The Forgotten Verses of “The Star-Spangled Banner” were about SLAVES!
Do you know all the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner”? Many people have difficulty memorizing the lyrics of the first verse of this song, which is commonly performed at sports events and other public gatherings. But did you know that there are three additional verses that we almost never hear?
In 1814, the poet and lyricist Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” originally known as “Defense of Fort M’Henry.” During the War of 1812, Key witnessed the attacks on Baltimore and wrote the words based on his experiences this night. These lyrics were printed in local newspapers and set to the tune of an existing song called “Anacreon in Heaven,” and then officially arranged by John Philip Sousa. Key’s famous lyrics entered the world as a broadside ballad, or a song written on a topical subject, and printed for wide distribution.
More than a century later, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed an executive order designating “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the national anthem, and in 1931, the US Congress confirmed the decision. The tune has kicked off ceremonies of national importance and athletic events ever since.
While the first verse of “The Star-Spangled Banner” is widely known by the American public, the last three verses are generally omitted in performances. Here are all the four verses, as they were written 200 years ago by Key:
O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,
’Tis the star-spangled banner—O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
BUT WAIT the third stanza of the national anthem contains some choice – and racist – lyrics about former slaves who chose to fight for their freedom alongside the British during the War of 1812. Who knew?
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a Country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto – “In God is our trust,”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
It's ironic that our national anthem is at the center of controversy. "It's come full circle; here's a Maryland slave owner writing a song that we talk about that regards freedom for our country, bravery and courage and at the same time as we penetrate the lyrics, we find that he is critical of slaves and hirelings."
There are some people who believe the Star Spangled Banner shouldn't even be our national anthem and some of them have even started petitions on Change.org asking that the song be changed instead to America the Beautiful.
Patti Labelle Unveils New Cobblers And Cakes For Walmart!
*Walmart has announced the release of its latest partnership with Patti LaBelle and her Patti’s Good Life brand of pies and desserts.
The Chicago Tribune reports that the line features peach, mixed berry and apple cobblers (each $6.98), an apple pecan cake ($9.98) and a sweet potato loaf ($4.48). All are available nationwide, except the loaf, which is only available in select stores.
Actress Zendaya is on the cover of Hype Hair’s Sept issue. The magazine says that she is a force to be reckoned with, and has garnered the respect and love of many in the hair, beauty and fashion industries. In fact, in just a few short years, Zendaya has managed to nab several major deals with many of the most cutting edge and innovative brands in the world!
So, they’re glad to have her grace the cover of Hype Hair magazine’s September 2016 issue. Inside, they highlight the beauty chameleon’s partnerships with such industry heavyweights as CoverGirl, Material Girl and CHI.
Keep flipping through the pages for one-on-ones with “The Fosters” actress Sherri Saum; the ladies of Wetv’s “Cutting It In The ATL”, “Greenleaf” star Desiree Ross, and actress Candace Smith.
Be sure to pick up your copy on newsstands now.
R.H.o.A: Kandi Burruss Has a Touching Tribute for Aaliyah on the 15th Anniversary of Her Death
Fifteen years after Aaliyah tragically passed away in a plane crash at the age of 22 on August 25, 2001, the world hasn't forgotten about her influence on the music industry, as well as her friendship.
Kandi Burruss paid tribute to Aaliyah on Instagram Friday morning with a touching throwback pic of herself with the R&B singer, as well as rapper Foxy Brown. "I've always loved this pic," Kandi captioned the photo.
Of course, Aaliyah had many famous friends who continue to carry on her legacy today, including Beyoncé, who posted a sweet video of the pair gushing about how "fine" D'Angelo is during a red carpet appearance on Instagram Thursday.
Luckily, Aaliyah's music lives on in some unreleased tracks, her frequent collaborator Timbaland revealed during his appearance on Watch What Happens Live last November.
#EMPIRE: Phylicia Rashad Joins ‘Empire’ Season 3
Phylicia Rashad has been cast in the third season of “Empire,” joining the growing slate of prominent guest stars.
“The Cosby Show” alum will recur as Diana Dubois, a powerhouse from one of New York’s oldest and most prominent African-American families, and the on-screen mother of Taye Diggs, who will portray an ambitious city councilman, Angelo Dubois. Diana (Rashad) has her sights set on higher office for her only son and she’ll stop at nothing to groom him. Her interactions with Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), Lucious (Terrence Howard) and the rest of the Lyon clan will lay bare the stark class divides that can exist, even within the black community.
Rashad joins other previously announced “Empire” guest stars, including Mariah Carey, Sierra McClain, French Montana and Birdman.
Rashad famously starred on “The Cosby Show” as Bill Cosby’s TV wife, Clair Huxtable. In more recent years, she had had television roles on NBC’s short-lived “Do No Harm,” USA Network’s “Psych” and Lifetime’s “Steel Magnolias.”
“Empire” returns to Fox on Sept. 21 at 9 p.m
New Music: Usher – ‘Missin U’ + ‘Champions’
With the news that Usher has changed the title of his eighth studio album to Hard II Love, and it has gone up for pre-order, two brand new records have been released as well.
The first, “Missin U,” is a bass heavy banger, where the R&B star rides the beat while singing out about his desire to reunite with his lady, who has him entranced in her beauty.
“I mean everybody wants somebody that’s got confidence,” he says in the intro. “You know it’s in her attitude, the way she walks, nice legs, she’s got to be beautiful.” The song uniquely segues in between a hard club banger and sweet, contemporary love song.
The second track is “Champions,” from the film Hands of Stone, which Usher co-stars in as legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard. This one is an empowering ballad that switches between English and Spanish, as a duel kind of duet between Usher and actor Édgar Ramírez, who portrays the films leading character, boxer Roberto Durán.
“I’ll fight for my country / You’ll fight for your country / We see the victory, they’ll get the victory / Man to man and heart to heart / Face to face, but worlds apart,” he sings.
Hands of Stone lands in theaters on Friday (Aug. 26). Usher’s eighth studio album Hard II Love is set to be released on September 16.
Take a listen to both new tracks below!
Thoughts?
New Hip Hop Video: Jeezy Feat. 2 Chainz & Future – ‘Magic City Monday’
Jeezy turns “Magic City Monday” into a night out at the strip club in the video for his 2 Chainz and Future collaboration.
Filmed at famed Atlanta gentlemen’s club Magic City, the Snowman and Tity Boi make it rain throughout, joined by a crew of their pals including Trey Songz.
“We ain’t playing about this money,” raps Jeezy. “Feel like a Magic City Monday.”
While Hairweave Killer and Trigga join Jeezy at the club, Future wasn’t able to make it. Instead, he Skypes in through the club’s televisions.
Nevertheless, the fun resumes with stacks filling the air. Watch the “Magic City Monday” video HERE
Cool!
SADNESS: Actor Gene Wilder Dies At Age 83
Gene Wilder, who regularly stole the show in such comedic gems as “The Producers,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “Stir Crazy,” died Monday at his home in Stamford, Conn. His nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman said he died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 83. He had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1989.
The comic actor, who was twice Oscar nominated, for his role in “The Producers” and for co-penning “Young Frankenstein” with Mel Brooks, usually portrayed a neurotic who veered between total hysteria and dewy-eyed tenderness. “My quiet exterior used to be a mask for hysteria,” he told Time magazine in 1970. “After seven years of analysis, it just became a habit.”
Well him and Gilda are now reunited again…*sheds tears* R..I.P Gene and Thank You!
SADNESS: Latavia Roberson Reveals She Lost Her Unborn Baby Girl Due To Complications
Remember when former Destiny' Child star Latavia Roberson was rushed to the hospital for pregnancy complications, she stayed mum about the validity. She was reportedly fighting for her life and the life of the baby. Now, we know it was true.
The singer turned TV One reality star shared the news about losing her baby girl late last night saying:
Hey lovers! I do truly appreciate every prayer and everything positive that was sent my way. I was, in fact, in the hospital. And during that time, unfortunately, I lost my daughter but MY GOD never makes mistakes. Thank you for your ongoing prayers! I know my angel is watching over our family!!! I love you all
Her first born, Lyric Richardson, just recently had her first day of school
Our thoughts and prayers go out to her!
Beyoncé & Jay Z Dine In NYC With Kanye, Kim Kardashian, Diddy, Cassie, Alicia Keys And Swizz Beatz After The VMA's
It was a star-studded affair as Beyoncé, Jay Z, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Diddy, Cassie, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz and Steve Stoute and his wife, Lauren Branche, dined at Pasquale Jones following the VMAs.
They were all smiles as they snapped a photo from inside the restaurant the NYC restaurant. “Family Zone,” Swizz captioned the photo as he shared it on Instagram. Good times!
Alison Carey, Mariah Carey’s Sister, Reportedly Arrested On Prostitution Charge In New York
Alison Carey, the older sister of R&B diva Mariah Carey, was arrested for prostitution at a hotel in Saugerties, New York, on Friday, The Daily Freeman reports.
Carey, 55, was arrested by Saugerties police after they underwent an undercover investigation looking into allegations of prostitution against her, according to The Daily Freeman. Described as “transient” by police, Carey reportedly solicited money in exchange for sexual favors from a police officer who was undercover as a client.
Carey told police she was the “Obsessed” singer’s sister after she was arrested, police chief Joseph Sinagra told the Daily Freeman. A source told People the sisters have been estranged “for years,” and according to Woman’s Day New Zealand, their conflict is a result of Carey’s attempt to publish a tell-all book about Mariah.
Sinagra said that the police were investigating Carey after receiving a tip about her online advertisements promoting her services. The Daily Freeman reports one ad contained two photos of Carey along with the following message, which references Mariah’s “Fantasy.”
Im a pretty lady looking for guys who are looking to have some fun and get into a world of pleasure that other woman just cant provide two you, woman with the ability to make the earth move for you and to get you to see stars, oh yea with me its, “ITS SUCH A SWEET,SWEET FANTASY BABY, WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES I COME AND TAKE YOU ON AND ON.”
Carey reportedly posted two other ads earlier this summer, according to the Daily Freeman. She was also arrested for prostitution back in 2005.
Following the most recent arrest, Sinagra urged any individuals who may have had a sexual encounter (especially unprotected) with Carey to get checked out for sexually transmitted infections. According to Us Weekly and Heavy.com, Carey is HIV-positive.
Carey was arraigned in Saugerties Town Court and sent to Ulster County Jail. Her bail is currently set at $1,000 and she is expected to appear in court in Aug. 30.
Huma Abedin Announces Separation From Husband Anthony Weiner
Hillary Clinton's longtime aide Huma Abedin will separate from her husband, disgraced former New York congressman Anthony Weiner, following a report in the New York Post suggesting he had fallen back into his sexting habit.
"After long and painful consideration and work on my marriage, I have made the decision to separate from my husband," Abedin said in a statement. "Anthony and I remain devoted to doing what is best for our son, who is the light of our life. During this difficult time, I ask for respect for our privacy."
YIKES!
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Hugh Thickness!
Ladies and others LOL! Meet Herb Thickness ! So you know what to do to see more. Just GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS and remember they’re NSFW!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN NOR ALTER any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
You’re Welcome!
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
So the glass door containing pizza rolls is broken at Walmart. If this story doesn’t start with “So these drunk people or these stoners came into the store at 2:30 am” then I’m not sure I’ll actually believe it.
“L.A. Hair” reality TV star Dontay Savoy suffered a heartbreaking loss this week when his fiancé, famous hairstylist Antwon L. Jackson, died. Understandably, the loss has left Savoy devastated and he recently mourned the loss of his loved on his social media pages.
As previously reported, Jackson was Wendy Williams’ hair stylist on her daytime talk show, “The Wendy Williams Show,” and he is regularly seen on camera on her behind-the-scenes YouTube clips for the show.
On Wednesday, Williams revealed to the world that Jackson had died.
Southside with You actress Tika Sumpter displays pregnancy glam in all its glory on the cover of Rolling Out, a magazine that focuses on music, politics, and culture, with photography by Dewayne Rogers and styling by Jason Bolden.
Tika has been pretty private about her pregnancy and it was beautiful seeing her celebrate her success and bundle of joy on the cover. I love the hat she is wearing and just look at that pose!:
The beauty stands confidently and radiantly, with each shot looking better than the next.
While seven-months pregnant, the Have and Have Nots star has been promoting her movie, Southside with You, starring alongside Parker Sawyers. The movie is about Barack and Michelle Obama‘s first date. Well into her third trimester and still working a full schedule, the 36-year-old mom isn’t slowing down yet.
She tells Rolling Out, “It’s actually inspiring. I hope one day my daughter looks at this and says, ‘Mommy you promoted this film with me inside of you and you were as strong as the person you played.’ I took a lot from Michelle Robinson and Michelle Obama so I hope every little girl and more ladies will be at this film and gain strength from it because I definitely have.”
You can read the entire interview here. Tika is due in October.
VMAs 2016: See the Full
List of Winners
Beyonce led the pack of MTV VMAs 2016
nominees, with 11 nominations, and she was also the night's biggest winner --
even passing Madonna for the most Moonmen of all time.
Who else won big on Sunday night (Aug.
28) at New York's Madison Square Garden? Find all the winners below: Video of the Year: Adele – “Hello” Beyoncé – “Formation” --
WINNER Drake – “Hotline Bling” Justin Bieber – “Sorry” Kanye West – “Famous”
Adele – “Hello” Beyoncé – “Hold Up” -- WINNER Sia – “Cheap Thrills” Ariana Grande – “Into You” Rihanna ft. Drake – “Work” (short
version)
Best Male Video:
Drake – “Hotline Bling” Bryson Tiller – “Don’t” Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna –
“This Is What You Came For” -- WINNER Kanye West – “Famous” The Weeknd – “Can’t Feel My Face”
Best Collaboration:
Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Freedom” Fifth Harmony ft. Ty Dolla
$ign – “Work From Home” -- WINNER Ariana Grande ft. Lil Wayne – “Let Me
Love You” Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna – “This Is
What You Came For” Rihanna ft. Drake – “Work” (short
version)
All Time Low – “Missing You” Coldplay – “Adventure Of A Lifetime” Fall Out Boy ft. Demi Lovato –
“Irresistible” twenty one pilots – “Heathens”
-- WINNER Panic! At The Disco – “Victorious”
Best Electronic Video:
Calvin Harris & Disciples
– “How Deep Is Your Love” -- WINNER 99 Souls ft. Destiny’s Child &
Brandy – “The Girl Is Mine” Mike Posner – “I Took A Pill In Ibiza” Afrojack – “SummerThing!” The Chainsmokers ft. Daya – “Don’t Let
Me Down”
Breakthrough Long Form Video:
Florence + The Machine – The Odyssey Beyoncé – Lemonade -- WINNER Justin Bieber – PURPOSE: The Movement Chris Brown – Royalty Troye Sivan – Blue Neighbourhood Trilogy
Best New Artist:
Bryson Tiller Desiigner Zara Larsson Lukas Graham DNCE -- WINNER
Song of Summer Presented by Verizon:
Calvin Harris featuring Rihanna – “This
Is What You Came For” The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey –
“Closer” Drake featuring Kyla & Wizkid – “One
Dance” Fifth Harmony featuring Fetty
Wap – “All In My Head (Flex)” -- WINNER Justin Timberlake – “Can’t Stop The
Feeling” Kent Jones – “Don’t Mind” Major Lazer featuring Justin Bieber MØ–
“Cold Water” Nick Jonas featuring Ty Dolla $ign –
“Bacon” Selena Gomez – “Kill ‘Em With Kindness” Sia – “Cheap Thrills”
PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES
Best Art Direction: Beyoncé – “Hold Up” Fergie – “M.I.L.F. $” Drake – “Hotline Bling” David Bowie – “Blackstar” --
WINNER Adele – “Hello”
Best Choreography:
Beyoncé – “Formation” --
WINNER Missy Elliott ft. Pharrell – “WTF (Where
They From)” Beyoncé – “Sorry” FKA Twigs – “M3LL155X” Florence + The Machine – “Delilah”
Best Direction:
Beyoncé – “Formation” --
WINNER Coldplay – “Up&Up” Adele – “Hello” David Bowie – “Lazarus” Tame Impala – “The Less I Know The
Better”
Coldplay – “Up&Up” --
WINNER FKA Twigs – “M3LL155X” Adele – “Send My Love (To Your New
Lover)” The Weeknd – “Can’t Feel My Face”
Zayn – “PILLOWTALK
Congrats to all the winners!
R.H.o.A: SNAPSHOP Kenya Moore
In today’s Instagram trolling. Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore shared, “Building an empire starts with one brick. Great news with #KenyaMooreHairCare coming soon.
Get a First Look At Mariah Carey As Kitty On ‘Empire’ Season 3
FOX is offering the first look at Mariah Carey in her role as Kitty on Empire’s upcoming Season 3. Playing a superstar singer, who stops through Empire to collaborate on a new song with Jamal Lyon (Jussie Smollett), Mimi is seen talking to Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), saying: “You always got a trick up your sleeve.”
In addition to catching Mariah in her guest appearance on Empire, fans will also catch her on her own show – the E! docuseries, Mariah’s World – premiering in December.
WATCH HERE
Get a glimpse of the songstress in character below, ahead of Empire’s September 21st return to FOX, to kick off its third season.
New Music Video from Chris Brown – ‘Grass Ain’t Greener’
Chris Brown unleashes the visuals for his single, “Grass Ain’t Greener.” Breezy and his boys take a trip to a deserted to hit a party that his friends are convinced he’s attending to chase after his ex.
The fellas enter a large black pyramid where that bash is going down. There’s people in a large cage, plus plenty in the middle of the floor — and Breezy, rockin’ pieces from his Black Pyramid clothing line, doesn’t disappoint with the dance moves.
WATCH HERE
The track is expected to land on the singer’s upcoming album, Heartbreak on a Full Moon.
New Hip Hop Video: Belly Feat. Kehlani – ‘You’
Belly and Kehlani are finally giving “You” their new music video. After going behind the scenes last month, the Roc Nation signee unleashes the brooding clip, which was shot in downtown L.A.
WATCH HERE
Directed by Jack Begert, “You” “It’s abstract,” said the Canadian rapper. “It’s really a vibe. More than explaining what’s happening in the song word-for-word, the video captures the mood.”
That mood is captured with a blend of chandeliers, gripping tones, and lots of smoke between Belly and Kehlani while they perform the Another Day in Paradise single.
Belly and Kehlani go way back. “A lot of us came up [together],” he said. “She was on her come up. I was just starting my little bubble and we connected just based on good vibes. I think it translated into the music.”
Nicole Murphy Con Artist Ex-Boyfriend Troy Stratos is Headed to Trial
Back in 2007 Nicole Murphy's then boyfriend Troy Stratos was burning through her $15 million divorce settlement from Eddie Murphy. She then denied any of this was true.
However this week Nicole Murphy admitted that Troy, who she has known since high school, conned her out of over half her divorce settlement by claiming to know Middle Eastern business men that could invest her money in oil shares.
Troy also told Nicole the oil guys wanted to purchase the house she got in her settlement at a huge profit and that she needed to lease two luxury cars that would be purchased as part of a package deal.
In reality Troy was living in the house rent free, driving the cars around town and had taken Nicole's money and invested it in his own bank account which he used to fund his lavish lifestyle and gambling addiction.
From The Daily Mail
Murphy's attempts to try to get her money back have so far failed.
She hired private investigator Bill Branscum, a former special agent who worked with the FBI's organized crime strike force in Miami, to dig into Stratos' background.
Branscum followed fraudster Stratos' trail from Florida to California to Canada and France.
According to documents seen by Daily Mail Online Branscum found a realtor in Maui, Hawaii who said he gave Stratos $1.9 million for an investment that never happened.
He also found more wealthy women targeted by Stratos in Vancouver, Canada who gave the conman at least $16 million and a string of men who said they were his lovers and victims of his scams.
Troy has been charged with three counts of mail fraud, 12 counts of wire fraud, four counts of money laundering, and one count of obstruction of justice in Nicole's criminal case against him and his trial is scheduled to begin September 12
WOW!
Reality star Dontay Savoy heartbroken over fiancé’s death
“L.A. Hair” reality TV star Dontay Savoy suffered a heartbreaking loss this week when his fiancé, famous hairstylist Antwon L. Jackson, died. Understandably, the loss has left Savoy devastated and he recently mourned the loss of his loved on his social media pages.
As previously reported, Jackson was Wendy Williams’ hair stylist on her daytime talk show, “The Wendy Williams Show,” and he is regularly seen on camera on her behind-the-scenes YouTube clips for the show.
On Wednesday, Williams revealed to the world that Jackson had died.
Toya Wright & Memphitz Reach Divorce Settlement: Toya Will Pay Memphitz to get out!
Toya Wright and soon-to-be ex-husband Mickey “Memphitz” Wright have reached a settlement in their divorce, in which they solved all their issues over their assets and property. The reality star is demanding the judge grant the divorce quickly, which would officially end the their 5-year marriage.
Here’s the latest: This month, docs were filed in the case explaining Mickey and Toya have reached a settlement in the divorce. The agreement – signed by both parties – states neither husband or wife shall seek or receive alimony from the other now or in the future. Further, neither owns any real property to be divided.
Each will retain their own retirement investments and accounts. They both say all joint bank accounts have already been closed and they share no debt together. Each will be responsible for their own debt.
In regards to their automobiles and furniture and other personal property, each will keep the property in their possessions and Toya is waiving all rights to furniture and belongings in Mickey’s home currently.
Toya agreed to pay $8k to her soon-to-be ex-husband and Mickey will waive all rights to proceeds earned by her from the sale of her book, “How to Lose a Husband” and proceeds from Before Bed Headz, a company she owns.
Per their agreement, Toya explains all issues over their property and assets have been settled and she is asking the divorce quickly be granted by the judge.
Toya has been outspoken about her rocky relationship with Mickey. The soon-to-be former couple announced they were splitting back in 2015, but decided to give their marriage numerous attempts to fix it. The reality star released her book entitled, “How to Lose a Husband” earlier this year.
Toya was previously married to Lil Wayne for two years before divorcing in 2006. The friendly exes share a daughter named Reginae Carter.
The Murder of Dwayne Wade’s Cousin and the Despicable idiocy of Donald Trump!
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump exploited the death of a black mother in Chicago on Friday, saying it was a clear example of why African-Americans should vote for him.
Nykea Aldridge, the cousin of Chicago Bulls player Dwyane Wade and a mother of four, was killed on Friday as she pushed a baby in a stroller. Aldridge was not the intended target. Wade tweeted about his cousin’s death on Friday, calling for an end to “senseless gun violence.”
Less than 24 hours later, Trump was exploiting Aldridge’s death in a tweet in which he misspelled Wade’s first name. Trump later deleted the tweet and posted another, correcting the spelling of Wade’s name.
Several hours after his initial tweet, Trump tweeted his condolences to Wade and his family.
An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll released at the beginning of August showed Hillary Clinton led Trump among African-Americans 91 to 1 percent.
Recently, he has tried to appeal to African-Americans by claiming their communities had gotten so bad they have nothing to lose by voting for him. African-Americans have said that Trump’s description of their lives isn’t accurate.
Trump tweeted a similar boast after a deadly shooting at a gay Orlando nightclub, where gunman Omar Mateen killed 49 people, saying it showed his warnings about terrorism were correct.
In an interview with Bill O’Reilly on Monday, Trump claimed to have met with a top Chicago police officer who told him he could stop Chicago crime in a week. A spokesman for the Chicago Police Department said no senior member of the department met with Trump or anyone from his campaign. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE! Two Chicago brothers on parole charged in murder of NBA star's cousin
Chicago police on Sunday said they have arrested two brothers and charged them with the fatal shooting of basketball star Dwyane Wade's cousin as she pushed a baby in a stroller, a murder that has stunned a city plagued by a surge in gang-related violence.
In a case that has emerged as a talking point in the U.S. presidential race, Darwin Sorrells Jr., 26, and Derren Sorrells, 22, are facing charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder in the death of Nykea Aldridge, a 32-year-old mother of four, police said.
The brothers, described as "documented gang members," are convicted felons who were out of prison on parole at the time of the shooting, police officials said at a Sunday press briefing.
Aldridge was hit when the suspects opened fire at the intended target, a driver of a car who told authorities he worked for Uber and was dropping off passengers.
In a briefing on Sunday, police did not say why the driver was targeted except to note that the man was from outside the area and appeared to have an exchange of words with the suspects.
One of the brothers was required to wear a monitoring device as a condition of his home confinement while on parole, except from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. when he was allowed to conduct personal business. It was during those hours that the shooting occurred, police said.
Darwin Sorrells was sentenced to six years in prison in 2013 on a gun charge but was "let out early," police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said on Twitter on Sunday.
It was not clear whether the brothers had a lawyer and personally WHO CARES!
Nate Parker speaks on rape trial controversy comments: 'I was speaking from a standpoint of ignorance'
Nate Parker says his initial comments about the 1999 rape trial that has resurfaced amid discussion of The Birth of a Nation came from a “standpoint of ignorance.”
In a new interview with Ebony, the actor and director said the interviews he did earlier this month with Deadline and Variety, in which the 1999 rape trial was discussed, came when he didn’t know the woman who accused him and Birth of a Nation co-writer Jean Celestin of rape had died by suicide.
“This is hard; I’ve been trying to figure out how to say this. Not everyone has the best intentions. I thought I was giving the interview, at the time of those two interviews — and one really just bit off the other — I didn’t know the status of the women,” Parker said. “I didn’t know. I was acting as if I was the victim, and that’s wrong. I was acting as if I was the victim because I felt like, my only thought was I’m innocent and everyone needs to know. I didn’t even think for a second about her, not even for a second.”
He added, “You asked me why I wasn’t empathetic? Why didn’t it come off more empathetic? Because I wasn’t being empathetic. Why didn’t it come off more contrite? Because I wasn’t being contrite. Maybe I was being even arrogant. And learning about her passing shook me, it really did. It really shook me.”
In 1999, while students at Penn State University, Parker and Celestin were accused of raping a woman who was unconscious and intoxicated after a night of drinking. Parker was acquitted of the charge; Celestin was convicted, but the verdict was overturned on account of an ineffective defense from his lawyer. He was not retried for the crime, as the victim declined to testify.
In the interview with Ebony, Parker was asked how he would “classify that particular incident with you, Jean, and the girl.”
“I’ll say this, I think that they are more things than the law,” Parker said. “I think there is having a behavior that is disrespectful to women that goes unchecked, where your manhood is defined by sexual conquests, where you trade stories with your friends and no one checks anyone. At 19, that was normal. As a 36-year-old man, if I looked at my 19-year-old self as my son, if I could have grabbed him earlier before this incident, or even just going to college. Because for me, it’s about this incident, but it’s about a culture that I never took the time to try to understand. I never examined my role in male culture, in hypermasculinity. I never examined it, nobody ever called me on it.
“So if I’m 36 and I have my 19-year-old self, I’m pulling him to the side, and saying, ‘Listen bruh, throwing on your Timbs and your fitted hat and strolling campus trying to get a girl to say yes, or going to the club hoping you bring a girl home, that’s not the way to go about healthy relationships. You need to step back. You need to think about how that affects you, how it affects them, how it affects the women in your life.’”
After the rape trial was brought up in an interview with Variety, Parker said, “Seventeen years ago, I experienced a very painful moment in my life. It resulted in it being litigated. I was cleared of it. That’s that. Seventeen years later, I’m a filmmaker. I have a family. I have five beautiful daughters. I have a lovely wife. I get it. The reality is — I can’t relive 17 years ago. All I can do is be the best man I can be now.”
After the victim’s suicide came to light, Parker added on Facebook, “I cannot — nor do I want to ignore the pain she endured during and following our trial. While I maintain my innocence that the encounter was unambiguously consensual, there are things more important than the law. There is morality; no one who calls himself a man of faith should even be in that situation. As a 36-year-old father of daughters and person of faith, I look back on that time as a teenager and can say without hesitation that I should have used more wisdom.
“I look back on that time, my indignant attitude and my heartfelt mission to prove my innocence with eyes that are more wise with time. I see now that I may not have shown enough empathy even as I fought to clear my name. Empathy for the young woman and empathy for the seriousness of the situation I put myself and others in.”
In the wake of the controversy, The Birth of a Nation, Parker’s breakout Sundance film which was purchased by Fox Searchlight for a record $17.5 million, has come under scrutiny. The studio still plans to release the film on Oct. 7, but a scheduled screening and Q&A for the film at AFI was canceled.
‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 23 Will See Return Of Pros Julianne & Derek Hough, Maksim Chmerkovskiy
There will be some familiar faces from seasons past when Dancing With The Stars returns for the next go-round on ABC.
Season 23 will see the return of pros Derek and Julianne Hough, who last appeared in 2015. Derek will be back as a pro and Julianne will serve as a judge. Also returning is pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy, He last appeared in 2014 when he and Olympic ice dancer Meryl Davis won the mirrorball trophy in Season 18.
Also returning are Season 22 pros Witney Carson, Sharna Burgess, Artem Chigvintsev, Lindsay Arnold and Sasha Farber
Julianne Hough, a former pro dancer on the show, is expected to be joined at the judge’s table by Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman, who judged with Hough the past two iterations of the ballroom dance competition series.
Chmerkovskiy broke the news of his return on ABC’s Good Morning America, which has been ABC’s Dancing news clearinghouse for years. Otherwise, ABC’s been mum on all casting issues with regard to the primetime dance program, per usual, so as to have a big a reveal as possible on GMA.
But this season’s Dancing staffing speculation has been entirely eclipsed by news Ryan Lochte, Olympic gold medalist and Rio Public Enemy No. 1, is joining the hoofer competition. And that Dancing storyline got 20% more interesting yesterday with word that Rio authorities have charged Lochte with falsely reporting a crime. The 12-time Olympic medalist will be summoned to Rio, CNN said, citing Tourist Support Special Precinct officials. If convicted, Lochte could face one to six months in jail – or the judge could slap him with a hefty fine, CNN said, noting there would be no negotiations in that case – unlike the scene at the gas station during the Rio Olympics, in which Rio authorities say the gas station security guard who pulled a gun on Lochte and the other Olympians was merely negotiating payment for their having pissed in the bushes and torn down a poster. Lochte originally told NBC’s Billy Bush a robber had pulled them over as they rode in a taxi early in the morning, and put a gun to his head. He drastically changed that account in a later interview with Matt Lauer, explaining he’s “over-exaggerated” and was “intoxicated” at the time.
The new season of Dancing With The Stars premieres Monday, September 12, at 8 PM on ABC.
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Tashaun Gipson of the Cleveland Browns
Meet Tashaun Gipson of the Cleveland Browns! And YES he decided to leak his own pics. So you know what to do to see more. Just GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS and remember they’re NSFW!
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AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
