Top News Stories Of 2019
Here are some of the top stories that made headlines and grabbed our attention in 2019.
JANUARY
Jussie Smollett: The Alleged Hate Crime
Hollywood and social media rallied around the Empire actor after news of his alleged assault in downtown Chicago made headlines. Hashtag #JusticeForJussie went viral, but questions about the hate crime’s validity prompted internal investigations and social media backlash.
After being charged with a class 4 felony for filing a false police report, the 37-year-old was vindicated when the charges were suddenly dropped. But the legal, and social, feud between Chicago police and Jussie Smollett continued throughout the year as the California native battled the department with lawsuits and counter-suits for reimbursement and slander.
Still Surviving R. Kelly
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After decades of rumors and accusations against the Pied Piper, the shocking three-night Lifetime documentary detailing sexual abuse allegations at the hands of R. Kelly set off a media firestorm.
The documentary, which was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Series, was Lifetime's highest-rated program in more than two years with 1.9 million total viewers, according to Vanity Fair.
Throughout the year, the legal repercussions were swift for the “Step in the Name of Love” singer. Kelly was charged with 18 federal counts of kidnapping, forced labor and sending child pornography across state lines. In December, the Chicago native was indicted by a New York grand jury with one count of bribery for obtaining a false ID so he could marry a 15-year-old Aaliyah.
Kelly joins the growing #MeToo movement list of embattled alleged predators, including Harvey Weinstein and Brett Kavanaugh. The highly anticipated part two of the series, Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning, will premiere on January 2, 2020.
FEBRUARY
The Troubling Death of Anthony Myrie
Unexplained deaths behind bars sparked nationwide attention and celebrity interest, especially after the mysterious death of inmate Anthony Myrie.
According to corrections spokesman Thomas Mailey, Myrie, who was serving a seven-year sentence for attempted sale of a controlled substance, got into a three-on-one fight at Greene Correctional. Correction officers allegedly ended the fight without using force. Myrie complained of chest pains and was transported to the medical unit where Mailey says Myrie collapsed. Myrie was pronounced dead at Albany Medical Center and a preliminary autopsy found his cause of death to be consistent with sudden cardiac arrest.
By all accounts, he was in good health, but his wife said he seemed stressed in a final call she had with him hours before he died, sparking more suspicion from the family and community about what was going on behind the guarded doors of Greene Correctional.
#JusticeforTrey went viral on social media, calling for an investigation into Myrie’s death and the location of his body after conflicting stories from multiple Green Correctional Facility officers. Myrie’s family suspected correctional officers may have fatally injured him and attempted to cover their tracks.
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Willie McCoy Shot to Death By Police in His Own Car
Reports of police using unreasonable lethal force against Black men throughout the year increased, including the shooting death of Willie McCoy, who was shot less than four seconds after seeing police. The six Vallejo police officers, called to conduct a welfare check on an unresponsive male, fired more than 55 rounds at McCoy as he sat in a car at a Taco Bell drive-through.
The 20-year-old was asleep when approaching officers demanded he put his hands in the air after noticing a gun on his lap. In 3.5 seconds, officers shot McCoy nearly 25 times. It was unclear whether he was reaching for a gun, despite the cop’s alleging he did so.
McCoy’s death, called an execution, sparked outrage in the Bay Area community renewing scrutiny of the Vallejo Police Department, especially after an independent report deemed the officers' action as “reasonable,” claiming, “officers are not required to wait until a weapon is pointed at them to take the necessary steps to save their own lives.”
Politicians Caught in Blackface
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This year politicians getting caught and outed for wearing Blackface was a disappointing trend sparked by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, who apologized after a photo in a 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook showed two white men, one wearing Blackface and another wearing a KKK uniform. Although Northam never admitted which individual he was in the photo, he confessed he was in the photo wearing a costume “that is clearly racist and offensive.”
Later in the year a photo of Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wearing Blackface during an “Arabian Nights” themed gala went viral. The photograph appeared in the 2000-2001 West Point Grey Academy yearbook, a private day school where Trudeau was a teacher when he was 29 years old.
Trudeau apologized, admitting he “should have known better and I didn’t. I’m really sorry.” When asked if he thought the photograph was racist, he replied, “Yes it was. I didn’t consider it racist at the time, but now we know better.”
Fighting Race-Based Hair Discrimination
During Black History Month, the New York City Commission on Human Rights passed new regulations to allow Black workers to wear their hair natural without any workplace discrimination.
Afros, bantu knots, braids, locs, twists and cornrows, which some considered less professional, was once frowned upon and was the product of discriminatory practices and harassment.
With the newly passed bill, any grooming or appearance restrictions that ban natural hairstyles can be subject to a $250,000 fine. The new guidelines are believed to be the first in the nation to combat hair discrimination that disproportionately affects Black people.
In December New Jersey Senator and presidential hopeful Cory Booker would go on to introduce a new federal bill prohibiting hair discrimination. The Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act targets discrimination against natural or protective hairstyles frequently associated with a particular race, including specific hair textures and styles such as braids, twists or locs.
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March
The Marathon Continues
The hip-hop community mourned the sudden loss of rapper, philanthropist and entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle. The “Racks in the Middle” emcee was gunned down on March 31 in front of his clothing store at Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Several days after the deadly incident, Eric Holder, Jr. was arrested and charged with one count of murder, one count of firearm possession by a felon, and two counts of attempted murder.
The funeral for Hussle, born Ermias Davidson Asghedom, was live-streamed on BET. Billboard reports the 33-year-old’s music streams increased 2,776% after the fatal shooting.
Louisiana Black Church Fires
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The month of March saw three historical Black churches become the victims of hate and arson.
St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre, Greater Union Baptist Church and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas, Louisiana, were all set ablaze in a 10-day span.
Holden Matthews, the son of a white St. Landry Parish sheriff's deputy, was arrested for three counts of arson and three counts of hate crimes. CBS reported the 21-year-old, who used gasoline in his racist rage, even filmed the church’s fires. In Louisiana, arson carries a maximum 15-year sentence and a hate crime charge carries a maximum five-year sentence. Matthews pleaded not guilty in April and is awaiting trial.
The churches were empty when they went up in flames, and the places of worship suffered extensive damage. Mount Pleasant Baptist Church is nearly completely gone.
Operation Varsity Blues
Nearly 50 people, including high-profile CEOs and famous actresses, were charged by federal prosecutors in connection with the largest college admissions cheating scam in the country’s history.
Actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin were among 40 people arrested for paying bribes to college admissions officials to get their children accepted into top universities like Georgetown, Stanford, UCLA and Yale.
The misconduct prompted conversations about why affirmative action is still necessary.
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Gayle King Praised For Her Professionalism During Shocking R. Kelly Interview
In R. Kelly’s first sit-down interview since being charged with sexual abuse, the infamous singer spoke with CBS This Morning's Gayle King. As King asked Kelly questions, his behavior became increasingly unhinged and erratic. King, however, remained calm throughout the 80-minute interview, garnering praise for her “master class” in keeping cool when a subject lashes out.
Throughout the interview with King, Kelly blamed the parents of the girls he’s been connected to for the media firestorm and vehemently denied all allegations.
April
CBC Launches Task Force On Black Youth Suicides
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To help raise awareness around the growing problem of suicide and access to mental health for Black youth, the Congressional Black Caucus launched a specialized task force to address the issue.
The task force, helmed by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey, is focused on the rising suicide rate among Black children in addition to identifying legislative recommendations by creating a plan of action for funding.
Suicides among young Black youth were sadly on the rise this year.
According to the October 2019 edition of the Pediatric Journal, across all sex, race and ethnic groups there were significant decreases in suicide attempts, except for African-Americans.
Untimely Death of John Singleton Sparks Stroke Awareness Among Black Men
The beloved director, screenwriter and producer, best known for directing cult classic Boyz 'n the Hood, passed away in April. The 51-year-old suffered a stroke and was removed from life support after being placed under intensive care. He was survived by his mother, father and his seven children.
Hollywood banned together to mourn the loss of one of the culture’s most iconic mainstays, celebrating his legacy and his contribution to entertainment.
In a statement, Singleton’s family helped raise awareness about hypertension, encouraging fans to be aware of stroke symptoms, preventative practices and lifestyle changes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC,) African-American men are more likely to die from a stroke as compared to their white counterparts.
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Chicago Elects First Black Female and Openly Gay Mayor
In a historic mayoral race, Chicago elected Lori Lightfoot, its first female, African-American mayor. She defeated Toni Preckwinkle, also a Black woman, in a landslide victory on April 2. Lightfoot, a former assistant U.S. attorney, describes herself as "an out and proud Black lesbian," according to CNN.
The 57-year-old was sworn in as the Windy City’s first LGBTQ mayor. With Lightfoot’s victory, Chicago became the largest city in United States history to elect an openly gay mayor and the largest U.S. city to be headed by a woman. The Ohio native is married to Amy Eshleman and has one adopted daughter, Vivian.
Reps. Alma Adams and Lauren Underwood Form First Black Maternal Health Caucus
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In an effort to address and combat the high maternal death rate among Black women in the U.S., Reps. Lauren Underwood and Alma Adams launched a Black Maternal Health Caucus. At a press conference, Underwood, the youngest Black woman to serve in Congress, described how the “caucus will elevate Black maternal health as a national priority and explore and advocate for effective, evidence-based, culturally competent policies and best practices for improving Black maternal health.”
May
Violence Against Black Trans Women
The murders of Black trans women in America made headlines this year. In May, the death of Muhlaysia Booker, a Black transgender woman who was assaulted and later found slain in Dallas, garnered national attention as many called for better protection of Black trans women.
One month before Booker’s death, she was assaulted on camera by Edward Thomas and bystanders who hurled homophobic slurs after she was involved in a fender bender.
The video went viral as Dallas and the Black LGBTQ community labeled the attack as “mob violence.” On May 18, Booker’s body was discovered near Tenison Park Golf Course with a gunshot wound.
The Human Rights Campaign reports so far in 2019 at least 22 trans and gender-nonconforming people have been killed in America.
Sadly, in the last days of this year another Black trans woman was murdered in Brooklyn, Yahira Nesby.
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June
The Argument for Slavery Reparations
The heated topic of financial recompense for the descendants of enslaved Africans took center stage mid-June when Ta-Nehesi Coates and others spoke at the ground-breaking first congressional hearing on reparations in a decade.
The date of the hearing was Juneteeth (June 19), a holiday referred to as Emancipation Day that commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery. In addition to the hearing, the topic has been a prominent talking point amongst the 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls.
Sen. Cory Booker, who also spoke at the hearing about his experiences in low-income, Black neighborhoods, has openly supported initiatives to help close the wealth gap for lower- and middle-income Americans. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has discussed a task force to study possible race-specific reparations, whereas Sen. Bernie Sanders opposed the idea of reparations, arguing, “there are better ways to do that than just writing out a check.”
Mysterious Tourists Deaths in the Dominican Republic
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Unexpected and suspicious deaths of tourists in the Dominican Republic dominated the news cycle throughout the summer, sparking fear, and a travel advisory, to potential visitors. In August, The Sun reported 16 travelers died while visiting the Caribbean island in two years, including Leyla Cox, 53, who died only three days before Joseph Allen, 55, passed away. Tracy Jester, 31, also died from reported respiratory failure.
The sudden tourists deaths seemed eerily similar, as many of the victims were found dead after drinking from their luxury resorts’ minibars. They all suffered from either respiratory failure, heart attack or kidney failure, prompting some to believe the victims were poisoned. Delta Airlines even allowed travelers to cancel or change their flights without financial penalty.
After months of investigation, the FBI concluded that some of the Dominican Republic deaths were not due to foul play, but natural causes. The victims' families were notified of their conclusion in September after the FBI conducted its own toxicology reports, which matched Dominican Republic’s official reports. Despite the FBI’s statement, some remained apprehensive about visiting the island since most of the American tourists were considered healthy before they suddenly became ill.
JULY
Donald Trump Tells Women of Color in Congress to ‘Go Back’ to Their Countries
Donald Trump unleashed one of his most racist tirades on Twitter in July, taking aim at four diverse and progressive freshman congresswomen.
Via Twitter, the president suggested the four newly elected Democratic Representatives, all of whom are non-white, “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.”
“So interesting to see 'Progressive' Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run,” the president wrote on Twitter.
While he didn’t name any names, it’s pretty clear he was referring to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Talib (D-MI), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), all of whom were born in the United States, and Ilhan Omar (D-MI), whose family fled Somalia when she was a child and is a U.S. citizen.
Trump concluded his tweets claiming he would be “very happy” to see them leave.
“Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came,” Trump added. “Then come back and show us how it is done. These places need your help badly, you can’t leave fast enough. I’m sure that Nancy Pelosi would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements!”
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AUGUST
Cyntoia Brown Released From Prison
After serving 15 years of a life sentence for murder, 31-year-old Cyntoia Brown was finally freed on August 7.
In 2006, Brown was convicted of killing 43-year-old real estate agent Johnny Allen. Although investigators initially claimed Brown shot Allen during an attempted robbery, she always maintained her innocence and said she shot him out of fear.
Brown said she was raped several times as a child and forced into sex trafficking after running away from home. She said a pimp called "Cut Throat" forced her into prostitution and verbally and physically abused her.
At trial, Brown's attorneys said she was the victim of sex trafficking and argued she lacked the mental capacity to be culpable in Allen's slaying due to mental impairments she suffered when her mother drank alcohol while pregnant.
Brown was sentenced to life in prison and served over a decade before celebrities including Kim Kardashian and Rihanna demanded she be released.
In January, then-Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam granted her clemency, saying her sentence was too harsh for the crime.
Toni Morrison Passes Away
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Toni Morrison, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and the first African-American woman to win a Nobel Prize, died on August 5.
Morrison was best known for capturing the joys, passions, heartaches and pains of the Black experience in novels such as The Bluest Eye, Beloved, Song of Solomon and A Mercy.
During her career that spanned over six decades, she wrote 11 novels, five children’s books, two plays, a song cycle and an opera. Before writing her first book, she worked as an editor and professor.
NYPD Fires Officer Responsible for Eric Garner’s Death
Daniel Pantaleo, the officer who was seen in a viral video using a chokehold on Eric Garner, was fired on August 19.
It took five years for the NYPD to fire Pantaleo. Garner, 43, died from an asthma attack caused by the chokehold from New York City police officers. “I can’t breathe” were the words Garner cried out 11 times before he fell unresponsive.
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SEPTEMBER
Hurricane Dorian Devastates Bahamas
Since Hurricane Dorian’s landfall on September 1, the Bahamas has reported an estimated 2,500 people went missing. Dorian, classified as a Category 5 storm, wreaked havoc on the island nation leaving many dead in its wake.
Subsequently, Bahamians sought refuge in the U.S. after their homes were destroyed, however, the Trump administration said they will not grant temporary protected status (TPS) to them, which would have allowed Bahamians to work and live in the U.S. until deemed safe for them to return home.
OCTOBER
Botham Jean’s Brother Forgives Ex-Dallas Cop Amber Guyger After She’s Sentenced to 10 Years for His Murder
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Amber Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murder of Botham Jean on October 2. Guyger was convicted of murder for the September 6, 2018, killing of Botham Jean while he was in his apartment.
Guyger insists she thought it was her apartment, but she was actually on the wrong floor of the Dallas apartment complex. After she was found guilty, prosecutors revealed a series of text messages and social media posts that positioned Guyger as a racist.
The guilty verdict came two days after what would have been Botham’s 28th birthday.
After the ex-officer received her sentence, Botham’s brother, Brandt, was given the chance to address his brother’s killer. Brandt told Guyger he forgave her for the murder of his 26-year-old brother.
“If you truly are sorry, I forgive you. I know if you go to God and ask him he will forgive you,” he told Guyger. “I love you just like anyone else. I’m not going to say I hope you rot and die just like my brother did. I personally want the best for you... I don’t even want you to go to jail, I want the best for you because I know that’s exactly what Botham would want you to do.”
He then asked the judge if he could give Guyger a hug. The young man got up from the witness stand where he was sitting, walked over to Guyger, and the two engaged in a lengthy embrace. Guyger sobbed while Brandt hugged her tightly. They let go a few times and Guyger didn’t seem to want to let go.The act of compassion from Brandt was visibly felt throughout the courtroom with many people wiping tears from their eyes, including Judge Tammy Kemp.
Moments later, Judge Kemp left her post to hug Jean’s mother, Allison. Like Brandt, she then turned and walked toward Guyger. Judge Kemp gave the 31-year-old ex-cop a bible before embracing hug. Guyger was still sobbing. Understandably, Jean’s mother wasn’t so quick to forgive, saying, "What Brandt did was to cleanse his heart towards Amber. I do not want it to be misconstrued as a complete forgiveness of everybody."
Black Woman Shot and Killed in Her Home by Fort Worth Police After a Neighbor Reported Her Door Was Open
Atatiana Jefferson was shot and killed while was inside her home with her 8-year-old nephew in October, and the Fort Worth police officer who killed her was subsequently indicted for murder by a Texas grand jury.
The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the indictment of the former officer, Aaron Dean, 35, in the fatal shooting of the 28-year-old pre-med graduate student. Jefferson was a gamer and enjoyed playing video games with her nephew, Zion. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Jefferson had a license to carry a gun and heard movement outside and drew her firearm.
She was trying to protect herself and Zion from what she thought was an intruder when Dean shot through a bedroom window and killed her. In the week after Jefferson’s death, Tarrant County prosecutors said they had enough evidence to ask for the grand jury indictment, and said in a statement, “we will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law.”
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Elijah Cummings Passes Away
Rep. Elijah Cummings passed away at the age of 68 in October. The Baltimore congressman died in the morning at Gilchrist Hospice Care, a Johns Hopkins affiliate in Baltimore, “due to complications concerning long-standing health challenges,” a statement released by his office confirmed.
Cummings laid in state in the U.S. Capitol (Statuary Hall). A public wake and funeral was held at New Psalmist in Baltimore.
NOVEMBER
Popeyes Viral Chicken Sandwich
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Thanks to a social media frenzy fueled by Black Twitter, Popeyes officially sold out of their infamous chicken sandwiches just days after they put it on their menu.
The popular demand for the Popeyes sandwich was so high customers waited in hour-long lines at some locations. Cleveland Cavalier baller Tristan Thompson made headlines for purchasing everyone in line with him a sandwich after a 30-minute wait.
The sandwich eventually made its return on November 3.
Alexis Crawford
Alexis Crawford was laid to rest on November 16 just over two weeks after she was senselessly murdered on Halloween.
Hundreds gathered at Cornerstone Church in Athens, Georgia, to pay their last respects to the 21-year-old Clark Atlanta University senior, whose death made headlines nationwide after her roommate and roommate’s boyfriend allegedly killed her.
Days after Crawford reported her roommate, Jordyn Jones’ boyfriend, Barron Brantley, sexually assaulted her, the couple allegedly strangled and smothered her to death on Oct. 31 before dumping her body in a nearby park.
Jones and Brantley were both charged with malice murder, which involves deliberate intent and is punishable by death or imprisonment for life with or without parole.
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Colin Kaepernick’s NFL Workout
When word got out that former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick would be showing off his skills to 25 NFL scouts and executives, fans quickly began to rejoice.
The workout was originally scheduled by the NFL to take place at the Falcons’ training facility, unfortunately lack of trust on both sides led to a last-minute venue change by Kaepernick. And while many agreed Kaepernick appeared to be in great shape, ultimately no teams would reach out to sign the blackballed quarterback following the workout.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would go on to say of Kaepernick and the workout, “It was a unique opportunity, a credible opportunity,” Goodell said. “He chose not to take it, and I understand that.” Goodell added, the league has “moved on.”
DECEMBER
Presidential Candidates Introduce HBCU/African-American-Focused Initiatives
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Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were and are a hot topic among most of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates.
Here’s a look at what each Democratic candidate has said they’re pledging for HBCUs.
Three Black Fathers Killed by Police in One Week
The families of three Black fathers murdered by police within a week in December retained the services of civil rights attorney Lee Merritt. Michael Dean, Cameron Lamb and Demetrius Williams collectively had 11 children “who are now all left fatherless,” civil rights attorney Lee Merritt told BET.
Michael Dean, 28, who was also a family man with three children, was shot in the head by Temple Texas police during a traffic stop near Southeast HK Dodgen Loop and Little River Road. He was killed on December 2, according to the Associated Press.
Cameron Lamb was a 26-year-old man and a father of three who had recently started a business working on cars, KCTV5 reports. On Dec. 3, he was shot by police while he was at his Kansas City home in his car in the backyard.
And then, on Dec. 5, Demetrius Williams, a 31-year-old father of five, according to The Marshall News, “was shot while SWAT agents were serving a narcotics search warrant at a Marshall (Texas) residence.”
Read BET.com’s interview with attorney Lee Merritt here.
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Dwyane Wade Supports Zion
For the first time, the NBA legend Dwyane Wade opened up about raising his child Zion on fellow NBA veterans Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson’s Showtime sports podcast “All the Smoke,” and he held nothing back.
He told Barnes about Zion, “First of all, you want to talk about strength and courage? My 12-year-old has way more than I have. You can learn something from your kids."
The 37-year-old continued, "I had to look at myself in the mirror when my son at the time was 3 years old and me and my wife started having conversations about us noticing that he wasn't on the boy vibe that Zaire [Wade's other son] was on.”
He also added, "And, I had to look myself in the mirror and say, 'What if your son come home and tell you he's gay? What are you going to do? How are you going to be? How are you going to act? It ain't about him. He knows who he is. It's about you. Who are you?'"
He also said, "Everybody get used to it, man. This is the new normal. So if anybody different, we looked at as different. You know what I'm saying? The ones that don't understand it. The ones that don't get it. The ones that are stuck in a box. You're different. Not the people that are out here living their lives, man."
Karol Sanchez Kidnapping Hoax
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A Bronx teen reportedly faked her own dramatic kidnapping so that she could be with her 23-year-old Crips gang-banging boyfriend, police said.
16-year-old Karol Sanchez was captured on surveillance video being snatched off the street by men as she walked alongside her mother. Hours later, the teen resurfaced and admitted to police the whole ordeal was staged because she didn’t want to return to Honduras with family.
Trump’s Impeachment
Donald Trump was impeached on December 18 in a historic move by House Democrats led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said in her opening remarks, “he gave us no choice.”
The Senate will hold a vote early in 2020 over whether to remove the president from office.
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