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Post by Admin on Jun 3, 2020 1:22:35 GMT
The music industry is taking a pause today (June 2) to observe what is being called "Black Out Tuesday" (as well as #TheShowMustBePaused), an effort calling for "a day to disconnect from work and reconnect with our community" as well as an "urgent step of action to provoke accountability and change." The effort was created by music industry executives Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang in reaction to the murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and 46-year-old black man George Floyd, who was killed last week at the hands of a white police officer, videotaped putting his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes as the father of two pleaded for his life and said "I can't breathe." http://instagram.com/p/CA8Amc0AVkI The blackout "is meant to intentionally disrupt the work week," according to initiative's website. "Monday suggests a long weekend, and we can't wait until Friday for change. It is a day to take a beat for an honest, reflective and productive conversation about what actions we need to collectively take to support the Black community," reads the effort's statement. "We are tired and can't change things alone. In the meantime, to our Black friends and family: please take time for you and your mental health. To our allies, the time is now to have difficult conversations with family, friends and colleagues." http://instagram.com/p/CA72cg1l-6u In honor of today's action, dozens of artists -- from Rihanna to Green Day, Ricky Martin, Kelly Rowland, Normani, Christina Aguilera, Alejandro Sanz, Radiohead, Jennifer Hudson, Beastie Boys, Paula Abdul, the Mavericks, Armin Van Buuren and many more -- honored the effort by posting black boxes on their social media feeds or statements of support. Rih Rih said it best in her post: "We ain't buying s--t!!! And we ain't selling s--t neither!! gang gang! #BLACKOUTTUESDAY."
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Post by Admin on Jun 3, 2020 7:39:46 GMT
Taylor Swift on Wednesday encouraged her fans on Instagram to educate themselves on the global Black Lives Matter movement and the country’s campaign against the passage of the controversial anti-terror bill. In her Instagram Stories, Swift shared a link from carrd.com, a platform of one-page website, called “blacklivesmatters.carrd.co” with links to information on how the public can educate themselves and help others in these two major advocacies. “When you’re done: Educate yourself. This doesn’t go away once the topic isn’t trending,” the post read. Local fans of the award-winning singer-songwriter immediately noticed this and made her name trend on local Twitter. “Taylor Swift is telling the world to uphold human rights in the Philippines and #JUNKTERRORBILLNOW!” one user said. http://instagram.com/p/CA8AEYJjdyu Spoken-word artist Juan Miguel Severo, meanwhile, compared Swift to some local celebrities who remained silent on the country’s injustices. “Taylor Swift supporting #JunkTerrorBill and our local celebrities’ compassion traveled a thousand miles away to support BLM while casually ignoring the many injustices happening in our own backyard?” Severo said. Several personalities have recently joined the online call against the anti-terror bill. These include Nadine Lustre, Liza Soberano, Janine Gutierrez and Gab Pangilinan, among others.
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Post by Admin on Jun 3, 2020 19:17:20 GMT
Among the sea of lightless squares posted for "Blackout Tuesday," in solidarity with others moved by the death of George Floyd, were two high-profile members of the nation's first family: Tiffany Trump, President Donald Trump's younger daughter, and her mom, Marla Maples. http://instagram.com/p/CA8DwLPhNPe Tiffany, 26, who just graduated from law school at Georgetown University, posted a black square along with a quote from Helen Keller: "Alone we can achieve so little; together we can achieve so much." Her mom posted a square soon after with a free-flowing caption about unity, peace and understanding. "Let’s take this day to feel the pain and fear which has been inflicted on our brothers and sisters and come together," wrote Maples, 56. The brief sentimens drew quick reaction, both positive and negative. "Thank you for saying something," one user responded to Tiffany's post, while another wrote: "Tiffany keep doing what you are doing. You are going to do great things!!!!!!!!!" "Did you see what your father did to peaceful protesters in DC last night so he could pose with a holy book he has clearly never opened?" one critic commented, referring to the president's brief appearance at St. John's near the White House on Monday night, where he was photographed holding a Bible after law enforcement forcefully cleared away protesters. http://instagram.com/p/B99_YpLBnhV Another user replied to her: "Hey Tiffany, have you tried to talk to your father about the racist and dangerous words he’s been using throughout his presidency? That seems like a great place to start." A third user wrote: "How do you feel about the tear gas on peaceful protests in front of the Church??? As a legal scholar, how do you feel about him involving the Insurrection Act of 1807 [to send military to act as police]?? I think those words would speak louder than this action..." Yet another suggested the post proved Tiffany's politics had shifted away from her father's. "You drank the koolaid, Tiff?" the user wrote. Maples — who has far fewer followers on Instagram than her daughter — received far fewer reactions and many of them were positive.
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Post by Admin on Jun 5, 2020 1:30:43 GMT
Two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has always had a way with words, whether it’s deftly charming press during interviews or showcasing her quick wit on her Twitter feed.
Over the past week, Osaka, who is Japanese-American and of Haitian descent, has been vocal on Twitter about the events surrounding the death of George Floyd. She has posted the video of Floyd’s killing at the hands of police officers, has been active in calling out the tennis community for their response, and voicing her opinions, stating, “Just because it isn’t happening to you doesn’t mean it isn’t happening at all.”
Of course, for any athlete that speaks up about racial or political issues, there’s the chorus of people who come back at them and say that they should “stick to sports.”
Unfortunately for those losers, Osaka is delightfully roasting them on her Twitter feed.
You’re gonna have to click through to get the full joke on that last one, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Osaka shouldn’t have to deal with these nobodies on her feed, and even roasting trolls takes up time and space, but I thank her for dolling out some much needed internet burns.
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Post by Admin on Jun 7, 2020 0:00:10 GMT
JB took to IG Saturday with a powerful statement, writing ... "I am inspired by black culture. I have benefited off of black culture. my style, how I sing, dance, perform, and my fashion have all been influenced and inspired by black culture." He went on to say, "I am committed to using my platform from this day forward to learn, to speak up about racial injustice and systemic oppression, and to identify ways to be a part of much needed change." http://instagram.com/p/CBHAQiUn1MV The couple's roaming the Wild West in Utah and looking to pitch a tent as you'd expect a huge pop star to do it ... in a monster of a machine. Check out their sweet RV, complete with built-in canopy and some lawn chairs to boot.
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