They Want us to Break
It was hard for us to process the shooting of Atatiana Jefferson because it served as another example of how #LivingWhileBlack can be fatal without warning. If you’re anything like us, you might need a picker upper or direction on how to process some of those feelings you have. Here’s an oldie, but goodie on how to manage your emotions in the midst of America’s constant BS.
Teachers for Social Justice
Chicago teachers are showing the city what it’s not finna do anymore and that’s play with the futures of their students. With its significantly Black student population, the Chicago Teachers Union is fighting back against the city’s lack of response to school closures, underresoucing and an insufficient presence of specialized staff on their campuses. It’s no question that Chicago’s students are faced with more than just homework with the crime rate as it is. Hopefully these teachers can get what they’re seeking for their students and a spark necessary change in school districts nationwide.
How Many Licks
...does it take to get to the center of an impeachment scandal? A helluva lot, apparently. Trump’s Chief of Staff admitting that withholding the funds from Ukraine was part of a quid pro quo offer (aka “If you do for me, I’ll do for you”) helped some. The US Ambassador to the EU saying the same played its part as well. It appears that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is finally acknowledging that an impeachment trial reaching the Senate is highly likely. Is he growing tired of Trump in the process?
Congress, What’s Good?
Here are some standouts from Congress’ to-do list over the next 5 days: Improvements to the women’s business center program, protecting our elections from foreign influence, and data privacy rights.
Also, we cannot forget the insurmountable loss our nation political system suffered due to the passing of Maryland Representative Elijah Cummings. We should all be thankful for his legacy of courage and truth telling.
2020 Watch
With every debate, there are winners and losers. What side did your fave end up on?
Bernie snags endorsements from 3/4 of The Squad. White feminists are in a tizzy.
When it comes to who has Silicon Valley’s support, Elizabeth Warren is that chick.
This member of the #KamalaHive tatted her handwriting on them so she could know it’s real.
Even though she’s out of the ring, Hillary Clinton is taking jabs at Tulsi Gabbard.
Around the Diaspora
As the impending Brexit attempts to redefine who is and is not British, this cultural historian is launching a project highlighting the 100 most influential black Britons.
The African Union is getting heat for firing one of its ambassadors. Critics of the organization, who believe her termination was due to her stance against France’s neo-colonial policies, have started a petition for her reinstatement.
The road to recovery for the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian is still long. Organizers have just found evidence that an oil spill that occurred during the storm has reached the nation’s freshwater resources.
This Afro-Colombian woman started a film production company to give her people a platform to tell their stories on screen.
Culture that Pops
Cyntoia Brown promotes her new book and finally tells her story for herself.
Challenging the narrative that he doesn’t give back enough, MJ donates $7 million to open two health clinics in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Charlamagne establishes a $250 thousand scholarship fund for South Carolina State, his mother’s alma mater, and encourages the rest of us to open our wallets to HBCUs when we can.
Issa Rae is killing it these days. Her latest power move is the launch of her record label Raedio.