I can’t get behind elaborate touchdown dances or emotionally overwrought ESPN documentaries, but I’ll always appreciate the hard work of the mascots on the sidelines. One of my earliest sports memories is being nuzzled by the Phillie Phanatic as I played a pre-game show on the field with my elementary school band. (Popularity: I haz it.) And at my alma mater, inflatable mascot (and John McCain doppelganger) Baldwin the Eagle was ... Read More

It’s about time that Hasbro began marketing their famous Easy-Bake Oven, which has been aimed towards preteen girls since its conception in the 1960s, in a more gender-neutral manner. Inspired by her little brother, one 13-year-old New Jersey girl has started a petition on Change.org to get the company to make the toy oven more boy-friendly. McKenna Pope of Garfield, N.J. wants the company to drop its all-girl advertising ... Read More

Well, this is terrible: two men have been arrested by Afghan police due to allegations of beheading a 15-year-old girl after her father turned down a marriage proposal. The young girl was allegedly attacked while she was walking home with drinking water for her family. “Our investigation shows those who killed her were people who wanted to marry her,” a Kunduz province police official told the BBC. The two suspects were ... Read More

  You probably remember the board game “Guess Who?” — you know, the game where you randomly draw a character and then try to guess who your opponent drew? The game where you narrow down your options by asking questions like, “Is your person wearing a hat?” or “Does your person have blue eyes?” The game with 5 female characters and 19 male characters? “Is your person a girl?” ... Read More

There’s been a lot of talk lately about Internet bullying and the damaging effects it has on those who are targeted. Remember the story of Amanda Todd, the teen who committed suicide in October after years of constant online and physical shaming? Google “teen commits suicide after online bullying” and you will get over 4.5 million hits--a staggering amount. That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to damage ... Read More