Uncategorized
https://www.themarysue.com/carnival-cruise-cabin-searched/
A couple decided to take a Carnival Cruise to celebrate their anniversary. Now, they are demanding answers from the cruise line after what they described as a nightmare experience aboard the vessel. But were the workers just doing their jobs, or were the passengers racially profiled as they claimed?
In a series of viral videos, TikToker @ba_lovestoryy breaks down the entire saga, starting with a random search they said was without “probable cause.”
A couple decided to take a Carnival Cruise to celebrate their anniversary. Now, they are demanding answers from the cruise line after what they described as a nightmare experience aboard the vessel. But were the workers just doing their jobs, or were the passengers racially profiled as they claimed?
In a series of viral videos, TikToker @ba_lovestoryy breaks down the entire saga, starting with a random search they said was without “probable cause.”
It’s been over five years since George Floyd’s murder was broadcast to the world in a gut-wrenching video that sparked global outrage. For just a moment, it felt like the world might actually change. Protesters poured into the streets, while cities and major corporations pledged reform. “Defund the police” became a uniting cry. Politicians spoke with sudden urgency about reimagining what public safety could look like.
But fast forward to today, and the numbers tell a different story. Not only have police budgets in major cities ballooned, but police are actually killing more civilians now than they did before the death of George Floyd.
Let that sink in.
After all the marches, all the murals, all the panels and promises — we’re not just back where we started. In some ways, we’re worse off.
According to Mapping Police Violence, more than 1,300 people were killed by police in 2023, making it the deadliest year on record. That’s an increase from about 1,100 in 2020, the year George Floyd was killed. These are not just isolated incidents in certain areas. Police violence has remained consistent across different cities, political leanings, and crime rates.
The truth is police killings have not shown a statistically significant correlation to violent crime rates. This is important, as one of the most common justifications for increased police budgets is “rising crime.” But the data doesn’t support the idea that more policing—or more money for police—leads to safer outcomes.
At the same time, cities are approving record-breaking budgets for their police departments. Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston — each of them has steadily increased their police funding over the last several years. In 2024, the NYPD was allocated over $11 billion when including pension and fringe benefits. That’s more than many countries spend on their entire military.
It raises a disturbing question: what exactly are we paying for?
In the immediate aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, dozens of cities pledged to cut or reallocate police funds. Minneapolis, the center of the uprising, even vowed to dismantle its police department. However, by 2021, much of that momentum had disappeared. Public fears about rising crime — often fueled by sensational media coverage and political fearmongering — led to a backlash. “Defund the police” became a dirty phrase. Worse, politicians sensing which way the wind was blowing quietly walked back their promises.
What happened instead seemed like a “refund” movement. Police departments across the country not only got their money back, but in some cases received even more. The same institutions that were being held up as models of systemic injustice were rewarded with billions in taxpayer dollars.
While the phrase “defund the police” has sparked intense debate, it’s important we understand the range of ideas it represents. For some, it means a complete rethinking of public safety, while for others, it’s about reallocating certain funds toward social services like mental health care, housing, and education—areas that advocates believe can prevent crime and reduce the burden on police. Some critics argue that reducing police budgets could compromise public safety, especially in communities already dealing with high crime. Supporters counter that smarter investments in communities can make lead to them being safer in the long run. Ultimately, the conversation is not just about dollars—it’s about how best to keep people safe and supported.
Meanwhile, alternative forms of public safety — like mental health response teams, violence interrupters, and housing-first programs — were often left unfunded or under-supported.
The problem isn’t just individual officers. It’s a culture of impunity, backed by powerful police unions, vague use-of-force policies, and a lack of meaningful oversight.
Unfortunately, most police officers who kill civilians face no legal consequences. In fact, less than two percent of fatal police shootings result in a charge. When police officers are held accountable, it’s usually because of video evidence or overwhelming public pressure — not because the system worked the way it should.
We can talk about individual morality but I don’t believe that’s the real issue. Let’s talk about structure and how it is built to protect the status quo. We know that police violence doesn’t impact all communities the same. Black people are nearly three times more likely to be killed by police than white Americans. Native Americans and Latinos are also disproportionately affected.
This isn’t about body counts. It’s about what it means to live in a community where trust in law enforcement is damaged, where conflict too often turns fatal, and where taxpayer money is funneled into a system that feels more like surveillance than safety.
George Floyd’s murder reshaped “the talk” that many Black families have long had with their children about how to safely interact with police. It’s no longer just a quiet rite of survival passed down through generations, it became a more urgent, collective conversation about racial injustice, dignity, and fear. Parents are now forced to explain not just how to avoid confrontation, but that doing everything right still may not guarantee safety.
Floyd’s death laid bare a painful truth: that Black lives are too often seen as disposable in the eyes of the law — and that children must navigate a world that does not always protect them equally.
The United States spends more on policing than any other country in the world. Yet, we don’t have lower crime rates. We don’t have less violence. What we do have is a deeply unequal society where policing is often a band-aid for broader social issues: poverty, mental illness, addiction, homelessness.
Would it be too much to imagine a different approach to public safety — one that doesn’t begin and end with armed officers? Imagine crisis teams trained in de-escalation responding to mental health emergencies. Imagine well-funded schools, youth programs, accessible healthcare, and stable housing as the foundation of safety—not an afterthought.
These aren’t radical ideas. They’re just inconvenient for a system that has, for generations, relied on punishment instead of prevention.
It’s easy to feel cynical. To look at the headlines and feel as if nothing has changed. But change doesn’t happen overnight or in a straight line. It happens when we keep asking the hard questions, even when the media moves on from a story.
We can’t just settle for performative gestures or budgetary tweaks. We need a fundamental shift in how we think about safety, justice, and accountability. That means questioning why we keep pouring money into a system that isn’t making us safer — and who benefits from keeping it that way?
George Floyd’s death sparked a conversation the country still is not ready to finish. The question now is: will we keep having it — or will we pay more and more just to keep pretending?
The post Police Have Killed More and More Civilians Since George Floyd, But Cop Budgets Just Keep Going Up appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump attempted to eliminate the Department of Education (ED) by signing an executive order. This action could potentially put thousands of students in jeopardy.
Trump has criticized the ED for failing students, teaching misinformation, and pushing alternative agendas. Yet dismantling this federal department could alter the way millions of minorities access education.
What Does the Department of Education Do?
One argument in support of shutting down the ED is to give more power to state and local governments. However, states already hold the most power when it comes to education.
In the U.S., states and local communities are mostly in charge of education, handling everything from setting up schools to deciding what is taught. They also provide the bulk of the funding, with about 92% of elementary and secondary school money coming from non-federal sources. The federal government only contributes about 8% and provides aid when there’s a critical need. Think of the ED as the grandparents of education. They only step in when needed and send money on special occasions.
Since its start in 1979, the ED has aimed to support equal access to and improve the quality of education nationwide. Their mission, as stated on their website, is to help students succeed and prepare for a global world by making education excellent and accessible to everyone.
They do this in two key ways. First, they lead national conversations about improving education, sharing new discoveries, and helping communities solve tough problems. Second, they run a variety of programs, from preschool to advanced research, to ensure everyone has access to quality education and to promote excellence.
Supporting College Students
In support of their mission, they also work with Federal Student Aid to award over $120 billion a year in grants, low-interest loans, and work-study funds to around 13 million students. One of their biggest grants is the Federal Pell Grant, which helps low- and moderate-income undergraduate students.
Additionally, ED’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) manages federal student loan balances. This includes establishing regulations for loan programs, working with loan servicers, and administering programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
When it comes to the national budget, last year the department allocated less than 2% of the federal budget, which was about $238 billion.
Now, imagine there was no entity specifically established to help students pay for college or help low-income children have access to education. What impact would that have on our communities?
How Dismantling the ED Would Impact Public Schools
No ED would mean that funding for public schools would be fully in the hands of state and local districts. This has its risks and advantages depending on the needs of each state.
Most states piece together money from local, state, and federal sources to pay for education. The federal government chips in through programs like Title I, which provides financial assistance to local educational agencies and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families, along with special education programs and other grants.
With no ED, there’s a chance that other government departments would be in charge of distributing funds. Another possibility is that funding might solely come from state and local communities. The challenge with that is that not all states have the same resources and means to fund schools equally.
Some schools prioritize those with more low-income families, non-native English speakers, and students with disabilities. Yet many states rely on property taxes to fund education. This means that neighborhoods with high property value often receive more money, while more impoverished neighborhoods struggle to meet the needs of their students.
Beyond financial support, students’ rights could also be in jeopardy. Currently, the ED protects the rights of students by reinforcing laws such as Title VI, which prohibits racial discrimination in federally funded programs, and Title IX, which prohibits gender discrimination. Without a federal entity enforcing these laws, it opens the opportunity for racial discrimination and hate crimes that may not be adequately addressed.
Impact on Financial Aid and Student Loans
The impact on higher education can’t be overlooked. The Pell Grant is one of the largest federally funded financial aid programs for college students. Almost 60% of its recipients are Black students. Without the ED, this grant and other financial programs may cease to exist or be under the control of another department.
Students who have received student loans would also be affected. Did you know that student loan debt is one of the federal government’s biggest financial assets, totaling around $1.6 trillion? Having this role disappear or be handed off to another government department can lead to confusion in loan allocations and repayments.
Not only this, but new management of federal financial aid could lead to fraud and abuse in federal aid programs, something the ED consistently works to prevent.
Is This the Best Choice for Our Schools?
Ultimately, if you live in an impoverished neighborhood, are low income, someone with disabilities, a veteran, or rely on financial aid or student loans to pay for college, your life could be drastically affected if the ED no longer exists.
Fortunately, no action can legally be taken until Congress approves or disapproves of this executive order. So, if you would like the ED to keep helping those in need, you can write to Congress and tell them that the ED needs to stay.
The post The Cost of Cutting Education: How Minority Students Could Lose Out appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
Many characters have a singular costume that they are recognized by, but over the years there have been many Black women actors whose overall style has been iconic. It’s one thing when you play a role that we love for your personality, one-liners, or clapbacks, but to influence a culture in how we dress is a whole different level. Options like Shein and Fashio Nova are more affordable options today, but back then, we’d have to spend some hard-earned coins at the mall to imitate our faves. There are actors from all backgrounds who stay dressed to the nines, but let’s take a look at some of the most fashionable Black women in TV history.
Regine from Living Single
Kim Fields played Regine on the hit sitcom Living Single and ultimately paved the way for many divas we know and love today. Regine walked so characters like Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw and The Nanny’s Fran Drescher could run. Known for her sophisticated looks with a purse to match, she never hesitated to incorporate a bold pattern or bright colors. But it never stopped at just her outfit, as she would never be caught dead without some flashy accessories to complete the look. She is truly the epitome of a fashionable Black woman, and we love to see it!
Hilary Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
There is no conversation surrounding fashionable characters without bringing up the iconic Hilary Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Karyn Parsons became an instant star as she was known for her stylish fits and eating up every cast member when she was in a scene. She had a way of incorporating her boujee personality into her outfit choices, further making her stand out from her siblings on the series.
Lisa Turtle from Saved by the Bell
Lark Voorhies played Lisa Turtle in the sitcom Saved by the Bell, which premiered in 1989 and ran through the early ’90s. Known for her big curly hair, colorful ensemble, and a big scrunchie to match, we aren’t talking fashion without mentioning her. She influenced a generation of teens who wanted to throw together outfits like hers to wear to school (although some may not have been appropriate, but hey, it’s television). She’d rock these big earrings in standout colors that peeked through her voluminous hair. I personally loved that she wore her natural curls because most of the white characters all had straight hair, so seeing someone on screen who wasn’t so cookie-cutter was uplifting.
Olivia Pope from Scandal
You know you are one stylish woman when your character gets her own clothing line in real life! I remember personally trying to fight bots online when Scandal’s Olivia Pope got her own collection at The Limited during the height of the show’s success. I can’t think of any other TV character that has ever gotten this treatment, and it’s truly such an accomplishment. Kerry Washington had the girlies in their business casual era as many were ditching jeans and graphic tees to partake in brunch in blazers. Olivia’s style really brought out the maturity in some of us because we wanted to dress like her. All in all, she never failed to serve some of the best fits while chasing after Fitz in each episode without missing a beat.
Cookie Lyon from Empire
Aside from keeping Lucious (Terrence Howard) in check, one thing you can count on Cookie Lyon to do is be dripped in the hottest ensembles and keep a fur within reach. Taraji P. Henson dresses well off-screen, but in the hit TV show Empire, her character was never caught lacking. The pieces she wore really spoke to her role as a boss lady, and you can tell she was in charge by her attitude and her fits. From animal prints to shiny gold jewelry, Henson was referenced on social media for her fits anytime a new episode aired.
Dionne from Clueless
Stacey Dash became an instant star when she played Dionne Davenport in the hit ’90s series, Clueless. Her stylish take on school-girl outfits had girls everywhere wishing their schools (and parents) allowed them to dress that way. Dionne’s plaid set with a red top is still replicated to this day and is always recognizable as a go-to Halloween costume (North West killed it in 2023!). Dash’s character was never afraid to take risks and often layered pieces together that many wouldn’t consider fashionable.
Queen Charlotte from Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) from the binge-worthy prequel, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, doesn’t quite offer us looks we can wear from day to day. Regardless, you can’t deny she has inspired many “Bridgerton-themed” parties. And you’d be flat-out lying if you said you weren’t dying to dress up like her and go to one! Her big hair was also such a scene stealer to accompany her Georgian-style royal gowns that were cinched at the waist. It’s truly refreshing to see a woman of color in these types of settings, as it wasn’t extremely common that we see us in these roles.
The post Most Fashionable Black Women in TV History appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.