5 Stories You Should Know About: February 12, 2018

From Jay-Z to Kobe Bryant to Facbook, here are today's top stories.

Here are the top five stories you should know about today, February 12, 2018.

Feb 12, 2018

Facebook Might Start Allowing You to be a Hater
Just in time for the most “loving” day of the year, Facebook has reportedly started testing out a feature to let folks be haters. Presently, people can “angry like” posts with a red-faced emoji that shakes its head. This new option would allow people to down-vote comments that would essentially bury said comment in Facebook’s algorithms. The idea would be to not give trolls with hateful commentary the attention they so desperately seek.
–theGrio

Kobe Bryant Says if He Were Still Playing, He’d be Protesting the National Anthem
Former NBA superstar Kobe Bryant claims he would be protesting the national anthem if he were still suiting up for the Lakers. Bryant made the statement during an interview with Jemele Hill for the Undefeated’s “Dear Black Athlete” special. He believes taking on former NFL player Colin Kaepernick’s protest against police brutality would have tons of support in the NBA locker rooms.
-The Undefeated

NY Principal Reportedly Bans Black History Lessons
A Bronx middle school principal is at the center of controversy right now in the midst of Black History Month. According to the New York Daily News, Principal Patricia Catania of Intermediate School 224 reportedly nixed Black history lessons plans by an English teacher last week.The NYC Coalition for Educational Justice is planning protests. New York’s Education department is planning protests.
-New York Daily News

The Flint Water Crises Blamed for 75% Drop in Reading Proficiency
Flint residents are still feeling the fallout of the toxic levels of lead that poisoned their water supply for more than a year. The already dismal reading proficency rates for third graders in the Michigan town have dropped to 10.7%. The rate was 41.8% in 2014, when the lead poisoning began.
-Detroit Free Press

Jay-Z Gives Moving Speech in Honor of Trayvon Martin
Jay-Z offered powerful words about slain teenager Trayvon Martin over the weekend. The rapper joined the teen’s parents in Florida for the Trayvon Martin Peace Walk and Peace Talk. “Trayvon serves as a beacon of light to all the people out here. So you guys will never have to go through the pain and the hurt that these guys went through. His name will sit alongside some of the greats who lost their life to push our culture forward,” said Jay-Z.
-theGrio