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https://blackgirlnerds.com/p-valley-is-back-at-the-pynk-ready-to-dig-into-more-scandals-and-stilettos-this-2nd-season/

BGN interviews the cast and showrunner of the STARZ hit series P-Valley.

Featured in the interviews are: Katori Hall (Creator) Brandee Evans (Mercedes), Nicco Annan (Uncle Clifford), Parker Sawyers (Andre Watkins), Elarica Johnson (Autumn Night), J. Alphonse Nicholson (Lil Murda) & Shannon Thornston (Keyshawn). When darkness descends upon Chucalissa, errybody and they mama must fight tooth and talon to survive. While some take flight to perilous new heights, others dig in their stilettos and stand their ground no matter the cost.

Back at The Pynk, Autumn and Uncle Clifford grapple for the throne as new blood shakes up the locker room. Meanwhile, with the casino’s fate hanging in the balance, the local political machine kicks into overdrive. In these unprecedented times, death and danger lurk around every corner.

Interviewer: Jeandra LeBeauf

Video Editor: Jamie Broadnax

P-Valley premieres Friday, June 3 at 9PM ET/PT on STARZ

https://blackgirlnerds.com/the-harm-of-the-great-replacement-theory/

On May 14, 2022, a racially motivated mass shooting took place in Buffalo, New York, at Tops Friendly supermarket on the east side of the city. Ten people were killed, all of whom were Black; three others were injured. Dressed in military-style clothing, 18-year-old shooter Payton Gendron live-streamed the attack on Twitch.

Since the shooting, Gendron has been charged with first-degree murder. The FBI is investigating this as a hate crime and racially motivated violent extremism.

Researchers have put together a digital blueprint of Gendron that paints a picture of a racist obsessed with planning and executing a deadly mass shooting. In hindsight, questions have been asked if red flags were present and what information it tells us about others who have extreme views.

Truth is, the extreme view they speak of is pure racism which we know is alive and keeps getting worse. Society has become desensitized and numb to mass shootings. When they are racially motivated, there is always an even deeper meaning.

Researchers have concluded that Gendron was exposed to the racist conspiracy theory known as the Great Replacement. He was then inspired to commit a mass shooting through the material he accessed online.

What is the Great Replacement Theory?

In short, it’s a theory that says there is a plot to diminish the influence of white people. People who believe in this theory are convinced this is being achieved both through the immigration of non-white people into societies dominated by white people, and through simple demographics, with white people having lower birth rates than other populations. This was evident in Charlottesville, Virginia, where white nationalists marched at the rally chanting: “You will not replace us!”

In June 2015, nine Black church members were gunned down inside Charleston’s historic Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church by 21-year-old white supremacist Dylan Roof. Mass shootings were becoming common around this time. But the Charleston massacre was a clear act of white supremacist violence that came as the nation slowly realized its racism problem was getting worse, not better. President Barack Obama, who personally knew Pastor Pinckney, delivered the eulogy at his funeral, leading in the singing of Amazing Grace.

Here’s what is disturbing – in a poll released last week, The Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 1 in 3 Americans believe an effort is actually underway to replace U.S.-born Americans with immigrants for electoral gain.

You know what else is disturbing? Tucker Carlson.

No one has promoted the replacement theory more than Carlson. He has pushed false views that are more easily embraced by some white people who are concerned about the loss of their political and social power. “I know that the left and all the gatekeepers on Twitter become literally hysterical if you use the term ‘replacement,’ if you suggest the Democratic Party is trying to replace the current electorate, the voters now casting ballots, with new people, more obedient voters from the Third World,” he said on his show last year. “But they become hysterical because that’s what’s happening actually, let’s just say it. That’s true.”

A study of five years’ worth of Carlson’s show by The New York Times found 400 instances where he talked about Democratic politicians and others seeking to force demographic change through immigration. Fox News defended him, pointing to repeated statements that Carlson has made denouncing political violence of all kinds.

Even more vile than Carlson’s show, 4chan is a platform where anyone can post comments, videos, and images anonymously about anything. This has been a resource for extremists of the replacement theory.

However, Carlson has invoked the ideas at the center of the theory, warning that Democrats including President Joe Biden have weaponized immigration as a political tool to strengthen their voting community, weaken the power of white people and seize permanent government control. He’s in a position to introduce viewers to extreme ideas that they can explore more completely. He has the power to legitimize hate and make it seem normal.

The replacement theory is mainstream now and has been twisted, remixed, and stretched to attract more believers, and hateful tweets. In his own words, Payton Gendron followed a path to radicalization, before totaling throwing himself into this theory and other racist content. He found comradery with online forums casting Black people, as well as Hispanic immigrants, as “replacers” of white Americans.

Versions of the same ideas have made their way to the Republican Party, and they haven’t been shy about voicing their beliefs. Just this past year, Newt Gingrich, former House speaker, and Elise Stefanik, New York congresswoman, have echoed the replacement theory. While appearing on Fox News, Gingrich declared that leftists were attempting to “drown out classic Americans.”

My grandparents always used to say that you don’t have to look far to see hate. Hate never hides. Rather, it rears its ugly head in full view. Hate has no shame.

The replacement theory is a result of normalizing white supremacy. Carlson may be leading the charge but he’s backed by Republican elected officials and other leaders – people in powerful places. It only takes a couple of clicks to go from watching Carlson on television to an extreme website like 4chan.

Oftentimes, the concept of American democracy seems unrealistic – only extended to a chosen few. The “great replacement” conspiracy theory rests on the principle that certain people should be excluded from the promise of democracy, or that extending it to everyone would create a form of bondage for those to whom the promise was originally kept. Theories sometimes have the ability to outlast partisan shifts. It’s time for a culture shift where theories like this can longer have breath.

https://blackgirlnerds.com/celia-rose-gooding-continues-nyota-uhuras-legacy-in-star-trek-strange-new-worlds/

BGN had the pleasure of speaking with Celia Rose Gooding, the rising star of the new Paramount+ series: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. In this series, she picks up the torch left by Nichelle Nichols to play the iconic Nyota Uhura.

I’m so excited to be connecting with the beautiful and talented Celia Rose Gooding! Thank you for taking the time to interview with BGN. How are you?

As a black girl nerd myself, I am very excited to have an opportunity to speak to you. I’m a huge fan of your platform.

Ahhh! That’s so exciting to hear and we are just as big fans of yours! Fans may recognize you from your role as Mary Frances Healy in the rock musical Jagged Little Pill. You’re so multi-talented, which is meaningful for fellow Blerds because we’re not one-dimensional. This is an aspect we’ve seen you bring to your depiction of the legendary Nyota Uhura. Watching you blossom in your career is exciting to witness!

Thank you! I am a huge fan of my multiplicity [laughs]. I’m so honored because it does mean a lot to me. I remember young Celia was scared of her multiplicity and that there wasn’t space for her. But, I have an opportunity to stay true to her and to be celebrated for that. 

Our culture understands better now that it’s okay to evolve as your passions lead you in another direction. That’s why the historic character you play has always resonated so well with young girls. We are not a monolith. Nyota Uhura was a trailblazing depiction of roles that Black women could bring to life. I’m so excited to hear about what that experience has been like for you.

I mean, it’s been incredible. I firmly believe that if it were not for Nichelle Nichols and her decision to stay in this franchise, I, of course, wouldn’t have a character to play in the show. I also don’t think I would have an opportunity to be my full, well-rounded self on stage and on screen.

As you said, Nichelle Nichols was a trailblazer for Black women in entertainment and Black women in science and starting NASA programs. She and the character really opened the door for Black women to be themselves on all different platforms in all spaces professionally. So, passing that torch blows my mind and makes my heart swell. 

As time continues, we’re opening more doors for Black women. We can be themselves and really feel comfortable, just showing up as themselves and not feeling the need to adopt other unnatural things just to fit in. My inner child is singing, dancing, and running around — she’s excited [laughs].

That is truly amazing to hear! We have gotten to see where this character ends up. What’s unique about your depiction is that we catch her at an earlier stage of her life! How has that impacted your approach to the character?

Exactly, we know that Nichelle Nichols was a lieutenant and that she was the commanding officer. Having the opportunity to show her as a young cadet gives viewers a chance to see and accept her. The fact that we, Black women, grow, and there will be messy moments! Those moments are just as deserving of the spotlight — and we know her future. We know that she’ll continue with the Enterprise. She’ll eventually take a role as a captain in the future, but to show her as someone who’s still a little insecure is very humanizing, and that’s important right now.

Do you feel like there are some parallels that you found between yourself and Uhura as you’ve grown into this role and continue to rise to prominence? 

Oh, absolutely! I often go to the writers, and I’m like, who’s speaking to my therapist?! Who is in my journal, reading my personal notes and putting them on screen? [laughs] 

As someone who is incredibly young in this industry, having an opportunity to show that vulnerability and feeling of, ‘I know I’m very good at this, but is this what I want to do with my life and to have that parallel with Nyota […] blows my mind. I’m incredibly grateful to have this opportunity to showcase, for myself and other Black women, as people and human beings, not just pillars and icons.

Something that I found adorable and came across recently was the Spotify playlist you created in honor of Nyota Uhura. First off, I love the songs that are on there! Classic hits — people LOVE it! What was the intention behind that and how did you come to create such a beautiful playlist in dedication to the Nyota?

This character is so loved, popular, and idolized in the sci-fi and entertainment communities. So, I wanted to have something that felt personal and that I could use to connect with this character and the side of myself that I think was integral in portraying this character. It’s also a way to connect with my roots as a Black American, so I found all these songs that made me feel like I was home on a Sunday morning flipping pancakes with my mom and my sister. 

It became an ode to my inner child because that is who I’m connecting to for this character. So, all these songs make me feel like I’m being hugged and held and uplifted. I wasn’t expecting that many people to love it [laughs]. Now it has become a way to continue humanizing and empathizing with this character. She is Nyota: someone who does so much for other people, and as Black women, we are constantly giving ourselves. 

Sometimes, we have a difficult time receiving the same energy that we give. Since I’m so musically connected, music is my love language. So, having something that is for her, it’s like my super hug to Nyota. I make playlists for all my characters that I end up playing because that’s how I connect. I will keep editing and updating it because music is how I truly connect. The fact fans are excited about this playlist means a lot to me. I’m glad people enjoy it.

I immediately saved it to my library because I couldn’t stop jamming! You can always count on the musical theater kids to come through [laughs]. Thank you so much for carrying the torch, Celia! We’re so excited to see what else you bring to this role (and that playlist)!

[Laughs] Thank you so much! Absolutely!

Fans can catch Celia Rose Gooding as Cadet Nyota Uhura on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on Thursdays on Paramount+. Episodes 101, 102, and 103 are currently available to stream on Paramount+ now.

https://nerdist.com/article/disney-plus-star-wars-series-the-acolyte-inspired-by-old-rpgs-expanded-universe-books-leslye-headland/

The next batch of live-action Star Wars projects won’t premiere in theaters. They’ll debut on Disney+. The streaming site is adding to its catalog of original shows from the galaxy far, far away. And soon two previously unannounced series will join them. That includes The Acolyte, which will mark a major departure for the franchise. It won’t take place within the Skywalker Saga timeline. The show will explore the era of the High Republic, 100 years before The Phantom Menace. But The Acolyte will do more than show fans a time period they’ve only read about. Series creator Leslye Headland says her time playing old Star Wars RPGs served as an inspiration for the show.

A new interview with Headland in Vanity Fair offers more insights into the surprise show. We already knew it will be the first-ever live-action Star Wars project to take place outside of the Skywalker Saga time period. That means Headland won’t have to deal with legacy characters (which she says she’d never do). She’ll also get to explore how the golden age of the galaxy was anything but. The show, which will blur the lines between good and bad and likely focus on the Sith, will investigate how the Jedi let unknown foes put the pieces in place for Palpatine’s rise a century later.

But the freedom of working in another era will also let Headland pull on her extensive knowledge of the Star Wars Expanded Universe’s Legends. Those consist of stories that are no longer considered canon after Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm. And Headland’s E.U. knowledge is extensive, covering countless comics, books, and games she grew up with. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said Headland has “read a gazillion books inside the E.U.” As a result, The Acolyte draws on “little bits and pieces” of the Expanded Universe that “no one has explored yet in the onscreen storytelling.”

The origins for the show go beyond just what Headland read about, though. She also grew up playing Star Wars role-playing games. And creating her own original stories within that world led to the show. Headland said she came at the series as someone who grew up in the ’90s playing those RPGs. Here’s what she said about how those old sessions, which often resulted in her writing the equivalent of fan fiction, influence the show she’s developing:

For someone like myself who was introduced to Star Wars not just through the films, but also through role playing games, I’m also like, ‘You don’t understand what type of escapism this afforded me as a young kid – a kid that did not fit in, that had many, many behavioral problems.’ I was able to escape into that world with my friends, to pretend that I was part of that world. It was not like, ‘And now you have to do a scene from the original movie.’

The Acolyte will still draw on classic martial arts films, same as George Lucas’s films. It will still feature Jedi and the Dark Side. But getting to play around in the galaxy far, far away how you want, when you want, with whomever you want, is a dream many fans have had for a long time. Now they’ll finally get to see that dream come to life. Lucasfilm is letting someone turn their role-playing adventures into something we can all watch.

The post Old STAR WARS RPGs Will Inspire THE ACOLYTE appeared first on Nerdist.