An interesting article this week asked if Donald Trump is the next George Wallace — the poster child for racist vitriol and segregation in Alabama during the height of the civil rights movement.
Without mincing words, Wallace proclaimed that he would “protect the Anglo-Saxon people” and uphold segregation. While Trump doesn’t have a southern drawl—his anti-immigrant rhetoric is reminiscent of the era of segregation.
Trump has said we need a “wall” to keep the “rapists and drug dealers out”. He wants to rescind the 14th amendment, which allows children born in the states to become US citizens all to “protect America”.
The most frightening aspect of Trump’s George Wallace 21st century impression is that he is rising in the polls. Conservative media is hailing him as “frank” and “candid” when instead they should be referring to him as what he is, a xenophobic racist intent on dragging America back to the “good ‘ole days” of segregation, you know, to make America great again.
In the slim event you missed it the first time, here is Donald Trump giving his best Wallace impression:
Pop Off of the Week: Amy Poehler vs. The Carters
When will people learn that you don’t mess with Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s little princess Blue Ivy?
In what many called the most tasteless joke they have ever heard, Amy Poehler-produced show "Difficult People" took a crack at using a toddler to make a crude joke about sexual assault.
In the Hulu original series comedians Julie Kessler and Billy Epstein lament about a joke that fell flat and now the Internet is in an uproar. When asked what it was, Kessler’s character retells the joke: "I can't wait for Blue Ivy to be old enough so R. Kelly can piss on her."
Isn’t joking about underage sexual assault funny? Yeah, no.
Poliwood Round-Up: Trending Topics in the #BlackTwitterverse This Week
Trend of the Week: #BuzzfeedBeLike
Now we know that Buzzfeed is very good at helping us all by wasting countless hours scouring listicles and quizzes to our little hearts content and our bosses oblivious nature.
This week one of their lists didn’t quite sit right.
Now, in the spirit of transparency let me just state that I’m Jamaican, so when Buzzfeed decided to do a post entitled 27 Essential Recipes You Need in Your Life (now changed to Jamiaca-Inspired) on all the yummy food that I’ve grown up eating I was HERE FOR IT… that is until I got to the list and the pictures didn’t quite match up with my memory or anyone else’s for that matter. With the "interwebs" being what they are these days — no one was letting the site off the hook and from their gaffe a hilarious hashtag was created.
You’re welcome.
THREE: Box Office Blowout:
Straight Outta Compton became the box office winners over the weekend.
The film racked up an astounding $60M at the box office becoming the fifth biggest August debut of an R-rated film ever.
While cops readied themselves for a film they thought would spark violence, fans of NWA felt a sense of nostalgia and a desire to see their history play out on the silver screen. The film beat out action movies like Man from U.N.C.L.E which normally triumph during the summer months.
Even though the film takes place over 20 years ago, the issues NWA were battling then are unfortunately still relevant today. They were able to capitalize on the current sentiments surrounding the over-policing and the criminalization of blackness without exploiting it.
Bravo!
TWO: Teen Beat:
Who says today’s teen are lackadaisical and aloof?
Seventeen-year old Malyk Bonnet of Canada sure doesn’t fit that description. CBC news reported that while on his way home from work, Bonnet saw a couple arguing at a bus stop. Concerned that the man had hit the woman he decided to approach them.
What happened next was nothing more than heroic.
The man asked Bonnet for cash for bus fare and sensing that the woman was in trouble he decided to not only give them fare but join them on the ride to keep an eye on them. His plan was to call for help but then his phone died.
Once the bus stopped he offered to get them lunch at a rest stop—from there Bonnet used a customer’s phone to call for help. Police we re there within minutes, because they had been looking for the man because as it turns out he kidnapped the woman.
Talk about a hero.
Thanks to his quick thinking Malyk Bonnet saved this woman’s life. Brave doesn’t begin to describe this young man.
ONE: Rest in Power:
Julian Bond was not only an American hero, he was the blueprint for activism.
From fighting his way into the Georgia legislature, to being the founder of Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee — one of the most iconic organizations for civil rights — to chairing the NAACP and coming out as a staunch supporter of LGBT rights before it was popular, Bond made his mark on this planet.
His passing brought with it great sadness, but also a celebration of his legacy—one that was steeped in equality and social justice. We can only hope that we don’t squander the lessons that he taught us throughout the years.
While he rests—we must continue his mission, equality and justice for all.
