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The Next Time You Talk About Abortion, Make Sure You Know These Numbers
It seems abortion is one of the most heated topics you can possibly find out there. But after you hear these stats, should it be?
06.27.14
Throughout his basketball career Michael Jordan has been criticized for not letting his voice be heard when it came to political change. That does not appear to be the case anymore. In the month of June alone, Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand have donated $100 million dollars to organizations committed to race equality. A portion of the funds will be allocated to organizations helping to protect black voting rights.
In the latest announcement, Jordan himself and his Jordan Brand are investing $2.5 in organizations to help combat Black voter suppression. In a statement from the Jordan Brand, it was announced: $1 million dollars is being donated to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc. and $1 million to the Formerly Incarcerated and Convicted People and Families Movement. The Black Voters Matter organization will receive $500,000 in the statement which was first reported by CNN.
<p>In his own statement, Jordan says, "I'm all in with Jordan Brand, the Jordan family and our partners, who share a commitment to address the historical inequality that continues to plague Black communities in the U.S. There is a long history of oppression against Black Americans that holds us back from full participation in American society. We understand that one of the main ways we can change systemic racism is at the polls. We know it will take time for us to create the change we want to see, but we are working quickly to take action for the Black community's voice to be heard," </p><p>Examples of voter suppression range from uneven voting resource allocations to denying the right to vote for felons who have served their sentence. <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/presidential-voting-season-tidal-wave-voter-suppression-washing-over-multiple-n1128041" target="_blank">According to NBC News</a>, the lawmakers who denied ex-felons voting rights said that it was up to them to decide when their sentence was complete. Third-party groups that register people to vote can also be charged with criminal penalties if the forms arrive with a mistake or are incomplete. </p><p>Back in June, Jordan made it clear he was personally moved by the protests around the country sparked by the killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis. </p><p><br></p>
<div id="10941" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4726ebb3b43497ac5bec2ffe7168d87c"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1269003930790318080" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Black lives matter. This isn't a controversial statement. We are you. We are a family. We are a community. https://t.co/cGH8bJl1GQ</div> — Jordan (@Jordan)<a href="https://twitter.com/Jumpman23/statuses/1269003930790318080">1591389088.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>However, it wasn't always like that. During his playing career, Jordan once infamously joked that "Republicans by shoes too," when asked why he didn't leverage his global celebrity for cultural and political causes. Back in 2000, Jordan did endorse Bill Bradley's run for president but that was largely seen as stemming from Jordan's professional ties to Bradley, a former NBA star. Jordan also largely stayed silent during the late 1990's when Nike came under fire for its labor practices and questions over alleged sweatshop labor.</p><p>In 2015, <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/13530915/cleveland-cavaliers-star-lebron-james-michael-jordan-beat-area" target="_blank">Jordan was called out in an ESPN article for his lack of philanthropy. </a>The truth is Michael Jordan has given to over 20 charities including the <a href="https://www.jackierobinson.org/" target="_blank">Jackie Robinson Foundation</a>, the <a href="https://www.specialolympics.org/" target="_blank">Special Olympics</a> and the <a href="https://uncf.org/" target="_blank">United Negro College Fund</a>. <br></p><p>On the court, Michael Jordan led by example. He has said that he never asked anything of a teammate that he wouldn't do himself. Let's hope that the ones who can afford to help are inspired by the likes of Jordan, LeBron James, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet to name a few. Whether it is donating money or volunteering, let's all be a little more like Mike. </p>
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Huge transformations are possible. And the last weeks and months have shown us that.
07.15.20
True
The United Nations is marking its 75th anniversary at a time of great challenge, including the worst global health crisis in its history. Will it bring the world closer together? Or will it lead to greater divides and mistrust?
Share your vision for shaping the future: take this 1-minute survey. Your responses to this survey will inform global priorities now and going forward.
Culture
When a critic called Arnold a 'snowflake' he responded with an epic, yet uplifting mic drop
08.02.20
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a badass in the movies, but he's increasingly building a reputation as a heroic "action star" in real life. Only, instead of dropping ungodly amounts of fake bullets into his enemies, Schwarzenegger has been dropping rhetorical bombs against his political opponents while building intellectual and emotional bridges to those who disagree with him but still have open hearts and minds.
The most recent example found Arnold responding to a comment someone made on Facebook. On the surface, that may sound like just about the least unique or original jumping off point for a story.
<p>But so far as Arnold's "critic" goes, I challenge you to find a better example of someone lashing out behind the safety of a keyboard. The anonymous commenter apparently doesn't like Schwarzenegger chiming in on world events like the coronavirus or the president of Donald Trump, telling the former California governor: "Stick to lifting and making movies … Snowflake is a title you do not want." </p><p>Now, there are all kinds of ways an 8-time Mr. Universe could respond to being called a "snowflake." <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/insanepeoplefacebook/comments/i1lg6w/the_terminator_shut_him_down/" target="_blank">Simply put, Arnold's response is brilliant</a>, taking an attempt to go negative and reminding everyone of the power of positive, constructive political dialogue:</p><p>"I never mind picking up new titles. Mr. Universe, Mr. Olympia, Terminator, Governor… If you want to call me Snowflake, that's fine - it would have been a fantastic Mr. Freeze line. But let me give you some advice. If you're going to call someone a snowflake because they believe in a different policy than you, you might want to look in the mirror. When you see an idea you disagree with, you can get angry, or you can learn. I'd recommend you research and learn and grow. You can still disagree - that's the best part about being American! But at least you can disagree with evidence and analysis. We can all be better if we don't simply react. Pause, reflect, learn, and then decide if you still want to call someone a Snowflake. Good luck with everything."<br></p><p><br></p><p>Oftentimes, the most powerful statements are simple, emotionally evocative and built around an airtight argument Honestly, it doesn't matter what your politics, religion, values or agenda is, Arnold's thinking applies to them all. When we believe in our ideas and have truly examined them, including our own motivations for latching on to them, we should be willing to engage in dialogue with those who have different points of view After all, our beliefs are not contingent on their support. And each party might just learn something along the way by talking it out ... and listening.</p><p>Of course, this isn't Arnold's first rodeo in the "doing good" space of social media.</p><p> He has been trying to make a difference on social media like <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/video/arnold-schwarzenegger-practices-social-distancing-with-donkey-and-pony/" target="_blank">talking about the importance of wearing a mask</a> since March when the coronavirus lockdown went into effect across most parts of the country.</p><p>He also responded to a fan who contacted him about being depressed, and had <a href="https://www.upworthy.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-s-caring-response-to-a-depressed-fan-is-a-beautiful-thing-to-read" target="_blank">some wise words about why mental health trumps any flexing from time at the gym.</a></p><p>What Arnold is proving is that it is vital to think before we speak. Try to be informed about your opinions. When someone disagrees, try to see if they might have a point. Don't try and be right. Try and get it right. That requires having an open mind. Whether you have believed something for five minutes or 40 years, it is important to be open to all ideas. This is how we grow. </p><p>He is also showing how to bring an errant and cavalier comment back down to earth rather than getting swept up in some frivolous emotional exchange. Arnold was the bigger person (I am assuming in more ways than one). And while he might not have changed the mind of the person he was responding to, if you read the comments, his words made an impact on others. </p><p>Walking the walk is contagious. It is much like that moment when you are behind a disadvantaged person in the checkout line at the grocery store, and they either forgot their wallet or can't afford what they're trying to buy but then someone steps up and offers to pay for them. You feel a little ashamed that you didn't think of doing it first. The good news is that the next time that happens, you could be the one who steps forward and makes everyone in the line wish they had thought of it.</p><p>Another key lesson here is patience. Arnold didn't take the bait. He didn't give Mr. Keyboard Tough Guy the response he was hoping for, unless typing an insult to Arnold Schwarzenegger just made him feel empowered. And that would be sad, but I digress. Arnold is showing us the way we need to be communicating. It's not rocket science but the basic tenets of civil discourse seem pretty rare these days, especially on social media. </p><p>The Internet is the ultimate marketplace of ideas. Instead of cancelling those we disagree with, maybe the best way forward is through open dialogue and transparency. The best ideas will win, the worst ideas will lose and everything in between can be discussed back and forth to find the best ideas from both sides. If that's the role of Arnold's third act in the public eye, we can't wait for him to "be back" next time.</p>
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Alanis Morissette tries to debut her new song but her daughter keeps adorably interrupting
07.31.20
Those of us who grew up in the Alanis Morissette angst era and followed her through her transformation into a more enlightened version of herself may be thrilled to know she has a new album out. Such Pretty Forks in the Road is her first album in eight years—and the first since two of her three children were born.
Anyone who's been working from home with kids knows that we're all in the same frequently interrupted boat. Such is the pandemic life. But we've also seen how those very human moments when kids insert themselves into life are some of the most real and precious. And that reality comes shining through in Morissette's Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon performance of her new song, "Ablaze," which is, not so ironically, a song about her children. As she sings, it's clear that she's still got the chops that made her famous. It's also clear that her 4-year-old daughter, Onyx, just sees her mommy as mommy and not as the iconic pop star that she is. The performance is lovely and sweet, and hearing Onyx's little voice and seeing her put her hand over her mom's mouth as she sings is just too adorably real.
<p>Enjoy: </p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c98a644be848754753d61d801b9c5611"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jenJ4_TlZcU?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Alanis Morissette: Ablaze (TV Debut)</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jenJ4_TlZcU" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><p>As one commenter on Reddit wrote, "Keeping in tune with a baby on your hand while she's talking to you can't be easy. She nailed it." Indeed, she did. Welcome back, Alanis. Thanks for releasing an album right when we need it the most. </p>
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