Spencer Pratt's haters -- and there are many -- are gonna LOVE this clip. Heidi Montag's hubby just earned his brown belt at Paragon Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the Valley ... which means he's now a certified badass. He's one step away from a black…
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
29 Joy-Filled Photos Of Kids Adopted From Foster Care
There are over 100,000 kids in the U.S. foster care system awaiting adoption. That's why organizations like Together We Rise work to promote foster care adoption and support families in the midst of the process.
“Raising awareness about adoption from foster care is so important because of the many myths the majority of people believe to be true,” Together We Rise executive director, Gianna Dahlia, told The Huffington Post.
“People believe that these may be 'bad' kids with many problems or that they can't afford it,” she added. “The truth is adoption from foster care costs close to nothing, but more importantly, these children are just children who want and deserve loving homes.”
For the past three years, Together We Rise has been celebrating adoption by sharing joyful photos of foster kids on the day they officially became part of their “forever families.” The adoption day photos are some of their most popular Instagram posts.
Dahlia said she believes people love the photos so much because they offer a feeling of hope and accomplishment.
“The road to adoption can be hard, but these families prove that in the end, when a child gets to be a part of a forever family, how special that moment is,” Dahlia said. “Seeing the joy on a child's face that they get to be loved and supported for the rest of their life is priceless. We can't really think of a better feeling than knowing you belong and are loved.”
Sharing adoption day photos is just one of many uplifting initiatives for Together We Rise, which aims to improve the lives of foster kids by offering resources like school supplies, bicycles, educational programs and even college scholarships. The nonprofit also educates volunteers about the issues surrounding the foster care system and provides information to foster parents about the adoption process.
“It is important not only to raise awareness for adoption from foster care but that we celebrate the families who are working hard every day to complete their forever families,” said Dahlia, adding that National Adoption Month in November is a great opportunity to do so.
“We need to show these families that their community supports them and that the journey is worth it,” she added. “National Adoption Month is about tackling negative stereotypes and empowering more families in hopes for a better future for children still waiting for their forever family. “
Keep scrolling to see more heartwarming photos of kids adopted from foster care.
'Gilmore Girls' Tackles Therapy In The Most Heartwarming Way
Diehard fans may have flocked to the Netflix's “Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life,” for the quips, the pop culture references and all the coffee. However, it's the revival's quieter, more solemn moments that deserve true praise ― particularly when it comes to therapy.
In real life, seeking psychological support is often viewed as an unsavory byproduct of “losing your mind” rather than treating a very common health condition. Research even shows that many people with mental health issues avoid going to a therapist because they're afraid of being judged or shamed by peers.
But in Stars Hollow, therapy is just a natural part of grief. And it's presented in the most nonchalant and obvious way ― just as it should be.
During the first episode of the four-part series, Lorelai Gilmore recommends that her mother Emily sees someone to help process the loss of her husband Richard:
“I'm not crazy,” Emily retorts at the suggestion.
“No, you're in pain,” Lorelai argues. “This is uncharted territory. If it might help, what's the harm?”
Emily concedes and the show then chronicles her ― and eventually also Lorelai's ― journey through therapy as they talk about their grief over Richard's death and their tumultuous mother-daughter relationship.
It's a powerful subplot of the revival that deserves attention. The show not only shines a light on therapy, it normalizes it.
Highlighting stigma and mental health access issues
Emily's initial and instinctual reaction to therapy is reflective of the cultural attitude toward mental health: That seeking support is synonymous with “crazy.”
Even though it's this exact mindset that needs to be eradicated, it's critical that it also gets airtime. That way it can also be shut down, according to Srijan Sen, a professor at the University of Michigan Depression Center.
“Because of the stigma in some parts of our society, many people don't realize how many of their friends, colleagues and family have received therapy,” Sen told The Huffington Post. “TV shows can start conversations and create an environment where people feel comfortable talking about therapy.”
TV shows can start conversations and create an environment where people feel comfortable talking about therapy.
Srijan Sen, University of Michigan Depression Center
Of course, the revival's portrayal of mental health help didn't come without other pitfalls. Lorelai and Emily's therapist, Claudia, wasn't overly stellar at her job. Aside from one interjection to let the duo know that "anything is allowed" in therapy aside from "physical confrontation" (which is true), she remained mostly silent except for when she announced that their time was up. Viewers don't really get to see how she interacts with the pair as her clients.
Lorelai also has an awkward, out-of-office encounter with Claudia, who is trying out for the town musical Lorelai is helping to oversee. It could be argued that this is a peril of living in a small city like Stars Hollow ― and an issue that also presents itself in real life.
Research shows there's a large shortage of mental health providers, specifically outside of cities. This leaves little options for people seeking support (and puts a person in a position where they may, say, have a therapist who is also involved in their musical theater production).
“Access to mental health professionals is a huge problem and it is exacerbated because providers tend to be concentrated in cities,” Sen explained. “There are some evidence-based alternatives to in-person therapy such as telepsychiatry and web-based and mobile technology tools but we really need to get more professionals.”
Why this representation ultimately matters
Therapy's exposure in pop culture is critical to dismantling the misconceptions people have about seeking mental health support.
“When it is a TV character that you connect with, seeing them engage in therapy and benefit from the experience can really help,” Sen said. “TV shows can really help to convey how common these problems are and help viewers who may be suffering to recognize symptoms, feel less alone and hopefully get help.”
When it is a TV character that you connect with, seeing them engage in therapy and benefit from the experience can really help.
Approximately one in five American adults will experience a mental health issue in a given year. That number increases when you factor in kids and young adults. The fact is that psychological conditions ― whether acute or chronic ― are strikingly common. It's only fitting that TV represents that.
And, bottom line, accurate pop culture portrayals can send the message that seeing a mental health professional is just as critical as seeing a primary care doctor.
“Taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body,” Sen said.
The Gilmores would probably agree.
-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
Watch T-Pain Battle Rap as Stevie Wonder
T-Pain Ternt into Stevie Wonder for the latest episode of “Epic Rap Battles of History.”
Taking on popular YouTuber Lilly Singh, who plays the role of Wonder Woman, Teddy P pulls no punches as an Auto-Tuned Stevie.
“I'm the ceremony master blaster with the bars,” he raps. “And I got more Grammys than your panties got stars.”
But Wonder Woman doesn't hold back either. “You need to ditch the hair beads,” rhymes Singh. “Lookin' like the predator after some chemotherapy.”
The video has already amassed more than 3 million views on a channel that's been known for its hilarious and sometimes controversial battles. Snoop Dogg, Weird Al Yankovic, and Chali 2na have all participated in viral clips for the ERB platform.
T-Pain has some experience in battle rap. In the past, he's also taken on Kevin Hart's rapping alter ego Chocolate Droppa.
Watch the battle of the Wonders below.
DJ Mustard Feat. Rich The Kid, RJ "Know My Name" Video
Watch DJ Mustard's video for "Cold Summer" highlight "Know My Name."
http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/dj-mustard-feat-rich-the-kid-rj-know-my-name-video-new-video.39209.html
These Teen Boxers Show Us All The Real Meaning Of Sportswomanship
Amaiya Zafar is a 16-year-old amateur boxer from St. Paul, Minnesota, who has never gotten the chance to fight in an official competition. She's a Muslim who wears a hijab and covers her arms and legs while fighting ― which isn't approved by international boxing regulations ― so she's usually banned from the ring before her matches even begin.
When Zafar and her family arrived at the Sugar Bert Boxing National Championships in Kissimmee, Fla. on November 20, they knew she may not be able to fight. But what they weren't expecting was that a stranger ― Zafar's opponent, in fact ― would come to her defense.
When Zafar was disqualified, her potential opponent, Aliyah Charbonier, was not happy. So Charbonier decided to put solidarity before victory, telling Zafar that she would share the winner's belt.
“She told me that what they did wasn't fair,” Zafar told The Huffington Post. “That she hadn't earned the belt.”
Charbonier told The Washington Post that she felt “really bad” for Zafar.
“It's just not right,” the boxer said. “It's not really a distraction for me what she's wearing. She still had on gloves and headgear.”
In the end, both girls reportedly went home with belts. Although they were strangers before, Zafar said they've been in touch ever since the championships.
“It was an emotional moment. Because it's been three years that I've been training, and I got so close [to fighting],” Zafar said. “When she gave it to me, it felt like she was recognizing ... how hard I worked and how unfair it is.”
Sarah O'Keefe, Zafar's mother, said that after she got disqualified, her daughter was trying her best to stay calm and patient. Zafar isn't the type to get angry or upset ― instead her mindset is to accept whatever happens as the will of God. So when Charbonier gave Zafar her belt, it was a powerful reminder that in addition to working hard to get these rules changed and trusting in God's providence from above, there are also people who were willing to stand in solidarity with her.
“It showed that even though Amaiya is alone in her request, she's not alone in action or prayer,” O'Keefe told The Huffington Post. “Aliyah giving her the belt made a bigger statement than we could have planned for. She's saying, 'You're not alone, I stand with you.'”
Zafar began boxing about three years ago. She fell in love with the sport after watching a live boxing game. She said she appreciates the discipline that the sport demands.
“When I'm in the gym, it's like the real Amaiya,” she said. “Like dripping sweat and tears and screaming. Just working really hard.”
O'Keefe said that it's been tough for her daughter to find opponents that are suitable to her weight and her age group. In addition, USA Boxing, a national governing body for Olympic-style boxing in the U.S., follows a strict dress code set up by the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
Michael Martino, executive director of USA Boxing, told MPR News last year that boxing while wearing leggings and long-sleeved shirts is a “safety issue.”
“If you're covering up arms, if you're covering up legs, could there be preexisting injury?” Martino said. “And then if someone got hurt during the event, the referee wouldn't be able to see it.”
O'Keefe said that she's hoping to see these organizations engage in a discussion about this issue, and about how to get more Muslim women involved in boxing.
“If it's about safety, let's negotiate and think about what we're trying to accomplish,” O'Keefe said. “So far they haven't yet had a conversation about what [Zafar] is trying to request and what accommodations to make.”
In December last year, USA Boxing indicated that it would request a waiver from AIBA that would allow Zafar to compete. The family hasn't received an update on that request.
Requests for comment sent to USA Boxing and AIBA by The Huffington Post were not answered.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a national Muslim civil rights organization, is calling for USA Boxing and AIBA to make a religious exemption to uniform regulations ― following the lead set by organizations like the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), which have given Muslim women who wear hijabs a chance to compete in tournaments.
“All athletes should be able to compete in their sport of choice without facing roadblocks based on outmoded and discriminatory policies,” CAIR's National communications director Ibrahim Hooper said in a press release.
Zafar is also hoping that the rules will change in time for her to compete in the Ringside World Championships, a competition for amateur boxers scheduled to take place next summer. She said she's been heading to the gym an average of three to four hours every day to stay on top of her game.
“A big part of [my identity] is my religion and boxing,” Zafar said. “I don't want to lose one of those for the other. I should be able to have both.”
-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
Comedian Ricky Smith -- Olive Garden Employees Suspended For ... 'Casual Racism'
Comedian Ricky Smith was not treated like family at an Ohio Olive Garden when he popped in for dinner with his friends ... and we've learned the employees who he claims served him "casual racism" have been suspended. Smith tells TMZ ... his crew had…
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