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President Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday (Jan. 20) and the spectacle of the inauguration has concluded with many in the media offering their observations On X, President Donald Trump’s rambling and sometimes unfocused acceptance speech was dissected at great lengths with some pointing out the fallacies and falsehoods spewed from the pulpit.
President Donald Trump spoke at length from inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, using the moment to essentially echo many of his campaign talking points to raucous applause from his subordinates and supporters. It was more of the same tough talk and bluster most have come to expect, and there were soft lobs toward Black and Hispanic communities coupled with promises of cleaning up the crime in cities across the nation.
Trump also promised to tap into natural resources on the domestic level despite the threat to the climate it poses and wants to transform America into a manufacturing giant once more. He also made appeals to the auto industry and directed domestic companies to ramp up production. There were also the long-existing threats of tariffs against other nations and the promise of eliminating the cost to American citizens.
In a bizarre moment, Trump went back to his desire to rename the Panama Canal and said that the country “broke its promises” to America. He also used this moment to take a direct swipe at China, saying that he intends to snatch the canal back from the rival superpower.
Pastor Lorenzo Sewell’s passionate prayer in support of Trump also garnered some responses given the dramatic histrionics on display and the religious leader evoking Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Free At Last” speech inappropriately. It was, in a word, “something.”
Like much of Trump’s presidential campaign, the unchecked bravado of the former business mogul was on full display with a full-throated embrace from those in attendance who applauded nearly every word. However, how these plans are expected to move forward was not illustrated in any visible detail. Trump also circled and repeated his points, appearing to speak off script and barely spoke to the concerns of average Americans and largely aimed his words at his rabid base. There was also an unnecessary jab at the LBGTBQ community, in particular regarding gender presentation.
On X, users are chiming in regarding the inauguration of President Donald Trump and dissecting his words and a higher level than legacy media would ever dare. Check out those reactions below.
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Martin Luther King Jr. is, with little doubt, one of the more notable figures in the annals of Black history, and his sacrifice for the greater good of all maintains its resonance in modern times. In the wake of the transition of power within the White House on January 20, Hip-Hop Wired is electing to honor Martin Luther King Jr. instead and will share ways to uphold the great leader’s lasting legacy.
Hip-Hop Wired and the entire Urban One family for years have highlighted the incredible accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr., and the sting of his light being snuffed out in 1968 nearly upended the Civil Rights Movement as over 100 cities rioted after his assassination in Memphis, Tenn. At just 39 years of age at the time, King was close to achieving the impossible feat of unifying the country and wisely highlighted the true divide in America of race and class. And in the decades since King’s passing, Black people in America achieved incredible feats in the face of insurmountable odds only to conquer those barricades admirably.
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Check out a portion NewsOne’s profile and recognition of Martin Luther King Jr,’s 96th birthday below:
In 1957, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was formed following the efforts and response to the “Montgomery Bus Boycott” in 1955. Rosa Parks jump-started the Civil Rights Movement that same year, after refusing to give up her seat to a White person. Dr. King and several other leaders joined the boycott, creating the SCLC.
With the help of the Quakers, Dr. King traveled to India in 1959 to visit with Gandhi. The trip was the necessary push needed to galvanize Dr. King’s desire to employ a similar approach with non-violent disobedience protests Stateside. SCLC activist Bayard Rustin, also a student of Gandhi’s teaching, served as King’s right hand in planning the 1963 “March On Washington” and was a trusted ally.
Releasing just a handful of books during his lifetime, Dr. King’s written work contained nearly the entire scope of his personal and academic pursuits. “Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story” was released in 1958. His last work, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos Or Community,” saw a 1967 release.
Please read the entire profile here.
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One of the most viable ways one can engage the world using the philosophies of King comes by way of The King Center, helmed by Dr. Bernice A. King, the leader’s youngest child. Dr. King has enacted the training and education module Nonviolence365™️, which aids in the practice of nonviolent social activism. We could not think of another way to honor Martin Luther King Jr. other than pointing directly to all of the amazing efforts and activations sparked by The King Center.
Learn more by visiting The King Center website and check out the variety of resources there.
Adding to this, MLK Day is largely seen as a day of service. In that regard, search your local community organizations and volunteer to be in service of your neighbors, including the disabled and elderly. This can also include working in soup kitchens, homeless shelters, or your local houses of worship. A gripping cold has taken over much of the country and several groups could use all hands on deck to bring warmth and comfort to the less fortunate.
On X, Martin Luther King Jr. is trending and we’ve gathered some replies to share with our readers below.
An urgent need… #MLK #MLKDay #KingHoliday pic.twitter.com/aP41uBs5ol
— The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (@TheKingCenter) January 19, 2025
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Donald Trump will officially become the 47th President of the United States on Monday, January 20, but there are far better ways to spend your time than watching the convicted felon’s second inauguration. Set to officially start at noon, we have some suggestions, for the sake of your anxiety and stress levels, that will make for a far more enjoyable day than watching the Grifter in Chief reassume power,
For example, it is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal holiday, which means plenty of people fortunate enough to be employed might have the day off. That means folk will be home, turning on their TV’s and perhaps noting that all the major networks will be broadcasting the inauguration. While there are those curious, and pro-MAGA, readily tuning in to see who continues to kiss the ring and hear newscasters ultimately sane wash convicted felon Trump, millions of folk ain’t trying to hear or see all that.
Here’s a list of activities to keep you busy while next wave of lies, gaslighting and corruption kicks off for another four years. Just saying.
1. Get more more familiar with the late, great Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. represents the best of what humanity has to offer, and the Civil Rights leader was instrumental in getting the the Civil Rights Act of 1964. But in 2025, many on the far right would dismiss him as “woke,” which is now often a replacement for the n-word on the lips of those who seek a thinly veiled alternative to the slur. Today would be a good time to study up on the full spectrum of Dr. King’s vision, and how close we or have not come to achieving it. Start at the King Center, and go down the rabbit hole.
2. Watch NBA on MLK Day Games
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Speaking of, the NBA on MLK Day schedule of games, with an emphasis on honoring Dr. King’s legacy, has become a proper event over the years. 2025’s lineup features eight games of NBA action including the Wolves vs. Grizzlies at 2:30 pm ET and the Celtics vs. Warriors at 5 pm ET, both on TNT. Kicking off at noon, same as the inauguration (hint, hint) are the Mavs vs. Hornets, if you have NBA TV.
3. Let’s Organize
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Spring cleaning does not have to wait until the Spring. It has been exhaustively reported that decluttering and organizing your home or office space all kinds of mental health benefits to aid any anxiety, stress and generally boost your mood. And you don’t even need to take any drugs to [loses signal.
4. Watch ‘The Twilight Zone’ on streamers
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Watching The Twilight Zone marathon is a staple of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. It just hits different at the top of the year considering the series is readily available on Prime Video (Seasons 1 – 5), Pluto and other streaming services. And if the black and white OG version is a little too vanilla—Jordan Peele’s update, which was only a short-lived two seasons, it well worth a binge watch (also on Prime).
5. Log Off
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Contrary to popular believe, the world will not end if you don’t check in your various social media timelines (Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, Spill…you’re off Xitter, right, soon?). Of course, this does not mean, for example, to go AWOL from the job that pays, to fail to feed your children or other such examples of handling your business and responsibilities. But it’s safe bet the world will go on if you simply log off for a spell, trust.
6. Listen to Black women.
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Hey, if Michelle Obama can skip the inauguration, so can you.
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With a new strain of norovirus afflicting more people nationwide, we take a look at its effects and how to prevent yourself from it.
The viral stomach bug commonly known as norovirus is raging, as the Centers for Disease Control published its findings about the wave of cases Monday (Jan. 13). In tests performed over the New Year’s holiday nationwide, 28% came back positive, which is double the result for the number of tests for the virus that were performed last March. In New York City alone, 1,264 cases were reported in December – less than 500 cases were reported to the city’s Department of Health in the last two years. Cases have notably been higher in the Northeast and Midwest regions, according to sewer sampling reports from WaterWasteSCAN.
Experts cite a new strain, GII.17, which has demonstrated an ability to evade immunity, as part of what’s fueling this rise. Seven out of 10 cases are currently linked to it, per the CDC. The virus can be spread through contact with someone else who’s infected or through eating contaminated food or touching contaminated surfaces. Norovirus normally surges during the winter, and those who are afflicted with it are contagious for up to two weeks afterward.
For those who come down with norovirus, more often than not they wouldn’t need professional medical attention unless they have a high fever, severe abdominal pain that lasts more than three days, and feeling as if they’ll lose consciousness. Treatment includes constant hydration, especially for at-risk segments of the population. “That’s especially true for young kids and elderly people because in those people, fluid shifts and dehydration can be a lot more dangerous than for a 30-year-old with no medical problems,” said NYU Langone Health gastroenterologist Dr. Rabia De Latour when interviewed.
According to Dr. Jessica Justman, an epidemiologist at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, those working in environments where it can be more prevalent should be extra cautious. The CDC has recommended a solution of bleach and water to disinfect surfaces along with soap and hot water. They also recommend thoroughly washing one’s hands with soap and water and avoiding eating raw shellfish such as oysters in addition to thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables.
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With Dry January in full swing, several people are opting to abstain from alcohol for the entire month while others are employing a Damp January tactic and lowering the intake with lighter sips. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is urging alcohol brands to add a warning label that drinking can cause cancer, prompting a new debate about the ingesting of adult beverages.
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory last Friday calling for warning labels to be placed on bottles of alcohol meant for drinking highlighting the cancer risk links. In the advisory, Murthy says that drinking can lead to the cause of seven types of cancer – mouth, throat, voice box, esophagus, breast, liver, colon and rectum.
In a statement, Murthy clarified his office’s findings.
“Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States – greater than the 13,500 alcohol-associated traffic crash fatalities per year in the U.S. – yet the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. “This Advisory lays out steps we can all take to increase awareness of alcohol’s cancer risk and minimize harm.”
In the United States, around 100,000 alcohol-related cancer cases are active along with an annual total of 20,00 alcohol-related cancer deaths. The statement adds that many factors go into determining one’s cancer risks including biological, environmental, social, and economic factors. Currently, the standard of two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women is considered moderate drinking and assumed to not bear any significant risks.
Congress would need to approve the warning labels and there would need to be quantifiable data findings to get this through the chambers. There has already been some resistance to the advisory by opinion writers who cover the health industry with one columnist suggesting that the same should be said of recreational marijuana.
With the incoming Trump administration, it isn’t known how much roadway this advisory will have with President-elect Donald Trump, who reportedly does not drink.
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Love is dead, long live love. Rapper Cordae and pro tennis player Naomi Osaka have reportedly broken up.
Naomi Osaka shares she is no longer in a relationship with Cordae:
“No bad blood at all, he’s a great person and an awesome dad. Honestly really glad our paths because my daughter is my biggest blessing and I was able to grow a lot from our experiences together ❤️” pic.twitter.com/dpJYyL1BXH
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 6, 2025
Osaka took to the 2025 platform of choice for official announcements, Instagram, to let the world know that she is living single.
“Hi everyone, just want to say that Cordae and I are no longer in a relationship.” said Osaka on her IG Story. “No bad blood at all, he’s a great person and an awesome dad, Honestly really glad our paths crossed because my daughter is my biggest blessing and I was able to grow a lot from our experiences together.”
The now ex-couple started dating way back in 2019, and welcomed a baby, a girl named Shai, in 2023.
Recently, Osaka was forced to retire from Auckland Classic due to an injury. which put her participation in the forthcoming Australian Open in jeopardy. As for Cordae, he dropped his thired proper album, The Crossroads, last November.
This story is developing.
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Mississippi Valley State University, an HBCU, is currently catching hell on social media for accepting an invite for its marching band, the Mean Green Marching Machine, to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration and launching a GoFundMe campaign to pay for the trip.
Trump’s inauguration will take place on Jan. 20, 2025, the same date that the nation will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It turns out a lot of people, especially Black people, don’t think it’s appropriate for the marching band of a historically Black college to perform for the president who, in 2020, exclusively targetted predominately Black and Latino voting precincts in his baseless and factless election fraud propaganda campaign — especially on the holiday honoring the civil rights icon who famously fought for Black people’s right to vote.
Unfortunately, the administrators at MVSU didn’t get the memo.
Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) is catching side-eyes after accepting an invitation to march in Trump’s upcoming inaugural parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 20, 2025. https://t.co/q7U3oN67lt pic.twitter.com/7wpKOkV1DV
— Bossip (@Bossip) December 30, 2024
From Revolt:
“This historic invitation highlights the band’s legacy of excellence and cultural significance, showcasing the university and Mississippi’s rich heritage globally. This invitation continues MVSU’s tradition of groundbreaking national performances. In 1965, the band became the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) ensemble to march in the Tournament of Roses Parade. They returned to Pasadena in 1968 and performed in President Richard Nixon’s inaugural parade on Jan. 20, 1969. These milestones reflect the band’s enduring legacy as cultural ambassadors for Mississippi and the HBCU community.”
Dr. Jerryl Briggs, MVSU president, noted that, “This is not just a moment of pride for our university but for the entire state of Mississippi. It is an opportunity to showcase our legacy, celebrate our culture, and invest in the future leaders of our community.”
Yeah — it’s arguable that all the invitation actually “highlights” is the president-elect’s willingness to continue pandering to Black people after promising to fight racism against white people while denying the very existence of systemic racism against Black people. Trump spearheaded the propaganda-reliant attack on critical race theory, issued an executive order banning diversity training in the workplace, and promised to end all DEI programs across America. He advocated for the military to shoot Black Lives Matter protesters, and he called for the execution of the Central Park Five, whose exoneration and innocence he still refuses to acknowledge.
Perhaps the administrators at MVSU would do well to understand that Black excellence shouldn’t include taking a seat at everyone’s table, and marching for a white nationalist could easily be interpreted as sambo-esque tap-dancing with a little extra razzle-dazzle.
Needless to say, the fine folks on X are displeased. Check out some of the reactions below.
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The Cosby Show actor Geoffrey Owens spoke candidly about his struggles to find work as an actor in a recent radio interview.
Six years after he was spotted working at a Trader Joe’s grocery store in New Jersey, actor Geoffrey Owens sat down for an interview to share more about his difficulties as a “middle-class actor”. Owens was a guest on “The Big Tigger Morning Show”, aired on the V-103 radio station in Atlanta, Georgia. The Cosby Show alum revealed that after the photos of him working at the store taken by a shopper were published, he left his position.
“I quit Trader Joe’s actually before the news hit,” Owens said. “It was strange because someone had been in the store taking pictures. … And I was like, well now that this is breaking, I’m not going to feel comfortable working in this store wondering who’s around with a camera. It’s gonna be just too weird. I’m a very private person.” The photos, published by the tabloid Daily Mail and by Fox News, were regarded as “job shaming” by observers.
But Owens would also receive heavy support from celebrities, including director Tyler Perry, who offered him a role in his OWN drama series The Have and The Have Nots. Big Tigger mentioned that his residual checks from The Cosby Show must’ve been good, to which the actor replied they weren’t, given that his role as Elvin Tibideux meant that “I did maybe 20% of the show.”
“People have a false you impression of what the average, what I call middle-class actor makes and their ability to make a living in the industry,” the 63-year-old continued. “So that’s what drove me to work at Trader Joe’s to begin with. Honestly, I’m not much better off now than I was then.” Owens has appeared on the CBS sitcom Poppa’s House and is currently promoting the holiday movie Mr. Santa: A Christmas Extravaganza, which he stars in with comedian Tommy Davidson.
The actor also shared how he was gifted $25,000 by rapper Nicki Minaj, which he wound up donating to the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly the Actors Fund) in honor of the late actor Earle Hyman, who played Russell Huxtable, Bill Cosby’s father on the NBC sitcom. When his revelation was met with surprise, he replied that
“at the time, it seemed like the right thing to do.”
Watch the interview above.
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Art Evans, a veteran actor who broke into the film business in the 1970s and starred in Die Hard 2, passed away last weekend at the age of 82. A California native, Art Evans starred in a diverse slate of films, including CB4, Metro, and The Mighty Quinn.
Art Evans was born on March 27, 1942, in Berkeley, Calif., and began his acting career in the 1960s in Los Angeles as a stage actor. One of Evans’ first major roles was in Christine, directed by John Carpenter and based on a novel by Stephen King. He also starred in A Solider’s Story starring Denzel Washington, Howard E. Rollings Jr., and David Allen Grier, among others. In 1990, Evans landed the role of Leslie Barnes, the Dulles International Airport engineer who helped Bruce Willis’ John McClane avert a terrorist attack.
Evans also had significant roles on television on shows such as The X-Files, Monk, Family Matters, and M*A*S*H. He also had a role in A Different World as the father of Ron Johnson (Darryl M. Bell).
Evans’ last credited role from IMDB was a voice role on The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder television series in 2022.
As seen on Variety, the family of Evans shared a statement that read, “We are heartbroken to share that Art has passed away. Please respect our privacy at this time. A memorial will be held for friends and family to attend at a later date. Thank you.”
Art Evans is survived by his wife, Babe Evans, and their son Ogadae Evans.
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Veteran rappers Bun B and Raekwon get together at the behest of HipHopWired and they dropped all the triple OG knowledge you should have expected.
The acclaimed digital series I Got Questions returns to ensure that it’s the gift that keeps on giving, as this episode features two of Hip-Hop’s most official and highly respected MCs—UGK’s Bun B and Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon. The two veteran rappers and good friends sat down to talk about their careers, influences, and vital moments.
One of the conversation’s highlights was all about fashion and swagger, centered on the famous “Snow Beach” pullover jacket by Ralph Lauren that Raekwon wore in Wu-Tang Clan’s classic video “Can It All Be So Simple.” Bun B displayed his own “Snow Beach” jacket, telling the Staten Island, New York, native, “You created the most sought-after Polo piece ever.” Raekwon then shared that since the Clan didn’t have a budget, he went to find the most colorful shirt ever for the video, stumbling upon the jacket in a downtown Brooklyn store. “I had to look around, like no way that s—t is sitting in here.”
Another key moment highlighted a tough time that proved to be a bonding moment between Bun B and Raekwon is when the former was struggling with the loss of his UGK bandmate Pimp C, and the RZA reached out to him. “We just talked about grief and loss, and that was my first conversation with that brother,” the Port Arthur, Texas, native said. “It was such a blessing. It was words like that, that really gave me strength in the moment – eventually, I’m going to find a way to deal with this and move forward.”
The conversation also features Bun B talking about how he and Pimp C almost didn’t do their iconic collaboration “Big Pimpin’” with Jay-Z, and Raekwon sharing about the formation of the Wu-Tang Clan, particularly about him being one of the group’s artists chosen to get a solo deal with another label.
Check out the entire episode of I Got Questions featuring Bun B and Raekwon above.
Source: Hip-Hop Wired / iOne Digital