News overload is killing us
ZORA Fam,
We’re living in wild times with a daily news cycle that’s giving us severe whiplash. In just the past few days, we’ve discovered Ice Cube’s dangerous political ideologies after word got around that he worked with — and was being used by — the Trump administration. Jeffrey Toobin’s Zoom meeting got a little out of hand, as many folks joked, though the seriousness of it was no laughing matter for others. Feds revealed Russia and Iran interfered with our presidential election. Covid cases and deaths continue to spike. Unemployment struggles are rampant. Racism is still stealing dreams. Nigeria is bleeding.
And there are many more stories vying for our attention.
“News overload is taking a toll on us,” says writer Cherie Berkley in her recent essay for ZORA. But Berkley, a journalist whose job is to keep up with the news, assures us with proper boundaries we can limit the overwhelm of news.
For Berkley, those boundaries started with a media break that lasted nearly two weeks. Distancing herself from the news gave her a greater sense of clarity and allowed her to gain control of her day — and her life.
“In those 10 days, I learned there is some truth to the notion that ignorance is bliss,” Berkley writes. “Since then, I’ve recalibrated my news consumption in a way that would not expunge the joy I found without it. I mix in more lighthearted content with the hard news. I don’t do deep dives with every story, take frequent breaks from news coverage throughout the day, and make sure it’s not the last thing I see at night.”
We’re all better off drawing some dividing lines to ensure the detriments of a never-ending news cycle don’t overwhelmingly impact our well-being. If not managed well, our news consumption will consume us. Let’s do our best to remain whole. Even it means turning off our breaking news notifications.
For more tips on how to avoid becoming overwhelmed in today’s information-saturated world, read: 10 Days Without Media Changed My Life.
Take care,
Christina M. Tapper, deputy editor
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Zero to 💯
Who kept it 100 this week? Let’s take a look.
Tarana Burke sets people straight on the meaning of the Me Too Movement: 💯/💯
A statue of Medusa holding a severed head has been called a tribute to the Me Too Movement, but founder Tarana Burke says that’s not the case. “This statue doubles down on the idea that this Movement is about hunting down men,” she said on IG. “This monument may mean something to some folks but it is NOT representative of the work that we do.”
Beyoncé’s second Ivy Park x Adidas collab is on the way 💯/💯
Some good news! Beyonce teased her upcoming activewear collection on Instagram. It’s not dropping until October 30th, but we already know it’s going to be fire! Praying that Queen Bey sends us a box this time. 🙏🏾
Celebs speak up about the police brutality in Nigeria: 💯/💯
Beyoncé, Rihanna, Missy, Elliot and more are using their platforms for good, bringing awareness to the police brutality protests in Nigeria. #EndSARS
The joy of 40-Year-Old Version: 90/💯
Moving beyond stereotypical mid-life crisis tropes, Radha Blank, who starred and directed the film, gives us a sharp and funny film with heart. It’s also an inspiring reminder that you’re never too old to seek what you want, and what you deserve.
JLo calls herself a Black girl: 🚮/💯
On the song “Lonely,” with singer Maluma, Jennifer Lopez sings, “yo siempre seré tu negrita del Bronx” (I’ll always be your Black girl from the Bronx). We remember the times she chose to play a white or racially-ambiguous woman in rom-coms. Girl, bye.
✨ The Best of Us ✨
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The Global ‘Green Book’ That Black Travelers Need Now By Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
Voting Is The Key to Ending Generational Suppression By Irene Franco Rubio
Jeannie Mai and the Privilege of Submission By Amber K. Faines
What It Means to Be Black and South Asian By Iman Sultan
🗣️ The Last Word 🗣️
“Your brain is like a computer, you have to refresh or it’s going to crash.” — Missy Misdemeanor Elliot
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