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2/3/2021

8 Books by Black Authors in Honor of Black History Month

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We have all learned a lot over the last year, but I will be the first to admit that I have so much more to learn. ​

At the height of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, a lot of individuals in the United States, and even the world opened their eyes to the underrepresentation of Black people in countless industries, and several different areas of everyday life.
 
Like many other individuals, I started making a conscious effort to shop at small businesses, and whenever possible to support black owned businesses. I made an effort to listen to the black voices of my peers, and in the media. Ordering a cake? Find a black owned bakery. Looking for jewelry, support black entrepreneurs. Searching for black creators for our news, podcasts, and even the books we read, we made a mindful decision to begin uplifting the voices of black people.
 
Masses of citizens began to ask questions, and companies from every corner of the sphere, such as Condé Nast & Bon Appetit, Amazon, L’Oréal and even Disney were pressured to start better representing the members of the black community. Calling for a higher percentage of senior executives to be made up of the underrepresented groups, asking for higher and equal pay for black employees, and ensuring that black owned businesses in every sector of the market are being evenly represented.  
 
­­­­­During these months many people were also faced with quarantine, and the numerous ‘stay at home orders” due to the covid-19 pandemic – and to pass the time a lot of people turned to reading.
 
In June of 2020, Amistad launched the #BlackoutBestsellersList campaign on social media, encouraging readers all over the globe to “blackout” the Bestsellers list with all black authors in the top ten slots.
​
“To demonstrate our power and clout in the publishing industry, June 14 – June 20, we encourage you to purchase any two books by Black Writers. Our goal is to Blackout Bestseller lists with Black Voices.”
Several outlets such as Refinery29, Oprah, The Guardian all wrote articles about the movement last year, and in an effort to continue uplifting the voices of black authors. I jumped on this bandwagon instantly, since I love a good reason to buy a bunch of books, and I also had just recently built a bookshelf with my dad that needed filling…
 
In honor of Black History Month, I wanted to share some awesome reads by black authors that I have completed over the last year. Some thrillers, some tearjerkers, race studies, and even some sci-fi… a little for everyone.
​
If you haven’t heard of the website Bookshop.org, I wanted to take a quick second to tell you about this awesome website.

All the links listed below are going to take you to Bookshop.org where you can purchase books online that will directly support local bookstores.

These are affiliate links, but if do not want to use my link, no pressure! On Bookshop.org you have the option to select your favorite bookstore to donate a portion of your purchase to, or you can also let the site make a general donation to bookstores in their database.

​Let me tell you guys, I have completely discontinued buying my books from Amazon, and always go to this site first, or find a second alternative. But it is so important as readers to be supporting our local bookstores, and if we do choose to purchase online, please consider choosing a black-owned bookstore for your donations on Bookshop.org this month. THANK YOU!
Now, on to the recommendations! 

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Clap When You Land  by Elizabeth Acevedo

​This book was such a lovely journey from beginning to end. Centered around two sisters who lose their father in a famous plane crash, and the story of how two sisters come together after not knowing the other exists their entire lives. An absolute emotional rollercoaster, and I mean, don’t we all need a little bit of that from time to time?
My Sister, the Serial Killer  by Oyinkan Braithwaite

​This book you are going to find on probably every book list that I write for a while.. because I am obsessed! I cannot get over the way that Oyinkan Braithwaite tells her story in this novel. The chapters are short, sometimes - usually - only one page long, and the pace of the narrative is fantastic. The story is stated pretty clearly in the title alone, centered around a sister who is constantly cleaning up after her little sister’s messes, except in this case they are dead bodies.
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The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson

One of the many books on this list that I need a sequel for. This book creates a universe where time travel exists, but on an even more sophisticated scale, ‘multiverse’ travel. It introduces this idea that we all exist as ourselves on an infinite number of other planets throughout the universe. It follows the main character as she services the futuristic machines and finds answers to her identity across the multiple earths that she has existed, and not yet died. It really makes you think, trust me.
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

This is a narrative story based on true events about two young boys who attend a horrifying reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida. It is a really easy way to digest some of the terrible things that were occurring to black people at the time, and also to draw some sad connections to where we still have issues in our society today. A truly eye-opening story, and a touching realization at the end that makes the entire book worth reading.
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Luster by Raven Leilani

Again, I neeeed a sequel to this amazing storyline. This book had like fifty shades of grey vibes mixed with important issues black woman face, and uncovered the dark struggles of living and surviving in a city while being a student. This book does not go in the direction you think it is going to at any point during the entire storyline.
The Death of Vivek Oji

This story is another emotional rollercoaster, touching on several different hard topics. Including being transgender and battles with gender identity, and the struggles of being accepted by your family, or traditional cultural norms. A truly beautiful story that I think even people outside of the LGBTQ+ community will appreciate.
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The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

These last two books on the list are on my “To-Read” list. I have just started the main portion of this book last night, after finishing the preface that was added to this edition in 2020. Written before all the protests of last year, in Michelle Alexander’s preface you can hear in her voice all of the pain and suffering that black people still have to face today, and the huge fight that is still left to fight. It covers the great need for criminal justice reform in our country, and the problem with mass incarceration. Although written in 2010, this book is still a very prominent and important read for all Americans.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

According to the bestsellers lists of 2020, this one is a must read. It follows the stories of two black twin sisters in a small southern black community, and was named a best book of 2020 by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, People, Time Magazine, Vanity Fair, and Glamour. If you are going to read this book or any of the other books on this list, let me know!
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Sources:
New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/06/business/corporate-america-has-failed-black-america.html
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-minneapolis-police-companies-insight/u-s-companies-vow-to-fight-racism-but-face-critics-on-diversity-idUSKBN23H1KW
Publisher’s Weekly: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/83593-amistad-launches-blackoutbestsellerlist-on-social-media.html
Oprah Mag: https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/books/a32906813/what-is-blackout-bestseller-list/

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4/28/2020

Bless you, and your so called "Blessing Loom"

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Bless you, and your so called "Blessing Loom"

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Bless you, and your blessing loom.
 Do you have $100 to pay your friend with the PROMISE to make $800 in return? No risk, just reward!!! Sounds pretty fabulous... doesn't it?!
At a time when people are at arguably at their most vulnerable, the latest round of a Ponzi scheme is here to stir up the scene.
 

(So, I may be a few days late to the game here, since it does seem that the majority of these "loops" have closed and decided to stay quiet... but I still wanted to share my thoughts on this topic.)
 
Let's review today's current state of events for some context:
It is 2020, we are in the middle of a Global Pandemic. Small business, Music Venues, Entrepreneurs, and Individuals are struggling to make ends meet. Families are having difficulty to pay the bills. Our government has granted citizens a $1,200 stimulus check to help stimulate the broken economy and, to provide relief for individuals due to stay at home orders to slow the spread of Covid-19
This money is intended to re-activate the economy, pay bills that otherwise wouldn’t be paid, stay on top of finances & feed your family dinner.

But that would be too simple, wouldn't it?
 
Now I know I am going to offend some people here. So I am going to try and tread lightly, but I think a really important thing that needs to be asked in this case: "is your gifting circle actually a pyramid scheme" – and I mean seriously ask yourself, don’t just dance around it.. "THiS game is a CIRCLE DUH tHiS AiNt nO PyRaMiD."

The purpose of this article is to encourage you to step back from your quick money-making endeavor, and to first understand the definition of a pyramid scheme. Once you understand, it is my belief that you would easily keep your distance from these "blessing looms."
 
So what is a pyramid scheme? A quick google search will gain you this definition:
Pyramid Scheme: N. a form of investment (illegal in the US and elsewhere) in which each paying participant recruits two further participants, with returns being given to early participants using money contributed by later ones
And a little deeper look on Investor.gov will state:
In the classic "pyramid" scheme, participants attempt to make money solely by recruiting new participants, usually where:
  • The promoter promises a high return in a short period of time;
  • No genuine product or service is actually sold; and
  • The primary emphasis is on recruiting new participants.
*All pyramid schemes eventually collapse, and most investors lose their money.
PictureThe unsustainable geometric progression of a classic pyramid scheme, from Securities and Exchange commission report on pyramid schemes. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
So generally speaking, and to make it as "Pyramid Schemes for Dummies" as I possibly can: your blessing "circle"  - despite the fact that it is not *actually* shaped like a pyramid - is still a pyramid scheme.
 
Every bullet that I mentioned above describes these circles popping up. "Pay $100 and get $800 back FAST! All you have to do is get 8 people below you!" There is no product being sold, a promise for a quick return, and the prime emphasis to succeed is to get other "friends" to join you on your money-making journey.

And lastly, and perhaps most important, at some point it just impossible to sustain. At some point there is inevitably going to be a number of people who cannot successfully the people below them to ensure they earn their promised $800.
 
I have tried to find a clear example of a person who has recently admitted to being scammed by this "blessing circle" and I have not had much luck. (Which is not surprising that people wouldn't want to reveal themselves in that way.)
 
But there are countless articles being shared from officials in states all around the Country, California, North Carolina, Texas, Connecticut, Virginia, Utah, Arkansas, all warning citizens to stay away.

View this post on Instagram

If you see a scheme like "The #BlessingLoom" or "#LoomCircle" going around social media, DON'T fall for it! Even though it is not a physical pyramid, it is a classic example of a #PyramidScheme. ➡️SWIPE THROUGH to read important information to avoid losing your money. ——————————— Si ve un esquema como "The #BlessingLoom", #LoomCircle o "#CirculoDeLaAbundancia" en las redes sociales, ¡NO se deje engañar! Aunque no es una pirámide física, es un ejemplo clásico de un #EsquemaPiramidal. ➡️DESLIZA para leer importante información para evitar ser víctima. . . . . . #CrimePrevention #PrevencionDeCrimen #ScamAlert #AlertadeEstafa

A post shared by San Diego County DA (@sddistatty) on Apr 23, 2020 at 9:52am PDT

And of course, there are even more examples of cases from the past, because remember this isn't new. Here is an article from BBC last month. Here's a report from Vice in September. Here's a Medium post from April 2018, and here's a story from Alabama.com from November 2016 - that were all highlighted in this Complex article.

So I think I have hammered my point enough. I just hope that you can think twice before asking your friends or family to pay into something that inevitably will cause a percentage of people to not succeed.

Disguising these *circles* as a *blessing* or promising a community to people who are most likely in a time of need.. just seems shady to me. And while you may have been able to succeed - and even the majority of people around you may succeed - you are doing so at the cost of other individuals losing their money, aka NOT SUCCEEDING.
 
Want to know a *cRaZy* idea? Maybe instead of spending you $100 on a pyramid scheme, you could use your money to support a small business, an entrepreneur, an athlete, a student, an artist, or a musician. Get takeout at a local restaurant, purchase music from a local band, help fund a Student's move to college...

Go to this page I have made to see a whole list I created of things you could support during this Covid-19 mess that don't include giving money to a Ponzi scheme. â€‹
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4/27/2020

"Media" during a Pandemic, is it all Bad?

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"Media" during a Pandemic, is it all Bad?

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Transmission electron microscopic image of an isolate from the first U.S. case of COVID-19, formerly known as 2019-nCoV. The spherical viral particles, colorized blue, contain cross-section through the viral genome, seen as black dots.
​ ​Everyone has heard it lately: The Media is blowing this out proportion.

And sure, there is a lot of articles out there right now that don’t paint anything even remotely similar to a “happy” view of society. But here’s something that maybe people haven’t considered: It’s not up to the media to make the news seem desirable. 

Journalists and Reporters report just that, the news. Their job is to discuss what is happening, and NEWS FLASH (no pun intended) the Coronavirus Pandemic is what is happening right now.
It’s not up to the media to make the news seem desirable
 I have stayed quiet online for most of the Political, historical, and controversial moments in the past. However, during the past few weeks of isolation I have - like many other people who are stuck inside their homes - grown increasingly frustrated with the comments and misinformation that people have been spreading online.
 
Maybe it’s the ex-journalist in me. But I thought the least I could do is try to spread some light and information about some of the bits of news floating around. And let’s be honest, cure some of my own sanity.
 
If you don’t know me, I have spent the last 6 years or so working in the “mEdiA” you know, the dreaded cause of all our problems today. In my little time during & post college I have worked in Radio & Television, Live Sports, Television Award shows, Music Festivals, Business Conventions, Theatre & Dance Performance Arts, and probably more I am forgetting. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in Media Studies from San Diego State University in 2015. Sure, I am no expert, but I guess I can say at the very least I can speak from experience.

I have been doing my very best to stay on top of the news & information that is being spread during this Pandemic. It’s hard when the majority of people are staying at home, staring at their Facebook screens to differentiate what is “right” and what is “wrong.” And that’s not what this article is about.
 
I think it’s rather convenient that everyone can point fingers at the “Media” for saying that we are spreading fear, misinformation, or the works. However, what I think most people ignore is the fact that Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, even text messaging is a form of media. Here is a definition from Dicitonary.com: 
 Dictionary.com: Media: a plural of medium. (usually used with a plural verb) the means of communication, as radio and television, newspapers, magazines, and the Internet, that reach or influence people widely.
Without diving into a full-on Media & Communication lesson, and to put it as simply as possible: we are ALL the media. Our social interactions, commentary, and public opinions all contribute to the media landscape & the conversation. Sure, CNN, CBS & Fox News have more followers, but that doesn’t mean more influence. When Scotty from your senior class posts on his Timeline daily about how this virus is a “hoax,” he is very likely to gain a community of like-minded individuals who also feel the same way, and may also continue to share similar opinions & information online or to their circle of peers. Similarly, when Sally from your Freshmen year Biology class is constantly pushing a fundraiser to support Families of Health Care officials & to provide Masks for frontline workers, you are much more likely to see a group of people rallying around her to help the cause.
 
By posting these Articles, opinions, or ideas that Scotty & Sally feel are 100% fact & truth, they are doing the same thing that we are criticizing the “Media” for doing. Dispersing information, whether factual or not. This is where most people, if you aren’t in agreeance with the speaker start saying THE MEDIA IS “bLoWiNg tHiS oUt oF pRopORtIoN.”
 
But what is everyone supposed to do? Say nothing? Have no opinions? That’s not what I am saying. I just wish that more people could take accountability for their actions and realize that their commentary is making a difference whether it may be small or not. That perhaps a few more layers of reading & understanding could potentially inform your opinions & also strengthen your arguments. Just like a well written article with several references, your opinions should attempt to be well rounded.
 
Another main reason I wanted to discuss this, is to try and shed light on the good ways that the Media - and yes that includes our interactions on Social Media - are helping us during this time of Self Isolating,
 
I have included some “feel good” articles & social Media Posts that may brighten your day during your Social Distancing this week.

  • Existential Crisis Campout Group: “A group where we pretend to all WORK at the same music festival.” I would be surprised if my Event friends reading this haven’t heard of this group by now, but if you somehow have missed it – I promise you for one second you may feel like you are back on-site looking for the most reasonable porta potty to use.
 
  • Free dance classes & workshops: Dance magazine has a list of some amazing resources that dancers can use online to stay active & keep working on their conditioning. As a dancer in a small town, this is an amazing opportunity to take classes from people that I would NEVER get the chance to normally. 
 
  • Live Concert in your Living Room Streams. There are so many amazing Artists who have been opening up their hearts to fill our homes with amazing music. Whether you are into Deejays or Country, Rock n Roll or Pop music there have been so many opportunities to listen to Artists that for many of us, we have never had an opportunity to see before. My friend Cat has put together this site to list some of the Livestreams happening weekly, to keep your musical needs fulfilled. 
 
  • Nature is thriving. I think it’s pretty clear that the real winner of all this mess is the EARTH! There have been so many amazing articles that the Media has been sharing about the comeback that the planet is having during this Pandemic. This article I think highlights a lot of that, but I am sure there is so much more. 
Stay tuned for more like this... Comment below if you have more good news to share!

​Thank you for Reading..

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