• News

by Kandiss Edwards

July 18, 2025

Burger King Employee Raises $26K After Going Viral For Operating Restaurant Alone

Nykia Hamilton went viral after footage emerged of her operating a Burger King restaurant with no additional employees.

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A video of Burger King employee Nykia Hamilton working alone has gone viral. Hamilton’s diligent work effort has led to her raising $26,000 in donations. 

The video initially posted to TikTok shows the South Carolina native working each shift in the restaurant with no assistance. Hamilton made, packaged and served each meal. The 25‑year‑old mother of three said her circumstances were precipitated by an employee quitting. Initially, the Burger King employee ran both the drive-thru and the dining room of the establishment. Eventually, the weight of both positions became too much, prompting her to shut down the drive-thru.

@dejlatae #columbiasc #bk #foryoupage #tiktok #food #burgerking #burger ♬ original sound – dejlatae

“One of my employees just quit on me, and they didn’t have anyone else to come in, so I had to work by myself, and close by myself,” Hamilton told WACH News. “I be missing out on my kids’ lives when I work so much… it hurts me a lot.” 

The video went viral quickly, drawing sympathy and concern from viewers who said Hamilton was handling the work of five to six people. 

One commenter on the original video wrote, “Bless this beautiful queen! She deserves a raise and help! She is doing the job of at least 5‑6 people.” 

Hamilton said she’s grateful to her manager, who gave her the opportunity despite her criminal record. She currently works two jobs to care for her children.

“I wouldn’t have no job because I do have a record… And by grace of God, she gave me a job,” Hamilton said. 

Company officials confirmed that one person working alone violates Burger King policy and said they’re investigating the situation. 

“At Burger King, it is our policy that all company and franchise-owned restaurants require more than one Team Member to be working per shift. We are working with the Franchisee of this location to understand what happened and take any necessary action,” the company told WACH News. 

Hamilton was forced to operate the business solo the following day. As the story broke nationally, she began to receive assistance. 

RELATED CONTENT: Teen Burger King Employee Clocks In Immediately After Late Night Graduation Ceremony

• News

by Kandiss Edwards

July 18, 2025

Funeral Home In The Mississippi Delta Commemorates 100th Year

Established in 1925, the Delta Burial Corp. is commemorating its 100th year in service to the Clarksdale, Mississippi community.

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Delta Burial Corp., one of the oldest Black-owned funeral homes in the Mississippi Delta, is celebrating its 100th year in business. 

Manuel Killibrew has held multiple roles in the company. Killibrew once assisted with policies and collections and eventually became president of the corporation. Speaking with Mississippi Today, he stressed the funeral home’s commitment to servicing everyone, even those with little to no funds. 

“We don’t turn anybody down … Some bring money every month. Some don’t. But I know we are blessed,” Killibrew told Mississippi Today. 

Delta Burial serves families in Quitman, Tunica, Coahoma, and Tallahatchie counties and operates a National Mortuary program for clients nationwide.

Founded in 1925 by Silas Kelly and local Black farmers and entrepreneurs, the company has weathered many storms. Over its 100-years of operation, Delta Burial Corp. has faced segregation, economic downfalls, and prejudice. However, the Clarksdale, Mississippi, business continues to provide the community members affordable funeral services with dignity and respect.

The company has deep ties to civil rights activism. Funeral-home leaders provided shelter and support to organizers. In 1962, the then-president of Delta Burial, John Melchor, spent six months in jail after organizing a boycott.

The funeral home’s origins trace back to a lynching in 1925. Unable to find a funeral director willing to handle the body, Kelly led efforts to give the victim a proper burial. The gesture set the tone for the business’s long-standing mission. Unable to secure traditional bank loans, the founders pooled resources to purchase the funeral home collectively. Today, the firm remains under Black ownership. 

Despite economic challenges, Delta Burial remains a cornerstone of the community.

“It’s the oldest business in the community. Black or white. It’s a pillar,” said longtime client Ulysses Hentz.

As Delta Burial celebrates its centennial, it stands as a living testament to Black entrepreneurship, community solidarity, and resilience in the face of adversity.

RELATED CONTENT: 100 Black Entrepreneurs, Biden, And Harris Attend Funeral For Slain Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman

• Career

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 18, 2025

Gen Z Faces Toughest Job Market In A Generation, With 60% Of New Grads Unemployed

Nearly 60% of recent grads are out of work compared to previous generations.

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New research shows just how much harder it is for Gen Z to secure a job after graduation compared to previous generations.

A new report from Kickresume reveals that 58% of recent grads are still job hunting, compared to just 25% of older generations like millennials, Gen Xers, and baby boomers. The findings come as Gen Z continues to voice frustration with a tough job market, while some older generations dismiss their struggles as a sign of laziness.

“The journey from classroom to career has never been straightforward,” the researchers wrote. “But it’s clear that today’s graduates are entering a job market that’s more uncertain, more digital, and arguably more demanding than ever.”

Amid the rise of AI and widespread layoffs, researchers found that nearly 40% of past graduates secured full-time jobs by graduation, while only 12% of recent Gen Z grads have done the same, making them three times less likely to have a job lined up right after school. Adding to the dismal reality, about 20% of job seekers have been searching for work for 10 to 12 months, and last year, roughly 40% of unemployed individuals reported not landing a single job interview in 2024.

The hiring process has become tougher, with employers requiring candidates to pass unusual logic tests and personality quizzes just to be considered. Many young professionals are spending full-time hours job hunting, sometimes sending out as many as 1,700 applications, only to face rejection, all while competing against companies using AI to screen resumes.

Gone are the days when a college degree guaranteed a job. Now, 4.3 million young people are NEETs: not in education, employment, or training. This has become a global problem, with the UK experiencing a 100,000 increase in its NEET population in just the past year.

“Universities aren’t deliberately setting students up to fail, but the system is failing to deliver on its implicit promise,” Lewis Maleh, CEO of staffing and recruitment agency Bentley Lewis, told Fortune.

Though these findings don’t boost job hunters’ confidence in an unstable economy and tough job market, researchers advise young professionals to seize any opportunity rather than hold out for their dream job.

“We often tell graduates not to stress too much about their first job,” researchers wrote. “It’s just a starting point, not a life sentence.”

RELATED CONTENT: Job Openings Make Surprising Rise Amid Increased Layoffs

• Sports

by Jameelah Mullen

July 17, 2025

Simone Biles Secures Top Honors At 2025 ESPYS

The world’s most decorated gymnast continues to add to her collection of awards.

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Simone Biles was a major winner at the 2025 ESPYS awards. The acclaimed gymnast received two awards at the July 16 event, bringing her total ESPYS wins to six. 

The Olympic gold medalist snagged the first award of the night, Best Championship Performance, for her athleticism at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Biles won three gold and one silver medal, which helped the U.S. gymnastics team to win their first title since 2016. The gymnast also brought home the award for Best Athlete in the women’s sports category. 

Biles was the only woman nominated for the Best Championship category, where she competed against Stephen Curry, Freddie Freeman, and Rory McIlroy. 

“That was very unexpected, especially in a category of all men,” Biles said during her acceptance speech.

 Biles also shared condolences to Texans affected by the July 4 flash floods, which resulted in 134 deaths and displaced over 400 families. 

“Words can’t replace the pain, but our hearts are with you during this tragic time, the 11-time Olympic medalist said. 

Biles, who has used her public platform to advocate for mental health, thanked her team for their unwavering support. 

“I also proudly share this award with my team of supporters. Having a strong support system that understands your dreams, who are willing to show up for you, not just when you’re winning, but when you’re struggling, too, is really important. My sincere gratitude, appreciation, and love to all of you who have stood with me on this magical journey, all the highs, lows, twists, and turns along the way.”

During a backstage interview with Good Morning America, Biles discussed her recent victory while praising her fellow athletes. The record-breaking gymnast also revealed that despite her years in the public eye, she still experiences stage fright when accepting awards, calling it “nerve-wracking.”

Biles wore a custom Athleta by Zac Posen gown. The floor-length navy blue dress, designed to mimic the stretchy fabric of a gymnast leotard, was covered with small light bugle beads hand-stitched by over 25 artists and took more than 1,000 hours to create.

RELATED CONTENT: ELEVATING YOUR EXCELLENCE: Mayor Brandon M. Scott Stands On Business And Virtue

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 17, 2025

Usher Partners With Ralph Lauren On New Fragrance Campaign

Usher channels Frank Sinatra for new Ralph Lauren fragrance campaign.

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Usher is channeling his signature smooth, suave style into Ralph Lauren’s new fragrance inspired by the energy and elegance of New York City.

Announced on July 16, Usher serves as the face for the fashion house’s new Ralph’s Club New York eau de parfum ($110 to $185). Sporting iconic Ralph Lauren looks in the campaign, Usher sings and dances to his signature spin on Frank Sinatra’s classic anthem, “New York, New York.”

“To be able to have a fashion house that understands how to curate an elevated, sensual, commanding style, and create this natural, organic lifestyle of New York City at the same time, it gave me access to not only represent something that I feel encapsulates where I am and where I have been over the past two to three years of my life, but also to to be an icon for an iconic designer and a house that is going to be here far after I’m gone,” Usher told L’Officiel.

“I’m happy that I was considered and that we were able to collaborate to make something that I would love—that I would make a part of my legacy.”

Born in Chattanooga and raised in Atlanta, Usher broke into music with his self-titled debut in 1994. By 1997, he was older, more seasoned, and ready to reintroduce himself with what would become his classic 1998 album My Way, recorded in New York City. That NYC backdrop inspired his new fragrance campaign, perfectly aligning with Ralph Lauren’s own Manhattan roots, dating back to its founding in 1967. Together, Usher and Ralph Lauren pay tribute to the city that never sleeps.

“I started my career in New York City, so it was really special to come back and reimagine the idea of a timeless space as we put the campaign together,” he shared.

Usher leaned into the classic spirit of the Big Apple, drawing from New York City’s rich legacy of entertainment, resilience, and Black excellence to shape the vision behind his fragrance campaign.

“We put together a really amazing, immersive experience that takes you on a journey of success and captures that phrase: ‘If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere,'” Usher explained. “I thought of Studio 54, the energy and vibrance of the ’90s when I was a kid, the history of New York, the Harlem Renaissance, the idea of speakeasies, the nightlife, the culture, the day hustle, and the nightlife grind. All of that was in my mind when creating the perfect scene.”

Ralph’s Club New York eau de parfum is available to shop online and in stores at Macy’s and the Ralph Lauren website.

RELATED CONTENT: White House Uses Usher’s ‘Hey Daddy’ To Recap Trump NATO Summit Visit

• Education

by Sharelle B. McNair

July 17, 2025

Teddy Bridgewater’s Suspension Highlights Gap Between Educators And Lack Of Resources

Data from Nea Today revealed 90% of teachers spend their own money on school supplies.

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A light is being shone on the common practice of educators and staff having to use personal funds to support the school year after ex-NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was suspended from his football coaching position for allegedly providing his players with monetary resources.

A July 7 Facebook post revealed receipts from all the expenses Bridgewater incurred during the 2024 Miami Northwestern High School football season, which resulted in a Class 3A state championship, totaling thousands of dollars spent on necessities, including Uber rides to and from practice. With a detailed summary of expenses, including meals at $1,500 per week and $14,000 to run a training camp, the alum and coach of the Bulls asked for donations.

“Today I’m coming to you on behalf of the football team and seeking donations to assist our boys this season and to help me carry the load so I no longer have to take from my personal funds to keep smiles on these young men’s faces and remind them that they matter,” he wrote. 

“Last year, it cost me $9,500 to purchase pride sets for the players so they can look like a team. Also, last year it cost me $300 a week to keep the field painted with lines and numbers so our players could know how to line up and execute. Last year, it also cost me $ 1,300 a week to have recovery trucks come and service the players the day before games. During the season, each week it costs me $2,200 to feed the team a pre-game meal. Each week, I spend around $700 on Uber fares.”

Now, with the former Minnesota Vikings quarterback on the brink of termination for his gracious spirit, advocates are questioning the school’s moves, as it’s common for educators and staff to have to dig into their own pockets for supplies.

Data from Nea Today revealed 90% of teachers spend their own money on school supplies. People like Karen Allen, who shared her grievances about the Bridgewater story with the editor of The Courier-Journal, said that if the former player is in violation, then there are many others as well. “First, let me say that if Teddy Bridgewater gets suspended for using his own money to help high school students (not recruiting violations, etc.), then every school teacher in the entire country needs to be suspended,” Allen wrote.

“My daughter has been a teacher for more than 15 years, and she has bought school supplies, shoes, T-shirts, pajamas (for pajama day), paid for field trip fees and supplies, knowing that the school couldn’t reimburse her. And I know her teacher friends all have to do it! So, what’s happening to Teddy Bridgewater is absolutely ridiculous!”

In addition to highlighting the lack of resources provided by school systems, the ordeal also touches on the different consequences that former athletes face for allegedly doing wrong, contingent on their race. While Bridgewater, who is Black, was reprimanded for giving to his students, Minnesota Vikings greats like Brett Favre received a slap on the wrist after being caught up in a 2020 Mississippi welfare scandal.

A state audit revealed that nearly $77 million from a program helping low-income families was misused, including the Hall of Famer being paid $1.1 million for speaking events that he never attended. Favre was also accused of working with state officials to redirect $5 million of the funds to have a volleyball stadium built at his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi, where his daughter also played the sport. 

Favre was never arrested or held accountable for his actions; however, he was forced to return the $1.1 million he claimed for unattended speaking engagements. 

Despite the backlash, Bridgewater is willing to do what it takes to see his team thrive. “The suspension came from MNW, and it’s impossible to suspend someone who doesn’t work for you. So if I’m suspended from MNW, I’m free to go to another school of my choice, but I’m NOT GOING ANYWHERE,” the quarterback wrote.

“And if it comes down to it, I will volunteer from the bleachers like I used to in 2018 and 2019 when no one had a problem.”

RELATED CONTENT: Former NFL Player Adrian Peterson Set To Box In Celebrity Match

• Sports

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 17, 2025

Derrick Rose Partners With Freestyle Chess Tournament To ‘Grow The Game’

Derrick Rose wants to make the game of chess more appealing to the general public.

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Derrick Rose is putting his love for chess on full display, hoping to inspire more people to value the game the way they value basketball.

Three-time NBA All-Star recently linked up with world chess champion Magnus Carlsen to host “Chesstival” at the Wynn Las Vegas on July 13. The event brought NBA players and chess masters together as part of Rose’s mission to spotlight the game and challenge outdated stereotypes about athletes and intellect.

“There are [600] million who play around the world, but everyone says it so quietly,” Rose told The Washington Post. “I’m trying to get them to yell about it and to put eyes on the game. I’m trying to see if I can really grow the game. I take a lot of chances. I’m always audacious. This is one of the moves.”

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A post shared by Freestyle Chess (@freestyle_chess)

Since retiring, Rose has made chess a major part of his next chapter. The Chicago native spent two years planning before launching Chesstival and is intent on creating more opportunities for underpaid chess players while also promoting the game to the Black community.

“The goal is to get kids to critically think,” Rose said. “Where I’m from, [it’s important to] get kids to think about it before they pull the trigger, do harm, or get involved in nefarious things. The game can prevent that if you’re playing at an early age. I’m not saying it’s the solution to everything, but you’ve got to start somewhere.”

Over 100 people watched in person while thousands more tuned in online as former Celtics star Rajon Rondo, Hornets forward Grant Williams, and Warriors center Quinten Post went head-to-head with chess grandmasters like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura. The NBA players faced off in fast-paced “blitz” matches, with only five minutes on the clock to make all their moves.

To shake things up, they played a nontraditional version of chess where pieces started in randomized positions, encouraging fresh strategies and creativity. Six video cameras captured every move and reaction, while each round kicked off with a strategy session full of playful banter and trash talk.

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A post shared by Freestyle Chess (@freestyle_chess)

To give the traditional chess tournament a fresh vibe, Chesstival ditched the usual formal dress code, no suit jackets here. Rose hyped up the crowd like it was a basketball game before settling in for his first match, and grandmaster Nakamura had the audience laughing when he confidently declared he’d win during a live onstage interview.

“For chess to be bigger, you need to have a mix of professional competitions and an entertainment side,” said Nakamura, ranked second in the world after Carlsen. “I would compare it to wrestling: There’s very serious wrestling in the Olympics, but of course, you have WWE that generates a lot more money as a very successful and profitable business. It’s amazing these NBA players, who are far above who we are in stature — Rajon Rondo has won two championships — actually look at us like we’re geniuses. If more people view chess that way, that can only be a good thing.”

Although Rose was knocked out in the first round, he values the lessons that come with every loss, a mindset he hopes to promote as he works to bring more attention and appreciation to the game of chess.

“Losing is worse in chess than basketball,” Rose said. “After you lose in chess, it makes you want to fight. In basketball, I never got that mad that I wanted to punch somebody. Probably because I won a lot. But losing is the best thing in chess because you understand how important one move is. That one move is a choice in life.”

RELATED CONTENT: Chicago Bulls Honor Hometown Hero Derrick Rose

• Celebrity News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 17, 2025

Damon Dash Skips Mandated Deadline To Satisfy His Debt, May Face Jail Time

In the judge's decision, he makes notice of a “pattern of non-compliance and delay” on the part of Dash

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After being ordered to sell his businesses to satisfy one of his debts, Damon Dash has been threatened with jail time if he doesn’t submit the financial documents requested after missing an initial deadline.

According to AllHipHop, the former owner of Roc-A-Fella Records has been scheduled for a hearing on July 31 to provide the court with the requested documents. The order was given after Dash failed to comply with the initial date (July 10) to submit the ownership documents necessary to fulfill the court’s order.

The latest order was issued by U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger after Dash and his company, Poppington LLC, missed the first deadline to submit the certificates that prove the ownership in several businesses and copyrights.

The U.S. Marshal needs the paperwork so the assets can be sold at a public auction to help satisfy the judgment. The judge stated in court that this was part of a “pattern of non-compliance and delay” when he scheduled the upcoming hearing for July 31 at 10 A.M. For that date, the Harlem native must appear so he can explain why he should not face sanctions for his actions, or lack thereof.

If he decides to skip the court date, he risks the chance that the judge will issue a warrant for his arrest and impose financial penalties. If he submits the paperwork before July 30, then the hearing will not be needed per the judge’s instruction.

The court previously approved the sale of Dash’s companies to satisfy the judgment, including Dash Films Inc., Bluroc LLC, Blakroc LLC, Lebanon Improvements LLC, Ocean East Improvements LLC, and 1996 Songs LLC. Poppington LLC also has to give the court copyright certificates for multiple films.

In March, Dash was ordered to pay a $4 million default judgment to movie producer Josh Webber in their ongoing legal battle. The money awarded to Webber was the second judgment in favor of the movie producer. In the first suit, Webber won a judgment of $805,000, which included interest and attorney fees. The legal drama stems from a years-long disagreement over the movie, Dear Frank, which Dash initially worked on but was later removed from due to allegations of unprofessional behavior on set.

Webber then filed an additional lawsuit in April after Dash appeared on the Earn Your Leisure podcast. This suit was a defamation claim after Dash expressed to the show’s hosts, Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings, that Webber stole from him due to their disagreement over the film, stating that because of the defamatory comments from the Harlem business owner, Webber lost producing and directing business, amounting to $4 million.

RELATED CONTENT: Dame Dash Claps Back After Steve Stoute Calls Out His ‘Antics’ That Severed Jay-Z Relationship

• News

by Jameelah Mullen

July 17, 2025

Nigerian Immigrants Feel The Impact Of Trump’s Travel Restrictions

The new travel restrictions go into effect October 1, 2025.

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The State Department’s decision to limit Nigerian travelers to three-month, single-entry visas last week has sparked outrage among Nigerian Americans and immigrant communities as they try to adjust to this sudden policy change. 

The State Department’s action is part of the Trump administration’s plan to enhance immigration controls to the United States, which includes a complete ban on travel from 12 countries, mainly from Africa and the Middle East. These new restrictions impact nonimmigrant and nondiplomatic travelers, who previously could enter the U.S. multiple times for five years on each visa. 

Rep. Jonathan Jackson, a Chicago-based congressman and member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, opposes the restrictions. The Democrat discussed how the new restrictions will affect Nigerian immigrants in the city.

“Many have deep roots here and equally deep ties to Nigeria — family, businesses and investments,” Jackson said. “When we make it harder for them to travel back and forth, to manage their affairs, or even just to visit loved ones, we are not just impacting individuals, we are weakening the very bonds that enrich both our nations,” Jackson told NBC News. 

Nigerian American Bobby Digi Olisa told the outlet he’s concerned that the new restrictions, which come with increased fees, might prevent his family, who visit him in New York each year, from entering the country.

Visa applicants currently pay a $185 fee to enter the U.S. on tourist, business, student, or exchange visas. Starting Oct. 1, the government will add a $250 Visa Integrity Fee, which will increase with inflation under the Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The State Department cited “visa reciprocity” as the reason for the policy change. However, Nigerian officials denied the claims that there is a policy imbalance between the two countries.

“Contrary to misinformation and fake news circulating online, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never stopped issuing 5-year multiple-entry visas for US citizens, in accordance with the principle of subsisting bilateral agreements and reciprocity,” the Nigerian government said in a statement. 

RELATED CONTENT: Morehouse Graduate Detained By ICE Sparks Large HBCU Support

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

July 17, 2025

Fox News’ Host Compares Being Called A ‘Nazi’ To ‘The Blacks’ Accepting The ‘N-Word’  

One social media user took the time to highlight the difference on Black people using the derogatory word for humor versus an “act of resistance.”

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According to Fox News host and resident comedian Greg Gutfeld, white people referred to as Nazis shouldn’t let it bother them because it’s similar to Black people using the n-word. 

In a clip receiving massive backlash, during a session discussing a recent ICE raid at a California cannabis farm, according to The Independent, Gutfeld discussed why he isn’t moved by someone referring to him or others as a Nazi. After co-host Lisa Montgomery mocked a protester who allegedly threw a tear gas canister back at ICE agents, Gutfeld claimed the protester’s excuse of moving the canister from under a wheelchair is the reason why criticism from “liberals” doesn’t hold any weight. 

He went further to say that right-wingers shouldn’t let accusations faze them since a majority of them are reclaiming the word “Nazi” for themselves, similar to “the Blacks” claiming the “n-word.”

“You know what? I’ve said this before, we need to learn from the Blacks. The way they were able to remove the power from the n-word word by using it,” Gutfeld said, met with awkward laughs from the panel.

“So from now on it’s: What up, my Nazi? Hey, what up, my Nazi? Hey, what’s hanging, my Nazi?”

As the clip went viral, it didn’t take long for Gutfeld and the Fox News crew to receive backlash from social media users, with some referring to him as a “racist and antisemite.” The Lincoln Project, known for its advocacy for democracy, poked fun at Gutfeld for embracing the Nazi narrative. “So they’re just fully comfortable calling themselves Nazis now. Got it,” the group wrote on X.

Another user, Dr. Travis L. Stokes, Ed.D., took the time to educate the comedian on why his viewpoint is illiterate, highlighting the difference between Black people using the derogatory word for “shits and giggles” versus an “act of resistance.” “Black folks didn’t ‘neutralize’ the n-word for shits and giggles—it was a linguistic act of resistance. Of resilience. Of reappropriating power stripped from us since 1619. Y’all saying “Nazi” in a studio full of self-satisfied laughter isn’t dismantling hate—it’s cosplaying oppression like it’s a Halloween costume from Spirit,” he wrote. 

Gutfeld’s former colleague and editor-in-chief of conservative outlet The Dispatch tried to defend the joke but ultimately said he doesn’t think “he’s thought this through.”

Since the 2024 presidential campaign, the conversation about the use of the Nazi term has floated throughout social media channels and media outlets. Former Department of Government Efficiency Director and Tesla Founder Elon Musk made headlines for seemingly using the Nazi hand salute during an appearance, causing major backlash and accusations of anti-semitism. 

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