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Sunday, May 10, 2020

Candace Owens argues Ahmaud Arbery shooting isn’t about race, draws outrage

Controversial right-wing commentator Candace Owens is known to draw outrage for her public comments, and her recent statements on the shooting death of unarmed Ahmaud Arbery were certainly on brand.

Owens, who was locked out of Twitter a week ago for encouraging a political revolt in Michigan over its shelter-in-place orders, returned to the social media platform to slam the media and protesters decrying the role of racism in Arbery’s murder.

READ MORE: Court docs say Ahmaud Arbery had previous connection with of the men who shot him

On Saturday, Owens tweeted, “Ahmaud Arbery was caught on camera breaking into an unfinished property that was owned by Larry English. His mother has confirmed it is him in the video. Please stop with the “just a jogger” bullshit narrative. Avid joggers don’t wear khaki shorts & stop to break into homes.”

While jogging in a predominantly white neighborhood of Brunswick, Georgia, Arbery was fatally shot while jogging on Feb. 23 by Travis McMichael, 34, who along with his father Gregory McMichael, 64, was charged with murder and aggravated assault on May 7.

READ MORE: 2 men arrested, charged with murder in shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery

(Photo: Twitter)

The McMichaels claim they suspected Arbery of burglary before they chased him down in their pickup truck — along with their guns. While there were several calls placed to 911 over Arbery’s presence in the Satilla Shores neighborhood, none such calls indicate Arbery was committing any crime.

Owens continued her Tweetstorm over the Arbery shooting in a series of posts, including one slamming LeBron James for his comments expressing outrage. “@KingJames — who will never be what Kobe and Jordan were off the court because he lacks intellect,” she tweeted.

“Bro. You have multiples homes, white personal chefs, gardeners and housekeepers. If that’s an example of “literally being hunted” by white people, then sign me up ASAP.”

She went on to use the Arbery shooting as a springboard to bring up black-on-black crime.

“Black America when 9 year old Tyshawn Lee is lured from a basketball court down an alleyway and shot dead by a black gang member: *crickets* Black America when a repeat burglar is shot dead after breaking into a home: RACISM! INJUSTICE! PROTEST! Our culture is a joke,” Owens tweeted, although, again, there is no evidence that Arbery ever committed any crime aside from the McMichaels claiming he did to police after the shooting.

Owens continued to argue that racism was not a factor in Arbery’s shooting, using unverified statistics to apparently suggest Black Americans are more violent than whites.

“FACTS: Blacks kill 2x as man(sic) whites as whites kill black, annually. We commit 85% of all violent crimes, 50% of all murders. Over 90% of blacks killed by homicide are killed by other blacks. BUT LET’S KEEP LYING TO BOTH OURSELVES AND THE PUBLIC & KEEP BLAMING RACISM.

Owens failed to mention that while most Black homicide victims are by the hands of someone of the same race, the same is true for white homicide victims. In fact, FBI data as recent as 2016 reveals there were slightly more white-on-white homicides in the country than there were black-on-black homicides.

It’s also worth noting none of the statistics used by Owens disprove that Arbery, who was unarmed, wasn’t targeted because of his race in the mostly white neighborhood where some fly Confederate flags in front yards.

“2020 definitions: Black man kills a white person= murder Black man kills a black person= murder White person kills a black man= racist lynching indicative of the third coming of the Ku Klux Klansmen, worthy of back to back media coverage, protests and A-list celebrity voices,” she tweeted.

Owens later clarified that her statements did not mean she believed his death was justified, but rather express her resentment that it had anything to do with Arbery’s and the McMichaels’ race.

Candace Owens. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

READ MORE: Ahmaud Arbery video reminds us Black people still get lynched, even today

“Two things can be true at once: -Ahmaud Arbery did not deserve to die. -Ahmaud Arbery was not a jogger gunned down for the crime of being black,” she tweeted.

Later in the evening, Owens tweeted a Daily Mail article about security footage being reviewed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation that purportedly shows a man in the neighborhood who they believe is Arbery. In the video, the man enters the garage of private property under construction. A Georgia prosecutor, however, told the AJC that entry of a construction site is not necessarily a crime.

“The national debate SHOULD have been about the legitimacy of citizen’s arrests in light of a tragic outcome. Instead, we went with BLACKS ARE LITERALLY BEING HUNTED WHEN THEY STEP OUT OF THEIR HOMES FOR NO REASON. Race-baiting ALWAYS leaves us looking emotional & foolish,” Owens said.

After she became a number one trending topic for the outrage over her tweets, Owens said “I see I’m trending so let me clarify: I WILL NOT BE A SLAVE TO THE DEMOCRAT RACE NARRATIVE. NOT TODAY. NOT TOMORROW. NOT EVER. I WILL NOT PRETEND TO LIVE IN A SOCIETY WHERE BLACKS ARE HUNTED, TO SATISFY THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA MASTERS. I DO NOT SEEK APPROVAL, I SEEK FREEDOM.”

Owens’ tweets drew outrage online and also drove conservatives to come to her defense. See some of the reactions below.

The post Candace Owens argues Ahmaud Arbery shooting isn’t about race, draws outrage appeared first on TheGrio.



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Chanel Rae Pettaway Has Gone From Helping Cardi B to Working with the NBA

Chanel Rae Pettaway

The music industry is known to chew and spit out people who lack the vision and/or staying power needed to ride the ever-changing waves. But, if you have a creative mindset and can adapt to the many trends and flows of the game, you tend to stick around and add to your success. Entrepreneur Chanel Rae Pettaway just happens to fit that mold.

“The Culture Princess” is the co-founder of the Legion Media Group, a full service public relations and branding agency that is based in New York City. Amassing a client base that keeps her busy, she also makes time to co-host a new podcast for the millennial mom, “Our First Time–A Mommy Cast.”

Pettaway spoke to BLACK ENTERPRISE about who she works with, what she does, and how she manages to stay in the game while focusing on her personal goals.

What is the name of your company and how long have you been in business and who are some of the clients you’ve worked with?

The Legion Media Group was formed in July 2009. Current and past clients range in music, media, fashion, and entertainment. My current roster includes Hot 97, Jim Jones, Cam’Ron, Dipset, Cipha Sounds, Peter Rosenberg, Salaam Remi, Joell Ortiz, Chinx (RIP), Embassy Lounge NYC, DJ Juanyto, DJ Drewski, DJ E. Stylez, Fatman Scoop, Iman Nunez, and GiF the Great.

Understanding the inner workings of the music and entertainment industry, how are you able to navigate through this cutthroat game and still be successful?

I believe in staying true to myself. Though it will take me longer to get to the top, when I do, I will bring my morals and values along with me. Though I’m aware of what my peers are doing, I focus on my personal goals and what is ahead of me. My motto is to stay in my lane and mind my business. At the same time, I’m never going to allow someone to bully me. I will always stand my ground.

You were recently a part of a collaboration between Dipset, the NBA, Mitchell and Ness, and Bleacher Report. How did that come about and what was your role in making it happen?

Project Director Justin Dreyfuss of Bleacher Report reached out to myself, Peter Kadin, and Teff Mogus of Empire team (Dipset’s distribution label) and told us about the remix apparel they were doing along with Mitchell and Ness and the NBA. They told us they were possibly interested in a joint collaboration with Dipset but wanted ideas on what the capsule would look like. I expressed to them that we needed more than to just release the product. It’s one thing to do it, but if no one knows about it, what good is it?! I pitched my ideas for the roll out to all parties and it we collectively saw most of them through. Cam’ron and Jim were eager to see it come to fruition.

The design was done by Cade Beaulieu and Cam’ron did the finishing touches regarding the color pattern.

Do you have any advice or suggestions for anyone who wants to take a path similar to yours in this industry?

No matter what you want to do in life, you have to learn your craft before you can master it. Always be kind. My high school coach Carl Hawker would always remind us: Be careful of the toes you step on today as it may be connected to the ass you may have to kiss tomorrow.

What else are you working on that you’d like to discuss?

We are in the process starting a new weather show for Jim Jones with iOne, The Weatha Show. Initially, it would run across all their platforms and their radio stations and branch out from there.

In an industry where accomplishments are often overlooked, are there any that you’d like to talk about that people may not be aware of?

Most people don’t know that I was on Cardi B‘s early team along with Shaft. I was the first to get her music media placement (her first XXL music mention).



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Elon Musk and Grimes' Baby Tops This Week's Internet News Roundup

The pair named their newborn child X Æ A-12. People are still scratching their heads over how it's pronounced.

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Fantastical Plans Are on Hold, and More Car News This Week

The Covid-19 pandemic will delay the arrival of flying cars, and Google sibling Sidewalk Labs abandons plans to remake part of Toronto's waterfront.

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An Unlikely Partner to Counter Cyberattacks

To combat increasing ransomware attacks on U.S. cities, the National Guard needs help from Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

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8 Best Keyboards for Gaming (And a Little Work, Too)

Whether you're looking to boost your productivity or battle royale stats, these are the best mechanical keyboards for the job.

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Caribbean Nations May Require Returning Citizens And Tourists To Take COVID-19 Tests For Entry

trinidad and tobago

The travel industry has been brought to its knees due to the spread of the novel coronavirus. Many countries around the world have been forced to close their boundaries to non-citizens and restrict leisure travel completely.

Caribbean nations have had unique challenges with dealing with the viral outbreak from low death rates and instituting mandatory stay-at-home orders early to stop the virus from spreading. Now with many countries looking to the future of travel once everything resumes, some countries are requiring returning citizens and tourists to test for COVID-19.

Antigua and Barbuda announced that they will be requiring COVID-19 test certificates to prove their negative results in order to be allowed entry into the country. The island plans for tourists to undergo rapid testing for the virus before boarding the aircraft to visit.

The Bahamas and Haiti joined in announcing their COVID-19 testing requirements earlier this week. This comes after the push for a new COVID-19 “passport” for travelers to prove they are negative in order to fly. Some critics say the action will be difficult to implement.

“Requiring some kind of COVID passport is going to be difficult,” said Carlos Espinal, director of the Global Health Consortium at the Robert Stempel College of Public Health at Florida International University to the Miami Herald.

According to the Miami Herald, in a national address last Sunday, Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis announced that any citizen or legal resident who wanted to return will need to obtain a real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction diagnostic test from an accredited lab, “unless otherwise approved to have the test administered upon arrival.” The test, also known as RT-PCR, is considered the gold standard of testing due to its accuracy for detecting the coronavirus.

“All those returning will be required to be quarantined for 14 days in a government quarantine facility or self-quarantined,” Minnis said. This comes after the Bahamian Health Minister Duane Sands submitted his resignation, taking full responsibility for allowing six permanent residents to return to the country through a private air charter despite the border closure and testing requirement.



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Two Sikh Doctors Shave Their Beards In Order To Treat Coronavirus Patients

Two Sikh brothers in Canada, who are also doctors, have cut their beards in order to wear N95 masks when treating coronavirus patients.

According to Upworthy, both Sanjeet and Rajeet Singh-Saluja sported long breads as part of their Sikh religion.

One of the main pillars of the Sikh religion is sewa meaning selfless service or helping others without reward or personal gain. Another main pillar is kesh, the practice of allowing one’s hair to grow naturally out of respect for the perfection of God’s creation.

The two pillars put the men in a tough situation. The brothers told reporters they consulted leaders of the Sikh faith as well as friends and family. Eventually, the brothers decided their commitment to helping other heal was worth more than their beards.

“We could choose not to work, but in a time when healthcare workers are falling sick, we would be adding stress to an already taxed system,” Sanjeet said in a video posted by the McGill University Health Centre. “We could decide to simply refuse to see COVID-19 patients until viable protection is available to us, but that goes against our oath as physicians and against the principles of sewa,” he continued.

It’s the first time either brother, both in their 40’s, has shaved their beard, so naturally it’s not something they’re used to,

“It’s a decision that has left me with much sadness,” Sanjeet told the Montreal Gazette. “This was something that had been so much part of my identity. I look at myself in the mirror very differently now. Every morning when I see myself, it’s a bit of a shock.

Sanjeet added due to how easily the coronavirus is transmitted from person to person “it just wasn’t feasible anymore.”

The brothers knew they couldn’t sit on the sidelines, knowing ignoring hundreds of people were dying everyday and not helping would go against the Sikh religion. More than 60,000 residents in Canada have been infected with the coronavirus, but only 4,500 have succumbed to the disease.

American is having a much harder time dealing with the virus. More people in America have died than the the number of Canadians have been infected. However, Canada’s unemployment rate of 13% is not far from the 16.7% rate in the U.S.



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The Classic TV Shows and Movies We Keep Rewatching

WIRED staffers share what films and TV series they come back to when they need to feel a little better.

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How to Set Your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to Control Who Sees What

Pick who sees your tweets, posts, and stories—and choose what you want to see, too.

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How Much Is a Human Life Worth, In Dollars?

As the US reopens the economy amid a deadly pandemic, a dire question looms. Let's do the math.

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Quarantine Is a Weirdly Good Time for Animation

Shows like Tooning Out the News can be more easily made from home than live-action TV—and going virtual is giving animators lots of opportunities to shine.

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Hisham Selim, famed Egyptian actor, praised over transgender son

When a famed Egyptian actor revealed his daughter had transitioned, the reaction was unconventional.

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Saturday, May 9, 2020

Poll: Majority of Parents Want Schools to Remain Closed Even If Children Fall Behind

parents

Although several states are reopening for business, a new survey found that a majority of parents are prioritizing the safety and health of their children and communities in wake of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

A poll released by the National Parents Union found that around 75% of parents across the country think schools should only reopen when COVID-19 is no longer a health risk, even if that means that students will fall further behind. Just 22% of parents, on the other hand, say schools should reopen as soon as possible.

The poll also revealed that 8 out of 10 parents want schools to implement new measures when they do reopen, including notifying all parents if and when a student or staff member is ill and providing counseling and mental health services. In addition, they want students and teachers to have the option to learn or teach from home. Furthermore, about 75% of parents support staggering schedules while 70% say face masks should be mandated for students and staff.

“The voice of parents must be heard loud and clear: we will not let our children return to school until it is absolutely safe to do so”, said Keri Rodrigues, the founding president of the National Parents Union, in a statement sent to BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Our children are not guinea pigs. They are our sons and daughters whose health and safety must be paramount above all else. When school leaders, government officials, and medical professionals can make us, as parents, feel comfortable that it is safe for our kids to return, that’s when we’ll do so and not a second sooner.”

Because of the pandemic, 61% of parents say that schools should come up with new, innovative ways to educate students moving forward. On the other hand, only 32% of parents want the education systems to continue to operate the same way they did before the novel crisis.

Parents are also more concerned about education and their families’ wellbeing than their finances. According to a press release:

81% of parents are worried about their kids missing important social interactions at school or with friends, and the same percentage of parents are worried about making sure their child stays on track in school. Nearly the same say they are worried about themselves or a family member contracting coronavirus (80%). And more than three fourths say they are worried about how the situation is affecting their child’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.

 

Meanwhile, economic concerns don’t rank quite as high, although still a significant issue, as 69% of parents say they are worried about making ends meet.

“Our instinct, as parents, is to always put our kids’ wellbeing above all else, even as many lie awake wondering how to pay the rent,” Rodrigues continued. “Every single day our hearts break as we worry how this crisis is impacting them, whether it be their mental health or their ability to keep up in school. But make no mistake, our kids are learning- they’re learning grit, perseverance and empathy, attributes that they will carry with them for life.”



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The day the pirates came

A life on the high seas promised adventure, until a kidnapping turned a young man's life upside down.

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War and the virus: Cameroon's deadly mix

Fighting continues to rage in English-speaking parts of Cameroon after most armed groups reject a truce.

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California banker’s neighbor charged for murdering ‘beloved’ father of four in front of his home

A California man has been charged with murder in the slaying of his former neighbor, a 43-year-old father of four who had moved his family out of the Bay Area neighborhood.

Miles Armstead, a highly regarded banker in the Bay Area, was outside the Oakland house he was preparing to sell when Jamal Thomas, 44, allegedly shot him dead on May 1. Armstead was listing the home to evade the neighborhood and keep his children and expecting wife away from Thomas.

Thomas, who was evicted from his own residence and had been accused of making threats to Armstead and his family, was charged with eight felony accounts related to the slaying on Thursday, The Mercury News reports.

READ MORE: California housing crisis: Oakland moms evicted by deputies

Thomas was found and arrested hours after the homicide at an Oakland hotel. He is being held without bail.

In addition to murder, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged Thomas with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

Thomas, who Armstead called a “chronic nuisance in the neighborhood,” according to the East Bay Times, was previously arrested in February after threatening to burn down Armstead’s house. He pled not guilty after being charged for making criminal threats, but was released on his own recognizance.

Jamal Thomas, 43, was charged in fatal shooting of Oakland, Calif., neighbor.

Following the release, Thomas was later accused of throwing objects through the Armstead family’s windows on two separate occasions. He is suspected of throwing a rock in March that almost hit Armstead in the head. In April, Thomas allegedly threw a brick that almost hit his pregnant wife.

READ MORE: The largest Black-owned bank in the U.S. is rolling out new ways to #BankBlack

These string of incidents caused Armstead, who was a wealth management banker at Fremont Bank, to move his family out of the house.

Armstead frequently returned to the house for remodeling projects in preparation to sell. That’s when Thomas allegedly shot Armstead multiple times in front of the house.

Fremont Bank has set up a GoFundMe page for Armstead’s family, where people have donated nearly $42,000 as of Saturday morning. The goal is to raise $50,000 for Armstead’s family. The bank described him as “a beloved member of our Fremont Bank family.”

“Because so many of you are asking what you can do, Fremont Bank set up this GoFundMe account to accept donations for his family,” the post read. “Any amount that you can contribute will be appreciated in supporting Miles’ family as they navigate their lives without Miles.”

Thomas was arraigned on Friday. The motive for the slaying is unclear.

The post California banker’s neighbor charged for murdering ‘beloved’ father of four in front of his home appeared first on TheGrio.



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Wanda Durant Shares the Importance of Putting Yourself First and Giving Back as a Mother

Wanda Durant

Many people know Wanda Durant, inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, advocate and philanthropist, affectionately as “the Real MVP.” What many do not know is her story.

As a single mother who set her sons on pathways to success, “Mama Durant” now helps others do the same through the Wanda Durant The Real MVP Foundation. In a sit-down interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE Digital & Events Editor Lydia T. Blanco, Durant shared her journey of self-rediscovery, the importance of mental wellness, and advice for parents in the time of COVID-19.

Having raised two sons–Anthony and Kevin Durant (basketball superstar and provider of her now-famous nickname)–as a single mother, Wanda Durant knows what it is like to sacrifice, go without, and show up for children relentlessly. She also knows how to adapt once there’s an empty nest. Now, she’s highly regarded for her no-nonsense parenting advice.

During the conversation, Wanda Durant spoke candidly about the challenges she faced as a young mother and lessons she learned about herself along the way. With sons over the age of 30, she offered sound advice to those still parenting young and adult children.

This Mother’s Day, Durant wants to encourage women who are parents and guardians to take a moment to themselves and celebrate all that they have accomplished in relation to motherhood and their personal journeys.


Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while families are home together, Wanda Durant touched on the importance of creating healthy bonds that promote mental wellness. The Wanda Durant The Real MVP Foundation focuses on education and empowering children and their families. During the pandemic, she and her team have made it a priority to support students by providing them with an online curriculum to make remote learning accessible.

Do you see why she’s the real MVP? And she’s not the only one. There are countless mothers who have laid it all down for their children who are being celebrated for their selfless commitment.

At BLACK ENTERPRISE, we celebrate you all. Happy Mother’s Day!

 



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Joe Biden, Erykah Badu, Vanessa Williams, Tina Knowles-Lawson, and More to Deliver Virtual Commencement Speeches at This HBCU

Delaware State University commencement graduation

The global COVID-19 pandemic has upended the economy, brought the nation to a standstill, and disrupted the lives of millions of people, including students. As a result, graduating seniors across the country will not be able to participate in milestone events like proms, senior class trips, and traditional graduation ceremonies. However, to help alleviate the disappointment, Delaware State University (DSU) has called on 25 cultural influencers—from hip-hop stars to a former Ms. America to a former vice president—to deliver a star-studded virtual commencement to remember.

The HBCU announced an all-star lineup of speakers who congratulate the class of 2020 during its May 16 virtual commencement celebration. A few of the notable guests include Joe Biden, Grammy-Award winning artist Erykah Badu, businesswoman Tina Knowles-Lawson, and actress Vanessa Williams. Other speakers include political commentator Angela Rye and Bryan Stevenson, the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and the New York Times Best-Selling author of Just Mercy.

“When I confer degrees on the Class of 2020, it is more than a credential that will get them to their next goal. It is a reminder that each of them is now and always ever-present with us,” said Delaware State University President Tony Allen, reflecting on the commencement celebration in a statement to BLACK ENTERPRISE.

The University announced in March that students would receive their degrees in an online ceremony due to the coronavirus crisis. As a result, a team of faculty, staff, students, and friends of the University began planning the virtual celebration immediately.

“We knew better than to try to copy the traditional ceremony at Alumni Field,” said Dr. Francine Edwards, co-chair of the planning committee. “So we set out to create a memorable and surprising experience that the Class of 2020 will treasure forever as their own unique celebration.”

According to the statement, Nicole Dye-Anderson, a Delaware State alumna and Barclays Bank executive, played a major role in securing a number of featured guests. “DelState gave so much to me. Whatever I can do to show my appreciation will be done. I am proud to work for a company that knows the value of HBCUs and gives me the freedom to help showcase them around the world,” she said.

The University’s commencement, which will be broadcast on the ESSENCE Studios platform, will be followed by another virtual event sponsored by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), which will combine 75 HBCUs for a joint commencement ceremony.

“We are excited that graduates from our member-schools will receive the public recognition that they earned and deserve. This celebratory event is an effort to lift-up all HBCU students and to let them know that we are proud of their hard work and perseverance, especially during these difficult times,” said TMCF CEO and former DSU President Harry Williams.

Graduating DSU senior Usman Tijani, whose mother has been diagnosed with COVID-19, said she is looking forward to the event.

“In an instant, I went from graduating senior trying to complete everything to get to the finish line, to head of household trying to take care of my son, little brother, and mother. As a Hornet for life, I’m looking forward to this year’s commencement and, more importantly, what happens next.”

 

 



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The 5G Coronavirus Conspiracy Theory Has Taken a Dark Turn

Though social networks have pledged to take more concerted action against it, the theory has continued to spread, inspiring a surge of attacks. 

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Space Photos of the Week: Europa\! Attempt No Landing There

Despite a surface marked with so-called “chaos terrain,” we're set to explore whether or not it'll be possible to live on Jupiter's moon.

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Zoom Security Gets a Boost With Keybase Acquisition

Plus: A GoDaddy breach, a ransomware attack, and more of the week's top security news.

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10 Best Wireless Earbuds WIRED Has Tried (True Wireless)

True wireless earbuds, fully wireless earbuds, completely wireless earbuds—No matter what you call them, if you’re ready to cut the cord between your ears, these are the best buds WIRED has tested.

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*The Last Unicorn* Is a Work of Art

The 1982 children's cartoon remains surprisingly adept at capturing the realities of loss and regret. 

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Trump Guns for Chinese Telecoms but Doesn't Have a Real Plan

Scattershot concerns over whether devices might be compromised by foreign intelligence doesn't replace strategy and leaves questions about the supply chain unanswered.

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'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2' Is Still an Infuriating Relic

The recent remaster of the game is a stark reminder of the different world the original was born into.

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Is Online Grocery Shopping Better for the Planet?

During the Covid-19 pandemic, more people than ever are buying online to stock their pantries. What kind of carbon footprint is all that home delivery leaving behind?

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15 Best Weekend Deals: Headphones, Kitchen Essentials, and More

The leaves are back, temperatures are (mostly) getting warmer, but we're all stuck inside. Here are a few products that might help take the edge off.

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300 Drones Illuminate the Sky to Honor Health Care Workers

The drones performed outside of a Rotterdam hospital handling Covid-19 patients, providing a form of public art rare during social distancing.

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Ways to Stay Calm During Quarantine: Candles, Plants, and Other Tips

It's hard to keep calm and carry on when we've entered not-losing-your-mind territory. Here are a few ideas and things to help you cope.

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Watson's Creator Wants to Teach AI a New Trick: Common Sense

David Ferrucci built a computer that mastered *Jeopardy*. Since then, he's been attacking a more challenging task. 

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Covid-19 Casts a Dark Cloud Over the Flying Car Future

An economic slump is no good for a long shot business that's just starting to take off. 

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Andre Harrell, founder of Uptown Records, is dead at 59

Andre Harrell, the veteran music executive who founded the legendary Uptown Records, is reportedly dead at 59. His cause of death is not yet clear.

Harrell was best known for signing a young Sean “Diddy” Combs to his record label in the ’90s before serving as president and CEO of Motown Records.

Harrell’s death was first confirmed by DJ D-Nice while spinning during his Club Quarantine series on Instagram Live. theGrio has yet to confirm Harrell’s death, however, it has been confirmed by the official Twitter account of BET.

READ MORE: Andre Harrell dishes on how he helped take Diddy from shirtless ‘bad boy’ to music mogul

“#BETRemembers the legendary music exec Andre Harrell. It is with sadness that we must confirm he has passed away. Sending love to his family and all his fans. #AndreHarrell,” BET tweeted early Saturday morning.

Harrell, who was also known as one half of the hip-hop duo Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde, gave Combs his first shot in music before the man then-known as Puff Daddy went on to become the music mogul he is today. Harrell hired a young Combs as an intern in 1990 and later promoted him as an A&R executive.

Before founding Uptown Records, the Bronx native worked with Russell Simmons at Def Jam Records. He was eventually promoted to vice president and general manager. Harrell later decided to part ways with Def Jam to launch a record label of his own.

Other legendary artists who got their start at Harrell’s Uptown Records was the Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls, and Mary J. Blige, who became the label’s first female artist. Harrell would later fire Combs who went on to found Bad Boy Records — taking Biggie with him.

(L-R) Andre Harrell, Mary J. Blige, and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs attend the ceremony honoring Mary J. Blige with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on on January 11, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Netflix)

“I had an artist in the building. Puff, as an executive was a very artistic guy … I started to branch out into movies and television … Puff wouldn’t listen to anybody but me,” Harrell told the Wall Street Journal in 2014 on firing Combs. “My full-time job became managing Puff.”

“For the whole time he was let go, he was always on payroll. I never stopped paying him until he found his next spot,” he added. “I didn’t do it to hurt him, but I knew it was time for him to grow.”

Harrell would later join MCA productions where he developed multiple projects in film and television throughout the 1990s, reports Variety. He returned to the music business full-time in 1995 as CEO of Motown Records. There he shepherded the careers of R&B greats like Boyz II Men and Johnny Gill. Harrell was also the vice chairman of Revolt, Combs’ multi-platform music network.

Following the news of his death, several celebrities took to Harrell’s Instagram page to issue messages of sorrow.

“Damn King,” Swizz Beatz commented on Harrell’s last Instagram post.

“Rest In Peace this is such a shock this year is brutal,” wrote singer Maxwell.

This story is still developing.

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Friday, May 8, 2020

‘Just Mercy’ campaign launches COVID-19 fund to help the incarcerated

The coronavirus has impacted many but the prison population has been one of the most marginalized populations in the wake of the pandemic.

Prison advocate April Grayson knows firsthand how they are feeling as she was incarcerated for 17 years. In an interview with theGrio, Grayson explains how her advocacy came to be.

READ MORE: Atlanta woman’s death raises more questions about COVID-19 risk in prisons

“Who can speak to incarceration and situations involving incarceration but people who are formerly incarcerated?” she muses.

Grayson is now a surrogate for Represent Justice, an organization working to protect the health and safety of vulnerable individuals in jails and prisons and their families. They’ve started a COVID-19 relief fund to assist them.

The campaign was launched in conjunction with the release of the 2019 film Just Mercy.  Starring Jamie Foxx and Michael B. Jordan, it tells the story of the wrongful conviction of an Alabama man, Walter McMillian, for a 1986 murder.

The late McMillan ultimately served six years on death row before he was freed through the efforts of the Equal Justice Initiative, which Represent Justice was born from.

It works with a coalition of partners, artists, athletes, and more to advance reform and build capacity for other organizations in the space.

Just Mercy

The emergency fund also resolves to:

–Support over a dozen organizations across the country that help protect the health and safety of those living and working in prisons, jails, and detention centers right now.

–Assist organizations that receive funding were selected by Represent Justice surrogates, ambassadors, advocates, formerly incarcerated and/or working in criminal justice reform.

–Match all donations up to $50,000.

–Donate 20,000 masks to its sponsored programs and initiatives such as Play for Justice. 

READ MORE: Incarcerated Black women face numerous issues in COVID-19 pandemic

The Represent Justice Campaign says it doesn’t use terms like “inmate,” “convict,” “criminal,” “addict,” “offender” and “felon” because the organization believes they are degrading and contribute to a cycle of harm perpetuated by the legal system.

From Incarcerated to Advocate


April Grayson (Credit: April Grayson)

Grayson also serves as the statewide coordinator for the Young Women’s Freedom Center which works in the community and in detention facilities in San Francisco, Alameda County, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, and through a network of over 500 women across the state in 14 cities. Grayson is also involved with Sisters Warriors Freedom Coalition which seeks to influence systematic change and legislation.

Grayson vividly remembers how there weren’t many advocates for her and others during their time in prison. It was as if the world moved on without them; their lives and well being were not a concern to anyone but themselves.

READ MORE: Coronavirus hits U.S. prisons, putting imprisoned populations at risk

“I do understand that there are a lot of harsh beliefs around ‘They did the crime, do the time.’ The thing about it, I never minded doing my time. I wanted to be treated decently and humanely. So, it was never about let me out. It’s while I’m in here, please treat me correctly,” she says.

Instead, Grayson says, the experience became more punitive beyond just paying her debt to society. Even when sick, there are 8 beds to a cell, which makes social distancing impossible. Reporting mistreatment to prison officials became mired in red tape and health care was inconsistent or inadequate.

Grayson was imprisoned during major flu outbreaks and the SARS outbreak. She has a friend who’s been jailed for 45 years and suffering from health issues. The advocate wants those with immunocompromised systems freed and those who remain to be treated with humanity.

“We have been viewed forever as the lowest of the low and we’re not. And so, for me to sit at home and act like these brilliant and amazing people are would be a disservice,” she says.

“We always felt that we were the forgotten generation and there wasn’t a lot of organizations and people reaching out to us. And when they were incarcerating us, this is right around the time of [President] Bill Clinton and these tough crime laws. We were called super predators and people wanted to leave us in prison forever.”

Back to Normal?

April Grayson
April Grayson school supply giveaway (Credit: April Grayson)

Grayson continues her work even though it affects her emotionally. The lockdown in San Francisco triggered post-traumatic stress disorder for her and others on the front line of this issue. Grayson locked herself in her room and only came out for bare necessities, reliving previous lockdowns while in prison. She’s had her bad days, especially in the midst of COVID-19 but persists because of those who need her help.

“These are people too,” Grayson says. “They’re not aliens and dogs and cats. They’re your mother, your aunties and your cousins, your brother. They’re people. They have feelings. They have kids. They have concerns. Yes, they made a mistake.”

Grayson maintains those incarcerated deserve a second chance at hope and redemption. Until such a time they afforded their full freedom, Reform Justice is standing in the gap as this crucial time as COVID-19 shows no signs of abating.

Represent Justice (Credit: Represent Justice)

Data from John Hopkins University showed there have been over 68,000 deaths due to COVID-19—almost 2,000 Americans dying per day and that is expected to rise. According to The New York Times, there will be 3,000 daily deaths by June. As of early May, The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) confirmed that there were 1984 federal inmates and 356 BOP staff who have confirmed positive test results for COVID-19 nationwide.

SWFC lead members have been given a $500 budget to assist with immediate needs such as getting people out of detention, proving safe placements, gift cards, internet, and food. Full-time re-entry specialists are also being provided for. It’s often difficult to transition from a life where one’s movements are restricted to one of more autonomy.

Normal, especially under these current circumstances, is not a one size fits all.

“It all depends on what normal looks like. The thing that sucks about our country is normal is putting your foot on someone’s neck,” Grayson states. “And I hope we never go back to that. I hope everybody understands that right now we’re all in the same boat. Everybody needs their job.  Everybody knows everybody needs toilet paper. Everybody needs food. Everybody needs to be able to go outside and be free from whatever hardship or harm that we know are causing them to have poor quality of life.”

To learn more about Represent Justice and how you can support the organization, click here.

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Russell Simmons defends dating Kimora Lee Simmons as a teen: ‘She was legal’

Def Jam founder and hip hop mogul Russell Simmons is currently facing several accusations of sexual assault, including rape. As a result, his relationships with women have been re-examined, including his May-December marriage to model/entrepreneur Kimora Lee Simmons.

READ MORE: Reese Witherspoon wants to cast Ice Cube in ‘Big Little Lies’

Case in point: earlier this week Simmons posted a throwback picture of him and his ex-wife, wishing her a happy birthday. And amidst a sea of well wishes, one particularly bold follower questioned whether Simmons started dating Kimora while she was still a teenager.

And that’s when things got interesting.

According to The Jasmine Brand, in a since-deleted comment caught via screenshot Simmons responded, “I never do this but…. That’s not true… She turned 18 right after i met her February fashion week Tyra banks (our bridesmaid) Cindy Crawford Naomi were all backstage at the Mary McFadden show they said i was a modelizer and that i wasn’t gonna stick around… i think that may have inspired her.”

Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons in 2010. (Photo by Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Starbucks)

“We got to know each other by May we were dating. She was legal at 17 But she turned 18 that may her mother and her manager Bethann Hardison approved supported and Rushed us (we really didn’t need a push) and the love affair began People like to talk every so often i loose my cool and talk back so take this advice  Be happy and share happiness… try to think uplifting thoughts and keep learning to practice love… that’s our goal… oh and celebrate the queen @kimoraleesimmons”

As a matter of record, when Simmons met his wife, she was 17 and he was 35.

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Microsoft Is Starting to Tease Xbox Series X Games

Also, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is on 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' now.

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Grocery workers ‘hero’ pay for coronavirus pandemic may end this month

They say heroes don’t always wear capes. Sometimes, they wear grocery store uniforms. But as important as those essential workers have turned out to be and as much risk as they take coming to work every day, it appears there are limits on what heroes can be paid.

READ MORE: Black grocery store workers say they feel vulnerable during pandemic 

Grocery store chains like Kroger, the largest supermarket in terms of revenue in the U.S. with $121B in 2019, offered its workers a $2 an hour pay upgrade during the coronavirus pandemic. But according to The Huffington Post, that increase is coming to an end.


The United Food and Commercial Workers announced that Kroger informed them that the increase would end on May 17.

“Taking away this hero pay from these essential workers disregards their continued heroism as they serve their communities in crisis,” UFCW Local 7 president Kim Cordova said in a statement.

Amazon, who owns Whole Foods, upgraded both their warehouse and grocery stores workers with a $2 an hour raise to incentive their workers to come to work despite the risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have only committed to the raise through May 16th. A press release from the Southern California UFCW confirms that grocery retailers Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions also committed to the raises with through May 16th.

What happens after that is unclear. With states like Georgia, Texas, and parts of Pennsylvania, among other states, opening up, it’s possible that stores will see more foot traffic than before. That could potentially put workers at even more risk.

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Supermarket (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Costco, the membership-only big-box retailer that sells its products in bulk, trended on Twitter today as some customers threatened to boycott. Why? Because Costco has now mandated that customers wear masks in their stores to protect their workers and others.

There are others who believe the essential services that grocery store workers and other essential employees provide means they should be paid to assume more risk than those who can do their jobs working from home.

There has been a proposal in Congress championed by New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, called the Heroes Fund to give essential workers up to $25,000 more a year, Forbes reports.

READ MORE: Maryland grocery clerk dies of coronavirus

And this week, Sen. Mitt Romney forwarded a plan called Patriot Pay to give those workers hazard pay up to $12 an hour for May, June, and July. This would be for essential workers making up to $90,000 who work at least 100 hours a month.

Will it happen? As Schumer and Romney are on opposite sides of the political aisle, it appears offering essential workers some additional pay has bipartisan support.

“Patriot Pay is a way for us to reward our essential workers as they continue to keep Americans safe, healthy, and fed,” Romney has said.

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California identifies nail salons as source of coronavirus community spread

While other states begin to allow different establishments to reopen, California Gov. Gavin Newsom says they’ve traced the spread of the coronavirus in the state and confirmed it began in a nail salon.

READ MORE: Atlanta mom with coronavirus gives birth to twins while in coma

Thursday, Newsom announced a four-phase plan to begin reopening the state’s economy that would launch on Friday. Unlike some other governors who have opted to reopen nail salons, in California that wouldn’t be allowed until the state’s phase 3. California has just begun to shift into phase 2.

 

“This whole thing started in the state of California, the first community spread, in a nail salon,” Newsom said at a news briefing. “I’m very worried about that.”

Newsom also added that state health directors have also put several “red flags” on nail salons, delegating them as high-risk businesses much like gyms and hair salons. Businesses considered low-risk like bookstores and warehouses will be reopening with modifications like curbside pick up.

Salon owners like Michelle Saunders James of Saunders and James Nail Care in Oakland, California told CNN she was “shocked” by the governor’s claims.

“Had they known that this was the situation, absolutely zero information was ever sent to any nail care people in the industry at all,” she said in an interview. “It was very scary to hear that.”

READ MORE: 35 of 40 NYPD arrests for social distancing were black 

“I am just intuitively kind of following the rules of what a nurse would wear or a physician, or something that is more in the medical field,” she continued. “Because if you’re comfortable enough to go to the dentist, or go in to see your physician, then if we’re wearing the same thing and our environment is as sterile and sanitized as a medical office, then why wouldn’t the customer feel comfortable getting a manicure in that situation?”

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Sens. Harris & Sanders propose sending $2K monthly checks to Americans

The Democratic senators have a proposal that could make a world of difference in the lives of millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic.

According to Politico, Friday, Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) released what the are calling the Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act. As the name suggests, if passed most families in the country could expect to receive thousands of dollars every month.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) greets supporters at his Super Tuesday night event on March 03, 2020 in Essex Junction, Vermont. 1,357 Democratic delegates are at stake as voters cast their ballots in 14 states and American Samoa on what is known as Super Tuesday. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

READ MORE: Cardi B and Bernie Sanders talk pandemic and politics on IG Live

Unlike the one time $1,200 subsidy sent to Americans as part of March’s coronavirus response bill, the Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act would see legislation sending a monthly $2,000 check to every resident who makes less than $120,000 a year.

Married couples who file taxes jointly would receive $4,000 and each child (up to three children) would be given $2,000 each. That means a family with two guardians and three minors could expect to receive $10,000 every month until the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.

Harris said the bill reflects Congress’s subpar efforts which up till now were “nearly enough to meet the needs of this historic crisis.” Markey also called the significant cash infusion “the most direct and efficient mechanism for delivering economic relief to those most vulnerable.”

“Congress has a responsibility to make sure that every working-class household in America receives a $2,000 emergency payment a month for each family member,” said Sanders.

READ MORE: Kamala Harris introduces bill for ‘safe’ voting during coronavirus

When instated the payments would be retroactive going back to March and then continue until three months after the Health and Human Services Department confirmed the public health emergency over.

This legislation would also prohibit debt collectors from garnishing the payments and would pay people even if they don’t have a Social Security number or failed to file taxes last year.

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