Musingsx1

13 images that kind of capture right now

Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

My Place in Black History (a semi-rant)

"Every month is Black History Month!"

I honestly believe this, especially as someone who has recently become aware of a lot more world history than what was studied in the high school classroom.  For me, every month is black history month...just as every month is white history month for the rest of the world. But when the month of February comes around and the history blurbs start to be posted around, I start to think about stuff...more than usual.

Although my high school was predominantly black, there was a significant lack in black history celebrations. In my last two years, it was myself and other students who had to push the administration to allow us to host events! Ridiculous, I know. It angered us to no end as to how much of an obstacle the administration represented, when it should have been an obvious right for us, as students. We can file that as reason #13929 school admins can be incompetent. Anyways...

Last year, I had a goal of things that I wanted to make sure were shown in the show and the bulk of my efforts were pushed into a video (which was unfortunately deleted the day before the show and had to be reconstructed in just a few hours...whew)

Post by Conseil Étudiant Deslauriers.

Rewatching this video one year later, Im surprised by how much I've learned and how much I would change from the video...today.

I think its important to avoid sugar coating anything and everything.

For starters, unlike how I demonstrated it in the video, black history did not start with slavery.  Its just something we learn to accept, as if slave drivers invented black people? Why? Because in history class, the only time we talk about black people is at a time when they were in a position of inferiority, and although slavery is a significant part of our history, its not all there is to it. As Malcolm X loved to remind everyone, the history of African Americans did not begin in chains. There were never any classes on Mansa Musa as there was on Abraham Lincoln, no words uttered about where exactly the idea of a calendar was sourced, or where some of the most sophisticated architecture of the world could be found.

When there is talk about racism being systemic, the school system is a perfect example. White supremacy is not only found in the KKK and in "violent outbursts" but its an unquestioned facet of our culture. Today.

Its found in Hollywood.

Its found in music.

Its found in fashion.

Its found in the book industry

Its found in the workplace.

Its found in the beauty industry.

Its found in schools.

Its found in institutions of supposed justice.

Its found in Disney movies

Its found in every single part of our lives.

Why is it that when black girls go to drug stores looking for foundation and amidst the array of different shades of beige...there are only two colours that resemble darker skin...if you're lucky.

Why is it that I am expected to straighten my curls anytime I need to look professional?

Why is it that as a child, I was expected to stop myself from getting darker, because darker is somehow less beautiful than lighter skin?

Why is it that the only women being considered for roles to play Cleopatra are white women?

Why is it that the first black Disney princess, and most Disney movies with POC have the POC's spending more than half the movie as animals?

Why is it that Macklemore is getting so much support for CO-WRITING a song about how much it would probably suck to be LGBTQ+ or black, but no one is actually supporting LGBTQ+ or black artists?

There are so many more questions I could ask, but in all honesty, writing this post hurts.

If I were to remake the video I worked on last year, it would be completely different. It would start with all of the black Kings and Queens and continue to show the resilience and accomplishments of African Americans despite it all, but how would it end? Would I have concluded the video as optimistically as I had with all this new knowledge? Where would Trayvon Martin, Marissa Alexander, Jordan Davis, Alfred Wright, and so many others be? Would I have been able to physically bring myself to do so...I'm not sure. But that video would have definitely been a lot longer because there was so much left unsaid.

Dead Poets

In my final moments, I hope that I can muster enough wit and humour to leave the world with wisdom or wit, kinda like some of these brilliant dead poets. Not to romanticize them, of course.

Any favourite final words?

Feature Follow: Throwback

If you could read a book for the “first time” again, which book would it be? Why?

Erp.

Ugh.

See, my answer would have been any of my favourite books from middle school because I honestly think thats the age I had the most fun, as a reader.

Then I remembered I am no longer 13 years old with an underdeveloped vocabulary (well...).

I immediately thought about "The Perks of Being A Wallflower" but then I realized that book is my "go-to" book for everything. I've probably mentioned it about eight thousand time on this blog, but hey, whose counting!

I also thought about Vampire Academy because despite the overdone title, its one hell of a series. Its a great adventure with lots of passion. However, Im no longer in middle school so that opinion could change

Anyways, I would throw Perks in there...but honestly, any book that I loved could do the trick.

What did you pick?

Let me know if you've followed via GFC and/or Bloglovin and I'll make sure to return the favour. I'm also available through Facebook and Twitter!

Happy weekend :)

Local Love: He Never Left Me by Christa Mayaliwa

Its easy to get sucked into the trivial lives of the protagonists in some of our favourite books "love interest #2 is ignoring me"..."My best friend h8es me bc he loves me :(". And although these self indulgent unrealistic situations can be a good source of entertainment, we all know that reading and writing can be much more than a source of entertainment. For one party, it can be the outlet. For the other, a source of inspiration.

A perfect example of this is author Christa Mayaliwa's He Never Left Me: My First Testimony.

Synopsis: He Never Left Me is the story of Christa Mayaliwa's battle with systemic arthritis (adult's Still's disease) as a child, its relapse when she turned sixteen, and her father's abandonment of their family in the midst of their emotional and financial struggles. More than that, it is a story of the goodness of God. Despite life's billows, Christa's God has been able to carry her through it all. This story is for those who are affected with a chronic illness aside from arthritis, parents with children who are in a similar state, those who want to be inspired, Christians, ministers, and doctors. This is Christa's testimony.

He Never Left Me is an emotional and honest story about the struggles Christa has had to live through, and how she has overcome them. You do not have to be religious in any way to identify with her story and feel the full spectrum of emotions you might experience while reading He Never Left Me.

He Never Left Me: My Testimony can be locally (Ottawa) purchased at the SalemStorehouse in Nepean (1558 Merivale Rd) and checked out through any Ottawa Public Library Branch

It can also be purchased via Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Indigo, Kindle/Kobo, Google EBooks, and Sony Ebook Store

Staying Warm for Winter 2̶0̶1̶3̶ 2014!!!!!! - C/O Simon & Schuster

The good people at Simon & Schuster Canada have rethought the whole New Year concept this year. Though many of us do have our resolutions to maintain, sometimes we all just need a push to get through the dreary Canadian Winter months. Thats where the Winter Survival Package comes in, what could be better than a warm goodies and books to keep your spirits up?

You've got a chance to win goodies for your soul, your heart, your hands, feet and your tummy!

The sweepstakes just went live today! So don't miss out on a chance at some post New Year happiness?

Don't miss out on your chance to win a Stay Warm Kit, enter HERE!

Feature Follow: Well that's depressing

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! What books did Santa stuff your stocking with this holiday season? Do a holiday book haul for us! If you don’t celebrate just show off your books that you got this week. Pictures!!!

I don't celebrate Christmas...and I haven't gotten any books this week. I am currently reading The Girl With The Great Personality though.

Haha. This is a pretty short answer.

Well, that's my answer!

I'm also on Facebook and Twitter!

I hope you all had awesome holidays, and wish you happy new year! 

RIP Ned

With all the conflicting emotions that come with learning about yourself in the world, authors like Ned Vizzini have made it slightly easier for younger people to just figure it out.  One of his books may have done that for you, or maybe it was the other projects he dipped his toes in.  Regardless, his presence in this world made an impact on many of us, here are some of the quotes I'll be remembering him by.

 My condolences go out to his friends and family.

Feature Follow: The gift of giving (good book recommendations)

Pick a book in your favorite genre that you’d recommend to a reluctant reader.

Wait, what's my favourite genre? I don't even know. What I do know is that one book I always recommend no matter the preference, is always always always The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. That book changed my life in so many ways as a 16 year old, it is without a doubt, my favourite book. I wouldn't say that I would recommend it to anyone, I think that the person who reads this novel needs to be at the "right" stage in their life to really appreciate it. I probably wouldn't have responded to this novel as much as strongly as I did if I had read it at a different period in my life.

AND THE MOVIE: A+

This being the last FF before Christmas, happy holidays everyone! I hope you all spend some nice quality time with your loved ones, or just some time to appreciate yourselves!


If any of you would like a link to my wish list, let me know *wink*wink*



(or both)

I'm also available on Twitter and Facebook! 

Happy Holidays!

Playlist - Scholastic Sadness

A few months ago, during the final days of high school, I specifically remember telling one of my friends "I am SOOOOOO done with high school!!!!11! And I know that in 3 months, I'm going to be crying about how much I miss high school and how much I hate university, but that is irrelevant right now!"
When I said that, months ago, I said it with a sense of hope. A sense that maybe university wasn't going to be that bad and that hopefully it might even be better than high school.

Wrong.

Very wrong.

After my first day, I was ready to quit. On my second day, I knew that I would need to win the lottery that weekend or become ridiculously famous. Either one would be fine as long as university was postponed. Unfortunately, n'either of those things happened. Instead, I've had to endure university for what it is for this semester. I should probably highlight the fact that I'm not a rez student, which may or may not have an impact on my opinion. Regardless, I'm not a fan of university. Yes, the freedom is nice  but that doesn't make up for the friends I will most likely lose touch with, the fact that your proffs don't really care about you or your success, and the fact, the whole class is basically online, I also don't really do well with learning in large classes (250 students doesn't work for me) and the uncertainty that gnaws in the pit of my stomach asking me "is this really what I want to be doing?" (the answer is no). I always had an idea that in university, you would study things that interest you. Yet here I am, postponing studying for a test in communicational organizational (don't ask me what it's about - I still don't know)* (Edit: I wrote this a little while back ago, I've finished all my finals but am still unsure about organizational communication...)

The transition from cushiony high school to bear boned university is not easy, and people make sure it isn't. They call it the "real world" and tell you that you should get used to it.  Disregarding the fact that we're basically unstable children who have no idea what we're doing in the world. In the "real world" you're not expected to react like a normal human being? I feel like that's an idea imposed on us by society. We don't offer a hand because people told us not to. That's just how it feels. I am fortunate to attend university and I'm sure there's a kid out there who would sell their soul for my opportunity but that doesn't diminish the fact that I hate it. *attempt at not sounding like a spoiled brat*

But in these times of  uncertainty and teen angst, I've relied on my musical buddies to get me through em. Thank goodness for Beyoncé releasing an album because now I have so much more to be thankful for. Without further ado,

My Teen Angst Playlist - Scholastic Sadness

(there is no relation between the theme and the music - its just stuff I really like to listen to during these angst ridden times.)

To help you cope with school:
This Is What It Feels Like - Banks
This Year - The Mountain Goats
Waterfalls - TLC
Happy - Pharell Williams
Lost Generation - Rizzle Kicks
Get Free - Major Lazer
Ribs - Lorde
Joy Of Nothing - Foy Vance

Horchata - Vampire Weekend

Waiting All Night feat. Ella Eyre - Ruidemental
Feel The Love feat. Ella Eyre- Rudimental
Losing You - Solange
Don't Let It Get To You - Rostam
I Don't Give A Fuck - Boss (couldn't find audio on Soundcloud, here is a snippet)
Beautiful - Tajan x Fwdslxsh
What WOuld You Do - Bastille
Whaea - Skakaburbian Collective

Rock The Boat - Aaliyah
Do I Wanna Know - Arctic Monkeys

Rostam - Wood
Almost Is Never Enough - Ariana Grande ft. Nathan Sykes

Afterglow - Wilkinson
Hold On - Alabama Shakes
Better Left Unsaid - Ariana Grande
Walcott - Vampire Weekend
Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High - Arctic Monkeys
Hold On We're Going Home - ASTR
Don't Wait - Mapei
No Bueno - Angel Haze
Clarity feat. Foxes (Acoustic) - Zedd
Warrior - Foxes
I Wanna Be Yours - Arctic Monkeys

Love Me Again - John Newman

U.N.I - Ed Sheeran (JUST BECAUSE)