Gugu Mbatha-Raw for Variety (UK Issue) - November 2021
In June 2020, amid the global Black Lives Matter movement, a three-page open letter began circulating across the U.K. film and TV industry with four commands from its signatories: Banish your weak excuses, be more demanding, expand your vision and empower Black and brown independent producers.
Modeled after a letter to Hollywood issued by New York’s Black TV & Film Collective, the U.K. dispatch was bold and unapologetic, ultimately garnering 5,010 signatures from the likes of Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michaela Coel, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Colin Firth, Florence Pugh and other top talent.
It was, as Mbatha-Raw puts it, “so un-British.” In a good way.
The U.K. had its own reckoning with race following the murder of George Floyd on May 25 in America, and the local film and TV industry was quick to make declarations of allyship and engage in untold commitments. The letter presented a framework for the missing link: accountability.
“The Morning Show” star Mbatha-Raw was among a group of signatories of the letter — including actors, writers, producers, agents and casting directors — approached by Variety to reflect on how the equality-focused agenda around the Black Lives Matter movement and the demands made in the letter have manifested in their careers. From their vantage point, has it been a movement or merely a moment?
“I remember thinking, ‘There’s nothing polite about this [letter],’” recalls Mbatha-Raw, who was filming in the U.S. when she was sent the document through her U.K. agent. “It was assertive and demanding, and articulated things that have been very easy to generalize.”
In the past year, Mbatha-Raw — who will soon relocate from Los Angeles back to her home of Oxfordshire in the U.K. — has unlocked a new chapter in her career by accepting invitations to serve as a producer, first on the thriller series “The Girl Before,” in which she stars alongside David Oyelowo, and Apple TV Plus’ thriller “Surface” from Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. The timing of these offers isn’t lost on her, and she’s eager to take them on.
“There is an awareness now that if you’re telling a story about women of color, there will be nuances and details in the story and how it’s put together where it’s valuable to have those voices and points of view helping to assemble the project,” says Mbatha-Raw. “I’m trying to be the change myself. I don’t think I’ve worked with any producers of color in the U.K., and that’s shocking to me.”
That doesn’t shock Nisha Parti, the British producer who spearheaded the U.K. letter. Parti worked with the likes of “Harry Potter” and “Chernobyl” producers David Heyman and Jane Featherstone, respectively, early in her career, and produced the acclaimed drama “The Boy With the Topknot” in 2017.
The TV movie for the BBC, based on the eponymous memoir by journalist Sathnam Sanghera, was one of the best-received contemporary examinations of South Asian culture in British television. But Parti says there’s no chance she could have optioned the book and made it in the current climate.
“It has become almost impossible to get a hot ‘diverse’ book,” says Parti. “I would never get ‘The Boy With the Topknot’ if I bid for it now.”
In the 17 months since the letter went out, “really brilliant things have happened,” Parti observes, particularly for British actors and writers of color, many of whom are in high demand. But producers of color, she argues, feel cheated.
“Many of us have been [trying] hard for many years to work with underrepresented writers and make authentic shows about our experience, but in the past 12 months, there’s been a gold rush on diverse talent,” says Parti.
There are projects in development now with new writers from diverse backgrounds that wouldn’t have been given the time of day two years ago, says Parti. “But the diverse companies are being outbid at every turn by the big guns, and priced out of the market by very aggressive agents.”
Some would say that’s a good problem to have — after all, didn’t the letter ask the industry to expand its vision and “think outside the box when looking for new talent”? Parti argues that, in fact, an increase in shows about diversity that doesn’t include enough diverse-led production companies does a disservice to the industry because producers of color would be more nurturing with diverse stories and would hire more inclusive crews.
“Diverse writers and new employees are all guns for hire who can easily be fired,” says Parti. “This is not going to change unless we change the people at the top and work with more diverse-led production companies.” U.K. producers of color are facing a double-edged sword, says Brooklyn-based producer-director Okema T. Moore, programming committee chair for the Black TV & Film Collective. Moore is among those leading the charge to support producers of color — “The gatekeepers don’t look like us, and they don’t look for us,” she quips — but she questions why her British counterparts aren’t being funded “the same way these white production companies are being funded.” “The issue is not ‘I’m being priced out because my own people cost too much.’ No! It’s ‘My people are getting what they’re worth,’” adds Moore. “The producers have to figure out how they are bolstered fiscally to support those fees.”
Get more at Variety UK.
#RHOA: Ya Girl Porsha Williams Says 'Door Is Not Bolted' Shut on Her Returning to 'Real Housewives of Atlanta'
Porsha Williams isn't ruling out a return to The Real Housewives of Atlanta. While the reality TV star is busy with her Bravo spinoff series, Porsha's Family Matters, and a brand-new book, Porsha told ET's Nischelle Turner that she isn't saying never to going back to the show that started it all.
"The door is not bolted, there is no bolt on it," Porsha said after revealing that there's a possibility of her returning to RHOA to Andy Cohen on Sunday night's Watch What Happens Live.
She continued, "It is definitely locked, but it's not bolted. If you put a bolt on it, it's over."
While Porsha isn't returning to the series for its upcoming season, she still is close to some of the ladies on the show, including Kandi Burruss.
"Kandi and I, we still talk," she shared. "She's been very supportive of me, no matter what. I love people like that, no matter what, and we respect each other as entertainers, businesswomen and mothers."
While she had several reasons for stepping away from the show, one of the main reasons, was to focus on her 2-year-old daughter, Pilar, whom she shares with her ex, Dennis McKinley.
"I had started preparing to semi-retire at 40, about two to three years ago," she explained. "I have a great finance team. I have a great manager, and once I had my daughter, I knew I wanted to spend more time with her."
She continued, "I had made this decision right after the reunion [and] had let everyone know around that time. Of course no one wanted to hear it, but I had already made that decision prior to getting with Simon, but of course when you break the internet like this, everybody's going to want to know what the other girls have to say and what that's going to look like. So of course, I get that everyone thinks that that goes together, but it's actually not."
And Porsha's engagement to Simon Guobadia did exactly that, with fans questioning the timeline of their romance amid Simon's split from RHOA friend to the show, Falynn Guobadia.
"The biggest misconception is that someone would have done something to hurt someone," Porsha shared. "Or that someone was obligated to something else, and anything was broken. I mean, this is just a story of adults making adult decisions for themselves."
While Porsha says she did intend to be friends with Falynn while on RHOA, their friendship didn't progress beyond Falynn being introduced as Porsha's friend on the show.
"It's a common practice that if you're bringing someone new in, they have to be introduced by someone," she explained.
It wasn't too long after the show aired that Porsha and Simon's relationship began to take off and internet speculation began to rise, but Porsha says the pair was simply at the "same place" at the "same time."
"I met a man who was at the same place that I was, at the same time," she said. "Mentally, spiritually and in love. "You have to think about, for me to get to a place to walk away from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, to walk away from Dish, put Porsha first and really concentrate on what I want to do and my purpose, faith walk, when you meet someone else at that exact same place, it's a powerful force. So as soon as we started talking, and you're talking to a man who has done 175 hours of therapy and has truly looked at all his mistakes and had turned around to be for the better. When you meet someone in that space, you are going to be in like company."
Porsha's new book, Pursuit of Porsha is out Tuesday, and her spinoff series, Porsha’s Family Matters, airs Sundays at 8:00 p.m. on Bravo.
#MusicNews: Dionne Warwick And Chance The Rapper ‘Nothing’s Impossible’
Back in December of last year (where does the time go?), Twitter helped create the unlikeliest of connections when legendary R&B singer Dionne Warwick tagged Chance The Rapper to tease him about his stage name. After Chance finished freaking out about being acknowledged by the music icon, she invited him to “rap together,” leading to Chance telling Stephen Colbert that the pair had collaborated on some new music. Now, with just a month to go until Christmas, the duo has shared the results: the uplifting ballad, “Nothing’s Impossible.”
Created in collaboration with Chance’s non-profit Social Works and the forward-thinking foundation Not Impossible, the new song popped up on YouTube through Empire Distribution and counts Chance’s Chicago-based collaborators Smoko Ono and Peter Cottontale as producers and composers along with Damon Elliott. The R&B star, who recently made a surprise appearance on SNL, handles the comforting chorus and bridge.
LISTEN
Chance was really enthused about the collaboration last year, telling Colbert, “I was very surprised that she knew who I was. But it was awesome… It feels like my first taste of fame. I went to Starbucks the other day and they’re like, ‘Are you the guy who got tweeted by Dionne Warwick?’”
#HipHopNews: Rico Nasty Posts Concerning Messages Following Troubles On Playboi Carti Tour
Rico Nasty's stint on Playboi Carti's tour appears to be taking a serious toll on her mental health.
The Maryland-bred rhymer has been the opening act for Carti's King Vamp Tour along with Ken Car$on. The performance trek completed a stop in Milwaukee, Wis. at Eagles Ballroom on Friday (Nov. 26). However, on Saturday (Nov. 27), Rico posted some concerning messages on Twitter in regards to what she's going through on the show.
"I dead ass need atleast two hours out of each day. To just cry," she tweeted. "Crazy how I wanted a tour bus my whole life and now I just be on the tour bus crying myself to sleep every night."
She alarmingly added, "I wish I was dead just as much as y'all do trust me...Y'all win."
Since the tour began this year, Rico has experienced some harsh responses from the crowd, who are predominantly Carti fans. During a show earlier this month in Los Angeles, she was booed and fans chanted for Carti. She also went back-and-forth with Carti fans on social media. Less than a week later, someone threw a bottle at her during a show and she jumped into the crowd and confronted rowdy fans.
Despite some sour moments, other shows from the Nightmare Vacation rhymer have been lit. Last week, Carti brought out Rico onstage during his set and they hugged it out in front of the crowd. It's clear things are still not all right with how things are going on the tour.
If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide or contemplating self-harm, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or visit Speakingofsuicide.com for additional resources.
Common And Tiffany Haddish Break Up
It’s over for Common and Tiffany Haddish. The couple has called it quits after a year together. According to PEOPLE, they broke up because it was too hard to maintain their long-distance relationship.
“They are never in the same city together and both of them are just too busy for a serious relationship,” the source says.
Their breakup comes over a year after Haddish confirmed she and Common were dating after first meeting on set of their 2019 film The Kitchen. The two went on a virtual date before their quarantine romance turned into more.
“This is hands down the best relationship I’ve ever been in,” she told “Steve-O’s Wild Ride!” podcast. “I’ve lost 20 pounds since I’ve been in this relationship. I feel more confident in me and it’s not him that’s doing it.”
Haddish continued to gush about the Grammy-winning rapper. “I’m just way happier and it’s like knowing I got somebody that cares about me, that really has my back. It seems like he does anyways. And I love it. I love him.”
In turn, Common credited the comedian and actress for bringing out the best in him. “It’s about really just being in a relationship where you can grow and you really support each other’s purpose and vision,” he told PEOPLE. “I’m making you better, you’re making me better.”
Prior to dating Common, Haddish was married to her ex-husband William Stewart. Common has a daughter Omoye Lynn, 24, with his ex-girlfriend, Kim Jones.
Jussie Smollett Was ‘Real Victim’ Of Racist Attack, Lawyer Says As Trial Begins
Ex-Empire actor is accused of hiring two men to fake an attack in Chicago but new evidence could support Smollett’s defense
Jussie Smollett “is a real victim” of a “real crime,” his attorney said in opening statements at the ex-Empire actor’s trial Monday, rejecting prosecutors’ allegation that he staged a homophobic and racist attack in Chicago.
Defense attorney Nenye Uche said two brothers attacked Smollett in January 2019 because they didn’t like him, and that a $3,500 check the actor paid the men was for training so he could prepare for an upcoming music video, not as payment for staging a hate crime, as prosecutors allege. Uche also suggested a third attacker was involved and told jurors there is not a “shred” of physical and forensic evidence linking Smollett to the crime prosecutors allege
“Jussie Smollett is a real victim,” Uche said.
Smollett is accused of lying to police about the alleged attack and has been charged with felony disorderly conduct.
Trial of Jussie Smollett, accused of plotting hoax attack, begins in Chicago
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Special prosecutor Dan Webb said the actor recruited the brothers to help him carry out a fake attack, then reported it to Chicago police, who classified it as a hate crime and spent 3,000 staff hours on the investigation. Smollett said he was attacked by supporters of then-president Donald Trump, a report that ignited political and ideological divisions around the country.
“When he reported the fake hate crime that was a real crime,” said Webb.
Smollett is charged with felony disorderly conduct which carries a prison sentence of up to three years, but experts have said it is likely that if Smollett is convicted he would be placed on probation and perhaps ordered to perform community service.
Webb told jurors Smollett was unhappy about how the studio handled the letter he received. That letter included a drawing of a stick figure hanging from a tree and “Maga”, a reference to Trump’s Make America Great Again campaign slogan, Webb said.
He said Smollett then concocted the fake attack and had a “dress rehearsal” with the two brothers, who worked on the “Empire” set with Smollett, including telling them to shout racial and homophobic slurs and “Maga”. Smollett also told the brothers to buy ski masks, red hats and a rope, Webb told jurors.
“He told them to use a rope to make it look like a hate crime,” Webb said.
But Uche said Smollett had turned down extra security when the studio offered it. He also portrayed the brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, as unreliable, saying their story has changed while Smollett’s has not.
Whether Smollett, who is Black and gay, will testify remains an open question. But the siblings will take the witness stand. Jurors also may see surveillance video from more than four dozen cameras that police reviewed to trace the brothers’ movements before and after the reported attack, as well as a video showing the brothers purchasing supplies hours earlier.
Buried in nearly 500 pages of Chicago police department reports is a statement from a resident who says she saw a white man with “reddish brown hair” who appeared to be waiting for someone that night. She told a detective that when the man turned away from her, she “could see hanging out from underneath his jacket what appeared to be a rope”.
Her comments could back up Smollett’s contention that his attackers draped a makeshift noose around his neck. Further, if she testified that the man was white, it would support Smollett’s statements – widely ridiculed because the brothers are Black – that he saw pale or white skin around the eyes of one of his masked attackers.
The trial is expected to take one week.
'West Side Story' NYC Premiere brings out Original stars Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn & Bert Michaels for a Reunion
Rita Moreno dazzles in her gorgeous premiere look at the premiere of West Side Story held at Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center on Monday night (November 29) in New York City.
The 89-year-old actress was joined on the red carpet with fellow original stars Russ Tamblyn and Bert Michaels, who played Riff and Snowboy, respectively, in the 1961 movie.
Russ brought along his daughter, actress Amber Tamblyn, to the premiere.
“I wasn’t aware of that,” Rita said on the red carpet about it being the film’s 60th anniversary. “Really, how amazing. It’s nothing but amazing tonight. That is what this night is about.”
She also spoke about being an executive producer on the new film, saying that “the reason I got credit for executive producer was that he [Steven Spielberg] was taking everything that he needed and I was there to help out.”
Rita added, “I have opinions and some are not always greeted with enthusiasm but that’s what producers do. It’s an amazing experience.”
West Side Story will be out on December 10.
Ari Lennox Says That She’s Been Racially Profiled And Arrested In Amsterdam
Ari Lennox was arrested in Amsterdam today (November 29), with the Dreamville singer disputing it as an incident of racial profiling.
via: Uproxx: Ari Lennox‘s trip to Amsterdam has apparently taken a turn for the worst, as she tweeted that she’s been arrested, apparently “for reacting to a woman racially profiling me.” Lennox’s live tweet of her visit began innocently enough, with a simple “Hi Amsterdam” message, presumably when she first landed. However, she apparently ran into some trouble with security, as just an hour later, she tweeted, “F*ck Amsterdam security. They hate black people.”
From there, things clearly deteriorated, with Ari expressing a desire to return to the States and promising, “I’ll never leave my house again.” Then, around an hour later, she told her followers, “They’re arresting me.” Her final tweet of the day reads, “I’m being arrested in Amsterdam for reacting to a woman racially profiling me.”
According to Reuters, Dutch military police accused the singer of public intoxication and being aggressive toward an airline official. A spokesman said, “Our unit found a woman full of emotions, that wouldn’t calm down. That’s why she had to be taken into custody.”
Dutch police are investigating claims of threats Lennox supposedly made during the incident.
The singer, who released her studio debut Shea Butter Baby in 2019, recently performed at the Soul Train Awards on BET alongside Summer Walker, performing “Unloyal” from Walker’s new album, Still Over It.
#HOTorNOT? Gabrielle Union Epic Valentino Gown at The Fashion Awards 2021
Gabrielle Union is absolutely slaying the red carpet with her look at the 2021 The Fashion Awards!
The 49-year-old actress had a major moment while hitting the carpet at the annual fashion event on Monday night (November 29) at Royal Albert Hall in London, England.
“🍀Feeling Lucky🍀 #fashionawards,” Gabrielle simply captioned a video of herself getting ready for the event. You have to check out the up-close look at her epic hairdo!
So is it Hot or Not?
Prosecutors ask Supreme Court to review Bill Cosby’s overturned conviction
Prosecutors in Pennsylvania are appealing Bill Cosby’s overturned sexual assault conviction. On Monday (Nov. 29), Kevin Steele, Montgomery County D.A., Pennsylvania asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the decision that led to the comedian’s prison release.
Cosby served nearly three years in jail in connection to his conviction in the 2004 case of Andrea Constand, a student who accused him of drugging and assaulting her in his home. In June, however, the Supreme Court dropped all charges against the comic, citing his previous agreement with ex-prosecutor Bruce Castor.
According to multiple news outlets, Cosby admitted he drugged women before sexual encounters with an understanding that Castor would not prosecute him in the case.
Though Castor stayed true to his word and ruled that there wasn’t enough evidence to charge the comedian in the case, his successor used Cosby’s deposition to charge him with three Class II felony charges of aggravated indecent assault, convict him on all three counts and sentence him to 3 to 10 years in prison. The actor’s conviction was overturned in June, citing his agreement with the former prosecutor.
Per the Associated Press, the only evidence of Castor’s arrangement was a 2005 press release, which prosecutors say should not be treated as a grant of immunity. They are questioning whether there was really a deal between Castor and Cosby.
“This decision as it stands will have far-reaching negative consequences beyond Montgomery County and Pennsylvania,” Steele wrote in the petition. “The U.S. Supreme Court can right what we believe is a grievous wrong.”
Cosby’s spokesperson, Andrew Wyatt, believes the appeal is a “pathetic last-ditch effort that will not prevail.”
“The Montgomery County D.A. asks the U.S. Supreme Court to throw the Constitution out the window ... to satisfy the #metoo mob,” he said. “There is no merit to the DA’s request ...The (high court) does not typically interfere with the rulings of a state’s high court unless it conflicts with the decisions of other state high courts or our federal court of appeals.”
Trey Songz Under Investigation For Alleged Sexual Assault In Vegas
Singer Trey Songz is being accused of sexual assault according to TMZ.
Law enforcement expressed to TMZ that the Las Vegas Police Department is presently looking into cases of sexual assault happening at The Cosmopolitan. It’s unclear what day the alleged assault occurred, but TMZ has reported that the claim was made to the police on Sunday.
Sources have revealed that Trey is cooperating with authorities and no arrests have been made.
Trey Songz was in Vegas this past weekend celebrating his 37th birthday at the famous club Drai’s Nightclub Saturday. A source is speaking out saying Trey and his crew brought a group of women back to their rooms after the club and that’s when the alleged assault took place.
This story is still developing. TMZ, has reached out to the singer for a response but he has not contacted them back.
Mariah Carey’s Life Memoir Is Coming To A Television Series
Mariah Carey is bringing her life story to the television screen. It was announced over the weekend that Carey is planning to adapt her memoir The Meaning of Mariah into an eight-part television series with the help of director, Lee Daniels.
According to Allhiphop.com, Mariah shared an update with Z100 host Garrett Vogel.
Mariah who was asked if she would ever consider staging a musical based on her life and hits, responded “We did the book, and we are getting it together. I’m working with my friend Lee Daniels. And we are talking about the adaptation of my book. I would rather do that.”
She added, “Lee is probably going to hear this and kill me but it’s probably going to be an eight-part series.”
This news follows the launch of McDonald’s Mariah Menu for 12 days of holiday deals.
It’s unclear when the show will arrive.
Sister of Venus and Serena Williams Slam Will Smith’s ‘King Richard’ Biopic
*Sabrina Williams, half-sister of Serena and Venus Williams, is speaking out about Will Smith’s latest project “King Richard,” a biopic about Richard Williams, father of the Williams sisters.
Sabrina is the daughter of Richard Williams and his first wife, Betty Johnson. She has made it quite clear that she is not impressed with the biopic. In a new interview, Sabrina slammed Smith for the biased portrayal of her father.
Speaking with The Sun, Sabrina said that Smith (who also produced the movie) and director Reinald Marcus Green should have done more research before moving forward with the project.
“I get it, every movie is slightly economical with the truth, but because it’s Venus and Serena, nobody is going to put anything bad about them or make it seem like they were part of something bad,” she said.
Richard Williams reportedly abandoned his first wife when Sabrina was 8 years old. Sabrina takes issue with the movie’s storyline that he was a dedicated father after he moved on to marry two more times.
“I don’t think it should have taken up the whole movie, but to give the movie some more credibility, at least reference it, as he left us when he was a grown man. Does anyone believe this story? Wow, really, it’s all there on Google”.
And when it comes to Smith’s portrayal of her father, Sabrina said, “They say Will Smith is probably getting an Academy Award for this, I held him in deep regard, but, as a black American, he should have wanted to tell the full story. Will Smith is not dumb. They [Serena and Venus] got to grow up better and didn’t have to harvest for food or worry about their next meal. It would have been nice to have a backstory.”
Sabrina also called out director Reinald Marcus Green for failing to include in the film the family members from the first half of Richard’s life.
“It’s a comedy, no? How can you make a movie by telling half the story? I just need to see it now because I didn’t realize how hysterically funny it would be. One of the things I’m gonna have to do is not laugh out loud in the auditorium as I know the full story” she added.
Barbra Streisand asked to sing Stephen Sondheim tunes at Grammys 2022
Theater lovers may want to tune into the 2022 Grammy Awards. Sources are saying that Grammy producers have reached out to Barbra Streisand and asked her to perform a tribute to late musical theater great Stephen Sondheim for this January’s show.
A rep for Streisand, however, tells us, “No one has asked.”
Streisand performed eight of his songs including “Send in the Clowns” on her 1985 “The Broadway Album,” which won a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
His songs also appear on her album “ENCORE: Movie Partners Sing Broadway,” which was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2016.
Streisand has won multiple Grammys over the years and was presented with a legend award by Sondheim in 1992.
Composer and lyricist Sondheim passed away on Friday at age 91. The iconic songwriter was known for “West Side Story,” “Follies,” “Sunday in the Park with George,” “Into the Woods,” and more.
A revival of his show, “Company,” is currently playing Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, and another of his shows, “Assassins,” is playing off-Broadway at the Classic Stage Company.
Streisand tweeted over the weekend, “Thank the Lord that Sondheim lived to be 91 years old so he had the time to write such wonderful music and GREAT lyrics! May he Rest In Peace.”
It is not confirmed whether or not she has responded to the Grammy request.
Offset Does Good Deed, Pays for Customer’s Items at Target
Offset showed his generosity when he bought Target items for a woman who was having a rough day.
Instagram user @siennadiaz._ thanks the Migos rapper for helping out her mom in a lengthy video post that shows him hugging a woman who was crying.
“Thank you so much @offsetyrn for taking care of the items we picked out yesterday from Target. We are beyond grateful.”
“My mom was having a horrible morning. So my family and I decided to take her shopping to clear her mind.”
The woman’s daughter went on to say that their first stop was Target. She didn’t elaborate on what her mother was going through but said because she didn’t get much rest the night before, her mother wanted to buy some concealer.
“While we were bagging everything up a woman stood next to our the check out station and at first (to us) seemed to be waiting for someone. She overheard our conversation about the concealer and started recommending us other brands make up that she heard were good.”
She said the shopping trip was going well until they got to the cash register and was told the total.
But luckily a woman helped them out.
“That’s when the woman behind us quickly handed over the cashier $200. My mom and I were like huhhh lol…we were so confused and then she said “this is from offset…” and that’s when my mom just started to tear up.”
“He came over and gave my mom the biggest hug. He told her that whatever she was going through, that she would be okay,” she continued.
She then sent the rapper and his family an abundance of love.
President Biden Addresses New COVID Variant “Omicron,” Says its a Cause for Concern, Not Panic
In President Biden‘s recent presidential address, he talked about the concerns and worries surrounding the newest COVID variant, Omicron.
Biden called the new variant a cause for concern but “not a cause for panic.” He is not considering any nationwide lockdown following the new variant. However, some countries have already started business lockdowns and reinstated travel bans.
He urges Americans to continue wearing masks and get double vaccinated. Though many believe it could reach the U.S. sooner than later as the Delta variant has.
Speaking Monday, Biden says that it was inevitable that the new variant would reach the U.S. however, “we have more tools today to fight the variant than we’ve had before.” About 80 million people are still not vaccinated, and Biden urges them to do so.
In attendance with President Biden was Dr. Anthony Fauci.
In the news conference, Dr. Fauci touched on a question about screening international travelers. He said, “we already have in place when people come into the United States, they have to be tested before they get on and have to show vaccination documentation.”
Biden moved to a strict travel ban to South Africa and surrounding countries to allow scientists to learn more about the variant, which gives the U.S. more time to push double vaccinations and boosters before it hits the country.
Though pharmacists are trying to adjust current vaccines to fit the new omicron variant, Dr. Fauci recommends people to get their second dose or boosters currently because it will help tremendously.
The U.S. has already donated over 200 million vaccines which is more than the rest of the world combined. It is up to Americans to halt this global pandemic by increasing vaccination rates and continuing wearing masks.
Arizona State University Students Demand Administration Expel Kyle Rittenhouse, Get “Killer Off Our Campus”
Arizona University students want Kyle Rittenhouse booted from campus. The Arizona State University Students for Socialism, Students for Justice in Palestine, Multicultural Solidarity Coalition, and MECHA de ASU are all calling on the administration to remove Rittenhouse and release a statement about him. The activist groups refer to him as “Murderer Kyle Rittenhouse.”
As we reported, Rittenhouse was found not guilty of fatally shooting two people and wounding others.
“Join us and rally against racist murderer Kyle Rittenhouse being permitted on our campus – Wednesday at 3:30 outside the Nelson Fine Arts Center on campus” reads the rally flyer.
A rep for the group spoke out about Rittenhouse and the verdict he received as it “effectively gives right-winged individuals the license to kill other individuals who protest for human rights.”
“Rittenhouse took the lives of innocent people with the intent to do so—by strapping an assault rifle to himself in a crowd of unarmed citizens. That is the textbook definition of intention,” the rep added.
“The decision made by the court is one of thousands of cases that have been influenced by biased judges, predominantly white juries, and mistakes inherent in a judicial system founded off of injustice to begin with.”
Kyle apparently wanted to study nursing or law at the university and wanted to keep a ‘low profile.’
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
MAN DOWN
Pretty much exhausted guy in a Walmart floor
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Sam Hung
Meet Sam You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSFW!
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