400 Years Since 1619: August 2021

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Launches Probe Into Brutal Arrest of Black Man

Have we screamed defund the police loud enough yet?

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Georgia Has More Schools Named After Confederate Leaders Than Any Other State In the U.S.

If there’s one thing we know about America, it’s that they love honoring their Confederate “heroes.” (Which is crazy when you think about it. What country honors an army set out on destroying it?) Tearing down Confederate statues took on a new urgency during last summer’s Black Lives Matter protests, but a new report…

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Trump Political Fundraising Group Paid Millions to People, Firms Who Set Up Jan. 6 Rally: Report

Well, what do you know? Turns out that a political fundraising group attached to former President Donald Trump paid some $4.3 million during the 2020 election cycle to folks and firms that helped organize the rally prior to the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6, according to the government watchdog OpenSecrets.

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Report: DaBaby Recently Met With Black HIV Advocates

After a turbulent month, DaBaby seems to have done something right—and no, we’re not talking about making the final cut of Donda. On Tuesday, Black leaders from nine U.S. HIV organizations revealed that they “held a virtual, private meeting” with the embattled artist “to discuss HIV facts and share personal stories of…

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Lil Nas X Finally Drops a Release Date for Montero: The Debut—With Cover Art

I’ve become rightfully suspicious about album drop announcements. Now, Lil Nas X is among a group of musicians who is dropping albums this month—only his announcement comes with a confirmed date and a large number of fans who will quite literally send him pole-dancing back to hell if he pulls a Kanye…

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What Is ‘Life Comes at You Fast?’: Mike Richards Out as Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune Executive Producer

What’s it called when karma decides to pay you back for all the shitty things you’ve done?

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Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Grants Posthumous Pardons to 7 Black Men Executed for the Rape of a White Woman

On Tuesday, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam granted seven Black men, who were executed for the rape of a white woman in 1951, posthumous pardons after pleas for mercy from their families and as the case gained international attention as an example of how the death penalty was used almost exclusively for Black offenders.

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Sandwiched Between DONDA and Certified Lover Boy, Cam Newton Becomes the 3rd Major Release This Week

In professional sports, it’s often said that the best ability is availability. And in the case of Cam Newton, he’s learned that despite his contributions on the field, the New England Patriots considered him (that’s past tense) a liability.

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The Ball Don't Lie, but Apparently, High School Football 'Powerhouse' Bishop Sycamore Does

With the NFL regular season still weeks away, my Sundays have been spent watching everything but football. But perhaps I should’ve caught the high school showdown between Florida’s IMG Academy and Ohio’s Bishop Sycamore this weekend because holy fucking shit.

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Reggae and Dub Icon Lee 'Scratch' Perry Dead at 85

Dub and reggae music icon Lee “Scratch” Perry died on Sunday at a hospital in Lucea, Jamaica, at the age of 85.

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It Is Almost Impossible for Florida Not to Suck

When God was 13, he got a job cleaning the monkey houses at the zoo. Everyone kept warning him that the toughest part of the job was the smell, but God had created Texas at this point so he was used to stink. God arrived early on his first day because he wanted to make a good impression. After orientation, God walked…

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The 2021 Black Women Give Back List

When people think of “philanthropists,” they often think of celebrities or the ultrawealthy—people with private planes who make million-dollar donations and attend galas. But the truth is that anyone can be a philanthropist. Philanthropists are people who leverage their time, talent, treasure, testimony and ties to…

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Hate Crimes in the U.S. Have Reached a New High, FBI Reports

On Monday, the FBI released its annual hate crime statistics report, which found that the number of reported hate crimes has reached the highest it’s been in 12 years.

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R. Kelly's First Male Accuser Takes the Stand as Another Witness Testifies Kelly Raped Her Days After Marrying Aaliyah

Editorial note: This article includes detailed descriptions of sexual assault, abuse and grooming.

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Well, This Is Awkward: Maria Taylor's New Football Night in America Co-Host Is the Same Dude She Ripped for His National Anthem Comments

Being forced to endure people we aren’t particularly fond of is something we’re all familiar with. Be it family, in-laws, co-workers, or whoever else, we’ve all been put in a position where we had to put on our game face for the greater good—or a paycheck.

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Monday, August 30, 2021

Mic Drop: So You're Saying Summer Is Over and Now We Have to Calm Down?

You’re telling me September is under 48 hours away? What the hell happened to Hot Girl Summer Pt. Deux? I’m serious. We somehow went from it being June and #HotVaxxedSummer to it being September and panic-buying a whole new wardrobe...

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Role Call: The Hollywood Critics Association Announces First TV Awards; Black Film Archive Makes Its Debut

It’s quite obvious that everyone’s a critic these days, especially in Hollywood. The Hollywood Critics Association (HCA) announced its first-ever TV Awards on Sunday night and the verdict in—Black television swept in six awards.

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Reflecting on the Man in the Mirror: What Lens Should We Use to Critique Candyman?

Hey y’all! It’s me again, Dr. Kinitra, your resident horror scholar. Now that Nia DaCosta’s glorious Candyman (2021) has completed its now-history-making opening weekend, I’m here to break it down for you through a scholarly lens, as we did last fall with Lovecraft Country. Please consider reading the Candyman primer,…

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Jacob Blake Hopes to Walk Soon but Is Still Traumatized by 2020 Shooting

Jacob Blake is able to stand and hopes to be able to walk soon, but he told CNN that he is still traumatized from being shot by Kenosha Police Officer Rusten Sheskey seven times in his side on August 23, 2020 in Kenosha, Wisc., during a domestic dispute call.

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Naomi Osaka's Mental Health Journey Should Inspire Us All

It’s the growth for me.

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Rand Paul Believes Hatred for Trump Is Why Scientists Won’t Study Horse Drug as COVID-19 Treatment

It would take a horse’s ass to want to study a horse drug as treatment for COVID-19...

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D.C. Police Release Bodycam Video From Fatal Shooting of Antwan Gilmore

Washington, D.C. police released body camera footage from the officers who killed 27-year-old Antwan Gilmore after finding him asleep in his car last Wednesday.

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White Father and Son Sentenced to Four Years for Hate Crimes Against 2 Black Teens

On Friday, Wade Oscar Twiner, 49, and his son Lane Irvine Twiner, 23, were sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted in a hate-crime case in which the pair chased and shot at two Black teenagers riding all-terrain vehicles last September.

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CLB Season: Drake Confirms Certified Lover Boy Is Coming Friday, September 3

“Oh Happy Day! Oh Happy Day! When Drake confiiiiiirrrrmmmmed, CLB was on the way!” (Or whatever Sister Mary Clarence said.)

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NeNe Leakes Says Husband Gregg Is Losing His Cancer Battle

One of reality television’s most enduring marriages has entered a sad chapter; The Real Housewives of Atlanta veteran NeNe Leakes recently revealed that the colon cancer diagnosis her husband Gregg received in 2018 may now be terminal.

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May We All Learn to Handle Life’s Pressures the Way This Newscaster Handled This Idiot

First let me issue a warning so that people who want to jump into camera shots and act a fool: Journalists are a gang. We roll together. Have you not seen how hard Fox News rides for each other? Our colors are church formal wear. Our gang call is, “Back to you” if you are an on-air journalist and “They got me fucked…

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Play Stupid Games: Florida Anti-Vaxxer Who Dubbed Himself ‘Mr. Anti-Vax’ Dies of COVID-19

Stop making that face. Seriously, stop it.

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Black Woman Walking Dog on the Beach Is Handled Aggressively by Chicago Cop

The Citizen’s Office of Police Accountability has opened an investigation as a Black woman walking her dog along the lakefront in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago got into an altercation with a police officer at North Avenue Beach that was captured on cell phone video.

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Radio Broadcaster Scott Zolak Offers Weak-Ass Apology After Accusing Cam Newton of Being Distracted by Rap Music

Since Cam Newton joined the New England Patriots last June, there’s been plenty to criticize. His play on the field has left much to be desired, his aversion to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine has already cost him game time and is a source of frustration within the organization, and with rookie quarterback Mac Jones…

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Spotlight on Miami's Jackson Soul Food Restaurant

The cuisine served at Jackson Soul Food in the historic Overton, Miami location or at Jackson Soul Food II in Opa-Locka, FL has been a community mainstay for decades. But family matriarch Shirlene Jackson Ingraham’s business has been sorely tested by the pandemic. With one of her restaurant locations shut down…

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Truth Hurts: Lizzo Calls Janet Jackson the 'Queen of Pop,' Madonna Stans Erupt in Anger

All the rumors are true: Janet Jackson is the Queen of Pop, boo! Well, that is, according to Lizzo. (And arguably much of the rest of the world.)

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Tyron Woodley Suspended From the Cookout Indefinitely After Split Decision Loss to Jake Paul

In what likely comes as a surprise to absolutely no one—as evidenced by the countless people who predicted this outcome—I regret to inform you that former UFC champion Tyron Woodley lost his pay-per-view match on Sunday to serial idiot Jake Paul, per CBS Sports.

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Hurricane Ida: One Dead in Louisiana, More Than a Million Are Without Power in the Region

The first death has been reported as Hurricane Ida moves through Louisiana on Sunday. Millions are without power, water, and fallen trees and debris already block the main roads, according to CNN.

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Kanye West Says Label Put Out Donda Without Permission; Album Rejects Cry Foul About Being Left Off

After many, many, MANY moons—Donda, Kanye West’s 10th studio album is finally available to stream on various music platforms.

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Candyman Is the First No. 1 Film Directed by a Black Woman

Neither the Delta variant, significant delays nor mixed reviews could keep the Candyman from dominating the box office in the opening weekend of his horrifying return. Almost 30 years after the original film traumatized a generation in 1992, its reboot, directed by Little Woods’ Nia DaCosta, grossed $22,370,00 in its…

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Sunday, August 29, 2021

Man Captured on Video as He Assaults, Throws N-Word at Airline Employees in Miami

Miami police apprehended a man after he violently attacked and hurled the n-word at Miami International Airport employees. The incident was captured on video, and according to Newsweek, it’s gone viral with over 2 million views.

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Kanye Says 'Here, Damn!' and Finally Releases 'Donda'

It’s finally here.

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Category 4 Hurricane Ida Expected to Make Landfall in Louisiana Sunday Afternoon

Sixteen years ago on this date, Aug. 29, the catastrophic Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana and tore through New Orleans along with other cities and states that reside in the Gulf Coast.

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Saturday, August 28, 2021

Wisconsin School Board Members Vote Against Free Meal Program Because They Don't Want Families to 'Become Spoiled'

Members of the Waukesha, Wis. Board of Education are in hot water after opting out of a federal program that would provide free meals for all of the district’s students regardless of their family’s financial situations.

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McDonald's Sued By Black Former Employee Who Claims Restaurant Did Nothing About Co-Worker Using Racial Slurs

A Black man who worked as a shift manager for a Kansas McDonald’s says his multiple requests to avoid working the same shift as a white co-worker known for using racial slurs were repeatedly denied by the restaurant.

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Rev. Jesse Jackson Moved to Rehab Center After COVID-19 Diagnosis While His Wife, Jacqueline, is Moved to the ICU

The family of the Rev. Jesse Jackson announced Friday that the civil rights icon has been transferred to a rehabilitation facility and his wife, Jacqueline, was moved to the intensive care unit as they continue treatment for COVID-19.

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Friday, August 27, 2021

A Black Pastor and Former Cop Walk Into a Walmart to Return a TV. So Why Were They Handcuffed and Accused of Stealing It?

Race is a funny thing.

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NASCAR Driver Denny Hamlin Puts on for HBCUs With a Little Help From FedEx’s Shaping Black Futures Initiative

This weekend, HBCUs will be representing during NASCAR’s regular-season finale. (I know, I can’t believe I typed that myself.)

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Damian Lillard Updates His Facebook Relationship Status With Portland Trail Blazers to 'It's Complicated'

Dame Lillard is stuck between a rock and a mediocre team.

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Florida Judge Rejects 'Stand Your Ground Defense' for White Man Accused of Threatening Black Teen Protestors With a Gun

On Thursday, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Alberto Milian rejected a “Stand Your Ground” defense claim made by Mark Bartlett, a white man who is accused of brandishing a loaded gun at Black teens and calling them racial slurs.

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Texas House Advances Restrictive Voter Laws Despite Democrats' Best Efforts to Stop It

Republicans in the Texas House advanced restrictive voting legislation that would impact primarily Democratic voters, particularly those with disabilities and voters of color.

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The Root's Clapback Mailbag: White Magic

Ladies and gentlemen!

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Doja Cat and Missy Elliott 'Get Into It' for Interview Magazine’s September Issue

Nowadays, it seems anyone can go viral and become an overnight sensation, and with the rapid rise of social media, more and more people are putting their talents out there in a way we couldn’t have conceived of a decade or two years ago.

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‘March On for Voting Rights’ Demonstrations to Mark Anniversary of 1963 March on Washington

On Saturday, protestors will gather nationwide to mark the 58th anniversary of the March on Washington during the March On for Voting Rights, a gathering in which organizers will demand that Congress pass both the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act and the For the People Act, according to USA Today. The two bills have…

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Drake Hacks ESPN's SportsCenter to Reveal Certified Lover Boy Release Date

Kanye, you’ve officially fucked up.

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