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Black America Web
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Black America Web
This The New PBS?! Viral Kids Cartoon Teaches Slavery As ‘No Big Deal', Company's Co-Founder Wants To Indoctrinate Children With Right-Wing Ideology
A right-wing nonprofit media company called PragerU is facing backlash after a resurfaced video downplayed slavery amid talks that it could become the new PBS. Source: Moussa81 / Getty The clip, featuring a cartoon version of Christopher Columbus, suggests the institution of slavery was 'as old as time and has taken place in every corner of the world.' In the video, Columbus goes further, stating: 'Being taken as a slave is better than being killed, no? Before you judge, you must ask yourself, 'What did the culture and the society of the time treat as no big deal?'' This framing, packaged in a colorful cartoon format for kids, is part of PragerU's library of 'educational' videos. The Grio reports that PragerU co-founder Dennis Prager has been blunt about his mission, admitting the goal of the programming is to indoctrinate children into right-wing ideology. MSNBC adds that PragerU said in its 2022 annual report that it openly said it wanted to battle it out with PBS and Disney. 'Arming parents and educators with the pro-America content they are craving — we are going toe-to-toe with massive youth media companies like PBS Kids and Disney,' While the videos mimic the style of regular children's programming, the messaging has drawn heavy criticism. According to The Grio, previous PragerU clips have denied Native American history, dismissed Indigenous Peoples' Day as 'designed to make Americans feel guilt,' denied climate change, and pushed Islamophobic rhetoric. Ew. Despite the controversy, PragerU has gained official partnerships in states like Alaska, Louisiana, and South Carolina, with The Grio confirming Florida became the first state in 2023 to approve PragerU content for public school curricula. The biggest endorsement yet has come from the Trump administration. On July 24, President Trump signed a bill slashing $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting — a move that threatens PBS, NPR, and more than 1,500 local stations. Just one day later, PragerU joined forces with the Department of Education to unveil a White House museum exhibit titled 'The Road to Liberty.' The exhibit even used AI-generated 'commentary' from the Founding Fathers that leaned heavily into conservative talking points. This is a continuation of Trump's wider cultural push. Previously reported by BOSSIP, his administration has launched a 'comprehensive review' of Smithsonian museums — including the National Museum of African American History and Culture — with the stated aim to 'celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.' The impact is already being felt. The National Museum of American History temporarily removed references to Trump's two impeachments, while National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet resigned after Trump claimed he had fired her. Let's be clear: a cartoon Columbus trying to convince kids that slavery was 'no big deal' is not only disgusting — it's dangerous revisionist history. With PragerU circling as a possible replacement for PBS and Trump actively reshaping museums, we're seeing an attempt to rebrand America's darkest truths under the banner of 'exceptionalism.' If slavery can be brushed off as a minor inconvenience, what else might be 'erased' next? #BanPragerU The post This The New PBS?! Viral Kids Cartoon Teaches Slavery As 'No Big Deal', Company's Co-Founder Wants To Indoctrinate Children With Right-Wing Ideology appeared first on Bossip. SEE ALSO This The New PBS?! Viral Kids Cartoon Teaches Slavery As 'No Big Deal', Company's Co-Founder Wants To Indoctrinate Children With Right-Wing Ideology was originally published on
Washington Post
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown makes it official. He'll vie to unseat Trump-backed Sen. Jon Husted
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown officially launched his campaign Monday to return to the U.S. Senate next year, brushing aside his bitter loss to Republican Bernie Moreno last fall and expressing confidence his pro-working class message can continue to resonate with the state's voters. The state's best-known Democrat, Brown is seeking the seat held by Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, a former Ohio lieutenant governor, state senator and secretary of state who's already landed President Donald Trump's endorsement. Husted was appointed to the seat in January to succeed JD Vance when he was elected vice president. Next year's election is for the final two years of the six-year term. In an Associated Press interview, Brown said he was not planning a political return until he watched with his wife, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Connie Schultz, as the Senate passed Trump's big tax breaks and spending cuts bill last month. He said the bill perpetuates a 'rigged system' he's been fighting against throughout his career, by offering tax breaks to the wealthy while cutting programs for lower-income Americans, such as Medicaid . 'We just couldn't stay on the sideline,' Brown said. 'And I know I can fight back. Nobody in the Senate is speaking out for Ohio workers, nobody. And that's my job to do. It's what I've done my whole life, and it's what I'm going to continue to do.' Brown, 72, is viewed as one of Democrats' most formidable Senate candidates in next year's midterms, as they try to take control of the chamber in the face of a daunting map . He and former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper in North Carolina are two well-known names the party's recruited to run in high-profile races, while Republicans have struggled to line up candidates in some key battlegrounds. That includes Georgia, where Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff is Republicans' top target of the cycle. Brown said he was encouraged by the many everyday Ohioans who stopped him on the street or at a coffee shop to ask him to return to politics. Among dozens of others he spoke to as he weighed whether Senate or governor was the best fit was Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, who's leading the uphill fight to win control of the chamber . Some Ohio labor leaders told the AP they'd have preferred if Brown had chosen governor. They're concerned about the impacts on the movement if biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy — the well-funded, Trump- and state party-endorsed Republican front-runner — wins the open seat next year. Brown, who launched a pro-worker nonprofit under his 'Dignity of Work' slogan in March, acknowledged 'a little bit of disappointment' with his choice of office among some. But he said he anticipates 'close to 100% support' from union leadership now that he's launched his campaign. 'What labor will tell me is they don't have any strong voice for labor in the United States Senate — for union and non-union labor alike,' he said. 'And I was that, and I will be that.' He said he isn't ready to make an endorsement in the governor's race, in which Dr. Amy Acton, a former state health director who helped lead the state through the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, is running as a Democrat . After Brown's decision to run for the Senate became public last week, Husted's campaign said Brown will be 'starting in the biggest hole of his political career.' 'Brown's slogans will ring hollow as his coalition walks away, tired of the radical policies he's forced to support to appease his coastal bosses in California and New York,' Husted spokesperson Tyson Shepard said in a statement. Brown volleys back: 'My career has been about workers. His career has been about special interests.' He cites unresolved ties Husted, 57, has to the energy company at the heart of a $60 million bribery scheme that has enveloped the state over the past five years and put a former House speaker behind bars for 20 years. Husted has never been charged with any civil or criminal wrongdoing. In an Aug. 12 strategy memo, the National Republican Senatorial Campaign said Brown, Democrats and the political press are underestimating how firmly red Ohio — once a reliable political bellwether — has turned after 10 years of Trump. The memo said Brown was defeated last cycle by a political newcomer and will face 'an even steeper climb against a well-known incumbent' like Husted, who's spent the past 20 years in state politics and posted $2.9 million in fundraising last quarter. Last year's Brown-Moreno match-up was the most expensive Senate race in U.S. history.
New York Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Guardians notes: Parker Messick, Triston McKenzie, Tyler Naquin, Daniel Espino and more
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Guardians need a starting pitcher for Wednesday. They didn't have to need a starter for Wednesday, but they chose to need one. They optioned Joey Cantillo to Triple-A Columbus, and tasked him with peppering the strike zone with fastballs and changeups and curveballs. He had been doing that in the big leagues, just not as consistently as he or the club would have preferred. Advertisement In his last five starts, Cantillo has issued 16 walks in 25 1/3 innings. That's a lot of self-inflicted stress. However, Cantillo has recorded a 3.55 ERA in that stretch. There's nothing wrong with that (though it makes you wonder what his ceiling is if he can nibble less). When asked why Cantillo can't simply work on his strike-throwing at the big-league level, assistant GM Matt Forman said, well, some words that would lead one to think this isn't actually about Cantillo. 'Decisions like this are tough,' Forman said. 'There are a lot of factors that go into those. We're balancing winning and development.' So, really, this could be a convenient way to get a look at someone else in the rotation. No, it won't be John Means, who tossed 38 pitches in a rehab start for Class A Lake County on Friday. Means is expected to make another rehab start this week, and could stretch out to about 50 pitches. He'll be part of the equation in September. What about Parker Messick, Cleveland's second-round pick out of Florida State in 2022? If the Guardians, say, tab Messick to start in Arizona this week, there's room to add him to the 40-man roster, since the club recently outrighted Trevor Stephan to clear a spot. Messick has posted a 3.47 ERA in 20 starts at Columbus this season, with 42 walks and 119 strikeouts in 98 2/3 innings. The Athletic's Keith Law wrote this spring that Messick 'has excellent deception and moves quickly through his delivery, which seems to help keep hitters off balance,' and that he profiled as a No. 3 starter with above-average upside. Messick has boosted his velocity the last two years and added a sinker to his repertoire. 'He's answered the call,' said Stephen Osterer, Cleveland's director of player development. Now, will he get the call? The Guardians are still weighing their options for the opportunity — one they intentionally created. Advertisement When did you last think about McKenzie, the former Robin to Shane Bieber's Batman act in Cleveland's rotation? The 28-year-old made four appearances for the Guardians at the start of the regular season before he was designated for assignment. McKenzie has spent the last four months pitching against teenagers at the Guardians' complex in Goodyear, Ariz. He finally escaped the desert, and pitched for Triple-A Columbus on Sunday. McKenzie allowed an unearned run and two walks in one inning. His fastball sat in the 93-96 mph range. He'll continue to work out of the Columbus bullpen. He can become a minor-league free agent at the end of the season. 'It's been a long road for Triston,' Osterer said. … 'In a lot of ways, it did challenge Triston, but he's come out in a pretty good spot right now. We're excited to see what he can do for the next few weeks.' The Triple-A Columbus Clippers have one month of games remaining, so the clock is ticking for DeLauter and Brito as they work back from injuries that might have cost them a 2025 big-league debut. DeLauter is a little more than three weeks removed from an operation to remove the hook of the hamate bone in his right hand. The customary timetable for a return from that procedure is six to eight weeks. He has resumed baseball activity and was trending toward a major-league promotion when he started to experience the pain that ultimately led to the surgery. Because of a variety of injuries, DeLauter has appeared in only 138 games since the Guardians selected him in the first round of the 2022 draft. 'It can wear out a player mentally, going through it again,' Osterer said, 'and especially when it's a different part of the body. … He's come a long way in the last couple years (in how to deal) with these things.' Advertisement Brito, meanwhile, is about six weeks removed from suffering a severe right hamstring strain. He has resumed swinging, throwing and doing some defensive drills. Now, he just needs to build up his running. The typical timeframe for a return to game action is eight to 12 weeks. Brito has totaled 24 games at Triple A this season, thanks to a pair of significant injuries. He was contending for the Guardians' Opening Day second base gig in spring training. Now, he's on the verge of a mostly wasted season. There might not be a minor-league bat sizzling more than the one Ralphy Velazquez has been wielding the last two months. Over the last seven weeks, he boasts a .360/.440/.691 slash line. The Guardians promoted Velazquez to Double-A Akron last week, and the first baseman's production hasn't slowed against stiffer competition. Consider his first four games at the affiliate: 1. 1-for-4 with a triple and a walk 2. 2-for-4 with a double 3. 3-for-4 with two homers, a double and a walk 4. 3-for-5 with a homer, a double and a walk Velazquez, who turned 20 in late May, is one of the youngest players at the Double-A level. (According to the Guardians' data, there are only four position players and one pitcher younger than Velazquez.) He had a slow start at Class A Lake County this season, but Cleveland's front office evaluators figured a turnaround was inevitable, given his promising underlying metrics. Velazquez leads all Cleveland prospects this season with 20 home runs. Just as Shane Bieber prepares for his first big-league outing this week since April 2, 2024, the prospect the Guardians received from the Blue Jays in exchange for Bieber last month is nearing a return to game action. Stephen, whom MLB Pipeline placed seventh on Cleveland's top prospects list, was dealing with a right shoulder impingement at the time of the trade. He threw a live bullpen on Friday and will throw another two-inning session this week. The Guardians believe he could help their big-league club as soon as next season. Advertisement Hentges last pitched on July 10, 2024, before he underwent surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his left shoulder. The goal is for him to be healthy when he arrives at spring training in February. (Well, he's technically already there, since he lives in the area and has been rehabbing at the team's facility since the procedure.) He is expected to begin a mound progression in September. Espino last appeared in a game in April 2022. Since then, he has endured a pair of shoulder surgeries, and conversation about the former top prospect has shifted from 'Did you see how hard he threw and how many strikeouts he racked up?' to 'Remember him?' Espino has been throwing at the club's Arizona complex in recent months, with some periods of recovery built into his program. He recently completed one of those de-load stretches and has resumed throwing bullpen sessions. He will not pitch at an affiliate this year. 'When we first had him and he was younger,' Osterer said, 'he was very detail-oriented and every single thing that he did had a purpose. He still has that, but he's a little bit more lenient on himself. He gives himself a little bit more grace and doesn't wear it as much. … The resilience there is just off the charts.' Imagine being told a few years ago that Naquin would be ahead of McKenzie on the organization's pitching depth chart in 2025. OK, so maybe that isn't exactly the case now that McKenzie has returned to Columbus and Naquin is a work in progress, but what a bizarre path both players have traveled. Naquin, who has switched to pitching, has reached a bit of a rough patch at Lake County. He has walked three in back-to-back outings, and he needed 35 pitches to record two outs on Sunday. Of course, every development with him comes with the caveat that, after 12 years in the professional ranks as an outfielder, he's still new to this pitching thing. And the Guardians are encouraged by the growth he's demonstrated. Osterer said Naquin's fastball is clocking in at 92-96 mph. 'He has pretty good stuff,' Osterer said. 'It's just the consistency of it. In fairness to Tyler, he hasn't done it a ton. It has been arrow up. He has gotten a lot better.' (Top photo of Parker Messick: Brett Davis / Imagn Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Will Wessam Abou Ali play for Columbus Crew vs Toronto FC?
Wessam Abou Ali touched down in Columbus for the first time on Aug. 13, but the Crew will still be without their newest designated player for the upcoming matchup against Toronto FC. After the Crew announced the signing of Abou Ali, a 26-year-old striker from the Egyptian Premier League's Al Ahly SC, on July 26, he remained overseas, awaiting his visa paperwork to be completed. He worked to rehab a hamstring injury during this time. More on Wessam Abou Ali : Columbus Crew sign Wessam Abou Ali from Egypt's Al Ahly as designated player "I would say it's not a bad injury," Crew coach Wilfried Nancy said, "but he still had something. … So, mentally, it was not easy." After arriving in Columbus, Abou Ali was scheduled to begin training with the Crew on Aug. 15, one day before the Toronto road matchup. While some players, such as Son Heung-min, Los Angeles FC's recent signing from the English Premier League, have been able to play in the first game after joining their respective MLS teams, Nancy was adamant that circumstances were different for Abou Ali. "Son had a preseason," Nancy said. "This is not the case for Wessam. Wessam has been out for seven weeks. So, it means that for sure I can tell you, he will not be with the team this weekend, and we'll see if he's going to take 10 days, 15 days, 20 days, three weeks, I don't know. ... But I will not rush because we have to be smart." Abou Ali's most recent game was in the FIFA Club World Cup group stage, where he was a standout player, notching a hat trick against FC Porto. Al Ahly finished 0-1-2, which included a scoreless draw against Inter Miami, and was eliminated before the knockout rounds. Abou Ali spent two seasons with Al Ahly, scoring 28 goals in 35 regular-season games. In 2024, Abou Ali was called up to Palestine's national team for the first time and has since recorded four goals and 10 caps. Mo Farsi update The Crew have been without midfielder Mo Farsi since their road matchup against FC Cincinnati on July 12. Nancy stated in the week following the Cincinnati game that Farsi was dealing with pelvic inflammation and had no clear timeline for when the 25-year-old would return. After being sidelined for seven games, Farsi has returned to limited training with the team but still has to wait before joining the Crew on the field. "He's still on the side," Nancy said on Aug. 13. " We'll see in 10 days where he's going to be." bmackay@ @brimackay15 Crew at Toronto FC When: 7:30 p.m., Aug. 16Watch: APPLE TVRadio: 105.7 FM (English) / 103.1 FM, 107.1 FM (Spanish) This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Wessam Abou Ali's status for Columbus Crew vs Toronto FC
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Columbus Crew give up 2-0 lead, fall to Toluca FC in PKs during Leagues Cup: Takeaways
The Crew had already coughed up their two-goal advantage over Liga MX's Toluca FC by the 88th minute of their Leagues Cup group-stage matchup when forward Diego Rossi stepped up for his second penalty kick in regulation. On his shot rested a chance for Columbus to avoid a penalty kick shootout Unlike the penalty kick Rossi took in the first half to give Columbus a 1-0 lead, this attempt by the 27-year-old was saved by Toluca goalkeeper Luis Garcia, leading regulation to end in a 2-2. Toluca eventually defeated the Crew 4-2 in a penalty kick shootout at Field on July 29. Crew replay: Columbus Crew fall to Toluca FC in PK shootout during Leagues Cup group play Rossi was one of two Crew players, along with midfielder Amar Sejdic, who missed an attempt during the shootout. "He took the opportunity to score," Crew coach Wilfried Nancy said. "He didn't do it (on the two occasions) it could happen." All three of the penalty kicks Rossi sent were to the bottom-right corner, which worked against Garcia the first time as he dove to the left. Garcia dove right on the second and third attempts, putting him in the perfect position to make the saves. Rossi entered the game with a team-high four penalty kicks converted this year, connecting on all his attempts before facing Toluca. Outside the penalty kicks, Garcia had a fairly quiet night, facing just two shots on target, one of which Crew midfielder Max Arfsten converted into a goal during the 48th minute. Toluca, despite taking 20 shots with eight on target throughout the game, was scoreless until striker Joao Fernandes capitalized on Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte failing to secure the ball during the 71st minute. Schulte had just made the save on a shot from forward Helio Castro when the ball bounced off his chest and out of his arms. "Pat wanted to catch the ball, but didn't get the ball," Nancy said. "I think that it was offside on this one, but again, this is what I saw. They (Toluca) were pushing." Fernandes recorded his second goal at the 80-minute mark to level the game. The Crew would have earned three points if they had maintained their lead, but walked out of their first group-stage game with one point toward their Leagues Cup standings, while Toluca secured two. The top four teams from each league, based on points accumulated at the end of the group stage, will advance to the tournament's knockout rounds. BLACK & GOLD: Sign up for our weekly Columbus Crew newsletter Columbus Crew without multiple key players for PK shootout The Crew had used five substitutions by the end of regulation, leaving them without Arfsten, Daniel Gazdag and Jacen Russell-Rowe in the shootout – all of whom had stepped up for penalty kicks in the past. During Gazdag's time with the Philadelphia Union, he only missed one of 25 penalty kicks. More recently, Gazdag found his first goal with the Crew off a penalty kick against D.C. United on July 19. Nancy knows Gazdag's track record, though that was far from Nancy's mind when he took Gazdag out with a little less than 15 minutes remaining in regulation. "I saw in the moment that Daniel was already a bit tired," Nancy said. "He's played many minutes. The idea was to get a bit of freshness, simple as that." Arfsten and Russell-Rowe have both had their share of success in penalty kick shootouts, with Arfsten recording the series winner against Tigres in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals. Having been in those high-pressure moments before made watching the Toluca shootout even more difficult for Arfsten. "You can't affect it at all," he said. "So, it's definitely an emotional roller coaster. Every time they go, we want a save, and every time we go, they want to score. So, it's tough, it's emotional." Columbus Crew have second matchup with late-game defensive struggles The Crew's Leagues Cup opener marked the second consecutive game in which they have allowed an opponent to come back by scoring multiple goals with less than 20 minutes remaining in regulation. Against Orlando City SC in regular-season action, the Crew conceded three goals after the 75th minute, which led to a 3-2 Orlando victory. "That's two in a row, we know that's a lot," Crew defender Steven Moreira said. "Of course, 2-0 at home, we have to finish the game." The Crew's struggle in keeping teams off the board late in games comes on the heels of their struggles to avoid early conceded goals. Against FC Cincinnati and Nashville SC, Columbus allowed both teams to score within the first three minutes. Columbus Crew, Toluca FC displayed physicality in first Leagues Cup matchup in 2025 Both teams maintained a bruising style of play, and there were a few occasions when players got into heated arguments, having to be separated by officials or teammates. The Crew and Toluca finished with a combined 29 fouls and seven yellow cards. "That's the game," Moreira said. "I really like it, honestly, because they showed character, we did too, against a team like this. They come, they kick, and that was a good game, good fight, two good teams." Columbus will host Liga MX's Club Puebla on Aug. 1 for their second of three games in the tournament's group stage. A game against Leon will follow on Aug. 5. bmackay@ @brimackay15 Get more Columbus Crew content by listening to our podcast This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew drop lead, fall to Toluca in Leagues Cup: Takeaways
