Let's Do More Together
Inspired by Reddit co-founder, parents model anti-racist behavior for the next generation
07.31.20
True
It is said that once you've seen something, you can't unsee it. This is exactly what is happening in America right now. We have collectively watched the pot of racial tension boil over after years of looking the other way, insisting that hot water doesn't exist, pretending not to notice the smoke billowing out from every direction.
Ignoring a problem doesn't make it go away—it prolongs resolution. There's a whole lot of harm to be remedied and damage to be repaired as a result of racial injustice, and it's up to all of us to figure out how to do that. Parents, in particular, are recognizing the importance of raising anti-racist children; if we are unable to completely eradicate racism, maybe the next generation will.
How can parents ensure that the next generation will actively refuse to perpetuate systems and behaviors embedded in racism? The most obvious answer is to model it. Take for example, professional tennis player Serena Williams and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.
<p>
Ohanian, who is white, recently stepped down from his position at Reddit and asked the board to replace him with a person of color, calling the lack of people of color in positions of power an "unacceptable gap." He stated
<u><a href="https://twitter.com/alexisohanian/status/1268943033137053698" target="_blank">on Twitter</a></u> that he wants to be able to face his daughter if she asks one day "What did YOU do?"
</p><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I co-founded
<a href="https://twitter.com/reddit?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@reddit</a> 15 years ago to help people find community and a sense of belonging.⁰<br>
<br>
It is long overdue to do the right thing. I'm doing this for me, for my family, and for my country.
<br>
— Alexis Ohanian Sr. 🚀 (@alexisohanian)
<a href="https://twitter.com/alexisohanian/status/1268943033137053698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2020</a>
</blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"> </script></div><p>
His decision to step down arrives at a time when the United States is witnessing widespread protests against racism and police brutality after an unarmed Black man, George Floyd, died at the hands of the police. On his
<u><a href="https://alexisohanian.com/home/2020/6/5/what-did-you-do" target="_blank">personal website</a></u> Ohanian wrote, "I believe resignation can actually be an act of leadership from people in power right now. To everyone fighting to fix our broken nation: do not stop."<br>
</p><p>
Ohanian's actions are admirable, but his position isn't a common one. Most parents don't have a job that they can step away from without causing their families serious financial problems. There are, however, plenty of other ways to model anti-racist behavior.
</p><p>
"...Parents have the responsibility to combat racism, bias, and discrimination, starting with the socialization of their own children," writes Dr.
<u><a href="https://sanford.duke.edu/people/faculty/lansford-jennifer" target="_blank">Jennifer E. Lansford</a></u>, a Research Professor at the Sanford School of Public Policy and Faculty Fellow of the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University, in <u><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/parenting-and-culture/202006/parenting-combat-racism-bias-and-discrimination" target="_blank">this article</a></u> about how parents can work to fight racism. "<u><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/parenting-and-culture/202006/parenting-combat-racism-bias-and-discrimination" target="_blank">A new approach is needed</a></u>—one that does not burden parents of color as the only ones responsible for the racial-ethnic socialization of their children."
</p><p>
But what kind of new approach?
</p><p>
First and most importantly, parents can register to vote and bring their child(ren) along when casting their ballot. It's important for kids to see the democratic process, and discussing why participation in that process is an honor and a privilege increases the likelihood that children will exercise their future right to vote.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<a href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1466780446965-2072a3de8a43?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&q=80&fm=jpg&crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&w=400&fit=max&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEzMzIxMn0" target="_blank"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzUyNzEzOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMTc2NzkyNn0.d6hs2L6Sb03igjNqLr-LBIryHku11UC4aj0m3NPANCA/img.jpg?width=980" id="0ea04" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="feca73cd2018ec25507a5fabc70938a1" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></a>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">
Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@eagleboobs?utm_source=RebelMouse&utm_medium=referral">Elliott Stallion</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=RebelMouse&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a>
</small>
</p><p>
Additionally, parents have to be willing to get creative and think outside the box. <u><a href="http://bit.ly/ANTIRACISMRESOURCES" target="_blank">This resource guide is a great place to start</a></u>. Simple things like adding new podcasts into the rotation or expanding your family's library of books can make a huge difference in how our children view the world. The point is to be informed and intentional.<br>
</p><p>
Seeking out diversity, talking about race from an early age, celebrating our differences, even making a point to give our kids toys that look different than them, are all small but easy things parents and caregivers can do to instill anti-racism.
</p><p>
Look around and think about what kind of environment you are creating for your children. Does everyone look the same? If so, whether you mean to or not, you're helping to create unconscious bias within your child. Our kids are watching, and they will model what we teach them.
</p><p>
<strong><em><span></span>Turn your everyday actions into acts of good at <a href="https://bit.ly/2AfA27u" target="_blank">P&G Good Everyday</a>.</em></strong>
</p>
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Former President George W. Bush pays tribute to immigrants with a new book of paintings
08.07.20
Former President George W. Bush and current president Donald Trump may both be Republicans but they have contrasting views when it comes to immigration.
Trump has been one of the most anti-immigrant presidents of recent memory. His Administration separated undocumented families at the border, placed bans on travelers from majority-Muslim countries, and he's proudly proclaimed, "Our country is full."
George W. Bush's legacy on immigration is a bit more nuanced. He ended catch-and-release and called for heightened security at the U.S.-Mexico border, but he also championed an immigration bill that created a guest worker program and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented people.
Unfortunately, that bill did not pass.
<p>Bush has alluded to his disagreement with Trump over immigration policies in an interview with <a href="https://people.com/politics/george-w-bush-to-release-book-of-paintings-featuring-americas-immigrants/" target="_blank">People in 2017.</a></p><p>"I don't like the racism and the name-calling, and I don't like the people feeling alienated," Bush said. "I didn't feel like speaking out before because I didn't want to complicate the job. However, at the Bush Center, we are speaking up ... through actions defending the values important to Laura and me."</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzU0MTcyNy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMjg0MzU1NH0.xicYldOcH_4KzIG0K1sqctDXQdtu4Ecdme2xkE3170s/img.jpg?width=980" id="fdbc3" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ec4789768b41beaa6700c4172b4ab2d2" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">via Crown</small></p><p>Bush is celebrating American immigrants with a new book of paintings "Out Of Many, One: Portraits of America's Immigrants" which will be published on March 2. It includes 43 portraits by the 43rd president. Many of the subjects are people he knows personally.<br></p><p>It's hard not to notice the political statement the book makes coming out at time when the current Republican president, and party at-large have, made anti-immigrant sentiment a big part of their collective identity.</p><p>"While I recognize that immigration can be an emotional issue, I reject the premise that it is a partisan issue. It is perhaps the most American of issues, and it should be one that unites us," Bush writes in the new book's introduction.</p><p>"My hope is that this book will help focus our collective attention on the positive impacts that immigrants are making on our country," he adds.</p><div id="d1bf4" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="cbbc9bf3d6cc2c369f13254424dc106d"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
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width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center;
width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC);
display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDj1RoEJaIc/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Login • Instagram</a></p>
</div></blockquote></div><p>The book will serve as a companion piece for Bus's upcoming art exhibition at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas.<br></p><p>"Both 'Out of Many, One" and the exhibition of the same name will include bold, principle-based solutions that comprehensively address the current debate on immigration," Crown, the book's publisher, says.</p><p>"At the heart of the recommendations is the belief that every year that passes without reforming the nation's broken system means missed opportunities to ensure the future prosperity, vitality, and security of our country," the statement continues.</p><p>A portion of the proceeds from "Out of Many, One" will go to help immigrants resettle.</p><p>Bush's persona as president was a tough-talking Texan, so his love for painting has been a rather surprising development in his post-presidential life.</p><p>He was inspired to paint after learning of Winston Churchill's love of the art. His passion for painting became public knowledge after his sister's email was hacked in 2013, revealing some of his artwork.</p><p>Since, he's been very public about his hobby, publishing a book of paintings of military veterans, "Portraits of Courage," in 2017.</p><p>"It keeps me active, so I'm not on the couch chewing potato chips all the time," Bush said <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2017/02/27/politics/george-w-bush-paintings/index.html" target="_blank">according to CNN.</a> "It's one of the great learning experiences."</p>
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Let's Do More Together
Inspired by Reddit co-founder, parents model anti-racist behavior for the next generation
07.31.20
True
It is said that once you've seen something, you can't unsee it. This is exactly what is happening in America right now. We have collectively watched the pot of racial tension boil over after years of looking the other way, insisting that hot water doesn't exist, pretending not to notice the smoke billowing out from every direction.
Ignoring a problem doesn't make it go away—it prolongs resolution. There's a whole lot of harm to be remedied and damage to be repaired as a result of racial injustice, and it's up to all of us to figure out how to do that. Parents, in particular, are recognizing the importance of raising anti-racist children; if we are unable to completely eradicate racism, maybe the next generation will.
How can parents ensure that the next generation will actively refuse to perpetuate systems and behaviors embedded in racism? The most obvious answer is to model it. Take for example, professional tennis player Serena Williams and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.
<p>
Ohanian, who is white, recently stepped down from his position at Reddit and asked the board to replace him with a person of color, calling the lack of people of color in positions of power an "unacceptable gap." He stated
<u><a href="https://twitter.com/alexisohanian/status/1268943033137053698" target="_blank">on Twitter</a></u> that he wants to be able to face his daughter if she asks one day "What did YOU do?"
</p><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I co-founded
<a href="https://twitter.com/reddit?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@reddit</a> 15 years ago to help people find community and a sense of belonging.⁰<br>
<br>
It is long overdue to do the right thing. I'm doing this for me, for my family, and for my country.
<br>
— Alexis Ohanian Sr. 🚀 (@alexisohanian)
<a href="https://twitter.com/alexisohanian/status/1268943033137053698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2020</a>
</blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"> </script></div><p>
His decision to step down arrives at a time when the United States is witnessing widespread protests against racism and police brutality after an unarmed Black man, George Floyd, died at the hands of the police. On his
<u><a href="https://alexisohanian.com/home/2020/6/5/what-did-you-do" target="_blank">personal website</a></u> Ohanian wrote, "I believe resignation can actually be an act of leadership from people in power right now. To everyone fighting to fix our broken nation: do not stop."<br>
</p><p>
Ohanian's actions are admirable, but his position isn't a common one. Most parents don't have a job that they can step away from without causing their families serious financial problems. There are, however, plenty of other ways to model anti-racist behavior.
</p><p>
"...Parents have the responsibility to combat racism, bias, and discrimination, starting with the socialization of their own children," writes Dr.
<u><a href="https://sanford.duke.edu/people/faculty/lansford-jennifer" target="_blank">Jennifer E. Lansford</a></u>, a Research Professor at the Sanford School of Public Policy and Faculty Fellow of the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University, in <u><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/parenting-and-culture/202006/parenting-combat-racism-bias-and-discrimination" target="_blank">this article</a></u> about how parents can work to fight racism. "<u><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/parenting-and-culture/202006/parenting-combat-racism-bias-and-discrimination" target="_blank">A new approach is needed</a></u>—one that does not burden parents of color as the only ones responsible for the racial-ethnic socialization of their children."
</p><p>
But what kind of new approach?
</p><p>
First and most importantly, parents can register to vote and bring their child(ren) along when casting their ballot. It's important for kids to see the democratic process, and discussing why participation in that process is an honor and a privilege increases the likelihood that children will exercise their future right to vote.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<a href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1466780446965-2072a3de8a43?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&q=80&fm=jpg&crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&w=400&fit=max&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEzMzIxMn0" target="_blank"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzUyNzEzOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMTc2NzkyNn0.d6hs2L6Sb03igjNqLr-LBIryHku11UC4aj0m3NPANCA/img.jpg?width=980" id="0ea04" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="feca73cd2018ec25507a5fabc70938a1" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></a>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">
Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@eagleboobs?utm_source=RebelMouse&utm_medium=referral">Elliott Stallion</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=RebelMouse&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a>
</small>
</p><p>
Additionally, parents have to be willing to get creative and think outside the box. <u><a href="http://bit.ly/ANTIRACISMRESOURCES" target="_blank">This resource guide is a great place to start</a></u>. Simple things like adding new podcasts into the rotation or expanding your family's library of books can make a huge difference in how our children view the world. The point is to be informed and intentional.<br>
</p><p>
Seeking out diversity, talking about race from an early age, celebrating our differences, even making a point to give our kids toys that look different than them, are all small but easy things parents and caregivers can do to instill anti-racism.
</p><p>
Look around and think about what kind of environment you are creating for your children. Does everyone look the same? If so, whether you mean to or not, you're helping to create unconscious bias within your child. Our kids are watching, and they will model what we teach them.
</p><p>
<strong><em><span></span>Turn your everyday actions into acts of good at <a href="https://bit.ly/2AfA27u" target="_blank">P&G Good Everyday</a>.</em></strong>
</p>
Keep Reading
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Kooky conspiracy theories are detracting from the very real issue of child trafficking
08.04.20
Photo by Mahir Uysal on Unsplash
Two years ago, I got off the phone after an interview and cried my eyes out. I'd just spent an hour talking to Tim Ballard, the founder of Operation Underground Railroad, an organization that helps fight child sex trafficking, and I just couldn't take it.
Ballard told me about how the training to go undercover as a child predator nearly broke him. He told me an eerie story of a trafficker who could totally compartmentalize, showing Ballard photos of kids he had for sale, then switching gears to proudly show him a photo of his own daughter on her bicycle, just as any parent would. He told me about how lucrative child trafficking is—how a child can bring in three or four times as much as a female prostitute—and how Americans are the industry's biggest consumers.
<p>But you know what he <em>didn't </em>mention in our hour-long conversation? Pizza, hot dogs, Hollywood elites, or any of the other child sex trafficking conspiracy theories raging around the internet. Not one of them. Not once. </p><p>You know who else doesn't mention any of those things? The organizations that have spent years and years battling child sex trafficking while most of us blissfully went along in our daily lives, largely oblivious to it. </p><p>No matter our political, religious, or ideological leanings, the unfathomable hideousness of child sex trafficking is something all of us should be able to agree on. But that doesn't make conspiracy theories about pizza parlors and Satanic pedophile rings palatable, or even remotely acceptable. </p><p>Did people learn nothing from the man who believed the Pizzagate conspiracy and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-washingtondc-gunman/man-pleads-guilty-in-washington-pizzeria-shooting-over-fake-news-idUSKBN16V1XC" target="_blank">fired his AR-15 inside of Comet Ping Pong</a> in Washington D.C. because he believed a baseless pedophile ring conspiracy theory involving the pizza parlor? </p><p>There are still people who think that Pizzagate thing is real. (For those who have been blissfully spared from that lunacy, you can read about it <a href="https://time.com/4590255/pizzagate-fake-news-what-to-know/" target="_blank">here.</a>) But that's not even the kookiest thing I've seen lately. There's a veritable laundry list of child sex trafficking posts going around, including:</p><p>- Oprah, Tom Hanks, Ellen Degeneres and other "Hollywood elites" have actually been arrested, and the pandemic is all a distraction to cover up the crackdown on these celebrities. (Fact check <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-tom-hanks-ankle-monitor/fact-check-tom-hanks-is-not-wearing-an-ankle-monitor-post-stems-from-conspiracy-claims-idUSKCN24T2AZ" target="_blank">here.</a> Oh and another one <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/07/30/fact-check-teigen-degeneres-oprah-not-epstein-flight-logs/5494709002/" target="_blank">here.</a>) </p><p>- Model and wife of John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, is a pedophile because she's tweeted a whole bunch about pizza and because she had a sardonic sense of humor about the sexualization of little kids on the show Toddlers & Tiaras back in 2013. (Fact check <a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/01/what-happened-with-chrissy-teigen-on-twitter-an-explainer.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/07/30/fact-check-teigen-degeneres-oprah-not-epstein-flight-logs/5494709002/" target="_blank">here.</a>) </p><p>- Wayfair—yes, the home goods products store—has <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/07/22/fact-check-wayfair-not-involved-child-sex-trafficking/5460739002/" target="_blank">coded listings for missing children</a> being sold at exorbitant prices in a child sex trafficking scheme. (No, they don't. Fact check <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/07/22/fact-check-wayfair-not-involved-child-sex-trafficking/5460739002/" target="_blank">here.</a>)</p><p>- Having children wear masks will make it easier for kids to be trafficked because no one can see the expression on the kids' faces or identify them. (As if child traffickers weren't already successfully trafficking kids without masks. Fact check <a href="https://www.kimt.com/content/news/COVID-19-increases-concerns-over-masked-child-trafficking-suspects-571971611.html" target="_blank">here.</a>)</p><p>- There's a concerted effort to make "age fluidity" a thing, and to make pedophilia an accepted sexual orientation. (There is one very small group called NAMBLA, which has been trying to abolish consent laws since the 1970s, but claims that there's some kind of "movement" to normalize pedophilia as a legitimate sexual orientation is actually an effort to harm the LBGTQ+ community. Fact check <a href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/pedophiles-age-fluid/?fbclid=IwAR3DdW3MKnrvWzVr4y9V8KY_LEJn-JkTsUzC81DzeAah-HZZyHSMiLJ7B_o" target="_blank">here.</a>) </p><p>- Obama and Clinton are satanic leaders of a global child-sex-trafficking cabal—which includes most Democrats and Hollywood, apparently—who feast on children's adrenal glands in order to increase their power. (Fact check <a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/12/qanon-4chan-the-storm-conspiracy-explained.html" target="_blank">here,</a> although if you seriously need a fact check for this you are already too far gone, my friend. On a related note, <a href="https://mssv.net/2020/08/02/what-args-can-teach-us-about-qanon/?fbclid=IwAR3Al2UWJWuScsfllbPZS1EZJYSQsQ0ZCHue0YcXNXcgJnsZK6h4eNt-leE" target="_blank">this article </a>about the parallels between QAnon and "alternate reality games" is suuuuper fascinating and explains a lot.) </p><p>- Obama spent $65,000 on a "hot dog" party, which is code for little boys and pedophilia. (You know what? I'm not even going to fact check this, because come on.) </p><p>And that's not even all of them. </p><h2></h2><p>Of course, there are some legitimate questions to be asked about how much involvement certain celebrities and politicians, including Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, had with known pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Having watched a beloved figure like Bill Cosby fall from grace over sexual misconduct, we know what's possible. But none of those Epstein connections are a secret. It's all being reported on in the real news and has been since Epstein started being investigated. (There's also a lot of misinformation about who was involved with Epstein, and to what degree, and in what capacity, and none of these conspiracy theories are helping us get to the truth of the matter.) </p><p>The main problem is this: When you conflate the actual issue of child sex trafficking—which is absolutely real and serious and deserves our attention—with totally off-the-wall, debunked conspiracy theories, it causes people to put their energies in the wrong places. </p><p>The Polaris Project, a national organization that fights human trafficking, had to release a statement asking people to stop calling about Wayfair because it was overwhelming the National Human Trafficking Hotline.</p><p>"While Polaris treats all calls to the Trafficking Hotline seriously, the extreme volume of these contacts has made it more difficult for the Trafficking Hotline to provide support and attention to others who are in need of help," <a href="https://polarisproject.org/press-releases/polaris-statement-on-wayfair-sex-trafficking-claims/" target="_blank">the group said in a July 20 press release</a>. "We strongly encourage everyone to learn more about what human trafficking really looks like in most situations, and about how you can help fight trafficking in your own community."</p><p>What it often looks like is a family member trafficking a child, such as <a data-linked-post="2646852230" href="https://www.upworthy.com/what-child-trafficking-looks-like" target="_blank">Melody Cholish's story</a> she recently shared with us. Sometimes it looks different, and you can find all kinds of stories and information about child trafficking from the many organizations that have worked for years on this issue, including <a href="https://www.savethechildren.org/us/charity-stories/child-trafficking-awareness#children" target="_blank">Save the Children</a>, <a href="https://ourrescue.org/" target="_blank">Operation Underground Railroad</a>, <a href="https://polarisproject.org/" target="_blank">the Polaris Project</a>, <a href="https://love146.org/slavery/common-myths/" target="_blank">Love 146</a>, and <a href="https://www.stopthetraffik.org/" target="_blank">Stop the Traffik.</a> (Please use those sites for "doing research" instead of Twitter or QAnon or YouTube or memes that come through your feed.) </p><p><span></span>The other problem is that the issue of child sex trafficking is suddenly being used to deflect from every other important issue, because "Oh yeah? <em>What about CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING???</em>" is a fairly effective deflection. I mean, who doesn't think that child sex trafficking is the absolute worst of the worst things humans do? Black Lives Matter? <em>What about CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING?</em> Horrible pandemic situation due to inept leadership? <em>What about CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING? </em></p><p>I mean, we can care about more than one thing at a time. The question is, why did all these conspiracy theorists not care this much about child sex trafficking until they thought it was "evil liberal elites" doing it? Why was no one calling child sex trafficking a "pandemic" until we were in the middle of an uncontrolled <em>literal </em>pandemic? Why were there no widespread protests against child sex trafficking until there were widespread protests for Black Lives Matter? <br></p><p>As I mentioned, Tim Ballard didn't say a single thing about Hollywood elites or pizza parlor basements or adrenal-sucking rituals or anything of the sort in our hour-long conversation about child sex trafficking. And he's an expert on this topic. He's also a conservative Trump supporter. He's not peddling any of these conspiracies, and neither are any of the legitimate organizations that are working to end child trafficking. Not one. </p><p>Either every major organization working to end child sex trafficking is a part of The Big Evil Global Elite Pedo Ring Plot or people who spend too much time on social media are being taken by baseless, politically-driven nonsense that's probably being pumped out of some guy's basement. My money is on the latter. </p><p>Stick with the organizations that have been doing this work for decades. Get your information from them. Stop sharing crazy internet conspiracies simply because you want people to know you care about children, or because it justifies your hatred of people you see as your enemies. We can—and must—unite to fight child sex trafficking without resorting to insane, debunked rumors that muddy the waters and distract from the real problem. </p>
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Dad coaching his 4-yr-old through a harrowing cheer stunt mistake is peak patient parenting
08.07.20
Roland Pollard and his 4-year-old daughter Jayden have been doing cheer and tumbling stunts together since Jayden could walk. When you see videos of their skills, the level of commitment is apparent—as is the supportive relationship this daddy has with his daughter.
Pollard, a former competitive cheerleader and cheer coach, told In The Know that he didn't expect Jayden to catch on to her flying skills at age 3, but she did. He said he never pressures her to perform stunts and that she enjoys it. And as a viral video of Jayden almost falling during a stunt shows, excelling at a skill requires good teaching—something Pollard appears to have mastered.
<p>Twitter user Toya Rochelle shared a TikTok video of Pollard's in which Jayden makes a mistake on a move and falls. Pollard first checked to make sure she was okay. Then he matter-of-factly pointed out the mistake and explained the importance of listening to instructions, while also letting her know that he wasn't going to let her fall. "Daddy will always save you," he said.</p><p>Once she was calm and they'd talked through what happened, they tried again. This time, with success. </p>
<div id="34a36" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2f8df80ddbadf058752aafda86a5ca54"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1290938400938299392" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">@ToyaRochelle there’s more to this cuteness 🥺 https://t.co/92mmSdZUg5</div> — n. (@n.)<a href="https://twitter.com/ii_amNeo/statuses/1290938400938299392">1596618673.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>Another Twitter user pointed out that there was more video that followed this interaction, showing how sweet this dad-daughter duo's relationship really is. After a high-five and an "I'm so proud of you," Pollard asked if Jayden was ready to go get some ice cream, but she just wanted to go home and have some real food. Really, it's the little things in their exchange that are the sweetest. For instance, she accidentally kicks him when he puts her on his shoulders and says, "Sorry," and he instantly responds, "That's okay." So calm, so considerate. It's clear that there's no shortage of love, trust and security here.</p><p>Some watching the videos may feel that these kinds of cheer moves are too dangerous for a child. In an interview with <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/1134072/meet-the-father-daughter-duo-whose-cheer-stunts-have-the-internet-flipping-out" target="_blank">E! News</a>, Pollard explained that despite how the stunts may look to the public, he wouldn't let anything happen to Jayden. </p><p>"I believe that fear is a taught or learned trait and I've never given her a reason to be afraid," he said. "Any flyer I have trained knows that I will catch them if anything tragic goes wrong. She doesn't necessarily push me directly, but when I see she gets a skill down, I always try and make it harder. I love my daughter with all of my heart and would never put her at risk."<br></p><p>He also said he always tells her "Good job, mama!" after every stunt. "Before every stunt, I tell her I love her and give her a kiss for reassurance," he added. "We call it 'hardwood floor talk.'"</p><p><br></p>
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