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When lightning strikes: Meet the black women at the forefront of today’s labor movement

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Patricia Johnson-Gibson leads a march with the Service Workers International Union | Photo courtesy of SEIU Local 105

“I am unwavering in my belief that Black women are the wave that lifts all ships,” says Andrea Thornton Bolden, showrunner and executive producer. “It’s not at all a strange sight to see Black women at the forefront of many movements because these are the spaces where we tend to find ourselves. It’s an integral part of who we are.”

Bolden is one of greater than half 1,000,000 individuals who took part in the 2023 labor strike. From Hollywood writers and actors to auto staff and teachers, the growing labor movement has swept the country, with lots of of 1000’s of union staff taking to pickets to fight for higher wages , safer working conditions and greater job security.

I hope to someday tell my future grandchildren that I used to be the captain of a strike that will have been the turning point for the staff’ revolution in America.

Andrea Thornton Bolden

Bolden, a member of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), helped lead the union’s picketing as a strike captain at NBC Universal. “The reason this strike was so important to us is because our career was at existential risk,” he explains. “Various media entities wanted to find a way to pay us less using artificial intelligence. They hired smaller and smaller staff to write programs, which meant that fewer and fewer people worked much more and received less pay.”

When lightning strikes: Meet the black women at the forefront of today's labor movement
Andrea Thornton Bolden was a captain during the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strikes.

After 148 days of strike – making it the second longest in the WGA’s 104-year history – the writers reached an agreement with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). They voted overwhelmingly for a three-year contract providing pay increases; regulated use of artificial intelligence in projects; improved staffing and duration provisions; and streaming data transparency was achieved.

“Hitting is a challenge,” Bolden says. “I personally had no training in organizing work, but I used to be ready and willing to do it because I believed in what we were fighting for. “I am proud and hope that one day I will be able to tell my future grandchildren that I was the captain of a strike that may have been the turning point for the workers’ revolution in America.”

Labor organizing has broad roots amongst Black people. One of the earliest examples in the United States is the Atlanta laundresses’ strike of 1881, during which a gaggle of formerly enslaved black laundresses gathered to demand higher compensation. Historically, black labor has shaped the nation and its economy; greater than 140 years after the Atlanta strike, black women remain at the forefront of labor leadership and labor organizing.

For Patricia Johnson-Gibson, advocacy runs in the family. “My late father, Melvin Gorman Sr., was a union employee for the United States Postal Service,” he says. “Because of the experiences he went through, I learned a lot about how relationships can be effective.”

When lightning strikes: Meet the black women at the forefront of today's labor movement
Patricia Johnson-Gibson gathers her colleagues at SEIU 105

During her second term as vp of health take care of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105, Johnson-Gibson worked with 11 other union members on the national bargaining unit and led a three-day strike in Colorado. This strike was part of the largest health care strike in U.S. history, involving greater than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente employees in multiple states, including California, Washington, and Oregon.

America’s healthcare facilities have been dangerously understaffed for years, and the Covid-19 pandemic is making workforce shortages even worse. As Johnson-Gibson states: “This is the worst crisis I even have ever seen in my 26 years at Kaiser. I imagine it’s because they made the decision to stretch people as thin as possible, risking patient care.

[T]The hat fight itself keeps people from sleeping of their cars and running out of housing… Working for a multi-billion dollar organization, something like this could never occur.”

Patricia Johnson-Gibson

About per week after the historic strike, Kaiser Permanente and a coalition of unions reached a landmark tentative agreement that features bonuses, strong outsourcing protections, higher medical advantages for retired staff and a 21 percent wage increase over 4 years. “It’s a huge change because this fight alone is keeping people from sleeping in their cars and not having housing,” Johnson-Gibson says. “Working for a multi-billion dollar organization should never let this happen.”

According to Cornell University’s Labor Action Tracker, there have been roughly 400 strikes in the United States from January 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023. Additionally, in accordance with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the union membership rate for black staff remains to be higher than that of staff in every other racial group. The most up-to-date labor actions in the U.S. included the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) strike, during which public school teachers like Angela Bonilla fought for weeks for smaller class sizes, higher wages, safer working conditions and higher mental health supports for college students.

When lightning strikes: Meet the black women at the forefront of today's labor movement
Angela Bonilla became the first Afro-Latina president of the Portland Association of Teachers

Bonilla is from the Bronx and joined PAT in the 2016-17 school yr as an educator. Since then, she has climbed the union ladder. In 2022, she was elected the organization’s first Afro-Latina president. “Every school I worked at had a really strong union culture,” she says. “When I felt powerless at work, I turned to union work because that was where the power was.”

After several months of negotiations with Portland Public Schools (PPS) and little progress made, PAT members went on strike for the first time in the group’s 30-year history. “We went on strike because our students deserve more than they got,” Bonilla explains. “We are fed up with rats and mold in our schools, asbestos tiles in classrooms falling on children’s heads, and extreme heat due to a lack of air conditioners.”

“History matters; we are only here because of all the work that lies ahead of me.”

Angela Bonilla

The teachers’ strike began on November 1, 2023. Nearly 4 weeks later, PAT and PPS reached a preliminary agreement and successfully ratified a three-year contract. In addition to recent class size restrictions and higher mental health support for college students, it provides, amongst other things, a cumulative 13.75% increase in teacher living costs.

“History matters; we are only here because of all the work that awaits me,” says Bonilla. “When we are here to fight for our children, we will make sure we get great public schools for every student. We are simply grateful for the support our families and communities have given us because it keeps us going.”

The earlier organizing work Bonilla mentions sets a precedent for today’s labor leaders. When segregation and racial discrimination excluded blacks from some of the strongest labor unions in America, black women union leaders took matters into their very own hands, forming their very own organizations. Unfortunately, labor market inequality persists, and Black women proceed to be disproportionately affected by the pandemic, are overrepresented in low-wage jobs, and are negatively impacted by race and gender pay gaps. Nevertheless, history has shown that change is feasible through unionization, collective motion and employee solidarity.

Given ongoing challenges in the labor market, Black women remain the backbone of the labor movement and proceed to steer today’s struggles for economic justice. “The recent strikes have sent a clear message that people want to fight and stick together because we want to do the right thing on behalf of the people who run these industries,” Johnson-Gibson says. “We are the faces of the people on the front lines – no one ever sees the CEO. I think it’s time for people to pay attention to the labor movement. They were here. We’re not going anywhere.”

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Willow Smith’s debut collection with Moncler is now available – Essence

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Moncler

Willow Smith’s debut collection with Moncler has been launched. The capsule is a mixture of the inside of a musician, actress, writer and creator. In it, a futuristic and unbelievable world is explored through clothes. Smith’s personal style was also showcased. The lineup was originally revealed in Shanghai.

Willow Smith's debut collection with Moncler is now available
Moncler

“Minimalism and utilitarianism. Femininity and masculinity. Black and white. “Putting ideas together in an elegant way is something that really excites me and I wanted to explore that with this collection,” Willow shared.

“Willow’s magnetic energy is captured in a series of images exploring the primary themes of the collection: clashing contrasts, rebirth and renewal, yin and yang, recent beginnings – inspired by Moncler’s mountain origins and love of nature. “Willow’s creativity influences every aspect of the videos and photos accompanying the collection: she not only drives the concept, but also models her designs, narrates the short film and provides the soundtrack,” the brand said in a press release. The launch is accompanied by black and white campaign photos – the dramatization of those photos ushers in an exciting era for Smith.

Willow Smith's debut collection with Moncler is now available
Moncler

The collection is dominated by knitwear perfect for layering, a down jacket and heavy sweatshirts created in shrunken proportions. The capsule is accomplished with extensive outerwear options and a brief-sleeved T-shirt with silver eyelet. The T-shirt is also available in an extended-sleeved version. The collection includes cream and black shades. The down vest with a hood and a brief cut stands out.

Salix leather boots are characterised by an interesting design. In addition to nodding to punk influences, this footwear option is designed with a Moncler logo on the toe, elastic panels on the front and a rubber sole.

Willow Smith's debut collection with Moncler is now available
Moncler

“I am incredibly passionate about the outdoors and exploring this wonderful land. I imagine these pieces can easily transition from overnight camping to fashionable evening wear,” Willow added, emphasizing the natural duality of the collection.

Moncler X Willow Smith is currently available in chosen Moncler stores and more moncler.com .

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Women are less likely to undergo cardiopulmonary resuscitation than men. Training on breast mannequins could be helpful

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If someone’s heart suddenly stops beating, this may increasingly have happened minutes of life. Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation may increase their probabilities of survival. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation keeps blood pumping, delivering oxygen to the brain and vital organs until specialized treatment arrives.

However, research shows that bystanders are less likely to intervene to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the person is a girl. AND latest Australian study analyzed 4,491 cardiac arrest cases between 2017 and 2019 and located that bystanders were more likely to perform CPR on men (74%) than on women (65%).

Could this be partly because CPR training mannequins (so-called dummies) shouldn’t have breasts? Our recent research we checked out mannequins available all over the world to train people to perform CPR and located that 95% of them were flat-chested.

Anatomically, breasts don’t change the cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique. However, they’ll influence whether people try to accomplish that – and hesitation at these key moments could mean the difference between life and death.

Differences in heart health

Cardiovascular diseases – including heart disease, stroke and cardiac arrest – are probably the most common diseases important reason behind death for ladies all over the world.

But if a girl goes into cardiac arrest outside the hospital (meaning her heart stops pumping air properly), that is actually what happens. 10% less likely receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation than a person. Women too less likely survive cardiopulmonary resuscitation and are at greater risk of brain damage following cardiac arrest.

Bystanders are less likely to intervene if a girl needs cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared to a person.
Doublelee/Shutterstock

These are just among the many health inequalities experienced by women, in addition to transgender and non-binary people. Compared to men, their symptoms they are more likely to be rejected or misdiagnosed, or it could take longer to receive a diagnosis.

Reluctance of the witness

There can also be growth evidence women are less likely to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared to men.

This may be partly due to the concerns of those being accused of sexual harassmentworry may cause damage (in some cases based on the assumption that ladies are more “fragile”) and discomfort related to touching women’s breasts.

Bystanders may also get into trouble recognition the lady has a cardiac arrest.

Even in simulated scenarios, researchers found that interveners were less likely to remove women’s clothing prepare for resuscitationcompared to men. And there have been women less likely to receive Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillation (an electrical charge to restart the center) – even when the training was in the shape of a web based game that didn’t require touching anyone.

There is evidence of how people behave in resuscitation training scenarios reflects what they do in real emergency situations. This means it is amazingly vital to train people to recognize cardiac arrest and prepare for intervention, no matter gender or body type.

Attached to men’s bodies

Very Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training resources depict male bodies or don’t specify gender. If bodies shouldn’t have breasts, it’s a male default.

For example, the 12 months 2022 test taking a look at CPR training in North, Central, and South America, it was found that nearly all of available mannequins were white (88%), male (94%), and slim (99%).

The woman's hands press the torso of a mannequin wearing a blue jacket.
It is amazingly rare for a mannequin to have breasts or a bigger body.
M Isolation photo/Shutterstock

This research reflects what we see in our work once we train other healthcare professionals to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We noticed that every one the mannequins available for training are flat chested. One of us (Rebecca) had difficulty finding training mannequins with breasts.

Single mannequin with breasts

Our recent research we checked what cardiopulmonary resuscitation mannequins are available and the way diverse they are. In 2023, we identified 20 cardiopulmonary resuscitation mannequins in the worldwide market. Mannequins are often torsos with no head and without arms.

Of the 20 available, five (25%) were sold as “female”, but only considered one of them had breasts. This implies that 95% of obtainable CPR training mannequins were flat-chested.

We also checked out other diversity characteristics, including skin tone and bigger bodies. We found that 65% had more than one skin tone available, but just one had a bigger body. Further research is required on the impact of those elements on bystanders when performing CPR.

Breasts don’t change cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique doesn’t change when someone has breasts. The barriers are cultural. And although you could feel uncomfortable, starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation as soon as possible can save your life.

Signs that somebody may have cardiopulmonary resuscitation include not respiration properly or completely or not responding to you.

Perform effective cardiopulmonary resuscitationit’s best to:

  • place the heel of your hand in the middle of your chest

  • place your second hand on top of the primary and interlace your fingers (keep your arms straight)

  • press firmly to a depth of about 5 cm before releasing

  • press your chest with a frequency of 100-120 beats per minute (you may sing a song) in your head to show you how to keep time!)

An example of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation – using a flat-chest manikin.

What a couple of defibrillator?

You haven’t got to remove someone’s bra to perform CPR. But you could need to accomplish that if a defibrillator is required.

AND defibrillator is a tool that uses an electrical charge to restart the center. An underwired bra may cause minor skin burns when the debrillator pads apply an electrical charge. However, in case you cannot take your bra off, don’t let it delay your care.

What should change?

Our research highlights the necessity for a big selection of breast CPR training mannequins, in addition to a wide range of body sizes.

Training resources need to higher prepare people to intervene and perform CPR on individuals with breasts. We also need greater education on the chance of developing and dying from heart disease in women.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Ant stings can be painful. Here’s how to avoid getting stung this summer (and what to do if it happens)

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The starting of summer is just a couple of days away, and plenty of of us will be looking forward to long, sunny days spent on the beach, by the pool, camping or having a picnic within the park.

Insects love summer too. Most of them right then grow and feed. However, this shared appreciation of the season can sometimes lead to conflict.

Insects have long been preyed upon by many species, including birds, mammals, amphibians, and other insects. Accordingly, quite a lot of defense mechanisms have evolved – perhaps none more familiar to humans than the sting.

Many ants have a stinger on their rear end which they use to deliver venom. It will not be the sting itself that causes pain, but relatively venom. Ant venom accommodates a mix of various chemicals, a few of which have evolved specifically to manipulate the nerve endings in our skin to cause pain.

Let’s take a have a look at the several ant stings chances are you’ll experience this summer in Australia and how to respond.

Bull ants

Bull ants (also often called bulldog ants, jumper ants, or jumper ants) are large for an ant. Some species can grow to length 4 centimeters. They are easily identified by their large eyes, long mandibles (jaws), and aggressive nature.

Their sting is immediate, hot, sharp and unambiguous, similar to that of a honey bee. The intense pain will only last a couple of minutes before being replaced by redness and swelling across the sting site.

There are many differing kinds of bull ants in Australia.
Sam Robinson

Green-headed ants

Green-headed ants are also called green ants (but not to be confused with green ants). green tree ants northern Australia, which do not sting). Green-headed ants are common and love our lawns.

About Length 6 millimetersthey’re much smaller than bull ants. They can be recognized by their shiny green-purple exoskeleton.

Green-headed ants are frequently less aggressive than bull ants, but they can still deliver a big sting. The pain from a green ant sting can construct up step by step and cause intense, sticky pain.

Green-headed ant.
Green-headed ants can be identified by their color.
Sam Robinson

Fire ants

Fire ants (or imported red fire ants) are native to South America. They were detected first in Brisbane in 2001it probably moved in containers and has since spread across south-east Queensland.

Fire ants are reddish brown and black and range in size from Length 2–6 millimeters.

You will almost certainly encounter fire ants of their nests, which appear like a pile of loose dirt. A hearth ant nest has no obvious entrance, which is way to distinguish it from other similar ant nests.

Disturbing a hearth ant nest will awaken an offended mass of a whole bunch of ants and expose you to being stung.

The initial pain from a single sting seems like an intense, hot itch, although it can be controlled. However, fire ant stings rarely occur in the only digits. One ant can sting multiple times, and plenty of ants can sting one person, which can lead to a whole bunch of stings. A hearth ant sting can cause pus-filled ulcers and scarring in the next days.

If you reside in an area where fire ants are present, it’s price taking a couple of minutes to learn how to do this recognize and report their.

Electric ants

Electric ants is one other nasty random import, coming from Central and South America. Currently limited to Cairns and surroundingsthese are tiny (1.5 millimeters long) yellow ants.

Like fire ants, these ants are frequently defensive, so lots of them will sting without delay. Their sting is more painful than you’ll expect from such a tiny creature. I compare it to being showered with red, hot sparks.

If you think that you see electric ants, please report it Biosecurity in Queensland.

Australian ants should not the worst

You may be surprised to hear that Australian ants don’t even make it to the rostrum when it comes to essentially the most painful ant stings. The winners include: harvester ants (North and South America), which cause severe, sticky pain, comparable to a drill slowly rotating in a muscle – for up to 12 hours.

The gold medal goes to the sting of the South and Central American bullet ant, which has been described How:

Pure, intense, sensible pain. It’s like walking on burning charcoal with a 3-inch nail stuck in your heel.

How to avoid getting stung (and what to do if you do)

Fortunately, the answer is frequently quite simple. Look around before you sit on the bottom or unfolded a picnic blanket, avoiding places where you see ant nests or a lot of foraging ants.

The selection of footwear might also be necessary. In my experience, most stings occur on the feet of those wearing thongs.

If you get stung, generally the situation will improve by itself. The pain often subsides after a couple of minutes (sometimes slightly longer within the case of a green ant sting). The redness, swelling and itching that sometimes follows may last for several days.

In the meantime, if mandatory, ice pack it will help with the pain. If it’s particularly bad, a topical numbing cream containing lidocaine may provide temporary relief. You can get it over-the-counter at a pharmacy.

A small proportion of individuals may experience an allergic response to ant stings. In very severe cases this may include respiratory problems or ingestion. If you or a loved one experiences these symptoms after an ant sting, you need to seek urgent medical attention.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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