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Martha Stewart paved the way for influencers. But not everyone finds her brand empowering

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From showing us find out how to cook the perfect turkey to mastering the art of folding a fitted sheet, Martha Stewart’s name has long been synonymous with doing every little thing right at home – “how very ‘Martha Stewart’ of you.”

New Netflix documentary Martaprovides an insight into her extraordinary life from teenage model to original influencer and America’s first self-made billionaire, with a stint in prison and a friendship with Snoop Dogg along the way.

There is something more hidden behind the expertly folded linens and impeccably set tables.

Martha Stewart created a brand empire that redefined the home lifestyle, monetized it and paved the way for others.

Beginnings and barriers

Stewart’s relationship with home art began early.

Raised in New Jersey, she learned basic homemaking skills from her mother, akin to cooking and sewing, while her father introduced her to gardening.

She studied the history of art and architecture, but Stewart began her profession as a stockbroker. But her passion for domestic matters led her to entrepreneurship.

And she once reflected“The life of a housewife was more interesting to me than life on Wall Street.”

In 1972, she launched a catering business from suburban Connecticut. It quickly gained recognition for its elegant food presentations. A client of the publisher led to the creation of her 1982 book, entitled Entertaining. It included recommendations on find out how to prepare a clambake for 30 people, a cocktail party for 200 people, and the presentation was rated as highly as the food itself.

The book’s success led to a partnership with Kmart in 1987, ultimately bringing her brand of homewares to thousands and thousands of American homes.

In 1999, she took her company Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (which included her television programs, magazines, web sites and merchandising product lines) public, becoming America’s first self-made billionaire – not less than temporarily.

A number of years later, Stewart was brought into the case scandal. She received a five-month prison sentence for insider trading and obstruction of justice. Many expected this to be the end of her profession, but Stewart defied the odds.

Breaking latest ground

After her release from prisonshe wasn’t afraid of her past. Instead, she continued to share skills, including those she had honed during her stay POW camp – whether it’s crocheting or experimenting with latest recipes. As all the time, Stewart took every opportunity to grow her brand.

Her genius is that she willI sense a void in the culture” and switch your personal touch into business success.

From sells the brand whose name it bearsStewart stayed in the highlight, sometimes sharing it with others rapper Snoop Dogg. The unlikely duo struck up a seemingly real friendship that led to a TV series about potlucks, stand-ups and prison jokes.

She continues to attach with her thousands and thousands of followers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where her long-term impact is maybe most visible.

Steward and rapper Snoop Dogg have grow to be close friends since he taught her find out how to make mashed potatoes in 2008.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

OG influencer

Stewart’s living legacy is unmistakable in today’s digital world. As you scroll through social media, you will find traces of it in neatly arranged tables or perfectly organized cabinets.

Popular “cleanfluencers” identical to Mrs Hinch and Australia Mother Mila they built a fan base by turning household chores into visually charming content.

Minimalist, neat maven Maria Kondo has taken the world by storm with her philosophy of keeping only what “sparks joy.” Its global brand follows Stewart’s signature collection model. Stewart’s clean and white aesthetic and multi-channel branding may be seen in Goop Gwyneth Paltrow too.

When house responsibilities is reframed as life-changing and transformative, it transcends a personal duty and becomes a public, respectable, and potentially profitable business.

But is that this feminism?

However, the rise of domestic lifestyle influencers also raises critical questions in feminist circles.

Already in the times of Simone de Beauvoir The second sexpublished in 1949, house responsibilities is seen as a part of the trap of domestic femininity.

Figures like Stewart can represent success stories economic conditions. But their ventures may reinforce the stereotype that homemaking is inherently women’s work, often attached to an ever-growing array of consumer products designed to enhance it.

Stewart’s vision of domestic success – immaculate homes, immaculate dinners and ideal organization – sets a normal that’s unattainable for most. Scholars say it represents her media empire upper class fantasywhere the appearance of an affluent lifestyle is emphasized over its reality.

Focusing on domestic matters is not inherently regressive, but what happens when the standards of success are too high to realize?

The “solution” often lies in the trap of consumerism, where women endlessly purchase goods to chase an idealized lifestyle.

Stewart’s perfectionism contributed to her success. In her words: “Being a perfectionist will pay off“. But for women and consumers, the pursuit of “Martha Stewartness” often feels out of reach.


This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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A single mom from California is taking TikTok by storm after posting a viral video showing her family’s emotional reaction to passing the bar exam on the first try.

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Single mom passes bar exam viral video

It can be unimaginable to root for Rhiannah Gordon, the single mother from California whose moment of vindication gave many individuals around the world a reason to smile and an excuse to cry.

Gordon’s video, which shows her joyful reaction to passing the bar exam on her first try, has racked up nearly a quarter of a billion views because it was posted on November 9.

Videos of individuals overwhelmed by excellent news are nothing latest on TikTok, but Gordon’s reaction video of a bear hugging her 10-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son as all of them cry with joy highlights the sacrifice the family shared and the joy felt after overcoming enormous adversity.

Single mom passes bar exam, viral video
A single mom has an emotional moment with her kids when she finds out she passed the bar exam on her first try. (Source: TikTok/@yougonloverhi)

“Over the years I have posted videos of kids taking classes with me, of me studying at their sporting events, or of me studying at a bar” – Gordon he said “Good morning, America. “Therefore, it was natural to share the results of the family’s long-standing investment in the law school and the bar.”

Gordon has already found a job at a law firm in Sacramento. Passing the bar marks the official end of a journey that began greater than nine years ago when she broke up with her “first love.”

“Our relationship was toxic and full of mental and physical abuse,” she writes, after a montage of photos of her battered face and black eyes filled the screen.

Gordon decided she wanted to turn into a lawyer, becoming the only single mother in her UC Davis School of Law graduating class of 260 that yr. Gordon described her hectic life there TikTok account@yougonloverhi. But none made as much of an impact as her latest film, simply titled “I Passed!!!

The caption on her screen read, “POV: You’re a single mom and you passed the CA bar exam on the first try.” Adding: “She cried for 30 minutes before… she stressed me out.”

@yougonloverhi I PASSED!!!! #barexam #barexam2024 #advocate #blacklawyer #singlemom #single mom life #singlemomamsoftiktok #lawyer #blacklawyer #blacklawyers #blacklawyerssoftiktok #joy #blackgirlmagic #blackmothers #blackmomsoftiktok #lawyer #shedidit #idiot #tears of joy #happytears #challenge #cabarexam #California ♬ original sound – Ya BabyDaddy Favorite Lawyer

Since the starting of this yr only 55 percent of scholars passed the exam on the first try at schools accredited by the California ABA. Nationally, the pass rate is normally 60-80%.

By race, Gordon was in good company with 58 percent of African-Americans passing the exam on the first try.

Gordon’s viral video generated 200,000 comments and nearly 6 million likes.

“Look here!!!!! You make children cry, strangers cry… all of us just cry!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! – wrote one fan.

“Explain to me why I’m crying when I don’t even know what the CA Bar Exam is,” said one other.

Many felt that Gordon provided them with much-needed inspiration.

“You’re killing the game of life! Keep it up, mom!” said one other.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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The average cost of an apartment in New York with the agent’s fee reaches 13,000. dollars

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A brand new evaluation reveals the high fees New York brokers charge tenants, with costs as high as $13,000.

A recent study by apartment rental company StreetEasy found that the average upfront cost of renting an apartment in New York City, including an agent’s commission, has skyrocketed to almost $13,000. This huge sum covers agent’s remuneration, first month’s rent and deposit, reports.

In 2023, the average upfront cost for broker-fee apartments was $12,667, up from $9,984 in 2019. The increase comes at a key time as New York City prepares for Wednesday’s City Council vote. The City Council will consider a bill geared toward relieving tenants of costly brokerage fees. The bill, generally known as the Fairness in Rental Housing Act (FARE), appears to have strong, almost veto-proof support.

For the study, StreetEasy surveyed over 500 renters and located that over 80% of respondents believed that landlords should cover agent fees. Additionally, 76% said they felt forced to pay a broker’s commission to secure a house in New York’s highly competitive rental market.

“The average New Yorker will spend more than 10 percent of their annual income just to cover these upfront costs,” said Kenny Lee, senior economist at StreetEasy.

Tenants are objecting to the high fees they’d to pay brokers to rent an apartment in New York.

“It doesn’t seem like this happens anywhere else,” said Kayla, 31, of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She estimates she paid $4,000 in broker fees for her apartment seven years ago. “Because I did all the work for this (apartment), I feel like I wasted my money.”

Jemma Rowlands from Melbourne, Australia, thinks the realtor’s fee she paid for her first New York apartment in 2018 seemed “expensive and unnecessary.” Giving up upfront costs “seems good to me,” he says of the proposed bill.

Supporters of the Local Government Act argue that it’ll reduce the financial burden on tenants. But critics say landlords will offset the broker’s fee by increasing rental prices for annual leases.

“The FARE Act will fundamentally disrupt the New York real estate market, raise rents, and make it even more difficult to find housing, and nothing StreetEasy has proposed will solve any of these problems,” said York.

Supporters of this solution argue that the law will profit each tenants and intermediaries, the latter of whom often rent property with none guaranteed payment.

“When the bill comes into force, both landlords and agents will have the opportunity to negotiate how compensation is paid, and tenants will finally have a choice as to whether they want to work with a broker,” Lee said.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Weight loss plans are less effective for many black women because those that exist often do not meet their unique needs

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The popularity of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro continues to reflect Americans’ desire to shed pounds. While these recent drugs provide an answer for people scuffling with obesity, many eligible patients – especially Black adults – cannot afford the high price.

These medications are also not the one solution to improving your health, as maintaining a healthy diet and exercising commonly are also key to losing a few pounds. However, current lifestyle change-based weight loss interventions largely fail to handle the needs of Black women.

As a community health researcherswe wondered why scientists had did not develop a lifestyle-based weight loss solution that worked for black women.

That’s why we reviewed 10 years of research on lifestyle-based weight loss interventions. We found that only just a few studies focused on black women, and those that did often resulted in only slight weight loss and were not consistent in their approach to weight loss. Why is that this so?

There is a missing mark for black women

Obesity increases the danger developing weight-related conditions comparable to type 2 diabetes, heart disease and a few sorts of cancer. Nearly 60% of black women within the US are obese, which puts them at greater risk of developing these conditions.

Lifestyle interventions specializing in a healthy food regimen and increased physical activity have been proven to often help most individuals shed pounds leading to a weight reduction of 5% to 10%. which also reduces the danger of chronic diseases. However, these lifestyle interventions often only end in: 2% to three% weight loss for black women.

Our review shows that amongst black women, lifestyle-based weight loss is hindered because: are often not included on this study. Because these studies did not have in mind their lived experiences, these interventions may not meet their specific needs. Of the 138 studies we evaluated, black women made up at the very least half of the participants in just eight studies.

There is an absence of research on why lifestyle interventions are often less effective for Black women. However, some studies highlight the impact of race and gender on their every day lives as potential aspects.

A “strong” black woman is forced to disregard her physical and emotional needs in an effort to care for others.
PixelsEffect/E+ via Getty Images

The role of a superwoman

Black women exposed to the constant stress of on a regular basis racism and sexism face a further burden of what researchers call the role of a superwoman. Black women not only should face their own experiences of racial and gender inequality, but additionally they should do it expect insensitive, hyper-dependent, and suppress their emotions to seem strong in family and community. Many minimize their weak points and overload their capabilities to satisfy the overwhelming responsibility of caring for other people.

Many famous names have spoken out concerning the effects of being a robust superwoman. Actress Taraji P. Henson identified how the necessity to point out strength can result in the physical and emotional needs of Black women being ignored.

Knocker Megan Thee Stallion spoke concerning the emotional toll of being a superwoman after she was shot by rapper Tory Lanez. “As a black woman… people expect me to take punches, take beatings, take beatings, and handle it gracefully. But I’m human.”

The role of superwoman places a high tax on Black women, leaving little room to prioritize their health. To deal with stress, some people engage in such activities emotional eating or binge eating. The constant demands of playing multiple caregiver roles can as well interfere with physical activity.

Naturally, these challenges make it difficult to adopt healthier eating habits and a consistent exercise program. Even in the event that they are working on losing a few pounds, some black women proceed to realize weight.

Improving weight loss for black women

Lifestyle interventions that fully consider Black women’s experiences in treatment could be the key to improving weight loss. We argue that Black feminism and womanhoodthat give attention to the experiences of women of color can assist researchers rebuild and redefine weight loss interventions to be more effective for Black women.

Black feminism and womanhood are approaches that lead Black women and girls to survive and thrive, particularly by continually considering the role that gender and race play on various issues. This framework focuses on multiple areas of health and well-being, including physical, mental and emotional health, arguing that self-care and well-being practices are acts of social change.

Focusing on the complete context of Black women’s lives can result in improvements in overall health. Obesity particularly is influenced by many aspects, and obesity treatment requires a give attention to these holistic health and well-being. This includes meeting the economic needs of Black women, incorporating faith practices central to Black lives, nurturing emotional and mental health, and constructing an environment where obtaining healthy foods and exercising every day are easy selections.

Three people walk along a tree-lined path, smiling at each other
Lifestyle changes are easier to make in the event that they fit into your every day life.
FG Trade/E+ via Getty Images

Current weight loss interventions vary greatly in the weather of Black women’s lives they give attention to. Some people emphasize, for example spiritualitywhile others give attention to emotional health. Approaches to weight loss that reply to individual needs and moving away from one-size-fits-all solutions can be crucial in addressing the varied points of Black women’s lives that impact their well-being.

If health care providers and researchers begin to take heed to and work with Black women to revamp weight loss interventions, they’ll likely find that their efforts to combat obesity amongst Black women are more effective.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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