Celebrity Coverage
March Madness meets Black History: Breaking down barriers and calling out the terrible game of racism

Sarah Stier / Staff / Getty Images
Both the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments generate tens of millions of dollars every year, thanks largely to Black student-athletes. According to Forbes“Black men make up 50% of the 68 teams in the 2024 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. More than one in three student-athletes (36%) in this year’s women’s tournament are black.”
This is a comparatively latest phenomenon, having been occurring for several many years college basketball was essentially an almost exclusively white sport. “Until the 1950s, black people playing on campus courts were rare exceptions.”
This legacy of exclusion had a long-lasting impact. It wasn’t until April 2, 1984, that John Thompson made history when he became the first black coach to win the NCAA984 Basketball Tournament. John Thompson made history when he became the first black coach to win the NCAA basketball tournament while coaching a team Georgetown Hoyas to victory.
But it was bittersweet. As Thompson said ESPN“I may have been the first black person to be given the opportunity to compete for this award because you discriminated against thousands of my ancestors by depriving them of this opportunity.”
“So I felt compelled to define it, and I got a little criticism for saying it because a young guy came up to me and asked, ‘What’s it like, Coach Thompson, to be the first African-American…,’ and I said, “I feel offended by what you say.” But I explained to him because there are various men who’ve been deprived of this chance who would have won it well before me.” Thompson added.
On the women’s side, Kenny Brooks was the first Black head coach, leading Virginia Tech to their first-ever Final Four appearance last yr.
From the Utah women’s basketball team being the victim of racial hate crimes to the racist portrayal of LSU in the media, race has been a serious topic on this yr’s NCAA Tournament.
AND Los Angeles Times the article, which has since been redacted, contained racist and sexist undertones that were likely directed at Black LSU women’s basketball players. Writer Ben Bolch described the Sweet 16 game between UCLA and LSU as a “reckoning” between good and evil and posed the query: “Do you favor America’s sweethearts or her perverted debutants? Milk and cookies or Louisiana hot sauce?
Hailey Van Lith, one of the white players on the team, talked to him New York Post Officecommenting, “We have a lot of black women on our team [and] Unfortunately, this prejudice still exists.”
“Many of the people writing these comments are racist towards my teammates. I’m in a singular situation, I’ll talk nonsense and I’ll get a special response than if an Angel spoke nonsense… Some of the words utilized in this text were very sad and depressing and I didn’t want us to try this read the article before [Sweet 16] because it isn’t appropriate to hearken to such things… Calling us “dirty debutants” has nothing to do with sports.” From Lit added.
Bolch apologized on the Internet where he did so he wrote: “Words matter. As a journalist, no one should know this more than me. But I failed miserably with my choice of words.”
“In my column previewing the LSU-UCLA women’s basketball game, I tried to wisely frame one team’s attitude by using alliteration while failing to understand the deeply offensive connotations and associations. I also used metaphors that were not appropriate. Our society has had to deal with so many layers of misogyny, racism and negativity that I now understand why the words I used were wrong. It was not my intention to cause harm, but I now realize that I missed the mark terribly.”
Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Times removed the offensive language and issued a press release statement stating that it “does not meet the Times’ editorial standards.”
In one study, scientists analyzed March madness college basketball games and found that “stereotypes about skin color and race play a significant role in how announcers describe players during games.” According to a study published in the journal ” American journal of sociology“sport is not an institution immune to racism and, in fact, can play a significant role in shaping beliefs and interpretations about intellectual, physical abilities and performance.”
Celebrity Coverage
Issa Rae, Rashida Jones and Tracee Ellis Ross Talk “Black Mirror” – Essence

Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross and Rashida Jones within the 7 Netflix season “Black Mirror”. Thanks to the kindness of Netflix.
He returns to the seventh season, with the composition of the celebrities, which incorporates Rashida Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross and Issa Rae-wheres enter the strange kingdoms of the science fiction series with an unknown comedy and deep human emotions.
Netflix occupies its own species. The canon of science fiction anthology created by the English author Charlton Brooker (and sometimes satirically educates) viewers about technology that is flexible; Making a full of life life unprofitable in a way that we cannot break away from our devices to get a greater well -being. On April 10, he returns with 6 episodes to its very anticipated recent season. In the episode “Hotel Reverie” presents the actor and author Issa Rae Racing Against the Rolling Credits within the variety of Hollywood. In the episode “ordinary people” they present Rashida Jones and Tracee Ellis Ross, who do all the things to fight their very own human mortality. Due to the extremist, butalistic points of Brooker’s plot, swinging in the outline of how human death comes from our external attachment to technology, works strongly with large doses of dark comedy and indefinite human emotions.

Rae throws a tuxedo on Vintage and replaces the figure of Alex Palmer, a drugs doctor who saves this present day in a fictitious cinema. The winner of the Emmy Award plays Black Woman Stand-in for a white male hero in an imaginary story to alter the recognition of the franchise from Keyworth Pictures. Combining how Rae undermines roles and stories to contain more black perspectives, the meta concept is that “Hotel Reverie” begins with Rae as Brandy Friday, an extended -term actress who tries to find her profession with a daring role after a sense of a drawer through fame. “This period is very limited in terms of what Hollywood does and what they are afraid to expose and risk,” Issa Rae jogs my memory of the Beverly Hills hotel. He bends forward: “I want to get out of the agreement, I just want to do what I want to do when I want to do it.”
The sentiments of the natives in California within the face of the industry relate to the figure of Brandy Friday, who’s on the lookout for creative inspiration and redemption. On Friday, he materializes that the hero with sex switching within the historic IP of the Film Studio within the historic IP of the Film Studio, in keeping with revolutionary progress in AI Tech Service, Redroom. An try to acclimatize to its recent film environment causes a cataclysm change in the unique story that revolves across the star Dorothy (Emma Corrin) and her romantic affinity. “Dorothy and Alex Palmer have long gone, but this does not mean that they have nothing to say about how their images are used and we have to do it,” Rae describes how her character is imported to Vintage of the film, refers back to the early AI technology. “Even when artificial intelligence is fed with a lot of writers in Hollywood scripts,” Issa Rae continues: “All this is finally excluded [us] writers. “

The stakes of the episode change into tragic when Friday fights for survival with time, human nature and the black and white megahit aesthetics from the Nineteen Thirties. In addition, he must follow the plot to remain alive, he does it for the plot for his own safety. In real life, Rae refers to being the foremost film through which she decided to live if she had a likelihood when on a regular basis technology develops.
Like one other character, in “ordinary people”, Rashida Jones (Amanda) is a teacher who suffers from a serious health accident and must use the brain wave technology to proceed to live. Tracee Ellis Ross is Gaynor, a supporter of Rivermind fashion sales, an invasive mental device used to guard the brain against disease. “There is always enthusiasm when it comes to innovation,” says Jones, sitting next to his colleague from Ross in New York. “People who are enthusiastic can be radically opposed to really consider the long tail of innovation. A breakthrough that does not really consider ethical parameters around how it can take place in the real world.”
Gaynor provides Amanda Rivermind, and the creator of the series plays in a way that subscriptions took over our subconscious. Ross’s form balances the morbid tone of the episode, because we experience a household damaged from economic burdens, health terror and high contributions. “When medicine is involved; so technology and science, we are in a sense to believe in it as always a good thing,” Ross enters. “But we must have time to process what is the greater consequences” are a service that priority treats profit in the sphere of human protection.

Both the episodes of “Hotel Reverie” and “ordinary people” include organizations run by women with management reminiscent of Ross and Awkwafina. Brooker joins the evolution of the evolution of technology and science in the best way the characters perceive their distorted reality with the addition of latest progress. Jones and Rae play in a difficult situation who try to adapt to the world around them, falling victim to those that prey to individuals with financial profit. “I often consider mortality,” admits Jones when he was asked in regards to the pain of his character. “I want to be fine with my death. I want to be fine because I can be with the fact that everyone I love, die and accept beauty and reality.”
He examines really gloomy topics that query clouded decisions on the earth during excruciating life moments. Brooker uses a comic book glow that comes from Rae, Jones and Ross, and puts them in mental dilemmas that test their connections with their very own humanity. “Our stories [as Black women] They are so multidimensional and it seems to me that we barely outlined the surface, “says Rae with the sunshine of charisma, despite the tangible rejection, which is to inform more black women’s stories.” This is an exciting part. We have survived so much throughout the story throughout the story, which is not untouched. “
Celebrity Coverage
WNBA star Aliyah Boston’s Best Assist? Showing the properties of young women of black women is achievable – essence

Uncasville, Connecticut – May 14: Aliyah Boston #7 Indiana Fever looks before the match against Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 14, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut. Note for the user: The user clearly confirms and agrees that by downloading and or using this photo, the user agrees to the terms of the Getty Images license agreement. (Photo Elsa/Getty Images)
For many young skilled athletes, life is defined by continuous movement.
They spend hours and weeks at training, away matches and latest team cities, which is not exhausting for the body, but in addition the mind. But the star of WNBA Aliyah Boston finally finds his room and involves put away the roots in Charlotte, North Carolina at the age of only 23 years old.
Indiana fever that earned Rookie of the Year Honors in 2023She was in constant motion since she was 12 years old when she left her family home in the US Virgin Islands to implement basketball possibilities in the United States. Now he takes a distinct type of milestone: home owner.
“Entering my new home in Charlotte and realizing that it was my amazing moment,” says Boston Essence. “There was a deep sense of achievement and independence, knowing that I achieved this milestone.”
Boston’s journey to the owner of the house occurs at a time when such achievement is increasingly beyond the reach of many young Americans. According to Latest data From Zillow, lonely women gene with only 5% of all buyers of houses throughout the country. For Boston, securing her own space is greater than a financial investment.
After transition years – from the Virgin Islands to continental America, through her profession in Southern Carolina, where she led GameCocks to the national championships, to the election of the first in the general classification in 2023 a draft in Indiana Fever – Boston defines what the house means.
“I think there are several meanings,” she explained. “I found out figuratively, that a house is more than a place – it is a sense of comfort and belonging, and I was lucky that in many different places for years.”
For Boston, the process of becoming the owner of the house was not without challenges. Like many buyers for the first time, especially those in the twenties, navigating the mortgages, inspections and closures turned out to be discouraging.
“Moving around the housing market and understanding all details can be overwhelming, especially for young people,” she said. “I learned that you don’t have to do it yourself. Like basketball, you want to gather a team of experts who will support you through this process.”
Boston’s announcement in Boston appears shortly after a colleague WNBA Rising Star Angel Reese made an identical power movement by buying his first house at the age of 22. These young athletes construct generational wealth at the starting of their profession, giving an example to other young black women who can see the owner of the house.
“For my black women generation with, who think that the owner of the house is out of reach, I want to say it’s possible!” Boston emphasized. “Educate about this process, look for resources and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Thanks to determination and appropriate support, you can do it!”
On the pitch, Boston still imprints his trail in the era of WNBA full of young talents. After her outstanding debut season, wherein she On average, 14.5 points and eight.4 rebounds per matchShe considered herself one of the most vital players in the league and defensive anchors.
“It’s really an exciting time in WNBA and women’s sports,” Boston wondered. “We are surrounded by veterans of legends, and at the same time so many talented young players impress their trail. Energy is electric, and fans that in my opinion noticed what was fantastic for the development of the game.”
Asked about her relationship with a colleague from class 2023 Caitlin Clark, who drew unprecedented attention to the league, Boston emphasized cooperation on the competition.
“We make every effort to remain grounded and faithful to who we are. I am blessed that I have a family around me and a team of people who keep me on the right track,” she said. “Caitlin and I have great relationships and we focus on mutual support and raising all women in the league and outside. We are competitive on the pitch and wants to win, but at the end of the day it’s all love.”
WNBA has recorded record turnout and viewership this season, with young stars, resembling Boston, Clark, Reese and others attracting latest women’s basketball recipients. In the case of Boston, this growth appears to be validation of the labor, which she and her peers interjected during their journeys.
Looking back at his path from the Virgin Islands to Wnba Stardom, and now the owner of the house, Boston has a message for the younger self: “Be concentrated and continue to trust God’s plan for you. Every challenge and failure is the opportunity to develop and get closer to your dreams.”
Celebrity Coverage
New music this week: Leon Thomas, Alex Isley, Davido and more – Essence

Happy Friday, people. Now that spring blooms, artists from all genres release amazing music to enrich the attractive weather. From inspired by hip-hop to south to spiritual R&B sounds, the list of recent editions this week has something.
After a 15-12 months break from the music industry, the singer and songwriter, Keri Hilson, return with a brand new album entitled Leon Thomas and Halle Bailey along with “Rather itself” and the star of Afrobeats Davido. On the rap side, Jid Dreamville will present “WRK”, and the moza hits the 18th streets. Today’s list also accommodates music from Alex IsleyWiz Khalifa, Destin Conrad and others.
Look on the summary of the brand new Essence releases below.
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