Articles and news stories are constantly pushing me to consider something new, broaden my perspective, or change the way I look at an issue. My husband likes to joke that my brain explodes with something new on a daily basis. These articles – and the brain explosions that result from them – are so beneficial for me that I wanted to create a place where I could share them, in case you might want to read them, too. Learn more about Things that Made My Brain Explode – and see past posts – here.
Here’s a recent batch of Things that Made my Brain Explode:
- Happy Pride Month! You’re probably noticing lots of rainbow branded products and Pride-themed collections populating store windows and websites. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to buy all of them and then feel warm and fuzzy for helping a wonderful cause. But how much do these products really “help” – and what, exactly, are they helping? Vox takes a deep dive with How LGBTQ Pride Month became a branded holiday. The article is long – with lots of opportunity for continued research – but absolutely worth your time.
- Looking for companies that talk the talk and walk the walk? Sephora Is Supporting Trans People With Its Latest Campaign And Collection; Jonathan Van Ness Continues To Destroy Stereotypes With Essie Partnership. Neither company is perfect, but they’re both making a statement that matters. (If you’re not familiar with the name Jonathan Van Ness, go Google. He’s a ray of sunshine that gives us all a new, modern, beautiful look of what a man can be.)
- Speaking of what a man can be: Why We Need To Keep Talking About What Happened After That Horrific Baseball Accident.
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Don’t offer thoughts and prayers; tell us you will vote. Originally published October 29, 2018. What a shame that it’s still perfectly relevant.
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Let’s Hear It for the Average Child. I was a painfully average child who has found every happiness in the freedom of being an average adult. This made me tear up.
- “While diversity is about what students are in the room, inclusivity is about who feels like they belong, and everyone deserves that opportunity.” Why we need inclusive teaching in every classroom.
- Supporting LGBTQ Students in Elementary School. Easy, do-able steps to supporting children as they discover, question, learn about, and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.
- “So much is taken away from you when you have MS or other disabilities so when one of those things is given back it’s just brilliant, there aren’t words to describe how good it feels. It sounds childlike but it’s sheer joy and glee, it’s life-changing. […] St Andrews is an amazing place, how can we not allow everyone to have access to it?” One year on, St Andrews beach wheelchairs are ‘life changing’.
- As the school year wraps up and we give those final tearful hugs, I know that many of us are thinking: I hope I am not your favorite teacher.
- Via Donalyn Miller: “Check out this amazing list of 2019 MG and YA books featuring and written/illustrated by Indigenous people and people of color. Thank you, Edith Campbell for this invaluable resource.” Buy. Read. Recommend. Support with your dollars, your time, and your voice.
- 25 LGBTQAI+ Titles for Pride Month—and Onward. These titles have a happy home in our library this month and every month (at least the ones for grades 8 and below). Come read them any time!
- Cup of Jo blog has this awesome My Beauty Uniform series, where they feature favorite clothes and health and beauty tips from women in different career fields. This week: The Engineeress. #ilooklikeanengineer indeed.
- Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag challenged in Virginia School.
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Nike introduces mannequins of all shapes, sizes and abilities in new store.
- Parents tell me all the time, “I don’t know how to talk to kids about racism.” And I always answer, “I don’t, either. But I’m so glad we’re trying.” This might help: How to talk to kids about racism: An age-by-age guide.
fitzbetweentheshelves.com 