Welcome to your weekly dose of black news

By Taryn Finley

We just can't get a break.

This news cycle has been emotionally draining and I'm tired... of everything and everybody.

Jussie Smollett has been arrested and charged for allegedly filing a false police report after he told Chicago PD that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack last month. He faces one to three years in prison if convicted. Police say he allegedly staged the attack because he was "dissatisfied with his salary." His bail is set for $100,000 and authorities have confiscated his passport. Of course, Trump couldn't wait to tweet his thoughts. 😒

This is really a hard time y'all, especially for the black LGBTQ community. Just because one person may have lied doesn't negate the fact that black and LGBTQ folks are constantly under attack and hate crimes are on the rise. I don't know about y'all, but I damn sure am gonna need some time to decompress and heal after this. Make sure y'all do the same.

Also, can we get a Black History Month do-over? I propose June or July!

This week's Best Things 🎉

Cause we damn sure need it...

Black History Built This, let's not forget ✊🏾

It may be a hard month, but we're still celebrating us. This week, we celebrated some black history makers of today, including Michael Strahan, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Lindsey Day, Carmelo Anthony and Kent Johnson. Read their profiles and others here.

No more drama, y'all! Let's match MJB's energy for 2019.

"Cuz I’m Black, bitch!” — a Robyn Fenty proverb

Notes from the mailbag 📫

We want to hear from you!

Each week we'll have a new question or topic. Reply to us and we might feature your answer in next week's newsletter.

This week we're talking real national emergencies...

When Trump declared a national emergency due to the lack of funding for his racist wall across the border, those of us sense furrowed our brow in collective confusion. We asked folks what a real national emergency looks like for this country. Readers said family separation at the border, gun violence, racism, climate change and the Flint water crisis.

We must keep this conversation going. What issue do you consider a real national crisis?

SMASH THAT REPLY

Need more? We've got you covered.

HuffPost is now a part of Oath and a part of Verizon. On May 25, 2018 we introduced a new Oath Privacy Policy which will explain how your data is used and shared. Learn More.

Stay plugged in with the stories on black life and culture that matter. Does somebody keep forwarding you this newsletter? Subscribe here! Want more? Check out Black Voices.