Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee resigns as Congressional Black Caucus Foundation chairwoman in wake of ex-staffer’s lawsuit
Article via FoxNews
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, resigned as the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Wednesday after a former staffer filed a lawsuit earlier this month claiming she was fired as retaliation for planned legal action related to an alleged 2015 rape by a supervisor.
“We are grateful for Rep. Jackson Lee’s unswerving commitment to the Foundation, and her efforts to help shape and elevate our programming for the last two years as chair, and a number of years as a board member,” CBCF interim President and CEO Elsie Scott said in a statement. “The congresswoman values the Foundation’s ideals and does not want to be a distraction during the legal proceedings of the suit filed against the CBCF.”
Jackson Lee’s office had no immediate comment on her resignation, but previously denied “that it retaliated against, or otherwise improperly treated” the staffer, who is identified in the lawsuit only as “Jane Doe.”
Earlier Wednesday, House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., said Jackson Lee had decided to “voluntarily and temporarily step back” from her post as chairwoman of the panel’s crime subcommittee.
“This decision does not suggest any culpability by Rep. Jackson Lee,” Nadler said.
The move comes one day after the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence said it could not support making Jackson Lee the lead sponsor of legislation reauthorizing the federal Violence Against Women Act.
“We begin and end all of our work with supporting survivors and support Jane Doe and many others who have been unsupported in their attempts to speak out,” the group’s statement said.
According to The New York Times, which first reported on Jackson Lee’s plans to resign, CBCF board members told Jackson Lee to step down as chairwoman or face a removal vote after the lawsuit became public late last week.
In the suit, Jane Doe alleges she was raped while a CBCF intern by Damien Jones, the foundation’s internship program coordinator and her supervisor at the time. Two years later, Doe was hired to work for Jackson Lee, who had recently been made chairwoman of the CBCF’s board of directors. Shortly after she was hired, Doe said Jackson Lee received a text message from the CBCF’s chief executive at the time, A. Shaunise Washington.
“I just received a notification that you have a new staffer,” Washington allegedly messaged Jackson Lee, mentioning Doe’s name. “Call me, I have background on her.”
Doe says she was fired in March 2018, roughly two weeks after she told Jackson’s chief of staff, Glenn Rushing, that she had “recently learned more about her case involving Mr. Jones and CBCF, and planned to move forward with legal action” against the foundation.
The lawsuit says Rushing was initially supportive of Doe and agreed to arrange a meeting between Doe and Jackson Lee to discuss the matter but never did so.
When she was dismissed, Doe claims, Rushing told her she was being let go because of “budgetary issues” and added that as the most recent hire, she’d be the first to go. However, Doe claims, Jackson Lee had hired at least two new employees who made “at least the same salary” as her since her arrival in November 2017. She also claims two more employees were hired shortly after she was fired, while another staffer received a raise.
Native American activist Nathan Phillips says he forgives ‘MAGA’ teen
Article via NYPost
Native American activist Nathan Phillips, whose face-off with a Kentucky Catholic school student was caught in a controversial viral video, said in a new interview that he forgives the 16-year-old.
“Even though I’m angry, I still have that forgiveness in my heart for those students,” the 64-year-old Omaha Nation elder told NBC’s “Today” show on Thursday.
“I forgive him,” Phillips said of Nick Sandmann, the Covington Catholic High School student who stood toe to toe with Phillips while wearing a cap emblazoned with President Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again,” at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.
Phillips said he was disappointed at first by statements Sandmann released after videos of the incident went viral.
“Insincerity, lack of responsibility. Those are the words I came up with,” said Phillips, who took part in an Indigenous People’s March shortly before the fateful confrontation.
Phillips added that after praying about the episode he “woke up with this forgiving heart. I forgive him.”
Sandmann has said that he and his classmates, who were in DC to attend an anti-abortion rally, were confronted by several Hebrew Israelites who began hurling slurs at the group.
Phillips said he started to beat a hand drum in an effort to defuse the “explosive” situation when he was met by Sandmann, who had what critics have described as a smug smirk on his face.
The boy has said he was merely smiling and meant no disrespect.
Phillips said he was “trying to walk away” and heard the kids chanting, “Build that wall!”
“That mass of young men surrounded me and the folks that were with me,” Phillips said, adding that when he did finally find a path to walk through the “clear space, a person was there. I was blocked.”
Sandmann has said that a school chaperone gave the students permission to shout chants at the Hebrew Israelites, but Phillips said Thursday he thinks chaperones “should have said to those students, ‘This isn’t the place.’”
Still, “forgiveness even goes to those chaperones, those teachers,” he said.
Phillips said he believed the students were “mocking” Native Americans, and that Sandmann “was the leader of that.”
On Wednesday, Sandmann — whose family quickly hired a PR firm — went on “Today” and said his school doesn’t “tolerate racism, and none of my classmates are racist people.”
The school was closed Tuesday “due to threats of violence,” but reopened Wednesday amid heightened security.
Sandmann has said that some students have received death threats. Phillips said he also has also received threats.
“You know, I didn’t have any problems until the students started saying they were getting death threats, and then as soon as that happened, it started happening with me,” Phillips said.
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Phillips also clarified Thursday that he was a US Marines reservist during the Vietnam War, but didn’t actually serve in Vietnam.
Stephen Colbert Starts Petition For Cardi B to Give State Of The Union Rebuttal
Article via Newsweek
Should President Donald Trump deliver a State of the Union address, late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert trumpeted his selection as to who he would like to see deliver the Democratic rebuttal.
Colbert tweeted Wednesday night he’s starting a petition to have New York rapper Cardi B refute the words of the commander-in-chief, who tweeted late Wednesday he’ll postpone State of the Union until after the partial government shutdown ends.
“I am starting a petition for the Democrats to let @iamcardib give the rebuttal to the SOTU,” Colbert tweeted. “Sign it by retweeting this!”
The tweet had garnered more than 24,000 likes and more than 13,000 retweets — or petition signers — four hours after Colbert’s initial post.
Cardi B, 26, has recently been embroiled in social media battles with conservative TV talk show hosts who either question her videos or political views.
Stephanie Hammill of Fox 5 in Washington, D.C., posted a Cardi B video clip with the question, “In the Era of #meToo how exactly does this empower women? Leftists, @iamcardib , feel free to chime in. THX ..”
Cardi B responded, saying: “It says to women that I can wear and not wear what ever I want. do w.e I want and that NO still means NO. So Stephanie chime in..If I twerk and be half naked does that mean I deserve to get raped and molested ? I want to know what a conservative woman like you thinks.”
Cardi B used Instagram to express her discontent about the partial government shutdown, saying the “country is in a hellhole now” over a proposed border wall.
“I just wanna remind you that it’s been a little bit over three weeks,” Cardi B said in the Instagram video. “Trump is now ordering … federal government workers to go back to work without getting paid. This s**t is really f***ing serious, bro. This s**t is crazy. Our country is in a hellhole now — all for a f**king wall.”
Conservative host Tomi Lahren questioned Cardi B by saying “Looks like @iamcardib is the latest genius political mind to endorse the Democrats,” Lahren tweeted. “HA! Keep it up, guys! #MAGA2020”
Cardi B continued the squabble by saying she’d “dog walk” Lahren, which sent Twitter followers into a whirlwind.
“I’m sure you would,” Lahren fired back. “Still doesn’t make your political rambling any less moronic. #BuildthatWall”
“You’re so blinded with racism that you don’t even realize the decisions the president you root for is destroying the country you claim to love so much,” Cardi B responded. “You are a perfect example on no matter how educated or smart you think you are you still a SHEEP!”
Check out Lovelyti’s videos:
Cardi B blasts Trump over government shutdown~”Our country is in a hellhole” full breakdown!
Cardi B under fire for her Transphobic Colorist and Racist Comments
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Blac Chyna Says Her Children ‘Were Never in Any Danger’ After Police Visit Her Home Twice
Article via People
Blac Chyna is speaking out about the wellbeing of her children after police were called to her home earlier this week.
In a statement provided by her attorney Lisa Bloom, Chyna said her 6-year-old son King Cairo (with Tyga) and 2-year-old daughter Dream Renée (with Rob Kardashian) are doing fine.
“Chyna’s children, King Cairo and Dream Renée, are both healthy and doing very well. They were never in any danger and any reports to the contrary are entirely false,” the statement read. “I remind the public that anyone who submits a knowingly false report to Child Protective Services may be subject to criminal and civil liability.”
Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call about a disturbance at Chyna’s home, a public information officer confirmed to PEOPLE.
At about 6:40 p.m., cops arrived at the mother of two’s home but did not find any evidence of a crime, the police said. Due to the lack of a crime, the police do not release the names of those who were in the home at the time of the visit.
According to TMZ, the caller alleged that Chyna was drunk and unable to care for Dream.
Chyna allegedly got into a fight with one of her makeup artists earlier that day, which may have prompted the call. TMZ also reported that along with Chyna, a nanny was home at the time.
Police were then called again to Chyna’s home on Monday, PEOPLE confirmed. Officers responded to a call at around 2:30 p.m. regarding a civil standby, meaning they were there to “keep the peace,” LAPD told PEOPLE.
TMZ reported that officers arrived to prevent an additional dispute allegedly between Chyna and her makeup artist. The outlet reported the makeup artist showed up with police in order to retrieve some of her belongings from the night before.
Meanwhile, Kardashian’s family is encouraging him to remain focused on what’s most important: his daughter.
“They always knew that Chyna wasn’t good for Rob and they’re just trying to keep him focused on his family, and not on his ex,” a source told PEOPLE.
“They are aware of what she does, and they obviously are not happy to hear that she’s getting in fights or acting negatively,” the source added. (Chyna’s attorney could not be immediately reached for comment.)
Despite the former couple’s fractured relationship, the KarJenner family — helmed by matriarch and momager Kris Jenner — only wants what’s best for Rob and Dream.
“They mostly care about what’s in Dream’s best interest, and in Rob’s,” the source said.
Check out Lovelyti’s videos:
Rob Kardashian files to lower $20k a month child support payments +Matt Barnes DRAGS Blac Chyna ?
PART 1 Rob Kardashian takes to IG to put Blac Chyna ON BLAST~FULL #RECEIPTS!
Mechiesocrazy talks about “The Blac Chyna $ex tape”, Rob Kardashian, and his NEW MUSIC!
Kenya Moore poses in a bikini two months post-baby
Article via PageSix
Kenya Moore is one hot mama.
While on a tropical vacation to celebrate her 48th birthday, the former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star took a quick break from the festivities to show off her bikini body.
The reality star posted a shot of herself cradling her 2-month-old baby, Brooklyn, while clad in a white string bikini and matching bottoms.
Moore kept the rest of her seaside look simple, accessorizing with just a small pair of gold hoop earrings and a “B” pendant in honor of her daughter.
Of course, the pageant girl is no stranger to rocking a swimsuit: In addition to winning the Miss USA competition in 1993, she also landed a spot in the top six at that year’s Miss Universe contest.
So really, it’s a natural return to form for the new mom.
Check out some Lovelyti videos:
Kenya Moore Puts a Bounty on Trespassing Fans #myhammersstayready
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Birdman Decides To Be Petty And Wrecks The Car He Gifted Toni
Article via Hiphopdx
Atlanta, GA – Toni Braxton had just finished performing at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre on Wednesday (January 23) when Birdman crashed the party. According to The Blast, the Cash Money co-founder was spotted hanging out on the side of the stage, waiting to surprise his ex-fiancée.
Once she saw him, she reportedly greeted him with a long embrace. There’s no telling what happened once they left the venue, but it’s not a stretch to conclude they spent some more one-on-one time together.
The couple called off their engagement earlier this month shortly after Braxton had issued a frantic plea on Twitter confirming her engagement ring had been lost on a Delta flight.
The two were rumored to be already married, but Braxton consistently shot down the rumors. Last February, Birdman appeared on The Wendy Williams Show to address the chatter. During their conversation, he confirmed they weren’t married “yet.”
“That’s my girl, my friend, my family,” Birdman said. “That’s my love, my soldier, my life. She my everything … She my life. I love her to death.”
On New Year’s Day, Braxton hinted at their split with an Instagram post.
“Starting a new chapter isn’t always an easy choice…but ALWAYS choose to be chosen,” she wrote. “Cheers to a new year.”
Check out some Lovelyti videos:
Birdman buys Toni Braxton a 250k Bentley truck ? ~gets SUED 24hrs later for 3.3 million?
Social Media goes CRAZY after Toni Braxton confirms relationship with Birdman #respeck
Social Media Goes CRAZY over Tha Carter V +Birdman & Young Thug Under Criminal Investigation
The Green Book A travelers guide for Negros
This is Black History that I knew nothing about.
