ordinary thoughts: meet us IRL

Written By Narrative Media Co.

Hola amigos 👋 If you’re new here, welcome! 

Every week, for the last 16 weeks (can you believe it!?), we’ve been curating some of our favorite creative stories, new sounds, and cultural fun facts right here in this newsletter. 

If you’ve missed any, we encourage you to check out our website where you’ll find the archive, some think pieces penned by us, and our newest project: Ordinary Thoughts, the podcast. And if you like what you see, we would love it if you shared it with a friend. 

Now, for the good stuff... 

- Isaiah & Cybele

upcoming event

letters to my younger self: art exhibition & open mic

Meet us IRL in NYC! 

Our work will be showcased among other amazing artists in our community. The event, hosted by Massiel Alfonso (catch her on Ordinary Thoughts tomorrow!), is one where visual art and written stories intertwine, creating a powerful tapestry of self-love, resilience, and empowerment.

When: Saturday, April 20th, 3-6 PM 

Where: Art on the Ave NYC

Limited tickets are available.

new episode

walk in your purpose with Jennifer Myers

In this conversation, we celebrate a woman who has dedicated her life to helping individuals feel empowered and live purpose-driven lives! 

Jennifer Myers wears multiple hats as a life coach, certified women’s circle facilitator, owner and host of the Open Heart Raw Story podcast, and seasoned yoga teacher and movement motivator. 

Today’s conversation dives into balancing our corporate and creative lives, being a multi-hyphenate, navigating self-doubt, and SO much more. 

stories that have our attention

Arizona Supreme Court Brings Back 160-Year-Old Abortion Ban

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that a 19th-century abortion ban with almost no exceptions can be enforced in the state, dealing a devastating blow to patients who may be forced to self-manage their abortions at home, leave the state to get care, or continue a pregnancy against their will… The ban was originally enacted in 1864 — before Arizona was a state and decades before women were allowed to vote — and makes it a felony to perform or help someone obtain an abortion with a penalty of two to five years in prison. It includes just one exception: to save the life of the pregnant person. In practice, there’s overwhelming evidence that these exceptions are rarely granted to patients.

The Path to Citizenship Is Nearly Impossible. These Groups Aim to Help

A recent study by Professor Emily Ryo of the University of Southern California notes that “non-white applicants and Hispanic applicants are less likely to be approved [for naturalization] than non-Hispanic white applicants.” While troublesome, the findings are not surprising. Ethnicity and race have historically factored in the quest for naturalization. For instance, The Naturalization Act of 1790 limited this benefit to “free white” individuals, and it wasn’t until 1870 when the U.S. granted citizenship to persons of “African nativity and… descent,” Ryo writes in the study.

The citizenship process is obscure due to the lack of information about legal options and available aid. Many are eligible to apply but don’t even consider the possibility because of the high application fees — currently $640 to $725. A Pew Research survey showed that “18% [of Mexican green card holders] identified administrative barriers, such as the financial cost of naturalization,” as an impediment to starting their naturalization process. 

As famine looms in Gaza, the U.S. humanitarian strategy is failing

Last Friday, a senior State Department official told Reuters that much of southern and central Gaza are at “significant risk” of famine and that in northern Gaza famine “quite possibly is present.” A report released on March 18 by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a multilateral initiative that evaluates food crises, went further. It stated that about 1.1 million Gazans are experiencing “catastrophic food insecurity” and that in the northern governorates “famine is imminent.”

In response, the Israeli government criticized the IPC’s data and methodology and denied Israel was “purposefully starving the civilian population in Gaza.” Israel blamed Hamas and aid organizations, respectively, for aid abuse and mismanagement. Israel maintains it places no limits on the amount of aid that can enter Gaza.

in other news...

Politics 

Markets

Tech 

Sports 

pa' la cultura

cultural trivia

It’s still National Poetry Month, fam! 

Question: The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture features a quote on its wall: "I, too, am America," which comes from a poem by what leader of the Harlem Renaissance?

  1. Claude McKay

  2. Langston Hughes 

  3. W. E. B. Du Bois

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: 

OPTIONS - Chase Shakur, Atlanta-born R&B artist

words of wisdom

Cultural Trivia Answer

The answer, ladies and gentlemen, is… *Drum roll please*

2. Langston Hughes 

The words displayed at The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture come from"I, Too" from The Collected Works of Langston Hughes.

Narrative Media Co.
Previous

healing through writing with Massiel Alfonso
Next

walk in your purpose with Jennifer Myers