Entertainment
Fans Stand With Serena Williams After Outrageous Statement by MAGA Supporter Who Accused Pregnant Black Mothers of Using Drugs
Serena Williams’ near-death experience following the birth of her first daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, in 2017 has resurfaced amid outrage over a Twitter post blaming black moms for their very own deaths during childbirth.
Studies have shown that the maternal mortality rate for black women is twice that of white women. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that for each 100,000 live births, there have been 70 maternal deaths for black women.
On September 18, Joel Berry, editor-in-chief of the satirical website The Babylon Bee, sparked outrage amongst users when he posted a post that has since been deleted: “My wife is a maternity nurse and I can tell you with absolute certainty that these women have a higher mortality rate because they refuse to use prenatal care, they take more medications, they refuse to eat a proper diet, and they generally don’t take as much care of themselves.”
Outraged advocates for black women were quick to indicate that the tennis player’s self-advocacy saved her life. After an emergency C-section, Williams developed life-threatening complications, including blood clots in her lungs and legs. She also experienced a severe cough that caused the C-section wound to rupture.
The sports icon opened up in regards to the terrifying experience in a 2018 interview with “Today.” She said her persistent requests for a CT scan led doctors to find the blockages. “I can’t believe how much went wrong on the way to meet her. … I almost died,” Williams said.
She also opened up about her harrowing birthing story within the HBO documentary Being Serena, which was released the identical 12 months. The 23-time Grand Slam winner also told her medical team that she was at increased risk for potentially fatal blood clots after suffering a embolism in 2011.
There has been a backlash against the MAGA supporter online, with many pointing to Williams’ history to refute his claims. “The greatest athlete of all time IS BEING IGNORED ON THE SURGEON’S TABLE. Serena Williams almost fucking died in childbirth. I can’t believe it. Unlimited GALA,” one wrote tweet.
Second user common“Serena Williams almost died because she didn’t take her prenatal meds and took drugs??? Maybe… his wife could base her care on that assumption. Studies do show that drug use is highest among the most privileged, but carry on.”
Berry is “pro-life” and swears he’s not a racist. And I wouldn’t want his wife to take care of any black woman’s pregnancy, given those thoughts. https://t.co/VQ3QySxI7K
— @ijbailey (@ijbailey) September 20, 2024
Third tweet To read“It all makes sense. I mean, Serena Williams had serious complications during childbirth, and who eats worse than the world’s number 1 tennis player??” Another user called Berry’s wife’s claims “complete racist bullshit,” as one other person hoped she could be sued for violating her Hippocratic oath.
Two years later, in 2019, Williams helped Mahmee, a tech company hoping to rework prenatal and postnatal take care of moms and kids, raise $3 million.
A month before the couple’s second daughter, Adira, is due in 2023, Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian said People “They were obviously taking every precaution and doing everything they could to make sure everything went smoothly for Serena,” though he didn’t provide details on the measures being taken to make sure history didn’t repeat itself.
Another viral lie. Amber Nicole Thurman got sepsis after taking an abortion pill that did not remove all of the contents of her uterus. She didn’t get timely care from her abortion provider and died. Georgia law didn’t prevent her from getting the care she needed. Georgia law doesn’t… photo:twitter.com/nhJvgw1nNh
— Joel Berry (@JoelWBerry) September 18, 2024
Additionally, on September 18, Berry shared the tragic story of Amber Nicole Thurman, a Georgia mother who died in August 2022 from complications caused by a delay in receiving medical care attributable to that state’s anti-abortion laws.
Thurman, who was six weeks pregnant, went to a North Carolina clinic where she was given abortion pills. A number of days after the abortion was induced, she developed an infection attributable to fetal tissue remaining within the uterus.
The mother of one experienced significant blood loss and loss of consciousness, prompting her to hunt medical attention at Piedmont Henry Hospital. She required dilation and curettage, a procedure to empty the uterus of its contents, but was denied the care she needed for 20 hours.
This Young Georgia Mom Was Killed By An Abortionist After She Got Stuck In Traffic On Her Way To An Abortion Clinic, And The Clinic Refused To Book Her A Surgery Slot. Instead, They Sent Her Home With The Abortion Pills Mifepristone And Misoprostol, Which Caused Her Septicemia… https://t.co/H8fvm2wmq7
— Joel Berry (@JoelWBerry) September 18, 2024
While within the hospital, her organs failed before staff intervened. Her death was ruled “preventable,” in line with ProPublica. Georgia law prohibits doctors from terminating a pregnancy after six weeks, the time when the fetus has a detectable heartbeat.
Berry insists the black mother was “killed by the abortionist” who provided her with the pills, not because she was denied the life-saving procedure after she became unwell.
Entertainment
Sam Jay became a comedy master later in life. She explains how in “Masters of the Game”
Sam Jay is the very unlikely latest star in comedy. She began doing stand-up at 29, is a black lesbian from Boston, and is now a universally adored master of the art of stand-up. You can see it in the way she walks on stage and relaxes. You can see it in the way she exudes that factor. You can see it in the way she delivers her jokes like she’s throwing a game—calm but cocky, laid-back but deadly. She’s hysterical, and on several occasions she’s made me laugh so hard I physically hurt. She has one long line about playing around along with her fiancée, and no, I can’t even paraphrase that line. I’m just saying she’s really sharp at her craft. She told me she studied comedy and that’s why she’s a master of the game now. Don’t miss my hysterical interview along with her on “Masters of the Game,” now available on theGrio.
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Jay got into comedy late because that is how life dealt her. When Jay was a teenager in Boston, she was interested in comedy, but her mother was sick for years. She died when Jay was 19, after which Jay went through years of depression and illness. She immersed herself in comedy after which went back to normal life. But when she was 29, very late in her comedian life, she was living in Atlanta and dating the woman who’s now her fiancée. She was coming out of depression, becoming an open lesbian, and she or he was able to attack comedy. She tried it and realized that she desired to succeed there greater than the rest. She went to clubs and commenced studying, and a decade later she’s a star on the rise.
To hear Jay’s full story and her thoughts on what it takes to be a great comedian, take a look at our interview on Masters of the Game.
Entertainment
Rapper Chingy Drops Controversial Republican Party Run After Fan Backlash
Rapper Chingy has faced criticism for his attendance at a Republican Party-sponsored human rights summit attended by the country’s largest and oldest organization representing LGBT conservatives and their heterosexual allies.
His name appeared on a “Red White & Rock” flyer produced by the sponsoring organization, alongside the likes of Kimberly Guilfoyle and Donald Trump Jr. as headliners for the evening.
When the Jasmine brand published After the flyer was released, a lot of his fans shared their thoughts on his booking.
🔥🎸READY TO ROCK? 🇺🇸🔥
Log Cabin heads to Music City on Sunday, September twenty ninth!
TICKETS: https://t.co/LNV2xPWZdp photo: twitter.com/77LzeE96Xa
— Log Cabin Republicans (@LogCabinGOP) September 20, 2024
Despite his try to deflect attention from his political affiliations, many social media users compared him to Chrisette Michele, who faced similar criticism for her performance at Donald Trump’s inauguration.
“They better do to him what they did to Chrisette Michele,” one comment read, while one other agreed and said, “Drag him down like you did to Chrisette Michele!” @tyrese Where are you? Because you had quite a lot of warmth for Chrisette.”
Chingy’s planned appearance on the event has reignited the discussion about artists supporting controversial causes for profit.
“Let Chingy do what he has to do for his pork chop and pay his electric bill in peace. Because his performance won’t affect my vote one bit,” one commenter said bluntly.
Another wrote: “Not all money is good money, Chingy. It’s the difference between chasing a dollar and creating a brand.”
A 3rd comment read: “At least he said it was just about the money, most people wouldn’t even admit that.”
Chingy was so overwhelmed by people’s criticism for participating within the controversial event, Log cabin event during which he addressed his fans and critics with a special statement.
The ‘Right Thurr’ star wrote: “I said it once. MY JOB IS TO PERFORM AND I GET PAID TO PERFORM, NOT FOR POLITICS. NOW FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO WITH YOUR TIME.”
He added: “HEY, MAYOR, IT’S SEPTEMBER 14THTH CHINGY DAY IN ST LOUIS! WHY IS THIS NOT ON THE VASSAL BLOGS?”
Someone told him“Just tell us you’re in a bad mood,” in line with Baller Alert, to which he replied, “You can’t be in a bad mood when you just bought a $500,000 house.”
“These people don’t hate me because they love my music. The music is not racist and that’s how I play it. All this crap you guys create doesn’t bother me at all,” he continued.
He added: “I’m a performer, whether those people are political or gay or whatever — everybody loves music. I have classic records that everybody loves, and I’ll perform them for them. So I hope that helps you understand that my job as an artist is to perform and create timeless music. And that’s what I did.”
Chingy continued to attempt to make his case on social media. One Instagrammer asked the rapper directly, “What the hell, you a Trump supporter now?” to which he replied, “No, correction, I’m a Chingy supporter. My job is to perform, not to be political.”
This would not be the primary time Chingy’s support for Donald Trump has been met with resistance.
In 2016, the rapper posted a tweet supporting Trump.
“Politics vs. society. People need to understand that politics is a business, just like the job you do. I’m voting for @realDonaldTrump,” he wrote in January 2016. After posting the tweet, the rapper was inundated with backlash, withdrawing his support and admitting he was not fully informed.
“Everything I wrote was completely taken out of content… but I’m still on top. lmao #LiveofACeleb #TwitterIsTheDevil #NoEndorsement,” he said he tweeted later that very same day.
He later said that in line with Bulletin board“I thought it was good stuff. Obviously, we want to keep terrorism out of the country. I didn’t know about some of the negative things he had to say about some of the racing here and the hip-hop community. I didn’t know about a lot of the negative stuff, I was just commenting on reading the article and reading some of the good things he said, so that’s where my comments came from.”
The Red White & Rock event that has sparked a lot discussion is a fundraiser for the Republican Party and can happen on September 29 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Nashville.
The St. Louis native has not formally endorsed any candidate on this round and doesn’t appear to have any political content on his energetic Instagram account. However, after receiving mounting backlash, he decided to tug out of the event.
“YOU KNOW WHAT, BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MESS. I REFUSED TO PERFORM AND NO, I AM NOT A SUPPORTER OF TRUMP OR ANYONE ELSE BUT CHINGY. YES YOU DO,” Chingy said, in line with an Instagram screenshot captured by TeaWith Tia.
Entertainment
What’s the Story Behind Alicia Keys and Her Husband Swizz Beatz? Everything You Need to Know
Long before he was Mr. Keys, Swizz Beatz was producing records to your favorites. Born Kasseem Dean in the Bronx in 1978, Beatz got into the game via his uncles, Joaquin, Darrin and Chivon Dean, who founded the hip-hop label Ruff Ryders Entertainment in 1988. Swizz was an aspiring DJ but wasn’t given the probability to test his production skills. After begging his uncles for one probability, his wish was granted and he landed a beat for “Ruff Ryders Anthem.”
Since then, Beatz has produced a whole bunch of songs for everybody from Jay Z and TI to Nicki Minaj and Whitney Houston. He has left his mark on the hip-hop genre as a talented producer who creates heavy basslines which are perfect for dancing and grooving.
Even with all of his accomplishments in music, Beatz’s marriage to famed singer-songwriter Alicia Keys has earned him several headlines over the years. The couple shares a variety of accomplishments, from award-winning albums and art collections to an almost 15-year marriage and a phenomenal black patchwork family.
Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz’s Love Story
Keys and Beatz’s love story began in the concrete jungle just outside their Bronx highschool. Keys was 14 at the time, Beatz 16, and he offered Keys his number after chatting her up. But Keys said, “Nah, it’s fine,” and left. Years later, the two reconnected as their stars rose, bumping into one another at live shows and events. They collaborated on a music project in 2008, and Keys agreed to let him take one other shot.
According to Keys, her man won her over first date when he was late because he was busy tying a gift he bought her to the roof of her automobile. Their love grew from there, and the couple announced their engagement and Keys’ pregnancy in May 2010. Swizz Beatz married Alicia Keys in July 2010 and they now have two sons, Egypt (born 2010) and Genesis (born 2014).
Beatz has three children with Alicia: sons Prince (born in 2000) and Kaseem Dean Jr. (born in 2006) from his first wife, R&B singer Mashonda, and daughter Nicole (born in 2008) from his relationship with singer Jahnna Sebastian. Beatz’s ex-wife initially had a tumultuous relationship with Keys, but the two have since smoothed it over and created a successful co-parenting dynamic that Mashonda praised in her book“Blend: The Secret to Co-Parenting and Creating a Balanced Family.”
Family Life and Parenthood for Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz
Family is every thing in the Beatz-Keys household. Keys has spoken highly of her patchwork family and her relationship with Tifrere. “The understanding, compassion, and support we’ve found is a powerful testament to the healing that comes when we choose love. Especially for our children… the most important part of our lives,” Keys said in a Facebook post promoting her song “Blended Family.”
When Keys was a judge on The Voice, she talked about how difficult it was combining motherhood with a demanding schedule. However, she was comfortable that her children could see her chasing her dreams and fighting for what she wanted.
Alicia Keys’ husband has they talked about fatherhood and how necessary it’s for him to commit to a healthy lifestyle for himself and his children.
Both Beatz and Keys enjoy working on their craft, which doesn’t at all times mean music for Keys. Beatz enjoys going to the studio, while Keys enjoys hitting the slopes. The “Fallin’” singer has discovered that she really loves skiing as a way to escape the cold, so long as she’s wrapped up warmly. She’s taken to social media to share the way it forced her to overcome her fears and find the strength to survive the edge.
How Alicia Keys’ Husband Supports Her Music
In addition to supporting his wife’s profession, Swizz Beatz has gone a step further and turn into her paymaster. He is credited on several of her music tracks, including “Put it in a Love Song,” “Wait Til You See My Smile,” and “New Day.”
In April of this yr, Beatz was I smile on the blue carpet alongside his wife and two young children to rejoice the premiere of “Hell’s Kitchen,” the Broadway musical based on Keys’ childhood in New York City.
“Hell’s Kitchen” has enjoyed massive success on stage, earning 13 Tony Award nominations and two wins at the 2024 ceremony. The show won awards for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. The show was largely inspired by Keys’ mother, who moved to New York from Ohio. “She did that and raised me in New York. The story is inspired by the experience of growing up in New York,” Keys said.
Swizz Beatz’s artistic interests extend beyond music to the art world. Beatz is a noted art collector, with each established and undiscovered black artists. Beatz and Keys recently had an exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum titled “Giants”, which showcased a significant slice of their extensive art collection. The Dean Collection, as they call it, includes works by Kehinde Simpson, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Meleko Mokgosi.
Navigating Life Together: Quarantine and Beyond
Alicia Keys and her husband used the pandemic as a chance to showcase their creativity. They wrote a song titled “Good job” as a tribute to the frontline and essential employees who’ve served and saved the remainder of us during COVID-19. According to Keys, she wanted to bring attention to all the hard-working individuals who may never get the recognition and respect they deserve. The comments on Keys’ Facebook post about the song are stuffed with these employees appreciating the love.
The pandemic has brought challenges for Keys and Beatz, but they’re still together after nearly 15 years of marriage. Keys has previously said that great communication is what keeps them together — and they laugh.
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