The news cycle is fast and furious—which is why we shifted through the recent noise and found a few articles we believe matter. These thoughts and ideas made us pause, think and, most importantly, consider what is happening in the world. We hope they do the same for you.

We’re canceling the Apocalypse: “Clinton’s loss began to unite us in one voice, to tell those who would look to divide us and attempt to define America for a few instead of all, that you shall move no further.” (Inkstick Media)

Congress is 80% male and 81% white. Here’s how to change that: “...what did women candidates need? What was thwarting their success? It's been 98 years since the passage of the 19th amendment. Why is only 20 percent of Congress female?” (ELLE)

Can my children be friends with white people?: “Spare me platitudes of how we are all the same on the inside. I first have to keep my boys safe, and so I will teach them before the world shows them this particular brand of rending, violent, often fatal betrayal.” (The New York Times)

How mothers get caught in an unemployment-child care cycle: “For women, mothers especially, who’ve felt that unexpected and unforgiving shove toward unemployment, that revolving door takes a fair amount of energy to push back open.” (Slate)

Your reckoning. And mine: “In the shock of the house lights having been suddenly brought up — of being forced to stare at the ugly scaffolding on which so much of our professional lives has been built — we’ve had scant chance to parse what exactly is inflaming us and who. It’s our tormentors, obviously, but sometimes also our friends, our mentors, ourselves.” (The Cut)

Silence, solace and refuge: “But to untold thousands of motorists each year — some with a sense of adventure, others looking to save a buck, still more with no other place to go — Walmart is often a willing host for overnight guests.” (The New York Times)