100 National Guard Troops Will Serve As Security For Saturday’s Capitol Demonstration
by Derek Major

September 17, 2021

100 National Guard Troops Will Serve As Security For Saturday’s Capitol Demonstration

Reuters – U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has put 100 National Guard troops on standby to help police protect the Capitol if needed, the Pentagon said on Friday, ahead of Saturday’s planned rally supporting people charged with taking part in the deadly Jan. 6 riot.

Hundreds of far-right demonstrators are expected in the District of Columbia for the “Justice For J6” rally, a reference to the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump in an attempt to stop certification of President Joe Biden’s election victory.

A Pentagon spokesman said the request had been made by the Capitol police and the troops would be based out of the D.C. Armory.

They would be used after local, state and federal law enforcement capabilities had been tapped, the spokesman said.

“The task force will only be deployed upon request of the Capitol Police to help protect the U.S. Capitol Building and Congressional Office buildings by manning building entry points and verifying credentials of individuals seeking access to the building,” the spokesman said.

Police have ramped up security around the Capitol, mindful of the rioters on Jan. 6 who attacked police, smashed windows and climbed into the building, sending lawmakers and then-Vice President Mike Pence running for safety.

Workers have reassembled a fence that was put up around the white-domed Capitol following that day but was taken down in July.

The fencing separated the lawns of the Capitol grounds from other government landmarks including the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, congressional office buildings and the Capitol Reflecting Pool just west of Capitol Hill, where protesters were scheduled to gather on Saturday.

Travelers arriving at the airport nearest Washington, D.C., will face increased security in the run-up to the rally, the Transportation Security Administration has said.

Police and congressional leaders have said they are prepared for Saturday’s protest. Most members of Congress will be out of town.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Franklin Paul and Dan Grebler)

Oregon Students Created Virtual Slave Trade; Used Black Classmates’ Photos, Made Bids
by Ashantai Hathaway

September 17, 2021

Oregon Students Created Virtual Slave Trade; Used Black Classmates’ Photos, Made Bids

An Oregon school district is condemning the actions of students who organized an online virtual slave auction that occurred as the district was to discuss its ban of Black Lives Matter and Pride flags.

The Newberg School District discovered that some students were participating in the virtual “slave trade” and sent a letter to parents on Tuesday, Sept. 14, stating, “We are deeply dismayed that this behavior and activity was exhibited by someone from our community. We condemn actions such as these which represent the antithesis of what we believe and where we stand as a Newberg Nation family.”

The students used a Snapchat group to carry out the slave auction. They used photos of students, racial slurs, and joked about how much they’d pay for their Black classmates. 

“Newberg High School became aware of a very serious and inappropriate incident on social media in which one of our students took part in a snapchat group termed “slave trade” and used photos of other Newberg High School students in the group,” the district’s statement said.

“My heart is so broken for these kids who have gotten the message that they are not even seen as human by some of their fellow students,” Heidi Pender, the mother of a Black student at the school, told KGW news. “To imagine your own child being talked about as if they were subhuman slaves to be sold by other students, it made me feel like I was going to throw up.”

Screenshots posted on Instagram by a user named @royceduey show a discussion of students’ private lives and the prices other students would pay for them. Screenshots show student comments such as “All Blacks should die” and “Let’s have another Holocaust.”

The same school district recently faced backlash for banning what they deemed to be political symbols. The ban prevents Black Lives Matter signs, flags, and articles of clothing from their campuses as well as Pride flags.

“As a school board, it’s our job to make decisions that are going to be there for every single kid at Newberg High School, not just the kids that are represented in just one group—it has to be all kids,” board chair Dave Brown said at the time.

However, students, parents, local officials and the ACLU have criticized the movie and promised to take the district to court.

There was no word on whether disciplinary action was taken against the students involved.

#DecodetheBias: Joy Buolamwini and Olay Partner To End To Racial Bias In Computer Science
by Alexa Imani Spencer

September 17, 2021

#DecodetheBias: Joy Buolamwini and Olay Partner To End To Racial Bias In Computer Science

Joy Buolamwini, the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, is launching a campaign alongside Olay to decode beauty bias and increase the number of women of color in STEM. The partners launched the #decodethebias campaign during this week’s National Coding Week.

The initiative comes after Buolamwini—a dark-skinned Black woman once teased about her complexion—discovered that racism, sexism, ageism, and other forms of bias are also perpetuated through computer programming.

Bias in tech can show up in a number of ways, she explained, including mortgage approval algorithms, which are more likely to deny applicants of color than white applicants with similar backgrounds.

“Many studies show how algorithmic systems have a gender bias in the kinds of ads that are shown,” Buolamwini told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“For example, women in some instances are less likely to be shown ads for high-paying executive positions than men. And beyond racism and sexism, studies also show how these systems can propagate ableism, ageism, and more. Think of an -ism, and it is probably being encoded into some form of tech. But we have the power to decode the system and change harmful patterns.”

Algorithmic bias also shows up in social media filters and search engines that uphold Eurocentric beauty standards.

“We also see this in the beauty filters on popular social media apps. The data skews toward lightening skin and slimming the nose—features it has identified as ‘more beautiful’ by Eurocentric standards,” Buolamwini explained.

Buolamwini says this is happening because of a lack of diversity in computer science, as is the case for many STEM fields.

“The leaders and coders creating our digital world are building machines that reflect themselves,” she said.

The tech founder said anyone with a face can get involved in the movement to remove bias from code. She encourages everyday people interested in fighting back to watch Netflix’s “Coded Bias,” a documentary that investigates bias in algorithms after she discovered bias in facial recognition technology.

Joy Buolamwini
Joy Buolamwini and Olay #DecodetheBias (Joy Buolamwini)

Buolamwini also encourages users to get involved in the campaign online by using the hashtag #DecodetheBias. Olay is sending 1,000 girls of color to coding camp with Black Girls CODE. The company’s ultimate goal is to double the number of women in STEM careers and triple the number of women of color in STEM.

“I really commend Olay for holding up the mirror to an industry that they’re a part of, raising the issue, and then taking actions to be part of the solution. Olay really led by example by auditing their AI platform, the Olay Skin Advisor, for potential bias and is already taking action to address skin type and age bias with consented data that is more inclusive.”

Biz Markie To Have Street Named After Him in Long Island
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 17, 2021

Biz Markie To Have Street Named After Him in Long Island

Beloved hip-hop recording artist Biz Markie  died unexpectedly over the summer, but his hometown is making sure he won’t be forgotten.

In celebration of his art, his life, and his contributions to hip-hop, the late rapper is scheduled to have a street named after him in his hometown of Patchogue, Long Island. His widow, Tara Davis announced the good news via her Instagram account earlier this week.

The renaming of South Street to Biz Markie Way was spearheaded by Patchogue Villiage Mayor Paul Pontieri and the Greater Patchogue Foundation.

Here’s the announcement via Instagram:

“HONORARY STREET NAMING DEDICATION!

In honor of the contributions, Biz has achieved as an actor, beatboxer, DJ and philanthropist, his hometown of Patchogue Long Island will honor him with the renaming of South Street to Biz Markie Way!

Saturday September 25 at 2pm

Location: Staging area behind the 6th District Court. 150 West Main Street, Patchogue , NY 11772 Southwest Parking lot.

All are welcome

Thank you.@ofcolorscollectiveartspace for spearheading this project, Patchogue Villiage Mayor, Paul Pontieri and The Greater Patchogue Foundation.

See you there💜

#keephislegacyalive #taradise #bizmarkie #hiphop #legend”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tara Davis (@taradise_25)

The renaming ceremony has been scheduled to take place at a staging area behind the 6th District Court on Saturday, Sept. 25.

Biz Markie, who had recently spent his time as a celebrity DJ and spinning records on satellite radio, had many hits in the late ’80s and early ’90s. He was part of the legendary collective of emcees named “The Juice Crew” which was comprised of various rappers from the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York City, headed by legendary hip-hop producer Marley Marl.

His hitt songs included “Make the Music with Your Mouth Biz,” “Just a Friend,” and “Vapors.” The human beat-boxer even had a dance named after himself called “The Biz Mark.”

Gabrielle Union, Kirsten Dunst In Talks For Bring It On Sequel, But Union Has One Caveat
by Dawn Onley

September 17, 2021

Gabrielle Union, Kirsten Dunst In Talks For Bring It On Sequel, But Union Has One Caveat

Teen cult classic Bring It On may be getting a sequel.

In a recent interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Gabrielle Union dropped the 411 on the talks for a sequel but said this time around, her character, Isis, will be free to express the full range of her humanity and not some safe, watered-down version. The original movie came out in 2000, starring Union and Kirsten Dunst as Torrance, two cheerleader captains on rival teams, The East Compton Clovers and The Toros of Rancho Carne High School in San Diego.

But for a sequel to happen, Union has one caveat: “We’ve had several meetings with me and Kirsten and (director) Peyton Reed and the original writer and everyone agrees that a Black person needs to write the sequel and it needs to center Isis,” Union told BE.

“And in order to even wrap my brain around that, I had to wrap my brain around and make peace with how I failed her in the moment and we all needed to acknowledge those failings, but starting with me.”

Union’s “failings” from the seminal flick deal with some lines she ad-libbed for Isis. She thinks they didn’t go far enough. On the one hand, Union says the original dialogue didn’t sound authentic to what a Black person would say, so she knew she had to change it up. But her ad-libbed lines made Isis sound too “gracious” and “appropriate,” Union says, instead of allowing Isis to show on-screen anger that her squad’s cheer routines were being stolen by the rich, white cheerleaders at Rancho Carne High.

Union feels so strongly that she failed Isis that she dedicates a chapter in her new book, “You Got Anything Stronger?” and pens an apology to the fictional character.

“I made you swallow your anger to be the most palatable version of Black leadership possible. You could point out a wrong and a lack of accountability, but you could not demand it,” Union writes in “Dear Isis.” “Here I had the power to make you anything in the world, and I thought I had to make you worthy. Of admiration. Of love. So, I made you respectable. And I am so, so sorry.”

The Toros won championships and even ESPN exposure by stealing cheer routines from the Clovers for years, Union writes. Yet, all Isis does when she busts them red-handed is ask for the tape, and promises them “we’ll call it even.”

“I had free rein to put words in your mouth and ad-lib your thoughts on cultural appropriation. Not just that: Race and worthiness. Who gets opportunities and why. The scene would give white people a chance to see themselves as complicit in cultural appropriation, but the takeaway for marginalized audiences would be different. It could tell them, “You’re not crazy. Your physical and intellectual labor really has been stolen and repackaged for profit. It’s real,” Union writes in her book.

“It’s the blues riff taken by the British band and sold back to America, the TikTok girls stealing the Black girl’s dance,” Union adds. “We don’t know it’s happening until it’s too late. But here you had caught them in this moment of potential accountability, and you had to wipe the slate clean.”

But the actress can’t take the blame alone for failing Isis. Check the IMDB of the movie, and you will see that Isis’ character wasn’t even given the respect of a last name.

“There was Torrance Shipman, Sparky Polastri and the Pantones – Cliff and Missy. But us Clovers? Isis, Jenelope, Lafred, and Lava? None. No surname for you to claim, Isis. Or to claim you. So, you were my daughter alone,” Union writes.

Union told BE that in other teen movies, her characters also didn’t have a last name—a pattern with Black and brown characters in quite a few Hollywood films, she has noticed.

“In other characters, I didn’t have a last name, and I was bigger than other people who had last names. To me, I was just thinking of my time in Hollywood, and it just didn’t occur to me to do more than what I was told I was lucky to have,” Union said in the interview. “So, whenever we move into whatever the sequel may be, we must do right by all of our characters. For starters, give us last names.”

Dawn Onley is a freelance writer based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

Father Slaps School District With $1M Lawsuit After White Teacher Cut Biracial Daughter’s Hair
by Ashantai Hathaway

September 17, 2021

Father Slaps School District With $1M Lawsuit After White Teacher Cut Biracial Daughter’s Hair

A Michigan family is suing a school district after a teacher cut a little Black girl’s hair without permission. 

The father of 7-year-old Jurnee, whose hair was cut by a White librarian and teaching assistant, has filed a $1 million lawsuit against the school district, according to The Detroit Free Press. The family filed the lawsuit this week in federal court in Grand Rapids against Mount Pleasant Public Schools.

The lawsuit claims that the biracial girl’s constitutional rights were violated in addition to racial discrimination, ethnic intimidation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and assault and battery.

The girl’s father, Jimmy Hoffmeyer, who is Black and white, said that in March his daughter arrived home from Ganiard Elementary with some of her hair on one side of her head cut. The girl said a classmate used scissors to cut her hair on a school bus, Hoffmeyer told the Associated Press in April.

After taking Jurnee to the salon—two days after the bus incident another incident occurred—the girl came home with the hair on the other side cut.

“I asked what happened and said, ‘I thought I told you no child should ever cut your hair,'” Hoffmeyer said at the time. “She said, ‘But dad, it was the teacher.’ The teacher cut her hair to even it out.”

“Why is she touching my child period during a COVID pandemic and without permission?” Hoffmeyer said.

The lawsuit states the district “failed to properly train, monitor, direct, discipline, and supervise their employees, and knew or should have known that the employees would engage in the complained-of behavior given the improper training, customs, procedures, and policies, and the lack of discipline that existed for employees.”

The Associated Press reported that, according to the U.S. Census, 4% of Mount Pleasant’s 25,000 residents are Black.

As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, in July the Mount Pleasant Public Schools Board of Education said the staffer who cut Jurnee’s hair was reprimanded and that an independent third-party investigation concluded that despite “good intentions” the teacher should not have cut the girl’s hair without her parents and the district’s approval. In doing so, the teacher violated school policy.

Two other employees were aware of the incident but failed to report it. They have since apologized. 

According to the school board, an independent investigation found no racial bias and included interviews with district personnel, students and families and a review of video and photos, including posts on social media. District administrators also performed an internal review of the incident.

Hoffmeyer demanded the teacher be fired, He said the district never questioned him or Jurnee. Jurnee now attends another school.

 

‘Black-ish’ Actor Deon Cole’s Mother Dies
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 17, 2021

‘Black-ish’ Actor Deon Cole’s Mother Dies

“Black-ish” actor Deon Cole’s mother, Charleen Cole, has died. The sad announcement was acknowledged on Cole’s Instagram page several days ago.

“It’s with very heavy hearts, we let you know of the passing of Deon Cole’s beloved mother, Charleen Cole, on Friday September 10th. Deon isn’t in a position to return calls or messages right now, but wants you all to know that he appreciates all of your love, light, and support, and thanks you for your continued thoughts and prayers for him and his family.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Deon Cole (@deoncole)

No other details were revealed about the cause of death.

Chicago’s Very Own WGN remembered Cole’s mother by posting an old video clip from May 19, 2016, when Charleen appeared on their news show with Deon and they played a game titled, “Deon Cole’s Mother Knows Best.” Deon is asked questions and he answered with what he thought his mom would say. Of course, the answers reveal more about Deon than the public knows.

The host asked Deon if he was a good or bad influence, he responds “Good” and his mother says he was good and bad and goes on to explain an incident that took place at high school. After asking what scares him, Deon states “snakes” and his mother says that he was actually scared of balloons. Then he was asked what would he want his mother to cook for him and he says chicken and although she agreed with his response, she said she would cook him “anything his heart desired.” After being asked what his favorite toy was, Deon says his Spiderman doll but his mother reveals it was an Evil Knievel doll.

You can view the video clip below:

Our heart goes out to Deon Cole and his family.

 

by Daron Pressley

September 17, 2021

Meet Crystal L. Bass, The Fly Travel Line Owner Inspiring Women To Be ‘Fly’ While Traveling

The Fly Travel Line owner and Baltimore native Crystal L. Bass has used her platform to uncover and illuminate issues that are important to young women. Bass, an author, playwright, and actress, founded her clothing line Theflytravelline.com.

Bass’s successful first novel, Dark Clouds: A Charm City Family’s Struggle, inspired her to turn it into a stage play. Transforming her remarkable story into a production, Bass produced, directed ​, and toured her national hit stage play, Ain’t No Love Like A Mother’s Love. 

Honored and recognized by Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., and the Rainbow Push Coalition as a “Top Inspirational and Engaged Leader,” Bass is now focused on growing her travel line, which combines vacation tours and fashion. Simply put, you can plan a trip and get the perfect declarative t-shirt or swimsuit to match. 

BLACK ENTERPRISE caught up with Bass to discuss what inspired her travel line, how she used her success as a coach and leader to build her brand, and advice for young women of color. 

BLACK ENTERPRISE: What inspired The Fly Travel Line?

BASS: I was inspired to create The Fly Travel Line because travel makes me feel free! As a teenager I was wrongfully convicted of a crime I did not commit, which took away my freedom. Through the eyes of the court, I was guilty by association, sentenced to jail time, and labeled a felon. The Fly Travel Line became a vessel to help tell stories on my journey while embracing my freedom to explore the world.

Initially, I started designing travel t-shirts with fashionable wit for myself. But, while traveling, I’d get stopped and asked, “Where did you get that shirt?” That’s when things came full circle for me, and I knew that my messages resonated with other travel lovers.

How have you used your success as a coach, entrepreneur, and writer to build the brand?

Just like writing, travel is a form of self-care! The Fly Travel Line was birthed from my deep love of words combined with my passion for travel. There’s no better way to tell a story on your journey than to wear the words across your chest. I have used my success as a coach, entrepreneur, and writer by merging the two things that I love together as one.

What challenges have you faced developing the clothing line?

The biggest challenge I’ve faced so far while developing my The Fly Travel Line was COVID! My business is travel-based. As soon as I launched, the world went on lockdown, and travel restrictions went into full effect. I had to decide whether to push forward or push pause.

How did you overcome these challenges?

I pivoted The Fly Travel Line! Instead of focusing on the negative impact of COVID and the travel restrictions, I launched a live, virtual travel experience. I noticed many people battling loneliness, depression, and isolation due to social distancing during the pandemic. Live, virtual tours allowed travel lovers to see the world and interact with others. These tours were meaningful because we were not just sitting in front of a Zoom watching a video. Our hosts broadcasted live from Sicily, California, Budapest, Canada, and South Africa! 

There are many fashion options for customers to choose from. What makes your brand different? 

The Fly Travel Line is different because it is single-handedly the voice for ventures! We put a personal spin on slogans, making statements and memories for travel lovers. 

What key pieces of advice can you offer young women of color who want to turn their passion into profit?

1. Figure out your true passion first, then let God guide you to profit.

2. Invest in yourself—focus on your strengths BUT outsource the rest!

3. Don’t let your food get cold watching someone else’s plate.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 17, 2021

Controversy Ensues After Kyrie Irving Tweets ‘My Mask Is Off,’ Clarifies It Had Nothing to Do With the Coronavirus

Brooklyn Nets‘ player Kyrie Irving caused quite a stir when he took to Twitter on Wednesday. The controversial point guard posted a simple tweet that had the Twitterverse up in arms because of the interpretation—or misinterpretation.

Unclear of his meaning and assuming he was against the vaccine and related mandates, Twitter users had a lot to say. Fans were up in arms, possibly due to one of Irving’s previous theories on a flat earth.

After all the confusion and speculation of Irving’s tweet, he came back to clarify what it meant.

Two Miami Cops and Bad Boys Wannabes Sentenced After Pleading Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 17, 2021

Two Miami Cops and Bad Boys Wannabes Sentenced After Pleading Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine

Two police officers in Florida are heading to federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

According to The Miami Herald, two police officers, who were great fans of the Will Smith and Martin Lawrence Bad Boys movie franchise, have been sentenced to serve one year and three months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Roderick Flowers, 29, and his cousin, Keith Edwards, 31, were involved in a drug operating sting. They were arrested and charged for acting as security for cocaine that was driven through multiple states for who they believed was the Sinaloa Cartel.

After the pair serve their time, they will both have to serve two years of house arrest and then face another five years of probation. Under the terms of their probation, they will both also serve up to 1,000 hours of community service a year as ordered by U.S. District Judge Paul Huck.

Last November, Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Keith Weis, Special Agent in Charge for DEA Miami, announced a criminal complaint charging Flowers and Edwards with conspiring to traffic cocaine. They also charged Manuel Carlos Hernandez, 23, in the cocaine trafficking conspiracy, and Hernandez, Durojaiye Obafemi Monsuru Lawal, 24, and Trevanti McLeod, 23, all from South Florida, with money laundering crimes.

Based on the criminal complaint affidavit, filed on September 16, 2020, Flowers and Edwards provided protection for the transport of what they thought was 10 kilograms of cocaine. The contents of the package were connected to a Mexican drug cartel from its pick-up point in Homestead, FL, to its drop-off point in Aventura, FL. Flowers and Edwards, in individual vehicles, escorted a third car that contained the purported cocaine.

According to the affidavit, the two police officers also escorted the purported cocaine and its handlers on foot, as they went to pick up and drop off the package. The two police officers were each paid $5,000 in cash in exchange for the protection service. The police officers did not know that the cocaine was fake and the Mexican cartel dealers were law enforcement confidential sources and undercover agents.

Flowers and Edwards avoided possible prison sentences of three to five years, in part because they accepted responsibility after they were caught.

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