Pheaturing John Legend

Hey there, kids, welcome to the Phile for a Friday. Man, oh man, this is not what I needed to hear today. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has announced that she is undergoing chemotherapy for a recurrence of cancer. But, fear not, she did reassure us that she had no plans to retire, thank god! Can we just skip to 2021, already? Through a letter released by the High Court, Ginsburg stated, “On May 19, I began a course of chemotherapy to treat a recurrence of cancer. A periodic scan in February followed by a biopsy revealed that lesions on my liver.” She was hospitalized earlier this week for fever and chills that were stemmed from gallstones, noting it was not related to cancer. A more recent scan revealed a “significant reduction of the liver lesion,” meaning her chemotherapy course was yielding a very positive result. She stated the therapy has not limited any of her abilities to do her job, and plans to continue to serve. She stated, “I often said I would remain a member of the Court as long as I can do the job full steam. I remain fully able to do that.” Ginsburg was also hospitalized in early May where she participated in oral arguments from her hospital bed, asking questions in a case that was concerning Obamacare’s contraceptive mandate. Ginsburg, who is 87-year-old, survived colon cancer back in 1999 and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a decade later. Ginsburg’s health is the subject of a very widespread interest due to her status as a liberal icon. The prospect that President Donald Trump could name a third justice to the Supreme Court could become a major election issue.
Man, 2020 has been quite a year with the world not being prepared for the coronavirus pandemic and the death of George Floyd sparking more conversations around racism and police brutality. However, this medical student has bridged a gap between the two societal issues by creating an important handbook that will not only improve the medical field but help unify people of all races. Malone Mukwende is a black medical student in his second year of medical school at St. George’s University of London, and he’s taking medical education to the next level. The second-year medical student wrote a guide that helps healthcare workers understand how conditions will show up on darker skin called "Mind the Gap." The handbook was written after petitions for better inclusivity in the medical field started to surface in response to George Floyd’s death. The book features side-by-side images of how conditions show such differences on white skin compared to black and brown skin. The petition, calling for better BAME (black and minority ethnic) representation in the medical school course material, used Kawasaki disease as an example to show why this has been a problem. You see, the red splotchy rash is a useful descriptor of the disease on white skin while on darker skin, you can barely tell there’s even a condition at all. Petitioners explained that this delay in identifying Kawasaki disease can be fatal. The second-year student also explained to the British Medical Journal, “white normativity is teaching students to identify risks and conditions in white people that can be missed in people of colour.” Mukwende continued to explain, "On arrival at medical school, I noticed a lack of teaching about darker skin. We were often taught to look for symptoms, such as rashes, in a way that I knew wouldn’t appear on my own skin." The booklet addresses many issues that have been further exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as families being asked if potential COVID patients are "pale" or if their lips "turned blue." These are not useful descriptors for a black patient and, as a result, their care is compromised from the first point of contact. It is essential we begin to educate others so they are aware of such differences and the power of the clinical language we currently use. This is absolutely amazing. In light of everything that has happened this year, it’s hard to not feel hopeless. However, we can commend our heroes for being brave in stepping up: the health professionals and health care providers, the ones unafraid to use their brains and voices to make a better world. Thank you Malone Mukwende for igniting an amazing fire for change.
Donald Trump’s niece made several bombshell allegations on “The Rachel Maddow Show,“ revealing she heard her uncle use racist and anti-Semic slurs including the N-word. In the tell-all interview, Trump was asked repeatedly if she heard the president use racist language and slurs, to which she responded “Yeah, of course, I did. And I don’t think that should surprise anybody, given how virulently racist he is today.” When asked if she had heard President Trump use the N-word Trump then nodded and replied “yeah.” Speaking about the history of racism in the Trump family, Mary stated racism was a normal occurrence in the family. Trump is currently on a publicity tour to promote her memoir Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man. The book has now become a runaway bestseller with more than 950,000 sales on pre-orders, which caused a sensation with a series of claims against the president and his family. Among those claims, the President’s niece, who is a clinical psychologist by training, stated the president actually cheated his way into the Wharton School by paying someone to take the entrance exam, that he was mentally abused by his father, and that he was a textbook narcissist. Earlier this month, the president’s brother, Robert Trump, failed in an attempt to suppress publication of the book, and just last week a judge cited a restriction on Mary conducting a press tour to promote her book. As far as the response from the White House about Mary’s claims, they stated, “This is a book of falsehoods, plain and simple. The President doesn’t use those words.” The president’s Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, said on-cam that he never heard Trump use that sort of language. Mary doesn’t necessarily make the claims in her book, rather only in interviews has she heard the president use racial slurs. Through an interview with the Washington Post, Mary, who is gay, addressed her experience with homophobia from her family members. She stated, “Homophobia was never an issue because nobody ever talked about gay people, well, until my grandmother called Elton John.” Mary is the daughter of Trump’s elder brother Fred Trump, Jr. who died in 1981 at the age of 42 after stuffing from alcoholism. The book gives an intimate first-hand account of the president’s upbringing and rise to become the President of the United States.
A Michigan man was killed in an officer-involved shooting after he allegedly stabbed a person during a dispute over wearing a face mask inside a convenience store. According to Eaton County Sheriff Tom Reich, 43-year-old Sean Ernest Ruis wasn’t wearing a mask inside the Quality Dairy store when he got into a heavy confrontation with a customer who was wearing one. When confronted by a 77-year-old customer who was wearing a mask, Ruis got angry and allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed the man, seriously injuring him. An Eaton County Deputy then pulled Ruis over in Delta Township, near Lansing, a half an hour later. That’s when Ruis jumped out of the car and then aggressively approached the deputy while wielding two knives and a screwdriver. Afraid for her safety, the deputy shot Ruis as she backed away from the suspect. The incident was captured on the deputy’s body camera. The video shows the officer is repeatedly heard asking the man to drop the knives before she opens fire. The deputy involved was not injured and has been placed on administrative leave and the police department is conducting a review. The Michigan State Police is also conducting a separate independent investigation, citing deadly force, and is leading the investigation into the stabbing incident. Through a statement, Sheriff Tom Reich stated he believed Ruis intended to violently attack the deputy during the traffic stop. The deputy was seen backing away from the man, repeatedly ordering him to drop the weapon, but he “continued to advance and attack.” According to Reich, the woman acted in defense of her own life. Ruis was transported to a hospital where he died. As far as the 77-year-old man, he was hospitalized and treated for his stab wounds and is in stable condition. Authorities have yet to release the name of the 22-year veteran with the sheriff’s department. The incident occurred one day after the governor’s executive order making wearing a mask mandatory in all indoor public places came into effect, due to the rising COVID-19 cases. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s order requires any business to deny the entry or service of those who refuse to wear a mask covering “with limited exceptions.”
Set your clocks a little earlier than usual on July 19th, 2020, to catch the moon and five other planets all stretched out across the morning sky with your own naked eye. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will follow behind the moon, but you’ll have to be up at least 45 minutes before sunrise if you don’t want to miss it. Take a pair of binoculars and catch the crescent moon and the other five planets in a curved fashion. In order to know where to look, find a place with clear horizons in the southwest and east-northeast. This is what you can expect to see...

Venus will be bright in the eastern sky, next to the star Aldebaran. The thin crescent moon will be very low in the east-northeast. Mercury will be to the right of the moon, and Mars will be about halfway up the sky in the south-southeast. Jupiter will be just above the horizon in the southwest, and Saturn will be to the upper left of Jupiter. But if you want to see Uranus, Neptune, and even little ol’ Pluto, they’ll be in between Venus and Jupiter, but only seen with a 10-inch telescope and at even earlier times in the day. Pluto will be to the lower left of Jupiter around 1:00 a.m. central time, and around 3:30 a.m., you can catch the other two planets right before the light starts to hit the sky. Neptune will be in the east-southeast, and just as the morning sky starts to light up, Uranus will be visible in the east! You can still catch the planets throughout July. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will be visible in the early mornings up until mid-August without the moon, and after mid-August, Jupiter, and then Saturn, will disappear below the southwest horizon. These two big planets will be headed toward their Great Conjunction set for December 21st, 2020. The solar system is so fascinating, and nothing beats how wonderful it is to see how our Earth moves with the sun and the moon. It’s amazing to be able to see these parts of space, knowing they’re so far away.
So, I was thinking of getting a new tattoo but someone had the same idea I had...

Oh, well. It turns out that not only does Ivanka Trump like Goya she also likes Hot Pockets.

Speaking off Hot Pockets, have you seen the new flavor?

If I had a TARDIS I would probably end up in Jonestown. Nuff said on that.

So, the Redskins officially have a new name...

Hahahaha. You know I live in Florida, right? Well, here's a story from this state...

A Florida man was arrested after plowing his vehicle into a Catholic church and then setting the building on fire as parishioners were still inside prepping for Mass. According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Steven Anthony Shields, 24, crashed a van through the front doors of the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala. The man then got out of the vehicle and poured gasoline in the foyer area to set it on fire. Shields then drove off but was luckily stopped by Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy Josue Gonzalez, who stopped the minivan by hitting it with his patrol car. The sheriff’s office stated that the parishioners were not injured and Marion County firefighters were able to quickly put out the fire. Through a statement, Sheriff Billy Woods noted, “Our freedom of worship granted in the Constitution is a freedom that we all hold dear. My deputies and I are sworn to protect that right and will always ensure our citizens can worship in peace. I’m proud of my deputies for capturing this man so quickly and we appreciate the assistance from all of the state and federal agencies that worked alongside of us during this investigation.” According to an arrest affidavit, Shields told law enforcement officers that what he did was “awesome” as he was laughing and smiling while admitting to setting of the church ablaze. So, you know this man was either high on something, or he was just mentally sick. Shields then kept referring to himself as “King” and claimed to be on a “special mission” after having problems with the Catholic Church. To make the story even sadder, Schields told detectives that he has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is not taking any medication. So, obviously, the man is now facing multiple charges including attempted second-degree murder, burglary, one count of arson, and attempting to elude. He is currently being held in the Marion County Jail. As far as the Florida church, well their foyer was heavily damaged, but Saturday morning Mass was still able to go on in the parish hall. So, I guess you can say it was a happy ending for all.

If you spot the Mindphuck let me know.

HEARSAY
What toddlers do when anyone mutters a dirty word.

Making fun of a fat person at the gym is like making fun of a homeless person at a job fair.

Problem solved! Okay, let's take a live look at Port Jefferson, New York, shall we?

Looks like a cloudy day there.

The 132nd book to be pheatured in the Phile's Book Club is...

Phile Alum Alicia Keys will be back on the Phile in a few weeks.

Today's guest is a nAmerican singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, film producer, theatre director, and philanthropist. His latest album "Bigger Love" is available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify. Please welcome to the Phile... John Legend.

Me: Hello, John, welcome to the Phile. You're a legend. Haha. How are you?

John: Hello, Jason. Great to be here.

Me: So, it's strange time to put out a new record, sir. How are you feeling about putting it out right now?

John: Well, it is a strange time and the world is going through a lot right now of course. The pandemic has rocked the entire world and particularly the United States.

Me: Yeah. Why do you think that is?

John: Because our leadership has been so bad managing it. Then of course in the U.S. we've had the last few weeks have really been all about these protests in the streets that were provided by he horrible killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. So it is quite a difficult time in this country and all around the world.

Me: So, I'm guessing it is weird to put out music now?

John: Yeah, it's weird to put out music and say hey, let's enjoy ourselves and feel the love. But I guess people need something like that right now as well. So I felt why not, let's just put it out and hopefully it can lift people's spirits a little bit.

Me: On the Phile recently I showed how celebrities have been kinda tone-deaf on posting on social media about the Black Lives Matter movement. I asked Deadmau5 about this so I thought I'd ask you... you have not been posting stupid stuff about it. What's your take?

John: Well, I go back and forth. I have the outrage of the specific incident and the outrage of he ongoing issues that this nation has continued to never rally solve when it comes to how we deal with race and racism particularly with black people in this nation. Then I mourn as well because it's really just a horrible thing to see and it's really sad. I'm sad for George's family and I'm sad for our entire community that continually gets re-traumatized and told our lives aren't as valuable as others. And then there are other aspects of our life. I want to express joy, I want to express love, I want to express community and connection and I have all those feelings too. That's part about being what a human being really is. And so as artists there's so many emotions that we can access, so many reactions we can talk about so it's a question of which one is the right one to express in that moment.

Me: I like the song "Actions" on the new album, sir. What can you tell me about that song?

John: I was writing with a producer named Oak Felder. Oak produced the first two tracks on the album... "Ooh Laa" and "Actions," and with this one he played me the sample and said, "I have an idea putting this sample in an R&B song." I said, "Well, let's think about it." One of the ideas we were talking about was "actions speaking louder than love songs" then I started humming la-da-da-da kind of the way Snoop Dogg starts "The Next Episode" and I said, "You know what, it'll be cool to write a song about writing love songs." When I write love songs, or any songs for that matter, I scat the lyric before I know what the lyric is. So I'm scatting a melody, I'm scatting a rhythm, a flow before what I know the actual lyric is going to be. So when I start the song with "La-da-da-da, here I go again with another love song" that is me simulating me writing a song.

Me: So, do you ever wonder when you'll be back on stage again?

John: Well, it depends how you define stage. I mean I perform live a lot but not in front of an audience.

Me: Do you miss performing on stage in front of an audience?

John: Yeah, but I don't know when the next time I'll play in front of a large crowd with an audience. I saw Dave Chappelle's stand-up he recently did where he spaced people out outside, everyone had masks on. I think that would be a safe way to do a show but I don't know if it's a very economical way if I'm trying to do a nice production and pay for all the things I need to pay for if I have to spread the audience that I can make the money back on tour. So I don't know if we're going to play in front of large audiences for a long time.

Me: Do you think this moment seems different? That's a very stupid question, and you don't have to answer it. Hahahaha.

John: Well, I think it's a couple of things. I think it's the sheer agony of watching that video for nine minutes. I refused to watch the whole thing. I refuse to watch black trauma. Every video that comes out, I only watch a small piece of it and read descriptions of it. I think the sheer callousness and the difference the officer had while he was kneeling on his neck was just so symbolic of a disregard of that man's life and I think that it just hit differently. Not just for black people, so many people of all races responded with horror and disgust seeing that image. And so I think the particular circumstances of that incident made it worse than some of the others that we've protested about particularly because there was a video. Some of the incidents that provoked protests we never even had video. And the incrusting excruciating length of the video just kind of intensifies people's shock and anger and sadness. Then we combine that with people being really riled up with this coronavirus and response to it the government has flubbed so terribly and people have been on lock down, it's just been a tough time for people. Tough spring for people here in the U.S. and I think it'd all adding up and people are more upset than they've ever been about this type of incident. And I think my optimistic side says, my hopeful side says we can get closer in this moment and actually get closer to justice and get closer to equality. The fact that these multi-generational and multi-racial crowds are protesting in the streets, not only in the United States, but all around the world is pretty good. It's a pretty meaningful thing. If we can cease on that momentum it can be something beautiful that we can move closer to progress and justice.

Me: Are you talking to your kids about all this?

John: Not yet. They don't even watch the news with us or anything like that. They don't ask questions about things like this yet. But I think even early on with my daughter hopefully because she's 4-years-old she's starting to get messages from the things she sees on the screen of what is beautiful and what is not and what's valued and what's not. So we have to do things as parents as kids of color we have to do a little more to let them know their skin is valuable, their hair, it's curlier than some of their friends at school's hair. That it's beautiful and special and unique, that's the kind of racial awareness kids her age have. They think in terms what's beautiful and what's valuable, what's prized in socially. They're already getting those messages from media and what they see just in their lives. And so I have to make sure I counteract some of the messages that they might get from the media, with my own messages letting them know they are special and who they are is beautiful.

Me: You are pretty big on social media, John. When and how do you decide to use social media? 

John: I don't plot it out very much. I'm really just reacting in the moment. My Twitter feed is really me being honest and having frank conversations based on what I'm seeing. If I see something and I really want to say something that I think will be interesting or prerogative or useful or informative than I say it. I don't put a lot of strategy or thought on it. It's more just me telling people what's on my mind. That's generally what my Twitter feed has been. But also it's informed, it's not just willy-nilly. It's me talking to activists. It's me talking to organizers, knowing what they're facing and what their priorities are. I'm fine with some celebrities not doing that.

Me: Why is that?

John: Because they're not deign the work to make that valuable.

Me: What do you mean?

John: I'm saying if they are not doing the work to know what they're talking about, if they are not doing the research to know what they're talking about. If they're not talking actively with organizers and they're just weighing in because they're a famous person who's good at singing or basketball or football or whatever it is, I don't think that's that useful. But I think it is useful if they use your platform to inform people, to challenge people, to inspire people... if they've done the work to prepare themselves to know what they're talking about.

Me: You and your wife Chrissy Teigen have put your own money behind these things. Do you think that's important?

John: Yeah, I think the money we give is important. But we also know most people couldn't afford to give nearly that amount but I think everyone has to find their own way to be part of the solution. That's what I'm trying to tell people about as well, make sure they're firing strategically.

Me: What do you hope people to do to change things, John?

John: I hope people will get more involved in their democracies, including contacting mayors, city councillors, district attorneys, state governors or provincial leaders, and by voting for leaders that represent their communities' interests at all levels.

Me: Okay, so, you've earned the EGOT... only a few years ago I knew what that meant. Can you explain?

John: Yeah, and EGOT is someone that won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award. I'm the first black man to achieve it.

Me: That's crazy. How many people have won all four and in the EGOT club?

John: Only 15 people have all won all four awards.

Me: I have a feeling that if you weren't a musician you'd be a minister or a pastor, am I right?

John: My grandfather was a pastor, my uncle took over for him when he retired, my mother was a choir director, my dad was a minster as well and played the drums. Two of his brothers are ministers, lots of ministers and musicians.

Me: Ha! So, how did you avoid it?

John: What do you mean avoid it? I didn't.

Me: Do you consider yourself religious?

John: I grew up in the church, but I'm not religious now. I get up surrounded by it. It was an important part in my upbringing and important part of me becoming a musician.

Me: What can you get from playing music in a church opposed from playing music anywhere else? 

John: One thing is playing music period and getting in front of people at a very young age. When I started very young I discovered my skills as a musician. Where else in my life as a 10-year-old am I going to get a chance to play and sing in front of people? Not as many opportunities as I would like. But in a church, particularly for black people in America has always been very important playground for some of the best musicians.

Me: So, when did you really start singing?

John: In an a cappella group called Counterparts.

Me: Where was that?

John: Counterparts is at the University of Pennsylvania where I attended. During my time there I was a music director and president of the group. I did a lot of arranging for the group, and that wasn't exactly the muscle I worked on a lot even though I arranged for choirs a simple three part harmony before. But doing it for a cappella is a whole different beast.

Me: Around that time you played piano on a popular album, right?

John: Certainly, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill."

Me: I feel like you could've shut it down there, and never play music again. Am I right?

John: If only it paid as well as you think. Being a session player on a record is not very lucrative. It was not retirement money.

Me: How old were you when you did that?

John: I was 19.

Me: Did you know at the moment it was going to be that big?

John: Well, I knew it was highly anticipated for sure. I never know how great it's going to be. I never know the quality of the content is going to be great, how it's going to be received but it had all of the above. It was received with a lot of acclaim and a lot of record sales as well.

Me: Plus you were able to go to bars then and when it came on the radio you can say that was you. Did your friends freak out about it?

John: It was my claim to fame in my senior year in school. My senior year came after that, the album came out in August. I got to have bragging rights for the entire school year.

Me: Did you get a record deal right out of college?

John: No, I was trying to get a record deal even back then. When that happened I started to generate some interest in circles around Penn and people that knew other producers and writers.

Me: Did Philly have a good music scene back then?

John: Philly did have a scene. Philly at that time was a special time because of the whole neo-soul movement was really blossoming. We had the Roots there, and we had Musiq Soulchild and Jill Scott and Jaguar Wright. But we also had other musicians that weren't from Philly that went to Philly to work with those people. So it was a great time to be in Philadelphia.

Me: So, what kinda work did you do then?

John: I was a management consultant.

Me: What is that?

John: Essentially the firm it as their job to help companies, mostly big companies, figure out their strategy for one thing or another like if it's a new product launch.

Me: So, it's an office job?

John: Yeah, it's an office job. I met with customers and clients, I drew up Power Point presentations, I did modeling, I did competitive research. It's very sexy work.

Me: It sounds horrible to me. Hahaha. So, how did you keep going musically when it wasn't happening? 

John: I believed in myself, I believed I was going to do it. It was just a matter of time.

Me: Did you know what it was?

John: I wanted to be a solo artist, I wanted to write and sing my own music, I wanted to be where I am now.

Me: Being interviewed on a shitty blog. Haha.

John: Exactly. My dream has been realized today. Not that your blog is shitty I am sure.

Me: You're a pretty positive guy buy were you stressed back then about it?

John: I felt some frustration, I would go into meetings with record labels and they'd turn me down. Every label, every major label turned me down at some point, even the one I'm signed to now. so, I understand what rejection feels like but also I really did believe that it was going to happen. I believed it the whole time.

Me: Are you by nature and optimistic person?

John: I am by nature and also I had enough milestones along the way like okay, things are happening. Eventually I meet this up and coming producer that recognizes my talent named Kanye West.

Me: I didn't know that. So, why did you think of him as a producer?

John: I heard some of the stuff he did for Jay-Z also some beats. It sounded soulful but it was a really interesting blend of soul and hip hop. It had like an old school sensibility but it felt fresh at the same time; it sounded like what I wanted my music to be.

Me: How do you work with someone that you disagree with politically?

John: Well, first of all we haven't really worked together since all this stuff has happened so it's something to think about. 

Me: CAN you work with someone you disagree with politically then?

John: It's possible, I don't know. I think I have to have some kind of connection with an artist for me to create together. I have to kind of connect on a spiritual level or a values level... I have to connect with them one way or another. And that doesn't mean I have to agree on everything but at least to have some kind of connection. I haven't tested that out yet working with him since all this stuff has happened but everything is fluid. As you've seen on Twitter, he's kind of gone back on things he said. I have no idea how to access that but I think we do disagree on certain things and we'll see what that will lead to in the future when it comes to creativity and collaboration.

Me: Do you think it's fair for the press to label you as political? This blog used to be labelled as a political blog, even though it's not. Recently I was invited to meet Trump... for real, because this blog was picked out as a political... if only they read the fucking thing. Haha.

John: It has been throughout my entire career, even before my career. The people who are surprised that I was somewhat political was people who didn't know who I was. Or they just knew me from "All of Me."

Me: You campaigned with Obama and Hillary Clinton, right?

John: Yeah, even before I was famous I marched against the Iraq war. This is not new for me, political activism is not new. I think people just liked me for my music and perhaps didn't know. And some of them of the conservative persuasion were not pleasantly surprised by this fact. Some people said, "I will never listen to this guy again."

Me: How does that make you feel?

John: It's fine. I'll be okay. I realized it cost me a little bit but I think it's worth it. 

Me: Why is that?

John: Because for me as an artist is the best way for me to be as an artist is to be truthful and myself and that's part of who I am.

Me: I think there is a shut up and sing mentality going on right now, do you agree?

John: Yeah, only if you say things that they disagree with of course. They were excited about Kanye being Team MAGA as long as he was Team MAGA. But if he'd come out and reject all that stuff then all of a sudden it'll be "shut up and sing again." I think when people disagree with me, they'd rather I just shut up and sing. But I'm just not going to.

Me: Where did you grow up, John? John: In a pretty small city, the biggest employer was my dad's day job. He was a factory worker making trucks.

Me: John, thanks for being on the Phile. Stay well, and come back again.

John: My pleasure, thank you.

That about does it for this entry of the Phile. Thanks to John Legend for a long and great interview. The Phile will be back on Monday with pianist and producer Robert Glasper. Spread the word, not the turd or virus. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye.

I don't want you, cook my bread, I don't want you, make my bed, I don't want your money too, I just want to make love to you. - Willie Dixon