Azealia Banks Admits To Skin Bleaching @Hodgetwins Azealia Banks wants her fans to see the light.
The singer, rapper and provocateur took to Facebook Live recently for an off-the-cuff, 21-minute conversation while visiting San Francisco. The most interesting chunk of it is a 7-minute stretch where the New York native defends her use of skin bleaching creams.
"What"s the difference between getting a nose job and changing your skin color?" Azealia Banks asked, referring to the process as a "body modification" no different than wearing a weave.
Banks is no stranger to controversy. Already in 2016, she"s been suspended from Twitter for calling pop star Zayn Malik a "curry scented b***h." She"s also been repeatedly criticized for using the word "f****t," gotten into a beef with 14-year-old Disney star Skai Jackson, and taken Beyonc to task for what she called the "heartbroken black female" narrative of Lemonade.
But while those antics have outraged fans, her honest discussions about bleaching her skin have broken fans" hearts. Some were outraged:Others felt sorry for her because she"s obviously internalized the United States" racism:
It"s not the first time Banks has spoken about lightening her skin. Earlier in 2016, she posted a message to Instagram about her plans to write an article about the "differences between skin bleaching and skin lightening."
Source:Instagram
And in a tweet that"s since been deleted, Banks hinted at the music industry pressures that made her start lightening her skin:
Source:Twitter
Congratulations, American racism. You win.
Read more: Azealia Banks Will Never Use This Gay Slur Ever Again Black Lives Matter Activist DeRay McKesson and Azealia Banks Just Fought Over Gay Slur After Azealia Banks Called Zayn Malik a "Curry Scented b***h," Desi Women Clapped Back
HIGH QUALITY - CNN Libertarian Presidential Town Hall PART 1 - Gary Johnson Bill Weld
Nicholas Kamm | AFP | Getty Images
Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson walks in Lafayette Park across from the White House during an interview with AFP in Washington, DC, on May 9, 2016.
Financial executive and "The Reformed Broker" Joshua M. Brown said he believes Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson is a valid choice for the presidency, with a real chance to win.
"Gary Johnson seems like a pretty reasonable candidate," wrote Brown in a blog posted Sunday. "He"s an actually successful business man, not a TV caricature of one. He"s actually governed people."
Brown who is the CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management and a regular trader panelist on CNBC"s "Halftime Report" wrote in his non-endorsement that Johnson has a real shot given that he is currently polling at 12 percent nationally and only needs to reach 15 percent to make it onto the presidential debate stage. That, coupled with the fact that his name will be on the ballot in all 50 states, means for Brown "He actually has a chance to win. It"s a small chance, but it"s non-zero."
"With Trump"s campaign one tweet away from complete destruction and the former First Lady facing down a possible FBI indictment, all of a sudden being a third option in a presidential race with four months to go is not such a ludicrous proposition," Brown wrote, referring to the major party candidates Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton.
In the post, Brown said Johnson could fill the desire of of those voters who want a fiscally conservative and socially liberal candidate, pointing to Johnson"s positions on cutting military spending and pro-marijuana legalization.
Read: If not a Koch bro, can the Libertarians find a sugar daddy?
Rapper Azealia Banks admitted to lightening her skin and defended the process of skin-bleaching. The "212" MC, who was suspended from Twitter following her controversialremarks on race in May, took toa 21-minute Facebooklivestreamwhile riding her bike on Friday (July 1).
"I don"t really think it"s important to discuss the cultural significance of skinbleaching anymore because I think that, just as African-American people, just as black people in this world, you assimilate, and there are things you accept, not just out of necessity but things become norm because they just happen all the time," she began. "I guess people see the skin-bleaching thing as something different but I see it as another ...assimilation thing. It"s a continuation of the falsification of self that comes with being a black person in America."
Azealia Banks" Twitter Suspension May Be A Musical Blessing
Banks continued, "My personal opinion about skinlightening. I consider anything that has to do with removing layers of skin or pigment, I consider it all bleaching ...I say lightening." She explainedhow a bad diet andhormones could contribute to clogged pores and that getting a chemical peel to remove the dirt could make a person"s skin appear lighter.
The rapper also called the world of skin-bleaching a "dark world," describing the different "corrosive"ingredients that may be sold to average women to "sell a dream" versus wealthy ladies who can afford certain products. She noted, "It"s a deeper conversation into a woman"s right to choose."
Banks then asked her supporters. "To say that [skinbleaching] negates what I"ve been saying about blackness in America is ignorant and just stupid," she said. She added."Nobody was upset when I was [wearing] 30-inch weaves, tearing out my edges, and doing all types of s**t like that," she said. "You guys loved it, but what is the difference?"
Watch the full video below.
Two weeks ago, Banks shared on Instagram that she was working on an article that would detail the difference between skinbleaching, skinlightening, skinbrightening and skin whitening.
Donald Trump Rally 7/5/16: Raleigh, North Carolina By Caitlyn Jones, Web anchorLast Updated: Wednesday, July 06, 2016, 12:43 PM
Donald Trumps Raleigh, North Carolina, rally resulted in yet another controversial statement from the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, in which he praised Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Trump said Saddam knew how to handle terrorists
GOP, Dems blast Trump over what he said
During his speech, Trump acknowledged that Saddam Hussein "was a bad guy," But then praised the former Iraqi dictator"s efficient killing of "terrorists"
"Saddam Hussein was a bad guy, right? He was a bad guy. Really bad guy. But you know what he did well? He killed terrorists. They didn"t read them rights. They didn"t talk. They were terrorists. It"s over, Trump said.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan went on Fox News later that night to condemn the comments saying that Hussein was one of the 20th centurys most evil people."
The Clinton campaign also jumped on Trump"s remarks, according to CNN.
"Trump yet again lauded Saddam Hussein as a great killer of terrorists, noting with approval that he never bothered to read anyone their rights," senior campaign adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement."In reality, Hussein"s regime was a sponsor of terrorism one that paid families of suicide bombers who attacked Israelis, among other crimes."
Attorneys for imprisoned transgender soldier Chelsea Manning are livid following failed attempts to contact their client after she was briefly hospitalized on Tuesday.
Manning, who was convicted in 2013 on espionage charges and other offenses for sending more than 700,000 classified documents to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks, was taken to the hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, July 5, Army spokesman Wayne Hall confirmed to NBC News.
She has since returned back to the United State Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where she is currently serving a 35-year sentence.
Imprisoned U.S. soldier Chelsea Manning US Army - AFP - Getty Images
Hall said that military officials were continuing to monitor Manning"s condition, but gave no details as to what that condition might be.
Meanwhile, Manning"s lawyers have not been able to get in touch with her, and are furious to see unverified information relating to her medical status apparently leaked to various media.
"We"re shocked and outraged that an official at Leavenworth contacted the press with private confidential medical information about Chelsea Manning yet no one at the Army has given a shred of information to her legal team," said Nancy Hollander, lead attorney on Manning"s defense team, in a statement.
Hollander accused the Army of lying to her about why a privileged call scheduled with Manning on Tuesday fell through.
"I had a privileged call scheduled with Chelsea at 2 p.m. Leavenworth time yesterday, after the Army has now said she was hospitalized, but the Army gave the excuse which I now believe to be an outright liethat the call could not be connected although my team was waiting by the phone," she said.
"Despite the fact that they have reached out to the media, and that any other prison will connect an emergency call, the Army has told her lawyers that the earliest time that they will accommodate a call between her lawyers and Chelsea is Friday morning."
News of Manning"s hospitalization comes on top of a difficult year for the former intelligence analyst.
Last August, she was found guilty of violating jail rules, including medicine misuse and possession of books and magazines while under administrative segregation. (Manning had a copy of the July Vanity Fair issue with transgender star Caitlyn Jenner on the cover, as well as an expired tube of toothpaste.) She was also charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly sweeping food onto the floor and being disrespectful to a correctional specialist.
Later in 2015, military officials denied Manning"s request to grow her hair in accordance with female grooming standards.
Though Manning was granted access to hormone therapy, female undergarments and cosmetics in conjunction with medically-prescribed treatment options for gender dysphoria a condition in which a person"s gender assigned at birth does not match that person"s expressed or experienced gender growing out her hair presented "security concerns," the Department of Justice argued in a brief supporting the military.
And less than a week ago, Manning penned an op-ed for The Guardian that hailed the military"s decision to lift its longstanding ban on transgender troops. But she was critical of some of the conditions the new policy laid out for service. Transgender people, for example, will be required to wait 18 months after a doctor certifies that they are stable in their gender identity before they can enlist.
"We don"t need the military to be the gatekeeper of our gender expression and identity," Manning wrote. "We should be able to define ourselves."
Lo-Lo"s Chicken and Waffles is the perfect place to celebrate National Fried Chicken Day.(Photo: Michael McNamara)
Forget that dietfor todaybecause July 6 isNational Fried Chicken Day.
Nothing says comfort food like this Southern dish:fried golden brown and piping hotwith a crispy,crunchy coating, and juicy, flavorful meat.Is your mouth watering yet?
Here arefive great places around the Valley to indulge infried chicken.
Lo-Lo"s Chicken & Waffles
When you think of fried chicken in Phoenix, Lo-Lo"s is at the top of the list. Owner Larry White used to bus tables at his grandmother"s restaurant, Mrs. White"s Golden Rule (also on this list), and was inspired to create his own recipes. Now anArizona-based franchise, Lo-Lo"shas locations throughout metro Phoenix and in Las Vegas, Nebraska and Texas. The fried chicken recipe features a secret blend of spices and is served on top of Lo-Lo"ssignature fluffy waffles and maple syrup. Diners can choose from a variety of combinations,washed down with a glass of sweet tea or Kool-Aid. Don"t forget to try the moist red velvet cake.The restaurant also serves all-day breakfast, sandwiches, salads,special entrees, cocktails, wine and beer.
Details: Five Valley locations, including Phoenix International Sky Harbor Airport and Chase Field.loloschickenandwaffles.com.
Welcome Chicken +Donuts
This spotnear downtown Phoenix was launched bytheowners ofWelcome Diner (which serves tasty fried chicken dishes, as well). WC+Dfocuses on Korean fried chicken, which hasa thinner batter and is fried twice, then doused in Asian-style sauces. Choose from Korean chili, Japanese barbecueor Vietnamese herb sauces. Also selecta side, such ascucumber salad, Thai yum slaw or stir-fry. Other menu items includechicken wings, ramen and a kimchichicken salad.Save room for one of the delectable doughnutsin changing, seasonal flavors.
Details: 1535 E. Buckeye Road, Phoenix.602-258-1655,welcomechickenanddonuts.com.
Fried chicken with Korean chili sauce, Thai yum slaw and a chipotle limon donut from Welcome Chicken + Donuts.(Photo: Michael Chow)
Southern Rail
Chef Justin Beckett"sstylishrestaurant in central Phoenix is hosting Birds and Bubbles in honor of National Fried Chicken Day. Guests who order the crispy fried chicken dish, which is served with Yukon gold mashed potatoes and corn on the cob, receive a freeglass of sparkling wine. The menu also features a variety of inventive Southern dishes, such ascider-brined pork loin, smoked chicken and biscuit dumplings,heirloom tomato and watermelon salad, and dirty rice b***s. Reservations are recommended.
Details: 300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-200-0085,southernrailaz.com.
Southern Rail"s crispy fried chicken dish, which is served with Yukon gold mashed potatoes and corn on the cob.(Photo: Southern Rail)
Ezekiel"s
ThisAhwatukee eateryis a local favorite for pickup or delivery, offering stick-to-your-ribs soulfood.Order the tasty fried chicken dinner with two sides and cornbread, or enjoy your fried chicken in a sandwich. Sides include collard greens, sweet potatoes, macaroni salad and baked beans.
Details: 4825 E. Warner Road, Phoenix.480-785-4886,ezekielsphoenix.com.
The fried chicken dinner at Ezekiel"s in Ahwatukee.(Photo: Jennifer McClellan)
Mrs. White"s Golden Rule Cafe
This Phoenix institution is run by the grandmother of Larry White, who owns Lo-Lo"s. The small, casual eateryserves down-home Southern food, including oxtail, fried catfish, smothered pork chops, black-eyed peas, fried okra, macaroni and cheeseand, of course, the signature Golden Brown Southern Fried Chicken.
Details: 808 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix.602-262-9256.
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FBI director James Comey says "no charges are appropriate" for Hillary Clinton email scandal
No charges will be brought against Hillary Clinton after the FBI found there"s no evidence she committed a crime by using a personal email server while she was secretary of state, Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced Wednesday.
FBI Director James Comey said Tuesday that Clinton, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, was "extremely careless" in handling classified information but that she and her colleagues didn"t intend to violate the law.
Lynch said in a brief statement late Wednesday afternoon that she had met with Comey and members of the investigative team, who she said were unanimous in recommending that the year-long case be closed.
Hillary Clinton at a campaign rally Wednesday in Atlantic City, N.J. BRIAN SNYDER / Reuters
The FBI found that Clinton used several servers and numerous mobile devices, generating about 30,000 emails while at the State Department during President Barack Obama"s first term all of which Comey said investigators reviewed individually.
"Although there is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information, our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case," Comey said Tuesday.
Brian Fallon, a spokesman for the Clinton campaign, said Wednesday on Twitter: "With the AG accepting Director Comey"s recommendation, this case is resolved, no matter Republicans" attempts to continue playing politics"
FBI agents questioned Clinton for more than three hours Saturday. Afterward, she told NBC News that she was "pleased to have the opportunity to assist the [Justice] Department in bringing its review to a conclusion."
Clinton"s use of a private server not one set up by government specialists to federal information security standards has bedeviled her presidential campaign for many months. Critics have questioned the impartiality of the Justice Department investigation, noting that Lynch recently met with Clinton"s husband, former President Bill Clinton.
Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, went so far as to accuse Hillary Clinton of having "bribed" Lynch with the possibility that she might stay on as attorney general in a Clinton administration.
That allegation was based on a long profile of Clinton in The New York Times, which attributed the claim to anonymous Democratic aides in a passing mention.
Comey a registered Republican is scheduled to testify Thursday before the House Oversight Committee to explain his decision. He said Tuesday that politics played no role in the investigation, but Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said he was eager to hear from Comey.
"The FBI"s findings made it painfully obvious that Secretary Clinton put our national security and classified information at risk, and even that her email was probably hacked by foreign operatives," Scott said in a statement Wednesday night.
"We have seen other examples of people who have, maliciously or not, put classified information at risk, and they did not receive the same treatment," he said. "This shows if your last name is Clinton, you are clearly playing by a different set of rules. This is not what America stands for, period."
