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How Mariah Carey Accepted Her Bipolar Disorder And Took The First Step To Cope With It

Wed, 11 Apr 2018 10:32:12 -0700

"I refuse to allow it to define me or control me." Despite being diagnosed in 2001 after a physical and mental breakdown, Mariah Carey is only now coming to grips with the fact that she has bipolar II disorder. In a People cover story, the legendary singer said it was not wanting to believe it that kept her from getting help for so long. "Until recently I lived in denial and isolation and in constant fear someone would expose me," Carey told the magazine. "It was too heavy a burden to carry and I simply couldn't do that anymore. I sought an...

The Heartbreaking Reason Why Ex-‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Thought She’d Never Get A Lead Role

Wed, 11 Apr 2018 10:13:21 -0700

"Oh my god! They brainwashed me!" The ways we watch TV and movies have evolved, and it's time for the talent in front of and behind the camera to do the same. Film Forward speaks on the initiatives to diversify the film industry and the stories it tells. New articles premiere every second Thursday of — and throughout — the month.For Sandra Oh, finding success has been a 30-year journey. Despite the fact that she spent 10 years on Grey's Anatomy as Cristina Yang — a role that earned her a Golden Globe and five Emmy nominations —...

These 8 Children Have A Second Chance At Life, Thanks To Organ Donors

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 14:55:46 -0700

April is National Donate Life Month. April is National Donate Life, a time when local, regional and national organizations come together to help encourage Americans to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors and to celebrate those who have saved lives through the gift of organ transplants. On an average day, 92 people receive organ transplants, many of whom are just children. To commemorate the month, and thank organ donors everywhere, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta asked patients' parents to photograph their child d...

How To Tell If Cambridge Analytica Accessed Your Private Data On Facebook

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 15:47:21 -0700

Did you ever click on "This Is Your Digital Life"? With one simple click, your digital life and the digital lives of your friends could have become vulnerable. Now, there's an easy way to tell if your data was accessed by Cambridge Analytica after you (or a friend) clicked on the personality quiz they created called "This Is Your Digital Life."There is a new help page on the social media site intended to answer a question that millions are asking: "How can I tell if my info was shared with Cambridge Analytica?" You could also get...

New Report Shows Your Kitchen Sink Could Be The Unexpected Solution To Relationship Problems

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 13:45:23 -0700

Time to amend the "Happy wife, happy life" motto. A healthy relationship needs honest communication, mutual respect, earned trust — and an empty kitchen sink. According to a recent report from the Council on Contemporary Families (CCF), a nonprofit that studies family dynamics, sharing dish duty might be the key to improving your romantic relationship. After examining the toll various housekeeping tasks, like shopping, laundry, and dishwashing take on a relationship, the study found that it's more important for women in hetero...

13 Things 18-Year-Olds Should Start Doing Now That'll Benefit Them Later In Life

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 13:56:04 -0700

What would you add to the list? Becoming a full-fledged adult can be overwhelming, but with a little planning and foresight you may be able to able to navigate it better than most. Developing good habits early on ensures you'll be better prepared to deal with obstacles when they come your way — if they ever do at all. Early adulthood is a great time to experiment, try new things, and make mistakes. But it's also an excellent time to start investing in future you. So, what things should you start to do? Red...

A Lawmaker Ridiculed Educators. Then A Teacher Revealed Plans To Run Against Him.

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 15:17:47 -0700

"We have amazing teachers that have decided to stay and do the best that they can with what we have, and we’re doing it, but it's just not r Oklahoma educator Cyndi Ralston was ready to run for office against Oklahoma's Kevin McDugle, but an ill-timed Facebook post from the representative in her district accelerated her announcement.Ralston, who has taught in the state's public schools for 30 years, announced her campaign just two days after Kevin McDugle, a Republican in the state legislature, derided teachers in a Facebook Live video following the Oklahoma walkout. In response, Ralston announced that she'd be running as...

Women Just Won A Huge Battle For Equal Pay In Federal Court

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 13:43:08 -0700

Incredibly, the victory came on the day before Equal Pay Day. On Monday, a federal court ruled that women can no longer be paid less than their male counterparts based on previous salary history. The ruling, which was handed down in U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, is a big win for advocates of closing the wage gap between men and women. Aileen Rizo, a math consultant, brought the case forward after suing her employer when she learned that a man she worked with made more than her despite having significantly less experience. "The Equal...

Brave Denver Journalists Published An Editorial Aimed At The Owner Of Their Own Paper

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 11:31:23 -0700

"Denver deserves a newspaper owner who supports its newsroom." In an attempt to save the newspaper they love, The Denver Post editorial board made the case for a change in ownership — in full view of the paper's current owners, Alden Global Capital. "Our marching orders are to cut a full 30 by the start of July," the editorial board revealed in an editorial published this weekend entitled "As vultures circle, The Denver Post must be saved."The publication has dwindled from 250 strong in recent years to fewer than 100 today, the board wrote. To the pub...

In The Future, Eating A Gummy Could Protect You From The Sun

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 09:09:54 -0700

“ ... what we're trying to do here is create new habits around sun protection ... " Many adults grew up taking gummy vitamins, and while we're used to them providing nutrients like calcium and iron, you probably never thought you could eat a gummy to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. While that might sound like something you'd accidentally ingest in Alice's Wonderland, it's real — and it's here. Sundots are the "world's first gummy for sun protection." The idea for the product, which has yet to be clinically tested, came from the company's Chief Scientific Of...

‘The Simpsons’ Addressed Criticism Of A Beloved Character, But Fans Still Have Concerns

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 08:11:23 -0700

"What can you do?" The ways we watch TV and movies have evolved, and it's time for the talent in front of and behind the camera to do the same. Film Forward speaks on the initiatives to diversify the film industry and the stories it tells. New articles premiere every second Thursday of — and throughout — the month.In 2017, comedian Hari Kondabolu made a documentary called The Problem With Apu, exploring how The Simpsons' Apu Nahasapeemapetilon character has perpetuated stereotypes about South Asians over the...

Sen. Tammy Duckworth Makes History With The Birth Of Her Second Child

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 06:50:56 -0700

And now she wants to change the rules. Congratulations are in order for Tammy Duckworth! The Illinois senator announced earlier today, April 9, that she had given birth to her second child — a daughter named Maile Pearl Bowlsbey. Little Maile's arrival marks the first time a sitting U.S. senator has given birth while in office. When her eldest daughter, Abigail, was born in 2014, Duckworth was a member of the House, representing a suburban Chicago congressional district. According to The Chicago Sun-Times, Duckwo...

The Man Who Rescued An Orphaned Chimp Wants People To Know The Whole Story

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 15:18:55 -0700

"...it’s a cute movie, but the message is that that little chimp should be with his mom..." In late February, Belgian aviator Anthony Caere posted a video on social media of him ferrying a baby chimpanzee to the Lwiro Primate Rehab Center in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The short clip showed the orphaned chimp, whose name is Mussa, cuddling up to Caere during the flight, causing Instagram viewers to remark upon how cute the chimp's interactions with Caere were.In a recent interview with PBS NewsHour reporter Julia Griffin, Caere noted that yes, the video is adorable, bu...

Bus Driver Braids Little Girl's Hair Every Morning Since Her Mother Died

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 14:56:10 -0700

“And it makes me excited for the next day to see what she does.” Losing your mother at an early age can be life-altering. For Isabella Pieri, whose mother passed away two years ago after her long battle with a rare illness, the loss meant learning to lean on her father as she approaches the pre-teen struggles every girl faces growing up. Yet, while her father, Philip Pieri, has been doing all he can to fill the shoes of both mother and father, he failed to master one skill that remains crucial for 11-year-olds such as Isabella: hair."I originally just gave h...

With A Small Tweak, The ‘Shequel’ Campaign Makes Meaningful Changes To Classic Books

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 14:35:18 -0700

"Only 11 percent of women in the creative industry hold upper-level positions." "What if we can inspire women of the future by retelling stories of the past?"That's the question indie bookstore The Wild Detectives asked before launching Shequel, a campaign that imagines what classic literature would look like if the male protagonists were replaced with women. Dracula becomes Draculess, Dorian Gray is instead Doris Gray, Oliver Twist is replaced by Olivia Twist, and so forth. The bookstore, which is located in Dallas, has designed new covers for a few classic...

Is Sitting Really The New Smoking?

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 13:46:35 -0700

Dr. Matthew Lieber weighs in on the "panic." You've likely read the headlines, warnings and alarms that have told us that sitting has now been linked to serious health risks.Well, as quarterback Aaron Rodgers famously told a panicked Packer football nation after their second loss in 2014, "R-E-L-A-X! We are going to be okay." So, what is the panic all about? What is at the heart of all these blogs, posts and articles that suggest we're in the middle of a significant and worsening health crisis? Where did this all start? And, what is at th...

10 Things All Dads Should Do When Raising Strong, Confident Daughters

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 10:24:51 -0700

She's not just your princess; tell her she can be whatever she wants to be! Fathers who truly love their daughters are always willing to go the extra mile. In fact, the things dads do for their daughters are often heroic, no matter how subtle or commonplace they might seem.Fathers and daughters go together like peanut butter and jelly. Daughters look to their fathers for guidance, while fathers look to their daughters as hope for the future. Yet, while the bond might be instinctive, there's no manual for fathers to follow. Brandon Barash and Tyler Poelle of "The F...

After His Sister Had A Tumor Removed, He Shaved His Head To Match Her Scar

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 11:04:00 -0700

"I think my barber can do something that will look like that." When an operation to remove a medulloblastoma tumor left 17-year-old Alana McMullan with a 10-inch scar on the back of her head, her brother, Ethan, decided to show his support by shaving his head to match his sister's scar. According to Inside Edition, three of Ethan and Alana's grandparents are currently battling cancer, and the family has stood by the saying: "No one fights alone." So after seeing Alana's scar, Ethan decided to shave the hair at the back of his head in the same shape.&n...

In Light Of The #MeToo Movement, Molly Ringwald Is Reexamining Her Most Iconic Movies

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 09:52:17 -0700

"How are we meant to feel about art that we both love and oppose?" Reconciling your love for a piece of art with its problematic aspects isn't easy — especially if that art helped launched your career. In a new essay for the New Yorker, actress Molly Ringwald confronts the many issues in John Hughes' beloved 1980s teen movies, in light of #MeToo and similar movements against sexual assault and harassment."It's hard for me to understand how John was able to write with so much sensitivity, and also have such a glaring blind spot," she wonders about the late writ...

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Won't Accept Wedding Gifts For The Sweetest Reason

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 09:53:53 -0700

The royal couple is using their celebration of love to highlight the causes close to their hearts. For a royal couple, having a wedding registry is so 2017, if not downright medieval. That's why for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, they're requesting their guests and well-wishers make charitable donations in lieu of wedding gifts. While not every engaged couple can afford to be as altruistic, this is one wedding trend we hope catches on in 2018 and beyond. According to a press release from Kensington Palace on April 9, "Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle are incredibl...

Cardi B’s Baby News Exposes A Double Standard About Moms And Their Careers We Must Retire

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 09:16:55 -0700

"Think imma lose with my little baby counting on me?" After performing a medley of "Bodak Yellow" and "Bartier Cardi" on Saturday Night Live, Cardi B took to the stage to sing "Be Careful" and — with the assist of a form-fitting white dress that showed off her adorable baby bump — let the world know she is indeed pregnant. This was obviously a huge moment for the chart-topping rapper, and a fabulously over-the-top reveal on live television, but it is one that brought congrats as well as critics.Many people are happy for and sending well wishes...

This Mom Of A Child With Autism Realized She Was On The Spectrum Too

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 08:07:36 -0700

"My son will benefit from the therapies that were not available to me as he pursues his individual path." April is National Autism Awareness Month. To celebrate and bring awareness throughout the month, we will be highlighting positive stories we love about people with autism, as well as the stories of their friends and families. My autism was discovered when I went to the doctor for a concern about depression that really wasn't depression. One hour into our session, the doctor said, "Have you ever considered the possibility that you have autism?"I had not considered this possibility. For the...

Hundreds Line Up To Donate Blood In Muenster After Fatal Attack

Sun, 08 Apr 2018 10:43:05 -0700

Two are dead and 20 injured after a van was driven into a crowd of people in the city center. Within hours of an urgent call being posted on social media after an attack in the city center, hundreds of people lined up to donate blood at hospitals around Muenster, Germany Saturday. Earlier that day, a van was driven into a crowd of people sitting outside restaurants in a downtown neighborhood that killed two and injured about 20. As thousands took to the internet to express their support, so many of the city's residents headed to the Muenster University Hospital to donate blood that the...

One Golf Club Didn't Admit Women For Decades. Now It’ll Host Its First Women’s Tournament.

Sun, 08 Apr 2018 06:01:24 -0700

This is a huge win for female golf players. A women's golf tournament is coming to Georgia next April, and it's all thanks to one major golf club.The Augusta National Golf Club, one of the most well-known golf clubs in the world, plans on hosting its first ever National Women's Amateur Championship, where it will invite 72 of the best amateur golfers from around the globe to compete in three rounds from Thursday to Saturday. The competition will run the same time as ANA Inspiration, one of the five major championships for women's profess...

More Than 100,000 Teenagers Have Preregistered To Vote In California

Sat, 07 Apr 2018 14:57:15 -0700

High schoolers are ready to take their voices to the polls. Two weeks after high school students mobilized thousands for the March for Our Lives, the next generation is once again proving they will be a political force to be reckoned with. A statewide campaign to preregister teenage voters in California has successfully enrolled more than 100,000 16- and 17-year-olds, it was announced Friday. The program is part of a larger effort by California Secretary of State Alex Padilla's office to promote civic engagement amongst high school students. T...

In March, Portugal Created More Renewable Energy Than All 10 Million Citizens Needed

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 15:04:12 -0700

Portugal is setting an example the world can follow. For the first time ever, Portugal exceeded its monthly consumption of renewable electricity production. While this is a huge victory for the country that's dedicated decades of investment in low-carbon technology, the challenge still lies in whether total renewable energy consumption is even possible.After all, although the country's average renewable generation for the month of March exceeded 103 percent of consumption, per Quartz, it still relied on some fossil fuel and imported electricity s...

I Asked New Yorkers 'When Is The Right Time To Say I Love You'?

Sat, 07 Apr 2018 14:13:10 -0700

Six months in? Two weeks in? One day in? This week, I took to the streets of New York City to ask men and women one very important question: "When is the right time to say I love you?" Their responses were, well, heartwarming. What interested me the most was that, regardless of gender, age, sexuality, or current relationship status, everyone pretty much came to the same conclusion: the right time to say 'I love you' is when you feel it. One woman, Hailee Derrick, and her future husband, took it pretty slow and steady. "...

Tim Cook: DACA 'Is Not An Immigration Issue. It's A Moral Issue.'

Sat, 07 Apr 2018 06:53:14 -0700

"Whoever revoked it should not have done this." The attempted revocation of DACA has been a hot-button issue across the nation. One industry that has been very vocal in defense of the Obama-era executive order is the tech industry. In fact, when Attorney General Jeff Sessions first announced that the program would be ending, tech leaders came out in force to defend the act and Dreamers. Apple CEO Tim Cook took another opportunity to speak out about DACA while appearing on Recode's "Revolution" special on MSNBC, which aired on April 6. ...

Anne Hathaway Is Gaining Weight For A Movie And Has An Important Message For Body Shamers

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 12:17:01 -0700

"It’s not me, it’s you." Anne Hathaway is not here for your body shaming comments. The 35-year-old actress recently took to Instagram to preemptively shut down anyone interested in negatively commenting about her changing body. In a post accompanied by a video of the star exercising, she explained that she's gaining weight for her latest film and doesn't want to hear anyone's adverse opinion on the subject. "I am gaining weight for a movie role and it is going well," she wrote. "To all the people who are going to f...

An NBA Star Was Once Ashamed Of His Transgender Sister. Now He Stands Up For LGBTQ Rights.

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 11:57:41 -0700

"It was something I didn't know too much about." NBA star Reggie Bullock is opening up about the shame he once felt about his transgender sister, and how her tragic death inspired him to use his platform to advocate for the LGBTQ community.In a video shared by the Detroit Pistons on Twitter, Bullock speaks about his sister Mia Henderson, admitting that she never saw him play college basketball. "I always thought about what my teammates would think," he shared, calling the choice "one of the stupidest things" and adding, "I just didn't know so...

People All Across The Country Are Buying Supplies For An Oklahoma School With Broken Chairs

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 11:28:05 -0700

"I felt like I needed people to see just a glimpse of the issues we face every day." Middle school teacher Laurissa Kovacs wanted to give people a glimpse of the struggles Oklahoma students face daily due to lack of funding. She didn't expect to receive more than $44,000 in donated supplies because of it."Most of the chairs in my room look like this," Kovacs explained in her post. "Once they get to this point it's only a matter of time before the bottom goes completely out... These kids deserve so much better than this. They deserve teachers who are qualified to...

Pop Culture Intervention Advice: Is It Ethical To Watch TV At Work?

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 09:17:32 -0700

37 percent of people watch Netflix in the office. At A Plus, we're addicted to pop culture, and Pop Culture Intervention brings that obsession to the soapbox. Through this series, we'll recommend what you should be watching, reading or listening to; explore how arts and entertainment affect us; and interpret the important messages contained within various works.Now, more than ever, there's an abundance of TV shows and ways to watch them — it is the Golden Age of Television, after all. This era of "peak TV" has presented us with a unique predic...

Will Sen. Kamala Harris Run For President? She Played Coy On 'Ellen.'

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 10:14:06 -0700

"You're right..." The search for the first female president continues. Sen. Kamala Harris smiled and dodged a question about her plans to run for president in 2020 while on The Ellen Show Thursday. Host Ellen DeGeneres brought up the topic gingerly, conceding that Harris probably wouldn't answer and then asked anyway. Smiling, Harris told her she was right but then explained why. "Right now, we are in the early months of 2018," Harris said. "I've seen so many people focus on that thing out there and th...

The AMA Flat Out Rejected The Idea That It's Medically Valid To Ban Transgender Troops

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 09:05:12 -0700

"We should be honoring their service." President Trump's proposed ban on transgender troops in the military caused a public uproar when it was announced last year. In fact, before it could even be properly implemented, it was blocked by a federal judge. After consulting with Secretary of Defense James Mattis — who concluded that individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria could be disqualified from service — Trump decided to move forward with the ban. Despite Mattis' findings, the American Medical Association (AMA) believes that...

Taylor Swift's 'Generous' Donation To This Organization Comes At The Perfect Time

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 04:03:59 -0700

She continues to support survivors. Taylor Swift continues to make good on her promise to support survivors of sexual assault, after winning her own case last year. Her latest donation happens to come at the perfect time, as April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. On Thursday, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) shared on Twitter that Swift had made a "generous" donation to the organization, thanking the singer "for always standing with survivors," and adding that her contribution "ensures th...

The First Black, Female Vice President In The Americas Celebrates Her Historic Win

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 14:25:22 -0700

Epsy Campbell Barr just made history. Costa Rica chose Epsy Campbell Barr as its next vice president on Sunday, making her the first Black woman to ever be elected vice president of a country in the Americas.Barr, an Afro-Costa Rican, is a politician and economist who made history when her running mate Carlos Alvarado Quesada won the presidential election in a landslide victory. During her run, Barr reached out to Black Costa Ricans and urged them to vote for a more inclusive country, according to The Washington Post. ...

McDonald's To Replace Plastic Straws With Paper In An Effort To Reduce Waste

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 12:58:06 -0700

The change is being trialed in U.K. restaurants. McDonald's announced it will replace plastic straws with paper ones at some of its U.K. locations in May in an effort to help protect the environment. In addition, customers will not automatically be given straws. Instead, straws will be held behind the counter, and will have to be specifically requested in an extra effort to reduce waste. "The reduction and use of plastics is a hugely important issue – for our business, for the sector, and for society," Paul Pomroy, chief executive o...

Should The Drug That Reverses Opioid Overdoses Become As Common As Aspirin?

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:26:45 -0700

"We should think of naloxone like an EpiPen or CPR." With the opioid crisis deepening in the United States, the drug that can reverse an overdose should become a common feature of household medical cabinets, according to U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who wants naloxone (and Narcan) to become more widely owned and accessed. "We should think of naloxone like an EpiPen or CPR," he told NPR. "Unfortunately, over half of the overdoses that are occurring are occurring in homes, so we want everyone to be armed to respond." Opioid overdose death...

A Grain Of Saul: Everyone Who Loves Israel Should Condemn What Israel Is Doing In Gaza

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 10:52:28 -0700

A 19-year-old was killed while fleeing. He was holding a tire. A Grain of Saul is a weekly column that digs into some of the biggest issues we face as a nation and as an international community in search of reliable data, realistic solutions, and — most importantly — hope. When I lived in Israel, I was told over and over again that the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) was the "most moral army" in the world. Those three words have been repeated in columns written for Haaretz, in viral YouTube videos from conservative media organization Prag...

When He Was Alerted About A Potential School Shooting, This NFL Player Sprang Into Action

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 10:43:12 -0700

“Thankfully, this kid said something.” When New England Patriots football player Julian Edelman received a startling note in his Instagram messages, he quickly took the appropriate precautions and may have saved lives.According to The New York Times, Edelman was in Texas in March when Instagram user @jesseyi3 sent a direct message to his Instagram account. It read: "Dude, there is a kid in your comment section says he s going to shoot up a school, i think you should alert the authority." "With the emotions of what happened, and...

'I Choose To Inject Love': Meet The Iowa Tattoo Artist Who Removes Hateful Ink For Free

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 10:09:08 -0700

"I’m willing to give my blood, sweat equity to this cause." For 10 years, Robert Bader has been helping people cover their bodies in ink. Now, he's helping clients remove tattoos, too.Bader, who goes by "Woodstock" and owns The Crow's Nest in Dubuque, Iowa, is opening a back room in his tattoo parlor with a different title: Retrospect Tattoo Removal. Bader works for free once a week to help people remove tattoos that display hateful language or are gang-affiliated. "Being in the tattoo industry for nearly 10 years now, I have heard more storie...

The 'Walking Dead' Cast Beautifully Honors A Devoted Fan Who Died Of Cancer

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 04:12:31 -0700

"Lisa always stood out as one of the best." The Walking Dead family is mourning the loss of a superfan this week. According to Mashable, Lisa Williams, a fan of the AMC zombie series who frequently attended conventions and met the cast, passed away on Tuesday after a battle with lung cancer. The official Walking Dead Twitter account posted a tribute to Williams, calling her "one of the most passionate people (and #TWD fans) you could meet." Several members of the cast have also taken to social media to post photos they took wit...

What Is A Renewable Marriage Contract, And Should You Consider One?

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 07:21:12 -0700

"Right now, we just have this one-size-fits-all model ... Why can't we make marriage fit who we are?" If you're thinking about getting married, whether it's sometime over the next year or the next century, you may want to consider a renewable marriage contract. Unlike prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, this is an informal supplemental contract to a legal marriage license. In a renewable marriage contract, a couple commits to the relationship for a certain number of years with agreed upon terms and conditions. For example, a couple could create a renewable marriage contract lasting two...

John Oliver Weighs In On The Idea That Toddlers Can Represent Themselves In Court

Wed, 04 Apr 2018 16:00:24 -0700

"Nobody, particularly children, should have to represent themselves in these courts." In a bombshell episode of Last Week Tonight, host John Oliver brought up a major flaw he sees in the current immigration system: those who can't afford an attorney, including those as young as two years old, often have to represent themselves in court. While it may be difficult to imagine toddlers managing to tie their own shoes, let alone wield knowledge of immigration law, the fact is that sometimes when legal representation is not supplied to children in immigration court and...

How Sam Smith’s Coping With Anxiety Offers Tools For Others Who May Also Be Suffering

Wed, 04 Apr 2018 13:17:02 -0700

"For me, my music has been my therapy." Just because someone achieves fame doesn't mean they don't still face ups and downs, and Sam Smith is the perfect example of that. The British crooner opened up in a recent interview about how anxiety affects him and how he is taking control of his mental health and wellness. "I get massive anxiety. I really struggle," the "Too Good At Goodbyes" singer told The Sun. "I thought I would be more in control of my body and emotions but I get so nervous, to the point I'm almost having panic attac...

Why Martin Luther King Went To Memphis 50 Years Ago — And Why It Still Matters Today

Wed, 04 Apr 2018 12:43:07 -0700

"Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness." It's an understatement to say that the final speech that Martin Luther King Jr. gave before his death is one of his most revered. Most observers call out King's declaration that he had "been to the mountaintop" as its defining moment. But too often, people forget the reason King was giving the speech in the first place: to advocate for better quality of life for sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee. It's a message that still bears consideration today. "The issue is injustice," King said...

Parkland Student Carries Tampons In Clear Backpack To Raise Awareness About Women's Health Issues

Wed, 04 Apr 2018 10:03:16 -0700

"Steps must be taken to make these health products easier to access." On Monday, a new rule went into effect at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School which requires students to carry their belongings in clear backpacks. The rule is one of the changes the school has made after a former student carried an AR-15 into the school and killed 17 people. Many students have protested the school's new clear-bag policy because they believe it's invasive, unnecessary, and won't prevent further shootings. "Unless they're bullet-proof, I don't feel much safer," Cameron Kasky, s...

Best-Selling Author Proves Why We Should Stop To Check On Others

Wed, 04 Apr 2018 08:24:44 -0700

"I am so glad I came back to check and didn't just assume she was fine." Celeste Ng, author of best-selling novels Everything I Never Told You and Little Fires Everywhere, just shared a personal story about helping others in need. On Twitter yesterday, Ng explained she was driving to the gym when she noticed an elderly woman was sitting alone on the sidewalk. It struck her that that was an odd place to sit and that the weather was fairly cold that day in Cambridge, Mass. "I told myself she was probably fine, but I also felt uneasy. So I went back," she twe...

Why This Mom Of A Son With Autism Wrote A 'Thank You' Letter To The TSA

Wed, 04 Apr 2018 07:56:20 -0700

"I will brag about you to anyone who will listen." April is National Autism Awareness Month. To celebrate and bring awareness throughout the month, we will be highlighting positive stories we love about people with autism, as well as the stories of their friends and families.Traveling can be stressful for anyone, but it can be particularly hard on people with autism. Autism, a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction, challenges with communication, and a tendency to engage in restrictive, repetitive beha...

One Kentucky Teacher's Heartfelt Request For Respect Is Going Viral

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 15:15:03 -0700

"Sometimes it's hard - really hard." Kentucky principal Gerry Brooks' message confessing that "sometimes it's hard – really hard…" for teachers, has reached over four million people online. The passionate educator, who works at Liberty Elementary School in Lexington, stood with thousands of teachers in Kentucky and Oklahoma on Monday in protest of pay cuts, limited benefits, and reduced school funding. The demonstrations across the Republican-dominated states were said to be inspired by West Virginia's teacher strike&nb...

Daughter Asks Social Media To Encourage Her 53-Year-Old Mom To Go Back To College

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 14:32:42 -0700

"My grandfather got his bachelor's and masters when he was in his 80s. It's never too late." Fifty-three-year-old Trina Dye got the extra push she needed to make an exciting life change thanks to her daughter and thousands of internet strangers. Dye, a single mother of three, had been toying with the idea of going back to school to pursue a PhD in psychology. She told her daughter, Morgan York, 25, that she was nervous she was too old. "It didn't seem fair to me that she'd always supported my goals, as well as the goals of my siblings, but didn't know how to feel confident about h...

Twitter's Reporting Form Will Now Include Hate Against People With Disabilities

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 13:16:50 -0700

"It's against our rules to directly attack or threaten someone based on their protected category, including disability." You can now easily report a tweet for directing hate toward disabilities in addition to race, religion, gender, and orientation thanks to Twitter's new form. The change comes two months after disability activist, Natalie Weaver, fought for a tweet using her daughter's image in an offensive manner to be taken down. Her daughter Sophia has facial differences and Rett syndrome, a rare genetic neurological disorder that leads to severe impairments almost exclusively in girls. Weaver told The M...

'No One Should Have To Go Through This': Parkland Survivors Respond To News Of YouTube Shooting

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 15:50:11 -0700

"I promise we’re going to fight for you." When news of an active shooter at a YouTube office in San Bruno, Califonia broke on Twitter, student survivors of the February mass shooting in Parkland, Florida shared their heartbreak and their horror on the platform, as they have many times before. The Parkland shooting occurred fewer than 50 days ago.The teens, now veterans now at commenting on national tragedies, expressed their solidarity with the YouTube employees and vowed with them, as the teens did before during the Great Mills...

14 Years After Being Deported, A U.S. Veteran Is Finally Coming Home

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 10:16:09 -0700

"I paid dearly for everything that happened." Hector Barajas-Varela is finally coming home. 14 years after he was deported, the Mexican immigrant and U.S. Army veteran was granted U.S. Citizenship. On April 13, he'll head to San Diego, California for a naturalization ceremony to make it official. "I look forward to opening my G.I. Bill so I can get my education," Barajas-Varela told A Plus. "I only have a high school education and want to make sure my daughter is taken care of... it made me extremely happy. I'm finally going to return...

After A Female Sportscaster Was Assaulted, Brazilian Journalists Are Saying #LetHerWork

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 10:17:35 -0700

"I deserve to be respected." After a Brazilian sports reporter was kissed without her consent during a recent broadcast, female journalists are standing up for their right to do their jobs without harassment — using the hashtag #DeixaElaTrabalhar, or #LetHerWork.It started when soccer reporter Bruna Dealtry shared video of a man leaning over to kiss her while she was reporting at a post-match celebration. Startled, Dealtry looks at the camera and, according to BuzzFeed, says, "That wasn't cool." In her Facebook po...

New York Just Required Domestic Abusers To Turn In All The Guns They Own

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 09:31:20 -0700

"Half of the women who are murdered in this country are murdered by an intimate partner." New York now has stricter gun control laws for those with a history of violence against women. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that people convicted of domestic abuse in New York have to turn in all their firearms (not just handguns) or face sanctions."New York is once again leading the way to prevent gun violence, and with this common sense reform, break the inextricable link between gun violence and domestic violence," Governor Cuomo said in a statement release Saturday, March 31. In...

Teens March 50 Miles To Memphis In Honor Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 15:53:13 -0700

They're walking one mile for each year without King. Half a dozen teens put their feet to the pavement in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ahead of the 50th anniversary of the civil rights leader's assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, six motivated teens took on the challenge of marching 50 miles from Dundee, Mississippi to Memphis.In an act of solidarity, JaQuon Ohara, Damonte Steele, Cameron Allison, Davonta Pate, Raphael Williams and Benjamin Rutledge began marching along Highway 61 on Saturday. "King has changed a...

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Opens Up About Battle With Depression

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 13:27:10 -0700

"You’re not alone." Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson joins other celebrities in opening up about struggles with mental health. In February, Johnson took to Instagram to share the difficult memory of the moment his mother attempted suicide in front of him. He was just 15 years old. "She got outta the car on Interstate 65 in Nashville and walked into oncoming traffic. Big rigs and cars swerving outta the way not to hit her. I grabbed her and pulled her back on the gravel shoulder of the road," the 45-year-old actor re...

Want To Protect Your Privacy On Facebook? This 'Kill-Switch' May Help.

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 13:17:03 -0700

It's not a popular setting but it's becoming more well-known. As Facebook faces questions about how it protects user data — and prepares for testimony on Capitol Hill — users are looking for ways that they can better protect themselves on the platform by searching for information on how to change their Facebook privacy settings. Luckily, at least part of the solution may be pretty simple: as Business Insider reports, there's a "kill-switch" that has the ability to prevent apps from accessing your data. Most Facebook users knowingly or unknowingly give...

Stop Equating Teachers With Martyrs

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 12:40:16 -0700

We're expected to take bullets for students but most of us can barely make rent. In Oklahoma, teachers' wages are among the lowest in the nation. This Monday, in protest of stagnant wages and reductions in education funding, Oklahoma's teachers staged a strike. They were joined in their walkout by educators in Kentucky, where, per NBC News, every public school is closed. Below is an op-ed written in advance of the walkout by Beth Wallis, an assistant band director in Morris, Oklahoma. It was posted on Facebook early March, per a fellow teacher...

This Mom Thought The World Wouldn't Embrace Her Son With Autism, But She Was Proven Wrong

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 11:25:59 -0700

" ... to those who have embraced my son with love and compassion, thanks for proving me wrong, and loving him more." April is National Autism Awareness Month and April 2 is World Autism Awareness Da. To celebrate and bring awareness throughout the month, we will be highlighting positive stories we love about people with autism, as well as the stories of their friends and families. I love Luke and Faith more than I thought possible prior to becoming a mom. I love each of them in a unique way. I'd imagine most mothers would express something similar regarding their own children—the love for each...

British 'Vogue' Makes History With Its May Cover

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 11:23:09 -0700

"When I say diversity, I want to be clear that it is never just about black and white for me. It’s about diversity across the board." British Vogue's cover for it's May issue is getting a lot of love — and for good reason. The "The New Frontiers" cover celebrates diversity in the fashion industry by featuring nine trailblazing models such as plus-size Latina model Paloma Elsesser, Korean model Yoon Young Bae, South Sudanese model Adut Akech, and more. Also among them is 20-year-old Halima Aden who made history by being the very first model to appear on the cover wearing a hijab in the 102 years since the magazine was first pr...

16 Reasons To Rethink Provoking Teachers Who Are Equipped With Poster Board

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 15:10:09 -0700

"Flunk you, mother frackers." Educators spend their days surrounded by felt-tip pens and poster board, so it's no surprise that the walkout in Oklahoma was filled with teachers with some truly awesome protest signs. Teachers in Oklahoma walked out on April 2 in protest of low pay and continuous cuts to the state's education budget.Below, we've collected some of the most creative signs designed by the teachers and their supporters. As evidenced by the signs, the educators didn't hold back — and their clever pr...

Where Are All The Only Children On Television?

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 09:33:40 -0700

Let's give smaller families something to relate to. At A Plus, we're addicted to pop culture, and Pop Culture Intervention brings that obsession to the soapbox. Through this series, we'll recommend what you should be watching, reading or listening to; explore how arts and entertainment affect us; and interpret the important messages contained within various works.Think about your favorite TV family. Now count the number of kids. How many are there? Chances are, it's more than one. Leave It to Beaver, The Brady Bunch, The Cosby Show, Growing...

Kate McKinnon Teaches Kids Important Lessons About Money Using Some Interesting Techniques

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 09:55:54 -0700

This is hilarious ... and important. Money and finances are two topics that can be tricky to understand — especially for kids. But in a new video for Financial Literacy Month, Kate McKinnon partnered up with Beth Kobliner, a financial journalist and New York Times best-selling author, to talk to kids about money. In the video, McKinnon sits at a table with three young kids: Justine, Ricky, and Jillian. Then, she probes them with questions about money, starting with a simple one: "Do you know what money is?" "I have a lot...

The Top 10 Things Singles Worry About On First Dates — And How To Ease The Nerves

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 09:26:19 -0700

First date jitters are real, but there are things you can do to make it better. If you've ever been on a first date, you've probably had a case of first date jitters. But don't worry, you're not alone. In Match's latest annual Singles in America survey, the online dating company found that 89 percent of singles get nervous before a first date. Not only are you in good company, but your date is probably nervous about the very same things as you. According to Match, these are the ten things singles worry about most and least on a first date, and what you can do to...

One Poet Wonders If You Notice These Sexist And Oppressive Nuances In The English Language

Sun, 01 Apr 2018 07:54:56 -0700

"Isn't it funny how English works?" Jennifer Nicole might be getting a Ph.D. in English, but that doesn't stop her from challenging the language.The student, who also happens to be a poet, recently performed "On the Contradictions of English," as part of Write About Now Poetry, a collective of poets in Houston. Nicole's poem is more of a conversation as she starts off talking about why she hated learning English grammar growing up."I have a theory," she said in the piece. "Teachers never explain the reasons behind the grammar...

Ashton Kutcher Talks To '48 Hours' About His Fight To End Child Sex Trafficking

Sun, 01 Apr 2018 09:36:22 -0700

"You can build a tool that allows one person to save a lot of people." Last year, actor and A Plus co-founder Ashton Kutcher spoke about his work combatting child sex trafficking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and made headlines across the country. In a 48 Hours episode released this weekend, CBS News dug deeper into the issue and Thorn, a nonprofit co-founded by Kutcher that leverages technology to fight child sexual exploitation.As Kutcher explained to 48 Hours, Thorn's digital focus allows the organization to...

This Girl's Whole Family Has An Explosive Reaction To Her College Acceptance Letter

Fri, 30 Mar 2018 14:15:50 -0700

"GO BLUE!" They say a family that prays together stays together. For one Louisiana high school senior, the support of her family and loved ones, led with a prayer, was all she needed before opening the email that would solidify her future in education.In an online video that's gone viral, Jada Wiltz can be seen sitting in front of an open laptop with her biggest supporters all around her waiting to hear the decision of the prominent women's liberal arts college, whose alumni includes the likes of Hillary...

Pixar's Next Short Film Will Be Delicious, Heartwarming, And The First Directed By A Woman

Fri, 30 Mar 2018 10:45:31 -0700

The upcoming short "Bao" will be filled with firsts. The ways we watch TV and movies have evolved, and it's time for the talent in front of and behind the camera to do the same. Film Forward speaks on the initiatives to diversify the film industry and the stories it tells. New articles premiere every second Thursday of — and throughout — the month. Disney's Pixar Animation Studios is known for bringing a special magic to its films such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and recent Oscar winner Coco. With the studio's next animated short film, Bao, h...

11 People Share The Most Valuable Lesson They Learned From Their First Job

Fri, 30 Mar 2018 11:17:36 -0700

What did you learn? While our first jobs may not alwyas lead to long-term careers, they certainly have the potential to teach us some long-lasting life lessons. Recently, Reddit user rylo93 asked Reddit: "What is the most valuable lesson you learnt from your first job?" The question received a range of responses, reminding us that, no matter what your first job was, there can always be a positive gained. For example, one person says their first job reminded them that you can't be perfect for everyb...

This Is The Largest Cryptocurrency Donation Ever, And It All Went To Schools

Fri, 30 Mar 2018 09:58:18 -0700

The funding will reach 16,500 schools and more than 28,000 teachers. On Monday March 26, the school crowdfunding site DonorsChoose had 35,647 open campaigns. By Wednesday March 28, every campaign had been fulfilled by Ripple, a San Francisco-based cryptocurrency startup that makes financial transactions faster.The donations totaled $29 million worth of Ripple's cryptocurrency XRP — a digital token used to make transactions — and became the largest single cryptocurrency donation ever. When all is said and done, the funding will reach 16,500 schools and more than...

I Asked 20 People How They Feel About The Male Birth Control Pill

Fri, 30 Mar 2018 08:02:37 -0700

Would you trust it enough to make it your sole contraceptive method? Love, Lindsay Investigates, an offshoot of the Love, Lindsay column, is a series where A Plus's relationship guru / columnist ventures out into the world to ask people how they feel about a range of topics related to dating, relationships, and sex. Because, let's face it, everyone has an opinion when it comes to love. Hi, Love, Lindsay here. Like so many of you, I was recently made aware of an exciting development in the world of contraception: Researchers at the University of Wa...

Malala Yousafzai Tears Up During Her Emotional Return To Pakistan

Fri, 30 Mar 2018 06:24:21 -0700

"I have dreamed that I can set foot in my country." She is known all over the world for her courage and resiliency. Now, nearly six years after the Nobel Peace Prize winner was shot in the head by the Taliban, Malala Yousafzai has returned to Pakistan."For the last five years I have dreamed that I can set foot in my country," she told Reuters. "It's the happiest day of my life," she added. "I can't believe it's happening."Yousafzai was a teenager when members of the group boarded her school bus and shot her, injuring two of her friends, in...

What Scientists Actually Think About Climate Change, Contrary To The Leaked EPA Memo's Messaging

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 15:38:13 -0700

The talking points attempt to downplay the role of humans in the planet's rising temperatures. Though climate change was a priority for the Environmental Protection Agency under the last administration, current head Scott Pruitt has gone on record saying that he didn't believe carbon dioxide emissions from the activities is one of the phenomenon's main factors. Now, a memo in which the EPA gives talking points to its top public officials concerning adapting to climate change has leaked to HuffPost and is raising some concerns. Per HuffPost, the memo offers eight talking points, but t...

Every Single Female Senator Just Called For A Vote On Sexual Harassment In Congress

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 15:26:02 -0700

“Inaction is unacceptable." All 22 women in the Senate have sent a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanding a vote on legislation to reform how sexual harassment is handled in Congress.The letter comes after the House of Representatives passed a package to update the way that sexual harassment is handled on Capitol Hill. Momentum had been building for legislation to be attached to the omnibus bill that was signed last week, but talks broke down when lawmakers couldn't agree on...

Becky Albertalli On Writing 'Simon Vs. The Homo Sapien Agenda,' And How She Feels Seeing Her Work Changing Lives

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 15:03:11 -0700

"It’s magical and humbling." The A Plus Interview reimagines the celebrity interview by inviting artists to answer a short series of brief, poignant questions that strive to be more meaningful than those asked by others. Visit on the last Thursday of each month for the latest installment.By now you've probably have heard audiences raving about Love, Simon and what it means to them, particularly to members of the LGBTQ community. Behind the movie, though, is its source material: a 2015 book titled Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens...

John Franklin Stephens' Speech At The U.N. Aimed To Change How We Think About People With Down Syndrome

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 13:19:54 -0700

“I truly believe a world without people like me will be a poorer world, a colder world, a less happy world.” Everyone deserves a chance to live their best life. That was John Franklin Stephens' message when he spoke at the United Nations on March 15. The American actor, who also goes by Frank, brought smiles and laughter to the U.N. when he delivered a heartfelt message."I am a man. See me as a human being, not a birth defect, not a syndrome," he said. "I don't need to be cured," he continued. "I need to be loved, valued, educated and, sometimes, helped." Stephens, who has Down syndrome, then...

Two Companies Teamed Up To Focus On Female Filmmakers, And The Results Are Breathtaking

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:37:39 -0700

"The industry has a responsibility to help resolve gender disparity in the business." The ways we watch TV and movies have evolved, and it's time for the talent in front of and behind the camera to do the same. Film Forward speaks on the initiatives to diversify the film industry and the stories it tells. New articles premiere every second Thursday of — and throughout — the month.With #TimesUp, women in Hollywood have taken it upon themselves to turn the tide in an industry long dominated by men. While much of the attention is focused on leading ladies finally getting what they...

Misty Copeland Had A Graceful Response When Someone Criticized Her 'Swan Lake' Performance

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 09:45:47 -0700

"I will forever be a work in progress." Nobody's perfect, not even Misty Copeland. The ballerina, who made history in 2015 as the first Black female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, recently fell short of executing the famous 32 fouettés (or turns) at the end of Swan Lake. After receiving harsh criticism on social media, Copeland posted a response that was as graceful as she is — and serves as a reminder that no one should have their hard work and talent negated by a single performance....

The Biggest Myth About Women In Syria — And The Journalist Who's Fighting To Debunk It

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 11:07:36 -0700

One of the untold stories of Syria is the role women are playing. It's hard to imagine anything positive coming out of the Syrian Civil War, but if you ask Rula Asad, you might get a surprising answer. Asad is the co-founder and executive director of the Syrian Female Journalists Network (SFJN), which trains local citizen journalists on gender-sensitive reporting and helps empower female media professionals in Syria. But according to Asad, none of her work would have been possible without the devastating civil war that started in 2011."Most of the aspect...

The NFL Has Never Had Male Cheerleaders, But The Los Angeles Rams Now Have Two

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 09:16:11 -0700

"Why not me? Why can't I do this?" You better commit the names Napoleon Jinnies and Quinton Peron to memory because they'll be in the history books from now on as the NFL's first-ever male cheerleaders. That's right, these two will be joining the Los Angeles Rams cheerleading squad for the 2018 season — making them pioneers in the sport that has been tied to the league since 1954. Jinnies and Peron, both classically trained dancers from California, have been named to the 40-person spirit squad where they'll be doing everythi...

These Dancers Protest Against Gun Violence In A Heartbreaking Routine In The Desert

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 13:35:50 -0700

"In a world where you can be anything, be kind." The Way You Move celebrates dancing and choreography videos that showcase fancy footwork in genres as diverse as ballet, hip-hop, tap, ballroom, and more. Learn a new routine the first Thursday of each month, and throughout the calendar when you get the urge to move. Over the last few weeks, students have protested against gun violence through walkouts and marches across the country, including March 24th's March For Our Lives event in Washington, D.C. And in a dance video uploaded to C...

Inside The Search For The First Female President

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 05:29:22 -0700

"I believe there is a president in this group. We just don’t know who she is yet.” Stephanie Schriock could tell that Elizabeth Warren was a fighter.In 2011, as Republicans in Congress made it clear they would never let Warren lead her brainchild, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Schriock decided to bring the fight to their doorstep. "I said to her, 'What better payback than to go onto the floor of the U.S. Senate and look at all those Republican senators who would not give you this position and say, 'What are you going to do now?','" Schriock, the presiden...

Samantha Bee Doesn't Want Us To Forget About Puerto Rico. Here's How You Can Help.

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 03:58:41 -0700

"Let’s make America give a damn about Puerto Rico." Samantha Bee doesn't want the United States to forget that Puerto Rico is still in need of assistance months after Hurricane Maria hit the island last September. To help remind the public of the ongoing crisis, Bee aired an hour-long Full Frontal special Wednesday night, which was filmed in Puerto Rico and takes a firsthand look at the current situation. As Bee points out in "The Great American Puerto Rico," there are still more than 100,000 Puerto Ricans without power. Last month, whi...

While At A School Board Meeting, A Man Called Out His Alleged Junior High Bully, The Superintendent

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 15:12:01 -0700

"Lance, you were the one that shoved my head in the urinal." It was regular school board meeting for the Katy Independent School District until Gregory Gay came forward. Gay approached the microphone in an almost entirely empty room and began to speak about his experience being bullied in junior high school. But there was a twist: the man who he accused of bullying him was sitting right in front of him. His alleged bully was Dr. Lance Hindt — and he is now the superintendent of the school district. "I was bullied. Unbelievably bullied," Gay sai...

Ava DuVernay’s Take On ‘A Wrinkle In Time’ Adds Texture And Layers To The Classic Story

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 12:42:23 -0700

"Ava DuVernay's 'A Wrinkle in Time' is more than a movie." Our goal at Mediaversity is to reflect the beautifully diverse world, both in front of and behind the camera. While no story will ever be an exact microcosm of America — nor should it be — our reviews strive to be a tool for people who consume their media proactively instead of passively. Until the television and film industries reflect the true face of our country, Mediaversity will be here calling them out and applauding good work.Title: A Wrinkle in Time (2018)Director: A...

This Brewery Employs Adults With Developmental Disabilities, Giving Them A Chance To Thrive

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 12:14:02 -0700

"I hope to be an example for other businesses to think outside the box. That’s when you really see what people are capable of." During Tiffany Fixter's time as a special education teacher, she noticed a lack of jobs, opportunities, and training for adults with developmental disabilities. In fact, nearly 70 percent of this population are unemployed, even though many of them are willing and able to do work, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Fixter decided to do something about this, so she founded Brewability Lab, the world's first brewery that employs adults with developmental disab...

Tyra Banks' Plastic Surgery Revelation Comes With An Important Message About Beauty

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 09:21:50 -0700

"Fix it or flaunt it — I think women should be able to do both." Tyra Banks is getting honest about her history with plastic surgery, but it's about more than gossip. The America's Next Top Model creator also has an important message about beauty, and how we judge women who choose to alter the way they look.In her new memoir, Perfect Is Boring, Banks reveals that she had a nose job early in her career, explaining, "I had bones in my nose that were growing and itching. I could breathe fine, but I added cosmetic surgery. I admit it! Fake hair, and I did my nos...

Chicago Cops Will Be Able To Break Car Windows To Rescue Overheated Pets

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 09:41:55 -0700

The city approved an ordinance that allows animal control and police officers to save pets from hot cars. Pets do a lot for their owners. From helping owners get through breakups to providing comfort to those who need it. The city of Chicago is now taking steps to return the favor by approving an ordinance to help protect them as the warmer months of the year approach. As noted by local news station WGN9, the interior of a vehicle can get as many as 20 degrees hotter than the temperature outside — putting pets left behind at risk. Last year, Chicago Alderman Gilbert Villegas, who represents the...

How Storytelling Is Helping Ex-Child Soldiers Overcome Their Past

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 08:43:48 -0700

Through community-driven education programs, Justice Rising is bringing peace to war-torn areas. Cassandra and Edison Lee have always believed in the power of stories. When she was 10, it was the stories of the Congo conflict that instilled in Cassandra a deep desire to help bring about peace to war zones. Years later, it was hearing the stories of survival from those in an internally displaced persons camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo that showed Cassandra and Edison that despite the area's history of trauma, there is still hope for the future. And now, it is through stories t...

Charlie Puth Honors The March For Our Lives In Video For New Single 'Change'

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 03:59:15 -0700

"It just feels like the right song to perform right now." Visit Music Notes to let A Plus "note" the new songs, videos, and artists you should be paying attention to, as well as discuss noteworthy performances by veterans and rookies at award and talent shows.Charlie Puth is ready for "Change." That's the title of his new single featuring legendary singer James Taylor, which the 26-year-old officially released on Monday after performing it at Saturday's March For Our Lives. On Tuesday, Puth shared video of his live performance, which is powerfully edi...

A Cheerleader Says A Photo Got Her Fired. Her Case Reveals A Troubling Double Standard.

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 13:54:03 -0700

There are two sets of rules at play. Thanks to the legal actions of a former New Orleans Saints cheerleader named Bailey Davis, we're getting a glimpse at just how much sexism and gender inequality exists in the NFL when comparing rules for the women on the sidelines versus the ones for the men on the field. The 22-year-old filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in which she argues that her termination from the Saintsations is proof that the all-female cheerleading squad is forced to follow a...

Transgender Couple Responds To A Newspaper's Offensive Headline, Turns It Into A Teaching Moment

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 13:25:25 -0700

"I have always been a woman and Jake has always been a man." After British couple Hannah Winterbourne and Jake Graf were recently married, a story about them ran in The Sun, a tabloid newspaper in England. While the article itself, written by reporter Emma Pietras, was described by the couple as "positive" and "lovely," the accompanying front-page headline "Tran and wife" (referencing Winterbourne and Graf's gender identities) was not. Not only was the publication's attempt at a play on the words "man" and "tran" offensive to the transgender co...

A Nebraska Bar Leaves Special Notes For Customers Who Don't Drink And Drive

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 10:16:21 -0700

"Life is valuable, have a great day." Don't drink and drive; get a free meal. Sounds like a pretty solid deal.That simple, potentially life-saving gesture, is how the Union Bar and Grill in Gering, Nebraska likes to operate. The restaurant doesn't tow vehicles that remain in their parking lot overnight. Instead, its owners reward their patrons who leave their wheels behind by giving them a free meal when they return to pick up their car. Scott and Carla Swanson, owners of the eatery, leave a kind note on the windshield of the c...

Chester Bennington's Wife Asks Twitter How To Handle This Yearly Tradition Without Him

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 09:17:29 -0700

"There's a hole in our family." Trigger warning: This post discusses suicide.Talinda Bennington, wife of late Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington, took to Twitter this week to ask for advice on how to handle something many grieving families can probably relate to — the yearly family photos. Bennington passed away by suicide last July, leaving behind six children — three with Talinda and three from previous relationships. His teenage son Draven, whom he had with his first wife Samantha, appeared in a video for Wo...

Utah Becomes The First State to Pass A 'Free-Range Parenting' Law

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 08:43:48 -0700

"Kids need to wonder about the world, explore and play in it, and by doing so, learn the skills of self-reliance and problem-solving." On March 23, Utah became the first state to legalize "free-range" parenting, a controversial style of child rearing in which "parents allow thier children to move about without constant adult supervision, aimed at instilling independence and self-reliance," according to Dictionary.com. Signed into law by Republican Gov. Gary Herbert following the state House and Senate's unanimous approval, the "free-range kids" bill is considered to be the first legislation of its kind in the United State...

Aly Raisman Has A Message For Anyone Linking Gymnasts' Leotards To Sexual Abuse

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 04:06:49 -0700

"Leotards are not the problem." Aly Raisman has no time for victim shaming in the discussion of sexual abuse in gymnastics. The Olympic medalist tweeted her thoughts on the suggestion that gymnasts should change their uniforms — and she made it clear that "leotards [are] not the problem." "The problem is the many pedophiles out there & the adults who enable them," Raisman wrote in a tweet, which has earned more than 26,000 likes. "By saying clothing is part of the issue, [you] are victim shaming/implying survivor...

The Pope Just Asked Young People To Keep Shouting

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 15:39:26 -0700

"Dear young people, you have it in you to shout." With Easter on the horizon, Pope Francis addressed those of the Catholic faith during his Palm Sunday Mass on March 25. This year's mass, however, included a message from the pope that might have been inspired by the previous day's March for Our Lives protest that was staged in Washington, D.C. Tens of thousands attended the service at Vatican City's St. Peter's Square, with many young people — including survivors of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School — participating as pa...

Kids' Responses To The 'Draw A Scientist' Challenge Are Changing For The Better

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 15:24:14 -0700

“Children are drawing more female scientists than ever before." More than ever before, children imagine scientists to be female, as evidenced by a study in which children are asked to draw "a scientist" — no gender specified. Over the past three decades, the number of children participating in a Draw-A-Scientist study that drew a female scientist has increased by more than a quarter, according to a new study published in Child Development last week.Still, there's a lot of work to be done to fully illustrate equal opportunity for scientists and professions i...