Clarence Thomas, John Oliver,Supreme COurt, Talk show,
by Sharelle B. McNair

February 21, 2024

John Oliver Offers Justice Clarence Thomas $1 Million A Year To ‘Get The F*ck Off The Supreme Court’

But will he take the money, though??

Comedian and Last Week Tonight host John Oliver ended his 11th season premiere with a bold offer to get Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to resign. 

During the premiere episode on Feb. 18, Oliver offered the conservative justice $1 million a year and a luxury motor coach after accusing Thomas of making the lives of Americans “demonstrably worse.” All Thomas has to do is leave the high court.

“So that’s the offer. $1 million a year, Clarence. And a brand-new condo on wheels. And all you have to do in return is sign the contract and get the f‑‑‑ off the Supreme Court,” Oliver said. 

The motor coach, which includes a fireplace, would be a change of pace from Thomas’ favorite way of traveling. According to a bombshell 2023 report, Thomas and his wife, Ginni, were gifted luxury trips on GOP super donor Harlan Crow’s private jet. He came under scrutiny after it was revealed that he failed to list those trips on his financial disclosures. 

Thomas claimed he didn’t need to list them since they were gifts.

“Early in my tenure at the Court, I sought guidance from my colleagues and others in the judiciary, and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable,” he explained.

Emmy award-winning Oliver decided to take a jab at Thomas’ gift-receiving ways.

“I think you’re thinking, what would my friend say if I take this offer? Will they judge me as they sit in their boardrooms and mega yachts and Hitler shrines? Will they still treat me to luxury vacations and sing songs about me off their phones?” Oliver said. 

“Well, that’s the beauty of friendship, Clarence. If they’re real friends, they’ll love you no matter what your job is. So I guess this might be the perfect way to find out your real friends.”

Thomas was also given the side eye for his stance on former President Donald Trump being banned from the primary ballots of certain states over the Capitol riot. Colorado hopes to remove Trump from the ballot before the 2024 presidential election. Critics are pushing for Thomas to recuse himself from the case because of his wife’s past political work.

“Lot on your plate right now. From stripping away women’s rights to hearing Jan. 6 cases, you definitely shouldn’t be hearing two potentially helping rollback decades of federal regulations,” Oliver said. “Talk it over with your totally best friend in the whole world because the clock starts now. Thirty days, Clarence … Let’s do this!”

Common, Tiffany Haddish, lawsuit, friend
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 21, 2024

Common Pulled Into Tiffany Haddish’s Defamation Lawsuit With Former Friend

Common hasn't dated Tiffany Haddish in over two years. But he's still finding his name tied to one of her legal battles.

Common hasn’t dated Tiffany Haddish in over two years. But he’s still finding his name linked to one of her legal battles.

The Oscar- and Grammy-winning rapper is being implicated in Haddish’s court conflict with her ex-friend Trizah Morris. Common, real name Lonnie Rashid Lynn, will be included in Morris’ witness list alongside two of Haddish’s attorneys in the ongoing arbitration battle.

Morris, who is suing the comedian for defamation following allegations of extortion, asserts that Common was with Haddish when certain events relevant to the case occurred.

Morris is the mother of the two children who sued Haddish and fellow comedian Aries Spears in a lawsuit that was dismissed in 2022. Morris’s children accused Haddish and Spears of grooming them when they appeared in a series of inappropriate sketches dubbed “Through a Pedophile’s Eyes.”

Haddish and Spears vehemently denied the allegations, with one of Morris’ children, who is now an adult, dismissing the suit with prejudice in 2022.

“My family and I have known Tiffany Haddish for many years — and we now know that she would never harm me or my brother or help anyone else do anything that could harm us,” the Jane Doe said in a statement. “We wish Tiffany the best and are glad that we can all put this behind us.”

However, an attorney for Haddish accused Morris of using the lawsuit as an extortion attempt. Morris filed her defamation lawsuit to deny the extortion claims in a case Haddish requested to keep out of state court and in arbitration.

Morris signed an arbitration agreement but said she did so under duress as a result of bullying from Haddish and her team. Now she is demanding that the court toss the deal.

Haddish was friends with Morris from 2011 to 2020 before their relationship disintegrated. Morris claimed to have contacted both comedians in an attempt to solve the issue by way of a statement clearing her name of any extortion attempts.

“My name and reputation are important to me as I pride myself on being an upstanding member of society,” Morris stated in her filing.

Ben Crump, Malcolm X, assassination, case
by Sharelle B. McNair

February 21, 2024

Ben Crump Set To Announce New Witnesses and Evidence In Malcolm X Assassination Case

It's just time for the truth...

Civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump is scheduled to announce new witnesses in the alleged conspiracy case surrounding Malcolm X’s assassination. 

During a press conference scheduled for Feb. 21, 59 years to the day of X’s murder, Crump and co-counsel Ray Hamlin and Flint Taylor will be introducing two new witnesses who have offered evidence in the case. A press release labels the witnesses as security associates who have never spoken publicly before and were arrested one week before the civil rights leader’s killing. 

X was killed on Feb. 21, 1965 at just 39 years old, while speaking at New York City’s Audubon Ballroom — in front of his wife and daughters. For years following his death, conspiracies flew around that he was murdered by federal and New York government agencies, often listing the NYPD, FBI, and CIA as co-conspirators. However, the theories have never been proven. 

In July 2023, Crump and his team alleged they’d secured more information that they say will point fingers at the FBI for trying to cover up a conspiracy to murder X. Crump mentioned Eugene Roberts, a former NYPD informant who acted as a Malcolm X associate, witnessed a dress rehearsal at the Audubon Ballroom for Malcolm’s pending assassination a week prior. 

Years later, in an interview with CBS, Roberts claimed he heard someone say “(expletive), get your hands out of my pockets” at the dry run. He then gave the information to the FBI but is unaware of what they did with the information, and it is still unclear who organized the dry run. 

Taking place at the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center, X’s family is scheduled to be present in the hope that this may bring some closure to this historic cold case. “We simply want the truth to be known,” Ilyasah Shabazz, Malcolm X’s daughter, said. “What history has recorded is inaccurate.”

Many bombshell revelations have come forth since the tragic murder. In 2023, another eyewitness, Mustafa Hassan, claimed the gunman who was convicted of the murder, Nation of Islam member Thomas Hagan, worked with law enforcement. As part of a $100 million lawsuit against the NYPD, FBI, and CIA filed by Crump on behalf of Malcolm X’s children, Hassan said no one ever tried to interview him or obtain a statement. 

Hagan was one of three men convicted of killing Malcolm X. The other two men, Muhammed Aziz and Khalil Islam, were later exonerated and received a $10 million settlement from the city in 2023.

Florida Woman, Arrested , Child Neglect, Alleged Abuse, Girlfriend's Son
by Sharelle B. McNair

February 21, 2024

Memphis Esthetician Arrested After Images of Child Waxing Nude Woman Hit the Internet  

The child is reportedly around 5 years old.

Viral pictures of a child allegedly performing wax services on a nude woman have a Memphis woman facing serious charges, ABC 24 reports.

Jasmine Moss, an esthetician, has been arrested and charged by the Memphis Police Department with child abuse and neglect. Police started to receive complaints regarding the images on Feb. 15 after Moss uploaded them to her social media, allegedly promoting her hair removal business. 

In the post, Moss identified the child as her daughter and celebrated the child performing waxes on 24 clients during an 8-hour work shift. According to the affidavit, the child is around 5 years old.

“When I say I’m passing down Deeds & LLCs to my creations, I mean that,” Moss wrote in a now-deleted post on Instagram. “Ms. Khloe did her thang today. She literally helped me wax 24 clients starting from 7:25 am-5 pm.” 

She also included how much money the child made for her work: $744. Memphis Police officials mentioned its case is a collaborative investigation with the Department of Children Services. 

The bizarre story has been the topic of conversation on social media, prompting Moss’ social pages to be deleted. While some users have been talking about accountability on Moss’ part, others have pointed out how the clients allowed something like this to happen.

“This whole story about Jasmine Moss, aka Jazzy Body, allowing her small child to wax her clients is WIIIIILD,” @sabryna713 wrote. 

“How did those clients allow that?! This poor child needs to be protected, and her mother is giving her trauma that will take years to heal from. Everyone on the registry!!”

Another called on the fictional Law and Order: SVU detective Olivia Benson to investigate the case. “I need Olivia Benson and the whole squad to crack down on Jasmine Moss and ALL her clients allowing that little girl to give out Brazilian waxes,” @_PerccAngle_ said. 

https://twitter.com/_PerccAngle_/status/1758658338097951124

“Whenever I hear stories of things like this, it concerns me because is this child one being victimized by having to perform those acts, but then second, are they being victimized because they’re being forced to work at such a young age, so without knowing all of the details, those are the things that first pop into my mind,” said Eddie Smith, director of organizational advancement for Child Help in Memphis, a child advocacy group.

“This mother could be claiming that it’s helping her start a business, but it’s really abuse,” Smith added.

holiday shopping, post-holiday sales
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 21, 2024

Study: Millennials Are Financially Stressed To Impress

A study by Wells Fargo reveals millennials are falling into societal pressure to appear more financially successful than they are.

A new study by Wells Fargo has revealed that millennials are obsessed with looking as though they are financially well-off despite mass layoffs, inflation, and student loans burdening their pockets.

Fortune shared the results. Participants who, while making at least $250,000 a year and relatively affluent, still feel pressured to promote a luxurious lifestyle, whether through their cars, clothes, or vacations.

Fifty-nine percent of participants shared that they feel an urge to keep up with the Joneses through their appearance and assumed lifestyle. A similar majority also agreed that high inflation had impacted them, increasing the cost of living.

“Affluent millennials are, in fact, working hard and gaining financial success,” Emily Irwin, managing director of advice and planning for Wells Fargo, told Fortune. “Yet they’re grappling with this external image, and as a result, there’s a growing trend to present themselves with an image that isn’t reflective [of] their actual financial situation. For some, it could be even be a ‘fake it until you make it’ mentality.”

Social media plays a significant role in this decision to exude a wealthy status, fueling the money dysmorphia that places millennials further in debt with no space to be honest about serious financial strife. According to Irwin, a shift in public attitude from displaying wealth to being vulnerable about one’s financial state could ease the rising costs of looking like money.

“It’s a vicious cycle because most people are reluctant to talk about their actual circumstances, and instead it’s the image of ‘I’m living my best life,'” Irwin said. “Now, it would be great if the trend would segue into: Share what you’ve done to be so financially responsible. How freeing it would be if everyone ‘put their cards on the table’ and not receive judgment or embarrassment.” 

While the racial makeup of the participants was not disclosed, Black Americans are even further impacted by debts, unable to accrue wealth at the same rate as their white counterparts . As Black Americans have over $11,000 more in non-mortgage debt on average, the racial wealth gap is also a factor in how millennials of all backgrounds engage in the societal pressure to live luxuriously—or at least appear to.

Duluth, georgia
by Rafael Pena

February 20, 2024

Two Georgia Men Arrested For Fake Gas Station Robbery Stunt

Two men were arrested in Duluth, Georgia, for orchestrating a fake gas station robbery on Jan. 21, as revealed by the city's police department.

In a bizarre turn of events, two men, Raj Patel and Danny Curtis, were arrested in Duluth, Georgia, for orchestrating a fake gas station robbery on Jan. 21, as revealed by the city’s police department, according to Atlanta News First. Of all the charges they face, conspiring to commit a felony takes center stage.

The incident, captured on security camera footage that quickly made the rounds on social media, unfolded at a Shell gas station off Buford Highway shortly after midnight. Responding to a reported armed robbery, an officer found Patel behind the service counter, appearing to be in a state of distress.

According to Patel’s initial account, an unknown assailant wearing all black and with a covered face entered the store brandishing a knife. Patel claimed the assailant violently stole his chain and struck him in the face, causing him to lose consciousness. Upon regaining consciousness, Patel saw the suspect making off with an estimated $5,000 from a cash register.

However, the officer noted no visible marks on Patel’s face. And the investigation turned unexpectedly when video footage contradicted Patel’s narrative. It showed a suspect exiting the side door, changing clothes by the dumpster, and behaving suspiciously. When confronted by officers, Curtis, who Patel claimed worked at the gas station, denied any knowledge of the incident.

As events unfolded, officers noticed cash coming out of Curtis’s pocket as he produced the key to the dumpster. Patel insisted on Curtis’ innocence, but a subsequent police interrogation revealed a startling revelation: that Curtis admitted to staging the entire fake robbery at Patel’s behest. The elaborate scheme involved Curtis making off with the cash while Patel intended to claim insurance money.

During the police questioning, an officer remarked on the video’s peculiar nature, saying, “The video looks very comical. It looks funny. It looked like you guys were trying to win an Oscar.” Curtis acknowledged the absurdity simply by saying “I know.”

Curtis was booked into Gwinnett County Jail on Feb. 9, where he remains, facing theft charges by taking alongside the conspiracy charge. Patel, initially booked for making false statements to the police, now holds an outstanding warrant for the conspiracy charge, as confirmed by Corporal Ted Sadowski of the Duluth police.

RELATED CONTENT: Georgia Digital IDs Now Available For Android Users At TSA Precheck

Librarians, West Virginia, House of Delegates
by Rafael Pena

February 20, 2024

West Virginia House Of Delegates Approves Bill Enabling Prosecution Of Librarians

The West Virginia House of Delegates voted 85-12 in favor of a piece of legislation that allows criminal prosecution of librarians.

In a controversial move, on Feb. 16 the West Virginia House of Delegates voted 85-12 in favor of House Bill 4654, a piece of legislation that could open the door to criminal prosecution of public and school librarians, according to News and Sentinel. The bill aims to eliminate criminal liability exemptions for schools, public libraries, and museums related to the distribution and display of potentially obscene material to minors.

HB 4654, which will now advance to the state Senate, proposes lifting criminal liability exemptions for schools presenting local- or state-approved curriculum and public libraries and museums displaying “obscene” material to minors without parental supervision. The State Code defines “obscene” matter broadly, encompassing sexually explicit content or anything lacking serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

Supporters of the bill say that it doesn’t ban books but provides additional safeguards for children. Del. Jeff Stephens, a supporter and schoolteacher, emphasized that the legislation is about offering protection to students, similar to existing online filters.

“This bill does not ban books or censor speech. These books can still be bought privately by people if they’re adults. We’re not saying they need to be taken off of the market,” said Del. Elliott Pritt, R-Fayette, who is also a teacher. “What this bill does do is stop obscene and pornographic material, sexually explicit materials from being available to children in public taxpayer-funded spaces.”

Opponents expressed their concerns about unintended consequences. House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle warned that the bill’s vagueness could result in challenges to classic books and unwarranted criminal charges against librarians. House Minority Whip Shawn Fluharty likened the potential outcomes to actions taken in third-world countries.

Del. Brandon Steele, the lead sponsor of the bill prosecuting librarians, argued that the legislation addresses potential bad actors who might bring explicit materials into libraries to desensitize children. While Steele provided no concrete examples of such incidents in state libraries, he insisted that the bill upholds the sanctity of libraries, schools, and museums while also prohibiting criminal conduct.

The contentious bill has been the subject of public hearings and House Judiciary Committee meetings. PEN America, a freedom of expression advocacy organization, noted a trend in several states of removing criminal liability exemptions for libraries or broadening the definition of obscenity, potentially leading to criminal charges against libraries for having certain books on their shelves.

As the legislation moves to the state Senate, the debate over the balance between protecting children and preserving intellectual freedom continues in West Virginia.

RELATED CONTENT: Fabian Nelson Claims Victory In Mississippi State House As First Openly Gay Legislator

doxxed, Nicki Minaj, lawsuit
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 20, 2024

Victims Doxxed By Nicki Minaj Stans Consider Taking Legal Action

A group of victims who were doxxed by Nicki Minaj fans are speaking out against the invasion of privacy they were subjected to after publicly criticizing the rapper.

A group of victims who were doxxed by Nicki Minaj fans are speaking out against the invasion of privacy they were subjected to after publicly criticizing the rapper.

Several individuals who made posts opposing Minaj’s Megan Thee Stallion-aimed diss track “Big Foot” spoke with Time about the attacks they suffered from the rapper’s devoted fan club. Between fake pizza orders, numerous phone calls from unknown numbers, and harassing family members, many are fed up with the Barbz’ doxxing attempts and are considering legal action.

Doxxing, derived from “dropping documents,” is a form of cyberbullying in which private or confidential information, statements, or records are used to harass, expose, cause financial harm, or exploit targeted individuals.

Erick Louis was one TikToker who faced doxxing attacks after taking his distaste for Minaj’s “Big Foot” to social media. After sharing his comedic response to the scathing diss, Louis started receiving a swarm of text messages and FaceTime calls from anonymous people.

“My heart dropped to my stomach,” Louis shared. “I was thinking of the various ways it could have escalated and how this not only endangered my life had I been there but also the lives of my mother and my two younger brothers who were in the house. These are people I’m responsible for.”

Louis was able to identify his attacker and released a video threatening to file a report with the cybercrime division of the FBI. He later revealed on X Spaces that the woman deleted her account.

@theericklouis

You have 24 hours.

♬ original sound – theericklouis

TikTok user Ebony Jasmine Harris also fell victim to doxxing after uploading a diss track aimed at Minaj from the perspective of Megan Thee Stallion. After sharing the satirical video, Harris and her family were subjected to harassing phone calls from Minaj fans, including one who posted a video of themself standing outside Harris’ family’s gated community.

“They started ordering pizzas and salads and sh*t to my parent’s house; they were contacting my parents’ jobs and harassing my parents because my phone number is not listed,” Harris said.

She also called out Minaj for her seemingly calm response to her fans bullying her critics.

“I just feel that if [Minaj] chooses to use her power negatively and she has the ability to stop them from doing this and she refuses to speak out against it, it says more about her as an individual,” Harris said.

In November, Minaj posted a letter asking her fans to “never threaten on my behalf.” However, that request disappeared when she launched an attack in response to Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hiss” in January.

The “Anaconda” rapper faces growing criticism from doxxing victims who think she should do more to control her fans. As for possible legal action victims can take, the legislation against doxxing practices remains ongoing.

“The legislative landscape is nuanced and uncertain, especially with ongoing discussions in Congress about crafting anti-doxxing legislation that must delicately balance free speech rights against privacy protections,” said entertainment lawyer Lauren Kilgore. “This becomes particularly relevant when the information shared is already publicly accessible, albeit repurposed to cause harm.”

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Kroger, grocery, store, Black History Month,
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 20, 2024

Kroger Celebrates Black History Month, Spotlights Black Brands In Stores

To support this year's Black History Month, Kroger is highlighting the Black-owned brands the grocery store chain carries.

Kroger is participating in Black History Month festivities by showcasing Black-owned brands and entrepreneurs in store to its customers.

The initiative comes from its diversity and inclusion department to deliver awareness and introduce popular Black brands, chefs, and foods to customers.

The Cincinnati-based grocery chain serves mores than 11 million customers a day.

“We’re excited to support Black entrepreneurs, innovators, and chefs who are creating cutting-edge products our customers can’t wait to try,” said Reshamar Short, Kroger’s senior director of diversity and inclusion. “We encourage every customer to explore new brands, become inspired by their history, and make them a staple in their home.”

Brands include Andy’s Hot ‘N’ Spicy Chicken Breading, A Dozen Cousins Medium Mexican Cowboy Pinto Beans, and Goode Foods All-Natural Mixed Vegetables.

Body care items are also on offer, including from The Honey Pot Company, a Black-owned feminine care brand providing natural sanitary products to all who experience menstruation.

Beyond the grocery shelves, Kroger is promoting its Product and Project Development Chef Paul Sturkey and his Southern-inspired dishes that are especially resonant this February. His step-by-step video guide to making Black-eyed pea chowder is steeped in tradition for all to enjoy and to pay homage to Black culture.

Through its Standing Together campaign, Kroger is making strides in diversity by outreach hiring for all backgrounds and expanding partnerships that elevate vulnerable communities. Connecting shoppers with Black-owned brands is one of many crucial ways to participate in Black History Month and support the Black community and its entrepreneurs year-round.

Kroger continues to offer its pickup and delivery options outside of in-store purchases while also providing a membership through Kroger Plus, so shoppers wanting to indulge in these Black-owned delights can do so in any capacity.

To learn more about Kroger’s Framework for Action: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion plan, visit TheKrogerCo.com/StandingTogether.

Harry Belafonte, NYC
by Stacy Jackson

February 20, 2024

Public NYC Event To Honor The Legacy Of Harry Belafonte

The "Celebration of Life" will take place Mar. 1 at Riverside Church in New York City to honor Belafonte's groundbreaking achievements.

A public celebration of life will honor the incredible legacy of cultural legend Harry Belafonte on March 1 at Riverside Church in New York City.

According to a press release, the event will take place on what would have been his 97th birthday. Belafonte had chosen it over a traditional funeral service.

The celebration will honor Belafonte’s groundbreaking life achievements such as providing startup funding for the civil rights movement, becoming the first to sell a million-copy album and the first Black Emmy winner, and pioneering the iconic “We Are the World” global fundraising concept.

The evening will feature remarks, musical tributes, and video messages in honor of Belafonte.

Born in 1927 to Caribbean parents in Harlem, Belafonte drew from diverse musical traditions like calypso, folk, and jazz to connect America to Black culture. He spent his childhood years in his mother’s native Jamaica. Described as “an environment that sang,” Belafonte was exposed to calypso’s rhythms alongside colorism prejudices. He returned to New York to study drama alongside mentor Paul Robeson, who inspired his work with social activism.

“Belafonte used the arts as a mechanism to effect social change on a global scale,” the press release states.

Belafonte’s breakthrough 1956 album, Calypso, was the first to top one million sales in a year. The album introduced Caribbean folk music to America and has a cultural imprint on today’s music, with songs sampled by Gotye, Lil Wayne, and Jason Derulo.

The ’60s saw Belafonte emerge as a powerful voice for civil rights as he supported his good friend Martin Luther King Jr. In later decades, Belafonte helped organize the “We Are the World” benefit. He served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 1987, Grand Marshal in the 2013 NYC Pride Parade, and was an adviser to the Women’s March on Washington. Among his greatest honors were the 2021 French Legion of Honor and a 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction.

The King of Calypso died in April 2023 at the age of 96 from congestive heart failure. The entertainer was honored last year with an official tribute by the state of New York’s Senate and Assembly.

Belafonte’s celebration of life begins at 6 p.m. on March 1 and will be livestreamed on Roland S. Martin’s YouTube channel and the Black Star Network app.

RELATED CONTENT: Harry Belafonte Receives Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

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