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Spiritual Homicide: The American President and the Death of a Nation’s Conscience

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Seattle Medium
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Explore the erosion of moral guardrails in society through the lens of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachings and the Igbo philosophy of human dignity.
Explore the erosion of moral guardrails in society through the lens of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachings and the Igbo philosophy of human dignity.

By Rev. Stacy Swimp

As a person of half-Nigerian heritage, I carry within me the Igbo philosophy that a person is only a person through their relationship with others. In this tradition, human dignity—Mmadụ—is not an individual possession but a communal bond; to insult one is to fracture the spirit of the whole. 

As we celebrate Black History Month, this ancestral lens helps us discern when rhetoric is used to bypass the democratic and moral guardrails of our society. 

Scholarly analysis indicates that modern authoritarianism often derives control through the strategic weaponization of words and the leverage of personal wealth to manufacture polarization. Within the current administration, we observe under Donald Trump a reliance on “intrigue” and the implementation of a “loyalty scorecard” for corporations to reshape the state into an instrument of personal gain rather than public service.

The manipulation of language and the influence of vast wealth serve as foundational tools for this authority. When leadership labels the press as the “enemy” or refers to political opponents as “vermin,” it initiates a process of “rhetorical dehumanization.” This is a profound assault on the Imago Dei—the principle that every person possesses inherent dignity as a reflection of the divine. 

This shift was visceral here in Michigan on Jan. 13, 2026, when the president responded to a Ford plant worker’s criticism with profanity and an obscene gesture. When the White House subsequently defends such behavior as “appropriate” while the president’s personal net worth spikes through family-backed ventures, it signals that the “I-It” relationship—treating citizens as obstacles—has become the national standard.

This transition from rhetoric to policy is codified in directives such as “Operation Take Back America” and the use of the “White House Loyalty Scorecard” to rate companies based on political fealty. These moves have been critiqued for using “fearmongering” to justify broad expansions of executive authority while rewarding those within the president’s “outer circle.” 

Psalm 94:20 warns of the “throne of iniquity… which frameth mischief by a law,” a warning echoed in Dr. King’s teaching that an unjust law is a code “out of harmony with the moral law.” When the state justifies the suspension of dissenters and replaces dignity with derision, it signals that moral guardrails are being demolished in favor of a transactional culture of greed and the very “triple evils” of militarism and materialism King warned against.

Dr. King famously warned that “hate is too great a burden to bear.” He understood that any governance founded on the systematic “othering” of human beings eventually leads to societal devastation and what he termed “spiritual homicide”—the slow, deliberate death of a nation’s conscience. To exercise discernment, we must be “fruit inspectors” of power (Matthew 7:16). King noted that “darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” 

By rooting ourselves in the knowledge that justice must uplift the human personality, we can refuse to let our story be written by the hand of hate, standing firm in the conviction that there are no “gradations” in the image of God.

Author Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are my own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of my employer, Molina Healthcare of Michigan.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the AFRO.

Family Without Borders: Pew Survey Maps The Depth Of Black America’s Kinship Ties

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Seattle Medium
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77% of Black Americans consider someone outside of their biological family to be family, with 95% of those relationships being close friends who have provided support through difficult times.
77% of Black Americans consider someone outside of their biological family to be family, with 95% of those relationships being close friends who have provided support through difficult times.

By Stacy M. Brown

Family, in Black America, has long stretched past the limits of law and lineage. It lives in the neighbor who kept watch from the porch, the church mother who corrected your grammar, the friend who became a cousin without a ceremony. A sweeping new Pew Research Center survey now quantifies what generations have practiced in real time.

“Half the people I call aunt or uncle aren’t related to me at all,” said Albert Youngblood, 37, a plumber who grew up in D.C.’s Ward 8. “They were there when my mom was working doubles. They were there when I got in trouble at school. Blood doesn’t make you show up. Showing up makes you family.”

The new report, “What family means to Black Americans,” is based on a survey of 4,271 Black adults and 2,555 other U.S. adults. The survey discovered that 77% of Black Americans say there is at least one person in their lives not related by birth, marriage or law whom they consider family. Among non-Black adults, 63% say the same. Fifty-eight percent of Black adults report having more than one non-relative they consider family.

These relationships are not casual. Among Black adults with a non-relative family member, 95% say they have known them for a long time and 95% describe them as close friends. Ninety-two percent say those individuals supported them through a difficult time. Eighty-eight percent say they have a lot in common, 85% say they share an aspect of identity such as race or gender, 83% call them longtime family friends, 72% say they share religious or spiritual beliefs and 55% say they grew up in the same neighborhood.

The closeness extends across generations. Among Black adults who have them, 66% say they feel extremely or very close to a parent and 63% say the same about a sibling. Seventy-three percent say they feel extremely or very close to a non-relative they consider family, and 77% say that about a spouse or partner.

For many, extended relatives carry equal weight. Forty-eight percent of Black adults say they feel extremely or very close to a grandparent, compared with 33% of non-Black adults. Forty-two percent say they are extremely or very close to a cousin, compared with 20% of others. Thirty-six percent report that level of closeness with an aunt or uncle, compared with 19 percent of non-Black adults.

Sakeena White, 33, who works for Verizon, said those ties became lifelines after her father died.

“My play cousins sat with me every night that first week,” White said. “We aren’t related on paper, but they carried me. That’s family.”

Emotional support flows in multiple directions. Sixty-seven percent of Black adults who have a spouse or partner say they are extremely or very likely to turn to them for emotional support. Half say they would turn to a non-relative they consider family, 49% to a parent and 45% to a sibling. Black adults are also far more likely than others to seek support from extended relatives. Thirty-four percent say they would turn to a grandparent for emotional support, compared with 15% of non-Black adults. Twenty-seven percent would turn to a cousin, compared with 10% of others, and 24% to an aunt or uncle, compared with 9%.

They are just as likely to give it. Sixty-seven percent say a spouse or partner turns to them extremely or very often for emotional support. Forty-eight percent say the same about a non-relative family member, 38% about a sibling and 36 percent about a parent. Twenty-three percent say a cousin turns to them that often, 21% a grandparent and 14% an aunt or uncle.

Among Black adults who provide emotional support to at least one family member, 46% say they find it rewarding and 36% say it is enjoyable. Eighteen percent describe it as stressful and 17% as tiring.

Financial support is even more striking. Fifty-nine percent of Black adults say they gave money or financial assistance to parents or other family members in the year prior to the survey, up from 39 percent in 2021. Among non-Black adults, 42% report giving financial support.

That generosity often comes at a cost. Among Black adults who gave financial help, 51% say it hurt their own financial situation at least somewhat, including 25% who say it hurt a great deal or a fair amount. Among non-Black adults who gave financial support, 35% say it hurt their finances at least somewhat.

Landry Baldwin, 48, who runs a landscape business, said he has felt that tension.

“I’ve written checks when I knew it would tighten things at home,” Baldwin said. “But if my people need help, I don’t debate it. That’s how I was raised.”

Receiving help is less common than giving it, yet still significant. Thirty-two percent of Black adults say they received financial assistance from family in the prior year, compared with 23% of non-Black adults. Among Black adults who received help, 49% say it improved their financial situation a great deal or a fair amount, and 33 percent say it helped some.

The survey also documents a strong racial connection that reaches beyond immediate networks. Seventy-five percent of Black adults say being Black is extremely or very important to how they think about themselves. Fifty-eight percent say they generally consider other Black people in the United States their brothers or sisters. Seventy-nine percent say they feel a responsibility to look out for other Black people at least somewhat often, including 39% who say they feel that responsibility extremely or very often.

Youngblood said that a sense of duty is instinctive.

“When one of us wins, we all feel it. When one of us is hurting, we all feel that too,” he said. “That’s why family, for us, is bigger than paperwork. It always has been.”

Wanna Fight ICE? Teach The Students They Wish To Remove

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Seattle Medium
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March if you can — but don’t underestimate the resistance built through reading, writing, math, and belief in a child’s future.
March if you can — but don’t underestimate the resistance built through reading, writing, math, and belief in a child’s future.

Each day, educators greet and teach bright, smiling faces from all walks of life and all colors, representing lineages from all over the world. However, amid much of the chaos and uncertainty in our country stemming from public policy, many of those smiling faces are no longer smiling. What teachers see is uncertainty, confusion, and fear.

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to kidnap — and even kill — people, many students across the country fear that they or members of their families could be next. With the recent leak of a memo that says ICE agents are allowed to enter homes without a judge’s warrant, that fear is more tangible than ever.

What Teachers Are Seeing Right Now

If you’re an educator whose students and their families could be in danger, it is understandable that you may have a strong desire to do something to help… beyond your classroom work. By all means, march, donate, and advocate for undocumented youth and families when and where it makes sense. Whenever and however we can, we should stand with the oppressed.

The Most Powerful Thing Educators Can Do

But, in addition, there is something else educators — specifically of undocumented youth — can do for them that will make all the difference: continue to teach them well with every fiber of your brain and being.

Teaching grammar, fractions, or climate to grade school students might not feel like playing your part in the resistance. But it is.

As was the case during the first Trump Administration, young people are feeling the stress and strain of racist policies during Trump 2.0. We may think of young people who’ve experienced violence from law enforcement or those unlawfully taken into custody or made to appear before a judge. Equally egregious are young people made to interpret complex documents, become caretakers for younger siblings, or make serious decisions they don’t have the wherewithal to make.

Literacy and Critical Thinking Can Be Protective

For educators, in addition to marching or protesting, teaching young people how to read, compute, articulate their thoughts, and think critically may be the best thing you can do for young people in danger of coming into contact with ICE or any agent of the state.

Because if young people are put in an unfair position to stand before authorities, speak up on behalf of someone else, or look after someone else when the adults have been taken, it is better that they can read and think critically than not at all.

Their lives may very well depend on their ability to read and think critically. Teaching doesn’t change laws or change who’s in political office, but it will help a student more than it’ll hurt them, especially when their life or the lives of their loved ones depend on the skills they should learn in the classroom.

Teachers Are Already the Superheroes

We live in a time when it feels like we need a superhero to save us from the dangers that abound. But we already have them: teachers. Not because teachers have X-ray vision, can fly, or have superhuman strength. But because teachers are patient and kind, they can bring a smile to children’s faces with a science lesson that has liquids explode when mixed, or get kids excited when they join them in a game during gym.

Teachers are the people who can inspire children to be who they never thought they could be and explain to kids that they are not the sum of their mistakes or failures. Teachers have the unique ability to motivate, encourage, and enlighten young people, not simply to get good grades, but to change the world for the better.

This Is a Long Tradition of Liberation Work

Right now, we need young people to learn the skills to change the world for the better, and it may seem a lifetime away for our youngest to have an impact. But historically, young people have often been at the forefront of movements on behalf of the people.

And teachers during Reconstruction, the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements were often working for liberation through literacy, numeracy, critical thinking, and strategy.

You’re Teaching a Future Leader

You may teach the leader of a movement to combat the injustice we’re witnessing. You may teach the graphic designer of marketing or promotional materials for a movement against injustice. Maybe he, she, or they will write speeches for a political candidate, manage a nonprofit’s budget, or teach the next generation of leaders.

The possibilities for your students are endless, and when you teach your content, you are exposing them to new experiences that inspire new ideas, new thoughts, new solutions to old problems, and potential ones.

Your Classroom Can Be the Difference

We are the catalyst that can change the course of a child’s trajectory… for better or for worse. Of course, we must be for the better, but it means more now more than ever.

It may seem that young people need someone to swoop in and save the day. But what they really need is structure, rigor, consistency, and someone who believes in them. Teachers occupy a unique position in being able to provide young people with all those things, especially those who lack them due to public policy.

We don’t have to do things outside of our norm.

We simply need to be effective at our jobs and show compassion, care, and concern while doing it. If we do, I believe our work will be the difference between the world becoming better than the one we are witnessing and remaining the scary, dark place that frightens the young people we teach.

The only way to cure the darkness is with light. So, use your vocation to make bright young minds shine brighter so they can defend themselves and others with those minds. This is our calling. More than ever before, this is our time to answer.

On Sundays, Wearing Red Is About More Than Style

By
Seattle Medium
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In Black churches, February fashion doubles as a lifesaving reminder about heart health.
In Black churches, February fashion doubles as a lifesaving reminder about heart health.

Black fashion is nowhere more prominent than in the church on Sunday mornings. But the prevalence of the color red being seen during February is more than a fashion statement; it’s a reminder to that February is Heart Health Month and it’s the right time for medical check ups and attention to diets and exercise.

Heart disease is the number one killer of Black women in this country. And the Black church has been proactive for many years in getting that message out as well and with as much power as the gospel message. It goes back to church nurses being trained to monitor blood pressure on a regular basis. It continues in fellowship halls where conversations about diet and exercise now sit alongside plates of beloved — and sometimes dangerously indulgent — church dinners.

It’s not a spiritual mandate — or maybe it is. After all, our bodies are the temples of God.

A Cardiovascular Disease Crisis

Black women are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association’s Go Red website, “cardiovascular disease is the No.1 killer for women, but Black women experience the highest burden, where nearly 60% among ages 20 and over are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.”

For Charlene Ndi, a retired nurse and semi-retired social worker in home health and hospice, the statistics are all too real.

“I continue to see and experience the impact of high blood pressure, strokes, kidney disease, dialysis, chronic wounds, diabetes, and maternal mortality (pregnancy associated death). The myriad related conditions of (heart and blood vessel diseases) are far too common among Black women to be ignored,” Ndi says.

The Red Dress Speaks

The red worn in pews each February echoes the national Go Red for Women campaign, launched by the American Heart Association in 2004. But as Ndi notes, the symbolism predates the formal movement.

“Long before the Go Red for Women movement of the AHA began in 2004, Black women knew the significance of the ‘sassy red dress’ and its allure,” she says. “Among our mothers, aunts, sisters, the red dress was the statement that showed up in rooms before you opened your mouth. That red dress was ‘saying something’, especially when it was worn with a pair of shiny patent-leather slingback shoes to match.”

Ndi says the red dress continues to make its own entrance. “And with it, we declare a bold and courageous message like theirs, one that reduces the burden and dares to learn how to live a heart-healthy life they would be proud of.”

Beyond the Pew

In the Black church, the color red may catch the eye. But the real work is in the follow-up. Medical experts, including the Mayo Clinic, emphasize essential lifestyle changes to protect heart health: manage blood pressure, control cholesterol, reduce blood sugar, get active, eat better, lose weight, quit tobacco and get healthy sleep.

So on Sunday mornings in February, red fills the pews. But its message stretches well beyond the sanctuary doors: take care of your heart.

Wu-Tang Clan Collaborator Oliver ‘Power’ Grant Dead At 52

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Seattle Medium
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Long-term Wu-Tang Clan collaborator Oliver "Power" Grant has died at age 52.
Long-term Wu-Tang Clan collaborator Oliver “Power” Grant has died at age 52.

(CNN) — Oliver “Power” Grant, a music producer who closely collaborated with the Wu-Tang Clan, has died aged 52.

His passing was announced by the legendary hip-hop group on social media, although no further details of his death were given. The group’s Instagram post on Wednesday simply stated: “Rest in Power, Power,” accompanied by several photos.

A host of musical tributes and pictures were posted on the band’s Instagram Stories in memory of Grant, who is credited as being the band’s executive producer and co-founder of Wu-Tang Productions. He also acted in several movies, including “Belly” (1998) and “Black and White” (1999) and “Coalition” (2004).

The group, which hails from Staten Island, New York, includes original members RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Killa.

Rza (Robert Diggs) founded the group in the early 1990s after deciding he wanted a life in music and not on the streets. Their 1993 debut album “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” is often listed as one of the top hip-hop albums of all time.

Members of the group also paid separate tributes to Grant on their own social media.

“Paradise my Brother safe Travels!!” wrote Method Man, adding two heartbreak emojis. “Bruh I am not ok,” he added.

GZA posted: “We couldn’t have done it without him. Wu wouldn’t have come to fruition without Power. His passing is a profound loss to us all. My deepest condolences to the fam.”

Raekwon shared a photo of Grant with the group on Instagram, with the caption: “POWER we been everywhere …. now you everywhere ! the most high is merciful love you”

Grant was the driving force behind clothing line Wu Wear, which was later renamed Wu-Tang Brand. It was later relaunched as Wu Wear.

Representatives for the Wu-Tang Clan have been contacted by CNN for further comment.

CNN Sports Exclusive: How Family, Focus And Faith Fuels Bukayo Saka And Arsenal’s Trophy Ambitions

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Seattle Medium
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Arsenal's Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, on Sunday February 22.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, on Sunday February 22.

London (CNN) — Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has exclusively told CNN Sports that his side has “the opportunity to make history” after the 24-year-old committed his long-term future to the current Premier League leaders.

The forward, who joined the club’s academy at the age of eight, recently signed a new five-year deal that’ll extend his stay in North London until 2030.

He says the decision to commit long-term was “an easy choice” and one that reaffirms his belief that the Gunners can challenge for and win trophies on a consistent basis.

“The club is going in the right direction, for sure. We have an amazing team and we’re back fighting for every trophy, so no place I’d rather be,” he told CNN Sports in an exclusive interview at the club’s training center.

“To be playing at the highest level, to be playing for Arsenal, this is everything I want.”

Close but no cigar

Silverware, however, has been in short supply in recent seasons for Arsenal.

The club’s last taste of major silverware came in 2020 with victory in the FA Cup against Chelsea.

It was Saka and head coach Mikel Arteta’s first and only major trophy to date with the club, but as the winger says, “When you taste that victory, you just want to do it again and again and again.”

Since then, Arsenal has flirted with a series of agonizing near misses, most notably pipped at the post by Manchester City in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Premier League campaigns.

“It’s not a nice thing. No one’s happy to go through them,” he says.

“What you learn is crucial and you just have to take it into the moment now which we’re in and try and do what we can to not have any miss next time.”

And in this moment, Arteta’s side finds itself in contention to win a quadruple this season.

The Gunners sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League ahead of City and will face Pep Guardiola’s team in the League Cup final in March.

They’ve also reached the fifth round of the FA Cup and have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League after finishing the league phase of the competition with a 100% win record.

“It’s counterproductive to focus solely on (the Premier League),” he says when asked whether the league, which the club hasn’t won since 2004, is the priority this season.

“You have to do what you can day-to-day because you can’t control the outcome. We’re in control so we’re just looking forward to that.”

Arteta influence

Saka’s form in the back end of this season will be integral to his side’s push on all four fronts.

Since making his debut in November 2018, no player in an Arsenal shirt has provided more goals or assists than the winger.

And the England international has been everpresent under Arteta, playing more minutes than any other player since the Spaniard’s appointment in 2019.

“He’s been pivotal for me, crucial in my development,” emphasizes Saka.

“I’ve become a much better player under him. He’s trusted me a lot and I’m very grateful. When people ask me what I want in a coach it’s him.”

Could Saka one day see himself following in Arteta’s footsteps into the world of soccer management?

“No chance,” he says adamantly.

“From being a player to a manager, I think it’s times 10, the demands – and I feel like after playing football, I couldn’t see myself being a manager.”

Injuries have contributed to a stop-start campaign for the England international this season, but his increasing influence on and off the pitch remains telling.

He’s captained the Gunners 14 times in the Premier League and was a key figure in the England side that reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup, as well as back-to-back finals at Euro 2020 and 2024.

“There are different types of captains, some are more vocal, some lead by example. I’ll just be myself,” he explains.

“I don’t think too much about it. If you think about it and you force it, it’s not going to be received well because people can see if you’re not being yourself. I just try and live in the moment … It’s just my instincts.”

‘One in a million chance’

That instinct and determination can, in part, be attributed to Saka’s upbringing.

Born in London to Nigerian parents, he credits them for imbuing the cultural values of his Yoruba heritage, shaping his character and approach to life and instilling the core values of discipline, humility and courage from an early age.

“Their journey is inspiring,” he says smiling.

“From being in Nigeria to being where we are today as a family… For me, the only explanation is God because it’s not normal.

“It’s like one in a million chance for me to stand here today. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

During his interview, Saka reads out a never-before-seen letter, written by his parents and given to him by CNN Sports, to mark the young star’s latest contract with the club.

In the letter, his parents speak of their “hearts overflowing with pride” at their son’s personal and professional achievements to date, which have “touched millions of hearts around the world.” The letter continues, touching on why, for them, “success is not measured only in achievements but in character.”

“Wow,” he pauses after reading the letter.

“I don’t really see my mom and dad speak with me like this a lot. I’m pretty speechless.

“I don’t feel I’m here alone. I feel they’re right with me, and they always have been, so I’m grateful.

“The reason I have such a connection to the people in this club and the fans is because they appreciate my values … so it started with them.”

‘Love always wins’

Saka says that the support of his family and Arsenal fans “makes you want to give back on the pitch and repay that love.”

That love was evident in abundance following the online racial abuse directed at Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho following the Euro 2020 final defeat by Italy.

He admits, at the time, “it was a tough moment for me … I was on the floor,” but the messages of support in the form of cards, letters and gifts that followed “lifted me up and helped me to come back and do what I’ve been doing in recent years.”

“Love always wins because, for all the hatred and the negativity, the love that I received overcame everything,” he recalls.

It’s those ingredients of love and desire that fuel his ambition to go and leave “a legacy” on and off the pitch, not just for this generation, but future ones to come.

At the same time, he never wants to forget his roots and his parents who made this journey possible for him.

“Thank you for everything, for the sacrifices, for the love, the discipline, for it all,” he says as a message back to his parents.

“I’m forever grateful and I just hope I can continue to make them proud.”

‘Sinners’ Is So Much Bigger Than The BAFTA Chaos Around It

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Seattle Medium
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Ryan Coogler's "Sinners," where Michael B. Jordan plays twins, is the most nominated film in Oscars history with 16 nominations.
Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” where Michael B. Jordan plays twins, is the most nominated film in Oscars history with 16 nominations.

(CNN) — When director Ryan Coogler called Raphael Saadiq to run him through the script of “Sinners,” the celebrated R&B singer and songwriter knew the song he wanted to write before he hung up the phone.

Saadiq felt guided, picked up a guitar and a few hours later, he and Coogler’s longtime collaborator, composer Ludwig Göransson, had written “I Lied to You,” the now Oscar nominated song sung by newbie actor Miles Canton in the role of blues musician Sammie “Preacher Boy” Moore.

“I was sitting there going ‘Preacher’s son who plays blues, and it’s gonna be hard for him to get out to church and go do what he wants to do,’” Saadiq recalled in an interview with CNN. “I lived that life. A lot of my friends lived that life.”

“Sinners” has felt guided from the beginning by those who have gone before in the Black community, with Coogler bringing all that history and ancestorial memory – both the bitter and the sweet – to the big screen.

On its surface, “Sinners” is a story about twin brothers returning to their Mississippi hometown for a fresh start, only to face vampires who threaten their dream — and lives.

But it is so much more than that. It is a statement about racial injustice, how we are all connected by our collective history, religion, faith, music and family trauma, all wrapped in a fantastical, Southern Gothic tale.

That such a film would go on to break the record for most Oscar nominations — with 16 including best film and best director for Coogler — is a fulfillment of the ancestors’ dreams. (The film is produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, which is owned by CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.)

From the future back to the past

Ironically, it was the success of his hit 2018 film “Black Panther” that helped bring Coogler’s latest project to fruition. The Afrofuturistic Marvel movie became a box office juggernaut and changed the awards season conversation around “comic book movies,” much like how “Sinners” has shifted that narrative about horror films.

“I don’t think there’s another Black director who could have gotten the funding to do a movie like ‘Sinners,’” said Tananarive Due, an acclaimed horror writer. “I think Ryan Coogler was the one who had the capital to bring this vision to life, and boy did he bring it.”

Since the 2013 release of his first film, “Fruitvale Station,” which depicted the events leading up to the real-life police killing of a young Black man named Oscar Grant, Coogler has been intentional in his art as a reflection of the Black experience.

With “Sinners,” Coogler told the outlet Junkee, he “got the chance to dig into my own ancestral history.”

“It’s not dissimilar to what I was doing with the ‘Panther’ films generationally, but this is right there,” he said, referring to “Black Panther” as well as its sequel. “This film is about the music that was so special to my uncle and I couldn’t be happier with it.”

That sense of the ancestors was so potent on set that one of the film’s stars, Wunmi Mosaku, mentioned it after winning best supporting actress for her role as Annie in “Sinners” at the BAFTAs this month.

“Ryan, like Preacher Boy your gift comes from home and it is big,” she said as a visibly emotional Coogler looked on from the audience. “Conjuring spirits from the past and future, I felt the presence of the ancestors’ pride and joy daily on your set. Your commitment to artistry, truth and humanity is to be treasured and protected at all costs.”

BAFTAs controversy

With Mosaku’s win, “Sinners” took three awards at the BAFTAs, becoming the most decorated film by a Black director, a record previously held by Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” which won two awards in 2014.

That history-making achievement was overshadowed at the awards ceremony when Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson, the subject of British indie film “I Swear,” yelled the n-word while “Sinners” co-stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting.

The incident — widely discussed after the BBC did not remove it from its broadcast of the ceremony, for which it later apologized — marred what should have been a triumphant night for Coogler and his film. It was also a stark reminder of one of the messages of “Sinners”: racism and its history is a horror.

Due, who wrote the award-winning horror novel “The Reformatory” in addition to others, said she could see in the film the influence of Black authors who came before, including sci-fi pioneer Octavia Butler, filmmakers like Julie Dash and Spike Lee as well as actor turned writer/director Jordan Peele who won the best original screenplay Oscar in 2018 for his horror film “Get Out.”

She also saw the power of music, transfixed by the juke joint scene in which Canton as “Preacher Boy” sings “I Lied to You” as part of a history of music sequence.

Coogler has spoken about how music is part of the alchemy of “Sinners.” “I wanted the movie to feel like music and to have an aggressively dynamic range,” the director said in an interview with RogerEbert.com. “To me, ‘Sinners’ is a song in and of itself.”

Such observations are music to the ears of the man who co-wrote the song that has become the film’s calling card.

Saadiq said his sound was built on his past and those who came before him.

“It’s just 50 years of being around that music,” he said. “It’s just a lot of years of, hanging out in Oakland and being around my dad who was singing blues or going fishing with my mom where they would have Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf. Playing in gospel quartet groups since I was 11 years old.”

“I know it’s a gift. That it’s not mine because I was borrowing this gift,” he added. “This is the first time I got a call for something like this where I have to reach back and feel it through this ancestor type of vibe.”

What Are Your Thoughts About The Litigations Against Meta For Their Alleged Role In Social Media Addiction?

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Seattle Medium
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Marc:
“The lawsuits are saying that these platforms are intentionally designed to addict kids, which may be true, but I don’t believe that it is entirely true, and I feel that proving that the allegations are correct legally will be more difficult than people may think.”
Marie:
“Protecting our children is a no-brainer. I support any measure that can protect the innocence of our babies, particularly given the current political and social climate around the world surrounding children. They are suffering the most. So, I hope these legal actions bear fruit.”
Kris:
“I am not up on any trials regarding social media. I do know that, depending on a person’s interests and what their feed is posting, AI, unfiltered video content, social media is getting out of hand. There is a lot of content that is not meant for children. Hopefully, parents are monitoring what their children are exposed to.”
Jason:
“I haven’t really paid much attention to this issue, but from a child advocate perspective, I find any type of meaningful and productive child regulation is necessary. Our job as adults is to provide protection for our children and youth at all times. They are the most vulnerable, as well as our elderly. So, to hold tech companies to task in protecting our children should be a high-priority policy.”
George:
“Social media in itself has evolved into a very unhealthy space. Children are not developed enough to withstand the consistent bombardment of information that flows through social media. Yes, there needs to be some sort of accountability and regulation that protects the minds of children who may be on social media.”
Helen:
“If there is evidence that platforms are violating the safety and security of children, then by all means, these tech companies should be held accountable. But that is for the courts and a jury to decide. Public opinion in America is not in a good position to pass judgment on anything moral.”

I Do… Plan To Change My Tax Filing Status: How To Decide Whether To File Joint Or Separate Tax Returns After Getting Married

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Seattle Medium
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Sponsored content by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

If you and your partner tied the knot in the last year, you may be enjoying this next phase of life as newlyweds. Another “first” as a married couple is also on the horizon – tax season. With this, one big question you and your partner might have is whether you should file jointly or separately.

The IRS offers several tax breaks for couples who file joint tax returns. Most couples, particularly ones who have children or a spouse who doesn’t work, could benefit from filing jointly. This may not apply to everyone, and there are some instances where separate returns make more sense.

Before you and your spouse decide how to file, it’s important to understand both tax treatments. Also don’t forget to consult with a tax professional to see which option could be right for you.

Tax options for married couples

If you’re married, you and your spouse typically have two options in the U.S. tax system: married filing jointly or married filing separately. Both have potential advantages and considerations, and understanding those nuances may help you make a more informed decision.

Married filing jointly

The IRS typically gives one of the larger annual standard deductions to those who choose the Married Filing Jointly status. The standard deduction for joint filers generally exceeds that of single filers and those who choose Married Filing Separately, which can significantly reduce you and your spouse’s combined taxable income.

The tax rate brackets for married filers also tend to be more favorable than for single filers. By combining incomes in a joint filing, married couples often benefit from a lower effective tax rate, especially if one spouse earns significantly more than the other.

The IRS also typically offers other tax benefits to joint filers, including:

• Earned income tax credit: This is a refundable credit for couples and individuals in low- to moderate-income tax brackets with children. The amount of the credit is based on the individual’s income and the number of children in the household.

• American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Education Tax Credit: This credit is for people attending college or for a spouse incurring tuition costs associated with college or graduate school.

• Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: Aimed at working couples, this tax credit helps cover some of the cost of paying someone to care for your child or disabled spouse.

• Reimbursement or refund for adoption expenses: This tax credit covers some of the costs associated with legally adopting a child.

 Married filing separately

Married couples may think it’s easier to keep finances separate, including taxes. However, doing so could potentially result in you and your spouse paying more taxes than necessary. Couples who file separate tax returns don’t get to take advantage of the tax breaks mentioned above. However, there are certain situations where filing separately may provide potential advantages, including:

• Out-of-pocket medical expenses: For couples with high adjusted gross incomes and a lot of out-of-pocket medical expenses that they want to claim, filing separately may enable them to write off more. Under IRS rules, to deduct out-of-pocket medical expenses, the cost must be more than a certain percentage of your adjusted gross income. A couple making a lot of money may be less likely to get that write-off when filing jointly.

• Student loans: For married couples applying for student loans, filing separately may increase the amount of financial aid they receive. Federal student loans are based on the income shown on your tax return. If your income is lower, filing separately may be more beneficial to reduce your student loan payments. On the other hand, neither spouse can claim student loan interest deductions when filing separately.

• Limit tax burden: Some couples also opt to file separately to limit the tax burden from their spouse’s activities or to avoid liability from their spouse’s tax affairs. Filing separately may protect a spouse from any potential tax events that may arise.

The bottom line

The choice to file jointly or separately ultimately depends on your personal circumstances. Joint filing is often beneficial for couples with disparate incomes, potentially lowering overall tax liability and placing them in favorable tax brackets. Filing separately may be better in situations where one spouse has significant deductible expenses or concerns about joint liability, as it allows for more individualized tax treatment.

Consider consulting a tax professional, as they can provide more tailored guidance depending on your unique situation. A financial advisor can also help you understand how this fits into your long-term plan. If you’re looking for more resources to help you in your financial journey, visit our library of free educational content at chase.com/theknow. 

The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed herein constitutes the author’s judgment based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice, and may differ from those expressed by other areas of J.P. Morgan. This information in no way constitutes J.P. Morgan Research and should not be treated as such. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions. For additional guidance on how this information should be applied to your situation, you should consult your advisor. 

JPMorgan Chase & Co., its affiliates, and employees do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transaction. 

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co., which offers investment products and services through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (JPMS), a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC. 

Cobb Officials Say They Understand Concern In Case Of Young Man Found Hanging From Tree In Park, Reiterate ‘No Indicators’ Of Foul Play

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Seattle Medium
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By Jonathan Raymond (11Alive), Alvieann Chandler, Reeves Jackson

    COBB COUNTY, Georgia (WXIA) — Officials in Cobb County came forward Monday to address a case about a man’s death that has generated concern on social media and in the community.

A young Black man, 21-year-old Kyle Bassinga, was discovered last week dead at Fair Oaks Park; Chairwoman Cupid said Monday he was found “in a horrific manner, hanging from a tree.” The death has been ruled a suicide, and both Cobb Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid and Cobb Police Chief Dan Ferrell reiterated that finding in a press conference.

But they also promised transparency and more information from the case forthcoming, as soon as they are able to meet with Bassinga’s family to first give them a private case overview. They said there’s been a delay in that so far because a family member of Bassinga’s has had to travel in from out of the country.

Speaking of Bassinga’s death and the circumstances in which he was found, Chairwoman Cupid said “this is a violent manner that has caused many to think of the days of slavery and of Jim Crow, and this type of violence shown toward African Americans, particularly men, during that historical time has caused many to respond to what is occurring with great disbelief.”

She said she wanted to “say that I hear you, I understand, and we are sensitive to that here in this county.”

“We want to see the truth of the matter first for the family, who is deserving of understand that as they go through their own grief at this time, but it’s also important for our community to know the truth,” Cupid said. “But I don’t want us to lose the thought that it’s also important to our men and women in law enforcement for them to be able to identify and convey the truth.”

Chief Ferrell said that from the evidence collected to this point, there are “no indicators that another person was involved in this incident.” He said, however, the investigation remains active “and we will continue to evaluate all the evidence thoroughly.”

Ferrell said that evidence will include videos, phone data, witnesses and additional physical evidence from the scene “that has not been shared up to this point because we have not had time to sit down with the family and talk to them about that.”

He estimated a meeting with the family can happen now in the next day or so.

Last week, family members who spoke to 11Alive confirmed Bassinga was the individual found dead on February 18 at Fair Oaks Park. He had been reported missing on February 15.

The discovery of Bassinga, in the deeply unsettling manner he was found, led to a number of social media posts and community members expressing skepticism that there would not have been foul play involved. One resident told 11Alive’s Sefenech Henok “do I believe throughout the history of this country that that young Black man did that to himself? I’m going to say no.”

The family at that time said “online speculation is the least of our worries.”

“We are focused on burying our son and am happy to have found him,” the family said last week.

Chief Ferrell meanwhile stressed Monday there investigation has not uncovered “one piece of evidence so far that would indicate anyone else was there” when Bassinga died.

“I do understand when information is limited that speculation grows, the social media commentary can certainly amplify the uncertainty, but our responsibility is not really to respond to speculation, it’s to follow the evidence and communicate and verify facts,” the chief said.

But he added he understood that “this case has created an emotional response, I recognize the historical sensitivities surrounding circumstances like this and I do not dismiss the weight that carries — the concerns being expressed in our community are real and I know they deserve to be acknowledged.”

Chairwoman Cupid said she appreciates “the heart that our community has, not only as a chairwoman but being a mom of two young Black men.”

“We appreciate that heart and concern,” she said. “I’m asking for them to also appreciate the process that our men and women in law enforcement need to have to be able to bring clarity to everyone with respect to this, I know that they are doing this with a great deal of thoughtfulness and sensitivity.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

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