In the age of Russian bots pretending to be Black social media users to incite anger and division, it should come as no surprise that there are law enforcement agents masquerading online as Black people to keep tabs on members of the Black community. According to NBC News, one of those agents has been unmasked thanks to a lawsuit.Bob Smith gained the trust of Black activists over three years by claiming to be a "fellow protester" and "man of color" before he was found to be a white undercover detective. The Memphis Police Department’s Office of Homeland Security used Bob Smith to be the digital Black face of white officer Tim Reynolds to keep an eye on Black Lives Matter sympathizers.Reynolds admitted to the charade during questioning under oath by the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee as part of a lawsuit against the police department for allegedly violating a 1798 agreement which states police can't conduct surveillance of lawful protests. Using false social media accounts to keep an eye on citizens is currently a legal grey area in the United States. It does, however, violate Facebook's terms of use. Despite this, using fake accounts has become increasingly common around the world and are used for everything from spreading disinformation (like in Myanmar, as The Hill reports) to keeping an eye on those aligned with the Black Lives Matter movement. Facebook may ban fake profiles, but since it isn't against the law, officers simply create new ones when they are caught by the social media giant.“I’m skeptical that law enforcement is going to look at Facebook saying this and suddenly change their practices,” said Electronic Frontier Foundation investigative researcher Dave Maass.Barry Friedman, director of the Policing Project at the New York University School of Law, isn't against undercover accounts as a whole, but he believes their purpose should be made public. “They shouldn’t be doing it without a policy that explains what they’re doing and the purpose of it, or without a supervisor’s written authorization,” Friedman said.An officer who runs a fake account in New Jersey said the accounts won't be going anywhere anytime soon. “Every high-tech crime unit has one,” the officer said. “It’s not uncommon, but we don’t like to talk about it too much.”Now, check these out: Russian Facebook Ads Meant To Incite Black Violence Have Been Turned Over To CongressRussian Agents Pretend To Be Woke To Sows Seeds Of Racial Division OnlineInvestigation Looks Into Whether Russian Hackers Are Behind The Gazillion Follow Requests You’re Getting From Weave...
Is it just me, or does everyone else hear Sunshine Anderson’s “Heard It All Before” in the back of their minds, when listening to promises rattled off within campaign commercials?If there is one word to describe how most voters feel after 2016 elections, it would likely be “traumatized.” As the midterm elections continue to unfold, many voters are giving a few promising candidates on their ballot some major side-eye. After all, it’s frustrating to receive daily news updates without being concerned about the ways in which our communities are being governed.According to a national survey conducted by the NAACP, 62 percent of Black voters believed it’s more important to vote in 2018 midterms than 2014, while 82 percent of Black voters felt disrespected by something Trump said or did. This has heightened awareness during election season. Furthermore, political discourse has motivated people to turnout in historic numbers, which has helped nominate candidates like Ayanna Pressley, Andrew Gilliam and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.However, as voters head out to polls this election, how can they vet all the candidates, who promise change? How can we elect individuals that are capable of counteracting the effort to further disenfranchise and marginalize certain communities?1.) Read Candidates’ Campaign PlatformsCampaign websites are the best place to learn about a candidate’s background and campaign platform. Most of these sites have an “issues” page for viewers to read about a particular candidate’s position on certain issues.Be mindful about the issues they take positions on, and the issues they don’t. For example, if reproductive freedom is important to you and a candidate doesn’t mention their position on this on their website, this can be a red flag.Candidates and campaigns are strategic about their messaging, and — to be fair — not everything can live on a website. If you’re impressed by a site or simply would like to learn more about the candidate, sign up to receive updates from the campaign by sharing your email. By signing up to receive emails and updates from the campaign, you’ll be the able to stay informed about various messages, policy plans and efforts.2.) Check Endorsements A great way to vet a candidate's position on issues is to review their endorsements. There are numerous organizations that serve and protect special interests, like healthcare, jobs, transportation and so on by engaging in elections.If an organization has decided to endorse a campaign, it signifies an investment and validates a candidate on an issue. For example, if you value public education, checking to see if a candidate has been endorsed by a national or local teachers union or education organization is worth looking into. On the contrary, if gun reform is an important issue for you, finding out if a particular candidate has a passing score with the NRA would l inform you about where they stand.It’s important to evaluate the support of both candidates on your ballot regardless of if you’ve determined who you plan to support, because it will inform about about what your candidate of choice is up against. In the unfortunate case that your desired candidate loses the election, you’ll understand where their opponent stands and the level of support he/she may have to implement their position into action upon becoming elected.3.) Review Voting RecordsVoting records are the real receipts for any candidate that’s previously held public office. These record are are public and can be accessed online. If a candidate is running for State Senate after formerly serving as a City Council member, you can check their voting history to see where they stood on important issues like transportation, policing, budgets and the environment. Understanding the political habits of a candidate will inform you about the way they will serve if elected into higher office.4.) Pay Attention to Earned MediaEarned media is the unsolicited promotion of a particular campaign and candidate. Unlike commercials and radio ads, earned media is an unbiased perspective about the candidate that isn’t confined to the campaigns messaging and agenda.To find earned media about a candidate, type their name into a search engine and see what stories come up. Earned media could be good or bad, so it’s important to be make sure it’s coming from a credible source. Paying attention to how a campaign is highlighted in media is important to gain an understanding of how the campaign is engaging in the community and how that engagement is being received publicly.5.) Get InvolvedOne of the most effective ways to vet a candidate is to get involved with their campaign by volunteering, attending events and asking questions. In getting involved, you’ll learn firsthand about the type of team they trust to support them, their vision, how they prioritize their resources, and how they’re working to earn support on Election Day. Hearing directly from a candidate can help settle any doubts or concerns you may have, and might even allow the opportunity to ask questions. If you’re unable to get directly involved, try engaging with the campaign online. There’s nothing wrong with sending an email, calling or even tagging them in a tweet.With so much on the line this year, we should feel empowered to demand solutions and solidarity from those hoping to represent us. As we prepare to vote on November 6, try pulling a sample ballot from your Secretary of State website or local elections board. Your sample ballot will outline each candidate and ballot measure you’ll be voting on this election, giving you the opportunity to research and make an informed decision about who you plan to support. As voters, we have the collective power to determine who the decision makers will be, when our own lives and best interest and lives are put on the line. History has taught us time and time again that elections have consequences. Let’s make sure that this year, we aren't caught slipping.To learn more about how you can be properly prepare for midterm elections, click here....
Drake revealed he had dreams of a fairytale life with Rihanna on LeBron's HBO show The Shop."Of course, as life takes shape and teaches you your own lessons, I end up in this situation where I don’t have the fairy tale," he said. "Like, ‘Oh, Drake started a family with Rihanna, and like, this is like so perfect.’ ... It looks so good on paper. By the way, I wanted that too at one time."The “In My Feelings” rapper famously dated Rihanna in 2016 and even professed his undying love for her at the MTV Video Music Awards that year. The singer and mogul later admitted she was uncomfortable with Drake’s behavior and said they weren’t friends anymore.“The VMAs is such a fan-focused awards show, so having that energy around me, and knowing the people who had received the award in the past, made it feel like a big deal,” she told Vogue in May. “Waiting through that speech was probably the most uncomfortable part. I don’t like too many compliments; I don’t like to be put on blast … We don’t have a friendship now, but we’re not enemies, either. It is what it is.”In other Rihanna-adjacent news, it was revealed Monday that Drake had settled his beef with Chris Brown, who also dated Rihanna before assaulting her in 2009. The two had a public feud that resulted in a fist fight in 2012.“Drake wants to cut as much unnecessary drama as possible out of his life, so he’s psyched to be cool with Chris again, and Meek,” a source told Hollywood Life. “After all that’s gone down this year, especially Mac [Miller]’s death, Drake has really re-evaluated what’s important in life, and what’s not.”Watch the interview below: Now, check these out:Rihanna Says She Wants To Do A Reggae Album, Admits Drake's VMA Speech Was Awkward For Her TooDrake Sues Woman Accusing Him Of Sexual Assault And Fathering Her ChildRihanna Hilariously Trolls Fans Asking About New...
The legendary rapper Kool G Rap is preparing to sue Finish Line after being accused by store employees of a crime he didn't commit, TMZ reports.The rapper was accused of stealing a pair of LeBron 15s in May 2018. Employees of Finish Line at a Pennsylvania mall called the police after a black man reportedly came into the store, asked to try on the LeBrons and then placed his shoes in the LeBron box, walking out with a fresh pair of kicks.According to a summary of facts from Kool G's legal team, employee Esteban Smith tried to track down the thief. He believed he saw the man, described as a black man in his 40s, and followed him to his car. Smith took down the car's information and gave it to police, who linked it to Kool G.The rapper was told to report to court in June 2018 to face charges of misdemeanor theft. He faced up to five years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.However, as HotNewHipHop reports, Kool's legal team countered Finish Line's claims by asking to see security footage. According to the legend's lawyers, it then came out "the officer ... failed to obtain an affidavit from the employee who allegedly followed the defendant out of the store to determine how he concluded or selected KGR as the defendant. Notably, Esteban Smith was not the employee who interacted directly with the person who committed the theft."Not only did Smith not see the man who stole the shoes, but it turned out he was following the wrong 40ish-year-old black man. Police didn't catch his error because they reportedly never looked at the store's security tapes. Once those were reviewed, it became clear Kool hadn't entered Finish Line all day.The case was dropped. The shoes, which were worth $185, were not recovered. Kool and his lawyers have promised a massive suit against Finish Line.Now, check these out: The Designers Behind LeBron's New Nike Kicks For Women Are Just As Dope As The ShoeTwitter Is Dragging This Italian Shoemaker For Taking Poverty And Making It FashionHow This Footwear Designer Turned Sneaker Tragedy Into...
The junior U.S. senator from Georgia snatched a phone from a student after he was questioned about his support for Georgia gubernatorial hopeful Brian Kemp.Republican Senator David Perdue encountered the student after a Georgia Tech game on Saturday, according to WXIA. The student, who has chosen to remain anonymous, is a member of the Georgia Tech chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America. The organization posted the video on its Twitter page.Today @sendavidperdue visited Tech to campaign for Kemp. A student tried asking a simple question about @BrianKempGA 's racist scheme to threaten voter registrations from black people, but before he could even finish the question, Perdue stole his phone. pic.twitter.com/K0iffU57Di— YDSA Georgia Tech (@YDSAGT) October 13, 2018The student approached Perdue and began to ask him a question."So, how can you endorse a candidate ... " was all the student was able to ask before Perdue forcefully grabbed the phone."No, I'm not doing that,” the Senator was heard saying in the video. "If you want a picture, I can give it to you."The student accused Perdue of theft and eventually got his phone back. He recorded Perdue walking away from the scene."He won't answer why he's endorsing a candidate who's trying to purge people from voting on the basis of their race,” the student said as Perdue exited.That candidate, Brian Kemp, is Georgia’s GOP nominee for the state's top job. Kemp is also Georgia's current secretary of state and has been accused of purging over 50,000 mostly black voters from the state’s records to sway the election his way.Purdue’s office released a statement claiming the senator grabbed the phone so the pair could take a picture together."Senator Perdue spent several hours meeting with hundreds of people at the Georgia Tech game this weekend," the statement read. "In this instance, the senator clearly thought he was being asked to take a picture, and he went to take a selfie as he often does. When he realized they didn’t actually want to take a picture, he gave the phone back."The student said he is considering pressing charges against Perdue.This is the second time in a month protesters have confronted Perdue. He hid in a bathroom at Reagan National Airport on October 1 after protesters encountered him following his support of Brett Kavanaugh, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.Now, check these out: Stacey Abrams Calls For Opponent To Step Down Amid Claims He's Attempting To Suppress Tens Of Thousands Of Black VotesRobert E. Lee's Descendant Disavows Trump's Praise Of The Confederate Traitor Upheld By White SupremacyDozens Of Ferguson Residents Forced To Leave Their Homes With Only 24-Hour...
The damage left by Hurricane Michael has thousands without power and others without shelter. Like Hurricane Florence before it, Michael has affected prisons, too.According to NBC Miami, nearly 3,000 inmates were evacuated from four Florida prisons due to substantial roof damage and damage to security infrastructure. About 2,600 prisoners were evacuated from Gulf Correctional Institution and Annex and about 305 from Calhoun Correctional Institution.“The evacuated facilities sustained significant damage to roofs and security infrastructure,” the Florida Department of Corrections said in a statement obtained via BuzzFeed News. “Staff and inmates at these facilities were not injured during the storm. All inmates were secure and had access to food and drinking water through the duration of the storm.”According to the Miami Herald, many prisoners claim the DOC's statement is factually incorrect. The families of prisoners told the Herald that food and water access did not continue uninterrupted during the storm and that DOC officials told prisoners that if they wanted water, they could drink from potentially contaminated taps “at their own risk.”Furthermore, some prisoners want to know why they weren't evacuated before the storm. Many of their family members said the men at the facilities were terrified as the wind tore at the buildings in which they were housed for the duration of the hurricane. The Department said on Sunday that “evacuations took place as soon as the roads leading to the facilities were passable and safe for inmate transport.”Despite being in place for the devastating storm, no inmates or staff members were injured. The DOC promised its website would be updated with new location information for all of the transferred prisoners within 24 hours. Now, check these out: Adorable 4-Year-Old Wears Superhero Cape To Feed The Homeless With Food He Buys Using His Allowance9 Dead After Hurricane Maria Slams The CaribbeanHurricane Harvey Caused Major Flooding, Devastation In...
Investigators found the remains of 11 babies and fetuses while searching a shuttered Michigan funeral home.State inspectors acting on an anonymous tip made the gruesome discovery at the Cantrell Funeral Home in Detroit on Friday, according to ClickOnDetroit. The “badly decomposed” bodies were found in a false ceiling compartment that was only accessible by an attic ladder.The funeral home was previously owned by Raymond Cantrell II, who inherited the business after his father’s death in 2016. It was shut down in April due to what inspectors called "deplorable, unsanitary conditions," reports the Detroit Free Press.During their first search early this year, investigators found a dirty embalming room, two molded corpses and another one covered in a mystery liquid. Following those discoveries, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs suspended the mortuary licenses of the home and its manager, Jameca LaJoyce Boone, for “fraud, deceit, or dishonesty, incompetence, and gross negligence in the practice of mortuary science."Boone claims she didn’t know anything about the hidden remains.“I really don’t know how that could even have happened,” she told The Detroit News. “It’s very unfortunate, and they definitely need to find out who put them there.”After receiving a tip in August, the state returned for another search and recovered a fetus and a cremated adult.Naveed Syed bought the funeral home and planned to turn it into a community center. He said the building had “horrendous smells” and was filthy before he started cleaning. He now believes the smells were coming from the decomposing remains."I'm not surprised about the [discovery]," Syed told the Free Press. "These people, the former owners, they were dirty, pitiful people up to no good."He hopes the community center will facilitate a “healing process.”Identifying the remains has been difficult for examiners since the Cantrells refuse to assist with the investigation. They were able to determine that most of the remains did not belong to babies, but to fetuses. "Of the 11 bodies found, 10 were fetuses," Police Chief James Craig said. "One was full-term. The fetuses were in a cardboard box in the attic; the baby that was full-term was in a little makeshift coffin."Cantrell apologized and proclaimed his innocence. "I didn't go and try to discover things. I was trying to go handling things at hand," Cantrell said. "On behalf of my family, I'm really sorry that it happened and totally appalled. The fact it occurred; I'm just thanking God it wasn't something I had any involvement in.”Improper disposal of human remains carries a maximum sentence of 10 years according to Michigan law. No charges have been filed against Cantrell, Boone or any of the funeral home’s staff.Now, check these out:Chicago Police Board Rules Cop Was Justified In Shooting And Killing This Unarmed 15-Year-OldSimone Biles Slams USA Gymnastics Interim President For Anti-Nike TweetAfter Apologizing For Falsely Accusing 9-Year-Old Of Groping Her, Teresa Klein Says She's Pressing Charges Against His...
We've heard of the iconic "hidden figures" on whose work the American space program was built, but there are many, many others, including Raye Montague, who, according to THV 11, has died at the age of 83.Montague passed away at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Wednesday. Pulaski County Coroner Gerone Hobbs said Montague suffered from congestive heart failure, though a formal cause of death hadn't been filed yet, Arkansas Online reports. Montague's contribution to history came when she, an internationally registered professional engineer, developed a computer program that created rough drafts of ship specifications.Used in developing the first-ever computer-generated Navy ship, the FFG-7 frigate, her work fundamentally changed the way the U.S. Navy builds its vessels. Montague was feted for breaking the glass ceiling in her industry and was inducted into the Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame last year. “I had to run circles around people, but when they found out I really knew what I was talking about they came to respect me,” the engineer told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in a 2012 profile. “I worked long hours and traveled for the job because I couldn’t say I wanted the same wages as the guys if I couldn’t. I had to do all the same things, within reason, that they did.”R.I.P., Raye Montague. Our hearts go out to her family and loved ones. Now, check these out: 'Hidden Figures' And The Relevance of Segregation in Corporate America TodayHow To Be A "Hidden Figure" In A White SpaceA 'Hidden Figures' Course Could Be Coming To A Classroom Near...
D'Arreion Toles was returning to his home in a luxury apartment complex in downtown St. Louis when a white woman blocked his path, refusing to let him enter.Toles asked the woman to "please move" multiple times, but she refused and said she was "uncomfortable" with his presence, according to HuffPost. Once he managed to get past her, the woman followed Toles to the elevator, rode up with him and followed him to his door. Moments later, the police were knocking at the black man's door following a call from the woman. Toles filmed his encounter with the overzealous bigot and posted it to Facebook on Friday. It has amassed over 2 million views. According to KMOV, the woman was an employee of Tribeca Luxury Apartments. The apartment's parent company, Tribeca-STL, announced she had been fired on Sunday."Tribeca-STL was recently shared a video containing a disturbing interaction that we believe is important to clarify," the company said in a statement. "The video did involve one of our employees, but the event did NOT take place at Tribeca-STL and did NOT involve one of our tenants. The video is showing the employee in her private life at her own residence interacting with another person."According to the company, the woman was let go for demonstrating values that run counter to its identity."The Tribeca-STL family is a minority-owned company that consists of employees and residents from many racial backgrounds," the statement said. "We are proud of this fact and do not and never will stand for racism or racial profiling at our company. After a review of the matter, the employee has been terminated and is no longer with our Company. At Tribeca-STL we want all residents, guests and visitors to feel welcome, safe and respected."Toles followed up his video post with a text post thanking everyone for their support:“I am not mad at her," Toles said. "I am not upset with her. I am not going to go after her legally or anything like that,” Toles also confirmed. Now, check these out: Off-Duty Cop, Property Manager Force Black Man To Leave Pool Outside His Apartment Complex'Cornerstore Caroline' Apologizes For Accusing Young Black Boy Of Groping HerFour FAMU Students Believed They Were About To Become The 'Next Trayvon Martin' When A White Man Pulled A Gun On Them Near...
Update (October 15, 2018): The New York woman dubbed "Cornerstore Caroline" has apologized for accusing a 9-year-old boy of sexually assaulting her and refuted allegations of racism hurled at her, reports the New York Post.Teresa Klein, 53, was buying cat litter when she called the police on the child after he accidentally rubbed against her as he and his family exited a Brooklyn bodega. “I would like to apologize to her daughter and her son but not to her. She could have walked away, but she didn’t. I’m also a Buddhist, [but] I let my temper show,” Klein said. “I’ve been called racist before, and I’m not.”Security footage from the incident last week showed the child walk pass her with his backpack on. She was leaning over the counter when she claimed to be groped. "The child accidentally brushed against me," she admitted after watching the video footage. "Young man, I don't know your name, but I'm sorry."According to the Post, Klein's racially charged outburst and false allegation aimed at the child fits her M.O. Neighbors have accused her of writing racial slurs in chalk and calling the police on residents of her apartment building for no reason at all. “People moved out of the building because of her. She’s terrorizing the building,” said Hazel Freeman, 52, a pastor who lives in a unit above Klein. “She would call me up and tell me my son is smoking weed in the hallway. He’s married, and he lives in Canarsie.”NBC New York reports Brooklyn borough president Eric Adams has called for an investigation following Klein's alleged impersonation of a police officer. In the viral video capturing Klein's rant, she claimed to be an officer. Adams, like many other people, have called the incident a "modern-day Emmett Till moment." There's no excuse for Ms. Klein's behavior at Flatbush's Sahara Deli Market on Wednesday. Our community is rightfully outraged. If you have contact for the family so we can help with follow-up support, please DM me. I'm asking @NYPDNews to investigate. https://t.co/tE3nfyX8D3— Eric Adams (@BPEricAdams) October 13, 2018Although Klein has apologized publicly to the boy, she says she still plans to press charges against his mother. Klein claims the woman threatened to kill her.Original Story:A viral video captured a white woman in New York calling the police on a young boy for allegedly groping her bottom, according to USA Patch. The video, posted to Facebook by Jason Littlejohn on Wednesday and viewed at least 3.6 million times, shows Teresa Sue Klein dubbed “Cornerstore Caroline” accusing the boy of sexual assault.“That's right, the son grabbed my a**, and she decided to yell at me," the 53-year-old woman in a black shirt said. “I was just sexually assaulted by a child.”Spectators outside the Sahara Deli Market tried to console the mother and the two crying children dressed in green and khaki uniforms.“White lady calls the cops on black lady, I get it," Klein can be heard saying. “There are security cameras outside. I'm more than happy to submit the security tapes for evidence.”This latest incident comes just days after a white Georgia woman stalked and called police on a black man babysitting white children.Littlejohn wrote in the viral video's caption that he’d witnessed the argument unfold. “As I walked up, I noticed the argument, apparently the kid brushed up against her, and she said he touched her and decided to call police on a 9-year-old child," he wrote. “As you can see the kid is crying, and the mom is upset.”Klein gets into Litttlejohn’s face as he continues to record screaming and commanding him to “upload that to World Star.”Newly released security footage obtained by local news outlet WPIX-TV, shows the child not groping her in any way. Viewers can see Klein leaning over while the child brushes her with his side and back when he walked past. The irate woman then turns to the child’s mother and starts an argument. Heavy reports Klein is a Missouri native who was an actress and performer prior to attaining a Ph.D from the University of Missouri. As the footage of her rant circulated online, she deleted her social media accounts.“Meet Cornerstore Caroline” White Woman calls police on a black kid, saying he sexually assaulted her.” This is heartbreaking as you see the two kids crying because of the white woman is purposely telling lies.. pic.twitter.com/1OiHlneq7M— BlackLivesMatter👸🏽🤴🏾✊🏿 (@ILoveBeinBlack) October 11, 2018Meanwhile, a New York state senator is aiming to make actions like that of dusty Caroline’s a hate crime with a legislative proposal that’ll outlaw calling the police on innocent black people. Now, check these out: Officers Under Investigation After Being Caught On Video Pepper Spraying Teen Arrested For Skipping School Conviction Overturned For Orthodox Jewish Man Accused Of Beating Gay Black Man Woman Calls 911 On Marine Mammal, Proving No Species Is Safe From The Caucasity Of Cop Calling...
Some might call me an “old millennial.” I grew up in that early '80s and '90s era and witnessed a whole host of things birthed in my lifetime. This includes the creation of computers, cell phones and the internet. However, during my adolescent years, none of that existed. We would've never even dreamed of half the outlets we have today.Which brings me to the reason I am here. As someone who spends plenty of time on social media, loving the purpose and opportunities it brings, at times I wish it would all just crash and burn. We've all become so accustomed to being glued to our phones 24/7, we miss key moments to truly connect with each other and the physical world around us.I sound a bit hypocritical, because hell, I admit I often have trouble putting my phone down. For most of the world it has become an innate routine. We are media obsessed freaks and don't even realize it.But what would our relationships look like if we were disconnected for even a day or a week? Would we accomplish more? Would we get extra time to love on our children? Or show undivided attention to our partners? I believe the answer to all of this is "yes."I often sit and wallow in my own guilt for being so connected to my devices, longing for a time machine to take me back to the days where all of this extra stuff was just an afterthought. I think back to the times where I drove around town and went all day without any form of access to anyone unless you saw them face to face. If you needed to holler at someone you had to scrounge up some change for that pay phone at the gas station or wait until you got home, only to discover someone else using it, as you patiently waited your turn. We had to wait all day to talk to our boyfriends or girlfriends until we got home, and that anticipation, honestly, was quite nice. We didn't think a thing about it, did we?When we went on dates or to dinner we had no phone in our hands. We were forced to give the other person our undivided attention. When we spent time at family functions, all we had was the presence of each other. And you know what? We survived. I did some research and noticed that from 1990 to our present day the marriage rate has been on a steady decline. Could any of this be attributed to social media? I won't speculate too much, but I definitely believe that it has been the demise of many relationships and causes a host of issues in the dating world. I also believe it could be contributing to less people getting married. Lets face it, social media can alter the process of dating. With so many men and women having trust issues already, adding Facebook, Snapchat or Instagram to the mix can triple our anxiety.Think about how many couples you have seen get into arguments on Facebook, post a photo of a different boo every six months or air out all their drama on the world wide web? People are even catching their mates cheating online. And when it comes to meeting people, we don't even know if that person is real or a serial killer. During the dating process, folks spend time “orbiting,” also known as ignoring text messages but keeping up with the person's social media accounts. I believe it also eliminates an element of intrigue. We judge people based off their social media pages before we even get a chance to know them. The discovery aspect of dating is part of what pushes our relationships forward, and with social media in the way, it can stunt its growth.Technology is rapidly advancing, and at the end of the day I believe a healthy, honest relationships will always survive any form of social media. It's the relationships with gray areas that will probably be affected the most. But in my opinion, we would have more opportunities to love each other a little bit more if we detached from...
Of course we all want to be happy, and that goal is attainable, but along with practicing self-care and getting your shit together, we have to (not to be cliché) start within. All of those seeking happiness have the power to be happy. It’s not necessarily a hard thing, it’s more of a consistent thing. Small changes in your behavior can lead you to that path happiness.Note that happiness is not something that we all have the luxury of feeling every single day, because life happens. We all experience bad hours, days, months and maybe even an unfortunate year. The goal is, even though we go through horrible days, we have the power to control our thoughts, maintain optimism and keep going. Overcoming negative thoughts and being optimistic are two ways to becoming happier.Overcome Negative ThinkingOne way to enhance your positive super powers is overcoming your negative thinking. Sometimes we get into our own heads and drown ourselves with our own negativity. You use your negative powers to mess with yourself, so use your positive powers to turn your frown upside down (that was so corny, I know).Here are ways to overcome your negative thinking:Take Your Own AdviceWhen our friends and family are in a bad situation, we give them uplifting advice. Why is it when we go through our own trials and tribulations we don’t give ourselves the same treatment? Give yourself the same advice you would give a loved one. Talk to yourself nice.It’s OK To WorryI wholeheartedly disagree with people who tell others to stop thinking about the things that they are worried about. That makes you think about your issues more, which makes it worse. Acknowledge why you’re upset and come up with solutions. I always tell people to exhaust all their resources and come up with every fix they can think of to their problem.Be OptimisticHave you ever been around someone who always looks at the cup half full? Those people seem so annoying, but that is the type of thought process you should have when things are not going as planned. Be the little ball of sunshine in your own life and watch how things seem a tad better. Being optimistic is not overlooking the negative aspect of the situation, but acknowledging it and looking at the bright side. For example, you may not have gotten into the graduate school that you wanted to. This would be an optimistic thought. “Not getting into the school I loved sucks, but this may be an opportunity to find another school that aligns with my...
