Amid a horrific surge in targeted harassment and hate crimes against Asian Americans, eight people, including six Asian women, were murdered by a 21-year-old white man who has said to police that he was motivated to kill to curb his “sexual addiction.” Although some officials have declined to label the Tuesday attack as a racist hate crime, Georgia State Rep. Bee Nguyen said it best: “It doesn’t require admission of a hate crime by the suspect to determine if this is, in fact, a hate crime.”

According to Capt. Jay Baker of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, shooter Robert Aaron Long “wanted to eliminate” the “temptation” that the spas represented. But the compounding factors of racism, misogyny, and the harmful hypersexualization of Asian women are what led Long to violently attack three Asian businesses and kill mostly Asian women when he was having what Baker described as “a bad day.” (It also cannot be overlooked that Baker himself has a history of promoting racist, anti-Asian rhetoric.)

Tuesday’s attack was not an isolated incident. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic — more specifically, since the start of racist theories that Chinese people are responsible for the COVID-19 virus — the U.S. has seen a sharp uptick in harassment, discrimination, and violence targeting Asian Americans. According to a California State University study, hate crimes against Asian people increased by 150% in 2020. Just this week, there were also two reported attacks in San Francisco, days after a 75-year-old man, Pak Ho, was punched and killed in Oakland’s Chinatown.

“I warned him not to go to Chinatown, and I asked him if he had seen the news,” Ho’s care manager, who wished to remain anonymous, told ABC7 News. “He said he didn’t watch television and I warned him that elderly Asian people were being targeted.”

San Francisco Mayor London Breed responded to the attacks in California — and across the country — by announcing that the city is ramping up police patrolling in predominantly Asian neighborhoods. “Now we need to understand what was going on and why those attacks occurred because in some cases, they didn’t include any robbery or theft,” Breed said on Wednesday. “But how do we get to the root causes of what’s happening and make change?”

Law enforcement officials in other cities are also stepping in. A spokesperson from the New York Police Department told Refinery29 in a statement that the NYPD’s Critical Response Command had been “deployed to Asian communities throughout New York City.” The Los Angeles Police Department also announced in a statement that it would be deploying patrol officers and Senior Lead Officers to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. In addition, the department also described “a community-led approach in which leadership within the AAPI community have increasingly brought awareness to the LAPD and taken on a greater role of identifying issues, outreach, and education within their own communities.”

Seattle’s officials are taking a similar approach. “Our Asian American neighbors, places of worship, and businesses have been deliberately targeted by racism, xenophobia, and acts of violence related to misconceptions of COVID-19,” wrote Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and Chief of Police Adrian Diaz in a joint statement, adding that the city would be taking steps to protect Asian Americans by “increasing outreach to the Asian American community and community-based organizations across Seattle,” and also increasing police patrols “to ensure we are doing all we can.”

But many people have stated that America’s police, who have also often and historically perpetrated violence and racism, will not solve the problem. The NYPD created an Asian Hate Crime Task Force in August, which has been denounced by groups including the Asian American Feminist Collective, citing a study from the 90s that proved nearly half of New York City’s documented incidents of anti-Asian violence were perpetrated by the police. 

“We must invest in long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence and hate in our communities,” wrote the Atlanta chapter of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ) in a statement co-signed by hundreds of organizations. “We reject increased police presence or carceral solutions as the answers.”

Anne Oredeko, the supervising attorney for Legal Aid’s racial justice unit, told The New York Times that increased policing will also target specific communities. “I’ve rarely seen people who are more socially privileged be the ones accused of hate crimes,” Oredeko said. “Often what you end up seeing is people of color being accused of hate crimes.” 

Statistics back this up. Even though the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force reported at least 10 suspected anti-Asian hate crimes so far in 2021, only one New Yorker has actually been prosecuted for such a crime, according to The New York Times: a Taiwanese man who allegedly wrote anti-Chinese graffiti outside businesses in Queens.

So, what else can be done beyond policing? California Rep. Judy Chu said that she has called for a passage of legislation — the NO HATE Act — to improve reporting on hate crimes, and also a national day devoted to speaking out against Asian American hate. “It’s clear the individuals [in Atlanta] were targeted because they are amongst the most vulnerable in our country: immigrant Asian women,” Chu said. Another legislation, Rep. Grace Meng’s COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, would expand access to education, resources, and data related to hate crimes.

According to the AAAJ, right now, other priorities should include in-language support for legal, professional, immigration, and mental health resources. “During this time of broader crisis and trauma in our Asian American communities, we must be guided by a compass of community care that prioritizes assessing and addressing our communities’ immediate needs,” wrote the organization.

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Drew Barrymore (no introduction needed) just debuted a dreamy pistachio green collection of small kitchen appliances in collaboration with Made by Gather founder, Shae Hong, at Walmart. The mother, actress, and entrepreneur is no stranger to business ventures as the mastermind behind Flower Beauty cosmetics followed by Flower Home designs (also stocked exclusively at Walmart). And now she’s taking on kitchenware with this preliminary release of her newest line, Beautiful by Drew Barrymore. It’s an eye-catching and affordable collection (with most pieces priced under $100) featuring a touchscreen air fryer, high-performance blender, one-touch electric kettle, programmable coffee maker, two-slice toaster, along with an air fryer toaster oven — and it’s definitely going to sell out.

Barrymore wanted to create kitchenware that was modern, sleek, and streamlined while still being playful with the colors. In the near future, we can expect to see oyster whites, shiny blacks, matte greys, deep blues, and more trendy colorways launch. The Beautiful line also did not skimp on the technology — each high-performance appliance has a signature touch-activated display that only lights up when you need it to along with modern silhouettes free of clunky buttons, dials, or knobs. “The point of the matter is that these things are always out on display in your house,” says Barrymore in her on-site explainer video. “So when you look at them they should, ‘spark joy,’ as Marie Kondo says. How could we make these things pleasant and beautiful to look at?”

Head over to Walmart to shop this trendy new collection before the inventory runs dry, and make sure to keep an eye out for more Beautiful products coming later this March. Also, feel free to visit Beautiful Kitchenware’s home site for more info from Drew Barrymore herself.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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It’s a tale as old as time, or at least tattooing. You get a piece of ink that seems like a great idea at the time, but as the years go by, it starts to feel more like a mistake. Not even celebrities are immune: Hailey Bieber says that, of all her many designs, there’s one tattoo she considers a mistake.

In a recent interview with Elle, Bieber talks about her “20-something tattoos,” and calls out one particular piece she got in her late teens. Located on her left hand, on the inside of her middle finger, is an etching of a small handgun. “I think at 18, I was like, ‘Yeah, that looks cool!'” Bieber says of the tattoo’s backstory. “But now, as a 24-year-old, I would never do that. I think guns are violent.”

When she first got the tattoo in 2015, it didn’t seem like there was much significance behind it other than that Bieber liked the design. “Tbh I don’t know why I have this tattoo…just another story to tell lol. It is what it is,” she wrote on Instagram at the time.

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A post shared by Hailey Rhode Baldwin Bieber (@haileybieber)

The tattoo was inked by artist JonBoy, who Bieber has continued to visit for a number of her tattoos over the years. JonBoy told Refinery29 in 2018 that, out of all of his A-list clients, he’s closest to Bieber. “If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have been tattooing Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Justin [Bieber], or anyone else,” he said. “All these celebrities have come to me because Hailey said, ‘Yeah, he’s chill — go for it.'”

In spite of her regrettable tattoo, the model has been an outspoken advocate against gun violence for years. While co-hosting the 2018 iHeart Radio Music Awards, she wore a black T-shirt with the words “Stoneman Douglas High” to create awareness for the horrific school shooting; she’s also supported KROST, the first fashion partner for March for Our Lives.

With over 20 individual tattoos, there’s bound to be one or two that Bieber is no longer crazy about. What’s most important is that she acknowledges the firearm ink isn’t cool — and instead chooses to advocate against gun violence by using her platform however she can.

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Venus, the Planet of Love, is leaving dreamy Pisces and finally making its way into fiery, assertive Aries on March 21 — the day after Aries season officially begins — where it’ll stay until April 14. During this transit, the drama dial will be turned all the way up on our love lives, but don’t be intimidated. Adding a little spice may be just what we need right now.

Venus in Aries “signals greater passions, energy, and action directed toward our love lives,” explains Leslie Hale, a psychic astrologer for Keen.com. “We may feel more assertive in connecting with those we are attracted to and want to get to know better, and we may seek a fresher, more exciting approach with those we are already involved with.” Venus in Aries is upfront and direct, so don’t be surprised if your flirtatious side takes a front seat this month.

But while this transit brings great first date energy, Venus is actually not super comfy in Aries. “Venus in Aries is red hot, but it’s the kind of sexual fire that doesn’t last for very long,” notes Narayana Montúfar, a senior astrologer for Astrology.com. “In short, this planet-sign combo is great for one-night stands and flirting, but not the best for beginning long-term relationships.”

While this may not be the month to DTR, if you’re already in a relationship, Montúfar says that Venus in Aries can be “quite refreshing, bringing the possibility to have more fun in the bedroom.” Now’s the perfect opportunity to try a new position, or buy that sex toy that’s been (figuratively) collecting dust in your online shopping cart.

Besides some exciting new sexual energy, we’ll be all about showering our SO’s with attention, too. “Venus in Aries loves to work towards love,” says Lisa Stardust, an astrologer based in New York City. We’ll want our partners to feel taken care of. But Stardust suggests thinking through any grand romantic gestures you plan on making. “Impulsivity can get us into trouble sometimes, especially in matters of the heart,” she says.

While you’ll be feeling giving, this is Aries season — you’ll be falling a little in love with yourself right now too. “When the Planet of Love and Beauty shines in the sign of the rambunctious Ram, life is anything but boring,” says Madi Murphy, astrologer and founder of The Cosmic Revolution. “Aries likes the thrill of the chase, but also demands to be adored!” You’ll notice a little spring in your step when you’re out and about, and you should lean into that peacocking energy and allow yourself to be admired by suitors and yourself for the next month. Truly, you deserve it.

“Venus in Aries can bring adventures and opportunities to dive headfirst into something new or exciting,” Murphy adds. Be spontaneous — but self-aware. All the excitement can manifest as impatience, jealousy, or selfishness, so beware or you’ll risk hurting loved ones’ feelings, she notes.

Montúfar says to be especially careful between March 24 and April 2. “Venus will meet with Chiron, meaning that some deep-seated insecurities around love, sex, and relationships could come to the surface,” she says. “Since ignoring them won’t be an option, we must face them head-on. If we dare to embrace our vulnerabilities around these subjects, this Venus-Chiron meet-up does come with the opportunity to heal our hearts.”

The key here is balance. This is a wildly fun, sexy, anything-can-happen transit. But being realistic about your own expectations, needs, and flaws is crucial, or else you risk flaming out long before Venus makes her next move. Things are about to get really hot — can you handle it?

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Less than one day after a man shot and killed seven women in a violent rampage at three separate Asian massage parlors in Atlanta, the House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Notably, 172 Republicans opposed the legislation because it adds firearm restrictions for people convicted of domestic violence, along with protections for transgender people and same-sex couples. The bill is a response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, and it previously expired in 2019. 

The House voted along party lines, with just 29 Republicans joining the 215 Democrats who voted in favor. The 244-172 vote will send the bill to the Senate where it might face even more difficulty being approved, with Democrats controlling 50 of the 60 necessary votes. 

Several provisions added to the bill have received bipartisan support, including state grants to expand sexual and domestic violence services and housing assistance for survivors. However, 172 Republicans took issue with additions that would make purchasing or owning a firearm more difficult for people convicted of a violent crime or subject to a court order, The New York Times reports. Republicans took further issue with the bill’s proposed expansion to protect gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Republicans who voted against the bill include Lauren Boebert (CO), Madison Cawthorn (NC), Liz Cheney (WY), Matt Gaetz (FL), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), Devin Nunes (CA), among others.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by a partner in the U.S. on average. Further, the organization states that 35% of all women killed by men are killed by an intimate partner with a firearm. But intimate partner violence is also a problem for gay, bisexual, and trans individuals who face high rates of domestic violence and additional barriers to receiving institutional support. Data from the No More Foundation reports that between 30 and 50% of transgender people experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime. 

Still, Republicans are invoking the boogieman of the so-called radical left in their opposition to passing the VAWA in its current form. 

“It seems to me that many on the left decided that they could use this critical legislation that’s intended to protect women and girls from violence as a vehicle to promote their far-left political agenda,” said Republican Ohio Rep. Steve Chabot. Republican Arizona Rep. Debbie Lesko echoed the same, claiming that “The most egregious provisions of this bill push leftist gender ideology at the expense of important protections for women’s privacy and safety.”

Jason Ouimet, the executive director of the NRA’s lobbying arm told NPR, “Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi and anti-gun lawmakers chose to insert gun control provisions into this bill in 2019 to pit pro-gun lawmakers against it so that they can falsely and maliciously claim these lawmakers don’t care about women.” 

While conservatives and far-rightists in Congress claim that additional gun control provisions in a bill to protect people from intimate partner violence is some kind of Democrat-led conspiracy, advocates of the bill simply want to keep people — namely, women — alive. 

“This reauthorization would significantly increase funding for rape prevention programs,” said Allison Randall, vice president for policy for the National Network to End Domestic Violence. “The longer it takes means more survivors won’t benefit.”

Jennifer Becker, deputy legal director of Legal Momentum, a legal advocacy group for women, told NPR the additional firearm provisions and protections for trans people are necessary. “Everything that we advocate for in VAWA is based on the reality of what we know victims are being subjected to, and what we know survivors need to seek safety, accountability, healing,” said Becker. “These provisions are central to ensuring that people stay alive,” she said.

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Outfit Details:
Loeffler Randall Sandals, The Great Skirt, Heather Taylor Home Pillows

Moving into spring means a change in the shoes I’m wearing, shifting from mostly closed toe styles to open toe heels and sandals. Since we spend most of our time at home these days, a comfortable pair of everyday sandals is what I envision myself wearing the most, especially as the weather really begins to warms up. Neutral and natural materials makeup my favorite styles, with a mix of color slipped in here and there. I love a great budget buy, too, and these, these, these, these, and these would all make for a great spring and summer staple. For a complete round-up of options, see my favorite everyday sandals for spring below.

Green Slide Sandals

I was instantly drawn to these leather sandals for their light green hue and they’ve quickly become one of my go-to’s this spring (last seen here).

Woven Sandals

A woven sandal adds the perfect neutral to any outfit. I have my eye on this pair and also love this, this, and this that are all under $100.

Floral Sandals

This floral sandal is a versatile flat version of one of my favorite spring heels, adding a bit of color to a neutral outfit.

The post Spring Step appeared first on Julia Berolzheimer.