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The Senate is ready to vote on a bill that could ban TikTok. Here’s what happens next.

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thegrio.com

 

My parents thought they were smart.

As birthdays and holidays approached, a lot of “useful” gifts were smuggled in – necessities like latest shoes, clothes, a scientific calculator I needed for math class, etc. – together with all of the cool stuff like toys, dolls, etc. .

It made a useful necessity appear to be a gift, when actually it was them saying, “Here’s the thing I want you to use, so I’ll wrap it like a gift and smuggle it in next to all the other cool stuff you might have actually asked for.”

It was like, “Oh cool, Western Barbie!” after which, “Oh, great. “Knee-high socks.”

That’s essentially what the U.S. House of Representatives did with a bill that could potentially lead to a ban of the TikTok app within the United States.

On Saturday, o The Chamber adopted the legislative package this includes $95 billion in funding – $60.8 billion in aid for Ukraine and $26 billion in aid for Israel and relief for Gaza.

The same legislative package includes a bill that would give ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, nine months to sell the favored app to a US company or face a ban in that country.

The The Senate will vote on the bill late Tuesday or early Wednesdayand that would mean sending it to Biden’s desk for his signature, and make no mistake, he’ll sign it into law.

Once this happens, the clock will start ticking and our beloved TikTok will need to determine what to do next if it wants to stay operational within the US

Congress is seizing on the concept that the Chinese government can have access to TikTok user data, and since China is a bogeyman within the eyes of the US government, they have to accomplish that! Down! All! possible! to prevent China from doing things like interfering in US elections, using social media platforms to spread propaganda, and the like.

But wait. Hasn’t election interference already happened here with American owned social media platform? Isn’t there one other American owned social media platform? Is this a hotbed of disinformation and propaganda?

In my opinion, this is all planned.

Do not get me flawed; Concerns concerning the Chinese government accessing the private data of US residents are a fact of life and I’m not trying to downplay it in any respect, but we cannot overlook the very fact that what the US government condemns has happened and is actively happening within the country today and doesn’t appear to be for Congress to hurry up to fix this problem.

This gives you: “American billionaires selling our data is cool, but other people doing it is not.”

Another a part of me thinks it has a lot to do with the best way TikTok is gobbling up all of the social media sites within the algorithm department.

My TikTok algorithm is so good that I never click the “follow” tab because I do know I’ll see all the things within the “For You” tab. The For You page is all the time up to date and displays information in real time – almost on an ongoing basis.

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TikTok has change into the fundamental source of data and news for many individuals. It stands out for something that began on Twitter – ongoing conversations. TikTok makes this higher because videos are shown based on what you are already watching and fascinating with. He knows what you would like and offers it to you. But users also need to know the way to separate factual information from misinformation.

Neither Mark Zuckerberg nor Elon Musk has managed to capture this lightning in a bottle, and indeed they appear unwilling to accomplish that.

Are there lively efforts on other sites to block information sharing?

Think of all your mates whose Facebook or Instagram account has been flagged for talking concerning the Gaza genocide.

Think about how Black people on Twitter are punished for fighting against racists, while racists run rampant and unchecked throughout the app.

If an American company were to buy TikTok, which American company would it not be?

Would Elon Musk determine to buy it? Mark Zuckerberg? Could they even do it? TikTok is valued at around $150 billion, according to the Washington Post.and there aren’t many individuals who’ve that sort of money to spend on this sort of enterprise.

As the Post notes, a sale would also pose a host of legal challenges, and neither China nor ByteDance will allow the sale of the TikTok algorithm, which, when you ask me, is what this is all about.

As I discussed earlier, neither Zuck nor Musk have been able to get their algorithms to do what TikTok does, and perhaps that’s by design, or perhaps they only cannot figure it out. Either way, the sale of this algorithm to an American company will definitely profit anyone who wants to exploit it for their very own purposes – or crush it completely.

China does have something to say on this matter, nonetheless, considering that in 2020 it added “recommendation algorithms” to its export control list, which suggests that any sale of a product of this sort requires approval from the Chinese government, and that tells me something, that China is not going to come out this manner.

In any case, we at the moment are waiting for the inevitable and we should always keep a close eye on it, because whatever happens with TikTok shall be a harbinger of what will occur to the exchange of data and all the marketplace of ideas.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you all.


 

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Lifestyle

Elaine Welteroth and Jonathan Singletary welcomed their second child

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Elaine Welteroth, Jonathan Singletary, Elaine Welteroth has baby, Black famous mothers, Black mothers, Black maternal health, birthFUND, theGrio.com

Elaine Welteroth has a brand recent bundle of joy!

The 37-year-old media personality and founding father of birthFUND welcomed her second child, a son named SantiGold, together with her husband, musician Jonathan Singletary, in early November.

While Welteroth said People Magazine that she and her growing family are “healthy and happy” – she admitted that she has been affected by sleep problems since welcoming the most recent member of the family.

“I’m not sure my brain is working at full speed,” she told the web site. “I’m sleep-deprived, but I’m fine, I’m fine.”

Recalling the precise day she went into labor, she stated that she just knew it was the day.

“His birth was largely orchestrated by God,” she explained. “I just instinctively said, ‘I’m going to send my kid to school, and when he comes home, he’ll have a little brother.'”

In addition to her general spidey senses, Welteroth had an impulse to be outdoors, so she went to the park.

“The moment I sat down on the grass, I felt the first contraction,” she said. “I assumed, ‘Let’s go, honey.’ “It’s happening.”

Still, there was no immediate sense of urgency for the young mother of two, even stopping to do some Reiki within the park together with her midwife. Shortly thereafter, she returned home for what she described because the “most beautiful” and “peaceful” home birth. SantiGold’s peaceful delivery could also be a part of the inspiration behind his name, which she said means “peace” in Thai.

“I think you’re more confident in the process the second time around,” she noted, adding, “You can trust the method more. The baby was born inside three hours, I could not consider it.

Welteroth, who welcomed her first child, a boy, together with her husband in April 2022, has long touted her second pregnancy as a “redemptive pregnancy.” Its first stage was marked by complications and anxiety. Halfway through, after learning concerning the full scope of the Black mother’s health crisis, she began working with a midwife and decided to have a house birth. She also learned what number of families couldn’t afford the life-saving care of midwives and doulas, which led her to launch the FUND birth fund earlier this yr.

Elaine Welteroth shares her pain story in Advil's 'Believe My Pain' campaign

It was through the organization’s official opening that she learned she was pregnant together with her second child, announcing the primary group of beneficiaries. Now her organization is preparing to reward 41 more families.

“I started with the mantra: ‘We are the ones who have to save ourselves,’” she said. “I’m just very, very proud of our team and that we can help women and families, especially in this moment when we see how the system is failing families. I am truly encouraged and hopeful.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Lifestyle

The ultimate Black-owned gift guide for Divine 9 members

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When it involves honoring the wealthy legacy of the Divine Nine, selecting the proper gift is about greater than just aesthetics – it’s about celebrating the history, culture and unwavering bonds of Black Greek letter organizations. Whether it’s Founders’ Day, inheritance ceremonyor just to point out like to a valued senior or fraternity brother, a meaningful gift reflects the pride, strength and purpose these organizations embody.

From stylish accessories to memorabilia that captures the essence of those organizations, these Black-owned brands can assist you to honor the spirit of service and sisterhood – or brotherhood – that outline the Divine Nine experience.

Truth 2 Code

(Photo: True 2 The Code)

Truth 2 Code offers a variety of fashionable accessories for members of the Divine Nine. Adding street style to classic Greek pieces, the True 2 Greek collection allows members to point out off their letters and private style.

Estelle coloured glass

(Photo: Estelle Colored Glass)

Although they might not be sold as a Greek seller, Estelle coloured glass prepares amazing gifts for members of Greek literary organizations. With a wide selection of coloured glassware designs, consider giving your favorite soror or fraternity brother a set of glasses of their organization’s colours.

(*9*)

DVN

(Photo: DVN)

DVN is a Greek clothing brand that hopes to redefine traditional Greek accessories by offering designs that completely fit people’s on a regular basis style. Founded by Danielle Render, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., DVN combines progressive design and meticulous craftsmanship to create jackets, necklaces and custom pieces that allow all D9 members to “represent their affiliations with confidence and authenticity.”

Vontélle Divine glasses collection

(Photo: Vontélle)

Designed for us, Vontélle is a Black woman-owned eyewear brand offering optical frames and sunglasses that complement Black facial expression. Vontélle “Divine” Collection combines the brand’s mission to create better-fitting, vibrant, fashion-forward styles with colours and patterns inspired by historically black sororities and sororities.

Betty Plus promotion

For over 30 years Betty Plus promotion, Black, a family business, is a one-stop shop for Greek accessories, clothing and custom embroidery. Offering deals for every Divine 9 organization, Betty’s Promo Plus offers collections of transition gifts, holiday gifts and more.

Fashionably Greek

(Photo: Fashionably Greek)

Fashionably Greek provides a various range of trendy and customizable clothing options, offering clothes and niknaks for all D9 sororities and choose fraternities (Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi). Its products are perfect for any occasion, from homecoming to social events and even to the office.

University nativity scene

University nativity scene is certainly one of the biggest Greek accessories stores. This Black family-owned business offers a big selection of merchandise for each D9 and non-D9 Black Greek organizations. Customers can shop online or visit a store near Tennessee State University in person.

Macy’s Divine Nine Fraternity and Sorority Collections

(Photo courtesy of Macy’s)

Macy’s Divine Nine Brotherhood collection AND Kasper Sorority Collection pay tribute to the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations by offering men’s and girls’s clothing that highlights the distinct colours of every organization. These business-style garments are perfect for members to subtly have fun their affiliation at work events and/or branch meetings.

Black-owned brands will be able to shop from Oprah's 2024 favorites list

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Lifestyle

Why Denzel Washington quit drinking at 60

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Denzel Washington, alcohol use, sobriety, drug abuse, Gladiator II, Denzel Washington retiring, theGrio.com

Denzel Washington has been sober for nearly a decade, but he had one particular vice: wine.(*60*)

In a brand new profile, the 69-year-old actor talks about his history with wine, drugs like LSD and growing up in New York within the Seventies. Esquire magazine..(*60*)

“Wine is very difficult,” he warned. “It’s very slow… It’s not like boom.”(*60*)

He explained that, unlike harder substances, he had “the perfect idea for wine tasting and so on – and that’s how it was in the beginning.”(*60*)

“And this is a very subtle thing,” he added.(*60*)

Washington said his habit really took off in 1999, when he built a house with a ten-thousand-bottle wine cellar and “learned to drink the best of it.”(*60*)

He added: “My passion was wine, and now I was pouring $4,000 bottles just because it was left.”(*60*)

The “Gladiator II” star eventually developed an intake management system; he frequently ordered the 2 best bottles of wine available at his favorite liquor store.(*60*)

“And my wife says, ‘Why do you only order two?’ I said, “Because if I order more, I’ll drink more.” So I limited it to 2 bottles and drank each in the course of the day,” he told the publication.(*60*)

Even though she drinks wine day by day, the “Equalizer 3” star said she never drank alcohol while working or preparing for a task, even while filming “Flight,” which tells the story of an alcoholic pilot.(*60*)

“I would clean up and go back to work – I could do both,” he said. “Regardless of the months of shooting, bang, it is time to wrap up. And then boom. Three months of wine and time to get back to work.(*60*)

The actor admitted that when he was younger, it was easier to take care of this pattern.(*60*)

“Two months off and we’re going. But the drinking was a fifteen-year pattern. And truth be told, it didn’t start in 1999. It began earlier,” he explained.(*60*)

Washington, who was born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York, described what it was like growing up there within the late Seventies. Spending time on projects with individuals who exposed him to heroin, cocaine, hard alcohol and more, he admits that he experimented but personally “never got hooked on it.” (*60*)

In fact, much of those formative years experiences were passed on to a few of Washington’s best and most complex figures. Still, he said, “I am unable to consider a single role where I said, ‘Man, that is me.’ Completely me? No, no.(*60*)

Since he quit drinking, he appears like “everything is opening up to him.”(*60*)

Will one of Denzel Washington's last films be

“It’s like you’re seventy,” he said. “This is real. And it’s okay. This is the last chapter – if I get one other thirty, what do I would like to do? My mother lived to be ninety-seven.(*60*)

The husband and father of 4 also pays more attention to fitness today, due to Lenny Kravitz, who introduced him to his trainer.(*60*)

“I’m doing everything I can,” he said.(*60*)

As he noted in the course of the “Gladiator II” press session, he’s also enthusiastic about upcoming projects which will become his last – and yes, they include two more “Equalizer” movies.(*60*)

“People love these daggone ‘Equalizers,'” he said. (*60*)

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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