by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 14, 2026

Ryan Clark Criticizes ‘Disgusting And Despicable’ White House Pro-War Video Featuring Him

Ryan Clark is among several public figures speaking out after being featured in pro-war videos shared by the White House on social media.

Former NFL star Ryan Clark is calling out the White House for including him in a “disgusting and despicable” video post promoting the ongoing Iran war.

The Super Bowl champion addressed the issue on his Pivot podcast and reposted the clip on X, criticizing the Trump administration for using NFL footage and scenes from the 2008 comedy Tropic Thunder in promotional videos that appeared to make light of the ongoing war in the Middle East.

“I’m disappointed because, for one, to have Tropic Thunder and football highlights on a video about war is one of the more insensitive things that I’ve ever seen,” Clark said. “There are families here in our country whose loved ones have decided to give their lives to fight for our rights and our freedoms, who don’t see war as a sport. War doesn’t deserve a highlight film for Tropic Thunder to be a part of it. War is not a comedy.”

He continued, “And for these people to be risking their lives, not for our safety as much as for someone else’s agenda, for our regime to be as unserious, as unprofessional, as laughable, and as illegitimate as our leadership is right now, is embarrassing.”

“The latest White House post is… disgusting & despicable”

War is not a sport, & it’s certainly not a comedy. I’ve been asked how I felt about being included in a post from the White House using NFL hits as some sort of war highlight film. Truthfully, I don’t feel rage, but… pic.twitter.com/z9CrZDUBY6
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) March 11, 2026

Clark, who spent more than a decade in the NFL and helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII, criticized the video’s tone, arguing that war should never be portrayed like sports entertainment or cinematic satire. He also said the U.S. government has “lost credibility” under President Donald Trump.

“Because the reality star needs everybody to know at all times, ‘Oh, look at me, look at the attention I’m garnering, we’re doing this for me,’” Clark said, directing his message at Trump. “The public servant stands at attention for 45 minutes in a salute because he understands what those soldiers who gave their lives have done for our country. And I think we’ve lost 100% any credibility. We’ve lost all decorum. We’ve lost all integrity. We’ve lost all character. And I believe that the latest White House post, or the White House post involving myself and other NFL players, is absolutely disgusting and despicable.”

Ben Stiller also recently criticized Trump for using clips from Tropic Thunder, which he directed, produced, and starred in, in the White House’s pro-war social media posts.

“Hey, White House, please remove the Tropic Thunder clip. We never gave you permission and have no interest in being a part of your propaganda machine. War is not a movie,” he tweeted.

Hey White House, please remove the Tropic Thunder clip. We never gave you permission and have no interest in being a part of your propaganda machine. War is not a movie. https://t.co/dMQqRxxVCa
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) March 6, 2026

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 14, 2026

TSA Agents Share Grievances Of Financial Stress As Partial Government Shutdown Continues

Since the partial shutdown, the rate of agents calling out has doubled with some airports seeing more than 50% of their frontline TSA workforce absent.

As social media users push to blame Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents for the everlasting lines at airports nationwide, those workers are dealing with extreme financial hardship as the partial government shutdown goes into its fourth week, USA Today reports.

The partial shutdown started in mid‑February after Congress failed to provide funding to the Department of Homeland Security. Close to 50,000 TSA officers are working without being paid, with the March 13 paycheck expected to be the first missed.

“Numerous employees have reported to me that their bank accounts are at zero or negative,” said Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) TSA Council 100, Johnny Jones, a Dallas-based TSA worker. “No funds for daycare, no funds for food. They just want to know why the hell they can’t get paid when we have money to shoot missiles into other countries.”

Since the partial shutdown, the rate of agents calling out has doubled with some airports seeing more than 50% of their frontline TSA workforce absent. Travelers were seen in lines backed up to the parking lot of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas.

https://twitter.com/TomMillerNews/status/2032407600256446884

Even planes are waiting in long lines for take off.

https://twitter.com/Turbinetraveler/status/2032498882693787773

To make ends meet, some TSA workers are leaving their jobs for other employment opportunities. According to CBS News, Robert Echeverria, who worked the TSA checkpoints at Salt Lake City International Airport for nine years, feels he had no choice.

“I love the agency. I love the people that I worked with. But it’s just, my family has to come first,” he said. “I think the hardest thing is seeing the struggle that my wife was going through and not trying to bring more stress to her. But seeing her cry every night, how am I going to feed my family? How am I going to survive?”

On average, TSA officers are among the lowest-paid in the federal government, earning between $45,000 and $55,000 annually. But some airport leadership officials are trying to assist since they feel this isn’t the agents’ fault. Denver International Airport (DEN) CEO Phil Washington put together a collection to help TSA officers purchase necessities that they are not paid for.

“Once again, DEN’s federal employees are working tirelessly to ensure our airport operates efficiently and safely without getting paid. TSA employees just missed their first paycheck, and as we enter a busy Spring Break travel period, we want to do what we can to ease the stress of this moment,” Washington said in a statement.

“That’s why we are calling on the public, our passengers, and other airport employees to donate grocery store and gas gift cards to help make this moment a little more bearable for these federal workers,” he added.

by Kandiss Edwards

March 14, 2026

Quincy Jones’ Estate Sells Music Catalog, Including Share Of Michael Jackson Hits

The acquisition includes Jones' iconic production work on Michael Jackson’s 'Off the Wall,' 'Thriller,' and 'Bad' albums.

The estate of legendary producer Quincy Jones has finalized a landmark deal to sell a selection of his extensive music publishing and master recording catalog to HarbourView Equity Partners.

The acquisition includes Jones’ iconic production work on Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall,” “Thriller,” and “Bad” albums. The sale promises to be an investment that is sure to pay off for HarbourView as “Thriller” remains one of the best-selling albums of all time. The sale encompasses Jones’ share of the royalties and rights associated with these masterworks. Additionally, the firm will gain rights to a select portion of Jones’s personal catalog of compositions and arrangements spanning seven decades, Variety reported.

“Quincy Jones was not just a once-in-a-generation talent; he was a once-in-a-century architect of culture,” said Sherrese Clarke, CEO of HarbourView Equity Partners. “Our partnership with the Estate is rooted in deep respect for Quincy’s creative vision and a long-term commitment to safeguarding his work, his likeness, and his influence for generations to come.”

The sale comes as the market for high-profile music catalogs continues to fluctuate. While many legacy artists sold their rights during the 2020-2022 peak. The Jones estate’s sale indicates that premier “blue chip” catalogs still command significant interest from investors.

Quincy Jones Estate Sells Rights to HarbourView https://t.co/qOIOwGBvjC
— Thomas Payne (@TPayneCommon) March 13, 2026

Jones, who died in November 2024 at the age of 91, was a 28-time Grammy Award winner. He often spoke of his collaborative process with Jackson as a unique alignment of creativity.

“Michael was a perfectionist, and we pushed each other to find sounds that didn’t exist yet,” Jones said in a 2017 interview regarding his production history. “We weren’t just making records; we were making history. You have to have the soul and the science in the room at the same time.”

The estate, managed by his children, indicated that the decision to sell was made to partner with a firm capable of managing the complex global licensing required for a catalog of this magnitude and cultural significance.

Jalen Rose, sports, football, basketball

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 14, 2026

Jalen Rose Says Black-Led Sports Like Basketball And Football Have ‘Residue Of Slavery’

Jalen Rose didn't hold back.

Former NBA star Jalen Rose is criticizing what he calls the “residue of slavery” in predominantly Black sports like football and basketball, pointing to salary caps and other league rules he believes are designed to keep players under control.

The current analyst recently appeared on a live taping of the Joe and Jada Unfiltered podcast, where Rose argued that leagues like the National Basketball Association and the National Football League impose restrictions on players that aren’t seen in other sports with fewer Black athletes.

“The only sports that have salary caps are Black-led first off. So that’s basketball and football,” Rose declared. “Those are the only sports with salary caps. Baseball, golf, NASCAR, tennis, you can keep naming. They do not have a salary cap. That’s the first thing. The second thing is they have no after-high school restriction.

“And so that’s a residue of slavery, because we’re gonna get money off of you for multiple years for free.”

Rose’s remarks build on a long-running debate about racial dynamics in the National Basketball Association. Critics often point out that while roughly 70% of players are Black, the vast majority of team owners are white, with nonwhite majority owners making up only a small share of the league.

The discussion also extends to league rules such as the NBA’s age requirement, which prevents players from entering the league directly out of high school. Prospects must be at least 19 years old and one year removed from high school graduation, leading many to spend a year in college where, until recent NIL reforms, they were unable to earn compensation despite generating billions for the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Rose argues that the shift allowing college athletes to profit from NIL deals came only after the rise of social media, which made players and fans more aware of how young athletes could be exploited.

His comments sparked debate among sports fans, with some pointing to the National Hockey League, a predominantly white sport that also has salary caps, arguing that Rose didn’t have all the facts straight.

“More accurate title is “Jalen Rose FORGETS the NHL has a salary cap,” one viewer wrote.

“Individual sports don’t have caps… only team sport that doesn’t is the MLB right? I believe the reasoning is to give small market teams a chance otherwise the big markets would just buy the best players…” added another.

RELATED CONTENT: Jalen Rose; Athletes & Social Responsibility

LiAngelo Ball, The Cool Kids, Chuck Inglish , Def Jam

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 14, 2026

The Cool Kids’ Chuck Inglish Calls Out Def Jam For Reportedly Dropping Two Acts To Bet $8M On LiAngelo Ball

"Def Jam dropped Vanilla is Black and Navy Blue for this," Inglish tweeted.

Def Jam signed former college hooper LiAngelo Ball after he released a viral single, “Tweaker,” under his stage name Gelo. But Chuck Inglish of The Cool Kids blasted the record label for dropping two other acts to focus on Ball.

Inglish responded to an X user complaining that Gelo was given millions to sign with the label, yet wasn’t making the impact expected by hip-hop fans after hearing about his reported $13 million deal ($8 million reportedly guaranteed).

The user, J Michelle Michelle, wrote in her post: “They swore to God up above that this man was taking over. I remember” in response to a Datpiff post that asked followers to “Name an artist you swore was next up… then their career just flatlined…”

Ball has released another track, but it hasn’t matched the success of his breakout single, which first drew widespread attention and pulled him away from his brothers, Lonzo Ball and LaMelo Ball, who currently play in the NBA.

Inglish cosigned her post and added that the label dropped two acts, Vanilla is Black and Navy Blue, and reconfirmed that Def Jam gave Gelo a guaranteed $8 million.

Def Jam dropped Vanilla is Black and Navy Blue for this.

Gave that nigga 8 mill guaranteed too https://t.co/NbjqrOdvQH
— CHUCK INGLISH said it. (@Chuckisdope) March 12, 2026

Gelo was expected to play in the NBA like his brothers. Instead, he inked a deal with Def Jam, which gave him full ownership of his music.

After playing at UCLA, Gelo entered the 2018 NBA Draft. Unlike his brothers, he was not selected by any NBA team but did sign training camp deals with the Detroit Pistons (2020) and the Hornets (2021 and 2022). He didn’t make the regular-season rosters.

Ball played in the NBA G League for the Greensboro Swarm, averaging 4.4 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 13.1 minutes in 31 games from 2021 to 2023.

Miguel Díaz-Canel , TRUMP, HAVANA , CUBA

by Keka Araújo

March 13, 2026

Isolation and Oil Shortages Push Cuba’s President, Miguel Díaz-Canel, Into High-Stakes Negotiations With Trump

In an act of goodwill and good faith, the Cuban preesident has surprisingly agreed to release 51 prisoners.

Faced with a paralyzing fuel embargo and the specter of total economic collapse, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed Friday that Havana has entered direct negotiations with the Trump administration. The announcement, delivered in a somber 90-minute national broadcast, marks the most significant diplomatic engagement between the adversarial nations in a decade, catalyzed by a U.S. pressure campaign that has effectively severed the island’s energy arteries.

The strategic collapse of the Maduro administration in Venezuela earlier this year served as the primary catalyst for Havana’s diplomatic retreat, effectively severing the “Petro-Caribe” lifeline that sustained the island for over two decades. With Caracas now cooperating with Washington on oil production and exports, Cuba has lost its most significant regional benefactor and its primary source of subsidized crude.

The loss of Venezuelan support, coupled with Mexico’s decision to halt shipments, has rendered Cuba a “failing nation,” leaving Díaz-Canel with no leverage other than a negotiated “deal” to prevent complete state collapse.

While Díaz-Canel maintained a conciliatory tone, he was candid regarding the existential threat posed by Washington’s “energy blockade.” The administration’s strategy appears to be to leverage the island’s systemic fragility to extract concessions that have eluded American presidents for 70 years.

“The country is barely surviving. Cuba doesn’t have a choice. It has to talk.” — Ricardo Torres, Economist and Research Fellow at American University.

Torres’ assessment highlights a brutal reality on the fragile nation’s infrastructure–the negotiation is less a parlay between equals and more a survival mandate for the Communist Party. The strategy of “maximum pressure” has transitioned from a political slogan to a functional reality, leaving Havana with dwindling options as the lights go out across the provinces.

President Trump, who confirmed the talks via Truth Social, has framed the engagement within his hallmark transactional framework. By disrupting the regional leftist alliance—specifically the “Chavista” pipeline from Caracas—the U.S. has isolated Cuba, forcing a shift in Díaz-Canel’s typically defiant rhetoric.

“It may be a friendly takeover, it may not be a friendly takeover,” the beleaguered leader claimed.

This characteristic ambiguity serves as a potent psychological tool. The “friendly takeover” suggests a preference for economic opening over violent political overthrow, a sentiment echoed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Analysts suggest Washington may be willing to leave the Communist Party’s administrative structure intact, provided it facilitates a sweeping transition toward a market-oriented economy.

For Díaz-Canel, the challenge lies in securing energy relief without surrendering the ideological bedrock of the 1959 Revolution. He emphasized that talks remain predicated on “respect for political systems,” yet the logistical horror on the ground complicates that stance.

“Right now in the country, there are tens of thousands of people waiting for surgery that cannot be performed due to the lack of electricity,” Díaz-Canel said during the press conference.

This admission highlights the catastrophic intersection of geopolitics and public health. The “anguish” cited by the President is visible in the darkened operating rooms and the silent streets of Havana. While the two leaders haggle over Cuba’s fate, the Caribbean nation’s citizens continue to go without resources.

On the ground, the high-level maneuvering in Washington and Mexico City offers little immediate solace to those struggling to secure necessities. The inflation of fuel prices has ripple effects that have effectively decimated the informal economy.

“No one can pay for gas. Everyone is desperate… The situation is very grim,” Bruno Díaz, a Havana taxi driver and musician, expressed.

In an act of goodwill and good faith, the Cuban president has surprisingly agreed to release 51 prisoners.

The testimony of ordinary Cubans like Díaz emphatically highlights the complete erosion of the island’s economic stability. Without fuel, there is no transport; without transport, there is no food distribution or tourism. The hustle and help that once allowed Cubans to survive through informal networks is being crushed by the sheer weight of a global energy vacuum and capitalistic greed.

by Kandiss Edwards

March 13, 2026

Offscript Worldwide Debuts New Direction of 3BLACKDOT At SXSW

3BLACKDOT is transitioning from a behind-the-scenes creator network into a consumer-facing powerhouse.

Offscript Worldwide, the parent company of Revolt, will publicly debut 3BLACKDOT as a centralized gaming media destination March 14 at Revolt House during the 2026 SXSW festival.

Following Offscript’s acquisition of the gaming media firm in June 2025, the brand is transitioning from a behind-the-scenes creator network into a consumer-facing company.

The launch aims to bridge the gap between individual gaming creators into a hub that spans distribution, original programming, and live experiences.

“Gaming is now one of the dominant ways to connect with youth culture,” Offscript Worldwide and Revolt CEO Detavio Samuels said. “With 3BLACKDOT, we’re bringing creators who once lived only across individual YouTube and social channels into a unified media platform.”

The debut at SXSW will feature the premiere of the platform’s flagship show, 3BD Weekly, filmed before a live audience. The event is scheduled to include creator-led segments such as an anime dub collaboration titled “Reel Ones” by RabSoPetty and ClassicmanD. Attendees will also witness live gameplay demonstrations of SEGA’s “Virtua Fighter 5.”

Reginald Cash, general manager of 3BLACKDOT, told Revolt in 2025 that the platform is designed to provide gaming culture with the scale it has historically lacked in traditional media. By consolidating a network that already generates over 20 million monthly watch hours on YouTube, the company intends to offer advertisers a more reliable way to engage with the $347 billion global gaming market.

“What’s been missing are the stages that reflect its scale,” Cash said. “By premiering creator-led content in live environments and distributing it across every screen where fans gather, we’re giving gaming culture the platform it deserves.”

The SXSW takeover will also include appearances by StorymodeBae and a high-energy evening headlined by Harlem rapper Max B.

by Jameelah Mullen

March 13, 2026

Put Some Respect on It! HBCU Duo Ends Losing Streak While Fasting For Ramadan

Black excellence, even during Ramadan.

While fasting for Ramadan. Bilal Abdur-Rahman and Sami Pissis helped Alabama A&M defeat Texas Southern 85–74 in overtime on March 12, snapping the Bulldogs’ 23-game losing streak to the Tigers and advancing in the SWAC Men’s Basketball Tournament.

During Ramadan, practicing Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, for a month. Abdur-Rahman and Pissis have leaned on each other for support.

“Sami and I stayed together in the hotel, so we’ve been helping each other,” Abdur-Rahman told HBCU Gameday “It’s a lot physically to deal with, but you’ve got to win the mental battle and recover when you can so you’re ready for the next one.”

Texas Southern led 31–27 at halftime, but Alabama A&M responded to tie the game at 66 at the end of regulation. In overtime, Alabama A&M easily outscored Texas Southern, 19–8, to seal the victory.

“Tough, hard-fought game against TSU, man. That’s a championship program,” Alabama A&M head coach Donte Jackson said. “A lot of respect for Coach Jones… whenever we go play them, I know it’s going to be a battle.”

Pissis said that the high-pressure game made him feel like he was in his element.

“It’s a big game. I consider myself a big-game player,” Pissis told HBCU Gameday. “This is what you play college basketball for-these big moments. I play fearless and shoot everything with confidence.”

He and Abdur-Rahman combined for 28 points and 11 assists in the victory.

Pissis also credited Jackson for driving the team’s victory, saying Jackson’s intensity in the huddle motivated him to match that energy.

Ramadan 2026 started around the evening of Feb. 17 and will end around March 20. The fasting athletes and their teammates will face Prairie View A&M on March 13 at 2 p.m. EST.

by Kandiss Edwards

March 13, 2026

Fugees Member Pras Michel Drops Lawsuit Against Lauryn Hill

Pras' lawsuit stemmed from the cancellation of the Fugees’ 2023 25th-anniversary tour and the subsequent management of the group's 2024 international dates.

Fugees member Pras Michel has voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit against bandmate Lauryn Hill, five months after Michel filed the complaint in the Southern District of New York, alleging breach of contract and fraud.

Pras’ lawsuit stemmed from the cancellation of the Fugees’ 2023 25th-anniversary tour and the subsequent management of the group’s 2024 international dates.

Michel had accused Hill of gross mismanagement, claiming that Hill had unilaterally taken control of the tour’s finances. He further alleged that Hill’s chronic tardiness and the tour’s abrupt cancellation caused him significant financial losses.

Michel’s legal team sought to drop the suit “without prejudice,” Billboard reports. The resolution may suggest an out-of-court settlement or a private deal between the two artists, but no terms were disclosed.

“Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel have reached an amicable resolution to their recent legal dispute,” a representative for the group said in a statement. “Both parties are committed to moving forward with mutual respect and focusing on their shared musical legacy.”

Pras has dropped his lawsuit against Lauryn Hill, in which he accused her of “misrepresenting financial information” as part of a “veiled and devious attempt to make a big score for herself.”

A March 11 filing reads: “The … action [is] dismissed without prejudice, with each… https://t.co/HeqbgtCmRB pic.twitter.com/vU8OVwbasj
— Block Topickz (formerly Glock Topickz) (@BlockTopickz) March 13, 2026

The claims by Pras became public when Hill responded to Michel’s initial filing by calling it “baseless” and “full of false claims.” Hill maintained that the tour cancellations were due to serious vocal strain and necessary medical recovery. She vehemently denied claims of mismanagement.

Additionally, Hill noted that Michel had been advanced significant funds to assist with his ongoing legal expenses related to his federal conspiracy trial.

“It is unfortunate that private business matters were aired in such a public and distorted fashion,” Hill said through a spokesperson. “My priority has always been the integrity of the art and the well-being of the fans.”

Dropping the suit is one less matter for Michel to worry about while he serves federal prison time. In 2023, the rapper was convicted of illegal lobbying, and campaign finance violations and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. He was ordered to report to prison Jan. 27.

GLAAD, ‘Generation Z & HIV: HBCU Tour,’ Morehouse College

by Jameelah Mullen

March 13, 2026

GLAAD’s ‘Generation Z & HIV: HBCU Tour’ Heads To Morehouse College

The tour hopes to empower students with resources to reshape how Gen Z understands HIV.

The push for HIV awareness among Generation Z continues as GLAAD brings its Generation Z & HIV: Human Issue and Southern Solution HBCU Tour to Morehouse College.

The event, in partnership with Gilead Sciences, will take place on March 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel. Attendance is open to Morehouse College and Atlanta University Center students and faculty.

Hampton University athlete Byron Perkins Jr. will join GLAAD’s Darian Aaron, director of local news, to discuss sexual health, stigmas around sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and the benefits of the HIV prevention drug PrEP.

A 2024 GLAAD study revealed that the South has the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses and that Gen Z is often the least informed about the condition.

Perkins said HIV remains a serious concern in Black communities, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, or number of partners. He noted that the tour is equipping at‑risk youth with the information and tools they need to protect their health.

Rashad Burgess, vice president of corporate responsibility at Gilead Sciences, echoed Perkins’ sentiments, noting that the purpose of the tour is to make information understandable and normalize testing and other prevention methods.

Morehouse College marks the third stop of the tour. The Generation Z & HIV tour started at Jackson State University in October 2025, with special guest Snoop Dogg. The rapper spoke about his friend_,and former Death Row Records label mate Eazy-E, who died of AIDS-related complications in 1995. He acknowledged that he and his peers lacked education about HIV and AIDS during the early days of the disease.

“There was no medical information to let us know what was going on. We were so scared we stopped everything,” the actor noted.

At Alabama State University on Feb. 5, students were asked how organizations can best reach and engage them.

“Putting a banner on your table is not going to get me to take heed to your message. When things like TikTok are what is getting a lot of our attention. You have to find mechanisms that make it relatable to us as the new generation, one student said.

Their responses underscored a generational gap in communication and the importance of creating inclusive conversations that meet students where they are.