Jobs Women Can Do But Often Don’t

Perhaps it's strange to think that in this modern world, there are still some jobs that are regarded as 'man's work' and 'women's work', but it's true. That's not to say that a man couldn't do a job that is usually associated with women or vice versa, it's just that it's unusual. 

 This can be a problem when a woman has a particular skill and wants to start her own business or even launch a career but is concerned that she won't do well purely because she is a woman. Perhaps she worries that no one will take her seriously or that she'll be undermined and ignored. 

 The truth is that we do live in a modern age, and if you are a woman who wants to start a business in a traditionally male field, there is no reason why you shouldn't. And in fact, by breaking the mold and stepping out of your comfort zone, you can much more easily make a name for yourself. With that in mind, here are some of the top businesses women can start and jobs they can do but often don't; maybe it's time you turned things around. 

Plumbing 

When you imagine a plumber, you'll probably imagine a man. However, there is no reason, physical or otherwise, that a woman wouldn't be able to become an excellent plumber. There is, of course, plenty to learn, and understanding how to fix leaks, use a butterfly valve, even set up complex water systems is crucial, but that's what training is for; no one is born knowing how to be a plumber. 

 So if you're interested in starting a business that people are definitely going to need and that women need more representation in, plumbing could be exactly the answer you're looking for. You can choose whether to have a team of all-female plumbers or a mix of men and women, and as the business owner, you can help your team really grow. 

Truck Driver 

Again, women are often not considered when you imagine what a truck driver is like. However, truck drivers are absolutely essential and always needed, and it would be a very strange thing indeed if a logistics business owner decided never to employ any women; it would be detrimental to their business. 

 Staggeringly, only about six percent of truck drivers are women, but it's such an interesting career and one that everyone can enjoy – plus it's paid relatively well – that it's time more women decided to become involved. Once you have learned enough as a truck driver, you can always switch to being a logistics controller or even start your own haulage business. 

Automotive Industry 

If you thought the number of women truck drivers was low, you'll be shocked at how many women work in the automotive industry; the number is somewhere around two percent. This means there is plenty of room for many more women who enjoy working on cars and understanding how engines work to get involved. Plus, because there are so many different areas to pick a career from that revolve around the automotive industry, there is almost certainly going to be something you can get your teeth into and enjoy. 

 Just some of those careers include mechanic, car designer, technician, and auto instructor. 

Meet Jerri Reid Of Jerri Reid New York - The Black Designer Conversation

Jerri Reid in Jerri Reid New York SS21

At the rise of Covid-19 many of us first questioned the timeline of fashion week and would we see the regular calendar continue - the question weighed over many of us for months! It was refreshing to see design houses and designers across the globe take advantage of the uncertainty and plow into production mode - thus my interest in Jerri Reid New York - The Black Designer based in Brooklyn New York wow’d instagram with his latest collection paying homage to the Black Is King film which debuted earlier this year in July. I was taken aback at quick of a turn round the young designer produced and released his well crafted designs reflecting some of the films most memorable moments.

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Noah L : Male feminine energy is seen often through androgynous fashion and art, now heterosexual men are being praised for it, what are your thoughts ? 

Jerri Reid: I think it is showing a level of bravery, to be acceptable in their peers' sight. If Quavo from the MIGOS decided to make a nod to Camron wearing all pink, then ALL men would wear it. It sucks that Queer Black Men are truly the tastemakers of fashion and not often credited, but that's a systemic issue of hate within the community. I went to the march in D.C. this past month and not one mention to trans lives happened. We (LGBTQIA+) STILL don't exist in black spaces. 

Noah L: As a black designer - what does it mean for you to receive recognition for your efforts to create original and lasting pieces? 

Jerri Reid: It means EVERYTHING to receive recognition for not just my craftsmanship, but my efforts to thrive. It's really about setting intentions with all you do. If you are only doing things simply because, then what is your purpose? My life and career as an artist is purpose-driven and is also a return to love. Love of self, love of culture, love of life, love of art, love of spirituality, love of family and friends, love of growth, love of opportunity, and love of the Most High. This is what propels me to use my gifts to teach the youth of our community the values of sewing for the past 4 years. 

Noah L: Would you consider COVID an opportunity to have thrived ? 

COVID-19 came about but it didn't stop my resilience to be innovative in a time like this. I didn't want to create a bunch of masks in an oversaturated peak-time market, but I did want to present fashion. The virtual presentation i did on instagram in July really opened the minds of people I wasn’t aware I could reach. People were messaging me with positivity to keep progressing. Most importantly, they were happy with the injection of culture and blackness. When i saw BLACK IS KING, I knew it was an opportunity for the world to see the star that I am, In more ways than one. Days before it dropped, a snippet of the ALREADY video was released. The wednesday prior to its official release (7/29) I RAN to the fabric store to get all I could to interpret the still shots. I shot and edited everything on my own that saturday (8/1) and released it sunday (8/2). I was shocked at myself because the push i gave myself validated that I can do whatever I want and meet deadlines for my growing brand. It was seen by Zerina Akers, Jerome Lamaar, Shatta Wale, and many more who took part in the marking of Black Is King.

 Queen Bey has seen it also. This was validation for myself to keep going and know that validation is within always. 

Noah L: Your recent collection felt like a praise to power and glamor for the black community and almost a push to be seen - would you consider your designs activism?

Jerri Reid: WOW - I didn't think this recent collection embodied a sense of activism. I can see where activism can come into play, it being being pro-black, pro-afro caribbean, pro-afrolatino, and pro-queer. Humbly, I just wanted to be unapologetically myself at all costs. Someone said to me that what I've done is the first of its existence. A designer has not done a virtual presentation of themself in their designed garments EVER. I did get a bit teary-eyed when hearing it. The thing is, we are nothing short of powerful, glamorous, and black. when I hear it, my reaction is "so what else is new?" (laughter)

Thank you so much for this opportunity for telling my truth. I appreciate this platform for providing spaces for black queers. continue to be amazing!

For more from Jerri Reid visit JerriReid.com or Instagram at @JerriReid

COVID-19 and Protests: What to Expect from the 2020 NFL Season

(Source: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

The first week of the 2020 NFL season has concluded, and it looked like no other from years past. The sports world as a whole has experienced a year different than any before it, between the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the worldwide protests against systemic racism and police brutality. Sports have not only had to adjust their entire way of operating; they have also had to play an important role in calling attention to issues that are being ignored by far too many people. 

The NFL is unique from other sports leagues in both regards. The COVID-19 pandemic is an obstacle that every other sports league has had to navigate around in order to resume games. And while most have been able to do so without many issues, except for the multiple cases on MLB teams, the NFL will face many challenges that other sports leagues have not had to deal with. 

The first of these challenges is the issue of travel. The NBA and NHL set up “bubbles” for games to take place in so players would not have to travel around the country. MLB has not used a bubble but limited travel by having teams play exclusively against division opponents and intraleague opponents in the same geographical area; for example, teams in the NL East division only played against teams in the NL East and AL East. The NFL has not made any such alterations, teams will be flying all over the country to play opponents throughout the season. Not only does this increase the risk of catching and spreading COVID-19, but, according to the Mayo Clinic, air travel makes for an easy way for the virus to spread since it consists of a large number of people in a confined, unfiltered space for a prolonged period of time. 

Dak Prescott (front) and Ezekiell Elliot pre-game for the Dalls Cowboys opener. (Source/Dallas Cowboys Twitter)

There’s also the issue that football is a much more contact heavy sport compared to others. It’s required for players to be right in each other’s faces at the line of scrimmage, something that will be taking place during practices as well as during games. There’s also the general spike in cases during the fall that have been predicted since the pandemic first began; an issue aided by the fact that schools, colleges and universities have reopened, and many have seen a spike in cases. Additionally, some teams are allowing a limited number of fans to attend games, such as the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, to name a few. While this is not as great of a danger as air travel and close contact is for players, it’s an experiment that every other league has decided is not worth testing and certainly poses a risk. 

However, even if the NFL is able to safely navigate COVID-19 there is still a chance we see games get postponed or cancelled for an entirely different reason. We saw players go on strike in the NHL, MLB, WNBA, MLS and most notably the NBA in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake by Kenosha police. The possibility of a strike happening in the NFL is certainly on the table, according to Bleacher Report Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard of the New York Giants said shortly after the initial wave of strikes that they would not rule out skipping a game in protest. A strike by NFL players would be immensely powerful, not just because of the sport’s popularity but also due to the fact that the NFL has already been at the forefront of one of the most notable protests against police brutality.

Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem has led to taking a knee to be a gesture synonymous with the Black Lives Matter movement. We have seen other players in other sports take a knee during the national anthem, and we have seen protestors do the same. But despite being a talented quarterback who is more than deserving of a chance to take snaps for an NFL team, Kaepernick has not seen the field since January 1, 2017. It’s glaringly obvious the NFL blackballed him for his gesture, and they have since scrambled to try to make amends, failing to do so outside of half-hearted, performative gestures. Kaepernick’s former teammate Eric Reid also participated in the protest in 2016 and has been outspoken about the NFL’s lack of action in addressing police brutality. By no coincidence, Reid is currently a free agent despite career highs in sacks and tackles last season. 

While commissioner Roger Goodell has since encouraged other teams to sign Kaepernick, that is yet another half-hearted, performative gesture to try and sweep their mistreatment of him under the rug. Kaepernick and Reid both signing with a team and playing this season would be a step in the right direction, but there is clearly a lot of hostility from players when it comes to the league failing to take a strong stance against police brutality. Throw in all of the health risks posed by playing a football season during a global pandemic, no less by a league that has demonstrated it does not care about the safety of its players by evidence of its denial of long-term issues that stem from concussions, and we may see events transpire during this NFL season that we have never seen before. 

Report: Michael Rosen

Honoring The Memory Of A Loved One

A lot of us are dealing with loss in isolation. The ongoing pandemic has changed how we interact in every facet of life, including how we experience the death of those close to us. As such, it’s important that we’re able to properly honor the memory of those that we lose. Here are some ways you can make sure you do so in a way that allows you to keep the memories of their best times fresh in your mind while helping you process the loss that has happened.

Honoring their wishes

If you want to make sure that a loved one is honored in the way that they would have wanted, then you should ensure that you know what they wanted. If you have any part in planning their funeral or any memories services after the fact, talking to their family members and friends about if they talked about having any plans in mind if they haven’t left a will.

Ensuring a fitting farewell

Whether or not you have their specific wishes in hand, one of the best ways to honor a loved one is to make sure that their goodbyes are said respectfully and with care. From arranging the service with a funeral director to choosing funeral caskets for them to be laid to rest in, taking care of the planning process can ensure that you are giving them the kind of goodbye that anyone should want and expect when they die. It can also help other grieving loved ones to know that these matters are being taken care of.

Celebrate their memories

The feeling of loss and grief is going to be heavy at the service of any loved one. There’s no way to get around it, nor should there be. However, a lot of people nowadays agree that remembering and celebrating the lives of our loved ones is just as important as saying a respectful farewell. Tribute videos and slideshows can do more than help us look back, they can help us shine a light on the fond memories and give some positivity to the event. Even if we have lost our loved one, we haven’t lost the happy shared experiences we had with them.

Give them a dedication

Not every aspect of the memorial to a loved one has to be within the area of the funeral service, either. You can just as easily give them a dedication outside where they are laid to rest, something that you can look on and contemplate, keeping their memory fresh and alive in your mind. One of the most popular choices is to plant a memorial tree that has a plaque attached in their honor. Others may choose to instead have a bench built for them and placed in a location they were fond of.

There is no correct answer when it comes to the best way to honor the loss of a loved one, of course. However, hopefully, the tips above help you find which way works best for you.

Supporting Your Business In The Bulk And Solid Industry

Whether you are supplying gravel, soil, grain, or pebble stones, you know how difficult it has been to stay in business during the past few months. It's quite amazing how all the industries are linked together and when one falls, the others do as well. Farmers have been able to continue working so if you are in the grain feed business, you may have had more success than those in the home development industry. As many people don’t want to spend large amounts of money on their property just yet, pebble stones and garden fillers haven’t been so highly prized. So, there is no one blanket solution for the bulk and solid industry. But, you can do these things to bolster your economic recovery.

Help for farmers

Farmers that are harvesting sugar, minerals, and other things such as starch, will need to help their own production lines to become more efficient and productive. This will help you to limit waste and control your production while you may need to limit your ability to meet fulfillments in contracts. Using the tameson pinch valve technology, you can control how quickly you fill bags of your produce. The valve uses air pressure to suck in and trap the bulk and or solids so that you can halt feeding through piping or a tube. With greater control for capacity, you can fill all your bags or boxes, with produce, equally. With little to no spill-over, you save money and time when creating products ready for shipping.

Cranes and industrial sacks

When a sack is torn or ripped during the loading process, it's a lost product which means hundreds if not thousands of dollars are lost too. Therefore, you need to have a way to properly load and ship your products. Using industrial sacks, you need an industrial crane vehicle to lift each of the sacks into your freight trucks or onto a freight train carriage. This is a very versatile strategy because the crane vehicle can be used in open ground such as in a loading bay outside, or it can also be used inside a warehouse. Whether you have a conveyer or perhaps an exterior loading conveyor, you can utilize this type of industry vehicle almost anywhere. The industrial sacks are very strong yet they are cheap to buy in bulk. They can be lifted very easily and not be easily compromised.

Selecting the best silo

When you are trying to store your product safely, using a silo is often seen as the cheapest and safest option. This is because it can be stored outside and not need a warehouse to be built in order to so do. The most modern silos, also have electronic readers that can tell you how much product is inside at any one time. Therefore they are also safe to use. They can also unload your produce very quickly and yet, be refilled again and again. 

Investing in your bulk and solid business should be done to combat the uncertainty in the industry. Start off with a great new pinch valve, that can load your products into packaging equipment.

RAISE Fashion

The fashion industry appears to be delivering on their promise of supporting black creatives with such emerging programs as the Black in Fashion Council and the Kelly Initiative. The most recent of these efforts is RAISE Fashion, a group dedicated to providing free mentorships to black fashion designers and entrepreneurs. RAISE’s very name is a declaration of its commitment to helping black talent succeed, as it is an acronym for the words “Respect, Advocate, Inspire, Support, and Empower.” Seventy fashion professionals will be educating selected participants on all facets of the industry, ensuring that mentees will be versatile in their careers regardless of their areas of concentration.

RAISE Fashion was born from the Black Lives Matter protests attended by such exalted authorities as Roopal Patel from Saks Fifth Avenue, Cushie’s owner and namesake Carly Cushnie, and Elizabeth von Der Goltz and Nayla Touma of Net-a-Porter. Which of these figures will be mentors in the project itself remains to be seen. Nonetheless, protests and diversity programs like RAISE Fashion demonstrate that the fashion industry's strides towards inclusivity come from a genuine desire to effect positive change. Furthermore, oft-ignored black designers and business owners will not only have an opportunity to bolster their careers, but working with such a plethora of high-fashion labels will also undoubtedly lead to their own brands gaining the same level prestige in the future.

Photo Credits: Dribble, Vogue

Report: Nia Hunt

Billy Porter - the Centerpiece of Pose

Talk about a show-stopping look.

Pose tells the story of LGBTQ ballroom culture in New York City during the late 1980s and early 1990s and has thus been applauded for being a television show with prevalent trans actors. A key player in bringing this historical scene to life is Billy Porter, who portrays the character Pray Tell. Porter is renowned for his flamboyant, gender-nonconforming attire, which has overlapped between his onscreen and real life fashion sense.

Porter wearing an eye-catching green printed suit.

Outfitting him are the talented costume designers Lou Eyrich and Analucia McGorty, who took painstaking measures to exhibit Pray Tell’s vivacious demeanor. Eyrich and McGorty realized their artistic vision by collecting clothes from vintage shops and secondhand stores and transforming them into new, more extravagant ensembles. One interesting aspect of their creative process is that they often model outfits after those of the 1970s, demonstrating their attention to detail by recalling the show’s post-disco setting. 

This yellow coat over printed silk blouse outfit commands.

Much of Pray Tell’s wardrobe includes garish hats, including a lavender top hat and green captain’s hat with the label “Yellow Cab.” Among the character’s iconic outfits are a vinyl trench coat, mixed-print silk robe, and most ostentatiously, a shimmering sequined dress complemented by blue and green feather jacket. Fans of the show have voiced their disappointment at Pose being snubbed for an Emmy nomination, and failing to consider awarding Eyric and McGorty is indeed a missed opportunity.

Photo Credits: PopSugar

Report: Nia Hunt

Black Creators On Top!

Photo Shot By: Denzel Golatt

In the midst of this terrible pandemic, something amazing has come. Black content creators have continued to be on the rise. It is always important to be able to have representation and voices that you can relate to, especially in today’s climate. Black creators have reached a new level of creativity large in part to the elevation of the podcasting industry. We as content creators have taken over the podcasting platforms. With that being said we decided to create a list of some of our go-to podcasts that we think you would truly enjoy. This list is in no specific order.

1. The Black Girl Podcast is a black female lead podcast with five black females that don’t hold back their opinions. Their hilarious conversations about life issues, sisterhood, pop culture, love, growth, and the pursuit of their dreams to the public. One of their latest episodes “Grace” touches on the protection of black women. This has been a strong and ongoing conversation in our community and they covered it very well. Along with this episode, their content is educational, relatable, and funny.

Listen Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-girl-podcast/id1184104197

2. The Roommates is a black male lead podcast that is just downright funny. Hafeez and Chris have late-night conversations talking about behind the scenes of "becoming" featuring all the people, conversations, and perspectives you’d experience on the way. They give you a take on the male perspective of situations and they also bring on other people to broaden the perspective of others. Go listen to them, trust me you won’t be disappointed.

Listen Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-roommates-podcast/id1193460831

3. Next on the list is the Faces of the Future Podcast. This podcast is hosted by Millz and Shan, and serves as a platform for millennials to voice their experiences and opinions about the culture surrounding them. They do interviews with up and coming talents across a variety of industries, discuss topics requested by their listeners and share their unapologetic thoughts on current events throughout the world. The podcast is currently on its fourth season.

Listen Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faces-of-the-future-podcast/id1459808731

4. Therapy For Black Girls Podcast is another show we recommend you listen to. This podcast is a weekly chat about all things mental health, personal development, and a number of other things to ensure you are the best version of yourself.

Listen Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/therapy-for-black-girls/id1223803641

5. The Read is one of the most listened to hip-hop and pop culture podcasts out right now with over 300 episodes and counting, hosted by Kid Fury and Crissle. They interview some of your favorite stars, discuss all the tea, and talk about the latest news to hit the community.

Listen Here: http://thisistheread.com/

6. FANTI is a podcast hosted by journalists Tre’vell and Jarrett Hill. Using their political and pop culture expertise, they discuss important topics that they believe we should stan and stand up against. They discuss everything from the White House to the Real Housewives.

Listen Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fanti/id1497585643

 You can also go to The Indie Creative Network, which is a Black-owned podcast network that hosts numerous Black lead podcasts. Tune in and find your favorite podcast and continue to support our black creatives.

Photo Credits:

The Black Girls Podcast

Roommates Podcast

Faces of the Future Podcast

Therapy For Black Girls

The Read

Fanti

Report: Maya Howard

Instagram: @iam_mayaali

Justice Calls for Breonna Taylor as Her Killers Remain Free

Imagine dying in the comfort of your own home, in the hands of police officers and over something that you did not do. This is what happened to Breonna Taylor.

On March 13, 2020 Breonna Taylor, a 26-year old African American emergency medical technician was shot by Louisville Metro Police Department officers Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankinson, and Myles Cosgrove.

The three officers, not in their uniform, entered Taylor’s house executing a no-knock search warrant.

Ms. Taylor and her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker were in bed but got up, after hearing loud banging at the door. After a brief exchange, Mr. Walker fired his gun. The police also fired several shots, hitting Ms. Taylor.

Taylor coughed and struggled to breathe for at least five minutes after she was shot, according to The Louisville Courier Journal. She received no medical attention for more than 20 minutes after she was struck, The Courier Journal reported.

The police were investigating two men who they thought were selling drugs out of a house that was far from Ms. Taylor’s home. However, a judge had also signed a warrant allowing the police to search Ms. Taylor’s residence because the police believed that one of the two men had used her apartment to receive packages. The judge’s order was a so-called no-knock warrant, which allowed the police to enter without warning and without identifying themselves as law enforcement.

According to Mr. Walker’s lawyer, no drugs were found in the apartment. City officials banned the use of “no-knock” warrants on June 11.

Breonna Taylor’s death has sparked outrage around the world. There have been calls for justice. Her killers remain free and have not been charged with any crimes.

Taylor’s case took long to receive national attention and as weeks go by her story has dwindled. What first started off as a posting spree and call for media attention has now quickly turned into something that no one wants to talk about.

This could be because charges were dropped against the officers who took part in her killing, however her killers need to be held accountable and her family needs justice after this dreadful killing.

Ever since the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, Elijah Mcclain, Breonna Taylor, Sha-Asia Washington and (the list goes on), Black people around the world have spoken up on racism, sexism, and systematic and institutionalized racism within the healthcare system.

We must do all that we can to make sure that Breonna Taylor’s killers don’t get to walk free again. Whether its signing petitions, voting in November, reading more information on her case, or also reaching out to politicians, we must make sure that our voices are being heard and that these officers are held accountable for their actions.

According to Ms. Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, Taylor had big dreams.

“Breonna had her head on straight, and she was a very decent person. She didn’t deserve this. She wasn’t that type of person.

Don’t forget to sign this petition.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/arrest-killers-breonna-taylor

Pictures are from:

1. bbc.com

2. vox.com

3. abc7ny.com

Report: Juana Norales

Instagram: @juana.n_

Black Women are Human Too

In society today the toughest job to be is a black woman as we are currently on a daily fight to end societal injustices that we’ve taken for so long. As the fight continues we face battles against hatred from the world, within our families, in the workplace, and within our relationships.

In all the progress of time we've made as black women to stick together and be on the same side empowering each other, there are still those who haven’t grown into the movement for the betterment of themselves.

As we know domestic violence is no laughing matter; rapper Megan Thee Stallion has recently been through a traumatic ordeal of being shot in the foot by rapper boyfriend Tory Lanez having dealt with being in a toxic relationship. As many celebrities have shown their love and support, influencer and former Basketball Wives star Draya Michelle has received some backlash for going on the Wine&Weed podcast and joking about it.

Draya’s comments were encouraging of treatment that so many women today are fearful of daily either currently dealing with abuse and domestic violence or recovering from it. She went on to say she wants a man to scare her into acting right in a relationship and it can only be assumed that she is ignorantly speaking from lack of experience because no woman in their right mind would wish for such toxicity in their life.

Currently, Draya makes her fortune as an Instagram influencer while also having her own small business running a swimsuit line MintSwim. She has modeled for many fashion brands including SavagexFenty owned by mogul Rihanna.

As the world knows and still remembers the domestic violence Rihanna faced in 2009 with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, the mogul found no humor in Draya’s comments following Megan Thee Stallion’s ordeal and ended the partnership with Draya then sending a heartfelt note to the rapper showing her love and support for the trauma she is currently facing.

Shortly after being released from the Fenty brand, Draya took to social media to post a message saying she’s “fighting through the tough days”. Fans took this to mean she had lost her Fenty partnership as they continue to show disapproval. While Draya Michelle is the most noticeable for her comments, it is still disgraceful to see a couple of other celebrities make humor of the ordeal including Chrissy Teigen and 50 Cent who have since deleted their comments on social media and issued apologies for their insensitive remarks.

For black women, it is a trend to be mistreated and desensitize as the most disrespected in relationships including abuse and infidelity. Black women are rapidly the butt of the joke then turned into a meme. Although black women are strong, they are not bulletproof. Black women don’t receive medals for surviving, they just have scars; physically and emotionally.

Photo Credit:

https://www.distractify.com/p/what-did-draya-michele-say

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/07/memes-of-megan-thee-stallion-shooting.html

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/15/megan-thee-stallion-says-she-was-shot-prior-to-tory-lanez-arrest/

Report: Josephine Coiscou

NYC in Phase 4

New York City has finally reached the end of a long race. Phase 4 began in New York City on Monday July 20th. This is the last phase in the process to recovery from the pandemic which killed hundreds and infected thousands in the city just three months ago.

While much of the rest of the state was able to jump into Phase 4 much sooner, getting to this stage in “the city that never sleeps” has always been a challenge. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo called Phase 4 a “hallmark.”

“There are no more phases,” he said. “We are all in the final phase of reopening. And that’s great.”

Phase 4 does sound great, but in a city like New York things have been far from normal. People are still required to wear masks at all times, social distance, some stores are allowing shoppers inside while others are choosing to do curb-side pick up, and restaurants/bars are only allowed to dine outside. Doesn’t sound normal to you right?

Some states have suffered consequences from opening up too quickly resulting in a limited number of daily activities. So what does Phase 4 look like? Heres’s a full breakdown on openings and closures.

What’s allowed:

For the most part, cultural venues, like zoos and botanical gardens, can open for outdoor activities at 33 percent of the venues’ total capacity. Four city zoos and the New York Botanical Garden have announced that they will open to the public by the end of the month, while the Brooklyn Botanic Garden will open to the general public in early August.

Pools have also reopened with masks and social distancing rules still in effect.

Professional sports can resume, but without fans. Media production has also resumed. That’s in addition to all of the other things that have reopened in previous phases such as outdoor dining, offices and personal care services, including hair and nail salons.

What’s left out Indoor dining is still not permitted, this comes since there has been a spike in outbreaks raging elsewhere in the country.

Restrictions have gotten tighter with officials last week banning the sale of alcohol to customers who do not also buy food, in an attempt to crack down on crowds of outdoor drinkers.

The reopening of gyms, malls, movie theaters and museums have been left out of Phase 4.

So what’s next?

There’s no timetable in sight for when and how those venues might reopen. Governor Cuomo clarified last Friday that the state is bracing for the “potential for a second wave.

Let’s just hope and pray that doesn’t happen.

All pictures are from: https://nypost.com/2020/07/24/the-city-heats-up-and-reopens-more-in-phase-4-the-posts-week-in-photos/#1

Report: Juana Norales

Instagram: @juana.n_

Why Respectability Politics Doesn't Work

Oftentimes, in the black community, black parents, uncles and other family members will encourage the youth to pursue their education in hopes of attaining the American Dream. Education is seen as a ticket to solving life’s problems as an underrepresented race in America. They might also say something along the lines of “don’t you think you should get your haircut” if a black man has dreadlocks or “be careful not to give off the wrong impression,” if a young lady’s sartorial presentation doesn’t fall within the Eurocentric standards of professionalism. Although old heads often say these things with good intent, not only are they damaging to those on the receiving ends of them, but they aren’t particularly protective measures either.

The reality is that no matter your credentials, if your hair is in an afro or permed, if you have on a suit or tennis shoes, non-black people tend to merely see you as black. Whenever a black male is approached by an officer, they aren’t considering whether or not that man has an advanced degree or a six-figure salary. The black PhD is hated in America just as much as a black person who works as the corner store in an urban area. Remember that.

Photo Credit:

Obama - Chesnot/Getty Images (USA Today)

Snoop - John Parra/Getty Images (billboard)

Koncerns for Kanye

As of recent, Kanye West has shown interest in becoming the next President of the United States, though it came out of nowhere. Although he did not receive enough signatures to be on the ballot for South Carolina, he decided to host a rally.

Some of the items discussed in his speech sent red flags to the media and to his family and friends. These items include speaking on abortion and slavery. Kanye claimed that him and Kim Kardashian were moments away from ending their child's life with pills, as was his mother when he was conceived. There was significant backlash from the family and rumors of divorce circling after these statements were made public. The Kardashian family claims that they are worried about his health and worried about what he is doing to the brand of the family. Kanye continues to become extremely distraught in the rally as he shares tears with the audience when he screams "I almost killed my daughter". He closes out with his opinion that everyone who has a baby should be given "a million dollars or something like that". The rally was unconventional yet a nice touch by Kanye to still be able to have his voice heard by the people, even though he lacked the votes to participate in the state. As the public continues to watch Kanye grow in the political world, they will be able to make opinions of him for themselves. As his rallies and speeches continue, there is no doubt that he will be increasing his likability. Although his interest in becoming the next president was a shock to many, maybe this is what the people need at the end of the day.

Report: Hannah Zaremba

Megan Thee Stallion: Why Are Black Women Unprotected?

Following the news of rapper Megan Thee Stallion getting shot, rumors and memes have been swirling around social media about what exactly happened. While people have shown concern for the rapper, others have taken the opportunity to make jokes about the incident. Within the last couple of months, the topic of how Black women are marginalized in society has become more prevalent. 

Days removed from the shooting, Megan tweeted, “Black women are so unprotected & we hold so many things in to protect the feelings of others [without] considering our own. It might be funny to y’all on the internet and just another messy topic for you to talk about, but this is my real life and I’m real life hurt and traumatized.”

The lack of empathy and equity for Black women has been at an all time high; Megan’s situation is just a small piece of the puzzle. With Black women dying due to racial discrimination in the health care system and Breonna Taylor’s murderers still free, the question is: why do people still find it acceptable to disregard the trauma of Black women?

What happened to Megan wasn’t funny, just as what happened to George Floyd. When there were Tiktok videos that surfaced of people mimicking Floyd’s death, people were quick to take action and speak up about the wrongdoing. However, some of these same people are making light of Megan’s situation. Is this because Megan’s shooting wasn’t connected to racism?

Megan was right; Black women aren’t protected. Now that it is public knowledge that Taylor was alive six minutes after she was shot several times, and the police did not try to save her, you have to question why there hasn’t been any progress made toward justice. 

In order to progress as a people, we have to start acknowledging all truths, even the truths that we may have negatively participated in.

Photo credits:

Megan Thee Stallion- Essence.com

Breonna Taylor- cbc.ca

Report: Brionna Taylor

Tanaami Brings Us New Pyschedelic Artwork

Keiichi Tanaam, a commended pop artist of Japan, has recently put together a gallery that will have you astonished. The artist continues to put new art work out for the public, and has been since the 1960’s. Art is a way for people to express themselves and each artist is a kind of their own. Tanaam seems to lean towards the psychedelic side, his work is bold, vibrant, and will make you feel alive.

Tanaam displayed a new show at NANZUKA, a gallery in Tokyo, which is also known as “Memorial Reconstruction”. The art portrays his memories of a child living during World War II, and expresses them through psychedelic art on canvas and in forms of sculptures. His art should be appreciated, as it takes some of his darkest childhood memories and turns them into a beautiful form of art. The artwork also illustrates unique creatures and subjects inspired by Japanese manga and Western cartoons.

In one of his new paintings, he illustrated the Japanese superhero Ultraman with the American comic Nancy created by Erner Bushmiller. The superhero Ultraman reflects his memories and the war bombings in Japan. Tanaam also constructed unique sculptures and creatures, reminiscing on 20th century American magazines. The gallery is open until August 8th, you’ll be in for a ride, and if you can, I would recommend checking his one of a kind artwork out.

Report: Emily Andrews

My Body is NOT Your Shame

At this point we know if you have a problem with someone else’s weight or body shape then you really just have a problem with yourself or how you think.

This past week, NFL player Kyle Quiero was under fire on social media for questioning Jill Scott’s attractiveness. Quiero posted a series of tweets looking for validation to his confusion on this thought.

“People are attracted to Jill Scott!? “And by no means is she ugly, but y’all really sexually aroused by her?”

Today body positivity is a major and sensitive topic for all women which has led the movement to cause women to embrace their body for the size and shape that they currently have. Over the last decade many women have undergone extreme, dangerous surgeries to commit to the hourglass figure shape that society deems acceptable.

Many men have contributed to this opinion by only liking women with a small waist, large butt and large breasts creating self esteem issues for several women. The body positivity movement was started to destroy these social norms and get women to embrace their natural bodies inside and out.

For many women this is a sensitive subject for those who don’t have the best support system in their surroundings. Many women are still told daily that they should lose weight. Factors and opinion such as this also contribute to mental health problems.

In actuality the ones who point out the imperfections of others are the ones who have the most body and mental issues themselves. Celebrities such as K Michelle and Tory Lanez and other twitter users fired back at the NFL star shutting down his audacity to question Scott’s full figure and in turn questioned him for his taste in women.

Those who are uncomfortable with themselves find it easier to bash others instead of looking within themselves and facing their own personal demons. For so long so many young boys and girls have gone through bullying of this kind over the years up to today which has lead to depression, mental health issues, insecurities, and suicide.

Jill Scott had the classiest response for the NFL player, “Wait...I’m trending again??? She used her spotlight to advocate for black women, following that tweet with “Ok then- JUSTICE for Breonna Taylor!!! Justice for Oluwatoyin Salau!!!!! Justice for Sandra Bland!!!!!. “Loving ourselves and each other is respectful and uplifting; supportive. EYE ON THE PRIZE, LOVE VILLAGE, EYES ON THE PRIZE.”

This is a lesson for women everywhere and every age to love your body no matter what or who says otherwise and to only make changes that you see fit to benefit your mental health. Living in wellness is loving yourself as you are as you continue to grow into who you want to be.

Photo Credit:

https://blacksportsonline.com/2020/07/ex-cowboys-kyle-queiro-apologizes-for-saying-hes-not-attracted-to-jill-scott/

https://bossfm.com/2020/07/13/xfl-player-kyle-queiro-apologizes-after-getting-dragged-for-questioning-jill-scotts-attractiveness/

https://www.complex.com/sports/2020/07/kyle-queiro-apologizes-for-calling-jill-scott-unattractive

Report: Josephine Coiscou

No More Photoshoots Like Simone Biles'

After witnessing the backlash from Simone Biles' Vogue cover I had to sit aside and ponder: Why is it so challenging for some photographers to capture the beauty of black skin/people? Our undertones, our glow, even the texture of our hair. I read an article a while ago about the racial bias built into photography in the New York Times by Sarah Lewis. In this article, I learned about the “Shirley card” used to calibrate colors when developing photos. These cards were white women with brown hair. It wasn’t until the mid-1990’s that Kodak introduced a Shirley card that included a White, Black, Asian, and later a Latinx model, attempting to help technicians better calibrate colors with varying skin tones.

There is a lack of education when it comes to capturing dark skin models. When taught about it in schools it is almost like black skin is a problem that needs to be solved. That white skin is the bases that normal is measured and anything but that is different.

So, like always I went looking for methods to best capture dark skin. One important tip is to determine the undertone of your model. This would enable you as the photographer to find backdrops or backgrounds that complement the undertone of the person being photographed. Aundre Larrow, a Brooklyn-based portrait photographer mentioned in a video with Motion that when choosing backdrops and clothing for a shoot it's important to determine the undertones to create harmony in the photo. In this same video, he mentioned the importance of reflectors when shooting with natural light. Many do not have the luxury of shooting in a studio and rely solely on natural light. In order to brighten the light we cannot control, Larrow suggests utilizing reflectors. This could be any large white surface like posterboards or shooting in a completely white room. This will bring light to areas that may be shadowed out which is very important when shooting with darker skin.

When lighting your talent with studio lights always include a hair light. This light will allow you to see where the model’s hair ends and where the backdrop begins. This will better enable us to capture the texture of the model’s hair. There’s a normalized idea that ember and blue lights should be used when photographing people with darker skin. This is not necessarily true. Yes, dark skin looks magnificent under these colored lights but, like the Directory of Photography for Insecure, Ava Berkofsky said there is no universal way to photograph black skin. So remember have fun and play with the color of the lightning to see what works best.

Photo Credit: VOGUE, nytime.com, Aundre Larrow

Report: Lauren Tucker

The Death of Sha-Asia Washington Show Racial Disparities Black Women Face in Childbirth

After carrying her baby for the last nine months, Sha-Asia Washington, 26, had looked forward to being a mother.

On July 2 Washington, went to Woodhull Medical Center in New York for a routine stress test. At the time she was a few days past her due date. After doctors noticed that her blood pressure was high, Washington was given a drug to induce labor.

She was asked if she wanted an epidural which she was unsure of, but later agreed, according to her family.

Juwan Lopez, her boyfriend, was was on FaceTime with his mother Desiree Williams when the situation started going downhill.

Washington was rushed into the operating room, leaving Lopez devastated and screaming. He could not figure out what was going on. It was in that moment, that he found out that the baby’s heart rate was dropping.

Washington went into cardiac arrest while doctors delivered her baby via c-section. Washington was pronounced dead after doctors spent 45 minutes trying to save her with CPR. Her newborn daughter Khloe, was healthy.

The death of Sha-Asia Washington has sparked outrage in the Black community, especially Black women.

Her death is shedding light on racial disparities Black women face when giving birth. Black women die at a rate three times higher than white women when giving birth.

In 2018, 658 women died of maternal causes in the U.S. A recent study showed Black women had a death rate of 40.8 per 100,000 births, three times higher than the rate of white women. American Indian and Native Alaskan women had the next highest rate at 29.7 deaths per 100,000 live births, more than double the rate in white women.

There are several reasons for the disparities, including systematic and institutional racism within the healthcare system, underlying health conditions (more common in Black mothers) and access to prenatal care.

Washington’s family is now seeking justice. A GoFundMe page has been set up and has now raised more than $88,000 to help with funeral costs and to support Lopez, who is now raising his daughter Khloe as a single father.

“WOODHULL HOSPITAL KILLED SHAASIA GIVING HER A EPIDURAL PLEASE HELP US GET JUSTICE,” said a description on the fundraiser page.

This also comes three months after Amber Rose Isaac, 26, died at Monterfiore Medical Center in the Bronx after expressing her concerns on how she had been getting treated from the hospital on Twitter.

Stand-up comedian Amy Schumer, is also using her platform to speak about the cases.

“We need to wake up and do better everyday,” she wrote, alongside flawless pregnancy photos of Washington and Lopez.

Washington’s family wants to raise awareness about what happened to her and other Black women who died in childbirth. Last Thursday the family gathered outside Woodhull Medical Center alongside friends and a group of New York City Doulas.

According to Washingtons’s future sister-in-law, Jasmin Lopez “If you know Sha-Asia she wanted to be a mom and she was gonna be an amazing one.”

Pictures from:

1. Rollingstone.com

2. Essence.com

Report: Juana Norales

Instagram: @juana.n_

Celebrity Politician

Over this past week, rapper Kanye West announced on Twitter that he is running for President in the upcoming 2020 election.

West has been seen mingling with President Trump making his stance on certain matters known for some time now. He has continued to show his public support for the President while wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat.

Kanye West is the latest among a list of celebrities who have claimed to be running for President in the last few years. Others who have previously announced or discussed the possibility of running are Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Chris Rock, Ron Perlman, Katy Perry, and Paris Hilton.

Since Donald Trump went from his television show “The Apprentice” to President without any legitimate political background, this is now a trend. While it's important for all celebrities and major social influencers to show support and embrace a better world and justice, it's also important to have the best possible candidate for the job. Many celebrities with their famous status and their stance on justice assume that they automatically qualify, but it takes more than that.

There is a big difference between President Trump’s agenda and former President Obama’s agenda. Trump has used the advantage of his “MAGA” supporters, taking pride in racial superiority. This presidency is one that is putting this country in reverse of the direction it needs to be in as time evolves.

Former President Obama, as an African American, embraced all people and provided opportunities for the people of color who needed everyday resources that in any other time would be unthinkable. Obama used his presidency to push the country forward into a better world.

Although Kanye West has claimed he is not in support of President Trump as he plans to run for President, his continued public support for Trump says otherwise. While Kanye is Black, he wouldn’t stand for the black voters. The right candidate has to be one who is for keeping a stable country and making necessary changes to end the daily injustices of the nation. A candidate with a background in politics and a sense of community is a necessity.

The fate of the United States should not rest on Hollywood’s A-list. A celebrity isn’t necessarily presidential material. Showing support, making donations, and getting involved in the community isn’t the same as running a country.

Photo Credit:

https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/kanye-west-announced-running-president/story?id=71614805

https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/74b40c5bdf6a9a8a7ca8472b9f9135de88b064a7/0_0_3644_2187/master/3644.jpg?width=1200&height=900&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&s=3f29ef15f195683c935d819b2ec88c80

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2020/07/05/USAT/1278a2ae-1e98-47d8-957b-a78bab8f4c0d-AFP_AFP_1AG519.jpg?width=660&height=447&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

Report: Josephine Coiscou

Will We Finally See Teams Scrap Names That Are Offensive to Native Americans?

As we begin to finally address the ugly history of the United States in a genuine way many have called for change in a variety of forms, including the renaming of certain sports franchises. The two most prominent franchises in the discussion are the NFL team in Washington, D.C. and the MLB team in Cleveland, both of which use names based on Native Americans.

Changing the names of these franchises and similar teams has been discussed for years, but momentum to actually do so has never been greater than it is right now. FedEx, who sponsor Washington’s NFL stadium, have publicly called for the team to change its name. Cleveland’s manager, Terry Francona, has voiced his support for a name change. But there are still plenty of people out there who believe changing the names these franchises have had for decades is blasphemous and breaks tradition.

The issue with that argument is that neither of these teams have much history or tradition to celebrate under the usage of its respective names. Cleveland has only two World Series titles to its name, the fewest among the eight original teams that have been in the American League since 1901. Cleveland also has the longest ongoing title drought in MLB, its last championship came in 1948. Washington has faired slightly better with three Super Bowl titles, but it has lacked recent success having won only two playoff games in the 21st century. Not to mention the frequent chants of “sell the team!” that took place at FedExField over the last year. Clearly nothing else these teams are doing is leading to success, so a complete change in names and uniforms certainly can’t hurt.

In fact, an overhaul of identity could benefit these teams. While some hardheaded fans may abandon their team after a name change, many will stick with the team and will need to replace all of the hats, jerseys and other merchandise they have purchased that feature the old name and logo. These teams could see a huge increase in merchandise sales, especially if the new name and logos are done well and are aesthetically pleasing.

Teams changing names because of public outcry is also nowhere near as unprecedented as some are making it out to be. The Tampa Bay Rays were originally the Devil Rays before religious groups expressed their discontent with having the word ‘Devil’ in its name, a fate the New Jersey Devils have somehow avoided. The Houston Astros were called the Colt .45s its first three seasons before management realized advertising a firearm in the team name may not be the best idea.

But this is all secondary to the primary reason these names should be changed, which is that they are racial slurs that are offensive to Native Americans. If a team changes its name and logo and suddenly experiences success on the field and financially that it did not experience before, then good for the team. But if teams have had to change their names in the past because of religious reasons or to not promote the sale of firearms, then teams should definitely have to change their names if they are rooted in racist rhetoric.

Photos courtesy of Ballpark Digest and Sports Teams Wiki.

Report: Michael Rosen