Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron gave an address at the Republican National Convention Tuesday and quickly slammed Joe Biden but barely mentioned Breonna Taylor.

Cameron, the protégé of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, seemingly could not wait to begin attacking the Democratic presidential nominee.

“I think often about my ancestors who struggled for freedom. And as I think of those giants and their broad shoulders, I also think about Joe Biden, who says, if you aren’t voting for me, ‘you ain’t Black,'” Cameron said, referencing an interview Biden did on a New York radio show.

Cameron also mentioned a 2012 comment by Biden where he argued that Republicans, under the leadership of then presidential candidate Mitt Romney, would put the Black community “back in chains.” Cameron also attacked Biden for incorrectly stating Hispanic communities are more diverse than Black communities.

“Mr. Vice President, look at me. I am Black. We are not all the same, sir. I am not in chains,” Cameron said loudly. “My mind is my own. And you can’t tell me how to vote because of the color of my skin.”

Cameron mentioned Biden eight times during his address, but mentioned the biggest case sitting on his desk just once.

“Whether you are the family of Breonna Taylor or David Dorn, these are the ideals that will heal our nation’s wounds,” Cameron said, referencing a quote from former Republican President Dwight Eisenhower that says “Democracy is a system that recognizes the equality of humans before the law.”

Cameron added Republicans will “never turn a blind eye to unjust acts.” Cameron ended his speech reminding the audience that Americans are defenders of “life and individual liberty.”

However, Taylor was killed in March and five months later her killers still walk free. Many Black Americans, who look a lot like the Kentucky AG, are wondering when Taylor, George Floyd, Jacob Blake, and more will be defended.

Naomi Osaka is currently ranked as one of the top athletes in the world and the highest-paid female athlete ever. This week, she made headlines when she announced on social media that she would be dropping out of the semifinals for the Western & Southern Open in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake by law enforcement officials in Wisconsin.

The news of Blake, an unarmed Black man named who was shot seven times in his back by officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in front of his young children, caused outrage online, leading to protests against the police officers responsible. Blake’s father revealed earlier this week that his son is paralyzed from the waist down, and the family plans on seeking justice for their son. The tennis superstar is the latest athlete to protest against police brutality by choosing not to play including players from the NBA and MLB leagues.

“Before I am [an] athlete, I am a Black woman. And as a Black woman, I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis,” wrote the tennis player in a statement she posted on social media in English and Japanese for her followers.

“Watching the continued genocide of Black people at the hand of the police is honestly making me sick to my stomach,” Osaka added. “I’m exhausted from having a new hashtag pop up every few days, and I’m extremely tired of having this same conversation over and over again. When will it ever be enough?”

“I don’t expect anything drastic to happen with me not playing, but if I can get a conversation started in a majority white sport, I consider that a step in the right direction.”

 

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A post shared by 大坂なおみ 🇭🇹🇯🇵🇺🇸 (@naomiosaka) on Aug 26, 2020 at 5:54pm PDT

Although he is considered a long shot to even make a dent, let alone actually win the upcoming presidential election, mercurial rapper and businessman Kanye West has managed to successfully get his name on several states’ ballots, according to Forbes.

West has been in the news lately for the states that he has been disqualified or missing the deadline for filing in several states. But, he will officially be appearing on the ballot in the states of Idaho, Minnesota, Tennessee, Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Utah, Idaho, and Vermont, thus making the total 10 at this time.

In a recent poll taken two weeks ago, only 2% of Black voters support West in his presidential bid.

Based on a new POLITICO/Morning Consult poll, West was able to garner only 2% support overall among registered voters, seven points behind the “no opinion” option. And his support among Black voters is just as paltry at the same 2%, which amounts to West having no significant impact. Biden’s nine-point national lead over Trump is unmoved with or without West on the ballot.

Earlier in the month, West admitted to trying to hurt Biden’s election chances by trying to siphon votes from him.

In West’s interview with Forbes last month, just days after announcing on Twitter that he was running for president this year, West admitted that he was OK with his quest for the presidency damaging Biden’s campaign, and thereby helping Trump’s:

“I’m not denying it; I just told you. To say that the Black vote is Democratic is a form of racism and white supremacy.”

President Trump is denying that he is assisting with the efforts to get West on the ballots in states that he is still eligible to get on the ballot. “I like Kanye very much,” Trump told reporters at the White House earlier this month. “No, I have nothing to do with him getting on the ballot. We’ll have to see what happens.”

In the wake of all the recent racial injustices and ensuing protests, the NFL commissioner is starting to show regret for not listening to the quiet, yet powerful statement that former quarterback Colin Kaepernick was making by taking a knee during the national anthem.

At the start of the Republican National Convention (RNC), the Grand Old Party decided to trot out as many Black faces as they could muster up (well, except Candace Owens) to try to show just as much diversity as their political rivals, the Democrats.

A number of Blacks that did speak at the RNC included:

• Kim Klacik, Republican congressional nominee
• Herschel Walker, former NFL player and businessman
• Sen. Tim Scott
• Burgess Owens, former NFL player and GOP Congressional nominee
• Ja’Ron Smith, White House assistant

Twitter started trending with ‘Uncle Tom’ in response to the Blacks who are campaigning for the Republican Party.

Uncle Tom – cabinet AKA #PutinsGOPConvention

Herschel Walker
Tim Scott
Kanye West
Ben Carson
Vernon Jones
Clarence Thomas
Diamond and silk
Jim Brown
Mike Tyson
Steve Harvey – You thought we forgot you went to the white house in 2016 to speak for all blacks. pic.twitter.com/XgxZ4iHei3

— Shayelli (@shayelli1973) August 25, 2020

another tRump ass kisser @DanielCameronAG Uncle Tom pic.twitter.com/nHEobwlqpT

— Aubrey Odom (@m1tankmech) August 26, 2020

I see “Uncle Tom” trending….

who are people referring to?

Hershel Walker

or

Billy Porter?

— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) August 25, 2020

Racist on here saying not to call Herschel an Uncle Tom because that breaks the illusion of his tokenism. Lmaoo gn pic.twitter.com/4YmZzgwDTl

— Javon 🇯🇲 (@JavonBOS) August 25, 2020

I woke up this morning to see that Monday was Uncle Tom Night at the Republican National Convention. Herschel Walker has been dumb and embarrassing for a long time. And I don’t even know who Vernon Jones is—and neither does donald trump. pic.twitter.com/8LZbsldndH

— Kenny BooYah! (@KwikWarren) August 25, 2020

This man is an Uncle Tom and I hope there’s a hot ass furnace of Hell waiting for him for his inaction on Breonna Taylor’s behalf. https://t.co/HKB4AhPXyH

— Akilah Hughes (@AkilahObviously) August 26, 2020

THE ART OF BEING AN UNCLE TOM:

UNCLE TOMS ARE LIKE ROACHES: CAN’T GET RID OF THEM

Some naive Uncle Toms elected to avoid escaping via the Underground Railroad. Instead, they gleefully opted to remain on their cruel Masters’ Slave Plantations. Yesterday’s Toms vs Today’s Toms. pic.twitter.com/Wg3rqJXHwG

— Xeello (@Puppoe1) August 25, 2020

White conservatives more upset over the “racism” of “Uncle Tom” and “Coon” than black people getting killed by the police and black women and black babies dying in childbirth…..

— 📚Truther Vandross📚 (@Tonguespanker) August 25, 2020

Uncle Tom…#RNC #TimScott pic.twitter.com/E2M7kUkVc5

— JSS (@MyMindsRants) August 25, 2020

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 27, 2020

Black Man Questioned by White Police Officers For Having Too Many Credit Cards

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The level of racism Black people have to endure is mind-boggling at times! According to The Daily Mail, a Black man in Texas, who didn’t commit a crime nor was accused of one, was being questioned by white police officers based on the number of credit cards he happened to have in his wallet earlier this month.

On Aug. 12, at a gas station in the Fort Worth suburb of Burleson, Texas, 39-year-old Brian Friar had been seen withdrawing cash from an ATM when three white police officers came up to him and insisted that he show them his identification. Friar decided he should record the interaction, especially as a Black man in today’s climate.

Friar, who works as a forklift operator, told The Daily Mail: “I was at the ATM machine at the store, minding my own business, looking through my cards to see which one I would use.

“The next thing I know a policeman came up to me saying that I have a lot of credit cards.

“Then two other officers pop up. I started filming because I was frightened. He had a gun on him, and the other ones had guns too.”

In the video, an officer says, “Prove to me the rest of those cards are yours. You have 10 in there.” The officers  also questioned why he was in the area, “How did you end up in Burleson?”

The Daily Mail obtained a statement from Chief Cordell from the Burleson Police Department.

He stated: “Our three officers had stopped in the QT to take a break and I am told were approached by a male (witness) who told them the gentleman was at an ATM machine attempting to get money while using multiple cards and that the transaction kept being denied.

“He said the man was acting suspicious. The officers approached the man, activated their body worn cameras and explained why they were contacting him.

“Officers observed multiple receipts and cards as described by the witness. Officers asked him if he minded sharing identification to match the name on the cards and he eventually provided identification and cards.”

Magic Johnson’s EquiTrust Life Insurance Co., along with MBE Partners, and Carver Federal Savings Bank have funded another $225 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for women and minority businesses.

The corporations have already combined for $100 million in PPP loans during the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the total to $325 million funded. The loans will be directed to minority and women-owned businesses, nonprofits, and religious organizations that were left out of the Small Business Administration funding.

“When we launched the EquiTrust MBE PPP loan program in May, we anticipated funding $100 million in loans. Not only did we exceed that threshold, but we received over 21,000 applications from small businesses proving a need for the $325 million,” said Earvin “Magic” Johnson, chair of EquiTrust Life Insurance. “These businesses are a vital part of our economy and essential to the economic growth necessary for recovery from the pandemic. We have a responsibility to ensure an equitable distribution of federally backed capital to minority-owned small businesses.”

The coronavirus pandemic has sounded a death knell on business owners, especially minority and female business owners. A nationwide survey taken in May showed up to 45% of Black-owned businesses anticipated closing by November.

Additionally, approximately 94% of small businesses in majority Black communities and 89% in majority Hispanic ones have less than two weeks’ worth of cash reserves on hand, compared with 35% in majority-white neighborhoods, according to the JPMorgan Chase Institute.

The number of Hispanic-owned businesses fell by 19% between February and May, compared with 15% for all small businesses, according to Robert Fairlie, an economist at the University of California at Santa Cruz.

For many minority business owners, PPP loans from entrepreneurs and celebrities have been the only way to get enough funds to stay in business.

“When the PPP Program is done, we anticipate we will have facilitated up to $325 million in capital to minority-owned small businesses,” stated MBE Capital CEO, Rafael Martinez. “We are grateful for the partnership with EquiTrust, and most importantly, we are thrilled to have provided an additional pipeline for small businesses to continue to build equity in the wake of such unstable times. I look forward to working on even bigger initiatives with our partners at EquiTrust.”

• Entrepreneurship

by Dana Givens

August 27, 2020

Black-Owned Brewery Celebrates Two Years of Crafting Beer and Community

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The craft beer industry has long had issues with diversity and inclusion, with many Black entrepreneurs fighting for representation to show that faces from all different walks of life that enjoy beer culture.

One entrepreneur’s journey to creating his beer brand was no easy task. Now he is celebrating two years of his business being open and thriving.

Rodney Hines is the cofounder of Metier Brewing based in Washington State. Derived from the French word for “one’s calling,” Hines wanted to create an environment for consumers to enjoy freshly brewed beer as well as show the diversity of beer culture in a welcoming setting.

“[It’s] all about building community and offering a welcoming gathering space for families, friends, and those who appreciate well-crafted beer,” Hines said in an interview with Shoppe Black. “That is not to say that folks of color don’t like beer. I think that’s to say that folks of color don’t always see themselves welcomed into all spaces. It feels like an inviting space for everyone, and there’s [an] intention behind that.

“We’ve already won awards for our beer, so it says we’re delivering on that so we’ve got the product,” he added. “We’ve got damn good beer and that’s allowed us to focus on the other part of our mission.”

 

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Have you tried our Norwegian Farmhouse Ale yet? It’s the perfect summertime beer. Fruity, refreshing, light, and brewed with Kveik yeast. — A few reminders for the weekend: 1. We are shifting to outdoor seating ONLY 2. In order to secure your outdoor spot, reservations are highly encouraged, and mandatory for Saturday. Click the link in our bio to make your reservation now! 3. We are still offering a discount off your order to go! Please use code ‘SIPATHOME’ for online orders. You’re welcome to walk-in for to-gos as well. 4. We have food trucks for Friday and Saturday! Delicious @puftbubblewaffles and @inpizzawecrustllc will be serving up some delicious meals. 5. Stay safe out there! See you all soon.

A post shared by Métier Brewing Company (@metierbrewing) on Jul 30, 2020 at 7:10pm PDT

• News

by Derek Major

August 27, 2020

Wells Fargo To Pay Almost $8 Million In Hiring Bias Settlement

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Wells Fargo will pay $7.8 million to settle Labor Department allegations of hiring discrimination against women and Black workers.

The bank allegedly discriminated against more than 34,100 Black applicants for “banking, customer sales and service, and administrative support positions.” The company also discriminated against 308 female applicants for “administrative support positions,” the Labor Department said in a statement.

The San Francisco-based bank did not admit wrongdoing according to the agency but will enter into an “enhanced” compliance agreement, whereby the agency agrees to proactive future monitoring and compliance measures for some of its business functions.

Wells Fargo will also extend 580 job offers to applicants affected by the alleged bias, the Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program said.

The DOL’s Contract Compliance office, which randomly audits federal contractors for compliance with anti-discrimination and affirmative action obligations, has fined Wells Fargo before.

Wells Fargo has settled discrimination claims with the agency at least twice in the past, including just last year. The bank paid $600,000 to settle claims of race and sex-based hiring bias claims. In 2015, Wells Fargo settled bias allegations for not providing accommodation to an applicant with a disability.

A year later, the bank was fined $100 million for the “widespread illegal practice of secretly opening unauthorized accounts.” The order also required the bank to pay an estimated $2.5 million in refunds to customers.

“The agreement with the OFCCP relates to its routine review of hiring data from six to 10 years ago in a small number of U.S. geographies,” Peter Gilchrist, a Wells Fargo spokesperson, told Bloomberg in an email. “The review found lower selection rates for African Americans for some teller, customer service and personal and phone banker positions, while Hispanics were generally the group with the highest selection rate, reflecting the need for Spanish-language skills for certain customer-facing roles.”

Gilchrist added Wells Fargo has significantly changed its hiring practices since that time, “including centralizing recruiting, establishing a recruiting team focused on diverse talent, increasing partnerships with diverse organizations, and improving record keeping.”

The Milwaukee Bucks basketball team decided not to take the court Wednesday due to the police shooting of Jacob Blake. As a result, the National Basketball Association (NBA) cancelled the remaining games of the day.

The NBA announced around 5 pm Wednesday that Wednesday’s remaining games between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Portland Trail Blazers would be rescheduled.

“We’re tired of the killings and the injustice,” Bucks guard George Hill told ESPN‘s Marc Spears, in explaining his team’s decision.

Milwaukee is about 40 miles north of Kenosha, where Blake was walking away from Kenosha, Wisconsin police officers and heading toward his vehicle while police trailed him with their guns drawn. As he attempted to get in his vehicle, police opened fire hitting Blake eight times.

The officers who shot Blake were not wearing body cameras but a neighbor recorded video of the incident which sparked outrage and two days of protests. Last night, 17-year old Kyle Rittenhouse shot three people, to fatally with an assault rifle.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, video recorded in the hours before the shooting shows Rittenhouse hanging out with older armed men who say they’re protecting a car lot. Rittenhouse now faces at least one charge of first-degree intentional homicide charge among other charges.

While some Bucks players worked out before today’s game. However, when it came time for the team to take the floor around 15 minutes before tipoff, as is customary for an NBA game, Bucks player were still not in the court.

Eventually the players on the Magic went back to their locker room leaving only the four game referees on the court. Eventually, Monty McCutchen, the NBA’s vice president of refereeing and training, told them to leave the floor, as well.

“Today we stand united with the NBA Office, the National Basketball Players Association, the Milwaukee Bucks and the rest of the league condemning bigotry, racial injustice and the unwarranted use of violence by police against people of color,” the Magic and the DeVos family, which owns the franchise, said in a statement.

After the Bucks made their decision, other NBA players around the league showed support on social media. Lakers Forward LeBron James,  Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell and Nuggets guard Jamal Murray tweeted their support for the Bucks decision.

It is not know if Thursday’s scheduled games will take place or if the players left in the NBA bubble will stay.