Girl Group Gets Recording Contract for "Racist, Sexist Boy"

The Linda Lindas, a girl band ages 10 through 14, was screaming and crunching power chords in the middle of the stacks of the Los Angeles Public Library. "Racist, Sexist Boy" — written and performed by four tween and teen punks calling out anti-Asian American bias and misogyny — immediately became something of a 2021 anthem. ("Poser! Blockhead! Riffraff! Jerk face!"). 

Now they have a recording contract. 

https://www.npr.org/2021/05/24/999757630/fresh-off-a-viral-library-gig-the-linda-lindas-get-a-record-deal?utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR3rDwrZx8FBNjXfuazyLPpc8pXcG4TO19CzOYa_7RMpm9OD_y5UNRAT6W4

NCAA Goes Against Anti-Transgender Stance

The NCAA has named schools in Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee as championship host sites for upcoming regional softball tournaments in spite of the fact that all three states have passed bills banning the participation of transgender women and girls in sports consistent with their gender identity. This comes after the NCAA last month declared their oppositon to anti-transgender sports ban legislation and reiterated their policy of only hosting championships in environments in which they can guarantee their athletes will be “safe, healthy, and free from discrimination.” 

In addition to Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee, states including Mississippi, West Virginia, Montana, and Idaho have passed laws to the same effect, with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signing two Executive Orders to similar effect.

https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-reacts-to-ncaa-violating-its-own-anti-discrimination-policy-for-championship-host-sites

Hate Crime Bill Passed by House of Representatives

With a bipartisan vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act, which will promote better hate crimes data collection as well as a more informed approach to hate crime prevention at the federal, state, and local levels.

THe bill was named after Khalid Jabara and Heather Heyer, whose deaths were not recorded in the FBI hate crimes report — will now go to President Biden’s desk, where he is expected to sign it into law. 

Hate comes in hierarchies when lower groups are singled out as inferior or deserving different treatment from groups higher on the hierarchy.

https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/the-human-rights-campaign-celebrates-passage-of-the-jabara-heyer-no-hate-act-in-the-u-s-house-of-representatives

Rules Don't Apply to GOP

Several GOP lawmakers on Tuesday defied a requirement for everyone to wear masks on the House floor, protesting how the rules haven't changed in light of new health guidance stating that those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can forgo face coverings in most settings.

A Capitol official said that three Republicans will be issued $500 fines for flouting the mask rules: Reps. Brian Mast (Fla.), Beth Van Duyne (Texas) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Iowa). Seven other Republicans will be issued first-offense warnings.

Those issued warnings include Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.), Lauren Boebert (Colo.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), Chip Roy (Texas), Bob Good (Va.), Mary Miller (Ill.) and Louie Gohmert (Texas). If these lawmakers defy the rules again, they could face $500 fines. Subsequent offenses would result in $2,500 fines.

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/554210-republicans-defy-mask-rules-on-house-floor

Congressional GOP: As Usual, Don't Hold the Top Accountable

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy announced Tuesday he opposed an inquiry to investigate the January 6 attack on the Capitol, siding with Republicans who have tried in recent days to downplay the attack. 

How many hearings did they insist be held on Benghazi?

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/18/politics/kevin-mccarthy-opposes-1-6-commission/index.html