Alzheimer's disease ranks as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, with 1 in 3 seniors dying with this condition or another form of dementia.
In total, the illness is estimated to affect more than 5 million U.S. adults, but African Americans are thought to be twice as likely to develop the condition than their white counterparts.
Until now, it was not known whether these disparities continue over the age of 90. The reasons for these discrepancies in incidence rates have also not been sufficiently explored.
Now, four new studies - presented at the 2017 Alzheimer's Association International Conference, held in London, United Kingdom - confirm that these racial disparities do persist into old age. They also shed light on some previously under-investigated risk factors for the illness.
Researchers jointly led by Rachel Whitmer, Ph.D., from the Kaiser Permanente of Northern California (KPNC) health center, and Dr. Maria M. Corrada, of the University of California, Irvine, set out to examine whether there are any racial differences in the incidence and risk of Alzheimer's disease among the so-called oldest-old.
Read more at Medical News Today
Racist 'Black Lives Don't Mean S**t' Facebook Post Taunts Teen Forced to Share Valedictorian With White Classmate
The Black valedictorian in Mississippi who was forced to share the title with a white classmate has been the target of racist and bigoted messages on Facebook.
Jasmine Shepard was her school’s first Black valedictorian and her family was disappointed to learn she would have to share the stage with a classmate. According to the school, Jasmine and the student had the same grades, yet Jasmine was in more Advanced Placement classes, which should have meant she was given the title outright.
Jasmine’s family started a Justice for Jasmine Facebook page in order to rally behind her and encourage the school to give her the full title. However, the page has quickly become a place for hate speech.
Read more at BET
Jasmine Shepard was her school’s first Black valedictorian and her family was disappointed to learn she would have to share the stage with a classmate. According to the school, Jasmine and the student had the same grades, yet Jasmine was in more Advanced Placement classes, which should have meant she was given the title outright.
Jasmine’s family started a Justice for Jasmine Facebook page in order to rally behind her and encourage the school to give her the full title. However, the page has quickly become a place for hate speech.
Read more at BET
Mayweather-McGregor betting 'potentially bigger than the Super Bowl'
The Super Bowl is annually the biggest betting event of the year in the U.S. This year, though, it may be eclipsed by a boxing match.
Kevin Bradley, the sports book manager of Bovada.lv, said betting on Mayweather-McGregor has been massive already.
“We knew this fight would be big, potentially even bigger than the Super Bowl, but now we are almost certain it will be,” Bradley said. “The recent trash talking and promotional tour is only encouraging bets and at this rate we cannot even imagine how much we will take on it. One thing is for sure thought, we will need Mayweather huge. A McGregor early round KO as he promised would be a potential disaster and is partly a reason we are giving a great price on Mayweather at the moment.”
Bovada released a slew of wagering possibilities, but the odds on McGregor have dropped significantly. Mayweather is down to minus-500, while McGregor is now at plus-350.
Amazingly, a prop bet on whether Mayweather will be knocked down or out is only at plus-350. Mayweather is 49-0 and has only been down once in his career, and that came when he intentionally touched the canvas with his glove in the final round of a fight he was winning big because his hand was injured and he wanted a brief break.
Read more at Yahoo Sports
Kevin Bradley, the sports book manager of Bovada.lv, said betting on Mayweather-McGregor has been massive already.
“We knew this fight would be big, potentially even bigger than the Super Bowl, but now we are almost certain it will be,” Bradley said. “The recent trash talking and promotional tour is only encouraging bets and at this rate we cannot even imagine how much we will take on it. One thing is for sure thought, we will need Mayweather huge. A McGregor early round KO as he promised would be a potential disaster and is partly a reason we are giving a great price on Mayweather at the moment.”
Bovada released a slew of wagering possibilities, but the odds on McGregor have dropped significantly. Mayweather is down to minus-500, while McGregor is now at plus-350.
Amazingly, a prop bet on whether Mayweather will be knocked down or out is only at plus-350. Mayweather is 49-0 and has only been down once in his career, and that came when he intentionally touched the canvas with his glove in the final round of a fight he was winning big because his hand was injured and he wanted a brief break.
Read more at Yahoo Sports
Mistrial declared for third time for ex-cop accused of killing daughter's black boyfriend
TULSA, Okla. -- For the third time in less than a year a jury deadlocked on Friday and forced a mistrial in the murder case of a white former Oklahoma police officer accused of killing his daughter's black boyfriend, astonishing prosecutors and frustrating the boyfriend's family.
Judge Sharon Holmes declared the mistrial after four hours of jury deliberations over the fate of former Tulsa police officer Shannon Kepler. He was accused of fatally shooting 19-year-old Jeremey Lake in August 2014, not long after Lake started dating Kepler's then-18-year-old daughter, Lisa.
Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said he was shocked that a mistrial was declared after such short jury deliberations.
"I've never encountered a dynamic like this in 25 years of practice," Kunzweiler said after the mistrial was declared. "In my opinion, there should be some compulsion placed on jurors to reach a verdict."
Kepler and his attorneys cheered loudly in the elevator leaving the courthouse, CBS affiliate KOTV reports.
"It's a six-six mistrial," Kepler's attorney Richard O'Carroll told KOTV "And these jurors specifically told the court and the state and the defense that they needed more evidence."
O'Carroll said he is prepared to defend Kepler five more times.
Read more at CBS
Judge Sharon Holmes declared the mistrial after four hours of jury deliberations over the fate of former Tulsa police officer Shannon Kepler. He was accused of fatally shooting 19-year-old Jeremey Lake in August 2014, not long after Lake started dating Kepler's then-18-year-old daughter, Lisa.
Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said he was shocked that a mistrial was declared after such short jury deliberations.
"I've never encountered a dynamic like this in 25 years of practice," Kunzweiler said after the mistrial was declared. "In my opinion, there should be some compulsion placed on jurors to reach a verdict."
Kepler and his attorneys cheered loudly in the elevator leaving the courthouse, CBS affiliate KOTV reports.
"It's a six-six mistrial," Kepler's attorney Richard O'Carroll told KOTV "And these jurors specifically told the court and the state and the defense that they needed more evidence."
O'Carroll said he is prepared to defend Kepler five more times.
Read more at CBS
DMX Charged with Tax Evasion, Facing More Than 40 Years in Prison
DMX and the IRS have major beef ... the feds just slapped the rapper with 14 counts of tax evasion, and he's already surrendered to law enforcement.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in NYC says DMX has concealed his income for several years and is now about $1.7 million in the red to the IRS. According to the indictment, X had cash pouring in during the early 2000s from a slew of hits. The feds even name checked "X Gon' Give It to Ya" in the docs.
They say he was avoiding using personal bank accounts, using accounts of surrogates -- including business managers -- and lived mostly on cash.
According to the docs, when DMX appeared on 'Couples Therapy' he was supposed to be paid $125,000 -- but when he got his initial check the proper taxes had been withheld ... which didn't sit well with him. The feds say he went back to producers and demanded a new check for the full amount ... which he got.
Read more at TMZ
The U.S. Attorney's Office in NYC says DMX has concealed his income for several years and is now about $1.7 million in the red to the IRS. According to the indictment, X had cash pouring in during the early 2000s from a slew of hits. The feds even name checked "X Gon' Give It to Ya" in the docs.
They say he was avoiding using personal bank accounts, using accounts of surrogates -- including business managers -- and lived mostly on cash.
According to the docs, when DMX appeared on 'Couples Therapy' he was supposed to be paid $125,000 -- but when he got his initial check the proper taxes had been withheld ... which didn't sit well with him. The feds say he went back to producers and demanded a new check for the full amount ... which he got.
Read more at TMZ
Congresswoman's Phone Hacked and Nude Photos and Videos Leaked by Staffer and Former 'I Love New York' Contestant
Two former staffers to a member of Congress have been charged in connection to the distribution of nude images and videos taken from her cellphone, federal prosecutors and the U.S. Capitol Police announced Thursday in Washington.
According to the Washington Post, Juan R. McCullum, 35, was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of cyberstalking, and a co-worker, Dorene Browne-Louis, 45, was indicted on two counts of obstruction of justice, said U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Channing D. Phillips and Capitol Police Chief Matthew R. Verderosa in a statement.
In 2015 McCullum was named fifth on the “50 Most Beautiful” people in politics by the Hill. He also appeared as “Pretty” on VH1’s “I Love New York.”
Both McCullum and Browne-Louis worked for Virgin Islands Del. Stacey Plaskett (D), who released a statement on Thursday which read: “Last year, my privacy was invaded, which was followed by an organized smear campaign and defamatory press reports concerning both me and my family.”
According to the indictment, McCullum worked from April 2015 until June 2016 in the House member’s legislative office in Washington. McCullum worked as a legislative counsel and Browne-Lewis was a scheduler.
Based on reports, McCullum took a House member’s phone to the Apple store for repair in March 2016. Later that year in July, personal photos of Plaskett appeared on Facebook and were sent through emails.
Read more at BET
According to the Washington Post, Juan R. McCullum, 35, was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of cyberstalking, and a co-worker, Dorene Browne-Louis, 45, was indicted on two counts of obstruction of justice, said U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Channing D. Phillips and Capitol Police Chief Matthew R. Verderosa in a statement.
In 2015 McCullum was named fifth on the “50 Most Beautiful” people in politics by the Hill. He also appeared as “Pretty” on VH1’s “I Love New York.”
Both McCullum and Browne-Louis worked for Virgin Islands Del. Stacey Plaskett (D), who released a statement on Thursday which read: “Last year, my privacy was invaded, which was followed by an organized smear campaign and defamatory press reports concerning both me and my family.”
According to the indictment, McCullum worked from April 2015 until June 2016 in the House member’s legislative office in Washington. McCullum worked as a legislative counsel and Browne-Lewis was a scheduler.
Based on reports, McCullum took a House member’s phone to the Apple store for repair in March 2016. Later that year in July, personal photos of Plaskett appeared on Facebook and were sent through emails.
Read more at BET
The NRA finally commented on Philando Castile
More than a year after the death of black motorist — and lawful gun owner — Philando Castile at the hands of a Minnesota police officer, the National Rifle Association finally has something to say. NRA representative Dana Loesch addressed Castile's killing during a contentious appearance Monday on CNN, confirming her comments were made on the organization's behalf.
Castile's death was "absolutely awful" and "a terrible tragedy that could have been avoided," she said before pivoting to a discussion of NRA programming:
I don't agree with every single decision that comes out from courtrooms of America. There are a lot of variables in this particular case, and there were a lot of things that I wish would have been done differently. Do I believe that Philando Castile deserved to lose his life over his [traffic] stop? I absolutely do not. I also think that this is why we have things like NRA Carry Guard, not only to reach out to the citizens to go over what to do during stops like this, but also to work with law enforcement so that they understand what citizens are experiencing when they go through stops like this.
As eyewitness testimony and dashcam footage have confirmed, Castile did know "what to do during stops like this;" he calmly informed the officer about his firearm and explained he was not attempting to access it.
Loesch recently appeared in an NRA ad calling conservatives to fight critics of President Trump with "the clenched fist of truth." Critics argued the clip's dramatic "us vs. them" rhetoric was a coded call to violence or at least antagonism of racial tensions.
Read more at The Week.com
Castile's death was "absolutely awful" and "a terrible tragedy that could have been avoided," she said before pivoting to a discussion of NRA programming:
I don't agree with every single decision that comes out from courtrooms of America. There are a lot of variables in this particular case, and there were a lot of things that I wish would have been done differently. Do I believe that Philando Castile deserved to lose his life over his [traffic] stop? I absolutely do not. I also think that this is why we have things like NRA Carry Guard, not only to reach out to the citizens to go over what to do during stops like this, but also to work with law enforcement so that they understand what citizens are experiencing when they go through stops like this.
As eyewitness testimony and dashcam footage have confirmed, Castile did know "what to do during stops like this;" he calmly informed the officer about his firearm and explained he was not attempting to access it.
Loesch recently appeared in an NRA ad calling conservatives to fight critics of President Trump with "the clenched fist of truth." Critics argued the clip's dramatic "us vs. them" rhetoric was a coded call to violence or at least antagonism of racial tensions.
Read more at The Week.com
Wisconsin's only black-owned bookstore closes, leaving memories — and a void
Carla Allison stood behind the cash register of her bookstore, smiling warmly as she rang up customers, fielded questions and greeted old friends.
She didn't show it, but occasionally she mentioned that she really didn't warm to the spotlight.
"This day is unbelievable," she said during a community question-and-answer session held outside the store. "I have never had so many cameras in front of me — that's not who I am."
After 28 years, Allison is retiring and with her, the last black-owned bookstore in Wisconsin closed on Saturday. The Reader's Choice was far from easy to run, she said, and not every day brought reward.
"It has been a bit of work — more than a bit of work," she said. "But I'm here. I have been here when I was supposed to be here. So to see the community come back on this last day and express gratitude is surprising to me. It's very heartfelt."
In the nearly three decades Allison, 74, ran the bookstore at 1950 N. King Drive, she did so quietly, suggesting books to customers and encouraging children to read. Lydia Besley, who has shopped at the store for 15 years, recalled Allison's role in her grandson's love of reading.
"I said, 'I can't get him to start reading books. Could you help him?' " Besley said. "She puts her arm around him and they go to the back and he comes back with three books. And as I'm talking to her he reads half of a book while we're just standing there.
"Just that quick she inspired him, and just for the rest of his life, he's going to remember that," she said. "He's going to remember it forever."
Read more at JS Online
She didn't show it, but occasionally she mentioned that she really didn't warm to the spotlight.
"This day is unbelievable," she said during a community question-and-answer session held outside the store. "I have never had so many cameras in front of me — that's not who I am."
After 28 years, Allison is retiring and with her, the last black-owned bookstore in Wisconsin closed on Saturday. The Reader's Choice was far from easy to run, she said, and not every day brought reward.
"It has been a bit of work — more than a bit of work," she said. "But I'm here. I have been here when I was supposed to be here. So to see the community come back on this last day and express gratitude is surprising to me. It's very heartfelt."
In the nearly three decades Allison, 74, ran the bookstore at 1950 N. King Drive, she did so quietly, suggesting books to customers and encouraging children to read. Lydia Besley, who has shopped at the store for 15 years, recalled Allison's role in her grandson's love of reading.
"I said, 'I can't get him to start reading books. Could you help him?' " Besley said. "She puts her arm around him and they go to the back and he comes back with three books. And as I'm talking to her he reads half of a book while we're just standing there.
"Just that quick she inspired him, and just for the rest of his life, he's going to remember that," she said. "He's going to remember it forever."
Read more at JS Online
Video of Cop Beating Homeless Woman Prompts Second Investigation
Cellphone video footage showing a Georgia cop repeatedly striking a homeless woman with his baton as she lay on the ground has prompted another investigation into the incident, Huffington Post reports.
Authorities made the announcement on Monday.
The video is close to two minutes long and was recorded on June 4. It shows the DeKalb County officer beating the woman and threatening to shoot her as she struggles inside of a local convenience store.
The woman was reportedly unarmed, but can be seen attempting to kick the officer. There’s at least one instance where she doesn’t appear to struggle at all, but is still repeatedly struck.
The investigation will be the second one into the incident and comes in response to the video resurfacing on social media over the weekend.
“It’s more we’re looking at the video to see if it aligns with the officer’s statement,” DeKalb County Police Spokeswoman, Shiera Campbell, told HuffPost on Tuesday. “Right now, what he put in his report is consistent with the video.”
An initial police report does not identify the officer. It states that he was responding to a complaint of a woman asking for money from customers inside a local store. When he approached her, she presented herself as a federal agent and gave a random badge number.
Read more at EBONY
Authorities made the announcement on Monday.
The video is close to two minutes long and was recorded on June 4. It shows the DeKalb County officer beating the woman and threatening to shoot her as she struggles inside of a local convenience store.
The woman was reportedly unarmed, but can be seen attempting to kick the officer. There’s at least one instance where she doesn’t appear to struggle at all, but is still repeatedly struck.
The investigation will be the second one into the incident and comes in response to the video resurfacing on social media over the weekend.
“It’s more we’re looking at the video to see if it aligns with the officer’s statement,” DeKalb County Police Spokeswoman, Shiera Campbell, told HuffPost on Tuesday. “Right now, what he put in his report is consistent with the video.”
An initial police report does not identify the officer. It states that he was responding to a complaint of a woman asking for money from customers inside a local store. When he approached her, she presented herself as a federal agent and gave a random badge number.
Read more at EBONY
Police Say Venus Williams Not at Fault for Crash Causing Fatality
Police in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, announced Friday that Venus Williams entered an intersection legally before she was involved in a fatal car accident last month.
According to ESPN.com, police said surveillance video showed Williams "was cut off by another car, setting off a chain of events that seconds later resulted in a fatal crash with a third car."
"Based on the evidence obtained in the ongoing investigation, it has been determined the vehicle driven by Venus Williams lawfully entered the intersection on a circular green traffic signal and attempted to travel north through the intersection to BallenIsles Drive," police said in a statement, per the Palm Beach Post's Sarah Peters.
Video of the crash, which resulted in the death of 78-year-old Jerome Barson, was published Friday by TMZ: Read more at Bleacher Report
According to ESPN.com, police said surveillance video showed Williams "was cut off by another car, setting off a chain of events that seconds later resulted in a fatal crash with a third car."
"Based on the evidence obtained in the ongoing investigation, it has been determined the vehicle driven by Venus Williams lawfully entered the intersection on a circular green traffic signal and attempted to travel north through the intersection to BallenIsles Drive," police said in a statement, per the Palm Beach Post's Sarah Peters.
Video of the crash, which resulted in the death of 78-year-old Jerome Barson, was published Friday by TMZ: Read more at Bleacher Report
Some Americans discuss why they don’t celebrate July Fourth holiday
Augusta, GA (WJBF) – A poll from debate.org showed that more than 50% of African Americans are NOT celebrating the fourth. We spoke with a few people that say; this one nation, still feels divided.
Most Americans will be celebrating this day with family, food, and fun, while others say this day means so much more than to them than that.
“And people celebrate the fourth of July now as a holiday, per say holiday, enjoyment pleasure, drinking, fun, picnicing — and they may take a brief moment to pause and realize it’s the celebration of the birth of our country,” said Professor Robert L. Jones, Assistant History Professor at Paine College.
Robert Jones is a history professor at Paine College and a Vietnam Combat Veteran. He wanted to touch on why he does share a passion for patriotism, but also why he felt he didn’t want to celebrate the fourth like most.
“Of course given the current environment in America and the mean spiritedness, and the racial profiling, African Americans feel somewhat detached from the celebratory nature that the Fourth of July and patriotism is all about,” said Professor Robert L. Jones, Assistant History Professor at Paine College.
“Sometimes there’s a lot of bitterness when it comes to the patriotism, because we have not been fairly treated and so that raises some concern,” said Reverand Herman Skip Mason, Jr., Pastor of Trinity CME Church of Augusta.
Reverend Mason says this day is -not- a day for a party, at least not for him.
Read more at WJBF
Most Americans will be celebrating this day with family, food, and fun, while others say this day means so much more than to them than that.
“And people celebrate the fourth of July now as a holiday, per say holiday, enjoyment pleasure, drinking, fun, picnicing — and they may take a brief moment to pause and realize it’s the celebration of the birth of our country,” said Professor Robert L. Jones, Assistant History Professor at Paine College.
Robert Jones is a history professor at Paine College and a Vietnam Combat Veteran. He wanted to touch on why he does share a passion for patriotism, but also why he felt he didn’t want to celebrate the fourth like most.
“Of course given the current environment in America and the mean spiritedness, and the racial profiling, African Americans feel somewhat detached from the celebratory nature that the Fourth of July and patriotism is all about,” said Professor Robert L. Jones, Assistant History Professor at Paine College.
“Sometimes there’s a lot of bitterness when it comes to the patriotism, because we have not been fairly treated and so that raises some concern,” said Reverand Herman Skip Mason, Jr., Pastor of Trinity CME Church of Augusta.
Reverend Mason says this day is -not- a day for a party, at least not for him.
Read more at WJBF
Exploitation of Innocence - Report: Perceptions, policies hurting Black girls
She could have a baby doll in one hand and crayons in the other, but a Black girl as young as five-years-old is seen as less innocent and more adult-like than her White peers, according to a new study.
“Girlhood Interrupted,” released by the Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality, indicated that perception is of Black girls age 5 through age 14.
Adults from various racial, ethnic and educational backgrounds surveyed on-line said they felt Black girls need less nurturing, less protection, and need to be supported and comforted less than White girls their age.
Further, they viewed Black girls as more independent, and believed the girls knew more about adult topics and more about sex.
Thalia González, lead author of the report and associate professor and chair of the Politics Department at Occidental College in Los Angeles, said researchers were very struck by perceptions despite the ages of the Black female children.
“What does that mean? That’s kindergarten, 1st grade. That means what we’re seeing is that adults view girls as young as five-years- old as needing less protection, less support, or less nurturing than their White classmates, and that’s really shocking,” Prof. González told The Final Call.
The survey builds on similar results found in a 2014 study of Black boys, which found those views are coming across at age 10, the visiting researcher at the Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality noted.
Prof. González attributed the views to dominant paradigms and stereotypes of Black women and Black femininity, which began as early slavery and persist today.
“This idea of Black feminists, angry Black women, for example, or very sexual, hyper-sexualized, seductive women, and those stereotypes that are present in the media, for example, or in other forms and venues are being associated with young girls,” she stated.
Read more at Final Call
“Girlhood Interrupted,” released by the Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality, indicated that perception is of Black girls age 5 through age 14.
Adults from various racial, ethnic and educational backgrounds surveyed on-line said they felt Black girls need less nurturing, less protection, and need to be supported and comforted less than White girls their age.
Further, they viewed Black girls as more independent, and believed the girls knew more about adult topics and more about sex.
Thalia González, lead author of the report and associate professor and chair of the Politics Department at Occidental College in Los Angeles, said researchers were very struck by perceptions despite the ages of the Black female children.
“What does that mean? That’s kindergarten, 1st grade. That means what we’re seeing is that adults view girls as young as five-years- old as needing less protection, less support, or less nurturing than their White classmates, and that’s really shocking,” Prof. González told The Final Call.
The survey builds on similar results found in a 2014 study of Black boys, which found those views are coming across at age 10, the visiting researcher at the Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality noted.
Prof. González attributed the views to dominant paradigms and stereotypes of Black women and Black femininity, which began as early slavery and persist today.
“This idea of Black feminists, angry Black women, for example, or very sexual, hyper-sexualized, seductive women, and those stereotypes that are present in the media, for example, or in other forms and venues are being associated with young girls,” she stated.
Read more at Final Call
Professor fired after defending blacks-only event to Fox News. ‘I was publicly lynched,’ she says.
Earlier this month, political commentator Lisa Durden gave a fiery interview with Tucker Carlson on Fox News, defending a Black Lives Matter chapter’s decision to host a Memorial Day event exclusively for black people.
“Boo-hoo-hoo,” Lisa Durden, who is also an adjunct professor at Essex County College in Newark, said in the June 6 television appearance. “You white people are angry because you couldn’t use your ‘white privilege’ card to get invited to the Black Lives Matter’s all-black Memorial Day celebration.”
In the heated exchange, Carlson responded by calling her “hostile and separatist and crazy.”
“You’re demented actually,” he said. “You’re sick and what you’re saying is disgusting and if you were a Nazi I would say the same thing to you.”
Durden’s remarks spurred both criticism and praise on social media. But what happened less than 48 hours later prompted an even stronger reaction.
On June 8, with about a week left of her summer session of teaching, Durden’s employers at Essex County College suspended her. About two weeks later, Durden was fired from the community college.
The college’s president announced the decision in a lengthy statement Friday, days after Durden met with school officials in a community forum.
Anthony E. Munroe, Essex County College president, said the administration was “immediately inundated with feedback from students, faculty and prospective students and their families expressing frustration, concern and even fear that the views expressed by a College employee (with influence over students) would negatively impact their experience on the campus.”
Read more at Washington Post
“Boo-hoo-hoo,” Lisa Durden, who is also an adjunct professor at Essex County College in Newark, said in the June 6 television appearance. “You white people are angry because you couldn’t use your ‘white privilege’ card to get invited to the Black Lives Matter’s all-black Memorial Day celebration.”
In the heated exchange, Carlson responded by calling her “hostile and separatist and crazy.”
“You’re demented actually,” he said. “You’re sick and what you’re saying is disgusting and if you were a Nazi I would say the same thing to you.”
Durden’s remarks spurred both criticism and praise on social media. But what happened less than 48 hours later prompted an even stronger reaction.
On June 8, with about a week left of her summer session of teaching, Durden’s employers at Essex County College suspended her. About two weeks later, Durden was fired from the community college.
The college’s president announced the decision in a lengthy statement Friday, days after Durden met with school officials in a community forum.
Anthony E. Munroe, Essex County College president, said the administration was “immediately inundated with feedback from students, faculty and prospective students and their families expressing frustration, concern and even fear that the views expressed by a College employee (with influence over students) would negatively impact their experience on the campus.”
Read more at Washington Post
African American students thrive with high graduation rates at UC Riverside
The graduates wore traditional caps and gowns, but they didn't sit quietly awaiting their diplomas or form a solemn processional to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance.”
They strutted, showcasing dance moves to a rap beat. They cheered Nigerian and Abyssinian dance troupes. They got to their feet for a rousing spoken word performance. They whooped as speaker after speaker reminded them of what they’d just accomplished.
“The statistics were against you, but you prevailed and I am so, so proud of you,” Sharee Hughes of the school’s African Student Programs told them.
The 76 participants in the recent Black Graduation ceremony at UC Riverside exemplified a striking achievement: The campus has one of the smallest racial achievement gaps in the nation. African Americans at Riverside graduate at rates similar to those of whites and Latinos and just below Asian Americans.
The six-year graduation rate in 2015 for students who started and finished at UC Riverside was 73% for blacks, 71% for whites, 69% for Latinos and 77% for Asian Americans, according to campus data.
Other UC campuses have higher black graduation rates. But in a study this year of 676 public and private campuses, UC Riverside ranked first in California and sixth in the nation in outperforming universities with similar student populations. The Education Trust, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, said UC Riverside showed consistent success, with a 69.5% graduation rate averaged over three years (2012-2014), compared with an average of 48.4% at comparable universities, such as the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of North Carolina and Virginia Commonwealth University.
Read more at LA Times
They strutted, showcasing dance moves to a rap beat. They cheered Nigerian and Abyssinian dance troupes. They got to their feet for a rousing spoken word performance. They whooped as speaker after speaker reminded them of what they’d just accomplished.
“The statistics were against you, but you prevailed and I am so, so proud of you,” Sharee Hughes of the school’s African Student Programs told them.
The 76 participants in the recent Black Graduation ceremony at UC Riverside exemplified a striking achievement: The campus has one of the smallest racial achievement gaps in the nation. African Americans at Riverside graduate at rates similar to those of whites and Latinos and just below Asian Americans.
The six-year graduation rate in 2015 for students who started and finished at UC Riverside was 73% for blacks, 71% for whites, 69% for Latinos and 77% for Asian Americans, according to campus data.
Other UC campuses have higher black graduation rates. But in a study this year of 676 public and private campuses, UC Riverside ranked first in California and sixth in the nation in outperforming universities with similar student populations. The Education Trust, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, said UC Riverside showed consistent success, with a 69.5% graduation rate averaged over three years (2012-2014), compared with an average of 48.4% at comparable universities, such as the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of North Carolina and Virginia Commonwealth University.
Read more at LA Times
Philando Castile's family reaches $3 million settlement with city of St. Anthony
(CNN)The family of Philando Castile, who was shot and killed last year by a St. Anthony, Minnesota police officer, has reached a $3 million settlement with the city, according to a statement from the city and lawyers for the family.
Jeronimo Yanez, who is leaving the force, was acquitted June 16 of second-degree manslaughter and two counts of intentional discharge of a firearm that endangers safety. Castile was killed July 6 during a traffic stop, and his girlfriend streamed the shooting's aftermath on Facebook Live.
"The death of Philando Castile is a tragedy for his family and for our community," the statement said. "The parties moved expeditiously to resolve potential civil claims resulting from this tragedy in order to allow the process of healing to move forward for the Castile family, for the people of St. Anthony Village, and for all those impacted by the death of Philando Castile throughout the United States."
"No amount of money could ever replace Philando. With resolution of the claims the family will continue to deal with their loss through the important work of the Philando Castile Relief Foundation."
The announcement comes a week after the family of Michael Brown, who was shot and killed in 2014 by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, reached a settlement in its wrongful death lawsuit against that city.
Brown, who was black, was killed by then-Officer Darren Wilson, who is white. The incident sparked outrage and protest across the country. An investigation by the Justice Department into the incident brought no charges against Wilson, who argued he shot Brown in self-defense as Brown charged at him.
Details of that settlement were not made public, though the original lawsuit shows the Brown family sought punitive and compensatory damages in excess of $75,000, in addition to attorney's fees.
Read more at CNN
Mobb Deep Rapper Prodigy Dead at 42
Prodigy, one-half of the seminal New York City hip-hop outfit Mobb Deep, died Tuesday at the age of 42. Mobb Deep's publicist confirmed the rapper's death in a statement to Rolling Stone.
"It is with extreme sadness and disbelief that we confirm the death of our dear friend Albert Johnson, better known to millions of fans as Prodigy of legendary NY rap duo Mobb Deep," the statement read. "Prodigy was hospitalized a few days ago in Vegas after a Mobb Deep performance for complications caused by a sickle cell anemia crisis. As most of his fans know, Prodigy battled the disease since birth. The exact causes of death have yet to be determined. We would like to thank everyone for respecting the family’s privacy at this time."
On Instagram, Prodigy's longtime Mobb Deep partner, Havoc, posted two photos in remembrance, one of which carried the simple message: "Forever."
Other members of the hip-hop community have also posted tributes to Prodigy online, including Nas, Lil Wayne, Ghostface Killah, Q-Tip, Method Man, Wiz Khalifa, Big Boi and Questlove.
Read more at Rolling Stone
"It is with extreme sadness and disbelief that we confirm the death of our dear friend Albert Johnson, better known to millions of fans as Prodigy of legendary NY rap duo Mobb Deep," the statement read. "Prodigy was hospitalized a few days ago in Vegas after a Mobb Deep performance for complications caused by a sickle cell anemia crisis. As most of his fans know, Prodigy battled the disease since birth. The exact causes of death have yet to be determined. We would like to thank everyone for respecting the family’s privacy at this time."
On Instagram, Prodigy's longtime Mobb Deep partner, Havoc, posted two photos in remembrance, one of which carried the simple message: "Forever."
Other members of the hip-hop community have also posted tributes to Prodigy online, including Nas, Lil Wayne, Ghostface Killah, Q-Tip, Method Man, Wiz Khalifa, Big Boi and Questlove.
Read more at Rolling Stone
Seattle police fatally shoot pregnant woman who they say confronted officers with a knife
Seattle police officers shot and killed a woman at her apartment Sunday morning in front of “several children” when the woman, who relatives said was pregnant, “confronted” them with a knife, according to a statement from authorities.
The Seattle Times reported that the 30-year-old woman had called police to report a possible burglary.
At a vigil Sunday night, family identified the woman as Charleena Lyles, according to the Times, and relatives said she had a history of mental health struggles. She was several months pregnant, her family said, and too “tiny” for officers to have felt threatened by her — even if she had a knife.
“Why couldn’t they have Tased her?” Lyles’s sister, Monika Williams, said to the Seattle Times. “They could have taken her down. I could have taken her down.”
Read more at Washington Post
The Seattle Times reported that the 30-year-old woman had called police to report a possible burglary.
At a vigil Sunday night, family identified the woman as Charleena Lyles, according to the Times, and relatives said she had a history of mental health struggles. She was several months pregnant, her family said, and too “tiny” for officers to have felt threatened by her — even if she had a knife.
“Why couldn’t they have Tased her?” Lyles’s sister, Monika Williams, said to the Seattle Times. “They could have taken her down. I could have taken her down.”
Read more at Washington Post
Mistrial declared in Bill Cosby's criminal trial as jury deadlocks
Norristown, Pennsylvania (CNN)The high-profile case accusing Bill Cosby of aggravated indecent assault ended in a mistrial Saturday after a Pennsylvania jury was unable to come to a unanimous decision.
The outcome leaves one of America's most recognized entertainers as well as his accusers without vindication, but prosecutors immediately announced they will retry the case.
About an hour into the sixth day of deliberations, Judge Steven O'Neill declared that the jury of seven men and five woman were hopelessly deadlocked in a legal battle closely watched by the public as well as dozens of women who have accused Cosby of similar misconduct in the past.
"Do not feel like you've let the justice system down," O'Neill told the jurors, who labored for more than 53 hours and asked 12 questions of the court during deliberations.
Addressing Cosby, who appeared stoic and calm at the inconclusive finale of his trial, O'Neill said: "It's not a failure or a victory,"
Read more at CNN
The outcome leaves one of America's most recognized entertainers as well as his accusers without vindication, but prosecutors immediately announced they will retry the case.
About an hour into the sixth day of deliberations, Judge Steven O'Neill declared that the jury of seven men and five woman were hopelessly deadlocked in a legal battle closely watched by the public as well as dozens of women who have accused Cosby of similar misconduct in the past.
"Do not feel like you've let the justice system down," O'Neill told the jurors, who labored for more than 53 hours and asked 12 questions of the court during deliberations.
Addressing Cosby, who appeared stoic and calm at the inconclusive finale of his trial, O'Neill said: "It's not a failure or a victory,"
Read more at CNN
Minnesota Officer Acquitted in Killing of Philando Castile
ST. PAUL — A Minnesota police officer, whose fatal shooting of a black motorist transfixed the nation when his girlfriend livestreamed the aftermath, was acquitted of all charges on Friday.
The officer, Jeronimo Yanez, had been charged with second-degree manslaughter and endangering safety by discharging a firearm in the shooting of Philando Castile.
After the verdict, jurors and Mr. Yanez were quickly led out of the courtroom, and Mr. Castile’s family left immediately. When a deputy tried to stop his mother, Valerie, she yelled “Let me go.”
Later, she said: “My son loved this city, and this city killed my son. And a murderer gets away. Are you kidding me right now?”
She continued: “The system in this country continues to fail black people and will continue to fail us.”
A handful of protesters gathered outside the Ramsey County courthouse. “It’s not us that were on trial, it was the system that was on trial,” Mel Reeves, a community activist, said. “Yanez worked for the system. He killed somebody, right. Philando Castile got victimized by the system.”
Read more at NY Times
The officer, Jeronimo Yanez, had been charged with second-degree manslaughter and endangering safety by discharging a firearm in the shooting of Philando Castile.
After the verdict, jurors and Mr. Yanez were quickly led out of the courtroom, and Mr. Castile’s family left immediately. When a deputy tried to stop his mother, Valerie, she yelled “Let me go.”
Later, she said: “My son loved this city, and this city killed my son. And a murderer gets away. Are you kidding me right now?”
She continued: “The system in this country continues to fail black people and will continue to fail us.”
A handful of protesters gathered outside the Ramsey County courthouse. “It’s not us that were on trial, it was the system that was on trial,” Mel Reeves, a community activist, said. “Yanez worked for the system. He killed somebody, right. Philando Castile got victimized by the system.”
Read more at NY Times
Republican House Whip Steve Scalise, congressional staffer shot in Virginia shooting
Washington (CNN)Rep. Steve Scalise, a congressional staffer and members of the congressional police force were shot Wednesday morning in Alexandria, Virginia, in what sources are calling an apparent "deliberate attack."
Scalise, the third ranking member of House Republican leadership as the majority whip, appeared to have been shot in the hip and it appeared two Capitol Hill police agents were shot, according to Rep. Mo Brooks, who told CNN he was on deck when the shooting occurred. A congressional staffer was also injured.
As of 9:45 a.m. ET, Scalise was in stable condition but undergoing surgery, according to a statement from his office.
"Prior to entering surgery, the whip was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone," the statement said. "He is grateful for the brave actions of U.S. Capitol Police, first responders and colleagues."
The shooting took place at a practice for the GOP congressional baseball team. According to both congressional and law enforcement sources, the shooting appears to be a "deliberate attack."
Read more at CNN
Scalise, the third ranking member of House Republican leadership as the majority whip, appeared to have been shot in the hip and it appeared two Capitol Hill police agents were shot, according to Rep. Mo Brooks, who told CNN he was on deck when the shooting occurred. A congressional staffer was also injured.
As of 9:45 a.m. ET, Scalise was in stable condition but undergoing surgery, according to a statement from his office.
"Prior to entering surgery, the whip was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone," the statement said. "He is grateful for the brave actions of U.S. Capitol Police, first responders and colleagues."
The shooting took place at a practice for the GOP congressional baseball team. According to both congressional and law enforcement sources, the shooting appears to be a "deliberate attack."
Read more at CNN
Amid criminal case, Cosby fighting lawsuits by 10 women
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) — As Bill Cosby awaits a verdict in his sexual assault case in Pennsylvania, the comedian's civil lawyers are fighting lawsuits against him by 10 women around the country.
Currently, seven women have defamation suits pending in Massachusetts, while three more have defamation or sexual battery suits pending in California. Cosby has denied any wrongdoing.
The criminal case against Cosby partly stems from the accuser's related lawsuit. Prosecutors reopened a criminal investigation and filed charges in 2015 after Cosby's deposition in the woman's 2005 lawsuit was unsealed, and they realized the 12-year statute of limitations for felony sexual assault had not yet expired.
A recap of the pending civil cases:
___
CALIFORNIA
Cosby is being sued in Los Angeles by Judy Huth, who accuses the comedian of forcing her to perform a sex act on him in a bedroom of the Playboy Mansion around 1974, when she was 15. A trial date may be set later this month for the sexual battery case. Cosby has given a sealed deposition in the case. Huth's lawyer, Gloria Allred, says the scheduling of a second deposition is on hold because of the criminal trial.
Chloe Goins, a former model who claims Cosby drugged and sexually abused her at the Playboy Mansion in 2008, is also suing the comedian on sexual battery and other claims. Prosecutors rejected filing a case against Cosby based on Goins' allegations, which they said investigators could not corroborate. A judge recently denied Cosby's motion to dismiss the case, and a trial has been scheduled for June 2018.
The comedian also faces a defamation lawsuit by model Janice Dickinson, who claims Cosby drugged and raped her in Lake Tahoe, California, in 1982. Cosby is appealing a ruling allowing Dickinson's case to proceed.
Read more at Yahoo
Currently, seven women have defamation suits pending in Massachusetts, while three more have defamation or sexual battery suits pending in California. Cosby has denied any wrongdoing.
The criminal case against Cosby partly stems from the accuser's related lawsuit. Prosecutors reopened a criminal investigation and filed charges in 2015 after Cosby's deposition in the woman's 2005 lawsuit was unsealed, and they realized the 12-year statute of limitations for felony sexual assault had not yet expired.
A recap of the pending civil cases:
___
CALIFORNIA
Cosby is being sued in Los Angeles by Judy Huth, who accuses the comedian of forcing her to perform a sex act on him in a bedroom of the Playboy Mansion around 1974, when she was 15. A trial date may be set later this month for the sexual battery case. Cosby has given a sealed deposition in the case. Huth's lawyer, Gloria Allred, says the scheduling of a second deposition is on hold because of the criminal trial.
Chloe Goins, a former model who claims Cosby drugged and sexually abused her at the Playboy Mansion in 2008, is also suing the comedian on sexual battery and other claims. Prosecutors rejected filing a case against Cosby based on Goins' allegations, which they said investigators could not corroborate. A judge recently denied Cosby's motion to dismiss the case, and a trial has been scheduled for June 2018.
The comedian also faces a defamation lawsuit by model Janice Dickinson, who claims Cosby drugged and raped her in Lake Tahoe, California, in 1982. Cosby is appealing a ruling allowing Dickinson's case to proceed.
Read more at Yahoo
Yara Shahidi Is Officially Joining Malia Obama At Harvard University
Yara Shahidi, the bright and beautiful actress from ABC’s hit show “black-ish,” is officially heading to Harvard University.
The 18-year-old star, who was accepted into every college and university she applied to, posted a picture to Instagram on Wednesday proudly sporting a Harvard University sweatshirt.
It came with a caption that included a moving quote from a black literary legend: “The paradox of education is precisely this ― that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated. ~ James Baldwin #CrimsonPride,” Shahidi wrote.
Shahidi, who is effortlessly dope at almost everything she does, revealed in March that former first lady Michelle Obama wrote four college recommendation letters for her, including for her application to Harvard. Obama once attended the Ivy League institution (she graduated from Harvard Law School) ― and her daughter Malia will be attending this year.
Similar to Malia, Shahidi, who previously said she plans to double major in sociology and African American studies, said she is considering taking a year-long break before beginning at Harvard to work and better prepare for her future.
Read more at Yahoo.
The 18-year-old star, who was accepted into every college and university she applied to, posted a picture to Instagram on Wednesday proudly sporting a Harvard University sweatshirt.
It came with a caption that included a moving quote from a black literary legend: “The paradox of education is precisely this ― that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated. ~ James Baldwin #CrimsonPride,” Shahidi wrote.
Shahidi, who is effortlessly dope at almost everything she does, revealed in March that former first lady Michelle Obama wrote four college recommendation letters for her, including for her application to Harvard. Obama once attended the Ivy League institution (she graduated from Harvard Law School) ― and her daughter Malia will be attending this year.
Similar to Malia, Shahidi, who previously said she plans to double major in sociology and African American studies, said she is considering taking a year-long break before beginning at Harvard to work and better prepare for her future.
Read more at Yahoo.
Study may shed light on why more African-American men die of prostate cancer
Health disparities in prostate cancer are well known by doctors who treat the disease. African-American men are more likely to get prostate cancer, are diagnosed at more advanced stages, and are twice as likely to die as Caucasian men. But why?
A new study that looks at perceptions about prostate cancer treatment among black and white men may help medical experts zero in on some of the reasons — and develop strategies to address them.
Among other differences, the survey of prostate cancer patients found "more black men were concerned about the impact that treatment would have on their daily activities, the cost of treatment, and the time it would take to both go through the treatment as well as to recover from it," the researchers said. Those priorities may have an impact on the types of treatment men choose and their ultimate health outcomes.
More than 161,000 men in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the risk is 74 percent higher in black men than in non-Hispanic whites.
To help understand the racial discrepancies, researchers at the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center surveyed by phone 1,171 men who were newly diagnosed with prostate cancer; 304 of the men were African-American and 866 were Caucasian. The men had non-metastatic prostate cancer and came from a mix of rural, suburban and urban areas across North Carolina. They were part of the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry.
Read more at CBS
A new study that looks at perceptions about prostate cancer treatment among black and white men may help medical experts zero in on some of the reasons — and develop strategies to address them.
Among other differences, the survey of prostate cancer patients found "more black men were concerned about the impact that treatment would have on their daily activities, the cost of treatment, and the time it would take to both go through the treatment as well as to recover from it," the researchers said. Those priorities may have an impact on the types of treatment men choose and their ultimate health outcomes.
More than 161,000 men in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the risk is 74 percent higher in black men than in non-Hispanic whites.
To help understand the racial discrepancies, researchers at the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center surveyed by phone 1,171 men who were newly diagnosed with prostate cancer; 304 of the men were African-American and 866 were Caucasian. The men had non-metastatic prostate cancer and came from a mix of rural, suburban and urban areas across North Carolina. They were part of the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry.
Read more at CBS
Bill Cosby Sexual Assault Trial Resumes
The chef accuser in famed comedian Bill Cosby’s sexual assault trial said she shot down the actor’s casual advances twice before she found herself unable to fight him off the night he gave her pills described as herbal supplements.
The accusations came 12 years after the alleged event during Andrea Constand’s testimony at Cosby’s trial.
The Associated Press reports that Constand will return to the witness stand on Wednesday, the third day of the trial that could land Cosby in jail.
In Tuesday’s testimony, Constand described how her professional relationship with Cosby evolved into a friendship. At the time, Constand was an employee at Temple University where Cosby was a trustee. She testified that their friendship was critical to the school’s athletics department where she worked at the time.
Constand said that Cosby became more flirtatious and suggestive during their friendship. She testified that he grabbed her thigh during one instance at his home and attempted to unbutton her pants in another. Both times, Constand made it clear she didn’t welcome his advances, she said.
“I’m not here for that,” she recalled telling him. “I don’t want that.”
Despite Cosby’s actions, Constand said she did not feel threatened.
Read more at EBONY
The accusations came 12 years after the alleged event during Andrea Constand’s testimony at Cosby’s trial.
The Associated Press reports that Constand will return to the witness stand on Wednesday, the third day of the trial that could land Cosby in jail.
In Tuesday’s testimony, Constand described how her professional relationship with Cosby evolved into a friendship. At the time, Constand was an employee at Temple University where Cosby was a trustee. She testified that their friendship was critical to the school’s athletics department where she worked at the time.
Constand said that Cosby became more flirtatious and suggestive during their friendship. She testified that he grabbed her thigh during one instance at his home and attempted to unbutton her pants in another. Both times, Constand made it clear she didn’t welcome his advances, she said.
“I’m not here for that,” she recalled telling him. “I don’t want that.”
Despite Cosby’s actions, Constand said she did not feel threatened.
Read more at EBONY
Disgruntled former employee kills 5 at workplace near Orlando:
Five people were shot and killed by a "disgruntled" former employee at a workplace near Orlando, Florida, this morning, three years after the suspect was involved in another workplace violence incident there, according to authorities.
The suspect shot and killed himself after shooting his former co-workers this morning at Fiamma, a company that manufactures awnings and accessories for RVs, authorities said.
The active shooting was reported at about 8:03 a.m. and deputies arrived minutes later to find three men and one woman dead, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said.
A fifth person, a man, was taken to a hospital where he died, Demings said.
Seven people inside the business survived and are being interviewed, Demings said.
The 45-year-old suspect, who was armed with a handgun and a knife, shot and killed himself, Demings said.
Demings described the suspect as a "disgruntled" former employee who was fired in April 2017. The sheriff did not name the man.
Read more at ABC
The suspect shot and killed himself after shooting his former co-workers this morning at Fiamma, a company that manufactures awnings and accessories for RVs, authorities said.
The active shooting was reported at about 8:03 a.m. and deputies arrived minutes later to find three men and one woman dead, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said.
A fifth person, a man, was taken to a hospital where he died, Demings said.
Seven people inside the business survived and are being interviewed, Demings said.
The 45-year-old suspect, who was armed with a handgun and a knife, shot and killed himself, Demings said.
Demings described the suspect as a "disgruntled" former employee who was fired in April 2017. The sheriff did not name the man.
Read more at ABC
White College Student Punished For Flier Supporting Black Men.
A Texas-based college student says she is just a step away from suspension after creating and handing out a flier that supported Black students.
25-year-old Emily Walker, who attends Southern Methodist University, is on disciplinary probation following a months-long investigation by officials linked to the university.
Walker says she created a flier last November titled, “Why White Women Should Date Black Men” in response to another flier titled, “Why White Women Shouldn’t Date Black Men.” The latter flier included a series of racist and offensive claims about Black men.
She believes that she did nothing wrong and is being unfairly targeted.
“They handed me one of the hardest punishments you can get on SMU, Walker told WFAA. “I was like, ‘I’m a White woman.’ I’m going to show the author, ‘No, sorry buddy. You didn’t win.'”
Walker printed out 150 fliers and distributed them on campus. One week later, she learned she was under investigation by the school. But what was supposed to be a quick process turned into an anxiety-filled investigation that resulted in her being placed on probation, Walker said.
“The university does not disclose information about student disciplinary matters in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act,” SMU officials said in an emailed statement sent to WFAA.
Walker says the university felt her fliers added to an already tense and hostile environment on campus. While they contained risqué generalizations about White men, Walker says it was a satire meant to send a supportive message to African-American students on campus.
Read more at EBONY
25-year-old Emily Walker, who attends Southern Methodist University, is on disciplinary probation following a months-long investigation by officials linked to the university.
Walker says she created a flier last November titled, “Why White Women Should Date Black Men” in response to another flier titled, “Why White Women Shouldn’t Date Black Men.” The latter flier included a series of racist and offensive claims about Black men.
She believes that she did nothing wrong and is being unfairly targeted.
“They handed me one of the hardest punishments you can get on SMU, Walker told WFAA. “I was like, ‘I’m a White woman.’ I’m going to show the author, ‘No, sorry buddy. You didn’t win.'”
Walker printed out 150 fliers and distributed them on campus. One week later, she learned she was under investigation by the school. But what was supposed to be a quick process turned into an anxiety-filled investigation that resulted in her being placed on probation, Walker said.
“The university does not disclose information about student disciplinary matters in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act,” SMU officials said in an emailed statement sent to WFAA.
Walker says the university felt her fliers added to an already tense and hostile environment on campus. While they contained risqué generalizations about White men, Walker says it was a satire meant to send a supportive message to African-American students on campus.
Read more at EBONY
Bill Maher Faces Backlash After Using Racial Slur on HBO Show
(LOS ANGELES) — Bill Maher is facing criticism for his use of a racial slur during a discussion with a Republican senator on his HBO talk show Friday night.
Maher was speaking with Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska during a segment of his "Real Time with Bill Maher." Sasse joked that he would like to have Maher visit Nebraska and work in the fields, which prompted Maher to use a slur in a joke that he was a house slave.
The comedian immediately waved off audience groans.
Activists including the Rev. Al Sharpton quickly criticized Maher and it remained a top-ranked topic on Twitter on Saturday morning.
Sasse wrote Saturday that he wished he had immediately criticized Maher for using the term.Maher's publicists did not respond to an email seeking comment.
Read the article at Time
Maher was speaking with Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska during a segment of his "Real Time with Bill Maher." Sasse joked that he would like to have Maher visit Nebraska and work in the fields, which prompted Maher to use a slur in a joke that he was a house slave.
The comedian immediately waved off audience groans.
Activists including the Rev. Al Sharpton quickly criticized Maher and it remained a top-ranked topic on Twitter on Saturday morning.
Sasse wrote Saturday that he wished he had immediately criticized Maher for using the term.Maher's publicists did not respond to an email seeking comment.
Read the article at Time
Trump Will Withdraw U.S. From Paris Climate Agreement
WASHINGTON — President Trump announced Thursday that he will withdraw the United States from participation in the Paris climate accord, weakening global efforts to combat climate change and siding with conservatives who argued that the landmark 2015 agreement was harming the economy.
But he will stick to the withdrawal process laid out in the Paris agreement, which President Barack Obama joined and most of the world has already ratified. That could take nearly four years to complete, meaning a final decision would be up to the American voters in the next presidential election.
Still, Mr. Trump’s decision is a remarkable rebuke to fellow heads-of-state, climate activists, corporate executives and members of the president’s own staff, all of whom failed this week to change Mr. Trump’s mind with an intense, last-minute lobbying blitz.
It makes good on a campaign promise to “cancel” an agreement he repeatedly mocked and derided at rallies, saying it would kill American jobs. As president, he has moved rapidly to reverse Obama-era policies designed to allow the United States to meet its pollution-reduction targets as set under the agreement.
Read more at NY Times
But he will stick to the withdrawal process laid out in the Paris agreement, which President Barack Obama joined and most of the world has already ratified. That could take nearly four years to complete, meaning a final decision would be up to the American voters in the next presidential election.
Still, Mr. Trump’s decision is a remarkable rebuke to fellow heads-of-state, climate activists, corporate executives and members of the president’s own staff, all of whom failed this week to change Mr. Trump’s mind with an intense, last-minute lobbying blitz.
It makes good on a campaign promise to “cancel” an agreement he repeatedly mocked and derided at rallies, saying it would kill American jobs. As president, he has moved rapidly to reverse Obama-era policies designed to allow the United States to meet its pollution-reduction targets as set under the agreement.
Read more at NY Times
L.A. police investigating reported racial slur sprayed on gate at home of LeBron James
Los Angeles police were called Wednesday to a home belonging to Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James to investigate a reported racial slur spray-painted on the front gate.
Police confirmed the incident, which is still under investigation, to ESPN. It was first reported by TMZ.
The Brentwood home is not James' primary residence. Capt. Patricia Sandoval, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department, told The Associated Press that James wasn't home at the time.
Sandoval said someone had painted over the slur before officers arrived at the home early Wednesday morning.
Police are investigating it as an act of vandalism and a possible hate crime.
Sandoval said the property manager told officers they believe the incident was captured on surveillance video.
James bought the house in 2015 for roughly $20.9 million. It is 9,440 square feet.
Read more at ESPN
Police confirmed the incident, which is still under investigation, to ESPN. It was first reported by TMZ.
The Brentwood home is not James' primary residence. Capt. Patricia Sandoval, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department, told The Associated Press that James wasn't home at the time.
Sandoval said someone had painted over the slur before officers arrived at the home early Wednesday morning.
Police are investigating it as an act of vandalism and a possible hate crime.
Sandoval said the property manager told officers they believe the incident was captured on surveillance video.
James bought the house in 2015 for roughly $20.9 million. It is 9,440 square feet.
Read more at ESPN
Four African Americans Chosen for Cosby Jury
PITTSBURGH—After a third day of the jury selection process Bill Cosby criminal trial, all 12 jurors have been chosen. It was a day filled with high-drama and even several outbursts of laughter by the embattled comedian and others.
Also, six alternate jurors were chosen for the trial that’s scheduled to begin on June 5 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, about 300 miles from where the selection process took place.
Two members of the primary panel are African-American, a man and a woman both in their 30s or 40s. A male black in his 20s and a female African-American in her 20s were also selected as alternates.
While the primary panel consists of 10 Whites—seven men and three women—the alternate jury pool includes four Whites.
In a telephone interview Wednesday, civil rights activist, Rev. Jesse Jackson said juror suppression has been a tool of the United States justice system for centuries.
“The jury may determine the outcome even before coming to court,” Jackson said. “Our history includes the killers of Emmett Till and Medgar Evers; a jury set those killers free. There’s a court bias and African-Americans don’t have access to the jury pool [like Whites].”
Read more at BlackPressUsa
Also, six alternate jurors were chosen for the trial that’s scheduled to begin on June 5 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, about 300 miles from where the selection process took place.
Two members of the primary panel are African-American, a man and a woman both in their 30s or 40s. A male black in his 20s and a female African-American in her 20s were also selected as alternates.
While the primary panel consists of 10 Whites—seven men and three women—the alternate jury pool includes four Whites.
In a telephone interview Wednesday, civil rights activist, Rev. Jesse Jackson said juror suppression has been a tool of the United States justice system for centuries.
“The jury may determine the outcome even before coming to court,” Jackson said. “Our history includes the killers of Emmett Till and Medgar Evers; a jury set those killers free. There’s a court bias and African-Americans don’t have access to the jury pool [like Whites].”
Read more at BlackPressUsa
Say What Now? Texas Beauty Queen Claims She Was Called a 'Black B*tch' by a Police Officer and Wrongly Arrested in a Road Rage Incident
Carmen Ponder, last year’s Miss Black Texas pageant winner, claims she was harassed and wrongfully arrested by a police officer who called her a ‘Black b*tch.’
She took to Twitter to call for charges against Commerce Police Chief Kerry Crews — as well as for hers to be dropped.
via NYDN:
“She feels humiliated and embarrassed because she’s Miss Black Texas 2016,” Montana Bunn, a paralegal for attorney S. Lee Merritt, who’s representing Ponder, told the Daily News Thursday. “To be dragged through the mud for a legal issue and being arrested, it’s hindering her emotionally, her title and career path.”
On Saturday, Ponder was on her way to a Walmart when she said she noticed a black truck driving erratically. The driver cut in front of her, she said.
She then drove around the truck before pulling up in the store’s parking lot. The truck pulled up beside her, and Crews began yelling profanities at her, she said in a Twitter post.
Read more at LoveBScott
She took to Twitter to call for charges against Commerce Police Chief Kerry Crews — as well as for hers to be dropped.
via NYDN:
“She feels humiliated and embarrassed because she’s Miss Black Texas 2016,” Montana Bunn, a paralegal for attorney S. Lee Merritt, who’s representing Ponder, told the Daily News Thursday. “To be dragged through the mud for a legal issue and being arrested, it’s hindering her emotionally, her title and career path.”
On Saturday, Ponder was on her way to a Walmart when she said she noticed a black truck driving erratically. The driver cut in front of her, she said.
She then drove around the truck before pulling up in the store’s parking lot. The truck pulled up beside her, and Crews began yelling profanities at her, she said in a Twitter post.
Read more at LoveBScott
Manchester Arena terror attacker named as Salman Abedi
British authorities have identified suspected Manchester bomber as Salman Abedi, US officials have said.
Armed officers raided the address of the suspect, which is three miles south of the city centre, ordering residents indoors as they carried out a controlled explosion.
Twenty-two people were killed – many of them feared young – and more than 100 injured after an IED exploded at an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena late on Monday night.
Follow all the latest updates here
Twelve children under the age of 16 were among the 59 casualties taken to hospital after the terror attack at Manchester Arena.
Isis has claimed responsibility for the attack – but the claim has yet to be verified.
According to the Telegraph, Abedi is the second youngest of four children.
His parents were Libyan refugees who are thought to have come to the UK during the Gaddafi regime.
Elsmore Road, where Abedi was registered as living, became the centre of the investigation into Monday’s outrage as detectives hunted those thought to be behind the blast.
Local residents who live on the red-bricked semi-detached street said they know little about the person or persons who reside at the address.
Read more at Yahoo
Armed officers raided the address of the suspect, which is three miles south of the city centre, ordering residents indoors as they carried out a controlled explosion.
Twenty-two people were killed – many of them feared young – and more than 100 injured after an IED exploded at an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena late on Monday night.
Follow all the latest updates here
Twelve children under the age of 16 were among the 59 casualties taken to hospital after the terror attack at Manchester Arena.
Isis has claimed responsibility for the attack – but the claim has yet to be verified.
According to the Telegraph, Abedi is the second youngest of four children.
His parents were Libyan refugees who are thought to have come to the UK during the Gaddafi regime.
Elsmore Road, where Abedi was registered as living, became the centre of the investigation into Monday’s outrage as detectives hunted those thought to be behind the blast.
Local residents who live on the red-bricked semi-detached street said they know little about the person or persons who reside at the address.
Read more at Yahoo
Mississippi Representative Says Louisiana Leaders Should Be 'Lynched' for Removing Confederate Monuments
A state representative from Winona, Mississippi, issued an apology after making a post to Facebook suggesting Louisiana leaders who removed Confederate monuments should be lynched, reported The Clarion-Ledger.
In his post, Rep. Karl Oliver, R-Winona, wrote: “The destruction of these monuments, erected in the loving memory of our family and fellow Southern Americans, is both heinous and horrific. If the, and I use this term extremely loosely, “leadership” of Louisiana wishes to, in a Nazi-ish fashion, burn books or destroy historical monuments of OUR HISTORY, they should be LYNCHED! Let it be known, I will do all in my power to prevent this from happening in our State.”
Last Friday, the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee was the fourth and last Confederate monument in Louisiana to be removed. After seeing Oliver’s post, Mississippi State Sen. Derrick Simmons tweeted a screenshot with the caption, “Dear World: Meet #Mississippi state Rep. Karl Oliver.”
Read more at BET
In his post, Rep. Karl Oliver, R-Winona, wrote: “The destruction of these monuments, erected in the loving memory of our family and fellow Southern Americans, is both heinous and horrific. If the, and I use this term extremely loosely, “leadership” of Louisiana wishes to, in a Nazi-ish fashion, burn books or destroy historical monuments of OUR HISTORY, they should be LYNCHED! Let it be known, I will do all in my power to prevent this from happening in our State.”
Last Friday, the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee was the fourth and last Confederate monument in Louisiana to be removed. After seeing Oliver’s post, Mississippi State Sen. Derrick Simmons tweeted a screenshot with the caption, “Dear World: Meet #Mississippi state Rep. Karl Oliver.”
Read more at BET
Black Boys Coping With The Trauma Of Watching Black People Die
In a house where there is no cable television we often find our news through trending topics on Facebook. After we read post after post about the video release, my husband, 15-year-old son, 17-year-old daughter and I sat on the couch leaning towards my laptop and watched the video. And just like a scene from a “cops and robbers” movie, we watched the police officer drive up to the “bad guy” with a gun, jump out the car and shoot him.
Except this was not a movie, and the “bad guy” was 12-year-old Tamir Rice, the gun was a fake gun and he, like thousands of boys for generations before him may have been playing a pretend version of “cops and robbers”. But his version didn’t end in him getting the bad guy before he was called in for dinner. Tamir Rice’s shooting affected us differently because of his age. The idea that there is no age in which black boys are safe to even play in a park was particularly a hard blow.
Read more at Huff Post
Except this was not a movie, and the “bad guy” was 12-year-old Tamir Rice, the gun was a fake gun and he, like thousands of boys for generations before him may have been playing a pretend version of “cops and robbers”. But his version didn’t end in him getting the bad guy before he was called in for dinner. Tamir Rice’s shooting affected us differently because of his age. The idea that there is no age in which black boys are safe to even play in a park was particularly a hard blow.
Read more at Huff Post
Suspect in deadly Times Square mayhem charged with murder
NEW YORK (AP) — A Times Square motorist accused of steering his car onto one of the busiest sidewalks in the U.S. and mowing down pedestrians has been charged with murder and 20 counts of attempted murder, police say.
The New York Police Department said 26-year-old Richard Rojas, of the Bronx, was charged late Thursday also with five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide.
Rojas was arrested Thursday afternoon after he drove his car for three blocks in Times Square, hitting nearly two dozen people before steel security barriers finally stopped him. An 18-year-old tourist from Michigan was killed. Her 13-year-old sister was among the 22 injured, four of them critically.
Rojas is to be arraigned Friday. It wasn't clear if he a lawyer.
Officials say he had served in the U.S. Navy but was discharged following disciplinary problems. After his arrest, he told police he was "hearing voices" and expected to die, two law enforcement officials said.
After the wreck he emerged from his vehicle running, yelling and jumping before being subdued by police and bystanders in a chaotic scene.
"He began screaming, no particular words but just utter screaming. He was swinging his arms at the same time, said Ken Bradix, a security supervisor at a nearby Planet Hollywood restaurant who tackled Rojas.
Rojas initially tested negative for alcohol, but more detailed drug tests were pending, according to two law enforcement officials who were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. The officials said Rojas told officers he had been hearing voices.
Read more at Yahoo
The New York Police Department said 26-year-old Richard Rojas, of the Bronx, was charged late Thursday also with five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide.
Rojas was arrested Thursday afternoon after he drove his car for three blocks in Times Square, hitting nearly two dozen people before steel security barriers finally stopped him. An 18-year-old tourist from Michigan was killed. Her 13-year-old sister was among the 22 injured, four of them critically.
Rojas is to be arraigned Friday. It wasn't clear if he a lawyer.
Officials say he had served in the U.S. Navy but was discharged following disciplinary problems. After his arrest, he told police he was "hearing voices" and expected to die, two law enforcement officials said.
After the wreck he emerged from his vehicle running, yelling and jumping before being subdued by police and bystanders in a chaotic scene.
"He began screaming, no particular words but just utter screaming. He was swinging his arms at the same time, said Ken Bradix, a security supervisor at a nearby Planet Hollywood restaurant who tackled Rojas.
Rojas initially tested negative for alcohol, but more detailed drug tests were pending, according to two law enforcement officials who were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. The officials said Rojas told officers he had been hearing voices.
Read more at Yahoo
South African Authorities Decide That ‘100% Black Owned Advertising Agency’ Campaign Is NotRacist
Here’s an unusual story from South Africa.
Seems that an unnamed citizen of that country lodged a complaint in February because he considered a billboard advertising “100% black owned advertising agency” BWD (or Breeze Web Designers) to be racist.
We won’t get into the logic or lack thereof behind that complaint, which we learned of today via South African news site The Media Online. But it seems that the local Advertising Standards Authority had to consider the citizen’s opinion as part of its standard operating procedures.
This single person then facilitated “a two-month investigation.”
South Africa has a uniquely horrific history, and in 2003—less than a decade after electing its first democratic government—the country passed the initial stage of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (or B-BBEE) Strategy, a program designed to “advance economic transformation and enhance the economic participation of black people in the South African economy.” Phase 2 went into effect in 2014.
Lodging a complaint with the South African ASA is fairly simple, as you can see from this form. But it also requires one to go out of his or her way to visit the ASA website or look up its contact information, so it’s hard to avoid drawing the conclusion that the person who registered said complaint was very upset over this particular billboard. One can’t help but wonder why.
Read more here
Seems that an unnamed citizen of that country lodged a complaint in February because he considered a billboard advertising “100% black owned advertising agency” BWD (or Breeze Web Designers) to be racist.
We won’t get into the logic or lack thereof behind that complaint, which we learned of today via South African news site The Media Online. But it seems that the local Advertising Standards Authority had to consider the citizen’s opinion as part of its standard operating procedures.
This single person then facilitated “a two-month investigation.”
South Africa has a uniquely horrific history, and in 2003—less than a decade after electing its first democratic government—the country passed the initial stage of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (or B-BBEE) Strategy, a program designed to “advance economic transformation and enhance the economic participation of black people in the South African economy.” Phase 2 went into effect in 2014.
Lodging a complaint with the South African ASA is fairly simple, as you can see from this form. But it also requires one to go out of his or her way to visit the ASA website or look up its contact information, so it’s hard to avoid drawing the conclusion that the person who registered said complaint was very upset over this particular billboard. One can’t help but wonder why.
Read more here
Jury acquits Tulsa cop in shooting of unarmed black man
A jury on Wednesday acquitted of first-degree manslaughter a white Oklahoma police officer who says she fired out of fear last year when she killed an unarmed black man with his hands held above his head.
The family of Terence Crutcher burst into tears and reacted with outrage after jurors found Tulsa officer Betty Jo Shelby not guilty in the Sept. 16 shooting.
"Let it be known that I believe in my heart that Betty Shelby got away with murder," Crutcher's father, Rev. Joey Crutcher, said after the verdict was announced.
A lawyer for Shelby said the officer was "elated" that the jury found her not guilty.
"She's ready to get back to her life," Defense Attorney Shannon McMurray said.
Shelby looked stone-faced when the verdict was read, but Crutcher's family was quickly ushered out of the courtroom sobbing and wailing.
At least four of the 12 jurors were crying as they left the courtroom and did not look at either the family of Crutcher or Shelby. The jury comprised eight women and four men and included three African-Americans.
About 100 demonstrators gathered in a plaza outside the courthouse Wednesday evening in peaceful protest at the verdict. They chanted: "No Justice, No Peace. No Racist Police." They marched several blocks downtown and gathered outside a hotel where they believed that Shelby and her defense team were staying. Later the protesters dispersed without incident.
Marq Lewis, organizer of the local civil rights group We The People Oklahoma said the verdict was a blow to Tulsa's black community.
"When is it going to stop — just officer-related shootings? When will the police change policy," he said.
Shelby said she fired her weapon out of fear because she said Crutcher didn't obey her commands to lie on the ground and appeared to reach inside his SUV for what she thought was a gun. Crutcher was unarmed.
Read more at ABC
The family of Terence Crutcher burst into tears and reacted with outrage after jurors found Tulsa officer Betty Jo Shelby not guilty in the Sept. 16 shooting.
"Let it be known that I believe in my heart that Betty Shelby got away with murder," Crutcher's father, Rev. Joey Crutcher, said after the verdict was announced.
A lawyer for Shelby said the officer was "elated" that the jury found her not guilty.
"She's ready to get back to her life," Defense Attorney Shannon McMurray said.
Shelby looked stone-faced when the verdict was read, but Crutcher's family was quickly ushered out of the courtroom sobbing and wailing.
At least four of the 12 jurors were crying as they left the courtroom and did not look at either the family of Crutcher or Shelby. The jury comprised eight women and four men and included three African-Americans.
About 100 demonstrators gathered in a plaza outside the courthouse Wednesday evening in peaceful protest at the verdict. They chanted: "No Justice, No Peace. No Racist Police." They marched several blocks downtown and gathered outside a hotel where they believed that Shelby and her defense team were staying. Later the protesters dispersed without incident.
Marq Lewis, organizer of the local civil rights group We The People Oklahoma said the verdict was a blow to Tulsa's black community.
"When is it going to stop — just officer-related shootings? When will the police change policy," he said.
Shelby said she fired her weapon out of fear because she said Crutcher didn't obey her commands to lie on the ground and appeared to reach inside his SUV for what she thought was a gun. Crutcher was unarmed.
Read more at ABC
Poll: African-Americans less likely to have enough for retirement
CHICAGO (AP) – Older white Americans are nearly twice as likely as African-Americans to say they’ve saved enough for retirement, a new poll found.
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey also found that African- Americans and Latinos have less financial security than whites and will rely on fewer sources of income during retirement. The retirement savings gap between white and other minority groups extends beyond pensions, 401(k)s or other retirement accounts.
The survey shows older white Americans are also more likely to collect Social Security benefits, inherit money from their families or receive income from the sale of a home or other physical assets.
Disparity
The disparity in retirement readiness is a sign that the structural inequalities black and Latino workers face during their working years extend into retirement. For example, the unemployment rate among African-Americans is twice that of whites. On top of that, blacks earn less than whites with similar education and experience, research shows.
“Having good saving habits is good but black and Latino workers are just always worse off and it makes every aspect of saving for retirement harder,” said Matthew Rutledge, an economist at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.
About 38 percent of older white Americans said they had sufficient money for retirement compared with 20 percent for African-Americans.
Four in 10 older Americans say they think they’ll outlive their retirement savings.
“Black and Latino families benefit from being close,” Rutledge said, adding that family members help care for each other. “But it doesn’t pay off when compared to whites family’s [financial] contributions.”
Read more at Saukvalley.com
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey also found that African- Americans and Latinos have less financial security than whites and will rely on fewer sources of income during retirement. The retirement savings gap between white and other minority groups extends beyond pensions, 401(k)s or other retirement accounts.
The survey shows older white Americans are also more likely to collect Social Security benefits, inherit money from their families or receive income from the sale of a home or other physical assets.
Disparity
The disparity in retirement readiness is a sign that the structural inequalities black and Latino workers face during their working years extend into retirement. For example, the unemployment rate among African-Americans is twice that of whites. On top of that, blacks earn less than whites with similar education and experience, research shows.
“Having good saving habits is good but black and Latino workers are just always worse off and it makes every aspect of saving for retirement harder,” said Matthew Rutledge, an economist at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.
About 38 percent of older white Americans said they had sufficient money for retirement compared with 20 percent for African-Americans.
Four in 10 older Americans say they think they’ll outlive their retirement savings.
“Black and Latino families benefit from being close,” Rutledge said, adding that family members help care for each other. “But it doesn’t pay off when compared to whites family’s [financial] contributions.”
Read more at Saukvalley.com
Family gets kicked off of a JetBlue flight for a birthday cake
Footage of a family getting kicked off of a JetBlue flight over the placement of a birthday cake surfaced on Saturday.
Minta and Cameron Burke were heading to Las Vegas from JFK Airport in New York on Flight 611 on May 3 to celebrate Minta's 40th birthday with their children when an incident between the family and the airline caused the entire family to be kicked off the plane, despite the NYPD admitting to the family that they did nothing wrong.
According to ABC 7, the incident started when someone in the family placed a birthday cake in the overhead bin, which is not allowed. The family says that a flight attendant told Cameron to move the cake to underneath his seat, which he did, but claims that the situation escalated when a second flight attendant got involved.
"You know, you could see the gestures - then she was pointing to her, did you tell him he couldn't put anything in the overhead compartment? I had approached them, and I said everything was fine, and she said, 'sir, this does not involve you. When she told me I had been non-compliant, then I said 'ma'am, had you been drinking?' because her behavior was not normal," Cameron told ABC 7.
Eventually, police were called to sort everything out. In the clip, tweeted by ABC 7 reporter CeFaan Kim the family is visibly upset, and their son can be seen crying over the ordeal.
"No one's in any trouble," an officer can be heard reassuring the family.
Read more at Yahoo.
Minta and Cameron Burke were heading to Las Vegas from JFK Airport in New York on Flight 611 on May 3 to celebrate Minta's 40th birthday with their children when an incident between the family and the airline caused the entire family to be kicked off the plane, despite the NYPD admitting to the family that they did nothing wrong.
According to ABC 7, the incident started when someone in the family placed a birthday cake in the overhead bin, which is not allowed. The family says that a flight attendant told Cameron to move the cake to underneath his seat, which he did, but claims that the situation escalated when a second flight attendant got involved.
"You know, you could see the gestures - then she was pointing to her, did you tell him he couldn't put anything in the overhead compartment? I had approached them, and I said everything was fine, and she said, 'sir, this does not involve you. When she told me I had been non-compliant, then I said 'ma'am, had you been drinking?' because her behavior was not normal," Cameron told ABC 7.
Eventually, police were called to sort everything out. In the clip, tweeted by ABC 7 reporter CeFaan Kim the family is visibly upset, and their son can be seen crying over the ordeal.
"No one's in any trouble," an officer can be heard reassuring the family.
Read more at Yahoo.
ACLU claims police department in Mississippi is targeting black people
JACKSON, MS – A disabled man choked by deputies in his own house and forced to fill out a fake witness report. A father of two stopped at sheriff’s roadblocks at least 20 times in a year with no legitimate reason. And a great-grandmother’s celebratory barbecue interrupted by warrantless searches of attendees’ pockets.
Those are just a few examples of what the ACLU claims are the acts of a police agency out of control in central Mississippi.
The ACLU this week filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, claiming deputies routinely used excessive force and a variety of unconstitutional tactics to target black people.
The concerns raised in the suit echo some findings of recent Justice Department investigations into unconstitutional patterns of racial discrimination and excessive force by police departments in Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland and New Orleans.
The ACLU’s lawsuit highlights striking examples of alleged misconduct, including the three described above, which the advocacy organization casts as emblematic of a larger problem in Madison County.
“These types of stories are everywhere in this community, but they are not special,” Paloma Wu, legal director for the ACLU of Mississippi, told CNN. “They are simply particularly memorable.”
The 86-page suit alleges wrongdoing by the department, Sheriff Randy Tucker, and six unnamed deputies. It demands changes that protect citizens’ constitutional rights, as well as improved training, supervision, monitoring, and discipline of officers who conduct unconstitutional practices.
Read more at CW39
Those are just a few examples of what the ACLU claims are the acts of a police agency out of control in central Mississippi.
The ACLU this week filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, claiming deputies routinely used excessive force and a variety of unconstitutional tactics to target black people.
The concerns raised in the suit echo some findings of recent Justice Department investigations into unconstitutional patterns of racial discrimination and excessive force by police departments in Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland and New Orleans.
The ACLU’s lawsuit highlights striking examples of alleged misconduct, including the three described above, which the advocacy organization casts as emblematic of a larger problem in Madison County.
“These types of stories are everywhere in this community, but they are not special,” Paloma Wu, legal director for the ACLU of Mississippi, told CNN. “They are simply particularly memorable.”
The 86-page suit alleges wrongdoing by the department, Sheriff Randy Tucker, and six unnamed deputies. It demands changes that protect citizens’ constitutional rights, as well as improved training, supervision, monitoring, and discipline of officers who conduct unconstitutional practices.
Read more at CW39
Bill Cosby’s Daughters Speak Out About Their Father’s Rape Allegations
Bill Cosby‘s family has managed to stay out of the spotlight throughout their father’s career. So it comes as no surprise that his wife and children chose to lay low amid the numerous rape allegations brought against the icon — until now.
On Monday, Cosby’s daughters, Ensa and Erinn, released statements on Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club. Host Charlamagne tha God revealed that Cosby’s team reached out to the show because Erinn and Ensa are faithful listeners. They wanted to get their message out to fans, ahead of Cosby’s trial next month.
Ensa explained in her statement that her father is a loving parent, philanthropist and an activist who loves people too much for the allegations to be true. She said, “The accusations against my father have been one-sided from the beginning. When he tried to defend himself, he was sued in civil court. I’ve seen the accusations become more horrific and extreme with time and I’ve witnessed my father’s reputation and legendary works be dismissed without any proof. I strongly believe my father is innocent of the crimes that are alleged against him and I believe that racism has played a big role in all aspects of this scandal. How the charges came against him, how people believed them before they were ever scrutinized or tested, how people who questioned the claims were shut down and ignored.”
She added, “The media created the story and the outcome before any court will ever test the claims. How my father is being punished by a society that still believes that black men rape white women that passes off as ‘boys will be boys’ when white men are accused. How the politics of our country prove my disgust.”
Read more at Global Grind
On Monday, Cosby’s daughters, Ensa and Erinn, released statements on Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club. Host Charlamagne tha God revealed that Cosby’s team reached out to the show because Erinn and Ensa are faithful listeners. They wanted to get their message out to fans, ahead of Cosby’s trial next month.
Ensa explained in her statement that her father is a loving parent, philanthropist and an activist who loves people too much for the allegations to be true. She said, “The accusations against my father have been one-sided from the beginning. When he tried to defend himself, he was sued in civil court. I’ve seen the accusations become more horrific and extreme with time and I’ve witnessed my father’s reputation and legendary works be dismissed without any proof. I strongly believe my father is innocent of the crimes that are alleged against him and I believe that racism has played a big role in all aspects of this scandal. How the charges came against him, how people believed them before they were ever scrutinized or tested, how people who questioned the claims were shut down and ignored.”
She added, “The media created the story and the outcome before any court will ever test the claims. How my father is being punished by a society that still believes that black men rape white women that passes off as ‘boys will be boys’ when white men are accused. How the politics of our country prove my disgust.”
Read more at Global Grind
Steve Harvey Reportedly Just Dissed His Staff, Again
Steve Harvey was the latest victim of a social media dragging, yesterday, after a scathing memo showing the talk show host demanding that his staff "not approach him" leaked online.
Now, it is being reported that Harvey was a no-show at his own wrap party in Chicago, and sources are saying he opted out as he did not want to talk to anyone.
According to Page Six, yesterday marked the final day of production for The Steve Harvey Show after five years in Chicago. The program's face and main talent, Harvey, reportedly failed to show up to the celebratory staff party as he did not want to rub shoulders with those he addressed in the memo.
Read more at BET
Now, it is being reported that Harvey was a no-show at his own wrap party in Chicago, and sources are saying he opted out as he did not want to talk to anyone.
According to Page Six, yesterday marked the final day of production for The Steve Harvey Show after five years in Chicago. The program's face and main talent, Harvey, reportedly failed to show up to the celebratory staff party as he did not want to rub shoulders with those he addressed in the memo.
Read more at BET
The Obamas Want Chicago Youth Working , So They're Donating $2 Million To Make It Happen
Since the Obamas have returned to public life, some have taken issue with the amount of money they’ve been charging for speaking engagements. Well, it looks like the former First Family is giving back just as much as they are taking.
On Wednesday, the Obamas announced a new financial commitment to the South Side of Chicago, which will also serve as the home to the former President’s presidential library.
Since the Obamas have returned to public life, some have taken issue with the amount of money they’ve been charging for speaking engagements. Well, it looks like the former First Family is giving back just as much as they are taking.
On Wednesday, the Obamas announced a new financial commitment to the South Side of Chicago, which will also serve as the home to the former President’s presidential library.
“Michelle and I will personally donate $2 million to our summer jobs programs here in the community so that right away people can get to work and we can start providing opportunity for them,” said the former President.
The presidential library will not be open for the next four years, but Obama knows the community can’t wait that long for jobs.
“We can’t afford to wait four years to start working together, and so what Michelle and I want to do is start now.”
This new initiative was announced in Chicago at an event where a roundtable discussion was had about the Obama Presidential Center. It will be built in Chicago’s Jackson Park and it’s estimated to create 200-300 jobs. The construction is said to generate 1, 400 – 1, 500 jobs and 2, 000 more jobs during the economic development of the area.
During the event, Obama showed off conceptual designs for the center, which will be a presidential library and headquarters for the Obama foundation.
“What we wanted was something that was alive and that was a hub for activity for the community and for the city and for the country,” said Obama.
Read more at JET
On Wednesday, the Obamas announced a new financial commitment to the South Side of Chicago, which will also serve as the home to the former President’s presidential library.
Since the Obamas have returned to public life, some have taken issue with the amount of money they’ve been charging for speaking engagements. Well, it looks like the former First Family is giving back just as much as they are taking.
On Wednesday, the Obamas announced a new financial commitment to the South Side of Chicago, which will also serve as the home to the former President’s presidential library.
“Michelle and I will personally donate $2 million to our summer jobs programs here in the community so that right away people can get to work and we can start providing opportunity for them,” said the former President.
The presidential library will not be open for the next four years, but Obama knows the community can’t wait that long for jobs.
“We can’t afford to wait four years to start working together, and so what Michelle and I want to do is start now.”
This new initiative was announced in Chicago at an event where a roundtable discussion was had about the Obama Presidential Center. It will be built in Chicago’s Jackson Park and it’s estimated to create 200-300 jobs. The construction is said to generate 1, 400 – 1, 500 jobs and 2, 000 more jobs during the economic development of the area.
During the event, Obama showed off conceptual designs for the center, which will be a presidential library and headquarters for the Obama foundation.
“What we wanted was something that was alive and that was a hub for activity for the community and for the city and for the country,” said Obama.
Read more at JET
82 Girls Have Reportedly Been Released By Boko Haram
The girls were released via negotiations between the Nigerian government and the terrorist group, reports Reuters. An official told the AP that the girls were located near Banki in the state of Borno.
The number of girls hasn’t been officially confirmed, however multiple outlets are reporting that they were turned over to the Nigerian military. Bashir Ahmad, an assistant to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, tweeted yesterday (April 6), “Alhamdulillah! This is a very very good and exciting news. More victories for Nigeria. Huge numbers. #OurGirls!”
In exchange for their release, five detained and suspected commanders of Boko Haram were freed, according to the Nigerian government.
The dozens of newly-released girls are among the 276 (aging from 16 to 18) who were taken from their beds at a boarding school in Chibok, Nigeria in April of 2014.
Read more at BET
The number of girls hasn’t been officially confirmed, however multiple outlets are reporting that they were turned over to the Nigerian military. Bashir Ahmad, an assistant to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, tweeted yesterday (April 6), “Alhamdulillah! This is a very very good and exciting news. More victories for Nigeria. Huge numbers. #OurGirls!”
In exchange for their release, five detained and suspected commanders of Boko Haram were freed, according to the Nigerian government.
The dozens of newly-released girls are among the 276 (aging from 16 to 18) who were taken from their beds at a boarding school in Chibok, Nigeria in April of 2014.
Read more at BET
Gun Sales Surge Among African-American Women
The firearms industry is no longer a man's world.
Women are buying guns in a big way; including more African-American women.
Firearms instructors report an up-tick in the number of black women purchasing guns and enrolling in self-defense classes.
"Women overall -- in particular, minority women -- are looking toward guns to protect themselves against crime," said firearms instructor Rick Ector.
"Women are definitely drivers in the market right now," he told Fox News.
Conservative African-American columnist Stacy Washington is a proud member of the National Rifle Association.
She was then was suspended from the Saint Louis Dispatch last week after she blasted a columnist for the Columbia Missourian for comparing the NRA to ISIS. Click here for the article.
"When has a member of the NRA ever decapitated, set on fire, tossed from a rooftop or otherwise terrorized another American?" Washington wrote. "The linkage is not only rife with improper context; it is false on its face. Yet the Missourian saw fit to publish it without question, I believe, because it suits the ideological bent of the opinion editor."
After her suspension, Washington quit her job at the Dispatch.
Read more at 1cbn
Women are buying guns in a big way; including more African-American women.
Firearms instructors report an up-tick in the number of black women purchasing guns and enrolling in self-defense classes.
"Women overall -- in particular, minority women -- are looking toward guns to protect themselves against crime," said firearms instructor Rick Ector.
"Women are definitely drivers in the market right now," he told Fox News.
Conservative African-American columnist Stacy Washington is a proud member of the National Rifle Association.
She was then was suspended from the Saint Louis Dispatch last week after she blasted a columnist for the Columbia Missourian for comparing the NRA to ISIS. Click here for the article.
"When has a member of the NRA ever decapitated, set on fire, tossed from a rooftop or otherwise terrorized another American?" Washington wrote. "The linkage is not only rife with improper context; it is false on its face. Yet the Missourian saw fit to publish it without question, I believe, because it suits the ideological bent of the opinion editor."
After her suspension, Washington quit her job at the Dispatch.
Read more at 1cbn
Twin brothers describe moment when teen was shot to death by police officer
Twin brothers who were traveling in the car with 15-year-old Jordan Edwards at the time he was shot and killed by former Balch Springs Police Officer Roy Oliver are still struggling to process their friend's death, according to a new interview.
"If I could do anything in the world to bring him back I would," Maximus Everette told ABC Dallas affiliate WFAA-TV about the loss of his friend.
Maximus and Maxwell Everette were in the car with Jordan and two of his brothers on the night of the April 29 shooting, which followed a 911 call related to a house party at which the boys were in attendance.
Police initially said that Edwards was in a car that backed up in the direction of officers, who were responding to the call about the party "in an aggressive manner." Police later revised that account, saying they had misspoken and that it appeared as though the vehicle was driving away from the officers based on footage from police body cameras.
Fired Texas officer free on bail after arrest in connection to teen's shooting death
Texas cop who fatally shot 15-year-old has been fired, police say
Oliver opened fire on the car with the boys inside it, striking Edwards, who was sitting in the front passenger seat.
Oliver, a six-year veteran of the force, turned himself in at the Parker County Jail in Weatherford, Texas, about 95 miles west of Dallas, according to WFAA.
The boys recalled to WFAA the moment that a bullet pierced the passenger window, striking Jordan's head.
"I'm always thinking about it and what could've happened," Maxwell Everette told the affiliate. "Somebody else could've gotten killed too. It still hasn't really hit me yet."
Read more at Yahoo.
"If I could do anything in the world to bring him back I would," Maximus Everette told ABC Dallas affiliate WFAA-TV about the loss of his friend.
Maximus and Maxwell Everette were in the car with Jordan and two of his brothers on the night of the April 29 shooting, which followed a 911 call related to a house party at which the boys were in attendance.
Police initially said that Edwards was in a car that backed up in the direction of officers, who were responding to the call about the party "in an aggressive manner." Police later revised that account, saying they had misspoken and that it appeared as though the vehicle was driving away from the officers based on footage from police body cameras.
Fired Texas officer free on bail after arrest in connection to teen's shooting death
Texas cop who fatally shot 15-year-old has been fired, police say
Oliver opened fire on the car with the boys inside it, striking Edwards, who was sitting in the front passenger seat.
Oliver, a six-year veteran of the force, turned himself in at the Parker County Jail in Weatherford, Texas, about 95 miles west of Dallas, according to WFAA.
The boys recalled to WFAA the moment that a bullet pierced the passenger window, striking Jordan's head.
"I'm always thinking about it and what could've happened," Maxwell Everette told the affiliate. "Somebody else could've gotten killed too. It still hasn't really hit me yet."
Read more at Yahoo.
Aaron Hernandez's suicide depicts Jesus Christ
Before hanging himself with a prison bedsheet, Aaron Hernandez cut his right middle finger and in blood drew circular marks on each of his feet, consistent with images of the feet of Jesus Christ after he was hung from the cross.
In red pen, Hernandez also wrote John 3:16 on his forehead, a scripture verse that declares eternal life for all – even the most wicked – as long as they believe God sent his son to perish for them.
On a nearby table, a Bible was open to John 3:16, with the verse marked in blood. “John 3:16” was also written in blood on the wall of Hernandez’s cell No. 57 of the G-2 unit of the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Massachusetts.
All of this comes from a Massachusetts State Police report into Hernandez’s death on April 19. The report, released on Thursday evening, concludes Hernandez’s death was due to suicide and requests the case be closed unless further information becomes available.
The Worcester County (Mass.) medical examiner had also ruled it a suicide. After initially declaring skepticism at Hernandez taking his own life, his family has lately remained silent on the cause of death.
Hernandez’s attorney, Jose Baez, did not dispute the conclusions of the report, but in a statement vowed “a thorough and independent investigation into this tragic death.” He blasted government officials for their “total lack of professionalism” during the process for not sharing information with the family and for numerous leaks that were reported in the media.
The report, written by trooper James Foley, offers the most details into the death of the former New England Patriots star who was serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. Just five days prior to his death, Hernandez, 27, had been found not guilty in a 2012 double homicide in Boston.
Hernandez was locked in his cell at 7:59 p.m. on April 18, just after concluding a phone call. Correction officers last observed him during the routine 1 a.m. bed check on April 19.
Read more at Yahoo.
In red pen, Hernandez also wrote John 3:16 on his forehead, a scripture verse that declares eternal life for all – even the most wicked – as long as they believe God sent his son to perish for them.
On a nearby table, a Bible was open to John 3:16, with the verse marked in blood. “John 3:16” was also written in blood on the wall of Hernandez’s cell No. 57 of the G-2 unit of the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Massachusetts.
All of this comes from a Massachusetts State Police report into Hernandez’s death on April 19. The report, released on Thursday evening, concludes Hernandez’s death was due to suicide and requests the case be closed unless further information becomes available.
The Worcester County (Mass.) medical examiner had also ruled it a suicide. After initially declaring skepticism at Hernandez taking his own life, his family has lately remained silent on the cause of death.
Hernandez’s attorney, Jose Baez, did not dispute the conclusions of the report, but in a statement vowed “a thorough and independent investigation into this tragic death.” He blasted government officials for their “total lack of professionalism” during the process for not sharing information with the family and for numerous leaks that were reported in the media.
The report, written by trooper James Foley, offers the most details into the death of the former New England Patriots star who was serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. Just five days prior to his death, Hernandez, 27, had been found not guilty in a 2012 double homicide in Boston.
Hernandez was locked in his cell at 7:59 p.m. on April 18, just after concluding a phone call. Correction officers last observed him during the routine 1 a.m. bed check on April 19.
Read more at Yahoo.
Why Is It So Hard To Vote If You're Black, Poor Or Elderly in America?
The U.S. prides itself on being the world’s greatest democracy, but across the country, millions of people are denied the right to vote. More than half of all states require voters to show ID when they cast a ballot, yanking the most vulnerable in U.S. society from the electoral process.
On Monday, a federal judge ruled that Texas’ electoral law, which requires voters to show photo ID before casting a ballot, intentionally discriminates against black and Hispanic voters. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, ethnic minorities, along with low-income, disabled and elderly voters, are less likely to have government-issued identification.
Before the ruling—the fifth time in four years a court has found Texas’ voting laws discriminatory—a Texas voter was required to show one of six types of photo ID. If they failed to provide any, they could cast a provisional ballot and either present identification within six days of doing so or declare that they had a religious objection to being photographed or had lost their identification in a natural disaster.
In July, a federal appeals court ruled that the legislation violated the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which prohibits electoral discrimination. The court’s ruling meant that during the November presidential election, voters who lacked ID were permitted to sign an affidavit declaring they were registered to vote in Texas. This angered some Texan Republicans who supported voter ID laws and claim that voter fraud is a growing problem in the U.S. Voters without government-issued IDs are more likely to vote Democrat.
Read more at Newsweek
On Monday, a federal judge ruled that Texas’ electoral law, which requires voters to show photo ID before casting a ballot, intentionally discriminates against black and Hispanic voters. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, ethnic minorities, along with low-income, disabled and elderly voters, are less likely to have government-issued identification.
Before the ruling—the fifth time in four years a court has found Texas’ voting laws discriminatory—a Texas voter was required to show one of six types of photo ID. If they failed to provide any, they could cast a provisional ballot and either present identification within six days of doing so or declare that they had a religious objection to being photographed or had lost their identification in a natural disaster.
In July, a federal appeals court ruled that the legislation violated the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which prohibits electoral discrimination. The court’s ruling meant that during the November presidential election, voters who lacked ID were permitted to sign an affidavit declaring they were registered to vote in Texas. This angered some Texan Republicans who supported voter ID laws and claim that voter fraud is a growing problem in the U.S. Voters without government-issued IDs are more likely to vote Democrat.
Read more at Newsweek
African-American women dying from breast cancer at alarming rate
African-American women diagnosed with breast cancer are dying at a much faster rate than other women with the disease. The disparity is alarming and has medical experts desperately searching for answers.
Three women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day in St. Louis and St. Louis County. African-American women are dying at a 40 percent higher rate compared to other women, according to information from the American Cancer Society.
Washington University Assistant Professor of Surgery, Dr. Adetunji Toriola, said African American women tend to have more aggressive breast cancer and they're often diagnosed at much later stages. Toriola said they also tend to be diagnosed at an early age compared to other women. The median age of diagnosis for black women is 59, compared to the average age of white women, which is 63. Studies have also shown that overtime the younger the age of diagnosis the more aggressive the breast cancer.
African-American women also don’t get screened as regularly for breast cancer, according to Toriola, and he says socioeconomic status plays a factor. Due to financial concerns, African-American women often have reduced access to screening mammograms and poorer access to long-term care when they have an abnormal mammogram.
Helen Chestnut, executive director for Susan G. Komen Missouri, said her organization’s goal is to decrease the alarming death rate 50 percent by 2026. Komen does a community profile every four years, and they discovered one of the critical reasons for the higher death rate for African-American women is the need for more help with the navigation of the medical system.
Chestnut said there is a critical need for someone to help women understand where they need to go from diagnosis, treatment, and survivor care.
Read more at KSDK
Three women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day in St. Louis and St. Louis County. African-American women are dying at a 40 percent higher rate compared to other women, according to information from the American Cancer Society.
Washington University Assistant Professor of Surgery, Dr. Adetunji Toriola, said African American women tend to have more aggressive breast cancer and they're often diagnosed at much later stages. Toriola said they also tend to be diagnosed at an early age compared to other women. The median age of diagnosis for black women is 59, compared to the average age of white women, which is 63. Studies have also shown that overtime the younger the age of diagnosis the more aggressive the breast cancer.
African-American women also don’t get screened as regularly for breast cancer, according to Toriola, and he says socioeconomic status plays a factor. Due to financial concerns, African-American women often have reduced access to screening mammograms and poorer access to long-term care when they have an abnormal mammogram.
Helen Chestnut, executive director for Susan G. Komen Missouri, said her organization’s goal is to decrease the alarming death rate 50 percent by 2026. Komen does a community profile every four years, and they discovered one of the critical reasons for the higher death rate for African-American women is the need for more help with the navigation of the medical system.
Chestnut said there is a critical need for someone to help women understand where they need to go from diagnosis, treatment, and survivor care.
Read more at KSDK
15-year-old Jordan Edwards was trying to leave a house party. Then police killed him.
Jordan Edwards, 15, was trying to leave a house party that had gotten out of control on Saturday. But the black teenager would never get home that night — because, as he sat in a car, a police officer shot and killed him.
Police in Balch Springs, Texas, a majority-minority Dallas suburb, claim there was an altercation with the vehicle. Edwards, who was unarmed, was sitting in the front passenger’s seat, with four other unarmed teens, including Edwards’s brother, in the car, according to family attorney Lee Merritt.
A cop responding to the scene shot at the car with a rifle. A bullet broke through the front passenger’s window and hit Edwards. Shortly after, Edwards was rushed to a hospital, where he died from gunshot injuries. No officers were injured in the incident.
Balch Springs Police Chief Jonathan Haber originally said the car backed up toward responding officers “in an aggressive manner.”
After his original statement, however, Haber said that he “misspoke.” He clarified that the car was in fact driving away from officers, not toward them. He added, “After reviewing video, I don’t believe that it [the shooting] met our core values.”
The officer who shot Edwards, whose name has yet to be released, is on administrative leave pending an investigation.
Read more at Vox.com
Police in Balch Springs, Texas, a majority-minority Dallas suburb, claim there was an altercation with the vehicle. Edwards, who was unarmed, was sitting in the front passenger’s seat, with four other unarmed teens, including Edwards’s brother, in the car, according to family attorney Lee Merritt.
A cop responding to the scene shot at the car with a rifle. A bullet broke through the front passenger’s window and hit Edwards. Shortly after, Edwards was rushed to a hospital, where he died from gunshot injuries. No officers were injured in the incident.
Balch Springs Police Chief Jonathan Haber originally said the car backed up toward responding officers “in an aggressive manner.”
After his original statement, however, Haber said that he “misspoke.” He clarified that the car was in fact driving away from officers, not toward them. He added, “After reviewing video, I don’t believe that it [the shooting] met our core values.”
The officer who shot Edwards, whose name has yet to be released, is on administrative leave pending an investigation.
Read more at Vox.com
Passenger dragged off United Airlines flight wins compensation
The man who was dragged off a United Airlines flight in a video that went around the world has received an undisclosed financial settlement from the airline.
The footage of Kentucky doctor David Dao, 69, being dragged off the flight after he refused to give up his seat to allow four United staff members to get from Chicago to Louisville went viral and sparked outrage .
Trending: Man kicked off Delta Air Lines flight for needing to use the bathroom
Lawyers for Dao said that a condition of the payout was that the amount would be confidential. His attorney, Thomas Demetri, said: "I hope he becomes a poster child for all of us. Someone's got to. Are we just going to continue to be treated like cattle?"
The Vietnamese Dao suffered concussion, a broken nose and lost two of his front teeth in an experience he described as worse than he went through during the fall of Saigon in 1975.
Don't miss: US veteran charged with killing PTSD 'therapy dog' as boyfriend filmed her
Earlier on Thursday (27 April), the airline announced that it would in future offer up to $10,000 (£7,700) as an incentive for passengers to voluntarily give up their seats on overbooked flights and no one will be removed from seats against their will.
The company also said it had made 10 substantial changes to how it deals with customers.
Read more at Yahoo.
The footage of Kentucky doctor David Dao, 69, being dragged off the flight after he refused to give up his seat to allow four United staff members to get from Chicago to Louisville went viral and sparked outrage .
Trending: Man kicked off Delta Air Lines flight for needing to use the bathroom
Lawyers for Dao said that a condition of the payout was that the amount would be confidential. His attorney, Thomas Demetri, said: "I hope he becomes a poster child for all of us. Someone's got to. Are we just going to continue to be treated like cattle?"
The Vietnamese Dao suffered concussion, a broken nose and lost two of his front teeth in an experience he described as worse than he went through during the fall of Saigon in 1975.
Don't miss: US veteran charged with killing PTSD 'therapy dog' as boyfriend filmed her
Earlier on Thursday (27 April), the airline announced that it would in future offer up to $10,000 (£7,700) as an incentive for passengers to voluntarily give up their seats on overbooked flights and no one will be removed from seats against their will.
The company also said it had made 10 substantial changes to how it deals with customers.
Read more at Yahoo.
Will Michelle Obama Run for Office? Let Her Be Clear…
Lots of people have called for Former First Lady Michelle Obama to follow her husband’s footsteps into public office, but at her first post-White House public appearance on Thursday she said it’s not gonna happen.
“It’s all well and good until you start running, and then the knives come out,” said Obama, ruling out a future political run, according to the Orlando Sentinel. “Politics is tough, and it’s hard on a family … I wouldn’t ask my children to do this again because, when you run for higher office, it’s not just you, it’s your whole family.”
She made the remark during a Q&A session at the American Institute of Architects’ annual conference in Orlando where cameras were not allowed, and noted that there are other contributions she can make without having to be a politician. An example she spoke about was the Let Girls Live initiative, which was started during her time in the White House. “One issue that I am excited about continuing to work on is … to help young girls get an education around the world,” she said, also noting that she wants to combat violence against women and girls. “The plight of women and girls is real, the struggles are real.”
Earlier this week, former president Barack Obama gave a similar appearance at the University of Chicago in which he spoke with students about organizing and activism, also his first since leaving the White House. A noticeable topic both of them avoided was President Trump. But the former First Lady did mention why she held back the tears as the couple exited on Inauguration Day.
“I didn’t want to have tears in my eyes because people would swear I was crying because of the new president,” she said.
Read more at EBONY
“It’s all well and good until you start running, and then the knives come out,” said Obama, ruling out a future political run, according to the Orlando Sentinel. “Politics is tough, and it’s hard on a family … I wouldn’t ask my children to do this again because, when you run for higher office, it’s not just you, it’s your whole family.”
She made the remark during a Q&A session at the American Institute of Architects’ annual conference in Orlando where cameras were not allowed, and noted that there are other contributions she can make without having to be a politician. An example she spoke about was the Let Girls Live initiative, which was started during her time in the White House. “One issue that I am excited about continuing to work on is … to help young girls get an education around the world,” she said, also noting that she wants to combat violence against women and girls. “The plight of women and girls is real, the struggles are real.”
Earlier this week, former president Barack Obama gave a similar appearance at the University of Chicago in which he spoke with students about organizing and activism, also his first since leaving the White House. A noticeable topic both of them avoided was President Trump. But the former First Lady did mention why she held back the tears as the couple exited on Inauguration Day.
“I didn’t want to have tears in my eyes because people would swear I was crying because of the new president,” she said.
Read more at EBONY
'I Forgot What a Grown-Up President Sounds Like': Obama Gets Lots of Twitter Love as He Makes First Public Speech Since Leaving Office
Many fans on Twitter were missing former President Barack Obama more than ever as he delivered his first public remarks since leaving office during a forum in his adopted hometown of Chicago on Monday.
At the event, which was held at the University of Chicago, Obama reflected on how he got his political start as a community organizer in the city more than 30 years ago, and facilitated a town hall-style forum on community organizing and civic engagement with young leaders from area schools.
He opened his remarks with a joke, asking the crowd: “So uh, what’s been going on while I’ve been gone?”
“On the back end now of my presidency, now that it’s completed, I’m spending a lot of time thinking about what is the most important thing I can do for my next job?” he continued. “And what I’m convinced is that - although there are all kinds of issues that I care about and all kinds of issues that I intend to work on - the single most important thing I can do is to help in any way I can prepare the next generation of leadership to take up the baton and to take their own crack at changing the world.”
The former president added that he has been “encouraged” by the “tolerant and thoughtful and entrepreneurial” young people he has met in his travels around the country. So the question now, he says, is: “Are there ways in which we can knock down some of the barriers that are discouraging young people about a life of service? And if there are, I want to work with them to knock down those barriers. And to get this next generation and to accelerate their move towards leadership.”
Read more at Yahoo
At the event, which was held at the University of Chicago, Obama reflected on how he got his political start as a community organizer in the city more than 30 years ago, and facilitated a town hall-style forum on community organizing and civic engagement with young leaders from area schools.
He opened his remarks with a joke, asking the crowd: “So uh, what’s been going on while I’ve been gone?”
“On the back end now of my presidency, now that it’s completed, I’m spending a lot of time thinking about what is the most important thing I can do for my next job?” he continued. “And what I’m convinced is that - although there are all kinds of issues that I care about and all kinds of issues that I intend to work on - the single most important thing I can do is to help in any way I can prepare the next generation of leadership to take up the baton and to take their own crack at changing the world.”
The former president added that he has been “encouraged” by the “tolerant and thoughtful and entrepreneurial” young people he has met in his travels around the country. So the question now, he says, is: “Are there ways in which we can knock down some of the barriers that are discouraging young people about a life of service? And if there are, I want to work with them to knock down those barriers. And to get this next generation and to accelerate their move towards leadership.”
Read more at Yahoo
What Shea Moisture Learned (So Far!) From Its Social Media Disaster
Yesterday was busy one for Shea Moisture. A social content campaign the brand launched late last month suddenly caught fire. But not the good kind of fire, more like the dumpster kind.
One video in particular, featuring four women talking about their struggles with self-confidence as it relates to their hair, drew the ire of Shea Moisture’s primarily African American consumer base for excluding them from the conversation. The video is part of a series of up to 40 the brand created with agency VaynerMedia, profiling more than 20 different influencers.
By last night the brand had issued a full apology across all its social channels and pulled the ad. “Wow, okay – so guys, listen, we really f-ed this one up. Please know that our intention was not – and would never be – to disrespect our community, and as such, we are pulling this piece immediately because it does not represent what we intended to communicate.”
Shea Moisture parent Sundial Brands co-founder and CEO Richelieu Dennis says as the brand broadens its consumer market, it cannot forget or even appear to forget its core audience.
“It just shows the level of love and passion people have for the brand, and how much they want to make sure it continues to stand for them, even as it starts to broaden its audience, they want to make sure they’re not left behind,” says Richelieu. “And that’s clear to us. We need to make sure we spend the time engaging with that community, encouraging them, and letting them know that just because we’re growing doesn’t mean they’re less important. in fact, they become more important because they’re the ones who have always advocated for us.”
Read more at Fast Company
One video in particular, featuring four women talking about their struggles with self-confidence as it relates to their hair, drew the ire of Shea Moisture’s primarily African American consumer base for excluding them from the conversation. The video is part of a series of up to 40 the brand created with agency VaynerMedia, profiling more than 20 different influencers.
By last night the brand had issued a full apology across all its social channels and pulled the ad. “Wow, okay – so guys, listen, we really f-ed this one up. Please know that our intention was not – and would never be – to disrespect our community, and as such, we are pulling this piece immediately because it does not represent what we intended to communicate.”
Shea Moisture parent Sundial Brands co-founder and CEO Richelieu Dennis says as the brand broadens its consumer market, it cannot forget or even appear to forget its core audience.
“It just shows the level of love and passion people have for the brand, and how much they want to make sure it continues to stand for them, even as it starts to broaden its audience, they want to make sure they’re not left behind,” says Richelieu. “And that’s clear to us. We need to make sure we spend the time engaging with that community, encouraging them, and letting them know that just because we’re growing doesn’t mean they’re less important. in fact, they become more important because they’re the ones who have always advocated for us.”
Read more at Fast Company
Bill O'Reilly out at Fox News
"The O'Reilly Factor" has been canceled amid a cloud of harassment allegations against the conservative broadcaster.
Rupert Murdoch and his sons James and Lachlan, who run 21st Century Fox, made the announcement Wednesday afternoon.
"After a thorough and careful review of the allegations, the Company and Bill O'Reilly have agreed that Bill O'Reilly will not be returning to the Fox News Channel," Fox said.
O'Reilly had no immediate comment, but one of his attorneys said a statement is forthcoming.
It is unclear if Fox News is paying O'Reilly. The host is presumably owed tens of millions of dollars under the terms of his multi-year contract, though it is not clear what sort of clauses the contract may have contained to allow Fox News to get out of the deal.
O'Reilly's departure was precipitated by a New York Times report earlier this month that O'Reilly, Fox and 21st Century Fox had reached settlements totaling $13 million with five women who had accused O'Reilly of sexual harassment or verbal abuse. In the wake of the Times' report, at least 60 advertisers told Fox to remove their commercials from "The O'Reilly Factor."
Still, this is a turn of events that was unthinkable even three weeks ago, and it is unknown how O'Reilly will respond to Fox's decision. His representatives have not yet commented, but his lawyer indicated that a statement would be forthcoming.
Read more at CNN
Rupert Murdoch and his sons James and Lachlan, who run 21st Century Fox, made the announcement Wednesday afternoon.
"After a thorough and careful review of the allegations, the Company and Bill O'Reilly have agreed that Bill O'Reilly will not be returning to the Fox News Channel," Fox said.
O'Reilly had no immediate comment, but one of his attorneys said a statement is forthcoming.
It is unclear if Fox News is paying O'Reilly. The host is presumably owed tens of millions of dollars under the terms of his multi-year contract, though it is not clear what sort of clauses the contract may have contained to allow Fox News to get out of the deal.
O'Reilly's departure was precipitated by a New York Times report earlier this month that O'Reilly, Fox and 21st Century Fox had reached settlements totaling $13 million with five women who had accused O'Reilly of sexual harassment or verbal abuse. In the wake of the Times' report, at least 60 advertisers told Fox to remove their commercials from "The O'Reilly Factor."
Still, this is a turn of events that was unthinkable even three weeks ago, and it is unknown how O'Reilly will respond to Fox's decision. His representatives have not yet commented, but his lawyer indicated that a statement would be forthcoming.
Read more at CNN
Aaron Hernandez Hanged Himself in Prison, Officials Say
Aaron Hernandez, the former star tight end with the New England Patriots who was convicted of first-degree murder in 2015, hanged himself in prison on Wednesday, the authorities said.
He was discovered in his cell by corrections officers at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Mass., around 3 a.m., the Massachusetts Department of Correction said in a statement.
Lifesaving techniques were attempted, and he was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:07 a.m., the department said.
“Mr. Hernandez hanged himself using a bedsheet that he attached to his cell window,” the statement said. “Mr. Hernandez also attempted to block his door from the inside by jamming the door with various items.”
Mr. Hernandez was housed in a single cell in the general prison population, the statement said. The assistant deputy commissioner of communications, Christopher Fallon, told The Associated Press that officials had not been concerned that Mr. Hernandez was a suicide risk. He also said no suicide note had been found. The case will be investigated by the state police.
Mr. Hernandez’s suicide came on the day some of his former teammates would be visiting the White House to celebrate their recent Super Bowl victory.
Mr. Hernandez, 27, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Odin L. Lloyd, who was dating the sister of Mr. Hernandez’s fiancée, Shayanna Jenkins. He had appealed the verdict.
Read more at NY Times
He was discovered in his cell by corrections officers at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Mass., around 3 a.m., the Massachusetts Department of Correction said in a statement.
Lifesaving techniques were attempted, and he was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:07 a.m., the department said.
“Mr. Hernandez hanged himself using a bedsheet that he attached to his cell window,” the statement said. “Mr. Hernandez also attempted to block his door from the inside by jamming the door with various items.”
Mr. Hernandez was housed in a single cell in the general prison population, the statement said. The assistant deputy commissioner of communications, Christopher Fallon, told The Associated Press that officials had not been concerned that Mr. Hernandez was a suicide risk. He also said no suicide note had been found. The case will be investigated by the state police.
Mr. Hernandez’s suicide came on the day some of his former teammates would be visiting the White House to celebrate their recent Super Bowl victory.
Mr. Hernandez, 27, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Odin L. Lloyd, who was dating the sister of Mr. Hernandez’s fiancée, Shayanna Jenkins. He had appealed the verdict.
Read more at NY Times
Steve Stephens found dead inside car in Erie, Pa.
ERIE, PA. - Steve Stephens, the man wanted for killing a 74-year-old man and uploading the video to Facebook Easter Sunday, has been found dead inside a car in Erie, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania State Police have confirmed Stephens' identity.
According to GoErie.com, he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a white Ford Fusion near Buffalo and Downing Avenue just after 11 a.m. Tuesday.
The Cleveland Mayor's Office has announced plans for a news conference at noon.
The car was headed westbound into Erie and is stopped in the westbound lane of Buffalo Road across from Burton Elementary School, according to GoErie. The school grounds have been blocked off.
On Sunday, Stephens allegedly shot and killed 74-year-old Robert Godwin, Sr., on E. 93rd Street and posted video of the killing to his Facebook account. Stephens also went live on Facebook to confess to the murder. His account has since been disabled and the videos are no longer public.
See more at WKYC
According to GoErie.com, he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a white Ford Fusion near Buffalo and Downing Avenue just after 11 a.m. Tuesday.
The Cleveland Mayor's Office has announced plans for a news conference at noon.
The car was headed westbound into Erie and is stopped in the westbound lane of Buffalo Road across from Burton Elementary School, according to GoErie. The school grounds have been blocked off.
On Sunday, Stephens allegedly shot and killed 74-year-old Robert Godwin, Sr., on E. 93rd Street and posted video of the killing to his Facebook account. Stephens also went live on Facebook to confess to the murder. His account has since been disabled and the videos are no longer public.
See more at WKYC
Joy Lane Is Not to Blame for the Steve Stephens Shooting Tragedy
On Sunday, April 16, 2017, we virtually met Steve Stephens. The 37-year-old brutally gunned down 74-year-old Robert Godwin, Sr. as he walked down a Cleveland street on Easter Sunday.
If the crime wasn’t tragic enough, Stephens recorded the last moments of Mr. Godwin’s life and uploaded the video to his Facebook profile for the world to see. Millions clicked. Millions opted not to watch. Either way, we were all affected.
Mr. Godwin was described by family members as a “good guy” who would “give you the shirt off his back.” His final minutes of life were spent in utter fear and confusion, as Stephens took out his unaddressed rage on an innocent bystander.
“Found me somebody I’m about to kill …this old dude,” Stephens can be heard in the graphic video before approaching Godwin.
He then proceeds to ask the elderly father of nine to say his ex-girlfriend, Joy Lane’s, name to the camera before telling Godwin that “she’s the reason this is about to happen to you.”
Stephens can then be seen pointing a handgun at the man, who frighteningly attempts to shield himself with a plastic bag before being shot in the head. He falls to the ground and blood pours from his face down onto the pavement.
In a separate video, Stephens appears to be speaking with someone on the phone and tells them he “just snapped” and has a lot of “built-up anger and frustration.”
He also vows to “keep killing until they [police] catch me.”
Read more at EBONY
If the crime wasn’t tragic enough, Stephens recorded the last moments of Mr. Godwin’s life and uploaded the video to his Facebook profile for the world to see. Millions clicked. Millions opted not to watch. Either way, we were all affected.
Mr. Godwin was described by family members as a “good guy” who would “give you the shirt off his back.” His final minutes of life were spent in utter fear and confusion, as Stephens took out his unaddressed rage on an innocent bystander.
“Found me somebody I’m about to kill …this old dude,” Stephens can be heard in the graphic video before approaching Godwin.
He then proceeds to ask the elderly father of nine to say his ex-girlfriend, Joy Lane’s, name to the camera before telling Godwin that “she’s the reason this is about to happen to you.”
Stephens can then be seen pointing a handgun at the man, who frighteningly attempts to shield himself with a plastic bag before being shot in the head. He falls to the ground and blood pours from his face down onto the pavement.
In a separate video, Stephens appears to be speaking with someone on the phone and tells them he “just snapped” and has a lot of “built-up anger and frustration.”
He also vows to “keep killing until they [police] catch me.”
Read more at EBONY
Report: Carmelo and La La Anthony Split After Seven Years of Marriage
According to TMZ, La La Anthony and Carmelo Anthony have broken up. They married in 2010 and, allegedly, they are now living separately. TMZ reports, "La La moved out of the family home last week and has her own place in NYC now."
TMZ also reports the split is because "the current NBA season has been extremely stressful on the marriage for several months. Carmelo's been plagued by trade talks ... with the Knicks looking to move him to another team."
However, it sounds like the split is amicable. TMZ says, "They were together just this past weekend at their 10-year-old son Kiyan's basketball game."
See the love advice La La gave back in 2014 on The Queen Latifah Show here
TMZ also reports the split is because "the current NBA season has been extremely stressful on the marriage for several months. Carmelo's been plagued by trade talks ... with the Knicks looking to move him to another team."
However, it sounds like the split is amicable. TMZ says, "They were together just this past weekend at their 10-year-old son Kiyan's basketball game."
See the love advice La La gave back in 2014 on The Queen Latifah Show here
Birdman, Cash Money, Young Money Sued Over Drake Profits
Drake’s origins in the music business are once again a matter of legal dispute. James “Jas” Prince (son of Rap-A-Lot founder James Prince), who has long claimed that he discovered Drake, and Aspire Music Group (who say they signed Drake in 2008) have teamed up to sue Brian “Baby” Williams (aka Birdman), his brother and Cash Money co-founder Ronald “Slim” Williams, Cash Money, and Young Money for their their alleged unpaid share of profits from recordings by the Toronto rapper. Find the full complaint below, obtained by Pitchfork. Pitchfork has reached out to representatives for Drake and Cash Money for comment.
Earlier this year, Aspire filed a separate lawsuit against Cash Money for Drake profits. According to a copy of that complaint obtained by Pitchfork, Aspire alleged that Drake signed an exclusive recording deal with the label in December 2008. Aspire signed another deal with Cash Money in 2009, in which Aspire would receive one-third of the profits from any “commercial exploitation” of Drake recordings, the complaint claimed. Aspire sought a full accounting of Cash Money’s Drake earnings and to pay Aspire’s share of revenues, plus damages.
Read more at Yahoo
Earlier this year, Aspire filed a separate lawsuit against Cash Money for Drake profits. According to a copy of that complaint obtained by Pitchfork, Aspire alleged that Drake signed an exclusive recording deal with the label in December 2008. Aspire signed another deal with Cash Money in 2009, in which Aspire would receive one-third of the profits from any “commercial exploitation” of Drake recordings, the complaint claimed. Aspire sought a full accounting of Cash Money’s Drake earnings and to pay Aspire’s share of revenues, plus damages.
Read more at Yahoo
Charlie Murphy Loses Fight To Leukemia, Dies at Age 57
Charlie Murphy, older brother of Eddie Murphy, and start of the famed Chapelle Show has lost his fight with leukemia. The comedian, writer, and actor was only 57 years old. Murphy was well known for his stories about himself, his brother, Rick James and Prince on the Chapelle show. As well as cameos in The Players Club. Murphy lost his wife to cervical cancer in 2009. He leaves behind 3 children.
Asian passenger being forcibly removed from United flight in U.S. causes outrage in China
The video of an Asian man being dragged off a United Airlines flight became the top trending story in China over accusations of racism.
David Dao was pulled off a Sunday evening flight from Chicago to Louisville, Ky., when he refused to give up his seat after United overbooked the flight. Dao, a physician, was randomly selected by a computer; after he refused to relinquish his seat, three security officers dragged him off the plane.
According to Bloomberg, the trending topic #UnitedForcesPassengerOffPlane was the top trending topic on the Chinese social media service Weibo, with more than 270 million views. Multiple Chinese outlets reported on the story, including the Global Times, which had an editorial on the matter. Petitions to boycott the airline circulated on the messaging service WeChat.
Per the New York Times:
CCTV, the state broadcaster, showed photos of the passenger’s bloodied face above the word, “Savage!” People’s Daily, the ruling Communist Party’s flagship newspaper, scolded United for failing to condemn the man’s treatment.
Compounding the problem was the reaction of United CEO Oscar Munoz. Munoz’s initial statement said he apologized “for having to re-accommodate these customers,” with an email to employees Monday night stating that Dao was “belligerent
Read more at Yahoo.
Cop Suspended After Video Appears to Show Him Attacking Jaywalker: Authorities
A Sacramento police officer has been relieved of his duties after cell phone video appeared to capture him tackling and beating a jaywalker, authorities said.
In the video, a young black man and the white officer seem to be exchanging words in the middle of a suburban street.
Read: Cops Face Excessive Force Allegations After Female College Student is Body-Slammed at Bar
Then the unidentified officer appears to lunge at the man, throwing him to the asphalt, where he straddles him and beats him in the face.
A neighbor videotaped the altercation with her cell phone, and her screams and sobs can be heard on the footage.
"Why you doing him like that!?” yells Naomi Montaie, who posted her video to Facebook, where it quickly went viral. "Why you beating him like that? Oh, Jesus. I seen this, Lord."
She identified the man as Nandi Cain Jr., a resident of her apartment complex.
Read: Suspect in Standoff with Police Uses Facebook Live to Surrender: Cops
He was stopped for illegally crossing the street, authorities said.
Read more at Yahoo.
In the video, a young black man and the white officer seem to be exchanging words in the middle of a suburban street.
Read: Cops Face Excessive Force Allegations After Female College Student is Body-Slammed at Bar
Then the unidentified officer appears to lunge at the man, throwing him to the asphalt, where he straddles him and beats him in the face.
A neighbor videotaped the altercation with her cell phone, and her screams and sobs can be heard on the footage.
"Why you doing him like that!?” yells Naomi Montaie, who posted her video to Facebook, where it quickly went viral. "Why you beating him like that? Oh, Jesus. I seen this, Lord."
She identified the man as Nandi Cain Jr., a resident of her apartment complex.
Read: Suspect in Standoff with Police Uses Facebook Live to Surrender: Cops
He was stopped for illegally crossing the street, authorities said.
Read more at Yahoo.
State Data Shows Graduation Rate Improving for Latino, African Americans Students
In 2010, California changed how it calculates high school graduation rates. The California Department of Education now tracks an entire freshman class, statewide, and then measures them again as seniors.
The graduation rate has risen every year since then.
The latest data released by State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson shows the graduation rate reaching a record high of 83 percent.
In 2016, the graduation rate for African American students reached a record high of 72.6 percent. For Latino students the graduation rate rose to 80 percent, up slightly from the previous year.
State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson partly credits the improvement to changes in how schools handle suspensions and chronic absenteeism.
Before, says Torlakson, when students were expelled or suspended, there wasn't much follow-through or counseling.
"(Students) were adrift in our streets and often getting into trouble," he says. "For some, being kicked out of school was a 'reward' because they didn't like being in school."
Read more at capradio.org
The graduation rate has risen every year since then.
The latest data released by State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson shows the graduation rate reaching a record high of 83 percent.
In 2016, the graduation rate for African American students reached a record high of 72.6 percent. For Latino students the graduation rate rose to 80 percent, up slightly from the previous year.
State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson partly credits the improvement to changes in how schools handle suspensions and chronic absenteeism.
Before, says Torlakson, when students were expelled or suspended, there wasn't much follow-through or counseling.
"(Students) were adrift in our streets and often getting into trouble," he says. "For some, being kicked out of school was a 'reward' because they didn't like being in school."
Read more at capradio.org
After Syria strike, populist supporters abandon Trump at home and abroad
Washington (CNN)While much of the world is applauding President Donald Trump's decision to strike a Syrian airbase in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack against civilians, right-wing populist supporters at home and abroad are criticizing the move and distancing themselves from him.
Nigel Farage, the pro-Brexit leader, aligned himself with Trump during last year's campaign, spoke at his rallies and was among the first to meet with him after his election. On Friday morning, however, he said he was "very surprised" by the Syria action.
"I think a lot of Trump voters will be waking up this morning and scratching their heads and saying, 'Where will it all end?'" he said. "As a firm Trump supporter, I say, yes, the pictures were horrible, but I'm surprised," Farage continued, arguing that in a region riven by Islamic extremism, "whatever Assad's sins, he is secular."
Farage's comments captured the wave of right-wing anger and frustration that followed the US strike -- and they pointed up an odd reversal.
Populists who applauded Trump for his disdain for US interventions overseas and his campaign declaration that the US "cannot be the policeman of the world" were aghast by the strike. In contrast, an international community that has often held Trump at arm's length stepped up to declare their rock-solid support for the new US president.
Read more at CNN
Nigel Farage, the pro-Brexit leader, aligned himself with Trump during last year's campaign, spoke at his rallies and was among the first to meet with him after his election. On Friday morning, however, he said he was "very surprised" by the Syria action.
"I think a lot of Trump voters will be waking up this morning and scratching their heads and saying, 'Where will it all end?'" he said. "As a firm Trump supporter, I say, yes, the pictures were horrible, but I'm surprised," Farage continued, arguing that in a region riven by Islamic extremism, "whatever Assad's sins, he is secular."
Farage's comments captured the wave of right-wing anger and frustration that followed the US strike -- and they pointed up an odd reversal.
Populists who applauded Trump for his disdain for US interventions overseas and his campaign declaration that the US "cannot be the policeman of the world" were aghast by the strike. In contrast, an international community that has often held Trump at arm's length stepped up to declare their rock-solid support for the new US president.
Read more at CNN
Breast Cancer Survivor Who Says She Was Called 'One-Boob Girl' Joins Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Against Fox News
As if things could not get any worse for Fox News, a third Black employee joined the racial discrimination lawsuit on Tuesday. According to the woman, the news network ignored complaints about a former employ because she “knew too much” in regards to the alleged sexual misconduct of ex-chairman Roger Ailes.
Monica Douglas, Fox News’ manager for credit collectors, said former comptroller Judy Slater not only spread racist beliefs in the office, but she also made fun of her for being a breast cancer survivor, reported the New York Daily News.
Slater demonstrated “an unwillingness to even be near Black people,” according to court filings. Additionally, she ridiculed Douglas for not resembling the “Aryan race.”
The suit also alleged Slater taunted Douglas for her battle against breast cancer. According to Douglas, Slater called her "cancer girl," "boob girl" and "the one-boobed girl."
Read more at BET
Monica Douglas, Fox News’ manager for credit collectors, said former comptroller Judy Slater not only spread racist beliefs in the office, but she also made fun of her for being a breast cancer survivor, reported the New York Daily News.
Slater demonstrated “an unwillingness to even be near Black people,” according to court filings. Additionally, she ridiculed Douglas for not resembling the “Aryan race.”
The suit also alleged Slater taunted Douglas for her battle against breast cancer. According to Douglas, Slater called her "cancer girl," "boob girl" and "the one-boobed girl."
Read more at BET
9 African-American Climbers Got Together to Climb America’s Highest Peak; This Is Their Story
It’s no secret. There’s a lack of diversity in the outdoors. From the history of mountaineering to those who recreate every day in our national parks, the face of the outdoors is majority white. And while the evolution of this phenomenon is multi-faceted and complex, its existence isn’t just a matter of racial inequity, the future of the United States’ wild spaces depends on Americans across socioeconomic groups recognizing their import.
An American Ascent chronicles Nine African-American climbers chose to embark on a historic expedition to climb America’s tallest peak, Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) in Alaska, to shed light on what James Edward Mills calls the “adventure gap.” Simultaneously their desire is to inspire people of color to increasingly see themselves and find themselves in the outdoors.
Find out more about this amazing story here.
Police Make Second Arrest in Facebook Live Sexual Assault
A second suspect being sought by Chicago police in the rape of a teenage girl on Facebook Live turned himself in to authorities on Monday, two days after a 14-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the assault.
The second arrest, a 15-year-old boy was accompanied by his mother and was questioned before being taken into custody and held in juvenile detention, according to a tweet from Chicago police spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi. Both teens were charged as juveniles and face charges of criminal sexual assault and manufacturing and distributing of child pornography.
The younger boy was scheduled for a court appearance on April 1, but a judge waived it until April 28, according to the Chicago Tribune. He is currently in custody at a detention center.
Officials are attempting to identify the others seen in the video committing the assault, but the girl is so traumatized by what she went through that the case is proceeding slowly, according to Cmdr. Brendan Deenihan. She has also reportedly been the target of social media bullying and others have taunted her family.
“She’s just having such a difficult time even communicating what occurred to her,” Deenihan said at a Sunday news conference, the Tribune reported.
Read more at EBONY
If white America is in ‘crisis,’ what have black Americans been living through?
For the past year and a half, Princeton economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton have been ringing the alarm about rising mortality among middle-aged white Americans.
The pair have attracted a bit of controversy for pointing out these facts. Recently, Pacific Standard’s Malcolm Harris suggested that their research, and the way it was presented, put too much emphasis on white mortality — when black mortality has always been worse. “American white privilege is still very much in effect, and no statistical tomfoolery can change that,” he wrote.
Sam Fulwood III, a fellow at the left-leaning Center for American Progress, worried that Case and Deaton’s work would further amplify a growing narrative about white working class woes, to the exclusion of the African American experience. “I worry about how political people will manipulate Case and Deaton’s findings to argue for more aid for white people, but ignore the same, long-standing concerns of people of color,” he wrote last week.
Case and Deaton point out that the trend of increasing white American mortality — higher death rates in middle age — is noteworthy because those death rates have been going down for nearly everyone else: for African Americans, Latino Americans, for people in the U.K. and Germany and France. When we’re used to life getting better, it’s unusual to see life getting worse.
[The disease killing white Americans goes way deeper than opioids]
“It’s not as much news if people’s mortality rates are falling the way you would hope they are falling,” Case said in an interview Monday. “What seems like news is when mortality has stopped falling, and no one has noticed that it has stopped.” That's what happened in the case of white Americans, she said.
But the critics on the left do have a point, which is that the statistics about black mortality may have not gotten enough attention in the media. So it’s worth straightening that out right now: Black Americans have long been dying faster than white Americans. They've long been less happy than white Americans.
Read more at Washington Post
The pair have attracted a bit of controversy for pointing out these facts. Recently, Pacific Standard’s Malcolm Harris suggested that their research, and the way it was presented, put too much emphasis on white mortality — when black mortality has always been worse. “American white privilege is still very much in effect, and no statistical tomfoolery can change that,” he wrote.
Sam Fulwood III, a fellow at the left-leaning Center for American Progress, worried that Case and Deaton’s work would further amplify a growing narrative about white working class woes, to the exclusion of the African American experience. “I worry about how political people will manipulate Case and Deaton’s findings to argue for more aid for white people, but ignore the same, long-standing concerns of people of color,” he wrote last week.
Case and Deaton point out that the trend of increasing white American mortality — higher death rates in middle age — is noteworthy because those death rates have been going down for nearly everyone else: for African Americans, Latino Americans, for people in the U.K. and Germany and France. When we’re used to life getting better, it’s unusual to see life getting worse.
[The disease killing white Americans goes way deeper than opioids]
“It’s not as much news if people’s mortality rates are falling the way you would hope they are falling,” Case said in an interview Monday. “What seems like news is when mortality has stopped falling, and no one has noticed that it has stopped.” That's what happened in the case of white Americans, she said.
But the critics on the left do have a point, which is that the statistics about black mortality may have not gotten enough attention in the media. So it’s worth straightening that out right now: Black Americans have long been dying faster than white Americans. They've long been less happy than white Americans.
Read more at Washington Post
T.I. Voices Suspicions Over Atlanta I-85 Bridge Fire: “Something Doesn’t Add Up”
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the massive fire on Atlanta’s I-85 freeway, but T.I. has a few suspicions about the story. The Hustle Gang frontman voiced his suspicions over reports that 39-year-old suspect, Basil Eleby, smoked crack before allegedly starting the blaze that collapsed a heavily traveled stretch of the freeway.
“Now I’ve heard some far out sh*t in my day…but this sh*t here tho?!?!,” Tip wrote noting that “something” doesn’t add up about the report. “In all my experiences wit crack &/or crackheads I ain’t NEVER seen nothing like this sh*t!!!”
Eleby has been charged with first-degree arson and felony criminal damage to property. His bond has been set at $200,000.
Two additional suspects, Barry Thomas and Sophia Brauer, were arrested as well.
See more at Yahoo
“Now I’ve heard some far out sh*t in my day…but this sh*t here tho?!?!,” Tip wrote noting that “something” doesn’t add up about the report. “In all my experiences wit crack &/or crackheads I ain’t NEVER seen nothing like this sh*t!!!”
Eleby has been charged with first-degree arson and felony criminal damage to property. His bond has been set at $200,000.
Two additional suspects, Barry Thomas and Sophia Brauer, were arrested as well.
See more at Yahoo
Michael Flynn’s Immunity Request Rejected By Senate Intelligence Committee
The Senate Intelligence Committee turned down the request by former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's lawyer for a grant of immunity in exchange for his testimony, two congressional sources told NBC News.
A senior congressional official with direct knowledge said Flynn's lawyer was told it was "wildly preliminary" and that immunity was "not on the table" at the moment. A second source said the committee communicated that it is "not receptive" to Flynn's request "at this time."
The senior congressional official also said that Flynn's lawyer had conveyed the offer of testimony in exchange for immunity from prosecution to the Justice Department.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D.-Calif., the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, acknowledged in a statement that the Justice Department's interest in Flynn's testimony could take precedence over Congress' wish to hear from him.
Read more at NBC News
A senior congressional official with direct knowledge said Flynn's lawyer was told it was "wildly preliminary" and that immunity was "not on the table" at the moment. A second source said the committee communicated that it is "not receptive" to Flynn's request "at this time."
The senior congressional official also said that Flynn's lawyer had conveyed the offer of testimony in exchange for immunity from prosecution to the Justice Department.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D.-Calif., the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, acknowledged in a statement that the Justice Department's interest in Flynn's testimony could take precedence over Congress' wish to hear from him.
Read more at NBC News
Here’s How Not to Ask Your Black Friend to Prom
Promposal season is in full swing, and while we all love seeing the extravagant, dramatic, adorable ways kids are asking each other to prom these days, some proposals are simply in poor taste.
Today’s tasteless gesture comes courtesy of some students who allegedly attend Monarch High School in Coconut Creek, Fla., where a receptionist tells Yahoo Style that the principal is “aware of” the photo — made public through a tweet posted on Wednesday by Monarch High School alum Jon Aro, aka user @papichombo. It shows an Instagram screenshot (from a now-defunct account) of three teenage girls, one black and two white, holding up a cardboard sign reading, “You may be picking cotton, but we’re picking you to go to prom with us.”
“It is two thousand and f***ing seventeen,” Aro wrote captioning the image. And while it is unknown when the photo was taken and who the sign is addressing, people had unsurprisingly strong reactions, with the post being retweeted more than 5,800 times and “liked” more than 8,000, and earning a huge collection of angered comments.
Read more at Yahoo.
Today’s tasteless gesture comes courtesy of some students who allegedly attend Monarch High School in Coconut Creek, Fla., where a receptionist tells Yahoo Style that the principal is “aware of” the photo — made public through a tweet posted on Wednesday by Monarch High School alum Jon Aro, aka user @papichombo. It shows an Instagram screenshot (from a now-defunct account) of three teenage girls, one black and two white, holding up a cardboard sign reading, “You may be picking cotton, but we’re picking you to go to prom with us.”
“It is two thousand and f***ing seventeen,” Aro wrote captioning the image. And while it is unknown when the photo was taken and who the sign is addressing, people had unsurprisingly strong reactions, with the post being retweeted more than 5,800 times and “liked” more than 8,000, and earning a huge collection of angered comments.
Read more at Yahoo.
Rachel Dolezal Says She Was 'a Little Too Black' for Her African-American Ex-Husband
Rachel Dolezal, the white woman who made national headlines in 2015 after she pretended to be black, is back in the spotlight thanks to a new memoir titled In Full Color: Finding My Place in a Black and White World.
In the book, which will be released on March 28, the former Washington NAACP leader doesn’t walk back on her claims that she self-identifies as a black woman, saying that living her life as a black person made her life “infinitely better,” although it did make her feel more “distant and isolated” from white people as she started to embrace more elements of African-American culture.
Dolezal, who was raised by white parents in Troy, Montana, writes that the first time she was “finally able to embrace my true self” was when she “allowed the little girl I’d colored with a brown crayon so long ago to emerge.” But as happy as she was to be seen as black, it didn’t come without its challenges.
“It was still confusing, awkward, painful, isolating for at times - because who was I going to talk to about what felt like a major life transition?”
She recalls her marriage to a black man named Kevin, a man she says frequently “urged me to speak and act whiter’ and often complained about my figure.”
“I was a little too white Black for his tastes,” she writes. “Not only did he discourage me from wearing my braids or other Black hairstyles, he also dissuaded me from sitting in the sun, preferring my skin to be as pale as it could possibly be.”
Read more at Yahoo
In the book, which will be released on March 28, the former Washington NAACP leader doesn’t walk back on her claims that she self-identifies as a black woman, saying that living her life as a black person made her life “infinitely better,” although it did make her feel more “distant and isolated” from white people as she started to embrace more elements of African-American culture.
Dolezal, who was raised by white parents in Troy, Montana, writes that the first time she was “finally able to embrace my true self” was when she “allowed the little girl I’d colored with a brown crayon so long ago to emerge.” But as happy as she was to be seen as black, it didn’t come without its challenges.
“It was still confusing, awkward, painful, isolating for at times - because who was I going to talk to about what felt like a major life transition?”
She recalls her marriage to a black man named Kevin, a man she says frequently “urged me to speak and act whiter’ and often complained about my figure.”
“I was a little too white Black for his tastes,” she writes. “Not only did he discourage me from wearing my braids or other Black hairstyles, he also dissuaded me from sitting in the sun, preferring my skin to be as pale as it could possibly be.”
Read more at Yahoo
Social Media Spread The Story Of Washington’s Missing Girls. It Also Got It Wrong
This article originally appeared on Time.
The news pricked at the deepest fears of Washington’s black community. Between March 19 and March 24, a dozen black and Latino children were declared missing by police in the nation’s capital. The story spread like wildfire on social media, as images of the kids popped up in haunting succession on the police department’s Twitter feed. “All these missing black girls coming from D.C. And Maryland!!” one Twitter user wrote. “Where is the public outcry??”
Missing persons reports are always frightening. But the wave of disappearances in D.C. stirred a sense of anger that police had not done enough to publicize the case. At a March 22 meeting held by city officials at a charter school in southeast Washington, community members demanded answers from officers.
“We can’t go nowhere by ourselves,” an unnamed woman told the crowd through tears, according to a report by Washington’s WJLA. “We can’t do nothing without being worried about somebody trying to take us.”
The news pricked at the deepest fears of Washington’s black community. Between March 19 and March 24, a dozen black and Latino children were declared missing by police in the nation’s capital. The story spread like wildfire on social media, as images of the kids popped up in haunting succession on the police department’s Twitter feed. “All these missing black girls coming from D.C. And Maryland!!” one Twitter user wrote. “Where is the public outcry??”
Missing persons reports are always frightening. But the wave of disappearances in D.C. stirred a sense of anger that police had not done enough to publicize the case. At a March 22 meeting held by city officials at a charter school in southeast Washington, community members demanded answers from officers.
“We can’t go nowhere by ourselves,” an unnamed woman told the crowd through tears, according to a report by Washington’s WJLA. “We can’t do nothing without being worried about somebody trying to take us.”