Mandel Ngan/Getty Images

President Joe Biden issued a proclamation Monday that May 31, 2021, will be a “Day of Remembrance: 100 Years After the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.”

The Tulsa Race Massacre took place between May 31 and June 1 in 1921, when mobs of White rioters attacked Black businesses and people in Oklahoma. More than 300 Black Americans were killed and the area known as “Black Wall Street” was destroyed.

“I call upon the people of the United States to commemorate the tremendous loss of life and security that occurred over those 2 days in 1921, to celebrate the bravery and resilience of those who survived and sought to rebuild their lives again, and commit together to eradicate systemic racism and help to rebuild communities and lives that have been destroyed by it,” Biden said Monday.

In the proclamation, Biden noted the systemic racism that prevented the Tulsa-Greenwood area from recovering economically.

“In the aftermath of the attack, local ordinances were passed requiring new construction standards that were prohibitively expensive, meaning many Black families could not rebuild,” Biden said. “Later, Greenwood was redlined by mortgage companies and deemed ‘hazardous’ by the Federal Government so that Black homeowners could not access home loans or credit on equal terms. And in later decades, Federal investment, including Federal highway construction, tore down and cut off parts of the community.”

Biden called on the federal government to “reckon with and acknowledge the role that it has played in stripping wealth and opportunity from Black communities.”

The proclamation comes about a week after the oldest living survivor of the massacre, 107-year-old Viola Fletcher, testified before a House Committee “seeking justice” and acknowledgment that the tragedy occurred.

To date, survivors of the massacre and their families have received no reparations, and insurance companies declined most Black victims’ claims, which according to Politico, would have been worth more than $27 million in today’s money.

While Biden did not address financial compensation, he did commit to “never forget.”

“With this proclamation, I commit to the survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre, including Viola Fletcher, Hughes Van Ellis, and Lessie Benningfield Randle, the descendants of victims, and to this Nation that we will never forget,” he said. “We honor the legacy of the Greenwood community, and of Black Wall Street, by reaffirming our commitment to advance racial justice through the whole of our government, and working to root out systemic racism from our laws, our policies, and our hearts.”

A series of studies worldwide show that man’s best friend could play a role in limiting the spread of Covid-19.

According to a New York Times report, countries around the world are training dogs to detect Covid-19 in people. Preliminary studies have found dogs can detect the virus, possibly at a better rate than rapid antigen testing.

According to researchers at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, their team of trained Labradors accurately sniffed out the virus 96.2% of the time in controlled settings. Similar studies in other countries had lower, but still promising results.

“For dogs, the smell is obvious, just like grilled meat for us,” Dr. Kaywalee Chatdarong of the Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok told The New York Times.

In the U.S., dogs have been used to screen guests at private events, including at Miami Heat games and the South Beach Wine and Food Festival in Florida, but there is currently no government initiative to use Covid detection dogs.

James Logan, a professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medical Medicine, said in a video published by BBC that the news was “very exciting,” and that the dogs are able to be trained quickly.

“The dogs were able to be trained really quickly on this order and were able to distinguish people who were infected from those who were uninfected,” he said. “So the best dog was able to detect somebody correctly that had Covid 94% 0f the time which is really really high and very exciting.”

Talk about some well-earned treats.

Watch above, via YouTube.

Could movie theaters be back?

The roaring success of A Quiet Place Part II, the sequel of John Krasinski’s unnervingly silent horror blockbuster, indicates they just might be.

After more than a year of the Covid-19 pandemic — which shuttered restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and almost anywhere that provided a safe space for a bunch of strangers to spew respiratory particles at each other — the United States has opened up. As millions get vaccinated against the coronavirus and deaths from the virus plummet, Americans look ready to return to the movies. In many theaters, vaccinated Americans are no longer required to wear face masks, and states are loosening capacity restrictions.

A Quiet Place Part II, which opened exclusively in theaters on May 28 (no streaming yet), drew a whopping $57 million over Memorial Day weekend.

The film, starring Emily Blunt and the (always welcome) addition of Cillian Murphy, grossed an additional $22 million internationally.

That’s enough to establish the Quiet Place sequel as the biggest box office debut of the pandemic. Godzilla vs. Kong, released at the end of March, pulled in $30 million.

What is so staggering about those numbers, as Variety notes, is that they are about what A Quiet Place Part II was expected to make in March 2020, before the pandemic pushed back its release.

The Paramount picture has also fared well in the eyes of the critics: it boasts a 90% rating from Rotten Tomatoes.

The original Quiet Place, which starred Krasinski and Blunt, made $50 million in its opening weekend in 2018, and went on to gross more than $188 million.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pushed back against claims that the U.S. military is “soft” in an interview with CNN on Memorial Day.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has recently mocked the United States for having a “woke, emasculated military” after a TikTok video contrasted military recruitment advertisements from Russia and the U.S.

Holy crap.

Perhaps a woke, emasculated military is not the best idea…. https://t.co/8aVFMW98NM

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 20, 2021

“It is not too soft. It will never be too soft,” Austin fired back in an interview on CNN. “You know, I think our adversaries, would like to capitalize on talking points like that, you know, the Chinese, the Russians. I welcome them to do that, because what this department, what Lloyd Austin is focused on is the defense of our nation.”

Austin then underscored that he does not care what foreign adversaries are saying about the U.S. military.

“I will not lose one minute of sleep about what the Chinese leadership is saying, or what Vladimir Putin is saying,” he said. “What I will focus on, and what I am focused on, is the defense of this nation.”

He later added that despite criticism from Cruz and others that a series of recruitment videos labeled “The Calling” are focusing on the wrong attributes of future servicemembers, such as diversity instead of physical strength.

“I think we’re doing a great job in terms of recruiting the right kinds of people, providing access to people from every corner, every walk of life in this country,” Austin told CNN. “As long as you’re fit and you can qualify, there’s a place for you on this team.”

The interview largely focused on honoring servicemembers and Austin’s personal experience as a four-star general.

“Some of the things I’ve seen in terms of young people putting themselves in harm’s way, to protect their squad, or protect their buddy, or to go back into danger to retrieve their buddy willingly, you know, without even thinking about it, it’s just amazing, just amazing to watch what they’ll do for each other,” Austin said.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Tennis champion Naomi Osaka received support from prominent athletes and politicians following her withdrawal from the French Open due to mental health concerns.

Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, announced her departure from the tournament on Monday, noting that she will also be taking “some time away from the court.”

She explained that the required press interviews stressed her, and that she gets “huge waves of anxiety” before speaking “to the world’s media.” Osaka announced last Wednesday that she would not be doing press at the French Open, because she believes it to be harmful to athletes’ mental health.

On Sunday, she was fined $15,000 over her refusal to speak to the media, which the French Open said was a breach of contract.

Several athletes expressed support for Osaka’s decision to prioritize her mental health.

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry wrote on Twitter that he had “major respect” for her announcement.

“You shouldn’t ever have to make a decison like this-but so damn impressive taking the high road when the powers that be dont protect their own,” Curry said.

You shouldnt ever have to make a decison like this-but so damn impressive taking the high road when the powers that be dont protect their own. major respect @naomiosaka https://t.co/OcRd95MqCn

— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) May 31, 2021

Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant chimed in as well, writing “we with you” to Osaka.

we with you @naomiosaka https://t.co/JvkNMR1JJS

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) May 31, 2021

Osaka received support from NFL players as well, with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson similarly writing “We are with you… #Courage.”

“I support you Naomi,” wrote Tyler Lockett, a wide receiver for the Seahawks.

“As human beings we have to do better at supporting each other,” Lockett said. “Mental health is real. And to fine a person for trying to protect their peace is not giving somebody a safe place to be a persons best self.”

As human beings we have to do better at supporting each other. Mental health is real. And to fine a person for trying to protect their peace is not giving somebody a safe place to be a persons best self. I support you Naomi https://t.co/0NeSTQlh5B

— Tyler Lockett (@TDLockett12) May 31, 2021

Politicians also offered words of support to Osaka on Monday.

“Proud of you,” wrote Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

Proud of you, @naomiosaka. https://t.co/ReCg1K33oA

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 31, 2021

Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro (D) tweeted that Osaka could “spark needed changes” in post-game press conferences and commended her for “revealing as she has been about her mental health.”

“A post-game press conference is often qualitatively different from other press events,” Castro wrote. “The questions center a lot on the athlete’s psychology. Politicians or others don’t often get probed like that. So Osaka’s connection between this experience and her mental health rings true.”

A post-game press conference is often qualitatively different from other press events. The questions center a lot on the athlete’s psychology. Politicians or others don’t often get probed like that. So Osaka’s connection between this experience and her mental health rings true.

— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) May 31, 2021

He later added, “I hope it will inspire sports organizations and the sports journalism industry to show maturity as well—make positive changes. It’s past time.”

In response to Osaka’s withdrawal, the French Open released a statement Monday saying they “wish her the best and quickest possible recovery.” They added that they “remain very committed to all athletes’ well-being and to continually improving every aspect of players’ experience in our Tournament, including with the Media, like we have always strived to do.”

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn spoke this weekend at a conference organized by supporters of the QAnon conspiracy in Dallas, Texas, and multiple attendees captured video of him endorsing the idea of a military coup like the one that happened in Myanmar happening here, presumably to install former President Donald Trump back in the White House.

Flynn, who was issued a pardon by Trump a few weeks after the November 2020 election, was responding to an audience question. The unknown man in the audience introduced himself as “a simple Marine,” and said that he “wanted to know why what happened in Myanmar can’t happen here.”

In February, a military-led coup overturned Myanmar’s democratically-elected government, and installed military chief Min Aung Hlaing as the country’s de facto leader. In the months that followed, the junta killed hundreds of civilians in a brutal crackdown to maintain control.

As the audience cheered, Flynn responded favorably to the man’s question. There’s “no reason” a coup like Myanmar’s can’t happen here, Flynn replied, to the clear approval of the crowd. “I mean, it should happen — that’s right.”

Here is the video of former national security advisor Michael Flynn saying that he thinks a coup like the coup in Myanmar should happen in the US. pic.twitter.com/7mGYjfXg18

— Mamie (@MC_Hyperbole) May 30, 2021

Here is video of former general and National Security Advisor Mike Flynn calling for a Myanmar-like coup to replace the sitting U.S. president with Donald Trump. The talk of war is very real. pic.twitter.com/1GoP5OG1He

— justin glawe (@JustinGlawe) May 30, 2021

This is far from the first time that QAnon supporters have voiced support for a coup to put Trump back in power. Shortly after the coup in Myanmar, CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan interviewed multiple QAnon supporters who were openly hoping for a military coup  to take over and “redo” the election, to remove the “puppet president” Joe Biden, and have a new inauguration for Trump.

In March, 14 House Republicans voted against a resolution condemning the Myanmar coup.

Watch the video clips above, via Twitter.

Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Peabody Awards.

When Nikole Hannah-Jones was hired as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Media and Journalism, she was not offered tenure, even though that position was historically tenured. A new report by The Assembly says that a major donor to the college — in fact, the very megadonor whose name the school bears — was a very vocal opponent of Hannah-Jones even being hired.

In 2019, newspaper publisher Walter Hussman Jr., a graduate of the the UNC-Chapel Hill school of journalism, donated $25 million to his alma mater, and as a thank you, the college was named after him and his “statement of core values” that he had long published on the second page of his company’s newspapers was put up on the wall at the college’s entrance.

According to The Assembly, Hussman had strong misgivings about the college hiring Hannah-Jones, and voiced those concerns with university leadership. Four university sources spoke to The Assembly on the condition of anonymity and provided copies of emails that Hussman had sent to various UNC officials.

“I worry about the controversy of tying the UNC journalism school to the 1619 project,” Hussman wrote in an email from last December, arguing that he viewed Hannah-Jones as not “pushing to find the true historical facts” like other historians he praised, but rather “[b]ased on her own words, many will conclude she is trying to push an agenda, and they will assume she is manipulating historical facts to support it.”

Hussman’s “hope and vision” for the college was for it to be “the champion of objective, impartial reporting and separating news and opinion,” he wrote, but he feared “this possible and needless controversy will overshadow it.”

His objections were not enough to prevent her from being hired, but despite faculty recommendations to offer Hannah-Jones tenure, that did not happen:

Despite Hussman’s concerns, [Susan King, the Dean of the UNC Journalism School] continued to pursue Hannah-Jones. After a lengthy faculty and administrative process recommended tenure, Board of Trustees member Chuck Duckett raised questions and asked for more time to get answers. The university instead offered a five-year, fixed-term appointment—without tenure—to Hannah-Jones.

Hussman confirmed the content of his emails when reached for comment, saying that his donation was not made to “influence university policy,” but instead, “we’re trying to promote what we think is good journalism.”

The UNC Hussman School is currently showcasing the hire of Hannah-Jones — herself a UNC alumna — on their homepage, touting her Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur Genius Grant.

Screenshot from hussman.unc.edu homepage dated May 30, 2021.

The decision to offer Hannah-Jones the Knight Chair but without tenure drew condemnation from the National Association of Black Journalists, with association president Dorothy Tucker reaching out to UNC to inquire why she was denied tenure.

Hannah-Jones has retained legal counsel to respond to the UNC Board of Trustees’ decision not to offer her tenure.

“I had no desire to bring turmoil or a political firestorm to the university that I love,” she said in a statement posted to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund’s website, “but I am obligated to fight back against a wave of anti-democratic suppression that seeks to prohibit the free exchange of ideas, silence Black voices and chill free speech.”