Congresswoman-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is promising to put her money where her mouth is when she settles in her new role as representative to New York's 14th district next month.Using her favorite social media platform of Twitter to deliver the good news, the future New York representative said that unlike other members of Congress who misinterpret intern help as free labor, she is vowing to pay her interns for their services. Time to walk the walk.
Very few members of Congress actually pay their interns. We will be one of them. https://t.co/BuKCDSai0K— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) December 5, 2018"Very few members of Congress actually pay their interns. We will be one of them," her tweet read.She then called out her colleagues on the opposition regarding their stance on masking "fiscal responsibility" by employing an underpaid staff.It is unjust for Congress to budget a living wage for ourselves, yet rely on unpaid interns & underpaid overworked staff just bc Republicans want to make a statement about “fiscal responsibility.”
If that’s the case, they can cut down on staff to pay them well. Or raise the MRA.— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) December 3, 2018The next day, Ocasio-Cortez's chief of staff, Saikat Chakrabarti, confirmed to the Washington Post that the incoming representative would pay her interns "at least" $15 per hour. In a celebrated move, Ocasio-Cortez was very transparent to her nearly two million Twitter followers, revealing the amount congressmen are given for operations needs, explaining what the funds are supposed to cover. Each member of Congress gets around $1.2 million (give or take a bit) for their entire operating budget. That’s supposed to cover all salaries (DC and district), rents for district offices, travel home, tech devices, services, contracts, etc.
Members decide how it’s all spent. https://t.co/TUbN72m01x— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) December 5, 2018"That’s supposed to cover all salaries (DC and district), rents for district offices, travel home, tech devices, services, contracts, etc," her tweet read.Pay Our Interns, a website aimed at discussing the disparity between a substantial congressional budget and the lack of funding for staff, released that a 2017 report, detailing that "just 51 percent of Republicans and 31 percent of Democrats in the Senate pay their interns." As for the House, only 8 percent of Republicans and 3.6 percent of Democrats provide a paid internship experience. This revelation was first reported on by The Cut.In a tweet on Monday, Pay Our Interns also called out long-time Senator Chuck Schemer (D-NY) for posting a job description looking for an "unpaid intern."1. @SenSchumer came to Congress in 1969, as a *drum roll* PAID INTERN ($1,800/mth). source: https://t.co/WfLwJb63UH
2. As a the minority leader he has always had the funds to pay his interns. 3. He's receiving $65,000 to pay his interns for 2019. #cutmycheck
#payourinterns
pic.twitter.com/1VpbiqWHD5— Pay Our Interns (@payourinterns) December 3, 2018 After considerable backlash, a spokesman for the senator spoke with Rolling Stone and said the ad was published "in error," and when the 116th Congress assumes office on January 3, 2019, they will be paying their interns.Blavity fam, if you would like to be a part of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's team, there are plenty of open positions for your consideration. Positions are based in both the Bronx, New York and Washington, D.C. If you find a posting you fit the qualifications for, you can apply here. Best of luck!Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.Liking this content? Check these out:Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Says Combating Climate Change Will Be 'The Civil Rights Movement Of Our Generation'3 Reasons Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Influence On Young POC Has The Opposition Quaking'Black Panther' Stars Surprise Inglewood Teen With Scholarship In Quest To Make The World 'More Like...
Congresswoman-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has not only shaken up the United States Democratic Party, but also the narrative around how the boomer generation communicates and works in the era of millennials. From the moment the nation was introduced to the energetic, bold candidate in June, it was clear her impact was meant to extend far beyond her home state of New York. At 29 years of age, her midterm election win means, when she is officially sworn in as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on January 3, 2019, she will be the youngest woman ever to serve in the United States Congress.From bartender to congresswoman in less than a year, her come-up is nothing short of extraordinary. Throughout her campaign, the Bronx native has been met with a fury of criticism from the opposition. Whether the conversation focuses on her wardrobe or her lack of experience, each of Ocasio-Cortez's expertly worded clapbacks only strengthened her mental toughness, which is a character trait any freshman representative should possess.Even better, her growing legacy is something to be admired for young people of color who are serious about pursuing a role in the political arena. Though historically it’s been implied that the role of lawmakers is reserved for old, white men, Ocasio-Cortez absolutely does not shy away from unsettling those who have become comfortable with that perception. She has yet to officially vote on a single issue in Congress, but here are three reasons why Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is undoubtedly the vibrant, intelligent leader young people of color didn't know we needed.1. Ocasio-Cortez Quotes Cardi B, Proving That Real Recognizes RealWhile plenty of Bronx natives have found fame in their craft, no other name readily comes to mind quicker than Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, aka Cardi B. In the span of three years, the former stripper has released a platinum-selling debut album, welcomed a baby girl, and has found a forever home on the Billboard charts.Between Cardi and Ocasio-Cortez, it's impossible to declare who is living out their dreams the most. Nonetheless, the incoming representative paid homage to the "Money" rapper by tweeting lyrics from Cardi's "Best Life" song, featuring Chance the Rapper. I never had a problem showin' y'all the real me/ Hair when it's messed up, crib when it's filthy/ Way-before-the-deal me, work-to-pay-the-bills me/ 'Fore I fixed my teeth, man, those comments used to kill me/ But never did I change, never been ashamed/— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 20, 2018First of all, we stan a relatable lawmaker.That didn't sit too well with some members of the Twitter world, as many felt the need to instruct Ocasio-Cortez on how she should run her own Twitter account.Perhaps tweeting rap (from others) is your thing. I suggest you leave the public service to qualified persons (perhaps adults with their brain fully matured). Come back when you have learned a thing or two. We all believe in second chances.— Yana Nar (@MeNJulioDownby) November 21, 20182. The Future Rep Knows How to Leverage Instagram (and Her Strategy Doesn't Include Selling Teas and Bundles)One remarkable note about Ocasio-Cortez is that she built her entire campaign from grassroots influence, meaning that she relied on authentic interaction to drive her base. According to a report from Gothamist, Ocasio-Cortez “held more than 280 campaign events in addition to debates and town hall meetings” all around New York's 14th district — which she will now go on to represent. Successful due to the support of over 1,000 volunteers at her side, one team member described how Ocasio-Cortez's relationship with the public will help alter and influence the personal connection between an elected official and their voters."This massive volunteer effort lays the groundwork for a new kind of relationship between an elected representative and [their] constituency — one founded not on favor trading and machine politics, but instead on movement building and radical power sharing," Gabe Tobias, a field team leader for the Ocasio-Cortez camp, told Gothamist reporters.It appears as though the future rep fully intends on keeping that same energy while in office, and she has already taken creative measures to connect with a broader base. Recently on her Instagram Live, Ocasio-Cortez documented herself making black bean soup. In the kitchen of her own apartment, she simultaneously cooked herself a meal while encouraging reportedly 5K viewers to ask her any questions about the democratic process. What's refreshing about this approach is how it offers the ability to learn alongside Ocasio-Cortez.Unless it directly benefits them, millennials might not be particularly concerned with the idiosyncrasies of Congress. For Ocasio-Cortez, her brand is modeled around lending a full-time voice to people of color who Congress often ignores when they aren't pining for their votes. Those individuals who are regularly treated as a prop in a campaign ad are the same ones who the congresswoman-to-be fully intends on empowering so that they do not become even more of a silent minority.Because they seem to have to find a problem with everything, this approach has angered some conservatives. Outside of calling her aloof and unfit for the impending responsibilities of a lawmaker, they never miss a beat, when it comes to shaming Ocasio-Cortez for every minuscule thing she does. Funnily enough, the same cowards dragging her for seemingly living her life will never attract even half the likability or popularity Ocasio-Cortez has eclipsed this year alone.3. Living Ain't Cheap, and Ocasio-Cortez's Honesty Resonates With the Very Crowd the System Tends to NeglectAs I'm sure Ocasio-Cortez can relate: Pay day is like a mini Christmas that occurs every other week. After rent, bills and other necessary expenses, millennials are left slowly counting down to the next pay day, and the one after that. Ocasio-Cortez was brutally honest with how expensive it could be to live in Washington, D.C. According to reports from Curbed, the median rent in D.C. is about $2,700.CNBC recently tried her when it wrote about how Ocasio-Cortez had less than $7,000 in savings to her name. While breaking down her campaign assets, the financial site also income-shamed her in the same feature. This naturally invigorated the Twittersphere, with folks immediately rallying around Ocasio-Cortez's defense..@CNBC 21 Millennials have answered this so far and not one of us has $7k in savings. Stop focusing on @Ocasio2018’s finances and focus on the change she’s causing. Thanks.— C. Donovan Copeland (@cxcope) November 20, 2018CNBC gave air time to two people who complained that @Ocasio2018 didn't have a year's salary or "anywhere between $8,750 and $30,000" in savings — all while ignoring the fact those unrealistic/unattainable numbers are why millennials are entering politics in the first place.— Kat Bee (@katbeee) November 21, 2018Unfortunately, the absence of savings is a sad reality for many millennials of color. According to an article by Inc., "A 2014 survey conducted by Prudential found that, when compared to the general population, Hispanics typically have less access to workplace-based retirement plans (72 percent versus 83 percent)." Not only did the survey reveal that Hispanics had a very poor of wealth management, but 67 percent of those surveyed also said they financially back someone else — minor or adult children, grandchildren and so on — with 42 percent of non-American Hispanics sending money to family in their home country.For Black millennials, the numbers don't fare any better. Fast Company
revealed that while in 2013 Black Americans had a spending power of $1.2 trillion, those same households only held a median of $11,000 in assets.No matter how the opposition will attempt to justify this income gap, Ocasio-Cortez's forthcoming actions will quickly remind them that unlike how they choose to define representation, she actually exemplifies someone with the intentions to create a better future for people her age.The orders Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez faces are nothing short of tall. However, there is a spirit about her that's been sorely absent in the United States Congress, and the issues she chooses to tackle in her freshman term will undeniably be the blueprint for any future representative looking to develop a similar level of clout with marginalized audiences.Make sure you're following Blavity:Politics on Instagram and join our daily newsletter to stay engaged and informed.Liking this content? Now, check these out: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Destroys Fox News Anchors Mocking Her Living SituationNew York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries Becomes New Chairman Of The Democratic CongressAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez Tells GOP Senator He Needs To Pay A Visit To D.C.'s African American Museum...
A Black woman was brutally beaten and stabbed by a white man yelling racist remarks.Ann Marie Washington, 57, was hospitalized Sunday after undergoing surgery for a collapsed lung due to the attack, according to NBC4 New York.Witnesses say the assault occurred as Washington stepped off the Church Avenue stop in Brooklyn on Friday evening. The assailant, a white man, reportedly punched her in the mouth and stabbed her in the chest while calling her a "Black b***h," bystanders report. Washington, a mother of two, is a native of Trinidad. Following the assault, the attacker vanished on the Q train, according to the police. The white man, who appeared to be in his early 30s, stands at about 5 feet, 3 inches tall and seemed to have been wearing gray and black sweatpants and a black hooded sweatshirt. The police were hesitant to initially label the attack a hate crime, which angered neighborhood residents who addressed the media in a news conference Sunday."If this [were] a white resident, a new gentrifier to this neighborhood, there would be swarms of cops here," remarked Imani Henry of Equality for Flatbush. "But when it is a Black person who is attacked by a white racist, there isn't anything."The New York Police Department said its Hate Crimes Taskforce would further investigate. At the time of the ambush, police said they did not have all the details to identify a motive. Witnesses say Washington didn't realize she had been stabbed until she returned home. Even then, she figured she had been scratched in the chest until she woke up the following morning, recalls bystander Kezia Bernard-Nau.“Her daughter found her and was like we need to take you to hospital, like what is going on? They rushed her to the hospital, and that’s when she found out that she was indeed really hurt and her lung collapsed because of it,” Bernard-Nau said according to CBS New York.Eyewitnesses say a video of the ambush was filmed, and there should be surveillance video of the suspect. However, police have not yet released anything. Now, check these out:Man Arrested For Sending Dozens Of 'Terroristic' Death Threats To Don LemonBlack Drake University Student Receives Racist Threat, Demanding Them To Leave Or ElseWhite Residents Trying To Form New Town Near Atlanta Say They Aren't Racist, They Just Want A Cheesecake...
While voters across several states were left feeling defeated by Tuesday's election results, New York made history by electing the first Black person and first woman of color into one of its state offices. With more than 81 percent of precincts reporting voting results just after midnight Wednesday morning, Letitia "Tish" James bested Republican opponent Keith Wofford by a staggering 59.7—34.3 margin. Long before cruising to history on Tuesday, the Brooklyn native had already reached a monumental accomplishment by becoming the first Black woman elected to a citywide office in 2003. The seat became vacant after former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman resigned earlier this year following four women accusing him of sexual assault.James, 60, spoke with Ebony late last month about her decision to run for one of the state's highest offices."I had set my eyes on running for mayor in 2021. That was the plan, but then things changed," she said. "As I traveled and spoke to individuals throughout the city, including my neighbors, [there] was just this fierce urgency of now, particularly since my immigrant neighbors were under attack, hiding in the shadows of government. The voices of a number of my former law professors who talked about civil rights and the training we received at Howard University were cemented in my mind."In her acceptance speech on Tuesday night, James vowed to probe into President Donald Trump's real estate sales, holding him accountable for any malpractice. "New Yorkers, we can spot a con man," James said to an enthusiastic crowd in Brooklyn. "We can spot a carnival barker. I will shine a light into every dark corner of his real estate dealings and every dealing."James' historic win is yet another accomplishment to add in the ever-growing encyclopedia of #BlackGirlMagic. Congratulations, Attorney General James!Now, check these out:Ayanna Pressley Becomes The First Black Woman From Massachusetts Elected To U.S. CongressRepublicans To Retain Control Of Senate As Democrats Projected To Gain Power Of The HouseBen Jealous And Andrew Gillum Lose Gubernatorial Races And Other Election Night...
A New York man is jobless and apologetic after a video of him berating a Black Lyft driver went viral.It all started when Robert Ortiz got upset because driver Shaun Lettman wouldn’t change the music. Ortiz went on a 16-minute tirade filled with threats, racial slurs and even a 911 call.
“Tell me why I'm in a Lyft and the n****r pulled over. The n****r's recording me,” he said to a friend over the phone.Ortiz also said he is “a legal citizen that voted for Trump” and expressed disdain for the Black Lives Matter movement.“All that Black Lives Matter is bulls**t. I bet you if I was Black — and Black Lives Matter he would have put the music on. F**k Black Lives Matter — every life matters … all I asked for was music,” he shouted.He also accused Lettman of profiling him because he’s gay and Puerto Rican. The driver sat silent for the tirade with the exception of his reminder to Ortiz that a sign in his vehicle states his rides are recorded on video camera."It's either, I'm going to endure 16-minutes plus of this assault, and I can suck it up and go home, or I can respond the way he wanted me to, and I'll probably be in jail for two to three years for assault,” Lettman said to PIX11.Lettman’s Lyft driver account was suspended for two days while the company investigated, resulting in lost wages. He started a GoFundMe campaign to help with his bills. The page has received over $45K in donations, more than double its $20K goal.Lettman posted the video online on October 2, and it went viral. Ortiz was fired from his job at CityMD, an urgent care company.“CityMD exists to build healthier and kinder communities. This behavior does not represent the values of our team or the values we hold dear,” the company wrote on Facebook.“This individual is no longer affiliated with CityMD.”He was also banned from Lyft for life. He told PIX11 he regrets his behavior.“At the end of the day, my actions were unjustifiable. There's nothing I can say behind that to say, 'but this.' No. I was drinking. A lot of the stuff I said, I didn't even remember until the next day,” he said.Ortiz claims he isn’t racist because he “grew up in the projects” and still believes Lettman is the bigot."I'm Puerto Rican," said Ortiz. "I'm from the Bronx. I'm gay. Like, we know discrimination. You just smell it in the air. You know when someone is uncomfortable around you."Lettman doesn’t have any hard feelings toward Ortiz."Even though I should be the victim in this situation, I didn't find it very amusing that he lost his job," he said.Now, check these out:GOP Candidate For Minnesota's U.S. Senate Seat Once Made A Racist Comment About Michelle ObamaMissouri Woman Who Tried Blocking Black Man From Entering His Apartment Gets Blocked From Her JobAfter Apologizing For Falsely Accusing 9-Year-Old Of Groping Her, Teresa Klein Says She's Pressing Charges Against His...
A court has overturned the conviction of a Jewish man who was sentenced to four years for his role in the group beating of a gay black man.Mayer Herskovic was sentenced in September 2016 after Taj Patterson identified him as the man who stuck a thumb in his eye and blinded him during the beating, according to the New York Post. Patterson claimed he was jumped and beaten by an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood watch group because he was falsely accused of vandalizing cars in a Brooklyn neighborhood.An appellate court threw out the conviction due to Patterson’s “inability to positively identify any of his attackers, the varying accounts regarding the incident and the DNA evidence, which was less than convincing.”“Notably, the complainant and others who testified at trial gave conflicting accounts of the assault,” the jurists continued. “Among other things, the complainant testified that the person who pulled off his sneaker was the same person who shoved a thumb into his eye. He referred to this person as the ‘ringleader’ and one of the men who initially chased him. However, he also testified that the person he identified as the ringleader was not the defendant.”Herskovic was the only member of the group to take his case to trial. Two men took a plea deal that resulted in no jail time, and charges were dropped against two others.Donna Aldea, Herskovic’s lawyer, released a statement praising the decision.“Mayer is overjoyed,” Aldea, said. “The decision means that, for all intents and purposes, he is innocent.”The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office said they “respect the court’s decision.”Patterson said he needs “time to process” and refused to give any additional comments to The Post. His lawyer, Andrew Stoll, filed a lawsuit against the city for showing favoritism toward the group. It is still pending.“Our civil suit continues against the city for the ‘get out of jail free’ cards it hands out to the ultra-Orthodox communities in Brooklyn,” Stoll told The New York Times.Now, check these out:Samira Wiley Reveals She Was Accidentally Outed By A Fellow 'OINTB' Cast Member: 'I Cried A Lot'Twin Sisters Become Twin Brothers After Undergoing Transition TogetherHere Are The Sociopolitical Issues Young Americans Care Most...
Scientists have identified the mysterious woman whose 150-year-old corpse was discovered in a metal coffin in New York City by construction workers in 2011.Archaeologists believe the woman is Martha Peterson, a free black woman who worked as a domestic assistant for a white abolitionist, reports The New York Post.Peterson's body was discovered when construction workers were excavating the grounds of an old church and hit what they thought was a pipe. It was an air-tight iron coffin and when a backhoe rose from the ground, its claws were clutching a corpse. The woman wore a white gown, a nightcap and knee-high socks.Peterson’s body was so well-preserved, forensic archaeologist Scott Warnasch thought she had only been dead for a week.“It was recorded as a crime scene,” Warnasch recalled. “A buried body on an abandoned lot sounds pretty straightforward.”Upon further examination, Warnasch discovered pieces of the coffin that led him on a journey to tell Peterson’s story.“I came across metal fragments that are pretty distinctive,” said Warnasch. “Right away, I knew what they were.”Samples recovered from her body provided other details about her life. According to chemicals pulled from her teeth, Peterson had been in the Northeast for at least a few years.Data from her hair told researchers she ate a balanced diet, while her facial structure placed her between 25- and 35-years-old. Peterson’s body was covered with lesions caused by smallpox. Warnasch believes the disease traveled to her brain and killed her. Initially, he was worried the virus could still be active, but it was determined to be dormant. “The body was so well preserved that I would not have been shocked if the smallpox virus had survived,” he said.Warnasch pulled census records from the 1850s and used them to narrow the search down.“It was the first to list everyone in the population by name, age, sex and race. Only 33 individuals fit her criteria,” he said.“She would have been 26 in 1850, probably died around 1851 and lived in the household of William Raymond, a partner in the iron-coffin maker Fisk & Raymond.”The scientist determined she had been buried in an coffin deemed worthless by her employer because of an upside down patent mark. This curve led Warnasch to believe she worked as a domestic helper.Since Peterson’s skull had been damaged by the backhoe, Warnasch asked forensic-imaging specialist Joe Mullins to help him figure out what she might have looked like.“The skull tells where the eyes are. The width of the nose comes from the shape of the nasal aperture; lip thickness is based on teeth enamel,” Mullins said. “I used the skull to tell me the height and angle of her ears.”He gave her a milk chocolate complexion and there she was, staring back at him.Secret identity of 150-year-old body found in NYC revealed https://t.co/emkYrYM1La
pic.twitter.com/NNfumS6AtK— New York Post (@nypost) September 29, 2018“I saw this woman come to life on the screen,” he said. “Putting a face to history is remarkable.”A local AME church gave Peterson a formal burial the year her body was uncovered, and one of its congregants summed it up perfectly.“She looks like family,” they said.Now, check these out:Here’s How I Think HBCU Alumni And The Institutions Themselves Can Better Financially Help Potential Students'March For Black Women' Brings Out Hundreds Of Activists To Remind The World That Black Women MatterThis County In Georgia Swears In Its First Elected Black...
Letitia James became the latest black politician making history as she scored the Democratic nomination for New York attorney general on Thursday. The 2018 primaries have been filled with black politicians across the nation fighting to become the change they want to see in the world, and James' win puts her one step closer. The Brooklyn native secured 38.6 percent of the votes in her four-way race for the nomination. With her solid win, she joins fellow black primary winners like Andrew Gillum and Ayanna Pressley in making historic moves. The New York City public advocate has already become the first black woman elected to citywide office in New York as well as the first black woman to win a major party statewide nomination. If she wins the attorney general seat, James will not only become the first black woman attorney general in New York state, she would also become the first elected woman ever to hold the position. View this post on Instagram
Black Girls Vote would like to congratulate @tishjames2018, current NYC Public Advocate, for her win last night for the Democratic nomination for NY Attorney General!! If elected in November, James will become the first African-American woman to hold statewide office in New York. #BlackGirlsVote #SheWillVote #Election2018 #NYPrimary #NYVotes #EmpireStateA post shared by Black Girls Vote, Inc. (@blackgirlsvote) on Sep 14, 2018 at 4:09am PDTThe 59-year-old has also made it clear that one of her main focuses will be Donald Trump. "To be honest with you, this campaign was never about me or any of the other candidates who ran; it was about the people, but, most importantly, about that man in the White House, who can’t go a day without threatening our fundamental rights, can't go a day without threatening the rights of immigrants, can't go a day without dividing us," James addressed the crowd during her victory speech.The politically progressive politician also vowed to target the National Rifle Association and state corruption, according to the New York Daily News. She also made headlines in 2017 for her campaign to memorialize Kalief Browder by naming Rikers Island after the late Bronx native who became a casualty of the warped criminal justice system in 2015. “I can’t wait to wake up each and every day, go to the office, sue somebody and then go home,” James said.Interestingly enough, black history was made on the Republican side of the race, as well. James' opponent is New York City attorney Keith Wofford, the first black person to receive the GOP nomination for attorney general. He ran unopposed. As the two prepare to face off in November, James' makes one thing clear — win or lose, she's remaining true to her value system.
“Nothing’s going to change about Tish,” she said. “I’m still just a girl from Brooklyn.”Now, check these out:Every Generation Is Defined By A Struggle: Why You Must Be At The Polls On November 6London Breed Is Elected As San Francisco's First Black Female Mayor9 Inspiring Black Politicians To Watch For In...
Authorities are investigating the mysterious appearance of three crack pipe vending machines that popped up in New York.Three blue and white machines seemingly homemade vending machines appeared across Coram, New York over the weekend. The machines were cemented to the ground and claimed to be full of pens. However, if someone inserted $2 in quarters, they'd receive a glass tube and filter perfect for build a crack pipe, according to PIX11.Residents complained about the boxes’ presence; one was even destroyed by an unidentified person wielding a sledgehammer. By Monday, all three known machines were in police custody.City officials held a press conference the same day to discuss the mysterious dispensers, reports CNN."It is not illegal to sell the pens and it is not illegal to sell a pipe, but they are considered drug paraphernalia, and they were being dispensed from a machine that was installed illegally per town code,” said Councilman Michael Loguercio.Communications director Jack Krieger revealed the machines were actually repurposed tampon dispensers.Town supervisor Ed Romaine said the city is working with Suffolk County police to catch the culprits and “prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”Whitney tried to tell us. Now, check these out: Mac Miller's Reflection On Drug Use And Overdosing In This 2016 Documentary Clip Is Heartbreakingly HauntingWhen You’re In A Relationship With An Addict, Here’s Why Jekyll Doesn’t HideWhy I Think Sex, Drugs And Rainbow Dreads, Leave No Room For Love In...
Won’t Black Girl Magic do it? Miss New York 2018 Nia Imani Franklin stole the show at Sunday’s Miss America 2019 pageant and became the 92nd woman to take the title. Along with the coveted crown, Franklin is also the recipient of a $50,000 scholarship. Franklin, who hails from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, wowed judges with her opera performance. Holding a master's degree in music composition from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, she moved to New York after being accepted into the Kenan Fellow program at Lincoln Center Education in Manhattan. Franklin credits music with aiding her in learning and loving herself as a black woman. "I grew up at a predominately Caucasian school, and there was only five percent minority, and I felt out of place so much because of the color of my skin," Franklin said. "But growing up, I found my love of arts, and through music that helped me to feel positive about myself and about who I was." View this post on Instagram
Me walking down the red carpet when I get my first Grammy nomination... DREAM BIG ⭐️ Tonight, one of my dreams came true. Walking in a gown on the Miss America stage was the most amazing feeling. I shared my passion for the arts and how I will continue my work of advocating for the arts, so that every child in our country can have access to a well-rounded education. 🎨🎺🎭#advocatingforthearts Gown: @jovanifashions Gown Sponsor: @cocoschateauA post shared by Miss New York (@missamericany) on Sep 7, 2018 at 9:41pm PDTThe night's judges included Laila Ali, Bobby Bones, Randy Jackson, Jessie James Decker, Soledad O'Brien, Alli Webb and Carnie Wilson. First runner-up Miss Connecticut, Bridget Mary Oei, won $25,000, and second runner-up, Miss Louisiana, Holli’ Conway won $20,000 in scholarships.Franklin plans to use her Miss America platform to advocate for the arts. The 23-year-old's reign comes as the Miss America organization rolled out its Miss America 2.0 campaign — a competition focused less on the outer appearance of the contestants. The rebranding even comes with the controversial removal of the swimsuit competition."It’s a new era, and Miss America is evolving," the Miss America website reads. "The new competition reflects a greater inclusiveness, giving more women the opportunity to earn scholarships and compete for the job of Miss America, to make a difference in their communities, states and beyond. But what will never change? A great history of empowering women and the extraordinary group of smart, talented individuals vying for the job."With a new goal of "leaping into the future" and being "in step with the past," Miss America 2018 Cara Mund can be credited for her contribution to the change when she revealed through an open letter that she had been "silenced" throughout her reign. "Our chair and CEO have systematically silenced me, reduced me, marginalized me, and essentially erased me in my role as Miss America in subtle and not-so-subtle ways on a daily basis," Mund's letter read, according to CNN. "After a while, the patterns have clearly emerged, and the sheer accumulation of the disrespect, passive-aggressive behavior, belittlement and outright exclusion has taken a serious toll."Mund crowned Franklin on Sunday night."It took a lot of perseverance to get here," Franklin said of her win. "I want to thank my beautiful family, my mom and my dad, who is a survivor of cancer."Congrats Nia, your Black Girl Magic is shining!Liking this content? Check these out: Somali-American Teen Makes History As First Woman To Compete In Miss Minnesota Pageant Wearing A Hijab And BurkiniNewest Miss Black America Says She Entered The Competition As Research For Her Ph.D. Dissertation16-Year-Old Sydni Dion Bennett Becomes First African-American To Win Miss Illinois Teen...
Since snatching the Democratic primary win in New York's 14th congressional district, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been in the spotlight. Given her classic underdog victory as a first-time candidate, as well as her progressive politics, her name has been on the lips of many people. One person though, took the passive-aggressive approach.Florida Representative Ron DeSantis, who is running for governor of the state, appeared at a campaign rally on Saturday and decided to use Ocasio-Cortez's name in his attack against democratic socialism, Broadly reports. "You look at this girl Ocasio-Cortez or whatever she is, I mean, she’s in a totally different universe,” DeSantis said in a video via The Huffington Post. “It’s basically socialism wrapped in ignorance.” “You’re just repeating these canned, left-wing talking points, and you’re somehow the savior of the Democratic Party?" DeSantis added, referencing Ocasio-Cortez's comments (to PBS) about the ongoing Israel and Palestine conflict. Ocasio-Cortez said Israel is currently occupying Palestine; the U.N. Security Council (minus the U.S.) has backed her up on this, slamming Israel's colonies in Palestinian as a "flagrant violation of international law."Perhaps this U.N. decision slipped DeSantis' mind, as he continue on to say, "Good Lord. She has no clue what she’s talking about.”Did he really just condescend to someone who is essentially his peer?But, oooooh, he got the right one! Like the blossoming politician she is, Ocasio-Cortez clapped back via Twitter with the utmost poise on Monday afternoon. Rep DeSantis, it seems you‘re confused as to “whatever I am.”I am a Puerto Rican woman. It‘s strange you don’t know what that is, given that ~75,000 Puerto Ricans have relocated to Florida in the 10 mos since María.But I’m sure these new FL voters appreciate your comments! https://t.co/xJlroSe5Hs— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) July 23, 2018Welp! Let that be a lesson to DeSantis and anyone else who tries to undermine her.Liking this content? Check these out:NRA Releases Fear-Mongering Commercial After Latina Progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Wins Primary ElectionAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez Hits Back After Conservative Tries Claiming She’s Not From The BlockBarbara Lee Is Competing To Become The First Woman To Serve As Democratic Chair Of The House Of...
New York City elected officials have proposed "Junior's Law" a month after the senseless killing of 15-year-old Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz. The Bronx teen was stabbed by gang members who claim they mistook him for someone else. The Safe Havens for Endangered Children legislation, also known as 'Junior's Law,' would require all small businesses to serve as a haven for children in danger. CBS reports the law was proposed by New York City lawmakers Senator Luis Sepúlveda and Assemblyman Victor Pichardo. It was announced July 10 outside of the bodega where the teen was attacked. Press Conference led by Sen. @LuisSepulvedaNY and Assemblyman @Vpichardo86 this afternoon introducing two bills, including “Junior’s Law,” to ensure that small businesses act as safe havens for minors in danger. #JusticeForJunior #CommunityEffort #KnightCunyJ18 pic.twitter.com/vjviM8cayT— Sophia Ebanks (@ebanks_sophia) July 10, 2018After Guzman-Feliz was stabbed, he sought refuge in the bodega. Instead of aiding the dying teen, video surveillance shows a store employee pointing toward the door, which can be interpreted as a signal to exit the premises. Protection may have saved his life. In his defense, the bodega owner says he dialed 911 in an attempt to save the young man, as he suggested Junior run to the nearest hospital, opposed to waiting for an ambulance because it was "taking too long."Which leads to the second part of the proposed legislation: small businesses would also be required to carry first-aid kits."We want to make sure that any business owner or their employees who encounter a situation involving a minor who has been abused or may be in danger has a duty to try to help," Sepúlveda said.If passed, this legislation could bring significant change to education laws as it would provide safer paths for children to walk home from school.Now, check these out:NYPD Sets Up Scholarship Fund To Honor Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-FelizLaLa Helps Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz's Sister Celebrate The Graduation She Missed Attending Because Of Her Brother's FuneralThis Powerful Viral Video About Street Violence Is Moving Folks Across The...
