Tessa Thompson for Evening Standard Magazine - 5th November 2021!
Tessa Thompson says she considered quitting Hollywood as she believed there would be a “limit to the kind of stories” she would get the opportunity to tell as an actress of colour.
The star — known for Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Endgame and Men in Black: International — said she wanted to be cast in more unusual movies but felt like she never saw “people like me” in those films. She said she yearned to be in movies more like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Being John Malkovich.
She told ES Magazine: “I thought, I don’t know if I can do this forever because it just feels like there’s always going to be a limit to the kind of stories that I can tell. I felt like: I would love to be in a movie like that, but I don’t ever see people like me in a lot of those films.”
Asked if she just wanted to express her “weird” side, she added: “Honestly? That feels the most honest way to express what’s inside of me. We’re all put into boxes that none of us fits squarely into.
We’re not just here to inspire you, young activists say
“We’re all spilling out of the confines of how people perceive us in some way or another.” Thompson is starring in Rebecca Hall’s directorial debut Passing, an adaptation of Nella Larsen’s 1929 novel. It tells the story of a black woman, Irene (Thompson), and her former childhood friend Clare (Ruth Negga) who is passing as white.
She said she wanted to be in the movie after reading the script in one sitting, adding: “What haunted me about the book — and Irene says this in our film — is this idea that we’re all of us passing in one way or another.
“I mean I think we’re all engaged in some sort of mask play. You are right now, I am certainly to an extent.”
Earlier this year, Thompson made headlines after pictures of her, Rita Ora and Taika Waititi in an embrace sparked rumours they were in a “throuple”. She said: “This idea that we were caught in some private salacious moment is frankly just untrue.
“If you look at those images, nowhere are our lips touching. Those are just my friends. They remain my friends, they were just my friends that day and they continue to be.”
The rest of the article is HERE!
#RHOA #TWIRL: HOT or NOT? Kenya Moore in a Floral Top and a Skintight Red Pencil Skirt!
Photo: Kenya Moore/Instagram
Kenya Moore is proving that red is definitely her color. Just weeks after ushering in the fall season in a cherry-hued lace cape dress, The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member is once again rocking the bright shade, topping a skintight red pencil skirt with a rose-patterned top.
On November 6, Kenya took to her Instagram Stories to show off her latest glamorous ensemble. The RHOA mom showed off her curves in a fitted, ankle-length skirt in a fiery red hue. She paired the brightly colored skirt with a structured grey floral sweater that featured a corset-style seamed top with puffy sleeves.
Kenya topped off the eye-catching outfit with hoop earrings and a pair of matching red high-heeled suede boots. She also let her long, brunette tresses fall in loose, layered waves.
“Stop to smell the [roses],” Kenya wrote in the caption alongside the photo.
#NewMusic from Mariah Carey – Fall in Love at Christmas (Featuring Khalid & Kirk Franklin)
It’s that time of the year for Mariah Carey again as she looks over to takeover Christmas yet again. She recently teased on social media that it’s almost time for Christmas and even though it’s not time just yet, the new single “Fall In Love at Christmas” already feels right. MC links up with Khalid and Kirk Franklin for the new song which will appear on Mariah’s upcoming special “Mariah’s Christmas: The Magic Continues”.
It’s always interesting to see what Mariah does during the holiday season as she always finds a way to outdo herself. It’s a given at this point that her single “All I Want For Christmas Is You” will climb the charts once again as it reached number one on the Billboard charts 25 years after its release.
Most recently, Mariah was featured on Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis’ lead single “Somewhat Loved (There You Go Breakin My Heart)”. The trio also celebrated the release of Mariah’s 1999 album “Rainbow” which celebrated 22 years old.
Check out the new Mariah Carey record HERE!
#HipHopNews: Jay-Z Reacts To Kanye West’s ‘Drink Champs’ Interview And ‘Copycat’ Comments About Just Blaze!
Kanye West is not only taking aim at Big Sean and Drake, he also had words for Just Blaze.
During his infamous “Drink Champs” interview, N.O.R.E. asked Ye to choose between Swizz Beatz and his fellow Blueprint producer.
“Swizz Beatz definitely because Just Blaze is a copycat,” Ye responded. “He gets credit for The Blueprint and I did the first half of The Blueprint and he just copied my half. Look where I’m at today, look where he at today.”
While promoting Netflix’s The Harder They Fall on Twitter Spaces, JAY-Z reacted to Kanye’s explosive interview.
“Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion and everyone can see things through their own lens, some of it could be true, some of it may not be true, but that’s the lens that you see it through, so you’re just speaking to your truth,” he said.
The Roc Nation boss said he saw “a couple pieces” from the interview, including Ye’s “copycat” comments about Just Blaze, who produced Blueprint hits including “Song Cry” and “Girls, Girls, Girls.”
“The Just Blaze thing was a bit unfair ’cause if you’re making an album, if you’re creating an album, and the assignment is soul samples, everyone’s coming with soul. You’re trying to make a cohesive piece of music. I don’t think anyone was copying off anyone.”
Added Hov, “The baby was The Blueprint and I think everyone should be prized for what we created… It’s something we should all be proud of.”
Just Blaze also responded to Kanye’s “copycat” allegations in a statement on Instagram.
“Well that was unfortunate. I’m only addressing this publicly because it was stated publicly. I’m not here for the mudslinging, I’m just a bit confused and disappointed,” he began.
“None of what was said tonight regarding me fits with any of our history or our previous interactions – particularly in light of very recent attempts to work together again. Through recent years he has reached out to collaborate on various projects, including a much rumored collaborative project that he was looking for me to handle a good amount of. It unfortunately never saw the light of day due to reasons unrelated to me. Most recently, a couple of months back I woke up to a literal red alert from his people that he was looking for me for his last album in the 11th hour. We tried to pull something off but it was way too last minute.”
“Regarding that one comment: respectfully, I’m happy for him and the fact that he has succeeded in the ways he wanted to, but not everyone wants to be where he is. Everyone’s definition of personal success is a bit different. I’m quite happy where I am creatively, with my family, and my life in general. We were a part of history together and I wish him well and continued success.”
During his “Drink Champs” interview, Ye was also asked if he would do Verzuz against JAY-Z. “Nah, ’cause that’s my boss,” he said. “I would never go against JAY.”
Travis Scott Speaks Out After Deaths And Injuries At His Astroworld Music Festival!
Travis Scott is speaking out following deaths and injuries at his Astroworld music festival in Houston, Texas.
The “Highest in the Room” rapper, who curated the lineup of the night and was the Friday headliner act, along with the artist Drake, took to social media to share his sorrow over the November 5 tragedy, which occurred when the crowd surged during his performance.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Scott wrote, “I’m absolutely devastated by what took place last night. My prayers go out to the families and all those impacted by what happened at Astroworld Festival. I am committed to working together with the Houston community to heal and support the families in need.”
He went on to thank the Houston Police Department, the Houston Fire Department, and NRG Park, where the event was held, for their “immediate response and support.”
The Astroworld festival, which was planned to run for two nights with artists like Bad Bunny and Young Thug performing at the Saturday event, cancelled its second night show over the casualties.
While more details are still emerging about what exactly transpired, at least eight people were killed, and dozens more injured, due to a crowd surge at the packed festival, which boasted more than 50,000 people. According to Houston mayor Sylvester Turner, the age of the dead ranged from 14 to 27.
In a news conference held one day after the event, Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña said that "scores of individuals" were injured in the crowd.
"The crowd for whatever reason began to push and surge towards the front of the stage, which caused the people in the front to be compressed," Peña said. "They were unable to escape that situation."
In addition to the crowd surge, Peña confirmed that there were "many instances" in which Narcan had to be administered to concert goers. A security officer was also reportedly pricked by an unknown needle in the crowd, and given the life-saving drug, which is used to treat narcotic overdose in emergency situations.
In a statement, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said of the event, “What happened at Astroworld Festival last night was tragic, and our hearts are with those who lost their lives and those who were injured in the terrifying crowd surge.”
Videos from the event, per The Daily Beast, show Scott pausing his performance as an ambulance moves through the crowd to assist a concert goer. However, shortly after the pause, Scott continues his performance. It's unclear how much Scott could see about the reality of the situation from the stage.
Scott is facing backlash on social media from the event, with many responding to his statement to criticize him for not stopping the show earlier. Others, however, blamed the concert organizers for what they called insufficient safety protocols at the event.
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Filming Paused As Letitia Wright Recovers From Injuries!
Production for the highly-anticipated Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will halt temporarily while the lead actress Letitia Wright recovers from an on-set injury, Variety reports. The outlet confirmed that filming for the Marvel Studios’ movies is set to take a break beginning the week of Thanksgiving and begin shooting again in 2022.
As previously reported, Wright — who is set to reprise her role as Shuri — endured minor injuries following a stunt mishap during an overnight shoot in Boston in August. When the incident occurred, the 28-year-old Guyanese-born British actress was hospitalized, however, sources said the injuries would have no impact on the film’s production.
The Ryan Coogler-directed movie started filming at the Pinewood Studios in Atlanta in June and has continued without Wright for the past two months. “Letitia has been recovering in London since September from injuries sustained on the set of ‘Black Panther 2’ and is looking forward to returning to work early 2022,” Wright’s reps said in a statement. “Letitia kindly asks that you keep her in your prayers.”
All of the scenes that could be shot without Wright have reportedly been finished. And the Nov. 11, 2022 release date currently stands. The original July 2022 release date for Wakanda Forever was pushed back by Marvel in October.
In addition to Wright, Angela Bassett, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, and Winston Duke are expected to reprise their original roles from the 2018 blockbuster movie. Emmy award-winning actress Michaela Coel has also reportedly joined the cast. Marvel Studios’ head Kevin Feige, has stated that Chadwick Boseman’s role as T’Challa will not be recast in the movie. Instead, it has been “reshaped” to honor the acclaimed actor while “continuing the legacy of Wakanda,” Feige said.
Black Panther is Marvel’s highest-grossing non-Avengers film of all time. Upon its release, the movie earned a whopping $1.34 billion worldwide. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won multiple Oscars, including Best Original Score, Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.
Chanel Brings Out the Stars for Their 'N°5 in the Stars' Event!
Lots of celebrities were in attendance at Chanel‘s star-studded party in New York City!
The fashion brand hosted a party to debut Chanel N°5 in the Stars, which is “a unique historical journey and celebration of the iconic fragrance’s 100th anniversary.”
Mary J. Blige performed at the event, which took place on Friday night (November 5) at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
Some of the celebs in attendance included Lily Allen, Phoebe Tonkin, Tommy Dorfman, Eternals‘ Lauren Ridloff, The White Lotus‘ Brittany O’Grady, and Stranger Things‘ Sadie Sink.
The ice rink at Rockefeller Center was dressed in the Chanel N°5 logo and guests were treated to a variety of activities, photo-ops and N°5 inspired games in the fully transformed Channel Gardens.
Rihanna Announces Limited Edition Vinyl Re-Release Rocking New Blonde Hair!
Rihanna may not be coming out with new music anytime soon but she will give us the gift of her old hits in Vinyl. And a New Hair Look. Bad GIrl RiRi took to social to announce to her followers the release of The RihIssue, a collection of her past albums on vinyl, all of which come with coordinating shirts. The photos released yesterday, showed her laying across the floor surrounded by vinyl records and a new do’, honey blonde hair with dark roots.
The Singer who isn’t afraid to mix up her looks and effortlessly pulls off each one, remember the mullet, and who can forget the asymmetric cut-each trend always has us scheduling time with our hairstylist. Blonde hair isn’t a new look for Rihanna she just hasn’t rocked the look in many years. since 2017 and we couldn’t get enough of seeing this new wig on her, But this time it wasn’t her hair that she was debuting it was her newest launch of RI on vinyl. Simply stating in the caption that reads “Today’s kids will never know what vinyl is” they said.” Click HERE for more on the collection.
Oprah Presses Will Smith About His Rumored Open Relationship With Jada Pinkett Smith!
Oprah Winfrey is digging deeper into Will Smith’s personal business and asking the questions we’ve all had — for years.
via Complex: In the latest episode of her AppleTV+ series The Oprah Conversation, the media mogul sat down with Will Smith to discuss the highlights of his upcoming memoir, Will. At one point during their talk, Winfrey pointed to a paragraph in which Smith addressed his separation from Jada Pinkett Smith, whom he married back in 1997. Though Smith and his wife confirmed their temporary split in previous interviews, Winfrey explained there were still many questions surrounding the separation—chief among them was how long it actually lasted.
Smith revealed he and Jada never “officially” split, but said their relationship took a drastic turn following an argument during Jada’s 40th birthday.
“We realized that it was a fantasy illusion that we could make each other happy,” Will said. “We agreed that she had to make herself happy and I had to make myself happy. Then we were going to present ourselves back to the relationship already happy — versus demanding that the other person fill our empty cup.”
He continued: “We just decided, ‘You have to figure out how to be happy. Go figure out if you can be happy and prove to me it’s even possible. I’m gonna do me and you do you.’”
The Smith’s marriage has been the subject of countless news reports and long-standing rumors. The whispers became louder after Jada confirmed her “entanglement” with artist August Alsina. Smith subsequently revealed his own extramarital relationships in a recent GQ interview, claiming Jada wasn’t “the only one engaging in other sexual relationships.”
Smith touched on this topic in his self-titled memoir, writing: “Our time apart helped us both to discover the power of loving in freedom. We’re simultaneously, 100 percent bound together and 100 percent free. We agree that we were both imperfect people doing our best to how to figure out how to be in this world joyfully.”
Winfrey questioned Smith about the phrase “loving in freedom,” asking if it meant he and Jada had agreed to an open relationship. But instead of providing a direct answer, Smith chose to define what he meant by “loving in freedom,” insisting it wasn’t strictly about sex.
“You love in freedom with everybody except your partner,” he said, explaining that a romantic relationship is often more demanding and restrictive than relationships with friends and children. “It’s friendship versus marital prison … So we talk about everything. I think the difficulty that people have and difficulty in discussing it is people only think in terms of sex.”
Smith went on to say Jada never wanted a “traditional” marriage, but suggested their relationship wasn’t as unconventional as some made it out to be.
“Even the idea where people are trying to put something on it: ‘Will and Jada – what they doing with other people?’ Will and Jada ain’t really doing too much of nuthin,” he said. “Will and Jada are on a spiritual journey to cleanse the poisonous, unloving parts of our hearts. And we’re doing it together in this lifetime no matter what. But the goal is not a sexual goal, everybody,” he added. “We are going to love each other no matter what.”
You can check out Oprah’s interview with Will on AppleTV+. His memoir drops Nov. 9.
‘Eternals’ Actor Haaz Sleiman on Being Arab and Openly Gay in the MCU and the Film’s ‘Ignorant’ Ban in Middle Eastern Countries!
Haaz Sleiman says he was close to tears when he learned of Disney’s response to “Eternals” being banned in several Middle Eastern countries because of the MCU film’s LGBTQ+ content.
“They stood their ground and said, ‘Nope, we are not going to compromise the integrity of our film,’” Sleiman told me Friday afternoon. “It made these Arab countries looks so ignorant and pathetic.”
Variety confirmed Thursday that the film has been banned in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar ahead of its release across the Gulf region on Nov. 11. Movies containing LGBTQ+ content are often cut to appease international censors around the world, but Disney refused to alter “Eternals.”
“I have no respect for those governments,” Sleiman said. “They have displayed to the world that they are not only a disgrace to humanity, but to God. Hopefully this will inspire the Saudi people, the Kuwaiti people and the people in Qatar to fight back.”
In the Chloé Zhao-directed movie, Sleiman plays Ben, the husband of Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry). Not only is Phastos the MCU’s first gay superhero, but he and Ben are married and fathers to a young son.
Sleiman, who was raised in a Muslim family in Lebanon before moving to the U.S. when he was 21, came out as gay in 2017 after first gaining attention playing Tarek, an undocumented Syrian immigrant in 2007’s “The Visitor.”
At the “Eternals” world premiere last month, Sleiman spoke passionately about how much representation and visibility matter. “Beyond a dream come true, it’s lifesaving,” he told me. “I wish I had that when I was a kid, to see this. My god. I wish! Can you imagine how many lives this is going to be saving — kids, young queer folk, who are being bullied, committing suicide and not seeing themselves being represented? And now they get to see this — it’s above and beyond.”
When we talked Friday, Sleiman recalled how it was his idea to have his character speak some Arabic in the film. “That moment shows the love between me and Phastos and it’s a statement on its own that you hear someone speak like that,” he said. “I never thought I would see that, let alone that I got to do it.”
Sleiman is also confident that “Eternals” will be seen, even in countries where it’s banned. “They’re going to find a way to watch it, even if it’s illegal,” he said. “And then they can give their two middle fingers to their governments. Because even when it’s banned, there’s a way.”
Eve Is Taking A Hiatus From ABC Series “Queens” Due To Pregnancy!
Eve is taking a break from her new hit ABC show “Queens” to focus on her pregnancy.
The 42-year-old rapper and actress currently stars in the hit show, which follows four R&B/hip hop divas from the 1990s on their quest to reunite for a tour.
Eve, who plays Brianna in the series, will go on maternity leave. She’ll still appear in the majority of the first season, which is currently airing, and her character will be set up so she can easily return if the show is greenlit for a second season.
Eve has been married to the British millionaire since 2014, after a four-year courtship that began in 2010. She is the “bonus” mom to his four children, including Lotus, 19, Jagger, 17, Cash, 15, and Mini, 13, all from a previous marriage.
This is their first child together.
Jennifer Hudson in Talks to Have Her Own Daytime Show!
Jennifer Hudson is pitching herself as a daytime-talk-show host and hoping that fans will tune in to see her sing a different kind of song.
Variety broke the news that the Oscar winner is creating a series with Warner Bros. and hoping to launch after The Ellen DeGeneres Show ends its run in 2022 after 19 seasons. Jennifer's show is said to have been developed as a first-run syndicated broadcast TV daily strip.
If the show gets picked up, Jennifer will see herself stepping into the daytime spotlight with fellow American Idol alum, Kelly Clarkson. The Kelly Clarkson Show is a ratings bonanza and has been renewed through 2023. Currently, the "Because Of You" singer's program runs before Ellen on major-market NBC stations.
This could mean that Jennifer and Kelly would be set up for talk shows playing back-to-back. Now that would be a duet fans will want to see!
Jennifer most recently played Aretha Franklin in the film Respect. While Jennifer's film career has always been notable, she also is no stranger to TV. She's been a coach on The Voice, and has even won a Daytime Emmy award for Oculus Quest's Baba Yaga, which she executive produced. And the singer of course made her TV debut on American Idol in 2004. She was booted from the competition in a shocking season 3 elimination that had her finish in seventh place.
Cardi B is completely starstruck as she meets Robert Pattinson!
Cardi B may be an A-list rapper, but that didn’t stop the Bronx native from fanning-out over “Twilight” star Robert Pattinson.
“Look who I met the other day ! I felt like a teen!” the “Up” rapper, 29, tweeted out with video of her running into the 35-year-old actor at a Los Angeles party thrown in honor of British Vogue editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful OBE.
“Come, look at my friend, guys,” she says in the clip while primping her updo as Pattinson walks into frame, leading Cardi to excitedly scream into her camera.
A fan of the “Twilight” franchise, the Grammy-winner joked of wanting to have “vampire sex” back in July, only for Netflix to use the tweet in its promotion of the films on the streaming service.
It appears the “WAP” artist made several new celebrity friends that night, as Wolfgang Puck was reportedly heard offering Cardi cooking lessons during the British Vogue party.
“He was saying ‘I’ll teach you to cook if you teach me to rap,’” a spy told PageSix. “He was telling her [that] ‘love goes through the stomach.’ She agreed.”
Fellow attendees included Serena Williams, Kaia Gerber and mother Cindy Crawford, Benny Medina and Thandie Newton.
Gary Owen's Wife Kenya Calls Him A "Lying Narcissist" & Promises Podcast!
She has accused him of being unfaithful and lying about finances, and apparently, she will share her side of the story about their divorce on her podcast.
They announced their divorce earlier this year and since that time, the world has learned the intimate details of Gary Owen's marriage. The famed comedian and his estranged wife Kenya Duke have been married for 18 years, and while their relationship was kept out of the limelight, Duke is making sure everyone knows about her husband's alleged dealings now that they have split.
Duke has accused Owen of carrying on extramarital affairs and withholding finances, and she has returned to social media with another lengthy post about her ex. This time, she promises that she will be sharing her side of the story on her forthcoming podcast.
She tagged Owen in her caption but also called him "(aka Trevor from Bumble)" adding, "Can you please stop lying about paying the mortgage, I paid it. Let me know, if you want the receipt."
"Those squatters that you talk about living here, they don’t," Duke added. "We only got 1 problem a lying narcissist and he don’t live here no more. I am over here doing me. We don’t bother you at all for nothing. You push too far. The daddy you so viciously talk about on stage, about how terrible he was to you, when he was in his 20’s is who you are at 48 years old."
While she didn't detail what exact comments she was referencing, it is clear that something rubbed Duke the wrong way. "We haven’t had a meeting yet about this divorce and you are already starting," she added. "Podcast dropping Nov 18th and I got some stuff to talk about." Earlier this year, Owen addressed his divorce on the Wendy Williams Show and said it was his intention to keep everything behind the scenes, but Duke continues to make things public.
The U.S House Passes $1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan!
The House approved President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill on Friday after months of Democratic infighting, clinching a major achievement for the president on a key part of his economic agenda. Over a dozen Republican lawmakers also lent crucial votes to pass it.
Yet the Democrats’ success was partly overshadowed by a dramatic showdown within the party over the larger $1.75 trillion social spending bill. A small group of centrists refused to support the social and climate legislation without an economic analysis from the Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan scorekeeper. Democrats moved to approve a procedural motion advancing the social plan instead.
The infrastructure vote was 228-206 with 13 Republican lawmakers joining House Democrats. Democrats were poised to approve a procedural rule for the social plan shortly after.
The centrist revolt prompted a lot of frustration among Democrats who wanted to swiftly secure passage of both measures. Pelosi has pulled two major votes in the past three months after progressives withheld support from the infrastructure package without the social bill, arguing both had to pass alongside each other. Now centrists have prevented exactly that, for the time being.
Influencer Dana Chanel Sued For Allegedly Scamming Customers And Small Business Owners!
Influencer Dana Chanel is being sued by Pennsylvania’s Attorney General for failing to deliver goods and services to customers.
Dana Chanel, real name Casey Olivera, reportedly violated Pennsylvania’s Consumer Protection Law and the civil suit is asking for restitution, civil penalties, and restrictions on her companies’ future operations. As reported by Yahoo! News, Olivera is known for her large social media following which includes her 790,000 followers on Instagram, and her personal website. She is well known for promoting inspirational messages based on the Christian faith and tips on building a lucrative business to escape generational poverty.
“Dana Chanel built a following online by presenting herself as a Black woman-owned small business success story. She advertised the products of her companies as a way for other Black small business owners to achieve what she did. Then, she ripped off the same community she claimed to care about,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro
Olivera and her father, Nakia Rattray, were reportedly partners for the now-defunct mobile app Alakaxam Apps and her sister also operated a credit repair firm, Earn Company LLC. These companies were based in Philadelphia. Consumers reported paying over $3,000 to have an app developed and their credit repaired but the service was never provided.
US Navy launches ship named for gay rights leader Harvey Milk!
A Navy ship named for slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk, who served four years in the Navy before being forced out, was christened and launched in San Diego Bay on Saturday.
The replenishment oiler USNS Harvey Milk slid down the shipyard ways after a bottle of champagne was smashed on the bow by former Navy officer Paula M. Neira, clinical program director for the John Hopkins Center for Transgender Health.
Milk’s nephew, Stuart Milk, and Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro watched the traditional ceremony.
“The secretary of the Navy needed to be here today, not just to amend the wrongs of the past, but to give inspiration to all of our LGBTQ community leaders who served in the Navy, in uniform today and in the civilian workforce as well too, and to tell them that we’re committed to them in the future,” Del Toro said.
Del Toro said that, like many others, Milk had to “mask that very important part of his life” while he served in the Navy.
“For far too long, sailors like Lt. Milk were forced into the shadows or, worse yet, forced out of our beloved Navy,” Del Toro said. “That injustice is part of our Navy history, but so is the perseverance of all who continue to serve in the face of injustice.”
Milk was one of the first openly gay candidates elected to public office. He was serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1978 when a former political colleague, Dan White, assassinated him and Mayor George Moscone at City Hall.
In 2016, then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus decided that six new oilers scheduled to be built would be named after civil and human rights leaders. In addition to Milk, they include Sojourner Truth, Chief Justice Earl Warren, Robert F. Kennedy, suffragist Lucy Stone and Rep. John Lewis of Georgia.
Del Toro told Mabus, who attended the christening, that it was a courageous decision.
Toddler killed by stray bullet in Oakland highway shooting
“Ship names are important because they express what we value as a Navy and as a nation and communicate those values around the globe in every port of call,” Del Toro said.
Stuart Milk, co-founder and president of the Harvey Milk Foundation, thanked Mabus for providing the family details of his uncle’s discharge from the Navy.
“He has a less-than-honorable discharge. He was forced to resign because he was gay,” Stuart Milk said, adding that “we have to teach our history to prevent ourselves from going backwards and repeating it.”
Although there is a process for reversing such discharges, he said it was important to not do that for his late uncle in order “to keep the memory of how we did not honor everyone in this very honorable service.”
The naval tradition of having ship “sponsors” went to Neira and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who was unable to attend.
Feinstein was in San Francisco City Hall when Milk and Moscone were shot and then made the stunning announcement of their deaths. The ship “will carry a rich legacy of civic leadership,” Feinstein said in a letter read at the ceremony.
“When the Harvey Milk sails, she will send a very strong message both domestically and around the globe to everybody that believes in freedom and justice and liberty, that there is a place for you in this family,” said co-sponsor Neira.
General Dynamics NASSCO began construction of the six oilers in San Diego in 2018 under a $3.2 billion Navy contract. The first ship in the class, the John Lewis, was christened this summer.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
KEEPING HYDRATED
Makeshift masks and gloves plus being hydrated is the key.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
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