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#BLM #BlackLivesMatter #Richmond #RVA #804 #RichmondProtest #RVAProtest #Police #Politics #Racism #JayBook #UnEdited #Confederate #Rumors Of War

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Little Africa: The Story of Black Wall Street

Forbes recently released a list detailing 10 places in America African-Americans are thriving and living their best lives in 2018 and Tulsa, Oklahoma was not listed or mentioned. Ironically, just about 100 years ago Tulsa’s suburb of Greenwood was a cultural Mecca of Black leadership and excellence. Unfortunately many will not know the story of what was then known as “Little Africa,” and later designated “Black Wall Street.”

By design, Black Wall Street was more of a town than a single street taking root in northern Tulsa. In the early 1900s Tulsa, like much of America, was deeply divided, segregated and plagued with racial inequalities. Chasing the American dream and the hope of riches during the Oklahoma oil boom, black families and black entrepreneurs built the suburb of Greenwood.

This predominantly African-American suburb was a cultural anomaly drenched in black beauty and wealth. Black Wall Street featured businesses, homes, restaurants, theaters, and some of the best schools in the nation where black children were educated to the highest standards. According to research by the NAACP, black dollars stayed in the black community and aided in its wealth. Money would be circulated within Greenwood 36 days of a 100-day cycle as opposed to six hours in today’s Black economy. That basic principle of black-owned and black supported would ultimately lead to the envy of many poor white residents in Tulsa.

Greenwood Community was home to thousands of diverse African-Americans and the events of Tuesday, May 31, 1921 - Wednesday, June 1, 1921, forever changed the direction of this beautiful community. With accusations of alleged sexual assault from a young white woman, white police, deputized white racist, and even the Oklahoma National Guard swarmed Little Africa and obliterated the thriving suburb. Now known as the “Tulsa Race Riot,” domestic terrorism reigned down on the small community for 16 hours as it was defended by black World War I veterans. The Historical Society of Tulsa files suggest when the community was burned down, over 800 people were admitted to surrounding hospitals, an estimated 10,000 were left homeless, 35 city blocks housing 1,256 residences were destroyed, and 600 successful businesses were lost, including 21 restaurants, 30 grocery stores, two movie theaters and a hospital. During what is called one of the worst incidents of racial violence in American history an estimated 300 blacks or more lost their lives and over 6,000 were detained and arrested.

Following the attack residents who lost everything and some still living in tents began rebuilding. Black development again took root and Greenwood reestablished itself as a black Mecca of success well into the following decades. During progressive desegregation of the 1950s and 60s, the once thriving Greenwood community started to decline with blacks exiting for other areas and opportunities.

Black Wall Street will forever serve as another historical example of enterprise and ingenuity in Black culture. In 2017 African-American consumers accounted for 1.5 trillion dollars in the American economy. Imagine if black people as a whole spent that money in our communities, schools, and businesses. Happy Black History Month!

Jerrod Booker 

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#Money #Saving #Money Mangement #Budget #Jay Book #The Open Book #UnEdited

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Black Mamba Out: Legendary NBA Star Kobe Byrant Dead At 41

Today the world trembled when TMZ broke the news that NBA great Kobe Byrant died in a private helicopter crash just outside of Calabasas, California. Initially thought to be a crude social media joke, many fans of the NBA legend waited patiently for more credible sources to confirm what so many hoped was not true. ESPN and ABC broke into their coverage of the NFL’s Pro Bowl to relay the heart-wrenching news.

Following these reports, celebrities took to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and more to share their disbelief and fond memories of the athlete. Byrant who retired from the NBA in 2016 after a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, was an 18-time NBA All-Star with a staggering five NBA championships during that time. At his retirement in 2016, Kobe remained a certified star and was the third all-time scorer in league history. On January 25, 2020, Black Mamba sat courtside in his hometown of Philadelphia as his record was broken by fellow Laker and NBA powerhouse Lebron James during their match-up against the 76ers. In his final tweet, Byrant said, “Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother... #33644.”

Following the star’s death, fans have started to gather at the Staples Center to pay respect and celebrate the life of the 41-year-old star. Fans have also shed tears after realizing we will never hear his Hall of Fame induction speech. NBA great Rick Fox was also rumored to have been one of the people killed in the crash but representatives for Fox have confirmed he was not on the aircraft. Details surrounding the crash are still being vetted and the official cause has not been determined. Before the crash, Byrant was heading to coach his daughter’s youth basketball team during a tournament in the Valley. 

Gianna, Byrant’s 13-year-old daughter, has also been confirmed to have been in the helicopter with him along with the pilot, a youth teammate, and her parents. In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Kimmel asked Kobe if he thinks she wanted to play in the WNBA. Following the question, Kobe answered, “For sure!” and shared a story about fans coming up to him saying that he and his wife Vanessa needed to have a boy to uphold his legacy. Kobe went on to tell Kimmel that Gianna would always step in and say, “I got this.” 

Off the court, Bryant was the first professional athlete and black person to win an Oscar for best animated short film. Barack Obama tweeted, “Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.”  This will no doubt go down as one of the greatest sports tragedies of our time.  

#Kobe Bryant #Kobe #Black Mamba #Lakers #NBA #Gianna Bryant #Sports #WNBA #National Basketball Association #24 #8 #Jimmy Kimmel #Lebron James #76ers #ESPN #ABC #NFL #Pro Bowl #Jay Book #Jay Book UnEdited #Vanessa Bryant #Rick Fox #Staples center #LA #Los Angeles #Los Angeles Lakers #Twitter #Facebook #Instagram #Barack Obama

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Happy New Year!

#UnEdited #Jay Book UnEdited #UnTamed #UnCensored #UnPlugged #Happy New Year #2020

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Kehinde Wiley’s “Rumors of War” Ignites A New Southern Legacy

A historic shot was fired in the Capital of the Confederacy on Tuesday as Kehinde Wiley’s “Rumours of War” was unveiled just steps from Richmond’s Confederate decorated Monument Avenue. Kehinde’s massive statue is a stark contradiction to a city and state whose history is soiled with the atrocities of slavery and an even deeper White Supremacist past. “Rumors of War” is the first of its kind and comes as the continued debate to remove Confederate statues increases nationwide. 

In 2016 artist Kehinde Wiley was in Richmond, Virginia for an art exhibit featuring his work at the Virginia Musem of Fine Arts (VMFA). During his time in Richmond, Kehinde visited one of the nation’s grandest displays of Confederate culture, Monument Avenue. Situated in Richmond’s Fan District, Monument Avenue has been the home to statues celebrating Confederate Civil War Generals Robert E. Lee, J.E.B. Stuart, Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson, and Matthew Fountaine Maury for more than a century.

Bothered by their representation and the absence of African Americans, Wiley imagined a statue that looked and radiated a new message. Kehinde told Anthony Mason of “CBS This Morning,” “I saw a spectacle that felt dreadful. I mean, it almost felt like it was designed to be menacing.” This feeling allowed Wiley to draw inspiration from the Confederate monument of J.E.B. Stuart. Wiley’s “Rumours of War” is an almost 30-foot bronze sculpture featuring a black man, in a hoodie, on horseback, with a crown of natural locks adorning his head. 

In an interview, the California native shared, “To be a black body walking through the streets of Richmond and to see something that signifies the enslavement of your people, that’s a bit heavy.”  Most readily known for his portrait of former President Barack Obama, Kehinde’s “Rumors of War” attracted thousands to the historic event. Some spectators in attendance even stood on the grounds of the neighboring Daughters of the Confederacy building. Governor Ralph Northam, who suffered backlash earlier this year after an alleged blackface scandal, addressed the crowd saying, “Today we say welcome to a progressive and inclusive Virginia.” Richmond’s Mayor Levar Stoney, who supports the removal and relocation of the statues also attended. Stoney shared, “It’s taken more than 100 years, but the rest of Richmond’s residents finally have a monument of a man on a horse who looks more like them.”

Before making its way to Richmond, the statue was on full display in New York’s Times Square. Kehinde initially chose Times Square to introduce the piece to trigger a greater conversation. During the event in Richmond Wiley said, “I want this picture to be not about an individual but rather about black men and their place in this society.”  

To date “Rumors of War”, is Wiley’s biggest work of art and VMFA’s most expensive acquisition ever. On Monday, Richmond’s City Council introduced proposals to remove the Confederate Monuments lining the famous avenue and are scheduled to discuss the issue sometime in late January or early February.  “Rumors of War” is now located on the newly named Arthur Ashe Boulevard, which was renamed by Richmond City earlier this year to honor the Richmond native and tennis great.

It appears the culture is playing no games as we head into 2020!

#Kehinde Wiley #Rumors of Wars #Virginia Museum of Fine Arts #Richmond #Virginia #RVA #Art #New York #Times Square #Arthur Ashe #Southern #Confederate #Ralph Northam #Levar Stoney #Jay Book #Jay Book UnEdited #Monument Avenue

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Matthew A. Cherry and Sony Picture Animation’s Hair Love Short Film is exactly the content we need to be more proud of our natural curls. 

If you have young kids and stopped by the movie theaters earlier this year to see The Angry Birds 2 movie, you may have been pleasantly surprised by a beautiful display of Black hair culuture. Matthew Cherry’s short film displaying a Black dad learning to do his daughter's hair for the first time resonates. To some, this may seem slight, but to the tons of Black guys who have to figure this out, it is completely relatable and triggers warm feelings.

Now, I dont have daughters but I have a younger sister and growing up my brother and I were sometimes tasked with doing my sister’s hair before school. We got it done, but this was long before Google, YouTube, and anything smartphone or internet so trial and error were real... Love you Shanel!

This warm story of a young girl and father trying to figure out her natural locks while her mom is away is absolutely relatable. Although dad was initially overwhelmed and decided to roll with a hat, he quickly realized how important it was to his daughter to have a beautiful style to show off to a special someone. 

By the end of the animated film and a few failed attempts, both worked together to get the job done!    

#Black Hair #Black Family #Black Dads #Black Moms #Matthew A Cherry #The Angry Birds 2 #SOny Picture Animation #Hair Love #Hair Love Short Film #Black Love #Queen #King #Black Girl Magic #Black Boy Joy #Black Parenting #Jay Book #The Open Book #Jay Book UnEdited

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Jenifer Lewis Interested In Giving The Boondocks The Auntie We All Deserve

With 2019 almost behind us, I think we can all agree that it has been a crazy year for Black folk. Globally the culture took a major L when comedic legend John Witherspoon died of a heart attack in October. Pops, as many of us know him, played many roles during his multidecade career in both film and TV. Yet one of his more recent roles as Granddad on Aaron McGruder’s The Boondocks has become a fan favorite.

Boondocks fans have been on edge ahead of the series 2020 reboot. Most of them concerned with the fate of Witherspoon’s beloved character. That worry is understandable but now enters the power of social media. In a Tweet and Instagram post earlier this week, Durand Bernard pitched an idea of Jenifer Lewis taking over in place of the infamous Granddad “Bitches” Freeman. In a post he shared, “Picture it, Grandad passes away in the opening of the 5th season and the boys are sent to live with Grandad’s sister: played by Jenifer Lewis ‘Mary Louise’ or 'Ruby Ann.” Bernard may have been on to something because his idea immediately took flight! 

Who doesn’t like a good ole-fashioned shade-throwing Auntie? Especially since we can all agree Granddad’s shoes can’t easily be filled. The idea spread so quickly that even Jenifer Lewis herself chimed into the conversation saying, “Thank you one and all. I’ll check into this…“It would be fun. I miss my John Witherspoon. He gave us so much love and laughter y’all.”  So, in short, Auntie is here for it.

Lewis is no stranger to The Boondocks, in the past, she voiced Geraldine in “Early Bird Special” and Boss Willona in “Breaking Grandad.”  Currently, Jenifer Lewis stars on ABC’s Blackish where she kills it as the savvy and sharp-witted Grandmother Ruby Johnson. 

Although just a suggestion… Dear Boondocks creators, Auntie Mary Louise Ann is the move! Go ahead and cut the check! 

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After Naruto dropped in the mid-2000s, who didn’t want to be apart of the Hidden Leaf Village? In fact, when I was a kid during 90s Dragon Ball Z reigned supreme and Goku’s Spirit Bomb wouldn’t have worked without me. Although that might be an opinion only I agree with, any kid or adult who understands exactly where I’m coming from also understands wanting to dress like some of our favorite characters in a more realistic less cosplay type of way. Don’t get me wrong, there are some fans who will wear the graphic out of a tee from Spencers…but there are others that would prefer to look cool AF while doing it.

Well, no need to fear Michael B. Jordan is here and he teamed up with the high-fashion brand Coach for an unlikely mashup of anime-inspired dopeness. Sounds cool enough right…yea, but wait until you see the prices of the pieces in the collection. I say that because you’ll probably have to gamble more than Grandma Tsunade to afford anything or at least past your Chunin Exam.  

It’s no secret that Michael B loves anime, in past interviews he’s mentioned the inspiration behind his Erik Killmonger costume came from the armor Siyans wear on DBZ. He’s also publicly talked about how much he enjoys different anime series still to this day. Now back to the price. Using a variety of designs made familiar by the Naruto anime series, Coach transforms features of our favorite characters into wearable street fashion with basic tees running about $95.00.

Most of the pieces in the high-end Japanese anime fashion collection feature what looks like a Sharingan, a trait typically associated with the Uchiha Clan. A couple of my favorite pieces are the Parka which will set you back $1,500 and the Belt Bag which is a cool $295.00. Luckily we are about to head into the season of giving so if someone is feeling generous, please, by all means, hook a brotha up! 

Overall dope shit…but the prices are dumb high. But I guess you gotta pay to play… or at least to look the part!

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#Jay Book #UnEdited #Blavity #Black History #Watch Men #Little africa #Black wall Street #Tulsa #HBO #Regina King #NAACP #Tulsa Race Riot

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How Luka Sabbat’s Pride Friendly Attire Breaks The Rules of Masculinity...If You’re Insecure

Luka Sabbat is a star in his own right and a sex symbol who has built an image on carefree style and unique fashion. Globally tons of adoring fans go crazy for his infamous pornstar mustache and signature dreadlocks making him the desire of many fantasies young and old. Recently the fashion model and star of Freeform’s “Grown-ish,” posted a picture via his Instagram with the caption, “Hope everybody is having a good pride month :) 🌈,” instantly blasting open Pandora’s Box of Masculinity.

In the two photos in the center of the conversation, Sabbat and business partner Kerwin Frost are pictured rocking matching black and white Moschino Playboy inspired “Gay Boy” sweat suits designed by Jeremy Scott. Boasting a price tag of almost 1k for the two-piece set, Frost and Luka rounded their look off with all black socks and flip flops as a photographer captured the two posing in a crosswalk and alongside a pole. After posting the photo, Sabbat, who has been known to hang with a variety of people despite their sexual orientation, instantly left swooning fans across the world puzzled at the mere suggestion of homosexuality.  

With comments into the multi-thousands, friends and fans alike poured in with supportive comments regarding the LGBTQ friendly duo. Even the great and powerful Eyrkah Badu chimed in with a simple, “Y’all cute.”  To some, the message was missed leaving others such as Instagram user and fashion designer Chris Klemens perplexed saying essentially, “Y’all are about to full-on combust over a human wishing well upon other humans…” Thankfully Sabbat’s intended message of support was received by some but others still missed the point. In other comments users just simply kept asking, “wait…Luka is gay,” or decided the two were tweaking.  

Although some LGBTQ advocates didn’t agree with the photo citing June is not the only month LGBTQ people need support, many appreciated the attention. During times where individuality is being celebrated, why are so many people still concerned about how people identify sexually?  Luka’s straight by the way.

In many communities sexuality is a taboo subject and gender roles are assigned at birth. People who feel differently are automatically made to believe something is wrong with them and in some cases criminally charged or victimized for being what is natural to them. Time after time, if people don’t associate with what’s acceptable in what society considers “normal,” they are isolated and ignored. Unfortunately, these false perceptions of what masculinity is supposed to look like are what drives the backlash against people like Luka Sabbat and Kerwin Frost for openly wearing something that obviously goes against alleged gender normalities. 

People, in my opinion, insecurities are what cause us to not express ourselves how we feel most comfortable. At the end of the day, a sweatshirt and sweat pants don’t determine if a person is gay! So please for the rest of 2019, do us all a favor and worry about your own fashion, sexuality, and sanity. Kudos to Luka and Kerwin.

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Why Living Single Almost Left Out Maxine Shaw

Growing up in the 90s was an exciting time and the 1990s also gave birth to a ton of quality, awesome, and inspiring black TV series. During the decade passionately known as “the 90s,” being unapologetically black was becoming a new normal and culturally we were finding our groove in more ways than one. During this time shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, In Living Color, Martin, Def Comedy Jam, Family Matter, Moesha, and more became must-watch TV for so many!

Crazy enough one show in particular almost did not have one of the decades most incredible and lovable characters. Living Single was almost made without Maxine Shaw! At least in theory... 

Played by Erika Alexander, Maxine was an independent, young, outgoing, educated,  lawyer with a big personality. With her unforgettable and trendy box braids, Maxine Shaw showed women what it was to be on top of the world. Recently, show creator, Yvette Lee Bowser explained the crucial character was almost written out of her series. 

Yvette Lee Bowser shared with Netflix's “Make A Scene,” that after submitting her script for Living Single it was suggested that Maxine be written out of the show completely. Yvette said, “I felt unseen in this business... was also kind of a pivotal and career-defining moment for me. It was the moment when I got my first set of notes on the first show I created, Living Single. And they wanted me to remove the character of Maxine Shaw from the show because she was unapologetically Black and female and fierce, and all of the things that, if I wasn't at that time, I wanted to be ultimately...”

As she continued to reflect, Yvette, also the pen behind Netflix’s “Dear White People,” shared that our art is a form of our activism saying, “I knew that that voice had been missing.”  Although Queen Latifah’s character Khadijah was my favorite as a child, Maxine also was a key role of displayed black excellence on TV. It is crazy, even while I’m writing this I’m enjoying the memories of watching this show wishing I was a HBCU graduate and writer at Flavor Magazine!

Thankfully, Ms. Yvette decided to keep Max in the show and hopefully, this will encourage more people to stand up for their art. Living Single is now streaming on Hulu for anyone that needs to catch up and I promise the opening song by alone will have you addicted to the show! A couple years ago rumors of a reboot surfaced so y’all better catch up while you can. 

#Jay Book #UnEdited #The Open Book #Living Single #90s #TV #Yvette Lee Bowser #Dear White People #HBCU #Flavor Magazine #Maxine Shaw #Queen Latifah #Erika Alexander #Fresh Prince of Bel-Air #In Living Color #Family Matters #Moesha #Def Comedy Jam #Martin #Black

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Oprah’s Message:  “If When They See Us is Hard to Watch...”

Oprah is over the moon about the success of the Ava DuVernay’s Netflix series “When They See Us.” As an executive producer for the project, Ms. Winfrey made it clear: “If you haven’t seen yet...please do. And for everyone who says it’s “hard to watch,” think about the people who still find it “hard to live.” All those families impacted!”

The four part series which premiered last Friday tells the true story of the black teenagers known as the Central Park Five. Under the hand of the law, these children were wrongfully and aggressively accused of the rape of a 28-year-old white woman in 1989. Their case resonated across the globe due the lack of evidence against them and the mishandling of justice on their behalf. Although later vindicated and awarded $41 million dollars by New York City, these children went to prison with one of them, Korey Wise, serving 12 years of a 5 - 15 year sentence.

Via Instagram Oprah praised actor Jharrel Jerome with a photo and caption, "Can we all stand up and give @jharreljerome a round of applause. Incredible performance #standingovation." Jharrel, who portrayed Korey Wise, added a comment to her post saying, “ Thank you so much, Oprah. From the bottom of my heart. You have inspired my family and I, and have taught us how to love and overcome. For my work to deserve a standing ovation from you is UNBELIEVABLE. Okay. I’m gonna go cry and tell my mom now.” Oprah also shouted out the actresses who played his mother and transgender sister in the series.

Since the release of the provocative true story, white privilege has been revoked for Linda Fairstein. Based off of the accurate telling of the story, Fairstein has been forced to resign from executive boards, close out her social media accounts, and was stripped of her 1993 Glamour Magazine Women of the Year Award. In a open letter, Editor in Chief Samantha Barry shared “Unequivocally, Glamour would not bestow this honor on her today. She received the award in 1993, before the full injustices in this case were brought to light. Though the convictions were later vacated and the men received a settlement from the City of New York, the damage caused is immeasurable.” The #CancelLindaFairstein has pretty much ended the former prosecutor for her racist, prejudice, and negligent role in robbing black children of justice. Fairstein, who went on to become a best selling author, has also been dropped from many retailers.

Even after the admitted and proven criminal, Matias Reyes, was found to be guilty with DNA evidence, Fairstein still maintains she was right about the case. In a 2013 tweet, President Donald J. Trump, who took out a $88,000 dollar ad calling for the death penalty for the kids accused said, “The Central Park Five documentary was a one sided piece of garbage that didn't explain the horrific crimes of these young men while in park.”  

Thankfully karma has come back to re-balance the scales of justice!

#Isis King #Niecy Nash #Marci Wise #Delores Wise #Korey Wise #Raymond Santana #Antron McCray #Kevin Richardson #Yusef Salaam #Central Park Five #Oprah Winfrey #Ava Duvernay #netflix #When They See Us #Jharrel Jerome #Linda Fairstein #Donald Trump #Glamour Magazine #Woman of the Year

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A Billion Is The S*** If I D’Usse So Myself

Moving from music to mogul, in the 90s Jigga Man was screaming money aint a thing but in 2019 it really aint! Jay-Z became the first Hip-Hop Billionaire and his music was just a fraction of the diverse assets that help to contribute to Jay’s cool billion.

After selling his Beats brand to Apple for $3 billion a few years ago, most considered Dr. Dre rap’s first billionaire. Although his $3 billion dollar deal is still a major move his personal net worth is hovering at $850 million. Although $850 mill ain’t a bill, it ain’t chump change, and the success of these guys shows the power of Hip-Hop!

Over the years HOVA has been working on his fortune by acquiring a variety of art, real estate, companies, and more.  One of his brands Ace of Spade (Armand de Brignac) is worth $310 million alone. In the words of the master poet Jigga Man, “D’usse is the shit if I do say so my self,” and that is clearly the case with D’Usse bringing in a cool $100 million for the Brooklyn native. The iconic artist also has financial stakes in multiple companies, including an estimated $70 million dollar stake in the ride-sharing company Uber.

Adding another quarter billion to his worth is Tidal at $100 million, Roc Nation at $75 million, and his prized music catalog raking in another $75 million! The Encore rapper also has an eye for the canvas. Jay owns a Basquiat piece estimated to be worth $4.5 million, which is just a small portion of his private collection that is worth $70 mill. The final part of his massive self made fortune is the $50 million he has in real-estate. 

In his sit down interview with David Letterman last year, Jay was candid about how he was spending his money to help himself develop wealth. Jay-Z is also married to Beyonce’ who is heavily regarded as one of the biggest stars of our generation and their combined wealth has been over a billion for some time now. Jay-Z continues to remain a genius musician and smart businessman and hopefully, he won’t forget about the nizzles he used to dribble with in VA.

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#CancelLindaFairstein: Social Media At Its Best

Linda Fairstein the prosecutor of the Central Park Five case is feeling the heat for her racist prosecution of five black and brown boys after the release of Ava DuVernays jaw-dropping Netflix series, “When They See Us.” Fairstein, who was head of the Manhattan Sex Crimes Unit in 1989, destroyed the lives of five teenagers by sending them to jail for a heinous crime the New York Police Department fabricated against them. 

Following the release of DuVernay’s series, social media lit up protesting the prejudice and injustice these children faced at the time. Almost immediately Fairstein’s social media outlets were flooded with the hashtag #CancelLindaFairstein. Since then she has removed all of her accounts and people are still not letting up questioning why she herself has not been prosecuted herself for her actions.

In the years following the falsified case, Fairstein, portrayed by Felicity Huffman in the series, published multiple books while innocent children suffered in lock-up. Book publisher Simon & Schuster also received request to drop the controversy entrenched Fairstein under the hashtag #BoycottSimonSchuster.

Ironically to this day, Linda Fairstein amid all facts believes she was correct in the case and shows no remorse.  Not only that, she attempted to control how she was portrayed on screen. In an interview with the Daily Beast, Ava DuVernay explained, “Linda Fairstein actually tried to negotiate. I don’t know if I’ve told anyone this, but she tried to negotiate conditions for her to speak with me, including approvals over the script.” Luckily the Oscar-nominated Ava DuVernay declined Fairstein’s request for white privilege.

Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise all deserved better and received the absolute worse at the hands of lairs sworn to protect the very people that incriminated! Listen Linda… (in my best hispanic child voice)…take a seat!

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Wilding: From Child to Super Predator

Super Predator is a title political leaders labeled young men of color as in the early 1990s as they focused on integrating policies that would go on to devastate and ravage Black and Brown communities for decades to come. Driven by misplaced racial stereotypes and hypocritical propaganda, the American judicial system and proctors of the law heinously intimidated, incriminated, and incarcerated thousands unjustly. Events such as the Rodney King Beating, Central Park Five Case, and California’s 3-Strike Laws resonated loudly and illuminated the deeply rooted sense of distrust between communities of color and law enforcement representatives across America. 

Ava DuVernay’s fact-based Netflix series, “When They See Us,” hit the streaming service on May 31.  Emotionally stimulating, When They See Us offered an unflinching look into the real circumstances surrounding the now vindicated Central Park Five. After extensively studying the flawed case, DuVernay accurately depicted the illegally manufactured events of April 1989. Thirty years ago, New York City police (NYPD) rounded up black teenagers and manipulated them along with their families and friends, using brutal tactics forcing them to develop a false narrative surrounding the rape of a white woman in New York’s Central Park. 

Unfortunately, scenarios such as the tragic events associated with the Central Park crime are too common. Korey Wise, one of the five young black men implicated in the Central Park Five case, was sixteen years old when everything unfolded. Guilty of nothing, he became guilty by association for deciding to accompany his friend, Yuseef Salaam, to the police station. After being convicted, Wise, who was 16, was charged as an adult for the crimes and placed into the adult prison system. In an interview with  CBS Sunday Morning, DuVernay said, “my goal was to humanize boys and now men who are widely regarded as criminals…and in doing that to invite the audience to reinterrogate everyone that they define as a criminal.” The title of her Netflix series also derives from in her words, “What do you see when you see black boys?”

Masterfully produced, When They See Us left viewers feeling raw and vulnerable. Many African-Americans who viewed the series felt even more connected to the characters citing the current climate in America toward people of color. One person #UnEdited spoke with stated, “Look at Donald Trump then and look at Trump now…still a racist bigot!” Referring to the full page ad Donald Trump took out in the New York Times calling for the death penalty for the Central Park Five. Jharrel Jerome, the actor that convincingly portrayed Korey Wise, said: “young black men in the street, strangers I don’t know but who are my brothers, I look at them and I’m like, I hope you’re safe, I hope you’re ok!” His words hit even closer to home because of the bias that still infects American culture. 

When They See Us gave a glimpse into the extent the criminal justice system would go to incriminate minorities. In the case of the Central Park Five, prosecutors ignored every fact to sell to the public children depicted as “animals” out “wilding” on the town looking for crime to commit. Ironically three decades later we still find ourselves deeper in a disproportionate fight against the criminal justice system and abuse of power.  Although the message has not changed the voices are becoming bigger. People like Colin Kaepernick and movements such as Black Lives Matter have become fixtures in bringing attention to corruption and misrepresentation.

When They See Us needed more now than ever! Check it out and please feel free to express your thoughts surrounding this and any other issues we face.   

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Burger King Is Paying Off Student Loan Debt!

Black Excellence has a way of motivating others to follow our lead or flat out steal our brilliance in just about everything. Since last weekend the talk of the town has been billionaire Robert F. Smith and his substantial gift to Morehouse College’s 2019 graduating class. Smith, a billionaire tech investment executive, committed $40 million to wipe out college loan debt for the roughly 400 new graduates. Asking only in return that the new graduates pay it forward.

Well the most unlikely of companies has decided to join the party and no pun intended, but it is a “Whopper” of a deal. Burger King, known for their global fast-food brand, is now paying student loans off up to $250,000.00.

With a quarter mill on the line one can only surmise there has to be a catch and with student loan debt reaching 1.5 trillion, eclipsing credit card debt and car loans, America is ready to do something strange for some change.

Using a program entitled “Whopper Loans,” the burger outlet wants people riddled with student loan debt to download their phone app and order food for a chance to get some charbroiled loving. After you order what your heart desires, you simply have to enter your monthly college loan debt repayment amount. Once you’re complete just kick back, relax, and peep Cash App.

In a tweet Burger King shared, “For real tho, we’re trying to pay off those loans,” and this was after they started sliding into folks Cash App with random payments following their “Got student loans? What’s ur $cashtag?” tweet.

Two times a week and ending on June 6, the King will be dropping coins on 150 people with prizes up to $500. Next month a grand prize winner will receive $100,000.00 toward their loan balance. A rep for the company said, “65% of college graduates enter the world with student debt.”

No need to fret, if you cannot afford to buy things on the app, you will be able to mail in your contact information once per week. Brandon Chavis, a student at North Carolina A&T received five bucks from the King and others are have also shared their new found cash drops.

At last check roughly about 88,000 people, many graduates suffering from debt, have shot their shot for a chance at the pickle and the lettuce. I mean what’s good Burger King?    $JerrodBooker