President Obama Honors Maya Angelou + 5 Other Things To Know Today

+ President Obama Honors Maya Angelou

After the passing of iconic writer and Renaissance woman Maya Angelou, President Obama released a statement. “Like so many others, Michelle and I will always cherish the time we were privileged to spend with Maya. … And while Maya’s day may be done, we take comfort in knowing that her song will continue, ‘flung up to heaven’ — and we celebrate the dawn that Maya Angelou helped bring.”

+ Native American Grads Denied Feathers

It’s long been tradition for Native American students to wear feathers when they graduate, but some high schools aren’t letting them, saying it breaks dress code. Ironically, a high school with a Chieftain mascot was one of these schools. Amari White, the father of one of the graduates, said, “It does confuse me that you use the Chieftain mascot, but you can’t honor with a feather.”

+ After Coup D’etat, Taylor Swift Cancels Concert

A coup d’etat recently took place in Thailand, and the country is now under military rule. Taylor Swift, who was supposed to be there next month, cancelled her concert. “I’m sending my love to the fans in Thailand,” she said.

+ “Reading Rainbow” Returns?

+ Watch Bring Reading Rainbow Back

What Millennial doesn’t have fond memories of “Reading Rainbow”? LeVar Burton, host of the beloved children’s reading show, is working to bring it back! He started a Kickstarter campaign to get the necessary funds, and he’s already received them. HELL, YES.

+ Feminist Street Art

An opinion piece for the New York Times discussed women who make street art, mentioning that they’ll sometimes do it for feminist causes. As an example, it said: “Last year, Tatyana Fazlalizadeh pasted posters around Brooklyn in a campaign designed to challenge men’s behavior in public spaces: ‘Stop telling women to smile!’ and ‘My outfit is not an invitation.’”

+ Afghan Women Rebel Against Abuse

Another story in the NYT was about Afghan woman standing up to abuse, including a woman setting her husband on fire after he had beaten her, choked her, burned her to the point of scarring and let another man sexually assault her. The husband is alive and healing, and while people may not agree with her means of standing up to him, many see it as a signal from Afghan that they won’t put up with more abuse. “There are many cases in which a woman has been beaten, violated or burned. But after the arrest of the perpetrator, he is released in three or four months, and this has caused distrust in the government,” explained human rights activist Humaira Mohammedi.

Photo: (Getty, Facebook, Kickstarter, New York Times)