Curved OLED TVs may be the future of home entertainment, but traditionally they’ve hardly been affordable, something LG seems keen to change with its latest set. Headed out to stores this month, the 55EC9300 not only comes in at 55-inches of Full HD in a set that’s only 4.5mm at its thinnest, it’s also LG’s cheapest curved OLED, at $3,499. … Continue reading
Sprint Spark, the carrier’s tri-band LTE network, has been around for quite some time now and the company already has multiple handsets in its lineup that are capable of running on it. Today though it has announced that the first ever tablet to be compatible with Sprint Spark is the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0. The device’s launch has been officially confirmed and it will be available for purchase starting August 15th.
Sprint says that on capable devices its Spark network is capable of delivering speeds of up to 6-15 Mbps on average and peak speeds of up to 50-60 Mbps. The carrier says that this network is built for data and promises increasing speed potential over time.
Since this tablet is meant to be a mid-range device its not exactly an Android powerhouse. Under its 7-inch 1,280×800 pixel resolution display resides a 1.2GHz quadcore processor, 3 megapixel rear camera and 1.3 megapixel front camera as well as a 4,000mAh battery. Samsung’s multi-user feature lets users create customizable profiles on the device for their own experience and they’ll also have access to the company’s WatchON application which not only recommends programming but also allows control of TVs and DVRs.
The tablet will be available for purchase online and in stores come August 15th for $299.99. Customers will also be able to purchase the tablet on Sprint Easy Pay program for 24 equal monthly payments of $12.50.
First Sprint Spark Enabled Tablet Is The Galaxy Tab 4 7.0
, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
Initially expected to be rolled out in July, the OnePlus One Android 4.4.4 update has finally been released. The smartphone is a new kid on the block that is not quite available for purchase right now, the manufacturer is running an invite system and only those who possess an invite can purchase a unit. So there aren’t a million OnePlus One users out there who have been waiting for this update, but at least it should be gratefully received by those who are lucky enough to have one.
Apart from bumping the core Android OS version to 4.4.4 this update also brings updated versions of Google applications. The update increases capacitive button illumination, fixes issues with vibrations, Viber calls, battery percentage, microphone volume and a lot more. Overall stability improvements are included.
The latest update also adds a new camera feature called Clear Image. What it basically does is take over ten individual photos and stitch them together to produce an image that has a higher resolution. OnePlus says that this literally your “camera on clarity steroids,” but you’ll have to see it for yourself to believe its claim.
Android 4.4.4 for OnePlus One is now rolling out. It shouldn’t take more than a couple of days for this update to become available across all regions.
OnePlus One Android 4.4.4 Update Finally Released
, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
Samsung fans are no doubt waiting on the company to unveil its latest flagship. An event has been confirmed for September 3rd and all signs point to an impending Galaxy Note 4 announcement. Even though there have been countless rumors about the device’s features and specifications we haven’t actually seen many purportedly leaked pictures. It seems like today is our lucky day as a couple of pictures of what is claimed to be the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 have leaked online.
At first glance the phablet looks very similar to the Galaxy Note 3 and that’s probably because Samsung might not be making any radical design changes. Apparently the plastic back has been retained and it features a texture that looks like leather.
We have heard rumors that Samsung might use metal for the Galaxy Note 4′s frame. These pictures do make it seem like the device’s frame is infact made out of metal. The familiar S Pen holster is present at the bottom alongside a USB 3.0 port and the speaker grille.
By the looks of things the Galaxy Note 4 may even have a heart rate monitor besides the rear camera and up front it seems to retain the 5.7-inch display, though if recent rumors are correct, it will be a Quad HD panel with 2,560×1,440 pixel resolution.
Samsung is due to unveil the Galaxy Note 4 on September 3rd so we’ll know soon enough if what we see here really is the next phablet. The pictures do seem pretty solid in my opinion.
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Pictures Leaked
, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
18-year-old Missouri teen Michael Brown was killed by police on Saturday. The death of the unarmed teen has sparked outrage in his local community that has spread across the United States, and now Twitter.
Comparisons drawn between Brown and other slain teens Jordan Davis and Trayvon Martin explain the immense popularity of #IfTheyGunnedMeDown on Twitter. The hashtag’s accompanying tweets feature two different photos of the same person and the question, “If they gunned me down, which picture would they use?”
The criticism has taken Twitter by storm not only among Americans but now on an international scale.
Hashtags criticizing the media’s portrayal of victims in the black community is nothing new to Black Twitter. #DangerousBlackKids discredited the vilification of black youth that picked up steam after the death of Jordan Davis, and #APHeadlines , a sarcastic twitter backlash to Associated Press coverage of the Renisha McBride case verdict.
See #IfTheyGunnedMeDown tweets below:
If you died, which picture would the media use? #IfTheyGunnedMeDown #MikeBrown http://t.co/lJMM9a0owk pic.twitter.com/YYxIbPB0xA
— The Root (@TheRoot) August 11, 2014
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown What picture would they use? pic.twitter.com/qapXgqZE1o
— #NishaHasNoChill ✋✌ (@tanisha_babyy) August 11, 2014
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown which picture would the media use ? #RIPMikeBrown pic.twitter.com/Gk0i4kn1KC
— Yung PeeWee ` (@_itsrico_) August 11, 2014
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown they’d say i was a thug pic.twitter.com/JsLxga0uwv
— Dev (@DevinDinero) August 11, 2014
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown which photo would they use? pic.twitter.com/y3y8tFHtPN
— Aug. 25th #AVO (@WhoISdeante) August 11, 2014
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown which image would the Media Use??? pic.twitter.com/kmgwITFdky
— #INDISSTREE (@BuddhaLeeRaye) August 10, 2014
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown pic.twitter.com/kN8Fh0jCEF
— The Real Segun Idowu (@RevrendDoctor) August 10, 2014
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown would they use my pic on the left or the right? pic.twitter.com/W3W1EUMXvz
— Not A Walking Target (@_bennythejet) August 10, 2014
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown Would they say I was gang affiliated or a classy lady? pic.twitter.com/VdYYSpUB7q
— Val Pal (@beneVALence_) August 10, 2014
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown what picture would they use on the media ? pic.twitter.com/CpUktBUFoG
— Hanan (@Hvnan) August 11, 2014
How to make the most of San Francisco’s three-day summer music festival
By Grant Marek for Where®
For three days every year, two famous vintage wooden windmills and 180,000 people turn San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park into a veritable musical epicenter. Headliners abound (this year they include the likes of Kanye West, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Killers and Macklemore), and they’re joined by the city’s best culinary talents, its craftiest craft brewers and so much more.
Whether this is your first time attending or your fourth, navigating the Outside Lands Music Festival (Aug. 8-10) is, well, no walk in the park. This handy insider’s guide from a festival veteran has the essential tips that will help get you through it.
1. Find a ticket.
Because VIP and general admission tickets are both sold out. If you’ve already got a ticket, nice work! If you don’t, you’re going to have to go online (Craigslist, StubHub, etc.) or be prepared to overpay someone at the entrance. In the event that you don’t find one/are on a budget, check out Outside Lands Night Shows — the bands are actually pretty great and playing all over San Francisco during the festival, including the Smith Westerns at Brick & Mortar and The Growlers at the California Academy of Sciences on Aug. 8, and Wild Belle at Rickshaw Stop on August 9.
2. You’ve got a ticket. Now rent a bike.
To get to Outside Lands you can 1) drive (and then spend hours looking for parking); 2) pay surge pricing for an Uber (last year I dropped $50 on the three-mile drive from Alamo Square); 3) try to take Muni and count the number of consecutive jam-packed buses that drive right by your stop; 4) pay for a three-day shuttle pass ($45), which will get you a seat on buses that go between Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and the festival (but service is spotty between 5-8 pm and stops at midnight); or 5) bike. Bikers are treated to a bike valet at Outside Lands, plus if you park between 10 am and 8 pm, they’ll hook you up with a free bike wash, too! Just make sure you BYO lock.
3. Wear layers.
Even though Mark Twain didn’t say the infamous quote about SF summers being the coldest winter he ever spent, it still applies, especially in Golden Gate Park. Rain sprinkled during parts of last year’s festival, and Chicago-level winds followed before the sun finally broke through and, with it, the most gorgeous afternoon in the history of the festival. The lesson: bring a hoodie (and a tank top).
4. Know what you can and can’t bring.
Allowed: a cooler that can fit a 12-pack, two factory-sealed 1-liter water bottles, blankets. Not allowed: alcohol, strollers, lawn furniture. Also bizarrely prohibited: umbrellas, cans of any kind and large backpacks.
5. Get the app (but print the schedule, too).
Good news: The app is hands down one of the best festival apps around. Bad news: when 60,000 people are all trying to Instagram, the app is slow, if it works at all. Uncertain news: you should be able to snag some Wi-Fi when you’re on the festival grounds, but so should 59,999 other people …
6. As soon as you’re through the gate, get a locker.
Run! Seriously, run. For the second straight year a very limited number of lockers are available first come, first… locked. On the off chance the weather is perfect, you can dump that hoodie you brought along with your poncho.
7. Go to Beer Lands. (And Wine Lands too.)
Both are a bit pricey, but since you can’t bring in your own alcohol, they’re also your only alcohol option. Both are stacked with fantastic options though, in particular Beer Lands, which features 99 percent local brewers, from stalwarts like Anchor and Sierra Nevada, to incredible micro-brewers that you absolutely should try like Almanac and Pacific Brewing Laboratory. Wine Lands will have 37 winemakers uncorking 120 wines under a canopy with chandeliers hanging from it. Fancy!
8. Check out every food stall, but don’t forget Choco and Cheese Lands.
Both make repeat appearances at Outside Lands and are set up deep in the woods–perfect for exploring between sets. Strangely, your best option at Choco Lands (if you can find the place) is actually going to be an ice cream from San Francisco cult favorite Humphry Slocombe, which will have a fan-voted signature flavor.
9. Know your non-headliners.
Before you get fixated on Tom Petty and Kanye, check out the popularity-contest-winning middle of the concert bill: Flaming Lips, Big Freedia, Tycho, Jenny Lewis, Kacey Musgraves, Phosphorescent, Death Cab for Cutie, Chvrches, Bleachers, Haim, Chromeo and Spoon. This will also be the most rap-heavy lineup ever, with lyrical game-spitters Watsky, Atmosphere and the deservedly acclaimed duo Run the Jewels joining Macklemore and Kanye. Plus, if you love a good underdog story, a host of local up-and-comers will perform, including Mikal Cronin, Tumbleweed Wanderers, the Brothers Comatose, Trails and Ways and Finish Ticket.
10. Don’t worry about how to charge your phone.
Assuming you don’t schmooze your way into one of the VIP cabanas, stop by the AT&T Mobile Lounge — it will stock a variety of phone chargers and offer a number of giveaways. Bonus: PayPal will host a convenience store selling the things you might forget to bring like lip balm, sunscreen, glow bracelets and blankets.
11. Check out the giant white igloo.
If you’re interested in a weekend-long EDM party dubbed the House by Heineken, this is the place.
—–
More from Where®:
Photo credits: ©Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, ©Josh Withers (2), ©Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
In developing communities, there are three structural issues that prevent a girl from fulfilling her right to education: 1) her gender, 2) her zip code, and 3) her economic condition. Deep-rooted stigmas against women’s education, conjoined with region-specific interventions and the heavy burden of tuition costs, form what is commonly perceived as an unbreakable barrier to girls’ education. As a result, child marriage, sex trafficking and forced prostitution become horrific alternatives to education — so-called substitutes to schooling that leave a country ensnared in a labyrinthine web of gender-based violence, economic paralysis and ill health.
For so many girls in the world, going to school remains a distant dream, an unattainable ecstasy that hovers beyond reach. As champions for social change, we must understand just what women’s education holds for the lives of the female students we read about — and what it offers for our world as we know it. Exactly what is girls’ education, and where does its significance and relevance lie? Without further ado, girls’ education is …
1. A fundamental right that warrants universal access. Education is more often perceived as a privilege granted to people living in the lap of luxury, rather than a critical necessity that everyone should share (Human Rights Declaration, Article 26). Girls should be able to pursue knowledge in their chosen fields, to have enriching learning experiences and complete their primary, secondary and tertiary education programs, regardless of their gender.
2. A catalyst for gender equality. Gender inequality is manifested in myriad forms, including, but not limited to income disparities, wage discrimination, gender roles assigned in the domestic sphere, female infanticide, and sexual subjugation. By investing in a girl’s education, girls will be given the chance to realize their full human rights and contribute to the very fabric of our society, reaping the benefits of economic, social and political development (US Agency for International Development). They will be able to form the next generation of women leaders, and make groundbreaking strides toward bridging the gender gap.
3. The key to poverty alleviation within less economically developed countries (LEDCs).Educating girls has always been at the forefront of poverty reduction in LEDCs. Schooling not only imbues a girl with the confidence needed for her to stand up for herself and make a blow against social injustice, it also helps foster economic growth and is crucial to lifting households out of poverty (World Bank).
4. Instrumental in bringing about economic growth. Girls’ education eradicates poverty and fosters economic growth. The statistics? Girls who have one extra year of schooling than the national average can earn 10 percent to 20 percent more on average, with an 18 percent return in future wages if they have completed a secondary education. This is significantly higher than the 14 percent return in future wages for boys in developing regions (Center of Global Development). Furthermore, each extra year of schooling provided to the whole population (females included) can increase average annual GDP growth by 0.37 percent (Global Campaign for Education).
5. Essential for reducing the number of child marriages. There is a positive multiplier effect to educating girls and women. In Tanzania, women who received a secondary school education are 92 percent less likely to be coerced into child and adolescent marriage, compared to women who only received a primary school education (UNICEF). Child marriage is a human rights violation, entailing grave consequences for girls, including an increased risk of HIV/AIDS coupled with higher levels of domestic violence and abuse (International Center for Research on Women).
6. A successful formula for individual empowerment. Women who receive formal education become more aware of their rights and are able to defend themselves when their basic human rights are compromised or violated. For women in developing communities, many of these violations take the forms of sex trafficking, forced prostitution and gender-based violence. The Half the Sky Movement attributes female violence to two mindsets firmly ingrained in many societies all over the world: misogyny and sexism. But education plays an integral role in triggering a change in cultural norms, by shedding light on the detriments that arise from these discriminatory attitudes.
7. A proven cause of lowered maternal and infant mortality rates. There exists a consistent negative causal relationship between maternal education and child mortality; as the amount of educated women in a society increases, the amount of infant deaths decreases. Women with formal education will have learned about the importance of prenatal care, hygienic child care practices, vaccinations and high-level nutrition for themselves and their children. In addition, an education will provide these women with ideas of where to turn to for health care advice and medical treatment. In Sub-Saharan Africa, a projected 1.8 million children’s lives could have been saved in 2008 if their mothers had a secondary education (UNESCO).
8. Critical to a decline in fertility rates. Educating a girl will not only increase her employment opportunities by dramatic proportions, it will also provide her with knowledge about family planning, employment, schooling and health opportunities for her future generations. Adam Isen and Betsey Stevenson from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania have written that greater “access to education and higher potential wages, combined with improved control over fertility, has altered the incentives that women face”. The stark decline in fertility rates gives rise to more sustainable family units, and this lesser amount of children in a society allowed for more resources to be allocated to each individual child.
9. A steppingstone to improved women’s health. The facts and figures to back this up? Girls with at least six years of school education are more likely to be able to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and other diseases (UNICEF). An additional four years of education will reduce the risk of heart disease by 2.16 percent, and the risk of diabetes by 1.3 percent, for either gender (The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development).
10. A pivotal force for change in societies and communities. This African proverb encapsulates this idea completely: “If we educate a boy, we educate one person. If we educate a girl, we educate a family — and a whole nation.” In addition to eradicating the deep-seated cultural prejudices against women, educating girls will also engender a culture of education that will transcend generations. Women who have had the opportunities of formal schooling are more than twice as likely to send their own children to school, as compared with women with no formal education (UNICEF).
Join the global movement to educate and empower girls! Start taking concrete action with nonprofit organizations to provide girls with a better tomorrow today!
Ah, the shot ski. This particular instrument of revelry (or torture, depending on your height) is possibly the second best use for a ski and an excellent way to immortalize those classic boards that you just can’t seem to part with. Originally created by Ullr himself to reward and extol the most valiant and skillful skiers, the shot ski was soon appropriated by snow riders of every ilk. However, Ullr continues to have the last laugh as unprepared initiates are rewarded with more booze down their shirts than in their mouths.
The components of a shot ski are relatively simple: a ski and some shot glasses (four is the accepted number). However, these are just the basic components. There are actually several different types of shot skis. These versions range from a “Green Circle” level all the way up to the “Double Black Diamond” level. The version you choose is up to you, dependent on your general level of handiness and, possibly, how handy your friends are. Power tools are optional, but always fun to play with.
Supplies
Instructions for Assembling
Green Circle
Supplies needed: Minimal
Difficulty: Easier than riding up a magic carpet
1. Find a tall friend and appropriate his or her super long ski. The longer the ski, the more shot glasses you’ll be able to fit and the more people you can involve in your shot ski shenanigans.
2. Don’t bother removing the binding. That requires more effort and, depending how long the binding has been attached, could be a major pain.
3. Flip the ski so that you’re looking at the base.
4. Clean off the ski. If you glue on dirt, the glue will stick to the dirt.
5. Mark where you want to secure the shot glasses, with plenty of space in-between so that head bonks are at a minimum. Avoid the tip and tail so that participants have something to grip. Between 18 and 20 inches is a good rule of thumb, but feel free to adjust to your satisfaction and on the length of the ski.
6. Glue the plastic shot glasses to the ski in the places that you marked. Plastic is your best bet as glass will break if you drop the shot ski. There is a very good chance that you will–at some point–drop the shot ski. Especially since you didn’t bother to remove the binding.
7. Gather the friends. Fill the shot ski. Stick the guy you don’t like near the brake on the binding but be aware that he might poke his eye out because of your laziness.
8. Deploy the shot ski. Repeat as necessary.
Blue Square
Supplies needed: Same as green circle, with the addition of something to remove the binding
Difficulty: Easier than finding your rental skis on the rack during Christmas break
Steps:
1. Find an old ski. Some ski towns have bins where old skis and boots go to languish in the hot summer sun. Go there and don’t feel bad about leaving lonely onlys.
2. Use an electric drill to remove the bindings. Depending on how old the bindings are, you may find that it takes more steps than it should. To relieve frustration, take a shot of whatever liquor you have handy.
3. Since you removed the bindings, you can assemble the shot glasses on the top of the ski. Measure the ski and mark where you want to place the glasses.
4. Glue the shot glasses onto the ski in the places you marked. These particular shot glasses look like Mason jars, are extra big and come with lids, which are cool and earn bonus points.
5. Gather the friends. Fill the shot glasses with a tasty concoction, like moonshine. That’s what Mason jars are for.
6. Deploy the shot ski. Repeat as necessary.
Black Diamond
Supplies needed: Same as above, minus the glue. Add the drill, a 1.5″ Forstner bit and Velcro.
Difficulty: Easier than a snowboarder riding the T-Bar
Steps:
1. Take the ski, which you have already cleaned off and removed the binding (see first two steps for blue square). Measure the ski and mark where you want to place the glasses.
2. Put on some sort of eye protection. You’re using tools. It’s also advisable to do this step outside. Unless it’s dark. Then it’s perfectly fine to use power tools in the kitchen.
3. Using the drill equipped with a 1.5″ Forstner bit, drill a hole through the topsheet down into the core of the ski. A Forstner bit cuts a smooth, flat hole, excavating the material from inside the hole as it cuts, which is what you want. A note on the bit: This was the right size for the shot glasses that I used, but they do come in different diameters. Measure the base of your shot glass to get the correct size.
4. Trace the bottom of your shot glass onto the back of the Velcro. Cut out the circles on both pieces of Velcro. Affix one side to the bottom of your shot glass and the other into the holes that you’ve cut into the ski.*
5. Attach the shot glasses.
6. Gather the friends. Fill the shot glasses with a tasty concoction, like Brennivín, Iceland’s signature schnapps. These shot glasses are shaped like skulls, and Brennivín is called the Black Death. Appropriate, no?
7. Deploy the shot ski. Repeat as necessary.
*This version uses Velcro for sanitary purposes. With Velcro, you can take the shot glasses off easily and wash them so that the residue of last night’s debauchery doesn’t stick forever. Because that’s just gross.
Double Black Diamond
Supplies needed: Same as above, minus the Velcro. Add the Solo cups, four 1/2″ screws and spacers as necessary.
Difficulty: Easier than landing a cameo in the next Warren Miller film
Steps:
1. Take your clean, binding-less ski and measure out where you want to place your Solo cups. Yes. Solo cups. This bad boy is for car bombs.
2. Using the drill, pre-drill holes for the screws into the ski. Be careful not to drill completely through the ski.
3. Drill the screws through the pre-drilled holes. Then take the screws back out again. This will make sense in a minute.
4. Drill holes in the bottom of the Solo cups. Place the screw into the Solo cup and, using a Phillips head screwdriver, affix the cup onto the ski (this is much easier than trying to fit a drill into a Solo cup).
5. Place the other Solo cups into the ones that are affixed to the ski. This way, you can throw them out afterwards. Again: Be sanitary.
6. Gather the friends. Fill the cups with Guinness. Place shot glasses containing half Jameson whiskey and half Baileys next to the cups.
7. Drop the shot glasses into the cups. Deploy the shot ski. Repeat as necessary.
Check out the finished products!
These are just a few versions of shot skis; the possibilities are endless. All it takes is a bit of creativity and motivation to dream up the next best thing.
WARNING: It is possible to buy a pre-made shot ski. However, doing so is like wearing jorts and snowblades on the slopes: it’s legal, but not advisable.
This post originally ran on the Liftopia blog.
As parents, we spend a great deal of time teaching our children the right ways to treat others. Much of those conversations involve statements about how we don’t push, kick, bite, or hit others because it is not nice and because it hurts people physically and emotionally. I know this because the wife and I are in the midst of full-on toddlerhood with our son right now, and these are constant conversations we are having with him.
Our son, like a lot of toddlers, doesn’t do well with having items taken away or being told “no” when he wants something, and sometimes his frustrations result in hitting one or both of us. Our response to such outbursts (currently) is to express our disappointment with his choice, then to walk away to another room. We try very hard not to scold him, but instead explain that he made a very bad choice, and that there are consequences to negative choices. Because life is all about choices.
During one of my moments of sitting in silence after an outburst this weekend, I was struck by an overwhelming thought: We spend so much time teaching our children that hitting other people is wrong, and how there is absolutely no excuse to hurt anyone. Yet, as I watched/read the news this past week, I found it dominated by a story of domestic violence and an overwhelming amount of justification for why it happened. So at what point exactly does all our teaching of nonviolence and care for others go by the wayside? When exactly is it that we, as parents, tell our kids that society has taken all that we taught about being kind to others, about there being no excuse to hurt anyone, about taking accountability for our actions, and thrown it right out the window? How do we explain that, if you have a certain status in life, society will overlook the harm you’ve caused to others?
Of course, I’m alluding to the story of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice’s violent assault of his then-fiancée (now wife) in an Atlantic City hotel elevator back in February of this year. Rice is seen on video dragging his fiancée out of the elevator after (allegedly) striking her so hard in the face that it rendered her unconscious. While the public has not seen any video of the actual assault, Rice accepted a plea bargain in order to avoid trial of probation and anger management, yet he still entered a plea of not guilty. As egregious as his assault was, the NFL was right there to one-up Rice.
The NFL finally weighed in on the matter this past Thursday, and they handed down a suspension, as most fans expected. However, what was not expected was the length of the suspension: two games. That’s right, two whole games. Ray Rice was given a shorter suspension than linebacker Daryl Washington (Arizona Cardinals) and wide receiver Josh Gordon (Cleveland Browns) who have both been suspended for the entire 2014 season for multiple marijuana violations. So let me get this straight, partaking in marijuana use is somehow (by NFL math/rational) eight times worse than violently assaulting, not just a woman, but your fiancée? Well, that message should really give a boost to that female fan base.
It’s already been said in a ton of articles, as well as on TV, but the NFL missed a major opportunity to send a strong message when it came to a growing demographic of their fan base. Look, I’m disgusted with the NFL, and not just because of the way they handled this situation, because this is par for the course for them, because I am no longer shocked by the NFL’s inability to care about anyone or anything outside of their business. Because that is what they are — a business, and it’s all about dollars to them.
What I AM in complete shock about and, frankly, appalled over is the overwhelming amount of victim-blaming that has come out over the past four days. It’s literally rivaling the amount of coverage from those calling for a harsher penalty.
The consensus line that is being used is, “We don’t know what happened in that elevator, but she shouldn’t have provoked him.” What?!? Are you kidding me with that kind of comment?
How did this line of thinking ever come to be, and furthermore, why are people giving it credence? News flash, people: IT’S NEVER THE VICTIM’S FAULT; THAT’S WHY THEY’RE THE VICTIM!
How the hell do we, as a society, switch rationales so quickly, from telling our children, “don’t hit, it’s not nice,” to “well, maybe they shouldn’t have provoked the person into hitting them”?
I grew up in a fairly abusive household. And not in the ways some might instantly assume. I wasn’t physically abused by an angry father, but instead by an angry single mother who routinely hit home (literally) that I had brought all of the abuse on myself.
Because of this, I have taught and will continue to teach my son (and any other children who may come along) that hurting others in never the right answer.
But it really saddens me, and frankly drives me a little mad, to see that there is a subset of our culture (especially in the media) who is actively working against me and other parents who are trying hard to instill non-violent values to our children.
Not even a day after the lackluster penalty for Ray Rice’s action was announced by the NFL, we already had our first case of foot-in-mouth disease by one such TV talking head.
ESPN analyst (and I use that term lightly) Stephen A. Smith, who is known for his brash and frequently over-the-top opinions, voiced his opinion on the topic and created a massive fire storm of backlash.
Smith literally lost any credibility he meant to gain within the first sentence of his diatribe when he said, “It’s not about him; it’s about you,” then went on to chastise victims (mainly women) by saying they need to do more to avoid provoking their attackers. WRONG!!
Smith issued an apology several days later on his early morning show, attempting to clarify his bonehead statement by saying that in no way was he suggesting that women provoke violence. But in reality, that’s exactly what he did. ESPN even put him on camera with a female anchor who accepted his apology (as if she speaks for all women in the world) and had her deflect from Smith by aggressively shaming the NFL and calling for an apology on behalf of all women.
What’s worse, it’s not just men who are spreading these kinds of foolish and very dangerous ideas. Women are too.
Back in May of this year, the whole world was abuzz when video was leaked to the media of an altercation between Jay-Z and Solange Knowles in an elevator at the Met Gala.
Seriously, what is with people and elevators? Maybe take the stairs next time.
In the video, Solange is seen aggressively attacking Jay-Z, kicking and punching him, all while security attempts to restrain her and Beyonce stands by and watches. You know what you didn’t see — Jay-Z hitting Solange back. In fact, he defended himself by putting his hands up and attempting to deflect her attacks (take notes, Ray Rice).
As part of the media circus that followed this incident, the ladies of The View weighed in. One in particular, host Whoopi Goldberg, was adamant in her statement that Jay-Z had the right to hit Solange back, saying, “Where I’m from, if you hit anybody, they have the right to hit you back. If a woman hits a man, he has the right to hit her back. That’s why I don’t hit men.”
Allow me to counter using words similar to Whoopi’s: No one has the RIGHT to hit anyone, and if someone does hit you, you do NOT have the RIGHT to hit them back. I don’t care if you’re a man or a woman.
Now, I’m no historian, and I was a pretty awful student, but the last time I checked, knocking someone out (male or female) was not in the Bill of Rights, or the Bible, or the Koran, or the Torah, or any other place outlining basic human rights.
Now I realize that this is easier said than done, and if I was in a situation where I or a loved one was being attacked, there is a very good chance I’m going to strike back. But you know what the difference is? I would never say my striking back was my RIGHT; rather, it was my CHOICE. Ray Rice made a CHOICE to physically assault his now wife, and thus cemented his status as a D-Bag. Jay-Z made a CHOICE to not to hit Solange back, thus showing a high level of decency.
Victims are victims because someone else made a choice to hurt them; it was not their right. Life, is all about CHOICES, remember?
Enough is enough. It’s is hard just to raise a child in today’s society. Raising boys and girls to be well-adjusted, stand-up men and women is even harder.
Topics like physical abuse, rape, and an overall shaming of women that seems to still be alive and well in our society, are going to be heart-wrenchingly difficult to explain to my son when the time comes someday. As a man trying to raise another man, I refuse to continue or cultivate a culture of, “Well, she was asking for it” or “Well, she shouldn’t have provoked me.”
I will instead raise my son to make the CHOICE to be a good man.
Prior to becoming a Smoothie King franchisee in 2006, Sanden was an escrow officer in California. When the economy started to struggle, California was one of the first hit. Her company started cutting back on employees and, knowing she was probably going to leave soon to open her own business, she did something many wouldn’t — offered to leave her position, so she could save someone else’s job and save a family from struggling. Sanden grew up with Smoothie King and loved the brand, so it was a no brainer that when it came time to make a move, she would become a franchisee. She now owns four locations in Metro Atlanta and is growing. She continues to grow with Smoothie King because of her passion for the products, which continues to drive her to be the best of the best.
How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?
My mother was a single mom who worked three jobs to keep a roof over my head, put food on the table and allow me to pursue my passion — gymnastics. Because of that, I grew up as a “take charge” kind of person. In any competition, I had to learn everything about it — from the way they ran my school’s field day to who I had to beat in a relay — and if I didn’t win, I trained harder to do it better. My mother pushed me to be the best I could, so when she passed away from cancer, I made a promise I would exceed her expectations. My upbringing really prepared me to own my own business and now I operate four Smoothie King locations in the Atlanta area. I think if you’re going to be a business owner, you need to have a take-charge attitude and be competitive enough to want your business to be as successful as it can be. You can’t sit on the sidelines.
How has your previous employment experience aided your position at Smoothie King?
In any job I’ve ever had, I was committed to working hard and learning everything about my position, which included asking a lot of questions. As a Smoothie King multi-unit franchisee, I understand my business inside and out. But that’s only because I acted as if I was a team member when I was learning the business, so I could learn what I would be teaching. I’ve always given 110 percent and this is no exception.
What have the highlights and challenges been during your tenure at Smoothie King?
I’m so passionate about Smoothie King and being able to do what I love has been the biggest highlight. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting great people in my stores and watching them transform their lives by becoming healthier. I’m humbled I was able to be a part of that. The biggest challenge is trying to instill my passion in others. We have great employees that are willing to learn everything about the products and the brand, but as I’m sure many small business owners can appreciate, sometimes those passionate employees can be difficult to find.
Why did you want a career as a franchisee?
I didn’t seek out a career as a franchisee. Before joining Smoothie King, I was an escrow officer in California, where we were hit very hard by the economy. When my employer started making cutbacks, I decided to quit my job, so someone else wouldn’t have to be laid off. I had been considering leaving in a few months to do something different, like own my own business, so the timing worked. I knew Smoothie King because I had been a frequent customer growing up as a competitive gymnast. I decided if I was going to own a business, this was going to be it. My husband is a franchisee with another brand and really sold me on the idea of considering a franchise since I would be a part of a growing brand with a 41-year history of success. And without frying or cooking involved, Smoothie King would be a simpler concept to run than owning a full-service — or even a quick-service — restaurant.
What advice can you offer women who are seeking a career as a franchisee?
I’d offer the same advice to any person — male or female — wanting to become a franchisee. You have to work hard. While you are part of a proven concept and have the support of the franchisor, including product development and marketing, it’s your business and it will only be successful if you put effort into it and build great teams to support it.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
I could answer this differently every day. My husband, son and business are all equally important to me, so, depending on the day, I juggle things differently. Whether that means helping my son with school, spending qualify time with my husband or managing my business and staff, I make sure everyone understands how important they are to me and that I’m here if they need me. Of course, entrepreneurs are human! We make mistakes. But I’ve realized spending time with my husband helps me stay balanced and as my son gets older and more independent — he’s 14 now — that will help me balance out my day-to-day schedule.
What do you think is the biggest issue for women in the workplace?
I think the biggest issue is equality. Unfortunately, there are still some industries where women are overlooked and not considered to be authorities in that business or still do not have a presence on senior leadership teams. Fortunately for me, I found a great opportunity in franchising that lets me be a leader by running my own business. Smoothie King has many female franchisees — and is continuing to recruit more — and I’m happy to be one of them!
How has mentorship made a difference in your professional and personal life?
I’ve never had a formal mentor, but my mother played a significant role is helping me become the leader I am today, both personally and professionally.
What do you want your Smoothie King locations to accomplish in the next year?
My goal is to help as many guests as possible achieve their goals for living a healthier lifestyle, whether that’s eating better, losing weight, exercising more or just feeling better and happier. I want to provide the best customer service possible, so our guests become loyal fans of Smoothie King and continue to come back for our great-tasting smoothies and other healthy products.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.