Spike Lee and Denzel Washington collaborate on a brand new movie
I’m excited to see Spike Lee and Denzel Washington’s latest movie, Highest 2 Lowest. When these two get collectively, you recognize it’s about to be a dialog starter. The story follows two Black males, a rich music govt, David King (Denzel) and Paul Christopher, King’s chauffeur (Jeffrey Wright). King is leveraging his property to purchase out his firm earlier than it’s taken over. Nonetheless, he discovers his son’s greatest pal, Christopher’s son, has been kidnapped and the kidnapper calls for a $17 million ransom.
Spike Lee has at all times made movies that problem America to face its truths. With Highest 2 Lowest, he reminds us that being Black in America has many tales, formed by class, cash and survival.
His work is characterised by its directness, uncompromising nature and willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about American society. These are the kinds of movies we’d like, particularly at the present time.
1% tax on remittances hurts African households
Efficient January 1, 2026, a brand new 1% federal excise tax might be imposed on sure remittance transfers despatched from america to different nations. This might extremely affect Black immigrants(U.S. residents, inexperienced card holders and non-citizens) who ship funds again dwelling to handle household and enterprise.
In response to the World Financial institution, folks within the U.S. despatched $669 billion overseas in 2023. Now, the U.S. authorities needs to tax these transfers by 1%. At first, that won’t sound like a lot. However for those who ship $500, that’s $5 much less your loved ones will get. Over time and throughout hundreds of thousands of individuals, it provides as much as billions misplaced. I can solely think about the burden, contemplating I’ve watched relations tackle this accountability my complete life.
Many immigrants already handle to pay their payments in America whereas serving to their households survive abroad. Now, they’re being requested to hold an additional burden. And this tax isn’t alone. It comes alongside visa restrictions, cuts to African support packages and doable adjustments to AGOA (the African Development and Alternative Act). Put collectively, it looks like America is constructing a wall between itself and Africa.
Brandy & Monica’s reunion tour
When Brandy and Monica introduced their first-ever reunion tour, the web exploded. For years, followers thought it might by no means occur. The 2 singers had been typically painted as rivals, their 1998 hit The Boy Is Mine turning into an emblem of battle as a substitute of collaboration. However now, many years later, they are going to be standing on stage collectively. And meaning extra than simply good music.
Brandy and Monica had been the soundtrack of many Black girls’s lives. Their songs carried folks by way of heartbreak, friendships and discovering themselves. They present that reconciliation is feasible, even after years of distance and misunderstanding.
This tour celebrates Black womanhood, resilience and unity. In a tradition that income off drama and division, Brandy and Monica’s selection of peace is highly effective. It’s proof that pleasure can win, that therapeutic may be public and that Black girls’s tales can shine in concord as a substitute of rivalry.
