Real Life Heroes

P!nk Gives Heartfelt Speech about her Daughter, Androgyny and Loving Yourself at VMAs

“We don’t change … we help other people to change so they can see more kinds of beauty.”

After entering the theater standing on the hood of a flying car, singing a medley of her greatest hits, P!nk took the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards to accept the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, a lifetime achievement recognizing her contributions to “music and film.”

But rather than talking about her impressive list of accomplishments in the realm of music videos, P!nk took the opportunity to tell a story about her daughter Willow, age 6, who recently told the singer she was the ugliest girl she knew because she looked “like a boy with long hair.”

“I know I don’t have a lot of time, but if I may tell you a quick story. Recently, I was driving my daughter to school and she said to me, out of the blue, ‘Mama?’ I said, ‘Yes, baby?’ She said, ‘I’m the ugliest girl I know.’ And I said, ‘Huh?’ And she was like, ‘Yeah, I look like a boy with long hair.’ And my brain went to, ‘Oh my god, you’re six. Why? Where is this coming from? Who said this? Can I kick a 6-year-old’s ass, like what?’

But I didn’t say anything. Instead I went home and I made a Powerpoint presentation for her. And in that presentation were androgynous rockstars and artists that live their truth, are probably made fun of every day of their life, and carry on, wave their flag and inspire the rest of us. And these are artists like Michael Jackson and David Bowie and Freddie Mercury and Annie Lennox and Prince and Janis Joplin and George Michael, Elton John, so many artists — her eyes glazed over. But then I said, ‘You know, I really want to know why you feel this way about yourself.’ And she said, ‘Well I look like a boy,’ and I said, ‘Well what do you think I look like?’ And she said, ‘Well you’re beautiful.’ And I was like, ‘Well, thanks. But when people make fun of me, that’s what they use. They say I look like a boy or I’m too masculine or I have too many opinions, my body is too strong.’

And I said to her, ‘Do you see me growing my hair?’ She said, ‘No, mama.’ I said, ‘Do you see me changing my body?’ ‘No, mama.’ ‘Do you see me changing the way I present myself to the world?’ ‘No, mama.’ ‘Do you see me selling out arenas all over the world?’ ‘Yes, Mama.’ ‘OK! So, baby girl. We don’t change. We take the gravel and the shell and we make a pearl. And we help other people to change so they can see more kinds of beauty.’

And to all the artists here, I’m so inspired by all of you. Thank you for being your true selves and for lighting the way for us. I’m so inspired by you guys. There’s so much rad shit happening in music. And keep doing it. Keep shining for the rest of us to see.

And you, my darling girl, are beautiful, and I love you. Thank you, MTV. This is a really special night. Thank you, Ellen. I couldn’t love you more. Thank you guys. Goodnight.”

P!nk has always been one of our favorite performers — for her incredibly catchy songs, her kick-ass attitude and her powerful social commentary about the harmful pressure society put on women and girls to conform and the power of  rejecting that pressure to just be yourself.

Boys Stand with Girls Against Sexist Dress Code

When more than 20 girls were sent home on the first day of school for violating an outdated dress code, the boys stood with them — shoulder to shoulder.

When girls returned to San Benito High School in Hollister, Calif., on August 14th, they received a bit of a rude shock. According to one student, more than 20 girls were sent home on the first day for wearing off-the-shoulder tops.

While the style was technically against the school dress code, students claim it had been allowed fin the past.

“The dress code policy hasn’t been an issue the past two years I have been here,” one anonymous student told Yahoo. “Off-the-shoulder is a very big trend in the fashion industry right now,” she adds. “It’s not harming anyone physically….I think it is ridiculous how we have to fight against [the administration] to wear a shirt that is not harming anyone.”

The next day, the girls rallied and decided to protest the outdated and sexist dress code by wearing off-the-shoulder tops again And this time, they were joined by the boys.

https://twitter.com/andrei_418/status/897498010145267712

Two senior boys named Aydrian and Brody wore off-the-shoulder shirts on Monday. On Tuesday, senior Andrei Vladimirov joined them. All were sent home, along with more than 40 girls. And just listen to what Andrei told The Huffington Post:

“I felt bold and subversive, as I actually, physically oppressed something that I saw as wrong,” Vladimirov said, adding, “But this story isn’t about me, it is about those who are actually affected by dress codes.”

“What I find problematic about this [keep kids safe] response is that if someone did try to assault a woman, the responsibility should lie solely on the attacker, not the victim,” he continued. “A woman never ‘asks’ to be objectified, assaulted or raped ― and such thinking is what creates harmful consequences. Women deserve to be treated with respect ― and to be treated with respect is to be given the freedom to express one’s self, and hold agency as an individual.”

“The notion that women should clothe themselves because it is ‘distracting to men’ undermines both the agency and volition of women ― which has long been suppressed ― and the maturity of men, and reinforces the idea that all men are only concerned with sex,” he concluded.

Wow.

Another male student pointed out the apparent hypocrisy that the girls have been allowed to wear off-the-shoulder tops in official yearbook photos in years past.

https://twitter.com/helloitsmikey_/status/897289311522914304

Perhaps the best part of these minor acts of civil disobedience is the response of the school’s administration. Rather than digging in their heels and cracking down on infractions, they are using this as a learning opportunity.

“The students have been really good — really respectful and cooperative in terms of talking to us,” Principal Adrian Ramirez told Yahoo. “I’ve had 20 to 25 students who have come in to meet with me in small groups or individually and it’s been a good process in getting their insights in regards to some of the issues.”

Ramirez met with the Associated Student Body group on August 17 to announce that he will assemble a committee of students “to start a conversation regarding dress code. I already have several students who are interested in being a part of it. The goal is to make sure they are heard and can express their opinions and concerns.”

While we don’t yet know the resolution, we  must commend the girls, their male allies and the administration are handling the issue.

Disney Debuts #DreamBigPrincess Photography Campaign to Encourage Kids Around the Globe to Dream Big

Renowned Female Photographers Spanning Fifteen Countries Create Inspiring Images and Kickoff $1 Million Fundraising Effort for Girl Up

Glendale, Calif. (Aug. 15, 2017) – Disney today unveiled a global photographic campaign in support of #DreamBigPrincess, celebrating inspiring stories from around the world to encourage kids everywhere to dream big. Nineteen female photographers from fifteen countries have created a series of empowering images showcasing real-world girls and women, as part of Disney’s Dream Big, Princess initiative launched in 2016, which taps into the power of Disney Princess stories to inspire kids. Photographs will be shared on social media to help raise funds for Girl Up, the United Nations Foundation’s program supporting adolescent girls’ leadership and empowerment.

“The idea that stories, whether real life or fictional like those of Belle or Rapunzel, can inspire kids to follow their dreams is at the heart of the #DreamBigPrincess campaign,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. “We asked some of the most accomplished female photographers to help tell the stories of inspiring women and girls from around the world—and the results are incredible.”

From one of the first female staff photographers at National Geographic to winners of the International Picture of the Year, World Press Photo Award for Nature, Commonwealth Photographer of the Year, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News, the accomplished roster of photographers bring a wealth of experience and talent. Each was challenged to find and document stories with the power to inspire kids.

With subjects including the youngest ever speaker at the UN, a gold-medal-winning Chinese Paralympian, the founder of the first female cycling team in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, a teenage author of a STEM  coding book for kids, and a young surf champion from Brazil, the project aims to spotlight a diverse range of stories to connect with kids and families around the world. The images bring the #DreamBigPrincess message to life in a multitude of ways, including highlighting women who’ve achieved success in the face of adversity or forged successful careers in traditionally male industries, young Girl Up Teen Advisors who’ve already helped make a positive impact on the world, and girls at play who illustrate the importance of imagination in childhood.

As well as inspiring kids with positive images and the stories behind them, the campaign aims to make a tangible difference for girls who face challenges in achieving their dreams, through its collaboration with Girl Up. From August 15-October 11, 2017, Disney Worldwide Services will donate US$1 for any public post of a photo using #DreamBigPrincess or like of such a post on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, for a minimum donation of US$500,000 and a maximum of US$1 million. Girl Up’s leadership program engages girls to take action and advocate for girls around the world, giving them empowering tools to help make a difference.

“Girl Up envisions a world where every girl can reach her full potential and be an advocate within her community for positive change and empowerment.The #DreamBigPrincess campaign is perfectly aligned with our goals and we’re excited to partner with Disney and this incredible group of women to spotlight what it means to dream big around the world,” says Melissa Kilby, Director of Girl Up.

Annie Griffiths, one of National Geographic’s first female staff photographers profiled eight teenage girl leaders at Girl Up Leadership Summit in Washington DC, to showcase their inspiring stories as part of the campaign.

“Every picture tells a story and I’m delighted to be part of an initiative that tells so many stories that are interesting and diverse. I hope that people around the world will be motivated to share their own inspiring #DreamBigPrincess images in support of Girl Up,” says Annie.

Girl Up Teen Advisor Alumna Meg Schwartz, was given the chance to follow her dream of becoming a professional photographer by creating images of Girl Up celebrity Champions, including YouTube influencers Brooklyn & Bailey, actress Katherine McNamara as well as philanthropist and actress Monique Coleman. Meg’s images will be shared as part of the campaign to help raise funds for Girl Up.

In 2016, Disney launched “Dream Big, Princess”, a campaign that encourages kids everywhere to dream big by highlighting key story moments and the inspiring qualities that each Disney Princess showcases through her adventures, such as Merida’s bravery, Cinderella’s kindness or Tiana’s perseverance. While each princess has her own unique and admirable qualities, what they all have in common is resilience and an ability to triumph over adversity to make their dreams come true. The Dream Big, Princess content series, which runs across Disney TV and digital networks globally, brings together a host of inspiring moments from beloved Disney movies with the stories of real-life young role models, who have dreamed big and achieved their goals to show kids what’s possible.

The Dream Big, Princess series has already reached millions of kids and families and the photographic campaign builds on this success by spotlighting women and girls from around the world with stories that have the power to inspire others.

About The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international entertainment and media enterprise with four business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, and consumer products and interactive media. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $55.6 billion in its Fiscal Year 2016.

About Girl Up

Girl Up, the United Nations Foundation’s adolescent girl campaign, supports the empowerment of girls everywhere. Since its launch in 2010, Girl Up has funded UN programs that promote the health, safety, education, and leadership of girls in developing countries and built a community of over half a million passionate advocates. Our girl leaders, representing more than 1800 Girl Up Clubs in 90 countries, stand up, speak up, and rise up to support the hardest to reach girls living in places where it is hardest to be a girl. Learn more at GirlUp.org.

About the United Nations Foundation

The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by philanthropic, corporate, government, and individual donors. Learn more at unfoundation.org.

Heather Heyer: An American Hero

Her name was Heather Heyer. She was 32 years old. Her facebook cover photo said “If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention.”

Heather was paying attention. She was not content to sit and watch as evil spread. When the Nazis and the hatemongers came to her town, she said “Not in my town. Not in my America.” And she stood up to be counted and to show them the idea of America is stronger than their bigotry.

Heather died yesterday — still fighting against injustice, racism and hate. She was killed by a coward whose name I will not mention, because he is not the hero of the story.

Heather is.

I pray that when the time comes, that we will all have the courage to stand up against the forces of hate, against those who want to roll back the tide or progress, against who would make America a lesser place. I hope that we can all be like Heather.

She is my hero.

Ways to Help

Teenage Girl Gamer Shuts Down Sexist Haters

After being accused of cheating in a videogame tournament, a 17-year-old girl proved without a doubt that she is one of the best in the world.

Korean pro-gamer “Geguri” is currently ranked as one of the top 10 Overwatch players on the planet right now. Overwatch is a team-based first-person shooter combat game that requires extraordinary hand-eye coordination and tactics. At 17 years old and a woman, Geguri is an anomaly in the male-dominated, testosterone infused world of esports.

Geguri is so good at the game, that she was the predominant reason her team UW Artisan won a major Overwatch tournament.  She was so damn good, that two of the players on the opposing team, Dizziness, “ETLA” and “Strobe,” flatly accused her of cheating after the tournament. Strobe even reportedly threatened to come to her house with a knife.

The two bet their entire pro-gaming reputation on the idea that there is no way a woman could attain the kill ratio that Geguri did during the tournament. If Geguri was proven innocent, they pledged to quit the game forever.

Geguri’s entire brief history in e-sports — where she boasts an incredible 80-percent win rate over 450 matches — was called into question, as well as the manner in which she won. Geguri has a “kill ratio” of 6.31:1 — meaning that for every one time she is killed in the game, she has killed her opponent more than six times. That is extraordinarily high. No girl could be that good.

You can watch the video above to see Geguri’s superhuman aiming ability in action during the tournament, as she mows through opponents with her favorite character “Zarya,” a muscular woman with bright pink hair and a giant gun.

After ETLA and Strobe filed the complaint against Geguri, tournament officials investigated and found zero evidence that she was cheating. She’s just really, really good. But even then, there were still dark rumblings that Geguri must be rigging the game somehow. So the gaming site Inventory allowed Geguri to perform a live demonstration of her skills on a machine they provided.

Once again, Geguri dominated the game. You can watch an hour of the live feed below. The action kicks in around 5:40.

After this incontrovertible proof of Geguri’s skills, ETLA and Strobe finally did one honorable thing: they retired from e-sports, as promised.

Would all of this controversy has ensued if Geguri was a man? Possibly, but it’s doubtful. There are (very few) men ranked higher than her right now. No one is saying they must cheat. So we tip our hats to Geguri, a 17 year old girl who shut down sexism in the most satisfying way possible, by kicking the (virtual) ass of her detractors.

Batgirl Fights For Equal Pay

Today marks “Equal Pay Day.” April 12th is the date that symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. It’s a depressing statistic made even more depressing by the fact that we’ve been fighting this same injustice for decades, as this PSA from 1974 starring Batgirl (Yvonne Craig) demonstrates.

But we don’t fight because it’s easy. We fight because it’s the right thing to do.

Ms. Marvel Wins Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics

The excellent Ms. Marvel won the second annual “Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics” at the Long Beach Comic Expo this past weekend. On top of honoring the best in diversity in comics, the event also was an opportunity for friends and associates of the highly regarded McDuffie, a veteran comic-book and cartoon writer, to share stories about their late friend and celebrate his accomplishments.

Appearing via video, Ms. Marvel writer G. Willow Wilson told a story about a disagreement she had with McDuffie over DC comics Vixen, who they were both writing on separate books at the time.

Ms. Marvel covers the exploits of Kamala Khan, a teenage, Muslim, Pakistani-American superhero defending her hometown of Jersey City.

The other nominees were Moon Girl and the Devil Dinosaur, by Amy Reeder, Brandon Montclare, and Natacha Bustos; Andre The Giant Closer to Heaven, by Brandon Easton and Denis Medri; Zana, by Jean Barker and Joey Granger; and Fresh Romance, edited by Janelle Asselin.

via Comics Alliance