tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39455420914865197442024-03-18T22:45:32.662-04:00CoCo's Culture Cornercul-ture (noun):
1) enlightenment and excellence of taste acquired by intellectual and aesthetic training
2) the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations
~from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Is it possible to transcend societal constructions of culture, communication, and existence? I hope so.Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-15488485217735212342021-02-13T12:15:00.002-05:002021-02-13T12:15:37.824-05:00Celebrating "Black Love"<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5v9sSHCBprKxQmpms3L9MqOgBwSDkr9E8ifqcScN6sNJo0x-GcRLonFgYu37AJXdzYmkypJ9bCNJmljBj1ynuYh08drfgFcASVdaTcI_Q7qpQb2GZGkSSnhiHJod6J0X4noZlY86kF-0/s500/Copy+of+Black+and+White+Heart+Love+Typography+T-Shirt.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5v9sSHCBprKxQmpms3L9MqOgBwSDkr9E8ifqcScN6sNJo0x-GcRLonFgYu37AJXdzYmkypJ9bCNJmljBj1ynuYh08drfgFcASVdaTcI_Q7qpQb2GZGkSSnhiHJod6J0X4noZlY86kF-0/w278-h278/Copy+of+Black+and+White+Heart+Love+Typography+T-Shirt.png" width="278" /></a>"Nya Akoma!" This greeting is how to acknowledge Black Love Day, which is TODAY apparently. I didn't realize that we celebrated such a holiday on February 13 until I saw multiple posts across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram earlier this morning - hence my inspiration to author my first blog post in over a year.</div><p></p><p>I announced to my fiance this morning about the African-American designated holiday, interrupting his puzzle construction time with the boisterous declaration, "Happy Love on Me Day cuz I'm Black!". A White man, he posed some great (and funny) questions...well, funny to me as I have a warped sense of humor. "Do we both have to be Black to celebrate Black Love?" "Can we celebrate Black Love as a couple if only one of us is Black?" And of course, I added to the barrage of questions including "could today be Black 'self-love' Day", "could I participate in Black Love Day if my soon-to-be significant other is White," and the most important question: "why am I just hearing about this holiday TODAY?!"</p><p>According to a quick Google search, <a href="https://theundefeated.com/features/share-the-love-on-black-love-day/" target="_blank">Black Love Day</a> was established in 1993 by Ayo Handy Kendi. This day is intended as a "day of atonement, reconciliation and celebration." Lifted from a <a href="https://twitter.com/ujimacommunity/status/963412831289905152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E963412831289905152%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheundefeated.com%2Ffeatures%2Fshare-the-love-on-black-love-day%2F" target="_blank">Twitter</a> post from Ujima Community, this 24-hour commemoration is to express love towards "the Creator, for self, for the family, within the Black community and for the Black race."</p><p>While skimming through social media posts tagged #BlackLoveDay, all I saw were photos of Black couples. Though I highly agree that Black romantic love is important, given the state of our society as demonstrated through the unjust murders of people like Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, we really need to broaden the scope of this special day. But, I've gotta give it to mainstream media as they are behaving just as I suspected: capitalizing on the privileges of romantic love, something a lot of folx (including myself until recently) were outsiders to this over-hyped club. </p><p>Now knowing what the actual day is about, I'd like to take this opportunity to reclaim it and recommend movies and television shows that I love that embrace the concept of "Black Love" that is especially important. FULL DISCLOSURE, I've been looking for an excuse to curate a list of favorite "Black Love" movies for a long time, one that was a list of films and shows that explored love from the perspective of chosen family, self-actualization, coming-of-age, and romance. Today is a great reason to do that.</p><p>Here are several films and television series I'd recommend to watch as a way to celebrate Black Love Day.</p><p><u><b>Films</b></u> <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1wHopR-7x3CrhLoxOC7A9vXEgQZdJ9js20s7c5YbSvGTQnR0x1rpmDo5QdX4JUu-7Ne04yLIb5gLhp5UCv-cN9l4FNa9BZamqcy3BbhC8cKfmWmBzundauL2zcGzRq5jxzeqYfck-NFF/s1920/17arethagracejp-print-superJumbo-v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1wHopR-7x3CrhLoxOC7A9vXEgQZdJ9js20s7c5YbSvGTQnR0x1rpmDo5QdX4JUu-7Ne04yLIb5gLhp5UCv-cN9l4FNa9BZamqcy3BbhC8cKfmWmBzundauL2zcGzRq5jxzeqYfck-NFF/w320-h181/17arethagracejp-print-superJumbo-v2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><i><a href="https://youtu.be/gkKOIQwTiKE" target="_blank">Amazing Grace</a></i></b> (2019)<p></p><p>Originally shot in 1972, audiences get a front row seat to the live recording of Aretha Franklin's <br />groundbreaking gospel album. What made me consider adding this documentary to the list is how the relationship between Franklin and her father, the Reverend C.L. Franklin is depicted. There are several precious moments shared between the two that highlight their special bond. <br /></p><p></p><p><b><i><a href="https://youtu.be/kNw8V_Fkw28" target="_blank">Hair Love </a></i></b>(2019) </p><p>The Oscar-winning animated short film by Matthew A. Cherry shows the special bond of a father and daughter through tending to the little one's hair while her mom is recovering from cancer. Recalling times with my dad as a little girl, this movie is especially important to me as it demonstrates the importance and influence of such formative relationships like the ones with our parents. If we were to fast-forward decades from now and interview the young female protagonist of this story, I'm willing to bet that she would have grown into a fairly confident adult because of this relationship.<br /></p><p><b><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQXSforT_qQ" target="_blank"></a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxFURNBxO8R7zuiAXZq0S6lOQB1uQB5KeH9PG1z0230qZqojM_JPyMXsDaf1cPTkls5vjQgdoP-3hRxg1JOlar4ORZOfuPzGG-tfDb0uyAwXpjvayvN5CTbG321M6fBNgJtZrjqFnVMm_/s2048/10beale001-superJumbo-v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxFURNBxO8R7zuiAXZq0S6lOQB1uQB5KeH9PG1z0230qZqojM_JPyMXsDaf1cPTkls5vjQgdoP-3hRxg1JOlar4ORZOfuPzGG-tfDb0uyAwXpjvayvN5CTbG321M6fBNgJtZrjqFnVMm_/w250-h166/10beale001-superJumbo-v2.jpg" width="250" /></a></i></b></div><b><i><br />If Beale Street Could Talk</i></b> (2018) <p></p><p>Adapted from the James Baldwin novel of the same title, this film makes the list because of its tenderly treated sex scene and the way the family embraced the soon-to-be young mother.<br /></p><p><b><i> </i></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91eyZm5uBmaHfHx6sWlQLqw_aSkittcpTHDhSQDb6f9GGGf6RXLNDwiGD_Ec65Cm-YulVc2fx7ig32qfH718UngBuJB2Dln_kSjJVdbf5VPpXg0SgWgBWv7_x0grd2nHvQAOsUnPrj-TC/s1920/1*0KkZyJuz4CNapZTce8sQng.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91eyZm5uBmaHfHx6sWlQLqw_aSkittcpTHDhSQDb6f9GGGf6RXLNDwiGD_Ec65Cm-YulVc2fx7ig32qfH718UngBuJB2Dln_kSjJVdbf5VPpXg0SgWgBWv7_x0grd2nHvQAOsUnPrj-TC/s320/1*0KkZyJuz4CNapZTce8sQng.png" width="320" /></a></div><b><i><a href="https://youtu.be/9NJj12tJzqc" target="_blank">Moonlight </a></i></b>(2016)<br /><p></p><p>Of course, this film had to be added to this list. There are so many reasons to love this Best Picture Oscar-winning independent film by Barry Jenkins. I don't want to give away any spoilers but prepare yourself for a beautifully told story of self-exploration and discovery.<br /></p><p><i><b> </b></i></p><p><i><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erpUF2ToUls" target="_blank">Southside with You</a></b></i> (2016)<br /></p><p>Starring Parker Sawyers and Tika Sumpter as Barack and Michelle Obama, this independent film chronicles the first date of the future First Couple. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsAKwIh8pCdRkLshnLB-fFx5A1gKdJHqk4uprga8uCklGS_TbqPYFpfJwEh7PslODJoOj6kb724gW2pIHISBxGd1ejSignB2GCwPLHrOuxewJRPt28YZsgRRPpaTOn2V-4arEtr2TKM3X/s1600/medicine-for-melancholy-watching2-videoSixteenByNineJumbo1600%252B-%252BDonnie%252BMoreland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsAKwIh8pCdRkLshnLB-fFx5A1gKdJHqk4uprga8uCklGS_TbqPYFpfJwEh7PslODJoOj6kb724gW2pIHISBxGd1ejSignB2GCwPLHrOuxewJRPt28YZsgRRPpaTOn2V-4arEtr2TKM3X/s320/medicine-for-melancholy-watching2-videoSixteenByNineJumbo1600%252B-%252BDonnie%252BMoreland.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMb8xziXXqg" target="_blank">Medicine for Melancholy</a></i></b> (2008)<br /></p><p>A beautifully shot black & white film by Barry Jenkins, viewers gain insight into the aftermath of an unexpected one-night stand. <br /></p><p><i><u><b> </b></u></i></p><p><i><u><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5iE3Wt2cJs" target="_blank">Waiting to Exhale</a> </b></u></i>(1995)</p><p>Though intended as a romance movie, the thing I most appreciate about this film is experiencing Black women finding their way to joy. The sisterhood in this film reminds me of my own friendships, some of the most important relationships in my life. </p><p><br /></p><p><i><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SqvD1-0odY" target="_blank"></a></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKq67-LMTkRiZa-xvIU3KuAvBXVQTRNHFSaHwLG30YECe6vVe1ktSmO8DznyWDkh_x7cnfan6HLPX_edchWwLjRCVBlTMG7gBVr7yOp1bmCemnUIdb5qnHumWWG3RGxElldxzsHmcPfvW1/s2000/1184210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKq67-LMTkRiZa-xvIU3KuAvBXVQTRNHFSaHwLG30YECe6vVe1ktSmO8DznyWDkh_x7cnfan6HLPX_edchWwLjRCVBlTMG7gBVr7yOp1bmCemnUIdb5qnHumWWG3RGxElldxzsHmcPfvW1/w342-h171/1184210.jpg" width="342" /></a></b></i></div><i><b><br />Paris is Burning</b></i> (1990) <p></p><p>If you're looking for a film on the importance of chosen family, this documentary is a MUST SEE!<br /></p><p><i><b> </b></i></p><p><i><b> </b></i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_rtlkBkvn4enrzrwKfOM59fwR0PhdaXFViENEodt2EDEhkCdicoGu7tilNHYxHSCRQQskKRYdViDsGdqFvMN5mROzpr2bx1yBcRszyr0Gc6R-AyVie7612JJtYXp6D96tNrnSOyMchX6/s600/article00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_rtlkBkvn4enrzrwKfOM59fwR0PhdaXFViENEodt2EDEhkCdicoGu7tilNHYxHSCRQQskKRYdViDsGdqFvMN5mROzpr2bx1yBcRszyr0Gc6R-AyVie7612JJtYXp6D96tNrnSOyMchX6/s320/article00.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1938XcFRUY" target="_blank">Mahogany</a></b></i> (1975)<p></p><p></p><p>I first watched this film with my mom. Starring Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams, I appreciated this film as a child for its beautiful love story. As an adult, I am able to identify and analyze the problems of this complicated relationship and learn from watching Tracy Chambers (Diana Ross) grow into herself. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><u><b>Television/Web Series </b></u><br /></p><p><b><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t4YuPXdLZw" target="_blank"></a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxlqXpGzvRzjvUIB3G0leSVR-3HP_T2lpIQIaLNqS2uCFbFwtIbd8RRSPtDo8yjApk2vKmwxHZfI_frvbNCFDihvTB7umESz66NK56AWd2nchNo-mgNq11n-wvs3XJLVN9s_s-ATvC3dR/s1200/pose-210-1227r-1591909306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxlqXpGzvRzjvUIB3G0leSVR-3HP_T2lpIQIaLNqS2uCFbFwtIbd8RRSPtDo8yjApk2vKmwxHZfI_frvbNCFDihvTB7umESz66NK56AWd2nchNo-mgNq11n-wvs3XJLVN9s_s-ATvC3dR/s320/pose-210-1227r-1591909306.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></b></div><b><i><br />Pose</i></b> (2018-Present) <p></p><p>I would like to acknowledge the fact that though I haven't seen an episode yet (which is one reason why I added it to this list as a reminder to start watching it). This FX series is too important to the culture to miss.<br /></p><p><i><b> </b></i></p><p><i><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z22DtUGd5Q4&t=16s" target="_blank">No Shade</a></b></i> (2015)</p><p>A web series available on YouTube, No Shade is a unique coming-of-age story set in Brooklyn, New York. Yes, I believe that adults can be the protagonist of these stories too.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpJImWRiZ2ZXNv-rxJ9pDxif_uMKPnymIA9a3s7H_Lfi-PCbHGH0SO1L9U6TkW2ZTolsWZoLAzclGjEEt8AQeC7P1yXdwkiXDisTSWWB2eUH-hdHZRNuTr4A1KadP3v0zdRoqizbBzjIk/s1440/soul-food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpJImWRiZ2ZXNv-rxJ9pDxif_uMKPnymIA9a3s7H_Lfi-PCbHGH0SO1L9U6TkW2ZTolsWZoLAzclGjEEt8AQeC7P1yXdwkiXDisTSWWB2eUH-hdHZRNuTr4A1KadP3v0zdRoqizbBzjIk/s320/soul-food.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPzv-Tq4OAk" target="_blank">Soul Food: The Series </a></i></b>(2000-2004)<br /><p></p><p>A spinoff of the film of the same name, I personally adored this Showtime series simply for the super HAUTE love scenes. <br /></p><p><i><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Obd7z8CpPoY" target="_blank"></a></b></i></p><p><i><b><br /> </b></i></p><p><i><b> </b></i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6jx8SVoInizyuAEAXCAk9l5ahyphenhyphensefuwbcdCURgWp5xhbaHXjqwHL5kkFtwj9IATtpZfHM8nQCWoS1fuX4xhis2lhi4_ipLJPG-zpaxeexPZ221MquXpI3va-4UWUZcTeov1Bz-C_CsdJ/s750/noahs-arcx750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6jx8SVoInizyuAEAXCAk9l5ahyphenhyphensefuwbcdCURgWp5xhbaHXjqwHL5kkFtwj9IATtpZfHM8nQCWoS1fuX4xhis2lhi4_ipLJPG-zpaxeexPZ221MquXpI3va-4UWUZcTeov1Bz-C_CsdJ/s320/noahs-arcx750.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Obd7z8CpPoY" target="_blank">Noah's Ark</a> </b></i>(2005-2006)<p></p><p>I remember when this Logo series first aired! Though short-lived, this comedy-drama is especially important as it chronicles the lives of four Black gay male friends, which I believe was a first for its time. <br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I hope that you'll make time to watch one or more from this list today. If you do, let me know in the comments section which one(s) you selected and what you thought of it!<br /></p>Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-26511950391866394042019-07-07T13:27:00.001-04:002019-07-07T13:27:29.056-04:00Paving the Way, Paying it Forward
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Originally written for and posted on <b>Straw Dog Writers Guild </b><a href="http://www.strawdogwriters.org/blog/paving-the-way-paying-it-forward-by-nicole-m-young">website</a>:</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">My interest in
writing emerged when I first relocated to Western Massachusetts in 2007.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Joining a writing a performance group as a
way to learn more about the area and make friends, I discovered a hidden
passion for scripting story through poetry.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">From there, I began writing plays, maintaining a blog and even writing
articles for local newspapers.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
uncovered a gift that laid dormant for some time…as I did win a statewide
poetry competition in third grade back in Michigan.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;">Fast forward to
2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a substantial amount of
writing and thought to start submitting for publication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like many writers, I got rejected from
countless journals, emerging writers’ competitions, retreats and workshops that
required an in-depth application and intense screening process and anthologies
geared towards supporting writers like myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I gave up for quite a bit, not practicing art for several years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though returning back to writing in 2017, I
stopped submitting as I was told that I needed to learn the science of getting
accepted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Frustrated, I
reached out to friends and acquaintances who have been published before to
inquire and identify what I was doing wrong and what I needed to understand
about this very competitive process.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">I
was told things from find a mentor to apply for an MFA in Creative Writing to
just continue blindly shooting your shot. All of these things cost something,
whether it’s time, dignity or a lot of money – as I possess an MFA in another field
and have already acquired a significant amount of debt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;">Later in 2017,
my life was suddenly derailed unexpectedly. By Christmas, both parents have
died (both sudden). As many loved ones do, my mother and father left behind
money so that I can care for myself beyond their days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thinking back to all of those rejections, I
decided to take power in my own hands in order to garner exposure of my
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2018, taking all of the work
that I’ve written since 2009 I self-produced a spoken word album.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;">Thinking of all
of the lessons my parents had taught me, I felt the need to do something for
other writers who may not have the means that I do. I am taking the income
generated from album sales to create a fellowship program for emerging women
and gender nonbinary writers of color – people like me who may be experiencing
similar hardship in finding their foot in the door in this industry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;">I specifically
chose Straw Dog Writers Guild to host this program as not only do they support
writers of all stages, they have welcomed me and my work with open arms helping
me to get the exposure my labor of love has deserved for so long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under Straw Dog’s auspices, I’ve been a
featured reader at open mics and have served as an MC for several events
including Voices for Resistance and the Dead Writers Dance – multiple
opportunities to have my work finally heard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;">We will be
hosting our first fellow in 2020.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
program, which will run 12 months, will occur on a biennial basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will recruit applicants from all four counties,
those represented by Straw Dog membership:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the intent of meeting the needs of the
fellow and their current writing goals, we will provide mentors to assist with
craft and other guidance on the business of the industry. The fellow will also
receive a stipend and will have access to a one-week residency at Patchwork
Farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the conclusion of the year, the
fellow will share their work during a public reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;">We would love
your support!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several ways to
get involved in this initiative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through
volunteering as a mentor or making a financial contribution, you will have an
opportunity to get in on the ground level of supporting a groundbreaking
program in Western Massachusetts. You can either make a direct <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=jWyKfSaAmYOC0-_zfkDPPVSWmNZ3WFQB5LnOUmdwukHTGAB_m0GSgUCVBOIT3QLTZvWsHG&country.x=US&locale.x=US">donation</a> to the
Emerging Writers’ Fellowship Fund or purchase one of my CDs as I will continue donating proceeds to this cause. We anticipate opening the
application submission process in early August and will announce our first
fellow by November.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;">To purchase my CD, please <a href="https://www.nicolemyoung.com/contact">contact me</a> directly. I'll be more than happy to autograph your copy as well!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;">I would like to
personally thank everyone who has contributed thus far to this program and to
those who will give in the near future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It means a lot to have the support of my community in embracing our next
generation of writers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOtOtDs-H4qkTyVExX1H-b899068fqZ0ceu2_UhLZT9Bn_oCP1m6Ed0wWh91H8VtIUl0ju5pHRta-UXX5NvXVziso_XOPj0pkzaj-jpwn5DluJ28PItdaozTG_Jx8gRsaS9PhdpG6Kj2f/s1600/SDWG.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="923" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOtOtDs-H4qkTyVExX1H-b899068fqZ0ceu2_UhLZT9Bn_oCP1m6Ed0wWh91H8VtIUl0ju5pHRta-UXX5NvXVziso_XOPj0pkzaj-jpwn5DluJ28PItdaozTG_Jx8gRsaS9PhdpG6Kj2f/s320/SDWG.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-81511307591689787572019-05-19T11:10:00.002-04:002019-05-19T11:14:27.928-04:00Whose Body is it Anyway?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQC-n4Cnyk3jnnFQg-n5aeBipWpslmUAWcF6ZAxlwlTzCIb1zSNKXvNKtLKFYRY0jjeqGTfJJQuxaKMPUNgvgt1yhZiNT7TcZoIQ-Mmo_coldL3inxhVpTKwPgUJ6BgtcPpXtKv_vX-d9/s1600/dont-tread-on-me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="474" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQC-n4Cnyk3jnnFQg-n5aeBipWpslmUAWcF6ZAxlwlTzCIb1zSNKXvNKtLKFYRY0jjeqGTfJJQuxaKMPUNgvgt1yhZiNT7TcZoIQ-Mmo_coldL3inxhVpTKwPgUJ6BgtcPpXtKv_vX-d9/s320/dont-tread-on-me.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>For those who know me well, you'd find it very ironic </i></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>that my blog post has this photo (my deathly fear of snakes). </i></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>But this image captures so much with so little.</i></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
"Putting yourself on the market" is a reference mainly associated with the act of dating. When you think about the hustle that comes along with looking for "the one," this sentiment makes complete sense. For those of you who (like me) are mostly meeting people through sites and apps like OKCupid, Bumble, Plenty of Fish (one I haven't tried yet for a host of reasons), Match, Tinder, and FetLife (yes, I've been on this site and will dedicate an entire blog post to this "adventure"), you have to think of strategic ways to sell yourself. Write the perfect profile introduction. Post the most desirable, yet tasteful, photos to catch someone's attention. And then, be cautious about what you choose to share with that person once you've started conversation. Dating is more than a game. Dating has literally become a system of commodification - people going above and beyond (and in many cases, doing things they find unfavorable) to be taken off said "market."</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
I thought about this concept as I reflected on a charged exchange from a particular Facebook post from a few days ago - one that I posted, of course. I wrote the post in response to recent legislations passed in Missouri and Alabama around abortion. I stated something along the lines of how can cisgender, heterosexual men these day proclaim to want unprotected sex (well, their words usually are "I want to cum inside you" or "shoot my huge load in you") with lack of commitment all the while conservatives are trying their best to abolish women's rights to choose how to proceed with an unwanted pregnancy or one where her doctor and her family may find not be in the best interest of the "carrier" (said future mother) and the child. The person challenging my statement said (paraphrased) what about both sides and both people when it comes to this act. I asked for more details but the conversation went off course. While I wasn't able to gather enough information to garner a meaning behind what the responder was attempting to say, I did think about this notion of "both sides."</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
What I think this person meant is that it takes two people to partake in an act that could lead to an unwanted pregnancy. While a man can propose wanting to have sexual intercourse without a condom, the woman would have to oblige in order for said act to take place. Here's where I'd like to call b***s*** on the notion that the woman has the right to back out and say "no."</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
Patriarchy, unfortunately, defines many relationships. I highly believe that women who are interested in dating men create this persona so that they can be found attractive, henceforth taken off the "market". I'm definitely guilty of it. The women of <a href="https://www.uppitynegress.org/">Uppity Negress podcast</a> calls this group the "<a href="https://soundcloud.com/uppity-negress/pick-us">pick mes</a>"where cis women interested in dating cis men do particular things for men to find them desirable. I've fallen into this trap a million times! </div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both;">
Men who I've met online have all given me the same story upon the initial meeting. They can see me as a potential long term romantic partner and they can make good on the ills left behind by those before them...the numerous men who have rapped the same lines before and left collateral damage because they've hurt me so badly (this is going into my memoir but when men who have gone out with me more than once end things, they tend to give an unsolicited exit interview offering the reasons why I suck as a girlfriend and why they've decided to date a specific other woman...and in many cases, they share explicit detail on who the woman is and why they deem her better than me). <br />
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We go out on the first date. Things go swimmingly and then the end of night dating ritual falls upon us. They mention wanting to have sex with me, which honestly, I'm game to having one night stands and have offered this many times...but men continue to say that what they want with me is much more than that but in the end, it becomes the one night stand as they vanish after the first date. And, they tack onto the "proposal" how badly they want to have sex with me without a condom (of course, using the choice constructed sentences I mentioned earlier). Along with other words and displays of affection, many of them I rarely hear as I don't think that I fit the stereotype of what I think men are looking for, I give in. Following those who have came before them, they have completely vanished immediately the next day. I log onto the dating app where I initially met them and they've blocked me (with OKCupid, you can tell because your message thread vanishes and you can't find them on your "like" list) and when I go to contact them via the cell phone number they've provided, I call and get transferred to voicemail OR the text message is never "delivered" as many of these men have iPhones. So, I've been blocked from any and all communication. And what's extremely upsetting about all of this is if I were to come up pregnant or contract an STI from our "one nighter," I have no way of reaching these men to let them know the news. While I could have said no to sex, these men need to take more responsibility for their actions...either by insisting we use a condom, not have sex at all or completely tell the truth and be honest about what it is they're looking for as oppose to misleading me to believe that there could be more.</div>
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There's been this major shift in the culture, one that I hope to identify as there are so many other women like me who have and continue to share in these experiences. What is happening?! What has changed?! Why are men like this?!</div>
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Though not directly related, yet it could be as I suspect many of the men who move through the world in this way are also some of the men pushing for these laws, I find it quite strange that there's so many cisgender heterosexual men who are 1) willing and wanting to have unprotected sex, 2) disengaging with women upon completion of desired sexual act, AND 3) pushing legislation preventing me from making the decision that I need to make if the unlikely outcome of the one night of splendid bliss is what I'm being blocked from having the autonomy to make the best decision for myself. I cannot believe that in 2019 I'm asking the question "whose body is it anyway"?!</div>
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Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-56902645315757872522018-11-28T11:58:00.002-05:002018-12-10T12:27:50.088-05:00The Process is Progress: Discovering Yourself Through Writing<br />
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<i>Originally written for and posted on <b>Straw Dog Writers Guild's <a href="http://www.strawdogwriters.org/blog/the-process-is-progress-discovering-yourself-through-writing-by-nicole-m-young">website</a></b>:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_M0Ffz049F0sV4mBaw-BoyqfCBsdEcqJB7ym-7sww7OUP5FHZHYDdQNb7RwC1crYGGzjTKRtEnQ3cFZwrIPxeuVBnOS-eV-nt1xRpR09Rb8yOQ3mkvN6ru41Ur6c5Ejk1v2iNcMLkd3bE/s1600/Working+at+Amherst+Coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_M0Ffz049F0sV4mBaw-BoyqfCBsdEcqJB7ym-7sww7OUP5FHZHYDdQNb7RwC1crYGGzjTKRtEnQ3cFZwrIPxeuVBnOS-eV-nt1xRpR09Rb8yOQ3mkvN6ru41Ur6c5Ejk1v2iNcMLkd3bE/s320/Working+at+Amherst+Coffee.jpg" width="240" /></a>I’ve always been involved in the arts in some way but never
would I have ever thought I’d become a writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked up my first musical instrument at 8 years old, started off as a
music education major in undergrad but left with a degree in theatre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been on stage as an actor, worked behind
the scenes as a stage manager, director and producer, and have played in
several pit orchestras for musicals but never would have thought that I’d take
on such a solitary form of creating. It wasn’t until I arrived in Western MA
over 11 years ago that my subconscious would hit the pen and paper for public
consumption.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Being 27 years old and living in a college town, it was hard
to make friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was recommended to
me that I join a writing and performance troupe for women of color in the
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no clue what I was getting
into yet was open to whatever results followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From this experience blossomed the need and desire to write even more
beyond the material generated just for the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same woman who made the recommendation
for me to join the troupe also suggested that I then enter a playwriting
competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Acting, directing and stage
management were skills I was most comfortable with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spilling my soul to paper again beyond the
form of a monologue was yet another challenge I was willing to face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This play received an important accolade, one
that encouraged me to continue writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was an award named for my favorite cultural critic, essayist,
playwright and poet James Baldwin that came along with a nice cash prize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This recognition gave me the permission to
explore further this newly discovered trait.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I learned more to exist in this space, one quite
different from the one of vital formative years, I became more open to pursue
writing on my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took on journaling,
which I now have several bookcases dedicated to the journals I’ve accumulated
over the years, as a way to reflect on writing projects past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the time of being a member of the
writing and performance ensemble to the themes that emerged from the play, I
realized that my writing assumed a very important mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I discovered that I was writing about how my
identity has changed through “growing up” in Pioneer Valley – and that was
through the world of dating.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Unlike most people, I didn’t begin seriously dating until I
moved to this area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One would think that
I would have pursued love earlier on in life but through attending
undergraduate and graduate school years prior, I was more determined to make my
parents proud with degrees in hand and a substantial way to support
myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The things I learned about
myself through dating were very eye opening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I didn’t want to acknowledge the harsh self-awareness to myself yet I
was willing to share it with the world through the monologues I wrote for the
performance group and the play (which deals with interracial dating and my
qualms with its associated issues).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
writing also became more of a social justice issues as only negative
stereotypes about women who are like me (both women of color and plus-size
women) are relegated to hyperinvisibility in mainstream media as it pertains to
romance and dating.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sometime in late 2016 after dealing with the sudden loss of
my mom, I needed to dive head first into a project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I collected all of the free write poems and
journal entries I’ve written over the years and saw how multiple themes around
the person I’ve become while living in this area emerged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At now 39 years old, having now lived on both
sides of the “tofu curtain,” My writing reflected the experiences of a very
proud, still single plus size Black woman with natural hair and a very
statuesque figure living in an area that is extremely monochromatically
different than where I spent the first part of my life and of someone who spent
a lot of time out in coffee shops, restaurants and movie theatres alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Born from all of this was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In/Put</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<i>Photo by <a href="https://www.sammsmith.com/">Samm Smith Design & Photography</a></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In/Put</i>, a
self-produced spoken word album, was recorded live at Click Workspace earlier
this year in March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of looking
to get the poems that became this project published, I thought to recite them
for people to listen to them as a way to pay homage to my earlier theatre
training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, I love to hear myself on
the microphone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea of the live
recording was inspired by stand-up comedy, a form of entertainment that I
absolutely love yet have found the courage to take it on. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After a successful Indiegogo campaign, relying on very
talented friends and having my parents’ indirect support (both of my parents
have since passed on as of Christmas of 2017 and I was fortunate enough to have
access to an inheritance), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In/Put:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Live from the Valley</i> will be out in
February of 2019.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the most
important things that I did for this project was to hire a dramaturg/script
advisor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though poetry, I wanted to
create an experience for listeners – as I’m a storyteller, I needed all of the
work to make sense together as a collection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She, the dramaturg, helped curate the order of the poems and gave some
very good feedback on the work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did
several rewrites on some of the poems before the recording.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And also given my theatre background, I
wanted the work to flow like a monologue as it is easier for me to perform
rather than recite poetry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I am very much looking forward to sharing this work with
others and continuing to still learn more about myself as others experience
this work for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m unsure
what types of writing I’d produce next which I’m finding it rather difficult to
write about any other subject than dating and identity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-30421180065883126322018-07-08T18:23:00.000-04:002018-07-09T08:35:38.263-04:00Being Neighborly: Reflecting on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood in These Times<i>It's been a very long time since I wrote a blog post. So many things have happened since my last post including the sudden passing of my dad. What better way to return to this type of reflexive writing by writing on one of my favorite shows from childhood and its subsequent documentary.</i><br />
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Following a longstanding tradition that I created for myself years ago, I went to see a film at <a href="https://amherstcinema.org/">Amherst Cinema</a> on Independence Day. Seeing the documentary <i>Won't You Be My Neighbor</i> did my heart and soul some good on a very rough holiday. I've always struggled celebrating the Fourth of <br />
July due to my racial identity and also being so far from "home" where my family barbecued every year up until recently, of course. Since living in Western Massachusetts, with the exception of my first year in the area, and one year going to see the fireworks in Boston, I've "celebrated" Independence Day by going to the movies alone. One of my favorite outings was when I saw Away We Go for the first time. Not anticipating the film's ending, I cried (literally) walking down the streets of the center of Amherst until I gathered the courage to find a place to have lunch. Wiping away tears as I browsed through the menu of one of the few restaurants open that day, I used that time to self-reflect on what the day could mean for me and how to best use my time along. Being the overthinker I am, the day became time for me to journal and enjoy the best date I've ever been on - spending time by myself. I've become more of an introvert wanting to spend time alone as I've gotten older. Not necessarily because of my personality, as I love to socialize, but more so as protective armor. People tend to be nastier these days. Some people say that the current political climate has permitted those who've heard back for decades to say what's truly on their minds. Sometimes, just like the past few days, it's the very hot and humid weather causing everyone discomfort and their actions towards others to follow suit.<br />
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This brings to me my experience watching <i>Won't You Be My Neighbor</i> (for the second time actually since I also went opening weekend- BTW, please support films opening weekend as those ticket sales do determine how long a movie will stay in theatres) and all of the thoughts going through my head. Though I'll be referencing the film, I promise that they'll be no spoilers here. For many of you who are fans of Fred Rogers, none of what I'm about to mention should be new news. I took the title phrase and actually asked myself "won't you be my neighbor," of course, referencing myself. Am I a good "neighbor"? Would people want to live near me?<br />
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Fred Rogers, affectionately known as Mister Rogers, knew how to soothe people, especially children, at times of need. The film recalls episodes of <i>Mister Rogers' Neighborhood</i> and it's subsequent themes during the Vietnam War, Robert Kennedy's assassination, and a special that was taped post-9/11. These episodes were really good at staging similar situations in the Land of Make Believe (i.e., King Friday XIII wanting to build a wall to keep danger out of the kingdom) and the younger characters (many times that being Daniel Tiger) talking with adults to work out their emotions and rationalize what was happening in the world around them. Through the safety of projecting and the magic of television, viewers were able to work out emotions and feelings without having to experience situations first hand. Through the intersections of representation, subjectivity and spectatorship, television has the power to empower those who need to feel a part of a community. I know for myself, Mr. Rogers made me feel like I and my feelings mattered.<br />
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How could I be more like Mr. Rogers? How could we all be like Mr. Rogers? Is a simple "hello" to a complete stranger as you pass one another in the grocery store enough? Is holding the door for the person behind you as you each attempt to enter a coffeeshop in the morning, getting that necessary brew to start your day enough? Is following traffic laws and actually following all of the rules that you've learned in drivers' education instead of intentionally speeding and cutting off other drivers enough? Is a smile to people as you pass one another walking down the street enough? I know for myself, having these small things done to me make me feel important - putting me on the top of the world for the day, not just that brief moment. Why.....because I mattered to someone.<br />
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I haven't lived in a true "neighborhood," well one by Fred Rogers' definition, since I was a teenager in Detroit. The children who attended the same school participated in a carpool with parents and grandparents alternating days of when they'd drive the brood early in the morning and pick them up following band practice and sporting events. My mom or dad could knock on any neighbors' door to ask for a cup of sugar or even to watch me while I played outside late into the evening. We also didn't have to worry about intruders such as home burglaries and potential car thefts as we looked out for one another - visitors took notice of those of us on the porch as they search for things to take. Luckily, none of this happened in this neighborhood. Every time I go back to visit this neighborhood, my next door neighbors would tell fond stories of watching my parents attempt to teach me how to ride a bike (even in my late 30s, I still don't know how to), play with friends from across the street or even play by myself as being an only child for a long time (as my brother didn't come along until I was 14 years old), I had a clan of invisible playmates. What's funny yet special about all of this is that despite the Motor City having a "not so good" reputation today, I hold my hometown close to my heart as many others thought to take care of me and look out for my well-being. I am definitely proof that it "does take a village to raise a child" as I wouldn't be who I am today if not this many people cared for me.<br />
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Fast forward to my brief return back "home" to attend graduate school. I lived in what was then the Cass Corridor, now heavily gentrified "Midtown" (FYI, I will never call it that). I lived in this area from 2004-2007, still a prime time for heavy car thefts on Wayne State University's campus (where I earned my MFA), home invasions and random people being held up at gun point. My apartment was broken into during the Thanksgiving weekend of 2004. Days after the discovery and reporting it to the police, two of my neighbors approached me and said that while they heard and saw suspicious activity, they didn't feel compelled to say or do anything because they didn't want anything to happen to them. I'm not going to lie: this wouldn't have happened in my old neighborhood.<br />
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There's no need for me to go into what my experience has been like living in Western Massachusetts for the past ten years as I've spent several previous posts going into how what has happened has changed my perspective of progressive, college towns and regions. What I can say is that now I believe that there's many more factors to consider as to why it's hard to feel and be "neighborly" in this area including the prestige and privilege that comes with the intellectualism associated with these types of places and also living so far from our neighbors being in a rural area and homes not being so close to one another.<br />
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<i>Mister Rogers' Neighborhood</i> also holds a special place in my heart because it's one of the few things that my parents and I shared and also something that I share with today's young people. This show is one of the few that aired over a span of decades. My parents were around 10 years old when the first episode aired in 1968 and when I was a child, new episodes were still being produced. And, I got to see many of the episodes my parents watched in syndication as well. And while I'm unsure if <i>Mister Rogers' Neighborhood</i> is still available in syndication, children today can experience Fred's brilliance through the animated series, <i>Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood</i>, which I didn't realize was a thing until I stumbled upon this <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/fred-rogers-daniel-tigers-neighborhood_us_5b1fe6cee4b09d7a3d777355">article</a> in the Huffington Post after doing my usual Google research upon watching the documentary. Daniel, of course, is based on the puppet from the initial <i>Mister Rogers' Neighborhood </i>television series, and the show is set in the Land of Make Believe. And, I must say, watching the theme song brought tears to my eyes as the show has identified an important piece of nostalgia from the formative years of multiple generations.<br />
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The theme song to the animated series, <i>Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood</i>.</div>
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Considering all that we have going on in society that makes us question our own humanity, please take some time to go see the documentary, <i>Won't You Be My Neighbor.</i> I hope that you connect with it in the same ways that I have: asking yourself how can I be a better "neighbor". To find a screening near you, visit the <a href="http://focusfeatures.com/wont-you-be-my-neighbor/theaters">website</a> for the film.</div>
Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-51088713471460670852017-09-08T09:47:00.004-04:002017-09-08T09:49:45.445-04:00Preview: Black Women's Subjectivity and (Our) Pursuit of Desire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm in the process of writing a massive blog entry on representation of black women and dating in the media, sexuality, heteronormative desire and my own personal experiences. This is a post that has been building up for a long time. I've watched <i>Insecure</i> (HBO) and <i>Being Mary Jane</i> (BET) and have read Zane's work and saw the film adaptation of her book, <i>Addicted</i>. I'm really excited to share this post with you all very soon so, in the meantime, check out trailers on each of the aforementioned works.<br />
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Official Trailer for <i>Insecure</i>, Season Two (2017)</div>
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<i>Being Mary Jane</i>, Season Four (2017)</div>
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<i>Zane's Addicted</i> (2014)</div>
Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-11512681077259625202017-07-16T11:59:00.002-04:002017-07-16T12:08:34.337-04:00Chasing "Me"What does it mean to experience iconic figures who influenced you indirectly earlier in life but you don't acquaint yourself with their contribution to the world until after they've left this earth?! Well, I find myself in that space recently.<br />
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A few weeks ago, I saw <i>All Eyes On Me </i>(2017), a biopic on the (very short) life of TuPac Shakur. This past Wednesday, I saw the documentary, <i>Chasing Trane </i>(2016), on yet another short lived but prolific life - that of saxophonist and jazz composer, John Coltrane. I was shocked, and sad, to learn that both men died fairly young - Shakur at 25 and Coltrane at 40. I should have been well aware of the age of Shakur's departure since I remember, to the day, of hearing about the time he was shot in Las Vegas. But given that I was so young at the time, I have vague recollection of the fine details around the tragic event. And Coltrane, I didn't find out the exact age until towards the end of the film when they revealed this fact.<br />
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As the constant self-reflexive person I am, I found myself wondering what have I accomplished in my life by the time I reached (or will reach) these ages. By the time I was 25, I was in my first year of my M.F.A. program. I'll soon be turning 40 and there's so much I have yet to accomplish but really want to. Both Shakur and Coltrane had these massive bodies of work and have each recently been inaugurated into their respective industries' equivalent of a Hall of Fame.<br />
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How many people are familiar with the "Jesus Year?!" This term refers to the age that Jesus was crucified and loosely a time when people experience some sort of rebirth. For me, my "Jesus Year(s)" are 25 and 40...especially 40 since it's creeping up faster than what I wish to acknowledge. What can I and have I accomplished by 2019?! I just gave my age away but I'm a woman who is proud of getting older, especially since my mom died at a young age (57 will be another "Jesus Year" for me as that is the age that she passed - I, of course, hope to make it further).<br />
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I look up to both Coltrane and Shakur for their discipline when it came to being able to generate their musical catalogs and also the pride and love they showed for their families and communities. Both humble in their own way, they never forgot their origins and those who helped them accomplish dreams and goals. I especially look up to Coltrane for his spiritual discipline and his connection to this realm. This is something that I've struggled with for all of my life and I want to find a way to marry my religious and spiritual connection with what I think is best for me, lifestyle wise. Growing up Christian but finding myself aligning more with Eastern spiritual practices, all of these things clash in dangerous ways....some alienating me from those I grew up with and others from my past. This is very hard for me as I'm someone who believes that the past plays a huge part in forming one's identity (it's not the sole thing but one that informs who we are - whether it's trauma inducing and making us wanting to completely divorce these painful experiences or the proud sum of the whole).<br />
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While Coltrane has exhibited some form of musical talent and genius for most of his life, it wasn't until he sobered up from drug use earlier in his career and found a spiritual practice that he began to produce his most important and influential work. I've always thought to myself what would and could happen with my writing if I found this for myself. I've been sober, from alcohol and not by choice, since October. And, while I haven't found the sort of clarity gifted to Coltrane, I haven't experienced a panic attack since late October. I had to stop drinking due to medication that I'm on to curb these attacks and I'm very happy that I haven't had one in a while. For those who haven't had one, panic attacks (literally) feel like you're dying. Though I miss my mother dearly, I'm not ready to join her quite yet.<br />
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I've always participated in some form of artistic practice. Whether it was singing in my church's choir from age 6 to 14, studying African dance, flamenco, and modern throughout most of my life in some form, playing the clarinet starting at 8 years old, writing my first poem in 2nd grade and winning a statewide competition with this piece, or photographing the beauty that surrounds me on a daily basis, I've always been a "creative." The issue has been what is the genre/discipline that I can dedicate my time to the most and one (or multiple) that would bring me the most joy and fulfillment. Every time I've worked hard towards something and haven't yielded my desired results, I quit it immediately and put it in the back of my mind like it never happened. This is what happened with playing the clarinet and classical music, acting, and dancing. Dropping the clarinet is accompanied by so much trauma as no matter how hard I practiced, I never made it past third chair in orchestra or band, I didn't get to solo often in orchestra (there's an infamous story of me losing the bass clarinet solo for Pines of Rome despite being assigned this instrument in orchestra), and I had so many private instructors and conductors tell me that black people don't do classical music and that my lips were too big to form the embouchure that would produce the standard classical sound. The last time I seriously practiced and played was at 22 years old and I've since played a lot of money to get my instrument overhauled - and, I experienced some trauma around this as the instrument repair company did a poor job and wanted to blame me for the issue. I got it repaired in a different state and it was shipped back to me. Upon opening the delivery package, I found keys and screws bent. So now, my instrument is sitting in its case on the kitchen floor because I just don't have the energy or motivation to find someone to make the final repairs (this is also after already spending more than $500 on the initial rebuild).<br />
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I've spent most of this morning listening to Coltrane's <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20src=%22https://www.npr.org/player/embed/148148986/147872677%22%20width=%22100%%22%20height=%22290%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20title=%22NPR%20embedded%20audio%20player%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E">A Love Supreme</a> (1965), an homage to his spiritual relationship with God. It is one of the most important works in his canon and in the jazz world. The documentary goes into some detail behind what it took for him to be able to compose and play this masterpiece. Sadly, he died of liver cancer only a few years after the release of this album. It's not really ironic that I'm listening to this work on a Sunday morning, the time that many of the Christian faith traditionally find themselves in their homes of worship. My Sundays tend to be my time with a Higher being as I spend most of the time journaling, reflecting on the past week and the week ahead, along with disconnecting from most media. I also light a candle on the altar I built in honor of my mom after her passing. Given my current lack of a spiritual connection and a routine artistic practice, will I ever find myself being able to produce the equivalent to <i>A Love Supreme</i>? Honestly, I really hope so.<br />
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All of this is to say that these films and the lives they each depict have given me so much to think about and reflect on. What is it that I want my life to be remembered for? What is the thing - or are the things - I wish to leave behind? Do I really want to be a Mozart or Shakespeare, artists whose works weren't really celebrated until centuries after each of their deaths?! What is it I'm doing with my life?! What do I want others to say about me once I've reached my Coltrane "Year"?! Readers, how many of you stopped to ponder these questions? What would you like to accomplish before your "year"? What have you accomplished by your "year" and is it what you wanted and hoped for? Whose milestone would you make your "year" and why? As always, I like to leave you all with multiple questions because these are the questions that I have for myself and I hope that everyone is thinking along these same lines as these are the things that make us "us."Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-79055691606110399732017-01-10T16:42:00.004-05:002017-01-10T17:54:43.190-05:00#MediaInColor: Representation Matters in the Age of Trump(iness)<br />
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<i>Prior to beginning this post, I'd like to take this moment to let you know that I proudly stand firmly in who I <a href="https://youtu.be/WFY2kJ96jNY">am</a>! I'd like to dedicate this "return" to my mom, Wanda Marie Young, who departed this life on March 6, 2015. Thank you for encouraging me at a very young age to read and write all that I can, for gifting me with loads of magazine subscriptions in my teen years and for teaching me the importance of allowing history to guide rather then hinder your way. You've always respected me as a writer and I'll continue to pen the lives of those who are absent and silent until my time to join you has come.</i><br />
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The past 21 months have been one helluva rollercoaster for me. Hard to believe but this is my first blog post since April of 2015. A laundry list of things happened to me over the past (almost) two years including the sudden passing of my mother, the lost of other loved ones (including saying "goodbye" to some long-cherished friendships), a hard-hitting mental illness diagnosis, a reevaluation of my own career and educational choices, celebrating friends' academic, career and personal accomplishments, the end of a long-term romantic relationship, accepting an adjunct faculty position (yup, I have two jobs, one part-time and one full-time - I'm trying to save up for a car), financial pitfalls and triumphs, and haulting all forms of art-making. Pretty much, I had a midlife crisis at the sheer age of 35. Other than a reintroduction to the "blogosphere", I felt the need to start off this post in this manner due to the fact that while I've been absent, the presence of people of color in the media has endured and exploded in a unique way. <br />
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Within one month, I got to see the following films: <i><a href="http://movies.disney.com/moana">Moana</a></i>, <i><a href="http://a24films.com/films/moonlight/">Moonlight</a></i> (saw it twice), <i><a href="http://www.fencesmovie.com/">Fences</a></i>, and <i><a href="http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/hidden-figures">Hidden Figures</a></i>. The last few months of 2016 were filled with lots of screen time with people of color including <i><a href="http://movies.disney.com/queen-of-katwe">The Queen of Katwe</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7eNSgCQzCI">Miss Sharon Jones!</a> (may this SiSTAR rest in beautiful peace).</i> I also binged watched the series <i>Insecure</i> (I actually cried after the last episode because I felt like I lost a best friend...Season One is only 8 episodes and I can't wait until Season Two arrives) over the holidays and have plans to do the same for <i>Atlanta</i>. I'm so excited for tonight's season premiere of <i>Being Mary Jane</i> and can never miss an original airing of any episodes of <i>Black-ish</i>!<br />
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I purposely went to see <i>Hidden Figures</i> opening weekend (and I brought friends) because I want to see this film not only make it's money back tenfold, I want it to be in theatres for a long time for it tells an important untold story from American history. Honestly, I feel like the book should be incorporated into high school curricula. I beg of my readership to please find these films at <a href="http://www.fandango.com/">theatres near you</a> (please do not obtain bootlegged copies because the wrong hands will get hold of your money) as we need to support those of our community telling our stories. While I understand that taking a family out for a movie outing could cost around $50-60 (which I suggest going to enjoy a lunch or coffee/tea afterwards to discuss what you've seen and save the money on concessions - for your money can be better spent on a more fulfilling meal and experience - I'm also suggesting attending a matinee screening which can save you a few bucks), you're helping to keep these artists and producers employed.<br />
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While I was hoping for big wins during Sunday's Golden Globe Awards, I'm more depending on ticket sales to prove to the world that these stories are necessary. If we don't see these films ourselves, then what's the point?! Do we really need accolades to inform our decisions to support media? I really hope not because we'll be in deep trouble as I'm afraid that films like <i>La La Land</i> are going to sweep every category it's nominated for. BTW, I don't want to spend too much time hating on <i>La La Land</i> but what I will say is that I saw it and didn't necessarily enjoy it because I find it hard to connect to someone else's nostalgia especially while mine is absent. I want to applaud the film's cinematography and art direction for those elements were beautiful. Also, I thought Ryan Gosling gave a stunning performance.<br />
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For a long time, even now, it was rare to see "myself" on screen. While I saw other African-Americans and women, I saw them from the front row of a time machine. It was always from a historical perspective. I'll never forget one of the last conversations I had with my mom prior to becoming my ancestor. We talked about the time when I went to see the film <i>Selma</i>; I actually went to see it on MLK Day in 2015. She told me a lot about existing during that time, seeing the world through the eyes of a young child (her and my dad were born in the late 1950s). I've always imagined seeing historical events from the perspective of a younger version of myself in real time. What a way to define your identity. This actually might explain why my parents, their parents, THEIR parents and others from my upbringing are so proud of their blackness as they were surrounded by it everyday, whether exposed through troupes or empowering images. <br />
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In recalling watching Selma, it took me back to the field trip I took in middle school to see Spike Lee's <i>Malcolm X</i>. School was closed that day and they rented out an entire movie theatre (it was the Mercury Theatre back in Detroit, which has since closed...it was a two-screen house and we took up every seat). I remember seeing the (seems like) endless sea of black faces on the bus and also seeing a prominent African-American figure's life take shape on screen. I was so moved by Malcolm X's story to where I had to do more research on his life afterwards. Back then, that took the form of going to the library and paging through encyclopedias rather than the quick form of Google, which is available in a millisecond via the cell phones and tablets of today. I remember being so proud to be BLACK! You would think that I would have been able to embrace many more of these experiences given that information is within reach via the ever-evolving technology that I possess within my hands (I always have my iPhone and iPad handy). But alas, it took a film adaptation of Margot Lee Shetterly's book to expose me to the stories of Dorothy Vaughn, Katherine Johnson and Mary Jackson and to pay for subscriptions to HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix to get caught up on <i>The Mindy Project</i>, <i>Insecure</i> and other series featuring heroines of color. I am also happy that August Wilson adapted his play <i>Fences</i> for the screen prior to his death. So many people thought that <i>Fences</i> has always been a film, when in fact it's won Tony Awards and continues to be produced in theatres across the country. I've talked breathlessly about the importance of marrying "multicultural theatre" (I actually teach <i>Fences</i> in my Theatre and Social Change course) and audiences of color and I'm glad that this relationship is taking shape through this film.<br />
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In summary, I couldn't find it deep in my soul to connect with <i>La La Land</i> because it tells a story that I've heard quite often as whiteness and white history is so much a part of the daily milieu to where many people disbelieve the existence of a white race. And, nostalgia is painful for me because of the absence of the many comforts of my formative years. There's stores and schools that are closed (all but one school that I attended is now closed; and that school, I only attended for a year and a half), people that have passed on, homes I once lived in are no more (each home that I lived in as a child has been vacated and torn down for several years) and memories lost because no one thought to put them to pen and paper. People of privilege don't have to fight hard to access these things as it surrounds all of us constantly, even without permission.<br />
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And some may say that I can't come to terms with watching anything mainstream because I'm an "artist." If you give me a good story, I can always find a way to relate to it. One of my favorite films of 2016 happens to be <i>Bridget Jones's Baby</i>, which stars Renee Zellweger playing an almost middle-aged woman living in the U.K.<br />
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Now, you may wonder why I titled this post in the matter that I did. I strongly believe that if it were up to Trump, he'd either ship us all back to (what he thinks are) our origin countries or just re institute slavery. I'll let you know RIGHT NOW that I'd make a horrible slave because I rarely did chores as a kid and I fight back! Him and his "followers" have plans to erase everything that has made our country already great. And for those who know me well know that I'm a HUGE fan of Stephen Colbert, "trumpiness" (2015) is a take on his coined term "truthiness" (2005) where trumpiness does not even have to feel "true." We need to prove that WE are all "true" and that we will TRUMP all over the incoming Presidential Administration! <br />
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In the age of "Trump," I ask all of you, every single person in a marginalized community (which is practically everyone I know...even if they cease to acknowledge that) to please make the most of the next four years and live in your truths. Don't be ashamed of who you are. Be as quirky as you wanna be. Don't apologize for yearning more and for embracing your cultural heritage - those bestowed upon you by your "families", birth and chosen. Be who you are because no one else can do the job better than you! Educate others while enriching your own experiences. Expose yourself and your friends to new things - movies, food, languages, and places. I trust that our world will be given to us before we know it! The media of our people is creating a new universe and we must be prepared to exist in it tenaciously. <br />
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BTW, two of the films that I mention in this post were produced and distributed by Disney. Thank you Disney for believing that we (women of color) can be chiefs, princesses, and conquerors of our own destinies. And, please read more about the <a href="http://thegrio.com/2016/11/29/black-film-renaissance/">renaissance</a> in African-American media.<br />
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<br />Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-77972792937944577012015-04-05T11:57:00.002-04:002015-04-05T13:02:52.221-04:00The Pick (of the Litter): Negotiating the Mysogyny in Online Dating <i>***To the men who are thinking of suing me for eluding to your story and identity in this blog post, I should sue you for malpractice and using a false identity. Think twice before delivering the side swipe and casting the first stone.</i><br />
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Though on exclusively different topics, when outlining the sketch for this blog post, the song "The Charade" by D'Angelo and the Vanguard came to mind. Throughout reading this post, think of the following lyrics from the song's chorus:<br />
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<i>"All we wanted was a chance to talk</i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><i>'Stead we only got outlined in chalk</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><i>Feet have bled a million miles we've walked</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><i>Revealing at the end of the day, the charade"</i></span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><i>-D'Angelo and The Vanguard's "The Charade" (2014) from the album "Black Messiah"</i></span><br />
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Despite speaking out against the countless acts of police brutality committed against Black people in this country in recent years, this song, for me, resonates deeply with the subject matter covered in this post.<br />
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Recently, opposed to severe apprehension, I trusted impulse and went on a date with someone I met online. This, for me, is extremely out of character but I allowed my physical attraction for this "someone" to rule out over my checklist of things I look for in a guy. We went out and had an amazing time, so I thought based on his reactions and responses to everything happening around us that night. I truly thought that I connected with this guy. He even did something for me that I've always wanted but was afraid to ask for or have been steered away from wanting it: he paid for everything! Usually when I go out on a date, the guy either expects us to go "dutch" or if he pays, he expects a Nobel prize winner's set of lifelong accolades. The evening ended with him confessing to me the following: he wants a relationship, he wants to pursue me, he really likes me and that he would see me in a couple of days. Though plans were not solidified, he inquired about my schedule for a particular day and said that if he wasn't able to come up on that day, he could come up later in the week. We then chatted for the rest of the night as he was on the road headed home. The last I heard from him was about a week ago via a "Good Morning" text message. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdD5tDoFRs3QHeK1j3gblCo_VwY4ohvkXobMnMT5ix8uI-TSr-Ik813qk6F5O-2uHARHAL-v1DGgye39DCN1nAD3ZLcDVVbveUobhchad7hCTNkmFzaPsFNDnsvObRJGggOzVHC3Nj5Oz/s1600/the-online-dating-ecosystem_50290b8d29fb41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdD5tDoFRs3QHeK1j3gblCo_VwY4ohvkXobMnMT5ix8uI-TSr-Ik813qk6F5O-2uHARHAL-v1DGgye39DCN1nAD3ZLcDVVbveUobhchad7hCTNkmFzaPsFNDnsvObRJGggOzVHC3Nj5Oz/s1600/the-online-dating-ecosystem_50290b8d29fb41.jpg" height="320" width="288" /></a>A true chameleon, he went from Casanova to Houdini! If anyone is looking for actors, you should cast this guy because he can play a series of roles. And how great of a performance he gave on the night of our date and the numerous text message conversations and phone calls prior, I am confident that he can produce some EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) award-winning performances. And believe me, I really didn't need this performance - as it was a first date. I blame the disappearing act on his lack of maturity and his fear of being honest with me and stating that he's not interested. For those who are looking for a man who can pull off mid-to-late 30s (he says that he's in his late 30s but after doing the math and adding up his years in the area and when he attended college and graduate school, he comes across as much older), he'll be worth every penny invested.<br />
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I went in with zero expectations - - again, wasn't sure about going on this date because I don't like to explore anything with anyone solely on physical appearance because, for me, there's usually nothing more there. Honestly, I'm more turned on by intellect and personality for looks can fade quickly and if you've had my experience with online dating, those looks could possibly belong to someone other than the person you've been communicating with.<br />
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So many times in the past, and I can blame myself for this a little bit because I'm bad at weeding out damaged "goods" or troublemakers, I've gone out with guys whom I met online who either 1) lied about their age by like 15+ years, 2) looked NOTHING like their profile photo or other pictures they've posted (one guy who I met years ago looked so different from the photo he posted, when we met up in person, I wondered if he was even related to the guy in the picture, for, compared to him in the flesh and him in cyberspace, it looked like he went to Walmart, picked out a cheap frame and scanned the stock photo that was in the frame to use it as his profile photo), 3) barely disclosed any information on themselves, 4) pretty much lied about everything in their profile. I remember reading several articles a while back that stated that men are expected to lie about their age and their physical appearance (i.e., <a href="http://www.askmen.com/dating/curtsmith_400/412_online-profile-4-lies-men-tell.html">Ask Men</a>, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/greg-hodge/online-dating-lies_b_1930053.html">The Huffington Post</a>, <a href="http://jezebel.com/5533574/why-you-should-lie-in-your-online-dating-profile">Jezebel</a>) and that women who lie about their physical appearance, whether posting a photo that has her at 5 or 10 pounds lighter or anything that may be only slightly different from what she looks like at the time of the first date, should be branded with a scarlet "P" ("P" is for "Poser") for life. Why the disparity?!<br />
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If I were to hire Patty Stranger from Bravo's "The Millionaire Matchmaker", she would tell me my picker is all wrong. I would have to strongly disagree with her because 1) according to society, I should be married by now and I have to marry the first thing that falls onto my lap or I'll be a spinster for the rest of my life and 2) by going off the portrayal this guy gave me, he would have been the perfect match for me. Because I usually go by what guys give me, which tends to be stellar performances of the type of man I'd like to marry and bury (for I believe in the wedding vow "till death do us part"), if I were to date the guy in the online profile, he would be a catch!<br />
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I come across profiles of men who look nothing in comparison to the women they describe that they want to be with. For men who say they want a "white/Caucasian," "slender or athletic," long hair, light eyed, well-kept, attractive, petite princess, I see Shrek in the profile picture - someone who looks like they haven't seen a bath since bathe as a child (or even their first baptism), someone who, according to societal standards, would not be deemed "attractive," or someone who looks straight up like a beast! Though I'm not attractive by societal standards (being a Black woman with natural hair and full-figured, I'm okay with that), I have higher expectations for a guy who feels comfortable with publicly proclaiming that these physical attributes are what they look for. Whereas with me and some women whom I talked with about dating online, I feel like we do look for our equivalent in education, socio-economic status and an all-around good guy who is looking to treat his woman like a queen, which, for me, does not even account for physical appearance. Along with my physical stature, I try to be up front as possible about who I am (education and job industry) without giving away too much (stalkers or identity thefts, anyone?!) because I've been told that other than what I look like, my intelligence, goals and aspirations make me intimidating to most men. Again, why the disparity?!<br />
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I've always also wondered why respect and communication skills get tossed to the waste side with online dating as well. From my personal experience, men go from "hello" to here's a picture of my erect penis, let me see your "tits" in a millisecond. And, some of the men's first lines to me, I don't even feel comfortable quoting them here because they might get me banned from the internet for an eternity because they're just that foul. Why do we treat the other person on the end of our form of communication as an avatar or an object?! Isn't that what having access to pornography is for?! No need for engagement - one can easily get off sans expectations from the other person. Since I've never attempted to date women online, I'm curious as to if women resort to similar modes of communication with men online.<br />
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Returning back to "The Charade," think about the many things that we're coached about on a daily basis from the numerous sources inundated in our lives including media, family, friends, and ourselves. From in the womb via gender norms as they are introduced through clothered clothing, gender assigned toys and behaviors, we're taught to "be" certain ways in order to be accepted by others. I've been told many times that I'm not married at the ripe ol' age of mid-30s because I fight against society's expectations of me. I may be deemed as overeducated, overweight not a desirable race and ethnicity (think about which ones are assumed by choice) but I'm pretty happy with who I am, what I've become and who I will continue to become. I strongly believe that the culture of online dating, even beyond old fashioned dating rules, is dictated by how we're expected to exist. If we do not conform to what mainstream culture deems as desirable, we're to expect subpar treatment. This leads me to believe that this is why men, even if they are not attractive and have every trait women are taught to want, will fight tooth and nail to get what they've been taught to want (well, in many cases, some are told that they need it) and women should wait for their white horse with perfect prince on top - translation: men will get what they want by any means necessary and women, well...you will have to cope with maybe not getting anything you're expected to want or need as I've been told numerous times (settle with life if you don't get married, even though that is something that you really want). The costumes and personas we wear on a daily basis, whether it be for work, for entertainment, or even for ourselves keep us from living lives to our fullest potential and for allowing what's right and healthy to emerge into our lives. So, Mr. "Houdini" and other men who deemed me unfit for mating, I wish you adieu and I do hope that you find what you're looking for.Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-52008060679123815552015-02-16T10:58:00.001-05:002015-10-29T18:12:13.200-04:00Romanticizing Fantasy and Our 'Relationship' with "50 Shades of Grey"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdgyTvbFaPzoqb9i5vUD4Jzup_dwdrzJM7CD4l54pSeG41tR3uIUPs7UxcmNfJc4V8b44VbaOeUeov7ycq2ewiW9UIDdJ5g05I5JL1S0MM4J9nAPL9zY_I6vRXZSjjHTt3BEwRM6k2Q5x/s1600/Anastasia-Steele-fifty-shades-of-grey-37362789-802-333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdgyTvbFaPzoqb9i5vUD4Jzup_dwdrzJM7CD4l54pSeG41tR3uIUPs7UxcmNfJc4V8b44VbaOeUeov7ycq2ewiW9UIDdJ5g05I5JL1S0MM4J9nAPL9zY_I6vRXZSjjHTt3BEwRM6k2Q5x/s1600/Anastasia-Steele-fifty-shades-of-grey-37362789-802-333.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>A still of Anastasia (Dakota Johnson) from the film, <b>50 Shades of Grey</b></i></div>
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While there continues to be a running tab of disputes as to whether or not <i>50 Shades of Grey</i> is great literature and how it handles its subject matter, we can all agree that E.L. James' book sparked necessary conversations in popular culture. The purpose of this blog post is for me to work out my angst around the question: "why <i>50 Shades</i>?"</div>
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I am extremely interested in how cultural products become iconic empires, especially one like <i>50 Shades of Grey</i> - a book that covers some pretty controversial material and one that some have deemed poorly written. Billed as erotica, E.L. James' novel explores BDSM (which many have argued that its depiction marginalizes those in this community even more) and straight female sexuality (orgasms and all). I had to point out that it specifically highlights "straight female sexuality" because it still remains a taboo topic in today's society. I've read the book and saw the film opening weekend in order to get a better understanding as to why this franchise blew up even beyond itself. <i>50 Shades of Grey</i> has taken off so much and so fast to where <a href="http://www.target.com/p/fifty-shades-of-grey-yours-and-mine-adult-vibrating-love-ring/-/A-16749954">Target</a> is carrying a line of merchandise inspired by the book and film!</div>
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<i>50 Shades of Grey</i> is the first piece of fiction that I finished reading in a little under 2 weeks. For those who know me well, this is a huge accomplishment because not only being a fan of mostly memoir and biographies, it takes me a long time to read anything! And, the edition of the book that I was reading was 514 pages!!! The dialogue, the "holy cows" and all of those "inner goddesses" made it a challenging read. I'm not going to publicly bash the book and say that it was the worse thing I've ever read. What I will say is that I've read much better erotica, with great dialogue and very hot sex scenes, which made reading <i>50 Shades of Grey</i> even more difficult to read. While many people I've talked to and the numerous articles I've read slam the book as being bad overall and recommending that people avoid it because of the explicit sex scenes and the issues it raises around consent, it was hard for me to read simply due to the dialogue and scenes being so badly written to where I couldn't visualize for myself what was going on. Given my investment in the story, I owed it to myself to see the film adaptation, especially during opening weekend.</div>
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I arrived to the theatre about 30 minutes prior to the film's scheduled start time. This was the first time that I experienced a movie theatre this quiet and so packed! This was the 11:30 a.m. Saturday showing! Even before the trailers, people were sitting quietly in their seats like they would before an Episcopalian or Catholic church service - Anastasia and Christian were put up on a shrine! Taking in this whole experience was very much surprising. This is the reason I love going to the movies.</div>
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My theory behind the fandom of <i>50 Shades of Grey</i> is pretty simple. Though I could relate only slightly, I see pieces of myself in Anastasia. A naive, inexperienced young woman allowing her first "everything" - first boyfriend and first sexual experience - to sweep her away from the realities of the world even if she knew he was the wrong man for her is definitely the way I am connected to Ana. <i>50 Shades of Grey</i> forces me to recall my "firsts." Though my first boyfriend and my first sexual experience were not with the same man nor at the same stage of my life (one came while a teenager in high school and the other in my mid-20s - have fun guessing which one happened at which time in my life), I risked my vulnerability and tore down multiple walls for these men. I explored and experienced a range of emotional and physical intimacy in these situations because they were new to me, very exciting and very fresh. I didn't want to believe that both men were the "spawns of Satan." Dismissing the realities hurt me in the end as these men, at this time in their lives, were very bad people. But, I was willing to look beyond all of that because I was desperate for love and affection, something that my peers had access to for what seemed like a very long time. Believing that many women are able to see themselves in Ana is what led over a million readers to the pages of E.L. James' <i>50 Shades</i> collection.</div>
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The idea that infuriates me about this empire is how protective <i>50 Shades</i>' fans are of the content of the book, so much so to where they're willing to dismiss all of its associated issues. I've been a part of various conversations about this book including those that identify Anastasia as an iconic feminist character, as illustrated in this recent <i>Huffington Post</i> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/30/dakota-johnson-anastasia-feminist_n_6581288.html">article</a>, that Christian is not exhibiting abusive behavior, and that <i>50 Shades of Grey</i> features an accurate representation of BDSM. I'm sorry but I would have to disagree on all of these issues. I do not believe that the Ana character is a feminist as she is rendered in the book and I do believe that some of the behavior Christian is exhibiting in both the book and the film could be categorized within the realms of abuse (i.e., the monitoring of her eating habits, Christian's dictatorship over Ana's birth control regiment, and the fact that, to me, it seems like Christian is only able to have sex with Ana - after she loses her virginity - when he's angry). I understand fans wanting to defend what they love. However, I take issue with people who are trying to make <i>50 Shades of Grey</i> something it's not.</div>
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I'm one to argue that genre of fiction needs to remain as such. It does not need to necessarily all be political. However, when a cultural product is exposed to the masses like <i>50 Shades of Grey</i> has been, one needs to have the capacity to critically engage. My fear is that young women will see this film and take it as the gospel on how they should pursue and be pursued in relationships and what the ideal is. Unfortunately, we participate in a very impressionable society, one that allows the media to dictate how we should portray our identities, shape our lifestyles and regulate the lives of others, especially those that mainstream culture deems "unfit." For me, <i>50 Shades of Grey</i> was okay as a stand alone book. The issues within the book didn't raise issues for me until it was adapted into a film and the emergence of its associated merchandise.</div>
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Though I have issues with <i>50 Shades of Grey</i>, I'm not one to call for protests against fiction unless it is clear that it's audiences/readers will be harmed by the material. I completely disagree with those who say that others should boycott the film for I think that the reasons behind the boycott are misogynistic. I applaud E.L. James for doing something that should have happened a long time ago: putting erotica, a genre I find liberating for women as they are able to explore sexuality and fantasy on their own terms, this entrenched into the dominant discourse. I do understand why erotica's foremothers, like <a href="http://eroticanoir.com/">Zane</a> and <a href="http://meganhart.com/">Megan Hart</a> (whose books I've read and LOVE), were not given similar exposure as the worlds they render are not complete 'escapes' as they deal with trauma and real-life situations in a way that E.L. James seems to avoid. While I won't judge anyone for "canonizing" <i>50 Shades of Grey</i>, I do request that you allow it to be what it is, ask some deep questions about it, i.e., why did E.L. James write a character, Ana, who refuses to explore masturbation (a serious discussion about women having full control of their bodies and sexual pleasure), and that you expose yourself to other writers within the genre - for raising your consciousness in this way will open your worlds up to so much more! BTW, I highly recommend reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Megan-Hart/dp/0373605153">Megan Hart's <i>Broken</i></a>: there are some extremely steamy (and more realistic) sex scenes in this book!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/4LErjzY_wKI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4LErjzY_wKI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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The trailer for the film, <i>Addicted</i> (2014).</div>
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*** While researching for this blog post, I stumbled across a trailer for the film, <i>Addicted</i>, which is based on Zane's novel of the same title. Up until this point, I've NEVER heard of it yet it was "released to theatres" as it says in posts that I'm reading online. I really need to find this film, watch it and then write about it!</div>
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Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-40758297145060990972015-02-09T17:31:00.002-05:002015-02-09T18:03:18.741-05:00The Importance of a Story: A Response to Crowdfunding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtdMmV8y9GyoNLLAE67IOx0JYF0FcMyxMYXq8JLi3PMJHmSkx5hHLUJgRlvZ-y30ao7cekPtE6pD4woFeGwO4ahM-AbnnZs5H8I-Q9Gxp8HXBaK18zxTTuUYHJyCbvAs3FdaYXGSJ-xJE/s1600/pete-frates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtdMmV8y9GyoNLLAE67IOx0JYF0FcMyxMYXq8JLi3PMJHmSkx5hHLUJgRlvZ-y30ao7cekPtE6pD4woFeGwO4ahM-AbnnZs5H8I-Q9Gxp8HXBaK18zxTTuUYHJyCbvAs3FdaYXGSJ-xJE/s1600/pete-frates.jpg" /></a></div>
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How many of you out there remember the <a href="http://www.alifestoryfoundation.org/learn/?gclid=CIyy66_t1cMCFc1i7Aod2yIA0A">Ice Bucket Challenge from 2014</a>? I hope a lot of people do because it received national (I'm thinking even international attention) and <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2014/08/29/the-als-ice-bucket-challenge-has-raised-100m-but-its-finally-cooling-off/">raised over $100 million towards ALS (</a><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2014/08/29/the-als-ice-bucket-challenge-has-raised-100m-but-its-finally-cooling-off/">amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) research</a>. And, the challenge was accomplished via social media. I'm very impressed that this effort raised so much money in a short period of time all because of one person's story.<br />
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See, I was initially approached to participate in the challenge. I declined. I elected not to participate because while asking around about what the challenge was for, who chose dumping a bucket of ice water over one's head as the way to meet the challenge, why ice water, what does ice water symbolize, and other questions that I hope people are asking themselves before they donate, I received zero response. I only got grief for questioning my participation.<br />
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A few weeks ago, I attended a conference for work: the CASE District I Conference in Boston (CASE stands for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education). Nancy Frates was one of the keynote speakers during the conference. She is the mother of <a href="http://petefrates.com/">Pete Frates</a>, the gentleman whose story initially sparked the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Titled "Team Frate Train and Why the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Went Viral", Mrs. Frates' speech touched upon her son's story, the start of fundraising efforts, and the campaign that became Team Frate Train. Listening to the "conductor" directly, I felt ashamed that I didn't jump onboard the first time the call was announced.</div>
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<i>* Please check out Nancy Frates' <a href="http://www.ted.com/">TED</a> Talk above.</i></div>
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The story was so compelling and very personal. Mrs. Frates talked about her son's journey through college baseball and the brief professional career that followed, his diagnosis, the deterioration of his neurological system, and the impact ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) has had on Pete and his family, including his newlywed status. This story pulled at my heart strings to the point that I, in the near future once finances allow, will donate to the ALS Foundation.</div>
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The purpose of this post is to emphasis the importance of a story. <br />
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I'd like to think of myself as an informed consumer and someone who wants to be actively involved in social change. To effectively do this, I absolutely have to know what I'm attaching my name to. <br />
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I approach philanthropy similar to that of the funders on the ABC show, <i>Shark Tank</i>. They're not necessarily participating in philanthropy yet the concept of the show mirrors the essence of it. They hear a story, see a demonstration (in most cases) and get to know the product and its creators prior to offering funding. I don't have the type of money that these sponsors have but I strive to offer my time, talent, and treasure (whether it's through the form of a monetary contribution, volunteering or serving on a board of directors for a nonprofit organization). </div>
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I feel like being "in the know" of whatever you're contributing to makes for sustained involvement, which helps to improve the conditions that these types of initiatives are raising money for. I believe that while crowdfunding is a great initiative overall and is getting people involved on equal footing in giving back with no barriers or prejudices towards socioeconomic status, I advocate for being educated on what you're donating to. For your name is attached to those efforts as well.</div>
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The next time a link to a Go Fund Me campaign (or some other crowdfunding) campaign comes across your social media feed, please do your research prior to contributing and also before asking other to join the bandwagon. And, for those who are preparing crowd funding pages, be prepared to share your story - in a compelling way in order to move hearts and motivate others to feel as passionate and attached to your cause equally as you and others closest to you. While a small step, these sheer minutes, in most cases, seconds, will lead towards smarter and more effective philanthropy.</div>
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Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-73249883070700752152014-11-03T12:18:00.002-05:002014-11-03T12:22:14.604-05:00Dear White People: The Lil' Movie That Did (The Most)!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A still from <i>Dear White People</i> (2014)</div>
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As an armchair film critic, I owe it to myself and to my audience to share some insight on my reaction and response to the recently released film, <i>Dear White People</i>. After seeing it opening weekend (twice), I wasn't sure what new perspective I would be able to offer on the film, especially given the numerous reviews it's received (both prior and after the screenings I attended). Overcoming this apprehensive fairly quickly, I now feel compelled to say something.<br />
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In one weekend, I saw <i>Dear White People</i> along with the animated feature-length film, <i>The Book of Life</i> (which played at the larger, mainstream theatre in the area). <i>Dear White People</i> opened nation wide on October 24. <i>The Book of Life</i> opened in theatres on October 17. I saw <i>Dear White People</i> on October 25 while seeing <i>The Book of Life</i> on October 26. I had to travel some distance in order to see <i>The Book of Life</i> because the theatre nearby was only showing it four times that weekend: two in 3D and two in standard digital, and I wasn't available to see it during any of those times. BTW, I want to note that the theatre I ended up seeing it at was only playing it five times that day (3 in XD3D and twice in standard digital). Given what I intend to spend on a ticket and my desired experience, I didn't necessarily need to see it in 3D/XD/40DD/hydrogradeD/lowfat soy, slight foam (added my own emphasis). So, I went to the next theatre several towns over, try about a 30-45 minute drive and a highway, to see <i>The Book of Life</i>. What surprised me was the lack of screenings for a film that just recently opened (please note that <i>Dear White People</i> has been open now around the same amount of time that <i>The Book of Life</i> was open when I saw it and according to the local art house's website playing <i>Dear White People</i> currently, there's about seven screenings Saturday, six yesterday, and five this evening - a Monday no less). Usually, films do not play for very long at our local art house, with the exception of <i>Twelve Years a Slave</i> (which I still, to this day, refuse to see, but for different reasons than one would imagine), a film that felt like it played for an eternity. I have a sense that <i>Dear White People</i> will follow suit. Readership, can you sense the anger that has fallen upon this soul when discovering this disparity?!<br />
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A trailer for <i>The Book of Life</i> (2014)</div>
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Reminiscing on viewing these two films brings me back to the experience of the adventure taken in order to see Gabriel Iglesias' <i>The Fluffy Movies, </i>which was released<i> </i>this summer. The nearest theatre playing it was in Providence, RI, which is about a two hour drive from where I currently reside. And, this was during opening weekend, no less! And, when I went to search for other theatres playing this film, the list was extremely slim. Not sure why, but multiple factors came to mind: one of them being how Iglesias, as a comedian has been billed/marketed. It felt like The Fluffy Movie played not just in metropolitan markets, but those with a substantial number of Latino/Hispanic communities. For those who are familiar with his work, how many times have you heard him talk about the advantages/disadvantages of being billed as a Mexican comedian?! Case, in point. Not to ruin both <i>The Book of Life</i> and <i>The Fluffy Movie</i>, because I really want people to see these films, making the trek for these movies was well worth it, more so than seeing <i>Dear White People</i> twice at a theatre within walking distance from my house.<br />
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A trailer for <i>The Fluffy Movie: Unity Through Laughter</i> (2014) </div>
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I've wanted an excuse to write about <i>The Book of Life</i> and <i>The Fluffy Movie</i>, even if it's just a brief mention. Thanks to <i>Dear White People</i> and understanding a little bit about the film distribution industry, I'm able to comment on each of these films within the same blog post! These films have multiple similarities, some obvious (films featuring artists/filmmakers/writers/performers of color) and some that only intersect once I interject in the discourses being produced (or lack thereof) as a result of the existence of these specific cultural products.</div>
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Though I'm still torn about how I feel about the film, I believe that <i>Dear White People</i> as a cultural product is extremely important. A film with a small budget, one that had to be garnered via an <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dear-white-people">Indiegogo.com campaign as recent as 2012</a>, I would like to applaud Justin Simien for accomplishing something that most independent films don't experience- a wide audience across the country for their inaugural feature-length endeavor, especially one that attempts to tackle so many "isms" in less than two hours. I am especially impressed that this type of film made it's way to art houses such as <a href="http://amherstcinema.org/">Amherst Cinema</a> (the theatre where I saw the film initially). These types of movie theatres garner a very particular audience, as was demonstrated the very evening that I went to see the film a second time. There was a famous German filmmaker in the house for a special screening and Q&A about one of his projects. This was the first time that I saw a line out of the door at Amherst Cinema! It was actually encouraging. The typical audience made up the line for this screening, older white retirees, college/university professors, and students who probably needed to see the film for class/extra credit (the crowd that I saw was like 100% white... not kidding; not the type of audience that I would expect for a film like <i>Dear White People</i>). I just had to share this information prior to going into my full analysis on my viewing experience this time around.</div>
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Despite however I feel about the film, I encourage everyone to go see <i>Dear White People</i>. It's an interesting conversation starter, as dialogues that wouldn't be held otherwise proceeded both times I saw it. I also want others to support this filmmaker as I think he has strong potential as a producer (I will explain more about this in the coming moments). Not only do I want this film to make its money back in box office ticket sales, I really want to encourage this filmmaker to continue pursuing a career in the industry. </div>
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I will not offer a typical critique of the film, one riddled with spoilers or even whether or not I liked the film, because I'm still torn as to how I want to rate the film. Instead, I will give you items to consider when watching this film. With so much to say on this film, I've decided to write my thoughts concisely as bullet points:</div>
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<li>This film was marketed as a "satirical drama." To be honest, I found it hard to laugh during this film even at the most obvious jokes that were supposed to reach across the aisle for multiple reasons. It was hard for me to savor those jokes as I felt extremely uncomfortable watching the film because I've experienced similar situations that played out onscreen in real life, most of them taking place where I currently live. A second point but feeding off of the other, It was really hard to watch extremely heightened, one-dimensional characters amongst a realistic environment. Some of the best satires (I'm a little biased because I'm a huge fan of the ones that I'm about to list), i.e., <i>The Daily Show</i>, <i>The Colbert Report</i>, <i>Arrested Development</i>, Chappelle Show's, (earlier) Saturday Night Live, render their extremely heightened characters within a world that is heightened at the same level or even in more crazier circumstances. It's not just that the heightened environment lends itself to believing that these characters can exist, it is because of these situations that these characters can thrive. What was most upsetting to me about the characters in <i>Dear White People</i> is that the jokes that they were delivering were not believable because it felt like those would be things that they could say in real life given that everything was so realistic. It just made the characters look like mean jerks. Also, the environment of Dear White People made it hard to believe that any critique was served due to the fact that I think that it was poorly executed satire.</li>
<li>The biggest question I kept asking myself during both viewings of the film was "who is the intended audience for this film." Almost all of the characters, with the exception of a few, were one-dimensional, incredibly flawed with no redeeming qualities. I even found it hard to align myself with Lionel, someone who I have a lot in common with, because it was so painful watching him struggle as that outsider. It resurfaced, for me, some of the most painful situations that I experienced throughout my undergraduate and graduate education and my current living situation. My impression is that there is 1) always an intended audience for cultural products and 2) all tactics will be followed in order to attract this audience. I believe that the film failed in this arena as well.</li>
<li>I'm not sure how much this film adds a different perspective on race relations at Predominately White Institutions (PWIs), (a label often bestowed upon colleges and universities, especially in academic/scholarly writing, where the population of white students dominate the respective campus being spoken of) because all of the black characters didn't see a major arc or endure any significant change until they were challenged to do so by some of the white characters (i.e., Sam and Lionel). I believe that this film only reinscribes the issues that are prevalent on these campuses rather than try to resolve them. Sometimes, it is not enough to highlight the problems, especially if these are issues that are covered on a daily basis by other media. I was really hoping for a different perspective on race relations on college campuses via this film but that didn't happen. It felt more like Spike Lee's <i>School Daze</i> - the PWI Edition rather than it's own thing. My apologies for not remembering which critic made the following point (once I find the article, I will post it) but wouldn't it be more revolutionary if filmmakers and other artists rendered people of color and those from other marginalized communities within circumstances where they would thrive?! We know that trials, tributions, and oppression happens but aren't there things when we are happy and living fulfilling and successful lives?! Since these images are few and far between (yes, I know some would say that happiness doesn't make for a great film because it's projected that there will be little to no conflict), I would like to see more artists display these types of situations. Just imagine how many young children will feel more inspired to live if they saw some of these representations! I strongly believe that we treat one another based on how someone like us is rendered in mainstream media and that one change in representation speaks volumes.</li>
<li>It doesn't surprise me that mainstream newspapers (i.e., New York Times, Washington Post, etc) shout only praises for the film because sometimes, it's just enough for people to glaze over the surface when it comes to these issues. I believe that approaches to delving deeper into issues with regards to race, gender, class, sexuality, marital status (or lack thereof) do not make it through to mainstream avenues. Simien knew what he was doing by making this film because he knew that with how he approached these topics, his project was going to get more airtime.</li>
<li>(WARNING: this is the only spoiler that I will offer and I have a very political reason for doing so) Lionel is subjected to gay bashing and even a moment where he's beaten up due to his sexuality. After discovering that Simien recently came out of the closet (according to his Wikipedia page, the rendering of this character and his experiences troubled me even more. Though fiction, I believe that Simien owed more to the LGBTQ community and it's allies for we have seen similar outcomes far too often in multiple threads of media. I know some would argue that it is not art's responsibility to demonstrate social consciousness and to render a world that currently doesn't exist; one where members of communities that are marginalized in reality could exist sans slander and potential harm. In this case, Simien could have taken this opportunity to show that a gay character can exist without being treated poorly, especially to the degree Lionel had to experience. This characterization also positioned so many characters within the film as being anti-equality. Please read this <a href="http://freethoughtblogs.com/ashleymiller/2014/10/24/how-the-morehouse-football-team-ruined-dear-white-people-and-proved-its-point/">post</a> on a response/reaction by a particular audience when it came to this issue. I believe that you'll feel even more enraged by this rendering in the film after reading it.</li>
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Because others have put some of my thoughts succinctly, here are links to some of my favorite critiques/articles on the film:<br />
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<li><a href="http://owning-my-truth.com/post/101001599033/dear-white-people-a-bland-uninteresting-film-made">Owning My Truth</a></li>
<li><a href="http://colorlines.com/archives/2014/10/did_dear_white_people_miss_the_mark_on_casual_racism.html">Colorlines</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.forharriet.com/2014/10/dear-white-people-important-film-flaws.html#.VE6gw1JDY4A.twitter">For Harriet</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.salon.com/2014/10/23/the_dear_white_people_syndrome_why_movies_are_obsessed_with_light_skinned_black_characters/">Salon</a></li>
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I hope that my post encourages further dialogue about this film and the issues raised in this film. I hope that it also encourages others to consider the importance of being an informed spectator/audience member for film, television, radio, theatre, print media, etc. Thank you for reading and please, pull as many people as possible to see <i>Dear White People</i>. Continue talking and maybe one day, marginalized people can be rendered differently in mainstream media and artists of color can challenge the perceptions of the obligation to only show what's wrong and avoiding the possible.</div>
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The official trailer for <i>Dear White People</i> (2014)</div>
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<br />Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-17432280446986863452014-08-28T14:30:00.002-04:002014-08-28T14:30:28.317-04:00Existing in Resistance: A Coming of Age Story & America's Ever-Evolving (Lack of) Growing PainsI've been pondering about this notion of the coming of age story for some time now. I've wanted to write on it for a while now but given the state of our nation in the current moment, I felt that it would be selfish of me to write on something that felt extremely irrelevant to our political climate. However, thanks to my access to social media, I was able to find a way to link all of these ideas together.<br />
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<i>Emmitt Till (1941-1955) and his mother, Mamie Elizabeth Till-Mobley (1921-2003)</i></div>
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Social media reminded me of some important dates in U.S. history. Today is the 59th Anniversary of the lynching of Emmitt Till, a young man killed at the age of 14. Today is the 51st Anniversary of Martin Luther King's monumental delivery of his <i><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/a-day-to-remember-august-28-1963/2011/08/24/gIQADeZZbJ_blog.html">I Have a Dream</a></i> speech. Today, I have finally granted myself permission to write on Michael Brown and Erin Garner. Today, I can intersect all of these ideas with my fascination with the coming-of-age story.<br />
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For those who follow my blog often and who know me personally, I write a lot on and speak about the intersection between film/media and culture and how both are interdependent on one another. <br />
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In order to write on such topics, I have to watch a lot of films. Our local movie theatres see me often, sometimes as much as twice a week. Over the year, I've seen films such as <i>Guardians of the Galaxy</i> and <i>The Way Way Back</i> and am very much interested in seeing <i>Boyhood</i>. Though one may not think of these automatically as coming-of-age stories, they do have one thing in common: audiences get to see white men grow into their own.<br />
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I've always wondered what would a fictional account of the coming-of-age narrative would be for women and men of color, particularly black men and women as we continue to be rendered negatively in the eyes of media moguls, as they triumph and overcome adversity - fighting their way towards accessing and achieving the "American Dream." I do believe that we have a unique coming-of-age narrative in the media; it is one that paints us as beasts who must be struck down and made to be obedient to authorities even when we've been wronged. Better yet, I don't believe that we are even allowed to have this narrative, especially when it is constructed by sources such as news media - those who are charged with delivering the play-by-play of the day rather than depictions of reality that uphold representations created by systems of oppression.<br />
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Michael Brown and Eric Garner have one unique thing in common, other than being senselessly murdered by the police. They are statuesque black men, someone who is to be feared because of inferior characters that are dictated by stereotypes and tropes that have existed in visual culture for centuries. You may wonder why I resorted to these facts about these men, one that I haven't seen discussed in other forums as of yet. This idea came about for me due to the quick and violent actions asserted by the men who killed them. There was very little discussion. There was no question and answer period digging for me facts about their whereabouts or suspicions. Instead these men were murdered in an instant with their lifeless bodies left at the sites of their last breaths... left for others to stare at them like art work in a museum.<br />
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Though I'm unfamiliar with what police training looks like, I am confident that thanks to media programming and conditioning, the officers that killed Brown and Garner unconsciously (or maybe even consciously, one will never know) relied on such images of black men to coach them through these interactions.<br />
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50+ years past the beginning of the modern-day Civil Rights Movement, we still rely upon media images to dictate to us how we should be and relate to one another. 50+ years later, we fight to gain respect that we rightfully deserve. 50+ years later, I am forced to reflect on and ask why some are painted in higher regard by the media and art makers. 50+ years later, I have to ask myself when can we actually judge a person by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin. Who can we count on to change these perceptions, to create narratives that somewhat attempt to render black men and women as the multidimensional people that we are? I hope to be one of those people. Who can I get to join me in these efforts?<br />
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<br />Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-22476217631912021852014-08-02T15:12:00.000-04:002014-08-02T15:20:41.689-04:00#OITNB and the Sacredness (and Necessity) of Women-Only Spaces<i>The ideas raised in the following posts may have emerged in various forums prior to this one. I hope that my views and opinions add something to the current discourse pertaining to these issues. Happy reading everyone!</i><br />
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Currently, I am sitting in your run-of-the-mill, standard coffeeshop in a considerably small-ish city in a collegiate's "mecca" in New England (from this description alone, you might be able to pinpoint exactly where I am at the given moment). I'm catching up on the necessary social media for the weekend and noticed the following photo circulating on Facebook:<br />
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According to the caption adjacent to the photo, these quotes come from a recent interview conducted with Uzo Abuba from the Netflix series <i>Orange is the New Black</i> for <i>Vanity Fair</i>. A convergence of ideas, as it always seems to happen to me: I'm reading up on literature preparing to write a paper on black women authorship, audiences and cyberculture, coming off of the high from a conversation with a dear friend from yesterday about why #OITNB and the space the series has created is so important, and noticing the people and action occurring around me in said coffeeshop during the moments of me attempting to tune all of it out in order to focus on the large volume of articles and books that I have to read to finish this long overdue paper - the question that emerges for me in this moment is "why can women-only spaces be nurtured, desired, and supported in a prison setting?" My apologies for the run-on sentence! My recent acquisition of a graduate degree in English doesn't prohibit me from purging all of my thoughts out fairly quickly absent of consideration of sentence structure and syntax. Especially when I'm passionate about something, you just have to let me run with it, as I'm about to do now.<br />
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Looking around the coffeeshop now and also thinking about the experiences that I've had in this area with regards to "othering" and feeling like an outsider, I notice that people here try so hard to be "different" from everyone else. I see various styles of dress, hairstyles, even the types of technology people are using (there are at least three computers within a finger tap of my own and they each are different brands) and languages being spoken (within earshot, there are conversations occurring in Spanish and in English - some of the joys of living in a college town: being surrounded by a rich tapestry of cultures). I, myself, happen to be different than what people would deem the "normal" black woman. I am fairly plus size and tall. I am VERY proud of my natural hair. I am extremely quirky, clumsy, awkward and really don't care $20 whether or not someone is uncomfortable in my presence. I love classical music, techno, house, electronic music and jazz. I find pleasure in attending art exhibit openings and I have a desire to be fleunt in multiple languages including French, Spanish, Portuguese and various forms of Creole. Though I believe in a higher being, I'm not that religious (I actually take issue with most religions in how they've rendered women and their participation in leadership roles within their communities). I am a playwright, poet and blogger (obviously LOL) and have a desire to one day take on journalism (I have this problem of wanting to speak my mind regularly LOL). AND, I'm EXTREMELY college educated as I have a bachelor's degree, two graduate degrees, working on finishing a graduate certificate and preparing to endure (yet again) the daunting application process of applying to doctoral programs. According to text books and the discourse generated by mainstream, dominant culture, I shouldn't be any of this. But of course, defining the "normal" black woman is next to impossible because I have the pleasure of belonging to such a heterogeneous group but many people find it easier to lump us all into one "box" so that it's easier to "deal with us."<br />
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Some theories, in so many words, state that differences can lead to conflict, which might explain why I've had a difficult time adapting to where I currently live as not only am I different from everyone else, everyone here strives to either be different or "apply" for membership in the dominant community by owning certain types of cars, eating certain types of foods, and living a particular type of lifestyle. Like I've been instructed to do in academic settings, I'm going to make an attempt at answering my own question. Here it is again if it got lost in the moment of me celebrating myself (yes, it's important to embrace "a moment in vanity" from time to time): "why can women-only spaces be nurtured, desired, and supported in a prison setting?"<br />
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Prior to beginning the discussion, please note, I am not, by any means, endorsing or encouraging the prison system as a place for members of marginalized communities to be relegated to for I take issue with the Prison Industrial Complex and the reasons for many Black and Brown people being incarcerated today. I want to explore the issue of the solidarity and empowerment created in these spaces due to the popularity of the series <i>Orange is the New Black</i>.<br />
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From what I've gathered from the series and also from conversations with my dad, who happened to work in an all-women's prison prior to his retirement, the state of incarceration forces homogeneity. People are stripped of their ability to incorporate some of the daily rituals associated with identity that they would have had prior to being in prison. They must wear similar uniforms, share in the work load by having "chores" to complete (i.e., working in the kitchen, electric shop, laundry room, etc - I will never call what they do "work" because they are not paid a living wage for the amount of stuff that they do), eat the same food, and have next to no time alone (with the exception of solitary confinement which serves as a form of punishment). In some cases, they can wear makeup, style their hair per personal choice, and choose the "families" that they would belong to while being incarcerated. Even coming in with different physical markers and indicators of cultural and ethnic differences denoted by language, region of origin, hair texture, and skin complexion (yes, it is more complicated than that but for the purposes of the theory I'm proposing, I'm limiting it to this), they are stripped of basic ways of being individuals.<br />
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In a community where you are one in the same, there are moments people can come together in beautiful ways simply because they don't have any other barriers preventing them from being able to understand and converse with one another. I will never forget that one episode of #OITNB (my apologies that I can't specifically cite the specific episode at the moment) when all of the women were partaking in a dance-off. For that brief moment, there was laughter and camaraderie. In other instances, the women were able to rally around a specific cause, i.e., getting rid of "Pornstache." This makes me also think about how much Daya's "family" rally around her to make sure that she was being taken care of during the first trimester of her pregnancy despite her not being able to speak Spanish - they still took her in regardless. Also, think about how much these women can really "be" themselves! Not trying to conflate the two, but I can recall of the times when my parents let me host slumber parties and how much fun we had sitting around in our pajamas and being around young women just like me. Even the power that's had during conversations with my friends today in the privacy of one another's home! I believe that in order to empower a community, we need to find where we all connect and in many cases, we can only do that in a private space.<br />
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Recently, I had to read <a href="http://english.yale.edu/faculty-staff/elizabeth-alexander">Elizabeth Alexander</a>'s book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Black-Interior-Elizabeth-Alexander/dp/1555973930">The Black Interior</a> (2004). Quick reference: she was the poet at President Obama's first inauguration.....please don't let that be the defining moment for you as she is a professor at Yale University and has added some rich material to the discourse on Black cultural production. Please look her up! In it, she talks about how private spaces, particularly living rooms and other gathering spaces in people's homes, have become sacred spaces for producing and maintaining culture. I used this book for a paper I wrote on a play that used jukejoints similarly. Just think about the conversations that you're able to have out of earshot of strangers! Think about how YOU are during those moments. I hope that this helps you to consider the "theory" that I'm proposing here.<br />
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<i>Orange is the New Black</i> is revolutionary in so many ways! I'm glad that this series gave me an opportunity to really think about spaces for women's empowerment! There's not too many times where I can even think to talk about women from different circumstances coming together. Though is is not an ideal situation nor is every time a moment of solidarity, #OITNB has rendered a possibility, even if it is when women from marginalized communities are incarcerated. Sometimes, you have to exaggerate the reality to realize the potential. <br />
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<br />Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-79233786917693612372014-07-02T20:24:00.000-04:002014-07-02T20:24:21.538-04:00Where is "Home"?: Venturing To and From "Oz"I just realized that this is my first blog post since September of 2013! So much has happened in the past few months but I haven't been compelled to write... until now! Miss me much? I know that I miss me a lot!<br />
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A few days ago, I watched the film <b><i>Girl Most Likely</i></b> (2013) starring Kristen Wiig (check out the trailer below). I'm not about spoilers but I will give you a little bit of insight into the movie to entice you to see it. Wiig plays Imogene, a New York-based playwright/magazine writer who is trying to piece her life back together following the sudden breakup with her live-in boyfriend. A few minutes into the film, she finds herself on a psychiatric ward of a local hospital. Her mother, played by Annette Bening, comes to pick her up. The rest of the film... well, I would be spoiling it for you so I will leave it up to you to find out how the rest of it goes. She creates a "new" life for herself once she returns to her childhood home in Ocean City, New Jersey. What's most relevant from this plot is the fact that the life that was the most accepting of her was the one that she was running away from: her life in Ocean City. <br />
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This got me to thinking about my own life. <br />
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I started writing this blog post during my most recent visit to Detroit. It's really important for me to visit at least twice a year. While a lot has happened to me since leaving my hometown almost seven years ago, this past year was the most significant because it gave me time to really reflect. In the past month or so, I earned my second Master's degree and am considering my future career choices. I am also in the best place ever relationship wise with regards to my romantic partner and close friends. Though I don't see my friends as much as I would like to, I can trust that we will be there for each other at any given moment. I haven't done any creative writing in almost a year but I've been journaling like crazy. These "pro bono" counseling sessions have forced me to really think about what is important to me and also who I really am.<br />
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I'm quite nostalgic and really miss some of my past. Up until recently, I wasn't sure why I missed my past so much. I especially yearn for the times when I got to see my family more often and also got to experience the city of Detroit more so than I do when I come back to visit these days. Whenever I visit "home," I spend most of the time with my family because the time is so short. In the past, I was able to stay for several weeks, which allowed for me to visit with friends. Now, my time in the "313" is around a week to ten days, which isn't a lot of time, especially when I am very close to my parents and my brother. So, when I'm "home," I do very little. I'm also about "remembering" because I feel like something is lacking in my life currently but it wasn't until now that I was able to identify that.<br />
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I miss "home" because no matter what, I will always be surrounded by people who will love me regardless and who will support me despite whatever bad decisions or misjudgments I've made. In my life as an adult living about 600 miles away from loved ones, I'm constantly critiqued (sometimes without my best interests in mind), treated poorly, teased, misused, and abused simply for the fulfillment of others. I now understand why people say that they can talk badly about their close friends and family; the love is genuine and they only want what's best for them. Outside of my lil' bubble of Detroit, I'm sometimes unsure as to whose in my corner and whose looking to push me over a cliff. This competition called "life" sometimes sucks because once you leave the comforts of your childhood, it becomes even more difficult to trust anyone.<br />
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My current world and the world of my past are so different. It took this most recent trip (the one that I'm currently completing) to realize how different these worlds are. Returning back to Western Massachusetts tomorrow, I have to keep reminding myself that I was the girl who once dreamed while catching the DDOT (public transportation in Detroit) to school every morning. That I once consumed Faygo Pop (yes New Englanders, I said "pop" and I will continue to say it proudly) and had no problems shopping in dollar stores and Rainbow for clothes. That I knew which neighborhoods to venture through on my own and those to never even think about passing through. And, all of these things made me proud of who I was. For some, the Pioneer Valley/Five Colleges Area is idyllic but for me, Detroit will always have my heart because its who I am and it's what made me who I will always be.<br />
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Not having a lot of places to go and people to see, I was able to finally watch some stuff on Netflix. Besides <i>Girl Most Likely</i>, I had a chance to FINALLY watch <i>Orange is the New Black</i>! I now see what all of the hype is about. Besides some extremely talented performances and some great dialogue, this show is about as real as it gets when it comes to humanity, humility and relationships. There are strategies manipulated yet consequences served. There is happiness but there's also survival. This is one of the few times that I've seen "real" in a series! This should be called "reality television" because we get to experience each facet of life through the multidimensional characters and storylines featured on the series. The only thing that I find sad (yet beautiful) about this series is that we get "real" through the lives of mostly women along the margins who happen to be incarcerated. I really hate to say this but is this the only imagined world that these roles can exist?<br />
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Reflecting on <i>Girl Most Likely</i>, <i>Orange is the New Black</i> and <i>Walk of Shame</i> (yes, I saw this film as well during my time at "home" but I can't give this film any airspace on my blog because I wasn't a fan of it nor find any of it compelling or redeemable to write about), I'm curious as to what would a black woman's coming of age story look like constructed in the genre of the mainstream narrative. Or better yet, is there a consumable coming of age visual product that would be catered to me? I've seen the coming of age narrative scripted for my counterparts but not necessarily for the little girl or teenager that I once was. I know that they exist but I have yet to find it. <br />
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This is why I am such a fan of narrative film. For 90 minutes, depending on the genre and nature of the film, I can become a part of someone else's world and then return back to my own appreciating it more. This is why I write. I can create worlds where protagonists such as myself can thrive. I don't create perfect worlds. I create places where black women are challenged and pushed to their limits but come out successful. The odds are not constantly against them quite like it is in the real world.<br />
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All of this leads me to this question, one that I believe all of us have: where is my "Oz"? I'm not thinking of the HBO television series (LOL); I'm thinking of the film <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> and then the 1970s adaptation, <i>The Wiz</i>. In both versions, Dorothy escapes to Oz but is unable to find the complete solace that she so desires. I'm the Dorothy of my own tale. I'm torn between the drastically different worlds attempting to find where I best belong. Maybe I'm a hybrid best fitting semi-comfortably amongst both Western MA and Detroit. Or maybe, one of them is my Oz: a place where I can escape to in order to find people, things and ideologies that would accept me. But at some point, I need to return "home." But, where is "home" for me?<br />
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Diana Ross as Dorothy in <i>The Wiz </i>(1978)</div>
<br />Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-71694825386317457092013-09-15T14:10:00.000-04:002013-09-15T14:11:17.379-04:00A Moment of Self-Reassurance: Cultural Affirmation and the Movie-Going Experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGWy629-x0MYt4CUkYgc5QfvLOjXhhaAAEBCvYDNK4pZSc2LbfQRWU-Rz8QBsqaIPAI19PAv8k7B4lQrFg1C-ktx0KvS3f04GSfkBDgZs25XMn03cvRrZMNadAGUGmTyQ6HS94V0oW2Q4/s1600/trapped-in-the-closet-title-card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGWy629-x0MYt4CUkYgc5QfvLOjXhhaAAEBCvYDNK4pZSc2LbfQRWU-Rz8QBsqaIPAI19PAv8k7B4lQrFg1C-ktx0KvS3f04GSfkBDgZs25XMn03cvRrZMNadAGUGmTyQ6HS94V0oW2Q4/s320/trapped-in-the-closet-title-card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Title card from R. Kelly's rap opera </i><b>Trapped in the Closet</b><i> (2005-2012)</i></div>
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I never would have thought that attending a screening of R. Kelly's hiphopera <b><i>Trapped in the Closet</i></b>, along with sing-a-longs to some of his favorite hits and the film itself, and experiencing all of this in an independent art house in the Five College/Western Massachusetts/Pioneer Valley region (wow, I didn't realize that this area had so many names for it....talk about identity politics. No wonder why living in this region comes with so many challenges) would be synonymous with affirming culture. <br />
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This past Friday, I accompanied several of my closest friends to a late night showing of the first 22 chapters of R. Kelly's project. Though apprehensive from the moment that I found out that Amherst Cinema was going to be screening this, I had a great time! Yes, I still find the stock characters, heightened stereotypes, and how tropes are confronted in this endeavor are problematic. However, it was one of the first times that I felt as if I could enjoy myself in a public place in the "valley."<br />
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The experience was filled with everything you typically wouldn't find happening in a theatre like Amherst Cinema, I think, anywhere in the country whether its in the city or the country (region does play an important role in participating in a live entertainment experience). There are norms and implied rules that are to be followed when you attend a film at Amherst Cinema or any art house in the country. Cell phones are to be turned off, talking with your neighbor is prohibited, and everyone must stay in their self-selected seat for the duration of the movie with the exception of answering the occasional (and sometimes disruptive - for both you and other audience members) call of nature. All of these rules went out the window that night! We were asked to dance to the three music videos that were played prior to the feature of the evening, cell phones were out for the duration of the screening with people either taking photos of themselves and others dancing and singing the familiar lyrics or capturing footage from the film, and there was talking among groups of people during the film either serving a forecast of the outcome of the various plot lines or yelling at the screen, communicating the distaste for a choice made by one of the characters. A regular at Amherst Cinema, it felt so nice to be able to really enjoy the film and the experience rather than worry about whether or not my neighbor is policing my friends and I to ensure that we don't ruin the movie for them.<br />
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I've been very outspoken since <b><i>Trapped in the Closet</i></b> premiered in 2005 about how problematic it is. I'm going to admit that I'm a little bit of a bigot because guess what, I am proud to say that I've seen all 22 chapters multiple times (watching it got me through time that I was trapped at home - pun intended - with a severe injury that kept me off of my feet for months). As a scholar and critic, I can talk to the cows come home and pigs fly about what this project does to amplify stereotypes rather than challenge them. But, the spectator in me found Trapped in the Closet to be extremely entertaining for the fact that, despite the problematic stereotypes and tropes, I was able to relate to many of the characters and their experiences given that (though heightened) I know someone who recently got out of prison, have had numerous nosy neighbors, engage in gossip about the town harlot every once in a while, and have encouraged someone to follow the call when the doors of the church opened. <br />
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R. Kelly was on to something when he created <b><i>Trapped in the Closet</i></b>. Who would have known that watching it at Amherst Cinema while in the company of mostly undergraduate students from Amherst College who identify as people of color would reaffirm that my experience in the body I embody is valid, even if the representations are troublesome?! This experience provided me with the comfort and relief that I needed after an extremely stressful week and reassured me that I really need to be around "my people" every once in a while. <br />
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I'd like to swallow my pride and words utter many weeks ago that <b><i>Trapped in the Closet</i></b> has not earned the status of being labelled a "masterpiece" and cultural phenom. Hell, <i><a href="http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-episodes/s09e12-trapped-in-the-closet">South Park</a></i> parodied it in an episode several seasons ago. Didn't I declare that once <i>Sesame Street</i> or <i>South Park</i> has parodied you that you've marked your importance in U.S. Culture? Congratulations, R. Kelly! You have and will continue to rise beyond your "piss on you" days. Continue on and prosper. Now, onto seeing what awaits us in the next 11 chapters of <b><i>Trapped in the Closet</i></b>.Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-19530544693202316432013-07-25T16:32:00.001-04:002013-07-25T16:32:20.751-04:00Dear Detroit: Hello, My Friend!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>A photo of the city I call "home."</i></div>
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Detroit, my hometown, is in this "interesting" moment of both standstill and motion. While the city, as a whole, is collapsing, there are small pockets in the city that are undergoing rejuvenation, thanks to gentrification (BTW, I don't think that all gentrification is bad, especially if it is happening in abandoned neighborhoods like many of the projects that are currently happening in Detroit). The largest municipality to file bankruptcy in the history of American debt, you can find stories about Detroit's recent filing everywhere in the news. From <a href="http://nation.time.com/2013/07/25/the-wages-of-bankruptcy-stocktons-cautionary-tale-for-detroit/">Time</a> to <a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/schumpeter/2013/07/detroit-s-bankruptcy">The Economist</a> and even Detroit's own newspapers, the <a href="http://www.freep.com/">Detroit Free Press</a> and the <a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/">Detroit News</a>, everyone's getting their bite of the story and offering their own interpretation. </div>
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In all honesty, Detroit, at least in the neighborhoods, has been recreating itself for decades. From the <a href="http://heidelberg.org/">Heidelberg Project</a> to the recent increase in film production tax credits, Detroiters have been invested in creating a new industry and newer, more sustainable sources of income since the auto industry departed many decades ago (I think that the Big 3 slowly started to strip away from us even before I was born). Detroiters doing it for themselves is not a new concept. It's just now making headlines because the city government is now getting called out for it's insensible and irresponsible practices over the past 30+ years.</div>
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For those who know me best, you know that I "call out" my city all of the time for mistakes and bad decisions. Hell, isn't that what we do for the ones we love?! </div>
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One way to call out my city is to embrace the things that I love about it. A couple of days ago, I spotted a list entitled <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/sharonm4/what-it-is-like-to-grow-up-in-the-detroit-metro-ar-221h">"32 Signs You Grew Up in the Metro Detroit Area"</a> and found that I could not connect to anything on that list. In response to that list, I've compiled this list of things that are special about Detroit. You can interpret it how you like. It can either be "you know you're from Detroit when" or "you're in love with the city if you've done five or more of these things." For me, I claim this list to be "you can't claim Detroit as home until you've done at least 4 of the following." For those who have lived in Detroit, were born in Detroit, or have visited Detroit more than once, which ones have you done? For those who haven't visited Detroit before or lately, make sure you choose a handful of these and make time to do them while you're in town.</div>
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<ol><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCnQpEJIcvDc4gR1M2WJgr4R9TV2qg0LAgNkHrK1cn4bXm-wYMn4MJ7AvxKjwaELolJ522J7P-KIxpWSZwbrGb_BSKn93qCHjAobSonu2Uv2pjHe0KVkDZm7ZQPt2S5V88g-Gohi88BqL/s1600/newdanceshow.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Enjoyed a casual drive down Jefferson Avenue</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Attended a wedding on Belle Isle <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiBjDUCkvL5IH58op8rCXmmRGWAhPaoufDMM0PYhyphenhyphenJLpHr9vulcPgnXiHuxGvju34XPyKkf3s_vgfuir667qstucItILbCdKPblKddTzfxeZJRn9HElt-liqCa7CLHDkc4COhYI5L_Gai/s1600/photo-belleisle-aerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiBjDUCkvL5IH58op8rCXmmRGWAhPaoufDMM0PYhyphenhyphenJLpHr9vulcPgnXiHuxGvju34XPyKkf3s_vgfuir667qstucItILbCdKPblKddTzfxeZJRn9HElt-liqCa7CLHDkc4COhYI5L_Gai/s1600/photo-belleisle-aerial.jpg" /></a></div>
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<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Ordering a Hot-n-Ready from Little Caesars</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Never been able to get a table at
Slow's BBQ</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Planned a trip to camp out at the Thanksgiving Day Parade</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Remembered when Macy's was Hudsons <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Yir6m3_9On4OkS5IyfjYBVi1xSQ2uGaoQZbX9Pw0EY5o1zLHRi2zovAJQb1VQDi9GmEwWJDufyuQ5momDlCI3SzegyhJBGh7ZY8fgBmg_Urggmh4Tg3SagZ1XKPSMKGBik8NHI8gOXlo/s1600/09hudsons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Yir6m3_9On4OkS5IyfjYBVi1xSQ2uGaoQZbX9Pw0EY5o1zLHRi2zovAJQb1VQDi9GmEwWJDufyuQ5momDlCI3SzegyhJBGh7ZY8fgBmg_Urggmh4Tg3SagZ1XKPSMKGBik8NHI8gOXlo/s320/09hudsons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Sang karaoke at Temple Bar</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Remembers Tubby's
Submarines</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Remembers the Boblo boat</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Reps Vernors like you were hired as the product's spokesperson</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Had to decide between grabbing a coney dog at Lafayette or American <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZ7R_3RK00vcaGjmuHgXo_9-6yuYgvildFHmL_onNiPSMKDdUSvejSmbXL4BZ_BeYhPbiPDJhGO5BBSDOpqfTFDZxCZzQJ7NdjpqmP9h-sDOvp9Ym91Do8slq1In8Nad1VNzVWzJ-BvrP/s1600/coneyisland01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZ7R_3RK00vcaGjmuHgXo_9-6yuYgvildFHmL_onNiPSMKDdUSvejSmbXL4BZ_BeYhPbiPDJhGO5BBSDOpqfTFDZxCZzQJ7NdjpqmP9h-sDOvp9Ym91Do8slq1In8Nad1VNzVWzJ-BvrP/s200/coneyisland01.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Attended a festival in Hart Plaza, yes even attending the UniverSoul Circus counts</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Either attended or watched the Dream Cruise on television</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Rooted for the Lions despite never bringing home a championship trophy</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">When the Tigers' home was on Michigan and Trumbull</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Ate a sack of White Castle burgers</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Remembers, attended, or marched in the Broadstreet Parade</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Remembers the marching bands of King, Cody, Cass Tech, Cooley, Central, and Mackenzie High Schools (please let me know if I'm missing any) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmNT_tNbS0ZL1CMAnrkVPd6tGFvvSAMOtlavivjoAoyl2JLG6oTZwtv5ByD-JHWe-cbIdowgq-1pCfdp23p61lixUmZCKlQthilvvMw7o4pUwvBn3nQwTXcnIYSQo2rN4Ef_8Rq3DqXtj/s1600/CT+Marching+Band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmNT_tNbS0ZL1CMAnrkVPd6tGFvvSAMOtlavivjoAoyl2JLG6oTZwtv5ByD-JHWe-cbIdowgq-1pCfdp23p61lixUmZCKlQthilvvMw7o4pUwvBn3nQwTXcnIYSQo2rN4Ef_8Rq3DqXtj/s320/CT+Marching+Band.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Taken either a Checker or City Cab anywhere in the city</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Played an arcade game when you waited for your food at a Coney Island (this is a special shout out to my dad)</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Hung out at Northland, Eastland, or Fairlane Malls either on the weekends or skipped school</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Went to the Michigan State Fair and spent about $50 on a family of 3 (including admission and parking) prior to even stepping foot past the gate</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Visit the Detroit Institute of Arts and spend most of your trip in Rivera Court (FYI: for all residents of Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland County, due to a recently passed mileage, you get into the museum for free! Take advantage of it!) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Cdr3UieuTr485h1idfAvP42-4s9Z7r3Z3-zseq-d1p95DWEAbFqRlEMTx0RC4QXkZZ0IDbDSda_Cd1OCg821brLxuEKqOs7ES-ZpdktgIFzQ4xZHdNJV0CwlfhajYTIb0FriVtOAz3-m/s1600/detroitart_395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Cdr3UieuTr485h1idfAvP42-4s9Z7r3Z3-zseq-d1p95DWEAbFqRlEMTx0RC4QXkZZ0IDbDSda_Cd1OCg821brLxuEKqOs7ES-ZpdktgIFzQ4xZHdNJV0CwlfhajYTIb0FriVtOAz3-m/s320/detroitart_395.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Get excited about riding the Detroit Zoo train</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Keep tabs on the meterperson (I have no idea what the proper name of this job is) in Midtown/Cass Corridor/Wayne State University area or Downtown to make sure that your car doesn't get a ticket</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Spend an evening at one of the casinos and don't spend any money</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Watch the fireworks either on television from home or along the riverfront</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Cannot recall when Carmen Harlan or Chuck Gaidica started their news broadcast careers</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Remember when Bill Bonds was on Channel 7 News</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Saw an episode of Kelly and Company </span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Danced in their living rooms to an episode of The New Dance Show or The Scene (now, y'all must also remember the dude who wore fishnet shirts on The New Dance Show! He had one in every color of the neon rainbow! "Don't hurt 'em!") <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5kEsvMi3XZUcs4g5ovJ3UXkRFclfTz6grNxunf5hp9KQkS6PuhdPa1nfj44rJrJuiNCyVXjiucj9jYIVKHmoU9wRVOev_9_QQp0HmJElLhylISEs1vV5wz3WHP2BLJ1_QD2IExV1S_Ou/s1600/newdanceshow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5kEsvMi3XZUcs4g5ovJ3UXkRFclfTz6grNxunf5hp9KQkS6PuhdPa1nfj44rJrJuiNCyVXjiucj9jYIVKHmoU9wRVOev_9_QQp0HmJElLhylISEs1vV5wz3WHP2BLJ1_QD2IExV1S_Ou/s320/newdanceshow.png" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Shopped at a store in the Fisher Building or the Guardian building </span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]"><b>Detroiters, please feel free to add your own!*******</b></span></span></span></li>
</ol>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">For those who are current Detroit residents and are concerned about the state of the city, do at least one thing on this list. At least, it will keep you engaged with others in the city and (even in a small way) participate in local commerce. Trust me, that 50 cents on the People Mover or buying a small bag of Hot Better Made Potato Chips will go a long way. Support your own! For people who are vying Detroit as their future home, please consider how you engage with the city. Think about where you will invest your money, both in a home and in commerce (shopping in the suburbs doesn't count). Get to know your (future) neighbors. Really consider where you're moving. For those who are visiting Detroit, venture the city a little bit. Don't let the (somewhat fabled) crime statistics keep you locked up in your hotel room near the airport. Visit one of the historic neighborhoods, like Boston Edison or Grandmont-Rosedale, and enjoy its beautiful, breath-taking homes. BTW, <a href="http://www.hellyeahdetroit.com/2013/07/21/detroit-by-choice-highlights-a-city-neighborhood-holding-strong/">Grandmont-Rosedale</a> is filled with people who love and adore their neighborhood. </span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]"><br /></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]">Though I may have rambled a lot, trust that what I've said here comes from an honest and loving place. But, for those who may doubt what I have to say (especially since I don't live there now) and may want to dispute how I said it, know that I have love for my city and have faith in every bone of my body that it will recreate itself. It doesn't have to wait for a "savior" (we see what's happening with the Emergency Manager). We don't even have to save ourselves for we never perished. For those of you who doubt Detroit, it's your loss. For those who still believe, thank you!</span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]"><br /></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1c7mx].[1][4][1]{comment10100800764024528_12707743}.[0].[right].[0].[left].[0].[0].[0][2].[0].[0]"><br /></span></span></span>Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-2122102710892047742013-06-28T10:47:00.001-04:002013-06-28T10:47:37.714-04:00Americans Abroad: An Online Film Festival <br />
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WOW! It's been a while since I've blogged. Try March...many months ago. I'm sorry that I was away for so long. With full-time work and graduate school, I got lost in all of those obligations. With summer upon us and plenty of time for me as I am not working as much, I will have more time to blog and I am very much looking forward to that.<br />
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Here's the first blog post of the series entitled "Online Film Festivals Curated by Me."<br />
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Americans' experiences abroad and its discontent. I've always wanted to write on this very subject for there's a bountiful list of films that deal with this topic, especially films that I've viewed recently. Do you find it highly ironic that many of the films that have made this list are recent Woody Allen films?!<br />
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I became interested in this topic when I first saw Julie Delpy's film <i>2 Days in Paris</i>. Out of his element, Julie's boyfriend Jack (played by Adam Goldberg), who is from the U.S., was tested throughout his entire trip abroad. Though I loved the film, it made me really uncomfortable (yet intrigued) watching Jack feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar settings. From a visit with Julie's parents to an outing at Julie's father's art gallery opening, Jack was put on display regularly given his naivety and unwillingness to learn new things and appreciate diversity. His masculinity was tested as well, given that there's a lingering stereotype about both American and European men, one being more feminine than the other.<br />
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After watching this film, I became interested in other films where other Americans travel to unfamiliar territory. Interestingly enough, it was very easy to find other films on this topic, with many of the films made in the late 2000s to early 2010s.<br />
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Here's a list of suggested films to view that are related to the theme of Americans Abroad:<br />
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<i>Vicky Cristina Barcelona, dir. Woody Allen, 2008, United States</i><br />
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A romantic comedy/drama written and directed by Woody Allen, <i>Vicky Cristina Barcelona</i> centers on two women, Vicky (played by Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (played by Scarlett Johansson) during their trip to Spain. Both women become smitten with Juan Antonio (played by Javier Bardem), an artist whose still madly in love with his ex-wife Maria Elena (played by Bardem's real-life wife Penelope Cruz; they weren't married at the time of production for the film). This film is perfect for the list because we get to see two very different perspectives on traveling abroad through two very different experiences. Vicky, whose a graduate student studying Catalan identity and an engaged woman, approaches her experience in Spain completely different from that of Cristina, a single woman whose open and excited to explore new things and meet new people. Vicky's practicality and conservative attitude don't shield her from what she ends up experiencing. Which character do you think would have the most enriching, life-changing, eye-opening experience: Vicky or Cristina?<br />
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<i>Midnight in Paris, dir. Woody Allen, 2011, Spain/United States</i><br />
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The only fantasy film on this list, <i>Midnight in Paris</i> stars Owen Wilson as Gil Pender, an unfulfilled, unhappy Hollywood screenwriter whose preparing to marry his fiancee, Inez (played by Rachel McAdams) and finish writing his first novel. The film takes us to the beginning of Gil's (dreaded) trip to France with Inez and her parents. Once he stumbles upon a 1920s Peugeot Type 176 car and some of his favorite writers from that era, Gil's life is transformed (or so we think...again, I'm not trying to give the movie away).<br />
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<i>To Rome with Love, dir. Woody Allen, 2012, United States/Italy/Spain</i><br />
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<i>To Rome with Love</i> was filled with multiple storylines but the two most relevant to this list of films is the one dealing with Hayley<i> </i>(played by Alison Pill) and John (played by Alec Baldwin). Though I do not want to give away the film, I want to recommend paying close attention to John's story arc, especially given that it quickly becomes about Jack (played by Jesse Eisenberg). Director Woody Allen makes an appearance in the film as Hayley's father, Jerry. A refreshing role for Allen, this character possesses the many nuisances and quirks that we've come to love about Allen in real life. However, it is laced with uncomfortability in the unfamiliar.<br />
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<i>2 Days in Paris, dir. Julie Delpy, 2007, France/Germany</i><br />
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There is so much to love about <i>2 Days in Paris</i>! Where shall I begin? First off, this film is on several lists of mine including the "constantly remind my friends to watch this film and call me immediately after viewing it and then recommend it to others" list. The relevant fact about this film that is applicable to this particular list is the evolution or deconstruction of Jack, a character played by actor Adam Goldberg. Jack, Marion's boyfriend, is traveling abroad for the first time. He feels out of sorts. Jack is put in many situations where both his "manhood" and patience are tested. I do not want to give the film away (given that I am recommending it on this list), but this non-traditional romantic comedy (it has an unpredictable ending) is intriguing in that it puts a male character, a figure who tends to be the shining hero with no flaws in most films, in some very unsettling situations, some that I think might have been unfair to the actor playing the role (there's some gossip that Adam Goldberg not only didn't appreciate his character in <i>2 Days in Paris</i>, but when asked to reunite with Delpy for the remake, he declined). <br />
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<i>The Darjeeling Limited, dir. Wes Anderson, 2007, United States</i><br />
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This is a film that I haven't watched yet, so we'll be watching it together! From what I've gathered in the synoposis for the film available on it's IMDB page<i>, The Darjeeling Limited</i> should definitely be on this list. Here's what IMDB offered as a brief synopsis for the film: "One year after their father's funeral, three brothers travel across India by train in an attempt to bond with one another." The film stars Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman. From the title (Darjeeling, a town in the Indian state of West Bengal, is famous for its tea industry...let's hope that I don't hear too many references to tea and Indians - insert face palm), poster, and cast list alone, I think this movie might get "high ratings" on the American Exceptionist scale. But, honestly, I want to be proven wrong with this film. Adapting one of my favorite lines from the film <i>Warm Bodies</i>: "don't be stupid, don't be stupid, don't be stupid!" I don't like to presume anything, but these days with cultural products, I can set my expectation's bar pretty low.<br />
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<i>19 Kids and Counting: Duggars Do Asia</i><br />
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This last selection happens to be a reality television series. Airing on TLC, <i>19 Kids and Counting</i> has moved its 10th season to Asia. The family was invited abroad for a handful of interviews and television appearances. I've had an opportunity to watch one episode from this current season and I must say that it sums up pretty much everything that I have to say about Americans Abroad. <br />
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Here's a couple of books (both fiction and nonfiction selections) on Americans Abroad that can be read alongside with viewing these films:<br />
<ol>
<li>Tsukioka, Dorian. <i>How to Travel Abroad Even If You Are a Stupid
American: 10 Tips to Keep You From Disgracing Yourself or Your Country</i>,
2013 (published by Amazon, this book is available digitally on Kindle) </li>
<li>Vines, Carolyn E. <i>Black and Abroad: Traveling Beyond the Limitations of Identity</i>. 2010</li>
</ol>
Visit Goodreads for their <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/travel-abroad">list</a> of popular books on traveling abroad. <br />
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I hope that watching these films and reading these books together with friends and family will begin some interesting discussions. Please feel free to share in the comments section on your experiences watching any of these films or readings any of these books. I don't want to (re)present Americans as being ignorant, stupid, or selfish when traveling abroad, however, this is a theme that continues to come up in literature and film. I definitely understand the "uncomfortability" that can come along with being amongst the "unfamiliar." However, one can enjoy learning about the world around us and the beauty that is available to us when we step outside of our "familiar."<br />
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So, for those who are looking to travel abroad, remember, don't let your American Exceptionalism show, for we are guests in other people's homelands. Be prepared to learn a lot. Take on the scenery like you're from the area (i.e., do not rent limos or hire taxi services when you know that people in the area may not be able to afford it), try new foods, visit the non-touristy parts of the region.<br />
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Here's a couple of questions that I'd like to pose to everyone. Please do not address these questions until after watching most (or all) of the films as it would be difficult to do so otherwise. Are any of these characters your typical protagonist? Do they experience significant change and if so, what is it? If there is not significant change, why do you think that is?<br />
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Next up: Important and Influential Women Filmmakers - writers, directors, producers....oh my!!!<br />
<br />Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-39737473716606361772013-03-03T11:50:00.000-05:002013-03-03T11:50:19.205-05:00Online Film Festivals Curated by MeI'm really excited for the next few blog posts! One of my dream jobs is to work as a freelance film festival curator. Instead of waiting for the opportunity to come my way, why not seize the moment now?! I've decided to curate lists of films based on similar themes and topics, creating mini film festivals for people to enjoy at home with friends. The only thing that I ask is that you rent or purchase these films rather than download them for free online. As an artist, I respect the craft and the effort (both time, personal, and financial resources) that goes into producing these films. To be fair, I will predominately recommend independent films rather than projects with large budgets and large recoups via the box office. <br />
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The themes I'm exploring includes:<br />
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<li>Americans Abroad</li>
<li>Women Filmmakers</li>
<li>Black Love</li>
<li>Romantic Comedies that challenge the typical tropes of the genre</li>
<li>Documentaries</li>
<li>Fictional portrayals of important political figures and social movements</li>
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I will also recommend articles and books that you and your friends can read as educational enrichment, points of engagement beyond spectating, similar to offerings of in-person film festivals.</div>
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If you have topics that you'd like to recommend, please feel free to post a comment or e-mail me at nmariey01@gmail.com.</div>
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Thanks and I look forward to sharing these films with you!</div>
Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-62008987298927839302013-01-09T17:07:00.000-05:002013-01-09T17:23:21.073-05:00Unchaining Tarantino"I'm just a lil' more used to Americans than he is."<br />
<i>~Django (Django Unchained) in reference to Dr. Schultz (a German bounty hunter) who isn't used to humanity (or lack thereof) in the United States during pre-Civil War.</i><br />
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Ahh! It feels so great to be back! I was on hiatus for the past couple of months as I embarked on 1) transitioning jobs and 2) a hefty graduate school course load.<br />
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I hope that my readers can appreciate that my first blog post in some time would be on a topic that many people have already talked about. What I have to say may be redundant and not adding anything new to the conversation. I just hope that it offers a different perspective, a fresh pair of "eyes" to look at the situation at hand. Of course, I'm going to speak on Quentin Tarantino's latest film <i>Django Unchained</i>. I have to as I am a huge fan of his work!<br />
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Prior to seeing <i>Django Unchained</i>, I (re)watched Alex Haley's Roots. All 20+ hours of it. BET ran a marathon of <i>Roots</i> (1977), <i>Roots: The Next Generation</i> (1979), <i>Roots: The Gift</i> (1988), and <i>Queen</i> (1993) right around the time of <i>Django Unchained</i>'s release in theatres. <i>Roots</i> was a television miniseries based on Alex Haley's book <i>Roots: The Saga of an American Family</i>. Tagged a biography, Haley's book was the result of researching seven generations of his familial lineage, tracing his ancestry back to Africa. Both the book and the films have been acknowledged as "historically accurate." This is some of the smartest programming I've seen on BET! While airing the Roots marathon, BET squeezed in <i>Django Unchained </i>commercials mixed in with commercials for their original programming. I don't recall seeing too many commercials for products or other films. Though I appreciated this programming, BET still didn't lock me in as a fan. But, that's beside the point. I viewed the miniseries on BET from Sunday through Tuesday (Christmas Day and the release date of <i>Django Unchained</i>). Though I think that both projects have different missions, it was interesting to watch <i>Roots</i> prior to seeing <i>Django Unchained</i>.<br />
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This isn't the first time I've seen <i>Roots</i>. The first time I watched it was in a packed elementary school auditorium with other third and fourth graders during the month of February aka Black History Month. For school-aged children who grew up in a "embrace your Pan-Africanist" educational system like myself and other Detroit Public School graduates, you were reciting "Lift Every Voice and Sing" prior to writing in cursive. We watched all 12 hours or so of the television miniseries (available on VHS at that time) in the duration of a month in the forum of occasional weekly assemblies. This was my introduction to this tragic yet influential time in U.S. History. I remember asking a lot of unanswered questions. I remember lacking sleep because of all of the nightmares that I was having replaying various scenes in my vivid memory.<br />
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Many years later, my brother (who is significantly younger than I am) watched <i>Roots</i> in school, getting the same introduction to this period in history. I remember my parents calling me, sharing with me the news that my brother "hated white people" after watching <i>Roots</i>. There's a reason why both my brother and I had negative experiences watching <i>Roots</i>. There was no context. Our teachers just stuck us in front of the television without giving us any background information, without any notion that 1) this miniseries reflects a moment in history; 2) our country has changed and evolved since the time reflected in the film and that many of the actions committed in <i>Roots</i> are now against the law and deemed morally wrong; 3) it was a film and depictions sometimes go overboard for shock value.<br />
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Fast forward to 2012. I'm quite a bit older and have a substantial amount of knowledge under my belt with regards to the Middle Passage, the industry born out of slavery, the numerous human rights movements that emerged to free enslaved Africans in the Americas, film narratives, and the commercial industry of filmmaking. All with interests in capital gain, one must be versed in a good chunk of these topics to understand and appreciate the worlds in which both projects (<i>Roots</i> and <i>Django Unchained</i>) exist.<br />
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I would like to commend the artists that worked on both projects for taking depictions of slavery is such a daunting task. I'm going to be honest, as an artist, I don't want to touch anything as controversial as slavery or even the use of the N-word (even though most of my work deems on the side of offense to some). Yet, as these topics continue to incite rage and heated debates, with both extreme conservatives and extreme liberals fighting for the title of "I'm right," <br />
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I have so many points to begin conversation on this film. Below is not a list of reasons why I liked the film but topics to begin a discussion about the film and why it's receiving so much attention:<br />
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<li>It is a very long movie. However, to me, it didn't feel like a long movie. Thinking about other recent films I've seen, they are overridden with overdone spectacle. In <i>Django Unchained</i>, Tarantino doesn't underscore the dialogue with music. The dialogue stands on it's own. I've read multiple posts that say that Tarantino could have easily shaved off 45 minutes from this film. I could easily say that about his earlier work. With this film, I think that Tarantino is beginning to really master the art of dialogue and holding his audience's attention for long periods of time without us questioning his rationale.</li>
<li>Though this film was extremely violent, the blood was over the top. I hope that my readership would agree with me that though the overuse of blood was unsettling, it was more appetizing to the eyes to see cartoonish blood. I've read in previous interviews with Tarantino that he dislikes guns and a lot of violence, yet he makes violent movies. I actually use a lot of guns in my work. In my award-winning play get (t)his, you would see about 6 guns....all within 10 minutes! I use guns in my work as an extension of the self, as many people do in reality. I absolutely hate guns and would like more done with gun control in this country. However, I know that guns provide many families a sustainable living (i.e., hunters). But, I think that what guns and gun usage has become in the U.S. is ridiculous. As an artist/writer, I use a lot of violence as a critique of the reality. Maybe Tarantino is attempting the same thing. I don't think this question has ever come his way.</li>
<li>A black female actor got to play a damsel in distress. Yes, Kerry Washington had maybe 10 words in the film. However, she got to play a role that's normally assigned to white actresses. This made me smile a lot. Black women don't have to be the "mule" or "work horse" or breaking through the glass ceiling all the time.</li>
<li>Kerry Washington's character is multilingual, which is a privilege in itself. If you've seen the miniseries Roots or Queen, there were many conversations about limiting access for blacks by not teaching them how to read. Though reading and speaking are two different forms of communication, to know that Tarantino allowed for one of his characters to have multiple modes to communicate is definitely revisionist. But, however Tarantino is trying to change history, this is an important point of conversation to talk about how history unfolded and how it may have led us to our own feelings about literary and education in communities of color. </li>
<li>Yes, Kerry Washington's character only has about 10 words in the entire film and ensures severely violent punishment (i.e., the hot box, whipping, etc). However, these forms of punishment were dramatized (or lack thereof...a lot, we didn't see onscreen or completely played out) because Washington's character attempted to escape the plantation multiple times. She is rebellious. That's having agency within itself.</li>
<li>Christoph Waltz's character's consciousness. Does this stem from the fact that he's not American?</li>
<li>An enslaved black man with some agency! Django is really smart (see the quote above that opens up this post). Though I wasn't that impressed with Jamie Foxx's performance, I really enjoyed watching his character unfold on screen.</li>
<li>This is one of the best performances I've ever seen of Leonardo DiCaprio! He played a spoiled, privileged brat. This had to be a very difficult role to play.</li>
<li>There was a black producer behind this film! Reginald Hudlin, known for his work on the films <i>House</i> <i>Party</i> and <i>Boomerang</i>, on music videos, on BET, and <i>Black Panther</i> (the series based on the Marvel Comics character), was interviewed about working on the <a href="http://947thewave.cbslocal.com/2013/01/03/django-unchained-producer-reginald-hudlin-talks-films-controversy/">film</a>.</li>
<li>There was so much humor! I can't remember when and if I laughed during <i>Roots</i>. I'm not saying that I needed to laugh during <i>Roots</i>. Laughter helps an audience to connect with the work, as my experience as a playwright and poet of difficult material has taught me. However, it becomes easier to enjoy a film with difficult content if I had a moment to breathe. I'm not saying that all times were not hard for enslaved people but damn. This leads me to the conversation on Roots as a victimization film. BTW, I think that people forgot how many times they used the N-word in Roots. I'm about done with all of the commentary on Tarantino's use of the N-word in <i>Django Unchained</i>. If he were to take out the word, he would be rewriting history. Sometimes, being politically correct makes us ignorant. Though I believe that Roots is a must-see, I do believe that there needs to be some dialogue around viewings of this miniseries series.</li>
<li>This film is being coined as a love story. When was the last time we saw a black couple at the head of a love story? It is rare when I can see "my people" in a mainstream film falling in love and fighting for each other. I see a lot of us fighting each other. </li>
</ol>
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I really like what Tarantino is doing with the revenge narrative that he takes on in his latest films: <i>Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2</i>, <i>Inglorious Basterds</i>, and <i>Django Unchained</i>. The oppressed assuming positions of the oppressor. I'm not saying that it's right but who wouldn't want to get revenge on someone who has done them wrong?! I know that I'd love to do that.<br />
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I also really appreciate that Tarantino has taken on the genre of alternative history, which has been a staple of science fiction and fantasy for sometime. But, why alternative history? Why the revenge narrative? Why a spaghetti western? Think about Complicating my love and admiration for Tarantino, is he abusing his privilege as a white male filmmaker with a lot of autonomy to insert his voice as a storyteller for narratives of marginalized people? I think that all of his critics (whether for the love of his work or for all of the haters), it is time for us to tackle these questions rather than automatically bashing or swooning over his work. </div>
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Here's another point for conversation: Even in watching the trailers for each of the projects, I noticed significant differences in the narrative. Please view the trailers below and let's chat. I realize that it might be unfair to compare a "biopic" to a spaghetti western, films that reflect the culture and worlds in which they were produced. But, others have been doing it. So, let's join that party!</div>
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The trailer for <i>Roots</i> (1977)</div>
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The trailer for <i>Django Unchained</i> (2012)</div>
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I have multiple issues with <i>Roots</i>. To my knowledge, the only black person working on the film behind the scenes was Alex Haley and being the author of the source material, there is no telling how much or how closely he worked on the project. There's some debate as to whether Haley was able to trace that far back into his family history (remember, Ancestry.com and DNA projects of today didn't exist in the 1960s/1970s). There was also claim to his book being plagiarized. I don't want to discredit Mr. Haley's work at all. I just want to state the facts.<br />
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Also, my biggest issue with <i>Roots</i> was the narrative. It was violence and sad black people all the time. Everyone was a victim in this film! And, though violent acts weren't depicted on screen, they were suggested and talked about immensely (i.e., Toby/Kunte Kinte having half of his foot cut off after an attempted escape). I don't remember hearing anyone complain about the bare breasts or the use of the N-word or how black people were treated in this film or how white people were rendered as bad without a conscience in <i>Roots</i> because "it's the truth." I'm sorry but I am an informed spectator who will question every supposed "biopic." And, I hope that members of my readership would as well.<br />
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The other "beef" that I have with Roots is the spectator's interaction with the film. Unlike <i>Django Unchained</i>, there was a time that <i>Roots</i> was readily available for home viewing. It first aired on CBS in January of 1977 (Happy New Year to families of that time period!). For many families (I know mine was one of them at a time), there was only one television in the household. Whatever was on that TV, if you were interested in watching something, it had to be what the head of the household was watching at that given time. Considering the viewership of <i>Roots</i> during its first airing (quoting the Wikipedia entry for Roots: "the finale still stands as the third-highest rated U.S. television program ever"), I'm guessing that many heads of households watched some portion of <i>Roots</i> during its eight-day airing schedule.<br />
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I do think that <i>Roots</i> is an important film and that everyone should see some points of it at some time, but with some context and also ways to discuss the film after viewing it. <i>Roots</i> serves as a great point of entry for viewing other films about representations of chattel slavery and the Middle Passage.<br />
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Yes, I really enjoyed <i>Django Unchained</i>, aesthetically and for the dialogue starter. When was the last time we talked about a film this much?!<br />
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What makes both of these films, especially Django Unchained, is how it gets us to talking about cultural production, the production of culture, and how race has shaped this country. As a cultural critic, it is important for me to both write on culture and to facilitate/encourage conversations on culture. We define culture. How will culture change unless we're the change agents? <br />
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As spectators/film consumers, we can enjoy or dislike these films or anything that we watch. I'm ready to listen and digest opinions about Tarantino's work, <i>Django Unchained </i>in particular, from people who hate this work. However, I'm not willing to have a conversation with anyone regarding this film and any other films about slavery if the following issues are not considered: just because someone is white doesn't mean that they can't contribute artistic responses about and on the black experience in the Americas, rendering art about negative experiences in our history isn't necessary because we shouldn't talk about them, and deeming one film/novel/slave narrative as an authentic account on slavery while dismissing others just because of its author. So, before we lynch or chain Tarantino to higher artistic expectations, please become aware of other representations of slavery. Don't just depend on our usual suspects to tell this story nor hold one artist to a set of standards that you wouldn't hold against another. Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-15707195730363465882012-06-01T13:16:00.002-04:002012-06-01T13:16:42.788-04:00My Top 10 Favorite (Independent) Films<i>I just realized that I haven't written a blog post in a long time! This is what graduate school and a full-time job does to you: distances you from society. Its so great to be writing again!</i><br />
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<i>Its taken me a long time to curate this list. As my readership is extremely important to me, I wanted to ensure that this list contain films that are important to our culture and the independent film industry. As I am a strong supporter of the independent artist and their "hustle," its not out of the ordinary that my favorite films happen to be those that first appeared in art houses. Yes, I really enjoyed the recently released The Avengers, this summer's blockbuster...it was directed by Joss Whedon at least ;)</i><br />
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1. <i>Secretary</i>, dir. Steven Shainberg, 2002, United States<br />
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What don't I like about this movie?! Amazing performances. Steaming, hot love story. AND S&M!!!! Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader's performances are amazing! But, the most important reason why I love this movie is because, unlike the traditional romance film, neither person of the couple changes for the other. Instead, these characters found someone who compliments their "styles." <br />
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2. <i>Pulp Fiction</i>, dir. Quentin Tarentino, 1994, United States<br />
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I was 21 years old, a recent college graduate, when I first saw this movie. And guess what? One of my now favorite films, I absolutely HATED at the time when I first viewed it. Why? Maybe because I fell asleep at the very beginning of it and then woke up during the scene where Mrs. Mia Wallace (played by Uma Thurman) receives an adrenaline shot to the heart following a mistaken cocaine overdose. It took an ex-lover (one who shall remain nameless because we no longer speak to each other) years later to ignite my passion for both this movie and almost all of Quentin Tarantino's films. I now own almost all of his movies. <br />
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3. <i>Malcolm X</i>, dir. Spike Lee, 1992, United States<br />
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I've been professing this on my self-designated soap box since I first watched this film: Denzel Washington deserved the Academy Award for this role rather than for <i>Training Day</i>! To play such a complex, historical figure over a span of a lifetime (well, almost a lifetime) is a huge task to accomplish. I first saw this film during an all-school field trip to the movie theatre. I'm from Detroit and was fortunate to grow up in a positive Afrocentric school system, one that taught us about the contributions of African-Americans to American culture and history from kindergarten to high school (it was through my elementary school where I first watched the mini-series <i>Roots</i>). My favorite part in this film is when Malcolm X visits Mecca. The voiceover of the letter home to his family and then watching him pray still gives me chills! This is a film that I can watch over and over again, for I gain a different perspective on both Malcolm X's life and also Spike Lee's filmmaking techniques. The other thing that I admire about this film is the hustle that Lee had to undertake in order to finish this film.<br />
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4. <i>Vicky Cristina Barcelona</i>, dir. Woody Allen, 2008, United States<br />
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Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz = too much sexiness in one film! Unlike the other films on this list, I can't remember when I first saw this film. However, I can tell you how many times I've watched it since buying it on DVD recently! If I were to ever curate a film festival of movies about Americans Abroad, this would be the film to open the festival! There's so much to love in this film, including Penelope Cruz's Academy Award-winning performance and the cinematography! The vast portraits of Spain's landscape are so beautiful (I think that it helps to have the Spanish cinematographer, Javier Aguirresarobe, work on this film). And Penelope Cruz looks stunning throughout the entire movie, including during her numerous fits of rage. This is the film that percolated my interested in Woody Allen.<br />
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5. <i>Biutiful</i>, dir. Alejandro González Iñárritu, 2008-2009, Spain<br />
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This is one of the many films that I've seen at Amherst Cinema, and one of the films on this list where I couldn't stop crying (I advise to never see a film that's a tear-jerker in the trailer by yourself). Another film starring Javier Bardem, <i>Biutiful</i> is a story about a terminally-ill father who tries to correct all of his wrongs while he's still alive. Bardem was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in this film, becoming the first performance that's entirely performed in Spanish to earn this nomination. The cinematography and the dialogue are amazing in this film. I highly recommend renting this movie. Just make sure to have plenty of tissues handy.<br />
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6. <i>Departures</i>, dir. Yōjirō Takita, 2008, Japan<br />
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Another film that I saw at Amherst Cinema, I've only seen this film once but remember it vividly. Its another film that you need a couple of boxes of tissues prepared prior to viewing. Though I don't want to spoil the plot, I wanted to give a little bit of insight into what its about. The protagonist, a professional cellist, lost his job with the country's symphony orchestra. Recently married and with a baby on the way, he needed to find a source of income. Responding to a newspaper ad, he interviews and scores a job with a departures agency. Thinking that it was a travel agency, it takes him some time to get adjusted to this line of work. This agency specializes in preparing the deceased for burial. Unlike its American counterpart, this Japanese film captures grief in a way that western movies probably could never accomplish due to how our society deals with emotion. Be prepared to cry throughout 3/4s of the movie.<br />
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7. <i> Little Miss Sunshine</i>, dir. Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris, 2006, United States<br />
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I hope that everyone has seen this film by now! It plays regularly on basic cable and is available on Netflix. What isn't to like about this film?! I would talk more about the plot but I would be giving the entire movie away. I recommend watching this movie prior to any others on this list!<br />
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8. <i>Election</i>, dir. Alexander Payne, 1999, United States<br />
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I remember when I first heard about and saw this movie. The VHS (yes, this was WAY back in the day) was on sale for $5 at the local brick and mortar video rental place in the neighborhood where I grew up. I bought it in 2000 and I still own it! Well, my parents have it, along with many of the films I collected while I was living at "home." This film, a satire about a high schooler running for student body president, introduced me to Reese Witherspoon (who I loved in Legally Blonde...yes, I'll admit to not only seeing this film multiple times but also to really liking it). <i>Election</i> offers a unique critique of suburbia, politics, and teenage culture. <br />
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9. <i>Brown Sugar</i>, dir. Rick Famuyiwa, 2002, United States<br />
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The soundtrack! The soundtrack! The soundtrack! Its SO GOOD! I was recently introduced to this film by one of my closest friends. The soundtrack (yes, its that good) brought back some fond memories. From Jill Scott to Erykah Badu to Mos Def to the Roots, this film's soundtrack reminded me how amazing the music of the late 1990s to early 2000s was to both me and African-American culture. This is one of a long list of films where the gorgeous and multi-talented Sanaa Lathan plays the protagonist and romantic interest. Get ready...there's a steamy love scene in this one! This is a film that can be watched with friends and with significant others!<br />
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10. <i>Eve's Bayou</i>, dir. Kasi Lemmons, 1997, United States<br />
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This is the only film on the list that I was introduced to via a class. It was the Spring of 2009 when I took a graduate-level film class, <i>Black Female Image in Cinema</i>...a class that changed my entire career trajectory. In this class, we talked about films made by black women and also films made featuring black female characters. Of course, filmmaker Kasi Lemmons (Eve's Bayou is her directorial debut) had to be on the syllabus. This film is so important that it made it onto <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_706770015">Time Magazine's list of </a><i><a href="http://entertainment.time.com/2008/02/04/the-25-most-important-films-on-race/#about-the-list">The 25 Most Important Films on Race</a>. </i>From its opening voiceover, its easy to note the importance of this film and its impact on our culture.<br />
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Being the cultural critic that I am, I want to note that there are not too many women on this list. Unfortunately, there are not too many women film directors out there. Better yet, there are not too many female theatre directors, female playwrights, female film, television, and theatre producers out there. There are too few women at the head of the creative process. As a female writer and arts administrator, I think that its beyond time for us to assume positions at the head of the table, both in commercial and independent art-making circles. Kathryn Bigelow, director of the film <a href="http://thehurtlocker-movie.com/"><i>The Hurt Locker</i></a> (2008), became the first woman to receive an Academy Award for Best Director. This was in 2009! Though I haven't seen this film yet, I've definitely added it to the list of films to watch because it is important to support those who are breaking barriers, quite like the films on this list. I also want to add to this list the new television series <a href="http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/scandal"><i>Scandal</i></a>, created by Shonda Rhimes and starring Kerry Washington. When was the last time a television series featured an African-American woman in a lead role? Nuff said. I haven't seen <i>Scandal</i> yet, but trust that over the next couple of months that I'll get caught up on the series.<br />
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Over the summer, I will be working on a post containing a list of female
artmakers who we need to support. Be on the lookout for it! <br />
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There's also many independent films that did not make this list. It is simply because I haven't seen a lot of other important films of the industry yet (i.e., Do the Right Thing, a film that I'll be watching in a couple of days). I hope that as I add to my own personal DVD collection that this list will only expand. <br />
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<br />Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-20586639745793437642012-03-22T19:16:00.000-04:002012-03-22T19:16:21.740-04:00PARIAH: Every Teen's Story<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Adepero Oduye</span> as Alike in "Pariah" (2011)</td></tr>
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I am so excited that I can finally say that I've seen the critically-acclaimed film <i>Pariah</i>! It's been playing at Pleasant Street Theater in Northampton, MA for the past week and a half and has been playing in selected theaters nationwide since December of 2011. Thanks to <a href="http://www.outforreel.org/">Out for Reel LGBT Film Series</a> and <a href="http://amherstcinema.org/">Amherst Cinema/Pleasant Street Theater</a> for bringing this important film to our area.<br />
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I advise that everyone, teenagers, parents, teachers, mentors, siblings, anyone who has been a teenager (practically everyone) to see this film. Coined as a coming of age story about a black queer teenager, I am confident that everyone will connect to this film. The protagonist, Alike (Adepero Oduye), begins to navigate cultural politics associated with her sexual identity and negotiates the stakes of important relationships, including those with her parents (played by Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell), her best friend, Laura (Pernell Walker), and her poetry. Just like everyone young and old, she's trying to find out where she fits in the world: the reality of humanity. <br />
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<i>By the way, I want to congratulate Kim Wayans (of "In Living Color" and comedic notoriety) for a successful job as a dramatic actress! She was amazing in this film and I look forward to seeing her in other dramatic roles in the near future.</i><br />
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Instead of me writing extensively on this film, I'd rather encourage all readers to go and see it soon. For those in Western Massachusetts, it is scheduled to continue playing until sometime this weekend. Please visit <a href="http://amherstcinema.org/">Amherst Cinema/Pleasant Street Theater's website</a> for information on show times and ticket prices. I've included the trailer below. Please encourage others to see it. Better yet, arrange to see it with friends. And, after watching the film, please go out afterwards to discuss the film. I'll bet that you all will relate to many of the issues raised in <i>Pariah</i>. <br />
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Thanks to Dee Rees, director and writer of <i>Pariah</i>, for bringing us such an amazing story, one that I hope will begin necessary conversations on how to ensure that today's young people become the best citizens they can be, living their best lives.<br />
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<br />Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-17533677369398629492012-03-03T17:18:00.000-05:002012-03-03T17:26:08.692-05:00Noon in America<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last night, I finally got a chance to watch Woody Allen's latest film <i>Midnight in Paris</i> (2011). A story I can relate to, the film situates around a screenwriter, Gil (played by Owen Wilson) who, while in Paris, discovers the flaws in his relationship with his fiancee (played by Rachel McAdams) yet becomes comfortable in his newest endeavor as a novelist. At the stroke of midnight among several nights, the protagonist is taken back to the 1920s, mingling with expats such as Getrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Ernest Hemingway, writers who discover a little bit of themselves away from their home country of the United States. Though sleeping through the first 20 minutes, I found myself enthralled in this story as it sounds a lot like my own (well, minus the "fiance/e" part). I'm at this crossroads with my writing, attempting to find paying gigs and trying to make writing the main source of my income. I just need the courage to just go out there and do it, but would appreciate some writers that I admire to lead me along the way.<br />
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One thing I kept thinking about while watching this movie is what it would look like if it were me in the central role. Yes, I know its egotistical, but who hasn't want to star in a movie about themselves?! My movie would take me back to the 1920s, except, it would look quite different. It would still take place in Paris but some other faces from that era would have monumental roles in this film. It would also have a foot in America, specifically in Harlem, New York. Josephine Baker, who has a non-speaking role in Midnight in Paris, would be my tour guide, showing me around the city and introducing me to other important people of the Harlem Renaissance. I would have tea on a terrace with James Baldwin, swap stories of recent travels abroad with Zora Neale Hurston, and explore Europe via rail with Richard Wright. Langston Hughes and I would have a close relationship as he would become my next door neighbor. I would occasionally visit Romare Bearden's studio, getting a first glance as his latest work. I would be embraced in a world where my blackness and my artistry is well-defined and appreciated, though different than the norm.<br />
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I hope to one day experience what Gil had in Paris. I wouldn't need a romance for I would be fulfilled through my work. I just want the chance to be all of "me" rather than be pieces of me only sometimes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Jeunesse" by Palmer Hayden (date unknown)</td></tr>
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***BTW, I'm happy to mention that two of the shorts mentioned in my blog post won Academy Awards in their respective categories! <i>The Shore</i> won for Best Live Action Short and <i style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore </i><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">for Best Animated Short. Congratulations to this year's winners!</span>Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-65839241640603579562012-02-21T09:28:00.004-05:002012-02-21T09:28:42.853-05:00A Call to Action, Part One: Support Independent Filmmaking!This weekend, I had the pleasure of attending screenings of the Oscar-nominated <a href="http://amherstcinema.org/films-and-events/oscar-nominated-shorts-live-action">Live Action</a> and <a href="http://amherstcinema.org/films-and-events/oscar-nominated-shorts-animation">Animated Shorts</a> at <a href="http://amherstcinema.org/">Amherst Cinema</a>. A HUGE independent film fanatic, I love going to art houses to view the latest trends in independent art making.<br />
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Here's trailers for my favorite shorts from the 2012 Oscar nominees' list:<br />
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1. <i>Pentecost</i> (Live Action), Peter McDonald, dir., Ireland <br />
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2. <i>The Shore</i> (Live Action), Terry George, dir., Northern Ireland (many of you may recognize the lead actor, Ciaran Hinds from the HBO series Rome).<br />
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3. <i>Time Freak</i> (Live Action), Andrew Bowler, dir., USA (<i>this one was my absolute favorite</i>)<br />
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4. <i>The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore</i> (Animated), William Joyce & Brandon Oldenburg, directors, USA (<i>this is the entire film. I loved this one, and actually cried at the end</i>)<br />
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Unlike most movie-going experiences, I was (gladly) forced to stick around to watch the credits following every film, as each short was showed in succession of one another. Reading the credits brought me so much joy and intrigue. I was able to appreciate the "hustle" that it takes to create films with little to no budget. I also realized the differences between art-making in the US and other countries. In Canada and countries in the UK, independent films receive government subsidies towards completing the project. In the United States...well, I hope that we are all aware of the state of funding "anything" here. Its next to impossible to receive funding for organizational survival, let alone creating something that challenges artistic integrity.<br />
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For those who are interested in supporting the livelihood of your fellow neighbors (artists who need to put food on their table and pay their utilities), I suggest you check out your local art house. To find your local art house, visit <a href="http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/yourlens/arthousetheaters/">Independent Lens' website</a> (Independent Lens is a series that regularly airs on PBS.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.spiritawards.com/">Independent Spirit Awards</a> is coming up. If you're interested in finding out more on independent filmmaking, please check it out. The awards show is airing on IFC on Saturday, February 25. This awards ceremony is uncensored, so I'm betting that all viewers will have a great time watching it! This year's festivities will be hosted by Seth Rogan. To find out if IFC is provided by your cable or satellite provider, please visit their respective websites. I have DirecTV and am proud to say that I get BOTH IFC and The Sundance Channel. Both channels show independently produced films and television series.<br />
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In a couple of days, I'll be posting my list of favorite independent films. You'll probably be surprised as to which films make the list, as many of them do not come across as independently-produced projects. Also, I'll be posting information on the current state of arts funding in the United States and the importance of celebrating non-commercial art-making at some point this week as well.<br />
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If you live in Western Massachusetts, specifically near Amherst or Northampton, I highly recommend you see one of the screenings this week of either the Live Action, Animated, or Documentary Shorts before the Academy Awards airing Sunday, February 25 at 5:30 p.m. PST/8:30 p.m. EST on ABC. I think that we'll all pay attention to the brief, ackwardly set-aside moments when the winners of these categories are giving their speeches, as I believe they deserve more time than they are granted for they are truly the best "hustlers" out there.Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3945542091486519744.post-1615527321652160152012-02-15T19:29:00.001-05:002012-02-15T20:17:18.947-05:00Tradition Magician<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>This was the HARDEST blog post to write. Originally, I started writing this about a month ago. I'm glad that I waited to finish it as so much has happened in my personal life and within the discourse surrounding the matter. I'm really happy that I waited. This time gave me a better opportunity to thoroughly thing about this post and I hope that all readers will gain something from it. </i><br />
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<i>I'd like to dedicate this blog post to my mom, someone whose taught me how to appreciate the strength of my beauty and my being.</i><br />
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Its serendipitous that I write about love this Valentine's Day...well, Valentine's Day and a half, as I post this on the day after the fact. With love all around me, friends getting married and proposals flowing aplenty, I had (and still continue to have) a lot to think about this Valentine's Day. I've never been one to celebrate it nor crave my significant other indulge me with or shower me with capitalistic inspired trinkets. But this year, Valentine's Day chose to celebrate me.<br />
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As I attempted to avoid the Hallmark-induced holiday yesterday, I was bombarded with chocolates. "Chocolates to the left of em. Chocolates to the right of em. Eat. Digest. And Eat Some More" was my motto. I was offered free chocolate at the coffee stand I frequent at work, at my office, in a couple of meetings, and in class last night. Thank goodness it was all dark chocolate, keeping those healthy flavoroids coming! I tend to speak things into existence. I was so sure about wanting to "not" celebrate Valentine's Day. Instead, it stalked me all day.<br />
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Rewind to a month ago from yesterday. I served as the coordinator and bride's attendant for two dear friends' wedding. As we're becoming even "closer" friends, it was an honor to serve in this capacity. I enjoyed the day, including participating in all of the rituals and traditions that accompany the occasion. I was fortunate enough, despite my hesitations and protests against partaking in said ritual, to catch the bouquet (with how perfect a "catch" it was, I think it was planned as many of the friends in attendance at this occasion are ready to see me-and a few other single women-hitched already). Catching the bouquet means that I'll be the next bride. As there are no candidates for "spouse" at the moment, I beg to differ in this sentiment. However, its forced me to conduct inventory on my dating situation, or lack thereof, and why getting married is important to me.<br />
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I'm not your "stereotypical" girl. Before I launch into this part of the discussion, I must add that I take offense to societal-assigned gender roles and how they've dictated human behavior and interaction. It has and continues to subject women, in "hetero" relationships (man/woman), to assume much of the burden of the relationship while the man can just "be." (More on this later...) I didn't collect bridal magazines as a teenager. I don't have a picture book with clippings of photos, piecing together my "dream dress." I don't have a storyboard or dream board of my fantasy day or my fantasy mate. I haven't officially chosen members of the wedding party, a site for the ceremony (though I have some ideas and the desire of getting married in my hometown), the design of my engagement ring, or even the type of cake I would want. I have, however, made the executive decision that I want to get married and that I want to marry a man with specific qualifications. The qualifications are easy to fulfill, as I look for someone who can love me as much as I love him, except me for my faults (as I would equally of him), strong family values, dreams that he's pursuing, and a heart full of love who believes in good "samaritanism" and being good to thy neighbor. I have been told that my standards are quite high but that's another story.<br />
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I'm (cough, cough) years old and have only came close to getting married once. I'm not sure how much that one counts given that the engagement had its special reasons for coming to an abrupt ending only five months in. My ex-fiance and I still remain good friends. I've only had a handful of boyfriends, none that I would consider marriage material. No offense, ex-boyfriends of mine. Trust me, I'm a lot to handle. Do you really want a Type A, workaholic, OCD control freak as a wife?! BTW, I enjoy that I possess these qualities. It means that I can live many different lives in a short period of time.
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The discourse for "forever single educated (black) women" expands daily. Just within the week, articles on <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/survey-paints-portrait-of-black-women-in-america/2011/12/22/gIQAvxFcJQ_story.html">the negative implications of being a black woman</a> to the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/opinion/sunday/marriage-suits-educated-women.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all">difficulties of marrying when educated and career-driven</a> to the <a href="http://www.essence.com/2012/02/14/real-talk-your-ph-d-wont-stop-you-from-getting-your-m-r-s/">realities of finding love while educated</a> continue to flood my e-mail's inbox. I even have comedians (Steve Harvey) and lawyers turned actors (Hill Harper) "instructing" me on how changing "my" behavior and my "list(s)" will "bring" me my mate Notice how I didn't insert "ideal". Steve Harvey, in particular, wants black women to settle. And, also notice how I didn't mention any of his books. I'm not turning into his free publicist. You can "google" on these men to find their "trash talk."<br />
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To add insult to injury, dating sites like <i>eharmony </i>regularly sends me articles on topics ranging from "why you're still single" to "the top 7 reasons why no one is dating you right now." I registered for <i>eharmony</i> a couple of years ago during a free weekend but decided not to continue using their services after I found out how much it was to subscribe to their site (its member-based and you can only communicate with others on the site after you've paid a huge lump sum of money, something my pockets can't afford at the moment). Though I was able to discontinue my "membership," I was still receiving the e-newsletter, which was filled with self-esteem killing articles on how "not" to be the you "you" are right now. They make it extremely difficult to unsubscribe from their e-newsletter. After getting their e-newsletter for three years, years after canceling my subscription to the site-based services, I figured out (through tons of FBI-type research) how to cancel the subscription to the e-newsletter. Similar to an abusive relationship, <i>eharmony</i> only told me how bad of a person I was because I didn't partake into their ordeal. Taking on advise used on my most recent relationship, as prescribed by sex and relationship columnist <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/SavageLove?oid=11589595">Dan Savage</a>, I "<a href="http://www.internetslang.com/DTMFA-meaning-definition.asp">DTMFA'ed!</a>"<br />
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Though I'm not going to share the specific advise from these men and websites, I'm going to "generalize" (yes, I'm stepping into dangerous territory here...hell, these men did in their books, so can I) and share what these men and others in my life have said pertaining to me and marriage (prepare yourself as this list is going to be long and possibly overwhelming):<br />
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<ul>
<li>I'm too smart (I have a bachelor's degree from a top-notched public Ivy League state university and am now working towards my doctorate degree)</li>
<li>I'm too driven career-wise. I don't seek to be the "dominate" one of the relationship or the household. I want to be able to live a comfortable life and for most of my life, I've been living it alone. A girl's got to support herself.</li>
<li>I'm too tall (come on now, this one is ridiculous)</li>
<li>I'm overweight (in most Eastern countries and places in Europe, my full-figure equals wealth, hell, women of the 1960s were considered beautiful but by today's standards are considered "fat." Society, please stop spazzing, acting all ADD and bipolar and make up your mind on what's in and what's out)*</li>
<li>My standards are too high (to not want a man who acts like a child and can't even provide for himself and someone who wants a "second" mother is setting my standards too high?! Remember what I said earlier)</li>
<li>Black women are ugly and unattractive (I'm going to save what I have to say for another blogpost as what I have to say can be published throughout a series of encyclopedias)</li>
<li>I don't follow the "dating rules." Whenever the 1,001 commandments on dating come out on a chiseled slate of stone, then I'll divulge into whatever this bullshit means.</li>
<li>Wait, am I forgetting any?! As I've been told a lot about myself that makes me "undesirable," I tend to forget some of these things.</li>
</ul>
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<i>*There are some dating sites geared towards hooking up "chubby chasers" with BBWs but I find them to be very fetishizing and demeaning to all parties involved. Please check out the TLC series <a href="http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/big-sexy-videos/">Big Sexy</a> and it will fill you in on this counterculture phenomenon. </i><br />
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On top of all of this, I've been battling with my hair since I was a child. No, better yet, since the last time I resisted my natural style and started relaxing my hair again. The year: 2004. The event: a job at a conservative yet highly regarded arts organization. The matter: a light-skinned supervisor who thought that my hair looked a "mess" natural. There's all kinds of complexion politics up in this! I was one of the only light-to-middle "skinned" women that work at this place. Almost all of the darker-skinned women wore their hair in natural hairstyles, including locks, twists, and afros. But for some reason, I had to straighten my hair in order to look more professional. Up until that point, I was rocking God's given curls. I did the "<a href="http://www.naturallycurly.com/topics/view/big-chop-transitioning">big chop</a>" for the first time in 2001 after finishing undergrad and thought I'd never look back. I loved my hair. It grew back fairly quickly. Try in a year and a half. Despite that happy, almost orgasmic-like three years together, I fell victim to someone else's venom. My hair hasn't grown since then. Well, maybe a couple of centimeters....centimeters does no girl any good (I had to throw some humor in here).<br />
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Well readers, I've scheduled myself another lunch date with the "big chop." Its going down on Friday (well, coming off). I'm going back to wearing my hair natural. Cutting off all contact with the socially-deemed regime of the bimonthly dose of the "creamy crack". I miss my hair being natural. It did something to my self-esteem. Not only was it easier to style, the curls framed my gorgeous face perfectly! Going back to this style brings on fond memories of our years together. I look forward to making love to my coif once more. I promise you that I will share this experience with all of my readers. I was very apprehensive about this endeavor.<br />
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It took a lot for me to accept this choice. I was very apprehensive about cutting hair because of what it could do to my dating life. Wait, dating life. I have one?! Did I lose it in the park? Is it in a foster home or at the kennel? Or did the garbage person pick it up accidentally? Nope. Dating sans exist in the land beyond B.F.E. (where I currently "habitat"). I get this sense that men don't like short hair on women, for it could emasculate them. I cried a little. I laughed a little. I even talked to other friends about it. What sealed the deal for me and comforted me about my choice: talking to my mom about it on the phone today. My mom, who means more than the world to me (I'm so happy to be so close to both of my parents, who are both still in my hometown), says that she remembers me when I had my hair that short and how pretty it made my face look and how happy I was when I had my hair natural. I said to her that my natural is reminiscent of her hair during the revolutionary 70s. My dad met, fell in love with, and married my mom in the 1970s with her afro and all. He even had one at the time. My parents are about to celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary. If my mom's afro stood for love, revolution and Black pride, then let me be just like my mom for I am and want to be all of those things.<br />
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You might ask, how am I going to morph into this "tradition magician." I can answer that question with this: I believe that gifts in abundance exist for me, including one of a lifelong spouse (I'm open to love in all shapes and forms....go MARRIAGE EQUALITY) whose dreams will mesh with mine, whose love of life will strengthen beyond belief through our love for one another together; a book deal; an OBIE Award (off-Broadway, look out); launching my consultancy on socially-conscious arts management and doing a tour across the country sharing my work; traveling the world, celebrating the great diversity the world offers us; the college teaching job that will give me a chance to continue freelancing as a playwright, poet, and journalist, and that 10th floor loft in a major city, living within walking distance of a great neighborhood grocery store and a park to bring the children to. Not to pat myself on the back, but who wouldn't want to share life with someone like this?! Okay, maybe I'm being a lil' self-indulgent. But, whose going love you if you don't love yourself?! I'm going to reverse all stereotypes and live life the way I should live it and not by the way others dictate it for me for I'm going to live beyond the odds. I'm going to be a proud, Black,beautiful, full-figured, sexy ass, HAUTE ass, smart as hell fashionista/naturalista arts mogul who will build a happy, fulfilling life with another human being. It may not be my soulmate but its going to be one hell of a lucky person (and I will be too for my future spouse, wherever they are, happen to be awesome).<br />
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So, to answer Lionel Bart's* question, I know where it is. It awaits me for when I obtain it, there's no looking back.<br />
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<i>*Lionel Bart wrote the music and script for the musical Oliver!, which is an adaptation of the Charles Dickens' story.</i>Nicole M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04344819428694705352noreply@blogger.com2