Morning! While you were sleeping (or staying up to binge-watch Friends for the tenth time) (or pulling an all-nighter in the library), a few things went down that you’ll probably want to know about. So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and get scrolling.
Rumor Has It
Politics can be a depressing and heavy topic, but Netflix’s new political documentary Knock Down the House promises to bring you nothing but joy.
The trailer shows Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and three other female progressive Democratic candidates as they pursue landmark primary campaigns in the 2018 midterm elections. Cori Bush of Missouri, Amy Vilela of Nevada, Paula Jean Swearengin of West Virginia, and Ocasio-Cortez of New York were followed by director Rachel Lears. The documentary gives views a glimpse into their stories and why they wanted to jump into politics. In the trailer, viewers see them behind-the-scenes of their campaign, and the emotional and exhausting moments of running for office.
“If I was a rational person, I would have dropped out of this race a long time ago,” Ocasio Cortez said in the opening seconds of the trailer.
The documentary dives into the many stigmas and stereotypes that women in politics face, as well as help more people to understand what goes on in their communities.
“We hope Known Down the House engages people to think about the intrinsic relationship between money in politics and representation, and inspires them to participate in new ways, from voting to organizing to running for office,” Lear said, per Doc10. “We especially hope that the firm can reach people who feel left out of the political process or cynical about how it works—they might see themselves reflected in our protagonists and their communities, and the story might convey a bit of hope for how democracy can work.”
The documentary is set to release on Netflix and select theaters on May 1.
News You Can Eat
There’s a new way to get your sugar and coffee fix. Luxury candy boutique Sugarfina and popular coffee shop Alfred has teamed up to give you coffee gummy bears.
You can get your coffee gummies in Cold Brew, Bourbon Cold Brew, and Iced Vanilla Latte—so you have plenty of options to get your coffee fix. The Iced Vanilla Latte even has the option for almond milk! Each bear has 60mg of caffeine, so basically one shot of espresso.
“We’re so excited to partner with our L.A. neighbor Alfred Coffee to create the worlds first-ever coffee-infused gummy bears,” Rosie O’Neill, Sugarfina co-founder, and co-CEO, said in a press release. “With this collaboration, we’re combining two of our favorite pick-me-ups—candy and caffeine—in a delicious and adorable gummy bear collection.”
The flavors come in a 3.5-ounce mini-cup that is sold for $7, and it also comes with a coffee sleeve. You can also purchase a 12-ounce bag for $14.
They’re currently on sale nationwide in select stores. You can order them online from Sugarfina and Alfred.
Then This Happened
Elizabeth Warren announced a new plan for universal free public college and student debt forgiveness for the majority of people who hold it.
Warren revealed her proposal to provide universal free public college and to end student loan debt for millions in a Medium post early Monday morning.
“Student loan debt is crushing millions of families,” Warren tweeted. “That’s why I’m calling for something truly transformational: Universal free college and the cancellation of debt for more than 95% of Americans with student loan debt.”
The plan calls for $50,000 worth of student loan debt relief for those making under $100,000 annually, and then the total amount of debt cancellation decreases as salaries increase. According to Warren’s post, anyone making over $250,000 will not receiver debt relief.
Warren is also calling for major government investment into the public university, college, and community college system in order to eliminate all tuition and fees for students attending a public college or university, the Medium post said.
“College shouldn’t just be a privilege for those who can afford to take on the significant expenses associated with higher education,” Warren wrote. “Like K-12 education, college is a basic need that should be available for free to everyone who wants to go.”
I’m calling for universal free college and the cancellation of student loan debt for more than 95% of Americans. This is the kind of big, structural change we need to make sure our kids have opportunity in this country. pic.twitter.com/KERw3APDMo
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 22, 2019
It’s no secret that college has become incredibly unaffordable. According to a report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, states have significantly cut higher education funding.
As Warren’s post explains, she is paying close attention to solving the structural inequality that rising college costs causes. The rising cost of higher education affects students of color more than white students, as a Demos report states, but Warren’s plan includes funding for Historically Black Colleges and University’s and Minority-Serving Institutions to rectify the situation.
“We can address the student loan crisis and cancel debt for families that are struggling. We can provide truly universal free college,” Warren wrote. “We can fix some of the structural problems that are preventing our higher education system from fairly serving lower-income students and students of color. We can make big structural change and create new opportunities for all Americans.”