The week of June 24, 2017 was a learning the real meaning of collective nouns; devouring Hunger; and discovering Breatharians. You’re welcome.

And! If you haven’t called your senator yet, here’s your weekend reminder. Thank your reps who are fighting to save healthcare for the millions of children, women, and elderly who will be denied coverage by the Senate’s monstrous bill. Push your reps who who are on the wrong side of history. 202-224-3121. We are with you.

Mash-Ups In The News:

The Ken Doll Reboot: Beefy, Cornrowed, And Pan-Racial

Mash-Up American is the new All American, and the designers over at Mattel have rebooted Ken doll to look like America. Soon, Ken will be Asian. Ken will be mixed. Ken will have cornrows. That’s an America we at Mash-Up HQ can get behind. Also, these interpretations of the new Ken dolls are 100.

via GQ

Study: Talking About Race At Work Is Not A Terrible Idea

Employees who feel like they can’t speak honestly about race and discrimination in the workplace are twice as likely to feel alienated and much more likely to be seeking other jobs. Bottom line: If you want to retain your top employees, start having some awkward conversations.

via Bloomberg

The Americans Detained By North Korea

An overview of others, who, like the late Otto Warmbier, have been detained in North Korea in recent years for “hostile acts.” These include acts such as leaving literature.) Although living in America has felt like a chapter of 1984 come to life, let’s take a moment to be mindful of the freedoms we still do have. (And if you still don’t own a copy of 1984, WYD?)

via Associated Press 

What Google Reveals About The American Psyche (It’s Not Good)

If you’re gonna sift through some examples of these startling Google searches, please also be sure to tonic your shock and anger with thisvideo of this baby gorilla being welcomed to the Philadelphia Zoo in case you missed our newsletter last week.

via Vox

Feast Your Eyes: The Spectacular World Of Saudi Weddings

Photographer Tasneem Alsultan has captured the shared joy of Saudi weddings, an occasion which otherwise segregates bride and groom, in a culture where emotion is seen as a sign of weakness.

via National Geographic

Power Causes Brain Damage

You must read this! It turns out that the brains of people who are in power for a long time change, and they can’t relate to anyone else. Power is, say experts, “a sort of tumor that ends by killing the victim’s sympathies.” Science.

via Atlantic

How Unions Waged A War On Chinese American Restaurants

While the very nature of organized labor unions is to offer protection for all Americans, union efforts against POC have been long documented. Even today, unions are often criticized for their work in strengthening the position of primarily white laborers. We can do better.

via NPR 

We Are An Indian-American Couple Raising Adopted White Children. Here’s What People Ask Us

Get your tissues ready for this story of Mash-Up parenting. It’s okay to redefine what it means to be “Indian” or “American” and create new culture for your own Mash-Up kiddos! If you want more, check outAmy’s appearance on Other: Mixed Race in America.

via Huffington Post

The Universal Phenomenon Of Men Interrupting Women

“Imma let you finish, but—” Sound familiar? Yep, we’re tired, too. Get it, Kamala!

via The New York Times

Obama Introduces Jay-Z Into The Songwriters Hall Of Fame

We got 99 problems but this ain’t one. The first hip-hop songwriter to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Also husband to our nation’s Queen Bey. Also celebrated Father’s Day by taking on our predatory bail system.

via Complex

Inspo of the Week:

Israeli Judge Says Airlines Can’t Reseat Women At Request Of Men

Since sexism disrupts pretty much EVERY part of a woman’s life, damn right we’ll celebrate when gender discrimination is outlawed in spaces both public and private. An Israeli judge has ruled that Israeli-based airlines cannot reseat or otherwise inconvenience women at the request of Ultra-Orthodox religious men, who do not want to be seated next to a woman. Also, the woman who brought the case is an 80-year-old Holocaust survivor who is also a phD and retired lawyer, so, #goals.

via NPR