Pharrell Williams, Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo,

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 10, 2026

Chad Hugo Adds New Claims To Lawsuit Against Former Producing Partner, Pharrell Williams

Hugo says recent songs done by Pharrell excluded him from production credits.

The financial dispute between music producers Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, formerly known as the songwriting/production duo The Neptunes, has taken another turn, with Hugo filing an amendment to the lawsuit against his former business partner.

According to Forbes, after initially filing a lawsuit claiming that the “Happy” singer owes him $1 million for nonpayment for songs he produced, Hugo has now stated that some of the songs Pharrell produced in recent years (eight songs released in 2022) were not credited to him.

Several of those songs include Rosalía’s “Motomami” and “La Combi Versace” from her 2022 album, Motomami, and Latto’s “Real One.”

Yet, the media outlet points out that the court may have an issue with that amendment. Hugo may not be able to make a claim because the three-year statute of limitations under the U.S. Copyright Act would nullify the accusation, as the songs were released in 2022 and Hugo filed the legal paperwork in January 2026.

The case, depending on the ruling of U.S. District Judge Andre Birotte, may have to be moved from federal to state court. After Hugo’s team filed the suit, Birotte issued an order requiring Hugo’s attorneys to show why this is a federal matter. Hugo’s initial claims, which were breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty, belong in state court. A copyright infringement would fit federal status, which is what the amended charges are.

In the suit, Hugo states that he was “principal composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, and producer responsible for programming, instrumentation, and overall sound design, while Defendant Williams more frequently appeared as the public-facing member of the duo.”

“Williams engaged in self-dealing, concealed material information, and … diverted revenues owed to plaintiff,” Hugo’s attorney, Brent J. Lehman, said. “Such willful, fraudulent, and malicious conduct warrants the imposition of punitive damages.”

The initial matter was related to the duo’s group with another member, Shay Haley, N.E.R.D. (No-one Ever Really Dies).

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 10, 2026

Jesse Jackson Jr. Bashes Biden, Obama, Clinton For Making Politically Fueled Speeches, Claims They ‘Didn’t Truly Know His Father’

On social media, users shared indifferent feelings about Jackson Jr.’s stance, with one calling the remarks “tasteless and unnecessary.”

As civil rights and former U.S. leaders gathered to pay tribute to civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, his son made bold claims: after hearing several speeches, he realized there was one thing in common: they didn’t really know his father.

Jesse Jackson Jr. slammed former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Joe Biden during the March 7 memorial service, stating that his father’s life was about more than politics, as he felt the leaders made the speeches political. “Yesterday I listened for several hours to three United States presidents who do not know Jesse Jackson,” Jackson Jr. said.

“He maintained a tense relationship with the political order, not because the presidents were White or Black, but the demands of our message, the demands of speaking for the least of these — those who are disinherited, the damned, the dispossessed, the disrespected — demanded not Democratic or Republican solutions, but demanded a consistent, prophetic voice that at no point in time sold us out as a people.”

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After his father’s Feb. 17 death sent sad shockwaves around the world, the grieving son held a press conference requesting politics be kept out of the services, and asked for the focus to be on Jackson’s legacy.

“Do not bring your politics out of respect to Rev. Jesse Jackson and the life that he lived, to these ongoing services. Come respectful, and come to say thank you,” he said following the leader’s death, according to Fox News.

“But these ongoing services are welcome to ALL—Democrat, Republican, liberal, and conservative. Right-wing, left-wing. Because his life is broad enough to cover the full spectrum of what it means to be an American.”

That didn’t seem to happen as Obama took digs at President Donald Trump during his time at the podium, saying “every day we wake up to some new assault on our democratic institutions.”

Despite Jr.’s claims that leaders didn’t know him well, Clinton referred to Jackson as a “friend” and reminisced on a conversation that took place during his dark impeachment days.

Other leaders in attendance who gave speeches included former Vice President Kamala Harris, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, but it seems the service put the spotlight on the president’s presence from the very start.

“Put your hands together for the three presidents: President Bill Clinton, President Joe Biden, and the Southside’s own, President Barack Obama,” the speaker announced as they entered the memorial service.

On social media, users shared indifferent feelings about Jackson Jr.’s stance, one even questioning why they were invited to speak in the first place. “Why did they invite them as speakers at his funeral if he didn’t know them?” @__ex0tica wrote on IG.

Others called the remarks “tasteless and unnecessary.” And some pushed Biden and Clinton aside to stand up for Obama. “Son or not, that was tacky, and the mere fact Obama showed up makes it clear he’s a man of integrity and the bigger man,” @diancaglamqueen_ said.

T'yanna Wallace, Biggie, Notorious B.I.G., steakhouse

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 10, 2026

Big Poppa Lives On: Biggie’s Daughter Hosts Tasting For New Caribbean Steakhouse

The event was held on the anniversary of Biggie's death.

T’yanna Wallace, the daughter of legendary recording artist Christopher Wallace — better known as The Notorious B.I.G.— recently hosted a private tasting for her newest venture, Big Poppa’s Caribbean-Infused Steakhouse, a restaurant named after one of her father’s well-known aliases. The event carried special meaning, taking place on March 9, the anniversary of the death of the iconic rapper also known as Biggie Smalls.

T’yanna Wallace, a serial entrepreneur, adds this business to her list of endeavors, which includes a clothing store, a pop-up museum, and a pizzeria co-owned with Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay’s daughter, Tyra Myricks.

She posted on Instagram, “Thank you to everyone who came to my private tasting yesterday! I had this event to get some opinions on the food & figure out exactly what I wanted to keep on my menu! Thank you all for your honest reviews and everybody stay tuned for the grand opening of Big Poppa’s the end of the year ! 👑🥩”

Photos shared on Wallace’s Instagram offer a glimpse inside the restaurant’s elegant interior, where guests gathered for the private tasting. The images also showcase some of the dishes set to appear on the menu, including French fries served in boxes branded with the restaurant’s name and sliders topped with an image of Biggie’s face crowned in tribute. While a full guest list wasn’t released, Lil Cease — Biggie’s close friend and a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A.— was among those in attendance.

According to the Instagram account of EMPOWERED PRESS, the restaurant serves Caribbean cuisine as a tribute to Biggie’s and his mother’s Jamaican heritage. Big Poppa’s Caribbean-Infused Steakhouse is located in New York City and is planning an official public opening later this year, with a date yet to be announced.

The Brooklyn rapper, hailed by many as one of the greatest emcees, was shot and killed in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997. Nearly three decades later, his murder remains unsolved.

Cory Booker, Senate Democrats, Keep Your Pay Act, IRS

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 10, 2026

Cory Booker Proposes Scrapping Federal Tax On First $75K Of Income

His 'Keep Your Pay Act' plan aims to boost key tax credits for working families.

New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker has introduced a new proposal aimed at easing the tax burden on Americans by eliminating federal income tax on the first $75,000 of a taxpayer’s income, Fox News reported.

His “Keep Your Pay Act” proposal would expand pivotal tax credits for working families by increasing the standard deduction to $75,000 for married couples who file jointly, in addition to substantial relief for single filers and heads of household. Booker’s plan is projected to reduce federal income tax on the median American family by roughly 85%.

“So here’s the big idea I want to share with you. No household in America should pay federal income tax on their first $75,000 of earnings. Keep your money,” Booker said in a video posted on X.

“…The tax system, we all know this, is rigged. It’s rigged against working people and all full of things that help people with a lot of money, whether its corporations or billionaires avoid paying taxes. It’s what happens because of the corruption down in Washington that lets the wealthiest and most powerful write our tax code.”

The first $75,000 of income for every American family should be tax-free. pic.twitter.com/7MkY8jEhGr
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) March 9, 2026

Not only would the legislation offset costs to the fullest extent by generating more tax revenue from corporations and the wealthy, it also includes a plan to increase the corporate tax rate, taxes on stock buybacks, and zoning in on executive compensation deductions and strengthening corporate tax enforcement.

By launching an online calculator that would allow tax payers to get an estimate on their potential savings with the bill, the proposal leans on expanding the Child Tax Credit to $3,600 per child between the ages of six and 17 and $4,320 for children under six. With a “baby bonus” worth $2,400 in the year of a child’s birth, the credit would be fully refundable.

NBC News describes Booker’s legislation as “a sweeping plan to address a constellation of economic concerns from high costs to wages failing to keep up with necessities like health care and housing.”

The outspoken senator is pushing for the bill at a time when Democrats are focused on regaining control of the House. “Americans are working harder and harder, and they’re making less and less relative to their parents and grandparents,” Booker said.

“The economy is not working. So we need big ideas that could redeem the dream of America.”

Recently, the Trump Administration has leaned on the trigger word of affordability, but has vaguely put together a plan that has worked for every American. Gary Cohn, chief economic adviser to President Donald Trump, claims the tax plan of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” targets middle-class families.

But when asked if he could guarantee that middle-class families would not get a tax increase, Cohn said, “There’s an exception to every rule.”

Michael Jordan, lawsuit, NASCAR, antitrust

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 10, 2026

Michael Jordan’s First Sports Illustrated Cover Sets Record Sale Of $229,360

The basketball legend appeared on the cover while attending the University of North Carolina with teammate Sam Perkins

Another record has been broken regarding NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. The former Chicago Bulls legend’s very first appearance on a Sports Illustrated cover has netted that cover a record $229,360 at a recent auction.

According to The Athletic, the Noc. 28, 1983 cover featuring the University of North Carolina Tar Heels’ teammates, Jordan and Sam Perkins, was sold for the record price on March 7 through Goldin Auctions. The sale bested the previous record (for a graded magazine): another Jordan Sports Illustrated cover (Dec. 10, 1984), which sold for $126,000 in 2023.

The record copy of the “College Basketball Preview” issue was graded by CGC (Certified Guaranty Company, LLC.) as a 9.6 out of 10. The Dec. 10, 1984, Sports Illustrated cover, “A Star is Born,” also received a grade of 9.6. CGC, which also grades comic books, has been grading magazines since 2009. Goldin Auctions, through its listing, stated that the “A Star Is Born” cover has four CGC 9.8s, five 9.6s, four 9.4s, and three 9.2s.

The auction house described the cover:

“Before Jordan’s 1984-85 Star Rookie Cards. Before his 1986-87 Fleer RC. Before his “Star Is Born” 1st S.I. Cover in a Bulls uniform. Yes, before any of those iconic MJ masterpieces, back when His Airness still wore Converse at UNC, it was this Sports Illustrated issue, with this “No. 1“ cover, that marked the start of it all for the now billion-dollar business of Jordan collectibles.

$229,360: Record sale for Michael Jordan's first Sports Illustrated cover, graded 9.6 by @PSAcard, through @GoldinCo.

Result is the highest ever for any graded magazine and the most for any magazine or comic holdered by PSA.

PSA began grading the category last July. pic.twitter.com/6CPFK7TqpU
— Ben Burrows (@BenMBurrows) March 8, 2026

The rarity of the cover is that it showed Jordan as a college athlete who did not have the expectations of being a legendary basketball player, unlike LeBron James, who was heralded as “King James” while he was still in high school (James never attended college, jumping straight to the NBA after completing high school).

There was no publicly available information about the person with the winning bid.

Atlanta Hawk, Magic City, T.I., State Farm Arena

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 10, 2026

NBA Shuts Down Atlanta Hawks ‘Magic City Night’ After Concerns From Basketball Community

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed the league's decision to scrap the event.

The NBA has officially intervened to end the Atlanta Hawks’ upcoming “Magic City Night” amid concern from various members of the basketball community.

The NBA released a statement on March 9 regarding its decision to cancel the themed event. Taking place March 16, the game was a nod to the famed Atlanta strip club, Magic City, as the Hawks played against the Orlando Magic. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver explained the rationale behind canceling the highly anticipated event.

The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/jzbUW8t73Y
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 9, 2026

“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale,” wrote Silver. “While we appreciate the team’s perspective and their desire to move forward, we have heard significant concerns from a broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees. I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community.”

The game’s theme caused an uproar throughout the basketball community, with some deeming the team’s celebration of a strip club inappropriate for the league. Magic City Night meant to highlight Atlanta culture at large, including the club’s specialty, “Lou Will” lemon pepper wings, a special themed hoodie, and a performance by T.I. However, others found that it recognized an industry that is often harmful to women.

While Silver also mentioned complaints from stakeholders and fans, former and current NBA players also publicly condemned Magic City Night. Luke Kornet, a forward for the San Antonio Spurs, initially sparked debate after writing a letter asking the Hawks to cancel the theme, citing that it perpetuates disrespect towards women. Former Hawks player Al Holford chimed in to agree with Kornet’ss concerns.

However, supporters of Magic City Night emphasized how the themed game is more about celebrating the city and its cultural institutions that influence pop culture. They argued that the criticism and cancellation represent a misunderstanding of how Atlanta and Magic City influenced hip-hop and Black Culture.

One naysayer of the league’s decision called it “dramatic,” especially given that the theme would not explicitly promote strip dancing.

kids don’t even know what Magic City is. so unless strippers were performing at halftime — this is mad dramatic of the league. people upset over hoodies and chicken wings? lol https://t.co/GT5UfAepd3
— Ashley Nicole Moss (@AshNicoleMoss) March 9, 2026

The theme had also skyrocketed attention and ticket sales for the Monday night game, as the Hawks used this event to bring more fans out. In response, the team noted their disappointment, but ensured that a celebration of Atlanta would happen regardless.

pic.twitter.com/ARpFImHcaQ
— Atlanta HaWWWWWWks (@ATLHawks) March 9, 2026

“As a franchise, we remain committed to celebrating the best of Atlanta — with authenticity — in ways that continue to unite and bring us all together,” wrote the franchise.

While the game will no longer proceed as Magic City Night, fans who already bought tickets can still expect a performance by T.I. Attendees can also grab wings, though it’s unclear whether they’ll be from the strip club’s famed kitchen. As for the coveted Magic City peach hoodie, only those who pre-ordered it will still receive it, as no club promotion will appear at the game.

by Mitti Hicks

March 10, 2026

New Lawsuit Demands Department Of Education Forgive Student Loans Under Key Repayment Plan

The lawsuit stems from an ongoing battle between student loan borrowers and Republican-led states.

Student loan borrowers are demanding that the Education Department start forgiving student loans and offer affordable monthly payments under the income-driven repayment plan. In a new lawsuit filed on behalf of student loan borrowers, lawyers are accusing the federal government of refusing to follow the law. The lawsuit stems from an ongoing battle between student loan borrowers and some states.

The SAVE Plan is an income-driven repayment program that lowers monthly payments for borrowers and prevents unpaid interest from causing loan balances to balloon. According to the Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC), income-driven repayment plans are designed to ensure that student loan repayment remains affordable.

However, SAVE Plans have been blocked for more than a year and a half due to legal challenges brought on by Republican-led states. But in February, a federal district court in Missouri dismissed the main lawsuit against the SAVE plan and refused to reconsider or pause that ruling, according to Forbes.

Student Loan Borrowers, Advocates Demand Access To Affordable Repayments

In the days following the dismissal, borrowers reached out to the Education Department to request SAVE Plan benefits. Student loan borrowers and advocates argue that the SAVE Plan is no longer blocked and the Education Department has a legal obligation to reopen the plans.

“Millions of borrowers have already waited years for repayment terms that the law requires,” said Austin Hinkle, Managing Partner of Public Goods Practice, the law firm representing student loan borrowers, in a statement. “Today, they are eligible to have their loans cancelled, but the government simply refuses to do it.”

As SDCC pointed out, the difference between SAVE and other repayment programs can amount to thousands of dollars in additional costs each year and additional years of repayment. SDCC leaders said the Trump administration is giving borrowers the “run around” and denying access to the “most affordable payment plan in history.”

“The number one question we receive during our student loan workshops is what borrowers should do if they are enrolled in the SAVE program,” said Natalia Abrams, President and Founder of the Student Debt Crisis Center. “Today, these borrowers remain in prolonged uncertainty due to nearly two years of administrative forbearance.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 10, 2026

Duane “Keefe D” Davis Thinks Diddy Could Be Key Witness In Tupac Murder Trial

Duane “Keefe D” Davis is reportedly hoping Sean “Diddy” Combs will testify in the upcoming Tupac Shakur murder trial.

Duane “Keefe D” Davis reportedly believes Sean “Diddy” Combs could serve as a key witness in the upcoming murder trial connected to the killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur.

Nearly three years have passed since Davis was indicted in connection with the 1996 killing of the rapper, a development that followed decades of frustration for those seeking justice in the case. As the trial approaches, Davis reportedly believes Combs could be a key voice in helping his defense, the NY Post reports.

According to a source close to Davis, his attorney, Michael Pandullo, is confident Combs would back the argument that Davis’ past claims about orchestrating Tupac’s murder were fabricated in his pursuit of “fame and fortune.”

“Duane has made his feelings clear –- if Diddy is a witness or makes a statement denying what he told cops, then that helps him hugely,” a family friend said. “Another factor is that this case will be a jury trial, and there is a suspicion that celebrities are often seen preferentially. So if Diddy backed up this story, it would help immensely.”

Davis has long alleged that Combs, who is currently serving a four-year sentence after being convicted on two counts of violating the Mann Act, once offered $1 million to have Tupac Shakur killed. In 2007, Davis gave Los Angeles police a lengthy interview in which he confessed to being involved in Shakur’s fatal shooting near the Las Vegas Strip.

He claimed the attack was retaliation after his nephew, Orlando Anderson, was beaten by Shakur, Suge Knight, and other associates earlier that night. At the time, police said Davis was a leader in the South Side Compton Crips and had orchestrated the revenge plot. Davis later detailed his alleged role in the case in his 2019 memoir “Compton Street Legend,” where he wrote about rising through the ranks of the notorious street gang and again repeated claims that Combs had offered up to $1 million for Shakur’s murder.

On Sept. 29, 2023, 27 years after Shakur’s death, Davis was arrested and indicted by a grand jury on a charge of first-degree murder. His attorney believes that if called to testify, Combs would likely deny the allegations and label Davis’ claims as false, something the defense hopes could ultimately help Davis beat the murder charge.

CHARLIE WARD, FAMU, basketball, head coach

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 10, 2026

FAMU Basketball Head Coach Charlie Ward Gives Thoughts After Recent ‘Saving College Sports’ Roundtable

The former two-sport student-athlete participated in a President Donald Trump-led roundtable

Former New York Knicks point guard and current Florida A&M University (FAMU) men’s basketball coach Charlie Ward was recently invited to participate in a President Donald Trump-inspired roundtable titled “Saving College Sports,” which included more than 50 others regarding the impact of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals student-athletes are signing. Critics feel that recent deals and students being given a chance to make money for themselves while in college have caused a problem, since colleges are no longer allowed to exploit players as they did in years past.

According to HBCU Sports, Ward was among politicians, school representatives, and officials who want to curb students’ use of the system for their own benefit. He was the only person from an HBCU invited to attend the meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C. Ward played two sports (football and basketball) while attending Florida State and became the first and only athlete to win a Heisman Trophy (in 1993, for college football’s best player) who ended up playing his career in the NBA.

Now, as a head coach at FAMU, Ward discussed his appearance at the White House on Fox & Friends and how he feels NIL deals should be formulated for the future.

“It was amazing to be in the room with a lot of heavy hitters in the sports industry,” Ward told the media outlet. “Sometimes you just want to be a fly on the wall — and I definitely was. There was a real sense of urgency to get something done for the future of college sports, particularly when it comes to governance, NIL, rev share, and the transfer portal.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis: “This is out of whack.”

He then cites players asking coaches for more money and threatening to transfer as issues in the sports. pic.twitter.com/0JXuU9qjPY
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) March 6, 2026

President Trump has stated he would sign an executive order, citing that NIL agreements require federal legislation to restore order in the college ranks regarding student compensation for their NILs.

“I will have an executive order within one week, and it will be very all-encompassing,” Trump said. “And we’re going to put it forward, and we’re going to get sued, and we’re going to see how it plays, OK, but I’ll have an executive order, which will solve every problem in this room, every conceivable problem, within one week, and we’ll put it forward. We will get sued. That’s the only thing I know for sure.”

Ward feels that revenue sharing with athletes differ than the NIL deals they are currently signing.

“First, we’ve got to decipher that NIL and revenue share are totally different. True NIL is what we see when athletes like Arch Manning do commercials or partner with national brands — that’s legitimate marketing value. Some players also make money through social media deals, and that’s another form of NIL. But it’s only a small segment of athletes who are involved at that level.”

The FAMU head coach wants to see a system that is similar to the pros when it comes to a cap structure. He wants a system that will also benefit smaller schools like his so they can be as competitive as the bigger schools to recruit players.

“I’ve always said, if you cap the rev share, it’s just like the NBA or the NFL,” Ward said. “You have a luxury tax. If a school goes over the amount, then put it in a fund. Being from Florida A&M, a smaller university in Division I. I say let that money trickle down to us.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 10, 2026

Quentin Tarantino Criticized For ‘Racist and Creepy’ Use Of The N-Word In His Movies

Quentin Tarantino is facing accusations that he has been given a “hall pass” to use the N-word in his films, something one white actress calls “racist and creepy.”

Spike Lee has long criticized Quentin Tarantino for his use of the N-word in his movies, and now a white actress who appeared in one of his acclaimed films is also speaking out, calling the filmmaker’s repeated use of the controversial word “racist and creepy.”

Rosanna Arquette, who played the wife of Eric Stoltz’s character in Tarantino’s 1994 film Pulp Fiction, recently spoke about the acclaimed flick, saying that while she considers the Oscar-nominated film “iconic” and “great,” she believes Tarantino has been given a “hall pass” when it comes to using the word in his work.

“It’s iconic, a great film on a lot of levels,” she told The Times U.K. “But personally, I am over the use of the N-word — I hate it. I cannot stand that he [Tarantino] has been given a hall pass. It’s not art, it’s just racist and creepy.”

In Pulp Fiction, Tarantino faced criticism for writing himself into a scene as the character Jimmie, who repeatedly uses the N-word while speaking to Jules Winnfield and Vincent Vega, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta. The filmmaker’s decision to include the slur multiple times, particularly through a white character he played himself, has long fueled debate and drawn criticism.

Spike Lee has long criticized Tarantino for his frequent use of the N-word in his films. After the release of Tarantino’s 2012 movie Django Unchained, which stars Jamie Foxx as the enslaved protagonist Django, the film drew attention for its repeated use of the slur by both Black and white characters. Lee publicly condemned the film, telling Vibe magazine that “it’s disrespectful to my ancestors. That’s just me… I’m not speaking on behalf of anybody else.”

The Academy Award-winning BlacKkKlansman director had previously raised similar concerns about Tarantino’s “excessive use of the N-word” following the release of the 1997 film Jackie Brown, which starred Pam Grier.

“I have a definite problem with Quentin Tarantino’s excessive use of the N-word,” Lee said at the time. “And let the record state that I never said that he cannot use that word — I’ve used that word in many of my films — but I think something is wrong with him.”

However, Tarantino has not only defended his use of the term in his films, but he also used the word while speaking to reporters after winning the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay for Django Unchained.

“If someone’s out there actually saying it when it comes to the word “ni–er,” that, the fact that um, I was using it in the movie more than it was used back in the antebellum South, in Mississippi, in 1858. Well, then they might have a, you know, feel free to make that case,” Tarantino told a stunned crowd of reporters. “But no one’s actually making that case. So, in other words, what they’re actually saying is I should soften it. They are saying I should lie. They’re saying I should white-wash. They’re saying I should massage. And I never do that when it comes to my characters.”