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Jacqueline Stewart, director and president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is driven by purpose

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8 months ago

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Although the 96th Academy Awards, which honored Hollywood’s best and brightest, took place last Sunday, March 10, Film Academy Museum celebrates film and the artistic pursuit of filmmaking all yr round. With unique programming similar to a tribute to Midnight Movies, a live commentary presentation of John Waters’ first two movies, a conversation on climate change and activism with Jane Fonda, an Earth Day program featuring Arctic indigenous movies; a retrospective series about Korean actor Youn Yuh-jung in person; and more, the museum goals to coach and encourage film enthusiasts in Los Angeles and beyond. This diverse program is spearheaded by Jacqueline Stewart, who will turn out to be the institution’s director and president in 2022.

Stewart is a scientist, educator, programmer, creator, film archivist and host of “Silent Sunday Nights” on Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Before becoming director and president of the Academy Museum, Stewart served as the museum’s artistic and program director. She also chairs the National Film Preservation Board (NFPB), where she led reporting on diversity, equity and inclusion in the National Film Registry and the film archivist career. She has served on the boards of the Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA), the Society for Cinema and Media Studies (SCMS), and the Chicago Film Archives.

In 2015, Stewart co-curated a five-disc set for Kino Lorber. She is the creator and co-editor of, amongst others,

Stewart is the recipient of quite a few awards and honors, including the 2021 MacArthur Fellowship, the 2023 AMIA Silver Light Award, the PAM CUT 2023 Cinema Unbound “Groundbreaker” Award from the Portland Art Museum, and the 2024 SCMS Distinguished Career Achievement Award. In 2018, she was inducted to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Stewart received her Ph.D. in English from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in English from Stanford University.

Simply put, she is well qualified for her role and underscores the museum’s commitment to excellence in film. As a movie enthusiast (she loves the cult film Julie Dash), in her role she strives to coach, encourage and uplift diverse communities by connecting them with the beauty of filmmaking. Stewart once said: “Our ambition in opening the Academy Museum was to supply Los Angeles and the world with an unprecedented institution for understanding and appreciating the history and culture of cinema, in all its artistic glory and power to influence and reflect society. I’m deeply honored to have been chosen for this latest position and sit up for working with our Board of Directors, our Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Brendan Connell Jr., our splendidly talented staff, and Bill Kramer and the Academy as we proceed Our cooperation will speed up our mission.”

Jacqueline Stewart, director and president of the Academy Film Museum, leads with purpose

Following the buzz surrounding the 2024 Academy Awards and the seventeenth annual Black Women In Hollywood Awards (held this yr at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures), we spoke with Stewart about the work she’s doing at the iconic institution, what inspires her, and her upcoming goals.

BEING: What makes you enthusiastic about your role?

Jacqueline Stewart: I’m at all times most excited after I see young people coming into the museum. We offer free tours, especially to Los Angeles public school students, and provide transportation for them to come back and see our exhibitions. Our museum is free to anyone over 17 and at all times can be.

I’m most excited after I see young people viewing our exhibitions and coming to our screenings because we show movies almost every night of the week. We have a Teen Council of young individuals who advise us on what types of programs we must always create to draw their peers. So this role is about providing young students with stories and information they can not get anywhere else. We hope, of course, that some of them will turn out to be filmmakers or find ways to reflect on the importance of their very own stories and find ways to inform their very own stories.

It’s powerful. How does it feel to be a black woman in your position in the film industry?

It really matters. I actually have at all times had an awesome sense of responsibility for every thing I do. I never feel like I’m entering a task or room alone. Sometimes you’re feeling rather a lot of pressure, however it’s not only pressure; there is also great power in it. I don’t need to digress on the work we have done around Hattie McDaniel and her historic Oscar for taking part in Mammy in , however it’s related to your query. Because, as you already know, our Oscar History Gallery highlights the Oscars over the years in lots of areas. We had to acknowledge Hattie McDaniel, despite the fact that her real Oscar had been missing for a few years. So now we have an empty box where her Oscar can be if we had it, because we wanted to point out the importance of her victory. It also makes visitors stop and take into consideration… Well, we made a vital curatorial decision that made people take into consideration her experiences in Hollywood during the era of classic Hollywood cinema. We can do extraordinary work to right some of the wrongs of the past.

Thank you for sharing this. This is an ideal segue into my next query: Can you speak about how you might be increasing the Black presence in the museum in terms of storytelling?

We now have an exhibition dedicated to the work of John Singleton. We proceed to contemplate easy methods to incorporate Black stories into our temporary exhibitions. And that is what we do in the galleries and through our programs. Of course, we had a solid Black History Month program. But we also at all times take into consideration combining a have a look at the history of black cinema with one other history of cinema. The same thing happens in our instructional programs and then in our film screenings.

Let’s enter the state of Black Hollywood. What do you’re thinking that is the state of Black Hollywood today?

Thank you for this query. I mean, there have been baby steps. If you have a look at history, there are moments where it looks like there is rather a lot more progress and opportunity, and then it goes backwards, comes up again, and goes down again. But these waves that ebb and flow appear to be getting smaller and smaller. It was amazing to see the wealth of black talent, actors, writers and directors at the awards show throughout the awards season; the work that folks you already know do is impressive. It’s more solid than it has been in a really very long time. I believe the murder of George Floyd and the opening of space for more black voices has now reached a form of critical mass. At least in our community, there is a really strong sense of urgency and reluctance to shut the doors again, just as there is an actual sense of reluctance to return.

So let’s move on to the topic of Black Women in Hollywood. It was an epic day! How was it working with us?

We were honored that the ESSENCE team asked us to designate a location for this to occur, and we wanted the museum to be the space and backdrop for this incredible event. I do know I worked in that room because I wanted people to come back back and engage with our program at the museum. So it meant rather a lot to me to introduce the museum to this amazing community. However, knowing that ESSENCE is a legacy and media empire with a worldwide reach, those that didn’t participate would see that it was greater than only a community gathered together; it was like meeting again. And knowing that the Academy Museum is an area where this type of Black family reunion can happen is of great importance.

What’s next?

As you already know, the 96th Academy Awards were just handed out, which implies that 2028 can be the one centesimal Oscar. That’s why I believe rather a lot about how we’ll have fun this vital anniversary; The Academy will have fun its one centesimal anniversary in 2027. So, pondering rather a lot about 2027 and 2028, what do we wish to say about the first 100 years of the Academy and how can we begin to conceptualize what the next 100 years of the Academy will appear like as. This is an enormous project that I’m currently implementing with my teams.

In terms of personal goals, I actually have been in Los Angeles for nearly 4 years and need to get to know the city higher. An awesome example was lunch at ESSENCE; many dynamic female artists engage on this work. I do know rather a lot of them professionally, but I’m hoping to deepen and expand some of my relationships with people who find themselves on this city and get to know them as a woman from the south side of Chicago; There are many places in Los Angeles and Southern California that I’m looking forward to exploring.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.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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6 hours ago

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November 22, 2024

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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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Health and Wellness

Health matters: WNBA star Napheesa Collier on her commitment to women’s reproductive health

Published

13 hours ago

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November 21, 2024

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Minnesota lynx

Napheesa Collier will not be only a WNBA superstar for the Minnesota Lynx and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, but additionally the mother of her daughter Mila and an advocate for women’s reproductive health rights.

It recently decided to partner with Opill®, the primary and only every day contraceptive pill available over-the-counter within the United States. This breakthrough represents a major step forward in women’s health care by providing a convenient and accessible contraceptive option. With Opill, women not need to visit health care facilities for prescriptions, making it easier than ever to take control of their reproductive health.

The collaboration relies on Opill®’s long-standing partnership with the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). “One of the reasons Opill® partnered with the WNBA is the great passion of players who use their platform to support causes they believe in,” said Leila Bahbah, leading women’s health brand at Perrigo within the US. “Napheesa exudes this passion, and together we plan to educate and empower people to take control of their reproductive health.”

Collier advocates for girls and says she is willing to have conversations, even in the event that they are difficult. “I just truly believe in everything they do at Opill®. I believe it’s important to talk to people who may become pregnant and to women about the reproductive health and contraceptive options available to them,” Collier tells ESSENCE.

He continues: “I want people to know that if they want contraception, Opill® is a great option. It is the first over-the-counter drug approved by the FDA. It is inexpensive, available. You don’t need a prescription to get it. I think that’s a key thing in today’s climate.”

Collier notes that within the off-season, he tries to travel to various colleges to talk to students about their reproductive freedoms. “Talking about this topic is essential to remove the stigma as it should not be considered a shameful topic or something that should not be discussed openly. My mother was a nurse, so it was casual to talk about it in our house, and I want to pass it on to other people too, so I’m very excited about it,” she says.

In the present political climate, many ladies with daughters are concerned about their future and reproductive health. Collier, included. “Especially because I am the mother of a young girl, it is very important to me to be able to raise her in an atmosphere where she knows her reproductive rights and health, that she has access to affordable health care and contraception if she wants it and that she can ask me these questions and have open conversations.”

Collier continues: “It’s back to education. Again, I think it’s harmful that we can’t have open conversations about birth control and other issues that are usually taboo. I think it’s harmful. I think this does a lot of harm to women. It hurts. This is harmful to our society. Being able to talk about these issues and empowering women to learn about their rights and bodies creates a safer and healthier society.”

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

Yes, despite what you’ve heard on TikTok, you still need to use sunscreen

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13 hours ago

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November 21, 2024

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Summer is nearly here. But as an alternative of using sunscreen, some TikTokers just do that encouraging followers throw it away and forgo sunscreen.

They argue that it’s healthier to forgo sunscreen to get the complete advantages of the sun.

Here’s what the science really says.

How does sunscreen work?

Due to the acute UV environment in Australia, most individuals with pale to olive skin or other risk aspects for skin cancer must accomplish that protect yourself. Applying sunscreen is a key approach to protecting areas that aren’t easily covered by clothing.

Sunscreens work by absorbing or scattering UV rays before they reach the skin and damage DNA or supporting structures corresponding to collagen.

In this photo I (Katie) apply sunscreen only to the appropriate side of my face. Sunscreens absorb and scatter UV light (right side), although it can’t be seen with the naked eye (left side). The photo on the appropriate also shows where sun spots (dark spots) accumulate on my skin and where I do not care to apply sunscreen evenly – under the attention, on the cheek and completely missing the ear.
The creator provided/UQ

When UV molecules hit DNA, the surplus energy can damage our DNA. This damage might be repaired, but when the cell divides before the error is repaired, it causes a mutation that may lead to skin cancer.

The energy of the UV particle (photon) causes the DNA strands to break and reconnect incorrectly. This causes a tumor within the DNA strand, which makes accurate copying difficult and might introduce mutations.
NASA/David Herring

The most typical skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Melanoma is less common but most definitely spreads throughout the body; this process known as metastasis.

Two against three At least the Australians will one skin cancer during their lives they usually reconcile 80% all cancers in Australia.

About 99% of skin cancers in Australia are attributable to overexposure to UV radiation.

Excessive exposure to UV radiation also affects the looks of the skin. UVA rays are able to penetrate deep into the skin, where they break down supporting structures corresponding to elastin and collagen.

This causes signs premature agingcorresponding to deep wrinkles, brown or white spots and broken capillaries.

Sunscreen may also help prevent skin cancer

Consistently used sunscreen reduces the danger of skin cancer and slows skin aging.

In Queensland studyparticipants either used sunscreen day by day for nearly five years or continued their usual use.

After five years, the danger of squamous cell cancer was reduced within the day by day group 40% compared to the second group.

Ten years later, the danger of developing invasive melanoma was reduced within the group of individuals taking the drug day by day 73%

Do sunscreens block the health-promoting properties of sunlight?

The answer is a little more complicated and involves a personalised risk-benefit trade-off.

First, the excellent news: spending time within the sun has many health advantages don’t rely under the influence of UV radiation and aren’t affected by the use of sunscreens.

A woman applies sunscreen
Sunscreens only filter out UV rays, not all light.
Ron Lach/Pexels

Sunscreens only filter UV rays, not visible light or infrared light (which we feel as heat). Importantly, a number of the advantages of sunlight are obtained through Eyes.

Visible light improves mood and regulates and possibly reduces circadian rhythm (which influences the sleep-wake cycle). myopia (myopia) in children.

Infrared light is being researched as a treatment for several conditions skin, neurological, psychiatric AND autoimmune disorders.

So what is the good thing about exposing your skin to UV radiation?

Sun exposure produces vitamin D, which is crucial for healthy bones and muscles.

Vitamin D deficiency is surprisingly common amongst Australians, peaking in Victoria at 49% in winter and lowest in Queensland at 6% in summer.

Fortunately, individuals who deal with sun protection can avoid vitamin D deficiency taking a complement.

Skin exposure to UV radiation could have advantages independent of vitamin D production, but these haven’t been proven. It may reduce the danger of autoimmune diseases corresponding to multiple sclerosis or cause the discharge of a chemical that may lower blood pressure. However, there aren’t enough details about these advantages to say whether sunscreen can be an issue.

What does this mean for you?

Exposure of the skin to UV radiation may provide some advantages that could be blunted by sunscreens. This determines whether it’s value giving up these advantages to avoid skin cancer how susceptible you have skin cancer.

If you have pale skin or other aspects that increase your risk of skin cancer, try to use sunscreen day by day on all days when the forecast UV index reaches 3.

If you have darker skin that rarely or never burns, you might want to skip using sunscreen on daily basis – although you’ll still need protection when you’re outdoors for prolonged periods of time.

For now, the balance of evidence suggests that it is healthier for people susceptible to skin cancer to proceed using sunscreen, supplementing with vitamin D as needed.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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