Pope Leo XIV's black heritage ignites controversy

Hurricanes, like Hurricane Ida and the constant flooding are having a detrimental impact on town. Credit score: AP

Houston is sinking — and quick

A brand new research has confirmed what many Houstonians already suspected: Our metropolis is actually sinking, sooner than every other main U.S. metropolis. Researchers utilizing six years of satellite tv for pc information discovered that over 40% of Houston’s land is subsiding greater than 5 millimeters per 12 months — and 12% is sinking at double that charge. The wrongdoer? A long time of groundwater and oil extraction created underground voids that collapse over time. Lead researcher Leonard Ohenhen defined it like this: Think about a soaked sponge. When you squeeze the water out, it turns into smooth and collapsible. That’s Houston’s floor proper now; even stopping extraction received’t cease the sinking. That is sobering information for a metropolis already coping with flooding and local weather stress. The query is: what are we doing to arrange?

Video exhibits Texas nonprofit chief falsely accused of shoplifting

Cheryl Jackson, founding father of Minnie’s Pantry, was falsely accused of shoplifting by Dillards. Courtesy: Minnie’s Pantry

Discuss heartbreaking. Dr. Cheryl Jackson, founding father of Minnie’s Meals Pantry, was blindsided final week when she was falsely accused of shoplifting at a Dillard’s retailer in Fairview. Jackson had gone purchasing on Could 5 to honor a private custom: Annually, she buys butterfly earrings to recollect her on the anniversary of her mom’s passing. However this time, the journey turned bitter when a Dillard’s worker and retailer police officer stopped her as she was leaving, demanding she hand over earrings they claimed she stole.

Jackson, a widely known and revered neighborhood determine, instantly went dwell on social media, documenting the 13-minute confrontation. She repeatedly defined that she put the earrings again and was carrying solely her keys. Regardless of Dillard’s issuing an announcement saying they’ve apologized and are investigating, Jackson says nobody from the shop has immediately adopted up together with her.

For Jackson, this wasn’t nearly a misunderstanding — it was about her title, her reputatio, and the deep private ache of being accused in an area she trusted. As her legal professional, Daryl Washington, put it, “This isn’t Black vs. white. That is proper vs. flawed.”

Right here’s my take: This incident is one more reminder that no quantity of neighborhood management, public respect or good intentions can protect Black folks from the sting of false assumptions. It’s a reminder to all of us to remain conscious, to carry companies accountable and to do not forget that “I’m sorry” doesn’t at all times repair the harm completed.

The closest we’ll ever get to a Black pope?

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN – MAY 08: The newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the primary time from the Vatican balcony on Could 8, 2025 in Vatican Metropolis, Vatican. White smoke was seen over the Vatican early this night because the Conclave of Cardinals took simply two days to elect Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who will likely be generally known as Pope Leo (Leone) XIV, because the 267th Supreme Pontiff after the dying of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. (Photograph by Christopher Furlong/Getty Photographs)

Because the world celebrates Pope Leo XIV — the primary American-born pope — there’s an sudden twist to his story: His household tree traces again to Black and Creole communities in Louisiana. Born Robert Francis Prevost, Leo’s maternal aspect contains ancestors listed in 1840s New Orleans data as “free folks of shade.” Over time, his household transitioned right into a white identification after shifting to Chicago. As a lifelong Baptist (and somebody whose solely Pope reference is Papa Pope from Scandal), I admit I don’t actually “get” the Catholic reverence. However pay attention: I’m rooting for everyone Black (not you, MAGA people). So hat’s off to Pope Leo XIV — even when it’s solely by a thread.

Black lady statue shakes up Occasions Sq.

The Black Lady Statue In Occasions Sq. Places Reality On Show—Some Of Y’all Can’t Deal with It https://t.co/m69azXdrQm

— Unbothered (@r29unbothered) Could 14, 2025

Occasions Sq. is understood for spectacle, however a brand new 12-foot bronze statue of a Black lady is inflicting a special sort of stir. Created by artist Thomas J. Value, the piece challenges conventional concepts of who will get honored in public areas. The determine, carrying easy garments, braids and a impartial expression, stands powerfully amid the chaos, a part of a collection referred to as Grounded within the Stars. Whereas MAGA corners of the web are shedding their minds, hurling racist insults and mocking the statue’s look, guests on the bottom have responded with one thing a lot deeper: reflection. As one plus-size Black lady put it, “I’m wondering what me as a small little one would’ve thought one thing like that — illustration.” The piece will likely be on show by June 17, and actually, I hope it sparks much more dialog about who we see — and who we worth — in public artwork.