The African Union estimates that the agreement could boost intra-African trade by 60% by 2022.
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Sunday, July 7, 2019
Saturday, July 6, 2019
10 Reasons Why White People Think Racism Is Over
“Are we now in a post-racial America?” This is perhaps the number two question asked since President Obama has taken office.Ever since Barack and Michelle Obama were sworn into office and moved into the White House, white America has banished the thought that “the racial deck is stacked.” With many white people believing that because Obama was president, any black man can, the belief is that racism as a whole is over.
One black American’s success isn’t proof that racial barriers no longer exist, but in the spirit of the argument, here 10 reasons as to why possible some white people think that racism is over.
Reasons Why White People Think Racism Is Over
White People Say They Understood ’12 Years A Slave’
(vimeo)
When Steve McQueen’s visually stunning film hit theaters, critics argued that their understanding of the history of slavery allowed for racism to be in the past for today’s life and times.
Eminem and Macklemore Became Blockbuster Hip-Hop Stars
(Wikimedia)
A collective reason why many white people believe racism is over stems from the multi-platinum and award winning success of Eminem and Macklemore. There is a host of next-gen rap fans who believe the culture stems from Eminem, which actually proves that racism is more entrenched than what is advertised.
Michael Jordan And Dr. Dre Are Billionaires
In a study done by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, most white people believe that one black person’s success merits the end of racism. With celebrities such as Dr. Dre and Michael Jordan recently joining the Billionaire Boys Club, it’s apparent that white people believe that the playing field has been leveled for all of the black race.
Eve Married A Billionaire
(Instagram)
If Eve can marry that Gumball Rally 3000 guy then surely we are all created equal. Not to mention Serena.
Lupita Nyong’o Won An Oscar
(Instagram)
Hollywood is notorious for making people believe that all is right in the world after a big win. Such is the case for actress Lupita Nyong’o. One Huffington Post commenter even went so far that her 2014 Oscar win means that the playing field for powerful roles is leveled now.
Anybody Can Say The N-Word
Sure, Don Lemon may have had an awkward debate about the N-word, but that hasn’t stopped white people from saying the word however they want, (remember, Micheal Richards’ of “Seinfeld” TV fame, who went on an n-word rant back in 2012)?
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America Had A Black President
(Flickr/Gage Skidmore)
Some white people suggest that if Barack Obama could become president, so could any black man. The thought that systemic racial discrimination no longer exists in America and that black men and women are sitting next to success sounds a bit far-fetched when you look at the news.
Hip-Hop Is Global Pop
(Image: Wikimedia/Creative Commons)
Like most black musical art forms, hip-hop is just the latest in becoming a global phenomenon. As the culture started by the black and brown communities is now personified by white, you can hear the chants of “Everything is Equal,” off in the distance.
Interracial Dating Is Accepted
(iStock/bernardbodo)
The faces of America’s future has gone multiracial as whites are merging their DNA with “the other” to create a new breed of offspring. If you remember what National Geographic concluded with its previous magazine cover, then you should know that most white Americans are more inviting to Jamal and Tamia becoming their in-laws.
Miley Cyrus And Justin Bieber Adopted Black Culture Successfully
(wikimedia)
The twerker and the thug have indoctrinated themselves deep within black culture. While they are accepted amidst their respective controversies, the duo are still afforded the successes that come with their skin tone. If they are accepted by both white and black, isn’t that the dream Martin Luther fought for?
The ideas and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author’s and not necessarily the opinion of Black Enterprise.
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American Black Women Are Moving in Droves to This One Country
Who would have thought that Abu Dhabi would be an “it” place for black women professionals, with all the thriving cities here, at home. It goes far beyond location, as Abu Dhabi introduces the unique ability to enhance your resume, lifestyle, and the opportunity to feel financially secure.
First, toss out any of your preconceptions about Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. This is one of the hottest locations in the world (literally and figuratively), employing a vast variety of professional talent, mostly in education, finance, and healthcare. Though it used to be “hotter,” in terms of salary and prospects, it is still not to be dismissed. It may be the one place where starting over is possible, without reminders of what once held you back.
In a nutshell, Abu Dhabi is a starting point for anyone looking for something new, especially me.
Connection Begins Before You Even Leave
Thanks to the internet, I was introduced to a network of black expats from the Caribbean, U.S., and U.K. These groups welcomed me with open arms, and through LinkedIn, I had “coffee dates” before I stepped off the plane. I found other black women from all walks of life—teachers, pilots, investment bankers, Buddhists, and artists. Many of the black women I met were starting over after a death or divorce, millennials looking for new experiences, or reinventing themselves in their mid-life.
Money, Security, and Self
Abu Dhabi is still the “best kept” secret, with its sister, Dubai nextdoor—the more liberal Emirate. With fully paid health programs, flights, and positions with higher salaries than many parts of the world, it makes it easier to thrive instead of survive. Earning more while getting fantastic benefits is a great place to be in. This financial freedom, combined with the exotic surroundings, led to a complete epiphany about my own life: I was in complete control, and it felt glorious.
Find Your Favorite Reggae Spot in Abu Dhabi
If you think having a good job and a paid-for home is everything, that’s just the start. There’s cultural fun, including reggae parties, African markets, concerts, dining at the Shangri-La, Hakkasan, Cipriani, and a must-do brunch at The Rosewood, or the familiar early morning breakfast at IHOP. There was nothing I needed that I didn’t get, even through Amazon. I had five shipping addresses all over the world, which would hand-deliver via Aramex. There are no traditional street addresses or area codes in Abu Dhabi. The delivery guy would call me, ask me where I was, and it was my job to do the best to explain, but it always worked out.
A Network of Astounding People
The women that I met every Friday at Starbucks, resulted in my writing again and publishing a new book. These new friendships offered a sense of groundedness, as we were all expats and needed the same things. I also met with a group of executive women in Abu Dhabi occasionally, to support and swap business ideas.
Broaden Your Perspective
Travel reigns supreme. Several people I knew traveled to Seychelles, Maldives, Kenya, and India. I stayed inside the U.A.E. instead of traveling nearby, because there was plenty to enjoy locally. And yes, I was always tired from work. If there were any challenges, it was my long work hours, but I made sure I had fantastic weekends: Thursdays, drinks after work; Friday, brunches; and Saturdays, a desert excursion or the beach.
What Abu Dhabi gave me was renewed courage, new skills in a global economy, and cultural awareness that helped me navigate some awkward situations. In Abu Dhabi, I learned to take pleasure in self-care, too. It’s a lifestyle that any black woman can benefit from, if she dares.
-Editors’ Note: This article was originally published in July, 2017.
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How much more money (than you) does Kamala Harris have?
Sen. Kamala Harris of California is proving to be ruthless in her pursuit of the oval office.
As TheGrio previously reported, the congresswoman was quick to shade 2020 presidential hopeful Joe Biden on issues of race and school bussing during the Democratic debate last week, and now she’s leading the pack when it comes to reaping big money.
Sen. Harris raised nearly $12 million in the last three months, according to her campaign, the Los Angeles Times reports. Her fundraising for the second quarter came from nearly 300,000 donors, and a significant portion of donations came in the 24 hours following the Democratic National Committee’s first televised debate on June 27 — during which Harris confronted the former Vice President about his past positions on public school busing.
Read More: Biden says Kamala Harris’ attack at the Democratic debate caught him off-guard
During the debate, Harris discussed her own experience with being bused in the 1970s as an elementary school student growing up in Berkeley, Calif. Her campaign later confirmed it raised nearly half a million from sales of T-shirts showing the image of the senator as a little girl and the words “That little girl was me,” referring to comments she made to Biden about her busing experience as a child.
Harris, like several of her rivals, is a wealthy presidential candidate campaigning on helping low-income Americans.
“Working families need support and need to be lifted up. And frankly, this economy is not working for working people,” Harris said at the first 2020 Democratic primary debate last week.
Read More: Did Kamala Harris backpedal a bit on the issue of school busing?
She has proposed tax credits for the working class, a pay raise for teachers, universal health care, and vows to repeal the 2017 Republican tax bill because it “benefits the top 1%” of earners and “the biggest corporations in America.”
As one of the richest contenders in the 2020 presidential race, Harris’ campaign spokesman Ian Sams said the senator is “committed to lifting up average Americans.”
“She is motivated by the thought of people up at 3:00 in the morning trying to make it all work. Her agenda is meant to address their needs and improve their lives,” Sams said.
Biden, has reportedly made millions since leaving office in 2017, but has not yet released his tax returns, according to CNBC. Meanwhile, Harris and her spouse, lawyer Douglas Emhoff, reported about $1.9 million in adjusted gross income for last year, according to returns released earlier this year.
So just how did Sen. Harris became one of the most ballerific candidates in the 2020 presidential race?
Noting that she hasn’t always been rich, here’s how cnbc.com breaks down her financials:
- As a district attorney for San Francisco, Harris typically earned between $125,000 and $225,000, the report states.
- Her household income skyrocketed in 2014 when she married Emhoff. They filed joint taxes and reported about $1.2 million in adjusted gross income that year.
- Harris has also raked in $157,000 from her job in Congress last year.
- Her biggest bag came with the reported $320,000 she netted from her memoir, “The Truths We Hold,” which was released in January.
Meanwhile, Harris surged in polling after the debate.
The post How much more money (than you) does Kamala Harris have? appeared first on theGrio.
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3 Essential Steps to Discouraging Social Loafing
Have you ever worked in a group where some members contributed and others did not? If so, then you know how frustrating it can be. The problem with social loafing—the tendency of certain members of a group to get by with less effort than if they were working alone and who operate under the assumption that others’ efforts will cover their shortfalls—is that it has the potential to negatively impact work product, damage professional relationships, and contaminate workplace culture. Most people are willing to contribute if their individual efforts are acknowledged and appreciated. Social loafing prevents this result. Herein lies the dilemma.
Want to discourage the free-riders from stealing your thunder? Use these essential strategies to increase accountability and discourage social loafing:
1. Keep the team small. When teams grow beyond three to five members, the potential for social loafing is high. If there is a good reason for allowing the group to expand beyond these parameters (such as a significant workload coupled with an extreme deadline), break the team into sub-groups of no more than three members per group. Assign each sub-group a specific theme that can be broken up by task between the individual members. This strategy will help you get the same result as if you had simply limited the original group to three to five members. The goal is to discourage individual assignments from becoming fungible–and people from not fully participating (because the others won’t notice) or doing less work because their efforts are being duplicated elsewhere.
2. Develop the rules of engagement. If you set ground rules for group conduct at the outset, you’ll get less push back. Buy-in is essential when individuals are working so closely together and need to be cohesive to achieve a desired result. Think about the importance of deadlines, accountability and deliverables to your project. How do these factors bring you closer to the desired result? Make sure that the parameters are communicated early and often. Then make sure that they are enforced. If the team thinks that you’re just bluffing, they’ll undermine your authority and you’ll lose credibility.
3. Assign separate and distinct contributions for every team member. One surefire way to make certain that tasks do not become fungible is to make assignments that are separate and distinct. If you assign tasks in this way, no one can rely on another team member to pick up the slack. Each person will have to pull their own weight, which is exactly the point. The best way to create mutually exclusive tasks is to classify project components into specific buckets. For example: financial, communication, technology, oversight and R&D. Not only will this solve the social loafing issue, but it also helps the team to create a clear roadmap for results and assure that no critical aspect has been ignored.
Remember, people are motivated to contribute if their efforts are acknowledged and appreciated. Help the process along by discouraging social loafing with these essential strategies.
Black Enterprise Contributors Network
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Chicago woman claims she was gang raped at R. Kelly’s music studio
A Chicago woman was hospitalized this week after claiming she was sexually assaulted at R. Kelly’s former music studio.
The 31-year-old woman was picked up by paramedics a few blocks from the studio around 4:00 a.m. Thursday and brought to Rush Hospital, where she was treated for the sexual assault, a spokesperson for Chicago police confirmed to the New York Daily News.
Read More: R. Kelly moved out of the infamous studio where he allegedly held under-aged girls
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that according to police, the alleged rape victim told authorities that she was leaving a bar when she met three men, and got into their car. She then accompanied them to “what she believed was a music studio,” but once there she was assaulted by the group.
The woman called 911 after leaving the building, and authorities confirm receiving a report over a city-wide scanner that a woman was raped by three men at Kelly’s music studio. But police say “authorities have been unable to determine the exact location of the alleged assault,” Page Six writes.
The Grammy-winning star vacated the building in February, after a number of reported code violations forced a judge to enforce curfew restrictions that prevented the embattled singer from using the studio outside of a 12-hour window.
“R. Kelly can never be creative and do his job under these circumstances which leaves him no choice but to leave his building,” his attorney Steve Greenberg said at the time in a statement.
Read More: R. Kelly is staying visible despite sex abuse charges
Kelly is currently facing multiple charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of numerous women and young girls. He has rejected and denied all allegations leveled against him. His publicist, Darrell Johnson, told The Chicago Sun-Times that the singer “is looking forward to his day in court.”
Johnson also confirmed R. Kelly is writing music and working on a new album.
“Right now he is looking forward to the release of his first recording [since the latest indictments] hopefully in the next few months — and being able to tour and working with artists on more spiritual songs,” he said.
The post Chicago woman claims she was gang raped at R. Kelly’s music studio appeared first on theGrio.
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Cardi B begs fans for return of her wig after hurling it into audience
Cardi B says she got carried away when she threw her wig into the crowd at Finsbury Park in London on Friday. Now the hit-maker is begging for its safe return.
The controversial Bronx rapper is making headlines yet again after she hit the stage for day one of the Wireless Festival. At the show, she snatched her own wig off — hurling it into the crowd as she continued performing.
Here is the rub…
News18.com reports that the Grammy-winning artist wants her faux mane back!
Read More: Cardi B explains what went down between her and a well-known reporter
A video from the event shows fans in the audience fighting over the wig, “I GOT CARRIED AWAY… I want my wig back:/ Dm me,” Cardi B later tweeted. Several fans advised her to check the auction site eBay to see if it’s being sold. Others noted that they would add it to their own wig collection — and proudly wear it.
I GOT CARRIED AWAY …….I want my wig back:/ Dm me . pic.twitter.com/YPAmSbb9uP
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) July 6, 2019
Meanwhile, Cardi B rocked the crowd on the first night of the festival on Friday (July 19) and the audience reportedly went wild when she introduced Lil Nas X. The duo performed his debut hit, “Old Town Road,” which continues to dominate on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Taking to Twitter after the show, Cardi B praised the rapper, who recently came out as gay.
“I’m going to bed I have such S bad headache .I want to thank @LilNasX for coming out tonight at Wireless ! It was lit keep doing your thing ,the stars is the limit …..Stream rodeo for a date with lil nas,” she wrote.
I’m going to bed I have such S bad headache .I want to thank @LilNasX for coming out tonight at Wireless ! It was lit đŸ”¥ keep doing your thing ,the stars is the limit …..Stream rodeo for a date with lil nas.
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) July 6, 2019
Read More: A$AP Rocky arrested in Sweden after fight breaks out with his crew, held for suspected assault
The Hip-Hop festival runs until Sunday (July 7), with performances from Travis Scott, Future and Rae Sremmurd.
A$AP Rocky was due to take to the stage on Sunday, but as TheGrio previously reported, he is currently detained in Sweden after being arrested Tuesday for a suspected “gross assault” that took place on Sunday.
Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Meyers, shared two video clips of the incident on his Instagram to prove his innocence in the matter.
The post Cardi B begs fans for return of her wig after hurling it into audience appeared first on theGrio.
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