Michael Oher, the NFL player whose life story inspired the 2009 hit film “The Blind Side,” has filed a petition in Tennessee court alleging that the Tuohy family, who were his conservators, never legally adopted him and used their power to make millions off of his story without providing any payment to Oher. Oher was a homeless teenager when he was taken in by the Tuohys in 2004 and went on to become a first-round NFL draft pick in 2009. Oher is now seeking unspecified damages and a jury trial, sparking a conversation about the power dynamics between those who tell stories and those whose stories are told.
News Mash
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has criticized Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville's hold on hundreds of military promotions, calling it an "unprecedented" move that threatens the country's safety. This hold is the first time in the history of the Department of Defense that three of the military services are operating without Senate-confirmed leaders, and Austin has urged the Senate to do its job and confirm the president's nominees. Tuberville has yet to comment on Austin's remarks.
Clarence Avant, the influential "Black Godfather" of music, has passed away at the age of 93. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 and was a civil rights activist, philanthropist, and board member of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. He helped launch or guide the careers of many music artists and was remembered for his many contributions to the music industry and philanthropic efforts.
Billy Porter has expressed his dissatisfaction with Harry Styles' solo cover for Vogue magazine, claiming that Styles was chosen because he is "white and straight." Porter also revealed that Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour had asked him for direction prior to the cover's release. His comments have sparked a conversation about representation in the fashion industry and the need for more diversity, highlighting the need for further progress to be made.
Former President Donald Trump and his allies are being investigated for possible interference in the 2020 presidential election, with key witnesses spotted at the Fulton County courthouse in Georgia. Georgia Republican election official Gabriel Sterling has expressed fear of potential violence due to Trump's rhetoric, while District Attorney Fani Willis is reportedly preparing to present her case to a grand jury. Trump has been attacking Willis on social media and in an attack ad.
Six former Mississippi law enforcement officers pleaded guilty in state court on Monday to charges related to torturing two Black men in a racist assault. The officers had nicknamed themselves the “Goon Squad” and subjected the men to a 90-minute torture session with racial slurs, stun guns, and a sex toy. The prosecutor recommended five years of prison time for the officers, but the victims have filed a civil lawsuit against them and the county for failing to properly train and supervise the officers. The incident has sparked outrage in the community and highlighted the need for greater accountability of law enforcement officers in Mississippi.
On Saturday afternoon, a group of up to 50 masked robbers descended on the Nordstrom store at the Westfield Topanga Mall in Woodland Hills, California, armed with bear spray and stealing an estimated $60,000 to $100,000 worth of luxury items. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating the incident and asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects.
13-year-old Wyatt Kauffman miraculously survived a fall of nearly 100 feet at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It took emergency crews two hours to rescue him, and he was airlifted to a Las Vegas hospital with nine broken vertebrae, a ruptured spleen, a collapsed lung, a concussion, a broken hand, and a dislocated finger. Kauffman's family is grateful for his survival and thankful for the emergency crews, and they are hopeful for a full recovery.