The Breakdown: Betsy DeVos vs. The Special Olympics
Plus, a 95-year-old man goes the distance to fight racism.
Getty Images: Zach Gibson / Stringer
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The One Big Thing
Betsy DeVos Proposes Eliminating Federal Funding for the Special Olympics, and President Trump Overrules
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has once again drawn backlash, this time for her proposal to slash all federal funding in 2020 for the Special Olympics. President Trump announced Thursday evening that he would reverse that decision, saying, “We’re funding the Special Olympics.” While the proposed $17.6 million cut would make up a small part of the proposed $7 billion cuts for the Education Department, the plan has drawn criticism from athletes, elected officials from both parties, and others. DeVos has defended the proposal, saying that the Special Olympics is “well-supported by the philanthropic sector.”
Do Something for people with disabilities in your community. Learn how to fight stigma now.
(Pop) Culture Shock
Video Resurfaces of Cardi B Admitting She Drugged and Robbed Men
Cardi B is under fire after an interview she gave three years ago resurfaced on social media, where she admits to drugging and robbing men back when she was a stripper. While Cardi stated that she’s not proud of her actions, she maintains that they were rooted in the need to survive. Some have pointed out that the social media comparisons likening Cardi (who says she never assaulted those men) to Bill Cosby (who was convicted of drugging and molesting a woman) and R. Kelly (who has been accused of decades’ worth of sexual crimes against underage women) aren’t fair.
Share resources with survivors of sexual assault.
The Good News Is...
95-Year-Old New Zealand Man Catches Four Buses to Join March Against Racism
As the global community continues to grieve following the anti-Muslim terrorist attacks in New Zealand, 95-year-old John Sato decided to make the long trek -- catching FOUR buses(!!!) -- to join a local march against racism. An inspiration to fellow attendees, Sato said he thinks “it's such a tragedy, and yet it has the other side. It has brought people together, no matter what their race or anything. People suddenly realized we're all one. We care for each other."
Stand in solidarity with the Muslim community by sending cards of support to local mosques.
That's What She Said
“I am prepared to leave this job earlier than I intended in order to do what is right for our country and our party.”
-British Prime Minister Theresa May, promising to step down if Parliament backs her twice-rejected Brexit deal.
Quick Hitters
Why aren’t more people talking about… how record flooding in the Midwest is threatening water safety in more than 300 US counties across 10 states?
My heroes today are… the three high school girls who chose to fight back against their male classmates who silently circulated a list ranking the looks of dozens of girls.
I’m obsessed with… The Moth, my favorite storytelling podcast that’s been known to make listeners laugh out loud and cry in public...not that I’m speaking from experience or anything.
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