Two white students in Florida are facing charges for sending threatening and racist messages about their Black teacher to one another.The Brunswick News reports the two 16-year-old students were charged with misdemeanor assault on Wednesday. Under Florida law, their charges have been upgraded to hate crimes.When questioned, the students told authorities they had no plans to execute the threats they discussed; each dismissed the messages as jokes.Even though the students insisted their threats weren't serious, the teacher mentioned in the messages, Kimberly Lee, said she wanted to press charges against the teens because she felt they are dangerous, according to WFTS.In a statement posted to the department's official Facebook page, Sheriff Rick Staly of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office condemned the students' remarks and assured the public any and all threats would be met with swift justice."I was appalled at the language these students were using and the threats made toward this teacher," Sheriff Staly's statement read. "The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has a zero tolerance policy on school threats. All threats will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated and appropriate charges will be made."According to the Sheriff's Office, the two students have not been arrested as their threats did not meet the requirements for arrest under state law.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Liking this content? Check these out:Alabama Mother Says Racist Bullies Led Her 9-Year-Old Daughter To Commit SuicideMother Plays 'Perfect Song' To Uplift Son Being Bullied By Peers Because Of His Skin ToneNew Voucher Program In Florida Wants To Help Bullied Kids, But There's A Catch If They Have Black...
Lakeith Stanfield is a singular guy and has proven this is the case once again with a video he posted to Instagram in which he mocks white people who like do their best Sheneneh impressions during mundane conversations.In the video, Stanfield plays a Black dad introducing his baby (played by a roll of tissue) to a white friend (also played by Stanfield). View this post on Instagram
If you bring baby around too many ignorant friends at a partyA post shared by Lakeith Stanfield (@lakeithstanfield3) on Dec 13, 2018 at 7:54am PST“Oh my god, Black babies are so cute! I love Black babies,” Stanfield says while in his Chad persona. The actor also parodies a white person asking if the baby has a hood streak and inquiring about the whereabouts of his baby mama.“Does she have like an attitude? Does she go like ‘Da-da?’” Stanfield asks using his white voice.If this represents a lived experience, the Atlanta star needs new friends.The new video isn't the first time the actor has addressed Anglo-Saxon shenanigans. In February, he spoke to a Becky who got in her feelings because she felt overwhelmed by her privilege.
"I'm not saying you have to suck a n***a d**k or somethin', but recognize that you benefit and move the f**k on," Stanfield said in the video. "All we want is motherf***ers to leave us the f**k alone. That's what we want, so maybe a n***a can build Wakanda in this b***h or something."It might seem like Stanfield is never acting given his offscreen opinions align with those he's offered while in character. However, he recently told Timeout London that isn't the case.“Lately, I’ve been trying to do things that I feel just speak to me or where the character goes on a journey. I was initially wary of [playing] Darius [in Atlanta] because I was like, 'Where the f**k is this guy going? Like, what is this thing?' Then I realised that Darius was going where no one else has gone.”He also admitted in the interview a scene eerily similar to the situation he addressed in his Instagram video from the trippy Sorry to Bother You film freaked him out. In the scene, a group of white people pressure Stanfield’s character to drop a freestyle:
“‘It’s so disturbing to have a group of white people screaming 'Rap!' at you. 'Rap! Rap! Rap! Rap!' It went on so long,” he said.With all these stressful, racist encounters in his life, perhaps he needs to get out more, pun unintended. Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Now, check these out:Age Ain't Nothing But A Number To This 83-Year-Old Vietnam Veteran Who Just Received His Ph.D.People Are Defending Jay-Z After Critics Slam His Scholarship Program'My Black Friend Said I Could Use The N-Word.' Don't Be That...
Update (December 13, 2018): The man who attacked a woman in a New York subway, leaving her with a fractured spine has been identified as 54-year-old Allasheed Allah, the New York Post reports. He was arrested by the police Wednesday.A concerned citizen snapped a photo of Allah following his attack; someone who knows him recognized the 54-year-old, and helped the authorities apprehend him.According to Gothamist, Allah faces two hate crime charges: one count of assault and one count of aggravated harassment. Allah's attack is believed to be motivated by homophobia. He punched his victim after ordering her to stop kissing another woman; he also called her a d**e. In describing the attack, the woman said, "I felt him right behind me, I felt a punch in my back. ... I turned around and he already had his hand on my chest, and he threw me back which caused my head to hit the pole and my back hit the ground first, which fractured my spine."The victim was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment. While there, she told ABC 7, "Last week I spent the whole week crying and in excruciating pain. My hopes are that he's arrested, not for revenge, it's not what I want. So he won't ever do this to anyone else. I don't want someone else to feel this." Original: An unidentified man aboard a New York subway reportedly punched a woman for receiving a kiss from another woman on November 30.The man, who wore a camouflage vest in a video of the incident, began to verbally assault the 20-year-old victim calling her a "d*ke" on MTA's E train. At that point, the two traded words while other passengers looked on.The victim attempted to walk away from him following the verbal sparring match, but he did not stop. Instead, the man walked up behind the woman and sucker-punched her in the back of the head, Gothamist reports.The woman was shoved and hit her head on the floor of the train. She sustained a fractured spine during the scuffle. Authorities report the woman was transported to the Elmhurst Hospital Center. A passenger started recording him when he fled the scene after the attack. He was last seen wearing sunglasses, a camouflage vest and carrying several bags. The New York Daily News reports authorities are searching for a middle-aged Black male. Police have yet to locate the man, according to the Daily News. Authorities are asking individuals with any information to reach out and receive a reward of up to $2,500. Recognize this man❓He’s WANTED‼️UP TO $2500 REWARD💰for info regarding a Hate Crime occurring on the E Train @ 71 Ave #Queens☎️CALL 1-800-577-TIPS or DM us!📞CALLS are anonymous! #YourCityYourCall
#NYC
#NYPD
#BK
@NYPD112Pct
@NYPDTransit
pic.twitter.com/StQNdU0tGa— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) December 9, 2018Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Now, check these out:Kevin Hart Lashes Out At Critics of His Son's 'Cowboys And Indians' Birthday PartyDon Lemon Wants To Give Kevin Hart An Opportunity To Explain Himself D.L. Hughley And 'Pose' Star Trade Barbs Over Kevin Hart's Oscar Debacle...
The cast of the iconic sitcom A Different World visited HBCU Southwestern Christian College with a $100,000 scholarship check. The award was a part of Ford’s Ultimate Homecoming Takeover initiative, an initiative designed to empower Black students to further their education and strengthen programs at historically Black colleges and universities nationwide.At the Texas campus of 400 students, the legendary stars of our most beloved fictional HBCU also participated in a panel about the significance of Black colleges and universities as well as the inter-generational mark left by A Different World. Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Cree Summer and Darryl Bell discussed the significance of Hillman college as both a representation of HBCUs and being on one of few Black sitcoms. “I loved the diversity of the cast. Usually, actors are the Black person on a show, and it’s very hard to represent everything about Black people in one person," Guy said. "We had different classes, different colorings, different backgrounds, different aspirations and that’s one thing I loved about A Different World. It showed the true spirit about what being Black is and that it is diverse within itself." This isn't the first time the group has given back to an HBCU. Earlier this year, they helped award nine schools a total of $360,000 in grants.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Now check these out: Stop Asking for An 'A Different World' Reboot That time "A Different World" accurately foreshadowed the state of policing and videoKadeem Hardison & Jasmine Guy reunite for an episode of 'K.C. Undercover'...
As the end of 2018 approaches, we’ve already begun to reflect on the year we’ve had. We made resolutions in January to dedicate the following 365 days, 8670 hours towards our goals. Our enthusiasm oozed from our pores as the excitement of "the hustle" consumed our minds. We obsessively dissect and analyze "the hustle" of our favorite influencers, millionaires and entrepreneurs; and the one thing that most of them have in common is the fact that they’ve adopted today's cultural philosophy, “sleep when you're dead" and "don't stop until you're finished."Insert "hustle porn" here - a term coined by Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit-- which addresses the obsession we have with the idea that unless you are suffering, grinding, working every hour of every day, you’re not working hard enough. Which is true to some extent, but at what cost?We've found a way to romanticize the destruction of our bodies and diminishing our quality of life-- thus creating the perception of underachievement if we’re not incessantly “grinding” among a generation of sleepless entrepreneurs and creatives. Every panel we've attended or "get rich" podcast we've listened to push the narrative that the only way to be successful is to devote your entire life to your goals. What most never tell you is that even though tunnel-vision, dedication, and commitment are key components to achieving your goals, they can also be the same elements that impede your progress and keep you from achieving them.Sleep deprivation can significantly raise your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, adversely affect your mental health, make you susceptible to weight gain, weaken your immune system, and is also linked to cancer of the bowel, prostate, and breast according to World Health Organization. This is the side we don't hear about often. Is it neglect? Is it intentional? Is it intentional neglect? Who knows? But it seems that quality of life and health & wellness are not provocative enough to be included in these larger conversations behind the hustle of success or "microwaveable entrepreneurship."It is baffling that while fitness professionals have been working alongside the information technology community for the last decade developing tools, applications, and even tangible metrics to help us create balance in our daily lives, fitness professionals are often overlooked and not given a seat at the table to chime in on what healthy success looks like. These larger discussions and concepts surrounding success should be more inclusive of fitness and wellness professionals. Without a fully functioning healthy body and mind, will millions of dollars matter? Without our health how long will we be able to live to enjoy our earnings, success, or fame?As we move forward into the new year, there is a responsibility for all influential platforms to highlight the importance of health and wellness as a part of success with the same enthusiasm they use for one-dimensional success and hard work. We have forgotten that our health is our wealth, and our wellness should never be overlooked for the sake of capitalism.Many of us are standing by idly allowing ourselves to self-destruct by chasing this disastrous false narrative of what the "hustle" looks like. Instead, we should employ a sustainable routine that enables us to get a sufficient amount of sleep. Whether it’s using an app or setting a notification in our phones to remind us to get go to sleep, or even turning off and disconnecting from the world for periods of time during the day; we must do everything we can to create a better quality of life. Get a good night's rest, make the gym apart of your process, and create an eating pattern that promotes your mental and physical health. Until these become priorities in our visions of success, we will forever "chase the bag" and die trying.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for more fresh stories, perspectives and breaking...
The FBI has decided not to designate the white supremacist group the Proud Boys an extremist group. Special Agent in Charge Renn Cannon told media members early this month in Portland, Oregon, the FBI acknowledges the group has ties to white nationalism. But, it will not give the group an extremist designation. According to The Oregonian, the FBI assesses threats and investigates violence connected to a particular organization. However, the FBI reportedly does not want to pursue groups exercising First Amendment rights. “We do not intend and did not intend to designate the group as extremist,’’ he told The Oregonian. The news comes after the Clark County Sheriff's Office released a memo suggesting otherwise. More from @FBIPortland Special Agent in Charge Renn Cannon on FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force. If @PortlandPolice pulled out, ‘yes Portland is less safe. It’s going to slow down coordination’ between the city police, the FBI and other regional law enforcement, he said . pic.twitter.com/rxC28DADn1— Maxine Bernstein (@maxoregonian) December 4, 2018This is the same agency that labeled Black Americans indignant over police brutality a domestic terrorist threat. The Proud Boys, founded by former Vice Media co-founder Gavin McInnes two years ago, had violent clashes with liberal activists in New York City and Portland earlier this year. According to The Washington Post, nine people affiliated with the Proud Boys were charged in the New York assaults. McInnes left the Proud Boys in November following increased scrutiny after the violent melee at the Manhattan Republican Club in October. Described as a pro-Trump, pro-Western society chauvinist group, the Southern Poverty Law Center has called the organization a hate group which peddles white supremacy. HuffPost reports McInnes was terminated from The Blaze and his YouTube account was suspended because of his affiliation. “Blaze Media no longer has a relationship with Gavin McInnes, and per company policy, cannot comment on personnel matters,” the company tweeted over the weekend.Blaze Media no longer has a relationship with Gavin McInnes, and per company policy, cannot comment on personnel matters.— BlazeTV (@CRTV) December 9, 2018Amazon and PayPal have removed the far-right clan from their platforms, as well.McInnes claims these recent developments are a concerted effort to de-platform him. At one point, he was a prominent podcast and video host. “I can see where Clark County representatives came to that conclusion. That was not our intention. That’s not what we do,’’ Cannon said. “We will not open a case if someone belongs to antifa or even the Proud Boys. There has to be a credible allegation or a threat of violence before someone opens a case.’’Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news. Now, check these out:
Proud Boys Supporters Tweet Picture Of Arrested Member With Black Wife To 'Prove' He Isn't RacistWhite Supremacist Mob Violently Attacks Activists In New York, Pose For Photo AfterwardIncoming New York Attorney General Letitia James Announces Plan To Investigate Trump...
Oil industry veterans, Donald Glover and Harold Thomas, want Black people to participate in the behind the scenes world of oil and gas by utilizing the power of blockchain technology. African Americans are a large consumer of fossil fuels and low on the supply chain in terms of involvement and profit. Reserve Oil and Gas Coin (ROC) is an innovative project aimed to make an impact on that dynamic.The oil & gas industry does over $1.7 trillion dollars in business every year. Oil and gas production yields profits that are bigger than the raw metal markets and gold markets combined. Some of those profits are tapped into by investors that go through traditional avenues of investments such as oil and gas stocks, EFTs (Exchange Trade Funds), and mutual funds. However, your average African-American millennial or even baby boomer knows very little about these investment avenues. Those that do know may have to rely on investment advisors to funnel their funds into these investments for them. Reserve Oil and Gas Coin has created an offering that allows disadvantaged markets, with limited access to investments, an opportunity to invest at the ground level and share in the profits of oil and gas for themselves.ROC has a team of oil and gas veterans that have come together to launch a project that will be a game changer in the Black community. They have successfully married this initiative into an ERC-20 (Ethereum) token as a fully compliant crypto-asset. Investors will gain access to a bird’s eye view into the production and supply process, as well as profit from such an involvement. With any investment there are risks, however making an investment in an established industry such as oil and gas, which is the most used commodity in the world, and utilizing blockchain technology, internet of things technology (IoT) and cryptocurrency, allows those risks to be more transparent and easily fungible in the crypto markets.Mr. Donald Glover has over 31 years of oil and gas operating experience. During his tenor as COO of Trinity River Energy and Vice President of Chesapeake Energy Mid Con, Donald established a track record of building and managing teams across diverse disciplines to achieve high results. Donald is a United States Army veteran (1st Lieutenant – ret) with an MBA from Rice University’s Jones School of Business and a Chemical Engineering degree from Oklahoma State University. His experience also includes both on and offshore drilling, completions, and production operations throughout the value chain which encompasses exploration, appraisal, development, harvest, and abandonment.Mr. Harold Thomas has over a decade of experience in the energy industry and is a Morehouse College alumnus. Harold's experience also includes knowledge of production operations, sensing technology and the blockchain. His personal mission is to bring more knowledge and education of the energy sector to Black people because it will open up a greater involvement and tap into more sources of economic wealth for disadvantaged communities.Reserve Oil and Gas Coin presale will begin on December 15th. The Security Token Offer (STO) will begin January 15, 2019. Take advantage of early bonuses by getting involved today.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for more fresh stories, perspectives and breaking...
A Maryland mother who says her daughter was called a slur by a police officer wants action.According to The Capital Gazette, Amy Brown alleges her 13-year-old daughter Jayda, who is mixed, was called the slur by a plainclothes police officer while riding her bike near their home in Millersville, Maryland. After the incident, a group of officers reportedly confronted Jayla and one of her friends, ordering them to stop riding their bikes in the street.Brown says her daughter was in tears during and after the incident; the child was required to sign a citation by the officers. Amy filed a grievance with the Anne Arundel County Police Department. Police Chief Timothy Altomare said he assigned the complaint to a Black deputy because he believed the officer would better be able to relate to allegations of racism.That officer wrapped up the investigation into the incident, but Brown said she wants to know what action the department plans to take to make sure this doesn't happen again. The results of the investigation haven't been made public.Frustrated with the department's response to her complaint, Brown is now advocating for a police oversight board along with other members of her community. She said she now fears allowing Jayda and her brother to walk around by themselves."I'm afraid to let my son walk to the local store," Brown said. "I'm afraid. Because he is Black. He is not like Jayda; he is Black. My daughter has not ridden a bike since the July 6 incident. She has not been outside in my neighborhood to play."Chief Altomare dismissed the idea the citizens under his protection should be worried."We have zero tolerance for racist behavior in this police department," Altomare said. "If someone is wearing a uniform and spouts racist ideology. … It ain’t happening on my watch."The fact that she's still heard nothing about the department's official investigation has broken Brown's faith in the law, however.“I feel like I have been lied to because I gave all my trust to the officers,” Brown said. “That they were going to do the right thing.”According to FOX Baltimore, reports of racist encounters in Anne Arundel County have spiked recently, having risen 34 percent in the past year.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news. Now, check these out:Cops Were Called To Investigate A Noise Complaint. They Played 'Super Smash Bros' Upon Arrival Instead.Mother Speaks Out After 1-Year-Old Was Snatched From Her During Violent ArrestCops Called On Tennessee Nurse While On The Job Inside A Patient's...
Oprah Winfrey told the world how she felt about some bland Caucasian chicken she sampled over a decade ago.A few days ago, BuzzFeed community manager Spencer Althouse resurrected a 2006 video of Winfrey sampling a baked chicken recipe created by Anna Ginsberg, who won a $1 million prize for the meal.I often think about the time Oprah did a cooking segment with a woman whose chicken recipe won $1 million, and Oprah's jaw dropped when she tasted it and realized the lady didn't even add seasoning pic.twitter.com/rfs7PS1Jc3— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) December 9, 2018When the mogul bit into the chicken, her facial expression said it all. Winfrey caught herself when Ginsberg timidly asked her if she was enjoying the food.“I do like it,” she responded. “I like it very much. I think, did we add salt and pepper? I think we needed salt and pepper.”An oblivious Ginsberg didn’t think the food needed any additional seasoning.“No, there’s no salt and pepper in it. But you can add it yourself,” she answered.Winfrey tried to save the moment with another compliment.“I think it’s delicious, is what it really is,” she concluded.The hilarious clip went viral for all the right reasons.Oprah chewing that white woman's chicken tryna taste any speck of salt, pepper, organo, garlic, paprika, anything. pic.twitter.com/cJFqonyrYo— Ribbsteak (@ItsRibbs) December 9, 2018White woman: no, there’s no salt and pepper on the chicken
Oprah: pic.twitter.com/pP7UNRjHEv— zee (@zsazsaZavia) December 9, 2018Oprah is eating work potluck chicken. https://t.co/K9NNOn2E6H— Charles J. Moore (@charles270) December 9, 2018@Oprah is not a fictional character. She’s human just like us and expects award winning chicken to have a minimum of herbs and spices 🤷🏾♀️ https://t.co/1f8JkTEWI0— Alisha M. Hanes (@AlishaMHanes) December 13, 2018I found the recipe from that oprah chicken clip and it asks of ONE FOURTH OF A TEASPOON OF SALT FOR A POUND OF CHICKEN https://t.co/3OGgvzWDjD— folu (@notfolu) December 13, 2018
Oprah Magazine asked an amused Winfrey her honest opinion of the chicken.“Okay, Spencer, I don’t know what ever made you pull that tape out of the vault, but, it made me laugh,” she began. View this post on Instagram
Over the weekend, a 2006 video of @oprah tasting an *interesting* chicken dish made its rounds online. We asked the O of O, what REALLY went through her mind as the cameras were on her—and she answered. Swipe left if you haven’t seen the hysterical video! #tbtA post shared by O, The Oprah Magazine (@oprahmagazine) on Dec 13, 2018 at 7:13am PSTThe 64-year-old admitted the chicken needed some tweaking, but she didn’t want to hurt Ginsberg’s feelings.“I was having a moment of trying to decide, 'Do I want her to have a great time? What is my real moment of truth?'” Oprah explained. “Because the truth for me was that I am used to having salt and pepper on my chicken. That’s just the truth. That’s what I was thinking: this chicken needs some salt and pepper.”There you have it. White people, please, season your damn food! A pinch of air ain't cutting it. Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Now, check these out:Serena Williams Can Now Wear Any Catsuit She Wants To Tennis MatchesKodak Black Storms Out Of Interview After Host Brings Up Sexual Assault AccusationsAyanna Pressley To Democratic Donors: Do ‘Black Lives Only Matter In Election...
Jobs & housing are necessities for being able to survive and advance in today’s society, yet my Black millennial peers and I are having an increasingly difficult time finding quality jobs and affordable housing. According to Bloomberg, as of April, Black unemployment was 6.6 percent; and, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that 6.1 percent for Black millennials between the ages 25 and 34. I know because I speak from experience — I have been unemployed since April and I live at home with my parents. Like many of you this is not exactly what I imagined my late 20s and early 30 being; but, here we are nonetheless.Also, like many of you, I have heard it all from other people — from support (“You’re too qualified to be unemployed.”) to the snide ( “You sure you aren’t being too picky?”), to the grateful/desperate for anything (“When I was your age I was just grateful to have a roof and a job.”) to the rude (“You just gonna stay at your mama’s house forever, huh”) and everything else in between. However, nothing annoys me more than the oft-used, smart-alecky, “Welcome to the real world” phrase. By far, this is the most discouraging thing someone can say to a young person or someone unemployed or looking for their own place. If this were a math problem it would like something like:(condescension + asshole)(disingenuous + inconsiderate)/ (no resources to help — f**ks to give)However, those who say that are often the most removed from what current employment and housing situations are currently, particularly for Black millennials.My unemployed status since April is not from a lack of trying. Shortly after resigning from my last job, I had some conferences, my birthday, and a trip budgeted for in advance, so I began my job search in earnest in August. Since then, I have come to realize that the job search process has been both streamlined and profiled as a result of technology. By that, I mean technology has simplified the application process, allowed for additional documentation, and helped low-income applicants avoid transportations costs and inconveniences; yet, because of that simplification, employers are becoming more apt to funneling the wrong candidates by going solely on resume, becoming more subject to biases (racial, age, experiential, etc.), and profiling candidates into certain sectors based on those biases.Personally, I have experienced this because my resume only lists 4 years of full-time professional experience out of graduate school, but I have experiences and work product of someone more senior that cannot be easily conveyed in a resume. This is similar to many of my peers, especially those who have graduate degrees. Secondly, applicants are boxed into applying for positions that are too junior due to experience on their resume alone. Oftentimes, we are chosen for the junior position (ageism) which leads to complexities such as title, responsibilities, reporting structure, and compensation — the last being most important because we all have bills to pay, but will that salary cover these student loans too? These junior positions often lead to overeducated and/or overqualified candidates in frustrating positions with limited growth opportunity; because, of course, there are some baby boomers who refuse to retire in the next 3 levels above them.Lastly, and quite frankly, employers are confused about what they want when hiring to fill a position. Many times, they think that they know what they want, but by the way the job description is written (entry level position requiring 3–5 years’ experience) or by the way the title and responsibilities diverge is telling of a lack of clear vision for the role. Even further, many employers expect to hire someone just like the person that just left, forgetting or ignoring the fact that person took years to establish their level regimen and output. This places the applicant or new employee at a disadvantage because the employer is also likely not to pay for training and other resources to help that person catch up quickly.We see today that these factors, and many more, are part of the reason jobs are seemingly hard to come by for recent graduates and Black millennials. This has led to high discouraged worker and underemployment rates which are not included in standard unemployment rates. Discouraged workers are those dejected by the job market and choose not to even actively pursue employment. Underemployment is defined by the African American Policy Forum as the condition in which people in a labor force are employed at less than full-time or regular jobs or at jobs inadequate with respect to their training or economic needs. Together, more needs to be done to help improve black millennials find the right jobs at the right wage at the right level with growth opportunities.Housing is the other elusive area for Black millennial success. I have lived at my parent’s house since returning from Chicago for graduate school in 2014. It started as being practical as I would stay at home until I found and a job and saved for my own place. Then, I found a job and started paying all of my bills plus the credit card and student loan debts, I quickly realized that this would be very difficult. I began saving money and building towards investing, then I saw that the quality of rental property was not very good or what I was accustomed to in Columbus and Chicago (we need more washer/dryer hookups because paying for laundry is old). Furthermore, the cost for rentals were more than what they were worth and buying a house in many cases is cheaper in Cleveland. However, after fixing it up, you will pay what you would or more to rent, and that is without considering the cost of maintenance. Also, the housing stock in metro Cleveland is very old. Suffice to say, I was not ready and staying at home was my best option — my parents gave me freedom and they received a clean house weekly thanks to my OCD. This follows national trends which show, according to a Zillow Group, Inc. survey that nearly a quarter of millennial adults between the ages of 24 and 36 live at home with their parentsHowever, the historical effects of redlining by the FHA, HUD, and others are still felt today in Cleveland with the way many neighborhoods and east side inner ring suburbs (which are largely black) are treated in terms of development, housing stock, rental stocks, and property tax values (the latter which affects quality of school districts directly which many folks still use to determine where to settle and have families). Rates for millennials staying at home with parents are high, not because they are lazy but, because we cannot afford it. Sadly, housing is viewed as a long-term financial risk for people my age as opposed to an opportunity to add equity and capital because the costs of education and living are so high. Even the myth of low cost of living in Cleveland is becoming apparent because wages have stagnated for decades, costs have increased, education has increased, and debt is high. This affects marriage, family planning, investing, and retail; but, jobs and housing remain the constant anchors.So, “welcome to the real world” folks this is what employment and housing for millennials — Black, white, Latinx, Asian, etc. — is like today in the year of our Lord 2018. It is not easy, but we are open to resources and personal lessons and experiences on how to make it through or remedy the situation. Or, giving us lots of money helps too. In all seriousness, we did not create this mess, but we inherited it and it will take millennials, baby boomers, and everybody else in between to fix it (plus some). Rather than saying, “welcome to the real world” when you hear some is finding a job or looking for a place to live, how about saying, “I hear you, these options may be of help.”Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for more fresh stories, perspectives and breaking...
Retired NBA star Dikembe Mutombo forged an exceptional basketball legacy during his years with the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets. Since his time out of the league, he's made his mark in another realm: philanthropy.Mutombo and his foundation are now helping Matadi, an 8-year-old from the Congo who has a large tumor on the left side of his face. He first encountered Matadi during a trip to a hospital he helped build in the Congo. On Wednesday, the two met once again at Los Angeles International Airport. ABC 13 reports the child is in need of lifesaving surgery. Specialists from the Osborne Head and Neck Foundation will operate free of charge so Matadi can go back to enjoying his life. Members of his community have shunned him because of his tumor, and he currently can't go to school because of rampant bullying. His mother has taken special precautions to protect him from others. "Hopefully change the life of this young man and go back to living a normal life," Mutombo said.The @officialmutombo Foundation brought Matadi to the US from Congo. The @OHNIinstitute is removing his tumor for free. Matadi and his father also get to stay at the @RMHC for free. Many organizations coming together to give this boy a life-saving surgery! <3 pic.twitter.com/65Nyg7gOT1— Veronica Miracle (@ABC7Veronica) December 12, 2018The former player has helped others through the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital he helped build. According to Yahoo Sports, half a million women and children received medical care from the institution.In Matadi's case, the hospital did not have the specialists needed to help him fully. He had no other choice but to receive care from American doctors. "Right now, we want to improve the living condition of the people in Congo where the mortality rate is 45 for men and 47 for women," Mutombo told KABC. View this post on Instagram
This is just one of the good things that our Foundation is doing. We flew the young boy from CongoDRC with a large tumor on his face —who has been shunned by society to LA so he could be operated on by OSBORNE HEAD&NECK INSTITUTE. @dikembe_mutombo_foundation_ @dofficialmutombo #themutombofamily #drryanosborne #thebiambamariemutombohospital #thesonofcongodrcA post shared by Dikembe Mutombo (@dofficialmutombo) on Dec 12, 2018 at 7:48pm PST Mutombo will take care of his family while they stay in the States. The child and his father will stay at the Ronald McDonald House for free during their stay. Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news. Now, check these out: Stacey Abrams Teases Another Bid For Office: 'I'm Going To Run Again'Stephen Curry Responds To 9-Year-Old Girl 'Disappointed' His Under Armour Shoe Line Only Comes In Boys' SizesMichael Jordan Hands Out Thanksgiving Meals To Hurricane Florence...
Changes to rules of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) will make it possible for Serena Williams to wear her famous black catsuit.The WTA announced the changes on Tuesday, according to Deadspin. The organization will now allow players to wear compression clothing with or without a skirt.“Leggings and mid-thigh-length compression shorts may be worn with or without a skirt, shorts or dress,” the new regulations read.Williams wore the suit in August after returning from maternity leave nine months after giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia. The outfit served as a compression garment to prevent the champion from getting the blood clots that almost killed her while she had her baby. She also thought the suit was symbolic of the strength of women.“It feels like this suit represents all the women that have been through a lot mentally, physically, with their body to come back and have confidence and to believe in themselves,” she said.Bernard Giudicelli, the hatin’ a** president of the French Open, threw a fit and swore he would ban similar clothing from his matches.“It’s a bit late because the collections are already designed, but we are going to nonetheless ask the manufacturers to let us know what is coming," Giudicelli said at the time. “I believe we have sometimes gone too far. Serena’s outfit this year, for example, would no longer be accepted. You have to respect the game and the place.”The WTA also expanded protections for mothers who are returning from maternity leave, reports Telegraph. Williams was able to use her protected ranking to compete in a maximum of eight matches over a year, but it was guaranteed she would be seeded. Seeding refers to a player being “planted” into a bracket based on their ranking for drawing purposes. Serena out here changing the world on her day off.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Now, check these out:Black Trump Support Paris Dennard Gets Axed From CNN, Cites Race As ReasonMother Speaks Out After 1-Year-Old Was Snatched From Her During Violent ArrestThe Toddler Who Went Viral For Beaming At Portrait Of Michelle Obama Is Now Writing Her Own...
