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Respect politics won’t win the campaign – Essence

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When Megan Thee Stallion took the stage to perform a couple of of her biggest hits at presumptive Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ first rally, the crowd at Georgia State University’s Convocation Center erupted with excitement. Dressed in a cropped blue pantsuit and surrounded by dancers, the “Hottie for Harris” frontwoman advocated for Madame VP as “our future president,” urging women who love their bodies — and wish to proceed to accomplish that freely — to vote for her in the election.

During her 7-minute set, the rapper performed short snippets of “Girls in the Hood,” viral hits “Mamushi” and “Body,” and her Grammy-winning single “Savage.” Rally attendees were spotted bouncing and swaying to the music and rapping along to her confident, body-positive lyrics—edited to match the surroundings, in fact—before hearing directly from Madame VP herself about her values, intentions, and a couple of alternative words for her opponent.

Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, has been a known pro-voting advocate for elections 2020 and vocal defender women’s body autonomy and freedom of alternative. It’s no surprise then that she used her voice and talent to support a Democratic candidate who has pledged to guard reproductive rights at the federal level if elected to office.

Respect politics will not win the campaign
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 30: Megan Thee Stallion performs at a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign rally at the Georgia State Convocation Center on July 30, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Both Harris and Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump plan to campaign in Atlanta this week. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)

But the morning after the rally, the artist once more found herself the goal of respectability-based attacks, with unnamed social media users calling her appearance “inappropriate,” calling the rally itself “ghetto,” and accusing the superstar of twerking on stage in front of a presidential candidate (note: she didn’t). It’s no wonder that insults rooted in misogyny and self-critical anti-Blackness, akin to “this is why other races don’t take us seriously,” flooded the comment sections of platforms like Shadow Room AND Jasmine Brand.

Interestingly, we didn’t see many similar cries of impropriety when, just days later, Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump appeared on a Kick stream with controversial content creator Adin Ross, who was banned from Twitch after multiple incidents of hate speech and racial slurs, and entered the room to hearken to an unedited version of fifty Cent’s 2003 hit “Many Men.”

While social media debates proceed about the “damage” Megan’s temporary appearance could have done to Harris’ campaign — which has raised an estimated $310 million in donations in only the first ten days of her presidential campaign — or the damage it could have done to the fragile image of black America, those that attended the rally and were most directly affected by her public support have a distinct perspective.

Respect politics will not win the campaign
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 30: Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris arrives for a campaign rally at the Georgia State Convocation Center on July 30, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Julia Beverly/Getty Images)

“A lot of people were misled into thinking the rally was a concert or that the rally was a ‘pancake show’ for us,” Spelman College student and PR entrepreneur Brandy Merriweather told ESSENCE. “You had to RSVP to get into the rally, and they didn’t even advertise that Megan Thee Stallion wasn’t performing until 24 hours before. If you RSVPed 24 hours before, you got in.”

Merriweather and her friends and coworkers, whom she affectionately called the “Gen Z Hype Crew” at the rally since their enthusiasm went viral, are all college students who’re excited to vote of their first presidential election and all recurrently engage in politics.

“We were there because we wanted to see Kamala and hear about her politics,” Merriweather explains. “The fact that Megan Thee Stallion was there and did two TikTok dances was just a bonus.”

“My brother Morehouse Hasani was there, as were Parker and Royce, who are leaders of the Young Democrats of Georgia,” he explains. “So we created a little Gen Z row and we got to have a great time — and not just when Megan The Stallion was up there. We were just as excited about any politician who came up there and spoke.”

@mshbcu

Don’t miss the news! And don’t let the web inform you we didn’t discuss politics and priorities. Meg did two tiktok dances… people really give it a 20 out of 10. ✨ just remember #VoteKamalaHarris 🇺🇸✨🥥🌴

♬ Photoshoot – Gucci Mane

For Merriweather and plenty of young voters like her, politics are much more vital than political pomp and circumstance. In this present day and age, credibility allows candidates to do greater than honesty alone ever could.

“I think political balance is important,” he says. “I also think that if you are there for people, you also have to be credible. You also have to be able to express yourself to reach all types of people of different ages, experiences, students, etc.”

And for college students like her and the remainder of the Gen Z hype crew, Megan Thee Stallion’s presence at the rally had exactly the form of impact it was meant to have. Madame VP and her campaign committee appear to be cracking the code on how you can motivate people of all ages to run for president.

Respect politics will not win the campaign
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 30: Supporters cheer on Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign rally at the Georgia State Convocation Center on July 30, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Both Harris and Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, plan to campaign in Atlanta this week. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)

“Meg was one of the first stars to really speak out on women’s rights,” Merriweather says, noting that the star quickly stepped into the highlight and spoke out when Roe v. Wade was overturned and states began to limit and eliminate the right to decide on. “Also, for her, number one, being a woman and number two, being an HBCU student, she’s relatable to my demographic.”

“I hate to say it was just ‘electric,’ but it really was,” Merriweather said of the atmosphere at the rally. “I saw people of all ages, and that was one of the things that filled my heart. Usually when you go to a political space, you see a lot of older people, and this wasn’t like that.”


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

Why Elon Musk’s Grok Could Pose a Threat to Medical Privacy

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elon musk, DEI, remote work, jobs


Owner of X and candidate for the White House cabinet Elon Musk asked users to submit MRI results, CT scans and other medical information to its AI chatbotGrok reviewed it and a few people fell for it, he reports.

Musk presented this concept to X in late October 2024.

“Try uploading X-rays, PET, MRI, or other medical images to Grok for analysis. It’s still early stages, but it’s already quite accurate and will be extremely good,” he wrote. “Let us know where Grok is doing it right or where it needs work.”

Some individuals who voluntarily submitted photos were comfortable that Grok “did do well” together with his blood test results and breast cancer detection, but others waved red flags against the platform.

Josh Sharp, who goes by @showinvestment on social media, identified how a broken collarbone was viewed as a dislocated shoulder.

Radiologist Docteur TJ provided an in-depth evaluation of the MRI image, which he described partially as “too gross.”

Another example is a robot confusing a mammogram of a benign breast cyst with a picture of the testicles.

Grok was launched in May 2024 after raising $6 billion in an investment financing round through Musk’s tech startup, xAI. Grok is just not the primary of its kind: Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s ChatGPT also enable the transfer of medical images.

While some praise the technology’s potential advances, medical privacy experts don’t not on this camp.

“It’s very personal data, and there’s no telling exactly what Grok will do with it,” said Vanderbilt University biomedical informatics professor Dr. Bradley Malin, according to “Sending personal information to Grok is more like, ‘Whee!’ Let’s throw out this data and hope the corporate does what I need it to do.”

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects medical information shared with physicians or in a patient portal because federal guidelines protect it from being shared without consent. However, the protection doesn’t cover social networking sites – it only applies to doctor’s offices, hospitals, health insurers and a few firms they work with.


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

Essence of the week: Cherry Blossom EDT L’Occitane is a fragrance inspired by spring, perfect for any season – Essence

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We all know L’Occitane almond shower oil gets a lot of love – and for good reason (I’m taking a look at you #BeautyTok).

But there is one other gem of this brand that deserves just as much attention: Cherry Blossom Eau de Toilette. Since its launch in 2007, this fragrance has remained a favorite amongst my group of friends, appreciated for its delicate and refined elegance. To be honest, I feel this is what L’Occitane is known for as a brand. And although this scent is often related to the airy freshness of spring, it is a scent that brings a touch of beauty and heat to any season.

The first spritz of Cherry Blossom EDT is soft and alluring, with a subtle hint of cherry and freesia that feels fresh without overdoing it. It’s light and uplifting, like the kind of scent you employ when you would like to feel good but not an excessive amount of (like me most days). As it settles on my skin, notes of cherry blossom and lily of the valley bloom, striking the perfect balance of femininity without feeling overly sweet or dated. There’s nothing heavy or “old school floral” about this scent – it’s fresh, modern and understated in a way that feels sophisticated.

What really makes this fragrance stand out is the base. Brazilian rosewood, amber and musk give it a soft warmth that wraps you want your favorite cashmere scarf. It’s cozy but never heavy, beautifully balancing the delicate flowers. The overall effect is a scent that feels effortlessly polished – the olfactory equivalent of “quiet luxury.”

I do know, I do know – cherry blossoms evoke spring, but that is why this scent works so well all 12 months round. In the colder months, it is a refreshing break from heavy, spicy scents. I mean, I like my ouds and cognacs, but no… Bright notes of cherry and freesia bring a breath of fresh air, while warm base notes of amber and musk give the composition a comforting, grounded feel. It’s like carrying a little bit of spring with you, even when the weather is not sunny. And given the conflicting rumors we’re hearing – at the very least on the East Coast – about how much snow will fall this season, you would possibly just should keep it in your radar.

Why I find it irresistible: While everyone gravitates towards the Almond L’Occitane collection, their EDT Cherry Blossom has turn out to be an unexpected favorite of mine that I still reach for. What I like most about it is how versatile it is. It’s lightweight enough to accommodate skilled meetings or running errands during the day, but still feels special enough for dinner dates or quiet moments at home. The way it evolves on the skin – from a fresh, floral burst to a soft, warm texture – makes it feel personal, like a fragrance created just for you. It’s not flashy or trendy, but that is what makes it timeless.

Perfect pairs: As an eau de toilette, Cherry Blossom advantages greatly from thoughtful layering that highlights its delicate character and prolongs its presence throughout the day. And because Cherry Blossom has a softer sillage, it’s perfect for on a regular basis wear. If you would like to extend its durability or make it a bit more dynamic, layering is the best solution. Start with L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Shower Oil to create a fragrant base, then follow with the Shimmering Body Milk for extra depth and hydration.

If you wish to mix and match, pair Cherry Blossom EDT with complementary fragrances. Kayali Vanilla 28 adds a cozy sweetness that blends beautifully with the floral notes, while Commodity Milk+ brings out the creamy warmth of the base. On the fun side, the marshmallow and ambrette notes of Ellis Brooklyn SWEET add a delicate, sweet touch that prolongs the persistence of the cherry blossom accord. Spray the fragrance base first, let it settle, after which top with cherry blossom for a custom scent that can last all day.

EDT Cherry Blossom by L’Occitane is a masterclass in subtle sophistication. Founder Olivier Baussan put it perfectly: “It is because cherry blossoms fly away with the first breath of spring that they are so rare and precious.” This fragrance captures ephemeral beauty in a bottle. Final Verdict: If you appreciate fragrances that whisper slightly than shout, that talk of sophistication slightly than trends, L’Occitane’s Cherry Blossom EDT is value considering. It’s the olfactory equivalent of finding the perfect light – subtle, beautiful and absolutely fascinating.

Fragrance is deeply personal, but some fragrances gain universal appeal due to their masterful composition. This is one of them.

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

You don’t have to add sugar to your cranberry sauce this holiday season – a food scientist explains how to cook with less sweeteners

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Holidays are stuffed with tasty and filling dishes and drinks. It’s hard to resist dreams of cookies, special cakes, wealthy meats and exceptionally spicy additions.

Many of the healthy ingredients utilized in holiday dishes could be overshadowed by sugar and starch. While adding extra sugar could also be tasty, it isn’t necessarily good for your metabolism. Understanding the food and cuisine science behind what you cook means you may make a few changes to a recipe and still have a delicious dish that won’t loaded with sugar.

Especially for those who’re someone with type 1 diabetes, the vacations can come with an additional layer of stress and soaring blood glucose levels. However, this just isn’t the time to despair – it’s the vacations in spite of everything.

Cranberries are a seasonal, tasty fruit that could be tweaked in recipes to make them more Type 1 diabetic-friendly – or friendly to anyone searching for a sweet dish without the added sugar.

I’m a food scientist and sort 1 diabetes. Understanding food composition, ingredient interactions, and metabolism literally saved my life.

Type 1 diabetes has been defined

Type 1 diabetes it lasts all day, without sleep breaks, without holidays and weekends, without remission and without cure. Type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin, a hormone essential for all times, which promote the absorption of glucose, i.e. sugar, into cells. Glucose in your cells then provides the body with energy on the molecular level.

Therefore, people with type 1 diabetes take insulin injections using an insulin pump attached to their bodies and hopefully it really works well enough to stabilize our blood sugar levels and metabolism, minimize health complications over time, and keep us alive.

Type 1 diabetics have in mind mainly type and amount of carbohydrates in food when determining how much insulin to take, but in addition they need to understand the interactions of proteins and fats in food to use it, or bolusappropriately.

Apart from insulin, type 1 diabetics don’t produce one other hormone, amylin, which slows down gastric motility. This means food moves faster through our digestive tract and we regularly feel very hungry. Foods high in fat, protein and fiber can keep you from feeling hungry for a while.

Cranberries, a seasonal snack

Cranberries are native to North America and grow well within the northeastern and midwestern states, where they’re in season from late September through December. They dominate holiday tables everywhere in the country.

Cranberries are a classic Thanksgiving side dish, but cranberry sauce tends to be high in sugar.
bhofack2/iStock via Getty Images

One cup of whole, raw cranberries comprises 190 calories. They are composed of 87% water, trace amounts of protein and fat, 12 grams of carbohydrates and just over 4 grams of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber combines well with water, which is sweet for digestive health and might slow the rise in blood glucose levels.

Cranberries are tall IN potassiumwhich helps maintain electrolyte balance and cell signaling, in addition to other essential nutrients similar to antioxidants, beta-carotene AND vitamin C. They also contain vitamin Kwhich helps in healthy blood clotting.

The taste and aroma of cranberries comes from compounds present in fruits similar to cinnamates, which add a hint of cinnamon, vanillin for a vanilla note, benzoates AND Benzaldehydethat tastes like almonds.

Cranberries are high in pectin, a soluble starch that forms a gel and is used as a binding agent in making jams and jellies, in order that they thicken easily with minimal cooking. Their beautiful jewel tone red color belongs to a class of compounds called anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins with which they’re associated treating certain forms of infections.

They also contain phenols, that are protective compounds produced by the plant. These compounds, which appear like rings on the molecular level, interact with proteins within the saliva, causing a dry and tight feeling that causes the mouth to pucker. Similarly, the so-called benzoic acid naturally occurring in cranberries, it adds sourness to the fruit.

These chemical components make them extremely sour and bitter and difficult to eat raw. To moderate these flavors and effects, most cranberry recipes call for plenty of sugar.

All this extra sugar could make cranberry dishes difficult for type 1 diabetics to devour since the sugars cause blood glucose levels to rise quickly.

Cranberries without sugar?

Type 1 diabetics – or anyone looking to limit their sugar intake – can try some cooking tactics to reduce their sugar intake while still having fun with this holiday treat.

Don’t cook the cranberries too long once they pop. You’ll still have a sticky cranberry liquid without having to add a lot of sugar, because cooking concentrates a number of the bitter compounds, making them more visible within the dish.

A row of spoons, each filled with a pile of powdered spice.
Adding spices to cranberries can improve the flavour of the dish without the added sugar.
klenova/iStock via Getty Images

The addition of cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and other warming spices gives the dish a depth of flavor. Adding heat with hot chili pepper it might make a cranberry dish more complex while reducing sourness and astringency. Adding salt can reduce the bitterness of cranberries, so you will not need a lot of sugar.

For a richer flavor and glossy quality, add butter. The butter also moisturizes the lips, which reinforces the natural tartness of the dish. Other fats, similar to cream or coconut oil, also work.

Adding chopped walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts may decelerate the absorption of glucose, so your blood glucose levels may not rise as quickly. Some recent forms of sweeteners, similar to allulosethey taste sweet but don’t raise blood sugar levels and require minimal or no insulin. Allulose has GRAS – Generally Regarded as Safe – status within the US but just isn’t approved as an additive in Europe.

During the holiday season, you may easily reduce the quantity of sugar added to cranberry dishes and revel in the health advantages without spikes in blood glucose levels.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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