Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio.

For three years, I’ve consistently heard this critique of Vice President Kamala Harris: “Where is she? What is she doing in her role?” Although President Joe Biden and his surrogates have consistently branded his policies as the Biden-Harris White House, the notion that the vice president is missing in action seems to persist. 

However, as the 2024 campaign heats up, it is clear that the Biden-Harris campaign is utilizing the vice president in matters international and domestic and making her the face and voice of a more progressive campaign strategy. But it is uncertain if Harris’ recent high-profile events and speeches eight months before the election can undo years of mockery and doubt engendered by temperament and sometimes unintelligible combinations of words and phrases.

Since the role of the vice president has never been clearly defined, this is the time for Harris to be emboldened. The intersection of racism and sexism she has experienced as vice president already placed her in a category by herself. The historic nature of the modern-day threats to our democracy from abroad, at home, and even within our institutions makes her speeches and activities even more pressing and relevant as we near Election Day on Nov. 5.

A few weeks ago, it was Harris, and not Biden, who gave a forceful speech about the Israel-Gaza conflict. Whereas the president (at the time) still was trying to outwardly work with and support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it was Harris who more directly called for a ceasefire. It was Harris who recently marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge with civil rights leaders past and present to commemorate Bloody Sunday and evoke the image of a young John Lewis fighting for civil and voting rights. 

As Biden laid out his administration’s support for a woman’s right to choose and upholding the 1973 decision litigated in Roe v. Wade, it was Harris who made history by visiting a Minnesota Planned Parenthood clinic. In doing so, her visit was the first time a sitting U.S. president or vice president visited an abortion provider. 

The role of the vice president never has been easily defined. Traditionally, presidents and vice presidents have been strange bedfellows. President John Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon Johnson were known to have a frosty relationship and different leadership and communication styles. Similarly, the charismatic former-actor-turned-president Ronald Reagan was often more effective in communicating than his second-generation politico and former head of CIA vice president, George H.W. Bush. And Donald Trump notoriously took jabs at his ultra-religious vice president, Mike Pence, even as Pence brought white evangelicals into the Republican fold despite the president’s persistent moral failings in speech and action.

When then-California Sen. Kamala Harris made history by becoming the first woman, first African-American and first South Asian elected to the office, the possibilities for her relationship with Biden were limitless … and unknown. Would she be a partner and counsel to the president as Biden had been to former President Barack Obama? Would she essentially run the White House as Republicans feared, as Dick Cheney had during George W. Bush’s tenure? Would she be a miscellaneous shrub in the White House as many Republicans hoped, like Dan Quayle was during George H.W. Bush’s tenure? Or would she have her own policy portfolio and occasionally serve as a confidante for the president, all while waiting in the wings for her turn to shine, as Al Gore had during former President Bill Clinton’s tenure?

Harris, for much of her tenure as vice president, has been a quiet presence, selling the Biden agenda to HBCUs, women’s groups and younger voters. Harris and Biden had not served for years together in the U.S. Senate and were relatively unknown to one another. Biden knew the role of the vice president well, having served dutifully under someone roughly 20 years his junior (with barely two years of a Senate term under his belt). 

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However, it is apparent Biden has entrusted his vice president with a significant policy portfolio, from the outset, ranging from voting rights to vaccine hesitancy to police reform to immigration reform at the southern border. The initial portfolio was filled with so many diverse and pressing policy initiatives, that I actually wondered if it was a trap or a setup for the vice president, ostensibly stuffing her plate with so many longstanding policy battles that anything short of success would be placed squarely on her shoulders. 

Until recently, fairly or unfairly, the perception of Harris has been that of a person not quite suited for the responsibilities of the vice presidency and definitely not ready for the presidency. Her successes were not clearly articulated by the administration. And her missteps in interviews and the endless memes and clips depicting the vice president as someone who speaks in a litany of word salad did not help to assuage concerns that she was ill-suited for her current job and possibly the bigger job of president. There has been, and continues to be, an air of dysfunction surrounding Harris’ tenure as vice president, whether real or perceived, that has served as an Achilles heel she struggles to shed. 

The intersection of race and gender surely contributes to some of the disdain from certain population segments. If Hillary Clinton, arguably one of the most accomplished presidential candidates in modern history, couldn’t make it across the finish line, it will take a lot more than what Harris is giving to be seen as the true heir apparent to Biden. 

The GOP is already painting the picture for their supporters that an octogenarian president and a Black female vice president more than two decades his junior could result in Harris as president, something that Republicans, and even some Democrats, would find hard to digest. A Black woman becoming president before a white woman does not sit well with many, and a Black woman being elected president before a white woman seems almost impossible for many brains to comprehend.

Thus far, the vice president has not been blamed directly for the shortcomings of the Biden-Harris administration. However, her role in connecting with voters across the country has not necessarily been pushed to the forefront either. As of late, Harris appears to be occupying a space that allows her to take more risks communicating with voters; essentially, she can float what political scientists call “trial balloons” to see if her ideas and speeches resonate with Democratic voters, independents and white women, who by and large, tend to vote for the Republican candidate every four years even when it is directly against their interests.

In the past month, Harris has stepped more into the spotlight and seems ready for the campaign ahead. After Biden’s State of the Union, it appears the Biden-Harris campaign has received the much anticipated B-12 shot needed to galvanize donors and supporters and to put to rest some underlying questions about their “fit” for the years ahead. I am a firm believer of playing the cards in my hand, not the cards I wished I’d received. Now is the time for Harris to remain in the spotlight. Now is the time to convince voters that she has earned her spot as vice president and is ready to serve in whatever leadership capacity is needed. Time is of the essence. If Harris fails to make the case for herself, she best believe her opponents will make a case of their own.

Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC and host of “The Blackest Questions” podcast at TheGrio. She is a 2023-24 Moynihan Public Scholars Fellow at CCNY. 

This past December marked the highly anticipated premiere of “Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire,” the inaugural installment of director Zack Snyder’s sci-fi epic crafted exclusively for Netflix. While critics, notably including TK, didn’t shower the film with praise, audiences eagerly flocked to witness the spectacle firsthand.

For those unacquainted with the narrative, “Rebel Moon” orbits around Kora, portrayed by Sofia Boutella, an enigmatic figure seeking solace in the tranquil farming colony of Veldt. However, her idyllic refuge is shattered when the malevolent forces of the Motherworld empire, led by Admiral Atticus Noble (Ed Skrein), descend upon Veldt, prompting Kora to assemble warriors from distant realms to defend her home against impending tyranny.

During the press tour for the film’s first part, Snyder unveiled plans for director’s cuts of both segments, set to deliver an R-rated experience complete with an extra hour of content. In Snyder’s own words, these extended versions promise to delve deeper into the universe he’s meticulously crafted, incorporating elements of violence and mature themes absent from the initial PG-13-rated releases.

The decision to release condensed versions initially has sparked backlash from Snyder’s fervent fanbase, who view the move as compromising artistic integrity in favor of mass appeal. Particularly, former head of Netflix film, Scott Stuber, has drawn ire for mandating shorter, family-friendly edits of Snyder’s vision, a departure from the platform’s history of embracing creative freedom, as evidenced by Martin Scorsese’s sprawling “The Irishman.”

Amidst the controversy, anticipation mounts for “Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver,” as the trailer drops on the third anniversary of Snyder’s acclaimed “Justice League” release on HBO Max. Whether one admires or abhors Snyder’s oeuvre, his name remains a focal point of online discourse, poised to dominate discussions with the impending release of “Rebel Moon – Part Two.”

Featuring a star-studded cast including Djimon Hounsou, Michiel Huisman, and the venerable Anthony Hopkins, “Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver” is slated to debut on Netflix come April 19. While the release dates for the extended cuts of both parts remain undisclosed, eager fans anticipate their arrival this summer, hopeful for a more comprehensive exploration of Snyder’s visionary universe.

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Ariana Grande continues her reign on the music charts, as her latest single ‘we can’t be friends (wait for your love)‘ secures the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. This marks Grande’s 9th #1 hit on the prestigious chart, solidifying her status as one of the most dominant forces in the music industry.

Grande’s impressive list of #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 now includes iconic tracks such as ‘thank u, next,’ ‘7 rings,’ ‘Stuck With U,’ ‘Rain On Me,’ ‘positions,’ ‘Save Your Tears,’ ‘Die For You,’ and ‘yes, and?’. With ‘we can’t be friends (wait for your love),’ she adds yet another smash hit to her illustrious repertoire.

Moreover, Grande’s success extends beyond individual singles, as her latest album ‘eternal sunshine’ continues to make waves. The album has now produced multiple #1 hits, including ‘yes, and?’ and ‘we can’t be friends (wait for your love).’ These further cement Grande’s position as a powerhouse in the music industry, showcasing her ability to consistently deliver chart-topping hits.

In addition to her remarkable achievement with ‘we can’t be friends (wait for your love),’ Grande has also made history in several other aspects. She now holds the title for the female artist with the most #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 this decade, with an impressive total of 7 chart-toppers.

Furthermore, Ariana Grande has tied with Drake for the most #1 hits this decade on the Billboard Hot 100, underscoring her unparalleled success in the current music landscape.

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Recently, Sanyia Spain spoke to the New York Daily News, to explain how she tried to save her twin sister, Samyia, before she was stabbed to death by allegedly by a drunken man who was following her.

On Sunday, during a family game night, the twin sisters decided to take a walk with their brother to a bodega in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

When someone close by told Sanyia that a man was following her sister, she immediately took action. She said she took her sister’s phone and told her to “come with me” and asked her why she was talking to that man.

Samyia made it clear that she didn’t want to interact with him, but only gave him her Instagram account and not her phone number, according to the New York Daily News.

This led to the mystery man arguing with the teens and eventually leaving the bodega, before coming back just a short time later.

Sanyia recalled pushing the man in retaliation after he initially pushed her sister. This led to a bodega worker kicking out the man. While Sanyia and Samyia got their food, the store was locked behind them. But once they got outside, the mystery man allegedly returned with friends and a knife.

More from the New York Daily News:

“He had a knife in his hand and was saying, ‘I’m gonna stab y’all in the face,’” Sanyia said. “I’m telling everyone to back up. And he pushed little Samyia to the ground.”

When it appeared the knifeman was going to charge toward Samyia, the twins’ older brother stepped in and punched him.

The man fell to the ground as the group started brawling.

“As I was going to grab [Samyia’s phone], he stabbed me in my arm,” Sanyia said of the knife-wielding attacker. “Samyia then asked him to give her the phone back, and he stabbed her in the neck.”

Samyia was also stabbed in the chest.

The paramedics later took both twins to a local Brooklyn hospital where Samyia was pronounced dead. To no surprise, their family was shocked and has since created a memorial outside of their home to remember young Samyia, according to the New York Daily News.

No arrests have been made in the case by the NYPD.

The eagerly anticipated series “Dinosaur,” created by Matilda Curtis and Ashley Storrie, has unveiled its first look images, offering a glimpse into the compelling narrative and diverse cast awaiting viewers. Set to premiere on April 5, 2024, with six episodes slated for release, “Dinosaur” promises to captivate audiences with its poignant exploration of relationships and personal growth.

At the series’ heart is Nina, portrayed by Ashley Storrie, a woman in her 30s who cherishes her life alongside her sister and best friend, Evie. However, Nina’s world is turned upside down when Evie hastily accepts an engagement and appoints Nina as her maid of honor after only six weeks of courtship, leaving Nina reeling from the unexpected twist.

The synopsis teases a journey of self-discovery for Nina as she grapples with her sister’s impulsive decision and navigates newfound challenges in her career as a paleontologist. Along the way, Nina is drawn to the kind-hearted Lee, played by Lorn Macdonald, whose presence offers a fresh perspective on life’s complexities. As their relationship blossoms, viewers witness the mutual support and growth shared between Nina and Lee.

“Dinosaur” promises to delve into the intricacies of sisterhood, friendship, and romance, presenting a coming-of-age narrative that resonates with audiences profoundly. With a talented ensemble cast including Kat Ronney, David Carlyle, and Danny Ashok, the series is poised to deliver captivating performances and heartfelt moments.

The executive producers, Sarah Hammond, Katie Churchill, Harry Williams, and Jack Williams, along with co-executive producer Catriona Renton, have assembled a dedicated team led by director Niamh McKeown and producer Brian Coffey to bring “Dinosaur” to life. Supported by BBC Commissioning Editors Emma Lawson and Gavin Smith, the series promises to offer a refreshing and authentic portrayal of human relationships.

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As anticipation builds for the premiere of “Dinosaur,” fans eagerly await the opportunity to embark on a journey of laughter, tears, and self-discovery alongside Nina and her eclectic circle of friends and family.

For fans of compelling storytelling and nuanced character dynamics, “Dinosaur” is set to be a must-watch event when it debuts on screens this April.

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Wayne Brady understands that his gender orientation can be confusing, but he wants people to know that pansexuals are not confused bisexuals.

According to People, the “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” star, 51, came out as pansexual in August 2023 – but not before conducting some research for himself.

“I think the biggest misconception — and I even make a joke about it onstage tonight — is that people think that you’re an indecisive bisexual,” said Brady at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards on Thursday night. “It’s like, no, no, no, no, no. Let me set you straight.”

The comedian explained it’s all about “the person, which in my mind is the ultimate in acceptance and loving — so I win.”

He continued, “What the definition basically boils down to is, regardless of gender, regardless,” he added. “So that means that I am happily free to fall in love with anybody here. If you’re gay, if you’re straight, if you’re non-binary, trans, I don’t care.”

Brady previously described pansexual as “bisexual — with an open mind.” He said Robin Williams’ death in 2014 profoundly impacted him and led him down an unexpected path of self-discovery.

Apart from seeking answers in therapy for his lack of joy in specific areas of his life and receiving treatment for “love addiction,” he also began to question if he was gay.

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He contended that the answer was no since, despite having been in several failed relationships and struggling with what he now knows was love addiction, he began to go, “‘Okay, I’m feeling something, but I just don’t know how to get there.”

Brady reflected on the times he found himself attracted to certain men, saying he ignored those feelings due to his upbringing and the realities of modern life.

He told People that even though he had “a wonderful community” of LGBTQ+ friends, he felt a lot of “shame” and was concerned about people finding out.

However, he received overwhelmingly positive responses when he finally began living in his truth.

“I’ve always felt like a sham because I wasn’t being forthcoming with myself,” said Brady, People reported. “You can play at being an ally, but until the day that you can truly say, ‘This is who I am, and I wanna stand next to you,’ that’s not … I always wanted that day to come.”

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Trigger Warning: This article contains descriptions of sexual assault and rape.

Updated as of 3/18/2024 at 2:15p.m. PT: Country music star Jimmie Allen can breath a little easier as it’s just been announced he’s no longer at the center of the bombshell sexual abuse lawsuit filed against him by his former manager.

As you may recall, the news of the suit sent shockwaves throughout the music industry in May 2023. But now, 10 months later, Allen is and his accuser have reached an agreement—though the same can’t be said for the managing company that hired the woman as Allen’s manager. In a statement to Variety, the accuser’s lawyer FeganScott said:

“FeganScott can confirm that Jane Doe and Jimmie Allen have reached a mutual accord as to Plaintiff’s claims and Mr. Allen’s counterclaims and have agreed to dismiss them,” said the statement. “The decision reflects only that both parties desire to move past litigation. The plaintiff is continuing to pursue her claims against Williams Bowers Management d/b/a Wide Open Music, the Nashville music management firm that employed her as Allen’s day-to-day manager, for their role in the case, and one of its principals, Ash Bowers.”

See original story below.

Popular country music singer Jimmie Allen is facing new allegations of rape, sexual assault and harassment stemming from his former manager who claims she’d been repeatedly sexually abused by him for 18 months.

According to a lengthy and detailed report from Variety, the woman—who’s identified only as Jane Doe per the official lawsuit—detailed several instanced where she was assaulted by Allen. One instance allegedly happened 24 hours before the “Best Shot” singer was scheduled to appear on the Ellen DeGeneres in May of 2021, where Doe claimed that he “groped her breasts on the plane, pushed his erect penis against her body in public and masturbated in front of her at the hotel where they were both staying.” On the car ride after the appeared, Allen assaulted her again by “forcing his fingers into her vagina” as she tried to push his hand away.

In March 2021, Doe alleged that Allen raped her in her hotel room after a business dinner and that she woke up with no recollection of the night before, but was bleeding vaginally and in severe pain. She said she was encouraged by Allen to immediately take a Plan B pill. The lengthy report also details several other instances of alleged sexual abuse, rape, emotional distress, and sexual harassment at the hands of Allen that took place over the course of nearly two years. Jane Doe began working for the singer back in April 2020. She is suing Allen for “sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, sex trafficking and emotional distress.” She’s also suing Allen’s management company Wide Open Music and its founder Ash Bowers —the latter of whom she claimed let her go from her position not too long after she came forward with her allegations against Allen to him—for “gross negligence and participating in a venture engaged in sex trafficking, among other counts.”

“I have to tell this story because there’s no way I would let my daughter near a situation like this. My life has been turned inside out because of Jimmie Allen,” Doe said in her interview with Variety. Per court documents, Doe’s attorney Elizabeth Fegan added:

“Wide Open Music knew that Jimmie Allen regularly engaged in sexual harassment but required Plaintiff to work with him anyway. Wide Open Music knew that Allen was dangerous, and assigned Plaintiff to be his Day-to-Day Manager anyway. Wide Open Music did not adequately warn or prepare Plaintiff for, or protect her from, the extreme sexual harassment, abuse, grooming, and manipulation she would endure in order to keep her job.”

It should be noted that after Doe came forward with her allegations, Allen was quietly let go from the management company sometime between October and December 2022.

Allen has since responded to the accusations in a lengthy statement submitted to Variety, confirming that he and Jane Doe did engage in sexual activity, but that it was always consensual:

“It is deeply troubling and hurtful that someone I counted as one of my closest friends, colleagues and confidants would make allegations that have no truth to them whatsoever. I acknowledge that we had a sexual relationship—one that lasted for nearly two years. During that time, she never once accused me of any wrongdoing, and she spoke of our relationship and friendship as being something she wanted to continue indefinitely.

Only after things ended between us, did she hire a lawyer to reach out and ask for money, which leads me to question her motives. The simple fact is, her accusations are not only false, but also extremely damaging. I’ve worked incredibly hard to build my career, and I intend to mount a vigorous defense to her claims and take all other legal action necessary to protect my reputation.”

This shocking and disturbing development comes nearly three weeks after Allen announced his split from his wife Alexis Gale, who is currently pregnant with their third child.

“After much thought and reflection in recent months, Lex & I have made the decision to separate,” the statement read in an Instagram post. “As we navigate this life change, we can also share that we will be welcoming another child together later this year. Our number one priority is and always will be ensuring that our children are healthy, happy and loved, and we remain committed to co-parenting with love and respect for one another. In light of our growing family, we respectfully request privacy during this time.”

A Chicago-based TikToker, Julia Reel, recently captivated social media with a harrowing tale of alleged mistreatment at a local cocktail lounge, Hubbard Inn. In her now-private video, Reel claimed that a bouncer at the establishment forcibly removed her, manhandling her and even shoving her down a flight of stairs.

Recounting the incident, Reel detailed being grabbed and pushed by a security staffer, alleging that she was shoved twice down the stairs, causing her distress. Her video quickly gained traction, garnering thousands of likes and sympathetic comments from viewers.

However, Hubbard Inn swiftly countered Reel’s claims by sharing alleged CCTV footage of the incident. Contrary to Reel’s narrative, the footage depicted her being calmly escorted out of the bar without any physical altercation. The cocktail lounge clarified that Reel was not shoved down any stairs, presenting a stark contrast to her viral account.

Julia Reel, a TikToker, claims to have been thrown down a flight of stairs at the Hubbard Inn by a bouncer, but the venue shared security videos suggesting that is not true. pic.twitter.com/cNHcJzyJiE

— Know Your Meme (@knowyourmeme) March 15, 2024

Despite the debunking of Reel’s story, the fallout from her allegations was palpable. Hubbard Inn revealed that the business and its staff faced a barrage of negative reviews and messages following the incident, including threats of violence and danger.

In the wake of the controversy, Julia Reel chose to privatize her TikTok page and delete her LinkedIn account. The establishment did not specify whether they intend to pursue legal action against Reel for her misleading claims.

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