Former First Lady Michelle Obama may not be in the White House anymore, but she continues to inspire young girls. Ella-Lorraine Brown — named after the famous singer Ella Fitzgerald — knows greatness when she sees it. The 8-year-old wanted to dress up like Obama for her school's Cultural Heroes Day, reports Makers. Obama, of course, spent eight years on the world stage alongside her husband as the first Black first lady. Ella-Lorraine, however, chose to portray her hero before entering politics. Photos of the girl dressed in a jean-jacket, red sweater and a white dress shirt went viral Friday, copying Obama's style as a Princeton University freshmen.“She was really in awe of the idea that with hard work you could become anything,” her mother and Princeton alum, Karlyn Johnson Brown, told Makers.For Ella-Lorraine, celebrating Obama's achievements as a college student was important. She wanted to show that women can achieve anything without being attached to a spouse. This isn't the first time the young girl paid tribute to inspirational Black women. In the past, she has dressed up as famous pilot Bessie Coleman and civil rights icon Ruby Bridges, who was instrumental in ending segregation in the south. Ella-Lorraine loves to dress up as her female heroes, like Bessie Coleman and Ruby Bridges. "She knows that folks came before her that allowed her to be where and who she is today and we’ve encouraged her to not back away from embracing that history.” pic.twitter.com/gVv1TauA8r— MAKERS (@MAKERSwomen) December 7, 2018Obama has been in the news lately because of the release of her top-selling memoir, Becoming. Ella-Lorraine is not the girl inspired by the FLOTUS. This past Halloween 3-year-old Parker Curry dressed as Obama's official portrait. “We try to surround Ella-Lorraine with women who are go-getters like Michelle, women who are independent and smart, level-headed and loving,” says her father, Eugene Brown. Plus, “we make sure she knows about those who have gone before and have passed on.” pic.twitter.com/FRqwWr3ORN— MAKERS (@MAKERSwomen) December 7, 2018It is very likely the young girl will continue to honor Black women in this way in the future. “Ella-Lorraine has been taught from an early age about the women for whom she’s named and how they used their voices,” Brown told Makers. “She knows that folks came before her that allowed her to be where and who she is today, and we’ve encouraged her to not back away from embracing that history.”Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Liking this content? Check these out:Michelle Obama Reveals The Truth About 'Leaning In': 'That S**t Doesn't Work'Michelle Obama Has Some Dating Advice For All The 'Brothas:' 'Do Not Play Games'Michelle Obama Proves She's Amazing At 'Becoming' Barack Obama With This Hilarious...
A man who drove his car through a crowd of protesters and killed a person was convicted of first-degree murder and nine more charges Friday.Twenty-one-year-old James Fields was found guilty of killing Heather Heyer at the “Unite The Right” rally in August 2017. The “Unite The Right” rally saw hundreds of white supremacists gather in Charlottesville, Virginia inflicting violence upon counter-protesters and people trying to quell their activity. White supremacists in camouflage, battle armor with firearms and other weapons marched throughout Charlottesville, denouncing various ethnic groups. Fields killing of Heyer with his car left an indelible, graphic image in the minds of horrified viewers everywhere.Heyer was a protester speaking out against the white supremacists when Fields drove his car into the crowd Heyer was in, killing and her and injuring several others.The commonwealth of Virginia argued that Fields was not in danger and drove his car into the crowd with malicious intent.Social media posts confirmed the commonwealth’s argument. When authorities searched Fields’ Instagram posts, they found several memes of cars driving into crowds of people. According to witnesses, Fields was not flustered by protesters and spent most the earlier part of his day driving through the crowd yelling at counter-protesters.The racial tensions of Charlottesville were a low point in what has been a tumultuous time for race relations amid Trump's administration. Immediately following the tragic events of Charlottesville, President Trump inexplicably declared, “You had a group on one side that was bad and you had a group on the other side that was also very violent.”Since Heyer’s murder, her mother Susan Bro has worked expeditiously to speak out against racial injustice, ensuring that her daughter’s death did not happen in vain.While the Charlottesville riots were grave reminders of the state of race relations in America, justice has been served for Heyer’s family.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Now, check these out:Black Women Aren't Allowed To Have Bad Hair Days, So I Wore A Hijab To WorkHandcuffed Louisville Inmate Beaten By Prison Guards For Covering His Window While Using The BathroomThe ‘Abortion Is Black Genocide’ Movement Is Just Another Way To Eliminate Women's...
Sen. Kamala Harris’ senior adviser resigned from his position after information surrounding a $400,000 sexual harassment settlement became public on Wednesday.The Sacramento Bee published a story on a settlement Larry Wallace received from his time working at California’s Department of Justice in 2016. According to the Bee, Wallace was a director law enforcement who reported to Harris, who was attorney general of the state of California at the time.Harris’ office confirmed Wallace’s resignation although they were not clear about him receiving a settlement.To compound matters, Harris has been a vocal supporter of the #MeToo movement.The #MeToo movement centers on women’s rights and dismantling the patriarchal aspects of various industries that subjugate women and hinder them from receiving the same fair treatment that their male counterparts do.In June, Harris helped create a bill that would stymie workplace harassment, making the circumstances leading to Wallace’s departure from her office conspicuous. Harris was emphatic in discussing the impact of the bill: “The culture of fear and silence created by perpetrators of sexual harassment in the workplace has existed for far too long and must come to an end. It’s time to address the gaps in our laws that allow this misconduct to go unpunished and keep it in the shadows.”Harris made headlines earlier this week when she discussed spending the holiday season to mull over her potential candidacy for the 2020 presidency.The daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, Harris has no shortage of confidence and continues to persevere in spite of opposition from Republicans and other critics. The Oakland, California native has received a great deal of support nationwide for her critique of the Trump administration and fight for women’s rights.Harris’ political future as a senator is in flux following November’s midterm elections. As the least senior senator on the Judicial Committee, Harris seat is not guaranteed since Republicans won more seats in the Senate.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Now, check these out:Senators Kamala Harris And Cory Booker Tease Possible 2020 Campaign RevealsAndrew Gillum Meets With Barack Obama, Propelling Speculation Of 2020 Presidential RunSix-Year-Old Defendant Represents Himself In Immigration Asylum...
Michelle Williams has broken up with her now ex-fiancé, Chad Johnson.The former Destiny’s Child member announced her separation from the pastor on Friday via her Instagram story, according to People Magazine. Williams, who released her single "Fearless" on the same day, later deleted the post.Michelle Williams (the black one) ends things with Chad Johnson (the white one) pic.twitter.com/uWu6UOCkR5— brittny pierre (@sleep2dream) December 7, 2018“I still remain fearless,” she wrote. “I guess I still remain single! Things didn’t work out. The healing that needs to take place is a must! I don’t wanna destroy another relationship. Blessings to him, his family and ministry. #FEARLESS”The couple got engaged in April after dating for about a year. They documented their tumultuous relationship on their reality show Chad Loves Michelle. Williams ended the engagement twice due to her struggle with depression. She later checked into a hospital for treatment.“When she told me it was something she’d been dealing with since seventh grade, it helped me understand her better,” Johnson told Rolling Out in November. “She called and told me and tried to break things off and gave me permission to leave. I told her that I wasn’t going anywhere because that’s not what a real relationship is about. We stay, and we work through things together. Leaving was never an option for me.”After the show premiered, Johnson, who is white, caught flack for bringing up Williams’ illness during an argument about race. "I said something to him on the lines of 'Well, Chad, because you are not Black you would not understand why I communicate the way I do. Maybe because you didn’t grow up around a lot of Black people.' So that was very, very offensive to Chad," Williams told their pre-marital counselor."And this is not to justify it, but yesterday when we had the disagreement, he said, 'Did you take your meds today?'"Williams later defended Johnson during an interview with Frank and Wanda of V-103.“Now, I didn’t like when he said that. But people also did not hear when he apologized,” she said.“I think that’s what irritates us. We are a soundbite generation. We won’t take the time and the effort to actually watch a whole episode. We will take a soundbite, and we judge a person; we judge a show; we judge a relationship based off of one little clip. He apologized, and I apologized for cutting. I got my mama in me; I can cut you with my words.”Neither party has spoken publicly about the breakup aside from Williams’ IG post.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Now, check these out:Michelle Williams' Fiancé Got Flustered When She Mentioned Their Racial Differences, So He Asked If She'd Taken Her MedsMedia Outlet Mistakes Kevin Hart For Another Famous Black Comedian Who Looks Nothing Like HimKevin Hart dethrones Jerry Seinfeld to become highest paid...
The family of Oscar Grant, who was killed at a BART train station by police almost a decade ago, would like the station to be renamed in his honor.Grant’s relatives appeared in front of BART’s Board of Directors on Thursday to make their case. The family wants Fruitvale Station in Oakland, California, to become Fruitvale-Grant station.Grant was killed on New Years Day in 2009 after he was detained following a fight in Fruitvale Station. BART police officer Johannes Mehserle shot and killed the 21-year-old while he was pinned down by another officer. Mehserle said he mistook his handgun for a taser during the incident. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to two years in prison. Mehserle was released in June 2011 after serving 11 months, according to NBC News."It would be an atonement; it would be part of BART saying yes this happened here, we vow that it won't happen again and we vow to work with the communities and ensure that all people are treated equally," Wanda Johnson, Oscar Grant's mother, told ABC17.The family hoped the name change would commemorate Grant’s death, but it might be a long shot.BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost said the name change isn’t going to happen and plugged a mural BART commissioned to honor Oscar Grant."Our policy is stations cannot be named after individuals; it has to be tied to a location. So it is location based. What we are doing, and we are working closely with the family, is BART has commissioned a mural, and it's going to go up at the Fruitvale station. It's going to honor Oscar Grant," Trost said.The mural is still in the planning stages but has already caused some controversy. BART Board Director Debora Allen angered Grant’s family after she asked for opinions of the project and station renaming on her Facebook page, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.“Should BART ever memorialize or name stations after individuals?” Allen inquired to followers. “Your thoughts?”She later deleted the post.“I am totally offended, Ms. Allen,” Johnson told her during the meeting. “I think you did this for your own motive to divide communities further — for racial motives.” Johnson plans to show up to every board meeting until Allen resigns.Allen apologized but tried to justify the post.“I often ask questions of my followers and of the public,” Allen said. “My intent was to talk about policy, and there was no hidden motive to divide people.”In addition to the station renaming and mural, the family wants a plaque erected at the station and the bus side street to be renamed for Grant. Cephus Johnson, Grant’s uncle, submitted paperwork for the changes on Thursday.Family of Oscar Grant have submitted a request to rename Oakland’s Fruitvale #BART station to Fruitvale-Grant Station. pic.twitter.com/eEKGwkisH3— Cornell Barnard (@CornellBarnard) December 6, 2018“Oscar Grant has positively impacted the lives of a nation and the world,” Cephus wrote in the documents.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Now, check these out:Sex Trafficking Survivor Cyntoia Brown Must Serve 51 Years In Prison Before She Is Eligible For Parole, Tennessee Court RulesLena Dunham Apologizes For Discrediting Actress's Sexual Assault Allegations Against Her Friend, Is Now A 'Better' FeministThe Impact Of Gentrification Is Bigger Than The Rent Being Too Damn...
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled former sex slave Cyntoia Brown must serve 51 years in prison before she is eligible for parole.In 2004, a 16-year-old Brown killed 43-year-old Johnny Allan after he solicited her for sex. Brown said she killed Allan in self-defense because she thought he was reaching under his bed to get a gun, reports The Tennessean. During court proceedings, Brown talked about her rough childhood and said she was a victim of sex trafficking.The prosecution argued she went home with the older man with the intention to rob him and pushed for her to serve more time in prison.Brown, who has been imprisoned since 2004, was charged with first-degree premeditated murder and first-degree felony murder and tried as an adult. In 2006, she was sentenced to life in prison.Brown’s lawyers challenged her conviction in 2012, arguing her conviction was unconstitutional because of her age at the time. They cited a Supreme Court decision which determined life sentences without the possibility of parole was a cruel and unusual punishment for a minor.Brown’s case is pending with the Sixth Circuit of Appeals, which asked Tennessee’s highest court to weigh in on the situation. A district court previously rejected the argument because Brown would eventually be eligible for parole, according to KTLA. Brown had a clemency hearing in May, but the Tennessee Board of Parole couldn’t reach an agreement. Two members voted for clemency; two voted to deny it, and the remainder of the six-person panel believed Brown should be eligible for parole after 25 years.The Tennessee Supreme Court argued Brown should serve at least 51 years before she could be released.“In today’s unanimous decision, the Tennessee Supreme Court explained that, under state law, a life sentence is a determinate sentence of 60 years,” the court wrote. “However, the sixty-year sentence can be reduced by up to 15 percent, or 9 years, by earning various sentence credits. Therefore, the Supreme Court concluded that a defendant serving a life sentence for a first-degree murder committed on or after July 1, 1995, may be eligible for release after serving at least 51 years of the sentence."The state’s sentencing credits include good behavior and involvement in education or vocational programs.Brown’s plight attracted the attention of a few celebrities including Rihanna, Snoop Dogg and Lebron James, according to The New York Times. View this post on Instagram
What's really going on here man!?!? Like seriously though. Guess she didn't have the RIGHT to finally defend herself huh?!? GTFOH. Cyntoia should be getting a award, medal of courage of sort instead of being locked up. But not only locked up, convicted as an adult and won't be eligible for parole til 69 years of age!! She's 29 now! 🤦🏾♂️ at the system in place! Doesn't make sense at all especially in this one. Just my 💭. #FreeCyntoiaBrown💔✊🏾🙏🏾A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Nov 21, 2017 at 10:24am PST
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A post shared by snoopdogg (@snoopdogg) on Nov 21, 2017 at 8:56pm PST
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did we somehow change the definition of #JUSTICE along the way?? cause..... Something is horribly wrong when the system enables these rapists and the victim is thrown away for life! To each of you responsible for this child's sentence I hope to God you don't have children, because this could be your daughter being punished for punishing already! #FREECYNTOIABROWN #HowManyMoreA post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on Nov 21, 2017 at 5:12am PST
Now 30 years old, Brown has turned her life around in prison. In addition to her attaining her GED, Brown received an associate degree from Lipscomb University, and she wants to go for a Bachelor of Arts.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Liking this content? Check these out:Oprah Says She'll 'Think Twice' Before Giving Money To Panhandlers Following Baltimore Woman's DeathHandcuffed Louisville Inmate Beaten By Prison Guards For Covering His Window While Using The BathroomInvestigation Launched After Chicago Cop Seen Repeatedly Punching Handcuffed Teenager At Train...
Christmas is just around the corner and if your money is looking a little funny, you may very well be dreading the holiday.Last year, you may have had all the coins to buy your loved ones, and even a co-worker or two, the presents of their dreams. But we already know 2018 has just been different in all the ways. We all know how real the struggle can get. But before drafting your “sorry y’all, I’m not doing gifts this year" group message, check out these holiday gift options: View this post on Instagram
😂😂😂🙌🏽💯 #payabillplease 🤪😎🙏🏼A post shared by Patty Dallas MUA ♒️💋🇧🇷 (@mua_patriciasdm) on Dec 8, 2017 at 7:12pm PST
1. A Vinyl RecordMaybe you have a friend who just got a record player this year but has not amassed a collection of music worthy enough to host their next get together. Did they fall in love with SZA’s Ctrl album last year? Head over to your nearest neighborhood record store or order a copy on Urban Outfitters for less than $25.I made this, here it go #Ctrl
https://t.co/14S37bgAhN— SZA (@sza) June 9, 2017
2. Cards Against HumanityWhat’s a holiday party without a good, vulgar card game like Cards Against Humanity? With all the craziness that’s been going on in the world, the one thing you need aside from some hard liquor is a good laugh. This season, you can get one in different varieties. You can buy them for $25 or less, on their website or download the free version that they offer on the website if you’re super broke.Hopefully this isn't the last time you ever hear from us. https://t.co/PGNRWQynSR
pic.twitter.com/Oar0pl6GW4— CardsAgainstHumanity (@CAH) May 18, 2016
3. Wine GlassesDrinking a good glass of wine is like going on vacation without actually leaving your house. For your friend that swears they are a wine aficionado yet has no wine glasses in sight, this gift is for them. For under $4.99 you can buy a set of six wine glasses, or more, from IKEA.
It's #Winesday darling! #winewednesday
#wine
#winegif
pic.twitter.com/ieYjlpzzfk— Agencia Veintemillas (@veintemillas_ag) November 7, 2018
4. A comic bookFor the blerds in your life, you'll rarely go wrong with a good comic book. Especially if it’s one with a variant cover (a cover with unique art usually made by a specific artist). If you don’t already know what comic books your friend is currently reading, simply ask them in the most unassuming way possible or see what comic they’d be interested in checking out. Grab a new copy of Spider Man or a variant cover from a local comic book store like Midtown Comic’s from $5 to $10.‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ Sequel May Feature All Spider-Womenhttps://t.co/oinKHkxtnI— Black Girl Nerds (@BlackGirlNerds) December 1, 2018
5. Blush or Eyeshadow paletteDoes your bestie or significant other love her a good YouTube makeup tutorial? Consider gifting them a blush or eyeshadow palette from The Crayon Case, a beginner-friendly makeup line created by New Orleans native Raynell Supa Steward, popularly known as Supa Cent. Her palette’s range from $18 to $30 and she’s known for having some amazing sales.#BoxOfCrayonsPalette restock soon!! pic.twitter.com/rG63WXWDDy— The Crayon Case (@thecrayoncase) February 22, 2018
6. Trap YogaKnow a yogi who loves Migos? Trap Yoga Bae tours the country to deliver a unique type of yoga flow that blends mindfulness, physical connection and ratchet music. Her spaces are all about honoring people of color. If you can't make one of her traveling classes, cop your trap-loving yogi a Trapspirational Deck for just $25. Leaving my old life was hard. But saying goodbye to the most productive successful year I have had to date is nearly impossible. Thank you to all my tribe for making Trap Yoga something we can all do. Oh and fuck all y’all who said I couldn’t, shouldn’t or wouldn’t😌#TrapYogaBae
pic.twitter.com/09avNe40cu— Trap Yoga Bae™ (@trapyogabae) December 3, 2017
7. Inner Guide PlannerSetting intentions for the New Year is something many of us love in theory but once the clock strikes midnight, um, who did I say I'd protect my chakras from this year? The Inner Guide Planner is a yearly planner that allows you to create new intentions, reflect on goals, and journal progress on a monthly to weekly basis. It’s super helpful if your friend enjoys writing because each month comes with extra pages to write creative ideas. The planner is currently on sale for $28.95.I know I'll be happier & more focused in the long run. #setanintention
#techfreetuesday
#techandtvfree
#planyourlife
pic.twitter.com/hdY0IrXZ8w— InnerGuide (@innerguidebooks) March 15, 2016If all else fails, the Dollar Store can be surprisingly lit. Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.25 Gifts To Consider Getting For The Magical Women In Your Life9 Self-Help Books That'll Resonate With Black Millennials Looking To Get Their S**t StraightHere Are 21 Things That Artists Don't Hear Nearly...
Janelle Monáe was overcome with emotion when she found out she earned a Grammy nomination for Dirty Computer. The artist's third album is nominated for album of the year, and Monáe received the good news during an interview with CBS This Morning, according to HuffPost.When host Norah O’Donnell asked the singer how she felt, Monáe dedicated the honor to people who are shunned by society."Being a young, black, queer woman in America, there was something I had to say .. a group of people I wanted to celebrate, and I’m happy to be representing them. I hope they feel seen, I hope they feel heard. I hope they feel loved. & I hope they feel celebrated" -@JanelleMonae
pic.twitter.com/eXPZXyIgWe— Norah O'Donnell🇺🇸 (@NorahODonnell) December 7, 2018"This album is so much bigger than me. It’s not about me, it’s about a community of dirty computers, of marginalized voices. Being a young Black queer woman in America, there was something I had to say,” Monáe responded.“And there was a group of people that I wanted to celebrate, and I’m happy to be representing them," she said. "I hope they feel seen; I hope they feel heard; I hope they feel loved, and I hope they feel celebrated.”The “Make Me Feel” singer further explained her motivation to create the album."It's just an honor to create an album that just as much as it's about me, it's about a community of voices that I hear and I see when I look out in the crowd...I wanted this album to be for them," says @JanelleMonae on the inspiration behind her album pic.twitter.com/rnFxFAvxl3— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) December 7, 2018“It’s about a community of voices that I hear and see when I look out in the crowd,” she explained. “You know there’s something going on in this country. And there are a lot of people’s voices being pushed to the margins of society because of who they love and what God they choose to serve.”Dirty Computer was considered a major transition for Monáe, who was famously evasive when asked about her sexuality. Before coming out, she used her android persona as a shield. She said she's happy her journey has helped others.“I wasn't looking forward to people trying to figure out how much of this is my real life,” she told Billboard. “But, for the most part, I’m happy that people have felt more comfortable being who they are as a result of reading about me walking in my truth.”Monáe also received a music video of the year nod for album track "Pynk."Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Liking this content? Check these out:Patti LaBelle Thinks Ariana Grande Sings Like A ‘Little White Black Girl’ TooLakeith Stanfield Praises Black Women, Immediately Draws Criticism From Keyboard WarriorsRihanna Reaches Out To Fan Diagnosed With Cancer: 'Sis We Are All Praying For...
If you ask Patti LaBelle, Ariana Grande has that blue-eyed soul thing going for her. Ms. LaBelle presented singer Ariana Grande with the Billboard Woman of the Year award on Thursday night.She opened her speech by saying, “I’m here for my baby girl " The “Somebody Loves You Baby” singer expressed how much she adored the young songstress."I'm thrilled to be among so many wonderful friends to present this year's ultimate honor to Billboard's Woman of the Year. A young woman who has it all. She's soulful, strong, and she's just sensational. She's all that and a bag of chips," LaBelle exclaimed. "She's a giant talent who sings from the heart, as I learned when we sang together at the White House for President Obama and Mrs. Obama. She tore it down; honestly, she can sing her face off." She then talked about the many causes Grande supports, including gun control and Black Lives Matter, before taking the pop star’s hand as she joined her on stage, stating she sings like a "Black white girl."“She asked me some questions one time, remember when we did the president’s stuff? And you said, 'Patti, what should I do?' I said sing like that little white/Black girl that you are," she said. "My son told me not to say that, but it's true." View this post on Instagram
“Sing like that lil white/black girl that you are” lmfaooo at #PattiLabelle 😂😂 #BillboardWomenInMusic #ArianaGrandeA post shared by MEFeater Magazine (@mefeater) on Dec 6, 2018 at 8:35pm PSTThe accolades outlined by LaBelle are timely considering the rough past two years the "Thank U, Next" singer has experienced. Last May, 22 people were killed during a terrorist attack at Grande's concert in Manchester. The 25-year-old singer has also openly shared her battle with PTSD following the traumatic event. She also lost ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller, to an apparent overdose and recently ended a four-month engagement with Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson. “I want to say that I find it interesting that this has been one of like the best years of my career, and like the worst of my life. I’m not saying that for sympathy . . ." she said in her acceptance speech.Grande continued by stating that people look at her as having it all, but she still struggles in her personal life. “She’s really on it; she’s got it all’ . . . I do, but as far as like my personal life goes, I really have no idea what the f**k I’m doing. So yeah, it’s been a very conflicting one. I just want to say that if you’re someone out there who has no idea what this next chapter is gonna bring, you’re not alone in that,” Grande continued.She said she's forgiven the men in her past and expressed thanks for the life she currently has. "I have everything I've ever dreamt of having, and as of late I've discovered that it's the things I've always had and the people I've always had that still make me the happiest," she said in closing. Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news. Now, check these out:Bishop Apologizes For Inappropiately Touching Ariana Grande At Aretha Franklin's HomegoingISIS Claims Responsibility For Attack That Killed Over 20 At An Ariana Grande Concert In England9-Year-Old Singer Gets The Stamp of Approval From Her Idol Patti...
A California science teacher was arrested after cutting off her student's hair during their first-period chemistry class. The teacher, identified by ABC 30 as Margaret Gieszinger, was recorded cutting off a piece of a University Preparatory High School student's hair and tossing it behind her while singing the national anthem. Students in the video ran and screamed after the teacher grabbed a female student's hair. The 52-year-old, whose teaching credential was suspended in 2007 and 2016, reportedly had a breakdown earlier in the week after she couldn't find a copy of one of her tests. "I know that on Monday she had another freakout because a test was missing or something. She accused the students of taking the test," one student told the news station.Gieszinger's husband said he is in shock, and her actions do not attest to who she is as a person."It's a shock to me, that's out of her character. She doesn't do stuff like that," he stated. "It's not her. It's not who she is. So I don't know what was going on with her. I don't have any clue as to why she did that."The student whose hair was cut expressed that he could never see her as a "respectable authority figure" again."I hope I never have to see her at the school again because I know for a fact I can never see her as a respectable authority figure in my life," he said.In May, a South Carolina high school teacher resigned after pulling a student's locs while attempting to wake him. Gieszinger has been arrested with a bail set to $100,000 on suspicion of corporal injury to a child.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Now, check these out: New Hampshire High School Students Create Racist Jingle Bell Remix: 'KKK, Let's Kill All The Blacks'Virginia Art Professor Has Campus Security Called On Her For Eating Breakfast In Her ClassroomA Young Girl's Black Girl Magic Left Her White Classmates In...
Recent years have seen an influx or arguments centered around the notion that abortion is Black genocide, largely because pro-life proponents argue that Black women are disproportionately likely to terminate a pregnancy compared to others. Despite the hubbub being raised about abortion being nothing more than Black genocide in disguise, this movement is really nothing more than a conservative effort to link reproductive rights to racism in an effort to stymie progressive momentum on that front. Here’s why we should question the “abortion as Black genocide” movement, and why it’s largely misguided in its efforts to bolster the standing of Black women in American society. Plenty of news has been made recently by pro-life activists who have been working overtime to link the concept of abortion and other reproductive rights with Black genocide. A recent documentary from PBS recently drew attention from across the country because a number of activists at the recent March for Life were carrying “Black Lives Matter” signs with them as they walked. This has spurred a new conservation about the reproductive rights and social standing of Black women in America, which is why it’s so unfortunate this conversation has been hijacked by nefarious voices. The recent documentary released by PBS supercharged a conversation that was already well underway, but not everyone has been honest in their portrayal of this movement. Far too often, conservative voices have simply been clamoring that abortion is nothing more than “Black genocide,” drawing false equivalences between modern reproductive health practices and historical forms of bigotry and oppression used by the government and others to trample on the rights of women of color. The infamous Tuskegee Study, for instance, where Black Americans were fooled by their government into a horrific medical trial that saw them forcibly denied treatment for syphilis, has been called upon by this movement. They assert that the modern movement for reproductive rights is nothing more than a new Tuskegee Study aimed at curbing the Black population, a hopelessly disingenuous and despicable argument that reduces Black women to nothing more than pawns in the political game of others. It’s indisputably true that Black women have faced discrimination and terrible treatment at the hands of bigots throughout history, especially when it comes to their reproductive rights, but that doesn’t mean any effort to expand access to abortion is some Nazi plot to eradicate people of color. As a matter of fact, some of the most vocal voices in the effort to secure abortion rights for women who use surrogacy everywhere are Black, and women of color have plenty of reasons to be concerned about their reproductive rights. The real problem in America isn’t that we’re witnessing some form of Black genocide in the form of abortion; the insidious disease that’s plaguing this country is the lack of access to healthcare and reproductive services Black women face, not their ability to get abortions if they desire one. To put it quite simply, Black women are literally dying from a lack of access to healthcare, which is why efforts to prevent the expansion their reproductive rights are so despicable. There’s little doubt that many of the protestors in the March for Life movement have honest concerns about the wellbeing of people of color across the United States. Many of the women who claim that abortion is Black genocide are themselves Black. It would be foolish to insinuate that this movement is anything other than a political prop relied upon by conservatives in an effort to link legitimate reproductive rights to insidious crimes like genocide, however. Take a look at how some Republicans have seized on this movement to peddle their racism, for instance, and you’ll see how dishonest the movement as a whole is. Republican Governor Phil Bryant of Mississippi recently rushed to the defense of the avowed racist who recently won a Senate seat in that same state, arguing that her comments about lynching were perfectly fine and that abortion was just Black genocide in disguise. This kind of disgusting behavior is what we can expect from the abortion as Black genocide movement; while some protestors are voicing legitimate concerns, they’re largely being used by others to further racist policies and elect White supremacists. If we’re serious about securing the reproductive rights and long-lasting health of women of color in America, we need to resist the movement that labels abortion as nothing more than Black genocide. More than perhaps any other group in the United States, Black women have been denied healthcare at an unprecedented rate. Unless we want racial and sexual inequality to persist, this trend must be upended. We shouldn’t just question the movement that labels abortion Black genocide – we should call it out for what it is, a mere shame being used to discredit a movement for women’s rightsBlavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for more fresh stories, perspectives and breaking...
A defendant appeared in a San Antonio immigration court last month to defend his rights to live in this country, according to ProPublica. He was just 6 years old. When the bailiff prompted the young man for his name, he responded, "Wilder Hilario Maldonado Cabrera."Another immigration lawyer, Thelma R. Garcia, was present defending other clients, and, thankfully, she volunteered to represent Cabrera. Both fluent in Spanish, she turned to the young man and asked for his age.Originally from El Salvador, Cabrera ultimately became the youngest defendant on the juvenile agenda that day. Furthermore, the child was one of the few remaining adolescents left in government custody who had been affected by President Trump's harsh zero-tolerance policy. Many of these children who have been taken away from parental care are still awaiting their fate and whether they will see their parents again, per ProPublica.Catholic Charities, a New York-based non-profit that provides legal counseling to immigrant children in government care, found at least 16 new separation cases, according to the Texas Tribune. Lawyers for the organization say it was on accident that they came across their situations, and it wasn't until they inquired more that they found children were placed into temporary shelters with little or no announcement that they arrived at the border with their parents.More than 2,600 immigrant children were separated from their parents before a federal judge demanded that Trump abolish this rule and reunite the affected children with their families. More than 100 of those children were under 5 years old. Cabrera's parents have been separated by country, making this situation even more complicated. His father is in federal custody at a detention center less than hour's drive from the San Antonio court. After he and his father were both apprehended by government officials on June 6, Cabrera was placed into temporary care. The only contact he has had with his father has been via telephone.While speaking with the judge handling Cabrera's case, she mentioned that immigration officials said the reason why Cabrera and his father hadn’t been reunited was that his dad had a 10-year-old warrant for a DUI charge in Florida, writes The Tribune. Cabrera's mother, meanwhile, has been in their home country of El Salvador, making ends meet with the young boy's three siblings. As for Cabrera's fate, Garcia asked Judge Animal Martinez to hold any decisions about his asylum claim until Cabrera's lawyer could arrange to be in court with him. Judge Martinez obliged.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Liking this content? Check these out:Haitian Asylum Seeker A Free Man After Two Years In ICE CustodyTransgender Asylum Seeker Beaten Before Dying In ICE CustodyActivists Slam Gassing Of Asylum Seekers As Trump Threatens To ‘Close The Border...
