Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Monday, July 29, 2024
Why Not Her?
An excerpt from Time -
Kamala Harris and the Inevitable Return of ‘Not That Woman’
By Belinda Luscombe
Americans are, for only the second time in history, standing at the brink of that undiscovered country: the one where a woman is in charge. Perhaps now Sri Lankans (the first citizenry to elect a female national leader) will stop snickering. Perhaps the U.S. will finally win some respect from the Finns, who have elected four female leaders already. Maybe the largest economy in the world could catch up with Pakistan—currently ranked 142 of 146 countries for gender inequality—and vote in at least one female leader.
But don’t bet on it.
When the popular Christian author and podcaster Jen Hatmaker posted her support for Kamala Harris on social media, the reaction from her largely female following was swift, large, and familiar. There was plenty of cheerleading, with a liberal dose of LFGs (Let’s Freaking Go). And then there was the other refrain: Not her.
“I’m all for a woman, but definitely not her!” wrote one follower. “KH is the last person I want to think of as the first woman POTUS,” wrote another. “I would love a strong woman in office that is qualified to improve things for ALL hard working Americans,” began yet another. For women old enough to have lived through previous election cycles that flirted with electing a female head of state, these sentiments were as predictable as arthritis. And about as welcome.
Every time a woman draws near to getting the top job, it occurs to a certain percentage of voters, male and female, that while they, of course, are deeply committed to female leadership, they simply cannot countenance the particular female who is vying for leadership on that occasion. This was true, memorably, of people’s reaction to the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. And to Elizabeth Warren during the 2020 primary race. But it’s not limited to one side of the political divide. People felt that way about Nikki Haley—that she was uniquely wrong for the job. People really felt that way about Sarah Palin. (Although in that case they may have had a point.)
~~~~~~~~~~
It’s 2024, so a lot of women are hoping we are past the era where a woman’s candidacy can be dismissed because of the way her face looks, or because she was tough on her staff and once ate salad with a comb, or because she was insensitive about her ancestry, or because her spouse with an Italian name didn’t want to release his tax returns. These used to be mountains in the way of women’s electoral path, but time and perspective have (please God?) restored their molehill status.
~~~~~~~~
More difficult to surmount than any of these, however, is the fatal character flaw of being just plain unlikable. Unlikability is a difficult trait to diagnose, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that in women, it’s usually comorbid with assertiveness and ambition. Academic studies have actually discovered the formula behind this phenomenon: the closer a woman gets to power, the less likable she is. In 1984 an aide to then Vice President George H.W. Bush called Geraldine Ferraro “too bitchy” after the VP candidates debated. It hasn’t changed much. Haley was accused of being rude, unnecessarily combative, and “a little too aggressive” during primary debates. Her opponent Ron DeSantis, meanwhile, was “sharp and feisty.” Donald Trump said that "Nikki suffers from something that's a very tough thing to suffer from: She's overly ambitious." This from a guy who sought—and won—the presidency after making his name by firing people on TV.
https://time.com/7004186/kamala-harris-not-that-woman-female-candidate/
Kamala Harris is Kamalot
From New York Magazine -
 |
| On the Cover: Photo-illustration by Joe Darrow for New York Magazine. |
https://nymag.com/magazine/toc/2024-07-29.html
Sunday, July 28, 2024
Finland vs. the United States
An excerpt from CNBC Make It -
28-year-old who left the U.S. for Finland: What work is like in the world’s happiest country—‘they essentially force you to take a vacation’
By Jade Ventoniemi, Contributor
 |
| Here I am at my old office.Photo: Jade Ventoniemi |
I’ve been living in Finland, the world’s happiest country, for five years now. I think one of the secrets to the happiness of the Finnish people is the country’s work culture.
Getting work here as a foreigner can be tough, but I’ve been fortunate to have two different corporate jobs in Finland. One job was at a start-up software company with under 50 employees, and the other was at a manufacturing company with over 500 employees.
I quickly found that their approach to things like vacation time, parental leave and benefits differed from the US. There are a lot of aspects of work life here that I appreciate, but there was a lot that surprised me and took some time to adjust to.
In the last year, I took what I learned, launched my own marketing firm and started working for myself. These are a few things that stand out to me about corporate life in Finland:
Many workplaces are flexible and allow employees to choose a schedule that fits their lifestyle.
In Finland, typical office hours go from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. One small culture shock I experienced early on is that when workdays often start so early, some people start going to lunch around 11 a.m. Another surprise was how dark it is during the winter when you arrive and when you leave the office.
For many corporate jobs, the work week is 37.5 hours. Overtime hours are not paid in salary, but in corresponding time off. So, if you work a lot one week, it’s normal to do less the next week or take more vacation days.
If you have an appointment or some obligations for your children during the work day, that can be considered paid time off. In Finland, you’ll often get paid double if you work on Sundays.
It feels like, in Finland, managers and bosses respect employees’ time off. If it’s after 4 p.m., people do not expect their colleagues to respond to an email or answer their work phone. The flexible hours are meant to allow people to have more time in the evenings for hobbies, activities and picking up kids from school.
The Tallest Man Who Ever Lived
An excerpt from Factinate -
Gargantuan Facts About Robert Wadlow, The Tallest Man Who Ever Lived
The Tallest Man On Earth
He might have been almost 9 feet tall, but Robert Wadlow was a gentle giant known for his quiet manner and easy smile. Unfortunately, the world isn’t made for people that tall and he often struggled with finding accommodations for his great height. Health issues plagued him from the start and he lived only 22 years—but he still managed to make the most of it.
1. He Was A Regular Newborn
The average newborn weighs roughly 7-8 pounds at birth. When Robert was born, he weighed 8.5 pounds—perfectly within acceptable range. At birth, his mother, Addie, and his father, Harold, had no reason to suspect anything was strange about their bouncing baby boy, the first of five children. But while babies always grow fast, Robert Wadlow's family was in for an enormous shock.
2. He Grew Over A Foot In 6 Months
Addie and Harold might have started wondering if Robert’s growth was normal by the time he was six months old—at which point he was the size of the average two-year-old. He also weighed around 30 pounds, which was quite the weight for his mother to be carrying constantly. Fortunately, he began to walk at 11 months, at which point he was over 3 feet tall—and his growth just escalated from there.
 |
| Flickr, Paille |
3. He Outgrew His Father
Robert’s father Harold was 5’11", which is a totally respectable height, and actually a little taller than the global average. By the age of eight, however, Robert had outgrown his own father and had been wearing clothes meant for teenagers since the age of five. His elementary school even had to custom build a special desk for him so he could actually sit without his knees ending up somewhere around his ears.
But his massive height wasn’t all bad; with it came a terrifying physical strength.
Being a Bookworm Comes With Great Advantages
An excerpt from Your Tango -
People Who Grew Up Reading A Lot Usually Have 11 Unique Advantages Over Everyone Else
Being a bookworm includes some pretty impressive benefits.
By Marielisa Reyes
Growing up, if you were often called a bookworm, you probably spent hours every day reading and were often told that "all that reading would make you go blind.'"
Regardless, your love for literature never went away, and now that you're much older your mind has likely benefited from it. That's why you likely have some very unique and specific advantages over other people.
Here are 11 unique advantages people who grew up reading a lot have over other people
1. They challenge their own assumptions
Safi Erneste / Pexels
People who read tend to question their own assumptions, and it's not surprising when you understand why. They spend every day reading about other people's perspectives, exploring the "whys" and the "hows" of different characters.
Because of this, they unconsciously think about their own assumptions and, additionally, their reality. They question why they think the way they do, and how their way of thinking is influenced by others. And that level of contemplation eventually leads them to challenge themselves.
2. They see all possibilities
People who read frequently don't just see one possibility; rather, they're able to look at a situation and see all possibilities due to their ability to think outside of the box.
Reading sparks creativity in them, allowing them to unconsciously look at situations from different perspectives. These perspectives give them the chance to broaden their horizons, which is an amazing superpower to have.
https://www.yourtango.com/self/unique-advantages-people-who-grew-up-reading
Black Travel Influencers
An excerpt from Travel-Noire -
5 Underrated Black Travel Influencers You Need To Follow Now
While many Black travel influencers have gained well-deserved recognition, others with meaningful stories deserve a wider audience.
By Faith Katunga
The travel industry is constantly changing, and hearing new voices from across the world helps us better comprehend other cultures. While many Black travel influencers have gained well-deserved recognition, numerous talented individuals with meaningful stories and insights deserve a wider audience. And so, here, we spotlight five underrated Black influencers who are making waves in the industry and should be on your radar.
Kesi Irvin (@kesitoandfro)
Brian McIntosh (@whereintheworldisb)
Saturday, July 27, 2024
71 Fascinating Charts - You're Guaranteed To Learn Something
An excerpt from Buzzfeed -
71 Charts That Will Teach You So, So, So, So, So Much Interesting Stuff
Learn a whole bunch of stuff in half the time it takes a man to use the bathroom.
by Mike Spohr, BuzzFeed Staff
1. This chart shows how much money one person needs to make to live comfortably in each US state...and yeah, things have gotten expensive.
2. To drive home just how expensive things have gotten, look at this chart showing fast-food inflation over the last decade.
3. If you're being honest, you're probably a little foggy on the difference between a second cousin and a first cousin once removed. This napkin explains it all!
6. This important chart tells you how you can know when someone has spiked (or otherwise tampered with) your drink.
7. This chart has some terrific advice on how to stay calm (and let's be real...we ALL need this right now).
A Question For President Ford
President Gerald Ford's in 1989 when asked for advice on how a woman could become president pic.twitter.com/ZfSFT14gRS
— Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) July 25, 2024
https://x.com/historyinmemes/status/1816463411812966774?s=51&t=oAqSVbyKyZJD4ZXw2lq-WQ
6 Black Miss Americas Reunite
An excerpt from People -
6 Black Miss Americas Gather for the First Time and Reflect on Winning: 'Grateful to Be Part of History'
All of the previous Black Miss Americas were honored at this year's National Urban League Conference's Women of Power Awards
By David Chiu
 |
| Six Black Miss Americas reunite for the first time. Photo: Jared Lyons/National Urban League |
History was made at this year’s National Urban League Conference’s Women of Power Awards luncheon on Thursday, July 25, when six of the nine Black Miss Americas gathered for the first time as part of a special tribute.
Held in New Orleans on its 20th anniversary, the Women of Power Awards, hosted by CBS News national correspondent Michelle Miller, honored all the nine Miss America winners. They include Vanessa Williams (1984), Dr. Debbye Turner Bell (1990); Kimberly Aiken Cockerham (1994); Erika Harold (2003); Ericka Dunlap (2004); Caressa Cameron-Jackson (2010) and Nia Franklin (2019).
Williams, the first Black woman to win the Miss America crown four decades ago, wasn’t physically present at the awards ceremony because she is currently in the U.K. for her role in the upcoming stage musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada.
Despite not being present physically, she delivered a video message expressing gratitude for the honor bestowed on her and her Miss America colleagues.
https://people.com/6-black-miss-americas-gather-for-the-first-time-reflect-on-winning-8684660
Gotta Love Vinny
Needed this laugh….amazing story 🤣 and it’s so Jersey pic.twitter.com/875KgVGw3a
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) July 26, 2024
https://x.com/wutangkids/status/1816629877316944026?s=51&t=oAqSVbyKyZJD4ZXw2lq-WQ
Today is a Gift
This line hits different 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/lY1eRsmSMx
— UpSkillYourLife (@UpSkillYourLife) July 26, 2024
https://x.com/upskillyourlife/status/1816730169308028984?s=51&t=oAqSVbyKyZJD4ZXw2lq-W
How History is Recorded
“You don't expect the people who came to invade us to write the truth about us.” ~ Miriam Makeba #WakeUpEverybody✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/fvN7Rfxqj0
— Mzilikazi wa Afrika (@IamMzilikazi) July 27, 2024
https://x.com/iammzilikazi/status/1817105530319421820?s=51&t=oAqSVbyKyZJD4ZXw2lq-WQ
Zooming For Kamala
If White Women coalesce, organize, and vote for VP, KAMALA HARRIS WINS IN A LANDSLIDE and it’s not even close!!! pic.twitter.com/e2ebuzKT9n
— Brian Baez (@MentallyDivine) July 26, 2024
Friday, July 26, 2024
The Last Black Boarding School
An excerpt from Elle -
The Last Black Boarding School
Piney Woods—the oldest of four remaining historically Black boarding schools in the United States—provides something rare for its students: a safe space to learn.
By Danielle Prescod
Protecting the legacy of Black education in America is a time-honored form of resistance. Established in 1909, The Piney Woods School is the oldest of just four remaining historically Black boarding schools in the United States. Twenty-one miles outside of Jackson, Mississippi, on 2,000 acres of land, 15 very distinct buildings with signature red roofs break through the uniformity of the lush green landscape. Mississippi’s only amphitheater is the graduation stage for a small class of 21 students who wait to shake hands with faculty before crossing over the threshold to college. The aged stones set firmly in the ground serve as a reminder that this place is established and firmly rooted. This is why a by-the-numbers overview hardly captures the essence of this sacred institution, a physical representation of the enduring importance of education.
Initially, these Black institutions became a bulwark against systemic injustices like segregation or the outright denial of access to education for many Black Americans. Black schools made thinking, imagining, and creating possible. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) like Howard, Spelman, and Morehouse are names that are easily recognized. Their marching bands and sports teams and homecoming celebrations are traditions that span generations. But a Black boarding school? Most people don’t even know they exist. After all, these secondary schools have been significantly less publicized than colleges and universities. But given the crucial development that happens before the age of 18, they are equally as important, if not more so.
The benefits of attending Piney Woods are also why a lot of Black students opt for HBCUs—namely, they are a safe space. Aside from that, rigorous academic and behavioral standards help to mold students into the best versions of themselves. Black institutions can teach the banned material. They are not going to sugarcoat the history of the slave trade or mince words about white supremacy. They are the anti-PragerU, the school learning materials designed to hijack history with rewrites that combat critical race theory. That’s part of the reason that Piney Woods students Taimya and Takira Adams, a graduating senior and rising junior respectively, ended up at the school. Taimya, the class of 2024’s valedictorian, requested that her mother send her to Piney Woods after several incidents at her predominately white school made her question the material she was being taught. “In fifth grade, I had an English teacher insinuate that slaves chose to be slaves—that they would rather be slaves than be free or go out and work on their own,” she says. As the daughter of a political advocate and outreach coordinator, Taimya knew that what she was hearing was wrong, but she did not possess the deft language to express what she wanted to say. Instead, she asked to go to a different kind of school, one that her aunt had attended and always talked about, one where there were Black kids and Black teachers. So she enrolled at Piney Woods. Now, she says, “I feel like I’m going to go out into the world knowing who I am, where I come from, and the history of my people in this country.”
https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a61146049/piney-woods-boarding-school-legacy/
How About Adding a Layover?
An excerpt from Afar.com -
6 Places You Can Visit for (Almost) Free on a Stopover Flight
Airline stopover programs provide a great, affordable way to extend your trip and visit an additional destination. Here’s how to see two countries for the price of one.
By Bailey Berg
 |
| Heading to Europe? Why not stop in Lisbon, Portugal, en route to your final destination when flying with TAP Air Portugal? Photo by Diego Garcia/Unsplash |
Often, when you’re traveling from one country to another on a connecting flight, the time spent in the connecting hub feels a bit like being lost in a no-man’s-land of travel—neither here, nor there. However, a growing number of airlines are working to reshape travelers’ relationships with extra-long layovers.
In recent years, more carriers have started offering airline stopover programs that encourage travelers to explore additional destinations along their journey, spending between 24 hours and 10 days (depending on the program) in a locale without incurring additional airfare charges. It’s a more extended break in the itinerary than a layover, which generally refers to a relatively short stop between connecting flights. Stopovers are typically free to schedule and often include complimentary or heavily discounted hotel stays and on-ground transit. It’s an opportunity for the airline to direct more tourism dollars to a capital city or flagship country and offer travelers the opportunity to visit multiple destinations for (more or less) the price of one.
Here are six of the best airline stopover programs to help extend your vacation.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
 |
| Take a detour to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.Photo by Katerina Kerdi/Unsplash |
Those transiting through Abu Dhabi can opt to stay in the capital of the United Arab Emirates for a spell with Etihad Airways’ stopover program.
Travelers transiting through Etihad’s home base can choose a complimentary one- or two-night stay at various three-, four-, and even five-star hotels across the capital city. Some of the luxury options include the Shangri La Qaryat Al Beri, Bab Al Qasr, and the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl. You can find the full spread of hotel options on Etihad’s stopover page.
Other perks of the program include up to 30 percent off dining at select restaurants (many of which are within the hotels offered through the program) and free tickets to attractions like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, and Saadiyat Island. There is also a free shuttle service that connects travelers to the various sites.
The program is only available to those who book directly through Etihad’s website. To be eligible, you must book at least three days before you arrive in the Persian Gulf city. Other stipulations include a handful of blackout periods (including November 3 through 8, December 5 through 8, and December 23 through January 2), and the offer is only valid in one direction (so you can’t score a free stay on both your away and return tickets).
Reykjavík, Iceland
Spending some time in the utterly charming city of Reykjavík, Iceland.
Photo by Annie Spratt/Unsplash
Icelandair is credited as the pioneer of the free airline stopover; it has been offering some iteration of the program since the early 1960s, which greatly helped increase tourism to the land of fire and ice.
The current program allows travelers to book a stopover in Reykjavík, Iceland, for one to seven days at no additional cost. All you have to do is select the “Stopover in Iceland” option and input how many days you’d like to stay when booking your ticket. It’s particularly useful for flights between the United States and mainland Europe.
Unlike some other destinations, Icelandair’s program doesn’t offer free or discounted accommodation or transportation, so be sure to factor travel within the country into your costs. However, it is possible to book some tours (like an abbreviated Golden Circle tour, where guests can visit Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir geothermal area, two of Iceland’s most famous natural wonders) directly through the airline.
https://www.afar.com/magazine/a-guide-to-airline-stopover-programs
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)