Da Brat for Variety - Power of Pride Issue 2020!
On the third floor of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., one photograph in particular stands out amid the generally august and serious portraits. While the image looks like it could have been taken at a hip-hop slumber party, the four women laughing in the photo are pioneers: rappers Missy Elliott, Lil’ Kim, Da Brat and the late singer Aaliyah, posing together 21 years ago to celebrate their chart reign and newfound music-industry power. And while there was no shortage of women who achieved successful solo careers in the ’90s, these four dominated in the most masculine genre of all.
Two decades later, Elliott — who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019 — and Kim are largely resting on their musical laurels; Aaliyah tragically died in a 2001 plane crash at the age of just 22.
But Da Brat, whose 1994 album “Funkdafied” made her the first female rapper to go platinum, is getting more airtime than ever — four hours a day, five days a week — now that she’s crossed over from artist to radio personality and joined the nationally syndicated “Rickey Smiley Morning Show” in Atlanta. On top of that, every weekday afternoon she’s in front of the cameras as a co-host of Fox’s syndicated “Dish Nation,” and she serves as executive producer of WE tv’s reality show “Growing Up Hip-Hop Atlanta,” having joined the cast in 2017 when the show debuted. This fall, she’s scheduled to tour the country in “Set It Off,” the stage production of the beloved 1996 female heist movie that starred Vivica Fox, Jada Pinkett and Queen Latifah (tickets are being sold for a planned Sept. 25 start in New Orleans).
In it, Brat plays the lesbian character, Cleo, which was originated by Latifah and suits Brat for a number of reasons. “I love being a badass, and I love being a part of an ensemble of women,” she says. Writer and director Je’Caryous Johnson (“Whatever She Wants,” “For Love or Money”) gushes, “She was my first choice — I couldn’t think of another soul who could do this role — and it’s going to enhance the opportunities for Brat in acting: When we come to L.A., a lot of studio people will be in the house to see her brilliant performance. She has raw talent along with work ethic — the girl gets up at four in the morning for her radio show, then goes to tape ‘Dish Nation’ and she comes straight to rehearsal staying until 10 or 11. She is literally working around the clock.”
The role fits Brat, 46, for another reason: She came out publicly in March, confirming her relationship with Kaleidoscope Hair Products CEO Jesseca Dupart via a tearful Instagram post celebrating an early birthday gift (a white Bentley, complete with a red bow). It’s a move that would have been unimaginable at the beginning of Brat’s career.
While people had long speculated and made assumptions, “the social landscape was very different when she first came on the scene,” noted African American-focused website The Grio. “Both misogyny and homophobia created a culture where coming out would have been career suicide for a Black woman in hip-hop.” Now, industry insiders are buzzing about other female hip-hop pioneers who might be inspired to follow Brat’s example.
“I’ve always felt like being private is the better way to go, because then you don’t have so many people in your business,” Brat says. “I was fine staying quiet, but my partner is a social media mogul — that’s how she became who she is. And when you get with somebody, you have to meet in the middle. So to me, the middle was just letting everybody know: ‘Hey, she’s the one.'”
The announcement wasn’t planned; Brat didn’t even think to give her longtime manager a heads up. “Jesseca was showing me some pictures and we were going back and forth, joking ‘I’ll post it,’ ‘No, I’ll post it.’ So when she did, I was like, ‘Oh s—! I just came out after 20-something years!’ But it feels good to share with the world when you’re happy.”
Brat stresses that it was her choice to stay in the closet, and not the result of pressure from label execs or managers. “I was always told you want to be f—able to men and women to sell records — you don’t want anybody to discriminate,” she says. “It was absolutely my decision. I mean, you saw what happened to people like Ellen: Remember when she lost her TV show, and all these horrible things were happening? People were totally against it.”
That group included Brat’s religious family. Born Shawntae Harris, she hails from the West Side of Chicago and grew up in church, attending service five days a week. While she learned to play seven different brass instruments at school, in church she played piano and drums and directed the choir. “All that musicality from church plays into who I am as an entertainer today,” she says. The strict dress code and traditional ideas about gender roles — Brat had to wear long skirts — also had a strong influence.
“I can be a tomboy or an absolute lady — I gave myself the title ‘The Best of Both Girls,’” she jokes. Her grandmother even enrolled her in etiquette classes. “My grandmother has passed away, but she was sanctified,” says Brat. “I would not want anyone in the church to judge her because of what I do. You never want to hurt the people that raised you; you don’t want to disappoint them.”
However, Brat’s mother probably isn’t going to join PFLAG anytime soon. “Yeah, my mom is not, like, jumping for joy,” says Brat. “She’s not going to condone it, but she loves me unconditionally. No one in my family has said anything bad or degrading.”
And the response from the public has been overwhelmingly favorable. “Oh, my God, the reaction made me feel like, ‘Why didn’t I do this s— years ago?’” she laughs. “I got so many positive messages, phone calls, and I had at least 1,500 texts. My DMs were flooded too.” Granted, some of the comments were served with a side of snark. “There were some people saying, ‘We knew it,’” says Brat. “Well, good for you! Now I know it, and I’m able to say it. I did this on my own terms.” (For the record, Brat says of her sexual identity: “I had boyfriends in high school, and then I dated guys and girls, so I guess for a long time I was bisexual.”)
Brat also seems to be enjoying her newfound visibility as one-half of a power couple — she and Dupart are like Atlanta’s answer to Ellen and Portia. “We just complement each other,” says Brat. “Some of my exes wouldn’t be able to take how social media drags people — the hate and the trolls. But this one that I got now? She’s built for it. She teaches me! So I’m learning, and when you have a partner that you can learn from, grow with, who inspires you? I love that.”
This will be Brat’s first time celebrating Pride out loud and proud, and the significance isn’t lost on her. “To me, Pride is loving myself and not making excuses for anything: Live in your truth,” she says. “If I can inspire someone or help somebody to deal with their issues and their sexuality, then I’m here for it.” She definitely doesn’t miss the baggage she carried around for two decades: At least twice during this interview, she says, “It feels like a weight has been lifted.”
And while she’s grateful that young LGBTQ artists like Lil Nas X have found acceptance in the industry, she fears that some things will never change. “Men still run the labels and they probably will forever, and if they have to create you, they will,” she says. “So it’s still tough for female MCs, producers and writers if you don’t have the support of a major male artist backing you — or if you’re not super-duper sexy and have some big titties and a nice ass and can twerk.
“You can’t go in there looking [tough] like I did [back in the day] and be like: ‘I’m a rapper.’ They’re going to say, ‘Let’s get you out of those tomboy clothes and dress you up in a teddy.’ But that changes who you are — and then your rhymes start changing because you look different. Then you’re not so relatable because you’re not being yourself anymore. Now you’re somebody else. Who are you?”
That’s a question Da Brat is proud to answer unequivocally today.
#RHOA: Porsha Williams on Being Tear Gassed While Protesting: “It Was Devastating”!
Porsha Williams participated in Atlanta protests following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta star was tear gassed in a peaceful crowd and called the experience “devastating.”
In the wake of George Floyd’s killing, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams participated in an Atlanta protest on Tuesday. The 38-year-old was recording an Instagram Live of the experience when something unexpected happened: Tear gas was released into the crowd.
In the video, Williams and a street full of protestors walked together in solidarity. Then, the crowd begins to run after hearing multiple popping sounds. “It’s gas! It’s gas!” Williams shouted as she ran away.
As she starts to cough uncontrollably, a man came over to help her. “Tilt your head back,” he said. “Open your eyes. Blink. Don’t rub your face.” The man called for anti-tear gas, and several people nearby mention needing milk. Williams later confirms that she used milk to flush her eyes. (For the safest tear gas treatment, experts recommend using water, since milk isn’t always sterile.)
After she recovered, Williams addressed what happened in the video. “Do y’all see this? We in Atlanta, it’s 7:45, the curfew is not even until 9:00. We’re out here peacefully protesting, and they tear gassing us for no reason at all,” Williams said.
Williams further opened up to People about how she felt in that moment. “It was devastating to feel like I was out there trying to stand with my people, stand with our allies, and help them raise a message of hope and to be silenced and not able to breathe because of the gas bomb that was thrown,” she said.
Tear gas is a chemical agent that can cause excruciating pain (especially to the eyes and skin), relentless coughing, trouble breathing, and even vomiting. While it’s a popular crowd control method among police officers, it’s actually banned during warfare by the Geneva Convention.
Williams said being tear gassed gave her “another level of strength” to keep protesting. “Right now, I am pushing through with a heavy heart for everyone, for the people who live in this country, for my brothers and sisters,” she said. “Just as passionate as I am about having a safe and quality future of life for my daughter, I want the same thing for any other American.”
#NewMusic from Trey Songz Releases Critically Acclaimed ‘2020 Riots: How Many Times’!
Multi-platinum R&B superstar Trey Songz is using his voice to shed light on the injustices faced in the black community at the hands of police brutality and institutionalized racism with a striking single,
“2020 Riots: How Many Times.”
The compelling melody premiered earlier this week on D-Nice’s Instagram Live and was met with a round of praise from viewers.
“How many mothers have to cry?
How many brothers gotta die?
How many more times?
How many more times?
How many more marches?
How many more signs?
How many more lives?
How many more times?”
LISTEN
A portion of the proceeds from the release of this dynamic single will directly benefit both Black Lives Matter and the Community Justice Exchange’s National Bail Fund Network.
#HipHopNews: Meek Mill Reveals Nipsey Hussle And Saint Jhn Was Supposed To Be Featured On New Single, ‘Other Side Of America’!
Meek Mill released a new song today that amplifies the voices of ongoing protests against systemic racism and police brutality. The Philly emcee also touched on his personal experiences with police brutality.
Meek opens the song with President Trump’s audio dialogue speaking to black people saying, “You’re living in poverty, your schools are no good, you have no jobs, 58 percent of your youth is unemployed – what the hell do you have to lose?”
The CHAMPIONSHIPS rapper talks about his upbringing and his latest prison stint in 2017. “Reporting live from the other side / Same corner where my brothers died,” he raps. “Living like we ain’t got care / Told my mama I ain’t dying here.”
The song ends with audio of Meek talking to Michael Smerconish, a CNN radio host, asking “You see murder, you even see seven people die a week, I think you would carry a gun yourself. Would you?” Michael replies “Uh, yeah, I probably would, and the song ends.
Meek Mill revealed that Nipsey Hussle and Saint JHN was supposed to be featured on the record. Hip-Hop would love to hear what Nip would’ve had to say during these times.
Click here to listen to “Other Side of America”
Joe Biden Clinches Democratic Presidential Nomination!
On Friday, Joe Biden has secured the delegates needed to win the Democratic presidential nomination. According to the Associated Press, Biden crossed the threshold of 1,991 delegates needed to win the nomination. Bernie Sanders, who dropped out of the race back in April, received 1,042 delegates.
“It was an honor to compete alongside one of the most talented groups of candidates the Democratic party has ever fielded,” Biden said in a statement Friday night. “I am proud to say that we are going into this general election a united party.”
Trump’s divisive statements throughout the protests led many people across the country to vote in primaries. There was also a large influx of people who mailed their ballots in. “This is a difficult time in America’s history,” Biden said Friday night. “And Donald Trump’s angry, divisive politics is no answer. The country is crying out for leadership. Leadership that can unite us. Leadership that can bring us together.”
Now, the country waits for Biden to announce his vice-presidential running mate. Biden has repeatedly expressed interest in choosing a Black woman as his running mate. More pressure has been added to him to choose a Black woman as his running mate since his “You ain’t Black” comment during an interview with Charlamange tha God. However, Biden still seems to be the Democratic choice amongst Black voters.
Actor Justice Smith Confirms Relationship With “Queen Sugar’s” Nicholas Ash, While Lashing Out At Some Protests That Don’t Include Queer Voices: It’s Anti-Black!
‘Jurassic World’ actor Justice Smith and ‘Queen Sugar’ actor Nicholas Ash have publicly announced their relationship to the world and are insisting that black trans and queer lives be added to the Black Lives Matter protests.
Justice Smith, who recently came out as a queer man, expressed his disappointment with the lack of advocacy for black queer voices within the movement for black lives and at the protests that he’s attended. The actor deems this to be anti-black,
“@nckash and I protested today in New Orleans. We chanted ‘Black Trans Lives Matter’ ‘Black Queer Lives Matter’ ‘All Black Lives Matter’. As a black queer man myself, I was disappointed to see certain people eager to say Black Lives Matter, but hold their tongue when Trans/Queer was added. I want to reiterate this sentiment: if your revolution does not include Black Queer voices, it is anti-black. If your revolution is okay with letting black trans people like #TonyMcDade slip through the cracks in order to solely liberate black cishet men, it is anti-black. You are trying to push yourself through the door of a system designed against you, and then shut the door behind you. It is in our conditioning to get as close to whiteness, straightness, maleness as we can because that’s where the power is. And if we appeal to it, maybe it’ll give us a slice. But the revolution is not about appeal. It is about demanding what should have been given to us from the beginning. What should have been given to black, queer, and trans individuals from the beginning. Which is the right to exist. To live and prosper in public. Without fear of persecution or threat of violence.
There is so much tragedy on the timeline these last couple of days so I added some photos of me and Nic to show some #blackboyjoy#blacklove#blackqueerlove ??????? You’ve been my rock and guiding light through all of this and I love you so much. I know that on the other side of this Is change, though the fight is far from over.
#justicefortonymcdade#justiceforninapop#justiceforgeorgefloyd#justiceforahmaud#justiceforbreonna
#sayhername
#defundthepolice
#endwhitesupremacy”
Justice Smith also highlighted the “joy” in his life and relationship with fellow actor Nicholas Ash, 25. He shared pictures of “of their relationship for his followers.
Justice says of Nicholas Ash,
“You’ve been my rock and guiding light through all of this and I love you so much. I know that on the other side of this Is change, though the fight is far from over,”
Rihanna Becomes World's Richest Female Singer!
Reportedly, Forbes featured Barbadian singer-songwriter, Rihanna, on the first spot for their world's top 10 richest female singers in the 2020 edition of 'Self-Made Women'. Rihanna has grabbed the first spot with a huge amount of $600M. The list also includes popular global names such as Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna and many others. Scroll down to check out the list.
Rihanna, who marked her debut in the music industry in 2005, became a pop icon and an influential recording artist. Later in 2006, she dipped her toes in acting also. In 2010, the 32-year-old singer-actor ventured into business and launched her first fragrance line Reb'l Fleur. Reportedly, her success in the music industry and Reb'l fleur saw her net worth rise to $160 million.
Apart from this, she also launched a cosmetic brand Fenty Beauty in the year 2018. And it is reported that within the first week of its launch, the brand collected approximately $100 million. According to the Forbes list, as of June 6, 2019, her net worth is ₹600 million. Her earnings come from her work in the music industry, endorsements, acting career, Fenty Beauty and Fenty Lingerie.
Rihanna has left behind a few wealthy and famous musicians such as Madonna ($570 million), Céline Dion ($450 million) and Beyoncé ($400 million). Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga and Britney Spears have also grabbed a spot in the list.
Rihanna's other achievements
Apart from Forbes, a couple of months back, she received the President’s Award at NAACP Awards, which is recognised in special achievement and distinguished public service. Reportedly, the President and CEO of the NAACP Derrick Johnson talked about Rihanna as a recipient of the award. In his statement, Derrick said that Rihanna has not only enjoyed a ground-breaking career as an artist and a musician but has also distinguished herself as a stellar public servant. He further added that from Rihanna’s business achievements through her cosmetic line Fenty to her tremendous record as an activist and philanthropist, she epitomises the type of character, grace, and devotion to justice that the NAACP seeks in the President’s Award recipient.
Snoop Dogg Will Vote For The First Time Ever In 2020: 'I Can’t Stand To See This Punk In Office One More Year'!
Snoop Dogg will cast his vote — for the first time ever — in November’s presidential election saying, “We got to make a difference.”
The 48-year-old rapper opened up on radio station Real 92.3 Thursday when asked for his thoughts on President Trump and the November election. “I aint never voted a day in my life, but this year I think I’m going to get out and vote because I can’t stand to see this punk in office one more year,” he responded.
Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, explained why he had never before exercised his right to vote: "For many years they had me brainwashed thinking that you couldn’t vote because you had a criminal record. I didn't know that. My record's been expunged so now I can vote." The rapper was convicted of felonies in 1990 and 2007.
Asked whether 2020 will be the first election in which the rapper participants, he answered, “Definitely. Because we’ve got to make a difference. I can’t talk about it and not be about it. I can’t tell you to do it and don’t go do it.”
The star didn’t mention newly-minted Democratic candidate Joe Biden or Trump by name but history reveals tension between him and the president. In 2017, Snoop’s “Lavender” music video featured a Trump "clown" lookalike on the end of a toy pistol. After it aired, the president tweeted, “Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!”
It was an about-face from 2007 when Trump called the rapper “the greatest” after his appearance on the reality show The Apprentice.
Mid-interview, Snoop Dogg warned people to be safe during the coronavirus crisis, explaining that he’s largely been indoors. "I've been up and down, I'm a human, I have good days, bad days, but I'm more locked in so I like to pace so either walk around in circles, watch things on TV, play video games.”
He added, “You know just keeping myself busy and staying active.”
Dance Mom’s Abby Lee Miller Issues An Apology After A Dance Mom Accused Her Of Being A ‘Racist’!
Earlier this week, Dance Mom’s star Adriana Smith accused dance coach Abby Lee Miller of being a “racist.”
Smith is the mother of Kamryn, who performed in an episode of season 8 in hopes of joining the team, People reports. The mother has come forward about her experience on the dance show and the racially insensitive remarks made by Miller.
“I recently posted on my FB that racism is not something we can disagree on and still be friends, which in turn is why we are not friends,” Smith wrote on Instagram. “A statement from her that sticks in my mind to this day during my time on DMS8 is, ‘I know you grew up in the HOOD with only a box of 8 crayons, but I grew up in the country club with a box of 64 — don’t be stupid.’ This my friends is not something or a statement that can be googled. Ask yourself what does that mean? This to me shows that you think you are better than me and in higher rank and all together superior to ME!”
“Do you remember you told me, ‘Do you want me to tell you why you are really here?’ LOL as if I didn’t know … again showing your superiority. Let me remind you what you said in case you forgot. You told me to ‘LOOK in the MIRROR! That’s the only reason you are here!’ Kam told me she heard ‘they need a sprinkle of color!'”
Smith’s caption read, “I couldn’t think of a more perfect day to address my experience with Abby Lee Miller” and ask people if they want to know the truth.
On Thursday, the dance coach apologized for her actions through her social media.
“I genuinely understand and deeply regret how my words have effected [sic] and hurt those around me in the past, particularly those in the Black community,” Miller, 53, wrote in an Instagram post. “To Kamryn, Adriana, and anyone else I’ve hurt, I am truly sorry. I realize that racism can not just come from hate, but also from ignorance. No matter the cause, it is harmful, and it is my fault. While I cannot change the past or remove the harm I’ve done, I promise to educate myself, learn, grow, and do better. While I hope to one day earn your forgiveness, I recognize that words alone are not enough. I understand it takes time and genuine change.”
Smith said her reasons for leaving the show came after her last on-camera interview after a producer asked her how Miller’s comments made her feel.
“As tears streamed down my face, I look over at my 7-year-old and back at the camera and say, this is my EVERYDAY life as a black woman. This is nothing new to me. But what I’m not going to have happen is have this racist person have any part of my daughter’s life as of this moment. At that moment, I knew that it was more important for me to show my daughter that she had to stand up for what’s right and not care about anything else. But in that interview, my little 7 year old cried like a GROWN black woman and stood up and said, ‘Mom I understand it’s not right here and I want to go home too….'”
Camille Bridges, another dance mom shared her experience with E! News. Her daughter, Camryn Bridges, appeared during the seventh season. Bridges says that Miller tried to spin Camryn as the “poor one” and there on scholarship. “I shut that down immediately. She loves appropriating our culture and never appreciating it. She did not give black choreographers on the show acknowledgment of their work. She continuously put Camryn in afros.”
As for the production, producer Kori Kingg reacted to Smith’s post through her private Facebook account.
“Some would say I should be quiet about this. But THIS THIS!?! THIS broke me as I was working on show and pregnant with my own black daughter. In hindsight, I too should have left. I should have stood with my sister, Adriana Janae Smith, and supported gorgeous baby Kam and left too,” she reportedly wrote. “Seeing a 7-year-old little black girl be put in a box in a corner and treated so violently because of the color of her skin was heartbreaking. It reminded me of when I ‘found out I was black’ at an age not much older than her.”
Congrats to One of The Exonerated 5 Raymond Santana as he married Reality Star Deelishis!
Raymond Santana and Deelishis are officially husband and wife.
The lovebirds tied the knot on Saturday (June 6) in front of family and friends.
Kandi Burruss, who was instrumental in hooking the bride and groom up, was one of Deelishis’ bridesmaids.
The “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star shared a photo with the newlyweds with the caption:
Congratulations @santanaraymond & @iamsodeelishis!!!!! I’m so happy for y’all & Im happy to say that I had a little something to do with this love connection! ❤️❤️
Congrats!
J.K. Rowling Gets Backlash Over Her Anti-Trans Tweets!
Many people are calling out “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling for a series of anti-trans tweets on Saturday afternoon.
Rowling’s latest controversy began when she commented on an article from Devex, a media platform for the global development community, titled “Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.”
“‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” Rowling tweeted.
Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate
What implications does COVID-19 have on the global menstrual health and hygiene agenda? WASH and health experts explain.
People on Twitter immediately called Rowling’s comments “anti-trans” and “transphobic” as transgender people, non-binary people and gender-nonconforming people can also menstruate. Rowling followed that tweet up by criticizing the idea that someone’s biological sense isn’t real.
“If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth,” she wrote. “The idea that women like me, who’ve been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they’re vulnerable in the same way as women — ie, to male violence – ‘hate’ trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences — is a nonsense.”
She added that she respects trans people’s right to live comfortably and later struck out at people calling her a TERF, a trans-exclusionary radical feminist.
“I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so,” she added.
The idea that women like me, who’ve been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they’re vulnerable in the same way as women - ie, to male violence - ‘hate’ trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences - is a nonsense.
I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.
The LGBTQ rights organization GLAAD responded to Rowling’s comments, saying the author has aligned herself with an ideology that “willfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans. In 2020, there is no excuse for targeting trans people.”
GLAAD listed several Black trans organizations for people to make donations and ended by saying people should check out “Percy Jackson” author Rick Riordan if they need a summer read.
J. K. Rowling attends the Broadway opening of 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.’
Opinion | ‘Harry Potter’ Helped Me Come Out as Trans, But J.K. Rowling Disappointed Me
The author’s tweet in support of an anti-trans activist contradicts the messages of acceptance found in her stories.
Rowling has come under fire for voicing similar opinions before. In December, she received backlash for supporting a researcher who lost her job after saying a person cannot change their biological sex. GLAAD had issued a statement in response to Rowling’s previous tweets.
“J.K. Rowling, whose books gave kids hope that they could work together to create a better world, has now aligned herself with an anti-science ideology that denies the basic humanity of people who are transgender,” said Anthony Ramos, head of talent at GLAAD. “Trans men, trans women and non-binary people are not a threat, and to imply otherwise puts trans people at risk. Now is the time for allies who know and support trans people to speak up and support their fundamental right to be treated equally and fairly.”
Tika Sumpter Tells Interracial Couples: There’s A Bigger Problem If Your White Significant Other Is Offended By Discussions About Racism!
Actress Tika Sumpter has taken to Twitter to remind interracial couples that throughout the unrest in America and the world in response to the death of George Floyd, the black person in the relationship does not need to “protect” the white person in the relationship. She says that the black person should be mindful, rather, if their white significant other seems to have an issue when racists are discussed. She tweets:
Dear Black interracial couples with a significant other who is white (raises hand), we DO NOT need to protect them. I promise, they will be A. OK. They need to continue to fight for us. If they get offended when you talk about racists, you have a bigger problem on your hands.
Tika Sumpter, known for her roles on ABC’s mixed-ish as and as Candace Young on Tyler Perry’s The Haves and The Have Nots, is engaged to actor and co-star on The Haves and The Have Nots Nicholas James, who is white. The two have been together since about 2016.
The Real co-host and rapper Eve has also made comments about the difficult conversations about racism she has had with her white British entrepreneur husband, Maximillion Cooper. She says that because her husband is from the United Kingdom, he does not necessarily understand the systemic racism against blacks that plagues American society:
I am having some of the most difficult and uncomfortable conversations I think I’ve ever had, and vice-versa with my husband. But, at the same time, it’s a beautiful thing, because…I don’t know his life through his eyes. He doesn’t know my life through my eyes. All he can do is try to understand and try to ask the questions, and he wants to understand…but we have to be okay with being uncomfortable so that we can get to a solution.
Tika Sumpter and Nicholas James have both posted on their social media pages their support of the current protests against police brutality and racism in our nation amidst the police-involved death of George Floyd
Former MLB Star Carl Crawford Arrested On Domestic Violence Charges!
According to several confirmed reports, former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford has been arrested in Texas on felony domestic violence charges for a May 8 incident, in which Crawford’s ex-girlfriend claims that he choked her and held her at gunpoint.
The two met in an attempt to reconcile the differences in their relationship, but when Crawford arrived, the woman alleges that Crawford pulled out a gun and began questioning her about another male acquaintance.
According to court documents, Crawford “held the gun in one hand, and used the other hand to grab her by the head and neck while asking her how long she had been dating a male acquaintance.” The All Stare outfielder banged the woman’s head into the wall several times. She alleges that it was only because of her one-year-old daughter distracting Crawford that she was able to escape the apartment. Crawford also allegedly threatened the woman, sending her a number of text messages, one of which read, “That wasn’t a beating u just mad I made u confess.”
Crawford surrendered to Harris County authorities yesterday and is being held on a $10,000 bond.
Jordan Brand and Michael Jordan Statement on Commitment to the Black Community!
Jordan Brand is more than one man. It has always been a family. We represent a proud family that has overcome obstacles, fought against discrimination in communities worldwide and that works every day to erase the stain of racism and the damage of injustice. The will, the work, the excellence the world has come to know is the result of one generation after another, pouring their dreams into the next.
It’s 2020, and our family now includes anyone who aspires to our way of life. Yet as much as things have changed, the worst remains the same.
Black lives matter. This isn't a controversial statement. Until the ingrained racism that allows our country’s institutions to fail is completely eradicated, we will remain committed to protecting and improving the lives of Black people.
Today, we are announcing that Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand will be donating $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education.
“Through our Jordan Wings Program, we have been focused on providing access to education, mentorship and opportunity for Black youth facing the obstacles of systemic racism. But we know we can do more. In addition to the investment from NIKE Inc., we are announcing a joint commitment from Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand to donate $100 million over the next 10 years. We must join forces with the community, government and civic leaders to create a lasting impact together," said Craig Williams, President of Jordan Brand. “There is still more work for us to do to drive real impact for the Black Community. We embrace the responsibility."
NFL Commissioner Issues Apology For Not Listening To League Wide Protests!
“We the National Football League admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier,” Goodell says in the video. Goodell never mentions Colin Kaepernick by name even though he was the pioneer of the kneeling protests.
The NFL struggled to properly respond to the NFL protests that at one point were league-wide. In 2018, the NFL with the support of team owners tried to ban kneeling during the National Anthem. “We want people to be respectful of the national anthem,” Goodell said at the time.”We want people to stand.”
The Players’ Coalition led by former Philadelphia Eagles Safety Malcolm Jenkins reached a $100 million agreement with league owners in 2017 to donate to social justice organizations. Former 49ers safety Eric Reid who was one of the first to protest with Kaep left the Players Coalition prior to the $100 million agreement out of frustration that Kaepernick was not included in the negotiations.
The NFL attempted to switch gears last year by partnering with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation to “amplify” social justice initiatives. The league also organized a workout for Kaepernick, that the former 49ers Quarterback called a PR stunt that was orchestrated in the late part of the NFL season.
“I will be reaching out to players who have raised their voices and others on how we can improve and go forward for a better and more united NFL family,” Goodell said.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘THE PERM’
Is that mullet temporary?……Ahhh no brother, it’s Permanent.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
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