What got me thinking in March

BB&amp;GT RECOMMENDATIONS(2)

This post is going to be similar to the What I’m reading this MLK Day post from a couple months ago. I talk a lot about books on this blog, but I’m sure that we all read more than that on a daily basis. Here are some of the things I read that got me thinking this past March. Feel free to add some links to articles that really got you thinking as well!

We’re all reading  folk around here, so I wanted to start off with Book Riot’s thread of book recommendations by people of color. It’s great, and has authors I’ve never even heard of. If you’re looking to diversify your list, it’s a must click. Speaking of diverse reads, I’m also providing For Harriet‘s call for writers and submissions. They’re a website specifically for a black women audience, so if you’re interested, the link is here.

Also for you writers and grammar fiends out there, I present the epic read “America Needs Y’all.” You haven’t been reading long enough if you haven’t seen me use the word y’all on this blog. It’s a brilliant gender neutral alternative for “guys,” and Vann Newkirk II builds a great case for it’s legitimization.

If you were as angry as I was about Batman vs Superman (which was a nice film on it’s own, but pretty bad within when actually evaluating it from within the fandom), I’d head on over to Birth.Movies.Death for “Superman and the Damage Done,” for a thoughtful eulogy for the superhero that Snyder ruined.

The Superman in recent films seemed fundamentally different than the original, and perhaps the same argument can be said for Nina Simone in the upcoming film starring Zoe Saldana. Many critics have discussed the her casting, saying that it’s a slap in the face to Simone’s memory– Ta Nehisi Coates does the subject justice in The Atlantic.

Earlier this month, I read Writing My Wrongs, where author Shaka Senghor discusses his time in prison. I toss NPR’s “Doubling Up Prisoners In ‘Solitary’ Creates Deadly Consequences” into the ring for consideration because it’s an eye opening look at yet another major problem with American prisons. These are people who are likely guilty of heinous crimes, yet what’s being done to them in prison is oftentimes criminal (if not at least criminally negligent) as well.

I can’t possibly discuss criminality without discussing politics. It’s just not possible. I present to you what is likely one of the wildest things I’ve read in a while. Today, Bloomberg Businessweek published “How to Hack an Election.” The long read focuses on Andrés Sepúlveda, who has admitted to hack his way into hoards of elections throughout Latin America. It’s frightening. When asked about the American election, he says he’s “100 percent sure” that it’s been tampered with.

If the previous article is the most shocking read of this month, I’d say this one is the most devastating. In this Washington Post article, a woman discusses forcing herself to talk about her sister’s suicide in the hopes that the story helps others. The story is powerful and necessary– but don’t read it on a gloomy day.

I know that so many of these articles are rather heavy. Ending things on a lighter note… here’s an excited goat. Let me know what stuff you were reading this month that really got you going!

15 Comments

  1. I love the word y’all and since I engage with lots of people from the US through blogging/Twitter/most other social media things, it’s slowly worked it’s way into my vocabulary. But, being Australian, I feel a bit weird using it – I’m sure I’ll get over that weirdness eventually!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s so great! Hopefully it’ll make it’s way over there, too! Unless there’s an Australian version, too?

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      1. Um, I don’t think there is really. No, wait. There is (although I don’t know that it’s strictly Aussie). Lots of people like to say “youse”, like the plural of “you”. It just doesn’t have the same ring as “y’all”.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Love this post…and of course the goat! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for reading! The goat is my favorite part!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I read that NPR “Doubling Up Prisoners In ‘Solitary’ Creates Deadly Consequences” article, and wow! that was an eye-opener. I knew about some of the problems in the prison system, but the the “double solitary” issue was new to me. I’m glad it read it. On a side note have you seen the Netflix documentary “What Happened to Miss Simone?” ? It was really good and interesting documentary. As for the new Nina movie, I just feel like there were plenty of other actresses that could have been casted.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Everyone I know has seen the Netflix documentary! I haven’t yet, but I’m not a big tv/Netflix person. It’s on my list, though, because I’ve heard great things about it. As for the movie… I’m with you. There are so many more great black actresses of all skin tones right now, that the casting didn’t even make sense.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You should definitely watch it, it’s worth the time. But as for the new Nina movie, the skin color casting issue happens all the time. I just don’t understand why Hollywood is so lazy with their casting, it’s like they do it on purpose. 😦

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Yea that Coates article was great!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love him so much– especially following him on twitter. Such a smart man, so much so that even when I disagree with him, I still feel like I’ve learned something. I’m definitely with him on this Nina Simone thing, though.

      Like

      1. I simply can’t keep up with Twitter but I try to read his articles every now and then. Yea, he definiely hit all the points with that article. It’s one that I plan to include in my articles roundup.

        Like

  5. haha nice to end it on the excitable goat!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I figured the post could use levity! I had boss who used to send this gif to employees on their birthdays!!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. haha that’s brilliant!

        Like

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