article by Laura-Barron Lopez via huffingtonpost.com
WASHINGTON ― In the course of one year as an elected official, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) was pulled over seven times by law enforcement. Another time, a Capitol Police officer demanded that Scott show him his ID because the special pin on Scott’s suit jacket ― a pin assigned to United States senators ― evidently wasn’t enough.
Scott shared these stories and more Wednesday evening during a roughly 18-minute speech on the Senate floor. He is the only black senator in the Republican conference, and one of just two in the upper chamber.
His speech on Wednesday was the second in a series of three in response to a lone gunman killing five police officers in Dallas last week, as well as the police shootings of Alton Sterling, who was killed outside a convenience store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile, who was shot during a traffic stop in Minnesota. Scott delivered his first speech on Tuesday and plans to deliver the final one Thursday.
“This speech is perhaps the most difficult, because it’s the most personal,” Scott said during his Wednesday remarks.
Scott’s address on Wednesday came after four other senators urged their colleagues to take a vote on criminal justice reform ― something many lawmakers say is badly needed.
“There is a deep divide between the black community and law enforcement ― a trust gap,” Scott said. “We cannot ignore these issues. Because while so many officers do good ― and we should be very thankful in support of all those officers that do good ― some simply do not. I’ve experienced it myself.”
Scott said he chose to talk about his encounters with police, experiences that left him feeling humiliated and “very scared,” because he’s heard people trying to paint Castile and Walter Scott ― a black man who was killed by a police officer in South Carolina last year while running away ― as criminals.
“OK, then,” Scott said. “I will share with you some of my own experiences.”
Posts tagged as ““Beasts of the Southern Wild””
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Publishing, has announced a 4-book deal with Quvenzhané Wallis – three chapter book series, and a picture book.
The yet-to-be-titled chapter book series launches in January 2017, followed by the second chapter book and the picture book in Fall 2017. The third chapter book is scheduled for Summer 2018.
Illustrators for the series and the picture book are yet to be selected.
Loosely based on the author’s own experiences, Miss Wallis’s picture book follows a spunky young heroine who is very much looking forward to a night out with her mom at an awards show. The duo has a grand time getting dressed up, riding in a limo, and walking the red carpet.
Meanwhile, a precocious and talented third grader is the star of Miss Wallis’s chapter book series. The books follow Shai Williams, a star in the making, who has a flair for the dramatic – both onstage and off.
Both the chapter book series and the picture book will be for readers ages six and up.
“Reading is very important,” said Wallis in the press statement. “It allows people to form a visual experience in their minds of what is going on in the story. I hope all readers enjoy using their imaginations along with me and take a journey into my books.”
Christian Trimmer, Executive Editor of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers added: “I’m thrilled that Quvenzhané is turning her estimable abilities to books. Her dedication to great storytelling is readily apparent. Readers of all ages are in for a big treat.”
“The characters Quvenzhané has portrayed have an alluring mix of self-possession and vulnerability,” adds Dawn Davis, Vice President and Publisher of 37 INK, a division of Atria, who jointly acquired (along with Simon & Schuster) world rights to Ms. Wallis upcoming 4 books. “We look forward to her bringing that same electric combination to the page. We also hope these books will help expand the diverse array of voices in the children’s book space.”
Wallis, who was last seen in “Annie” last Christmas holiday season, will next appear in “Fathers and Daughters,” and “Counting by 7s” – neither has a release date set.
article by Tambay A. Benson via blogs.indiewire.com
It seems that 10-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis, the youngest Academy Award-nominee ever, can add yet another impressive achievement to her resume: she’s the new face of Armani Junior.
The young performer appeared in a tailored satin suit accessorized with a pup on her shoulder in the kids brand’s latest ad, showing off just how adorable high fashion can be.
“I’m so happy to be chosen by Mr. Armani to be his ambassador for Armani Junior,” Wallis told The Hollywood Reporter. “I felt the same excitement when I got cast for a major film. Me? Wow!”
article by Lindsey Sirera via thegrio.com
Quvenzhané Wallis, the 9-year-old Oscar nominated star of Beasts of the Southern Wild, is really enjoying her moment in the spotlight.
She has talked about fashion with Vogue’s guru André Leon Talley. She has also appeared on NBC’s Rock Center, where she boasted that she is a “triple threat.”
Now the pint-size star is gracing the cover of Entertainment Weekly. Wallis made history this month when she became the young nominee in history in the lead actress Academy Award category.
article via thegrio.com
This film image released by Paramount Pictures shows Denzel Washington portraying Whip Whitaker in a scene from “Flight.” (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Robert Zuckerman)
Denzel Washington scored his first Oscar nomination in over a decade this morning for his acclaimed performance as an alcoholic pilot in the hit drama Flight. This is Denzel’s sixth career Academy Award nomination, making him the most honored black actor in history. He’s won twice before: supporting actor for 1989′s Glory and best actor for his villainous role in 2001′s Training Day.
This recognition caps perhaps a career-best year for the A-list superstar, following the box office success of February’s action thriller Safe House and now his return to Hollywood’s most prestigious night.
Meanwhile, Quvenzhané Wallis received her first Oscar nomination ever for her acting debut in Beasts of the Southern Wild. At nine, Wallis is also the youngest actress to ever be nominated in the Academy’s leading actress category.Auditioning for the lead role when she was only 5 years old, Quvenzhané was 6 when filming began in 2010 in Pointe-aux-Chenes and Isle de Jean Charles, not too far from her hometown of Houma, Louisiana.
Beasts of the Southern Wild won the ‘Grand Jury Prize’ at the Sundance Independent Film Festival and won the Camera d’Or for best first film at the Cannes Film Festival.