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A man was struck and later died after a stray bullet flew into his residence in the northwest section of Washington over the Memorial Day Weekend. The killing was part of a violent stretch of incidents that have occurred over the past nine days in the District of Columbia.
Local outlet WJLA reports that on Sunday (May 25) at around 6:20 PM local time, a man was struck by a stray bullet at the home on the 1500 block of Ogden Street, Northwest. Officers and emergency medical technicians attempted to revive the man after discovering him suffering from the wound, but the man would later die of his injuries. The victim was revealed to be Jose Carcarmo of Northwest Washington.
Executive Assistant Chief for the Metropolitan Police Department Andre Wright held a press conference addressing the shooting and to allay concerns that residents might have.
“Based on the evidence and what we know, this does not appear to be a targeted shooting of the individual who was inside of his residence,” Wright said. “It appears, preliminarily, that this was a stray round that struck his residence and subsequently struck him.”
The outlet also reported on a double homicide in Southeast Washington that left Royell Walker, 16, and Jamar Jackson, 19, dead. An unnamed victim, 14, was also seriously injured in the Friday night (May 23) shooting.
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Photo: The Washington Post / Getty
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Charlie Rangel, the former congressman who represented several New York districts across his four-decade career, died on Monday (May 26) at the age of 94. Rep. Charlie Rangel’s storied career also included a stint in the military, where he became a decorated war veteran before completing his high school studies and going on to earn a law degree, culminating in a long life of public service.
Charlie Rangel was born Charles Bernard Rangel on June 11, 1930, in Harlem, N.Y. Rangel’s father was a native of Puerto Rico, and his mother was Black. As a young man, Rangel, who was raised primarily by his mother, took odd jobs before dropping out of high school at 16. Rangel enlisted in the United States Army, serving between 1948 and 1952. He was a member of the all-Black 503rd Field Artillery Battalion in the 2nd Infantry Division.
Fighting in the Korean War as part of a racially segregated unit, Rangel’s actions led his fellow soldiers to safety, earning him the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and three battle stars. Rangel returned home and completed his high school studies, then enrolled in the New York University School of Commerce. From there, Rangel went on to earn a law degree from St. John’s University School of Law in 1960.
Rangel was named the Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York by U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, staying in the role for a year. Rangel, under the tutelage of civil rights activist and Assemblyman Percy Sutton, would later serve as a state assemblyman, beginning his life in public office.
In 1970, Rangel challenged longtime congressman Rep. Adam Clayton Powell Jr., who fell out of favor in the public eye with some due to an ethics scandal, losing his seat in 1967 but regaining it in 1969 after a U.S. Supreme Court decision detailed in the Powell v. McCormack case.
Rangel would go on to serve 23 terms in Congress before retiring in 2017. Along the way, he was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and became the first Black chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.
One of the hallmarks of Rangel was his no-nonsense approach to working for his constituents and his ability to work across the aisle with the opposing parties to get bills moved through the chamber. Rangel also had an affable personality that resonated well with his colleagues, and his distinctive New York accent was hard to miss.
As a member of the Gang of Four, which included David Dinkins, Basil Paterson, and the aforementioned Sutton. The quartet was notable for its ascension in the political realm.
In 2024, Rangel’s wife of 60 years, Alma Carter, passed away. He is survived by two children, Steven and Alicia, and three grandsons.
On X, reactions to the passing of Rep. Charlie Rangel have cropped up. We’ve got them listed below.
[h/t CNN]
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Photo: Tom Williams / Getty
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George Floyd, a resident of Minneapolis, Minn., lost his life at the hands of Derek Chauvin, the police officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes. On the fifth anniversary of his death, many on social media are honoring George Floyd’s life.
On this day (May 25) five years ago, George Floyd was arrested after a store clerk at Cup Food alerted the police that Floyd used a counterfeit $20 bill inside the establishment. Officers J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane arrived on the scene shortly after 8:00 PM local time. The officers approached Floyd’s SUV and ordered him to show his hands before pulling him out of the vehicle.
Chauvin and Officer Tou Thao arrived next, making it a total of four officers on Floyd. The officers pulled Floyd out of the backseat of a squad car with Kueng, Lane, and Chauvin physically holding down Floyd. Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck, who repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe, and was suffering from an anxiety attack, according to onlookers.
The officers ignored Floyd’s complaints about his discomfort, with Thao, who kept bystanders at bay, reportedly telling folks, “This is why you don’t do drugs, kids.” The observers noticed that Floyd was no longer moving, and officers discovered that he no longer had a pulse. Witnesses say that the officers did nothing to attempt to revive Floyd as he was lying face down on the pavement.
The death of George Floyd sparked citywide demonstrations and protests around the nation, calling for the arrest of the four officers. Floyd’s murder bolstered the “Defund The Police” movement, and tensions between police officers and Black and other minority groups grew as a result.
Chauvin was later charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter, and was sentenced to 22 and a half years. Chauvin pleaded guilty to federal charges of violating Floyd’s civil rights for ignoring his pleas for help, not administering medical care, and for using extreme measures to subdue him. The other three officers faced similar charges.
Lane pleaded guilty to state level charges of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter and sewas ntenced to three years to be served alongside a 2 and a half year federal sentence. Kueng pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced to 3 and a half years in state prison to be served with his 2 and a half year federal sentence. Thao waived his right to a trial but was later found guilty of aiding and abetting manslaughter and sentenced to almost five years in prison.
Naturally, right-wing trolls and MAGA enthusiasts are pushing the theory that Floyd overdosed on drugs instead of focusing on the charges that the officers actually pleaded guilty to. If these tough-guy officers believed they didn’t commit a crime, protests and folks calling for their heads wouldn’t have made them fold. It didn’t stop them from killing a Black man in broad daylight, right?
On X, George Floyd’s name is one of the top trending topics. We’ve got those reactions listed below.
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Photo: The Washington Post / Getty
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CRT FRSH, Hip-Hop Wired’s playlist where we showcase music that we believe is “Certified Fresh,” is back with the newness! With our latest update this week, we’re gonna focus on Joey BadA$$ and his feud with what seems like the entire West Coast before sharing new heat.
I want to explain how I approach curating the CRT FRSH playlist. Most importantly, I don’t segregate my Hip-Hop. Every form of music from the main cultural tree deserves a listen and a look. When I construct the playlist, I want to include all regions across the States and, when applicable, across the globe. I also want to entertain every fan of Hip-Hop, not just those who enjoy one segment of it. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get to it.
The CRT FRSH playlist is a labor of love. We don’t take payments, nor do we do favors. We only add joints to our playlist that fit the theme and vision we’re going for and don’t seek to waste the listener’s time. Further, we don’t stick to one lane of Hip-Hop. We believe that all aspects of the music should get some light, whether it’s young lions in the trenches or those hoping for that one shot to blow up to grizzled veterans puffing out their chests with lots more to say. — D.L. Chandler, Lead Curator, CRT FRSH
Like I said, I’m opening up this week’s update with all the joints I could find from Joey BadA$$, Ray Vaughn, Daylyt, and anyone else who hopped in the ring, including some of Badmon’s Pro Era team like CJ Fly. Not every song is on DSPs, so what we’ve amassed here is all we got unless folks can clear samples and production to get it up on streamers.
I’m not picking any sides in the battle. I’m just enjoying good rapping, and that it’s all being kept to recordings and not spilling into nonsense in real life. If rapping is a sport, then battling is one of the ways to show and prove one’s mettle. One super impressive thing is that in the back and forth between coasts, folks are working quickly and addressing bars head-on instead of ducking from any smoke.
If I missed a joint you feel like should’ve been added, let me know and I’ll adjust. This playlist is live for two weeks, so we’ll probably have plenty of time to update this. And, from what I’m hearing online, there are over 90 songs recorded by several artists since Joey took the first swipe at the West Coast on his Conductor Williams-produced track, “The Ruler’s Back.”
I’m not going to break down every joint. Instead, check out the collection of songs we did find, search out the rest online, and just enjoy the collection of new heat I tacked on at the end of the disses.
Salute to Joey BadA$$, Daylyt, Ray Vaughn, AZ Chike, REASON, CJ Fly, Kai Ca$h, Hitta J3, YG, Shoreline Mafia, IDK, Joey Valence, Brae, DRAM, Ellis Quinn, Chance The Rapper, Erick The Architect, Joyce Wrice, Smoke DZA, Dave East, Mike & Keys, Niontay, Sideshow, MAVI, Troy Ave, Boldy James, Your Boy Posca, Mike Shabb, CRIMEAPPLE, DJ Skizz, Estee Nack, ETO, Grafh, Benny The Butcher, NYC Rap Star, Ransom, Jay Electronica, Numbz, Larrin, Defcee, Paralell Thought, Lukah, Statik Selektah, Larry June, Cardo Got Wings.
We’ll be back with an update in two more weeks. Check out the CRT FRSH update below.
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Photo: Peter Carruthers / Getty
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On the last day of March, Sen. Cory Booker made history by delivering the longest speech in the history of the U.S. Senate, beating out Sen. Strom Thurmond’s filibuster intended to prevent the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. It was a great moment for Booker, who received widespread praise for using his time to call out President Donald Trump and his Constitution-defying, orgiarch-friendly, civil rights eroding administration.
Well, it took Booker less than two months to piss away all of that political fanfare by being the only Democrat vote to confirm ex-con Charles Kushner, father of Ivanka Trump’s husband, Jared Kushner, as ambassador to France.
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For those who aren’t familiar, in 2005, Charles Kushner was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to 16 counts of tax fraud, witness retaliation, and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission.
Since the MAGA-fied GOP had no issue pledging their undying loyalty to a 34-time felon and backing him for the presidency, it’s no surprise that 50 Republican senators voted to confirm Kushner. It’s also not surprising that 45 Democrats voted “no” on the appointment. What has surprised many people, however, is that Booker was not one of those Democrats.
Now his constituents want an explanation.
Unfortunately, there might just be an explanation, just not one that will satisfy anyone who doesn’t like to watch elected officials scratch each other’s backs for political favors. You see, before Booker became the mayor of Newark, New Jersey, in 2006, he ran for the position unsuccessfully in 2002, and, according to The New Jersey Globe, Kushner was a major donor to his campaign.
“Charles Kushner was convicted of making false statements to the FEC and pleaded guilty to tax evasion & witness tampering,” Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) said in a statement explaining her (hell) “no” vote. “And Trump pardoned him. Of course, I voted NO to advance Kushner’s nomination as AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE. We don’t need any more Kushners in government.”
Meanwhile, Booker has been all over X blasting the forthcoming GOP tax bill, which is all well and good, but he seems to be completely ignoring the onslaught of social media users who are dragging him up and down these internet streets, either demanding that he offer up an explanation for his Kushner vote, or just condemning him for doing so.
Check out some of the reactions below.
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On Wednesday (May 21), a federal judge formally dismissed charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka brought against him by interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba’s office after he was arrested outside of the Delaney Hall immigration center earlier this month. U.S Magistrate Judge André Espinosa made the ruling in an afternoon hearing, blasting the federal government’s “embarassing” action in filing, then retracting the charges.“An arrest of a public figure is not a preliminary investigative tool. It is a severe action,” Espinosa said while delivering the dismissal. “Federal prosecutors serve a single paramount client: justice itself,” he added., continuing: “Your role is not to secure convictions at all costs, nor to satisfy public clamor, nor to advance political agendas. Your allegiance is to the impartial application of the law, to the pursuit of truth, and to the upholding of due process for all.”Mayor Baraka was at Delaney Hall with New Jersey congressional Democrats Rob Menendez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and LaMonica McIver protesting the administration’s detaining and deportation policies along with the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. He was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor by Habba’s office. According to The Washington Post, Habba listened in to the hearing but opted not to speak. Espinosa also called out Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Demanovich, who was present in the courtroom, for hearing of the government’s request to drop the charges through news reports rather than it being brought to him directly.Espinosa wasn’t done chastizing the federal government. “The apparent rush in this case, culminating today in the embarrassing retraction of charges, suggests a failure to adequately investigate,” he said. “Your office must operate with a higher standard than that.” Afterward,Mayor Baraka declined to speak to the press, letting his attorneys talk on his behalf. “If this matter had proceeded to trial, we feel confident that Mayor Baraka would be vindicated,” said Rahul Agarwal, one of his laywers. “We have believed from the outset that these charges did not and would not survive scrutiny.”Habba’s office filed charges against Representative McIver on Tuesday on two counts of assaulting, resisting and impeding an officer. If convicted, she faces eight years in prison for each charge. McIver has denounced the charges as “purely political.” She was present for a hearing earlier on Wednesday, with another preliminary hearing set for June 11.
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Over the past few weeks the Megan Thee Stallion and Tory Lanez saga has once again been dominating social media due to new revelations about the case and Megan herself chiming in on Tory’s attempts to overturn his case.
Now SZA is coming to the defense of her fellow baddie and commented on a video that was posted by Theluncheonlawyer who opposed Tory Lanez claims in court. Taking to the comments section, SZA responded to the video (and Tory Lanez defenders) writing “The density !!!!! I’m actually SO shocked at the amount of ppl fully comfortable bullying a woman that’s proven to be a victim of assault ??! Like out loud where other ppl can see you ?? Lmao u finna be stupid OUTLOUD ?”
Naturally, SZA’s comments garnered thousands of likes with hundreds of responses supporting her view, but still Tory fans chimed in also and show no signs of wavering as they continue to call for the man to be released from prison.
SZA’s take on the Megan and Tory situation comes weeks after Tory Lanez was stabbed 14 times in prison and miraculously survived the assault. Wildly enough, Megan Thee Stallion fans began donating money to the assailant for stabbing up Tory Lanez even though he’s serving a life sentence behind bars. Social media has truly ruined our morals and values as human beings smh.
What do y’all think about SZA standing up for Megan Thee Stallion? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Annie Knight, an OnlyFans star who is known for sleeping with several partners at a time via her content, recently slept with 583 men. Annie Knight later shared that she had to be hospitalized after the marathon sex session, but it doesn’t appear she has any regrets.
Annie Knight, 28, is billed as “Australia’s most sexually active woman” and has promoted her career with a sense of boldness and pride. Speaking exclusively with Us Weekly, Knight did say that despite the pain she’s feeling, she’s hoping to get back to herself very soon.
“I’m not doing very well, I’ve been bleeding a lot since the challenge,” Knight said to Us Weekly, adding that she has the condition endometriosis. “It was definitely a bit raw down there and I did get a small cut.”
Knight told the outlet that despite the high number of participants, the challenge itself wasn’t difficult at all for her.
“Doing 583 in a day is quite a lot so I was a little bit worried that I was gonna really struggle with it, because the most I’ve done before that was 24 in a day,” Knight added. Over 2,000 men signed up for the May 18 event and only expected around 200 men to appear. When the number was more than double that, Knight said she was excited to take on the challenge even more.
Knight’s chosen profession certainly has its fair share of critics, and some had choice words for the men who signed up for the act. Knight took up the mantle to defend her male participants.
“People seem to, like, get so uptight about it. At the end of the day, these men just want to have sex. God forbid, a man has sex. And I’m providing a service for free,” Knight said. “It really upsets me when I see people coming after the guys and being so mean about the guys that showed up, because I feel quite protective of them, and so when I see all these negative comments toward them, it really, like, upsets me.”
Knight posted another video saying that she could’ve done 100 more men and that the post-recovery discomfort was the only thing she was dealing with.
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Photo: Instagram / @AnnieKnight
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with President Donald Trump at the White House this week, and there were moments of contention. President Cyril Ramaphosa shot down President Donald Trump‘s claim of so-called white genocide being carried out against white farmers by the country’s Black residents.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was in Washington with members of his nation’s delegation to discuss with President Donald Trump ways to improve their business dealings. South Africa is hoping to encourage other world leaders to work alongside South Africa and help improve its standing in the world.
President Trump had other issues in mind, using the meeting to harshly confront President Ramaphosa and center the rumored white genocide happening in South Africa. At one point, Trump had aides dim the lights and showed his guest a video that purported to show the violence happening against white farmers and supporting a conspiracy theory that has been continually debunked.
Trump repeatedly talked over Ramaphosa, who tried to explain the truth that more Black farmers are being harmed and killed than whites. Ramaphosa was flanked by white South African Johann Rupert, the nation’s richest man, who explained that what Trump was promoting was false. South African agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen, also white, attempted to do the same.
Ramaphosa, a skilled negotiator and longtime politician, never appeared rattled by Trump’s swarming attacks. CNN added in its reporting that the South African press largely pressed Ramaphosa’s showing, which was similar to the moment Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had with Trump at the White House, albeit a lot less contentious.
Watch this video courtesy of CNN below.
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Photo: The Washington Post / Getty
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The Nottoway Plantation in Louisiana burned down, and social media users expressed a wide range of emotions in response.
The Nottoway Plantation in Louisiana, billed as “the South’s largest remaining antebellum mansion”, was devoured by a fire over the past weekend. The responses to the fire have been a mix of emotions ranging from jubilation over the destruction of a symbol rooted in the horrors of the enslavement of Black people, to some expressing sadness as it represented “the good old South” and their memories of weddings held there.
Located 65 miles northwest of New Orleans, the 53,000-square-foot mansion had been rebranded as the Nottoway Resort in recent years, featuring amenities such as 40 overnight rooms, a honeymoon suite, a lounge, fitness center, and an outdoor pool and cabana. According to the National Park Service, 155 enslaved people were recorded at Nottoway Plantation in 1860. The website for Nottoway doesn’t mention those people at all. And according to property owner Dan Dyess’ words in the New York Post, there is no intent to do so: “We are trying to make this a better place. We don’t have any interest in left wing radical stuff. We we need to move forward on a positive note here and we are not going to dwell on past racial injustice.”
That sentiment contrasts with how social media rejoiced in Nottoway burning down. One historian, Dr. Mia Crawford-Johnson, shared a selfie taken across from the site of the mansion burning down, which went viral. Others also shared videos celebrating the mansion’s destruction by fire as justice for those who were enslaved, with some using it as an Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response video and editing the video with background music choices like Usher’s “Let It Burn.”
Some historians have lamented the lost chance to preserve Nottoway as a site to illustrate the skill and ingenuity of Black enslaved people. “There are no perfect answers here,” writes noted author and chef Michael W. Twitty in an MSNBC article. “Nottoway could have gone the way of Whitney Plantation, also in Louisiana, which is a museum dedicated to helping visitors understand who the enslaved people were.” When contacted, Whitney Plantation Museum Executive Director Ashley Rogers felt that Nottoway’s chance to go that route was lost long before the blaze. “It was a resort,” Rogers said. “I don’t know that it being there or not being there has anything to do with how we preserve the history of slavery. They already weren’t.”
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