The Skinny on COVID
The latest in numbers: 33M total cases & 594K deaths (+120K & +4K from last week)
The headlines:
Black residents in Los Angeles County have now surpassed Latinos for the highest rate of virus infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. Many are attributing this shift to vaccine mistrust and/or misinformation.
A record high of 19 hospitals closed across the South and the Southeast last year. Black residents in rural communities were disproportionately impacted.
Outside in New York is open open again. The state has lifted its indoor dining curfew that previously closed all eateries at midnight.
The UK could be on the cusp of a 3rd surge. An estimated 75% of their new cases are believed to be of the variant that is devastating India.
Tulsa 100 Years Later
Yesterday marked 100 years since a white mob, led by their hatred, fragility, and self-induced fear, terrorized thousands of Black people and burned Black Wall Street to the ground. After decades of covering it up and further attempts to disrupt the prosp
erous Black Tulsa community, there’s so much we still don’t know. Here’s a helpful resource to learn a little bit more about this part of American history from The Root’s archives.
All Texas Does is Take
If it’s one thing Republicans gon’ do, it’s try to make life harder for anyone who isn’t rich and/or white. The state’s Republican-led House attempted to pass a bill that would complicate voting by mail, limit “souls to the polls” efforts often used by Black churches and prohibit drive through voting. Pretty much anything that made voting more convenient for Black and Latino folks. Democrats walked out, preventing the bill’s passage for this year’s legislative session, but Gov. Greg Abbott (yep, the one who would rather control women’s bodies than ask Texans to mask up) is threatening a special session to pass this bill.
Stay posted because this battle isn’t over.
Keeping Up with Biden & Harris
Joe Biden has provided an amended infrastructure plan to continue negotiating with Republicans. It appears that that big gap between here and an agreement is still filled with initiatives that’d help achieve racial and social equity.
One thing 46 seems to agree with 45 is on maintaining a tough stance with Cuba.
Seemingly backing away from the border, Kamala sets her sights on small businesses and ensuring entrepreneurship is inclusive.
Congress, What’s Good?
Congress is in recess this week, but one thing 35 Senate Republicans did manage to do before leaving was secure a W against the establishment of a commission to investigate the January 6 riot at the Capitol. 35 people won on an issue that the majority was in favor of. See why the filibuster needs to go?
On the schedule for committees this week:
Nada
Social Justice Round Up
George Floyd’s family visited the White House to commemorate the 1st anniversary of this death, but there’s still no justice without the passage of a police reform bill.
Of the $50B US companies pledged in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, only 0.5% ($250M) has actually been spent on related initiatives.
The University of California will dedicate $200K to address issues living at the convergence of social, racial and environmental injustices.
Around the Diaspora
Germany acknowledges the genocide it committed in Namibia from 1904 to 1908 and wants to offer $1.3B as part of its apology. Leaders of the ethnic groups who were most impacted by the colonial occupation say that’s not enough for the thousands of lives lost. We have to agree.
The Afro-Palestinian community today is small, but mighty. Learn a little bit about them here.
Mali and Chad both experienced recent coups but only one was condemned by world leaders. Onlookers fear this inconsistency may lead to more coups across Africa.
Jamaica’s PM says the country needs more vaccines and slams the lack of access for poorer countries.
St. Lucia loosens restrictions for the fully vaccinated.
The Cayman Islands is offering cash prizes in hopes of getting up to 70% of its population vaccinated.
Getting to the Money
The Ad Club of New York is hosting a panel called “Entrepreneurs: NOW” on June 10. This discussion will focus specifically on women’s decision to leave corporate behind to work for themselves. If you're thinking about leaving your corporate job to become self-employed, attending this event just might give you the push you need.
Revolt TV has 9 open positions across LA, NYC, and ATL. If your focus is in editorial, marketing, sales, or production, one of these roles could be yours.
Buying Black
Everyone wants to become plant moms and dads, but most of y’all pots be hella basic and you know it. Let Rooted Pots help you fix that. Rooted Pots designs flower pots that celebrate our culture, history, and hair. They’ll even let you customize your pot by size and color to best fit your plants and accentuate your home decor. Check them out to elevate your plant babies. You’ll be glad you did.
Culture that Pops
Naomi Osaka bows out of the French Open after the tournament sought to punish her for prioritizing her mental health.
MJ and the Jordan Brand will donate $1M to Morehouse College’s Journalism and Sports program.
The Apollo Theater gave Mary J. Blige her flowers over the weekend as they honored her with a spot on their Walk of Fame.
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