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Karen Bass Sworn in as the First Woman Mayor of Los Angeles
At 69 years old, Karen Bass started a new chapter in her life, and the life of the city of Los Angeles, as she assumes the role of the city’s 43rd chief executive. Not only has she made history as the first woman to become mayor in Los Angeles, she is also the second Black person to have ever been elected to this office. In our review of this remarkable feat, we took some time to reflect on a few universal core competencies that Mayor Bass has displayed throughout her career, and that are of high visibility and significance today.
When life is hard for some Angelenos, it affects all Angelenos.
On Sunday, December 11, 2022, Karen Bass was officially sworn in as the first woman elected to the office of mayor in the city of Los Angeles, California. The swearing in ceremony was led by none other than Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the first woman to serve as Vice President of the United States of America.
During her speech, Mayor Bass announced that her first act as the city’s new mayor would be to pay a visit to the emergency operations centres of Los Angeles and declare a state of emergency on homelessness in Los Angeles. “When life is hard for some Angelenos,” she said, “it affects all Angelenos.”
“My emergency declaration will recognise the severity of our crisis, and break new ground to maximise our ability to urgently move people inside, and to do so for good.”
Mayor Bass is intent on navigating the city out of the extreme challenges of homelessness that it has been facing for years on end. According to the New York Times, out of the approximately 69,000 homeless people living in Los Angeles, 17,000 of them are to be housed within the first year of Mayor Bass’s term.
Another promise made by the mayor was to increase the presence of law enforcement throughout the city. In September of this year, the Los Angeles Times reported that two men were arrested and charged with burglary after breaking into the politician’s home.
It was a hard fought race won by Bass, who has been in politics for nearly 20 years, starting with the California State Assembly in 2005, serving on various different law making committees from 2011 to 2022, and as a congresswoman representing California’s 37th district since 2013. She won against billionaire real estate developer, Rick Caruso in a race so close to call that uncertainty loomed for a week after the election took place as each ballot was being accounted for.
At 69 years old, Karen Bass started a new chapter in her life, and the life of the city of Los Angeles, as she assumes the role of the city’s 43rd chief executive. Not only has she made history as the first woman to become mayor in Los Angeles, she is also the second Black person to have ever been elected to this office. In our review of this remarkable feat, we took some time to reflect on a few universal core competencies that Mayor Bass has displayed throughout her career, and that are of high visibility and significance today.
Mayor Karen Bass x Universal Core Competencies
Empathy – One's capacity for observing, understanding and actively sharing the feelings and perspectives of others. (The Academic Glossary)
“When life is hard for some Angelenos, it affects all Angelenos.” Mayor Bass has been very vocal and very clear about her position on the issue of homelessness. In her statement, she demonstrates an awareness of how the plight of the homeless is not merely isolated to those who are without homes, but that it actually impacts the lives of all citizens living in Los Angeles.
Competitiveness – One's capacity for developing and maintaining skills and competencies that are objectively superior to those of one's peers. (The Academic Glossary)
It was a narrow race for many reasons. The city’s population alone (more than three million) sheds light on just how big the audience of Los Angeles really is, and paints a picture of how strong the conviction of one’s message must be in order to produce a winning vote in the end. Until a week after the election, it was still deemed as too close to call.
Urgency – One's capacity for taking immediate action. (The Academic Glossary)
Just after she was sworn in as the city’s 43rd chief executive, Mayor Bass vowed her first act as mayor would be to declare homelessness in the city of Los Angeles as a state of emergency. Citizens have felt hopeless and unsure on whether or not real action would ever be taken to address this issue, and if Mayor Bass comes through on her promise, the city is bound to see a dramatic and very real sense of change.
Watch the swearing in of Mayor Karen Bass, led by US Vice President Kamala Harris below.
KH: “I, Karen Ruth Bass”
KB: I, Karen Ruth Bass
KH: “Do solemnly swear”
KB: Do solemnly swear
KH: “That I will support the Constitution of the United States.”
KB: That I will support the Constitution of the United States.
KH: “The Constitution of the State of California.”
KB: The Constitution of the State of California.
KH: “And the Charter of the City of Los Angeles.”
KB: And the Charter of the City of Los Angeles.
KH: “And that I will faithfully discharge the duties”
KB: And that I will faithfully discharge the duties
KH: “Of the office of Mayor.
KB: Of the office of Mayor.
KH: “According to my best ability.”
KB: According to my best ability.
KH: Madam Mayor *reaches out to initiate handshake*
KB: *Shakes hand of the United States Vice President*
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Emmanuel Tarpin: Parisian High Jeweller and Environmentalist
Emmanuel Tarpin, a Paris-based jeweller who launched his eponymous jewellery brand in 2017 at the age of 25, has been a major player in the world of high jewellery from very early into his career. Inspired by nature, he is known for his “exquisite bijoux that break free from convention with bold silhouettes, layered textures, and unexpected stone compositions.” (Galerie Magazine, 2019)
More recently, he has been in the news for his inspiring acts of goodwill—using his work to support the coral reef organisation in French Polynesia.
Let’s preserve our oceans, our planet.
Emmanuel Tarpin, a Paris-based jeweller who launched his eponymous jewellery brand in 2017 at the age of 25, has been a major player in the world of high jewellery from very early into his career. Inspired by nature, he is known for his “exquisite bijoux that break free from convention with bold silhouettes, layered textures, and unexpected stone compositions.” (Galerie Magazine, 2019) More recently, he has been in the news for his inspiring acts of goodwill—using his work to support the coral reef organisation in French Polynesia.
Reported in the New York Times as his first philanthropic partnership, Emmanuel “has committed to selling several of his one-of-a-kind jewels to support the work of Coral Gardeners, a nongovernmental organization based in Moorea, French Polynesia, whose mission is to create a global movement to save coral reefs. An avid diver, he first heard of the organization from an instructor about a year ago.” (New York Times, 2022)
In a post published to his Instagram account on September 10, 2022, the artist himself announced:
“Thrilled to announce my collaboration with @coralgardeners organization
Nature is my source of inspiration and fighting for its preservation has always been obvious for me.
Spending a month with the team, learning from them and understanding their cause affected me.
I decided to create one of a kind high jewelry pieces inspired by sea world and offer benefits to help them in their actions to replant and rebuild coral reefs.
Let’s preserve our oceans, our planet.” – Emmanuel Tarpin (via Instagram)
True to form, we took a moment to admire some of the universal core competencies we saw on display as we learned of Emmanuel Tarpin and his work this week. Here are three things that came to mind:
Emmanuel Tarpin x Universal Core Competencies
Accurate Listening – One's capacity for exercising a willingness to hear what others are actually saying instead of what one believes others will or should say, or what one believes others may have meant. (The Academic Glossary)
In his announcement (mentioned above), Emmanuel shared that he had taken the time to learn and understand the cause of the Coral Gardners, and that this is what moved him to take action and partner with them to help support the health and preservation of the oceans of the world.
Awareness of Others – One's capacity for seeing beyond one's self to observe and understand the existence, the objective qualities, the needs and the interests of others. (The Academic Glossary)
Most often, we view this universal core competency as something that should be directed towards a person’s awareness of other people. Here though, we see an expanded use case of the term. In order for Emmanuel to see the significance of his participation in this philanthropic partnership, he had to come into the awareness of the objective qualities, the needs and the interests of ocean life, and the health of the world we live in.
It’s one thing to find your source of inspiration. It’s an entirely different thing to build a relationship with that source.
Conceptual Thinking – One's capacity for successfully evaluating abstract and nonlinear ideas, processes and organisations in an accurate and dependable manner. (The Academic Glossary)
Emmanuel Tarpin took his love for creating pieces shaped by inspiration from the world around him – he’s an experienced diver with an affinity for the ocean – and created an opportunity for others to help make a calculable positive change in the world.
As reported in the New York Times, Emmanuel, in partnership with Coral Gardners, will sell “several of his one-of-a-kind jewels,” donating 80% of the proceeds to the organisation to help preserve the oceans. (New York Times, 2022)
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Jennifer Weber and the Power of Authenticity, Ownership and Understanding
Jennifer Weber is an Emmy Award winning and Olivier award nominated choreographic artist based in New York City and Los Angeles. At 44 years of age, she has racked up quite the list of accomplishments, and enjoys the privilege of finding success in a dream that was born in her heart more than three decades ago.
I can only take from my own experiences and hope that feels authentic onstage because it is coming from my authenticity.
Jennifer Weber is an Emmy Award winning and Olivier award nominated choreographic artist based in New York City and Los Angeles. At 44 years of age, she has racked up quite the list of accomplishments, and enjoys the privilege of finding success in a dream that was born in her heart more than three decades ago.
Currently, she’s making headlines left and right for her contributions to not one, but two Broadway shows that opened earlier this month. And with all the buzz surrounding her and her work, we were most inspired by her display of some universal core competencies as it pertains to authenticity, ownership and understanding in a strong work ethic and the advent of chasing your dreams.
Jennifer Weber x Universal Core Competencies
From what we’ve been seeing and reading lately, we understand that Jennifer is a hard and consistent worker, with a collaborative heart and a true love for what she does. Here are some of the core competencies that we see on display from her work:
Self Esteem – One’s capacity for perceiving and respecting one’s own inherent value. (The Academic Glossary)
In an Instagram post, Jennifer shared a childhood photo of herself with an “Oscar” award that her parents had gotten her alongside a photo of her as an adult with an Emmy Award that she won for her choreographic contributions to “Hip Hop Nutcracker featuring Kurtis Blow” in 2019. With a bright smile painted across her face in both images, Jennifer concluded her caption by saying “I think I basically look the same.”
The post inspires the thought that Ms. Weber has long known that she is worthy of support and celebration, and that she is worth believing in. It inspires the thought that she has long understood and embraced the idea that her dreams are worth chasing.
Self-Expression – One's capacity for sharing one's own thoughts, feelings and ideas with others, especially in writing, art, music or dance. (The Academic Glossary)
According to a recent article, published in The New York Times, it was seeing “A Chorus Line” in New York at nine years of age that precipitated Weber’s dreams of Broadway. As the author of the article puts it, “once back home in Amherst, Mass., she just started doing it, choreographing a dance for herself and her younger brother and recording it on a video camera borrowed from the library. She had never taken a dance class.” (New York Times, 2022)
Positive Attitude – One's capacity for consciously employing a thought process that encourages the production of confidence and clarity in real life experiences through words and actions. (The Academic Glossary)
In the same article referenced earlier, there were significant notes pointing towards the positive energy that Jennifer Weber has exude. “When she comes into the room, the room lights up,” Kurtis Blow says of her. Kurtis was featured in the Emmy Award Winning production of Hip Hop Nutcracker, a project on which Weber was the choreographer.
Awareness of Motivational Needs – One's capacity for perceiving, understanding and communicating that which drives a person to take action towards a goal or a directive. (The Academic Glossary)
We chose to highlight this universal core competency because it often speaks to a certain level of leadership in a person, and that’s what we’ve gleaned from all the things we’ve learned about Jennifer Weber so far. As a hardworking and critically accomplished choreographer, she is respected as someone who understands the profession both technically and personally in that she is a strong director who carries authority while also creating a safe space for dancers to feel free and in charge of their own contribution to a collaborative body of work.
Today, you can see her two shows, &Juliet and KPOP on Broadway in New York. You can also stream The Hip Hop Nutcrakcer on Disney+, or catch the live performance on which the film is based by visiting The Hip Hop Nutcracker on Tour.
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Thierry Mugler: An Architect of Extreme Glamour and Serious Strength
The Mugler-impact was undeniable, as we would certainly live to see well into the decades to come. Since the late 2000s, Mugler’s work has been introduced to generations of young people, especially through such cultural influencers as Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Cardi B. His commitment to presenting the female as powerful and self-determined is one that has resonated with many, and has certainly helped to keep the name “Mugler” alive and on fire.
“In my work I’ve always tried to make people look stronger than they really are.”
Bigger than Big
Thierry Mugler is an eternal staple at the intersection of fashion, beauty and design. Emerging as a major player in the fashion scene of the 1980s and 1990s, he became quite popular for his larger than life concepts, and maintained a high level of respect among luminaries in style and pop culture for decades to come.
In an article published by The New York Times, Vanessa Friedman pulls a quote from Montreal Museum of Arts curator, Thierry-Maxime Loriot, who described Mugler as a “pioneer when it came to women’s empowerment and diversity, starting in the 1970s.” (The New York Times, 2022) She later goes on herself to describe his followup work as “kitsch razzle-dazzle,” suggesting that what he produced after the sale of his brand to Clarins in 1997 was a bit off compared to what people had come to know and love of him.
Still, the Mugler-impact was undeniable, as we would certainly live to see well into the decades to come. Since the late 2000s, Mugler’s work has been introduced to generations of young people, especially through such cultural influencers as Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Cardi B.
“In my work I’ve always tried to make people look stronger than they really are.” – Thierry Mugler
His commitment to presenting the female as powerful and self-determined is one that has resonated with many, and has certainly helped to keep the name “Mugler” alive and on fire.
A Relentless Pioneer
There are many notable takeaways from the overview of his career, as referenced in the New York Times. For one, there’s the embrace of faux fur and printed leather well before the fashion world adhered to a campaign of minimising animal cruelty for the sake of style. Another example of Mugler’s pioneerism is the experimentation with exposing the rear end of the model – this is something Vanessa notes Mugler did before McQueen “introduced the bumster.” In another lens of channelling his inner pioneer, Thierry cast drag queens in his shows, right alongside the most respected and prominent female models who also walked in his runway shows.
The list of acts that made Mugler a pioneer in the worlds of fashion, art and style go on. He was one of the select designers featured in famed photographer of the 1980s, Lucille Khornak’s first book, Fashion 2001.
Challenger of the Impossible
One of the biggest things people admire about Thierry Mugler and his work was his commitment to the curious and the unexpected. One of his most iconic pieces, a dress called “La Chimère,” reportedly took “thousands of hours to create,” featuring “a rainbow of exactingly beaded scales that form the iridescent carapace of a mythic creature.” It presented such complications for the advent of getting it on the body that it is said to have always travelled on a mannequin. Attempting to walk down the runway apparently proved to be an even greater source of difficulty in fashion.
“Though the idea of trading freedom for effect may seem the literal antithesis of empowerment, that imagery helped clear a path in the collective imagination.” (The New York Times, 2022)
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Elon Musk vs. The World
The list of people opposed to Elon Musk, his acquisition of Twitter and the direction he has planned to take the social media platform in is virtually endless. Or so it seems. It is unclear whether or not Elon will be successful with his ultimate vision for Twitter, however, if there is one thing we are willing to bet on, it is that he will not be backing down any time soon.
“Twitter usage is at an all time high lol”
On October 28, 2022, Elon Musk, the richest person in the whole wide world, purchased Twitter at a price of $44 billion. Since then, there has been nonstop news and noise about the acquisition of the company and the overall direction of the social media platform. Let’s take a look at some notable exchanges that have taken place since the deal was made complete:
Elon Musk vs. The New York Times
Elon Musk is no stranger to calling people and corporations out and sharing his opinion of them without remorse, especially when they begin to pick and point fingers in his direction. On October 26th, the publication tweeted out an article about Elon with harshly critical overtones.
“Elon Musk has emerged as a new, chaotic actor in global politics. The billionaire’s interventions in some of the world’s most combustible conflicts have sometimes been a boon, but his messages have also caused problems.” – @nytimes
Later that same day, Elon published a hot take on the publication, remixing what they had to say about him, sparing no comedic effect in the process.
““The New York Times has emerged as a new, chaotic actor in global politics. The paper’s interventions in some of the world’s most combustible conflicts have sometimes been a boon, but their messaging has also caused problems.”” – @elonmusk
Adding, ““According to unnamed sources close to the matter who wish to remain anonymous” 🤣🤣” — @elonmusk
Fanning the flames, The New York Times went on to publish an article titled “Smash” a few days later on October 30th. Elon responded with another comedic jab.
“This is fake – I did *not* tweet out a link to The New York Times!”
— @elonmusk
Context was later provided by Birdwatch for readers to confirm that Elon had in fact tweeted a link to a site known to publish false information, but that he later deleted it and chose to conflate the site with The New York Times in response to the article they published about him.
Elon Musk vs. AOC
Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, a United States Representative better known as AOC, is no stranger to controversy or sharing her own hot take on critical issues and situations. In a recent tweet, she came directly for Mr. Musk, suggesting that his intentions were impure and potentially harmful to free speech.
“Lmao at a billionaire earnestly trying to sell people on the idea that “free speech” is actually a $8/mo subscription plan,” said AOC.
In response to this tweet, Elon Musk simply said “Your feedback is appreciated, now pay $8.”
Elon would go on the next day to continue tweeting in response to more general feedback regarding the announcement of the new premium version of Twitter, sharing this tweet that elaborates a bit more on the structure of it all through a highly engaging meme.
The top left part of the image features a character saying, “$8/month for Twitter verification? So much for “free” speech.” A second character, featured in the top right section of the image responds, saying “You can still use Twitter for free, just without the benefits.”
Later still, Elon Musk returned to Twitter to share this image, very clearly questioning the message previously spread by AOC.
This image features a screenshot of a sweatshirt on AOC’s website that retails for $58, and Elon Musk’s commentary is the “hmm” face that suggests everything here might not make sense as it should.
Elon Musk vs. Kathy Griffin
On the evening of November 06, 2022, Elon Musk shared that “any Twitter handles engaging in impersonation without clearly specifying “parody” will be permanently suspended.” This policy was put into effect immediately, and many pages were impacted.
“Going forward, any Twitter handles engaging in impersonation without clearly specifying “parody” will be permanently suspended
Previously, we issued a warning before suspension, but now there will be no warning.
This will be clearly identified as a condition for signing up to Twitter Blue.
Any name change at all will cause temporary loss of verified checkmark”
— @elonmusk
In effect with this move, the account for Kathy Griffin, which apparently had been used to impersonate Elon without a clear indication of parody or satire, was suspended.
You can see very clearly in this screenshot, reshared by newscaster Benny Johnson, Kathy had been using Elon Musk’s name for impersonation without the context of parody in her profile.
Certain users picked this up rather quickly, with Benny Johnson among others sharing this information and calling it “breaking news.”
“BREAKING: @KathyGriffin has been permanently suspended from Twitter for impersonating @ElonMusk”
— @bennyjohnson
To the amusement of more than half a million Twitter users, Elon responded.
“Actually, she was suspended for impersonating a comedian”
— @elonmusk
The response from Elon, albeit comedic in nature, was very sharp and unrelenting. He did, however, clarify that she would be able to return to the platform with a verified checkmark if she subscribes to the $8 premium.
“But if she really wants her account back, she can have it… For $8”
— @elonmusk
Elon Musk vs. Advertisers
Since the keys to the bird cage were handed over to Elon Musk, several companies have allegedly discontinued their ad spend on the platform. General Electric was among the first companies reported to have done so, and has made it clear that the reason behind the move was their pointed concern about the direction of the company. Several other companies have taken the same course of action, especially after the publishing of this open letter to traditionally high spending advertisers on the platform.
Mike Davis tweeted to a tweet Mr. Musk had published concerning the loss of revenue due to advertisers exiting the platform, saying:
“You have nearly 114,000,000 Twitter followers.
Name and shame the advertisers who are succumbing to the advertiser boycotts.
So we can counter-boycott them.
And get your $8 monthly subscription going asap.
So we can start to makeup for lost revenue now.”
— @mrddmia
In response to this, Elon was very straightforward in saying:
“Thank you.
A thermonuclear name & shame is exactly what will happen if this continues.”
— @elonmusk
The original tweet sent out by Elon read as follows:
“Twitter has had a massive drop in revenue, due to activist groups pressuring advertisers, even though nothing has changed with content moderation and we did everything we could to appease the activists.
Extremely messed up! They’re trying to destroy free speech in America.”
— @elonmusk
In another tweet, Mr. Musk runs a poll asking the general public whether advertisers should support freedom of speech or political “correctness.” 78% of almost 03 million Twitter users voted for freedom of speech.
Elon Musk vs. Twitter
On Friday, November 04, 2022, approximately 3,800 people were exited from their roles at Twitter. The days surrounding this move have been anything but quiet, with headlines and shameless promotion from all sorts of publications and people. Here are some of the tweets commemorating the moment.
“In Slack, dozens of employees are posting the •• emoji as a possible farewell.
Anticipating the loss of half their colleagues, some have begun calling Friday “The Snap” and posting Thanos memes.”
“Also worth noting: the email that just went out to every Twitter employee is unsigned.
Whatever is about to happen, Elon is not putting his name on it.”
— @CaseyNewton
“Has it already started? Happy layoff eve!”
— @ruchowdh
“The five stages of grief for Tweeps: 1) denial 2) anger 3) bargaining 4) depression 5) aggressively re-reading the acquisition faq section on severance packages.”
— @kltelles
“Hey Twitter employees getting laid off tomorrow! IMPORTANT INFO from a CA employment attorney (me):
CA’s “WARN” law requires Twitter to give you 60 days notice of a massive layoff.
A layoff of 50+ employees within a 30 day period qualifies.
I know you didn’t get that notice.”
“I’m now in contact with many Twitter workers who reached out to me about a class action lawsuit overnight.
You had the right to 60 days notice under federal and state WARN Acts.
You didn’t get it.
Mr. Musk, the storm is coming.
#TwitterLayoffs”
— @LisaBloom
Here, employment attorney Lisa Bloom shamelessly promotes herself and shares her speculation that the layoffs at Twitter are unlawful. In a bold move, she recommends that every employee dismissed in this colossal mass of layoffs reach out to her office to begin the process of suing Twitter immediately.
“Last night, friends from the birdapp reached out to us, asking us to publish a layoff guide for their coworkers.
It is written thoughtfully and with great care. IF you work at the company, we encourage you to take a look.”
— @tech_actions
Collective Action in Tech shares a public list of independently recommended action items for people who suspect they will be dismissed from their roles to consider before the layoffs actually take place.
“To summarize:
Elon was legally forced to buy Twitter even though he wanted to get out of the deal
Twitter was losing money every month due to poor management
But now that he is restructuring the company to keep 50% of the jobs, it’s all his fault and he is bad?
🤔🤨🙄🤭”
— @alex_avoigt
“Only 25% of the layoffs were Elon’s doing. The other 25% were going to happen regardless of his ownership.”
— @Techgnostic
“Before Musk took over the site, Twitter had already planned broad layoffs, which would have affected up to a quarter of the staff, according to people familiar with the plans. The Post reported previously the company’s board was planning to cut thousands of jobs as part of an effort to save $700 million in labor costs.”
“Regarding Twitter’s reduction in force, unfortunately there is no choice when the company is losing over $4M/day.
Everyone exited was offered 3 months of severance, which is 50% more than legally required.”
— @elonmusk
In response to all the noise that was made about this sizable wave of workforce reduction at Twitter, Elon Musk asserted that the layoffs were inevitable, and that the actual severance was exceedingly generous.
Sidenote: Interestingly enough, Elon vs. Twitter was sort of an actual thing—meaning they almost ended up battling in a court case prior over the completion of Elon’s acquisition of the company.
Elon Musk vs. The World
The list of people opposed to Elon Musk, his acquisition of Twitter and the direction he has planned to take the social media platform in is virtually endless. Or so it seems. In an ironic plot twist, the controversies over the new ownership, paired with changes to content moderation and the introduction of the $8 access to Twitter Blue, have helped skyrocket Twitter usage to an all time high, per Elon himself.
It is unclear whether or not Elon will be successful with his ultimate vision for Twitter, however, if there is one thing we are willing to bet on, it is that he will not be backing down any time soon.
“Twitter usage is at an all time high lol”
“I just hope the servers don’t melt!”
— @elonmusk
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A Resplendent Display of Role Awareness with YSL Creative Director, Anthony Vaccarello
As we transition out of the spooky season and into a season of gratitude, we want to take time to give thanks for the stories that remind us to explore, embrace and express the truth of who we are with confidence and courage. Building a three billion dollar brand is very cool, but you know what else is cool? Knowing who you are and what you bring to the table.
“He adapts everything to the modern world. It is more than fashion, it is history.”
Catching up on some of the amazing things that have been happening so far this season, we came across this inspiring article, published to the Wall Street Journal on Monday morning, October 31, 2022.
“Anthony Vaccarello Takes Saint Laurent to the Next Level” by Rory Satran (Fashion Director at WSJ).
The piece itself is designed to highlight the massive success of YSL with Vaccarello at the helm. Since his joining the team in 2017, YSL has nearly become a $3 billion brand. What stood out the most to us while reading though, is the calm, the cool and the consistency he appears to convey as a well-respected individual who has achieved such critical success in his industry. A Resplendent Display of Role Awareness with YSL Creative Director, Anthony Vaccarello.
What is role awareness?
Role awareness is a universal core competency that refers to one’s capacity for observing and understanding one's own position, potential and performance in the world or the environment they currently occupy, including any expectations one may be responsible for meeting.
Of course, we don’t know him personally, however, we can deduce from the article, as well what his colleagues and friends have had to say about him, that he has found clarity with what his unique value proposition is within the industry, and perhaps even his overall contribution to the world.
How does Anthony Vaccarello convey role awareness in his role as creative director?
Here are some examples of the things people are saying (Vaccarello included) in reference to Vaccarello and his work:
“I never think it has to be global… Everyone is intrigued by Saint Laurent because [it] has that Parisian French image. And you like it or you don’t like it.” – Anthony Vaccarello’s response to curiosity that he might feel pressured to produce fashions that are less specific to the Parisian French image, and more global. (Wall Street Journal, 2022)
“Anthony is like Yves… He adapts everything to the modern world, which is exactly what Yves did for his time. It is more than fashion, it is history.” – Betty Catroux via email. (Wall Street Journal, 2022) Betty is a former model of critical acclaim, and is known to have served as a muse for both Tom Ford and Yves Saint Laurent himself.
“He’s very resistant to any sort of pressure from the outside world when it comes to trends or what he should be doing…. He hates hypocrisy—that’s, like, his main thing. So, when he does something, it’s really because he believes in it. He’ll never do something because it’s easy to get attention.” – Anja Rubik, supermodel, muse and friend of Anthony Vaccarello (Wall Street Journal, 2022)
As we transition out of the spooky season and into a season of gratitude, we want to take time to give thanks for the stories that remind us to explore, embrace and express the truth of who we are with confidence and courage. Building a three billion dollar brand is very cool, but you know what else is cool? Knowing who you are and what you bring to the table.
Thanks Rory for this gem of an article, capturing the inspiration of the one and only, Anthony Vaccarello.
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A Mindful Daily Routine With Ashley Graham
In a recent article, published to The Wall Street Journal, Ashley opens up about how she prioritises her time, and sheds light on her daily routine. Here are three things that stuck out to us, and why we ought to consider establishing these practices in our own lives.
The model, icon and activist channels mindfulness in these three ways.
Ashley Graham is an icon in her own right. She is a woman of many firsts, including the first curvy or plus-sized model to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated Magazine (2016) as well as Vogue Magazine (2017), although (mindfully) she is not a fan of the term “plus-sized”, a stance she has expounded on in her 2015 TEDx Talk at TEDxBerkleeValencia.
In a recent article, published to The Wall Street Journal, Ashley opens up about how she prioritises her time, and sheds light on her daily routine. Here are three things that stuck out to us, and why we ought to consider establishing these practices in our own lives.
Getting Up Early in the Morning
As a mother of three children, Ashley notes that it is important to her that she be up ahead of them to ensure enough space for her to have some alone time before their day begins. Early in this case is approximately 06:30a or 06:45a depending on the day. For others it could be the same, or a bit earlier or later depending on the person.
Getting up early is an important thing to consider. Studies have long demonstrated a link between getting up early and increased productivity or overall wellness, although each case is different per person. For more information on why you should consider getting up earlier in the morning, check out this article published to Healthline, listing ten benefits observed in the adoption of an early riser’s lifestyle.
Taking Vitamins
Mindful of all that her body has gone through in its 32 year journey on this planet, Ashley shares that she is in fact a vitamin consumer. She mentions that she is actually currently working with a naturopath to “regulate literally everything” going on in her body.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition reports as recently as 2019 that nearly 80% of all adults in the United States are using vitamins or dietary supplements. In the same year, the American Osteopathic Association reported an even higher number, however, they made note that out of all the people taking vitamin supplements, “only 21% have a confirmed nutritional deficiency.”
Most people, confirmed nutritional deficiency or not, do not have the means to hire a doctor specifically for the compilation of vitamin supplements, let alone visiting a doctor outside of their primary care physician. So for all our multivitamin consumers out there, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s The Nutrition Journal published an article that lists out some things you should consider before taking vitamin supplements regularly. Here’s a brief look at what they recommended:
“Reasons to use a multivitamin:
I am eating a limited diet or my appetite is poor so that I am eating less than usual.
I am following a restricted diet for longer than one week. This could be prescribed such as a liquid diet after a surgical procedure, or a self-imposed diet such as on with the goal of weight loss.
I have a condition that reduces my body’s ability to absorb nutrients (celiac disease, ulcerative colitis) or have undergone surgery that interferes with the normal absorption of nutrients (gastric bypass surgery, Whipple procedure).
I temporarily have increased nutrient needs, such as being pregnant.
I’m very busy and just can’t eat a balanced diet every day.
Reasons that may not need a multivitamin:
I eat well but am feeling tired all the time (discuss first with your doctor so they can investigate other possible causes).
I eat a pretty good diet but want to improve my health as much as possible, so it couldn’t hurt to get some extra nutrition from a vitamin.
I have osteoporosis and need more calcium, or I have iron-deficiency anemia and need more iron (in both scenarios, you may only need to take those individual nutrients rather than a comprehensive multivitamin).”
Of course, at the end of the day, what you choose to invest is between you and your doctor.
Utilising Meditation and Prayer
Another note Ashley touched on in her discourse with Lane Florsheim, the author of the article published to The Wall Street Journal, was one of meditation and prayer.
“Usually in the mornings, that will be my time for a true meditation prayer. Justin (her husband) and I have been doing it together for years, and we started inviting Isaac into prayer time, and he loves it. Alone time, which is just as important for me, is really when the children go down. Justin and I have a thing where we just know that in order to be better for each other, we also need to have our own time and our own space.”
The impact of meditation and prayer on our mental, emotional and physical health has been studied for years, with varying results. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says “much of the research on these topics has been preliminary or not scientifically rigorous. Because the studies examined many different types of meditation and mindfulness practices, and the effects of those practices are hard to measure, results from the studies have been difficult to analyze and may have been interpreted too optimistically.” Adversely, this article published to the Emory News Center at Emory University notes the benefits observed by a practising psychologist in Sri Lanka following the tsunami of 2004.
Although conclusive research on meditation and prayer is still minimal, the testimonies of those who already use these methods for mindfulness and wellness may make the consideration worthwhile.
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Ketanji Brown Jackson Introduces Herself as A Force to Be Reckoned With
Insights from her first week as a Supreme Court Justice position Jackson as a powerful player in the Judicial Branch of the United States.
Insights from her first week as a Supreme Court Justice position Jackson as a powerful player in the Judicial Branch of the United States.
SCOTUS Significance
Today’s post is all about the powerful entry of one Ketanji Brown Jackson as the newest Supreme Court Justice. For that reason, we are going to pause for a moment to provide context in case any of our readers are unfamiliar with the Supreme Court of the United States, or why it is such a “big deal” to many people throughout the country and around the world.
The Supreme Court, established on September 24, 1789 is the “the highest court in the land and the only part of the federal judiciary (the judicial authorities of a country) specifically required by the Constitution.” (The White House) At present, there are nine Supreme Court Justices, including John G. Roberts Jr. (Chief Justice of the United States), Clarence Thomas (Associate Justice), Samuel A. Alito Jr. (Associate Justice), Sonia Sotomayor (Associate Justice), Elena Kagan (Associate Justice), Neil M. Gorsuch (Associate Justice), Brett M. Kavanaugh (Associate Justice), Amy Coney Barrett (Associate Justice), and Ketanji Brown Jackson (Associate Justice).
In order to become a Supreme Court Justice, you must be appointed by the President of the United States, and confirmed by Congress. Supreme Court Justices are granted a life term, and are expected to serve until they die, retire, or find themselves impeached and convicted.
Merrill vs. Milligan//Voting Rights
Just last week, the Supreme Court took a moment to hear the Merrill vs. Milligan case, which narrows its focus on “how much those who draw electoral districts should be required to consider race.” (The Guardian)
During the hearing, the solicitor general for Alabama, Edmund LaCour argued that the layout of his state’s congressional map was not in discrimination against voting citizens who are Black. And when the plaintiffs of the case illustrated the feasibility of redrawing the map to include two majority-Black districts instead of one, LaCour insisted that doing so would require the mapmaker to go to dramatic lengths to consider race – which he believed to be at conflict with the provision of the 14th amendment of the US Constitution.
In response to LaCour’s argument, Ketanji Brown Jackson took about five minutes to refocus the court’s understanding of the 14th amendment, which was created to protect each citizen’s right to fair treatment under the law, regardless of the colour of their skin. An article published to The Guardian captured the perspective of court observers on this interaction:
““I think it’s really clear she’s just going to be a force to be reckoned with,” said Leah Litman, a law professor at the University of Michigan. “Both in questioning positions that she’s skeptical of, but also in providing support for lawyers when they’re being subject to hostile questioning.”” (The Guardian)
“I don’t think that the historical record establishes that the founders believed race neutrality or race blindness was required,” said Jackson, in response to LaCour. “It was drafted to give a foundational, a constitutional foundation for a piece of legislation that was designed to make people who had less opportunity and less rights equal to white citizens… I’m trying to understand why that violates the 14th amendment given the history and background of the 14th amendment.”
Universal Core Competencies on Display
Our takeaways from what we’ve seen and read in the last week as Ketanji Brown Jackson has officially taken her seat and gotten to work as the newest Associate Justice for the Supreme Court of the United States are many. Still, we are compelled to examine the resolve and the authority displayed by Jackson in her response to the solicitor general. Here are three universal core competencies we saw on display from the Associate Justice, accompanied by their definitions.
Respect for Policies
One's capacity for honouring an established set of rules and guidelines, especially in a professional, academic, religious or governmental setting.
Jackson’s response was one that brought attention to the 14th amendment, which was pushed in LaCour’s argument as being dismissed at the notion of restructuring Alabama’s congressional map in the way that was illustrated by the plaintiffs in the Merrill vs. Milligan case. She focused on bringing attention to the context and the intention of the amendment, which was introduced in the 19th century.
Traditional/Regulatory Drive
One's capacity for feeling and adhering to a compulsion to achieve or accomplish something related to principle.
Again, Jackson’s response illustrated that she is focused on honouring the principle of the laws and the US Constitution. Inasmuch, her aim to find clarity in LaCour’s argument was presented through this lens.
Balanced Decision Making
One's capacity for objectively evaluating available options against desired objectives and potential outcomes, and selecting a course of action with confidence and resolve.
During the course of the hearing of this case, there were many notes and perspectives introduced and addressed. In the moments where Justice Jackson chose to speak, she was very intentional with the direction she chose, carefully considering the desired outcome of what she was presented to work with.
Who is someone who has inspired you recently? What was it that they said or did that you found encouraging or otherwise noteworthy? What are some of the universal core competencies that they displayed with their words or actions? Hopefully you can continue to identify the north stars in your everyday life, and use them to propel you towards your purpose, your passions and your dreams.
Until next time…
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How Tommy Hilfiger Taught the Power of A Passion
From its launch in 1985, the Hilfiger name has been a strong contender in the fashion industry… Here are a few notes he shared that shed a light on the power of a passion.
Tommy shares his thoughts on a number of topics, from fashion to business and everything in between.
Tommy Hilfiger is one of the top ten designer brands in America. From its launch in 1985, the Hilfiger name has been a strong contender in the fashion industry, closing out with an estimated $4.7 billion in revenue just last year.
In a recent article written by Chris Black for HIGHSNOBIETY, beloved designer Tommy shares his thoughts on a number of topics, from fashion to business and everything in between. Here are a few notes he shared that shed a light on the power of a passion.
Inspiration
Tommy was first inspired by a shift he saw in the world around him in his youth. “...It was a dramatic revolution in politics and fashion. That’s what prompted me to go into business... It was about making cool clothes for people who wanted to be in the groove or part of the scene.”
Balance
He survived a period of time where his passion led to an imbalance of creativity and business. He had to learn the hard way, navigating financial struggles earlier on in his career.
The key takeaway he shares from this is simple. “...If you’re very creative, but you don’t have a business head or a great partner, you won’t make it. And if you’re a good business person, but you have no creativity, you’ll fail. You need both.”
Adaptability
The Tommy Hilfiger brand rose to prominence in a time where the world worked a lot differently than today. Back in the earlier stages of the business, which was almost four decades ago, they would send a sketch of a design to the factory and wait for the prototype to be sent back to them. As Tommy recalls, this process was usually back and forth because it was very common for the factory to send the garment back with errors the first five times or so.
Today, with the power of 3D design, they are able to send a more technologically advanced rendering of the concept to the factory, which then allows for a quicker turnaround time on the prototype which is pretty much perfect on its first delivery from the factory these days.
Tommy is very keen on keeping up with the evolution of technology. “If you don’t keep up with it or stay a step ahead of it, if you fall behind, catching up is very difficult to do” he says.
Passion
The journey to success was hardly a straight and narrow for this designer, who came from a humble and largely unknown town in upstate New York. But all things are possible for those who believe. “If you follow your passion, whether you’re a musician or an actor or an athlete, you can be successful.” — Tommy Hilfiger (HIGHSNOBIETY)
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There’s a Lesson in the Dream Face Reveal
It’s not easy, being transparent and vulnerable. Society plays a huge role in the build up of the challenge. Still, no matter what people say or think of you, only you get to determine who you will be and how you will share yourself with the world.
It’s not easy, being transparent and vulnerable.
This past weekend, 23 year old Clay, the Youtuber and Twitch streamer known as Dream, took to the internet to reveal his face for the first time.
“Just met Dream!! :)” — George, another popular gaming streamer who has been internet friends with Dream for years without ever meeting him in person.
On Sunday evening, Dream took to Twitter, where every single one of his tweets tend to go viral, to give the world a two-hour heads up that he would be premiering his face reveal on YouTube. He also shared that he would be posting a picture of him and his “best friends finally being together.”
The reason we chose this as our north star inspiration this week is not because we’re obsessed, happy, disturbed or unimpressed, but because we believe there’s a lesson in Dream’s face reveal.
Have you ever felt like you wish you could share a part of yourself with a certain person or group of people in your life, but you didn’t know how to share it or how it might be received? That’s sort of the big deal around Dream revealing his face to the world, especially after keeping it strategically hidden for so long.
There’s something freeing about being yourself fully in every space you occupy and being able to share yourself freely with others. Of course, that doesn’t mean that everyone needs to know everything about you and your personal business. You can be yourself and still practise healthy boundaries in your life while being careful to ensure you don’t slip into the dark side of compartmentalisation.
This week, we are celebrating Dream’s decision to share his face with the world. It’s not easy, being transparent and vulnerable. Society plays a huge role in the build up of the challenge. Still, no matter what people say or think of you, only you get to determine who you will be and how you will share yourself with the world.
Watch the official face reveal video Dream posted to his YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtpdMkKvB6U
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Helena Christensen’s Inspiring Body Positivity
This week, we are leaning into the power of getting real about how we feel about ourselves, and about the lives we lead.
The supermodel will be shining bright and inspiring us all week long.
Danish model and photographer, and former Victoria's Secret model, Helena Christensen was in the news last week for her stunning looks and some inspiring statements she made about the female body.
The 53 year old supermodel, who became a globally famous breakout star for her leading role in the official music video for “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak almost 30 years ago, made headlines last week for many things from her reunion with Eva Herzigova at the front row of Dolce & Gabbana's Autumn/Winter 2022 runway show for Milan Fashion Week (the show was curated by Kim Kardashian), to her jaw-dropping appearance as the face of the newest Coco de Mer Icons Collection campaign. And as amazing as each of these headlines are, nothing caught our attention like the ones we’re about to speak on.
A recent article published to Body+Soul illustrated the perspective of one journalist, Angela Mollard on fashion freedom and body positivity for middle aged women. Angela wrote her thoughts after reading the harsh criticisms of a former fashion publicist regarding Helena Chrstensen’s outfit choice for Gigi Hadid’s 24th birthday party.
“I refuse to be shamed into covering my arms,” Mollard says in the article. And fortunately, it seems the same is true for Helena, as we’ve seen in both her personal photos and professional work since that party in 2019.
Another statement that caught our attention in the press last week was one where Helena speaks on body confidence in a woman. In an article published to The Telegraph, Christensen is quoted saying “no woman feels confident about her body all the time – it’s just not possible.”
Reading this statement felt very freeing and inspiring for us, because we believe there is power in vulnerability and transparency, although it is not something we always display towards or receive from others.
This week, we are leaning into the power of getting real about how we feel about ourselves, and about the lives we lead. It’s not that we have to focus on being dissatisfied with ourselves or our lives – it’s about being freed from the dishonesty that societal pressures often trap us in when it comes to our image and who we really are.
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Ye’s Most Recent Lecture on Self Confidence
Ye West (formerly known as Kanye West) appeared in a video that was first published to CNBC on Thursday September 15, 2022 to confirm that he is terminating his deal with Gap, Inc. one of the largest retailers in the United States and around the world.
“A King can’t live in someone else’s castle, a King has to live in his own castle” – Ye West
Ye West (formerly known as Kanye West) appeared in a video that was first published to CNBC on Thursday September 15, 2022 to confirm that he is terminating his deal with Gap, Inc. one of the largest retailers in the United States and around the world.
During the clip, Ye sheds a light on some of the key reasons for the dissolution of his relationship with the retailer including, price point issues, unfulfilled promises on the development of Yeezy Gap stores, product distribution, creative direction and more.
What stands out for us in this video is the clarity of Ye’s self-expression. Throughout the video, Ye plainly expresses that his relationship with the retail giant is dissolving because there is nothing there to hold onto. Things are falling apart because promises were not being upheld, and time and resources were being carelessly wasted.
Self Confidence is defined as “one's capacity for believing and trusting in one's own abilities, qualities and judgement” (The Academic Glossary), and in this clip we see someone who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to exercising self confidence, even in the face of unfulfilled promises and public criticisms. Ye sees himself at the top of the mountain, and his work has proven his perspective and his perseverance many times throughout his career.
We wait to see more of his story unfold.
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Queen Consistency
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was many things to many people. She was a traditionalist—a ruler and a servant. May she rest eternally, and may we be inspired to build a better future.
70 years is a long time in any job.
As you probably know by now, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II drew her last breath on Thursday, September 08, 2022. The details of her life and legacy have been the main focus of many writers and publications ever since the day, and as is usually the case, there have been many people who sit on either side of the conversation.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was many things to many people. She was a traditionalist—a ruler and a servant. A privileged and dutiful woman. Her choices created change in the lives of everyday people, some of those changes more pleasant than others. Regardless of the opinions and the feelings of the people whose lives were impacted under her rulership, there is one lesson for us all to learn of her life and her legacy…
Consistency.
There is power in consistency. In fact Alex Dimitriu, M.D. once wrote in an article for Psychology Today that our good health relies on it. And as the world pauses to reflect on the life and legacy of the one, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, we pause to admire the power of consistency she leveraged to create during her time. We won’t go into many details of her work (you can read about it here), however, we will note that 70 years is a long time in any job, and we are inspired by the level of resolve with which the Queen appeared to have made her decisions while on the throne.
May she rest eternally, and may we be inspired to build a better future.
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Three Ways Serena Williams Impacted GOAT Culture
You don’t become the most valuable player by happenstance.
You don’t become the most valuable player by happenstance.
Over the last couple of days, we’ve seen publication after publication calling attention to Serena Williams—a brilliant athlete with a tennis career consistent of 23 Grand Slams and spanning nearly three decades. From photo posts, to video features, collected words of admiration and even some pointed criticism, it seems like everyone had something to say. Over here, we’ve just been taking it all in. The massive career. The oxymoronic reality of being the GOAT and also being eliminated in your final match. The undeniable influence of a real life champion.
Ultimately there are three key takeaways that we’ve been able to see through it all—three major ways in which Serena Williams impacted GOAT culture.
GOAT = Greatest Of All Time (Urban Dictionary, 2004)
01 – Clarity
Repetition Compulsion is a condition where someone feels the need to constantly return to an experience from the past. It is often brought up to explain the behaviour of someone who appears to inexplicably reinvite previously endured pains or traumas into their lives, however, it is best understood as a byproduct of the human tendency to dwell in familiarity. One of the unique qualities of this condition is the particular cloud of confusion that tends to settle in the minds of those impacted by it.
When it comes to GOAT culture, we’ve seen repetition compulsion play out in many different ways. Certainly in entertainment, and certainly in sports. But as country music star Eric Church would say, “it’s over when it’s over.” And as Serena made the announcement in her Vogue essay that she was “evolving away from tennis,” we got to see the kind of clarity that we don’t often see with stars of her magnitude let alone within ourselves. She was sad, but she was certain of what was good and right for her and her family.
02 – Confidence
Many notable figures including Jelena Ostapenko, President Joe Biden and Tiger Woods have made public remarks for Serena Williams since the close of what would be her final match.
"Serena Williams, what an amazing champion you are and what an amazing athlete and person! Role model for so many of us. Tennis is gonna miss you so much! Wishing you all the best in your next chapter of life," — Jelena Ostapenko
“.@SerenaWilliams, you’re an inspiration, a champion of all time.
Thank you for dreaming, daring, and proving that anything is possible.” — President Joe Biden
“@serenawilliams you're literally the greatest on and off the court. Thank you for inspiring all of us to pursue our dreams. I love you little sis!!!!!!” — Tiger Woods
The key takeaway for us in these remarks, and the articles that surround them, is that even though she was eliminated after losing her final match, the win within seemed bigger than everything else. The amount of gratitude Serena has expressed. The amount of resolve she is conveyed. The amount of love poured out from the greats in various different industries and professions. Serena Williams has influenced millions of people to embrace confidence; to believe in themselves and trust that they are capable of making the right decisions in their lives.
“Serena, THANK YOU. It is because of you I believe in this dream. The impact you’ve had on me goes beyond any words that can be put together and for that I say thank you, thank you, thank you, GOAT!” — Coco Gauff
“Congratulations, Serena, for your heart, skill, intelligence, dedication, and grace. Few athletes have inspired more people both in and beyond their sport!” — President Barack Obama
03 – Consistency
Last and certainly not least, another way in which Serena Williams has impacted GOAT culture is with her consistency. Two core values that have remained very close to her heart throughout her life are family and faith. Serena has mentioned on many occasions how important it is to spend time with her loved ones, and make space to continually build her faith and grow spiritually.
As a number of people cited her impact, influence and inspiration being just as meaningful off court as on, perhaps this is something that’s come to mind.
However you put it, Serena Williams is one of the greatest champions we’ve seen in many years. May she continue to pursue her dreams with clarity, confidence and consistency, and in all the ups and downs this life has to offer, may she continue to rise.
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Nicki Minaj Advocates For Mental Health During 2022 Video Music Awards Show
The “Super Freaky Girl” rapper urged people to “take mental health seriously.”
On Sunday Night August 28, 2022, the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award was presented to its 34th recipient; rap superstar Nicki Minaj. Minaj has a career spanning more than a decade, and currently reigns as the highest selling female rapper of all time.
During her speech on Sunday, where she stood on stage surrounded by adoring fans, Nicki shared a message from her heart, that she wishes people “would take mental health seriously.” In and of itself at that moment, the message was well received. The crowd broke out into a roarous approval at once, but what stood out to me and I really appreciated was that she didn’t stop there.
“I wish that people took mental health seriously — even for the people that you think have the perfect lives.”
Even for the people that you think have the perfect lives.
Wow.
Sometimes, when we discuss the topic of mental health, if we’re not careful we begin to judge others who don’t appear to be dealing with the same mental health challenges as us in a way that we understand or accept. Some people are of the mind that rich people and celebrities have a certain privilege that precludes them from the experience of mental health challenges, disorders and illnesses, when that is simply untrue.
Perhaps one day we will accept that in order to understand the experience of another human being, regardless of who they are or where they come from, we must give them space. Space where they will feel free to communicate the truth of their experiences, feelings and beliefs without fear or retaliation or shame.
Thank you, Nicki Minaj, for using your platform to remind us all how important it is that we exercise accurate listening skills, empathy and sensitivity instead of prejudging or excluding others because of our unwillingness to take mental health seriously.
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At 69 years old, Karen Bass started a new chapter in her life, and the life of the city of Los Angeles, as she assumes the role of the city’s 43rd chief executive. Not only has she made history as the first woman to become mayor in Los Angeles, she is also the second Black person to have ever been elected to this office. In our review of this remarkable feat, we took some time to reflect on a few universal core competencies that Mayor Bass has displayed throughout her career, and that are of high visibility and significance today.