Piling On: Hate, Lies, and Smoke
A hate crime conviction, a president who demands fact-checkers, and wildfires hitting Black communities already under siege - this week's news lands hard.
hoto by Chris LeBoutillier on Unsplash
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From The Grio
Jonathan Felkel, a white man from Columbia, South Carolina, will spend nearly a decade behind bars after pleading guilty to federal hate crime charges for shooting at his neighbor, Jarvis McKenzie, in July 2025.
With this current administration, more people feel comfortable being openly violent with their bigotry.
'It's not a safe home no more': Black man speaks out after South Carolina neighbor sentenced to prison for shooting at him
Jonathan Felkel will spend nine years in prison after pleading guilty to a federal hate crime related to shooting at his Black neighbor.
From The Root @therootdotcom.bsky.social
Attorney Nicole Robinson fact-checks Trump’s primetime election speech, from foreign interference claims to assertions about widespread voter fraud.
I think it's troubling that constant "fact-checking" is needed for a president. It is necessary because this president often lies and many people are able discern this when listening to him. Robinson does a great job of analyzing this speech and explaining what it means for Black Americans.
From Capital B and Adam Mahoney @adamlmahoney.bsky.social
Black communities already shoulder a disproportionate burden of air pollution, asthma, and respiratory disease, which makes these smoke events land even harder.
Black communities are already suffering due to data centers, petroleum plants, and other environmental issues. The wild fires are just "piling on..."
Canada Wildfire Smoke Raises Health Risks for Black Americans
The smoke is 10 times more toxic than regular air pollution, and it is spreading across the U.S.
Podcasts/Video
From Dr. Jason Johnson @drjasonjohnson.bsky.social
Dr. Johnson ask, "Why does the press cover Trump Speeches anymore?"
I started this blog partially because I wasn't happy with the way legacy media has covered the president and others in his administration. I'm glad to see some of them finally start to push back and not share his disinformation and conspiracy theories in real time.
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