Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren will visit Iowa this weekend, making her first trip to the state that begins the Democratic presidential nominating process, days after taking a major step toward a 2020 run.
Warren will hold events in Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Storm Lake and Des Moines, a source familiar with her plans said. The details of those events are not yet available.
Warren launched an exploratory committee for a 2020 presidential bid on New Year’s Eve, which allows her to begin raising money for the campaign and makes her the first big-name candidate to jump into the race. Outgoing Maryland Rep. John Delaney has launched his campaign and former Housing Secretary Julián Castro also has an exploratory committee.
“Corruption is poisoning our democracy,” Warren said in a video launching her campaign on Monday as images of Republican leaders flashed across the screen. “Politicians look the other way while big insurance companies deny patients life-saving coverage, while big banks rip off consumers and while big oil companies destroy this planet.”
Polls show Warren is among the best-known candidates in what’s expected to be a large Democratic field.
A CNN/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll among likely 2020 Democratic caucusgoers last month found that Warren starts the long road to February 3, 2020, caucuses in fourth place among possible candidates, with 8 percent support. She trails former Vice President Joe Biden’s 32 percent, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 19 percent and outgoing Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s 11 percent.
That poll found that 64 percent of likely Democratic caucusgoers view Warren favorably, while 20 percent who see her unfavorably.
The year 2018 has been quite eventful regarding the occupancy of the Nashville-Davidson County mayor’s seat.
From a scandalous resignation to a tiresome season of citizens voting for a special election, a transit referendum, a vice mayor, a primary, a community accountability board, and a general election for U.S. Senate and Gubernatorial candidates, voter’s fatigue can easily sit in.
Fortunately, with a new surge of energy around political power, Nashvillians are expressing their choice for the way they want to see their city through their ballot.
On this last weekend of the year, Nashville Voice has taken a look at the slate of both potential and confirmed candidates running to be Nashville’s next mayor. The decision to run for mayor is usually at the first of the year because of the August election.
This is important because, with our second mayoral election in two years, timing is everything. NV takes a stab of the 2019 election for who is in, who is out, and who is up for debate.
Announcement decisions will be made soon to see who will run against Mayor Briley, who announced his re-election bid in early December.
One thing is certain, mayoral elections in Music City come with millions of dollars spent and serious warfare within the city. Urban Nashville will be a strong decider in this race and readily know the power they possess.
Nashville Voice will be here to cover all the action.
The Incumbent David Briley
David Briley
It is not up for discussion. Mayor David Briley will run for his first four-year term in the upcoming election. The former Vice Mayor rapidly ascended to the mayor’s seat in March after the resignation of former Mayor Barry and dominantly took the May Special Election without a runoff.
As the incumbent, Mayor Briley has the resources and network for victory. Briley has the record and experience in navigating local politics. Not even reaching a year as mayor, Briley has continuing and upcoming battles to face, including if he will maintain Police Chief Anderson and how supportive he will push for equity in Minority Business Prosperity to continue being the leader of Nashville. Chance of Running: Confirmed
Bill Freeman
Bill Freeman
Real Estate CEO Bill Freeman ran unsuccessfully in 2015 with a third-place finish and spending $4 million of his own money. This fact is critical because Freeman can self-fund his campaign and not simply rely on campaign contributions.
Word on the street is Freeman is strongly considering another run. He is a formidable candidate, but does he want to stomach seven months and millions of dollars for a chance at mayor again? Chance of Running: Toss Up
State Representative John Ray Clemmons
John Ray Clemmons
Rep. Clemmons is serving his third term as State Representative of the 55th District of the Tennessee Assembly. In 2014, the Representative defeated the incumbent, Gary Odom.
JRC is not afraid to use his slingshot to defeat Goliath incumbents. The giant slayer is an outspoken progressive who is intelligent and ambitious. In a progressive city, he has an advantage with his public speaking and presidential charm.
One weakness he has is it is not clear on how much support he has from the African-American community or a County-wide status recognition. Whatever the case, he will be a strong competitor. Chance of Running: He’s in!
Councilmember at Large, Erica Gilmore
Erica Gilmore
Councilwoman At-Large Erica Gilmore placed third when she ran for mayor during the 2018 Special Election. A mother of one and daughter of State Senator, Brenda Gilmore, Gilmore has the ability to run again.
This does put the At-Large Councilwoman in a position to give up her chance for a second term as an at-large councilperson or make a second attempt as Mayor.
Gilmore has strong name recognition with having more votes in the 2015 election for Council At-Large than even Megan Barry for Mayor in the August 2015 election. Her decision will be an interesting one. Chance of Running: Doubtful.
Carol Swain
Carol Swain
The former Vanderbilt Law Professor took second place in the May Special Election. The conservative African-American television analyst and right-wing Tea Party aligner has been known for her controversial and polarizing rhetoric around Black Lives Matter, the Islamic Community, Immigration, and views on Homosexuality.
Until recently, she has stayed away from local politics to give commentary on National Issues. Though she is a lightning rod for Republicans, we will probably see her stay away from running in this election. Chance of Running: She’s Out.
James Shaw
James Shaw
After making a reputation as the “Waffle House Hero,” Shaw made a name for himself as a selfless individual who helped turn a time of tragedy into a moment of hope. His story has gone viral nationwide from connecting to celebrities and building a huge twitter following.
A little while back, our local neighborhood hero tweeted out, “Shaw 2020”. With nationwide name recognition and recently turning 30 years old— the minimum age to run for mayor, Shaw could be a force to influence Millennial voters to give a facelift to Nashville Politics.
On the other end, the Tennessee State alumnus and frat boy doesn’t have any municipal experience. What is his reason for running? Is politics a passion or an opportunistic move? If he does want into politics, should he start with a smaller position as Councilmember or Council at Large?
Either way, Shaw could become the new face for Black Leadership in the city. Chance of Running: Whoa Nelly!
William F. Carpenter
Bill Carpenter
Through the grapevine, one name thrown out that no one knew was, Bill Carpenter. We must be honest that many did not know much about him.
Carpenter, who retired last week from LifePoint Health Inc., has been one of Nashville’s highest-paid CEOs of a public-traded company. In July, LifePoint Health sold to Apollo Global Management to become private.
With a successful run as CEO, he could go down the path of a businessman to a politician like former Nashville Mayor and State Governor, Phil Bredesen, or Governor-Elect Bill Lee. Chance of Running: He’s going to get in the race.
Renata Soto
Renata Soto
The Executive Director of Conexion Americas is stepping down from her role on May 31, 2019. She is known for her work in immigrant advocacy and stops for President Obama to give a national speech. Her name was thrown around to be a wild card, but with a late departure from the non-profit, it’s doubtful that she will run. Chance of Running: She’s Out
John Cooper
John Cooper
The outspoken At-Large Member and younger brother of U.S. Congressman Jim Cooper, has been a strong critic of Nashville mayors.
Cooper, the Brentwood developer, could be the candidate to overturn the Metropolitan establishment. He has made a name for challenging the trends that make Nashville the, “It City.”
A big factor for him as mayor is we know he is very vocal about what he is against, but what is he for? Will he just be a city critique or a Mayor that the city did not know they needed? Chance of Running: He’s In.
The Unknown Candidate
Watch out for a name of one who is not out of the loop. (S)he is holding their cards real tight to their chest. They are more than likely polling to determine if they should get in. Maybe they are a minority or a name on the underground who is the people’s champ. Chance of Running: Choose wisely and fearlessly
NYE with Nashville The Beautiful. DJ sets with pimpdaddysupreme and dj rage…
Nashville New Years Eve at Analog!!
Let’s countdown to the new year in style… with a HUGE midnight celebration!
2 incredible DJs, large, beautifully decorated dance floor, champagne toast at midnight, and lots of dancing!! If you’ve been dying to check out Analog inside the Hutton Hotel, this is your chance. Did we mention tickets start at $15? This is the best deal in town!! VIP tickets are $50 and include passed food, two drinks, champagne toast, and balcony access.
In Nashville and tired of the same routine New Years Eve party every year? Look no further. This year we have something totally new and different for you!
Join us in the Silo Room as we Bring in 2019! Champagne will be flowing, amazing energy and vibes will be filling the room as we celebrate leaving 2018 behind and carrying the lessons it taught us and BETTER opportunities into 2019!
Ladies, get out that neckturning ensemble you just bought on Black Friday, fellas put on that outfit and that will have the ladies biting their lip when they see you and come party with the Young and Vibrant professionals of Nashville as we bring in the New Year with Glitz, Glamour, and GORGEOUS PEOPLE!
First Friday Nashville, Deshun Smith, DJ C-LO, and introducing CREATIVE SOCIALITE GROUP ( @creativesocialitegroup), are teaming up to give Nashville the New Years Eve Celebration it deserves! Champagne + Dope DJ’s mixing Old and New + Dope people + Sophi-Ratchet = New Year’s GRAND ENTRANCE 2019!
The tug of war between artistic and commercial considerations remains a constant, especially when discussing big Hollywood productions.
One reason why there are so many remakes, reboots and comic book movies is that they are reliable sellers. For all the complaints about the constant recycling of plots and the reappearance of scripts that were done (often better) decades ago is that these still seem to attract audiences the second and third times around.
Certainly there remain tons of great documentaries, independent and foreign films, but none of those are ever going to get the promotion or distribution given to the big studio blockbusters.
Most filmmakers understand that if they’re going to play the Hollywood vehicle game, then they’re forced to also consider whatever decisions that they (the studios) feel should be made rather than necessarily adhering to the original vision that they had.
As far as issues of diversity and inclusion, Hollywood in 2018 was a lot better than it was in 1958, but nowhere near as good as it should be, and probably will never be, for a very simple reason.
Moral values and social issues have never been a high priority in Hollywood, and will never top profits as the driving force in cinematic decisions. “Black Panther” should have forever obliterated the myth that black films can’t be marketed overseas, but my guess is that it hasn’t.
Old stereotypes seldom die, they just resurface in different ways, and there still remain lots of folks who would much rather see political and cultural issues explored either in symbolic fashion through a comic book lens or just ignored altogether, at least in terms of film content.
As someone who’s never used commercial success or lack of it as a way to evaluate film (or any of the arts, I often find myself well at odds with the mainstream in terms of what’s valuable.
That’s fine; a look back at most of the real innovators in film, music, literature, whatever will show that they pursued their own vision and if it sold, great. If it didn’t, that’s the breaks, and they’d continue on their path.
What follows are our choices for our 10 favorite films of the year. Those who agree, wonderful. Those who don’t, equally wonderful. Feel free to select your own 10. I’d love to see them.
1. “Black Panther” A film that managed to both make a ton of money and (relatively) satisfy all except those with unrealistic notions of what commercial cinema is going to achieve (or even attempt) in terms of radical political and cultural expression.
2. “The Hate U Give” About as gritty and frank as you’ll get in terms of detailing the societal problem of questionable police conduct and how it affects both its victims and their families and friends.
3. “Sorry To Bother You” Smart satire that documented the very real problem of systemic racism, but did it from a different and unexpected angle.
4. “Black KKKlansmen” A breakout performance from John David Washington, and the best Spike Lee feature film in a good while. Unfortunately, it got caught up in a still unresolved conflict over whether its main figure in real life was part of “Cointelpro.”
5. “The Avengers: Infinity War” In spite of some personal misgivings over how this ended, it was one of two really good comic book films among a batch of otherwise forgettable ones.
6. “Widows” Some wonderful performances, but the studios ensured this would be overlooked by releasing it in a holiday season where most audiences are looking for diversion rather than dramatic tension and intensity.,
7. “Creed II” While the insertions from “Rocky IV” seemed more unnecessary nostalgia than vital parts of the overall presentation, this second in the latest series of “Rocky” films added more personal glimpses and some outstanding fight scenes.
8. “Green Book” Some superb acting and cinematography are its pluses. The minuses, at least for those of us who grew up in this era and actually knew people who had and used Green Books, were telling the story from the perspective of someone who wasn’t even primarily affected by the situation. I’m hoping to eventually see a story about this that spotlights those who used it to survive.
9. “Mission Impossible – Fallout” Predictable, but highly enjoyable, assuming you’re a fan of the series.
10. “The Guilty” A simple plot that’s elevated into a thrilling suspense tale through clever pacing and superb acting and dialog.
Film we wish had come out in time for 2018 considerations: “If Beale Street Could Talk.”
Best decision of 2018: Tyler Perry decides to retire “Madea”
Trend to watch for 2019: How much impact Netflix’s decision to expand its film division will have in terms of options for those who don’t want to deal with Hollywood studio restrictions and interference.
Nashville doesn’t have a team in Major League Baseball, but this year’s World Series winner had a definite Music City flavor.
In fact, seldom does a city that isn’t directly participating in the contest have more impact than Nashville did in 2018, which is why our two top choices for local athlete of the year are both baseball players and both members of the 2018 World Champion Boston Red Sox.
Right fielder Mookie Betts, an Overton High graduate, and a top multi-sport athlete during those days, had an incredible season. He led all of baseball with a .346 batting average, a .640 slugging percentage, and 129 runs scored.
The Red Sox were not only dominant in the regular season, posting a 108-54 record, but cruised through the postseason, never losing two games in a row as they blew through the New York Yankees, the Houston Astros, and then the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Betts was not only named the American League’s Most Valuable Player but also earned his third consecutive Gold Glove for defensive excellence. He became the only player in American League history to win the World Series, a Gold Glove award, a Silver Slugger award, and the AL MVP in the same season. He gets the top pick as Athlete of the Year.
But pitcher David Price is a close second. Price is a Murfreesboro native who previously had three spectacular years for Vanderbilt and had enjoyed individual success over his 11-year career.
But unfortunately Price also had gained a reputation as someone who couldn’t win in the postseason. He had been involved in skirmishes with Boston media after signing a lucrative multi-year deal with the Red Sox in 2015.
Price obliterated those bad memories and forever changed his reputation in 2018. He had a fine regular season, finishing with a 16-7 record, 3.58 earned run average and striking out 177 in 176 innings. That was just a warm-up for what the Red Sox were really seeking.
Price knew the only thing anyone would notice would be his postseason performances. After losing the second game of the Yankee series, Price bounced back against the Astros. He didn’t get a decision in Game 2, which Boston won 7-5.
But in Game 5, tapped after original starter Chris Sale was unavailable due to health reasons, Prince pitched six scoreless innings, striking out nine, and giving up three hits.
The Red Sox won 4-1, clinching the American League pennant, and their first World Series trip in five years. It was Price’s first win in 12 career postseason starts.
That was followed by a Game 2 victory over the Dodgers in the World Series. He held them to two runs on three hits and three walks, striking out five in the Red Sox’s 4-2 win. Then he came back and pitched scoreless relief in Game 3.
But the topper came in Game 5, where Price pitched into the eighth inning, allowing the Dodgers only one run. Boston won 5-1, taking the World Series. Many felt Price could and should have won the World Series MVP award.
Price decided not to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract, choosing to return to the Red Sox. His great season was capped in November as he was named American League Comeback Player of the Year. Mookie Betts and David Price are our top two choices as Nashville athletes of the year.
From music, fashion, all the way to Black Twitter, people love, to love, Black culture. It’s the thing to use Black lingo and perform the latest dance that goes viral from Black culture. We officially know Hip Hop is the most listened genre of music around the world.
In Nashville, it so easy to hear people happily ready to tell you about getting food from Slim and Husky’s or grabbing a drink from Minerva Ave. Being around Black Culture, talking about Black Culture, and enjoying Black Culture, is too awesome! From watching Beyonce transforming her performance into an HBCU homecoming to Migos and Drake bringing back Soul Train, Black Culture is the epitome of Cool.
We love Black Culture, but in 2019, can we trust not only Black Culture but the members of the culture too? As much as it sounds good to say this to Non-black cultures, this question is actually for those who reside in Black Culture. Black folks love to be Black until we need to do the work to elevate the culture.
This article is not just talking about blocking freeways with black bodies that want to be recognized before being shot down in acts of injustice. In this article, it is not talking about using social media platforms to deliver post about criticizing institutions that continue to uphold unfairness.
Can we support black businesses, black organizations, black entrepreneurs, black banks, black dentists, black doctors, black CPAs, black organizers, and black religious and non-religious institutions, for the sake of the community even after death?
If Black Culture was a person, it’s easy to look at her beauty and talent, but can she be allowed to show off her intelligence and strategy to lead her people into a higher level to thrive and not only survive?
It’s great to sell out theaters to watch the brilliant film, “The Black Panther” in colorful dashikis (that we hope are not made in China). It’s great to hold up black fist in selfies, but does that equal trust in the community?
There is no doubt that Black people love the Black community, but do Black people trust it? Do Black folks stop going to a certain restaurants because too many Black folks are now there? That’s a question to Black People about Black People.
Does the Black Community get treated with great customer service to attract them to come back to support Black businesses? That still a question for Black folks to answer about Black folks?
Do Black people have a higher value in education because their degrees come from a Private White Institution over a Historically Black College or University? Do we hire quality Black workers or hire Black firms by giving them the same expectation and grace given to others with a different hue? black-owned
The word trust comes from an Old Norse word that means to rely on, to have confidence in, and to protect and support. In 2019, can Black people rely on Black people to create or build industries that are not just as worthy as the food, alcohol, clothes, and barber/beauty shops?
Maybe black grocery stores, black tech companies, or black owned cargo vehicles are needed to create stronger local and international economic networks. The Black Nashville Chamber of Commerce is working to do just this type of project.
Are there confident people who are ready to run as community leaders who are not afraid to run on their values, authenticity, and straightforward beliefs to better all of Nashville as a council member, mayor, or even a Black District Attorney. Since the 2016 election, it seems that there is more interest in politics within younger generations.
Groups like the Equity Alliance, The Tennessee Black Voter Project, Davidson County Black Democratic Caucus, Emerge, and New Leader’s Council all have an opportunity to make this dream a reality.
Will the Black community support and protect its rich history in Nashville through the arts, music, economic power, and education? These endeavors are happening through organizations like Creatives Day, the Norf Collective, Knowledge Bank, and The Jefferson Street Art Crawl. It can help happen by supporting colleges like American Baptist College, Fisk University, Meharry College, and Tennessee State University not only on homecoming week, but throughout the year.
This can only happen when Black People support all areas of Black Culture and not just some of the Black Culture. If there are Black Organizers, be okay with connecting with Black Business Leaders.
It’s to support the culture if everyone in the culture looks at others as the enemy. Look to one another. If there are a Black Academicians, it’s okay to connect with Black Religious Leaders.
The Black Community is diverse in age, class, aesthetics, faith, sexuality, politic, and so much more. It’s hard to be pro-black and only protect part of the Black Community?
In 2019, be very intentional about not only your expectations of Black folks in the community. Also be intentional in your habits and patterns of showing your trust in the community as well.
One thing is for sure, Black Culture is always good at getting all people on the bandwagon. Let’s get Black folks on its own bandwagon through supporting, protecting, being steadfast and firm in Black Culture.
It can be done through Black money, through Black time, through Black talents, and through Black support. Let’s make TRUST a trend in the Black Culture, too.
(CNN) — The Women’s Tennis Association is changing its rule book to reduce penalties for athletes such as former top-ranked players Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka who take a leave because of pregnancy.
The professional tennis organization on Monday announced changes to the special ranking rule, which take effect starting in 2019. Under such a rule, a player’s ranking freezes in the event of injury, illness or pregnancy.
As part of the modifications, players returning from pregnancy or long-term injury will be able to use their special ranking at additional tournaments and for seeding purposes. For pregnancy, that time period now begins at the birth of the child, and players can use that special ranking for three years.
The changes, the organization says, will make it easier for women who want to start a family to return to competition.
“Our players should feel comfortable and confident to take time away from the courts to have a family or recover from injury, and I think these new rules support that,” Azarenka, a former world No. 1 and a two-time major champion who returned to the game after giving birth to her son, said in a statement.
“This is a really good first step and we are using it as a base to continue to look for ways to improve and highlight the importance of mothers working and being on Tour. My goal as a member of the Players’ Council is to make sure that the WTA is the pioneer of being the most progressive and inclusive association in sports.”
A player who is out of competition for 52 weeks or longer may use her special ranking in 12 tournaments.If a player’s special ranking would qualify her for a seeded position in a tournament, then she will be an “additional seed” in the draw. That means she will be randomly drawn to an available line in the draw that does not play another seeded player in the first round. As a result, no player will be bumped from her earned seeding position.
“These changes are designed to fully support players in their return to competition, while maintaining the highest standards of athletic competition and fairness,” WTA CEO and Chairman Steve Simon said in a statement.
It’s something that likely would have benefited the comeback of Williams, who won the 2017 Australian Open, her 23rd-career major singles title, while pregnant. When she left, she was ranked No. 1 in the world. When she returned to play in March after giving birth to her daughter, she was unseeded at Indian Wells and in Miami, losing early in both tournaments. She also was unseeded in the French Open, her first grand slam event in her comeback.
Additionally, the WTA said Monday that women on the tour will not be penalized or prohibited from wearing leggings or compression shorts without a skirt, dress or shorts over them at WTA tournaments.
At the French Open, one of the four grand slam events, Williams wore a catsuit, which she said she did because of her history of blood clots, and it garnered much attention.
In August, French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli said that Roland-Garros was implementing a dress code that would ban the suit.
Grand slams have their own set of rules, which can differ from those at WTA tournaments.
21 DEC 18 13:56 ET
By Paul R. La Monica, CNN Business
(CNN) — President Donald Trump signed sweeping tax cuts into law one year ago. That boosted the stock market and the economy in early 2018, but the initial rush of excitement is fading fast.
The Dow and S&P 500 have each fallen nearly 8% since December 22, 2017 — the day Trump put his name on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Bill Act.
The euphoric reaction to the wave of big stock buybacks and increased dividends from Corporate America has now been replaced by concerns about trade tension with China, worries that the Federal Reserve has gone too far with its rate hikes and the likelihood that earnings growth will slow dramatically in 2019.
The broader economy has held up better. Gross domestic product rose at a 4.2% annualized pace in the second quarter of 2017 and grew 3.4% in the third quarter.
However, the Fed is expecting that GDP will rise at only a 2.3% clip next year. Jobs growth has begun to slow as well, which is another troubling sign. Some on Wall Street worry that a recession could come as soon as 2020.
The tax cuts came at an unusual time. The economy has been growing steadily for nearly a decade, so it arguably didn’t need extra stimulus. Tax relief for companies and most taxpayers created a sugar-rush effect, temporarily jolting the economy. But most expect the rush to wear off.
“The tax cuts helped initially but the impact is starting to fade in the distance. The evidence from recent months is that tax cuts don’t change long-lasting corporate behavior,” said James McCann, senior economist with Aberdeen Standard Investments.
“There has been no major boost to capital expenditures, and the US economy is now naturally slowing,” McCann added.
Why the ‘sugar rush’ could end
Critics of the tax law say its benefits haven’t been fully realized because most of the money has gone to investors. Corporate America has given out $1 trillion in stock buybacks this year.
The argument is that average Americans don’t really gain much from rising stock prices since many are not investing in the stock market. Companies might be better off using tax savings to hire more workers, build plants and do other things that could have longer lasting impacts to boost the real economy.
But there may be good news, at least for a little while. Consumers are likely to continue spending thanks to lower taxes, even after the holidays. Falling gas prices may make people feel more confident as well.
Frances Donald, head of macroeconomic strategy with Manulife Asset Management, predicts that retail sales will be better in the first half of 2019 because of lower tax rates and potential refunds.
Even so, she said she is worried that there could be a big pullback later on.
“The drop-off is precipitous,” Donald said. “There are about three quarters left of the sugar rush from tax cuts.”
Some strategists said people shouldn’t be so quick to write off the tax cuts as a one-time economic and markets boost.
Joe Quinlan, head of CIO market strategy for Bank of America Global Wealth & Investment Management, said that big tech companies in particular still have money sitting overseas that they can bring back to the US at a lower tax rate.
“Lower taxes, to a degree, helped the market earlier this year because share buybacks gave stocks a boost,” Quinlan said. “But there is a lot of cash that can still be brought home. The tax boost may fade next year, but it won’t end.”
Another investment strategist expects that businesses will also start to use their savings for more than just buying stock and raising dividends.
“This is economic reform that is pro-growth. Lower taxes are a gift that keeps on giving because it gives incentive to the business community to take on more risk,” said Douglas Coté, chief market strategist with Voya Investment Management.
Coté also had some words of advice for investors who may be panicking due to the market slump of the past three months: Get over it.
“What I am telling people is that if you can’t handle one quarter of volatility you should be looking for another business. I remember 2008 and 2001. That’s real volatility,” he said. “This is not quite a yawn but it sort of feels like that. This is not a bear market. It’s a storm now but I see calm ahead.”
(CNN) — The New Jersey Division of Civil Rights is investigating an incident at a high school wrestling match this week in which a referee told a black wrestler to cut off his dreadlocks or forfeit the match.
Footage of the Buena Regional High School varsity wrestler having his dreadlocks cut off went viral Friday after it was shared by a local reporter from South New Jersey Today.
Many on social media were outraged by the video and accused the referee of exhibiting racial bias.
According to a letter from the school district Superintendent David Cappuccio Jr., the wrestler chose to have his hair cut rather than forfeit the match Wednesday after the referee told him his hair and headgear were not in compliance with league regulations.
The wrestler won the match in sudden victory in overtime, according to SNJ Today.
In a statement Friday night, a spokeswoman for the office of New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said its civil rights division opened an investigation into the incident as part of a 2013 agreement with the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) “to address potential bias in high school sports.”
Neither the wrestler’s family nor the referee immediately responded to CNN’s requests for comment Saturday afternoon.
NJSIAA Executive Director Larry White confirmed in a statement posted online that state authorities are investigating the incident.
The referee won’t be assigned to moderate matches until the incident “has been thoroughly reviewed,” White said, before he weighed in on a more personal level.
“Finally, as an African-American and parent — as well as a former educator, coach, official and athlete — I clearly understand the issues at play, and probably better than most,” White added.
“The NJSIAA takes this matter very seriously, and I ask that everyone respect the investigatory process related to all parties involved.”
It was not immediately clear which rule the referee said the wrestler had violated.
According to the NFHS wrestling rule book, a wrestler’s hair cannot fall below the top of a shirt collar in the back, below his earlobes on the sides, or below his eyebrows.
If it is longer than the rule allows, the wrestler has to braid his hair or hide it beneath a hair cover attached to his ear guards, the rulebook states.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also addressed the incident in a brief tweet Saturday morning, saying he was “deeply disturbed” that the student was “forced to choose between keeping his dreadlocks and competing in a wrestling tournament.”
“No student should have to needlessly choose between his or her identity & playing sports,” Murphy said.
