

'Black-Ish' Got It Right: Why It's So Hard To Teach Kids About Race And Police Brutality
Last year, my son figured out what the word black meant in terms of his race, and any mother of a kindergartner knows that teaching them about race is either going to end with laughter, crying, confusion, or all three. For me, it was all three.
"Mom, my skin is brown, so how am I black?"
"Mommy, I can't find the color Mexican in my crayon box, and my friend said that it's a color."
"Mom, my friend Maddie is peach and has yellow hair, so she can't be white."
Now that he's a first grader, he's starting to gain a better understanding of what race means and how it makes us all different. What he can't "unsee" are the tears, anger, frustration, and loss of hope that's displayed in front him with every news report. My husband and I have sent him into the next room, or out of the house, more times than we can count, especially when we turn on the news. But eventually he's going to see what's happening in the world around him, and when he does, it's my responsibility as his mother to tell him the truth about what he's seeing. Even when I'm not ready to tell him.
This is how my hell with explaining to my son about how race can often divide us actually began, and it started with a Donald Trump news report. The other day, while I was busy doing mom stuff, he paid close attention to a news report on how Donald Trump won big in Nevada. Whatever he saw next prompted him to ask why everyone was mad at Donald Trump? Did he do something bad? Instead of telling him about how some of Trump's supporters often boast some distasteful qualities, especially when it comes to race, I sent him into the next room, and turned off the television.
I thought that I was doing the right thing, because I wasn't ready for him to see the world through a lens of anger and frustration. He's still young, so there's a lot of hope for him in his future. But again, he can't "unsee" what's in front of him. Thanks to last night's episode of Black-ish, where the Johnson family gathered in their living room to watch and discuss a news report on police brutality, I got that friendly parental reminder.
Bow's struggles to tell her seven-year-old twins why people were angry following a fictional police brutality case began at the beginning of the episode, when one of her twins asked why everyone was so mad while looking at the news. Instead of answering the question, she sent her twins, Jack and Diane, into the next room to find a dinner selection among their stack of take-out menus.
No matter how many times her family jumped on her case, she still felt weird about telling her twins the truth about what they were watching on the news. Mostly because she wanted to protect their innocence (as any good mother would do).
But it came a point in the show where no one in the family could shield them, especially after Dre yelled in anguish, "Kids are dying in the streets," during an adult conversation. The twins heard exactly what their dad said, and they wanted answers.
"Kid's are dying? We're kids," Jack said. When everyone looks around with an awkward silence, Diane whispered to Jack out loud, "Why is everybody acting surprised that we can hear the conversation?"
From a mother's standpoint, we are surprised that our children are attentive enough to see what's happening in front of them. Explaining how ugly the world can be is a daunting task for any mother. It means that their innocence is shedding before our eyes, and just like Bow, I'm not ready for my child to lose his innocence yet.
But the reality is that people who have never met my child hate him, and they're looking for every opportunity to steal what little bit of happiness that he has within his reach, and I have to teach him this. I'd be doing my child a huge disservice by not teaching him about the monstrosities of the world, but who the hell wants to do that anyway?
This is where Black-ish got it right - teaching your children about police brutality and how race divides us more than it unites us is tough for any parent. When my son sees reports of slain children, who are not much older than he is, and he notices that they share the same skin tone, I can't make him not see what's in front of him. Just like I can't make him not see a white man telling millions of people that something is wrong with brown people.
But as his mother, I have to tell him the truth. I don't want to, but if I want to prepare my child for his future as a black man in this country, I don't have a choice.
Watch the full episode of Black-ish on Hulu now, and watch a poignant clip, where Dre gives a monologue about losing hope, below.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
The Libra woman and Aries man are the divine feminine and divine masculine, coming together as one. The love compatibility between these two is one for the books. These two are opposite signs, however, their differences tend to complement each other well. This is a dynamic relationship where they know how to have a lot of fun together, but also aren’t afraid to deal with the more serious stuff that comes with a relationship.
The Libra woman is looking for her equal in love, someone who is willing to put in the same effort she is, and the Aries man sees Libra as someone he is willing to do that with.
The Love Compatibility Of A Libra Woman And An Aries Man
What attracts a Libra woman and an Aries man to each other?
There is a magnet of attraction pulling these two together, and things tend to move pretty fast in this relationship. The Libra woman is always open to love and her charming nature rarely has any challenges here. The Aries man fights for his independence and doesn’t sacrifice that unless he is completely enamored with someone.
Once the Aries man catches the eye of the Libra woman, he is typically the one to make the first move and this instantly wins the approval of Libra.
These two feel like they have known each other forever when they meet, and this spark between them doesn’t die down easily.
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What is the relationship like between a Libra woman and an Aries man?
The relationship between the Libra woman and the Aries man is one of balance and excitement. The Aries man tends to take on the more dominant role in this relationship and the Libra woman tends to be the more receptive one. Aries is ruled by masculine Mars, and Libra is ruled by feminine Venus. They understand they are coming from two completely different worlds, yet they also instinctively feel this underlying connection to each other and like they could be something each other needs in their lives.
The Libra woman can rely on the Aries man, and the Aries man never has to ask for the love that Libra already knows he needs.
This is a couple that is often reading each other’s minds and wanting to do a lot of the same things. However, not everything is rainbow in this relationship as well, and there are some major differences they have to overcome to make things work. One argument can lead to an explosion between these two, and addressing things when they come up rather than sweeping them under the rug, will be needed to make this relationship long-term.
What is the sex like between a Libra woman and an Aries man?
The sex between a Libra woman and an Aries man is adventurous. These are two cardinal signs with plenty of energy and stamina to keep things exciting in the bedroom. There tends to be a good give and take in this relationship, and their yin and yang energy benefits them when it comes to their sex life.
There is electricity felt between the two of them in this area of their life, and their power of attraction to each other is strong. These are two people who will want to do a lot of things together, including exploring sexually together.
The Aries man will have to be careful with being overly aggressive, however, as the soft Libra woman may not like this energy- it will completely depend on the two individuals at hand. The Libra woman wants to ease into things, the Aries man wants to get going right away. Learning about each other's bodies, and energy, and reading each other’s cues will help with this.
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What makes a relationship between a Libra woman and an Aries man work?
These two genuinely like each other, and that basis is a key factor for success in any relationship. The Aries man is straight to the point, direct, and inspired. The Libra woman admires these characteristics in others, as she is often herself finding her balance in this type of energy as well. Neither sign is overly emotional in a way that turns them off, and they both require a lot of the same things in a committed relationship. They want honesty, fun, good communication, passion, and to be moving towards a common goal together.
The Libra woman and Aries man don’t have a problem being real with each other and this is something they really value within the relationship. They are both very charming, and there is plenty of flirtation and attraction to keep this relationship going. Aries being the protector they are, Libra finds a sense of safety and ease in this energy, and like they have found their match. Overall, this is a well-balanced relationship and one where they don’t have a problem when it comes to compatibility or chemistry in the relationship.
What may cause a Libra woman and an Aries man to break up?
Libra is the lover, Aries is the fighter, and this energy may be tiring for the both of them after time. The Libra woman can be passive to a fault, and the Aries man who is not evolved, may take advantage of that. She will need to be careful with putting Aries’ needs above her own, creating resentment later down the road. The Aries man loves a challenge, and the Libra woman would be up for that game for a little bit, but if she is not being met in the middle, she will begin to look for other places. These two can have a difficult time keeping the peace in the relationship, and there could be a lot of arguments and disagreements here if they both aren’t willing to put their egos or self-pleasing attitudes to the side.
The Libra woman and Aries man are both more sensitive than they appear or come off as. They are also not necessarily the type to dive deep into their emotions and express them to others, even in their relationships. However, this energy can keep the relationship to a surface level than what is needed to progress and grow the relationship, and a sense of openness is required for this couple to work. Libra needs romance, she wants to be wowed. Aries needs to remember this and to always consider her love language.
Summary
Overall, this is a successful pairing. They will have their fair share of challenges in the relationship, but nothing they can’t overcome if they are willing to. The trouble will come in when it comes to the longevity of the relationship, keeping Aries excited and Libra in love. However, all in all, there is more power, attraction, and love to keep this relationship together rather than apart. No relationship is perfect, but this one is a little more blessed than most.
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