politics

A center-right German leader defended his seemingly racist job which exists for the purpose of reinforcing white supremacist ideas about Black people and African culture. Politician Manfred Weber has come under fire after being accused of passionately pushing white nationalism in the name of protecting a "European way of life."According to Politico, the leader of the European People's Party (EPP) in the European Parliament believed he was assisting his colleague, Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen. She assigned a new vice president who will serve as the Commissioner in charge of Protecting Our European Way of Life, which The Independent reports was the brainchild of the European Commission. Despite the title being a clear dog whistle to white supremacists, Weber claims the title is harmless and objectively good. "The title is absolutely crystal clear: we defend the title, we think the title is a good title – to protect, defend the European way of life. Is there somebody in the room who wants to live the Chinese way of life? Somebody in the room who wants to live the African way of life? Or the American way of life?" he said during a press conference at the European Parliament earlier this week."I want to live the European way of life, with solidarity, with democracy, with protecting human rights —especially when it's about migrants. It's absolutely crystal clear," Weber added. I don't know what the "European way of life" is. If you mean the Judeo-Christian tradition, then call it "Western way of life". If you mean your superior German customs, values and behaviors, then call it "German way of life", because I want nothing to do with it. @ManfredWeber— a libertarian eurosceptic (@Italians4Brexit) September 17, 2019I want to live the way of life that sees Manfred Weber shut the fuck up https://t.co/rz3ircm1Ki— Hideous Strength of the EU ↙↙↙ (@lituainianach) September 17, 2019Supporters of the center-right and far-right movement in Europe have cited loose immigration policies as an assault on their European heritage. They claim white people are targeted by Muslim immigrants, and terror is a direct correlation to relaxed immigration policy. Von der Leyen made cabinet appointments and announced the new job title earlier this month, reports The Independent. She went to various lengths to shift attention from the title itself. In an op-ed published in response to critics, she pointed to immigrants as the root cause of uprooting Europeans. The incoming president claimed they were the "adversaries of Europe" threatening the values of "tolerance" and "nondiscrimination."Weber and von der Leyen are similar to more popular far-right leaders like Marine Le Pen in France, who came to power alongside the rise of Trump. White nationalism began to rear its head in Europe around 2014 as immigration from the Middle East and Africa spiked. Outgoing European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker had a more positive view of what European life looked like. “Accepting those that come from far away is part of the European way of life,” he said.The new administration is set to take power in...

Rep. Ayanna Pressley has introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to hold an impeachment inquiry into Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh due to an essay on one of the women allegedly accusing Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct in 1983.The New York Times piece, posted Saturday, provides more information into the allegation Kavanaugh exposed himself to Yale classmate Deborah Ramirez. The Times article claims Kavanaugh put his exposed bottom half in Ramirez's face, causing her to "inadvertently" touch Kavanaugh's exposed part. Ramirez made the allegation first in 2018, though the essay dives deeper and features statements from Ramirez. “I had gone through high school, I’m the good girl, and now, in one evening, it was all ripped away,” Ramirez said to The Times. The publication wrote, "By preying upon [Ramirez] in this way, she added, Mr. Kavanaugh and his friends '[made] it clear I’m not smart.'"Kavanaugh has also been accused of sexual misconduct by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford; who testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2018. Saturday's essay detailed new information in regards to Ramirez's case against Kavanaugh, including the claim that F.B.I. did not interview the near 25 people available to corroborate Ramirez's statements.  Pressley joins other officials in the impeachment inquiry. Presidential hopefuls Sens. Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren are also seeking Kavanaugh's removal.A year ago, we stood in community to oppose Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Today, I introduced a resolution calling for his impeachment. I still believe Christine Blasey Ford. I still believe Deborah Ramirez. #ImpeachKavanaugh pic.twitter.com/GoAEo0GO6L— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) September 17, 2019“Justice should not be a partisan issue and I am supremely confident Kavanaugh has proven himself to be unhinged, unfit, and unqualified,” Pressley wrote in a statement to a Boston public radio on Monday. “Kavanaugh’s tenure on the bench will be indelibly colored by the stories of Ford, Deborah Ramirez, and Julie Swetnick.”But not all agree with those officials. Sen. Dick Durbin teamed with Rep. Jerry Nadler asking Congress members to slow down on calls for impeachment."We’ve got to get beyond this ‘impeachment is the answer to every problem.’ It’s not realistic," Durbin said to Politico. "If that’s how we are identified in Congress, as the impeachment Congress, we run the risk that people will feel we’re ignoring the issues that mean a lot to them as families."Still, Pressley pushes forward.“Sexual predators do not deserve a seat on the nation’s highest court and Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation process set a dangerous precedent,” Pressley said. “We must demand justice for survivors and hold Kavanaugh accountable for his actions.”Republican members have pointed to an editor's note put out after the publishing of The New York Times essay as discounting the allegations within it. The note claims Ramirez declined to be interviewed and adds friends of hers said she did not recall the...

A New York municipal judge who posted an image of a noose with a “Make America Great Again” caption is permanently barred from judicial office.Kyle Canning, 29, posted the image publicly on Facebook in February, saying “If we want to make America great again we will have to make evil people fear punishment again.”In a statement released Tuesday, The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct said "Canning has resigned while under formal charges by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct for sharing an image on his Facebook account that conveyed racial and/or political bias."Canning, who resigned from office on June 27, has agreed to never seek or accept judicial office at any time in the future, according to the statement.Canning had been a justice of the Altona Town Court since 2018, but his current term would have expired on Dec. 31, 2021.According to NBC, the commission served Canning with a formal written complaint in May, charging him with conveying racial and political bias.“The noose is an incendiary image with repugnant racial connotations," Commission Administrator Robert H. Tembeckjian wrote. "It is the very antithesis of law and justice. For a judge to use the image of the noose in making a political point undermines the integrity of the judiciary and public confidence in the courts.”In an interview with The New York Times, Canning said he is a registered Democrat and that he did not consider the Facebook post's racial symbolism."There is not a man that I could despise more than Donald Trump," Canning told The New York Times, adding that his post was meant to show his support for the death penalty and capital punishment.According to NBC, Canning wrote his resignation letter to the Altona town supervisor and said he felt like he was “coerced into...

California Governor Gavin Newsom is weighing whether or not to sign Assembly Bill 539, which would prohibit lenders from charging interest rates higher than 36 percent — including the standard federal rate — on loans between $2,500 and $10,000. The bill was rush-approved by state lawmakers prior to their recess.The bill would require all lenders of such loans to offer credit education to any consumer who applies for one. According to an August report from the State Department of Business Oversight, those loans have seen an increase of 33 percent in the state.Assemblywoman Monique Limon, who introduced the legislation in each of the last 14 legislative sessions, argued lenders could charge rates of up to 235 percent annually and added her legislation would allow more Californians to escape the small loans every year."This is a space where it’s a billions-of-dollar industry. Their ability to influence the conversation, I think, has been evidenced. There was one point where these bills wouldn’t even be heard," Limon said. Opponents of the legislation fear the limit on the interest rate would only stop lenders from giving loans to those with bad or no credit, the very people who would be in that desperate situation to begin with."California has one of the highest costs of living in the nation and it can be extremely difficult to budget and save for financial expenses. I talk with hardworking members of our communities every week, and they need more, not less,  options," said Julian Canete, head of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, in an email to The Hill. "Simply mandating arbitrary price controls is not the right answer."Newsom, who has hundreds of bills left on his desk to sign, has not indicated if he would sign the bill into law — though  Limon says Newsom's talk of interest rates in his inaugural address is a good sign. Interest rate limits are already in place in 38 states throughout...

Charges have been filed against Ed Buck, prominent Democratic activist and philanthropist, after two men overdosed on illegal drugs and died inside his West Hollywood apartment. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced the charges against Buck on Tuesday evening. The political activist was charged with operating a drug house and providing methamphetamine to an unidentified third man who survived an overdose in Buck’s home last Wednesday. NBC 4 Los Angeles reports that prosecutors filed a motion to increase Buck’s bail given his “malicious” and “beyond reckless” behavior. “In addition to these three incidents, Defendant Buck has engaged in and continues to engage in the exact same behavior, namely preying on vulnerable men and injecting them with dangerously large doses of methamphetamine," prosecutors wrote in court documents. "The full scope of his consistent malicious behavior is unknown."Court documents also include extensive details of the allegations around the third man’s overdose in Buck’s home earlier this month that led to the charges:“On or about September 4, 2019, Buck personally and deliberately administered a dangerously large dose of methamphetamine to Joe Doe. Concerned he was suffering from a methamphetamine overdose, Doe left the apartment to get medical attention," the document read."Joe Doe returned to Buck's apartment on September 11, 2019. On that date, shockingly, Buck again personally and intentionally injected two dangerously large doses of methamphetamine into Doe," it continued. "Doe again developed the symptoms of methamphetamine overdose. Buck refused to render aid to Doe, but rather thwarted Doe's attempts to get help. Doe eventually fled the apartment and called 911 from a nearby gas station.”Buck’s defense team adamantly claim that the noted donor had nothing to do with the deaths of 26-year-old Gemmel Moore in July 2017 and 55-year-old Timothy Dean in January 2019 in his home.Moore’s mother, LaTisha Nixon, filed a lawsuit in February after she said authorities dragged their feet on charging Buck with the death of her son. “I just think they don’t care,” she said of investigators and prosecutors who worked on her son’s case.According to NBC 4, a federal judge considered dismissing the case unless Nixon’s attorneys clarified and resubmitted allegations against the defendants. The updating filing alleges wrongful death, human trafficking, sexual battery, hate violence, drug dealer liability, negligence, infliction of emotional distress and civil rights violations.     After Moore’s death was classified as an accidental methamphetamine overdose, Nixon and activists called for the LA County Sheriff’s Department to re-examine the case. Dean died in Buck's home in similar circumstances to Moore. Buck claims that the 55-year-old was already under the influence before coming to his home. Dean's death is still under investigation, and the findings from the coroner will be kept confidential at the request of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, NBC4 reports.“They are extremely grateful and relieved that Mr. Buck is finally off the streets, or out of his drug home,” Hussein Turk, Nixon’s attorney, said in response to charges against Buck. “It’s unfortunate that it’s taken a third overdose for the LA Sheriff's Department to finally act, we believe that that third overdose could have probably been avoided.”Nixon’s attorney said they have reason to believe that Buck received special treatment from police and prosecutors due to his political activism and donations to a list of elected officials. Lindsey Horvath, West Hollywood mayor pro tempore, told NBC 4: “The families of Gemmel Moore and Timothy Dean — along with members of the West Hollywood community — worked tirelessly to see this day come. There is still a long way to go for justice to finally be served in their names, however, we hope the evidence from this arrest will finally make clear what has happened, and we hope will never happen...

When Desiree Ivey and Cherron Perry-Thomas, founders of the Diasporic Alliance For Cannabis Opportunities (DACO), attended a cannabis conference in Las Vegas, they quickly realized there were not many others who looked like them. Instead of being discouraged, the two conceptualized change and decided to create their own. From this, the 2018 Cannabis Opportunity Conference was born.The conference, which took place Oct. 19-20 at the Temple University Medical Center in Philadelphia, centered around conversations on cannabis options for wellness, social justice and economic empowerment. Free to the public, conference goers heard from cannabis experts and advocates, like Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ).“The legal cannabis industry is rapidly growing […], but less than 20 percent of all business owners and employees are non-white,” Perry-Thomas said in a press release sent to Blavity. “We at DACO want to change that by reducing the stigma around cannabis and introduce the limitless opportunities to marginalized communities.”Thomas-Perry and Ivey argue that opportunity is key, as cannabis-related businesses are projected to prosper. The marijuana industry is expected to generate around $40 billion in economic impact by 2021, and with the right education and accessibility of resources, minorities have a lot to gain by participating.“[We] have to advocate for access, equity and policy reform to be included in this industry,” Thomas-Perry told Blavity. “Without the information, we don’t know what to ask for, where to go or what to do. DACO wants to change this by creating alliances throughout the diaspora for us to learn how we can have a shared value in the legalized cannabis sector.”Before diving into the cannabis industry, the two conference coordinators want to ensure that black entrepreneurs know the laws, especially considering the current legal climate.“Policy does not favor Black and Brown communities,” Thomas-Perry said. “Laws that have historically locked us up are the same laws that are keeping us out of the industry.”Both women have years of experience with medical marijuana. Perry-Thomas is the CEO of Green Dandelion Marketing, which helps brands find homes within major natural retail shops. Likewise, Ivey created the Medicinally Jointed, an alternative wellness center where patients can safely speak with qualified health professionals about natural, holistic treatment options. The space hits close to home for Ivey who, after being diagnosed with Lupus, uses these medicinal alternatives to manage the pain resulting from this chronic autoimmune illness. Together, they hope to change the narrative surrounding cannabis. Now check these out:3 Black Women, Tired Of The Whitewashed Weed Industry, Created 'Cannaclusive' To Rep for People Of Color6 Reasons It's Time That All Of Africa Legalizes CannabisHow Three Millennials Are Helping Black People Become Legal Marijuana...

Former Vice President Joe Biden tasted his toes again after he flubbed an answer to a debate question about slavery.During last Thursday’s debate, moderator Linsey Davis asked Biden about a comment he made 40 years ago about the legacy of slavery, according to The Intercept. In the 1970s, he said, “I don’t feel responsible for the sins of my father and grandfather. I feel responsible for what the situation is today, for the sins of my own generation, and I’ll be damned if I feel responsible to pay for what happened 300 years ago.”Davis asked Biden how the nation should address its sins.Joe Biden's answer on how to address the legacy of slavery was appalling -- and disqualifying. It ended in a sermon implying that black parents don't know how to raise their own children. This cannot go on.#DemDebate pic.twitter.com/WuI4b8n5Yz— Anand Giridharadas (@AnandWrites) September 13, 2019 “You said that some 40 years ago, but as you stand here tonight, what responsibility do you think that Americans need to take to repair the legacy of slavery in our country?” she questioned.Biden’s answer wasn’t much better than the comment he made in the 70s. He rambled about his record on fighting segregation and suggested preschool-aged children should be in school instead of daycare. The end of his answer was the eyebrow-raiser.“We bring social workers into homes of parents to help them deal with how to raise their children. It’s not that they don’t want to help, they don’t want — they don’t know quite what to do,” Biden stated.“Play the radio, make sure the television — excuse me, make sure you have the record player on at night, the phone — make sure that kids hear words,” he added. “A kid coming from a very poor school — a very poor background — will hear 4 million words fewer spoken by the time they get there.”Biden’s ignorant answer drew swift criticism.CNN commentator Angela Rye said the 76-year-old “has not yet dealt with whether or not he has a Black agenda.”“When we talk about racism in this country, it is not about parents not knowing how to raise their children,” she told anchor Jake Tapper. “And then for him to say that, on the stage at Texas Southern University, which is a historically Black college which — shameless plug, I did the commencement speech this spring — I am just — I just don’t know if he’s not listening to his Black advisers because he has them.”Rye urged Biden to get with the times and stop relying on his resume to get by.“And I want him to really come to terms with the fact that things are different from when he started in politics — he’s been in politics a long time — even different from when he served as vice president for both terms for Barack Obama, it is a different day and age and it is required — it is incumbent upon him to have a black agenda and the reason why 52% of the respondents to the black census by the Black Futures Lab say they don’t think politicians care about black people,” she added.Social media also had a lot to say about Biden.Joe Biden’s response to this question about racism is really appalling. He was so busy dodging the question, he effectively said low income black people don’t know how to parent their own kids. And something about a record player.pic.twitter.com/vDKliyyANK— Marlon Weems (@GeekTrader) September 13, 2019I like Joe Biden but his slavery answer was no bueno and I’m a bit disappointed I’m one of the only people saying so today. https://t.co/3LEHnAknvB— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) September 13, 2019After the third Democratic debate, I've gone from just thinking Joe Biden was an out of touch liar, to sincerely dispising him. His answer on slavery was vile, and it infuriates me that so many older people have been fooled by this charlatan. If he's the nominee, we will lose.— beth, yes that one (@bourgeoisalien) September 15, 2019Folks really aren’t understanding what’s wrong with Joe Biden. It’s not about the veracity of his specific claims—whether parents should play records or Corn Pop existed. It’s about framing black people in the most reductive, outdated tropes possible.— Sorry to that man corn pop (@MalaikaJabali) September 16, 2019So many problems with this. He didn't answer the question. He repeated a racist stereotype (using a debunked study). He still has a record player... But the pettiest problem... Does Joe Biden think black parents don't play their kids music?? Has he MET black people? https://t.co/2qMLU7EcP2— Ashley Nicole Black (@ashleyn1cole) September 13, 2019Joe Biden is that teacher who comes "to the hood" to pay off their student loans & rather than admit that they are scared of Black ppl, they use their authority to harm Black kids blaming poor performance on "poor home environment" not their lack of skill & Archie Bunker racism. pic.twitter.com/I9dHOzCPum— 👑 Stephanie Victoria 👑 (@CrownVictoria22) September 15, 2019 Biden’s foot-in-mouth syndrome has reared its ugly head a few times since he began his campaign. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joe Biden (@joebiden) on Aug 10, 2019 at 10:15am PDT In August, he caught flak for claiming “poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids.” A couple of months before, he bragged about his friendly relationship with segregationist politicians."I was in a caucus with James O. Eastland. He never called me 'boy,' he always called me 'son,'" Biden said. “Well guess what? At least there was some civility. We got things done," Biden said. "We didn't agree on much of anything. We got things done. We got it finished."Then there's Corn Pop, the gangster he allegedly confronted back in the day, according to Insider. Joe, just stop...

Things got really heated during the third day of the Revolt Summit.T.I., conservative commentator Candace Owens and others took to the main stage to discuss hip-hop’s influence on politics. It’s no secret where the Atlanta rapper and entrepreneur stands when it comes to the current administration under Trump, so when he was joined by Owens, fellow rapper Killer Mike for the “Trap the Vote x Revolt: Hip Hop & Politics” discussion, most correctly presumed it would be a lively debate. During the panel, which was moderated by Jeff Johnson, T.I. cut straight to the chase and asked the Trump supporter about the president’s enigmatic campaign slogan.  “When you say Make America Great Again, which period are we talking about,” T.I. asked. “[Is it] the period when women couldn’t vote? The period when we were hanging from trees? The crack era?” Candace Owens Was Defending Donald Trump & T.I Wasn’t Having it pic.twitter.com/g5HLuYvY2a— 2CooI2Blog (@2Cool2Bl0g) September 15, 2019Applause from the audience slowly swept the venue, as Owens tried to explain her stance. “I actually think that I would totally rock a hat right now that said Make Black America Great Again,” she responded. Noticing her intent to deflect from the question at hand, T.I. pushed back and said, “That wasn’t the question. Which period was America great that we’re trying to replicate?”Owens felt the heat and attempted to pull her scattered thoughts together by bringing up that America wasn’t the only nation guilty of slavery. Meanwhile, her fellow panelists and the entire audience awaited for a point to be made. Derailed from her argument, the conservative commentator defended herself against the audience who began booing her and dismissing her claims. “You’re making light of the enslavement of people that look like us,” T.I. said, as Owens waited for a moment to speak between jeers from the audience. “You can’t make light of that. That ain’t something you breeze over.”The discussion included several other thought-provoking moments, including a passionate address from Killer Mike who insisted that more collective action from the Black community is needed before any change takes place. "Black people...how are we going to get in a room together, stop fighting over who's master, decide what our agenda is, and how to leverage it." - @KillerMikeHe also drops an important line about #JayZ and @Kaepernick7.via #REVOLTSummit (@revolttv)(5/5) pic.twitter.com/MOMcktU9On— Unstripped Voice (@UnstrippedVoice) September 15, 2019The second leg of the Revolt Summit is set to take place in Los Angeles from October...

California lawmakers have passed a piece of legislation that will prevent the building of some ICE detention centers and private prisons in the state. Assembly Bill 32 passed the California state House with a vote of 65-11 last Wednesday after the state Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill Tuesday. According to NBC News, the bill, if signed into law, will phase out the state's use of private prisons by the year 2028. Under the letter of the bill, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will no longer be able to imprison people at for-profit institutions outside of the state. An amendment in June gave way to specific language banning ICE detention centers as well. The bill, spearheaded by Assemblyman Rob Bonta, will tackle the growing state population of for-profit incarcerated people. There are currently 2,222 people in for-profit prisons. California also currently houses 1,300 people at ICE-operated centers.  “My understanding is AB32 would prevent new contracts for these facilities,” Hamid Yazdan Panah, an immigration attorney and the regional director for the Northern California Rapid Response & Immigrant Defense Network, told The Guardian. “The fact they’re on a one-year bridge, it won’t allow them to move from the one-year contract to a longer-term contract.”Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the bill into law. He has until October 13 to sign or veto. While campaigning to be governor, he voiced support for putting an end to for-profit prisons in the state.California has actively taken on the Trump administration's use of detention centers with this major piece of legislation. Deaths of young immigrant children have highlighted the harsh conditions of the centers."We don't comment on pending legislation," Bryan D. Cox, acting press secretary for ICE told NBC News. "But any person under the impression that a state law in any way binds the hands of a federal law enforcement agency which manages a national network of detention facilities would be a false...

Tamara "Tami" Sawyer could be the next mayor for the city of Memphis — a community where she was born and raised. Sawyer says she is ready to take her public service experience to new heights, as her campaign motto proclaims: Memphis Can't Wait. We can't wait. The millennial politician has served as Memphis' 7th District of Shelby County's Commissioner since August 2018. She is recognized as one of "18 Tennesseans to Watch in 2018," and serves as a beacon of light in her community. If voted the next mayor of the 'Home of the Blues,' she will be the city's first woman elected to the post. Blavity had a chance to get to know Commissioner Sawyer a little better. Check out her answers to 21 questions below.1. Why can’t Memphis wait?The night before he was assassinated, Dr. King said something was happening in Memphis. He thought we were on the cusp of addressing generations of poverty and inequity. 51 years later, Memphis currently ranks second in overall and childhood poverty, with more than 30 percent of African American youth living in poverty. We can’t wait any longer to make something happen here. Less than 50 percent of Memphians have access to quality healthcare or education. Our future as a city depends on us turning the tide, investing in our neighborhoods and our youth. We can’t wait for equity and opportunity to be the guiding vision of our city. We deserve more than basic leadership at best.2. Who’s your latest, greatest inspiration?Two high school seniors; Zyhana Bryant, in Charlottesville, VA, and Allyson Smith, here in Memphis. They are two bold, courageous, freedom fighting black girls, and I love keeping up with their ideas, their achievements (both have full rides to the schools of their dreams), their passion for change, and vision for the future.3. Who has the best Bar-B-Que in Memphis?Payne’s. They are family owned, black-owned, and have been providing good plates of barbeque to Memphis for generations. It’ll show you how country I can be, but I love a good Payne’s bologna sandwich ad a Dr. Pepper.4. If Beale Street could talk, what would it say?Beale Street would cry for its lost history. What was once a historically black street now has only a handful of black store owners. The history of the street being the economic vein of black Memphis is remembered by very few and it shows. That loss of economic power and true political power, bleeds throughout the city and I believe Beale Street would say it is time for that to change.5. What issues are you prioritizing during your campaign?I’m running with a vision of bringing equity and opportunity to Memphis. Some of the ways this vision can be realized are through the city reinvesting in education; from Pre-K, to K-12, to adult literacy and education, to right-sizing our Minority & Women Business pending, to being more in-line with the population of the city — there are 70 percent people of color, 50 percent women — and investing in small businesses in communities that have high levels of poverty. I want to introduce an equity budget that ensures all parts of Memphis receive the same quality of services on an equitable schedule. I’ll also be looking at improving public transit, and addressing environmental issues such as the quality of our water and the presence of brownfields in historically black communities.6. What’s one word to describe Memphis?Resilient.7. You can choose one celeb to headline your political rally. Who is it?Will Smith. Will’s resurgence into popular conversation has been incredible to watch, and I love that he is present in such a wholesome way. We are talking about healing our community and Will and his family are modeling that healing in a lot of ways. Plus he just makes everyone happy and I would love the energy he would bring.8. What is your favorite thing about being a Black woman?My favorite thing about being a black woman is the sisterhood you’re born into. My life has been enriched by the influence and support of black women from my mother, her sisters and friends, to the women of my own generation and the ones younger than me: like my nieces and mentees. Black women, unlike what you often see on TV, lift one another up and pour so much into each other. My greatest joys have been made brighter, and toughest moments have been made easier, because of the presence of my sister friends.9. You’re in the elevator with Trump. What do you say?Ha! This is a tough one. My first thought is “what would Solo do?” Maybe I’d just say impeach-impeach-impeach until he reaches his floor, like the shame walk-in GOT.10. You have one day to relax. What are you doing?Resting. Listening to Afrobeats while soaking up some sun, swimming, reading, napping, and eating gourmet cheese and crackers.11. What do you think about the yeehaw agenda?The belief that “country culture” bred in the south escaped black people’s attention or that we had no influence on it as well as implausible. I’m all for the Yeehaw Agenda and have been a member forever. My heritage is rural Tennessee. I grew up running in creeks and fields. The first year I lived in DC, my favorite accessory was a John Deere trucker hat. I keep a cowboy hat for summer time and love Tim McGraw. Some of my favorite people are the guys who ride horses through South Memphis. Remove the racism and I’m all in. 12. What is your favorite part of being politically active?Being able to use the tools that have historically oppressed us to make change.13. How are you engaging Millennials and Generation Z in your campaign?I’m a millennial and one thing that drives me crazy is people who think we have no work ethic or skills. Because of that, I’m adamant about empowering millennials and Gen Z to be at the table. My core campaign team is mostly millennial. We are invested in working with college students at 4-year and 2-year colleges, to hear their voices and encourage them to be engaged. Because 1/4 of our youth are neither working nor in school, we know college isn’t the only place we need to go. So, we’re going to walk neighborhoods to meet them where they are. We have Gen Z interns as well and their voices are extremely important as they are not the next leaders, they’re current leaders.14. If you could have dinner with one person (living or deceased) who would it be?My granny. She passed when I was 15, but she played a major role in shaping who I am. I often wonder what she would think about the world today and what she’d say about my life and work. I’d love to spend time with her one more time, and of course, she’d be the one to cook what we eat while she fussed about me still not making greens as well as she does.15. What song always gets you motivated?Legendary by Wale. It always gets me in the game. “Forget fame. Forget money. Forget anything that anyone can take from me. I’m just trying to be legendary.” And that’s the truth, I’m working to leave a legacy that changes the trajectory of black lives in Memphis, the south, the whole country if I can.16. What led you to organize #takeemdown901?I was at a point of frustration with the grassroots work we were doing around racial justice in Memphis. While at a work retreat I was asked what was one thing I could accomplish to change the trajectory of the future and I said: “We can take down these damn statues.” The statues had always been a thorn in my side. To me, they normalized the racial inequity that is prevalent in Memphis. If we couldn’t remove those, how could we disrupt the bigger, more deeply entrenched systems? So, I set out to tackle it and see if we could get that win for our community.17. Would you ever run for President?No. That’s not my path by any means. President is a different game. My focus is on local politics and having a direct impact on people in Memphis.18. What is a quote you live by?“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek,” said President Barack Obama. Our President wasn’t the originator of the entire quote, part of it is from an unnamed Hopi elder, but, his use of it in the entire sequence has been my call to action and my shield against “sit down and wait” for a long time.19. What’s one lesson you’ve learned during your campaigning journey thus far?The most important thing is people. The money, the ads, the profiles, none of it matters if people don’t believe in your commitment and authenticity.20. Would you rather have Michael Cohen as your attorney or Ben Carson as your doctor?Ben Carson was a great doctor. It’s a shame he didn’t stay one. If I needed major surgery, I’d definitely support him retiring from politics to go back to the job he should still be doing [Sawyer laughed].21. Would you rather have Beyoncé lead your campaign or receive a $5 million endorsement from Jay Z?Hov’s money. If Jay Z invested $5M in the campaign, we could have #wecantwait on TV every day, in every mailbox, and on every social media app, popping up as ads while people play candy crush. We’d be able to do grassroots outreach in a way that impacts the community — free summer lunch for kids, college campus voter registration, vans to the polls. It’d be the biggest game changer ever seen in Memphis.Now, check these out!Beyoncé Pays Tribute To Michelle Obama In 'Time 100' Essay: 'Loving Michelle Obama Wasn’t Much Of A Choice'Black Women Are Joining The DNC Leadership Ahead Of 2020 ElectionTwo Black Women Are Running To Be Sheriff Of Philadelphia And Unseat An Alleged Sexual...