A push for reparations

How to protect your Venmo; A deal with prosecutors; choosing the single life

THE BIG STORY   Reparations tied to specific events, like the Tulsa Massacre, reignite the push to address injustices   A couple of weeks ago, we extensively covered the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Massacre. In 1921, white Tulsans attacked the Greenwood district, destroying the district and killing hundreds of people. A significant throughline of our coverage was: how is America going to reckon with this horrific episode in its history?   The idea of reckoning is, of course, not new. But it's starting to take on a different shape across the US. There have been some recent policy proposals seeking overarching federal compensation for the harm caused by slavery, land theft, and other injustices.    New proposals in Tulsa and elsewhere target local governments and institutions — and these are a part of a burgeoning movement to seek reparations for specific, post–Civil War events and policies that harmed Black communities across the country.   As calls for reparations grow louder, the questions over what constitutes reparations and how exactly the policies should be implemented loom larger. STAYING ON TOP OF THIS   Two Capitol rioters cut the first deal with prosecutors with little or no jail time on the table   Jessica and Joshua Bustle, a Virginia couple, pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor for participating in the Jan. 6 insurrection. In doing so, they became the first defendants to cut a deal that carries minimal, if any, jail time.   The couple pleaded guilty to one count of "parading, demonstrating, or picketing" inside the Capitol, a charge with a maximum sentence of six months in jail. Initially, they were each facing four misdemeanor counts, including illegally entering the Capitol and disorderly conduct — a charge that carries up to a year behind bars.   Lawyers for the Bustles told us they planned to argue for no jail time for their clients, noting their lack of previous criminal history. Joshua Bustle (circled left) and Jessica Bustle (circled right) inside the US Capitol on Jan. 6, according to charging papers. US Department of Justice SNAPSHOTS   A woman was killed after a man drove through protesters in Minneapolis. Videos showed protesters apprehending the driver who witnesses said sped up as he approached a group of people who had gathered to honor a Black man killed by police.   If you have Venmo, do this now: make friends private. Pete Buttigieg, Antony Blinken, and other Biden Cabinet officials were recently exposing their personal information on the payments app. Here's how you can make your account safer.   A man shot to death in South Carolina was awaiting trial for a boat crash that killed a teenage girl. Paul Murdaugh, a 22-year-old man from a prominent South Carolina legal family, was charged for drunk driving a boat that crashed and killed a teenage girl in 2019. Murdaugh was shot and killed along with his mother last week.   Chrissy Teigen broke her social media silence and apologized for her "past horrible tweets." Teigen said she was in the process of privately reaching out to people she had insulted in the past. "I was a troll, full stop. And I am so sorry," she wrote.   Did your credit score get a lot worse or better over the last year? We'd like to hear from you. BuzzFeed News wants to know how the pandemic impacted your credit score, and how that score has impacted you. DANCING ON THEIR OWN   These people have chosen the single life — and they're thriving   A few weeks ago, we asked BuzzFeed News readers to tell us about the single life — we wanted to hear from people who are single by choice. There is so much pressure on people to be in relationships, and we wanted to hear from folks we don't often hear from.   We got a range of responses, from people who were recently single to others who have been unattached for much of their lives. And their answers were illuminating.    There were people who had suffered one heartbreak too many, people who have completely divested themselves of the idea of romantic relationships, people who had become disillusioned with the dating scene, and former self-proclaimed "hopeless romantics."    We also had submissions from people who were aromantic or asexual, as well as those whose lives were already so full that they did not necessarily see the need for the addition of a romantic partner.   Read Michael Blackmon's exploration of what it's like to be single by choice. BETTER THAN ALL THE REST The winner of the Westminster dog show was this thing   I mean, look. Obviously congratulations are in order to Wasabi — who is apparently a Pekingese — for being crowned Best in Show. But also the li'l pup is...just..like..a big poofy presence? Many people are excited for Wasabi, but just as many can't believe that this is a dog that exists. Probably because Wasabi looks like this: Michael Loccisano / Getty Images Wishing you the momentum you need to get through today, Elamin 📝  This letter was edited and brought to you by Elamin Abdelmahmoud and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here.     👉 Your support of BuzzFeed's journalism does not constitute a charitable donation, and your contribution is not eligible for a tax-deduction. This is part of an effort to explore a deeper relationship with our most active supporters. 🔔  Want to be notified as soon as news breaks? Download the BuzzFeed News app for iOS and Android (available in Canadian, UK, Australian, and US app stores). 💌  Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up to get BuzzFeed News in your inbox! Show privacy notice and cookie policy. BuzzFeed, Inc. 111 E. 18th St. New York, NY 10003 Unsubscribe