let's be honest...
voting rights are under attack, #stopasianhate, + businessman Bron.
Welcome to the latest edition of The Update, a companion to The Andrea Brown Podcast which brings you the latest in news, culture, and innovation. The show drops every Wednesday, and you can listen to it on your preferred platform by clicking one of the links below:
ABP on Apple Podcasts | ABP on Spotify | ABP on Google Podcasts | ABP Online
As a note, anything underlined is a link. Click it to learn more about the story.
Let’s jump in.
news.
There was a domestic terror attack this week - even though some news organizations are stopping short of categorizing it as such. Robert Aaron Long, a white man from Georgia, was “having a bad day” and went on a killing spree, targeting massage parlors in the Atlanta area. Of the 8 people whose lives he took, 6 of them were Asian, but officials aren’t willing to say that the attack was racially motivated. PSA: just because someone says they aren’t a racist or a misogynist, doesn’t mean they are a racist & misogynist. Honestly, who would admit to that?
Please check out this list of resources developed by my good friend Erin, if you’re looking for ways to stand in solidarity with the #StopAsianHate movement. Subscribe to her newsletter while you’re over there too.
Attacking voting rights seems to be the remix to Jim Crow these days. It’s happening right underneath our noses:
You would think that people would want as many folks voting as possible, but - that only works when you’re winning, right?
you should know.
Last Sunday’s Grammy’s had record low viewership - down 53% from last year - but that didn’t mean that it wasn’t without history or controversy. Beyoncé became the most winning female artist of all time after picking up her 28th trophy - but only one of those 28 is for the major award categories.
Megan Thee Stallion took home Best New Artist honors plus two other awards for her “Savage” remix with Bey, but it was her performance of the Cardi B-assisted “WAP” that caught the attention of Fox News Host Tucker Carlson and conservative commentator Candace Owens:
Everyone seems to be for personal responsibility until it’s time to take responsibility for what your kids consume.
Candace isn’t the only one upset with what she saw on the Grammy’s. Samaria Rice, the mother of Tamir Rice, released a statement expressing her displeasure with Tamika Mallory’s presence during Lil Baby’s performance of “The Bigger Picture” and the general predatory nature of some of the bigger names in the movement. Michael Brown, Sr. joined in the chorus and mentioned that he’s only received $500 from Black Lives Matter, although the organization says they raised $90 million last year. If the money’s not going to the families of the victims, where is it going?
sports.
LeBron James & Maverick Carter are now co-owners of The Boston Red Sox & the Liverpool Football Club. This is just the latest in a series of business moves set to position Bron as much more than an athlete.
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has now been accused of sexual misconduct and assault by 22 women, a number that has ballooned since he found out about the allegations via social media earlier this week. All of the women are in the massage or physical therapy industry, and all of the civil suits are being filed by the same lawyer, Tony Buzzbee, who has admitted that he contacted Watson’s attorneys for a financial settlement prior to filing the suits, but also says that the case isn’t about money. No criminal charges have been filed against Watson at this time.
wknd update.
Click the link below to grab the Wknd guide - all of the new releases, things you should watch, and read all in one place. This week, there’s a lot of new music for you to get into. Don’t play yourself.
That’s all for this week. Don’t forget - you can follow me everywhere @IAmAndreaBrown
