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Kamala Harris Denies CNN Anchor Presses Her to Answer Donald Trump’s Question About Her Blackness: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Kamala’s Immigrant Parents

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Kamala Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted the Democratic nomination to run for the office of the forty seventh President of the United States, marking a historic moment as the primary Black and South Asian woman to advance in a primary with enough delegates to face the eventual Republican nominee.

Harris is of African and South Asian descent but identifies as black. Her “blackness” has been questioned, despite her parents’ passion for civil rights, which planted the seeds of justice she so strongly touted during her campaign.

Kamala Harris' Parents
Here’s every part you wish to find out about Kamala Harris’ parents. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)

Like former President Barack Obama, she also represents the American dream.

During a recent interview with CNN, Harris asked about Trump’s questioning of her identity and his claim that she was only claiming to be black for political gain.

“The same old, boring instructions,” she told the reporter. “Next question, please.”

For those in need of an education lesson, listed below are the historical roots of Kamala Harris’ parents.

Donald and Shyamala’s Love Story

Harris’s parents, the late Dr. Shyamala Gopalan and Donald J. Harris, exemplify the merging of two distinct cultures.

Shyamala, an Indian immigrant, and Donald, a Jamaican who immigrated to the U.S. with some Irish ancestry, met as undergraduates on the University of California, Berkeley. Their love story began in 1962, once they attended a study group for black students often called the Afro-American Association. Shyamala was easily accepted into the group as an individual of color from one other British colony.

Donald and Shyamala’s connection was immediate. The then 24-year-old Donald was described as charming and attention-grabbing. At one meeting, he performed and gave a speech about his experiences growing up under British colonial rule in Jamaica, and Shyamala was charmed, According to to the New York Times.

After the speech, she introduced herself, which was the start of their acquaintance, which might soon lead to marriage.

“I found all this very interesting and, dare I say, a little charming. We spoke again at the next meeting, and then at another. The rest is history,” Donald recalled.

Within a yr of meeting, the couple were married, changing the course of Shyamala’s life. Initially planning to return to India after college, Shyamala decided to stay in America, starting a family that eventually produced a daughter who broke political barriers.

“I came to UC Berkeley to study. I never came to stay. It’s the old story: I fell in love with a guy, we got married, kids soon followed,” Shyamala once said.

Shyamala and Donald married in 1963. Harris was born in 1964, and her younger sister, Maya Harris, was born in 1967. The children allegedly sang within the choir at a neighborhood black church and lived two houses down from a black-run preschool.

Divorce

Harris’s parents’ marriage, though passionate and seemingly rooted of their shared activism, didn’t last. By 1971, when the longer term vice chairman was almost 5, the couple was divorced.

The former San Francisco district attorney noted in her 2019 memoir, “The Truths We Hold,” that Donald and Shyamala “loved each other very much, but it seemed like they had become like oil and water.” The pressures of their young marriage and demanding careers eventually led to her parents’ separation.

Shyamala took primary responsibility for raising the First Vice President and her younger sister.

Despite the challenges, Shyamala worked tirelessly to provide for her daughters. Harris recalled that her mother would pack lunches early within the morning and help with homework after long days at work. Although the 2 sisters lived primarily with their mother, they spent weekends and summers with their father, who had returned to Northern California to work at Stanford University.

Mother: Shyamala Gopalan

Shyamala, who died of colon cancer in 2009, was born right into a Tamil Brahmin family. As a girl aspiring to study science, her options were limited. Undeterred, she applied to UC Berkeley to pursue a biochemistry degree with a dream of curing cancer. Her father supported her ambitions, using his retirement savings to fund her first yr of faculty.

Harris’s mother, a graduate of the University of Delhi, got here to America when she was just 19.

Shyamali’s siblings would describe her as “feisty and mischievous“the child he often skipped school with and got into trouble with,” reports USA Today.

After earning her doctorate in nutrition and endocrinology from UC Berkeley, she became a distinguished breast cancer researcher. Her profession included positions at prestigious institutions resembling the University of Illinois, the University of Wisconsin, and McGill University’s Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research in Canada.

Shyamali’s contributions to the sector of hormones and breast cancer have been significant, earning her quite a few honors and recognition as a National Institutes of Health reviewer.

Harris often credits her mother with shaping her values ​​and profession.

“To the woman who is most responsible for my presence here today, my mother, Shyamali Gopalan Harris, who is always in our hearts,” she said he said after being elected vice chairman in 2020, she proudly applauded her mother, a “five-foot brown woman with an accent.”

Who is Donald J Harris?

“In the park, my mother would say, ‘Stay close.’ But my father would say with a smile, ‘Run, Kamala, run. Don’t be afraid. Don’t let anything stop you,'” Harris once said in speech when talking about her father. “From a young age, he taught me not to be afraid of anything.”

Donald grew up in Jamaica—before the country gained independence from Britain—and attended British schools throughout his life. Like the vice chairman’s father, he seemed to live without fear.

When he decided to pursue a doctorate in economics, he was drawn to the United States, which seemed to be “a vibrant and dynamic society with a complex racial and ethnic structure.”

After Donald graduated from UC Berkeley in 1966, the young husband and father became an economics professor. He worked at several Midwestern universities before returning to Northern California to work at Stanford University.

Although he was to remain on the university for less than two years as a visiting professor, students campaigned for the department to grow to be more involved in “radical political economy.” Donald, whom The Stanford Daily described in 1974 as a “Marxist economist,” was asked to remain at the college as a full-time professor in 1975.

Donald continued teaching at Stanford University for greater than 20 years, during which era he traveled extensively around the globe. He was an associate fellow and college member on the University of Cambridge and a visiting professor at Yale University, amongst other positions.

In 1998, he retired from Stanford with the title of professor emeritus.

In addition to his academic achievements, Donald has played a big role in shaping economic policy in Jamaica through his role as a consultant to the federal government. His contribution was recognized in 2021 when he was awarded the Order of Merit, the third highest honor in Jamaica.

Despite his distinguished profession, Donald rarely gets involved in his daughter’s political life.

He didn’t appear on the 2024 Democratic National Convention and has not commented publicly on her profession since 2019, when he criticized her remarks about marijuana use.

Harris once joked, “Half my family is Jamaican. Are you kidding me?”

Donald he replied to Jamaica Global Online, stating that his ancestors “must be turning in their graves right now” over the association of their Jamaican identity with “the false stereotype of the pot-smoking pleasure seeker.”

Identity Complications

Harris’ identity as a mixed-race woman has been the topic of intense scrutiny and misinformation, complicating her campaign as many defend her blackness. Even former President Donald Trump questioned whether she was truly “black” or just claiming to be black to pander to a certain community.

Despite every part, Harris remained true to her identity.

“I am black and I am proud to be black,” she said in a 2019 interview with The Breakfast Club with hosts DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God, addressing the rumors. “I was born black. I will die black, and I am not going to make excuses for nobody because they don’t understand.”


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Fans join in defense of Simone Biles after MAGA supporters berate her for telling Joe Biden to “stand up” and “shake something” before Donald Trump takes office

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Simone Biles has delivered a stern message to President Joe Biden following Vice President Kamala Harris’ defeat in the 2024 US presidential election to former President Donald Trump.

Trump, 78, won a decisive victory on November 5, winning greater than 290 Electoral College votes. The leader of the MAGA movement will replace 81-year-old Biden in the White House on January 20.

The seven-time Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast took to the X social media platform to call on Biden to take motion in the ultimate three months of his administration.

Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles wants President Joe Biden to “stand up” for women before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House in 2025. (Photos: simonebiles/Instagram; joebiden/Instagram)

“Mr. Biden you need to stand up, straighten your back and shake some things up before you go… xoxo women of America,” Biles wrote on Twitter on November 6. Her post has garnered over 480,000 likes, 12.1 million views and over 17,000 replies to X .

Some social media users agreed, questioning why the forty sixth president didn’t do more as head of the federal government’s executive branch. Others disagreed.

“You mean something he should have done in the Biden/Harris administration in the last 4 years? Why would he do this now?” one person he asked.

Second MAGA member sent“You talk well, but you do NOT speak for me as a woman, Simone!” as one other said, “Stick to gymnastics.”

Someone else he said“Do you already know how funny this post is? You are a tremendous athlete… nonetheless, Biden would love to overshadow you by allowing men to take over women’s gymnastics. You support a platform that desires to destroy your profession. Bizarre.”

Amen Simone, amen. We have some very difficult years ahead of us. We just have to stick together. Thank you, ma’am,” said one other.

Neighborhood Talk he reposted Simone’s tweet on the Instagram page, where the comments section was flooded with each Trump and Harris supporters.

Former “The Celebrity Apprentice” contestant and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” forged member Claudia Jordan announced, “CO-SIGN!!!!!!!!! Come out burning Joe. Remember PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY.”

On July 1, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled by a 6-3 majority that former presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution if their alleged crimes are deemed “official acts” of the president.

Several commentators also mentioned Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan for his retirement, which might mean Harris can be president until Trump officially takes office.

“He needs to resign and give it to Kamala, and she will let her shake the table before her term ends,” wrote one Instagram user.

Another Biden fan stated, “I’m glad he got my student loans forgiven. Hallelujah, (you) did well, Joe.

They say the Biden-Harris administration has forgiven $175 billion in student debt relief for nearly 5 million people. CNN.

In contrast, a Biden critic wrote: “He (is) so damn concerned about other countries that he forgot about the one he (leads).”

The U.S. Government Accountability Office in September, he reported that Congress had allocated greater than $174 billion to aid Ukraine in the European nation’s war against Russia.

“Hey Joe, remember us? People who voted for you! Wake up, we’re going to be in some hot shit.

But this is not the primary time Biles has expressed her opposition to a second Trump presidency, referencing the previous “The Apprentice” host’s controversial comments about “Black Jobs.”

“They’re taking jobs away from Black people right now, and it could be 18, maybe 19, even 20 million people,” Trump said through the June 27 presidential debate against Biden on the US economy.

He continued: “They’re taking jobs away from Black people and Latinos, you haven’t seen it yet, but you’re going to see something that will be the worst in our history.”

Critics calling Trump a “black job” are making anti-black and anti-immigrant comments. Biles celebrated winning gold medals on the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by referencing the viral moment.

“I love my black work,” Simone wrote on Twitter on Aug. 2, a day after winning first place in the all-around women’s individual art competition on the Paris Olympics.

The 2024 presidential campaign has divided stars on opposite sides of the race for the Oval Office. Biles joined other outstanding athletes corresponding to NBA superstar LeBron James, skilled tennis player Coco Gauff and Olympic legend Carl Lewis as supporters of Harris.

Sports figures corresponding to NFL linebacker Nick Bosa, Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre, social media influencer Jake Paul and mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor have endorsed Trump.

In October, former Pittsburgh Steelers players Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell attended the event Trump campaign rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Both men appeared on stage with the Republican candidate.

Additionally, Le’Veon Bell caused controversy by wearing a T-shirt with the words “Trump or the Tramp 2024” on the front. He also doubled down on insulting Harris by sharing the data a photograph of his outfit on social media with the caption “Trump or the bum?”


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Jennifer Lopez refuses to answer Ben Affleck’s interview query, instead praising the cast of new movie as tensions rise in divorce drama

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Both Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have been publicly trying to keep things sweet between them since they decided to end their marriage.

The Bronx star recently responded to the kind words her soon-to-be ex-husband had to say about her appearance in their upcoming film “Unstoppable,” which stars Lopez and Affleck works behind the scenes as a producer.

Jennifer Lopez rejects Ben Affleck’s compliments about her role in his new film. (Photo: @jlo/Instagram)

When told that Affleck had said, she was asked how she would describe working on his production. Looking down to find the answer. “I would describe the entire cast and everyone behind the scenes as spectacular and wonderful,” she said.

Fans reacted to Lopez’s disparaging comment on social media.

One X user sent“She said, ‘Ben, who?’ Oh, that bad female dog is BACK.”

A second person, who is seemingly a fan of JLo, said: “I’m glad she didn’t give the media something to discuss and mention his name. Other than that, she doesn’t deserve any praise from her. I really like you, Jennifer.

“She says, ‘I don’t know him.'” he said third.

Three days earlier, Affleck sat down for an interview with pal Matt Damon and Cillian Murphy to discuss their upcoming film “Small Things Like These” together with “Entertainment Tonight.” During the chat, Affleck talked more about the “Unstoppable” cast, which incorporates his estranged wife.

Lopez plays the mother of the most important character, Anthony Robles, a wrestler who was born with one leg and won the NCAA wrestling championship in 2011. The character of Robles is played by actor Jharrel Jerome, although Robles himself appears as Jerome’s stunt double in the film’s wrestling scenes.

“Jennifer is spectacular, and Anthony – some of that comes through in the movie when he wrestles himself – and the amazing Jharrell and Bobby Cannavale, like I said, and (director) Billy Goldberg did a great job, and Don Cheadle,” Affleck said. “It’s another success that we’re really proud of and I think there’s a key to how successful we’ve been so far, I can already feel it.”

He continued, “But though Small Things hasn’t opened yet, it’s an enormous success for us because of how beautiful it’s. We believed in the right people, and ‘Unstoppable’ is one other example of that.”

Lopez and Affleck have had quite an interesting journey in their love journey. They were first romantically linked in 2002 and got engaged the same 12 months. However, in 2004, they ended their engagement, got married and commenced families with other people. These relationships also failed and in 2021, they each found love again.

The following 12 months they became engaged again and three months later they were married.

However, plainly Lopez, who has been married 4 times and had several boyfriends along the way, is now ready for the single life.

In an October interview with Nikki Glaser, she he said“Yes, I’m not on the lookout for anyone, because every thing I’ve done in the last 25, 30 years, being in various difficult situations, what the hell can I do once I fly alone. “


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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‘In Her Words’ Details Hip-Hop’s Triumphs and Failures Megan Thee Stallion – Andscape

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As I watched documentary in regards to the profession of rapper Megan Thee Stallion, I could not help but consider Serena Williams.

When Williams retired in September 2022, she received unanimous praise from the tennis community, celebrating her Hall of Fame profession. But many of the favor seemed disingenuous to me because I remember what it was like when Williams’ profession took off. Those of us who were there when the Williams sisters were thriving remember the body shaming, racism, and micro- and macro-aggressions they experienced. We remember many within the tennis community trying their hardest to beat the Williams sisters at every turn.

At some point in the longer term, Megan Thee Stallion will retire as one of the crucial successful female rappers of our generation – she’s already first woman with three number-one hits in a single yr, he won three Grammy Awards and six nominations. And when her profession involves an end, many individuals within the hip-hop community will stand by her side to have fun her profession, and much of it is going to seem disingenuous because we’ve got a full two-hour documentary that shows exactly how much misogynoir there may be on this heart of hip-hop and what it takes for a lady to reach the face of such harassment.

Directed by Nneka Onuorah, the film takes us through the parallel worlds of Megan’s best public achievements and her deepest personal tragedies. The first half of the documentary shows Megan finding her footing as an MC and performer under the tutelage and direct guidance of her mother, Holly Thomas. In the documentary, viewers learn that it was Thomas who shot Megan’s guerrilla freestyle and twerk videos, and they get to see first-hand how close they were. Thomas’ death from a brain tumor in 2019 is a devastating moment within the documentary and a real crossroads moment for Megan, who spends the remainder of the film looking for the community, happiness and peace that her mother provided her.

The documentary shows Megan’s pursuit of fame and her rise to superstardom, in addition to the person attempting to cover her scars with thin plasters. What’s particularly telling is that Megan returned to the road three weeks after her mother’s death. The juxtaposition of Megan’s public success and personal sadness is heartbreaking. And all of it ended on a night in July 2020, when rapper Tory Lanez shot Megan within the foot.

The documentary tells Megan’s entire story from that evening – from her friendship with Lanez to the character of their argument. It also includes an animated reconstruction of the shooting. Megan also explained why, just months after Minneapolis police murdered George Floyd, the police turned to a black woman, she refused to place the blame on a black man, even at her own physical risk. Meanwhile, the identical Black man she was attempting to protect began his own series of disgusting public attacks.

Megan Thee Stallion arrives in a Los Angeles courtroom on December 13 to testify within the trial of rapper Tory Lanez.

The shooting and fallout dominates much of the film’s second half and indicts Lanez, showing us the extensive trauma his act of violence has caused to Megan. But Lanez is merely a vehicle to debate the final hatred Megan has experienced by the hands of too many Black men.

The most damning moment of the documentary comes from a video montage of all the boys who defended Lanez after Megan admitted he shot her. Assembly features Joe Budden, DJ Akademik, 50 Cent, DaBaby AND Chris Brown. All the boys query, insult Megan and defend Lanez. Meanwhile, all of them had their very own accusations of molesting women. The clip ends ominously with Sean “Diddy” Combs supporting Lanez and admitting that he also has a dark side. Not to be lost in all this, there’s also a clip of LeBron James playing Lanez’s music on Instagram Live.

This also happens after the following montage through which essentially the most outstanding people in rap, including: Snoop Dogg, of all peoplecriticized Megan and other female rappers for showing their bodies and rapping about sex. While all of us could have assumed how deeply these moments would affect Megan, the documentary showed us moments of her crying, scrolling through social media, second-guessing herself, and being overly critical in moments where she might need previously been safer.

The media also bears a number of blame for this case, with bloggers and newspaper headlines being the important protagonists of this case. And, satirically, lots of these publications have learned nothing. Megan admitted within the documentary that she he lied to Gayle King the news that Tory Lanez has not had a sexual relationship has turn out to be the leading takeaway from the identical publications and social media accounts which have demonized her for the past half-decade. Headlines again appeared all around the Internet calling Megan a liar and using her revelations about her relationship with Lanez to disqualify her testimony about what happened the night of the shooting.

All the hate and trauma culminated in Megan having a mental breakdown and having to take a month off from a wellness camp. At the top of the documentary, he finds some semblance of peace in Lanez’s conviction. While this moment provided catharsis for the rapper, all of it made me sad. The notion that Megan needed to turn to the identical criminal justice system that so often oppresses black women to feel safest, and that she couldn’t find safety in a community that ought to have avoided Lanez and reclaimed her in the primary place. Unfortunately, she couldn’t depend on her community to guard her from trolls and harassment. Megan’s story is a direct rebuke to so many “fathers of girls” and toothless performative gestures of “protect black women” because lots of these men selected to side with the perpetrator somewhat than side with the lady he molested.

Megan Thee Stallion has survived and overcome a lot and that is an enormous a part of what makes her rise so special. But it’s hard to understand that perseverance without also acknowledging that she shouldn’t have been so resilient. There should not be a world where she needed to endure a lot abuse and public backlash for simply surviving an assault and telling her story, for being on the forefront of a revolution about women’s bodily autonomy in hip-hop, for being certainly one of the most important female stars rap in history.

doesn’t let anyone pass. It is an outline of all those that have found themselves on the unsuitable side of history and a pre-emptive rebuke to anyone who tries to pretend otherwise.

DavidDennis Jr. is a senior author at Andscape and the writer of the award-winning book “The Movement Made Us: A Father, a Son, and the Legacy of a Freedom Ride.” David is a graduate of Davidson College.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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