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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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Simone Biles torn apart after giving George Strait’s wife a ‘vulgar look’ while fans came to her defense

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Did Olympic gymnast Simone Biles cut George Strait’s wife’s eyes on the Country Music Awards?

Some people think so after a viral video of Biles, 27, showing her frustration within the audience on the 58th annual CMA Awards on November 20.

In several clips circulating online, the 27-year-old gave Strait’s wife, Norma Strait, a “dirty look” on the annual awards show where her husband was honored with the John Paul II Lifetime Achievement Award. Willie Nelson.

The seven-time Olympic gold medalist asked viewers if she had glanced out of the corner of her eye on the Lifetime Achievement Award winner’s wife through the 2024 CMA Awards. (Photo: @simonebiles/Instagram)

“Does anyone know if there is a dispute between Simone Biles and George Strait’s wife?” – one in all the X users asked on the evening of this system.

X’s post included a clip of Biles looking nervous as Norma and other attendees danced in the gang on the Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony tribute performance.

The tribute to the “King of Country Music” featured country stars Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum. Additionally, Chris Stapleton joined Strait on stage to walk through the “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” to conclude the segment.

Speculation about Biles’ possible disdain shown on the CMA Awards has turn into a topic of debate online, with fans and critics taking sides in the controversy.

“I watched it live and wondered the same thing, and then death looked up and down, she definitely hated!” answer on X platform he stated.

Original X poster he replied“As long as I’m not the only one who saw it.”

However, the legendary gymnast had her defenders. For example, user X sent“He’s probably just watching her reaction (honestly) without thinking about the cameras.”

“Nothing happened” – another person he argued. “George Strait’s wife doesn’t care about messy things like that. It looks like Simone could have a resting face. She wasn’t the one black person either. There are many Black people in country music, from singers to musicians.

Similar entry To read“I saw it and cringed, it’s just her face, but she should politely decline if she doesn’t like country music.”

Another fan he wrote“She probably saw the camera give attention to George Strait’s wife and just looked around curiously. I do not think she’s giving a mischievous have a look at all, she just looks like she’s noticed that the camera is specializing in the people next to her.

Despite questions on Biles’ on-screen response, the multiple-time world champion expressed her excitement to attend the 2024 CMA Awards on the day of the event.

Biles reposted photos from the evening on her Instagram Story. In one photo, shared by hairstylist Justin Revenge, the Olympic gold medalist showed off the short red dress she wore to the red carpet, in addition to the silver off-the-shoulder dress she wore to the CMA Gala.

The star of the Netflix docuseries “Simone Biles Rising” appeared at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to present the Female Vocalist of the Year award to country singer Lainey Wilson.

Lainey Wilson won the Female Vocalist of the Year category, beating out fellow nominees Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney and Kacey Musgraves.

Biles herself had a successful 12 months as an athlete. The Texas native won 4 medals on the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, bringing her profession total to a record 11 victories for an American gymnast.

However, Vice President Kamala Harris couldn’t replicate Biles’ success because the Democratic presidential candidate in 2024. Harris lost to former President Donald Trump within the nationwide election.

Biles publicly called on current Democratic President Joe Biden to take a stand on behalf of American women before Republican MAGA leader Trump enters the White House on January 20, 2025.

“Mr. Biden, you need to stand up, straighten your back and shake some things up before you go… xoxo women of America,” the Olympian wrote on Twitter on November 6 in response to the election results.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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What do you know about Cynthia Erivo?

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Cynthia Erivo, Wicked, Cynthia Erivo controversy, Black Hollywood, theGrio.com

With the discharge of Wicked fast approaching, it’s protected to say that Cynthia Erivo is on fire straight away.

The film adaptation of the Broadway musical (which is an adaptation of a best-selling novel based on one other novel) is about to open to over $175 million worldwide this weekend, and Erivo has just landed a significant deal.

Universal Pictures has struck a first-look cope with its production company Edith’s Daughter, Deadline reported.

“Having spent the last three years working with Donna Langley, Peter Cramer and the Universal team on Wicked, I have experienced first-hand the love and fearlessness with which they tell stories and uplift narrators,” said Erivo. “I am absolutely delighted to take the next step in our cooperation under our first-look agreement. This is not only a milestone for my production company, but also a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of diverse voices in film. I can’t wait to bring our visions to life and share them with the world!”

However, some could also be just discovering the 37-year-old from Stockwell, London (where she was born right into a family of Nigerian immigrants) or may don’t know about her background and profession to this point. There’s quite a bit to like about the Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner – and much more to grasp beneath the surface. Below we have gathered some things you have to know about Erivo, including some very necessary ones.

He is a Broadway sensation

Before Erivo became a star of the silver screen, she made a reputation for herself on the stage. The actress’ breakthrough role was the role of Celie within the musical adaptation of “The Color Purple” on Broadway. From 2015 to 2017, she delivered critically acclaimed, groundbreaking performances, winning the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

She has played several iconic black characters

Aretha Franklin, Harriet Tubman and Recy Taylor are black American historical figures immortalized on screen by Erivo, who has played all of them in movies. Shortly after her Broadway run in 2017, Erivo played Taylor in “The Rape of Recy Taylor.” She then starred as Tubman within the 2019 film “Harriet.”

In 2021, Erivo played Franklin within the National Geographic anthology “Genius: Aretha”. While critics praised her performance, Franklin’s family had a special tackle the project, claiming she was never consulted and even felt “disrespected” by the production team.

He is a queer icon

Earlier this yr, Erivo received the Schrader Award from the Los Angeles LGBT Center as a self-proclaimed member for her talent and support of the queer community.

“Acknowledging that I am queer publicly – especially in the public eye – means taking a risk to claim my freedom,” she said in her speech through which she agreed to return out as queer later in life. “It seems we prefer to see the world in black and white rather than accept the difficult (but beautiful) complexities of our humanity.”

Although it has never been explicitly confirmed, Erivo has long been considered one half of a fairly powerful Black Hollywood power couple, as she is commonly seen at red carpet events alongside fellow industry heavyweight Lena Waithe.

He has a novel sense of fashion

From shaving her eyebrows to her signature long and ornamental nails, Erivo is understood for her daring sense of fashion. Her uniqueness was even incorporated into her makeup for “Wicked.” The makeup artist used stencils to attract eyebrows and add freckles. Meanwhile, a special shade of green face and body makeup was developed to make Erivo’s melaninated skin appear “clearly” on screen, and the shade was named “Cynthia Green,” the film’s makeup artist said People Magazine. It’s value noting that despite the hours-long application process required day by day for months of filming, she also said that Erivo “never, ever, ever complained.”

She doesn’t suffer fools

Social media was abuzz this week with response to actor/podcast host Dax Shepard’s invasive query about Erivo’s signature elaborate manicure, specifically how he moves through it while using the lavatory. When footage of her interview with Shepard hit the Internet, many individuals were quick to sentence its inappropriateness, asking her how she wipes herself while having very long, jeweled nails.

“My answer is that no one wipes their ass with just their fingers. You use wipes, right? And you wipe it off,” she replied calmly.

Erivo further expressed her annoyance with this query; the one she had exhibited before.

“I understand, it annoys me. Come on, guys,” she said. “I understand, but I’m a functioning adult and I’ve never walked around smelling like… you know.”

People participating within the discussion found this query rude, disgusting and invasive. It can also be, as Erivo identified, unoriginal. In response to this viral exchange, some have responded by demonstrating how they adapt these very human processes to long fingernails – and shockingly, it’s just about the identical process we have all been doing since potty training. It’s really not that complicated.

Cynthia Erivo Recalls Her Reaction to Fan-Made 'Wicked' Poster: 'I Probably Should have Called My Friends'

He has some questionable tweets in his search history

When it was announced in 2018 that Erivo would play Harriet Tubman within the biopic “Harriet,” the British actress’s seemingly problematic comments made years earlier about the language of Black Americans inevitably resurfaced. As previously reported by theGrio, this compounded existing questions about the choice to forged British-born Erivo because the historical African-American hero, given what some perceived as a disdain for African-American culture.

“As for the tweets, they were taken out of context, giving me no room to explain what they meant – and they weren’t actually mocking anyone,” she explained on the time: Complex reported. “It was not intended to be (offensive) at all. It was to celebrate a song I (wrote) when I was 16.”

Speaking further about the controversy during an event on the Toronto International Film Festival, she said: “I actually have never… never spoken negatively about people because I don’t desire to; I don’t desire this energy to be passed on to others.”

She continued: “I do not think it’s good for us in any respect; I do not think it serves any purpose apart from to bring negativity into my life and yours, and I just don’t desire that.

Perhaps he has some tension with the band in “The Color Purple.”

For unknown reasons, Erivo claims she was not invited to a special screening of the musical “The Color Purple” for family and friends, which was also attended by other members of her Broadway forged. It’s a bit strange that the Tony-winning revival star wasn’t on the guest list. When asked about her apparent rejection in the course of the interview and whether it reflected her initial considerations for Celie’s role within the film adaptation, Erivo suggested she couldn’t talk about it.

Despite every little thing, he’s capable of admit his mistake

Erivo can have had mixed emotions previously as a result of questionable comments or her unwavering passion for her craft, but she is ultimately capable of admit when she was incorrect. In the lead-up to Wicked’s premiere, fan-made art got here to light that edited the film’s poster to look more like the unique Broadway Playbill, obscuring Erivo’s direct gaze with the brim of her witch hat. The actress was initially very offended, but later admitted that she can have overreacted.

“I think for me it was a human moment…” she later explained. “I probably should have called my friends, but I’m fine.”

Cynthia Erivo accepts Los Angeles LGBT Center award for speech on freedom to 'be different'

After all, she is an expert

Say what you want, but Cynthia Erivo is robust and talented. He can also be a one that is alleged to place the nice of the team ahead of his personal glory. During a recent appearance on “Cutting room floor” podcast, she described her technique of coming into harmony together with her “Wicked” co-star Ariana Grande and the way the 2 worked together to create a unified sound fairly than resorting to diva-like behavior in an try and outshine one another.

For example, although she and Grande have very different voices, Erivo noted that what they’ve in common is way more necessary.

“I think what connects us is the way we hear music, so we can hear each other,” she explained. “And the beauty of singing with someone who can also hear is that you follow each other back and forth. We can find ways to make our textures and sounds make sense, and that’s really hard with humans.”

Erivo added: “It also signifies that you found someone completely selfless because they care about working with you, and being an element of that’s essentially the most amazing thing. When you find someone who’s committed to creating sound together, (there may be) no ego.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Snoop Dogg Takes Over ‘Amazon Music Live’ in Season 3 Finale – Essence

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Snoop Dogg attends the Los Angeles Premiere of “Gladiator II” held on the TCL Chinese Theater on November 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

When Snoop Dogg takes the stage at Amazon Music Live on November 29, it is the moment hip-hop fans have been waiting for. The West Coast legend ends Season 3 with a performance that guarantees to be nothing in need of legendary.

Airing after Black Friday Football at 7pm EST on Prime Video and Twitchthe show will showcase his expansive musical journey, combining chart toppers with deep cuts that defined a complete generation.

Sponsored by the brand new 2025 Nissan Kicks, fans can expect an exclusive first hearken to songs from his upcoming album ‘Missionary’, which might be released next month. The announcement comes at a critical point in Snoop’s profession and marks the following evolution of an artist who moves seamlessly between music, acting and entrepreneurship.

(*3*)Snoop Dogg takes over

Amazon Music Live has change into a powerhouse of musical innovation, and Snoop’s final performance epitomizes what it’s all about. Throughout Season 3, the series featured standout moments from artists resembling Jelly Roll, who brought together country and rock stars for an epic performance, and Big Sean, who paid tribute to historically black colleges and universities together with his breathtaking tribute .

For those that wish to have fun in advance and luxuriate in the final word Snoop experience, Amazon Music has REDISCOVER Snoop Dogg playlist it’s the proper foundation. It’s a musical time capsule chronicling his journey from the Long Beach underground scene to world-famous superstardom. Each track tells the story of an artist who not only survived in the music industry, but fundamentally modified it.

With 16 Grammy nominations to his name, Snoop continues to prove that he’s greater than only a rapper – he’s a real entertainment icon. His influence extends far beyond music, touching on film, television, cannabis culture and entrepreneurship. The Black Friday performance might be the following chapter in a profession defined by constant reinvention.

The performance isn’t only about music – it’s also a presentation of, amongst others, recent nissan kicks 2025. As an official sponsor of Amazon Music Live, the compact crossover was integrated throughout the season, giving fans a glimpse of its modern style and advanced technologies through pre-show and in-person experiences on the show.

For those in the Los Angeles area, a limited variety of tickets can be found from DICE. But for everybody else, Prime Video and Twitch will bring the magic of Doggfather right to your screen. It’s a probability to see a living legend in top form, delivering a performance that guarantees to be as unpredictable and electrifying as Snoop himself.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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