The Carolina Panthers' Eric Reid took a moment to shade the NFL as his first "random" drug test of the year loomed.Adding to what Reid once claimed was a trend of unfair testing beginning last September, on Monday, the Panthers reported the 27-year-old was selected for yet another drug test by the NFL."In honor of my first 'random' drug test of the year," Reid tweeted alongside a photo of himself curling his trusted 40 Iron Grip weight. "Shoutout to my trainer."In honor of my first “random” drug test of the year. Shoutout to my trainer 💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/sqiMaVE5cx— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) March 25, 2019Reid signed to the Carolina Panthers in September, Yahoo reports. His first test, required upon signing, was mandatory. However, since then Reid has appeared to be unfairly targeted for the testing, which the rules state are to be random. Reid insists his athletic acumen is natural. As Blavity reported, the NFL player said back in December that he had undergone seven "random" drug tests in under 11 weeks, which he believes -- and others have confirmed -- to be statistically improbable. The Panthers employ 72 players, 10 of whom are required to be tested after each game.Yahoo calculated that leaves approximately 0.17 percent or a 1-588 chance that Reid would be chosen randomly six separate times following only 11 games. Sporting News reports the 2019-2020 season just started on March 13, and it only took the league 12 days to issue Reid a new test. Now in a new year, it seems like Reid has chosen to laugh off the issue while continuing to highlight its absurdity.Go high.Now, check these out:Eric Reid Was Just Given A Statistically Improbable 7th Drug Test In 11 GamesGary Owens Puts Delta Airlines On Blast, Says They Racially Profiled His WifeTexas Police Officer Fired For Giving A Sandwich Full Of Feces To A Homeless Man Wins His Job...
Update (March 25, 2019): The death toll stemming from Cyclone Idai has reached astronomical amounts, with more than 750 people across three African nations estimated to have perished in the Category 2 disaster. The Philadelphia Tribune reports 446 people have lost their lives in Mozambique, while 259 are deceased in Zimbabwe and Malawi.According to CNN, approximately 110,000 people have been moved to camps, and more than 500,000 civilians are distressed as a result of the March 15 storm.“We are monitoring the situation on the ground,” Mozambique's Land and Environment Minister Celso Correia said on Sunday.As workers scramble to clear debris such as uprooted trees and overturned street light fixtures, The Guardian reports fears of cholera and malaria outbreaks are on the rise.“We will have cholera, we will have malaria. It’s unavoidable in this situation, so the government is opening a cholera treatment centre already,” Correria added.The BBC reports rescue efforts have been particularly difficult in Mozambique where the storm made landfall in the city of Beira on Thursday. The country's president said that Idai destroyed 90 percent of the town. As rains and flooding continue to restrict rescue efforts, officials estimate more than 15,000 citizens of Beira are awaiting rescue."They are alive, we are communicating with them, delivering food, but we need to rescue them and take them out,” said Correia.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Charity workers say the thousands of cyclone victims are stranded on rooftops and even in trees, attempting to hold out until rescuers can retrieve them. Aid workers say there are only two to three days worth of clean water left in the city, making matters more dire.Officials in Beira fear what they will find once they reach areas currently inaccessible. Leaders also aren't sure what the damage is like under submerged areas; famine relief group Oxfam reports an area of approximately 1,864 square miles is still entirely under water.Even once water issues are solved and reconstruction begins, the UN estimates 400,000 Mozambique residents will be displaced. In Malawi, it is estimated 82,000 citizens will be uprooted. Zimbabwe, which is struggling with mudslides as well as flooding, reports it has nearly 200,000 people in immediate need of food, water and shelter.However, a United Nations representative said daily advancements are helping philanthropic groups reach more displaced individuals.“Every day the water recedes we reach more people. Every day the roads open we have better access and we can deliver at more volume and that is the important thing here,” reported Sebastian Rhodes Stampa of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.The World Food Programme believes the country will need substantial assistance for three months at best.The United Nations now believes Cyclone Idai to be worse and has said the storm could soon be recognized as the most horrific natural disaster ever to hit the southern hemisphere.Original: Following the landfall of a cyclone in Mozambique, officials are fearful that the death toll may rise to over a thousand.The BBC reports Cyclone Idai landed at 177 mph near the city of Beira on Thursday before continuing toward neighboring countries Malawi and Zimbabwe. Idai brought torrential floods and extreme winds that affected all devastated areas for nearly four days straight, only recently subsiding. People have found refuge in trees, shelters, schools and among neighbors. A large dam in Beira was breached on Sunday. Water from the breach blocked the last open road into the city. Currently, the only way in or out of the area is by air, making rescue and recovery efforts incredibly difficult. First responders trapped inside said they fear that the areas outside of the city may be even more devastated than the city itself.If those areas are, that would mean they have been wiped off the map. Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi toured Beira on Monday and said the city was 90 percent destroyed, Al Jazeera reports. Nyusi told the public he saw an immense human toll, as well, including bodies floating by him as he moved around the city."Everything indicates that we could register more than 1,000 deaths," Nyusi said.Mozambique's government believe at least 1,500 people have been injured by trees, debris, buildings and other infrastructure.Destruction can be seen 200 miles away from Beira. In Malawi, 42 persons have been declared dead. The government of Zimbabwe reported 98 deceased and nearly 217 missing persons to the east and south.President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe has declared a state of disaster. His citizens are grappling with mudslides, washed out roads, crumbled homes and a lack of power and phone service. Many rural areas in Zimbabwe, such as the small towns near Mutare, have yet to be reached due to raging waters cutting off land access.The New York Times reports similar flooding has endangered lives in Malawi where the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said people “are now facing a second threat of flash floods.”The region has not been hit with such a devastating disaster since 2000 when Cyclone Eline made landfall, leaving more than 1,000 people dead.The IFRC has issued a call for aid as has the United Nations, which estimates 5.3 million people will require substantial assistance with food, water, healthcare and sanitation.Now, check these out:Former DNC Chair Donna Brazile Joins Fox News As A Political ContributorA Texas Woman Gave Birth To Six Babies In Nine MinutesCourt Rules It's Fully Legal To Tell A Cop To F**k...
A Texas officer who lost his job in 2016 for feeding dog feces to a homeless man has had his termination overturned following an appeal.Officer Matthew Luckhurst, who appealed his suspension from Oct. 28, 2016, argued his termination from the San Antonio Police Department was unlawful as it did not take place within the first 180 days after the incident, reports KSAT. Luckhurst, a bike patrol officer, initially stated that the incident occurred when he was on-duty on May 6, 2016. Luckhurst admitted to placing discarded pieces of dog feces between two bread slices in a food container. The officer then left the disguised faux meal next to a homeless man.Lockhurst said he found the bread and feces along his patrolling route with another officer. In an attempt to clear the "no trespassing" area, the patrolman said he placed it nearby a non-complying transient man.Luckurst said the unsuspecting man picked up the food container, smelled it and threw it on the ground. Following his fellow patrol officer's disapproval, the San Antonio officer then picked up the feces sandwich and disposed of it.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Despite being indefinitely suspended on Oct. 28, 2016 for the foul incident, which would have been well within the 180 days, the officer sought through his medical records and determined that his initial date was incorrect. He cited an injury that kept him from being able to bike for the month of May.Instead, Luckhurst says his records point to April 6 or June 14 for the incident, which would ultimately make his termination unlawful.An arbitrator reviewed the documents from Luckhurst as well as the investigation and overturned Luckhurst's suspension.The arbitrator also noted administrative issues with both internal affairs and San Antonio Police Sergeant Michael Riggs for their lack of attention to the case, adding that the incident should have been reviewed when it was reported in July 2016. They also stated that there could have been videotape preserved from the incident, but both parties failed to secure the footage.The lack of physical evidence made it more difficult to determine a date for the incident.Although Luckhurst was able to have this suspension overturned, it's reported that he has a second indefinite suspension awaiting appeal from June 2016. Reports claim he and another male officer are accused of intentionally defecating in the women's bike patrol office restroom, smearing brown contents over the toilet seat and leaving defecation in the stall."This has taught me to stop acting childish and making stupid baseless jokes," Dallas News reports Luckhurst wrote in a statement. "I need to stop the pranks and juvenile jokes to get arise (sic) or reaction from fellow officers and friends."Now, check these out:Daniel Caesar Is Like, Super Duper Sorry For 'Talking Down To You Guys'134 Killed After Gunmen Dressed As Hunters Ambush Predominantly Muslim Village In MaliThe Senior Citizen Rendition Of 'Twerk' Is Precisely What Your Monday...
Update (March 22, 2019): Singer Daniel Caesar apologized via Instagram Live after he found himself lecturing Black people last week. The 23-year-old Toronto native admitted he was in the wrong for “talking down” to the community, whom he affectionately refers to as "you guys."
“I expressed my opinion in a very pretentious and um, I was talking down to you guys. I apologize for how I expressed my idea. That is where I went wrong,” Caesar said. “I believe in what I said. As a man, I just need to admit when I’m wrong. I can admit when I’m wrong.”Daniel Caesar apologizes for comments he made during his IG live rant. pic.twitter.com/T8L11qq3G9— Karen Civil (@KarenCivil) March 24, 2019According to Uproxx, activist Deray Mckesson spoke with Caesar on Thursday. He said the “Best Part” singer still needs to gain an understanding of systematic racism and “has more work to do.”
“We had a frank convo about how his statements disappointed many, reinforced a set of beliefs that did not aid the work of racial equity, & highlighted opportunities to learn,” McKesson tweeted. “We were both pushed in the convo & it was good. I look forward to seeing him continue to reflect/grow.” We had a frank convo about how his statements disappointed many, reinforced a set of beliefs that did not aid the work of racial equity, & highlighted opportunities to learn. We were both pushed in the convo & it was good. I look forward to seeing him continue to reflect/grow.— deray (@deray) March 21, 2019Caesar continued his mini-speech by apologizing for the way his words “were coming off,” not for the actual statement.“Me and my friends agree with this sentiment, there was no one there to challenge my ideas. It was a very tyrannical rant,” he continued. “Me and my dogs, we agreed with our sentiment. We didn’t realize how harshly we were coming off.”As Blavity previously reported, Caesar came under fire for an Instagram live rant in which he called Black people “sensitive” in defense of known culture vulture and radio personality, YesJulz. The Miami-based host posted a photo Twitter asking users if she should rock a t-shirt emblazoned with “N****s lie a lot” across the chest.You deleted the tweet, but screenshots are forever, dumb ass. @YesJulz
pic.twitter.com/cucdwcAKhV— Auntieana (@thejournalista) May 5, 2017
"Why are we being so mean to Julz?" Caesar said. "Why are we being so mean to white people right now? It's a serious question. Why is that we're allowed to be disrespectful and rude to everybody else, and when anybody returns that energy to us. I don’t want to be treated like I can’t take a joke!"The comments rightfully caused an uproar among the Black community, including rapper Waka Flocka who called him “stupid” and said, “he shouldn’t talk about Black people.”According to the young recording artist, it hurt his ego to extend an apology.“This is hurting my ego right now – I don’t like apologizing because I feel like I’ve been doing it for so long,” Caesar added.Is this is his way of saying sorry to the Black community?If so, he definitely has a lot of growing to do. Original story: Twitter is calling for the cancellation of singer Daniel Caesar after the "Get You" crooner decided it was a great idea to diss his entire race on Instagram Live.Caesar, who was born Ashton Simmonds, went on the social media outlet while admittedly being "drunk as f**k" to discuss the recent backlash surrounding radio personality YesJulz. Yes Julz Says @ScottieBeam & @KarenCivil’s Name 😳 pic.twitter.com/atoT36Nxxa— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2Blogggg) March 11, 2019 In a recent interview, the Miami-based host, who is widely believed to be a culture vulture, distanced herself from music industry peers Karen Civil and Scottie Beam, saying her interests don't match theirs thus the controversy surrounding her hosting of the recent Rolling Loud Festival is unnecessary. Following the commentary, Twitter was quick to come to the defense of the veteran journalists and chastised Julz for coming after Black women, primarily because she has been known to make disparaging comments about them in the past.Why she ain’t talking about white folks like this? All these shady ass white ppl in our spaces and she got the nerve to come for the black ones??! It wouldn’t exist without the black folks. And they enabling her.— One Punch PUSSY (@KatHeartwell) March 11, 2019@YesJulz you don’t know why right? We don’t have valid reasons right? You gaslighting black women just as a white woman would right? pic.twitter.com/ZPkpoUQxnW— ✨ (@lookatmyora) March 11, 2019Despite Google being free, Caesar still couldn't figure out why the Black community isn't so quick to extend Julz an invitation to the cookout and let his thoughts be known to the masses, all the while admitting he was intoxicated during the taping of his "public service announcement.""Why are we being so mean to Julz?" the 23-year-old pondered on camera. "Why are we being so mean to white people right now? It's a serious question. Why is that we're allowed to be disrespectful and rude to everybody else, and when anybody returns that energy to us. I don’t want to be treated like I can’t take a joke!"After the comments poured in answering his question, Caesar instead doubled down of his defense of the white community in his commentary."White people have been mean to us in the past, yeah, but what are you going to do about it? Tell me what you’re going to do about that?" he questioned again. "There's no answer, other than creating and understanding and keeping it moving. You have to bridge that gap.""Are we winning right now as a culture?" the singer said, continuing his stream of inquiries. "Are we on top as a society? We're not. And you can't win the game by choosing to not accept the winning team's strategy. You have to acknowledge the strategy and then build a strategy on top of that." He then adds: "Being a victim doesn't get you paid."Those comments didn't sit well with the folks over on Twitter, who dragged the "Best Part" singer by his questionable blonde hair dye.To quote your song, Daniel, "Who Hurt You?"Table full of boys knowing he was drunk and not one of them snatched his phone and ended this monstrosity. You need new friends, @DanielCaesar. This is on top of all the ignorant things you said. https://t.co/fqPYSYCUSl— April (@ReignOfApril) March 20, 2019I shoulda known Daniel Caesar would cape for a white woman after he said strippers in New Orleans don't shake booty like Priscilla do.
That's a white woman name. pic.twitter.com/clNnfrhJok— 3-23-91/CM Ratchet/3-6 Mafia (@SkywalkersView) March 20, 2019Somebody tell Daniel Caesar pic.twitter.com/Et7gEst3tP— Drew Burroughs (@CoolerthanUDrew) March 20, 2019“Cancel me. Make me broke”. - Daniel Caesar
Black Twitter: pic.twitter.com/Ge88FWbQsW— DJ Heat (@DJHeatDC) March 20, 2019daniel caesar is kinda like...
those kids who were bullied by their own race so they side with the others because of trauma or whatever.— Xavier D'Leau (@XavierDLeau) March 20, 2019Daniel Caesar is morphing into Uncle Ruckus before our eyes pic.twitter.com/8ZQvNQarzq— World Wide Wavy 🌊 (@Gov_Jo_204) March 20, 2019Please stop turning your back on the same audience that championed you.— Are You Valet? (@ScottieBeam) March 20, 2019Caesar even welcomed the possibility of a cancellation."Cancel me. Make me broke...Don't listen to my next s**t if you think I'm s**t...Make me suffer for my opinion. I believe in it," he added. This incident marks the second week in a row that Caesar has found himself in the spotlight for comments made by or about him. Uproxx writes the Canadian-born artist was the punchline of a Dave Chappelle joke last week in which the comedian called Caesar "very gay."Watch the full video below.;<span class="fr-video fr-draggable" contenteditable="false"><br></span></span>
</div>
Now, check these out:Comedian Jess Hilarious Accused Of Getting Four Sikh Men On Her Flight Removed Because She Felt 'Threatened'Business Deals Are Reportedly 'Flooding' In For Jordyn Woods Following Thompson-Kardashian Drama21 Savage's Mom Thanked The Game For Checking Tomi Lahren Over Her Stupid Response To The Rapper's Previous ICE...
I’m one of the 20,000 Gates Millennium Scholars to earn a full-ride scholarship funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. However, racial and gender bias hampers the educational investment from the philanthropist couple.Growing up in a small city in southern Louisiana, it seemed impossible that I, as a Black teen, would ever attend college. No one in my immediate family actually completed their post-secondary education.And while I achieved academic excellence in my high school classroom, the financial stress of paying for college always lingered in the back of my mind. I heard the dreadful stories of student loan debt and how it becomes an unbearable weight to carry. I didn’t want to start a new chapter of my life with an economic burden.So, when I earned more than $100,000 in college scholarships, I leaped with excitement. Mr. and Mrs. Gates saw my potential to succeed, my passion to serve my community and my desire to live a better life. And I’m grateful for their generosity.With the financial assistance, I earned my bachelor’s degree with honors. I also graduated law school and passed two state bar examinations. But that’s where my success story ends.Employers didn’t recognize my talent like my scholarship providers. So, for more than eight years I struggled to secure steady employment — not just in my field, but in any industry.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.I’m not alone. While the unemployment rate sits at its lowest point in almost five decades, wage growth isn’t meeting the living expenses of the everyday American. That’s why fast-food workers are taking to the streets to fight for $15 an hour.Moreover, Black women face the harsh reality of the wage gap. A recent study reported that “Black women in the United States are paid 38 percent less than white men and 21 percent less than white women.”Despite my relentless efforts, the opportunity to use the education Mr. and Mrs. Gates paid for never presented itself. This void leaves me deeply troubled. Society continues to devalue the skills of minorities in the workplace. Race and gender differences are perceived as weaknesses, rather than team assets.I decided not to wait for the world to see my worth. Right now, I freelance to make ends meet. I retooled my marketing expertise to help businesses. In the latest Freelancing in America report, “more than one in three (35 percent) Americans freelanced in 2018.” While some people enter into freelancing as a choice, it serves as the sole income for other households.It’s been 15 years since receiving my scholarship acceptance letter. While the memory brings me great joy, I’m haunted by my inability to reach my highest potential.The Gates invested in my education, yet racial and gender bias still hinder me from breaking through the glass ceiling. Although we live in a world of Black millionaires, in 2010, the median wealth for black families was $4,900, compared to the median wealth for whites of $97,000. There’s more work to be done to create a fair playing field for underrepresented communities.It’s time for society to let me deliver the highest return on Mr. and Mrs. Gates’ investment.Academy award-winning actress Viola Davis said it best: “The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is...
“Let us therefore continue our triumphant march to the realization of the American dream. … Let us march on ballot boxes until the salient misdeeds of bloodthirsty mobs will be transformed into the calculated good deeds of orderly citizens.”— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Montgomery, Alabama, March 25, 1965When Dr. King delivered his speech to the energized masses assembled in Montgomery, Alabama – 54 years ago today – he knew the fight wasn’t over. Thousands of grassroots organizers had marched 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery to protest racist policies and violence Black people faced when exercising their right to vote. The enraged, violent opposition to their very presence made clear the need for the National Voting Rights Act (NVRA). But even as his words stirred the souls of the thousands gathered at Alabama’s capital, Dr. King knew they were far from securing justice.He was right. The fight continues. Today, the NVRA faces relentless attacks at the state level, and grassroots organizations across the country are pushing back against these disgraceful injustices to create an inclusive, fair democracy. We are inspired by the same fierce faith in every American’s right to vote that motivated thousands to march through mud and persevere through sweltering heat to Montgomery 54 years ago — and by Dr. King’s determination that one day every American citizen would have the same right to vote without fear of intimidation or violence.So the march goes on. And even if the feet of today’s activists aren’t blistered by a 54-mile march, our democracy bears the scars of decades of injustice. But Dr. King’s legacy fuels our resolve, and we need every ounce of it to fight the systematic disintegration of voting rights happening across the country — and win.After the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the NVRA in Shelby County v. Holder, state after state started putting up barriers to voting to stop people of color, people from low-income communities and other marginalized groups from accessing the ballot box.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.One of the most egregious examples was in Georgia’s 2018 election, where then-Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp put 53,000 voter registration applications “on hold” for mismatched names — a policy that disproportionally affects people of color — and incorrectly purged 340,000 voters from the rolls. After an election sullied by voter suppression on such a massive scale that even Kemp’s opposing gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams was nearly blocked from voting, Kemp is now Georgia’s governor.Just before the election, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a law in North Dakota requiring voters to bring an ID to the polls with a residential address, leaving indigenous people — who often have PO boxes rather than street addresses, which don’t qualify — scrambling to obtain proper identification. Following the elections, legislatures in Michigan, Missouri and other states are now trying to nullify pro-democracy election reforms that voters approved at the polls.The list of injustices goes on. But every day, grassroots organizers march forward in pursuit of state and local policy change to create fair and equal elections for all Americans.We see the fruits of our labor in stories like the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC), which worked to restore voting rights in the 2018 election to people with felony convictions who have served out their sentences. FRRC leader Desmond Meade faced roadblocks at every turn when trying to rebuild his life in Florida after his release from prison. When the state blocked his attempts to take the bar exam, he couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t allow him a fresh start. Within a few years, he became the leader of the FRRC and, despite a resounding chorus of naysayers, was finally told “yes” by voters at the ballot box.Across the country, grassroots organizers continue to win. In New Mexico, both houses of the legislature have passed a bill to allow same-day voter registration and expand automated voter registration to state agencies. In New York — which has some of the country’s most restrictive voting laws — bold reform is underway, with same-day registration, early voting and voting by mail all part of an ambitious legislative wish list.The work continues at places like Demos’ recent Inclusive Democracy Project meeting, where 48 people of color who are leading the march toward equal voting rights came together to share stories and strategize collaborative ways to ensure that everyone can exercise their right to vote without intimidation or fear.Like Dr. King, we know the road to justice is long and winding, and the journey arduous. But we have faith that with the tireless work of the grassroots organizers, we will one day live in an America where every election — in every corner of the country — is free and fair for...
Mommy Guilt1. The overwhelming feeling of not doing enough for your child.2. The feeling you’re abandoning your child when you want to pursue other pleasures where they aren’t the focal pointThis is my own definition of mommy guilt, but I'm sure others can relate. As mothers, we often forget who we were before motherhood. While my daughter, Zion, has been the catalyst for change in my life, I had to remember who I was while letting the old version of myself die. Childless Kierra didn’t love who she was, she wasn’t confident and she was lost. Through life and hard lessons, I learned I have to give myself self-compassion and be kinder to myself, but sometimes the truth of my power isn’t wrapped in a pretty bow.I’m still struggling with this, but now I have added mommy guilt on top of it. Parenting while coping with depression and anxiety is one of the most difficult battles I have faced, which leads to more guilt. Many days I don’t want to get out of bed, I don’t want to eat and sleeping is the only activity that feels good. But somehow, I still do what I need to for Zion. I haven’t been away from my daughter for more than a couple hours and some days I feel I have failed her in more ways than one — but she’s only 2 years old. She doesn’t see me in the way I see myself, because when I look in the mirror, I see my shortcomings and everything that I “should” be doing. When I pick her up from school and she runs up to me yelling “mommy,” I am reminded that I am doing the best I can. She runs to me and nuzzles her head into mine then curls up in my arms because she feels loved and protected.Motherhood doesn’t come with an instruction manual.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.I ultimately have to make the tough decisions on my own and not let the mommy guilt influence me. I work to surround her around strong women and provide her a solid foundation academically, spiritually and emotionally. But when it comes to realizing my own power, I allow myself to get in my own way. There are many ways you can deal with reconciling if you’re just “doing enough,” but more than likely if your heart is in the right place and you’re doing everything in your power to make sure your child has the best life possible, you’re doing just fine. The key is self-compassion, self-care, self-love, and, I will always say, therapy.Here are some ways I've found works to manage mommy guilt:1. Plan a trip.Summer 2019 I am going on a girls trip to Cuba. This will be the first trip without Zion. I know I will miss her, but some time away will be a reminder of who I am outside of motherhood.2. Find a hobby.I workout, joined volunteer organizations and am working on my passion project. Hobbies outside of work and home can provide an outlet.3. Have an activity that is only for you and your child.Zion and I have our own activities we enjoy doing, such as, taking walks, putting her in dance/art classes and wash day. Building our bond is one of the most important tasks you can do with your child.As mothers, we must honor ourselves in the midst of motherhood. Especially as a single mother, I must own my truth, which means honoring my past, learning from its lessons and not fearing what others may think, because the only voice that matters is my own and my daughter’s. Outside opinions can lead to comparison and amplify mommy guilt.Even though Zion’s a toddler, I encourage open conversation so I can better understand her needs. This is a practice I am incorporating so I can teach her that she shouldn’t be afraid to speak up, regardless of who she's speaking with. If I am not raising a happy and whole daughter, to me, that will be the ultimate form of mommy guilt. Regret and not living the best life I can stops with me so my daughter Zion can fly.Audre Lorde said it best in her 1984 book, Sister Outsider: “My silences had not protected me. Your silence will not protect you.”We must speak up and live out loud, while speaking kindly and finding compassion for...
Rapper T.I. is turning into one of those uncles who schools non-woke youngsters, and we are here for it.In a post shared on Instagram, the Atlanta hip-hop star is heard scolding a man for wearing Gucci. "Stand up for yourself, brother," T.I. said in the clip. "It's what's in you, not what's on you. That s**t ain't s**t until we put it on! We make that s**t fly! Look at me, n***a. I'm fly as a motherf**ker and I ain't got that s**t on. I look better than you, as a matter of fact." View this post on Instagram
Looks like #TI is still boycotting #Gucci. #TwoBeesToldMeA post shared by Two Bees Entertainment 🐝🐝 (@twobeesent) on Mar 21, 2019 at 1:33pm PDTEarlier last month, the 38-year-old posted a lengthy response to Gucci's racist balaclava knit turtleneck which distastefully resembled blackface. He even shared an official call-to-action which asked former customers to boycott the brand for three months."As a 7 figure/yr customer & longtime supporter of your brand I must say...Y’all got us f**ked up! Apology not accepted" he captioned his post. “We all gottta stop buying, wearing and supporting this piece of s**t company and all piece of s**t companies until they learn to respect our dollars and value our business."Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news. View this post on Instagram
@gucci As a 7 figure/yr customer & long time supporter of your brand I must say...Y’all GOT US fucked UP!!! APOLOGY NOT ACCEPTED!!!! We ain’t going for this “oops my bad I didn’t mean to be racist and disrespectful towards your people” shit!!! Y’all knew wtf y’all was doin and WE AINT GOING FOR IT!!! We ALL GOTTA Stop buying,wearing,and supporting this piece of shit company And ALL PIECE OF SHIT COMPANIES UNTIL THEY LEARN TO RESPECT OUR DOLLARS & VALUE OUR BUSINESS!!!! Our culture RUNS THIS SHIT!!! We (People of color) spend $1.25 TRILLION/year (but are the least respected and the least included)and if we stop buying ANYTHING they MUST correct any and ALL of our concerns. That’s THE ONLY WAY we can get some RESPECT PUT ON OUR NAME!!!! I Don’t Give a Fuck if I gotta wear Target brand shit.... #FuckGucciA post shared by TIP (@troubleman31) on Feb 8, 2019 at 2:50pm PSTSeveral celebrities including Waka Flocka and Russell Simmons joined the Atlanta rapper in his national boycott of Gucci and other high-end fashion brands. Prada and Moncler were added to the list for featuring racist blackface imagery, such as Prada's line of Sambo-like keychains. View this post on Instagram
Oh Prada TOO???!!!!!🤷🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️ @prada So y’all just gon TRY US like this???? Ok...Y’all gon get this WORK as well!!! #FuckPrada🖕🏽#USorELSE✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿A post shared by TIP (@troubleman31) on Feb 8, 2019 at 7:31pm PST View this post on Instagram
@moncler YOU THOUGHT YOU GOT BY ME HUH? Is y’all out y’all raggedy ass minds?!?! Pay attention people. Regardless of the apology....THIS IS WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT US!!!! They think they can disrespect US to OUR FACES literally!!!This shit is purposefully done... Don’t believe for 1 moment that shit just gets out the warehouse/factory of a fashion brand without anyone high up in rank signing off on it. I have 3 clothing lines and I can tell you personally...NO BRAND WASTES MONEY SHIPPING PRODUCT TO STORES THAT THEY DONT PLAN TO SELL!!!! So FUCK @moncler & whoever got it on!!!! #USorELSE✊🏻✊🏼✊🏾✊🏽✊🏿A post shared by TIP (@troubleman31) on Feb 9, 2019 at 8:01am PSTAs Blavity previously reported, T.I. also dropped a diss record titled "F**k N***a," calling out boxing champion Floyd Mayweather for openly supporting the brand. Mayweather told TMZ he did not care about the boycott and would not stop shopping at Gucci. Wow.Keep schoolin' them uncle TIP. Now, check these out:Burberry Attempted To Make A Noose Fashion At London Fashion Week And Is Now 'So Deeply Sorry'Prada Promises To Stop Selling 'Sambo-Like' Figure After Being Accused Of Racism7 Times Black Folks Were Disrespected By Fashion...
The Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity expelled four members of the University of Georgia (UGA) chapter following the release of a racist video mocking enslaved people.According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), the four students were caught on video during an event not associated with the frat. In the now-viral video, a white frat member can be seen playfully beating another student with a belt. Two others — one holding the camera and another student heard egging on the incident — are laughing as the ridiculous scene took place. The student armed with a belt continually demands the other underneath a blanket to “pick my cotton.” Then, the student subjected to the fake beating retorts saying he isn't Black. One of the other two can be heard urging the belt welder use the N-word, which he hesitantly obliges.Y’all this is a video at UGA of fraternity members from TKE mocking slavery! A UGA student spoke up about this and they didn’t take her serious. They will not get away with this and ignore the issue! #ExposeUGA— Nova💫 (@sukari_xo) March 22, 2019 We can not let them push this under the rug! pic.twitter.com/11WuKksiyT— Nova💫 (@sukari_xo) March 22, 2019A spokesperson from the national headquarters of TKE fraternity has distanced themselves from the video. NBC News reports the organization was made aware of the controversial clip Friday.“TKE will not tolerate any actions such as these that would be defined as racist, discriminatory and/or offensive,” Tau Kappa Epsilon tweeted in a statement. "These four individuals acted outside the expectations of our membership and their chapter and therefore were removed from both."Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Students reportedly had trouble urging university officials to take appropriate action. But following the social media backlash and the increasing popularity of the #ExposeUGA hashtag, the UGA student government took action against the frat. The screenshots of a student's interaction with officials circulated along with the video.This is the conversation of my friend and the UGA student who spoke up about it pic.twitter.com/3cpPiN0BS8— Nova💫 (@sukari_xo) March 22, 2019The TKE chapter was suspended Friday evening, the AJC reports. “The executive officers of the Student Government Association are aware of a video circulating on social media that depicts individuals identified as members of a UGA Greek organization using racist language and engaging in behaviors that mock the suffering of enslaved peoples,” the student government letter read. “We have been notified that the chapter is currently suspended, and we can confirm that there is an investigation underway regarding the students involved in the video.”pic.twitter.com/BaHsKLWF7X— Nova💫 (@sukari_xo) March 23, 2019While the four were suspended for their roles in the video, the TKE spokesperson stated temporary suspension is standard procedure when an investigation is underway.Now, check these out: Almost Half Of White America Believes Diversity And A Non-White Majority Would Weaken American Customs Dr. Bernice King Blasts A Fox News Becky Who Suggested White Americans Should Get 'Credit' For Ending Slavery Dr. Dre Proudly Boasts About Daughter's Acceptance Into USC, Pokes Fun At The Admissions...
Twerking is not just for y'all, OK?A choreographer teamed up with rap duo City Girls to give senior citizens a workout they would never forget. On the heels of the popular bop "Twerk," women of all ages are embracing their bodies on their terms without the opinions of others. Twerking is more than a dance; it is an act of resistance against the patriarchy and a very great way to shed some pounds. Choreographer Radha Ruiz went to a senior citizen dance class in February to teach the fundamentals of twerking. The group of dancers was anticipating a "normal" class, but what they got was a surprising experience they seemed to embrace fully. View this post on Instagram
🍑👵🏽👀Have u seen the #twerk video? Senior Citizen Edition on YouTube? @citygirls @thegirljt @yungmiami305 @iamcardib. Huge shout out to @frankifloro for the plug and @thekk23 for bringing me on!A post shared by Radha Ruiz (@raww.duh) on Mar 22, 2019 at 6:29pm PDTRuiz has made a name for herself as a self-described dance enthusiast. She is also a professional yogi and founder of Liberation Yoga. Not only is she a fan of the City Girls, but Ruiz was also featured in the music video.In the senior citizen version of the video, women had to adjust to the elaborate moves and intricate dance sequences, but it did not stop them from having a good time. Take a look below at how these seasoned dancers fared:Now, check these out: Naturally, Cardi B 's Response To The Controversy Over Trademarking 'Okurrr' Turned Into An Entire Motivational SpeechWoman Discovers She's White After 70 Years Of Thinking She's A Light Skinned Black WomanTamera Mowry Shared An Innocent Story About Crushing On Jay-Z And The BeyHive Lit Her Up ...
Jazell Barbie Royale is wearing her crown with pride as the first Black American trans woman to hold the coveted title of "Miss International Queen." Per the South China Post, the 31-year-old competed in the transgender beauty pageant held in Thailand on Friday.Royale competed against 19 other women from various countries including Brazil and Peru. The Florida native took home the Best Talent award on top of her prestigious win.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.In an interview with Travel News Asia, the Florida native admitted how hard it was for her to decide to compete in the international pageant. “It was hard coming here to Thailand to compete for this pageant because there is no one else in the past that has won that looks like me,” Royale said. “There was no one in the pageant this year that looks like me, or even close. So that was kind of hard and sometimes I’ve had my doubts, my feelings like am I wasting my time? Will I be treated equally? Will I even be considered to be the winner?”Royale hopes to open a dialogue about trans people, from allies to those "that don’t like us or don’t understand us." “I want them to see that we’re beautiful, we’re educated, we’re talented, and we can maneuver in society just like anyone else,” she continued.During the competition, Royale urged against President Trump running for a second term. As Blavity previously reported, Trump's administration proposed an initiative last October which would redefine gender solely based on a person’s genitals. The plan would eliminate protection for over 1.4 million transgender people in the U.S.Last year, Thailand hosted the Miss Universe pageant, which included its first trans contestant. Royale, an HIV activist and community leader, would like to use her new platform to educate people about HIV testing, medical care and safe sex.Continue making waves, Royale.Now, check these out:A Black Trans Woman Will Be Taking Over Ayanna Pressley’s Seat On Boston City Council As She Heads To U.S. CongressThe Trump Administration Is Thinking About Slashing More Civil Rights RulesÉrica Malunguinho Makes History As First Transgender Woman Elected To Brazil's State...
Police have apprehended a man captured on video repeatedly kicking an elderly woman on a New York subway.The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Yonkers resident Marc Gomez, was arrested Saturday, reports The New York Times.Video from the March 10 assault showed Gomez kicking the homeless 78-year-old woman in the abdomen several times and in the face. Onlookers took out their cellphones to record the incident.“WorldStar that, my n***a,” the assailant said before exiting the train. According to the New York Daily News, one of the bystanders reportedly called authorities.Footage of the violent incident circulated on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, igniting a citywide search for the suspect. Gomez was finally captured after a slew of tips flooded the police tip line. The Daily News reports an unidentified person connected to Gomez told police where he was located. He’s crazy that’s somebody grandmother. Rt and find this asshole pic.twitter.com/p7rkNtMrUo— Rello. (@BKLYNRELL1) March 21, 2019Gomez was found in Manhattan and apprehended around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Police launched an investigation into the incident, but there has yet to be any indication what motivated the attack.“She was homeless and lying across the seat and wanted all other passengers to move,” Gomez’s court-appointed lawyer claimed. During Sunday's arraignment, the 36-year-old said she threatened him with a sharp object. But neither of these claims were confirmed by authorities. The victim, who was a retired kindergarten teacher, received medical attention when she got off at her stop. An EMS crew was waiting for her, police said. She was reportedly treated for cuts and bruises in the face. “The subject wanted for the brutal subway attack of an elderly woman IS IN CUSTODY,” New York Police Department Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea wrote in a statement via Twitter. “The victim was treated & released from the hospital & is getting the care, advocacy & support needed. Thank you to the worldwide community for the tremendous assistance.”According to the New York Post, Gomez has been charged with second-degree assault. He is held in lieu of a $30,000 bond due to other charges including a misdemeanor conviction and an open gun possession.Now, check these out: Oregon White Supremacist Who Ran Down Black Teenager With Jeep Found Guilty Of MurderDetroit Pastor Accused Of Killing Trans Woman Kelly Stough Was Allegedly 'Intimidating' Toward Sex Workers He HiredMan Charged With Assault For Brutally Beating Black Woman Over A Traffic Dispute...
