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cfda July 6, 2021
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Kerby Jean-Raymond is revolutionizing sustainable art and fashion

Kerby Jean-Raymond, who has been a successful Black fashion designer since his youth, is effectively presenting fashion as art, specifically, sustainable art that conveys a strong message. Jean-Raymond works to uplift people of color and the environment rather than destroying them, which he is illustrating through his new Reebok deal.

Who is Kerby Jean-Raymond?

Jean-Raymond is a fashion prodigy of sorts. He created his first designs when he was young and earned an apprenticeship when he was just 14 years old. At 15, he crafted his first fashion label, Mary’s Jungle. With these early accomplishments in mind, it is no surprise that Forbes listed him in “30 under 30” in 2015.

The Black fashion designer really came to fame with his presentation of Pyer Moss’s Spring Menswear Collection in 2016 New York Fashion Week. The show was particularly memorable, as it controversially referenced police brutality and Black Lives Matter.

Jean-Raymond’s decision to draw attention to these issues and causes through his art paid off. His success has expanded substantially. In 2020, he was appointed Global Creative Director of Reebok sportswear. He is also involved in Reebok’s Product with Purpose program. This program is part of Reebok’s initiative to fight racism and racist systems. 

“Reconnecting” through the Reebok deal

Jean-Raymond has been working on this collab with Reebok since their deal in September 2020. A couple of weeks ago, Reebok shared a glimpse at Jean-Raymond’s creative vision—the “Reconnect” collection.

This series of short films and a longer video reimagines the connection between sport and community, as inspired by Jide Osifeso—the artistic marketing director appointed by Jean-Raymond. Osifeso elaborates on his idea behind “Reconnect.” 

“The film series was made for people to derive their own meanings. I wanted to explore forward movement – literally and figuratively – and on a macro level, the idea that life is not a spectator sport as we should always strive to make the most of every moment in our journey through life.”

Jide Osifeso

Further down the line, Osifeso and Jean-Raymond will reveal a new global campaign and Jean-Raymond’s first product line in the spring of 2022. Jean-Raymond will also reveal another collection that is entirely his own a year later in 2023. 

Sustainable fashion in art

This designer is inspiring for reasons beyond his creative drive and social sensitivity. As written in the CFDA newsletter,

“Jean-Raymond’s new role sends the right message. He becomes the second Black American designer to creatively lead an important brand in our industry – Virgil Abloh at Louis Vuitton being the first – and the role gives him a leadership opportunity to not just express his powerful voice on a major platform, but to also stand as a role model for future generations dreaming of a career in fashion.”

As a successful Black designer and creative, Jean-Raymond’s position and talent should be appreciated. Especially seeing how he is using his platform to make a difference at Reebok and in the fashion industry, which includes promoting sustainability as the future of fashion.

He tells WWD in an interview, “I think the future of fashion is experiential, and I think fashion is going to move from clothes to content.” With this new focus on content and fashion as “art pieces,” Jean-Raymond believes “the days of pushing out product, trying to work against inventory is going to die with the more conscious thinking and sustainability.”

If companies make clothing to order, as the company Resonance does, it “involves very little water usage, no waste of any fabrication,” says Jean-Raymond. He wants “to start creative experiences” rather than harming the environment with mass production. 

Kerby Jean-Raymond and art in sustainabile fashion

Jean-Raymond’s collections underline how fashion can be an experience—one that is enjoyable, thought-provoking, and environmentally friendly. His work is paradigmatic of how creatives can propel society forward.

This designer is emphasizing the importance of artists, especially Black artists, and the societal commentary their work can make. Sustainable fashion and art can go hand in hand, and Kerby Jean-Raymond makes sure to remind us of this.

clevercare July 1, 2021
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Sustainability in fashion has never been easier than with Clevercare

You’ve probably heard the phrase “sustainable fashion” thrown around many times over the past few years. A lot of people understand it to simply mean clothing made from environment-friendly materials–like bamboo, for example. However, sustainability can also refer to what happens after clothes are made. English fashion designer Stella McCartney knows this well.

It is important that we care for our wardrobes with attention. The way we wash and dry our clothing has a direct impact on our environment. 

Stella McCartney is teaching us how to care for our garments in an environmentally conscious way. 

Who is Stella McCartney?

Stella McCartney, daughter of Linda and Paul McCartney, has taken the fashion industry by storm.

After producing two collections following her graduation from Central St Martins, she was appointed the Creative Director of Chloé in Paris in 1997. She showed her first collection in Paris in 2001. McCartney found success early, and her creativity has yet to fade. 

She now has 51 freestanding stories across the world, and her collections are sold in 77 countries. Her work has expended to include perfume, lingerie, children’s clothing, and athletic wear.

For the 2012 Olympic Summer Games, McCartney designed apparel for Team GB across all competitions for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Her impact in the fashion world is astounding. What is even more admirable is how she uses her influence to promote sustainable fashion practices.

Sustainable fashion has always been a priority of McCartney’s, starting with a refusal to incorporate any fur or leather in her work. Now, McCartney is inspiring us with her sustainable “Clevercare” initiative. 

Clevercare

Clevercare is a simple but effective labeling system for clothing. The symbol on the inside of your garment reminds you how to clean it responsibly and sustainably. It specifies instructions for washing, temperature, drying, ironing, and dry cleaning. Not only will these Clevercare practices help the environment, but they’ll also make your clothes last longer, too. 

In her YouTube video “Clevercare,” McCartney says, “The job that I do… it can be responsible for up to 60% of the environmental impact when I create the product.”

But the English fashion designer’s clients can be just as impactful as she is.

“You guys are involved,” she says, and “aftercare is really, really important.”

The decisions we make when caring for our clothing affect our air and our oceans. The good news is that garment-care practices that are good for the environment are better for your clothes as well. McCartney’s rule of thumb is, “the less you wash it, the better for the garment, the better for the environment.”

What part can we play?

Sustainable garment care is an important step toward an environment-friendly lifestyle.

Save energy by using cool water temperatures and hanging your clothes to dry. Save water and protect our oceans by washing your clothes less often. You can find many more tips like these here. 

We have a responsibility to care for the environment, and it starts at home. 

Bruh June 24, 2021
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Terrifying side job stories show us the lengths creatives go to be successful

For the creatives struggling to make ends meet and clients who aren’t proud to pay… These terrifying side jobs stories are for you.

As people will remind us again and again, it can be hard to make a living as a creative. Many creatives are forced to seek side jobs to sustain their creative practices, but terrifying stories of these endeavors swarm.

The fear: Are side jobs sustainable for creatives?

As an English major, many of my peers have told me that my chosen major is “impractical” and that I’ll never find a job after graduation. Honestly, I’m scared they’re right.

It’s difficult to be successful as any type of artist, which is why many choose to do something more “practical” on the side. However, these side-hustles aren’t easy either. Here are stories of side-hustles gone wrong that remind us how difficult it can be to make a living as a creative.  

Exploited rideshare drivers

This past week, Uber Eats driver Smithson Michael posted an emotional TikTok of himself after receiving a measly tip of $1.19. He had been driving for this customer for more than an hour.

Even when you don’t consider how Uber tends to financially exploit their drivers, this is an insultingly small tip. “I got $1.19 and $2 from the app. What’s that? That’s not even enough to cover gas.”

@its.smithsonmichael

#helpme #ubereatsdriver #traction #positiveforce

♬ Deliverers deserve better – Smithson Michael

Many of us take for granted these services and the people providing them. Drivers like Michael deserve our respect and compassion. 

Big side hustle fail: The Amazon tycoon wannabe

In his blog AcceleratedFI, writer Jim shares stories and tips to help his readers achieve financial independence. His content includes failed side-hustle stories. One in particular stands out, as he lost $1,600 after being promised he would make at least $10,000 per month.

As with many failed side-hustle stories, it starts with misleading advertising. A few years ago, it seemed that everyone was talking about how much money you could make from selling products on Amazon. And that is true technically; there are some people who have successfully monopolized product sales. But it’s not easy starting out. 

Jim paid $60 for a course on Amazon product businesses. He learned a few rules such as, “Your product should be small and relatively lightweight,” and “it should sell for $15-$50.” After researching products, Jim settled on a garlic press.

It was small and lightweight, and there were very few competitors. There were only four other garlic press sellers on Amazon at the time. However, as soon as he ordered $1600 worth of supplies, competition exploded. Long story short, he lost $1600.

Copywriting–bad for the soul?

Many young creatives will happily take any job that remotely relates to their field of interest when they’re first starting out. For example, Zulie Rane writes how she took a job writing product descriptions for bidgets. She earned a penny per word writing mundane descriptions of furniture. 

Although boring, the side-hustle might have been worth it if it was making her plenty of money. But with only a penny per word, you would have to dedicate a lot of time to actually make a substantial amount of money. There aren’t enough hours in the day for that. Plus, Rane writes that “it’ll crush your soul.” 

Many of us have to pay our dues when we first enter our chosen career, and it’s not fun. Sometimes, it is not even worth it. Do your best to prioritize both your long term goals and your happiness. 

What more terrifying than a side job story with no ROI

Joseph Terndrup writes on his website Side Hustle Nation about his failed side-hustle attempts. In one of his anecdotes, he describes how he tried to generate ad revenue by creating a content website. He spent months writing and producing content, yet he generated absolutely no ad revenue. 

If you Google “how to make money on the side” or “how to make money from home,” writing some sort of blog will always some up as a suggestion. But making money from your writing is not as easy as Google will tell you it is. It can take years to establish steady website traffic. 

For Terndrup, he spent $500 and 6 months of his time, and reaped $0 for his efforts. 

Dishwashing horror story

Melanie Lockert writes about her side hustle fails in her blog Dear Debt. She likes to use TaskRabbit to help her find gigs or odd jobs to make some extra cash. She’s worked holiday parties, helped people move, etc. Lockert has relied on these jobs to help get her out of $81,000 of student loan debt, but it has been no easy feat. 

One of Locker’s gigs was to clean someone’s fridge and to start a load of dishes in the dishwasher. It sounds simple enough, but unfortunately, Locker but the wrong kind of soap in the dishwasher. She had to clean up loads of suds and water.

After cleaning up the mess, she restarted the dishwasher, but made the same mistake. She failed to see that the bottle of soap said, “Do not use in automatic dishwasher.” Needless to say, she had to have an awkward conversation with the man who hired her. It didn’t sound like he’d want her back anytime soon.

As a creative, not all of us are fully appreciated in society. It’s not that easy to get a well-paying job right after graduating. Luckily, Locker has worked her way out of it through side-hustles, but the dirty work isn’t always as simple as it sounds. 

After these terrifying side jobs stories are more appreciative of creatives?

If you are searching for a side-hustle, try to consider what is profitable and what will make you happy. “Profit” and “happy” aren’t exclusively synonymous words, but do your best to find a balance.

And for the rest of you, make sure to show appreciation for the people working to support themselves as creatives. Many of them might be the people helping you throughout your day—your driver, your dog walker, whoever it may be—so they deserve your support.

Bruh June 24, 2021
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Lin-Manuel Miranda and the problematic colorism in ‘In The Heights’

If you haven’t already heard, the Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda has taken his critically-acclaimed musical In the Heights to the big screen. It was released last week in theaters and on HBO Max, and it seems that it’s all anyone can talk about. But the conversations don’t just focus on the film’s material; In the Heights is being criticized for its problematic colorism.

Miranda first found success after writing In the Heights in 2005, which then made its way to Broadway in 2008. The musical surrounds the Latinx community in Washington Heights, and the narrative follows a range of characters, all with different dreams and struggles. 

Miranda’s fame grew with the success of Hamilton. The musical received praise for its ingenuity and diverse casting of Latinx and Black performers for the roles of America’s white founding fathers.

Like Miranda’s other works, his new movie displays a deeply talented cast with eloquently written songs. However, the film adaptation of In the Heights has been receiving plenty of criticism as well.

Colorism in ‘In the Heights,’ Lin-Manuel Miranda responds

A lot of people feel that In the Heights failed to adequately represent the Afro-Latino population of Washington Heights. Lin-Manuel Miranda intended for the musical and movie to artistically and accurately portray a community that society often ignores.

He tells Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, “Your job as an artist is to write what’s missing. All I want is for this neighborhood [Washington Heights] to feel seen.” 

Unfortunately, Miranda fell short. The Latinx community is a diverse group, so many argue that the makers of In the Heights were practicing colorism by omitting dark-skinned and Afro-Latinx actors.

For those who don’t know, Alice Walker coined the term “Colorism” to describe how people of color with lighter skin may experience more privilege than people of color with darker skin. 

Three days after the film’s release, Miranda tweeted an apology statement: 

Reframing his mistakes

We can learn from Miranda’s mistakes, as he would wish us to, but we can also learn from his progressive response to criticism.

In Miranda’s interview on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, he responds to these critiques thoughtfully as he did in his apology statement.

When asked about the Afro-Latinx community who spoke up about not feeling seen in In The Heights, Miranda replies, “You have to acknowledge that and let it in…all I can do is learn from it and promise to do better. When you make something, you’re creating a frame,” and you have to acknowledge when you’ve left people out of that frame. 

Miranda cannot take back the mistakes he made with the film, but he can apply what he’s learned to his next project. He tells The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,

I’m happy to take the learning from it and bring that to the next one and also Hold space to be proud of the thing we made that has been half my life. I have to be able to hold both those things because they’re both true.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Despite his shortcomings, Miranda promises to improve. This open-mindedness can only bolster his talent as an artist.

Whether it is a musical or movie, In The Heights and others need to preach accuracy and inclusivity, and to be conscience about colorism. I think I speak for most of us when I say we’re eager to see what he comes up with next. 

10K80 June 21, 2021
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Real estate mogul Cesar Piña is the paradigm of self-made

Cesar Piña is reminding us to appreciate second chances in life. He started out living a circumstantial life common in his neighborhood. At 16 years old, the now-real estate mogul started selling drugs, and eventually began participating in credit card fraud.

Snitched on by one of his family members, Piña went to prison, where he picked up the skills for his real estate business to become a self-made multi-millionaire. He truly flipped his life around. 

In a capitalist society, racist, sexist, and classist institutions can work against your efforts to succeed. However, some individuals can find success beyond their circumstances. Cesar Piña’s success story is truly one to be admired. You can read more about his journey in his new book Flipping Keys: Self-Made Real Estate King.

Humble beginnings

Cesar Piña grew up in Washington Heights and later moved to a tough neighborhood in Paterson, New Jersey. After graduating high school in ’97, he sought financial independence by selling drugs, which was a common means of making money in his area.

Eventually, Piña was sentenced to 16 months in prison for marijuana possession and credit card fraud. He tells The Breakfast Club in an interview that this was the wake-up call for Piña and led him to the decision to change his life completely. 

This entrepreneur made the most of his time while in prison. He was able to focus on building a career in real estate by talking with Rene Abreu, who he met in prison. Abreu had experience in real estate, so he mentored Piña to help him piece together the makings of success before he was released. 

The start of Cesar Piña’s success

In his interview with The Breakfast Club, Piña elaborates on the start of his career just out of prison. His mentor had another seven years, so now Piña had to learn the rest on the job.

To afford to flip his first rental property, he sold his car and his wife’s engagement ring and borrowed money from his parents. Then, he expanded slightly to flip small 2, 3, or 4 family homes. He took risks, and it definitely paid off. 

Although Piña turned his life around to leave the streets behind, those experiences are useful to him today. Piña tells The Breakfast Club, “If you can survive [the streets], you can pretty much survive anything.”

He describes that the drug game was a numbers game, so he has been able to apply those skills to his current multi-million dollar business.

“Instead of selling drugs on the block, now we actually own the block.” 

Cesar Piña

Where is Cesar Piña now?

Cesar Piña’s business has grown substantially. He owns over 1,600 rental units and properties. Currently, he is flipping as many as 80 properties a year. Some of his clients include popular artists such as 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, and Nicky Jam.

He also does more more than just flip properties. Piña partners with DJ Envy, radio personality and record producer, to give seminars around the country to reach people about the real estate business.

And, he has a production deal with hip-hop artist 50 Cent to create a television series on the work behind flipping houses. With all of these projects, it is hard to imagine how he managed to write a memoir at the same time.

About the book: Flipping Keys: Self-Made Real Estate King

You can read all about the real estate mogul’s life and successes in his new book on bestseller lists everywhere. Flipping Keys reveals all the details about his unbelievable journey from the streets to multifaceted success. He writes:

I’ve been on a mission. I’ve tried to tell my story to thousands so that when it’s told you can envision yourself in my story, and see how everyone can achieve greatness. Of the many things that I’ve learned on my way is to never allow anyone or anything to derail you off your track. Stay focused.

Cesar Piña

If you’re looking for motivation, advice, or just entertainment, you should read Flipping Keys.

What can we learn from Cesar Piña?

The real estate mogul we have covered is truly inspiring.

If there is anything to take from Piña’s story, it is that you shouldn’t underestimate yourself. Life may seem against you, but you never truly know where you’ll end up.

Black Lives Matter
black lives matter June 17, 2021
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Black Lives Matter money: Where does all the fundraising go?

What’s going on with Black Lives Matter and its fundraising? Why would a foundation with the admirable, necessary cause of supporting Black lives receive criticism from its supporters, and what does a woman by the name of Patrisse Cullors have to do with it all? For the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, the questions all come back to the money.

The finances of the foundation have come into question especially after Co-founder and Executive Director Patrisse Cullors stepped down from her position. People are claiming that BLM has failed to be financially transparent. Here’s what you need to know. 

Follow the (Black Lives Matter) money

Elicited by the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, the growth in support for Black Lives Matter led to the foundation receiving their biggest donations yet.

As reported by AP News in February 2021, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation fundraised just over $90 million in 2020. This was the first time that BLM had shared a more detailed view of its finances since the foundation’s inception in 2013. 

They specified that they committed $21.7 million in grant funding to BLM chapters, both unofficial and official, and other Black-led organizations. Their remaining balance in 2020 was over $60 million.

And Black Lives Matter is still receiving fundraising, although the initial upsurge last June may have slowed down a bit. The foundation said that individual donations in 2020 averaged $30.76, and more than 10 percent are recurring donations. 

That’s a lot of BLM fundraising money. Where’s it all going?

BLM’s exclusive with AP news was perhaps an attempt at damage control, as BLM chapters were calling for financial transparency.

Ten of these chapters grouped together to create the #BLM10. This group claimed that most BLM chapters received minimal or no financial support from BLM since it was founded eight years ago.

In general, they argue that BLM is not equitable in its distribution of money. The co-founder and executive director of BLM at the time, Patrisse Cullors, challenged the claims of the #BLM10:

Because the BLM movement was larger than life — and it is larger than life — people made very huge assumptions about what our actual finances looked like. We were often scraping for money, and this year was the first year where we were resourced in the way we deserved to be.

Patrisse Cullors for APNews
Patrisse Cullors speaking in Tottenham, north London as part of the Furguson Solidarity Tour. 25th January 2015.
Patrisse Cullors speaking in Tottenham, North London as part of the Furguson Solidarity Tour. 25th January 2015.

Nonetheless, 17 chapters have now broken away from BLM according to The New York Times. It seems that Cullers’ words and BLM sharing some of their financial information was not enough to placate skeptics. The chapters continue to argue that if BLM can’t be honest and open with its members, they cannot be a dependable advocate for Black communities.

BLM exploiting the families of victims?

The family members of some of the victims have spoken out about feeling exploited by BLM. The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation has been accused of using their loved ones’ names to pull in donations, but they are not supporting the families directly. 

Michael Brown Sr., whose son was shot and killed by a police officer in 2014, said,

I just feel like all these organizations that were made were made after someone had lost their loved one, and they see that these parents are coming up with organizations already. They should be able to get on board and support these families that’s going through this.

Michael Brown Sr. for NYT

Why aren’t funds being allocated to these families? To do so would seem to align with the goals of Black Lives Matter. And they seem to have a recent surplus of funds, so what’s going on?

As written in USA Today, Cullors and the foundation have said they do support families without making public announcements or disclosing dollar amounts.”

Then why are families still complaining? Who is making these decisions

Co-founder Patrisse Cullors steps down

Patrisse Cullors, a co-founder and executive director of BLM, announced less than a month ago that she would be stepping down from her position.

Having held her position for nearly six years, she was one of the people credited for BLM’s success, and she is also under fire for the financial controversy. She claims that the recent scrutiny BLM and its finances have been under had nothing to do with her decision. But perhaps Cullors’ words should be taken with a grain of salt. 

Cullors’ wealth has come to light amidst the controversy surrounding BLM finances. Some theorized that she takes a large salary from the donation after buying an expensive home in southern California. Of course, she denies these claims, but some continue to speculate that her retirement was strategically timed. 

The fears of where fundraising money goes is not unique to Black Lives Matter

The anxieties of donors and activists not knowing where their money is going has extended beyond BLM.

Shaun King, writer, activist, and a leading voice for Black Lives Matter, has been the subject of controversy with regards to fundraising before. People continue to question his identified race.

Some say he is a white man with two Caucasian parents who is claiming to be biracial for personal gain. Now, King is back under public scrutiny for asking for donations and not using the money as promised. 

These donations supposed to be for building studios and offices and hiring journalists for The North Star—a reboot of Frederick Douglass’ abolitionist paper. However, no action has been taken for over a year. He has also asked for subscribers to pay for a podcast created by The North Star, which was an already-funded project. 

How can we be agents of change if we can’t trust where our money is going? 

Effecting meaningful change in a capitalist society

Is it a problem that a movement begging for safety for Black lives requires donations and money at all? Or, is this just a necessary effect of capitalism that any effort must be made into something financial? Regardless, we can do more than just open our wallets.

It’s easy to point fingers at a foundation and its leaders, claiming that they’re not doing enough. But we are agents in our own activism.

The truth is that Black Lives Matter successfully mobilized 26 million Americans to participate in demonstrations across the country. Should we hold BLM accountable for the millions of dollars they’re spending? Absolutely. But we also hold a responsibility as individuals. 

We should participate in active activism. Sharing your wealth can help support a cause, but it can be difficult to truly know where your money is going. Do research and make informed decisions.

There are also more ways you can support the importance of Black lives and the movement toward racial equality. Volunteer, protest, sign petitions, vote responsibly—whatever you can do. If you truly want to make a change, be proactive in your efforts. 

Bruh June 16, 2021
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The Co-op Ride app could be revolutionary for the gig economy

Is the Co-op Ride app the savior to the gig economy and its plethora of problems?

What may have initially attracted drivers to work for rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft was a sense of freedom. They could make their own hours and, in theory, the money they’d make would be a direct result of how much they chose to work.

In other words, they would be in control of the fruits of their labor. However, this is not the case. Working in the gig economy is not always as profitable as it may seem. 

The problems within the gig economy

Companies like Uber and Lyft tend to exploit their drivers. According to The New York Times, drivers “[struggle] with the costs of vehicle maintenance, loans and insurance, and they [question] whether Uber and Lyft paid a fair wage.”

Moreover, The Drivers Cooperative reveals that 91 percent of Uber and Lyft employees are immigrants, and they are pressing these drivers into poverty by taking 40 percent commission. These rideshare companies are greedily exploiting people who our society already tries to take advantage of. 

With these facts in mind, it makes sense why drivers disillusioned with Uber and Lyft would want more control over their labor and payment. A former Uber employee started The Drivers Cooperative for this very reason. 

The Drivers Cooperative

The Drivers Cooperative is a “driver-owned ridehailing cooperative in New York City.” With drivers having ownership shares, they get more profit and agency over their labor.

“Members of The Drivers Cooperative make 8-10% more on each trip than on Uber and Lyft, and all profits go back to drivers as dividends,” according to their website. They will also charge less for rides.

“While Uber and Lyft make their money for Wall Street and Silicon Valley investors, we will be a co-operative. So any profits will go back to the drivers.”

Ken Lewis, The Drivers Cooperative

So far, The Drivers Cooperative has recruited over 2000 drivers, so it looks like it might truly give Uber and Lyft in New York City a run for their money. 

Why you should support worker-owned businesses

Many beneficial consequences result from worker cooperatives like The Drivers Cooperative. Here are a few:

  • They support individuals, creating empowering jobs for workers
  • These businesses are more likely to use sustainable practices, as the owners are community members. 
  • Helps reduce the wage gap
  • They have the same profit motivation as other companies

 If you’d like to support more equitable business, ride with The Drivers Cooperative and download the Co-op ride app. Co-ops are changing the ways businesses are run, and you should encourage that change.

Black Mirror June 14, 2021
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Why we should never see the technology used in Black Mirror in real life

Black Mirror is among Netflix’s most popular original programs. The series features plots ranging in emotional impact. Any given episode may end up happy, sad, or sometimes utterly terrifying. One of the show’s key themes is technological advancements. Every episode of Black Mirror features a new, fictional bit of technology, like a robot dog, that the audience gradually learns about to understand the plot of the episode.

One of the biggest takeaways from Black Mirror is the seismic clash of human nature and the new technology introduced. Oftentimes, this clashing serves as a warning against current or potentially overstepping technological advancements. In other words, we should watch what we create because it may have unforeseen consequences.

In the show, the result of this clashing proves deadly, and in one case, post-apocalyptic. Despite warnings against technology we see on the show, some people are seeking to create things similar to the fictional technology on Black Mirror.

One of the first instances of Black Mirror technology: Robot police dogs

Boston Dynamics, a company that focuses on robot design and product solutions, recently created a 70-pound robot dog “Spot” or “Digidog.”

These four-legged and faceless creatures are uncanny look-alikes to the insidious robot dogs depicted in Black Mirror. Boston Dynamics shared Spot with a few police departments across the country. Back in April, you could find them in Massachusetts, New York, and Hawaii. 

Boston Dynamics designed Spot to be incredibly mobile so one could “automate routine inspection tasks and data capture safely, accurately, and frequently.”

Thus, Spot could hypothetically help police investigate crime scenes to ensure safety before any officers are sent in. Some also believed that these robot police dogs were a win for the Black Lives Matter movement, as a formulaic robot might not have the same biases against BIPOC as officers do.

However, Spot and the police departments that utilize him have been receiving a lot of backlash–and for good reason.

The robot dog receives backlash

robot dog

First, the use of these robot dogs to bolster law enforcement is inappropriate especially now.

Police in America have been under public scrutiny for years for the way they treat BIPOC and marginalized groups. The push to defund the police was emphasized over the summer in conjunction with a re-emphasis on the Black Lives Matter movement following the murders of Black individuals including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

Public recoil against these dogs is understandable considering how these robots only help militarize the police, further upsetting the power balance between police and BIPOC. Luckily, the NYPD ceased to use these robots at the end of April for this very reason.

Second, Spot comes across as “creepy” and dystopian. Artificial Intelligence decked out with legs, cameras, and lights and working alongside the police seems like something straight out of apocalyptic fiction. And that’s probably because it is.

Black Mirror’s technology and recreating dystopian science fiction

black mirror technology

We saw robot police dogs first in Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. The weaponized “mechanical hounds” in Bradbury’s dystopian society would be sent by firemen (the main law enforcement) to hunt fugitives. 

We’ve also seen these mechanical police dogs in the Black Mirror episode “Metalhead.” This episode follows a woman fleeing from the robot dogs in an unexplained post-apocalyptic world.

The show implies these robots may have taken over their creators. They hunt her and other humans down using sophisticated tactics and weapons. I would not be surprised if the creators behind this episode found inspiration from Bradbury’s work, be it conscious or unconscious. 

Both of these works of sci-fi highlight the hyperbolic dangers of artificial intelligence in government control. It was the stuff of fiction, but now we’re seeing these robot police dogs in the streets of the US. Why are we playing with the tropes of dystopian sci-fi? Is it wise to ignore what these fiction creators are telling us?

Dominos robot pizza delivery

I was sitting on my couch when I stumbled upon a Dominos pizza commercial featuring an interesting new company prototype. It’s a driverless, automated pizza delivery “car” that is being tested in select US markets.

Surely an interesting concept, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had seen this somewhere before. I had.

I saw it on Black Mirror, in the episode called “crocodile.” In said episode, was it a benign piece of technology? Mostly, yes. Although it did hit a jaywalker as he crossed the road. This action set in motion the remainder of the events in the episode.

black mirror technology

Is a pizza robot hitting someone nearly on the same level of severity as a killer police dog apocalypse? Obviously not. Does it beg the same question to be answered? Yes, it does.

Just like in Black Mirror, why create technology we can’t control? Why would anyone seek to build things featured in a science fiction show about the perils of technological expansion?

Science fiction isn’t usually prophetic

Look, science fiction is much more often wrong than it is right. The whole genre hinges on the sensationalization of new technology that we don’t understand. Often, the technology we are meant to “fear” in the history of science fiction becomes something we eventually learn to live with.

Take Frankenstein for example. When Frankenstein was written, the goal was to capitalize on public fear of this radical piece of technology called “electricity.” It goes without saying that in modern times, electricity is one of the most essential parts of our lives.

Jurassic Park was released in the 1990s when research in genetic mutation and selection was at an all-time high. The movie highlighted the dangers of becoming carried away with this technology that the public feared so much. What became of it? Nothing.

via GIPHY

Genetic research still plays an important role in various scientific fields and is no longer viewed as overly threatening. Maybe the “threats” we perceive from science fiction are just an escalation. 

Even robots themselves originated from science fiction. As David J. Gunkel reveals in his interview with Scientific American: 

We get the word robot from the Czech word robota, which comes to us in a stage play from 1920 by Karel Čapek. So our very idea of “robot” is absolutely connected to, and you can’t really separate it from, science fiction—because that’s where it began.

David J. Gunkel

So how are Black Mirror and current technological advances different?

The difference between the above works of science fiction and what is currently happening with technological advances is the follow-through.

Take for example the previous examples regarding Frankenstein and Jurassic Park. Nobody ever successfully followed through on an effort to clone dinosaurs or reanimate a corpse.

But in this case, scientists have successfully introduced prototypes similar to science fiction technology. It is as if engineers are looking at works of dystopian sci-fi like Black Mirror to figure out what to do next. Should we really be bold enough to replicate aspects of dystopian societies?

Although these writers and producers created works of fiction, their societal commentary still deserves our attention and respect.

As we see the terrifying works of Black Mirror and Fahrenheit 451 come to life… as we see Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale become frighteningly relevant when Roe v. Wade is under attack, we should turn our attention to these intellectuals behind works of brilliant fiction. They aptly warn us of the dangers underlying our society–they just do it with a creative touch.

Additional contributions by Sam Shenkler.

Bruh June 7, 2021
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Ocean plastics suck… What you need to know for World Ocean Day

We can all agree that ocean plastics suck…

This week we celebrate World Ocean Day, so now is the perfect time to turn our focus toward promoting a healthy ocean and climate. Unfortunately, we have a lot of damage to undo. 

According to Scientific American, “eight million metric tons of plastic waste enter the oceans every year.”  

As you may have guessed, land-based sources are the main reason for marine plastic pollution. These sources include the fishing industry, deficient waste disposal, construction, vehicle pollution, and more. The choices we are making on land are making drastic differences in our ocean.  

Why should we care about ocean plastics?

We put marine species at risk with plastic waste and pollution. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUNC) specifies that “marine species ingest or are entangled by plastic debris, which causes severe injuries and deaths.”

Wildlife including turtles, fishes, whales, and birds fall victim to plastic waste. They may suffer starvation, cuts, infections, as well as other injuries. When we threaten these animals with our carelessness, we threaten our biodiverse system, including ourselves. 

IUNC says that “plastic pollution threatens food safety and quality, human health, coastal tourism, and contributes to climate change.” Our plastic production and waste leads to carcinogenic chemicals infiltrating our foods and beverages, which can cause “developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders.”

Not to mention, we also tend to consume the marine animals we endanger through exposure to plastic. If you’re not troubled by human effects on marine life, at the very least be conscious of the ways human waste effects our health and safety. 

We should concern ourselves with protecting our environment especially now as we emerge from the pandemic. COVID has exacerbated preexisting issues relating to plastic in the ocean, and we need to prioritize our physical and intellectual resources back toward solving the environmental issues we’ve caused. 

How has COVID exacerbated these issues?

When the pandemic first began, we sat in quarantine wondering how the virus would affect our bodies, our economy, and our environment. Some assumed that the lack of travel due to social distancing would reduce carbon emissions. Carbon Brief projected that carbon emissions would drop 4% in 2020.

Additionally, countries in Asia such as China and Vietnam have increased efforts for wildlife conservation. In all, it seemed that one silver lining of the pandemic would be its beneficial effects on our environment. But we thought wrong. 

Our oceans can be counted as yet another COVID casualty. Scientific American reports that “COVID-19 triggered an estimated global use of 129 billion face masks and 65 billion gloves every month.”

These billions of facemasks and gloves have found their way to our rivers and oceans to threaten marine life. Apparently, sea turtles often mistake masks for jellyfish—one of their preferred foods. 

These products are harming more than just turtles. Fish, birds, and other marine animals ingest and become entangled in these waste products. As we worked to prevent illness on land, we effectively made our oceans sicker. 

What can we do about it? 

7 simple steps to help rid our oceans of plastics

  1. Conserve Water

The less water you waste, the less excess runoff and wastewater goes into the ocean. There are countless steps you can take to conserve water. Try taking a shorter shower. Or, take a bath with minimal water.

Do not let the faucet run while you brush your teeth, shave, or wash produce. Use a watering can rather than a hose for your plants. And, if none of these options seem sufficient, here is a list of 100 ways to conserve water. 

2. Reduce waste 

Oceanic Society lists plastic pollution as “one of the greatest threats to ocean health worldwide.” Maybe think twice before buying plastic water bottles or throwing out food containers.

Instead, try to invest in reusable water bottles, cloth napkins, washable paper towels, reusable sandwich bags, and reusable shopping bags. Not only are these products environmentally conscious and aid in the effort to rid the oceans of plastics, but they are also likely to save you money in the long run. 

3. Reduce vehicle pollution

According to National Ocean Service, “millions of motor vehicle engines drop small amounts of oil each day onto roads and parking lots,” and this “makes its way to the sea.” I’ll admit that I tend to over rely on the convenience of a car. But as I’ve learned more about our environment and what pollutes it, I realize we don’t have the privilege of ignoring our effects on the earth. 

Next time it’s a nice day, maybe walk or bike to your destination if it is in reach. If you don’t own a bike, check if your town has a bike-share program. Make sure to carpool if you can. And, plan your errands in advance, so you can be most efficient with your car-usage. 

4. Volunteer for cleanups in your community 

This one is simple. Ask around or check online for any volunteer cleanups near you. Your time can be your most valuable resource. Even if you do not live near the ocean, picking up waste can have a positive impact on our environment and our oceans. 

5. Vote, Vote, Vote, and contact your representative 

Do some research on a candidate’s environment and ocean policies so you can be an informed voter. You can keep up your activism after elections, too. Contact your representative if you have any concerns and be an advocate for change. You never know what will make a difference. 

6. Reduce energy use 

The less energy you use, the smaller your carbon footprint. Some ways to accomplish this include air drying your laundry, using energy efficient light bulbs, and unplugging appliances when they are not in use. If you are looking to take a slightly bigger step, look for an alternative energy program near you. You can support the use of clean energy from the sun and wind. 

7. Be an ocean-friendly shopper

Next time you are shopping, avoid unsustainable products. Check to see if your cosmetics, clothing, are jewelry are made with marine materials, and avoid them if you can. Also, if you are going to purchase seafood, buy from sustainable fishers. Oceana suggests you “look for special terms like ‘line caught’, ‘diver caught’, ‘sustainably caught’ or ‘sustainably harvested.’”

Take action

If you would like to participate in World Ocean Day, find an event near you. You can also sign petitions and show support on social media with this social media toolkit.

World Ocean Day may only last 24 hours, but our efforts should be year-long to rid our oceans of plastics. Environmental issues need to be taken seriously. If we take action now, we can make a healthier, sustainable ocean. 

black pride June 4, 2021
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8 amazing historical moments of Pride Month and liberation

Although we still have a long way to go as a society in terms of equality, Pride Month is a time to celebrate LGBTQ communities and their historical accomplishments. The progress we’ve made as a society is a direct result of the tireless activism of LGBTQ+ groups and allies. Thus, the historical movements of liberation that define Pride Month must not be forgotten.

Here are 8 incredible historical moments in LGBTQ history to celebrate this Pride Month.

The Stonewall riots

The modern LGBTQ+ rights movement goes back to Stonewall in 1969.

The Stonewall Inn was a popular Mafia-run gay bar in Greenwich Village. Then, the police raided the bar on June 28 of that year, as they did not have a liquor license. Police began arresting people and using excessive violence. The crowd resisted, and a rebellion thus ensued for six days. 

Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman and drag queen, was a key leader during the protests and riots. Following Stonewall, she founded the Gay Liberation Front and the group Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.) with Sylvia Rivera. 

The events at Stonewall and activists such as Marsha P. Johnson sparked newfound energy in the movement for LGBTQ+ rights. 

Christopher Street Liberation Day

On the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall riots, people marched through the streets of NYC. This march then became known as Christopher Street Liberation Day, and it is often regarded as the first Gay Pride parade. 

According to NBC News, Craig Rodwell, Fred Sargeant, Linda Rhodes, and Ellen Broidy introduced the idea for the march. They proposed that it would be a great way to commemorate the anniversary of Stonewall on June 28, 1970.

The New York Times reported that the march started with only a few hundred people down by the Stonewall Inn, but by the time they reached Central Park, there were thousands of people in the crowd.

These activists would be proud to see the millions of people who participate in Pride parades today. Pride Month has a robust history of the LGBTQ community that must be remembered.

The creation of the pride flag

The Pride flag first made an appearance in San Francisco for Gay Pride Day on June 25, 1978. Gilbert Baker designed the original flag with eight colors.

As reported by Jacopo Prisco on CNN, Baker “assigned a meaning to each of the colors: hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for magic, blue for harmony and violet for spirit.”

In his interview with CNN, Baker explained his rationale behind the flag design. 

We needed something to express our joy, our beauty, our power. And the rainbow did that.

Gilbert Baker

Eventually, pink and turquoise were removed from the flag to make it easier to mass-produce. Then, in 2018, white, pink, and light blue were added to include the transgender flag, and brown and black stripes were added to represent people of color. 

The Pride flag and all its versions have come to represent what Baker intended—the joy, beauty, and power of the LGBTQ+. 

The foundation of Black Pride

Black Pride was first organized in 1991 by Welmore Cook, Ernest Hopkins, and Theodore Kirkland. The historical Pride Month moment was meant to celebrate Black LGBTQ+ identities and fight for liberation.

Like Christopher Street Liberation Day, the first Black Pride still started small. But now, Black Pride in DC attracts thousands of people annually over Memorial Day weekend, while many other Black Pride celebrations take place across the US. 

The work of these three activists (and many others) to acknowledge and celebrate intersectional identities is important. Identity groups such as Black LGBTQ+ have unique experiences with oppression and empowerment in our society, so they should get to celebrate Black Pride their way.

International Transgender Day of Visibility

Activist Rachel Crandall started International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2009. She created this holiday to celebrate transgender and gender nonconforming individuals and their accomplishments. 

As with Black Pride, International Transgender Day of Visibility provides a space for individuals to share and also celebrate their unique experiences. Pride month celebrates the LGBTQ+, but groups within the LGBTQ+ still deserve to celebrate their distinctive identities, struggles, and triumphs. 

‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ revoked

In 2011, President Obama annulled the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in the military. This reversal allowed openly gay people to enlist in the US military. 

Obama’s initiative was a particularly big step, as gay people were explicitly allowed to enter a traditionally masculine and patriotic space where they were historically unwelcome. 

Same-sex marriage a constitutional right

On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court officially ruled same-sex marriage to be a constitutional right in Obergefell v. Hodges. The LGBTQ+ had been achieving small victories for marriage equality across certain states for years prior, but same-sex marriage was not legal everywhere in the US until 2015.

Fitting that the ruling was during Pride month, millions of people participated in Pride marches across the US to celebrate this win for equity and marriage equality. 

Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall and its influence on the current LGBTQ+ rights movement continue to resonate. 

The Stonewall National Monument was put up on June 27, 2016, around the 47th anniversary of the riots. It is the first monument in the US devoted to LGBTQ+ rights and history.

If you would like to visit, you can find the Stonewall National Monument in Greenwich Village near Christopher Park. 

Progress still to be Made

These eight events in LGBTQ+ history were key moments for our societal progress.

As our country continues to creep out of a sexist, racist, homophobic history and out of the pandemic, we need to think about how we can accelerate this progress. We have come a long way, but we have a long way to go.  

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