Winner of Second Place award in the National Political/Government Reporting, Qinling Li attended Richmond, Va. Black gun ownership movement in wake of Floyd tragedy

A TV producer and editor produced a YouTube video that highlights the struggles and concerns of Black gun ownership. Qinling Li, freelance journalist and contributor of Reason TV attended the Richmond, Va. Black Gun Rights Movements to speak with and film several activists for her documentary, “The Reawakening of the Black Gun-Rights Movement”.

During one of her field reports in Richmond, VA, she ran into a group of armed Black people demonstrating over the arrest and subsequent death of George Floyd.  As a foreign-born journalist in the U.S, Qinling realized that Black voices about gun ownership were falling on deaf ears, so she sought to get some insights from those affected.

Before the project started, Qinling did tons of research on the topic. She found that the U.S. has a complicated history with black gun ownership. The laws became more strict each time when there’s a revolution, and even more definitive about who could and who could not carry arms. Free blacks were being unbelievably restricted especially for the enslaved. ^[1]

“The Ku Klux Klan and its white supremacist threatened black people from casting their vote, so armed Black groups like Deacons for Defense and Justice could guard people in the community,” she said. “I had never heard about the long history of organized black self-defense before working on this project.”

(Black Gun-Rights Protest)

Qinling and her production partner Arthur Nazaryan spent several months with a black gun-rights community. One of the more crucial movement activists and a firm believer in the Second Amendment, Brent Holmes, carried an assault rifle across his chest. According to Holmes, a white guy can walk up and down the street with his rifle on his back, but when black people do it, they are called animals. People automatically assume the worst of a black man with a gun.

Qinling noticed the strong motivation the community has to protect itself. During the COVID-19 pandemic, that sense of self-protection with guns was undeniable. According to one interviewee, he taught his eight-year-old child how to use guns. Black people, one said, were concerned about the lack of living supplies and their family’s safety during the pandemic. The community believes owning guns helps with that sense of self-protection.

Qinling came to the United States in 2015 as an international student from China. She grew up believing guns are detrimental to society.  China’s civilian firearm ownership laws are strictly restricted. Most people are afraid to talk about guns. Qinling said her reporting experience in Virginia made her rethink gun culture in the United States.

“In a country where it is impossible to ban firearms and where there’s certain distrust in the police, isn’t it understandable that minority groups want to master knowledge about guns?”, says Qinling.

According to Qinling, owning a gun isn’t the only way to protect oneself, but their concerns are understood. It’s one of the ways to protect themselves, she said. You can check out the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2QcPWuIFOM.

^[1] Historian Uncovers The Racist Roots Of The 2nd Amendment, Bridget Bentz, Molly Seavy-Nesper and Meghan Sullivan, June 2, 2021.https://bizfluent.com/how-6058357-format-footnotes-press-release.html

Marijuana is the only plant in the world that has gained incredibly wide popularity and found its fans. Compared to other drugs and products, weed is very harmless. Aromatic smoke and a pleasant aftertaste beckon to smoke it again. Many countries prohibit the distribution of weed because it is still a drug, but in some territories, marijuana is legalized and can be purchased freely. What about those who really like to relax but cannot buy weed? There is the greatest solution to this problem – for example, you can order weed online Canada is the country that just allows such fraud.

The best grade and useful prosperities

It sounds amazing, but marijuana contains many useful substances — which is why it is often used for medical purposes to help people with serious diseases. Studies identified by scientists have shown that this plant can be easily used for medicinal purposes. Also, they revealed one of the best varieties of marijuana, which is now very popular — this is the blue dream strain. Among the useful properties of weed, many note the following points:

1. The effect of a sedative. After a very strong tantrum and spent nerves, smoking weed becomes much easier. Marijuana introduces a relaxed state, which automatically lifts the mood.
2. The effect of an anesthetic. This is perhaps the best product that can relieve even the sharpest and most severe pain in the body. What can we say if weed is used in the treatment of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease?
3. Anti-inflammatory effect. Another serious advantage of weed because it is used during strong physical exertion so that overstrain does not happen to the body. For example, marijuana is often used in order not to develop inflammation of the ligaments and muscles.
4. The effect of constant activity. Smoking marijuana causes a rapid heart rate, which means that the body is saturated with oxygen; adrenaline begins to go off the scale. Often it is the athletes who smoke a cannabis cigarette before the competition in order to increase their efficiency and activity.

These 4 important benefits of weed indicate that it is not as harmful to humans as it seems.

Some important points

The most important thing is to allocate the right dose for you so that there is no overdose. Also, calculate the duration of taking weed because you can’t smoke it all day either, here, it will already begin to act to the detriment of your body. Since marijuana is one of the most popular drugs in the world, it should be bought carefully because it is precisely the distribution of the product that is closely monitored. Try to order weed anonymously if ordering online.

Try not to let even the most delicious varieties of weed turn your head so that you literally get addicted to smoking. Use marijuana in a way that makes it enjoyable, not an addictive addiction. And, of course, remember that weed is able to change consciousness and act on the psyche because, along with all its benefits and effects on the body, it still remains a drug.

Crypto investments and trading are attracting more and more people, for there are many examples of how people grew their capital using digital coins. The crucial thing is what asset to buy and fat tools to use for it. Let’s discuss one promising crypto asset worth buying today and a reliable way to invest in it.

What Asset to Pick?

Among the variety of crypto coins offered in the market, we recommend considering those bringing valuable technology and benefit to the industry. For example, projects that connect the real-life economy with blockchain. Take a look at the NEO project that was founded in 2014 and keeps on developing. The platform enables the tokenization of real-sector assets due to the AntShares blockchain, which allows using those digital assets with benefits. The idea was especially welcomed in China.

The company held a successful ICO and gathered finances for further development and growth. NEO crypto price is around $6.

Brief information value NEO:

• Any programmer can work with it, for it supports all popular programming languages
• Allows smart contacts building
• Fast transactions
• Allows digitizing real sector assets.

How to buy NEO? Let’s talk about it next.

Where and how to Buy Cryptocurrency?

We recommend the WhiteBIT crypto exchange, for it has proved to be a reliable and credible platform for trading and investment. The exchange implements several layers of security for users and their accounts and has an insurance fund for any possible critical situation. The exchange provides two-factor authentication for users. Access to all the platform’s features is available only to registered clients who passed verification. Having such a strict policy, WhiteBIT is confident about clients’ safety and loyalty.

Here are a few steps in buying NEO on WhiteBIT:

• Register an account
• Pass KYC
• Add your bank card
• Move currency from your bank card to your account
• Go to the trade section and pick NEO and the currency you have (dollars, euros, etc.).

Pay the minimum fee (0.10%), and the NEO tokens will be accrued in your account in a matter of seconds.

Learn more about NEO and other promising crypto coins on the WhiteBIT blog.

The right camera accessories are essential, especially if you’re planning to try photography or are eager to level up your skills. Investing in the right camera accessories is ideal for pushing your photography skills to a new level while making your experience convenient and enjoyable.   

Over the years, the increasing number of camera accessories continues to increase, and it can take time to keep up with the trends. Depending on the activities you’ll be engaging in, whether you’re planning to create a portfolio of macro shots or take part in special events, having the right accessories can simultaneously and conveniently give you great pictures.  

If you find it challenging to decide which to invest in first, here are several accessories to keep in mind.  

Camera Straps  

A camera strap is necessary to lessen the risk of dropping your camera, especially if the location or event is busy and crowded or when you’re in a rush. Most of the latest cameras on the market come with a basic neck strap, usually branded with the manufacturer’s name and logo. However, most of these are narrow and lack adequate comfort, especially if you’re in for all day shooting.  

Today, you can find camera neck straps in different sizes, colors, and designs. You’ll indeed find something that you’ll like. If you bring your camera around for lengthy periods, go for a strap with a wide contact area over the shoulder and padding.   

If a camera dangling in front of you is annoying, go for a shoulder-harness strap instead of the popular neck strap. Generally, the strap incorporates a connecting strap that moves under the arm, keeping the camera on your hip or waist while your shoulder supports its weight. 

Camera Bag 

A good camera bag protects your device from daily wear and tear. You should invest in one to watch it right from the start. Today, you’ll find an array of camera bags on the market that suit every budget and taste. The feature that most have in common are well-padded compartments for your camera and accessories.  

A backpack may be suitable since it can protect your camera and lenses while ensuring enough space to accommodate all your accessories. When selecting a camera bag, think about the gear you have. Leave enough room for any future purchases you have in mind.  

Memory Cards 

Memory cards are at the top of the list and a must-have among the various camera accessories online or in local stores. Even if your camera already has one, you may need more to hold all your images. Investing in a few pieces of memory cards will be a good move.  

Prime Lens  

When it comes to prime lenses, it’s all about the maximum aperture. Fast lenses are capable of delivering the best shutter speeds. If you’re planning on taking high-quality shots, faster lenses are a good start. Investing in a prime lens from a reputable brand is a must-have in your photography arsenal.   

The prime lens boasts a wide maximum aperture that captures more light. Doing so allows you to capture sharp photos with minimal noise, even in low-light conditions. Using the right lens can make a difference if you take landscape shots of places you’ll visit soon.   

Spare Batteries

When you’re ready to explore the day and have fun with your camera, one thing that could annoy you is a drained battery. You wouldn’t want to wait for the battery to fully charge when you’re in the middle of a photoshoot. This can be time- and energy-consuming. Luckily, a couple of spare batteries can resolve this problem. Just make sure to charge your batteries the night before your event for a seamless shoot.

Tripods  

Newbies or seasoned professionals may need a reliable tripod to ensure their camera stays still as photos are taken. A tripod may not be necessary for every shot but will come in handy for night shots, macro shots, time-lapses, and long-exposure shots, to name a few. Moreover, an advantage of a tripod is that you’ll always get strikingly sharp shots because of its stability. Depending on your specific needs, a regular tripod can deliver good stability at an affordable price. If you want a better level of portability, a travel tripod may be a worthy investment.  

Remote Shutter Release   

Blurred photos may be caused by shaky hands. Aside from a good-quality tripod, consider investing in a remote shutter release to avoid poor-quality images. It’s also one of the essential accessories that should be in your camera bag at all times. A remote shutter release guarantees stable and superior-quality photos, even for self-portraits.   

Final Thoughts 

Today, both budding and seasoned photographers have an array of camera accessories to choose from to capture top-quality photos. You can find a vast selection of brands that offer camera accessories at varying prices. Investing in these must-have accessories will make a significant difference when you take photos.