Four years after Smithsonian Magazine published photos of Shannon LaNier, a black descendant of Thomas Jefferson, dressed as his ancestor, many individuals have mixed feelings about whether he has embraced his heritage.

Critics have focused on how Jefferson wrote the words “all men are created equal” but never freed his slaves and formed a relationship with LaNier’s direct matrilineal ancestor, Sally Hemings, when she was just 14 and he was 44.

The photo resurfaced on X, with one person simply sharing side-by-side portraits of LaNier and Jefferson. But immediately the trolls began intervening.

“Thomas Jefferson is rolling in his grave” – one person suggested,

Several people said they saw a familiar resemblance despite the difference in race, tweeting, “They look the same!” AND “I see the resemblance.”

“He looks pissed off, like ‘who will destroy your line’…” one person joked.

He looks pissed off like an asshole “who is obfuscating your lineage”😂

— WeAreInternet (@weare_internet) October 10, 2024

One comment To read“Why will we glorify someone who had such a complex and controversial legacy? Just since it’s a descendant does not imply we must always romanticize the past without acknowledging its flaws.

“Thomas Jefferson wouldn’t take it away if he were alive today” – another person he tweeted.

Some have sparked controversy over whether the Hemings children are literally descendants of the third president or another person.

Other he wrote“He did not have a single mulatto child. It’s a false story.”

This is historically unfaithful. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the previous president’s official estate, released statement stating: “A significant body of evidence stretching from 1802 to 1873 (and beyond) describes Thomas Jefferson as the father of Sally Hemings’ children. This was confirmed by the results of a DNA study of the Y chromosome haplotype conducted by Dr. Eugene Foster and published in the scientific journal Nature in November 1998.”

According to their scientific research, DNA testing did indeed prove the paternity of a member of the Jefferson family and corroborated extensive documentary and oral evidence.

“Other evidence also supports Thomas Jefferson’s paternity, including his presence at Monticello during Sally Hemings’ probable windows of conception, the names of Hemings’ surviving children, and the fact that all of her children were granted freedom – either allowed to leave the plantation or legally emancipated in accordance with Jefferson’s wishes , which is a unique phenomenon among the enslaved families of Monticello,” the inspiration continued.

LaNier himself spoke out about being a descendant of Jefferson, posting a synthetic intelligence version of the portraits through which his face and the faces of his presidential ancestors subtly intertwine.

“YES #PresidentThomasJefferson had #black #children? This is not a flex, just facts! Love it or hate it, I’m here because of it. You can’t choose your #family, but we can expose its historical injustices! #Jefferson owned over 600 enslaved people and had children with at least one of them, #SallyHemings,” he stated. he wrote in a caption posted on July 4.

“It wasn’t consensual love because it was his own,” he continued, noting the complicated nature of his ancestors’ relationships.

“No need to argue about it on this site! It’s just a complicated truth of American history. I am the sixth great-grandchild of Jefferson & Hemings, and there are a lot of us! That’s why I travel around the country talking about my family, your family, DNA, historical healing and reconciliation. Some people don’t want us to know our history, but truth is power! We must protect the truth… the good, the bad and the ugly!”

This is not the primary time LaNier has spoken out about his views on Jefferson, sharing the pride he will need to have in being a descendant but in addition admitting the hypocrisy of co-authoring the Declaration of Independence.

While promoting his 2020 book “Jefferson’s Children: The Story of One American Family,” he called his grandfather a “complex man.”

“I’m just conflicted because I wish he would do more for my family. “I wish he had done more to rid this world of slavery,” he said in an interview interview with NPR. “I mean, he was the most powerful man in the country. He could have done more. And one abolitionist once wrote that never before had a man gained such fame for something he had not done – because he wrote these words, all men are created equal. But he did not practice them.”

LaNier participated within the project with The Smithsonian as part of a larger collection of stories. Originally, when he was asked to participate, he was asked to wear a powdered wig. He refused, stating that he didn’t want to seem white and that he didn’t wish to “become Jefferson” in interview in regards to the project from Artnet.com.

During the 2020 project, British photographer Drew Gardner identified several relatives of famous historical figures and asked them to pose within the likenesses of their family members.

While the photos are powerful, the stark contrast of LaNier and the white Jefferson will proceed to be controversial because he is a living witness to the complex nature of American enslavement prior to now and its continuing reach into today’s present.

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade could be the stars in their home, but it surely’s their daughter, Kaavia James, who reigns because the true star of their family.

In fact, at only five years old, Kaavia is not even exempt from her father, older siblings, members of the family, and friends, making her the butt of their jokes.

However, the retired Miami Heat player won’t let his youngest daughter get used to the service. That’s exactly what they proved when several members of the Wade-Union crew hopped on the viral “Just give me my money” TikTok.

The offspring were gathered in the suite for a soccer game when “Shady Baby” was tricked into becoming the butt of the joke. Kaavia watched eagerly as six members of her family, including her older brother Zaire, recited, “Give me my money back.”

When it was finally her turn, she improved and demanded the cash with confidence and a businesslike tone. Those who went before her didn’t hear a single peep.

Kaavia quickly realized that nobody was rooting for her and initially kept her head down, before retreating elsewhere after the clip ended. Dwyane captured the whole moment, which received many mixed reactions on Instagram.

Zaire shared the footage, comically writing, “The @kaaviajames villain arc has officially started… and look at @dwyanewade at the end,” in the caption. Following the prank, the NBA star comforted his daughter, who buried her head in his shoulder, hiding her face from the others.

Bear Union’s mom laughed on the joke when her reaction appeared in the comments. Using several laughing emojis, she snapped, “You’re not my poor baby.”

Dwyane defended himself and the crew, joking that a minor bout of public humiliation from family members “builds character.” A proponent of this narrative declared, “This is how you empower them.”

But several others consider that Zaire had something to do along with his villain origin story, which began at this point.

One fan commented: “Now you knew how it would end! The little girl said it like she really meant it… someone better pay her!!” The other said, “One thing little sisters do is remember revenge! You will all see who will have the last laugh.”

Dwayne Wade talks about how difficult it was to tell his wife Gabrielle Union that he had a baby with one other woman 👀
pic.twitter.com/PiinRtqM5N

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) September 21, 2023

Kaavia will have a good time her sixth birthday in November. Her famous parents welcomed their only child via surrogacy in 2018, after Union revealed years of failed IVF and infertility issues.

Dwyane is the parents of Zaire and Zaya, whom he shares along with his first wife, Siovaughn Finches-Wade. He can be the daddy of son Xavier, whom he welcomed with former “Basketball Wives” forged member Aja Metoyer in 2013 during Union’s hiatus.

Leonardo DiCaprio could have begun to let go of his playboy past and friendship with Sean “Diddy” Combs much too late for fans who are actually turning their backs on the actor.

The “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” star’s status has been amongst the numerous casualties within the wake of mounting legal problems for Combs, who’s awaiting trial in prison in a federal sex trafficking and racketeering case. The Bad Boy Records founder was charged with multiple crimes in September and jailed on the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Around the identical time, photos from several parties the tycoon hosted over his three-decade profession resurfaced.

Controversially, photos of Hollywood stars like DiCaprio caused a stir online as users speculated about which guests were involved in or at the least had knowledge of Combs’ alleged drug-fueled sexcapades, often called freaks.

As details of the case surrounding the disgraced record executive leak to the media, so do allegations that an excellent more outstanding star than Combs is being videotaped in a single of the debauched brawls.

The Oscar winner famously attended his former pal’s White Party within the Hamptons in 1998. In the re-released photos, he could be seen drinking alcohol, smoking a cigarette and having time with Combs and other participants.

Despite reports suggesting that the What’s Eating Gilbert Grape actor has been trying to distance himself from the hit creator, his fans say he cannot escape his past.

“You’ve lost respect,” said one such one who flocked to DiCaprio’s latest Instagram post informing the general public about key voter registration deadlines.

Another follower, who expressed their lack of support for him, wrote: “The Titanic is waiting for you downstairs.” A 3rd said partly: “Good guy face but his mask is falling off.”

Photos from Diddy’s white party began circulating online following his arrest last week. Stars in attendance included Leonardo DiCaprio, Chris Brown, Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton and more🧵 pic.twitter.com/lXJMFylaYB

— Historical movies (@historyinmemes) September 23, 2024

The “Django” star has not been publicly named as an individual of interest within the federal case. The few who rushed to his defense took note of this fact. One person said: “Knowing and remaining silent doesn’t make you a significant criminal, however it does make you unscrupulous. The Hollywood gossip network is wide and fast. There’s no way these influential people do not know what Diddy is doing.”

The second commented: “White parties were normal. Don’t confuse them with the freaks where these atrocities happened.

DiCaprio has turn into a screen gem since he began acting as a toddler actor on the age of 5. From his early years until August last yr, he was often called an everlasting bachelor who courted models and artists; The only caveat is that he is understood for not batting a watch at women over the age of 28.

Rumors about his dating preferences are one of the explanations his heyday has come under scrutiny. Someone claiming to learn about his response to Combs’ troubles told Radar Online that he “spent years moving away from his party boy image and became an environmental activist.”

Diddy’s courtroom sketches from today’s Manhattan hearing

🎨 by Jane Rosenberg pic.twitter.com/ZKuQVsBe42

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) October 10, 2024

It can be alleged that the 49-year-old is “very sensitive when it comes to mentions of his past and ongoing love for younger models.”

DiCaprio is currently dating 26-year-old Italian model Vittoria Ceretti. The couple was recently spotted dining with their parents in Italy. Fans consider the “Catch Me If You Can” actor fled the United States to avoid the rumors.

The former billionaire tycoon is scheduled to begin a month-long trial on May 5, 2025, although a possible alternative of the indictment with more charges could extend his time in court.

Combs faces life behind bars. His legal counsel has to this point rejected three appeals to grant him bail. The judge has not yet responded to a fourth bail application filed on October 11.