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These DNC Leaders Define Beauty Their Own Way – Essence

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Photos courtesy of (left to right): Keiana Barrett and Christy George

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In what seems like an infinite string of unprecedented times, the nation is preparing for one more high-stakes election season. The 2024 Democratic National Convention will provide a significant platform for the party’s presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, and, inevitably, for Black women in politics more broadly. This heightened level of visibility is sparking conversations about representation, free speech, and ultimately, beauty standards.

That said, convention committee executive director Christy George and senior advisor Keiana Barrett sit down with ESSENCE to define beauty in their very own words, discuss how beauty manifests within the political sphere, and detail what practices they deal with to feel empowered. Read on to learn more.

How do they define beauty?

For each professionals, the qualities that outline beauty are far-reaching. George’s multicultural, multi-regional background has exposed her to many interpretations of beauty and the standards that go along with them, shaping how she sees beauty in her own life. “It’s about how we treat people,” she says, “not necessarily the conventional way of looking at things, but for me, it’s an internal perspective.”

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Barrett’s poetic response is consistent with George’s and focuses on the thought of ​​the inner self. She defines beauty as “the mosaic image of what the eye sees” [paired with] a mirrored image of 1’s inner being.” They acknowledge the impact that physical presentation, confidence, and body language have after they enter historically white spaces, they usually consider it much more necessary to define beauty for oneself. Barrett talks about how beauty can present itself in body language, posture, and the atmosphere through which one moves. These interpretations of beauty materialize within the political landscape through actions.

George sees beauty in uncompromising and authentic women. “The women in politics I like most are those that can [be] that, and likewise to offer space for others to indicate up as their authentic selves; the Michelle Obamas and Minyon Moores of this world.” She recalls the great thing about the ladies who got here before her, like former Commissioner Maria Guerra Lepacek, and her ability to balance political and private responsibilities as a working mother who also put plenty of effort into her own physical beauty.

Barrett believes that the more confident an individual is of their intellect and the talents they bring about to an area, the more confidence and ease they exude of their physical presence. “Once you have that level of conviction, it becomes a gateway and a liberating role for others who come after you,” she states.

Who is their beauty inspiration?

Barrett references historical figures like Shirley Chisolm, whose signature hairdo could be seen in campaign images for the 1968 congressional election. She shares the view that ladies like Chisolm devote as much attention to physical presentation as they do to defining their work and politics. In other words, there may be beauty of their duality.

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In today’s climate, “it’s amazing to me how many women of color were free on Capitol Hill,” Barrett says, describing her initial response to the expansive hair, piercings and makeup on this political environment. “Of all the places where we shape policy and legislate, we recognize that free speech is an absolute necessity.” That remark “allowed me to bring out the best in myself.”

How Politics Influences Beauty Choices

George attributes a few of today’s freedom of expression to principles equivalent to The Crown Act. The need for the policy, Barrett says, arose from “the notion that conformity is a requirement for participation and acceptance,” a notion they vehemently reveal to be fallacious. Since the policies were introduced, George has noticed a shift in attitudes and practices amongst black people regarding their hair. “In my family, hair is definitely an expression of who we are, but it’s also a source of creativity,” he explains. For each women, expression and creativity are non-negotiable elements that contribute to their personal beauty and presence.

They channel that sentiment into generating a way of empowerment through their very own beauty habits. George opens up about her personal beauty practice, which involves wearing a set of bijou from the ladies in her life. She explains, “I always like to have one woman from my family with me every day.” In this manner, she brings the great thing about these women together with her to support her in these environments.

What are their current self-care practices?

Barrett focuses on mental health to be sure that inner beauty is reflected on the surface. She relies on yoga and breathwork to ground her sense of belonging. Paired together with her love of individuality, she steps into the role of political advisor, feeling centered and proudly adorning her eclectic accessories and ever-changing hairstyles. She does this for herself, but in addition to be sure that one concept of relative beauty mustn’t force others to standardize on “the norm.”

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On the present state of beauty and politics

While there are lots of varieties of beauty, women in politics still face many limitations that distract from progress. George discusses the double standards when it comes to male counterparts, texture, and featurism applied to Black women, and the way these -isms are also exacerbated amongst various kinds of Black women. This disproportionate criticism of certain women was the experience of former First Lady Michelle Obama, who faced infinite public ridicule for her appearance and wonder selections.

For a lot of these reasons, it looks as if a phenomenon that VP Harris is getting such positive feedback on her silk press. For Barrett, this shift in public perception feels “triumphant. It gives me hope that as a society, we are broadening our perspective, that we are preserving what is most important, what is most important.” For George, “it feels like a surreal moment.” Especially for the reason that chairwoman (Minyon Moore), the manager director and the senior adviser to the DNC Economic Committee are all black women.

While beauty can and needs to be limitless, Barrett believes that “it gives space for our political leaders of color to cast a wider net and make sure that the way they enter a room is striking, not only because of their physical presence, but also because of their history of building community.”

“Some politicians will use appearance to distract from the issues. I wish that wasn’t where we were spending our time. That aspect of beauty doesn’t have to be in the conversation. There’s nothing beautiful about it,” George firmly states. Instead, political discussions about beauty should end in more protective policies that allow people to present themselves nonetheless they feel comfortable without making it the focus.

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It’s clear that for each women, beauty is within the demeanor. The DNC Committee leaders are able to tackle the conference with conviction, competence, and wonder.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Politics and Current

Social media reacts to a series of funny faces of George W. Bush during the inauguration of Trump, when Barack Obama jokes that “he could barely behave

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5 Ways Barack Obama and George W. Bush Are Pretty Much The Same

Former President Barack Obama jokingly told the reporter that former President George W. Bush “barely” behaved during the inauguration of President Donald Trump on Monday.

When there have been presidents and other noteworthy VIP guests waited for the USA ceremony to sit in the US Capitol, a member of the staff asked 78-year-old Bush if he “behaved” and 63-year-old Obama at the back to answer on behalf of Bush with “No”.

5 ways of Barack Obama and George W. Bush are almost the same

A brief, viral clip shows briefly looking around the Capitol and smiling at the members of the audience during the inauguration, which the viewers considered funny.

When Obama left the American Capitol Rotunda after the ceremony, the same post reporter quickly asked Obama if Bush behaved and Obama replied: “barely” during a smile.

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The viewers had a day in the field with many Bush faces. One person joked: “Bro was beyond his mind”

The secular behavior of former presidents was, unlike incorrect boos imposed on Obama by Trump’s supporters watching the ceremony from the rally at the Capital One Arena in the center of Washington. Bill and Hillary Clinton and former Vice President Trump Mike Pence was also not spared heavy Boos.

The first lady Michelle Obama was noticeably missing amongst the chosen group of former residents of the White House, who confirmed that she wouldn’t participate on the days before the inauguration.

About her absence, unidentified source he said People: “There is no exaggeration of her feelings about (Trump). She is not one of the plasters on a pleasant face and she pretended that the Michelle protocol does nothing, because she is expected, protocol or its tradition.”

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The source said that Michelle “no longer feels the need to be public” and added that the verbal attacks of Trump on Obama and his offensive rhetoric addressed to colourful people could even be a factor wherein she decided to skip.

In addition to Michelle, every living former president and the first lady was present, including former President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden, George W. Bush and Laura Bush, in addition to Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Trump’s swearing in the US Capitol for the first time in 40 years, the presidential inauguration took place, ignoring the customary configuration outside the Capitol, wherein 1000’s normally observe from the national shopping mall.

Officials stated that the polar vortex, which brought dangerously low temperatures to the part of the eastern coast, was the most important reason why the ceremony was moved inside.

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The last time the inauguration was moved in the room, when former President Ronald Reagan was sworn in for his second term in 1985.

(Tagstranslate) Barack Obama

This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Governor Illinois Governor Julian Stratton will make us official in the Senate, slammed Trump “Crisis and Chaos” in the video start – Essence

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Governor Illinois Lieutenant Juliana Stratton has officially made the USA that Trump

Photo: Cook County Demes

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Lieutenant Governor Illinois Juliana Stratton Movement for the next office. On Thursday, she announced her offer to the US Senate, only at some point after the Dick Durbin Senator for a few years – which he had been in this place for nearly three many years – he presented that he wouldn’t search for re -election in 2026.

“I am Juliana Stratton and I run for the United States Senate,” she said in a two -minute film published on social media.

On Friday morning she received serious support from the Governor Illinois JB Pritzker.

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“At this dangerous moment in Washington, the spirit of Juliana’s struggle and commitment to improving life are exactly a kind of Illinoisans representation and I am proud that I support her for the United States Senate,” said Pritzker in an announcement by Stratton’s campaign, Reports.

In her starter, Stratton didn’t waste time on applying rates. She formulated her candidacy as a direct response to former President Donald Trump and GOP emphasis on deep cuts of expenses and economic policy, which, he claims, will not be in contact with on a regular basis Americans.

“I am applying for the Senate, because the only way out of this mess is to introduce new energy, new voices and new leaders who understand the lives of working people,” said Stratton. “Join our campaign and together we can stop Trump and stand up for Illinois.”

Stratton didn’t mention the words about “chaos”, which she sees in Washington.

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“Since Donald Trump took power, they were non-stop messages, non-stop chaos and non-stop crisis is not accidental,” she said. She also called on former president and billionaire Elon Musk for working on “distracted” American public opinion and “creating such a mess that we don’t even know where to start.” In her opinion, “the old textbook does not work”.

Instead, she pointed to her recorder’s recorder’s record, emphasizing her partnership with Pritzker as evidence of what effective leadership could appear like.

“While Trump and the Republicans in DC proposed a limitation of almost billions of dollars in healthcare in Illinois, we removed the medical debt. While their reckless tariffs make the prices increase rapidly, we eliminated the food tax for families in Illinois,” she said.

Stratton also shared her personal journey – developing on the southern side of Chicago as a navy teacher and veteran, raising 4 children and taking care of the mother after the diagnosis of Alzheimer.

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“My story is not a typical senator. On the other hand, typical is not what we need now,” she said. “My journey to public service was inspired by the function of my mother’s main guardian when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer.”

She said that her decision to make a policy was called by the then Gova. Bruce Rauner’s attempts limit health look after seniors like her mother.

“So I decided to apply for a representative of the state and won,” said Stratton. “I took the votes of working families with me.”

She also distinguished key achievements during her office – from increasing the minimum wage to USD 15 per hour and creating jobs through serious investments in infrastructure, to adopting provisions regarding the safety of weapons and rights to abortion.

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While Stratton has long been seen as a probable claimant to take a seat Durbine, he’s now officially the first one who jumped into the race. Her candidacy is historical: if she is elected, she could join the Lisa Blunt Rochester Senators from Delaware and Angel Alsobrooks from Maryland – and mark three black women in the Senate at the same time.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Experts warn that Trump Cuts to Federal Grants will make black communities less safe and prosperous

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Black communities and leaders who work to ensure their safety and prosperously behave in front of the stream of monetary cuts issued by Trump’s administration in recent days.

Cutting, a part of the goal of President Donald Trump, to significantly reduce the dimensions and scope of the federal government budget over $ 6 trillion, included the elimination of billions of dollars in financing programs of subsidies created to reduce weapons within the case of weapons in black and brown communities, and even developing the subsequent generation of black and brown leaders working on final social damage, reminiscent of Homelessness, hunger and even close education.

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Over the past week, the Department of Justice of the Trump Administration canceled Hundreds of hundreds of thousands of dollars of subsidies have concluded contracts with organizations working in communities so as to put the tip of violence in the neighborhood, including violence using weapons and domestic violence. The Education Department canceled $ 1 billion at college similarly Mental health subsidieswhich were used to implement intervention experts in schools, hospitals and other hotspots to prevent rapid ends in communities.

“These programs are particularly effective in black communities,” said Anesa McMillan, spokeswoman Giffords, and organizing violence within the matter of weapons, founded by the previous congression of Gabby Giffords, who survived the attempt to kill in 2011.

“These are people who came from the community (I) who knew people involved in many conflicts. This was critical, especially because violence does not receive, say, shooting at school,” she said.

By announcing restrictions on subsidies for interventions in the sector of community, the Prosecutor General Pam Bondi said he was a part of the goal, because it was, because it was a discount in waste. However, supporters indicate this The data show that bilateral investments (financed by the President’s Act Joe Biden 2022 Safer Communities) actually operate. In 2023 and 2024, the murder of weapons and violence from weapons rates cut.

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Trump, weapon violence, protest, cuts, thegrio.com
Washington, DC – September 25: students of Chicago Christopher Robinson, Jachi Lewis and London Strong images of victims of violence on weapons, that are a part of the face, not forgotten in the course of the national rally to end the violence on the western lawn of the US Capitol on September 25, 2019 in Washington. (Photo chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“These decisions should not apply to politics. It is about people who are actually influenced by violence from daily weapons and almost every hour … The cost of doing nothing to prevent violence using weapons, significantly exceeds the costs of these programs,” said Goodwin, who also founded the Community Justice Action Fund, a national organization of prevention of violence within the case of violence.

In addition to subsidies focused on violence and mental health, the one government agency focused on social service and volunteering, Americorps, saw 90% of the working force of the working force reduced by the Department of Trump’s government, led by the billionaire Elon Musk. This has already resulted in federal lawsuit Complex by the coalition of several dozen states and Washington

Financing included subsidies granted to long -term non -profit organizers, reminiscent of public allies who train and develop social youth leaders through practices to ultimately work on socio -economic challenges -from help related to disasters after community related to environmental justice, especially black and brown.

“When we have a dona of financing to support our schools and communities that have a level of disinvaluation in public education systems, especially in districts and communities that have the least available resources when we see the erosion of investment in things, such as flats and the development of new apartments at affordable prices, all these things disproportionately affect us,” said Jenise Terrell, CEO.

Harvard University cancels funds for black studies and other affinity group celebrations

“These are young people who in many cases earn less than USD 15 per hour, sometimes much less, who literally experience and bloom to payments, simply, so that they can devote their time and service,” said Terrell, who’s an align of a ten -year program.

Despite the loss of labor in the neighborhood, young leaders are most concerned about members of the community who will not use work and commitment.

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“They still come to the table worried about communities … They want to know who will look for young people in the program after school (for example),” said Terrell.

The Trump administration also associated lots of his cuts related to diversity, equality and inclusion, i.e. Dei, which President Trump created the predominant feature of his budget and politics frame. Instead of specializing in diversity or justice, Trump’s administration called for an approach based on “merits”, especially by way of employment and contractual orders.

Washington, DC – April 23: US President Donald Trump shows the signed executive order entitled “Reinstating Commonsense School discipline policy” in an oval office within the White House on April 23, 2025 in Washington. Seven executive orders were related to educational policy, including enforcing universities to disclose foreign gifts, artificial intelligence education and school disciplinary policy. (Photo chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“Our approach to merit is slightly different than the approach to the current administration,” said Terrell. “We believe that it is, in addition to what you have achieved, also includes experiences that you bring to the table. Experiences that provide insight, which is often lacking in solutions.”

Despite the attitude of the White House, supporters still hope that the administration may be convinced to the course of reversing the subsidies cuts. Some actively engage the members of the Congress, from each political parties on this matter.

Congress also introduces intensive negotiations within the Capitol Hill case, because they’re working on finalizing the budget for the budget 12 months 2026. Trump’s budget proposal requires $ 163 billion cuts from its discretionary budget value $ 1.7 trillion as well as to billions of dollars, which Doge has already lowered or frozen within the name of waste and fraud.

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The representative of the American Yvette Clarke, chairman of the Congress of the Black Club, called the brand new Trump budget “reckless” and argued that he would like to make mandatory cuts for necessary federal agencies than to work on “improving the economy, reducing the cost of living and making everyday needs at an affordable price.”

“This budget program imposes economic difficulties on everyday Americans, it makes our country is less safe, and our communities are more sensitive,” said Clarke. “We, CBC members, will not be a party to the destruction of our communities and people they chose to represent.”

(Tagstranslate) Donald Trump

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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