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Tag: racism

  • Ballet Star Nayara Lopes Claims Teacher Applied Makeup to Lighten Her Skin Before Pivotal Performance

    Ballet Star Nayara Lopes Claims Teacher Applied Makeup to Lighten Her Skin Before Pivotal Performance

    One of America’s leading ballet dancers shared her truth on Thursday night, reflecting on how 14 years ago, a teacher applied makeup to lighten her skin before a crucial performance. Nayara Lopes, a principal dancer with the Philadelphia Ballet and originally from Brazil, recounted her journey to the U.S. in 2011 to audition for the esteemed Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition.

    While participating in a panel at a YAGP event in New York, Lopes stated: “My teacher, before I went on stage, she told me: ‘This is the chance of your life, everybody has spent a lot of money for you to get here… You have to get something!’” She said, “At 14 years old, that’s a lot of pressure… And she painted me white with her makeup, and she said, ‘This is the best way you’re going to get a chance.”

    Misty Copeland, who made history in 2015 as the first Black principal dancer at the American Ballet Theater, was also part of the panel. Lopes reflected on her experience, stating that she “accepted it” at the time. “Now, I think back: How can you normalize this?,” she remarked during the “Classical Ballet Pantomime: The Evolution of Choreography” event at the New York Public Library of the Performing Arts.

    “I would do anything to change my life, to help my family — but now, as a dancer, I don’t want to be the dancer that did it because she had makeup on. I want to be the dancer who’s good enough to do it as myself,” she added. Larissa Saveliev, YAGP’s founder and artistic director, told Page Six: “The moment Nayara stepped on stage her talent was obvious. YAGP saw her impeccable technique, strong training, and the artistry in her movement. Her performance spoke for itself and she won the 2011 Grand Prix Award, at YAGP Regionals in South Carolina.” 

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

    https://twitter.com/PageSix/status/1893455296191750366

  • Former Thai Prime Minister Sparks Outrage After Suggesting White-Skinned Thai Women Should Get Jobs Dark-Skinned African Women Are Securing

    Former Thai Prime Minister Sparks Outrage After Suggesting White-Skinned Thai Women Should Get Jobs Dark-Skinned African Women Are Securing

    Former #Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is facing widespread criticism after making controversial comments about Thai and African women during a political rally last week. 

    Thaksin, whose daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra currently holds the prime ministerial position, suggested Thai women should be securing modeling jobs that, in his view, are disproportionately going to African women, Scmp.com reports.

    “African people, who have black skin and flat noses that make it difficult to breathe, are hired for millions of baht to be models,” he reportedly made during a speech aimed at promoting Thailand’s global competitiveness, have been condemned as racially insensitive and dismissive of diversity in international industries.

    “Thai women are beautiful, elegant, and refined,” Thaksin reportedly said to a crowd of supporters. “It’s disappointing to see modeling jobs go to Africans when our women could represent Asia with pride.”

    Critics have been swift to respond, with activists and public figures calling the comments inappropriate and out of touch.

    “This kind of rhetoric is harmful and rooted in outdated stereotypes,” said Nontawat Chaiwut, a #Bangkok-based political analyst. 

    “It damages Thailand’s reputation as a nation that values diversity and equality.”

  • FBI Investigating Racist Text Messages Targeting Young Black People Across The Country

    FBI Investigating Racist Text Messages Targeting Young Black People Across The Country

    The FBI is currently investigating claims of racist text messages being circulated to individuals across the nation, following Donald Trump‘s election victory, per WSBTV. 

    One message sent to a 13-year-old in the metro Atlanta area read,

    “Hello. I am one of Donald Trump’s associates and your cotton-picking sessions are from 6 am to 8 pm. You’d be dropped out of school and be a full-time cotton picker making 75 cents an hour, sounds good?”

    Numerous similar messages have been reported across the country.

    The young boy told a local reporter from WSBTV that he was scared when he got the text,

    “That I was going to get picked up out of school and have to pick cotton in slavery,”

    he said. Law enforcement agencies are now investigating similar cases in Alabama, Virginia, South Carolina, and metro Atlanta.

    Another mass message was sent out that read:

    “Greetings. You have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation. Be ready at 12AM NOVEMBER 13 SHARP with your belongings. Our executive slaves will come get you on a bus. Be prepared to be searched down once you’ve entered the plantation. You are in Plantation Group B.”

    An FBI spokesperson said that Washington officials at the national headquarters have been informed.

    “The FBI is aware of the offensive and racist text messages sent to individuals around the country and is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities on the matter. As always, we encourage members of the public to report threats of physical violence to local law enforcement authorities.”

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • Onsite! Exclusive: Maxine Waters Responds To Donald Trump’s Recent Comments About Immigrants Taking ‘Black Jobs,’ Says ‘That’s Racism’

    Onsite! Exclusive: Maxine Waters Responds To Donald Trump’s Recent Comments About Immigrants Taking ‘Black Jobs,’ Says ‘That’s Racism’

    Onsite! spoke to United States representative #MaxineWaters at the 30th annual #EssenceFestival where she spoke about Donald Trump’s recent comments about immingrants taking “black jobs.”

    #Clique, do we agree?

  • Philadelphia Barbershop Owner Arrested After Fatally Shooting Neighbor Who Called Him The N-Word, Reports Say

    Philadelphia Barbershop Owner Arrested After Fatally Shooting Neighbor Who Called Him The N-Word, Reports Say

    Maurice Byrd, aged 41, has been arrested and charged with the murder of Stephen Strassburg, aged 37. The incident took place outside Razor Reese’s Salon and Spa in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, per NBC Philadelphia. 

    According to a news release from Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele and Hatboro Police Chief Mark Ruegg, Strassburg was found by Hatboro police officers in the salon’s parking lot on Saturday, June 8, 2024. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. 

    Police reports state that Strassburg was shot in the face, shoulder, and back. The details were revealed in a criminal complaint obtained by NBC10 on Monday.

    “A joint investigation into the homicide by Montgomery County Detectives and Hatboro Police found that there was an ongoing dispute between the defendant and the victim, who lived above Razor Reese’s, which is owned by Byrd,”

    the DA’s office and police said in an initial news release.

    Byrd told the 911 operator that he was being

    “verbally assaulted”

    by a white man who was calling him a

    “dirty N-word,”

    according to the affidavit of probable cause.

    “While on the phone with the 911 dispatcher, Strassburg can be heard saying ‘what are you going to do, you going to shoot me (N-word),’”

    the criminal complaint said.

    “Byrd then says, ‘I just had to shoot him,’”

    the criminal complaint continued.

    “The dispatcher asks, ‘did you hit him’ to which Byrd responds, ‘yes I did.’”

    “Strassburg did not have a weapon at the time of the shooting,”

    authorities said. Maurice Byrd has been arrested on charges of first-degree murder, third-degree murder, and possession of a weapon. Court records indicate that he is currently being held in jail without the option of bail.

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • ‘Raising Kanan’ Star, Wendell Pierce, Says He Faced Discrimination When Apartment Hunting, ‘Racism and Bigotry Are Real’

    ‘Raising Kanan’ Star, Wendell Pierce, Says He Faced Discrimination When Apartment Hunting, ‘Racism and Bigotry Are Real’

    Actor Wendell Pierce recently spoke out about experiencing racism in America. The star of

    “Power Book II: Raising Kanan”

    shared his frustration after being denied an apartment rental due to his race. Pierce condemned those who engage in discriminatory practices. 

    He took to his social media, X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his disappointment and highlight the injustice he faced, despite his successful career.

    “For those of you who don’t understand my righteous anger; I’m on 2 TV series, ELSBETH and RAISING KANAN. I’m filming SUPERMAN. Two years ago, I finished the fourth season of JACK RYAN. Last year I finished a run on Broadway in DEATH OF A SALESMAN. Even with my proof of employment, bank statements and real estate holdings, a white apartment owner DENIED my application to rent the apartment…..in Harlem, of all places,”

    he wrote. 

    “Racism and bigots are real. There are those who will do anything to destroy life’s journey for Black folks. When you deny our personal experiences, you are as vile and despicable,”

    he went on to add. The entertainer shared his experience to shed light on a recent court case that blocked funding for a Black-owned business supporting Black women entrepreneurs. 

    The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals controversially ruled against the Atlanta-based Fearless Fund, which provides grants and mentorship to help Black women expand their businesses. The court’s 2-1 decision deemed the fund’s contest unconstitutional, with opponents citing a Reconstruction-era civil rights law, Section 1981, as their defense. 

    Wendell Pierce wrote in another post,

    “While I appreciate the response to my own personal experience of discrimination in housing, I only mentioned it as an example of the insidious nature of bigotry. This court decision is profoundly more disturbing and injurious. CALL TO ACTION.” 

    And followed up in another post,

    “SYSTEMATIC RACISM IS A CHRONIC DEBILITATING AND DESTRUCTIVE FORCE IN AMERICA. To ignore it is revisionist history. All progress in this country is because of those people of goodwill who fight against it and illuminate it. The Fearless Fund Case is a perfect example.”

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • Utah School District To Pay $2M Settlement After 10-Year-Old Girl Tragically Took Her Life Following School Bullying

    Utah School District To Pay $2M Settlement After 10-Year-Old Girl Tragically Took Her Life Following School Bullying

    In a recent development, a Utah school district has agreed to pay a settlement of $2 million to the family of Isabella ‘Izzy’ Tichenor, a 10-year-old Black autistic girl who tragically took her life after enduring relentless harassment from her classmates, FOX News reported.

    The family held the school officials responsible for their inadequate response to reports of racial and disability-based bullying. The Davis School District, with a student body that is less than 1% Black, announced the settlement on Tuesday.

    According to the lawsuit, Izzy, who was the only Black student in her class at Foxboro Elementary School in North Salt Lake, was subjected to severe bullying. Her classmates repeatedly used racial slurs, ridiculed her for her autism, and made derogatory comments about her hygiene. The family had reported the bullying to teachers and administrators, but no effective action was taken to address the issue.

    In response to Izzy’s death, Utah lawmakers passed legislation mandating that districts track reported cases of bullying and racism in schools. Izzy’s mother, Brittany Tichenor-Cox, highlighted the deep-rooted racism prevalent in the predominantly white state. Initially, the district defended its handling of the bullying allegations, but an independent investigation was subsequently launched.

    Although the investigation found no direct evidence of racial or disability-based bullying, it confirmed several aspects of the family’s account and revealed the mistreatment of Izzy by the staff. As a result, policy changes, including training to effectively address and monitor bullying incidents, were recommended.

    The settlement amount of $2 million was approved on Tuesday by a committee responsible for overseeing settlements at the Utah Legislature.

    On Tuesday, the district issued a public apology and announced a separate $200,000 settlement with three Black students who said they faced daily discrimination.

    “Any form of racism, bigotry, discrimination, or harassment within our schools is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The district encourages anyone who observes a student or staff member being harassed or bullied to report it right away.”

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • White Woman In Blackface Harasses Target and Starbucks Customers In Colorado With Disturbed Rants

    White Woman In Blackface Harasses Target and Starbucks Customers In Colorado With Disturbed Rants

    Former Colorado postal worker, Ersilia Campbell, was recorded on video displaying racist behavior at an Aurora Target store and Starbucks. 

    A video acquired by TMZ shows Campbell entering Target with her face smeared with dark makeup, engaging in irrational rants about

    “whiteface”

    and politics.

    “Lester Holt did ‘whiteface’ and nobody said s–t,”

    the video captures Campbell responding to an employee who confronted her regarding the offensive face paint.

    She reportedly demanded to see the store’s Pride section and was noticeably upset when employees informed her that Pride Month had concluded in June.

    “Oh, I thought they were celebrating this and they took our flag forever, no?”

    Campbell responded, seemingly alluding to the rainbow flag that is commonly associated with LGBTQIA+ Pride.

    “I don’t shop at Target,”

    she said as she walked out of the store.

    However, Campbell’s unsettling and racially offensive conduct did not end there. Later the same day, she uploaded a self-recorded video from a nearby Starbucks where she continued to display her face painted in black and wore a Mickey Mouse shirt decorated with Donald Trump campaign stickers.

    “I never treat myself to Starbucks since the post office got rid of me,”

    she said.

    “Trump is coming … I’m showing my t–ies,”

    she teased, leaning back to show off the two stickers.

    According to TMZ, Campbell’s LinkedIn profile states that she held the position of operations supervisor at the United States Postal Service, however, she was terminated in February.

    In the Starbucks video, Campbell announced that she was on her

    “way to the post office for a job,”

    claiming,

    “they will never recognize my picture now,”

    as she giggled maniacally, referring to the blackface.

    TMZ obtained a photo showing a bulletin distributed by USPS to its current employees, which identified Campbell as a trespasser. This alarming incident has raised concerns about racial intolerance and inappropriate behavior.

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?

  • New Florida ‘Black History’ Curriculum Teaches Slavery Had ‘Personal Benefits’

    New Florida ‘Black History’ Curriculum Teaches Slavery Had ‘Personal Benefits’

    A new curriculum for African American history certified by the Florida Board of Education includes a lesson that teaches slavery had

    “personal benefits”

    because it taught slaves

    “useful skills,”

    according to the NY Post. 

    The Florida State Board of Education’s new standards will teach students how

    “slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit,”

    according to a 216-page document posted by the Florida Department of Education.

    Tallahassee Democrat and board member Ben Gibson said he received letters from 11 organizations, including the NAACP and the Florida Education Association, accusing the state of exploiting

    “key historical facts about the Black experience.”

    However, according to Andrew Spar, president of the union, the curriculum is meant to do the opposite.

    “How can our students ever be equipped for the future if they don’t have a full, honest picture of where we’ve come from? Florida’s students deserve a world-class education that equips them to be successful adults who can help heal our nation’s divisions rather than deepen them,”

    Spar said in a statement. 

    The news comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis’

    “Stop WOKE Act”

    in 2022, which oversees the content educators teach in schools and workplaces.

    “Gov. DeSantis is pursuing a political agenda guaranteed to set good people against one another, and in the process, he’s cheating our kids,”

    Spar said.

    “They deserve the full truth of American history, the good and the bad.”

    #Clique, what are your thoughts? 

  • Yale Physician Says All Doctors Should Be Required To Wear Bodycams After Witnessing Several Encounters Of Black Patients Being Mistreated

    Yale Physician Says All Doctors Should Be Required To Wear Bodycams After Witnessing Several Encounters Of Black Patients Being Mistreated

    A Yale University physician says hospitals should mandate doctors to wear body cameras after experiencing several racist encounters from some of her colleagues, according to the Daily Mail. 

    Dr. Amanda Calhoun, who is a third-year resident doctor at Yale, said she has seen racist behavior coming from her colleagues toward black patients.

    “I have witnessed countless racist behaviors toward Black patients, often coupled with conscious and cruel statements,”

    Calhoun, wrote in a recent opinion piece for The Boston Globe.

    “I have heard White nurses joke that young Black children will probably join gangs and doctors describe the natural hair of Black people as ‘wild’ and ‘unkempt.’”

    The 28-year-old who described herself as an

    “expert in the mental health effects of anti-Black racism,”

    said in the article that she had

    “seen Black patients unnecessarily physically restrained.”

    She added,

    “I have stood in the emergency department as a Black teenager died from a gunshot wound while White staff chuckled, saying he was ‘just another criminal.’”

    Dr. Calhoun said she urges medical institutions to implement body and to ensure a safer and more liable work environment.

    “Monitoring the actions of individuals can result in self-checking behavior,”

    she wrote.

    “If we want to see a reduction in poor health outcomes for Black patients, we must hold health care professionals accountable in real time.”

    #Clique, what are your thoughts?