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Stephen Curry, Kamala Harris, and the Return of Political Activism to Stadiums — Andscape

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PARIS – For half an hour in a packed room Thursday, U.S. men’s basketball players Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant answered questions on their Olympic experience, talking about the opening ceremony on the Seine, trips to the Olympic Village, the competitions Team USA is ready to compete in.

Finally, I made a decision to ask Curry a matter I knew was near and dear to him—and his politics. I asked about his friendship with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Harris found herself in the political highlight on Sunday when President Joe Biden made a shocking announcement that he was withdrawal from the presidential raceShortly afterward, Biden said he supported Harris as his successor.

The vp was born in Oakland, California, served as California attorney general and was elected a U.S. senator. Most notably, Harris is a longtime fan of the Golden State Warriors.

On Thursday, Curry said he plans to return the support.

“It’s a big, big deal, to say the least,” Curry said. “She represents the Bay Area. She’s been a huge support for us, and so we want to bring that energy back to her.”

Curry said he was just excited “knowing that obviously we’re here representing our country and it’s a very monumental next few months for our country and where we’re headed. So I’m just excited for the journey that lies ahead.”

What I find promising about Curry’s unwavering support is that his words — and perhaps his presidential campaign — are reactivating a community of skilled athletes that has remained largely dormant of late.

Vice President Kamala Harris attends a USA Basketball men’s basketball team practice July 9 at UNLV in Las Vegas.

Jim Poorten/NBAE via Getty Images

Without life-and-death issues to respond to, and because of concerns about personal brands that breed caution, many athletes have gone underground. The upcoming presidential election is a possible tsunami that may hopefully galvanize the community.

Four years ago, this community, especially the NBA and NFL, became a robust public force supporting, if not shaping, protest. WNBA players famously defeated the Republican candidate for senator players found problematic. Protests by NFL players who knelt during the playing of the national anthem became so intense that then-President Donald Trump scolded team owners, urging them to keep their players in line.

While I’m a proponent of political activism and messaging amongst athletes, it’s not only basketball and football players who will likely be bringing politics to the arena this time. Some MLB players have already thrown their hats into the ring in support of Trump through their very own on-field gestures, though they’ve denied that’s what they’re doing.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls had to explain the gesture he made on Sunday when he seemed to be imitating Trump’s response to an attempted assassination attempt during a campaign event in Pennsylvania on July 13. After scoring a double-double against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Walls raised his fist and appeared to mouth the words “fight, fight, fight,” an apparent allusion to Trump’s gesture shortly after being shot in the right ear.

Walls said the gesture was not intended to be a show of support for the former president, but of course it was.

On Sunday, the St. Louis Cardinals celebrated a victory after outfielder Alec Burleson hit a house run. Burleson’s home run jog and the Cardinals’ dugout celebration appeared to show Burleson and many of his teammates holding their ears with one hand and raising their opposite fists in the air. Another Cardinals player, outfielder Lars Nootbaar, also made the gesture as he circled the bases after hitting a house run in the next inning.

Burleson is DJ and Cardinals designated player Matt Carpenter he called the celebration an “inside joke” Burleson explained that the cupped hand and raised arm were intended to mimic the movements a DJ would make.

Normal.

The upcoming presidential campaign, with Harris likely to be at the center of it, will likely be so rife with misogyny and racism that nobody — including athletes — will have the option to stay on the sidelines.

On the other hand, it’s all good. I’m waiting for all skilled athletes to use their platforms and visibility to support the candidate and promote the cause. This should lead to some very full of life discussions in the locker room/clubs.

The upcoming presidential campaign, with Harris likely to be at the center of it, will likely be so rife with misogyny and racism that nobody — including athletes — will have the option to stay on the sidelines.

“It’s certainly a very interesting time for our country,” Curry said. “The fact that President Biden has endorsed her, and Vice President Harris is trying to bring her energy to this campaign, and hopefully she wins the election.”

Harris recently visited Team USA’s training camp in Las Vegas ahead of earlier this week’s events. Especially in a campaign where the young, undecided and uninterested could help determine the election, well-informed athletes like Curry could be beneficial assets.

“I hope it’s a great way to do something that allows us to continue to bring the country together,” Curry said Thursday. “Sports brings a lot of people together, and for her at this point, knowing what’s ahead, it’s just about positive energy and optimism, knowing how divided our country is right now.”

The NBA season will start in October. The NFL will likely be in full force in November. Everyone will likely be selecting sides. After a period of dormancy, let’s hope political activism returns to the stadium.

On Thursday, U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr made his preference clear. “Kamala Harris is a great candidate and I will support her,” he said.

I look forward to seeing athletes return to the political arena.

William C. Rhoden is a columnist at Andscape and the creator of Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete. He directs Rhoden Fellows, a training program for aspiring journalists at HBCUs.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit

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Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.

Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”

She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.

Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.

Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez shows off a “winter white” look, weeks after critics slammed her busty latex outfit. (Photos: @laurenwsanchez/Instagram, Theimagedirect.com via Page Six)

On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”

One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.

Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.

When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.

Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”

Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”

Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.

Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.

Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape

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India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.

“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”

Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.

Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.


Singer India Shawn grew up singing in church with her family. “I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” she said.

India Shawn

Name:
India Shawn

Hometown:

Los Angeles

Artistic soundscape

Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric

The oldest musical memory

Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.

Influences

For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.

Creative process

Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”

Challenges and development

As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”

Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.

Current project

There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”

Sheila Matthews is a digital producer at Andscape and a proud HBCU graduate. She believes “Return of the Mack” must have won a Grammy, and her Twitter mentions are open to all debate.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence

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With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.

Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.

From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.

In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.

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