Skimm'd while getting comfy

"Because I can" – Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles on why she keeps trying (and nailing) hard stunts. Flipping impressive.

One Year Later

The Story

One year ago today, George Floyd was murdered.

I remember.

On May 25, 2020, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds. The 46-year-old Black man cried out "I can't breathe" 27 times. Video of his murder went viral and reinvigorated the Black Lives Matter movement. Floyd's name and last words became a rallying cry at protests across the country and the world. In the past year, the US grappled with its record on race. And European countries joined in on examining their own racist and colonial past.

What's happened since?

There's been some change toward police reform. At least 17 states have banned or restricted police use of chokeholds. More than 20 major US cities (think: LA, Seattle, Austin) cut their police budgets in some way. Some have reinvested the money into services like mental health and housing programs. And in a rare moment of police accountability, Chauvin was found guilty of all charges (including second-degree murder). He will be sentenced next month. But many families – like those of Breonna Taylor, Daniel Prude, and Ronald Greene – are still waiting for justice.

So there's more to be done.

Right. In the first five months of 2021, one analysis found that 353 people died at the hands of law enforcement. A report by human rights experts found that the US's deadly police killings of Black Americans could amount to crimes against humanity. And called on officials to act. But Congress is likely going to miss President Biden's deadline to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Meanwhile, some states are going the opposite route – like trying to punish cities that vote to cut police funding, or banning lessons on critical race theory (more on that here). And some lawmakers still maintain the US "is not a racist country" – despite an alarming rise in hate crimes and the pervasiveness of white supremacy.

theSkimm

On the anniversary of George Floyd's death, Americans are reminded of the long fight ahead to reach true justice.

And Also...This

Who just broke a glass ceiling in a tent...

Fiame Naomi Mata'afa. Yesterday, she was sworn in as Samoa's first-ever female prime minister...in a makeshift tent. Since 1998, the Pacific island nation has been ruled by the pro-Beijing Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. But in April, Mata'afa's party tied with incumbent Malielegaoi's in the general election. A vote in favor of Mata'afa broke the tie, making her Samoa's first female PM. Surprise: the guy in charge for 22 years didn't want to make room. And the Supreme Court had to intervene to tell Parliament to do its job. But yesterday, when Mata'afa showed up for work, the doors to the legislature were locked. Mata'afa didn't let that stop her. She set up a tent and got sworn in outside. Now, the UN says it'll step in and help solve the power struggle if asked by either party.

• We can go our own way: Samoa is just one of the Pacific island nations that's believed to have received tens of millions of dollars in loans from China in recent years. By one count, it holds about 40% of the island's debt. Now, Mata'afa is expected to change things up, including by working to stop a planned Beijing port on the island.

What's facing the music...

Belarus. Yesterday, the EU sanctioned the Eastern European country for diverting a plane to arrest an opposition activist. On Sunday, a Ryanair flight from Greece to Lithuania landed on Belarusian soil amid warnings of a bomb threat. But that turned out to be a ploy to arrest Roman Protasevich, a passenger on the flight and an opposition journalist critical of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Now, the EU is banning all Belarusian airlines from flying within the 27-nation bloc, urging EU countries not to fly over Belarus, and calling for Protasevich's release. Belarus maintains they've done nothing wrong.

What's spec-tacular…

This milestone. Yesterday, a team of scientists revealed that they partially restored the eyesight of a man with retinitis pigmentosa – a genetic disorder that leads to blindness. For the first time in decades, he was able to see small objects like a staple box and notebook. How? Gene therapy. Scientists inserted genetically engineered viruses into the man's eyes, which helped create a light-sensitive protein in the retina. Throw on some specialized goggles, and the incoming light is transformed into images that are read by the new proteins. After 13 years of work, this could pave the way for treating and restoring genetic blindness. Talk about true visionaries.

Who's calling it like they see it…

The Linda Lindas.

What's going to blossom overnight...

The "Super Flower Blood Moon."

Thing to Know

Fernweh

A German word that describes a feeling stronger than wanderlust. Basically, the opposite of homesickness. Aka exactly what we've all been experiencing the past 15 months.

Nothing a pandemic-safe and socially responsible trip can't cure. But there's something you might wanna get first: the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® card. You can earn 50,000 bonus points if you spend $3k in your first three months with it. Plus triple the points on all travel purchases. Which you can use toward flights, hotel bookings, rental cars, etc. Cardholders also get airport lounge membership, an annual $100 domestic travel credit, and more (seriously). Get it before you get back out there.

Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. Loungewear, accessories, and other essentials for embracing your inner homebody. This brand's sleep, home, beauty, and wellness products can help you take care of you. Oh, and they're giving Skimm'rs up to 35% off with code SKIMM35. Happy shopping.*

2. Invisible braces delivered right to your door. Cheese harder this summer with this brand's aligners and brightening kits. They work 2x faster than other brands, with results in less than five months. Plus, they're on sale through Memorial Day. Grin it to win it.*

3. Canned wine just in time. Memorial Day weekend is coming up. And this female-founded brand has six refreshing, zero-sugar wines to help you celebrate. Skimm'rs get early access to their new sparkling rosé – oh, and 20% off. Plus, shipping's always covered. Sip sip hooray.*

4. A snack to cure your 3pm stomach growls. Yes, we get them too. These zero-carb wild salmon skins are upcycled from a sustainable fishery in Alaska. They're packed with protein, marine collagen (hi, smoother skin), and omega-3s. PS: Skimm'rs get 20% off. Crunch, crunch.*

5. Custom hair care products to *lock* down immediately. Oh yes we did. This brand has a free online quiz to help you find the perfect pre-shampoo mask, shampoo, and conditioner. Mixed-to-order just for you. Plus, Skimm'rs get 33% off their first purchase. Hair for it.*

PS: Like what you see here? Make sure you're signed up to get more picks like these in your inbox every Thursday. We've got exclusive shopping recs, streaming ideas, life hacks, and more.

Skimm’rs

We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.

Smart cookie...Chanice M-L (DC). Last year, she started baking and has since created an assortment of 12 different cookie flavors that are vegan, delicious, unique, and addictive. Now, she runs Baked by Chanice, which aims to transform the meaning and perception of what vegan can taste like to customers. Learn more.

Double time...Katharine L (MA). At 18, she's just graduated from high school and earned her associate's degree. Now, she's transferring to UMASS Boston to finish her bachelor's degree in economics. Shine bright.

(Some) Birthdays...Kristin Lemkau (NY), Emmi Meyer (CA), Jules Hansel (MN), Naomi Narvaiz (TX ), Nicci Chard (CA), Kenzie Naylor (NC), Amy Mmagu (CA), Dorene Reinhardt (PA), Tabitha Bryant (CA), Stacy Gaudioso (NJ), Leslie Buteyn (TX), Jeannine Giacovelli-Mazzeo (NY), Richard Fink (OR), Cheryl Rampolla (NY)

*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

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Skimm’d by Rashaan Ayesh, Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain