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Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
LA Riots, Deportations, N-Word Karens and Other Distractions That Have Black Folks Sleepwalking
In an era marked by rising hate and division, the Black community faces a new kind of attack — and it isn't always glaringly obvious. As chaos unfolds on screens and in headlines, the real threats slip by unnoticed, quietly reshaping our future. This is the cautionary tale about how distraction has become a weapon, and why staying truly woke means seeing beyond the noise to protect what's ours. Now, we love the phrase 'Stay woke' — thanks, Donald Glover — but it feels like we're sleepwalking through some of the biggest moves against us without fully grasping the severity of the situation on our hands. Whether people are picking up the pieces to failed immigration policies — sparking protests like the ICE L.A. riots — or we're sucked into reality TV, we must face these issues head-on. Let's take a deep dive into some of the major players in this advanced game of distraction, and how the tactics are used against us. Shocking immigration riots took place on June 8 in Los Angeles, where thousands took to the streets after ICE launched sweeping raids. Protesters were outraged over mass detentions, family separations, and the sudden deployment of National Guard troops while facing troops, tear gas, rubber bullets, and site-wide curfews. While Black and immigrant communities fight for their voice and future, chaos is staged at the hand of the Trump administration — once again — to keep everyone on edge and off their game. Frankly, the visible and physical tactic of slapping down unity is a slap in the face…and protesters weren't afraid to turn up in the faces of the California National Guard. At least 56 were arrested over the weekend, per NBC News. Don't come for us when we say this, but entertainment is slowly but surely becoming a form of mind control. Every scandal, every rabbit hole, every bombshell media trial (we're looking at you, Diddy) — it's all keeping us locked in and tuned out. Using celebs to push agendas? We're over it. It's Rome all over again, a reminder of how entertainment was used as a tool to minimize the potential for civil unrest, while enhancing their popularity and image. Works every time — but we're on to it. Many Black folks feel some decisions made by the Trump administration are slowly chipping away at the potential for Black progress. Community programs that offer support to education and health are being cut and stripped of their funding, such as proposed cuts to Title I funding. By the time we look up, they're already out the back door with a program — such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — that was set in place to encourage Black success. Needless to say, politics can be a masterclass in misdirection. During the era of our civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, activism was rooted in real sacrifice. Today, social justice is somewhat of a trendy accessory: changing your Facebook photo to stand with victims and adding the black square to your Instagram profile. During the Montgomery Bus Boycotts, people, young and elderly, opted out of the bus system due to harsh treatment for a staggering 381 days—from Dec. 5, 1955 to Dec. 20, 1956. Compare that to now, where many won't log off for three minutes — let alone stand ten toes down for over a year. We can easily call this digital programming. Every person's feed is created especially for them, fueling their triggers, addictions, and messiest obsessions for monetary gain. No matter the social app, the goal is to keep us doom-scrolling until we're late for work, short on sleep, or deep into a chaotic rabbit hole. All the trash gets pushed to the top while real-world updates are suppressed, rendering many uninformed. Election disputes causing voter suppression may not be the intention, but it can delay access or hinder full participation. Allegations of voter fraud, battles over ballot access and unexpected changes to voting rules disproportionately affect Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities. Claims of fraud become justifications for reduced early voting periods, restrictions on mail-in ballots, and stricter voter ID laws — all of which directly impact Black folks. It's bad enough some don't see the need to vote at all, and this surely doesn't help. At this point, just stop selling the microphones. Since the rise of YouTube podcasts, everybody's a scholar, everybody's got 'sources,' and everybody's reporting something — facts optional. It's a mess. And while the misinformation marathon continues, the truth doesn't even get a head start and opinions are seemingly as good as facts. Thanks to the late Kevin Samuels and many others, Black men and women turned what should be a wholesome discussion into a full-blown battlefield — and social media's eating it up. Known as 'Red Pill' content, some podcasts are built on dragging each other down, 'high value' nonsense and endless 'who brings what to the table' debates. Unifying the Black family has to be central to maintain success. While we're busy fighting each other, the real ops stay winning and we're watching it happen in 4K. They're not even hiding it anymore. Right under our noses, Black studies are being slashed from school curriculums, and key parts of our history are vanishing from textbooks. Since 2021, 44 schools have proposed bills in favor of restricting what's called critical race theory (CRT), per EdTrust. This prevents teachers from giving lessons on important topics, including systemic racism. From Florida to Texas, the erasure is real — and strategic. Whether it's 'talk proper' or 'dress like you want the job,' respectability politics whispers lies about what it takes to be accepted or protected here. We're taught to shrink, conform, and dilute our Blackness to make others comfortable — even though it hasn't stopped injustices. It's a distraction that places blame on individuals instead of the system designed to undermine, no matter how polished we appear. Covert anti-Blackness — whether it's subtle or in-your-face systemic discrimination — chips away at a system that talks big about freedom, equality, and representation. Under Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the Navy to wipe the names of civil rights legends like Harriet Tubman, Thurgood Marshall, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg off naval ships. This kind of quiet erasure isn't loud, but it's no accident — it's polished and intentional. It seems Trump's administration has mastered the art of political theatre — one minute commuting the federal sentence of Chicago gang founder Larry Hoover, the next stripping the names of beloved civil rights leaders from U.S. Navy ships. While our attention was diverted to controversy, chaos, and entertainment, critical programs were defunded, protections dismantled, and inequalities deepened. This isn't just politics — it's a performance meant to mislead and confuse. With so many distractions in play before us, becoming more vigilant and spotting foul play is key. The time has come to cut the noise, and focus on moving forward together as a people in power.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
"I was trash that day": A$AP Rocky recalls giving audition for Lando in 'Solo: A Star Wars Story'
American rapper A$AP Rocky recalled giving audition for the role of Lando Calrissian in the 2018 film ' Solo: A Star Wars Story '.Rocky auditioned for Lando Calrissian, but Donald Glover ultimately took on the role in the Ron Howard-directed film, reported People."My audition was trash. I was trash that day," said Rocky, adding, "My man Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) was a way better Lando than I would've provided at that I think he looked a little more like (Billy Dee Williams) than me."'Solo: A Star Wars Story' centers on the Star Wars character Han Solo. Directed by Ron Howard, it is the second Star Wars anthology film, following Rogue One (2016). Alden Ehrenreich stars as Solo, with Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandiwe Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Joonas Suotamo, and Paul film tells the origin story of Han Solo and Chewbacca, who join a heist within the criminal underworld a decade before the events of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977 science fiction movie).However, the rapper would not mind giving audition for a 'Star Wars' film again as he replied, "Hell, yeah," as reported by is set to share screen with actor Denzel Washington in the upcoming film 'Highest 2 Lowest'. The film will have a premiere in Cannes in May Highest 2 Lowest stars Denzel Washington, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, Ice Spice (in her film debut), and ASAP Rocky in the lead roles. The movie is directed by Spike movie is described as a "reinterpretation" of the famed Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's own 1963 crime thriller High and Low, "now played out on the mean streets of modern day New York City," reported People.'Highest 2 Lowest' is in select theaters August 22 and releases on Apple TV+ September 5.
Digital Trends
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
A$AP x Star Wars? Find out which rapper auditioned to play Lando Calrissian
The Force was almost with A$AP Rocky. The Grammy-nominated rapper previously auditioned to play the role of Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story. In an interview with Variety, Rocky shared his brutally honest review of his tryout for Star Wars. Recommended Videos 'I auditioned for Star Wars, and my audition was trash,' Rocky told Variety. 'I was trash that day.' The role ultimately went to Donald Glover, who also goes by his musical stage name, Childish Gambino. While Solo failed critically and financially, Glover received positive reviews for his performance, with Rocky being one of his biggest supporters. 'My man Childish Gambino was a way better Lando than I would've provided at that time,' Rocky explained. 'And I think he looked a little more like [Billy Dee Williams] than me.' Despite the failed audition, Rocky would happily take another shot at joining the Star Wars universe. Released in 2018, Solo starred Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo, a smuggler who will one day become a hero for the Rebel Alliance in the battle against the Galactic Empire. Solo takes place approximately 10 years before Star Wars: A New Hope and chronicles the dangerous heist involving the Kessel Run. The movie introduces Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo), Han's eventual co-pilot, and Lando, the cunning smuggler who lends him the iconic Millennium Falcon. Billy Dee Williams originated the role of Lando in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Williams later reappeared as Lando in The Rise of Skywalker. In December 2020, Lucasfilm announced a Lando limited series at Disney+. Three years later, Stephen Glover, Donald's brother and collaborator, revealed Lando had shifted from a TV show to a movie. The movie remains in development. Rocky will next be seen in Highest 2 Lowest, Spike Lee's crime thriller starring Denzel Washington. The movie will premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Highest 2 Lowest opens in theaters on August 22 and streams on Apple TV+ on September 5. Please enable Javascript to view this content
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hims & Hers' off-brand weight loss drugs made a Super Bowl splash. Here's what to know
Over 100 million Americans watched Hims & Hers (HIMS)' controversial Super Bowl ad taking on the weight-loss drug industry this Sunday during the Super Bowl. The ad took a surprisingly political tone — with Donald Glover's 'This Is America' as its soundtrack — criticizing the high price tag of branded weight-loss drugs. 'Welcome to weight loss in America — a $160 billion industry that feeds on our failure,' said a narrator in the commercial. 'There are medications that work — but they are priced for profits, not patients.' The adbriefly featured the company's GLP-1 injections. The weekly treatment contains compounded or off-brand semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's (NVO) popular diabetes and weight-loss treatments Ozempic and Wegovy. Where the controversy comes is that, unlike Wegovy ads, the Hims & Hers spot did not include a list of risk disclaimers. Several industry groups and lawmakers called the commercial misleading and urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action against the ad. Meanwhile, Hims & Hers said the backlash was 'a clear attempt by industry groups to cancel an advertisement that directly calls out how they are part of a system that fails to prioritize the health of Americans.' Here is everything you need about Hims & Hers' compounded weight-loss drugs. Compounding is the process of customizing an approved drug by a state-licensed pharmacist or physician to meet the specific needs of an individual patient. The alterations of these medications can include making a higher dosage, reformulating a drug to not include ingredients a patient may be allergic to, and changing a pill into liquid form. Outsourcing facilities can also compound drugs under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. There are about 7,500 pharmacies in the United States that focus on compounded drugs, according to the American Pharmacists Association. Typically, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act prohibits compounding drugs that are just copies of commercially available medications. However, drugs that are in shortage are not considered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be commercially available. Wegovy is currently in shortage due to increased demand, according to an FDA database. Because of this, compounders are allowed to buy semaglutide from drug ingredient makers to compound it into injectable formulations. These formulations could be mixed with B vitamins or L-carnitine. Hims & Hers in May began offering customers compounded semaglutide injections for just $199 a month — hundreds of dollars cheaper than Ozempic's nearly $1,000 list price and Wegovy's $1,349 price tag. The compounded formulations are not FDA-approved, so the agency does not review the safety and efficacy of these products The FDA said last year that it had received adverse event reports from patients taking a compounded semaglutide and recommended that patients not use a compounded drug if an approved drug is available. The agency specifically warned about reports of some compounders using salt forms of semaglutide — which is different from the semaglutide used in approved products like Wegovy — in their formulations. For its part, Hims & Hers said they conducted exhaustive research and vetting for over a year before partnering with a leading U.S. manufacturer of generic and compounded drugs. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Big drama around the Hims & Hers Super Bowl ad is making it's way to the FDA
A pharma industry group is urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to block what it calls a 'dangerous' Super Bowl ad from the digital healthcare company Hims & Hers (HIMS), promoting an off-brand version of Ozempic. 'As a knock-off copy of a prescription drug, the commercial for this product should comply with FDA prescription drug ad rules,'wrote Shabbir Imber Safdar, executive director of the Partnership for Safe Medicines, in a letter to the agency. 'We request you act to enforce the laws and guidelines that protect Americans from misleading marketing in health products.' The group also wrote a letter to Fox (FOXA), the broadcast network airing the Super Bowl this Sunday, asking them to pull the 'deeply troubling' commercial. Members of the Partnership for Safe Medicines include the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), an advocacy group that represents both Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Eli Lilly (LLY), the makers of popular branded weight-loss medications. Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have been ramping up production of their GLP-1 medications to remove them from the FDA's drug shortage list, a goal Eli Lilly achieved late last year. The pharmaceutical giants have also filed petitions with the FDA to have their medications added to a list of drugs deemed too complex to compound safely. 'This is a clear attempt by industry groups to cancel an advertisement that directly calls out how they are part of a system that fails to prioritize the health of Americans,' Hims & Hers said in a statement to Quartz. 'The system is broken, and this is just another example of how they don't want Americans to know they have options. We're calling for change, which means putting the health of Americans first through affordable and available care.' Partnership for Safe Medicines did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Super Bowl ad, from the millennial-targeted telehealth company, has a surprisingly political tone — with Donald Glover's 'This is America' as its soundtrack — criticizing the high price tag of branded weight-loss drugs. 'Welcome to weight loss in America — a $160 billion industry that feeds on our failure,' says a narrator in the commercial. 'There are medications that work — but they are priced for profits, not patients.' The commercialbriefly features the company's GLP-1 injections. The weekly treatment contains off-brand semaglutide — the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's popular diabetes and weight-loss treatments Ozempic and Wegovy. Unlike Wegovy ads, however, the Hims & Hers spot does not list out risk disclaimers. Hims & Hers started offering customers in May compounded semaglutide injections for just $199 a month — hundreds of dollars cheaper than Ozempic's nearly $1,000 list price and Wegovy's $1,349 price tag. GLP-1 drugs are a class of medications that mimic gut hormones that regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite. However, due to their high retail price and skyrocketing demand, many patients have had difficulty getting their hands on these popular medications. When a medication is in shortage, which Novo Nordisk's Wegovy has been for years, the FDA allows pharmacies to make compounded or altered versions of the drug if they meet specific regulatory requirements. This loophole has led several digital health companies, online pharmacies, and wellness spas to produce and sell cheaper versions of brand-name weight-loss drugs during recent shortages. Novo Nordisk's executive vice president of U.S. operations, David Moore, told investors on a call Wednesday that the compounded market is having an impact on the company's demand, and that impact is 'growing faster' than anticipated. With Super Bowl ads reportedly costing up to $8 million for a 30-second spot this year, Hims & Hers likely spent about $16 million for its one-minute commercial. The story was updated to include a response from Him & Hers. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
