So many hugs, so little time

It's National Hugging Day and you need a strategy

If you're any kind of compassionate human being at all, you would already know that today is National Hugging Day. Yes, you have been encouraged by international decree to grab a person — any person! — and squeeze the hell out of them until they protest or threaten to break your arms. Take pleasure in it; it only happens once a year.

But why celebrate this glorious holiday like everyone else? You need to own National Hugging Day — really, really own it.

Here are a few suggestions on how you can personalize this special day, and make it one to remember.

Approach No. 1: Heckling for Hugs
We know the frat boy in you wants to don your most homeless motif and beg innocent passersby for warm embraces. So do it! Someone equally as smelly will find it in his or her heart to pity you and hug you back. Well, so we hope.

Approach No. 2: Truth in Advertising for Hugs
When it comes to hugs, honesty is a pretty great policy. If a hug is what you want, don't be timid about asking for it. Let people know what they're getting themselves into before they even approach you, so when you do seal the hugging deal, the moment will be golden.

Approach No. 3: Putting Your Life in Danger for Hugs
Histrionic neighbors! Oversized aggressors! Dangerous dictators! Preaching politicians! Inanimate objects! All ripe for wrapping your arms around. If you've got the gall, that is.

Approach No. 4: Doing Right by Jesus for Hugs
Let's face it — hugging is definitely a gateway drug to sex. Why not save a little space for Jesus and keep your genitalia where it belongs — out of the warm clutches of evil? Your morals and the afterlife will commend you.

Approach No. 5: Dropping Your Stereotypes About Cats for Hugs
Dogs earn all the top honors when it comes to domestic love and loyalty. But in truth, cats are notorious for hoarding their affections. So wouldn't you agree that being hugged by a feline would be monumental on this national holiday? We think so. Even if it is hairless.

Now go on out there and start grappling with folks, would you? Let us know how your day of hugging turns out.

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Thanks, Queen Bey

Pop icon Beyoncé donates $100,000 to University of Houston Law School

Photo by Erza Shaw Getty Images

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Pop megastar Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has donated $100,000 to the University of Houston Law Center Criminal Justice Clinic through her BeyGOOD Foundation. The gift will allow the clinic to hire fill-time faculty to head it, benefiting the students who study there.

“I am delighted that the BeyGOOD Foundation has made this very generous gift to the UH Law Center,” said Leonard Baynes, dean of the UH Law Center. “Not only will this funding help establish a full-time criminal justice clinic that provides pro bono legal services in our community, but it will also supercharge our already excellent criminal law and justice programming.”

The clinic is one of nine at UHLC. It helps students learn to navigate the criminal justice system, especially on behalf of clients that are underserved by skilled attorneys. People of color are affected disproportionately by a lack of good, ethical representation.

Beyoncé, the most decorated artist in Grammy history and easily the biggest musical star native to Houston, has a long history of advocating for criminal justice reform. She was a staunch supporter of the police reform following the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, asking law enforcement to “stop killing us” in a web post. In 2020, she penned an open letter to the Kentucky attorney general asking for justice in the death of Breonna Taylor.

Through her BeyGOOD Foundation, established in 2013, Beyoncé has focused mostly on expanding the prospects of Black-owned business and offering education opportunities to students. Forwarding the cause of legal representation in Texas while also helping out marginalized communities compliments her other philanthropic work.

“At UH Law, we envision a legal profession where ‘everyone has the opportunity to prosper,’ as BeyGOOD envisions, and we will achieve this vision by providing access to strong and effective legal representation in criminal proceedings,” Baynes said. “And together, through this gift, the BeyGOOD Foundation and UHLC will shepherd the next generation of criminal justice attorneys in the city of Houston, the state of Texas and the nation.”

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Thanks, Queen Bey

Pop icon Beyoncé donates $100,000 to University of Houston Law School