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š THE NEWSSTAND
(Hint: go Incognito to fight dem paywalls)
Welcome to another week in space. And while it seems weāre orbiting around the same headlines these past four months we may very well be experiencing what scientists refer to as an orbital maneuver.
The CDC reported despite a few states with increases, Coronavirus cases are down and those states previously hit hardest are on the mend.
In other good news, the NBA has announced it will return on July 31 to finish its 2019-20 season without fans.
As protests continue in towns and cities across the country we see a more peaceful walkā¦ or dance. #MESGA.Ā
With calls for ādefund the policeā being heard around the country, presidential candidate Joe Biden distanced himself with a slightly different tone calling for police reform and further investment into black communities. Meanwhile, Donald finalizes an executive order calling for theāāthe oppositeā of defunding the police with increased investment into police training and equipment.
In other White House news, the āgreat wallā mania that kicked off this era of American history was finally erected. Though, its coordinates are further North and include memorial decorations for fallen black men and women who lost their lives at the hands of police.
Another week, another conspiracy theory. This week Donald hit the Twittersphere suggesting that the 75-year-old Buffalo man Martin Gugin seen being pushed to the ground by the National Guard on a viral video was in fact an āAntifa provocateurā attempting to interrupt police radios. (Mythbuster: Debunked!). The peaceful elderly man did suffer head injuries and after being released from the hospital responded with āblack lives matter.ā Senate Republican responded at a press hearing.Ā
Our slightly manoeuvered orbit also saw the removal of historical and persistent symbols of racism as NASCAR banned Confederate flags at races and Republican-led Senate adopted an amendment to look into removing Confederate symbols and names associated with Army bases.
The election is heating up as Donald announced his rallies will return starting in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Juneteenth. This was met with much backlash as the date signifies the emancipation of Black enslaved people on June 19, 1865. The event itself takes place steps away from the deadliest racial violence in our nationās history.Ā
Folks attending the rally are warned that they āassume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19ā and cannot hold the campaign āliable for any illness or injury.ā
In Georgia, voters witnessed waits of up to six hours as they stood in line to cast their ballot in black communities for this yearās primaries. Advocacy groups call for a fight against voter suppression in our 2020 elections, including one group led by Lebron James.
The Dow was down 7% this week, marking its sharpest drop since March.
And the world keeps spinningā¦ š
š§ WEEKLY MIXTAPE
LA-based āDaytime Discoā group Poolside released their newest album Low Season.
Itās the weekend and I feel like dancing. Join me in this Wrightstuff x Friday Bangers for throwing your hands in the air and raging.Ā
Sammy Brue releases his sophomore album Crash Test Kidfeaturing single āTeenage Mayhem.ā
Jazz singer-songwriter Norah Jones brings us a new melodic album in her Pick Me Up Off The Floor.
Feel the movement in this remastered release of Bob Marleyās Live At The Rainbow, 4th June 1977.
Baltimore-born, LA-based artist and rapper Naeem releases his debut album Startisha after five years in the making and recording in creative cities across the country including New York City, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, and LA.
Electric Slide. Thatās all.
š½ THE KITCHEN
With picnic season in full swing what better way to dine than by preparing a sandwich. This versatile culinary invention has a version for every carnivore, vegetarian, and vegan alike.
"Too few people understand a really good sandwich."Ā
ā James Beard
š„ THE CABINET
The Palm by Whispering Angel
This rosƩ brought to you from the makers of Whispering Angel is the more wallet-friendly picnic favorite. Break out the wine glasses and enjoy a nice, cool glass of rosƩ this warm summer weekend.
šFIRESIDE CHAT
Napoleon is quoted for saying 'What is history, but a fable agreed upon?ā
When we talk about our nationās history in books and memorials, we honor those who were victorious. Often this is touted as a disservice to the oppressed or defeated.Ā
Former Missouri Congressman, George Graham Vest, who advocated for the states to secede from the Union until the very end, was quoted in 1891 saying āfor history is written by the victors and framed according to the prejudices and bias existing on their side.ā
And while this is often true, in some instances there is value in praising those victors who won on the battlefield against evilāChurchill v. Nazis, Gandhi v. British Empire, and Lincoln v. Confederate Army.
Our nationās history is one of oppression and injustice. Itās important to remember that. We were founded under the principles of equality, liberty, and justice for all but we have failed to live this out in practice.Ā
When we celebrate symbols of division and oppression we move further away from the impetus that led the Founding Fathers to found this American Project.
Today, around the country there are hundreds of memorials and statues honoring the Confederate military officials who fought to preserve a system of slavery in the South.Ā
These memorials are a constant reminder of rebel states who sought to secede but lost in the battle led by Abraham Lincoln and the Union Army. The Confederate flag is a symbol of treason and a rally against our founding principles. Across our country there are 10 Army bases named for Confederate commanders, most of them named after World War I.
Isnāt it time for our Southern states to join us in celebrating our victory together? Our victory over the brutal and inhumane practice of slavery. Our victory to work towards āa more perfect union.ā
Iāll tell you what, I for one am for winning, especially when winning means ridding society of evil and injustice.Ā
So, break out the champagne and letās start celebrating our nationās victors. Not our nationās losers. Letās celebrate the bipartisan and nationwide effort to tear down and rebuild from our unjust past.
Over 150 years later the United States is still being tested and might very well succeed if we stand up together. It is time to honor those truly memorable Americans who fought on the side of good and were victorious.Ā
These past few weeks an alleged counterfeit $20 American bill brought this nation to its knees. Now it is time for us to stand up together as a country.Ā
It is time for our Federal government to stop delaying efforts to celebrate our heroes. It is time for us to start celebrating people like Harriet Tubman, Ulysses S. Grant, and Martin Luther King Jr.
āBe sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.ā
ā Abraham Lincoln
We're in this together
#HabituateInSpace
This week saw a few beautiful steps forward in our journey to a more perfect union. Young people such as you Adam give many of us hope that the American experiment will survive another generation. Thank you