The coronavirus pandemic has dominated the headlines and our daily lives for most of this year. Medical News Today has covered this fast-moving, complex story with live updates on the latest news, interviews with experts, and an ongoing investigation into the deep racial disparities that COVID-19 has helped unmask.

However, this hasnt stopped us from publishing hundreds of fascinating stories on a myriad of other topics.

We begin with the good news that it may never be too late to start maintaining a moderate weight, even for people over 60 years old. And in related news, a plant-based diet might help people achieve weight loss, according to a new study covered by Medical News Today this week.

Vitamin D has made regular appearances in the Recovery Room throughout 2020, and this week it features again with news of its links with a healthy, diverse gut microbiome.

Meanwhile, a report finds that stevia, a sweetener of choice for millions of people, may also be entangled with the bacteria that live in our guts, and possibly not in a good way.

We also explore how running and walking compare for achieving weight loss and fitness goals, with another article to help improve your athletic mobility before venturing out, which could help you avoid the dreaded shin splints.

Below are 10 recent stories that may have gone unnoticed amid all the COVID-19 fervor.

Its never too late to maintain a moderate weight, according to new research covered by MNT this week.

United Kingdom researchers analyzed how much weight people lost after participating in an obesity program. Those in the over-60 age group lost an average of 7.3% of their body weight, while participants in the under-60 age group lost 6.9%.

Age should be no barrier to lifestyle management of obesity, concludes the lead researcher. Our report proved popular this week, with nearly 30,000 sessions to date.

Learn more here.

Another of this weeks most popular articles looked at recent evidence supporting the role of a plant-based diet in weight loss.

In the study, researchers split 244 participants into two groups. One group followed a low fat vegan diet for 1 month, eating fruits, vegetables, pulses, and grains in serving sizes comparable to what they would normally eat. The second control group did not change their dietary habits.

The vegan diet group lost an average of 14 pounds and saw a decrease in insulin resistance and visceral fat, while the control group experienced no such changes. One participant in the study decided to make a permanent change to their lifestyle and diet.

Click below to read more about this study and its implications.

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Vitamin D has frequently appeared in the headlines this year, mainly relating to claims that it could help people resist the effects of COVID-19. However, there is mixed evidence for the benefits of widespread vitamin D supplementation.

This week, MNT reported on a new study that found people with the highest levels of active vitamin D in their blood have the greatest microbiome diversity. Their guts also hosted more friendly bacterial species.

This raises the question of whether high levels of active vitamin D support a healthful, diverse gut microbiome, or there is simply an association between the two. We taker a closer look at the study and its limitations in our third-most-popular news article this week.

Learn more here.

A recent Recovery Room featured a comparison of running vs. biking for fitness and weight loss. This week, our editors turned their attention to walking vs. running for heart health, weight loss, and more.

Both are excellent forms of exercise for weight loss and heart health, but the benefits and risks depend on a persons goals and current health and fitness levels.

This article looks at how walking and running compare for specific health benefits, before considering the risks associated with each form of exercise, and which a person might find most appropriate.

Learn more here.

One of the risks of running is the development of shin splints, a type of injury caused by overuse and stress. They can be painful, and while there is no known cure at present, doctors usually recommend rest and reduced activity levels for recovery.

However, it may be possible to reduce the risk of shin splints by performing exercises to improve athletic movement.

In this new article, our editors looked at the symptoms and possible causes of shin splints, before recommending 8 foot and ankle stretches that may help avoid them. Each exercise is illustrated with animations to help you complete each stretch correctly before your next run.

Learn more here.

Existing tests for Alzheimers disease can be inaccurate, invasive, or difficult to perform. For example, taking a sample of cerebrospinal fluid via lumbar puncture is one such technique, but it might put off some people.

PET scans are another method, but theyre expensive and require technology that might not be available.

This week, we reported on the potential discovery of a more accurate and noninvasive way of predicting Alzheimers that analyzes protein levels in a blood sample. The researchers have called for a larger study to replicate their findings, and also produced a related app for clinicians, pending confirmation.

Learn more here.

This week, MNT also reported news of the possibility of treating people less able to control impulsive or impatient behavior.

Previous research has linked low serotonin levels in individuals with such behavior, but now, scientists in Japan may have identified two regions of the brain responsible for this.

This discovery in mice could lead to the development of novel treatments for humans. Our article explains how the researchers measured impatience and used optic fiber implants to observe this in the brain.

Learn more here.

MNT marked World AIDS Day 2020 on December 1 with the launch of a new resource presenting the latest evidence-backed information and resources in one easy-to-access hub.

Though huge global inequality in the distribution of information and effective treatment remains, the success of antiviral therapy means that many people with HIV go on to live long lives following their diagnosis.

However, the increasing number of older adults with HIV still face challenges to their physical and mental health, as this new article reveals.

Learn more here.

Many people consider stevia a safe, zero-calorie alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. However, new evidence suggests that by disrupting our gut bacteria, stevia may be harmful to our health after all.

In this article, our editors dig deeper into the study, which looks at two forms of the sweetener, and how the findings may shape future guidelines for stevia intake.

Learn more here.

Finally this week, we published an in-depth article on group therapy. This form of psychotherapy aims to help people manage a range of mental health concerns, such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, substance use disorder, and many more.

We explore how it works, who might find it useful, the different types of group therapy, its effectiveness, and how to find sessions, along with information on costs and Medicare coverage.

At a time when in-person group therapy may not be possible in many locations, the article also shares evidence that web-based sessions are effective.

Learn more here.

We hope this article provides a taste of the stories that we cover atMNT. Well be back with a new selection next week.

We publish hundreds of new stories and features every month. Here are some upcoming articles that may pique our readers interest:

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The Recovery Room: News beyond the pandemic December 11 - Medical News Today

Dear Doctors: We keep hearing about Type 2 diabetes, and I'm embarrassed to say, I don't actually know what it is. What does it do, and how do I know if I have it?

Dear Reader: To understand diabetes, we should first talk about glucose. That's the sugar our bodies make from the foods that we eat, and which our cells use as their main source of fuel. Glucose travels throughout the body via the blood, which is why it's also often referred to as blood sugar. However, it's not immediately available to the cells. That's where insulin, a hormone manufactured by the pancreas, comes into play. Insulin helps transport glucose from the blood into the cells, where it can be used as energy.

When someone has diabetes, it means that the insulin part of that energy equation isn't working properly. Either the body isn't manufacturing enough -- or any -- insulin, or it isn't responding properly to the insulin that is present. That leads to blood-glucose levels that are too high.

Over time, high blood levels of glucose are dangerous. Adverse health effects include damage to the circulatory system, vision problems, nerve damage, stomach or intestinal problems, slow healing, kidney disease and an increase in the risk of heart disease and stroke. Extremely high blood sugar levels can lead to coma, and even death.

In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin. It often develops early in life, but can occur at any age. This type of diabetes is managed with diet and exercise, plus the use of medications and insulin.

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Insulin is at the heart of both types of diabetes - The Times and Democrat

Now that Thanksgiving has past, the holiday season is in full swing. At the same time, we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that has changed virtually every aspect of our lives. If thats not enough, this is also cold and flu season. In addition, the holiday season itself, with hectic schedules, stress and lack of sleep, can weaken your immune system making you more susceptible to getting sick. The good news is that there is much you can do to keep yourself and the people close to you healthy for the holidays.

For starters, following the familiar recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will help prevent colds and the flu too. This includes physical distancing and wearing a mask anytime you are close to others, especially indoors. Another basic step in preventing sickness is to wash your hands regularly. Soap and water is best, and there is no additional benefit in using an antibacterial soap. If you cant wash your hands, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is an acceptable alternative. Keep in mind that hand sanitizers dont actually clean your hands and arent as effective if your hands are dirty.

Masks and physical distancing are important because SARS-CoV-2, influenza and common cold viruses are spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks loudly or sings, so avoiding close contact with people who are sick or who may be sick is important. If you are sick, it is essential that you stay away from others as much as you can. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or cough or sneeze onto your sleeve to help keep the germs from spreading through the air or on your hands.

People who participate in moderate exercise on a daily basis have fewer and less severe illnesses than people who arent regularly active. This is because exercise has the effect of stimulating the immune system, making it better able to respond when you are exposed to cold or flu viruses. Presumably, the same is true for the virus that causes COVID-19, so being active every day is essential for the health of your immune system and the rest of you!

Good nutrition is also necessary for optimal immune system function. Deficiencies in certain nutrients can have a negative effect on immune function, so eating a balanced diet is essential. That said, there is no support for boosting the immune system by taking high doses of vitamins, minerals or other supplements, despite the claims made by supplement companies. The best advice is to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day, drink plenty of water and avoid highly processed foods, especially those that contain added sugar.

You can get benefits from two more common-sense recommendations: getting adequate sleep and reducing stress. Poor sleep habits are associated with suppressed immunity and more frequent illness. High levels of stress increase susceptibility to viruses and can lead to more sick days from work or school. Stress and poor sleep habits tend to occur together, creating a double negative effect on the immune system.

By taking these steps, you can improve your chances of celebrating the holidays in good health. As a bonus, eating a healthy diet, exercising every day, managing your stress and getting enough sleep will give you a head start on what are likely to be New Years resolutions.

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HEALTH AND FITNESS: Healthy for the holidays | Features - Charleston Post Courier

Erie Times-News

Q:We keep hearing about Type 2 diabetes, and I'm embarrassed to say, I don't actually know what it is. What does it do, and how do I know if I have it?

A: To understand diabetes, we should first talk about glucose. That's the sugar our bodies make from the foods that we eat, and which our cells use as their main source of fuel. Glucose travels throughout the body via the blood, which is why it's also often referred to as blood sugar. However, it's not immediately available to the cells. That's where insulin, a hormone manufactured by the pancreas, comes into play.

Insulin helps transport glucose from the blood into the cells, where it can be used as energy. When someone has diabetes, it means that the insulin part of that energy equation isn't working properly. Either the body isn't manufacturing enough or any insulin, or it isn't responding properly to the insulin that is present. That leads to blood-glucose levels that are too high.

Over time, high blood levels of glucose are dangerous. Adverse health effects include damage to the circulatory system, vision problems, nerve damage, stomach or intestinal problems, slow healing, kidney disease and an increase in the risk of heart disease and stroke. Extremely high blood sugar levels can lead to coma, and even death.

In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin. It often develops early in life, but can occur at any age. This type of diabetes is managed with diet and exercise, plus the use of medications and insulin. Type 2 diabetes, once referred to as adult-onset diabetes, often develops later in life. It occurs when the body doesn't make or use insulin well. Type 2 diabetes often begins as insulin resistance, which is a condition in which the body stops responding properly to the insulin in the blood. This leads to a loss of the ability to control blood sugar.

Some people can manage Type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise alone. Others may also need medication or insulin to keep their blood sugar in control. Medication needs often change over time, so it's important for everyone with diabetes to have medical care. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes often develop gradually. They include persistent fatigue, increased thirst and urination, blurry vision, frequent infections, slow healing and unintended weight loss.

Risk factors for developing the disease include being overweight, storing excess fat mainly in the abdominal region, a family history of diabetes, inactivity and being over the age of 45. These last two factors are associated with a drop in lean muscle mass, which some researchers think may play a role. Type 2 diabetes used to be seen most often in middle-aged adults. Unfortunately, in recent years it has increasingly been seen in young adults, adolescents and even children. If you suspect you have developed the disease, it's important to see your doctor. Diagnosis is usually via a blood test. Treatment includes weight loss, changes to diet, exercise, blood sugar monitoring and, possibly, the use of medications or insulin.

Send your questions toaskthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations,10880 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1450, Los Angeles, CA, 90024.

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Ask the Doctors: Glucose and insulin are at the heart of both types of diabetes - GoErie.com

You know that old adage about health, that we take it for granted until we no longer have it? The holidays are a good reminder to make it a priority. This season, give the gift of health to someone you love, even if its yourself. Start with these ideas.

UnderArmour sports mask

Masks are absolutely necessary, even more so when youre working out and breathing hard. This high-performance face covering from UnderArmour has a water-resistant outer shell and a smooth, breathable spacer fabric. It even has built-in UPF 50+ sun protection, perfect for long daytime runs. $30, underarmour.com.

Apple watch series 6

The Apple Watch has become so sophisticated, telling time has become the least of its functions. Its primarily a health and fitness gadget nowit measures your heart rate and blood oxygen levels, takes an ECG, tracks your daily activities and measures your favorite workouts. And it even takes calls. $399+, apple.com.

Weighted jump rope

Remember jump rope from grade school? Well, it just happens to be one of the least expensive and most effective exercise tools for your home gym. Jumping rope burns more calories than swimming, cycling or rowing, and this weighted version will give every major muscle group a workout. $99+, crossrope.com.

A set of kettlebells

Kettlebell workouts are popular for a reason: The combination of weight training and high-intensity cardio burns fat and sculpts the body, while improving core strength, balance, flexibility and coordination. $24+, roguefitness.com.

Stretch strap

Strength and flexibility go hand in hand, so when youre done with your weight-bearing exercises, dont forget to stretch. A stretch strap elongates the spine, unwinds the shoulders and chest, and opens up those hamstrings, allowing for a greater range of motion. $13, gaiam.com.

Resistance bands and tubes

Heres another small addition to your home gym that packs a wallop of benefits. Through a combination of different tube strengths and resistance, this series of bands increases muscle definition and builds size. And it hardly takes up any room. Ultimate ProGym, $40, gofit.net.

GRID foam roller

This multidensity foam roller is the best massage you can give yourself. It relieves muscle pain and tightness, improves mobility and increases circulation, perfect for workout recovery or when youre just sitting on the couch bingeing Netflix. $35, triggerpoint.implus.com.

Mineral salts

The best aid for muscle recovery is a hot bath with mineral salts. Kneipps plant-based bath salts are free of toxins and chemical additives, and rich with trace minerals such as magnesium, calcium and zinc. Theyre blended with essential oils for extra health benefits. $4+, kneipp.com.

Hydroflask water bottle

Hydration is key for any fitness activity, and theres no better water bottle than a Hydroflask, which keeps beverages cold or hot for hours, thanks to its double wall stainless steel construction. It comes in various sizes and colors, and its dishwasher-safe and virtually indestructible. $30+, hydroflask.com.

Portable blender

Who doesnt want a healthy smoothie at a moments notice? BlendJet is the mobile cousin to the hulking Vitamix, in a size compact enough to stash in your bag. Its lightweight, durable and USB-rechargeable, and it cleans itself, too. $50+, blendjet.com.

Glass tea infuser bottle

For the tea lover on your list, this double-walled glass infuser bottle will be a constant companion. The infusing baskets large enough for loose tea, fresh fruit, herbs and whatever else youd like to infuse into your drink. The companys credo is, Take care of your body and respect Mother Nature, and it does so by using sustainable materials like bamboo. $35+, purezentea.com.

Hungryroot

The temptations you find at the grocery store can make or break a diet. Enter Hungryroot, a service that delivers groceries that sustain and nourish. It sources the best ingredients free of hydrogenated oils, artificial sweeteners, colors and preservatives and delivers them to your door, along with easy-to-follow recipes. Gift cards $75+, hungryroot.com.

Daily Harvest

Daily Harvest is a meal-delivery service built on organic fruit and vegetables, which come in smoothie or bowl forms (along with soups and snacks). The giftee will surely appreciate the convenience of ready-to-make meals that are both delicious and nutritious. Dailyharvest.com.

Eat More Plants cookbook

If you have someone on your list who likes to cook and wants to explore a more plant-based diet, registered dietitian Desiree Nelson offers more than 100 recipes including blackberry ginger muffins, an edamame hula bowl with almond miso sauce and a socca pizza with zucchini, olives and basil. $26, amazon.com.

This story appeared in Las VegasWeekly.

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Give the gift of health: Fill your loved ones' stockings with a lifetime of good habits - Las Vegas Sun

GlobeNewswire

Ap19FORM 8.3IRISH TAKEOVER PANELDISCLOSURE UNDER RULE 8.3 OF THE IRISH TAKEOVER PANEL ACT, 1997, TAKEOVER RULES, 2013DEALINGS BY PERSONS WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE1. KEY INFORMATIONName of person dealing (Note 1)Man Group PLC/Jersey Company dealt inAPPLEGREEN PLC Class of relevant security to which the dealings being disclosed relate (Note 2) 0.01 ordinary shares Date of dealing2020-12-10 1. INTERESTS AND SHORT POSITIONS 2. Interests and short positions (following dealing) in the class of relevant security dealt in (Note 3)LongShort Number(%)Number(%) (1) Relevant securities0.000.000.000.00 (2) Derivatives (other than options)2,879,394.002.38620.000.00 (3) Options and agreements to purchase/sell0.000.000.000.00 Total2,879,394.002.38620.000.00 (b) Interests and short positions in relevant securities of the company, other than the class dealt in (Note 3)Class of relevant security:LongShort Number(%)Number(%) (1) Relevant securities (2) Derivatives (other than options) (3) Options and agreements to purchase/sell Total Ap20 1. DEALINGS (Note 4) 2. Purchases and sales Purchase/sale Number of relevant securities Price per unit (Note 5) (b) Derivatives transactions (other than options transactions)Product name, e.g. CFDNature of transaction (Note 6)Number of relevant securities (Note 7)Price per unit (Note 5) CFDIncreasing long position101,0065.50 CFDIncreasing long position24,4585.50 CFDIncreasing long position146,7375.50 CFDIncreasing long position73,3705.50 CFDIncreasing long position129,9075.05 CFDIncreasing long position22,7675.50 CFDIncreasing long position5,5125.50 CFDIncreasing long position33,0785.50 CFDIncreasing long position16,5385.50 CFDIncreasing long position29,2835.05 CFDIncreasing long position31,7835.05 CFDIncreasing long position17,9505.50 CFDIncreasing long position35,9025.50 CFDIncreasing long position5,9835.50 CFDIncreasing long position24,7115.50 CFDIncreasing long position39,4065.05 CFDIncreasing long position22,2555.50 CFDIncreasing long position44,5135.50 CFDIncreasing long position7,4185.50 CFDIncreasing long position30,6385.50 CFDIncreasing long position43,7865.50 CFDIncreasing long position10,6025.50 CFDIncreasing long position63,6095.50 CFDIncreasing long position31,8065.50 CFDIncreasing long position56,3145.05 CFDIncreasing long position3,9605.50 CFDIncreasing long position11,8785.50 CFDIncreasing long position3,9595.50 CFDIncreasing long position16,4865.00 CFDIncreasing long position7465.05 CFDIncreasing long position198,4645.05 CFDIncreasing long position112,0915.50 CFDIncreasing long position224,1755.50 CFDIncreasing long position37,3645.50 CFDIncreasing long position154,3115.50 CFDIncreasing long position94,1265.50 CFDIncreasing long position282,3775.50 CFDIncreasing long position94,1255.50 CFDIncreasing long position17,7155.05 CFDIncreasing long position391,9355.00 CFDIncreasing long position11,2275.50 CFDIncreasing long position2,7185.50 CFDIncreasing long position16,3135.50 CFDIncreasing long position8,1555.50 CFDIncreasing long position14,4415.05 CFDIncreasing long position5,7455.50 CFDIncreasing long position1,9155.50 CFDIncreasing long position1,9155.50 CFDIncreasing long position3615.05 CFDIncreasing long position7,9735.00 CFDIncreasing long position24,5545.50 CFDIncreasing long position17,8355.50 CFDIncreasing long position35,6735.50 CFDIncreasing long position5,9455.50 CFDIncreasing long position31,580 5.05 (c) Options transactions in respect of existing relevant securities(i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varyingProduct name, e.g. call optionWriting, selling, purchasing, varying etc.Number of securities to which the option relates (Note 7)Exercise priceType, e.g. American, European etc.Expiry dateOption money paid/received per unit (Note 5) (ii) ExercisingProduct name, e.g. call optionNumber of securitiesExercise price per unit (Note 5) (d) Other dealings (including transactions in respect of new securities) (Note 4)Nature of transaction (Note 8)DetailsPrice per unit (if applicable) (Note 5) Ap212. OTHER INFORMATIONAgreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivativesFull details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding between the person disclosing and any other person relating to the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option referred to on this form or relating to the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative referred to on this form is referenced. If none, this should be stated.Is a Supplemental Form 8 attached? (Note 9) YES/NODate of disclosure2020-12-11 Contact nameAbdi Musse Telephone number+442071443164 If a connected EFM, name of offeree/offeror with which connected If a connected EFM, state nature of connection (Note 10)

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7 skills you need to stand out at work - Yahoo Finance Australia

"In the Heights" at Chicago's Porchlight Theatre in 2016. (Photo by Gretchen Kelly)

Too often, comfort with culturally inappropriate casting starts in educational settingsprecisely the places these practices should be interrogated.

A few months ago I was added to a seemingly innocuous Facebook group for alums of my high school theatre program, but a brief scroll through the feed showed ample brownface and whitewashed casting. Greatest hits included questionably cast productions ofHairspray, Aida, and Once on This Island. Though my time there spanned 2010 to 2014, and the conversations around culturally conscious casting have since turned mainstream, these practices continue, not just in my previous high school, but also in colleges and on the professional stage.

What serves as an evergreen case study is Lin-Manuel Mirandas In the Heights, which both my high school and college alma maters produced within a couple months of each other, both repeating the same mistake. This musical explores the strife (and joy) of immigrant roots, particularly of the Latinx experience. As a precursor to Mirandas Hamilton, it set a precedent for expanding roles on Broadway to intentionally include people of color.In producing the musical In the Heights, educational and professional institutions alike should be saying yes to this intentionality. They should be affrming artists of color who havent had a plethora of opportunities designed with their full selves in mind, as nearly every white performer has had since time immemorial.

And yet the leading protagonist, Usnavi, is often cast with a non-Latino performer. In confidence, peers have shared with me their embarrassment about participating in this kind of whitewashing, to the extent that they no longer list these roles on their rsums. Others, however, go on to repeat the offense on professional stages, collecting a paycheck for roles that arent inherently written for themin essence, eliminating already scarce opportunities for actors of color.

How do we stop such casting malpractice? One place to start is in the classroom.

Acting at the collegiate level is largely viewed as a collection of learning experiences. Its the time to explore beyond types and expand ones range. Theres an understanding that the skills one is learning in school are a work in progress, and versatility is the goal. But pedagogy becomes suspect when students are publicly cast in roles they have no business embodying. When students are cast outside of a race-conscious framework, they may learn that whitewashing is acceptable and may go on to perpetuate it. If we agree this practice should not continue on professional stages, why are institutions and their educators enabling it as a part of actor training?

One argument: Many such programs do not have the actors needed to cast authentically. If this is the case, then In the Heights needs to be set aside for another time. In this moment of deep reckoning with the white supremacy embedded in our country and our field, many institutions are working toward diversifying their seasons as a nod toward equity. But what needs to happen in parallel to these season overhauls is the intentional recruitment of BIPOC students and faculty. This process is slow and requires resources, but it will ultimately create casting pools equipped to support a wider range of narratives without perpetuating harm.

It would be disingenuous for me to put forth a definitive list of dos and donts of casting. The We See You, White American Theaterdemands around education, which call for culturally appropriate casting of all student productions, is an excellent place to start.

Whats tricky is how much nuance exists in the differences among race, ethnicity, culture, and identity more broadly. Even in writing this article, Ive struggled to name this casting issue with precision, mulling over word choices like color-conscious vs. race-evasive. (On a language justice note, I refrain from using the word blind, as in colorblind casting, to evoke a deficit because its ableist, even apart from all the I dont see color implications of that phrase.)

Regardless, educators must be ready to facilitate an explicit conversation on these issues, especially around perpetuating culturally inappropriate casting. It only contributes to a cycle of harm when educators are unwilling or unable to talk frankly and sensitively about what it means for students to be cast outside of their identity. If a student leaves an educational institution without a critical analysis of how to evaluate which roles are appropriate for them, that is the failure of the institution.

Acting educators can also work to foster this critical self-awareness in their own classroom spaces. There is obvious value in studying and exercising work that examines BIPOC experiences, but pedagogically, what do white students gain from reciting monologues of characters not intended for them? What dropped contexts are we co-signing when we may shed dialects, say, to make the work more appropriate for white students? Even if we approach scripts as learning tools, it is still necessary to adhere to the intentionality of the playwright and mandates outlining expectations on character-specific casting. It is a question of dramaturgy and pedagogy, a centering of script analysis and interrogation of learning goals.

Expanding the canon of plays we are teaching should also translate to season planning. Typically, when acting students invest in their education, this manifests as production opportunities. Many students go through an audition process similar to that of a professional one, and accordingly rarely have a say in how they are cast. Since there are a limited number of production slots, pushing back or even questioning casting decisions is a gamble for students anxious about the consequences. The stakes here are immense for students trying to learn their craft at the same time they are learning to navigate the world beyond the stage. Season planning must take into consideration the identities of the actors they have and work with, not against, scripts that serve these students. Otherwise, students maintain a troubling lack of power, lack of consent, and lack of alternatives.

It doesnt have to be this way. A commitment to expanding the stories we tell and also casting them with dramaturgical rigor should be the bare minimum. In the Heights premiered in 2005, so why do we remain stuck in a loop of controversy over a production with the potential to do so much good? As institutions interrogate how they perpetuate these toxic systems and work to dismantle them, there can also be collective power in educators committing to both teach and use these scripts in the contexts for which they were written. That would constitute principled learning and baseline progress.

Yasmin Zacaria Mikhaiel (she/they) is a Chicago/Austin-based dramaturg, journalist, and oral historian. @YasminZacaria

Support American Theatre: a just and thriving theatre ecology begins with information for all. This Giving Season, please join us in this mission by making a donation to our publisher, Theatre Communications Group. When you support American Theatre magazine and TCG, you support a long legacy of quality nonprofit arts journalism.Clickhereto make your fully tax-deductible donation today!

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One Way to Stop Whitewashing: It's Got to Be Taught - American Theatre

Just because Mike Krzyzewski says it, the entire college basketball world is required by statute to come to a screeching halt so Very Serious People can parse What It All Means. This is true even when Krzyzewski openly pondering the moral dilemma of playing college basketball during an uncontrolled pandemic Tuesday night wasnt actually anything that hasnt already been said.

It was the same thing hundreds of his peers and thousands of his colleagues in college athletics have been saying, or feeling, since July. But such is the stature of the Duke coachs bully pulpit that his former assistant Jeff Capel can say essentially the same thing and more in Pittsburgh on Monday I dont know why you cancel it in March, but you say its OK to do it right now only to have his comments disappear like a stone dropped in a pond, while Krzyzewski admitting I dont think it feels right to anybody becomes a matter of intense national debate.

College basketball in particular is at an inflection point, trying desperately to scrape its way through to March and the financial imperative of the NCAA tournament while Rick Pitino and others have called for the season to be pushed back.

Krzyzewski will face the same slings (Is he just doing it to distract from his disappointing team?) and arrows (coach k your a coronabro lol) from social-media experts and coronavirus-denier media grifters as anyone else who has dared question the rumbling steamroller of college athletics as it proceeds forward, but he was merely giving voice to a sentiment shared by a great silent many.

There has been a shared general queasiness about this whole operation, a sense of uncomfortability around the blatant exploitation of college students to grease the wheels of the giant economic engine that is college sports. That feeling of being a part of something vaguely unseemly, the one Krzyzewski expressed Tuesday night, has never quite gone away.

And yes, a great many people would lose their jobs if these games arent played. And yes, the players desperately want to play them. And yes, even Krzyzewski has said the NCAA tournament must be played for financial reasons. Everyone understands that. Its OK to be conflicted. Many people who draw their paycheck from college athletics certainly are, and not just vocal media personalities like Jay Bilas, who has shown no hesitation to make a meal of the hand that feeds him, and did so again on ESPN during Dukes loss to Illinois on Tuesday.

It is a complicated quandary that taps into emotions as much as finances. There is no right or wrong here, no black or white. There are only shades of gray, and Krzyzewski dabbled in a nice charcoal heather Tuesday night.

There wasnt much of this during the fall, since college football coaches and fans alike arent exactly cursed with self-awareness, but college basketball has always had a more thoughtful ethos, a sport where idealists like Dean Smith and John Thompson are admired, not treated as outliers or worse.

Basketball is also proving much more difficult to actually, you know, play than football was. Hours after Krzyzewski spoke, a full quarter of the ACC was on pause. N.C. State shut down its program Wednesday, joining Louisville and Virginia and Wake Forest and dozens of programs across the country in coronavirus limbo.

Meanwhile, there are players who wont get to see their families for the holidays and international players who havent been home in more than a year while game after game falls off the schedule. And thats before you even consider the basic unanswered questions about safety and health and fairness all of which inevitably end up circling back to the complete untethering, now and forever, of athletics from academics.

I dont think anyone can say anymore that these young men are amateurs, Capel told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Thats out the window. Theyre not. They absolutely arent.

The Ivy League took one look at all of this and walked away, shaking its collective head. Everyone else is hurtling ahead in a car on a snowy road with an iced-over windshield, hoping for the best.

That doesnt sit right with a lot of people, and Krzyzewski is the latest to join a chorus that was hushed when it gave voice to these concerns over the summer. But where Krzyzewski goes and Pitino and Capel and others go others are sure now to follow.

2020 The News & Observer. Visit at newsobserver.com. Distributed at Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Coach K not the first with concerns about basketball in a pandemic, but he's the loudest - Union Democrat

A major mental task in life is to craft a coherent identity. Psychology maintains that identity is an amalgam of ones life experiences, memories, relationships, physical characteristics and values. Some psychologists believe clear self-definition (I am this kind of person) provides a steady sense of self that persists over time, affording a consistent psychological platform from which to interact with the world and contemplate ourselves. But, for many, identity is neither steady nor consistent.

When someone struggles to describe their personality, values and attributes, they likely suffer an ill-formed, conflicted or murky sense of self. This poses a substantial psychological handicap. A muddled self-definition undermines relationships, decision-making, self-discipline and life satisfaction. This conundrum is most common in young folks struggling to find themselves, but also afflicts adults who become fixated on the logistics of living, only to wake up one day and realize theyve lost touch with who they are.

Regardless, such folks are left pondering that proverbial existential questionWho am I? There are a multitude of challenges that can complicate ones answer. For example, for some folks, their identity is heavily invested in one prominent aspect of their person, such as being a parent, their career, or physical appearance and capacities. If they lose this defining role or self-image, then the classic identity crisis ensues. Attaching too much of ones self-definition to a single role is risky.

Another scenario involves people who act in ways inconsistent with their core values, perhaps by doing something hateful or destructive. This creates a psychological clash between their longstanding sense of self (Im a good person) and actions that paint a very different picture (Im a bad actor). If ones actions are sufficiently at odds with ones values, the cognitive dissonance disrupts or even shatters ones identity, sometimes with dire consequences. More than a few suicides and self-destructive lifestyles stem from this deep wound to self-definition and the shame it often engenders.

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In another troubling vein, one may harbor a hidden identity kept secret from the world, having discovered that ones authentic self is not affirmed or welcomed by others. This can leave a person feeling fake and unworthy, which fosters both self-loathing and what psychoanalyst R.D. Laing termed the divided self. Ones hidden identity and the public persona one presents to the outside world square off in a mental tug-of-war for ascendency. Which is the real me? The one I sense inside myself or the one I show the world?

Clearly, identity, even when well-formed in adulthood, changes and morphs over time, for better or worse. This evolution reminds me of a line from the Indigo Girls: Were sculpted from youth . . . the chipping away makes me weary. Some who feel theyve lost their prior sense of self talk about how difficult life circumstances, poor decisions or behavioral problems gradually eroded their previously stable self-image, leaving them feeling ill-defined. Such folks contradict the assertion that identity is stable over time.

We know certain attitudes and behaviors can support a clear and healthy sense of self, even in the face of corrosive impacts due to challenging life situations and losses. High among these is authenticity. Being real is an implicit affirmation of self, a way of saying yes to who one is. Then, there is self-compassion, which acknowledges ones flawed humanity rather than rejecting the self for failing to be perfect. Also, contemplative practices, like journaling and meditation, increase self-awareness, keeping ones identity in clear view. Another helpful element is acting from purpose, because meaning is central to a positive identity. As the philosopher Nietzsche said, Those who have a why to live for can bear almost any how. Purpose anchors identity, holding it fast in the face of lifes tempests.

In the movie Batman Begins, Bruce Waynes lady friend, Rachel, reminds him, Its not who you are underneath; its what you do that defines you. Identity is partly innate temperament, partly upbringing, partly life circumstances, but, in the end, mostly the choices one makes.

For more, visitphilipchard.com

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Pondering the Question 'Who Am I?' - Shepherd Express

I cant do it, I wailed to my editor. I cant write about the new Saved by the Bell reboot.

My editor, obviously wondering why Peacocks new reboot of the famous 90s sitcom, released on Thanksgiving, had me so discombobulated, pressed me for details. She had, after all, asked me to watch it and deliver a routine review, and this was clearly not the reaction she anticipated.

So I proceeded to have an existential meltdown in Slack over a show where, among countless other ridiculous moments, Mario Lopez explains male privilege to two obviously 20-something high schoolers by pointing to the words toxic masculinity on the cover of Self magazine.

Is that funny? Is it supposed to be? Im no longer sure, just like Im no longer sure what comedy means in general in showrunner Tracey Wigfields relentlessly meta framework. Based on the iconic 90s high school sitcom, which was frequently (and knowingly) terrible, the reboot also expects us to laugh at how cheesy it is. The new show is I think supposed to be cringey but cute, equal parts wince-worthy and nostalgic.

But after watching all 10 episodes, Im still not sure whether that nostalgia is supposed to be for the original Saved by the Bell or for a time when we could even straightforwardly watch a show like Saved by the Bell, with its easy, pre-ironic internet era moral framework. My editor probably wanted me to map out this difference more neatly than I have in this piece, but thats the quandary this show presents me with: How can we know whether Saved by the Bell is ironic or sincere when the show itself doesnt seem sure either?

NBCs Saved by the Bell revival reboot tries admirably to update a frequently problematic show for a new woke generation. (This show is begging me to describe it as woke, especially with quotes, so fine, show, you win.)

In the reboots opening moments, we learn that former class clown/current governor of California Zack Morris has cut $10 billion from the states education budget in order to revive the fossil fuel industry. Its supposed to be a joke Zack says he just Googled what the last administration did but its also the device that fuels the plot for the rest of the season. Kids from underprivileged schools that were shut down by the cuts start flocking to Bayside, the ritzy upper-class high school Zack once attended and where his son Mac now follows in his footsteps. Zacks besties, Jessie Spano and A.C. Slater, also now work at the school as the guidance counselor and football coach, respectively, their longtime on-again/off-again relationship currently off. The actors from the original series, including Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Mario Lopez as Zack and Slater, reprise their original roles, though the spotlight stays on the new students.

Bayside plays home mainly to rich white kids who hang out at the vague school diner-lounge called the Max, which still looks like someones 1993 Trapper Keeper. When three new kids, Daisy, DeVonte, and Aisha, show up to the school, they have to contend with the other students breezy indifference to things like classism, white privilege, and sociopolitics.

The humor and wacky hijinks that follow from this setup can be charmingly savvy, nodding to the premises inherent social complications (I know our school library was just a Bible and a bunch of Army pamphlets, goes one choice quote from the transplanted students). The show can also be almost Dadaist, in the worst way, courtesy of jokes that are frequently little more than random pop culture references made for the sake of making them. Like I got DJ Khaleds baby to make you a playlist, or the running joke about Selena Gomezs kidney that sparked online backlash and which NBC rapidly pulled from one episode. Theres also this line from the pilot that haunts me: I read a Facebook article about an underground sex cult where kids snort Baby Yoda. Why?

And its not like I dont love a good random pop culture reference. But Saved by the Bell blatantly takes The Big Bang Theorys shallow you just shouted a bunch of shit formula of invoking geek cred and swaps it out for celebrity name-dropping to invoke preppy suburban Los Angeles life. Its a superficial stand-in for both world-building and humor, and it fails on both fronts.

In between all its corny self-references and baffling pop culture jokes, the new Saved by the Bell does try to spin a heartwarming tale of friendship overcoming class and racial divides, 2020-style. DeVonte learns the value of authenticity from trans cheerleader Lexi, played with pitch-perfect zeal by trans actress Josie Totah. (Shes perfect and I love her.) The PTA is run by a villainous Karen, while the other school moms have names like Joyce Whitelady. Then theres Daisy, who flounders between resentment and envy of her new friends: She joins the Flat Earth Society just because its an extracurricular. At one point, she gets caught up in a power trip and starts acting like a rude rich lady in short order, before checking herself and teaching all her new friends about empathy and power dynamics.

I dont want to be totally negative here: The shows cast is endearing. Most of them are sincere and wholesome, which helps sell the seasons storyline, in which they ultimately unite against systemic racism and learn life lessons about coexistence. But in its attempt to be sincerely woke in a parodic context (Stop having empathy for the wrong person! Daisy snaps at one point), the reboot sometimes teeters on the brink of becoming a completely non-woke meta-parody of wokeness. Thats probably not what the shows writers intended, but its the risk you take when the shows attempts at sincerity are part of the joke.

The whole conceit of reviving an un-woke 90s series for a much more progressive 2020 audience is an exercise in tongue-in-cheek self-awareness. (See a string of similar recent 90s reboots, from 90210 to Dallas.) So its perhaps inevitable that the reboot becomes not just a parody of the original Saved by the Bell, but also a superimposition of modern-day political sensibilities onto the old shows concepts to see if they can coexist.

So we get a show thats rife with constant send-ups of 90s teen comedy and self-parody. We get high school seniors with obviously receding hairlines and boomer wrinkles. We get an episode where Bayside stages a cheesy teen beach musical about a surfing champ Army veteran whos happy to sing about the horrors of war. And we get all the worst and/or campiest traits of the original show (like Zacks misogyny, the Maxs vagueness, and a disinterest in any other students besides the main characters) trotted out, pointed to, and then made fun of. Its all loud and clunky, just like the oversize 90s phone our hero Daisy (in Zack Morriss original role as audience surrogate) is forced to carry around.

Thats not to say that the show is a nonstop woke parody, but its most sincere moments almost feel more parodic than its moments of cheek. We see this particularly with the characters from the original series. Zack, Kelly, Jessie, and Slater have all returned in part to do penance for the original series to admit what jerks they used to be as teens and prove how much theyve grown. In one episode, Slater apologizes for making fun of Jessie, his love interest on the original series, when they were kids. In a speech that could have come straight from peak Tumblr fandom, he recounts how the original show mocked Jessies activism and progressive values. But she won in the end, he passionately declares, because, Todays kids are all Jessies!

These modernized sitcom teaching moments come across like Disneyfied progressivism for kids, and maybe theres a space for that in todays tween TV landscape. Except this show is also clearly aimed at capturing an audience of boomers and millennials who loved the original Saved by the Bell in all its cheesiness. What are those viewers taking away from this absurdist unfunny meta-parody, except that the shows sociopolitics are, well, absurd?

Okay, deep breaths. I know this is all a lot to process. Were talking about a show that made me sit through a running joke where Mac turns himself into a payphone. Im not proud of how much Im overthinking it.

Still, I think these questions are fundamental ones. People tend to ask the same question about reboots of beloved-but-dated 90s shows: Do we even need this? (The answer is almost always no.) The questions this not-so-complicated version of Saved by the Bell invites us to ask are somehow more complicated, about whether its even possible to make woke comedy without setting up the work to be accused of not being woke enough. After all, whats ever going to be woke enough?

If theres any show the Saved by the Bell reboot made me consistently nostalgic for, its Community, another NBC comedy about drastically different students learning to coexist. But if Community managed to stay brilliantly funny while showcasing its diversity and self-referentiality, it also already feels outdated; its way of reconciling sociopolitical tensions by, for example, just coexisting with well-meaning racist Chevy Chase now feels hopelessly naive. But is Saved by the Bells guilt-ridden, perpetual lampshading of itself the best way to ethically perform a goofy school comedy these days, when writers rooms and audiences are hyper-aware of the importance (and pitfalls) of telling diverse stories well?

I really hope not. Still, I think the series actually deserves points for trying. In 2020, the easy fantasy of a quickly resolvable sitcom conflict is both an escapist dream and a weak excuse to avoid confronting reality. Saved by the Bell, with its neon opening credits, its weirdly autotuned theme song, its cast of former teen idols, and its endless litany of dad jokes, seems to want to rebrand these escapist fantasies as earnest optimism.

The teens of the Saved by the Bell reboot choose friendship and loyalty over scheming and stratagems; they listen, grow, learn, and evolve. Yes, its ham-fisted and improbable. But maybe its the sort of back-to-basics approach many viewers, old and new, will appreciate. Then again, maybe its a superficial, condescending insult to the real challenges modern teens face.

But Saved by the Bell never remotely pretended to be realistic. Maybe all the reboot needs to be now is 100 percent itself, too however messy and daffy and fumbling that is. And for my editor, who wanted a conclusive theme to come from this existential crisis, maybe its just this: that in this era of pandemics and political extremes, were all just fumbling along and doing our awkward best, snorting Baby Yoda and hoping for better jokes to come along. Maybe, mentally, at the end of 2020, were all just sitting in homeroom, zoning out on the teachers, waiting for the bell to get us out of here.

At least in TV Land, the bell actually rings.

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Review: The Saved by the Bell reboot gave me an existential crisis - Vox.com