ordinary thoughts: redefining the narrative
Hola familia 🤎 After Tuesday’s primary results, a rematch is set in stone between the candidates of 2020’s presidential election.
Shifting toward more captivating topics, the remarkable Regina King stars in the upcoming biopic about the first Black woman in Congress, and the first woman ever to seek a nomination for president of the United States from one of two major political parties. Shirley Chisholm was a trailblazer in every aspect, paving the way for Black leaders, thinkers, and freedom fighters around the globe.
Watch the trailer for the upcoming film here, available on Netflix March 22nd.
- Isaiah & Cybele
new on the blog
Over the last several weeks, we’ve been getting to know our community on a deeper level. We’ve been honored to learn their stories and celebrate their work in this short interview series. We encourage you to some of the artists currently redefining the narrative.
embracing the art of journey-telling with Eniafe Isis
Artist and writer Eniafe Isis Adewale talks to us about writing, exploration, and self-discovery.
empowering BIPOC & Queer creators with Tasia Clemons
Coach and creative Tasia Clemons shares her thoughts on identity, inclusivity, and taking risks.
reclaiming the stories and sounds of Afro-Latinidad with Saso
Musician and artist Saso connected with us on embracing authenticity and cultural pride.
If you or someone you know would like to be featured, simply reply to this email and let us know!
stories that have our attention
‘As We Speak: Rap Music On Trial’ Takes A Deep Dive Into How And Why Rap Lyrics Are Being Criminalized
“They called jazz ‘devil’s music,’ Kemba noted, “and it didn’t have any lyrics”...
Imagine music that you wrote being held against you in a criminal proceeding. In the documentary “As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial,” the Bronx-born rapper Kemba travels around the country and to Britain, interviewing artists and legal experts about how that has been more than a theoretical possibility for rappers.
Kemba situates the association of rap with crime in a historical context of censorship of Black music. In another thread, “As We Speak” imagines Kemba himself on trial, with his writing being used against him in a criminal court. The staged material is a bit heavy-handed, but “As We Speak” makes a powerful case for the necessity of being free to make art, and for public awareness that art rarely qualifies as legal evidence.
NAACP urges Black athletes to avoid Florida public universities over anti-DEI policies
Black college athletes should rethink any decision to attend public colleges and universities in Florida, the NAACP advised in an extraordinary letter issued in response to efforts by Gov. Ron DeSantis to weaken diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts statewide.
The letter, authored by the NAACP's top two officials and addressed to Charlie Baker, the head of the NCAA, comes on the heels of last week's announcement by the University of Florida that it would eliminate the school's diversity, equity, and inclusion staff to come into compliance with an anti-DEI law signed last year by DeSantis.
‘Anti-immigrant’: Latino advocates slam bill passed by Georgia House after UGA killing
An immigration bill passed in the Georgia House in the emotional aftermath of a nursing student’s violent death in Athens is causing consternation among the state’s Hispanic community, with advocacy groups warning of racial profiling and of potentially dangerous repercussions on Latino residents.
Passed mostly along party lines, with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed, House Bill 1105 would permit police to arrest, with probable cause, anyone who is suspected of being in the country illegally and detain them for deportation.
Adopting the bill would “expand immigration detention and keep more of our community members in jail,”... “This bill is an example of [a] racist and anti-immigrant agenda.”
in other news...
Politics
Trump, Biden quickly clinch nominations for first presidential rematch since '56
Biden administration is sending $300 million in weapons to Ukraine
West Virginia Republicans Double Down On Anti-Blackness By Vetoing The CROWN Act
Markets
US Labor Market Is Starting to Look Vulnerable
Bitcoin Eyes $74K as BTC ETFs See Record $1B in Net Inflows
Frothy U.S. Stock Market Just Isn’t Crazy Enough to Be a Bubble
Tech
Ex-Twitter execs sue Elon Musk for severance
Apple fined $2B over music streaming competition
TikTokers revolt against potential ban
Sports
Serena’s Legacy: Plenty of wins, plenty of stands on issues
NCAA hoops leagues grapple with unequal pay for women’s refs
Caitlin Clark, Iowa set conference tournament viewership record after beating Nebraska
pa' la cultura
cultural trivia
Question: In the spirit of Women’s History Month and the depressing and underwhelming election season, here’s some historic trivia.
How many women have served as justices in the United States Supreme Court’s 234-year history? If you could name a few, or all, double bonuses for you.
Three
Seven
Six
Nine
Scroll further down to see if you’ve got it.
song of the week
We’re paying close attention to the latest exceptional music output from artists who deserve more flowers. This week, you should listen to:
Certainty of Life by Luna Elle. Crooning remarkable melodies with heartfelt lyricism, Luna Elle is an emerging 18-year-old singer from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
currently reading…
Cybele’s pick for this week is The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.
“Only white folks got the freedom to hate home.”
The lives of identical twin sisters take divergent paths after they run away from their small, southern Black community as teenagers. Passing as white, Stella embraces a new identity, while Desiree returns to their hometown with a daughter who presents a stark contrast to her fair-skinned sister. Spanning decades and generations, Bennett's novel is a masterful exploration of race, identity, family, and the enduring bond between siblings. With lyrical prose and profound insight, "The Vanishing Half" explores the complexities of self-discovery and the repercussions of the choices we make.
This is a highly recommended read–and even better if you get to it before it’s adapted for screen.
words of wisdom
Cultural Trivia Answer
The answer, ladies and gentlemen, is… *Drum roll please*
3. Six
Out of 115 justices that have served on the US Supreme Court, only six have been women. Four are currently serving: Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Amy Coney Barrett, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg are former justices.