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Saturday, June 6, 2020
Friday, June 5, 2020
White teens start ‘George Floyd’ challenge mocking his death
The death of George Floyd has sparked outrage and protest but some white teens have created a challenge in which they mock his death.
READ MORE: Police looking for cyclist who attacked teens posting George Floyd posters
Floyd died on Memorial Day after now-former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin placed a knee on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. He’s since been charged with second-degree murder and the three other former officers involved have been charged as well. The country has been beset with nationwide protests with marchers from all backgrounds, but some teens on social media have been making fun of the 46-year-old’s final moments.
The teens, who are mostly white and male, step on the necks of another person, film it and post it to social media as the “George Floyd challenge.”
“Racists are now doing the George Floyd “challenge.” This is what we’re up against, folks. It’s a privilege to make sarcasm about racism instead of experiencing it your whole life,” Mohamad Safa, Permanent Representative at United Nations, tweeted.
Racists are now doing the George Floyd “challenge.” This is what we’re up against, folks. It’s a privilege to make sarcasm about racism instead of experiencing it your whole life pic.twitter.com/LmS1mnqCcj
— Mohamad Safa (@mhdksafa) June 4, 2020
Others also shared their disgust.
“I don’t truck with “Cancel Culture” but someone needs to cancel these little bastards doing a “George Floyd Challenge” … This is the root of the sickness. These boys require an education; once they’re identified, perhaps they get one. Do your thing Twitter,” another tweeted.
I don’t truck with “Cancel Culture” but someone needs to cancel these little bastards doing a “George Floyd Challenge” … This is the root of the sickness. These boys require an education; once they’re identified, perhaps they get one. Do your thing Twitter. pic.twitter.com/5jBkcZSJ7D
— Bravo Golf Lima (@Benjamin_G_Lund) June 3, 2020
Three teenagers in the U.K. have been arrested on suspicion of sending communications causing anxiety and distress according to the BBC. They’ve been released on bail.
“We can confirm we are investigating after an image was shared on social media which showed two men imitating the recent death of US citizen George Floyd,” a spokesperson said.
In the United States, the students are dealing with repercussions as it relates to their schooling according to NBC News. Marquette University rescinded the enrollment of an incoming freshman after he made a post that made fun of Floyd’s death and compared it to the protests that took place in the NFL.
“Some ppl think it’s ok to f—— kneel during the national anthem so it’s ok to kneel on someone’s head,” the post read, according to The Sentinel. “come at me. y’all brainwashed.”
While most of the images featured males, girls were also active participants in the gruesome challenge. In one clip, a girl has her knee on her neck on another who screams that she can’t breathe, a play on Floyd’s last words. The clip continued with laughter and someone cheering them on off-camera.
The seniors were set to attend the University of Missouri and Missouri State University in the fall. However, they have now withdrawn since their actions went viral.
“Given the similarity to the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the video is both shocking and disturbing,” wrote Mun Choi, president of the University of Missouri System and interim chancellor of MU, in an email to the campus community.
“University leaders and I remain committed to combating discrimination and racism in all its forms,” Choi wrote.
In 2015, there were racial protests at the University of Missouri leading to hashtag #blackoncampus. It led to the resignation of the president.
Clif Smart, president of Missouri State University, addressed the controversy in a blog post. He wrote that despite being “horrified”, he was going to lean toward allowing the students to continue enrollment. They would have to take part in, “additional education and training to assist them in both understanding the impact of their actions and in developing cultural competence.”
READ MORE: Klobuchar draws ire of social media for appearance at George Floyd’s memorial
Most of the videos have been taken down from Snapchat and TikTok where they were shared.
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Da Brat feels ‘weight has been lifted’ since coming out as a lesbian
Da Brat publicly came out as a lesbian in March but wants to made it clear it was her own choice to wait until now to confirm speculation about her sexuality.
READ MORE: LisaRaye reveals she played matchmaker for sister Da Brat and girlfriend
Da Brat, born Shawntae Harris, burst onto the music scene in 1994 with her album “Funkdafied” and has the distinction of being the first female rapper to have an album go platinum.
Throughout her career, there has been speculation about her personal life. At one time in the 90s, she publicly dated basketball star Allen Iverson, who said she was a good friend, but ultimately he married his high school sweetheart.
DaBrat never confirmed or denied her sexuality, but earlier this year revealed her relationship with Kaleidoscope Hair Products CEO Jesseca Dupart in an Instagram post in honor of her birthday.
Da Brat recently explained to Variety why the time was now right to publicly claim who she is.
“I’ve always felt like being private is the better way to go, because then you don’t have so many people in your business,” Brat says.
“I was fine staying quiet, but my partner is a social media mogul — that’s how she became who she is. And when you get with somebody, you have to meet in the middle. So to me, the middle was just letting everybody know: ‘Hey, she’s the one.’”
Brat said that making her relationship public wasn’t planned. It was a spontaneous gesture that came about she and Dupart were looking at pictures.
“Jesseca was showing me some pictures and we were going back and forth, joking ‘I’ll post it,’ ‘No, I’ll post it.’ So when she did, I was like, ‘Oh s—! I just came out after 20-something years!’ But it feels good to share with the world when you’re happy.”
Brat added that she never felt pressured by her record label, So So Def, to hide her sexuality but has said in the past that it wasn’t “cool” back in the day.
“I was always told you want to be f—able to men and women to sell records — you don’t want anybody to discriminate,” she says. “It was absolutely my decision. I mean, you saw what happened to people like Ellen: Remember when she lost her TV show, and all these horrible things were happening? People were totally against it.”
READ MORE: Da Brat explains keeping sexuality private: ‘It wasn’t cool back in the day’
The star has since crossed over to radio and is part of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show in Atlanta and a co-host of Fox’s syndicated entertainment show Dish Nation. She is also the executive producer of WE tv’s reality show Growing Up Hip-Hop Atlanta. Given the changing social landscape, she no longer has to fear her sexual identity will threaten her career.
But she did say her respect for a beloved family member also held her back from being forthcoming.
“My grandmother has passed away, but she was sanctified,” says Brat. “I would not want anyone in the church to judge her because of what I do. You never want to hurt the people that raised you; you don’t want to disappoint them.”
She added that her mother loves her unconditionally despite her reservations.
“She’s not going to condone it, but she loves me unconditionally. No one in my family has said anything bad or degrading.”
Brat received an outpouring of support from friends, fans, and those in the industry. The rapper is very much so excited about attending her first Pride event.
“If I can inspire someone or help somebody to deal with their issues and their sexuality, then I’m here for it,” she said.
She added, “It feels like a weight has been lifted.”
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The NFL says they were wrong about anthem protests
Apparently, nationwide protests, the online thrashing of one of its premiere white quarterbacks, and the recently released clip from some of its marquee players— including biracial Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes — has led to a change of heart for the NFL.
READ MORE: Ex- NFL exec admits Colin Kaepernick’s career ended because of activism
This evening, NFL commissioner Roger Gooddell made a surprising announcement on the NFL’s official social media account. He expressed his condolences to the family of George Floyd and then unequivocally stated the NFL stands with its African-American players.
“It has been a difficult time in our country particularly Black people in our country,” Goodell said in the 2-minute plus video. “First, my condolences to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and all the families who have endured police brutality.
“We the National Football League condemn racism and the systematic oppression of Black people,” Goodell continued.
“We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the National Football League, believe Black lives matter. I personally protest with you and want to be part of the much-needed change in this country. Without Black players, there would be no National Football League and the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence, inequality and oppression of Black players, coaches, fans and staff. We are listening, I am listening and I will be reaching out to players who have raised their voices and others on how we can improve for a better and more united NFL family. ”
Well said Roger ✊🏾 https://t.co/IwqNZKGcY0
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) June 5, 2020
This would appear to be a direct response to the video that was released by a number of NFL players including Mahomes, New Orleans Saints’ wide receiver Micheal Thomas, Cleveland Browns’ Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and others widely viewed as some of the top stars of the future in the league. They asked for the NFL as a league to say exactly what Goodell said in the video.
This also followed the controversial comments of Saints quarterback Drew Brees who equated NFL anthem protests to ‘disrespecting the flag. He was rebuked by his own teammates including Thomas, Cameron Jordan, and Alvin Kamara, who shared an emotional Twitter thread about racial profiling and growing up as the son of an undocumented African mother.
Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump tweeted in support of Brees, once again saying that players should stand for the National anthem.
I am a big fan of Drew Brees. I think he’s truly one of the greatest quarterbacks, but he should not have taken back his original stance on honoring our magnificent American Flag. OLD GLORY is to be revered, cherished, and flown high…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2020
As could be expected, the response was swift from all corners of the NFL universe after Goodell’s comments. Many fans suggested that he apologize to Colin Kaepernick who was blackballed from the league due to the anthem protests.
— RosemarieResists (@Rosemarie4311) June 5, 2020
WE the BLACK PEOPLE, are wondering why y’all didn’t have this energy when Kap was peaceful protesting!! So let Kap back in the league or WE don’t believe you
— (Raquel) KOBE 🖤🐍 (@SOULbeautifulme) June 5, 2020
Dear @NFL pic.twitter.com/LXWTWYr9uK
— Ced® (@cedfunches) June 5, 2020
Sooo y’all bringing @Kaepernick7 back or nah? pic.twitter.com/RdOz5z0Wnz
— Lecrae (@lecrae) June 5, 2020
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The post The NFL says they were wrong about anthem protests appeared first on TheGrio.
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Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand Make $100 Million Pledge to Social Justice Orgs
Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand announced Friday a $100 million donation over the next ten years to organizations fighting to end racial inequality. The NBA legend and the Jordan Brand released a joint statement explaining their commitment to helping ensure justice and equality.
“Jordan Brand is us, the Black Community,” reads the statement, which was posted on the Nike News website. “Jordan Brand is more than one man. It has always been a family. We represent a proud family that has overcome obstacles, fought against discrimination in communities worldwide and that works every day to erase the stain of racism and the damage of injustice. The will, the work, the excellence the world has come to know is the result of one generation after another, pouring their dreams into the next.”
Although the statement doesn’t specify which organizations or initiatives will receive funding, Jordan’s spokesperson tweeted that the $100 million will go to “organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice, and greater access to education.”
Joint Statement from Michael Jordan & Jordan Brand regarding $100m donation. pic.twitter.com/yYXWh5eBZl
— Estee Portnoy (@esteep) June 5, 2020
Earlier this week, Jordan, who notoriously remained silent on political and social justice issues throughout his NBA career, released a statement in response to the death of George Floyd. “I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry,” read Jordan’s statement about Floyd, who died by the hands of Minneapolis police officers last week. The incident was recorded on video and sparked a wave of protests and riots across the calling for a stop to police brutality. “I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration. I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people in our country. We have had enough.”
Jordan’s donation comes the same day that Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser commissioned city employees to paint a giant “Black Lives Matter” sign on 16th Street in Washington, D.C., which leads to the White House. That particular section of 16th Street was also renamed “Black Lives Matter Plaza.”
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Police looking for cyclist who attacked teens posting George Floyd posters
Maryland police are looking for a cyclist captured on video assaulting a teen girl as she posted flyers in support of the demonstrations over the death of George Floyd.
The Maryland-National Capital Park Police have now turned to the public for assistance identifying the aggressive white male who confronted the trio along the Capital Crescent Trail in Montgomery County on June 1.
READ MORE: Klobuchar draws ire of social media for appearance at George Floyd’s memorial
In footage that has gone viral, the cyclist maniacally approaches the girl.
The person filming the confrontation is heard shouting, “Hey, leave her alone,” before he films the cyclist snatching the flyers from the girl. The flyers that infuriated the wanted man, according to ABC News, said “Killer Cops Will Not Go Free.”
As noted by The Hill, the flyers also read “A MAN WAS LYNCHED BY THE POLICE. WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT? Text “Floyd” to 55156 Use your privilege for good.”
A different female voice is also heard off-camera shouting, “Do not touch her.” However, the man ignores those warnings. He rages toward the child who stands petrified as he forcefully takes the flyers from her as while the two others plead for him “to just walk away.”
This only triggers the man more. The unnamed man charges after the teen who is filming.
The teen told NBCWashington, “He sees me recording him and sees the fact that I recorded him as he was doing that, and he grabs his bike and he runs it into me and pins me to the ground.”
The teen claims the cyclist cursed them out and accused them of inciting riots as protests continue to rage on across the nation over the killing of Floyd.
“I’ve been putting up signs in my neighborhood and neighborhoods around mine to bring attention to the fact that a lot of these neighborhoods are in a position of huge privilege and can make a big difference in terms of both monetary donations and resources to fight against injustice,” the teen who took the video told NBC News.
READ MORE: Trailer drives through peaceful protesters on Minneapolis interstate
Park Police tweeted Tuesday “We are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the below individual in reference to an assault that took place this morning on the Capital Creacent (sic.) trail.”
We are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the below individual in reference to an assault that took place this morning on the Capital Creacent trail. Please contact Det. Lopez at 301-929-2774 with any information. Pease reference case number 20001297. pic.twitter.com/EtC9Q0xBOp
— Park Police MC (@ParkPolice) June 2, 2020
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George Floyd’s 6-year-old Daughter Says Her ‘Daddy Changed the World’
In a world of so much grief, George Floyd’s 6-year-old daughter found time to make a statement while smiling and remarked that her “Daddy changed the world” according to Today.
Former NBA player Stephen Jackson, who was friends with police killing victim, George Floyd, shared an Instagram post of Floyd’s daughter resting atop his shoulders. As Gianna Floyd smiles, she is shown raising her arms and saying, “Daddy changed the world.”
#BLM #Blacklivesmatter 
Captured by @skrptz
The video clip looks like it may have been taken either before or after a press conference earlier this week at Minneapolis’ City Hall, where Gianna’s mother, Roxie Washington, pleaded for justice for Gianna’s father.
“I wanted everybody to know that this is what those officers took from me,” Washington said with her daughter Gianna alongside her. “At the end of the day, they get to go home and be with their families. Gianna does not have a father.
“He will never see her grow up, graduate, he will never walk her down the aisle,” she continued. “If there’s a problem she’s having and she needs her dad, she does not have that anymore.
“I’m here for my baby and I’m here for George because I want justice for him. I want justice for him because he was good. No matter what anybody thinks, he was good,” she said, later adding that Floyd was a good father. “He loved her, he loved her so much.”
Jackson told Washington that he intends to be there for her and Gianna.
“There’s a lot of stuff you said that he’s gonna miss—that I’m gonna be there for,” he said. “I’m gonna walk her down the aisle. I’m gonna be there for her. I’m gonna be here to wipe your tears. I’m gonna be here for you and Gigi.”
“Floyd might not be here, but I’m here for her, I’m here to get justice, and we’re gonna get justice for my brother.”
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Goldman Sachs Establishes Fund for Racial Equity
Goldman Sachs, a multinational investment bank and financial services company, announced it has created a fund to assist minority organizations.
According to a released statement by the company, the effort will support the vital work of leading organizations addressing racial injustice, structural inequity, and economic disparity.
“We must stand up and support organizations dedicated to the fight for a more just and equitable society,” said David M. Solomon, chairman and CEO. “To honor the legacies of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, we must all commit to help address the damage of generations of racism.”
The fund will be launched with $10 million from Goldman Sachs Gives, a donor-advised fund that allows the firm and its current and retired senior employees to direct grants to support underserved communities around the world.
Company employees donating to Fund for Racial Equity recipient organizations will have their contributions matched by the firm dollar for dollar. Donations of $25 and under will be matched 3 to 1.
Earlier this year the company created the Launch with GS Black and Latinx Entrepreneur Cohort and put a call out to company founders. After receiving 400 applications from founders in 37 states, Goldman Sachs selected 14 black and Latinx founders to participate in the inaugural cohort.
Margaret Anadu, head of the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and Launch With GS lead investor, said in April, “The volume and quality of applications confirms our view that there is a strong pipeline of companies led by black and Latinx founders in the U.S. We’re thrilled to share the knowledge and convening power of Goldman Sachs with these founders as they take their businesses to the next level.”
Goldman Sachs has also committed funds to COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts, including its $30 million COVID-19 Relief Fund and $525 million commitment to small businesses across the country.
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New Report: 90% of America’s Sheriffs Are White Men
Racial tensions between police and communities of color have reached a tipping point following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, at the hands of Minneapolis police officers last week. The incident, which was captured on video, has incited a string of ongoing protests around the country and revived national discourse about police brutality and racial disparities in law enforcement. Amid growing calls for justice for Floyd and an overhaul of our criminal justice system, a new report published by the Reflective Democracy Campaign reveals that 90% of sheriffs across America are white men.
Titled Confronting the Demographics of Power: America’s Sheriffs, the report explores the racial and gender demographics of sheriffs as well as their impact on public health and safety. The report also highlights current and historical abuses of power by sheriffs along with the position’s unique lack of oversight and accountability. The most glaring finding, perhaps, is that 92% of elected sheriffs are white while 90% are white men even though 50% of people in jails are people of color. Meanwhile, just 5% of sheriffs are African American and 2% are women.
Sheriffs, who manage county jails and a wide range of law enforcement activities, operate with less oversight than local police chiefs or commissioners, according to the report. The nation’s 3,000 county sheriffs are elected into office in 46 states and often run unopposed.
“Sheriffs in America are singularly troubling. They have unparalleled autonomy and tremendous power, and that power is concentrated overwhelmingly in the hands of white men, who are 90 percent of sheriffs nationwide,” said Reflective Democracy Campaign Director Brenda Choresi Carter in a statement.
The report’s findings also include:
- With white men comprising just 30% of the U.S. population, the overrepresentation of white male in sheriff’s offices surpasses even that of legislators (62%) and elected prosecutors (73%)
- African Americans are confined to jail at over three times the rate of white Americans
- Deep disparities in representation persist even in states with high percentages of people of color. For example, while California is 63% people of color, only 9% of the state’s sheriffs are of color
“As the primary law-enforcement officers for large parts of the country, they routinely make life-or-death decisions for their communities—especially communities of color, who are disproportionately affected, and too often abused, by law enforcement,” said Carter. “As policing in America faces a long-overdue reckoning, it’s time that we grapple with the role of sheriffs and make them far more accountable to voters and reflective of their communities.”
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President and COO of OneUnited Bank, Teri Williams, Talks COVID-19 Relief For Black-Owned Businesses
Since the spread of COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, pandemic, many small businesses have been struggling to stay afloat amid mandatory closures with state-issued stay-at-home orders. Now many nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups have been pushing for relief initiatives designated for African American business owners who have been among some of the hardest hit by the economic loss caused by the public health crisis. Another group that has been stepping up has been black-owned institutions in the financial world.
OneUnited Bank is the largest black-owned bank in the country and it has been working extra hard to provide its customers and other black-owned businesses with the resources they need to weather the viral outbreak. BLACK ENTERPRISE was able to talk with Teri Williams, president and chief operating officer of OneUnited Bank about the new initiatives it has for COVID-19 relief and advice on how black business owners can navigate this public health crisis.
In addition to PPP funding, Williams explains how the banking institution has been given additional funds as a minority depository institution to be used for black-owned businesses. Many of its new customers have been previously denied assistance at larger banks.
“The first round [ended up] turning out exactly as we [suspected]…they gave the larger banks, it’s sort of a heads up to offer the program quickly and the funds were taken by their large customers quickly…so we were glad to see that this second round, they actually did put some funds aside for us,” said Williams. She also says she sees an increase in older customers asking about online resources like mobile banking as they shelter in place.
“Customers are becoming more comfortable with online and mobile banking as we’ve been forced as a community to stay home,” said Williams. “We’ve had a lot of older customers come in to have us help them get set up on mobile banking so that they can do their banking from home as opposed to taking the health risks of coming into the branch.”
One of her biggest pieces of advice is for customers to get more comfortable utilizing more online resources to make working remotely easier and more efficient. “[A] recommendation is to definitely view online and social media as your friend to try to figure out ways to take advantage of online offerings and social media because people are becoming much more comfortable with doing business online.”
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