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Malik Yoba recently sat with Terrell Starr of The.Root Magazine, which ended in Malik storming off the set after targeted, incessant probing of allegations that he’d already denied earlier in the interview.

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Even though Malik, in the video, can be heard saying he does not want the interview to air and that no paperwork had been signed to release the video, The.Root released it anyway in an effort to paint Malik Yoba as an angry, guilty, sexual predator.

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The byline of The.Root’s article shows Terrell J Starr not only improperly conducted the interview with Malik Yoba, but he wrote the article that followed. The headline of the article is extremely suggestive and misleading.

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“Malik Yoba Storms Off Set After Being Pressed On Allegations Of Soliciting Sex From A Minor” – The.Root’s headline as of 5:00pm September 25th 2019

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In the headline Terrell claims Malik walked off because of the questions surrounding the allegations, but suggests in the article that; “The walkout was also seemingly triggered by questions about his motives…” By using the words, also, and seemingly Terrell failed to cover up the clear contradicting headline, which was obviously created for baited clicks and shares. Malik Yoba only walked out of the interview after realizing he was being set up, but of course that wouldn’t make a great headline for the publication.

While Malik did storm off the set after he was (“pressed”) questioned about the allegations, the headline suggests it was right after he was questioned, which it was not. The truth is, Malik calmly and professionally answered the questions about the allegations, and answered them at length:

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Terrell nervously asked; “…So since creating these post you’ve received a mixture of support and criticism, on a more serious note a Trans Woman by the name of Mariah Lopez wrote a Facebook post where she accused you of soliciting sex from her as a minor at ages 13 and 16 years old, so what do you say to that allegation”

Malik calmly answered; “…When I heard that, and I didn’t actually read it until last Thursday, what she actually said, I Don’t Know The Woman Number One, –“

Terrell interrupted and questioned Malik with an accusatory tone; “So you’re saying you’ve never met her, you don’t know her?”

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Malik calmly responded, and finished; “That’s exactly what I’m saying, I don’t know her, I have no idea who she is, but Im familiar with that pain, I’m familiar with that trauma, I’m familiar with people who are crying out for help, I’m familiar with the lack of regard for this population, which is, again, my point, so when I heard it, for me, to hear something so heinous, right? Number one, and then to see someone post something with no proof of anything, and then to see a portion of the world embrace it and pass it around, that toxicity speaks to exactly why I do the work that I do…”

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Malik calmly finished his response citing several leaders who were targeted after standing up for what’s right and ended by saying; “that’s a very loaded question for you to ask me that and we discussed that”, and Terrell, after a few disconcerting, unbelieving facial expressions and amped tone responded; “And I actually told you that I would ask you that question…it is not a loaded question I did tell you upfront that I did tell you about it”, of which Malik responded; “Yea, …it is.”.

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It was clear that Malik knew he would be asked the question concerning the allegation. Malik not only answered the question, he gave full detail, and gave accounts about his character in comparison to the allegation. Terrell was relentless and followed up with yet another accusatory question about Malik centering himself; “in the middle of” the allegation inferring Malik has disregard for Mariah Lopez’s accusation. Even though Malik fully answered any conundrums about sexual misconduct during the interview, and gave sympathy and account for victims like Mariah, Terrell kept questioning Malik, as if he and The.Root had a specific agenda.

Malik remained calm against Terrell’s unnecessary interrogation. Malik continued his professionalism in a clam retort by acknowledging the irony of Malik’s open love and support of Trans people and how he has been verbally attacked, insulted, and made to feel like he has to run and hide his love, to how Trans people often feel the same way, and are treated the same way.

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Terrell added yet another allegation about sex workers The.Root claimed to’ve found online that’ve “come forward” with claims that Malik has solicited sex with Trans Women. Malik calmly listened and responded; “I don’t know what you’re talking about”. Terrell was in disbelief yet again and this is where, after full cooperation and professionalism, Malik began to defend himself against a very clear plot to set-up Malik to look like a sexual predator.

After 15 minutes of calm question and answer, a consistent agenda on The.Root’s end to paint a negative image of Malik resulted in Malik storming out the last few minutes of the interview. Malik only stormed out when he realized he was being set-up. Angered and confused as to why they would do that, Malik did what anyone would do after being disrespected; cursed them out, stormed off and yelled in confusion. Unfortunately the latter is the part TheShadeRoom picked up which helped to further paint this unfounded narrative that Malik is guilty because he’s upset.

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TheShadeRoom got wind of the interview and article and posted, as they often do, an edited video presenting an “Angry Guilty Black Man” narrative without providing the actual and full truth. This kind of yellow journalism leads to confusion, negative imaging of people of colour, and defamation as this confusion will undoubtedly assist in damaging Malik’s reputation.

Unfortunately social media has birthed a new age of consumers who often only read headlines, vs doing basic research. For many readers, a headline, and an edited video is enough for them. And the employees at TheShadeRoom are fully aware of that, and often use that to their advantage to paint negative images of people. An example of TheShadeRoom using their 16.5 million (plus) viewers to paint negative narratives about people of colour has been publicized by Cardi B who, on more than one occasion, rightfully urged TheShadeRoom to stop posting about her, and her family due to their extreme lack of proper imaging, and positive agenda.

Now a days it’s guilty until proven innocent in the court of public opinion (social media), and while TheBLACKMedia will always believe victims, it’s important to note that TheBLACKMedia will only ever consider accusers. Even though that’s a fine line, it’s an important one. The idea that anyone can accuse anyone of crimes, and if compelling enough, can be picked up by news outlets without proper investigation or just due, is an idea that TheBLACKMedia does not subscribe to. Innocent until proven guilty is the best approach to situations like these.

If in the end Malik is found guilty, Malik will be held accountable for his actions, but until then, The.Root and TheShadeRoom owe Malik Yoba a serious apology. Painting negative narratives of people of colour by Black owned, or Black afflicted publications without just due is simply doing the work of the white inferiorist* who often paints people of colour improperly on the worlds stage.

If we’re going to allow the public to choose a side, or to make up their mind about a person, place or event, we should do so without using fine strokes to paint an image that the typical reader/viewer wouldn’t be able to, without negative assistance, make up their own mind. Giving a truthful and honest detail of accounts is true journalism, and that’s what you’ll get here at TheBLACKMedia. What Terrell and The.Root did was completely targeted, uncalled for, and deserved Maliks response. The.Root Full Video Here

TheBLACKMedia has no affiliations with Malik Yoba or his team.

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THE.ROOT FULL MALIK YOBA INTERVIEW:

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