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How South Carolina women’s basketball became the Great Black Hope

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Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed and the views expressed are those of the writer. read more opinions on Grio.

On July 4, 1910, exactly 134 years after the founding fathers unanimously proclaimed their belief that each one men are created equal, American white sports fans took it back.

A Black West Virginian who was “cornered by the crowd and hanged” was certainly one of a whole bunch of Black people across the country who were attacked, shot or killed during certainly one of the deadliest race riots in history. AND New York a mob beat a Negro to death; one other blocked the door to an apartment constructing in the Black neighborhood and set it on fire. An Omaha, Nebraska man was strangled to death in a barber’s chair. 1st century Houston“Charles Williams, a Negro fighting enthusiast, was cut from ear to ear on a streetcar by a white man because the Negro announced too loudly that he appreciated Jack Johnson’s victory at Reno.”

The Great White Hope he lost.

Black joy inspiring racial hatred just isn’t distinctive Johnson-Jeffries race riots. Despite what a “cowardly dog” expert he’s. Emmanuel Acho believes that nothing in American society has ever been “gender neutral” or “race neutral.” Like politics, music and each aspect of American culture, American sports have all the time had a racial element. After Jackie Robinson broke the color line with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Black baseball fans in other cities, they flocked to Dodgers games. NFL gentlemen’s agreement limiting the variety of black players allowed the fledgling American Football League to achieve a stronghold, ultimately resulting in an interleague matchup generally known as the “Super Bowl” University rivalry between 1979 Most Outstanding Player, Magic Johnson and “Great White Hope“Larry Bird ushered in a new era of professional basketball.

So when the University of South Carolina faced the University of Iowa on Sunday in the NCAA women’s basketball championship, everyone knew which African American team wanted to win. In most team competitions, there are usually only two sides; Black Americans are no different than other sports fans. In a country where there has never been a level playing field, it’s understandable why black Americans root for quarterbacks, coaches and players who look like them and share a common ancestry. Identifying with someone because they look similar to you or have the same heritage is not necessarily racist.

The same goes for white people.

While people who “see no color” (except Celtic green and shades of the Confederate flag) think that talking about race will melt the polar ice caps, it’s great to acknowledge the individual cultural, racial and ethnic differences that make up the American tapestry. It’s natural that white people wanted Caitlin Clark to emerge victorious. And with more white people in the country, it’s no mystery how a white Midwestern “girl next door” on a majority-white team in a predominantly white state became the darling of her sport. Plus, Clark is really, really good. Blacks didn’t share the new Great White Hope of women’s hoops any more than they hated Jim Jeffries, the Celtics, or the Green Bay Packers; they just rooted for all the black people.

Moreover, it’s not Caitlin Clark’s fault that white people went too far. White America turning Iowa’s opponents into villains to justify its fandom was not of its making. She likely disagreed with Los Angeles Times columnist Ben Bolch, who referred to the LSU Tigers as “dirty debutantes” and the social media trolls who called the Gamecocks “Poor college franchise” Clark did not ask her followers to demonize black women as “ghetto” and “classless” as Angel Reese mocked her trash-talking opponent. The Iowa players had nothing to do with it CNN’s post-game headline mentioning Caitlin Clark as a substitute of this Most outstanding player, Kamilla Cardoso. Clark didn’t tweet obscenely racist insults towards SC coach Dawn Staley and its players; her fans did it. Clark is probably still wondering where the hell all these Iowa fans came from.

Honestly, the passengers on the Caitlin Clark train appreciate her for altruistic reasons. Describing her college achievements would require a separate article, but she is worthy of every accolade she has received. Her admirers have legitimate reasons to call her the greatest college basketball player of all time. However, there is no denying that white privilege adds to the legend of Caitlin Clark. While it turned out to be excellent, the “mainstream appeal” it enjoys is a reflection of white America’s admiration for one of their own.

Perhaps that’s where the confusion comes from. The exercise of white privilege is not necessarily racist; it’s natural. Just as Clark didn’t ask referees to call a last-minute foul that helped her team defeat a Final Four opponent, there are white people in the classrooms and suites of Ivy League executives who had no say in creating the systemic advantages that fueled them towards your goals. It’s not their fault that America has built a pedestal to exalt whiteness.

However, due to history and lived experiences, Black fans are acutely aware of the racial dynamics at play. For them, the Gamecocks’ perfect season is made more admirable when you consider how they have handled the combination of hate, sexism and white supremacy. Black women’s college basketball fans rooted for Staley’s team in the same way that previous generations of black sports enthusiasts had rallied around the Dodgers, Lakers or Kansas City Chiefs. They recognize the resentment associated with the pursuit of Black excellence. Even the prospect can unite the country into a nationwide murderous mob. It can cause an entire nation to reject history, truth and democracy itself.

Ultimately, sports are only a microcosm of society. No matter how hard we try, history cannot level the playing field where there is competition. This is why Black America exploded with joy after New York Times he predicted that the black heavyweight champion would cause “his unwitting brothers… to misinterpret his victory as justifying a claim to greater than mere physical equality with their white neighbor.” That’s also the reason Edward L. Blackshear, the president of historically Black Prarie View A&M College, pleaded with the boxing commission to cancel the Johnson-Jeffries fight a day after the Los Angeles Times published a racist article. “But if Johnson wins, anti-Negro sentiment will quickly and dangerously turn into a ready counterattack to any unwarranted display of Negro joy.” – Blackshear he wrote. “Racial prejudice is already severe enough in the United States. The fight should be canceled.”

And no, Caitlin Clark didn’t ask for any of that. She didn’t want to become America’s Great White Hope, just as Black America didn’t want to bear the burden of white supremacy. However, Clark’s status as “delicate star” is an element of the privilege he enjoys. Meanwhile, Angel Reese, the tournament’s reigning Most Outstanding Player, was reduced to the role of “the one who mocks” in an epic battle of “good versus evil.” For many black fans, that is yet one more example of the hidden bigotry that black women carry in silence.

In former NBA player and college basketball legend Rex Chapman’s memoir, “I’m Hard to Live With,” the high-flying basketball prodigy tells a story about “the worst thing he’s ever heard.” As a highschool sophomore, Chapman realized why his all-white basketball team “never plays in a half-full gym.” One night, a big, rugged-looking white man with an extended “ZZ-Top” beard hugged Chapman after a game in rural Kentucky as in the event that they were old friends. While the man was trying to precise why he loves watching Chapman, the remark also illustrates America’s admiration for Caitlin Clark, the privilege that whiteness affords, and the casual bigotry that blackness inspires – even on the most equal terms of all.

“I love watching you play,” the stranger said.

“You play like a nigger, but you can be white.”


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Ben Affleck’s dramatic transformation after his breakup with Jennifer Lopez worries fans

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Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are individually trying to take care of a way of normalcy after their second public breakup.

The “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” singer filed for divorce in August, and a number of weeks later, the previous couple was spotted together in a hotel with their children. However, plainly the Marvel actor continues to be moving away from her.

Affleck moved out of the home they shared, which was put up on the market in July.

On Wednesday, September 25, paparazzi photographed him leaving a rental property in Brentwood, California, where he had been staying for about two months before announcing his split from Lopez. In July, he finalized the acquisition of a brand new $20 million home in Los Angeles.

Fans have been shocked by Ben Affleck’s apparent weight reduction since Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce last month. (Photos: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for SXSW) @jlo/Instagram; Harrison/Getty Images for SXSW)

The “Daredevil” star was recently seen in photos published by The Daily Mail wearing khaki pants and a green button-down shirt as employees from moving company Wetzel and Sons moved boxes. On one you possibly can see him walking on the road.

The outfit appears, satirically, to be similar to the one Affleck wore in March 2020. He had a much larger, muscular construct then. Green Frank & Eileen shirt later reappeared in April, but this time it was worn by Affleck, then-actress and girlfriend of Ana de Armas.

It’s unclear why Affleck was wearing an analogous T-shirt on moving day or whether it was his favorite.

However, fans seemed a bit concerned about his appearance, noting that he had apparently lost some weight. The 52-year-old’s figure looked noticeably slimmer than usual, and his face also appeared thinner. But for some, there was more concern than praise over his apparent weight reduction.

One person wrote within the comments on Facebook: “He looks sickly.” post depicting images. Another said: “He’s wrong, that’s sad.”

Others reacting to Affleck’s latest look couldn’t help but mention the “Enough” actress.

The third person said: “He looks old. Jlo looks great. It should limit the losses. I don’t understand why gorgeous women like this guy. A fourth said: “He looks higher now, he at all times looked drunk,” misspelling the word “drunk.”

Affleck’s public battle with alcohol began within the early 2000s, including three stints in rehab during his marriage to Jennifer Garner, his ex-wife and mother of his three children. He openly discussed the difficulties of coping with the divorce of his mother and father, whom he described as “alcoholic

He was 12 years old when his parents split up, but as he grew older, Hollywood friends like Matt Damon and his brother Casey helped him fight each of them.

“I actually have accomplished treatment for alcohol addiction; something I actually have dealt with prior to now and can proceed to deal with. I need to live my life to the fullest and be the very best father I might be,” Affleck wrote Facebook after leaving treatment in 2017. “I want my children to know that there is no shame in asking for help when you need it, and to be a source of strength for anyone who needs help but is afraid to take the first step. ”

He continued: “I am lucky to have the love of my family and friends, including my co-parent Jen, who supported me and took care of our children as I pursued the work I set out to do. This was the first of many steps taken towards a positive economic recovery.”

Two years after their first visit to rehab, Affleck and Lopez began their romance after starring together within the 2003 film “Gigli.”

At the time, Lopez was still married to her then-husband Cris Judd, but she filed for divorce in July 2002, citing irreconcilable differences. In November of the identical yr, she was engaged to Affleck. They postponed their wedding in 2003, and by January 2004, they canceled it altogether as a consequence of the pressure of excessive media attention.

The two parties went their separate ways, married other people and had children, but got back together in 2021 once they each ended their relationships later that yr.

In August 2022, Lopez and Affleck got married in Vegas, followed by a surprise wedding in Georgia a month later.

Everything seemed superb until it wasn’t and by August 2024, Lopez filed for divorce, noting that they’d been separated since April. It looks like the 2 try to maintain peace with one another while living apart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JUXUQGJWLM


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Does Janet Jackson get a pass for her comments about Kamala Harris’ race? — Andlandscape

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Down quote podcast host Rachel Lindsay: “It’s been a rough week for the Jacksons.”

September 15 Tito Jackson, founding father of the Jackson 5 died on the age of 70 after a heart attack. September 21 published extensive interview with singer Janet Jackson about motherhood, growing up in such a famous family and the upcoming presidential election in 2024. The artist, who rarely took fans by the side of her legendary velvet rope, made the news after questioning the racial background of presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. This move left many wondering how such a beloved black icon may very well be so out of touch with reality and why he was not held accountable for spreading lies.

When I first heard Jackson say Harris wasn’t black, I immediately dismissed it as one other social media lie. After all, this election season has been filled with bots, misleading memes and disinformation campaigns on X, formerly often called Twitter. So, seeing tweets circulating through which one of the famous black pop stars on the earth disparaged the primary black woman nominated for the best political office within the United States didn’t immediately alarm me. But then I saw the link to the article and skim it myself.

And yes…Janet said that sh….

Asked what she thought about the potential of Harris making history, Jackson replied: “You know what they allegedly said? She’s not black. That’s what I heard. That she is Indian. When a reporter told her Harris was of black and South Asian descent, Jackson replied: “Her father is white. That’s what I was told. I mean, I haven’t watched the news in a few days. I was told they discovered her father was white.”

Predictably, Jackson’s comments caused a stir on social media. Both Harris supporters and opponents he gave the singer grace for being flawed or using her words to proceed attacking the vp. co-host Whoopi Goldberg felt that Jackson’s comments were simply a mistake. “Sometimes people make mistakes and are flawed! They made a mistake; they were flawed. “It happens” Goldberg said on the show.

But this will not be a easy “mistake”. Jackson didn’t misspel Harris’s name or discover her running mate. Instead, she repeated a right-wing conspiracy theory that seeks to discredit Harris by questioning her racial identity. As the mother of a biracial child (she has a son with her ex-husband, Qatari business executive Wissam Al Mana) – and aunt to several others – Jackson should know firsthand that Black people will be multiracial and multicolored. And yet, the singer seemed confused about Harris, even after being informed that the Democratic nominee was indeed Black.

Of course, Jackson could easily set the record straight by issuing a statement regarding her comments, but up to now that hasn’t happened. Someone allegedly connected to the singer shared an apology on Jackson’s behalf on Buzzfeed, but Jackson’s camp quickly quashed it by calling out “unauthorized”.

This begs the query: if Jackson’s team can respond so quickly to a false apology, why hasn’t she corrected her erroneous statements about Harris?

Some point to the death of her brother Tito as the rationale for Jackson’s lack of explanation, but while the family continues to grieve, the singer’s representatives still had time to reject the false apology. Others identified her older brother and manager Randy Jackson’s support for right-wing ideas as the rationale why Jackson repeated this plot so easily. Either way, Jackson is an adult who has been a star for most of his life. She’s not a child who doesn’t know higher. After five a long time within the industry, she knows tips on how to cope with public relations mistakes, so her decision to stay silent leads us to an uncomfortable truth: Jackson must either imagine what she said about Harris, or she is totally divorced from the fact and consequences of those statements. elections are for black people.

The Jackson siblings grew up as Jehovah’s Witnesses, a religion that counsels its members to not vote or engage in politics. To that end, Jackson has never been directly involved politically — although she hasn’t campaigned for any candidate she actually expressed her support former President Barack Obama just months into his first term in 2009. Still, she needs to be held accountable for spreading disinformation about Harris and refusing to correct her testimony. We have sued others for similar mistakes, reminiscent of rapper Meek Mill for repeating debunked ideas on Harris as California prosecutor, model Amber Rose for claiming the vp is “giving in to black people” or NFL player Sauce Gardner for being apolitical at a time when the stakes are just too high for Black people. So Jackson shouldn’t be excluded because she is near us. She must be called out – lovingly, after all – because telling a reporter “you heard” that Harris’ dad was white is solely unacceptable, especially in 2024.

To be clear, Jackson doesn’t should get involved in politics. I’d relatively she didn’t try this if she was going to be so ill-informed about the fundamental facts. But while we still love Jackson – and we’ll proceed to follow her in it ongoing fan war with singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake — if she begins to publicly wade into political waters, she’s going to have to do her homework and take control of her voice and voices.

Britni Danielle is senior culture editor at Andscape. As a die-hard Lakers fan, she looks forward to the day once they win another championship than the Boston Celtics.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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LeBron teams up with Bronny for Lakers workout

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LeBron James Bronny James, LeBron James Lakers, Bronny James Lakers, did LeBron James retire?, who drafted Bronny James?, Did the Lakers pick Bronny James?, Will Bronny James play in the NBA?, Who did Bronny James get drafted by?, Is LeBron still in the NBA?, does lebron james still play basketball?, Who is the oldest player in the NBA? theGrio.com

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — LeBron James and his son Bronny are already training with the remainder of the Los Angeles Lakers during voluntary offseason workouts. JJ Redick and his coaching staff are planning and discussing a moment early in the brand new season when father and son will share an NBA court for the primary time.

While the small print of that historic day are still unknown, Redick shares the basketball world’s anticipation of watching the perfect scorer in NBA history play next to Lakers’ recent second-round draft pickNo father and son have ever played within the NBA at the identical time, let alone on the identical team.

“We don’t have anything planned, per se, in terms of a commitment to do it that way,” Redick said. “We’ve obviously talked about it as a staff and we’ve worked out some details of what that might look like, but we haven’t committed to anything, and obviously there’s a discussion to have once we’re all together, with Bronny and LeBron as well. They should be part of that discussion as well.”

Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka expressed their excitement in regards to the partnership during Wednesday’s preseason press conference. Redick sees only positives within the duo’s on-court connection and doesn’t anticipate any friction or concerns within the family dynamic.

“I don’t see it as a challenge any different than any other challenge of coaching a player or coaching a relationship,” Redick said.

Pelinka then jokingly threw in an anecdote from a recent practice: “Maybe the challenge is Bronny, when, like in our exhibition game, he got plugged into LeBron, and LeBron took him baseline, up and under the glass. The words they exchanged afterward were probably harder than anything.”

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The Lakers haven’t announced or made a call on how long Bronny, who turns 20 during training camp, will play on the NBA roster alongside his famous father, who turns 40 in December.

Although the front office has not confirmed it, Bronny James will likely spend a lot of the upcoming season within the G League developing his skills. He played in just 25 games during his lone season on the University of Southern California after recovery after cardiac arrest during off-season training.

Pelinka and Redick remain very optimistic in regards to the 6-foot-11 Bronny’s ability to play within the NBA.

“Bronny, I feel very fortunate to coach him because he’s young and hungry and has a lot of natural ability that we can really mold into a really good NBA player,” Redick said. “And he’s a fantastic kid. He’s incredibly coachable. He’s got the right spirit and energy every day.”

LeBron James took a vacation after leading the USA to the gold medal on the Olympic Games in Paris, but he’s been back within the gym for two weeks now, Redick said.

According to Pelinka, the Lakers didn’t make any daring moves this summer, limited by the contracts of their top players and the brand new league system that made it rather more difficult to enhance their rosters.

So the Lakers roster across the James family will largely be the identical group that made it to the Western Conference Finals in 2023 but finished eighth within the West last spring before losing to Denver in the primary round. Those Lakers weren’t elite teams, even with the wonderful health of LeBron and Anthony Davis, two veterans with significant mileage who’ve dealt with significant injury issues in previous seasons.

Pelinka said he could be open to moving two tradeable first-round picks if he saw a suggestion that may lead to “sustainable excellence for the Lakers.” He would also move one pick for “a slight improvement if we felt it was the right thing to do.”

Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Jalen Hood-Schifino are healthy for training camp, but not all might be ready for practice next week.

Christian Wood might be re-evaluated in six weeks following surgery on his left knee earlier this month.

Pelinka also revealed that Jarred Vanderbilt, a defensive end who played in just 29 games last season due to a foot injury, underwent successful “procedures” on each feet at the beginning of the offseason. The forward continues to be recovering, but Pelinka said he’s optimistic that Vanderbilt might be able to play on Opening Night on Oct. 22.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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