5 Things To Know For Your New Day-Monday January 15th

via CNN:

Three ways MLK speaks to our time:

“Every hero becomes a bore at last.”

That’s a famous line from the 19th century philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, but it could also apply to a modern American hero: the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

As the nation celebrates King’s national holiday Monday, it’s easy to freeze-frame him as the benevolent dreamer carved in stone on the Washington Mall. Yet the platitudes that frame many King holiday events often fail to mention the most radical aspects of his legacy, says Jeanne Theoharis, a political science professor at Brooklyn College and author of several books on the civil rights movement.

Trump: ‘I am not a racist’:

President Donald Trump defended himself Sunday night after several days of controversy over his remarks about African countries, telling reporters, “I am not a racist.”

In remarks to reporters at a dinner photo opportunity with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said when asked if he is a racist, “No, I’m not a racist. I am the least racist person you have ever interviewed.”

The President has drawn sharp criticism since he was reported to have called African countries “shitholes” while discussing immigration with lawmakers Thursday.

Democrats have been demanding protections for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in exchange for border security funding that could include money for Trump’s promised border wall, but those talks reached an impasse after the President’s recent remarks. Congress is grappling with the issue as they negotiate over a spending bill they need to pass by Friday to avoid a government shutdown.

South Africa to formally protest Trump’s ‘shithole countries’ remarks:

South Africa will issue a diplomatic protest to the United States Monday over US President Donald Trump’s “shithole countries” comments, according to its foreign ministry.During an Oval Office meeting on immigration Thursday, Trump expressed frustration with people coming to the United States from countries in Africa and elsewhere, sources told CNN.

Venus Williams exits on rough day for Americans:

When Venus Williams won her semifinal at last year’s Australian Open, her joy was there for all to see.

Typically understated in victory, Williams on that occasion dropped her racket, pirouetted and skipped to the net. A double pirouette soon followed and you couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. It set the tone for a fine 2017 season, even if the evergreen Williams lost to younger sister Serena in the final.

Stefon Diggs’ Miracle TD Gives Vikings Dramatic Win over Drew Brees, Saints:

No NFL team has ever played a Super Bowl on its home turf, but the Minnesota Vikings moved one step closer to making history as they outlasted the New Orleans Saints, 29-24, in an instant classic at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday evening.

While the Vikings owned a commanding 17-0 halftime lead, Saints quarterback Drew Brees came out slinging down the stretch and led four scoring drives to put the pressure on Case Keenum to come up clutch in his first career postseason start.

Luckily for Minnesota, Keenum was ready to author a comeback story for the ages.

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