The fallout from The New York Times’ allegations of sexual assault against Cesar Chavez was swift and wide-ranging. Now, some in the industry are hoping the revelations about the late farm labor leader open doors for systemic changes, including reforms aimed at advancing the rights of women farmworkers.

‘Opportunity for those without scruples’
The sexual abuse claims, largely made by Chavez’s co-labor leader, Dolores Huerta, represent a fall from grace for a beloved figure in the Latino community. They “raise a difficult question: How do you reckon with the man without losing the movement?” said KCRA-TV Stockton.

Some are concerned that the focus on Chavez could “leave today’s farmworkers more vulnerable,” farmworker advocate Luis Magaña said to KCRA, because people will be paying less attention to the bigger picture and more on the specifics of the allegations. The moment to have a conversation about this issue of sexual abuse among farmworkers documented in the Times exposé is “overdue.”

‘Engage and support our community’
Huerta, now 95, insists that her allegations against Chavez should not downplay the victories made by labor unions. “We must continue to engage and support our community, which needs advocacy and activism now more than ever,” she said in a statement.

Many say that the current advocacy for women’s rights in the fields, regardless of Chavez, doesn’t go far enough. Do women feel “safe at work”? Olga Miranda, the president of SEIU Local 87, a union for San Francisco service workers, said to The San Francisco Standard. The floodgates will open because of the allegations, as there are women who will “stand up and speak out and say, ‘I’m not gonna take your shit.’”

The discourse should shift from “one man to the conditions farmworkers still face today, including a reality many say has long gone unheard: sexual violence against women in the fields,” said KCRA. Many women in these environments, Magaña told KCRA, “stay silent, not for a cause but out of the need to survive.”

This super mineral is crucial for everyday health. But while many are taking it in supplement form in accordance with the latest social media trend, experts say there’s a healthier way of getting the recommended amount in your diet.

Why is it so popular?
It’s needed to “regulate our nerves, bones, immune system and blood sugar levels,” said The Independent. It’s responsible for “more than 300 biochemical reactions” in the body, including keeping the heartbeat steady and assisting in the production of energy and protein. Despite its abundance, the body does not naturally produce magnesium, so we need to get the mineral from food or supplements.

In the past few years, magnesium supplements have gone viral in social media wellness circles. Many people are “popping magnesium glycinate before bed instead of melatonin,” said Wired. Last year, Google searches for “which magnesium is best for sleep” and “which magnesium makes you poop” more than doubled. While magnesium glycinate capsules are commonly used for sleep issues and anxiety, magnesium citrate is trending for constipation relief. 

Should we be taking it?
Magnesium supplements aren’t “essential,” said Wired, though if you are struggling with “migraines, insomnia or other conditions where research suggests health benefits,” they may be worth trying. Instead of supplements, you can focus on consuming “magnesium-rich foods” such as legumes, leafy greens, whole grains, nuts, fruits and soy products. 

Deficiencies can be difficult to detect, said Louise Dye, a professor of nutrition and behavior at the University of Sheffield, to the BBC. Still, we are not getting enough magnesium from our food. Over the past 60 years, “intensive farming practices have caused a significant depletion of the mineral content of the soil.” 

Too much magnesium from food “does not pose a health risk in healthy individuals because the kidneys eliminate excess amounts in the urine,” said the National Institutes of Health. But high doses from dietary supplements or medications often result in stomach upset, and extremely high doses can lead to irregular heartbeats or even cause the heart to stop altogether, according to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Floodwater covers a Waialua neighborhood on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii, as the state experiences its worst flooding in 20 years. Thousands have been ordered to evacuate after two consecutive storms dropped as much as 50 inches of rain, already costing about $1 billion in damages, according to officials.
Mengshin Lin / AP Photo

Not a fan of concerts? That’s OK, as you can get a concert of laughs with some comedians hitting the tour circuit this spring. The season’s comedy shows star some of the biggest names in the laugh industry.

Maria Bamford
Bamford has been a mainstay in the comedy world for years, and now she’s back on the road with a stand-up tour taking her across the U.S. Her latest comes on the heels of her new documentary, “Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story,” in which the comedian depicts her battle with mental illness in a way that “remains refreshing and fully involving,” said The Hollywood Reporter. For those who want to get newly acquainted with Bamford’s comedy, the documentary is a “good opportunity to fall in love.” (through November)

Margaret Cho
Cho speaks her mind like few others, particularly when it comes to social and political issues. Anyone who wants a glimpse of her quick-witted commentary should visit the legend on her “Choligarchy” tour. Her current stand-up show is “all about finding laughter to address real-life issues,” Cho said to ABC6-TV Philadelphia. (through May)

Gabriel Iglesias
Better known by his moniker, Fluffy, Iglesias (pictured above) has taken a routine based on clean family-friendly comedy and turned it into one of the most successful stand-up careers ever. Now the master of sound effects is traversing the country on his “1976” tour, providing a “new chapter of the California native’s epic and decorated career,” said Vanyaland magazine. (through September)