Trump backs students from Lincoln memorial confrontation
Article via CBSNews
President Trump has weighed in on the controversy surrounding a confrontation Friday at the base of the Lincoln Memorial involving three groups. The incident was caught on video that went viral. The story behind it has evolved several times since first coming to light, and accounts still differ.
The trouble involved a group of five black men shouting vulgar insults while protesting centuries of oppression, dozens of white Catholic high school students visiting Washington for a rally to end abortion and Native Americans marching to end injustice for indigenous peoples across the globe who have seen their lands overrun by outside settlers.
Mr. Trump tweeted his support Monday night for the students from Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills, Kentucky, as some news reports questioned whether early criticism of them was warranted:
Covington Catholic was closed Tuesday. A letter from the school’s president Robert Rowe, obtained by CBS affiliate WKRC, said the school would close “to ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff.”
At the base of the memorial Friday, the three groups met for just a few minutes in an encounter that again cast a spotlight on a polarized nation.
At first the focus was on a short video showing one of the high school students, Nick Sandmann, wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat and appearing to smirk while a crowd of other teens laughed derisively behind him as a 64-year-old Native American veteran, Nathan Phillips, played a traditional chant on a drum.
Pull back farther and a different view emerges, however, in a separate video showing members of a group calling itself the Black Hebrew Israelites taunting everyone on the mall that day, calling the Native Americans who had gathered there for the Indigenous Peoples March “Uncle Tomahawks” and “$5 Indians” and the high school students “crackers” and worse.
It was an ugly encounter of spewed epithets but one that nevertheless ended with no punches thrown or other violence.
“I would caution everyone passing judgment based on a few seconds of video to watch the longer video clips that are on the internet, as they show a much different story than is being portrayed by people with agendas,” Sandmann, a junior, said in a statement released late Sunday.
Sandmann’s statement does seem at odds with some video from the confrontation that showed students from Covington Catholic laughing at Phillips’ Native American group and mockingly singing along with him, as well as interviews with Phillips, who said he heard the students shout “Build that wall!” and “Go back to the reservation!”
The fullest view of what happened came from a nearly two-hour video posted on Facebook by Shar Yaqataz Banyamyan. It showed members of his Black Hebrew Israelite group repeatedly interacting with the crowd as people from the Indigenous Peoples March and the high school students vigorously argued with them for a few minutes.
Sandmann said in his statement the students from his all-male high school were waiting for their buses near Banyamyan’s group when the latter started to taunt them. One of the students took off his shirt and the teens started to do a haka – a war dance of New Zealand’s indigenous Maori culture, made famous by the country’s national rugby team.
Phillips, an elder of the Omaha tribe, and Marcus Frejo, a member of the Pawnee and Seminole tribes, said they felt the students were mocking the dance and walked over to intervene.
Phillips and Sandmann locked eyes, their faces inches apart. Both men said their goal was simply to make sure things didn’t get out of hand. But caught on video, the encounter still went viral.
The high school students felt they were unfairly portrayed as villains in a situation where they say they were not the provocateurs.
“I am being called every name in the book, including a racist, and I will not stand for this mob-like character assassination,” Sandmann said in his statement.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington apologized for the incident, promising an investigation that could lead to punishment up to expulsion if any wrongdoing by the students was determined.
The Indigenous Peoples Movement felt the encounter was a reminder the U.S. was founded on racism and Mr. Trump’s presidency is rekindling hatred based on skin color.
“Trump has riled up a reactionary voting block that reminds us that we are a nation founded on patriarchy, genocide and racism. Trump is clearly giving these archaic instincts license, encouraging the kind of aggressive goading that I witnessed,” movement spokesman Chase Iron Eyes said in a statement.
Phillips is now offering to travel to northern Kentucky to meet with the students for a “dialog about cultural appropriation, racism, and the importance of listening to and respecting diverse cultures,” according to the Lakota People’s Law Project.
“Race relations in this country and around the world have reached a boiling point,” the group quotes Phillips as saying. “It is sad that on the weekend of a holiday when we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., racial hostility occurred on the steps of the Lincoln memorial, where King gave his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.”
Banyamyan posted his own reaction on Facebook, referencing the dozens of high school students in their Make America Great Again gear coming over to his group of five and chanting. In a rambling video, he also praised Phillips and compared Sandmann to the devil.
After the sun set and the Covington high school students left, Banyamyan’s video showed a few police officers stopping by to check on his group as they were wrapping up their protest. One of the officers said they were worried by the number of people who briefly massed in that one spot. One of the Black Hebrew Israelites said there were no problems.
“We weren’t threatened by them,” he said. “It was an OK dialogue.”
Tekashi 6ix9ine Allegedly Denied Bail Again, New Court Date Set For February
Article via HotNewHipHop
Billy Ado has the scoop.
Tekashi 6ix9ine is still sitting behind bars at this moment, waiting for a judge to grant him bail. That day did not come on Tuesday. Billy Ado, a heralded member of Tekashi’s crew that has had his ups and downs with the rainbow-haired rapper himself, took to social media to keep the masses informed. Ado left the Federal Courthouse after attending a hearing involving Tekashi and company, and immediately began filming from the steps. While in selfie mode, Ado exclaims, “Treyway, I’m out here. I’m just leaving the courthouse for 6ix9ine.” As he walks down the courthouse steps, he dives further into the details of the short hearing.
“Everybody was there,” Ado explained. He continued on to name Shotti and others that were arrested along with Tekashi. “Nobody got bail, they got a new court date for February the 20th. We ‘gon see what’s good then.” If Ado’s words are true, that means Tekashi will have to sit for another month in jail before getting to see a judge. His continued attempts to get bail will either wear down the judge or embolden the prosecutors. “I heard some crazy shit today man,” Ado said of the hearing. “It’s still fuckin’ Treyway,” he asserts while still walking down the street.
Cardi B claps back at conservative columnist: ‘If I twerk… does that mean I deserve to get raped’
Article via Yahoo
Don’t come for Cardi B this week.
After firing back at Tomi Lahren, the “Money” rapper aimed her social media ire at Daily Caller video columnist Stephanie Hamill on Tuesday. The conservative reporter singled out Cardi — who has been making headlines for her anti-Trump views recently — claiming her sexualized music videos, like the one for “Twerk,” don’t empower women. Hamill invited “leftists” and the musician to chime in.
Well, Cardi B did just that. The Grammy-nominated artist replied, tweeting she can “wear and not wear” whatever she wants. She added, “So Stephanie chime in…If I twerk and be half naked does that mean I deserve to get raped and molested ?”
Hamill tweeted back agreeing that, “No means NO, NO MATTER what!” However, she claimed “this video” and others like it “sexually objectify women.” She added, “I think this hurts all women & the cause. We’re not sex OBJECTS!”
We’re guessing the invite to appear on Hamill’s show is most likely going to be a hard pass from the star. Although Cardi B didn’t engage with the reporter again, she had one more thing to say.
“All these conservatives been harassing me and telling me the most disgusting things these past few days,” she tweeted. “Listen I’m not telling ya to turn liberal all I’m saying is to admit that your president is f***in up this country right now! Liberal or conservative we ALL suffer as citizens.”
Taraji P. Henson faces backlash after comparing R. Kelly to Harvey Weinstein
Article via PageSix
Taraji P. Henson sparked outrage and confusion after she compared the use of the #MuteRKelly hashtag to #MuteWeinstein and #MuteHarveyWeinstein.
In since-deleted Instagram story posts, the “Empire” star called out the lack of posts calling for the muting of the disgraced Hollywood mogul, who is set to stand trial in May for sexual assault; however, the #MuteRKelly hashtag went viral after Lifetime’s docu-series, “Surviving R. Kelly,” which followed the stories of several victims who accused “The World’s Greatest” crooner of sexual abuse and predation.
Confused Twitter users came forward to call out Henson, who they believed missed the entire point of the hashtags.
“So if mute Weinstein had just as many posts as Rkelly would that change Taraji’s opinion I’m confused,” asked one Twitter user.
“‘Mute R Kelly’ is an actual campaign with an accompanying hashtag. There is no such Harvey Weinstein hashtag so there’s no point to be made here, Taraji. As if Weinstein still has the public’s support. This is disappointing af.
Even the executive producer of “Surviving R. Kelly,” Dream Hampton, chimed in on the conversation.
“No idea why Taraji Henson wouldn’t know that there are not one, but two projects abt Harvey Weinstein. But this is an oft-invoked deflection. While I care abt the Hollywood stars Weinstein abused, I care more abt Asante, Kitty, Jerhona, Lisette, Azriel & Joy & others, even more,” Hampton tweeted. “Plus Weinstein is on trial. For rape.”
Another user compared Henson to Erykah Badu, who over the weekend seemingly defended R. Kelly’s actions.
“Erykah Badu reduced R.Kelly’s crimes to ‘poor choices’. Taraji P. Henson made a false equivalency between him and Harvey Weinstein. The aunties are really exposing their internalized misogynoir, and I can’t deal,” tweeted another. “Black girls deserve better.”
Eventually, Henson tried to clarify the message her Instagram stories were intended to relay.
“LET ME BE CLEAR R. KELLY IS GUILTY AND WRONG AND SHOULD BE MUTED PERIOD!!!!! ,” she wrote.
Check out some Lovelyti videos:
R. Kelly’s “Surviving Lies” facebook page shut down+ he’s now under Investigation in 2 states
Aaliyah’s mom says R. Kelly’s former backup singer is LYING!!+Surviving R. Kelly review
Chinese model: Dolce & Gabbana ad campaign ‘almost ruined my career’
Article via CNN
The Chinese model who starred in a series of controversial Dolce & Gabbana videos has said the controversy surrounding the campaign almost ruined her career.
Speaking out for the first time since November, when the fashion house was forced to apologize over accusations of racism, model Zuo Ye claimed that she received threats, online attacks and harassment following the outcry.
The controversy began when D&G published three promotional videos showing Zuo struggling to eat Italian food with chopsticks. The 40-second spots, which were posted on D&G’s Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, were created to promote “The Great Show,” which was billed by the fashion house as a “tribute to China.”
Zuo was pictured attempting to pick up pizza, spaghetti and cannoli to the sound of stereotypical Chinese music. A narrator is heard offering seemingly patronizing advice such as “don’t attempt to use the chopsticks as knives” and “just use your chopsticks like pliers.”
A social media storm followed when a number of offensive private Instagram messages — allegedly sent by the brand’s co-founder Stefano Gabbana in response to criticism of the videos — went viral. The Italian designer denied writing the messages, which included derogatory remarks directed toward China and Chinese people, and claimed that his account had been hacked.
In a statement posted to Zuo’s Weibo account Monday, the model apologized for her role in the controversy. She also offered her account of the incident, claiming that she knew very little about the videos’ content beforehand, other than being told it would be “fun.”
“I never and would never bear anything disrespectful to my home country,” she said. “I’m deeply in love with my country and proud to be a Chinese to send on international runways.”
The model, who recently graduated from South China Agricultural University, described feeling “uncomfortable” on set in Milan, Italy. She said the shoot was “different from what I initially expected.”
“During the filming process, I was required by the director to laugh from ear to ear (and) laugh behind (my) hands,” she wrote.”As the food given was all super-sized, I did feel embarrassed when holding chopsticks,” she added. “At the same time, I was required to laugh in an exaggerated way, but I hate to laugh in real life.”Zuo expressed guilt and surprise at the online backlash. In an apparent reference to Gabbana’s alleged comments, she claimed that “anti-China rhetoric directly escalated the incident.”
“I received lots of attacks and threats online. Myself, my agent and my family got harassed through phone calls, email and online,” she wrote, adding: “As a Chinese model working overseas, being able to work with any top brand, regardless of whether its D&G or anyone else, is positive (for your) career.
“As the food given was all super-sized, I did feel embarrassed when holding chopsticks,” she added. “At the same time, I was required to laugh in an exaggerated way, but I hate to laugh in real life.”Zuo expressed guilt and surprise at the online backlash. In an apparent reference to Gabbana’s alleged comments, she claimed that “anti-China rhetoric directly escalated the incident.” “I received lots of attacks and threats online. Myself, my agent and my family got harassed through phone calls, email and online,” she wrote, adding: “As a Chinese model working overseas, being able to work with any top brand, regardless of whether its D&G or anyone else, is positive (for your) career.
“But I didn’t anticipate that the cooperation with this brand would almost ruin my modeling career.”The outcry led to a PR crisis for the Italian label. Chinese celebrities quickly dropped out of a D&G fashion show in Shanghai, forcing its cancellation. The brand then faced boycotts from angry social media users and celebrities, while its products were dropped from major e-commerce platforms and stores in China.
Gabbana and his business partner, Domenico Dolce, later filmed a video message in which they apologized to “all Chinese people around the world.” The designers expressed remorse for “everything that has happened and what we have caused in your country,” although neither made direct reference to the videos or the alleged Instagram comments.
Comic Kevin Barnett, Creator Of ‘Rel’ on Fox, Dies Suddenly At 32
The comedy world mourned the “gifted” Barnett, who posted on Instagram from Mexico three days earlier.
Kevin Barnett, the co-creator of Fox’s comedy series “Rel,” has died suddenly, according to Twentieth Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment. The writer and stand-up comedian was 32.
“Our hearts are broken, as are those of everyone at Rel, at the news of Kevin Barnett’s passing,” the entertainment company said in a statement. “He was an incredibly funny, wildly talented man who had so much more to do and so many more stories to tell. We send our thoughts and prayers to his friends and family during this difficult time.”
The cause of death had yet to be reported as of early Wednesday.
Barnett posted a photo of himself in Mexico three days ago on Instagram.
Barnett also wrote several 2017 episodes of NBC’s “The Carmichael Show,” according to IMDB. He then co-created “Rel,” which premiered in September and stars one of the “Carmichael” cast members, Lil Rel Howery of “Get Out.”
“I was trying to figure out what to say but I can’t I’m truly heartbroken by this and just really hurt as the hours pass,” Howery said on Instagram. “So gifted and so dope and a true friend!!!! I don’t know what else to say this is crazy to me!!!!”
Barnett’s rep, United Talent Agency, wrote on Twitter that it was “deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and client Kevin Barnett. He was an incredible talent and a wonderful person.”
Article via HuffingtonPost
There’s A New ‘Ghostbusters’ Movie Coming In 2020
First and foremost, here’s a thing we didn’t expect to be saying on the internet in 2019: There’s a new Ghostbusters movie on the horizon. Yes, it’s true. Ivan Reitman, who directed the 1984 original, is producing, and his son, Jason (Juno, Up in the Air), will cowrite and direct. No plot details are available yet, but it will take place in the same universe that the original proton-pack-wielding, ghostbusting foursome saved back in the 1980s. The film, which already has a teaser, is scheduled to hit theaters in summer 2020. Start working on your “Who ya gonna call?” jokes now.
Article via Wired
Reggie Bullock’s Tattoo Became A Teachable Moment On His LGBTQ Advocacy Journey
The Detroit Pistons’ small forward says he feels “blessed” to be a queer ally in professional sports.
Article via Huffingtonpost
