Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
lundi 8 juin 2020
Chloe x Halle Deliver a Lovely Sunday Serenade During YouTube's Virtual Graduation Ceremony
Chloe and Halle Bailey just delivered yet another uplifting and pitch-perfect performance. On Sunday, the musical duo and real-life sisters, who perform under Chloe x Halle, participated in the Dear Class of 2020 graduation ceremony hosted by YouTube and headlined by Barack and Michelle Obama.
"Class of 2020, we're so proud of y'all. That's just how you do it," Chloe said, before leading into "Do It," the latest single off their upcoming sophomore album, Ungodly Hour. Wearing coordinated crystals from head to toe, Chloe x Halle offered both ethereal vocals and fun choreography. Beyoncé, who signed the duo to Parkwood Entertainment in 2015, also participated in the virtual ceremony by delivering a powerful commencement speech.
Chloe x Halle Deliver a Lovely Sunday Serenade During YouTube's Virtual Graduation Ceremony
Chloe and Halle Bailey just delivered yet another uplifting and pitch-perfect performance. On Sunday, the musical duo and real-life sisters, who perform under Chloe x Halle, participated in the Dear Class of 2020 graduation ceremony hosted by YouTube and headlined by Barack and Michelle Obama.
"Class of 2020, we're so proud of y'all. That's just how you do it," Chloe said, before leading into "Do It," the latest single off their upcoming sophomore album, Ungodly Hour. Wearing coordinated crystals from head to toe, Chloe x Halle offered both ethereal vocals and fun choreography. Beyoncé, who signed the duo to Parkwood Entertainment in 2015, also participated in the virtual ceremony by delivering a powerful commencement speech.
Lady Gaga Urges Graduates to Lead With Love and Justice in Passionate Commencement Speech
"Two weeks ago, I recorded a very different commencement speech to help celebrate the wonderful accomplishment that is your graduation," Lady Gaga said during a virtual commencement ceremony on Sunday hosted by YouTube and headlined by Barack and Michelle Obama. The singer went on to explain how her original speech had reflected on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, however, it was written before the killing of George Floyd and subsequent Black Lives Matter protests demanding justice and confronting systematic racism.
Gaga went on to assure graduates that although there is much to feel sorrow about at this time, there are also strides to celebrate: "You are watching what is a pivotal moment in this country's evolution. You're watching society change in a deeply important way."
Gaga then presented a metaphor to describe the nation in its current state, as well as its future: "When I think about racism in America, I imagine a broad forest filled densely with tall trees - trees as old as this country itself, trees that were planted with racist seeds, trees that grew prejudice branches and oppressive leaves and mangled roots." Gaga said, "I use the analogue between racism and nature in this country because it's as pervasive and as real as nature. It is some part of everything the light touches, but in this moment, all of us are being invited to challenge that system and think about how to effect real change."
"I can't wait to see your forest."
Younger generations, however, offer hope and the possibility for a new forest. "It is you who are the seeds of the future," Gaga said. "You are the seeds that will grow into a new and different forest that is far more beautiful and loving than the one we live in today." She later added, "I believe you beautiful seeds have been presented with a wonderful gift: the opportunity to reflect in this powerful moment on your morals, your principles, and your values, and how they will guide you through life as it presents itself . . . Congratulations to the class of 2020. I can't wait to see your forest." Watch the impassioned speech above.
I Attended a Hawaiian Paddle-Out Ceremony For BLM - and It Was Incredibly Moving
As I processed the devastating and brutal murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, which sent waves of heartbreak and public outcry across the world, I found myself wondering how Maui would respond. The island where I live is filled with passionate people who care to make a change, but I'll be the first to admit: it's easy to tune out the problems of the world when you live in a tropical paradise, surrounded by so many ways to escape. As a multiracial Black woman who has mourned and protested for the Black lives lost to police brutality over the years, I was eager to get involved in any local actions. So when a friend shared information about a paddle-out ceremony at Launiupoko - a popular surf break on Maui's west side - to honor the Black lives lost in recent months, I knew I had to participate.
While I was more than ready to put some kind of action to my emotions, I was completely unprepared for the vast number of people who showed up at 4:30 in the afternoon on Sunday, May 31, to support the Black Lives Matter movement. To see so many members of my community gathered for a cause I care so deeply about was enough to bring tears to my eyes. In total, over 300 people participated, with 256 boards in the water and at least 50 more people showing their support from the shore with handmade signs. (Since then, several other ceremonies to commemorate Black lives have been organized around Hawaii.)
Photo courtesy Phil Sobolev
The woman who organized the event, Bailey Rebecca Roberts, took the time to speak with me and shared her personal experience with paddle outs as a born-and-raised Maui girl. "People join together in a gathering like that to celebrate the life of someone who's passed. Share stories, share chants, share memories, spread ashes, and spread flowers." She also went on to explain how paddle outs have served as a powerful form of protest throughout Hawaii's history. This gathering for BLM felt like a mix of both, and it was one of the most moving things I've ever been a part of.
Photo courtesy Bailey Rebecca Roberts
Roberts and I went on to have one of the most soul-feeding discussions I've had in quite some time, where we shared our contrasting upbringings and their consequential experiences - me, as one of the few non-white people in my school, and Roberts as one of the few white people in hers. Roberts spoke candidly about her naivety about the, "very real and painful dynamics of race," and the discomfort she's faced in her learning process. Speaking on the words she shared at the gathering, Roberts was able to admit, "This is uncomfortable for me, but my discomfort is not what's important right now." Roberts hoped that the main takeaway from the day for people in attendance was to realize it goes beyond just the paddle out."Look, the paddle out is nice. We're together, we feel good now, and we all of a sudden feel woken up," she said. "Now let's have a conversation about real integrated steps that we can take in our everyday lives to enact actual change."
Photo courtesy Roderick Nathan, captured by Conan Gentil
I also had the pleasure of chatting with Ari Romer, a new face I met at the paddle out, who is a Black man that moved to Maui from Seattle spontaneously in February. Romer shared that he was shocked by the number of people who came out in solidarity.
"I'm very surprised and happy that there was a response here in Hawaii because in my mind, I'm thinking, 'Everyone here has their own problems.' The rest of the world is joining in out of solidarity, and Hawaii did the same exact thing - but in the Hawaiian fashion, which is 100 percent peaceful and harmonious," said Romer. He added that the nonexistent police presence at the event was reassuring to see - though he did find it upsetting to see so many non-Black people raising the Black power fist. But overall, Romer told me, he felt the spirit of aloha from the community out in the water as flowers were released and a moment of silence was held, and that during his drive home, he reflected on how great it was to see so many people who came out with good vibes to share.
Joining hands in a circle of 255 other souls gave me an opportunity to say a prayer, to mourn, and most importantly, to celebrate the lives of those lost - for the people they were, and for the lives that they led before this tragedy happened to them. The paddle out was a way for me to feel seen by my community, to witness the compassion of the people around me, and to feel a sense of belonging I didn't know I was seeking. To honor these victims of racism and police brutality as people who lived incredible lives was something I had not been able to fully do until the moment I paddled through a sea of flowers sent adrift with aloha in its purest form.
Lady Gaga Urges Graduates to Lead With Love and Justice in Passionate Commencement Speech
"Two weeks ago, I recorded a very different commencement speech to help celebrate the wonderful accomplishment that is your graduation," Lady Gaga said during a virtual commencement ceremony on Sunday hosted by YouTube and headlined by Barack and Michelle Obama. The singer went on to explain how her original speech had reflected on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, however, it was written before the killing of George Floyd and subsequent Black Lives Matter protests demanding justice and confronting systematic racism.
Gaga went on to assure graduates that although there is much to feel sorrow about at this time, there are also strides to celebrate: "You are watching what is a pivotal moment in this country's evolution. You're watching society change in a deeply important way."
Gaga then presented a metaphor to describe the nation in its current state, as well as its future: "When I think about racism in America, I imagine a broad forest filled densely with tall trees - trees as old as this country itself, trees that were planted with racist seeds, trees that grew prejudice branches and oppressive leaves and mangled roots." Gaga said, "I use the analogue between racism and nature in this country because it's as pervasive and as real as nature. It is some part of everything the light touches, but in this moment, all of us are being invited to challenge that system and think about how to effect real change."
"I can't wait to see your forest."
Younger generations, however, offer hope and the possibility for a new forest. "It is you who are the seeds of the future," Gaga said. "You are the seeds that will grow into a new and different forest that is far more beautiful and loving than the one we live in today." She later added, "I believe you beautiful seeds have been presented with a wonderful gift: the opportunity to reflect in this powerful moment on your morals, your principles, and your values, and how they will guide you through life as it presents itself . . . Congratulations to the class of 2020. I can't wait to see your forest." Watch the impassioned speech above.
13 Reasons Why: Here's Where the Emotional Series Finale Leaves Everyone
The fourth season of 13 Reasons Why is a huge departure from where the show started back in season one. No longer following the book by the same name, the fourth season delves deeper into mental health issues, drug use, and police brutality. Needless to say, it's a heavy season that brings the whole series to a close. While some characters get their happy endings after a tumultuous high school career, others aren't so fortunate. Find out where each of the main Liberty High students ends up as the Netflix series comes to an emotional close in the gallery ahead.
Pride May Look a Little Different This Year, but That's Even More Reason to Dress Up
Pride is going to look a little different this year. Though we may not be having the big parades and parties that we're used to, it's still important to show up and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, in June and always. Now's exactly the time to show off your pride with some fun clothes and accessories, and so many brands have created pieces specifically to celebrate. From cozy Ugg slippers to a fun fanny pack and cute sneakers, pick up these 57 pieces for Pride. You'll love your purchases so much, we guarantee you'll want to wear them all year round.
Whether you feel like going all rainbow everything or want to show off your pride with a message of unity and equality, you'll find it here. Plus, some brands have decided to give back by teaming up with awesome organizations like the Trevor Project, which we can definitely get behind. Just keep reading to shop our picks.
13 Reasons Why: Here's Where the Emotional Series Finale Leaves Everyone
The fourth season of 13 Reasons Why is a huge departure from where the show started back in season one. No longer following the book by the same name, the fourth season delves deeper into mental health issues, drug use, and police brutality. Needless to say, it's a heavy season that brings the whole series to a close. While some characters get their happy endings after a tumultuous high school career, others aren't so fortunate. Find out where each of the main Liberty High students ends up as the Netflix series comes to an emotional close in the gallery ahead.
25 Cool Gifts Your Dad Will Love This Father's Day
Not sure what to get the guy in your life this Father's Day? Not to worry. We looked to Nordstrom because the department store carries everything, from fun gadgets to stylish clothes and cozy slippers. To make your shopping experience more seamless, we curated a list of the best finds that he'll be sure to love. Keep reading to shop our favorites, and find his perfect match.
dimanche 7 juin 2020
Watching Quiz? The True Story Is Even More Wild Than the Miniseries
Quiz is a different kind of true-crime show. The miniseries traces an infamous game-show scam from 2001, in which a trio of seemingly ordinary people were convicted of rigging the British version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? through a system of - wait for it - coughing. If you're into the particular niche that is movies, docs, and miniseries about scams - see Fyre, McMillions, The Inventor, and more - this three-part series is for you. If you're already wondering how much of the story is true, keep reading for the real and equally wild story.
15 Gripping Shows to Watch If You're Already Dreading the End of The 100
Over the last few years, The CW's The 100 has grown into one of my favorite series. Clever and unique, the show has evolved in unexpected ways. Despite the sci-fi plot, the characters have gradually become more realistic and complex. Octavia's transformation to Blodreina and Murphy's trajectory from villain to hero are just two examples of the incredible character development in the series. In mere weeks, fans of The 100 will be mourning the show's conclusion after six years and seven seasons. That's why we've gathered 15 gripping series you may not have dipped into yet. While there's no substitute for another fresh season of The 100, these will at least help you get over the void.
These Are the Best Tween Birthday Party Themes of 2020 - Get Ready to Celebrate!
If you're the parent of a tween (or tweens!), you know that throwing them an age-appropriate birthday party can be a difficult balancing act. You want to be sure that you treat them like the almost-teen that they are, while also encouraging them to hold onto their childhood for a little bit longer. Luckily, there are so many fun themes and elements that you can incorporate into your tween's birthday! From slightly more elevated slumber parties to bashes inspired by their favorite movie, the options are endless. Read on for some of our favorite tween birthday party ideas!
If You're Joining a Black Lives Matter Protest as an Ally, Here Are Dos and Don'ts
As a white or non-Black ally to the Black Lives Matter movement, there are many ways to put in valuable work and make a difference: speaking out on social media platforms, making donations, regularly shopping at Black-owned businesses, voting for representatives who support the movement, and attending Black Lives Matter protests in your area – just as a start. All of these actions require thought, research, follow-through, and consistency; but if you're an ally planning to take part in marches and demonstrations, it's especially essential that you're aware of and careful about your actions. At large demonstrations, including those currently taking place nationwide to protest the killing of George Floyd, there is often a major police presence. As an ally, your actions can contribute to making the area safer or more dangerous for the Black people in attendance.
Ahead, you'll find a few specific ways you can be a more valuable ally at protests. (Reminder: if you're unable to attend in person, there are important ways you can help from home. Start here.)
Attend Protests Organized by Black-Led Organizations
Do your research beforehand. As digital strategist and antiracism trainer Leslie Mac told Mashable, it's important to make sure the rally is organized by a Black-led group that's actively doing antiracism work in your area. Demonstrations may be listed in local news media, on social media, or on the organizations' websites.
Listen to Direction
"When white people show up to protests for the Movement for Black Lives, they are our guests," said Ben O'Keefe, an activist and former senior aide to Elizabeth Warren, in an interview with Vox. "They are new for this. This might be exciting to them now, but this has been something that we have been living for generations and fighting for generations. So, you are showing up, and we're happy to have you, you are our guests."
That means that, as an ally at a protest, it's important to listen to those around you and follow direction from leaders, who will clearly lay out the goals for the protest and expectations for allies.
Put Your Privilege to Use
As an ally, be aware of your privilege and be prepared to use it at protests. For white people, O'Keefe explained, this may mean physically coming between Black protesters and the police for protection. You can also use any financial privilege you have to provide essential supplies at protests, such as water bottles, face masks, snacks, hand sanitizer, and first aid. Mac said one of the most useful things you can do as an ally is to provide jail support: waiting while protesters are detained and helping them with food, transportation, and legal advice upon release.
Document the Protest - With Caution
On-the-ground footage of protests is a powerful tool. Recording or taking pictures at a demonstration provides a different perspective than the one often shown by news media, which sometimes cannot or will not show what protests truly look like. Documenting demonstrations also holds police accountable.
One important caveat: avoid taking photos or filming peoples' uncovered faces or shoes. These are some of the easiest ways to identify people and that could pose a danger for some, said Allissa Richardson, PhD, a USC journalism professor who studies how marginalized communities use social media. In an interview with Mashable, she recommended blurring out faces or shoes if you've caught them on camera.
Continue the Work After the Protest
The work of overcoming racial injustice doesn't end when the protest does. As an ally, continue to donate money and time to organizations that work for racial equality and against police brutality (here's a list of orgs to start with); use your platform to amplify those causes and spread awareness of injustice when it happens; vote for local, state, and nationwide representatives who support the movement; and talk to family and friends about Black Lives Matter, even when those conversations are uncomfortable. Here are five actionable ways to fight racial injustice now and moving forward.
What Not to Do as an Ally at a Black Lives Matter Protest
If you're an ally at a Black Lives Matter protest, do not:
- Vandalize property or antagonize police. You're putting yourself as well as the Black people around you at risk, and they are likely to face harsher consequences than you for your actions.
- Co-opt Black experiences. In an interview with The Washington Post, Simon Balto, PhD, a professor of history and African American studies at the University of Iowa, noted that "a white person saying 'I can't breathe' at a protest when they are at essentially zero risk of ever enduring a police chokehold is not a particularly meaningful act." Rather, "it is a centering of the white self that at least partly dislodges focus from the matter at hand - black safety from the police." As an ally, chanting or creating signs with these kinds of slogans mimics the pain and death of Black people while drawing attention away from their crisis. While you can never live the reality of a Black person in America, you can work to amplify their voices and change the system alongside them.
- Make it about yourself. These protests are about creating change and addressing the systemic racism against Black people in American society; they're not the place to talk about your personal feelings or experiences as a white person. Those feelings are valid, but in this moment and especially at a protest, your job is to put your own fears and discomfort aside, show up, listen, learn, and do what you can to help.
Thinking About Flying With Kids? Here's What to Consider Before You Book That Flight
With social-distancing regulations loosening across the United States, parents may be wondering when it'll be safe to fly with the kids again. Although the CDC outlined safety measures in the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, not much has changed in terms of guidelines. However, TSA hopes to put new airpot regulations into effect by mid-June, as the number of people boarding flights has been slowly increasing. The bottom line? Only fly with your family if you absolutely need to.
Is Flying With Children Amid COVID-19 Safe?
Before booking a flight, parents should consider if traveling is really necessary. A preplanned family vacation, for example, isn't something that you should be hopping on a plane for.
"The CDC is still recommending against all nonessential travel because people can be asymptomatic," Dr. Jean Moorjani, a pediatrician at Arnold Palmer Hospital For Children in Orlando, FL, told POPSUGAR. "So you might be asymptomatic, and if you travel, you may spread it to the place you're visiting. You could also run into people who are asymptomatic and become infected."
Families' best bet to stay safe? Staying home entirely or considering a safer mode of transportation, like driving, perhaps in an RV. "At the end of the day, if the virus never meets you, you can never get sick," Moorjani explained. "So the safest thing is obviously to tell people to stay home. We also understand that that might not always be possible, so parents really have to look at their situation and make the best decisions for their families."
What Should Parents Consider If They Have to Fly With Their Kids?
According to the CDC, there are several things to keep in mind before considering flying with your children, as navigating an airport safely comes with many obstacles.
"Air travel requires spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces," the CDC cautions on its website. "Most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes. However, social distancing is difficult on crowded flights, and you may have to sit near others (within 6 feet), sometimes for hours. This may increase your risk for exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19."
"Washing your hands properly is really going to be one of the best ways that you can keep your family healthy."
Moorjani underscored the importance of teaching kids preventative measures. "Depending on their ages, parents should emphasize keeping your hands to yourselves and really trying not to touch things that don't have to be touched," she explained. "We also can't emphasize good hand hygiene enough. Washing your hands properly is really going to be one of the best ways that you can keep your family healthy."
Additionally, families should consistently practice social distancing whenever possible, and children who are over the age of 2 should wear a mask if they're at the airport or on a flight. "Personally, if I had to travel, both my kids and I would wear masks," Moorjani said. "Parents should also emphasize that wearing a mask, even though it may not protect you personally, helps protect other people from you."
Finally, to account for any new safety procedures that are being put into place, families should arrive at the airport even earlier, as security and screening procedures may take longer.
"TSA has implemented procedures to increase social distancing and reduce direct contact between our employees and the traveling public whenever possible - all without compromising security," reads the TSA website. "Adjustments include metering passengers to increase distance between individuals as they enter the security checkpoint queue, placing visual reminders of appropriate spacing on checkpoint floors and staggering the use of lanes in the security checkpoint where feasible."
Watching Quiz? The True Story Is Even More Wild Than the Miniseries
Quiz is a different kind of true-crime show. The miniseries traces an infamous game-show scam from 2001, in which a trio of seemingly ordinary people were convicted of rigging the British version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? through a system of - wait for it - coughing. If you're into the particular niche that is movies, docs, and miniseries about scams - see Fyre, McMillions, The Inventor, and more - this three-part series is for you. If you're already wondering how much of the story is true, keep reading for the real and equally wild story.
15 Gripping Shows to Watch If You're Already Dreading the End of The 100
Over the last few years, The CW's The 100 has grown into one of my favorite series. Clever and unique, the show has evolved in unexpected ways. Despite the sci-fi plot, the characters have gradually become more realistic and complex. Octavia's transformation to Blodreina and Murphy's trajectory from villain to hero are just two examples of the incredible character development in the series. In mere weeks, fans of The 100 will be mourning the show's conclusion after six years and seven seasons. That's why we've gathered 15 gripping series you may not have dipped into yet. While there's no substitute for another fresh season of The 100, these will at least help you get over the void.
Nicole Byer Shares a Script For Talking to Kids About Racism: "I Did the Work Now You Do Some"
Nicole Byer has written a script on how to explain racism to children, and she's calling upon white parents to put it to use. On Tuesday, the host of Netflix's Nailed It! shared that after seeing a comment on Instagram from a parent that said they would "keep their head down" and just let their kids watch her show, she did the work for them. She explained that one person's complacency prompted her to provide the necessary dialogue and specific verbiage to use to explain race to children so that this parent, and any parent who isn't sure what to say, truly has no excuses. "I did the work now you do some," she posted on Twitter along with photos of the script she posted to Instagram.
Young children are malleable, and the way parents explain race to their growing brains and expanding hearts is so crucial to the values they carry throughout their lives and the allies they can become. Nicole's script touches upon what it means to be Black and what young kids should understand about police officers. She wrote on Instagram:
A good way to explain to kids #blacklivesmatter : "you like this black lady right? She's silly? She makes you tee hee hee? You would be sad if a police officer hurt her right? Well this is the current country we live in where someone you like can be hurt by the color of their skin and people in charge aren't doing a fucking (you can replace that with dang if ya kids are soft) thing about it. So they are protesting, and the looters... well some of it is staged as a distraction some are opportunistic and some are people who've been oppressed for so long it bursts. And nice cops? There are no nice cops because if a cop was nice they wouldn't watch and participate in violence against black and brown people. If cops were really nice they would have spoken out about police brutality years ago and maybe walked out on their precincts to send a message that they are against this. Instead they dress up like your GI Joe doll and are very mean. The curfews the helicopters the police in riot gear is all because black people have asked to not be killed... that's it. There's literally nothing else to it. Now once a week let's read about shit (stuff for the soft kids) that happens to black people that doesn't get covered in schools like Juneteenth, black Wall Street, how black people have influenced most of pop culture today and aren't credited or it's just co-oped."
Nicole encouraged parents who take her advice to post about the history lessons they give their kids. "Post about the black history you teach your white kid to maybe inspire another white parent to do the same thing," she wrote.
It is never too early to start talking to your children about race, and it's especially important not to shield them from these conversations. There are books to read, organizations to support, and resources to familiarize your family with, but in order to teach your children how to become allies and instill this in them from a young age, it starts in the home. So, have these conversations. Use Nicole's script. Talk about racial justice. Talk about white privilege. "Raise kids who give a f*ck and you gotta give a f*ck," Nicole wrote.
This 35-Minute Workout Will Test Your Balance and Tone Your Core
Group fitness expert Raneir Pollard will lead you through a unilateral workout where you will focus on one side of your body at a time to enhance your balance while you weight train. One of the benefits of balance training? It's an extra challenge for your core and booty. Grab some dumbbells or water bottles to use as weights, and step on up - on one leg, of course!
Find this workout and more on 4-Week Full-Body Fusion on Active by POPSUGAR.
On Tarra and Ellie: Blank Label Active outfits and APL shoes.
How to Explain Black-Led Protests to Kids and Teach Them to Become Activists, Too
Protests and rebellions have erupted in cities across the US this week, and with everyone likely still at home because of the pandemic, there's a good chance your child overheard you discussing the events, or they saw photos of them on your phone's newsfeed or they caught a glimpse of the action on the TV screen. Without any context, those blips can be upsetting and confusing. But how do you explain the black-led resistance in an age-appropriate way to your kids?
POPSUGAR spoke to experts in both child psychology and Black activism to navigate this balance of a parent's desire to keep their kids safe with the moral imperative to teach them about standing up against injustice.
"What's critical is for parents and teachers to provide children and youth with the vocabulary to make sense of the protests happening across the nation," Kabria Baumgartner - an assistant professor of American studies who wrote In Pursuit of Knowledge: Black Women and Educational Activism in Antebellum America - told POPSUGAR. "We need to define and discuss key terms such as social justice, racial equality, equity, and human rights. And then we need to share examples of what it means to enact social justice and practice equity."
How to Explain the Act of Protesting to Kids
The sheer concept of protesting might be lost on kids, so Reena Patel, an educational psychologist and board-certified behavior analyst, suggests starting closer to home.
"Honest conversations about injustice within our own communities - and families - are necessary. We cannot hide from what we are experiencing and seeing."
"Children at a young age understand by relating to situations they have experienced," Patel told POPSUGAR before giving an example of a script a parent could employ. "When Mommy asks you to clean up your toys, you don't want to because you know your sister is the one who made the mess. You think it's unfair and then you protest and say no and cry, 'it's not fair!' That is a form of peaceful protesting."
As for the adults protesting right now, Patel suggested being direct but general: "Say, 'grownups usually know many people who also feel like the rules aren't fair. If they want to be heard, it's better that all the adults gather in a big crowd and protest together.' You can describe what that looks like in your community, too."
As for Baumgartner, she highly recommends storytelling.
"There are some great children's books about activism such as A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara and Let The Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson," she said. "To explain my own academic research on school desegregation to my 7-year-old daughter, I had her read Susan Goodman's The First Step: How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial."
Baumgartner also encouraged parents to share ideas on diversifying school curricula - for example, suggesting books about Malala Yousafzai, a school assignment her eldest daughter recently completed - and teaching methods with their child's teacher or principal.
"I believe in character education, which is actually taught in some elementary schools," she said. "Essentially, children learn to practice kindness and empathy. They experience the deep satisfaction that comes with helping and supporting others to bring about social change. That is activism."
How to Safely Involve Your Kids in Protests
Although Patel recommends keeping little ones at home during the current protests, she does understand that some children - particularly those in grade school and beyond - may ask to participate. To that end, she suggests finding family-friendly demonstrations taking place in your neighborhood. Some communities shared a time in which participants can go in their backyards and make noise in solidarity.
For those hoping to attend a major protest, Baumgartner suggests behind-the-scenes help. "Children and youth can help parents design posters that call for justice and peace," she said.
For older kids, Patel asks that they find a protest run by an official organization, like Black Lives Matter, and express what their goals are in participating. "Check for understanding by asking your chid what they expect and why they believe they are participating in the event. Watch a peaceful protest video, and have a discussion afterward. Discuss pros and cons with your child. What are the benefits of joining this protest? Why do they feel so strongly about joining? What possible consequences might they face?"
And for parents planning to take part in protests with their young children, Patel advises they first make sure the child feels comfortable being in large groups.
"You do not want to create anxiety or extra worries," she said, noting the particularly stressful factors that the coronavirus adds.
How to Address Fears About the More Powerful Uprisings Taking Place
First, Patel cautions against giving explicit details on the circumstances that served as a catalyst for the recent protests - namely George Floyd's death and the police officer who killed him - with young children, particularly those under 5 years old. This may consume them with fear and leave them unable to grasp the overall concepts you are trying to teach.
Still, it may be harder to shelter them from the ongoing protests. Among the more intense protests taking place, the footage of chaotic crowds, buildings aflame, and sirens blaring would be understandably frightening to a child. And for those who live in cities and neighborhoods that are the epicenter for these uprisings, the solution is not as simple as turning off the TV. They may see firsthand glass-shattered storefronts or hear helicopters hovering overhead. Compounding those anxieties, parents might also be confused as to how to calm their child's fears while not necessarily condemning the protests that have caused those fears to take root.
"Children learn to practice kindness and empathy. They experience the deep satisfaction that comes with helping and supporting others to bring about social change. That is activism."
Patel said the keys are validation and relatability.
"Validate by using 'I see' and 'I hear' and 'I feel you are scared,'" she said. "'It's OK to be scared. Sometimes grownups put their fists in the air. Others hold signs and shout. Some get loud to make sure their voices are heard. Just like when you are calling for Mommy and I don't hear you. You might scream my name.'"
She also suggested telling them that all emotions - including anger and frustration - are acceptable, that "peaceful protests are a positive way to express those feelings," and that people are gathering because "it shows that they are united - not because they plan to hurt someone."
If age-appropriate, she suggested talking about safety measures your community has in place and the ones you have in your own home in case of emergency.
Parents who want to educate their children on the reasoning behind even the most potent forms of resistance, Baumgartner reminds parents to think back to how we've been taught about historic "riots" and rebellions, and not just the civil rights movement.
"How do we teach children about the American Revolution and the founding of our nation?" she asked. "Usually teachers at the upper elementary level frame it a process: the coming of the American Revolution and the war itself. Teachers ask students to consider what angered colonists and how colonists protested. Violence is discussed, at a level appropriate for children. My point is that we can use those exact teaching strategies to discuss ongoing nationwide protests now. Children and youth ought to learn about past and current racial injustices, particularly involving state-sanctioned violence against African Americans, that has provoked peaceful and, at times, violent protests, which we are seeing today."
How to Encourage Activism in Kids
In-person protesting may be one of the most prominent forms of activism, but it's not the only way, especially for kids. Patel said it could be writing a letter to a local government official or emailing their teacher.
"One way to balance keeping kids safe with the goal of raising them to fight for change is to teach them the importance of being civically engaged, reading widely, and serving their communities," Baumgartner said. "Depending on a child's interest, a parent can find a local or community organization that shares that interest, and both parent and child can participate. That is one effective way to stand up to injustice and fight for change. Also, honest conversations and continued critical dialogue about injustice within our own communities - and families - are necessary. We cannot hide from what we are experiencing and seeing."
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Group fitness expert Raneir Pollard will lead you through a unilateral workout where you will focus on one side of your body at a time to enhance your balance while you weight train. One of the benefits of balance training? It's an extra challenge for your core and booty. Grab some dumbbells or water bottles to use as weights, and step on up - on one leg, of course!
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Michael B. Jordan Urges Hollywood to Diversify On and Off Screen: "Make Our Voices Heard"
Michael B. Jordan is calling on Hollywood to be a part of social progress. On Saturday, the 33-year-old actor attended a Black Lives Matter march in LA where he delivered an impassioned speech about thorough diversity in the entertainment industry. He shared how his roles in the films Fruitvale Station, Fahrenheit 451, Black Panther, and Just Mercy made a huge impact on him and his fight for equality.
Michael also opened up about his production company, Outlier Society, and its efforts to enact the "inclusion rider" policy, which enforces diverse hiring practices. "We're in the heart of Hollywood right now - one of the world's most powerful industries, and I'm an active member of that," he said. "They need to go on notice. I dedicated my production company to an inclusion rider, but it has to go beyond that."
He then directly addressed businesses that he's connected to, saying, "All my brands, anybody that deals with me, if you have racist beliefs, if you have a racist bone in your body, if you're not with me, if you don't stand with me and people that look like me, then you don't need to be with me, and that's point-blank period."
The actor additionally shared his suport for defunding the police and reallocating financies to causes that benefit all people. "I want us to invest in Black staff," he said. "I'm proud to have an inclusion rider and all that good stuff, and I use my power to demand diversity, but it's time that studios and agencies - all the agencies, all these buildings that we're standing in front of, I wish you'd do the same. You committed to a 50/50 gender parity in 2020 - where is the challenge to commit to Black hiring, Black content led by Black executives, Black consultants? Are you policing our storytelling as well?"
He ended by encouraging everyone to vote and continue making their voices heard. "I just want to be here, be present, and show you guys that I'm here with you," he said. "So, let's keep this sh*t going." Read Michael's full speech below, then keep scrolling to see more powerful photos from the march.
We can't be quiet. I played four very, very important characters that affected my life. Oscar Grant was one of them. Oscar Grant was killed by police on the BART train station in Oakland. I had the opportunity to embody who he was. I got an opportunity to feel the pain of his family - his daughter, his mother - I lived with that for a really long time. It weighs on you. I also played a fireman in Farenheit 451, who was thirsting for knowledge. He joined a revolution. The producer of that movie made me really realize the lengths that the government and oppressors will go to keep knowledge out of your hands. They know that if we unlock this up here, that we'll be unstoppable, and they're scared of that.
Black Panther, Killmonger - he was an activist, a revolutionary. He's the product of a village that does not accept that child, cast him out. He will burn that village to the ground . . . I also had the opportunity and the honor to play Bryan Stevenson. He dedicated his life to combating the racial legal system that we have right now, and, in doing so, I learned. I learned his tactics, I learned his mentality, I learned his approach to things - very calm, very strategic, very thoughtful.
We have to be approximate. We have to be close to issues. That's why I love to support everybody that's out here because we have to be here together, shoulder to shoulder. We're in the heart of Hollywood right now - one of the world's most powerful industries, and I'm an active member of that. They need to go on notice. I dedicated my production company to an inclusion rider, but it has to go beyond that.
So, to the brands that support me, to all the productions, to the studios, to all the businesses and partnerships that I have, if you have any financial ties to police, we have to relook at our business. We have to stop hiring police. We have to cut off their support. That's why I'm committed to hiring private security at all my events - private security only. All my brands, anybody that deals with me, if you have racist beliefs, if you have a racist bone in your body, if you're not with me, if you don't stand with me and people that look like me, then you don't need to be with me, and that's point-blank period.
So I got a few things that I really want to get. So, invest, right? I want us to invest in Black staff, I'm proud to have an inclusion rider and all that good stuff, and I use my power to demand diversity, but it's time that studios and agencies - all the agencies, all these buildings that we're standing in front of, I wish you'd do the same. You committed to a 50/50 gender parity in 2020 - where is the challenge to commit to Black hiring, Black content led by Black executives, Black consultants? Are you policing our storytelling as well?
So let us bring our darkness to the light - Black culture, the sneakers, sports, comedic culture that you guys love so much. We've dealt with discrimination at every turn. Can you help fund Black brands, companies, cultural leaders, Black organizations? A great agent doesn't have to be a great organizer, but a great agent could advocate for relationships with organizers. Will you support nonprofits as working to solve problems of our industry that our industry created?
And you gotta vote. Everybody says it. It's a very easy thing to do. I hear it, I respect it, but voting has never been more important than it is today . . . We can't vote today, but what we're doing today will make our voices heard and values heard. We've got to keep doing it, we've got to keep agitating things, we can't be complacent, we can't let this moment just pass us by. We have to continue to put our foot on their necks. And just know that we are with you guys. I ain't up here for all the extra stuff, man. I just want to be here, be present, and show you guys that I'm here with you. So, let's keep this sh*t going.
Michael B. Jordan Urges Hollywood to Diversify On and Off Screen: "Make Our Voices Heard"
Michael B. Jordan is calling on Hollywood to be a part of social progress. On Saturday, the 33-year-old actor attended a Black Lives Matter march in LA where he delivered an impassioned speech about thorough diversity in the entertainment industry. He shared how his roles in the films Fruitvale Station, Fahrenheit 451, Black Panther, and Just Mercy made a huge impact on him and his fight for equality.
Michael also opened up about his production company, Outlier Society, and its efforts to enact the "inclusion rider" policy, which enforces diverse hiring practices. "We're in the heart of Hollywood right now - one of the world's most powerful industries, and I'm an active member of that," he said. "They need to go on notice. I dedicated my production company to an inclusion rider, but it has to go beyond that."
He then directly addressed businesses that he's connected to, saying, "All my brands, anybody that deals with me, if you have racist beliefs, if you have a racist bone in your body, if you're not with me, if you don't stand with me and people that look like me, then you don't need to be with me, and that's point-blank period."
The actor additionally shared his suport for defunding the police and reallocating financies to causes that benefit all people. "I want us to invest in Black staff," he said. "I'm proud to have an inclusion rider and all that good stuff, and I use my power to demand diversity, but it's time that studios and agencies - all the agencies, all these buildings that we're standing in front of, I wish you'd do the same. You committed to a 50/50 gender parity in 2020 - where is the challenge to commit to Black hiring, Black content led by Black executives, Black consultants? Are you policing our storytelling as well?"
He ended by encouraging everyone to vote and continue making their voices heard. "I just want to be here, be present, and show you guys that I'm here with you," he said. "So, let's keep this sh*t going." Read Michael's full speech below, then keep scrolling to see more powerful photos from the march.
We can't be quiet. I played four very, very important characters that affected my life. Oscar Grant was one of them. Oscar Grant was killed by police on the BART train station in Oakland. I had the opportunity to embody who he was. I got an opportunity to feel the pain of his family - his daughter, his mother - I lived with that for a really long time. It weighs on you. I also played a fireman in Farenheit 451, who was thirsting for knowledge. He joined a revolution. The producer of that movie made me really realize the lengths that the government and oppressors will go to keep knowledge out of your hands. They know that if we unlock this up here, that we'll be unstoppable, and they're scared of that.
Black Panther, Killmonger - he was an activist, a revolutionary. He's the product of a village that does not accept that child, cast him out. He will burn that village to the ground . . . I also had the opportunity and the honor to play Bryan Stevenson. He dedicated his life to combating the racial legal system that we have right now, and, in doing so, I learned. I learned his tactics, I learned his mentality, I learned his approach to things - very calm, very strategic, very thoughtful.
We have to be approximate. We have to be close to issues. That's why I love to support everybody that's out here because we have to be here together, shoulder to shoulder. We're in the heart of Hollywood right now - one of the world's most powerful industries, and I'm an active member of that. They need to go on notice. I dedicated my production company to an inclusion rider, but it has to go beyond that.
So, to the brands that support me, to all the productions, to the studios, to all the businesses and partnerships that I have, if you have any financial ties to police, we have to relook at our business. We have to stop hiring police. We have to cut off their support. That's why I'm committed to hiring private security at all my events - private security only. All my brands, anybody that deals with me, if you have racist beliefs, if you have a racist bone in your body, if you're not with me, if you don't stand with me and people that look like me, then you don't need to be with me, and that's point-blank period.
So I got a few things that I really want to get. So, invest, right? I want us to invest in Black staff, I'm proud to have an inclusion rider and all that good stuff, and I use my power to demand diversity, but it's time that studios and agencies - all the agencies, all these buildings that we're standing in front of, I wish you'd do the same. You committed to a 50/50 gender parity in 2020 - where is the challenge to commit to Black hiring, Black content led by Black executives, Black consultants? Are you policing our storytelling as well?
So let us bring our darkness to the light - Black culture, the sneakers, sports, comedic culture that you guys love so much. We've dealt with discrimination at every turn. Can you help fund Black brands, companies, cultural leaders, Black organizations? A great agent doesn't have to be a great organizer, but a great agent could advocate for relationships with organizers. Will you support nonprofits as working to solve problems of our industry that our industry created?
And you gotta vote. Everybody says it. It's a very easy thing to do. I hear it, I respect it, but voting has never been more important than it is today . . . We can't vote today, but what we're doing today will make our voices heard and values heard. We've got to keep doing it, we've got to keep agitating things, we can't be complacent, we can't let this moment just pass us by. We have to continue to put our foot on their necks. And just know that we are with you guys. I ain't up here for all the extra stuff, man. I just want to be here, be present, and show you guys that I'm here with you. So, let's keep this sh*t going.
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