If we're being honest, we all make assumptions about other people, right? We look at their skin, their clothes, and their car, and we make guesses about them that we don't even realize we're making. Everyone does it. You ask a pregnant female coworker if she'll keep working after the baby is born — but you wouldn't think to ask that question of a guy who was about to become a dad.You ask that nice girl behind the counter at the bagel shop whether she'll ever go to college so she can get a better job — only to learn that she's an underemployed Ph.D.You ask a hipster-looking guy on the subway whether he's into artisanal pickles — but he just happens to be a bad dresser who has no idea what you're talking about.The fact is, though, that people of color deal with other people's assumptions constantly.Research shows that other people's expectations can have a profound effect on us. They can determine our success or failure. And black women deal with this nonsense more than others. In a recent study, nearly half of the female black and Latina scientists polled reported being mistaken for janitors or administrative staff.Let's agree to fix this.This story originally appeared on 12.15.15

Belinda Hankins and her 13-year-old daughter, Bella, seem to have a great relationship, one that is often played out over text message.Sure they play around like most teens and parents do, but in between the joking and stealing of desserts, they're incredibly open and honest with each other. This is key, especially since Melinda is a single parent and thus is the designated teacher of "the ways of the world." But, wow, she is a champ at doing just that in the chillest way possible. Of course, it helps having an incredibly self-aware daughter who has grown up knowing she can be super real with her mom.Case in point, this truly epic text exchange took place over the weekend while Bella was hunting for tampons at the store. Here's how Belinda introduced it on Facebook:"THIS was the highlight of my parenting week. Sending my 13-year-old daughter into the store for (whispers) 'feminine hygiene products,' and having the following text exchange."Let's give this the fanfare it deserves.Act 1: The "right" aisle.Every woman, whether she's 13 or 30 has said or thought "THEY'RE NOT HERRREEEEEE" while standing in an aisle, desperately searching for period products. It's like they're trying to make it a scavenger hunt for which we did not sign up.Act 2: Everything is a lie.Act 3: Success! Well, sort of.That's right, Bella. Vagina, like Voldemort, is a word some people refuse to invoke because they're terrified what great, untamed powers doing so might unleash.Act 4: The truth.Only a truly great mom could put this in such a way that inspires laughter and fist-pumping agreement at the same time.Act 5: Smash the patriarchy!A brilliant conclusion, mom/daughter solidarity AND an accurate map that illustrates what women encounter on a daily basis? If this exchange were a stage play, it would receive five stars.And many others have agreed; the Facebook post has already been shared over 57,000 times in just two days.So hip-hip-hooray for moms like Belinda who are candid with their kids on issues big and small and teach them how to be strong using humor and real talk.The more hilarious conversations like Belinda's and Bella's about vaginas and the patriarchy that there are in the world, the better.This article originally appeared on 09.14.16

There are two types of people in this world – those who panic and fill up their cars with gas when the needle hits 25% or so, and people like me who wait until the gas light comes on, then check the odometer so you can drive the entire 30 miles to absolute empty before coasting into a gas station on fumes.I mean…it's not empty until it's empty, right?But just how far can you drive your car once that gas light comes on? Should you trust your manual?Now, thanks to Your Mechanic sharing this information in a recent post, you can know for sure. Of course, they also want to warn you that driving on a low fuel level or running out of gas can actually damage your car.Proceed at your own risk.Here's a link to a larger version of the chart.These are, of course, approximations that depend on several factors, including how you drive, your car's condition, etc. So don't automatically blame Your Mechanic if you find yourself stranded on the side of the road.This article originally appeared on 7.28.21

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