Blair Kaplan

Philip Seymour Hoffman Proves Heartache of Stigmas

Our movies are filled with violence; our songs are filled with sexual innuendo; our television shows with mindless drama and endless materialism. We have no problem watching shows such as The Jersey Shore where topics ranging from one night stands to STIs flow like the amount of alcohol we see on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (or any Real Housewives franchise for that matter). Yet in an age and in a country where very little is taboo, there are still things we choose not to talk about. And the lack of conversation and exposure to these topics continues to hinder the progression of our society.

The death of actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman, is an unfortunate example of the cost of our silence. Hoffman’s death at only forty-six years of age on Sunday February 2nd appeared both unexpected and devastating. But for those who personally knew the actor, it was the tragic culmination of a lifetime struggle. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Hoffman won an Academy Award for his role in the acclaimed movie, Capote. After struggling with drug use in his youth, he relapsed at the end of 2012 after 23 years clean, seeking treatment for ten days in May 2013. Hoffman’s longtime partner and mother of his three young children, Mimi O’Donnell, was said to be both shocked and inconsolable when she learned of the actor’s untimely passing, as she had still believed him to be in recovery. Hoffman was found by a friend in the bathtub of his New York City apartment with a hypodermic needle sticking out of his arm.

According to Tracey Helton Mitchell, a recovering heroin addict and author of the soon to be published book, Black Tar Heroin and Beyond, “the underlying cause to the use can be nearly as painful as the use itself…The lifetime commitment to abstinence from drugs is what kills many people. When they have cravings to use, the stigma attached to heroin use forces them to deal or not deal with their affliction in private. If we were courageous enough to try to conquer our insatiable desire for heroin, we feel weak telling another person that we feel like using is once again a viable option,” she wrote in a special article for CNN.

Often it is common for addiction to co-occur with mood disorders such as depression or anxiety. But the stigma attached to mental health disorders and treatment makes it difficult for those dealing with such issues to seek treatment rather than using or self-harming.

Unfortunately Hoffman is not the only celebrity to recently succumb to his drug addiction. Actor Corey Monteith, best known for his role as Finn on the Fox hit, Glee, died on July 13, 2013 at the age of 31 from a heroin and alcohol overdose. Hoffman and Monteith are among countless other talents gone too soon. And although the media loves to sensationalize most issues involving celebrities, addiction is something very real that affects millions of “every day” people. Regardless of whether you believe that addiction is a medical illness or a self-inflicted harm, it cannot be denied that it is a topic often looked down upon and difficult to talk about. After all, those fighting to overcome addiction need to want to get better in order to be successful. But there seems to be a level of shame attached to addiction, unlike physical ailments such as diabetes or high cholesterol, which doesn’t allow for those struggling with it to speak as openly about their problem. The problem becomes worse when we cannot begin an open and honest dialogue where that shame is left at the door.

Addiction is not the only topic in our society that is repeatedly stigmatized. Dylan Farrow, the adopted daughter of Woody Allen, is another example of an individual at the forefront of media attention this week, for the struggle she faced in private. Dylan, who now lives in Florida under a different name, wrote an open letter featured on The New York Times after Allen was recently awarded the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 71st Annual Golden Globes. In the op-ed Dylan speaks for the first time about the alleged sexual abuse that took place at the hands of Allen when Dylan was just seven years old. Allen vehemently denied the allegations at the time and continues to deny them now, claiming that Dylan’s mother, Mia Farrow, placed the horrific memory in Dylan’s mind as part of their contentious split and subsequent custody battle. Despite findings of probable cause by the state of Connecticut, Allen was never charged or convicted of any crime, as the prosecutor felt that Dylan was too fragile.

“That he got away with what he did to me haunted me as I grew up. I was stricken with guilt that I had allowed him to be near other little girls. I was terrified of being touched by men. I developed an eating disorder. I began cutting myself. That torment was made worse by Hollywood. All but a precious few (my heroes) turned a blind eye. Most found it easier to accept the ambiguity, to say, ‘who can say what happened,’ to pretend that nothing was wrong. Actors praised him at awards shows. Networks put him on TV. Critics put him in magazines. Each time I saw my abuser’s face – on a poster, on a t-shirt, on television – I could only hide my panic until I found a place to be alone and fall apart.”

Dylan says that her reason for going public with her side of the story is to encourage others – those with fears of coming forward or being called a liar – not to remain silent.

While we live in a country in which Woody Allen is innocent until proven guilty, it’s extremely disheartening that the claims of a seven-year-old child were subdued by the roaring power of the entertainment industry. It often happens that the victim who decides to speak up, does so only to be re-victimized by those who should be supportive.

Similar to addiction, we tend to sweep the discussion of sexual abuse and child molestation under the rug. And although it’s certainly not the type of thing we find easy to detail as a society, it is so important not only in the treatment of those who have experienced such awful, life-changing events, but in the prevention of those same events as well.

Though the subjects of mental illness, addiction, and sexual abuse are difficult to talk about, if we can begin the tough discussions of these topics, the discussion will eventually get easier and we have the capability of changing lives for the better. And lets be honest: there is absolutely nothing shameful about that.

Justin Bieber and Child Stars Set Up to Fail

by Blair Kaplan

Justin Bieber, Manhattan, Manhattan Digest — Credit: Miami Beach Police

Let’s be honest…it’s hard to feel sorry for Justin Bieber. At just nineteen years old, the kid is a multimillionaire with a collection of hit records, fast cars, and even faster girls who probably weren’t even born until the late 90’s. Plucked from the abyss of Youtube and cast into superstardom at only fourteen years old, it seems that “the Biebs” never had to work a real day in his life.

While I worked making minimum wage as a hostess at a chain restaurant, and as a bagger at a grocery store, Justin Bieber spent his high school years traveling on private jets, touring the world, and attending a surplus of award shows. So after months of reading about his questionable behavior, including peeing in a janitor’s bucket, badmouthing President Clinton, and allegedly throwing eggs at a neighbor’s home, I may have shaken my head and rolled my eyes just a little bit when the news broke early Thursday morning of Bieber’s DUI, speeding, and subsequent arrest in Miami. According to the Miami Beach Police Department, Bieber admitted to smoking marijuana and having a beer earlier in the day, as well as using prescription anti-depressants. He was pulled over while speeding in a rented Lamborghini, which he may have been using to drag race at the time. It seems difficult to understand why it is that he would risk wasting all that he has by doing such asinine things.

But after thinking to myself just how unsurprised I actually was by the situation, I began emoting a feeling toward the Biebs that I myself couldn’t even “Believe” (see what I did there?). I began feeling sorry for him.

When I was a nineteen-year-old college student, I may or may not have done a lot of stupid things (Sorry Mom!). But the worst of my public ridicule came from the occasional posted Facebook picture.

At an age where curiosity, growth, and exploration go together like Justin Bieber, pop music, and a thousand screaming thirteen year old girls, its damn near impossible not to make mistakes. After all, this is how kids grow. However, the difference between Bieber and myself, is that I had routine, normalcy, a limited bank account, the support of family and genuine friends who chose to be around me for the sake of guiding me and loving me (not for my checkbook or for their fifteen minutes). I also had parents who would kick my butt into shape when I messed up. I wasn’t constantly praised and given things that I didn’t necessarily deserve. I was informed when I was wrong.

My time was spent with people my own age, and I didn’t have men and women thrice my age on my bankroll. The worst thing I had to worry about at nineteen was whether I failed an exam or if the guy across the dorm hall liked me. I didn’t have grown men depending upon my success to feed their families. And I certainly didn’t have the pressure to be perfect. Any pressure I felt to portray a certain image came solely from myself.

It’s easy enough to judge Bieber, but could it be possible that he was set up to fail all along? After all, this pattern of behavior and the accompanying destruction of child stars is nothing new. Justin Bieber is certainly not the first former child star to undertake a path of ruin, and unfortunately will not be the last. From Drew Barrymore to Lindsay Lohan to Leif Garrett, it seems all but uncommon for child stars — given more freedom, fame, and money than they know what to do with — to act out and self-destruct. The important thing that allows us to learn from our mistakes is the fact that we are forced to fix what we have done wrong – to clean up our own mess. But when we allow others, from the time that they are young, to act out without consequences they often learn no boundaries or lessons and continue on a path of entitlement and disregard for others.

This is not to say that Bieber shouldn’t be held accountable for his own behavior. He is old enough to know better and he should face the consequences of his actions. But the excess that child stars are given, combined with the pressure to fit a certain mold before they even know who they are, is a timeless recipe for disaster; expecting anything else from such a situation would be naïve. It takes an extremely grounded kid with a strong support system to bypass all that comes with being a child star. But Justin Bieber is no longer a child. And therefore should no longer be treated as such. His behavior can no longer be explained away as growing pains or a product of being young.

I can only hope that Beiber’s longtime manager, Scooter Braun, shares the idea of a little tough love. He took to Twitter early Friday morning to comment on the arrest:

“@justinbeiber love you and I will act in the manner of someone who truly cares. That is all I have to say. Thanks for all those concerned. Been a long day. Bottom line is we are defined by how we handle adversity. Be there when it counts. Love fully in good times and bad.”

Hopefully this incident was an eye opener for Bieber’s team. Unfortunately it appears that Bieber has failed to learn from his recent mistakes, gallivanting about Miami with his father, and comparing a picture of himself after being released from prison to a picture of Michael Jackson after his arraignment for child molestation charges in 2004 by posting the photos side by side on his Instagram account.

On Friday Bieber opened up about his arrest for the first time, tweeting:

“YOU ARE ALL WORTHY NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS >> BE STRONG GOD IS WITH US ALL> MY BELIEBERS CHANGED MY LIFE> I WILL FOREVER BE GRATEFUL”

While it’s clear that child stars seem destined to implode, unfortunately I don’t have a solution. Kids are one of the hottest commodities in Hollywood. The harsh truth is that there will be thousands more Justin Beibers to come. But as a society I suggest that we examine where some of this disappointment really belongs: on the adults in these celebrities’ lives who care more about their “product’s” image and their wallets than that child’s personal well-being. They, along with his family, should be the ones teaching him what is and is not acceptable. But regardless of their failed responsibility to raise Bieber to do the right thing, Bieber needs to grow up and learn to be the role model he undoubtedly is for many kids the world over. Let’s hope that an impressionable young generation, searching for someone to emulate has elsewhere to look.

Alinea Questions Child-Diners and with Reason

by Blair Kaplan

Manhattan, Manhattan Digest, Alinea — Credit to: Alinea

Last Saturday night, diners at Alinea, an upscale restaurant in Chicago were both upset and outraged, after a couple decided to bring their eight-month old child to the three star dining establishment.

Both sides began weighing in as to whether or not it was inappropriate to allow babies into the restaurant, at which a meal can cost upwards of $200 prior to tax and tip. The restaurant’s Chef Grant Achatz took to Twitter to express his uncertainty and concern.

“Tbl brings 8mo.Old. It cries. Diners mad. Tell ppl no kids? Subject diners 2crying? Ppl take infants 2 plays? Concerts? Hate saying no, but …”

It was also noted that the baby was on the mother’s lap as the couple dined.

The food community overwhelmingly agreed that there is no place for a baby at Alinea or other fine dining restaurants.

However, part of the issue came from the fact that Alinea issues non-refundable tickets for its dining experience to customers, often months in advance of their reservation. According to WMAQ-Channel 5 news, the couple allegedly had a baby-sitter cancel at the last minute but decided to go on with their dining plans anyway.

While I totally agree that there really is no place for babies or young children at such expensive restaurants, I do feel that it is important that children learn how to behave in different settings. While Alinea is not the place for an eight-month old, young children should certainly be brought to more child-friendly establishments a la Red Robin or Applebees.

The only way that a child will learn how to behave in a restaurant is by being in a restaurant. However, regardless of the culinary experience, parents have a responsibility to ensure the peaceful dining experience of those around them. If a child is crying to no avail, it is a parent’s responsibility to remove the child from the restaurant until the child can calm down.

A large part of the dining experience is the ambience – after all, if people only cared about the food they would get takeout. So it’s important that diners with children remember this before choosing when and where it is appropriate to take a child of a certain age. It’s important to note that this is in no way the child’s fault. Children are on certain schedules and deserve consistency. So as disappointing as it may be to miss out on that reservation you’ve been waiting three months for, sometimes it may just be best for everyone involved.

Honor Sandy Hook with Discussion

by Blair Kaplan

I’ll be honest; I have never been a proponent of guns. I have never owned, one, never held one, and never shot one.
I grew up in the heart of suburbia, in a safe neighborhood, in a safe town, in a safe county. I rode my bike on autumn Sundays, and collected fireflies in jars late into the summer night. You may even say that I lived a utopian childhood. I had not a care in the world, especially not for my safety.

My idea of hunting for food was, and to this day remains, going to the supermarket or opening up the refrigerator. Needless to say, gun violence and control was something completely off of my radar. It was something that happened to people who were not lucky enough to live where I did, not fortunate enough to be able to sleep soundly at night. Or so I thought. But the sad truth is that it will not matter where my future children grow up or how hard I try to shelter them, because gun violence does not discriminate. It doesn’t care about your race, religion, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. It has proven time and time again that it can and it does happen anywhere: a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut; a middle school in Nevada, or at an international airport in Los Angeles.

Although the locations have been different, the scenes that have unfolded and the tragic details plastered across my screen, are one and the same. They are scenes of despair, unimaginable sadness, and unanswered questions. They are scenes happening all too frequently and they will only continue to occur unless something is done. While these larger acts of violence receive a multitude of media attention, a majority of the violence with the aid of a gun is occurring quietly each and every day. Gun laws and the lack thereof in this country have allowed gun violence to become a cancer, growing daily, spreading rapidly among the communities we call home.

The statistics are staggering.

“In 2010, guns took the lives of 31,076 Americans in homicides, suicides and unintentional shootings. This is the equivalent of more than 85 deaths each day and more than three deaths each hour. Firearm-related deaths and injuries result in estimated medical costs of $2.3 billion each year – half of which are borne by U.S. taxpayers. And once all the direct and indirect medical, legal and societal costs are factored together, the annual cost of gun violence in America amounts to $100 billion.”1

As a law school grad, who studied the second amendment, I certainly understand that the Constitution can be interpreted in many different ways and the politics involved in protecting our right to bear arms is complex. However, by my own personal beliefs, I find it hard to imagine that the forefathers of our country who fought wars with muskets and cannons would have wanted this. But if we are taking it at face value, then yes…you are allowed to own that AR-15 that you’ve always wanted (…and yes I had to look up the name of that gun.) But your ownership comes at what cost?

Many argue that we have the right to own guns in our homes to protect ourselves. And while this is true, I wonder just how many people have been helped by certain semi-automatic weapons. I don’t recall the last time I read an article, or watched a segment on television in which the “lucky” homeowner proudly exclaimed “Thank goodness for my semi-automatic weapon, otherwise I would never have been able to fend off those 30 men who robbed my home at once!” I haven’t heard it because it doesn’t happen. These are not guns for the protection of one’s home or for hunting or target shooting; these are guns designed to kill as many people as possible. After all, these are civilian copies of military weapons with features created to improve the likelihood of death and therefore don’t belong in civilian hands. Not to mention in the hands of those without background checks. This is not to say that all guns should be eliminated; I don’t have an opinion in that regard. But something needs to be done in order to protect ourselves.

After the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado, the media spoke mostly of the theater’s liability for leaving exit doors open, or of the shooter’s encounter with a school psychiatrist prior to the event, arguing that it could have been prevented. After the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, many suggested that the solution to the horrific violence that occurred was to train teachers to shoot and to supply them with guns, or alternatively to place security guards and metal detectors in schools. After all of these horrific, tragic, unimaginable incidents, the government continues to find a need for these weapons in the home, placing much of the blame everywhere but where it truly belongs.

We can easily play Monday morning quarterback, while we lounge safely on our sofas watching CNN and criticizing how those involved should have reacted. Or alternatively, we can aid those to defend themselves should such a disturbing event occur. (At a school in West Plains, Missouri, they are in fact doing just that by training teachers to carry concealed weapons.) But let us not forget that we are only treating a mere symptom of an underlying problem.

The fact that background checks are not required for the purchase of all guns is unspeakable in and of itself. (I will save the discussion of the reprehensible treatment of mental illness for another day.) Though it most certainly wouldn’t solve everything, the abolishment of certain types of guns for home use as well as background checks for every potential gun owner would be a good place to start. Furthermore, the safe keeping of guns and ammunition in the home is of the utmost importance.

We are dealing with our own “weapons of mass destruction.” We can no longer deny that the lack of gun control is waging war on our innocent. We would not accept this from those abroad, so why do we continue to accept it from our own citizens?

The right to bear all arms is a widely debated and polarizing topic. There are many aspects of this hot-button issue, which you and I will probably never agree upon. And that’s honestly okay. After all, you’re talking to the girl whose life has managed to go on without a hitch sans ammo. But as the one-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting approaches, I hope that we can continue the discussion of gun violence and control across this country, if for no other reason than for the twenty-six beautiful lives lost on that day as well as the many others whose lives have been cut far too short at the hands of a gun. After all, it could happen anywhere. There is never a better time than the present. Let’s not stop fighting for a solution.

1) http://smartgunlaws.org/category/gun-studies-statistics/gun-violence-statistics/

Maria Kang’s Message Lost Amid Controversy

by Blair Kaplan

Credit: Mike Byerly Photography/Maria Kang

Maria Kang, a California mother of three, who came to be known as “Fit Mom” for her no nonsense approach to health and fitness is once again caught in the crosshairs of an ongoing public uproar.

Kang was the recipient of harsh criticism after an image that she posted to her Facebook page last year recently went viral. The picture of Kang, clad only in a sports bra and mini fitness shorts, and surrounded by her three young sons (aged three and under), features the question “What’s your excuse?”

The controversy surrounding Kang was reignited once again on November 22, when she responded to a photo campaign launched by Curvy Girl Lingerie, in which larger women are seen in their bras and underwear.

Kang expressed her annoyance in a post of the following on her Facebook page:

“1. We have a health issue in America with over 2/3 overweight or obese.

2. We have a healthcare crisis. We spend over 3 trillion in healthcare yearly!

3. We have a childhood obesity issue, with many children suffering from adult diseases like diabetes.

4. We have magazines everywhere praising the celebrity (with all her resources) for being fit after months of giving birth and scorn the “real every day mom” who is able to be successful.

5. We keep blaming the culprit (school lunches, fast food, etc) when the real change starts at home – ESP those who lead, which are the parents.

There are some serious contradictions in our society. I know many people still get riled up with me and my convictions but the truth is I KNOW how it is to work your ass off and not have energy at the end of your day. I know how it feels to be overweight and not drop an ounce after years of disordered eating. I know how difficult it is to raise multiple children – all born a year apart – and make my fitness and nutrition a priority. Lastly, I know how it feels like to grow up with an unhealthy mother wondering if she will live to see your wedding day.”

We need to change this strange mentality we are breeding in the U.S. and start celebrating people who are a result of hard work, dedication and discipline. I’m not bashing those who are proud and overweight, I am empowering those who are proud and healthy to come out and be the real role models in our society.”

Facebook, which suspended Kang’s account for three hours following her post, reportedly did so because several people had reported the post as “hate speech.” The account was suspended for two days before being restored without Kang’s post, with Facebook claiming a misunderstanding, telling Kang that she could repost her opinion if she wanted to.

Kang was surprised by Facebook’s reaction, saying “I was pretty shocked. I definitely think my freedom of speech was removed.”

As a former bulimic, Kang says that she did not intend to fat-shame overweight women, but impressed upon the fact that being obese is unhealthy and should not be celebrated.

“It’s never my intention to say someone should look a certain way,” she said. “But I am not going to stand here and say being obese is okay and we should accept that as the norm.”

While I don’t necessarily agree with the manner in which Kang went about stating her opinion, it cannot be denied that she surely has a point, and that she has gotten us talking about health and weight in this country — a discussion that despite an incredulous amount of diet supplements and focus on body image, has been long overdue.

It cannot be denied, as Kang says, that the money spent on poor health and its effects in this country are astronomical; the cost of being obese trickles down to almost every aspect of life. From the families of those affected, to the cost of healthcare, to the toll that poor self-esteem and depression can take, obesity has undoubtedly become an epidemic. It has also been scientifically proven that a healthy diet and exercise are the cure for most health issues and diseases associated with obesity. Furthermore, it cannot be denied that said healthy eating habits and exercise are the product of hard work, dedication, and sometimes will power (okay…always will power). These facts we know. So what exactly are we so angry about?

Sure it can easily be interpreted that Kang comes across as preachy, holier than thou, and in some respects even abrasive. Her “What’s your excuse?” mentality tends to pin those without abs against those with a hefty six pack. It can easily put those of us with cellulite on the defensive.

I understand, because the truth of the matter is that even at my fittest, I do not look like Maria Kang. I do not have a six pack, or a mere 18% body fat for that matter. However, hating Kang, or citing her for “hate speech” is not only outlandish and inappropriate (not to mention in my opinion highly unconstitutional), but it defeats what I believe to be Kang’s true message, which appears to be getting lost among the ridiculous hubbub.

I believe that in an age where we are so inundated with ideas, it is hard to get others to listen to what’s being said short of shock and awe. So instead of hating on Kang for the way that she looks, let’s break down what it is that she is trying to say, rather than how she is saying it. It may just prove helpful.

1. Obesity is unhealthy.

2. Being healthy means a healthy diet and exercise.

3. A healthy diet and exercise take work.

4. Lots of work.

5. We should work. Hard.

This is not to say that Kang thinks that we should all look like her clones. Just that we should strive to lead healthy lives instead of making excuses for our inaction. If you are obese there is no doubt that you are beautiful. You should hold your head up high and love yourself with every fiber of your being. And if you don’t, I implore you to start. In fact I demand that you do.

But as humans we are constantly evolving. That’s why each and every one of us should be able to look at ourselves and improve upon where we are. If we slack off in class and earn a D, should we not still strive for an A? We may come up short again, but what kind of life would we be living if we stopped trying all together?

Though I don’t agree with Kang’s approach, I agree with what it is that she is trying to say. And if you still don’t want to exercise or make Popeye proud, that’s your prerogative. I am certainly not in any position to tell you what to do. And if you don’t like what Kang has to say, you can take it with a grain of salt (atop of fries), or leave it altogether. But she is certainly entitled to voice her opinion.

Kim Kardashian’s Charitable Spirit To Be Applauded

by Blair Kaplan

Don’t get me wrong, I am not Kim Kardashian’s biggest fan. I don’t agree with her over the top affairs (72-day wedding anyone?), her multitude of daily wardrobe changes, or her obsession with all things vain. So I have to say I was most surprised when I found myself coming to her defense.

Let me be the first one to say that the amount of money that the Kardashian family makes per year is staggering to say the least. While many agree that the famous clan is famous for nothing, it cannot be denied that the Kardashian family members have successfully marketed themselves all the way to the bank. And while I will never begrudge anyone of their wealth (after all we live in a country that prides itself in the American dream), it is understandable that when another has such a large amount of money we expect them to be generous. But I found it hugely shameful that many jumped on Kim for an act of charity.

This past week Kardashian announced that she would auction off some of her designer wardrobe on eBay to benefit victims of Typhoon Haiyan, a storm, which devastated the Philippines.

On her website Kardashian explained her altruistic plan:

“Hi guys, this is a very special auction because a portion of the proceeds of my eBay auction are going to International Medical Corps., a nonprofit organization that provides critical health services on remote islands where families are struggling to access medical care and basic resources like food, clean drinking water and vital medications,” she wrote. “The proceeds will go directly to the communities they’re serving in the Philippines and will help typhoon survivors get access to medical care and ultimately save lives. My prayers and thoughts are with those affected by the typhoon.”

It would seem that because Kardashian was thinking of others aside from herself, we would all applaud such a positive action from such a seemingly materialistic person. However this proved not to be the case. The masses were quick to attack Kardashian for only donating 10% of the auction’s proceeds to charity, calling her vile, and mocking her for lacking generosity.

A rep for Kardashian found the backlash to be disappointing and expressed frustration that she had become an “easy target” for criticism. What many may not realize is that this act of charity is not a first for Kardashian. Inspired by her late father, Robert Kardashian, she has consistently given away 10% of proceeds from auctions she holds on eBay throughout the year. Although the proceeds of her auctions generally benefit her church, she decided to donate the money for this particular auction to a charity benefitting a current global disaster.

That’s why as far as I’m concerned we should be ashamed of ourselves. When did we begin to judge one another for giving in the first place? Sure Kardashian could afford to donate more from a financial prospective, but how many of us have sat silently while others, less fortunate than ourselves, could have used anything that we could have afforded to give? How many of us who continually point fingers and judge have kept that 10% for ourselves? Wake up guys! Sure wealth is relative, but generosity and a giving heart is not. You either give or you don’t. And Kim Kardashian has given when she had every opportunity (and every right as far as I’m concerned) not to. As long as we continue to judge or criticize another person for their kindness, we remain the problem.

During this holiday season (and always,) I urge each and every one of you to put your proverbial money where your mouth is. Rather than pass judgment on someone for giving, get off your asses and give of yourself. You don’t need millions, or even thousands; all you need is your time. Let’s spread positivity and encouragement towards one another; anything helps. As I said, I may not be her biggest fan, but I’ll be the first to applaud Kardashian’s recent actions, and I suggest you be the second.

Three Women Freed in London After 30 Years Alleged Captivity

by Blair Kaplan

Three women have been rescued from a south London home after one of the women called a local London charity to report that she had been held against her will for three decades. Two other women were also rescued from the house.

The charity, Freedom Charity, notified police of the phone call which occurred in October. According to Metropolitan Police, the phone call to the charity was made after one of the women held captive watched a documentary regarding forced marriages.

Metropolitan police have commented that a 67-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman have been taken into custody upon a slavery and domestic servitude investigation.

“All three women, who were highly traumatized, were taken to a place of safety where they remain,” police said in a statement. They confirmed that an investigation of the “very serious” allegations was underway.

The three women rescued are reportedly a 69-year-old Malaysian woman, a 57-year-old Irish woman, and a 30-year-old British woman.

It has not been reported as to which of the three woman made the phone call for help or how long the other two had been held.

A Sequel May Not Be So ‘Wonderful’

by Blair Kaplan

Sixty-seven years after Clarence got his wings, a sequel has been confirmed to be in the works for Frank Capra’s classic 1946 Christmas movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

The original film, which centers around family man, and bank manager, George Bailey, who has given up on his dreams and tries to imagine what life in his small town of Bedford Falls would be like without him, has come to be regarded as a Christmas staple for millions around the world.

A news release from the film financier, Allen J. Schwalb, and his company, Star Partners, explains that “It’s a Wonderful Life: The Rest of the Story” will pick up with what happened to the Bailey family after the end of the original film, and is said to focus on George’s mean-spirited grandson.

Schwalb has financed many other films including “Rain Main,” “The Color Purple,” and “Thelma and Louise.”

The role of little Zuzu Bailey will continue to be played by actress, Karolyn Grimes. It is also rumored that there have been talks with other living cast members of the original to see if they would want to join the sequel.

It will be interesting to see if the film ever even takes off, as NBC controls the rights to “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and only airs the classic sparingly during the holidays.

For a film that is considered one of the most critically acclaimed of all time, many are understandably feeling that the creation of a sequel will be more like a lump of coal than a present under the tree. Only time will tell, though it remains difficult to imagine that a sequel will do such a classic film any justice.

Screenwriter for the sequel, Bob Farnsworth, seems to understand all of the uproar. “Look, no one can make another ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ But our story is solid, and we are going in with our eyes open. There is no doubt about it, there will be a ruckus. But I have this motto: All it takes to be a leader is to have a cause you believe in. And the stronger you believe in the cause, the more adversaries you will have. We strongly believe in this.”

The film is projected to be released in time for the 2015 holiday season.

Jake Gyllenhaal Briefly Hospitalized After Punching Mirror on Set

by Blair Kaplan

Jake Gyllenhaal was briefly hospitalized Wednesday morning, after punching a mirror on the Los Angeles set of his new movie, Nightcrawler.

According to PEOPLE magazine, a Nightcrawler source explained that Gyllenhaal freaked out while in character for the drama, for which he lost 20 pounds to play a crime scene reporter.

“His character was looking into a mirror during the scene and punched the mirror in anger and broke it, cutting himself so bad he had to be taken to a hospital.”

A source close to Gyllenhaal, 32, explained that his injury, which occurred during an intense scene after an 18-hour day, only required a few stiches from the Emergency Room.

Gyllenhaal returned to set later Wednesday afternoon.

North Dakota Woman Will Give Out Anti-Obesity Flyers to Trick-Or-Treaters

by Blair Kaplan

Some unsuspecting children in Fargo, North Dakota will be receiving an evil “trick” this Halloween!

A woman named Cheryl, called into a Fargo radio station WRIG this week to discuss her plan that will undoubtedly terrorize some trick-or-treaters in all of the wrong ways.

Cheryl elaborated that she plans to hand out letters to children she finds to be “moderately obese” in the hope of forcing parents to get in on the effort to end unhealthy eating habits.

“I just want to send a message to the parents of kids that are really overweight…I think it’s just really irresponsible of parents to send them out looking for free candy just ‘cause all the other kids are doing it,” the woman said.

Although Cheryl appears to believe in the age old notion that “it takes a village,” I wonder if she was ever taught that “if [she] has nothing nice to say, [she] shouldn’t say anything at all.” It is one thing to discuss her feelings on obesity with parents (although it is arguably none of her business how they choose to raise their kids), but seeing as how many trick-or-treaters can and will read these letters, she is not aiding the “village of Fargo,” but rather shaming children into feeling very poorly about themselves; something that the rest of society will also have to attempt to fix.

Shame on her for making what should be a fun and positive experience for these kids into an embarrassing, shameful memory. In her quest to combat childhood obesity, she is doing more harm than good. If she wants to help bring an end to the consumption of sugar and sweets by children, why not simply refuse to give out candy altogether? As far as I’m concerned, considering the selectivity and sensitivity with which Cheryl has decided to refrain from giving out candy, she might as well choose who gets candy based on race, gender, and sexual orientation. She is sending the wrong message to our youth; there are more positive ways to go about her mission.

Let’s hope that someone casts a spell on Cheryl’s bad behavior and maybe for Halloween next year she can forgo the tin-man costume and dress up as someone with a heart.

Blair Kaplan

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