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| | | Quote of the Day | | "He runs like a feathered velociraptor" â A woman on a grouse that's become her husband's backyard companion. And we'll all flock on okay. | | |
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The Story This week marks 100 years since the Tulsa Race Massacre. Go on. In 1921, Tulsa, Oklahoma, had what was widely referred to as Black Wall Street: a thriving neighborhood for thousands of Black Americans with restaurants, theaters, hotels, and other businesses. But on May 31, a violent white mob terrorized the area after a Black man was falsely accused of rape. From May 31 to June 1, white residents killed as many as 300 Black residents and injured hundreds more. They burned and looted hundreds of homes and businesses and left thousands homeless. And they carried out the assault by ground and by air, with the support of law enforcement. To date, no one's been charged. Why didn't I learn about this in school? In the aftermath of the violence, white Tulsans worked to repress what happened. Many Black survivors were also afraid to speak out. But decades later, a commission formed in the '90s found that officials at the city and state level (think: police, the National Guard) had been complicit in the violence. And it recommended reparations for the more than $1 million in property damage the Black community endured. Legislators never took that up. And Black survivors and their descendants are still left advocating for justice. But even learning about race-related prejudice remains an uphill battle in Oklahoma. What do you mean? Last month, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed legislation banning the teaching of critical race theory in public schools. The theory, which dates back to the 1960s and '70s, explores the role of systemic racism in US history and institutions. Idaho passed the first ban last month. Since then, two other states followed suit while at least six others are considering it. Yesterday, President Biden issued a proclamation to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the massacre. And called on Americans to "recommit to the work of rooting out systemic racism across our country." But there are things we can all do. Go on. Read up on the history of the massacre, including firsthand accounts from the few remaining survivors. Recognize that the violence that spurred the events in Tulsa is not limited to the history books. After the massacre, for example, Black residents â not their white terrorizers â were rounded up and arrested. Today, Black Americans continue to be disproportionately arrested, imprisoned, and killed by law enforcement â including in Tulsa. Lastly, it bears remembering that Tulsa was an attack on a district that represented Black wealth, hope, and entrepreneurship. Here are some ideas to support Black-owned businesses â and in Tulsa specifically. theSkimm The Tulsa Race Massacre was one of the worst episodes of racial violence in US history. 100 years later, investigators are still searching for mass graves. And Americans are still searching for justice.
PS: Trauma â including secondary trauma â can impact our physical and mental wellbeing. Here are some tips to care for yourself and others. | | |
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What's been blocked... A Jan 6 commission. On Friday, Senate Republicans blocked a bill to create a 9/11-style panel to investigate the deadly Capitol riot. The day's assault on democracy â carried out by Trump supporters who falsely maintained he won the election â left five people dead and about 140 police officers injured. Last month, House Democrats, supported by 35 Republicans, passed a bill to investigate the insurrection. But in the Senate, the bill fell short of the 60 votes needed to bypass a filibuster. While six GOP senators sided with the Dems, others have long been downplaying the violence of that day in a show of support to former President Trump. Now, Dems could shift their attention to the existing congressional committees looking into the attack.
Texas's voting bill. On Sunday, Dem lawmakers walked out of the state House to block a sweeping voting bill. It would've made Texas's already strict voting laws even more restrictive (think: new requirements on absentee voting, banning drive-through and 24-hour voting, and more). Dems, who argued the bill would disenfranchise voters of color, quashed the bill's fate...for now. But Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said 'I'm not done trying.' | | |
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Where people are grieving... Canada. Last week, an Indigenous community there confirmed it found the remains of 215 children on the grounds of a former residential school. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the Canadian government and local churches forced more than 150,000 Indigenous children to assimilate and attend boarding schools. Students were forbidden from speaking their native languages or performing cultural practices. And many suffered physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. A gov-backed report found that thousands of students died â describing the residential school system as "cultural genocide." And many families never learned what happened to their children. Now, the discovery of this burial site â located on the grounds of a former Catholic-run boarding school in British Columbia â is reportedly the first of its kind. And it's renewed calls for the Roman Catholic Church to apologize for its abuses. Words from leaders: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the discovery is a "painful reminder" of Canada's dark past. Chief Rosanne Casimir of the Tk'emlúps te SecweÌpemc First Nation called it a "harsh reality." | | |
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Who's thinking about family planning... China. Yesterday, Beijing announced that married couples would be allowed to have three children. China first announced its strict one-child policy in 1980, and only opened it up to two children in 2016. The goal was to slow population growth. Now, the country is struggling with a declining birth rate, a labor shortage, and aging population. But many couples don't want more kids because of the high costs of raising them â which Beijing now says it will address by improving maternity leave and other policies. | | |
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Who's saying 'au revoir'... Naomi Osaka. Yesterday, the tennis champ withdrew from the French Open after she was fined $15,000 and faced threats of suspension for not talking to the media. Osaka revealed she's dealt with "bouts of depression" and anxiety since 2018 and that the media has affected her mental health. Now, she's calling a time-out and taking a break from the tennis court. | | |
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What we're celebrating all month... Pride. | | |
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| Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter lifeâ¦
1. Expert reading recs. Book of the Month curates the best new releases every...well, month. And they'll ship your fave to your door. Plus, you can always skip a month and roll over the credits. Get your first read for $9.99 with code SKIMM.*
2. Sunscreen 101: What to know, what to buy, and how to use it the right way. Not all sunscreens are created equal. We chatted with a derm to give us the deets. Here's your ultimate explainer so you can (safely) soak up the sun.
3. 16 products to prep for your next outdoor gathering. It's been 84 years since you went to a small party. Here's what you need to shake off the dust. Three cheers for safe socializing.
4. A teeth-whitening kit whose results may last a year or more. Time to brighten up your smile for vaxxed-girl summer? Look no further. You'll pop these strips on for a half hour each day for 20 days to target stains. Shine on.
5. A jewelry cleaning brush that'll make your diamonds sparkle. We're not kidding. Your earrings, rings, and necklaces never looked this good. The secret is in the cleaning solution and brush tip that'll gently remove dirt and grime. Bling-bling.
PS: Like what you see here? Make sure you're signed up to get more picks like these in your inbox every Thursday. We've got exclusive shopping recs, streaming ideas, life hacks, and more. | | *PS: This is a sponsored post. |
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| We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.
Brewing outreach...Darnesha and Erwin W (WA). In October, they opened Black Coffee Northwest Café and Community Hub. It features a Black marketplace, youth barista training, and a weekly youth outreach program. The business is overcoming the pandemic, lockdown, and an arson attempt. Support them here.
Clearing a path...Tamice S (VA). She's the founder and CEO of Sub:Culture Inc, a nonprofit clearing the path for Black college students. The Sub:Culture Student Crisis Relief Fund provides direct assistance when Black students are facing financial hardship that puts them at risk of dropping out of college. Learn more here.
(Some) Birthdays...Jeff Berger (NY), Shauna Nagpal (NY), Hanna Gisel (NY), Virginia Williams (NY), Rebekah Brenard (NY), Eleanor Harris (VA), Christine Morrow (IN), Briana Hanafin (VA), Annie Dang (NY), Angela Stagno (FL), Leslye Riek (OH), Sandy FitzGerald (MA), Nicole Dalakas (CA), Alexandra Stewart (FL), Cristina Di Re (NY)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured. |
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| Looking for other smart ways to spend your time? Listen to our news podcast "Skimm This" for clarity on the biggest stories of the week. Tune in to our career podcast "Skimm'd from the Couch" for tips to build your resume. Subscribe to our "Skimm Money" newsletter to keep up to date with your wallet. Sign up for our "Skimm Your Life" newsletter for curated shopping, reads, and entertainment recs. Follow us on the gram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. Download our app to get it all in one place. |
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| Skimmâd by Rashaan Ayesh, Maria del Carmen Corpus, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain |
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