Ronda Rousey has been heralded as a UFC phenomenon, adding to her legend when she beat Cat Zingano in 14 seconds in their title fight last week. She’s even bragged that she can beat men in her weight class and people believe she very well could. However, Laila Ali yawns at all of this.

When asked about Rousey, Ali said that no woman could ever beat her in the ring—including the recent UFC champ. I mean, you have to expect some bravado from the daughter of boxing icon Muhammad Ali, one of the kings of smack talk.

During her tenure as a heavyweight boxer Ali went undefeated. She had a 24-0 record with 21 wins by way of knockout.

She told TMZ:

“That’s like a question I’m not even going to answer because, for one, I’m not a UFC fighter and she’s not a boxer, and no woman can beat me. Period.

Not even Ronda?

Of course not, she’s too much smaller than me anyway. She’s like the size of my daughter, my 3-year-old.”

However, once the video started going viral, Ali took to Twitter to clarify her remarks and give Rousey props for her performance.

Let’s b clear…I’m retired & not interested in fighting anyone. When asked questions, I just answer them honestly

— Laila Ali (@TheRealLailaAli) March 9, 2015

 

Considering her sketchy history of cell phone throwing, arguments and paparazzi rants caught on video, the rumor of Naomi Campbell brawling with model Cara Delevingne wasn’t too hard to believable. However, the supermodel took to Twitter to put that pesky rumor to rest after reports claimed the two had a screaming match, followed by hair pulling and pushing during Paris Fashion Week. 

The report, complete with “witness” accounts, claimed the two British models came to blows at the Garage magazine party at Castel nightclub. An unnamed source told the publication: “Naomi accused Cara of ‘disrespecting’ Rihanna and started yelling, ­before Naomi pushed Cara, who pushed back. Cara pulled Naomi’s weave, but it didn’t come off.”

Another insider insisted that if they pushed against each other it was simply because the party was so packed.

But the 44-year-old Empire actress denied all claims, tweeting:

Don’t know where this story has come from about @Caradelevingne and I fighting! It is completely untrue, ignore the rumours XN

— Naomi Campbell (@NaomiCampbell) March 10, 2015

Guess there’s nothing to see her…for now.

Aurora, Colorado police have confirmed that the Black man they shot and killed last Friday was indeed unarmed. The victim, Naeschylus Vinzant, 37, was wanted in connection to an alleged domestic violence incident, with pending charges of kidnapping, assault, and robbery. He also violated parole on March 2, by removing his ankle bracelet.

During Monday’s press conference, police said, “Members of the SWAT team attempted to take the subject into custody, at which time one shot was fired and the subject was struck one time in the chest.” The reason why he was shot was not revealed. Vinzant was taken to an area hospital where he later died from his injury. His death was ruled a homicide by the coroner’s office. No officer or SWAT member was harmed when trying to apprehend Vinzant.

The unnamed officer who opened fire has retained a lawyer and hasn’t spoken with investigators.

In the same town two years ago, James Holmes (pictured above) walked into an Aurora Cineplex, murdering 12 theater-goers and injuring 70 others. Holmes, who was heavily armed, was simply arrested outside the theater. He made it out alive. The huge difference between the handling of police operations between the suspects, one Black and one White, is disappointingly obvious.

From girl groups to feature films to the small screen, Naturi Naughton is a force to be reckoned with as she stars as the leading lady on the Starz breakout drama Power. In a recent interview, the 30-year-old spoke candidly about the anticipated second season of the 50 Cent produced series, media and being a Black leading lady.

On Black women taking on more leading and prominent roles in mainstream television:

I feel truly blessed to be one of the many Black women who are leading ladies on television. I think there is an influx of Black people on TV and film in general and thankfully, more of our stories are being told. But I am specifically proud to see more Black women gracing the screen. It’s encouraging to see our complexities and depth through these characters as opposed to painting the stereotypical picture that we are all one dimensional or spoof-like. So I say, ‘It’s about time! Black women ROCK and regardless of if Hollywood continues to validate that or not, we will still be colorful, unique and beautifully complicated!’

Advice for women who feel like they aren’t well represented in the media:

My advice would be to live the example you’d like to see. You may not be on TV or in a music video, but you can represent a positive image through your daily life. Try not to be discouraged because even though you may not see it enough, there are a lot of powerful, inspiring women out there.

On Power’s second season in June:

I can’t wait for Power to air this summer. The audience is going to flip out this season! This year you will get to see a little more of the gangsta side to my character Tasha, which is a lot of fun. I think the drama that goes down this season will keep everyone on the edge of their seats. So get ready!

Click here to catch up on the rest of the VIBE interview.

Through his latest project—the megahit gritty, hip-hop flavored, dramatic series Empire, starring Oscar nominees Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, filmmaking maverick Lee Daniels charts new terrain with his signature brew of irreverent fare—this time for primetime network television. Credited for making Hollywood history with Halle Berry’s Oscar turn in 2001’s Monster’s Ball, Daniels also has a Richard Pryor biopic starring Mike Epps and a Sammy Davis, Jr.–based musical for HBO in the pipeline. Here, he opens up about his penchant for wearing pajamas in public, criticism for telling untold African American stories, homophobia, walking away from Selma, not winning an Oscar and more.

Empire…was hard because it felt like a movie where we have the luxury of time but we didn’t. And there are a lot of people involved, which I’m not used to. But FOX let me do my thing and it was a party.

I did television.. because if the show is a hit, it pays really good. Crossed fingers. I never thought about money in my career, ever. But I have kids in college and I was like, ‘If people tune into this, it can pay my kids’ college tuition.’ (Chuckles)

Terrence Howard… I just shake my head and say, ‘Can you please do this before I kill you?’ and he says, ‘Yes, sir.’

Taraji P. Henson… gives me what I want. She’s a perfectionist; the actors really want to make me happy because they trust me and know that I trust them.

Homophobia… is the Civil Rights Movement of today. I pride myself in taking bullets. Already people are like, ‘I don’t know if I want to watch two men doing this.’ But, guess what: you’re going to [on Empire].’

I wear pajamas in public because… I have to let my junk fly in the wind. I live, breathe and sleep my work. It’s peculiar. People that know me understand it. That’s why I like working with the same people.

I was obsessed with… musicals. So why not do a musical like ‘Glee’ but just without the ‘G’?

I KNOW… NOTHING OF HIP HOP. I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW WHO PUFFY WAS WHEN I HIRED HIM FOR MONSTER’S BALL. MY MUSIC LIBRARY STOPS AT DIANA ROSS, MAYBE DONNA SUMMER. OKAY, WHITNEY HOUSTON. AND I KNOW A LITTLE BIT OF BEYONCÉ. (CHUCKLE) [FOR EMPIRE], MY KIDS TOLD ME, ‘”YOU HAVE TO GET TIMBALAND.” AND I WAS LIKE, ‘AND WHO IS THAT?’ I CALLED HIM. HE KNEW WHO I WAS AND WE SAT DOWN. THE NEXT DAY, HE CAME BACK WITH SOME INCREDIBLE MUSIC.

Precious… I didn’t know whether or not I wanted it shown because I felt it was a part of the African American experience that we didn’t need to see. And I felt naked and raw. And I feel the same way about Empire.

Divorce… was hard. And you really want to make it work because of the kids but you have to be happy too. So it was really hard. But I got through it as I get through everything; I delve into work to cure me. I have seen… black straight men cringe when they see some of my stuff and I laugh. I kee-kee. I love it.

SELMA… I WALKED AWAY FROM IT BECAUSE I’D JUST DONE THE BUTLER AND I FELT LIKE I’VE ALREADY DONE A CIVIL RIGHTS MOVIE. IT WAS PAINFUL BECAUSE I REALLY WORKED ON THAT SCRIPT AND I CAST DAVID OYELOWO IN IT TOO. BUT AS AN ARTIST YOU CANT REPEAT YOURSELF EVER. OTHERWISE, YOU’RE NOT LEARNING. I’M SO PROUD THAT THE MOVIE GOT MADE. THAT IS A MIRACLE.

Being Shut Out of The Oscars… Can you even remember who won last year? I can’t. Some people congratulate me because they think I did win. I was disappointed. But, my mom was proud of me, everybody from the church was proud and around the world people were moved. I want to touch people’s hearts. That’s when you know you’ve done your work. And we did do $170 million.

Mike Epps is… the one to play Richard Pryor. I think that Mike is a brilliant comedian and an untapped actor that has not been utilized to the best of his ability.

Never… lie, even if it’s painful and even if people criticize you. Even if people don’t understand it or think you’re crazy, you have to be ruthlessly and brutally honest with yourself and with everybody because that’s the only way to stay in touch with God.

By Karu F. Daniels | Image: Renaud Corlouer

Angie Stone was involved in a domestic dispute with her 30-year-old daughter on Monday that ended with the singer being arrested for domestic aggravated assault.

The 53 year old, three-time Grammy nominee told police in DeKalb County, Georgia that her daughter, Diamond Stone, punched her in the face. Stone claimed that she defended herself with a metal stand, but wound up accidentally hitting Diamond in the face, thus knocking out her front teeth.

According to Angie, she tried to flee once she realized her mistake, but says that Diamond came after her again. A family friend eventually broke up the fight.

Diamond told officials the fight started after her mother complained that she hadn’t picked up after her children. According to WGCL, “A police report quoted her daughter as saying Angie Stone came into her room demanding her to clean it up. Diamond Stone said her mother also told her to control her children, who were running around the house half-naked.”

Diamond also claims that it was she who walked away after being struck by the metal stand as she went to call the police.

Although Diamond was taken into custody, she was released without charge. Angie was booked for aggravated assault.

Angie is best known for her hits “Wish I Didn’t Miss You,” “No More Rain,” and “Brotha.” She most recently appeared on the show “R&B Divas: Atlanta.”

Source

A Dekalb County police officer shot a naked, unarmed man outside of an apartment complex on Monday afternoon.

Anthony Hill, 27, was reportedly running around naked at The Heights at Chamblee apartment complex at around 1 p.m. on Monday. The responding officer claims that Hill charged him when he arrived at the scene. The officer fired twice, both shots hitting Hill. He later died at the scene.

DeKalb County Public Safety Director Dr. Cedric Alexander says the entire investigation has been turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to ensure transparency.

Alexander said the responding officer, who is white, is a seven-year veteran of the force. The officer was carrying a stun gun and pepper spray at the time of the shooting.

Alexander also noted that Hill’s behavior was likely influenced by mental illness.

On Tuesday, the victim’s cousin shared that Hill was a veteran with the United States Air Force. The cousin believed that Hill’s possible mental illness may stem from his deployment overseas.

A judge has ordered Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams to pay Marvin Gaye’s children $7.4 million for copying their late father’s music to create ‘Blurred Lines,’ the smash hit song of 2013.

The jury voted unanimously that the production of ‘Blurred Lines’ infringed on Gaye’s 1977 hit “Got to Give It Up.”  During the two week trial, Thicke and Williams, who each earned $5 million from the song, insisted that the record did not copy, but was inspired by, Gaye’s music. Howard King, head attorney for Williams, Thicke and T.I., told jurors that ruling against them would stifle the creativity of artists and musicians trying to recreate an era or genre of music in the future.

“While we respect the judicial process, we are extremely disappointed in the ruling made today, which sets a horrible precedent for music and creativity going forward,” said Williams’ spokesperson Amanda Silverman in statement to USA TODAY. “Pharrell created Blurred Lines from his heart, mind and soul and the song was not taken from anyone or anywhere else. We are reviewing the decision, considering our options and you will hear more from us soon about this matter.”

The Gaye family, however, is celebrating the end to the long trial. Nona Gaye, who cried as the decision was read, stated, “Right now, I feel free. Free from … Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke’s chains and what they tried to keep on us and the lies that were told.”

No statement has been issued from Thicke, who admitted that Gaye’s music was “the soundtrack to his youth” and that he had been drunk and high during his early interviews about the song.

Listen and compare the two tracks below.

The Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity at the University of Oklahoma has been kicked off of campus after a video of their racist chant went viral. However, that leaves their fraternity house chef Howard Dixon, who is Black, without a job. One former frat member decided to start a crowd-funding campaign to help him out.

Dixon worked for the frat for 15 years. Referring to the frat members as “family,” he said that he found their behavior to be stupid.

“I think that was kind of stupid and selfish for them to do something like that,” said Dixon. “And knowing this is an organization, and knowing this is an organization that’s supposed to be about brotherhood. That wasn’t no brotherhood.”

Blake Burkhart, an SAE alum who started the Indiegogo campaign spoke of Howard’s presence in the house and the situation that precipitated the need for the campaign:

“Today we received the news that some ignorant kids have quickly destroyed something that thousands of men built. Because of these kids’ actions, many will be affected. None more so than Howard.

Those of you who lived in the house, undoubtedly came to love Howard and his infectious smile (if not his chili dogs). He was always there to chat with you and more importantly, to take care of Mom B.

Well, that man is going to walk up to the SAE house tomorrow morning and hear that he no longer has a job. He is going to learn who has been working for. And through some cruel twist of fate, he has to lose the job that he has held for over a decade. He is going to lose his job because of a bus full of racist kids.

You know and I know that this isn’t the house we lived in. I’m positive Howard knows this too. I ask you to give some money to make sure he lands on his feet.

Thank you.”

At 10 p.m. EST, the campaign had exceeded its $50,000 goal with $53,800.

According to the University of Oklahoma Facebook page, President David Boren has expelled the two students and SAE members who led the racist chant. The university is also investigated the other students involved in the racist incident and will dole out appropriate disciplinary action.

Source

Basketball Wives star Tami Roman will be expanding her reality TV reach as an upcoming cast member on season three of WeTV‘s  Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars, a reality show that features celebrity couples going through emotionally intense counseling that gets to the root of their relationship troubles.

Tami will appear on the show with her boyfriend Reggie Youngblood, a Houston-born business owner who is 17 years her junior. According to People, they’ll be joined by other couples, including former Playmate Kendra Wilkinson and Hank Baskett, Jersey Shore’s Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and Lauren Pesce, and former Danity Kane member Aubrey O’ Day and Travis Garland.

Tami, 44, introduced fans to her budding romance with Youngblood, 27, late last year – revealing that living the cougar life was a new experience for her. She told theJasmineBrand.com, “I know at this moment, there are a lot of women…out there who are going through that thing–older women, younger men. Now I am just trying to expose that part, if there are any parts from us exposing our relationship and deal with each other that can help them or make them feel more comfortable.”

But straightening out her relationship woes won’t be the only thing viewers will see from Tami Roman this season. In a trailer from WeTV, she is seen getting into a near physical altercation with co-star Kendra Wilkinson. The season will premiere in May.

Just when one thought a Hollywood divorce would be amicable, things get messy. Nick Cannon isn’t too fond of estranged wife Mariah Carey selling their Bel-Air mansion for $9 million dollars, without his consent. The Drumline actor claims he was completely blindsided by the sale of the home, requesting the funds be frozen until he can obtain a detailed accounting statement to determine how much he and Carey will get.

The 34-year-old claims he never authorized the million-dollar sale of their Los Angeles home and believes their business manager, Michael Kane, purposefully left him out of the deal, working exclusively with Mariah.

“(It’s) clearly a desperate act from a sadly desperate man,” Kane said, calling the lawsuit “frivolous.”

The former lovebirds’ estate includes six bedrooms, six full and three half bathrooms, with formal living and dining rooms, home theater, game room, recording studio, indoor basketball court, entertainment lounge, fireplace, full bar, backyard access and views of the Stone Canyon Reservoir.

The couple, who married in 2008 and are the parents of twins, put the mansion on the market early February for $12,995,000.

In not very shocking news, Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta star Joseline Hernandez has spilled the beans that the show is mostly scripted. The reality TV personality and former exotic dancer testified in a taped deposition for a lawsuit filed against her by costar Althea Eaton, whose lawyers probed to find out what motivated Joseline to attack her during the Love & Hip Hop reunion taping.

During the interview, the self-proclaimed Puerto Rican Princess was asked if all or part of the show is scripted, to which she replied, “It’s called ‘reality’ but it’s a lot of acting in the reality world. I say that because a lot of the girls on the show, they act. So there’s a lot of acting in a reality TV show – whether it’s Love & Hip Hop or another show.”

When asked if the “Joseline” viewers see on TV is a character or the real deal, she said, “Reality TV showcases a lot of who we are not….they’ll showcase your music or showcase certain things, but that’s not who Joseline Hernandez is.”

Rumors have been circulating that Joseline, along with her co-star/husband Stevie J, are both struggling with substance abuse and that their antics at the reunion were influenced by cocaine use.

In the aftermath of the reunion show incident, Althea and beau Benzino were fired from the show. Many viewers questioned why Stevie and Joseline, who physically assaulted Althea, Mimi Faust and Tammy Rivera during the taping, seemingly avoided serious repercussions.

Everyone has encountered a narcissist once or twice or three times, from the workplace, to social circles or, according to a new study, the home. Parents may be to blame for raising narcissistic kids by overvaluing their children and their abilities. Children are more likely to develop narcissistic traits, defined as the pursuit of gratification or vanity and admiration of one’s own attributes, when parents overvalue their kids. That can lead to children’s sense of superiority and entitlement.

Eddie Brummelman, one of the study’s co-authors and a postdoctoral researcher at the Research Institute of Child Development, said he and his fellow researchers asked parents whether they think their child is more special than others or deserves something extra in life.

The study, which involved 565 children in the Netherlands, ages 7 – 12, since those are the years when children are able to evaluate themselves as compared to others. They also asked parents how smart they thought their children were and then measured the children’s actual IQs.

[Image: Shutterstock]

“And what we found was that parents who overvalue, they think their child is very smart but in reality, the child isn’t smarter than others,” Brummelman noted.

Parents who tell their kids they’re superior to others and entitled to special treatment, are more likely to produce narcissistic children, who can grow up to become narcissistic adults.

Brummelman and researchers also wanted to determine what differentiated narcissists, who tend to be more aggressive and even violent than others, from people with strong self-esteem. Parents who show their kids warmth and appreciation without promoting the idea they are superior tend to raise children with solid self-esteem.

The seventh season of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta has been nothing short of explosive, complete with shade, rumors, arguments and ego-bursting name calling. Peach holder Cynthia Bailey, who’s usually the gentle, un-biased and non-chalant one of the group, has garnered much attention for her recent behavior. In an interview with Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen, Bailey talked about her regrets, Mr. Chocolate-gate, and suggestions that Peter Thomas has been unfaithful.

On bringing up Mr. Chocolate to Phaedra Parks at dinner:

I brought it up because if the shoe was on the other foot, if Peter told Apollo [Nida] I was cheating and Apollo told Phaedra, I would want Phaedra to tell me. I would want to know whether we’re besties or not.

Whether she mentioned the cheating accusation with her opinion: 

No, not at all, I didn’t bring it up with any judgment or malice. It was really uncomfortable to put it out there because I know she’s going through a lot. I would do it again but differently.

On Porsha Williams suggesting Cynthia needs to be concerned about Peter:

When I did see Porsha say those things to Phaedra, first of all I don’t believe anything that comes out of Porsha’s mouth, I think her whole life is a lie.

But I was surprised about Porsha throwing Kandi [Burruss] under the bus to Phaedra, trying to come between that friendship because when she was down and out Kandi put her in her play… No, you don’t do that; that’s not your place.

 

In the midst of the national outrage over the University of Oklahoma’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon frat using the n-word in a video, another use of the racial slur became public on social media Tuesday night when actress Lindsay Lohan used the word in an Instagram post.

Lohan has been in attendance for Paris Fashion Week, where she went to a Kanye West show.  She captured a photo of the lively crowd and posted it to her Instagram page, along with the caption, “#kanye&kimAlldaynigga$ fun show #PFW #goodpeople=goodlife all from good moms!!!!!! @dinalohan @krisjenner.”

Some of her 3 million Instagram followers were offended by her use of the word. Lohan quickly deleted the post and replaced it with another that omitted the n-word, but her followers were unforgiving.

“You said the N word?!? Wow I seen your original post and so did thousands others,” one Instagram user commented.

“I know that Lindsay wrote the N-word on this post,”one person wrote.

She has since deleted the edited version as well. After the original post went viral, Lohan issued a simple apology via a representative.  The rep said that Lohan was only trying to reference a song by West where he says “all day, nigga” in the lyrics repeatedly.

“She is a friend of his, it is his new song, her intention was not to offend anyone and she apologizes!” Lohan’s rep said.

In the latest edition of “Let’s Play Apologist For Racial Behavior,” Joe Scarborough of MSNBC‘s Morning Joe blamed rap music for the racist bus chant of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

On Wednesday morning’s show, Scarborough and his panel discussed the SAE chant that included the lyrics, “There will never be a n—-r  SAE/ There will never be a n—-r SAE/ You can hang him from a tree, but he will never sign with me/ There will never be a n—-r SAE.”

The conversation turned to hip-hop as the panel condemned rapper Wacka Flocka, who cancelled a scheduled performance for the frat as soon as the news leaked. All seemed to agree that his actions were out of line considering his lyrics.

“If you look at every single song, I guess you call these, that he’s written, it’s a bunch of garbage,” show co-host Mika Brzezinski said. “It’s full of n-words, it’s full of f-words. It’s wrong. And he shouldn’t be disgusted with them; he should be disgusted with himself.”

Bill Kristol, who was a guest on the show, added, “Popular culture becomes a cesspool, a lot [of] corporations profit off of it, and then people are surprised that some drunk 19-year-old kids repeat what they’ve been hearing. Tipper Gore tried to raise this issue, and was widely ridiculed.”

But wait, there’s more!

Scarborough concluded the thesis, saying, “The kids that are buying hip-hop or gangster rap, it’s a white audience, and they hear this over and over again. So do they hear this at home? Well, chances are good, no—they heard a lot of this from guys like this who are now acting shocked.”

I am constantly astounded by people who will twist themselves into knots as they contort themselves to explain away racist behavior. It can never just be, “Well, this is obviously racist.” But since they want to go down this road, let’s discuss why hip-hop is a ridiculously misplaced scapegoat.

First, let’s re-examine the lyrics of the chant. The hosts seem to be caught up on the use of the n-word, which is essentially recycling the “they use it so why can’t we?!” argument. However, even if the n-word had not been used, this chant would still be racist. They blatantly state that they would sooner lynch a Black man than see him be a member of their fraternity. If they had replaced “n—-r” with “dear friends” the song would still be racist.

Further, both members who were expelled from OU behind the video claimed to have been taught the song. It’s not a leap to say that most chants, creeds, etc. of fraternities and sororities are longstanding traditions and not ones that were created with the onset of hip-hop.

If that’s not enough, let’s look at some of the other traditions and the history of the fraternity.

A former brother of the SAE fraternity claims “racism is a part of the SAE culture.” “I can promise you that any SAE who saw the Oklahoma University racist bus chant story thought, ‘Yup, pretty much how it was when I was in the house.'”

“I can promise you that any SAE who saw the Oklahoma University racist bus chant story thought, ‘Yup, pretty much how it was when I was in the house.'”

He recounted numerous rituals that included hanging Confederate State Flags — not to be confused with the actual Confederate Flag, which could also be found — on the lawn for a month each year and giving “n—-r names” to pledges. Some chapter reportedly went so far as to having them pick cotton in Black face. They also had a Founder’s Day/Plantation Ball every year.

The former brother, who is now in his thirties, says that the statements from national fraternity leaders that paint them as shocked and disappointed are an act.

“I know SAEs from all over the country, and while some of them are definitely racially tolerant chapters, that isn’t par for the course in the Midwest/South, and I defy any alum to challenge that,” said the former member.

Given the history of how certain media outlets spin these things, I’m sure they would readily write these comments off as hearsay or defamatory remarks from a disgruntled ex-fraternity member. So, allow me to move to exhibit three: citations.

The SAE fraternity, which boasts the title of the only lasting fraternity that was established in the pre-Civil War Deep South, has received about 130 disciplinary proceedings across their national chapters in the past five years alone. And SAE is no stranger to being cited for racist behaviors.

In October 2006, the University of Memphis chapter was investigated after a freshman complained about his brothers making inappropriate comments to and about his Black girlfriend. The chapter at Washington University in St. Louis was suspended while being investigated for claims that the pledges acted in racially offensive ways to minorities on campus in February 2013. This past December, Clemson University suspended its SAE chapter after they threw a gang-themed “Cripmas party” at which its all-white members masqueraded in their iterations of gang gear.

In 2011, George Desdunes, a Black student, pledged SAE at Cornell. The 19-year-old aspiring doctor was allegedly kidnapped and taken by car to the fraternity house at around 1 a.m. While there, he was bound with tape and zip ties and forced to drink alcohol for four hours while answering questions about the frat until he passed out. Instead of taking him to the hospital, fraternity members left him on the couch to die — which he eventually did. His blood alcohol level was still five times the legal limit.

With all of this said, I want anyone defending these men to stop or admit that you’re sympathizing with racists. There is no in-between. Don’t say it’s an isolated chapter and don’t try to blame hip-hop for their behavior. These men acted of their own accord and pledged a fraternity that had clearly racist roots. If there’s anyone who doesn’t see that, maybe they should question where they stand with racism.

The NYPD is now investigating a brawl that occurred in a Brooklyn McDonald’s on Monday afternoon. A teenage girl was savagely beaten by her peers while onlookers jeered. Video of the incident, which was posted on Facebook, captured most of the fight at the Flatbush Avenue McDonald’s location.

It depicts a girl in a blue hoodie having her hair pulled out and being hit, kicked and stomped on by a large group of teenage girls. At the end of the video, the victim is seen being picked up by several students and placed on a bench.

At several points, onlookers can be heard saying, “She’s dead,” and “You murdered her.” One boy who saw the attack said he “felt bad for the girl,” but admitted that he didn’t feel comfortable intervening.

“I didn’t know what was going on and I was kind of scared, I’m not gonna lie,” said the boy, who declined to give his name.

Police say they don’t remember getting a 911 call about the incident. They responded to an incident nearby that occurred shortly after the altercation and wound up breaking up a separate fight outside of McDonald’s. That’s when they learned of the brawl from the video.

Paul Goodman, the franchisee of the Flatbush McDonald’s, says that his employees followed protocol and contacted authorities, although it is unclear whether they dialed 911 or tried a non-emergency line.

Police, who had not yet seen the video at the time, reported that the girl in the blue sweatshirt did not want to press charges or seek medical attention. However, according to authorities, she did wind up going to the hospital later to be treated for bumps and bruises.

On Wednesday, the NYPD said they took a report for gang assault and were able to identify the girl in the blue hoodie and one of her attackers. Both girls are 16-years-old and authorities believe that everyone involved attends nearby Erasmus High School.

The Police notified the Department of Education shortly after the fight, who sent a staff member to accompany the victim to the hospital and wait with her until her parents arrived. Still, police say the investigation is stalled because witnesses haven’t been coming forward and the victim and her mother are not cooperating.

Tony Herbert, a community activist, is encouraging the victim to file a police report and urging those involved to come forward.

“The message has to be sent very clearly, that this kind of violence will not be tolerated whether in a mall or in restaurants and those involved should turn themselves in to authorities immediately so as to face the consequences of their violent actions,” Herbert said.

Anyone with tips regarding the McDonald’s fight is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.

The murder case against Suge Knight is getting more interesting, as his defense lawyer revealed that Suge is visually impaired. The former Death Row CEO is currently facing charges of murder and attempted murder, after he allegedly pulled a hit and run on two men, killing one, while arriving on set of the N.W.A. biopic in January. As a defense for his case, Suge said that he is legally blind in his left eye, and claims he was unable to see Tre “Bones” Carter, who reportedly initiated the physical confrontation.

“Considering the alleged handicap, it wasn’t a viable option for Knight to veer left down the street behind Tam’s after he first reversed to escape a physical confrontation at his driver-side window,” said the lawyer, according to Daily News. “This was a literal presentation of being blindsided. He was attacked on his blind side. To me it seems obvious. He’s being punched in the face; he can’t see.”

His lawyer, Matthew Fletcher told the outlet, “If you are reasonably in fear for your life, with two or three men attacking you, you have the right not only to fight back but to pursue the person who put you in that peril.”

A legal expert also weighed in on the claim, stating, “If [Knight’s] intent at the moment he gunned his engine was to get away from the threat of deadly force, and a jury finds this reasonable, he could have a defense. But if the jury believes he was running over the men because he was mad – if they stopped punching him after he reversed and he was now 30 feet away and several seconds have passed – it might not be as clear-cut.”

Source: NY Daily News

Empire has been taking over viewers’ television lives every Wednesday night for the past few weeks, and the reign is just growing more and more each episode. With some of the highest ratings that the Fox network has seen, the hip-hop-based show has become extremely popular, and a lot of that is thanks to Taraji P. Henson‘s character, Cookie Lyons, who owns the spotlight every week.

The actress recently sat down with Access Hollywood to discuss the smash hit show that she stars in, and even dove into the details of playing Cookie. One of the more memorable parts of the show, besides the original music and crazy plot twists, would have to be Cookie’s one-liners. While speaking with the outlet, Taraji explained that a lot of it is made up by her on the spot, as she is getting herself riled up in the moment.

“Cookie has taken over my life,” she said, specifically speaking about Cookie confronting Naomi Campbell‘s character, Camille, in one scene, and how she had to really dig deep for some insults against the model.

Despite the show’s successful stats, Taraji isn’t satisfied. She wants to completely demolish the weekly numbers by going for 60 million viewers. “I just think people started running to cable because they don’t want to see safe. The world is not safe. We want reality,” she said. “We want stuff that’s going to make us feel a way inside.”

The Empire season finale airs Wednesday on Fox at 9 p.m. EST.

See Taraji in action below.

Source: Access Hollywood

A California mother was gunned down outside her home as she yelled for her two young children to run away from the bullets.

Chyemil Pierce, 30, was killed on Monday night outside her home in Oakland after picking up her children from school. Her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son, who ran around the side of the house as the shooting was taking place, were unharmed.

The gun battle that broke out is believed to be gang-related. Witnesses say at least 50 shots were fired. A man and a teenager, believed to be involved in the conflict were wounded, but are expected to live. No arrests have been made.

Lt. Roland Holmgren of the Oakland Police Department said, “Senseless gun violence and at the end of it a woman who has nothing to do with it, who is doing nothing more than trying to get her children to safety loses her life and the children lose their mother.”

A contractor working on Pierce’s home said he was inside the house when he heard the shots. He saw the children running to the side of the house and hiding. When he saw them, he says he grabbed them and tried to shield them from seeing their mother’s body.

“Now they don’t have their mom. That’s sickening,” the contractor said. “That’s very crazy. Who are these crazy-a** people? She wasn’t involved in anything!”

Pierce is also survived by a 1-year-old son who was not present at the time of the shooting. She had plans to marry.

Source